1 25 4708 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/37219591f5aad2bd7b1ac099e6790461.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=S1WWg%7Eemh34xjl860zbkp2lcgDPAT0IMgV5U1W4XycJfy7T67PWsFonJsWQMwJHYAXlfE1fViUNiofYomI8Dgmwm%7EEKgagDh4uq7jAuTGykxVSAgvQR1OdSGAOPAwW588SEON7WzUfuFJAMJUt40oKF-lxm6Aez-XCa-IMO3y09Qre3K3BBIYAM%7EtbmeVw6OcKyw7M2QbxUdWsX1uTPp-Wo67PWP8Q1l9RfRaCdVctPVoOIeXByIg7EaFu2zI7y9B4I3mGQ9Xuv9gFgAI0QQxSQ8DABdPQI46LVwZkuERe0aOzagGcHcnuDby6244EsovhdmVSpKqM2iAdWkQ7SX7w__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 3a6524bbb562da8f116353ea107c8770 PDF Text Text "Ducit Amor Patriae" WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. No. 39 RECORDS OF NIAGARA 1784-7 Collected and Edited by BRIG, GENERAL E. A. CRUIKSHANK REFERENCE: OCAL HISTORY COLLECTION 33 39 Published by the Niagara Historical Society A 2 PAMPHLET FILE �SIR JOHN JOHNSON Superintendant General of Indian Affairs �"Ducit Amor Patriae" NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. No. 39 RECORDS OF NIAGARA 1784-7 996199 Collected and Edited by BRIG. GENERAL E. A. CRUIKSHANK 956182 M WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY REFERENCE: 971.33 NA LHC. #2 LOCAL HISTORY Published by the Niagara Historical Society COLLECTION �RECORDS OF NIAGARA 1784-7 In anticipation of the impending disbandment of the regiment when the officers would become entitled to halfpay an official return was prepared of the officers of Butler's Rangers, a majority of whom settled in the Niagara district. There were, however, several notable exceptions. Captain William Caldwell settled in the township of Malden in the Western district, and founded the new settlement on Lake Erie where he organized the Essex militia. Captain John Macdonell and his brothers, Lieutenants Alexander and Chichester Macdonell, joined their kinsmen in the Eastern district. Captain Macdonell organized the militia of Glengarry, which he commanded for many years, and raised the second battalion of the Royal Canadian Volunteers for general service in 1795. He was the first speaker of the legislative assembly of Upper Canada. Captain George Dame located his lands in the township of Bertie, but went to reside at Three Rivers where his descendants now live. Captain John McKinnon returned to Scotland. Captain Louis Genevay obtained an official appointment at Montreal. Lieut. David Brass settled at the Bay of Quinté. Lieut. Charles de Tonnancour returned to his family at Three Rivers, Lieut. Philip Luke settled in Lower Canada and commanded the 4th Battalion of the militia of the Eastern Townships during the war of 1812. As lieutenant colonel commanding, John Butler organ- ized the militia of the new district of Nassau, eventually forming three battalions. Peter Hare, Andrew Bradt, Thomas Butler, and Ralfe Clench all attained the rank of lieutenant colonel and commanded regiments of the militia of the county of Lincoln in after years. -491-EE 3 �REPORT OF A MEETING WITH THE SIX NATIONS. At a Meeting held at Niagara the 6th March 1784, at the request of the Sachems and Chiefs of the Six Nations, in consequence of a speech sent by General Schuyler, in Answer to the Six Nations & Confederates speech sent to him last fall by Pitorus and little Beard.-Present- Lt. Colo. Hoyes 34th Regt. Lt. Dodsworth 34th Regt. Com't. Lt. Colo. Butler, Depy Agt. Capt. Powell Indn. Dept. Indn Affrs. Capt. Forbes 34th Regt. Lt. Bowen Indn. Dept. Capt. Hamilton 8th Regt. Lt. D. Servos Indn. Dept. Lt. Wade Royl. Artily. Mr. Wilkinson Surg. I. Dept. Lt. Wilmott 8th Regt. Mr. Nicholes Stevens Interpr. Sayengaraghta, Little Beard, Scanandoa, Pitorus, and the greatest part of the Chiefs and Warriors of the Six Nations Indians being assembled went through the usual ceremony.― General Schuyler's Speech was read and interpreted to the Indians, the business was then adjourned to the day following.- March 7th, present as before-Sayengaraghta rose and spoke as follows Brother. You yesterday communicated to us General Schulyers speech, sent by Little Beard and Pitorus, which speech we have seriously considered, and have, agreeable to our promise, concluded to send Deputies to Canada and Detroit, to acquaint our Brethren with the same. And request that you will write to Mr. McKee (inclosing a copy of General Schuyler's speech) desiring him to explain it to the Hurons, that they may immediately dispatch Messengers to communicate the same to the different Nations to South'd and West- ward, as also to desire the Sachems and Chiefs, to keep themselves in readiness to attend at a General Council or Treaty, Time and place we will inform them by a runner, which probably will be immediately after we receive the Answer from Congress, that General Schuyler alludes to in his speech-We also desire that you will write to Capt. Brant, that he may acquaint our Brethren the seven Nations in Canada with this important Business, and also invite the principle Men to attend the General Treaty, to which they shall have 4 �timely Notice. And that Capt. Brant will dispatch his Business in Canada, and return to this place with every possible and convenient speed. Four Strings Wampum (Apparently in handwriting of John Butler.) FROM JOHN BUTLER TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON. NIAGARA 17TH MARCH 1784. Sir, Little Beard and Pitorus, with several other Indians that went with a Message to General Schuyler last fall, is at last returned (as they say) in forty two days from the Settlements, their tedious march was owing to the severe Weather, and the vast quantity of Snow, they Brought General Schuyler's Speech, directed to Capt. Brant, a Copy of which I herewith inclose, and also a Copy of the Definitive Treaty, together with the proceedings at a meet- ing held by the Six Nations in presence of the Officers of the Garrison &ca. in consequence of that Speech.― The Six Nation Indians appears very anxious to have that speech communicated to all their Confederates and Allies, and a Warm invitation given to all their great and Wise Men to attend at the General Treaty, mutually to consult and fix upon some measures that may lead to their Interest and safety; they think by calling all the principle Men of their Brethren together, and acting in conjunction with your good advice, which they hope to receive on the occasion, will be of great use to them on the Day of the General Treaty.The Chiefs also say, that they have during the late War, assisted the King every thing in their power, and done every thing that was desired of them, therefore they are fully persuaded that he will not forsake them at this critical time, but when they reflect on the contraction, or scarcity of presents the last fall and that before they could help themselves, let alone their families, and a number of dis- tressed people by Hunting, almost induces them to think their Father means to leave them in that melancholy situa- tion, that General Schuyler takes so much pains to inform them off, I have wrote Mr. McKee and Capt. Brant agreeble to the Indians request, they are very anxious indeed for Josephs return.- 5 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY �A young Man (a Son of Isaac's) who accompanied Pitorus &ca. to Schenectady, informed David Karaqunta, since the meeting, that Pitorus was frequently in private with General Schuyler, and a Canawarohara Indian by name, Grasshopper, Who have in conjunction sent a warm and friendly invitation (in private) to all the Oneidas, Aughquagas, Canoughsaragas, and Tuscaroras, now with us, to return to their former possessions, on which they shall be protected, and have peaceable possession, on the (addition) Lands as far as the old Onandaga Town, from thence to Oweygo on the Susquehanna, and also the Lands East of that river, that was allotted to the Aughquagas in 1768. this information has already kindled some Jealousy, and very likely to create a good deal of uneasiness, yesterday Karaqunta brought the Indian to me, to vindicate his reporting Pitorus's guilt, who declared the above to be true, with this addition, that the young man asked Pitorus why he did not call the Indians of them four Villages together and deliver the Message he had to them, the latter Answered no, but that he knew the Chiefs whose Ears he could wisper into with safety and be kept a profound secret, and that he would advise them not to go away in a Body, but carelessly drop off and travel by one or two Canoes at a time, Karaqunta has promised me, that he will en- deavor to point out all their hidden deceptions.-I expect the Indians will soon receive the Answer from Congress, that General Schuyler alludes to in his speech, at which time you may expect an express to be sent to acquaint you with every particular, and by the same opportunity I will transmit to you the Acts, Returns, &ca. &ca. Poor old Friel died the 5th Instant, and left a young helpless family, with very little to support them.Lieut. Nelles accompanies the Indians to Canada, to whome I refer for any common circumstances regarding the department. I have the Honor to be with due respect Sir Your obedient and Humble Servant JOHN BUTLER. Brigadr. Genl. Sir John Johnson. (A.L.S.) (State Records, Indian Papers.) 6 �. , , a t 8 ih 4, n t eh hi in s ; o f hie , n N e ,tw his . or Emi Hg ig rh al R na ot y na s d l 1775 off i c su ba le ta er r sn June atdyoeie-n , th e , i n 14th service Majese tny ' te rs ed Province Johns- near County York town ; Highland otha enr d wi t Am t eh r o ica p t i ga ar l a n t al c t i v a n ae s fh re que ent h a s of a, nd in 1773 on by , , . ,in him- distinguished father . Came .. 9 years Scotland Invernesshire . McDonell . . Captain san self line the Rangers . . - san settled John in Wil iam ocasions emigraTryonnts John which company Indiaan n w a s t o afterwards partment officer appw oh ie nr te - 1775 Niagara f Pr hi o lm at Ame h ri t e ca o ns ed year making delphia escap he is str noag y a n ro el p t ul i le o n n t attached .9 rom afn d s ome 1y7 t e 5 h a5 e r , -., expectation considerable property years Abandoned . from . BUTLER A offi cn er Formerand of yrs 29 . t h I ne . Len'th Service JOHN situa ions remarks . Caldwell ConneP ct io cu r vt of . w LondN oen Butler Nativity Place O F AD NG ED RS COMMARN E BU Y E T COLOL NIE L OF Captain Com'nt OF ICERS THE CORPS THE Col Name Lt. Rank OF RETURN �,in as , a . as by ;;tthw.eo y i e , n I n 7 . ye . ; . 3rd ye thr at 17 7a w 5 as appoint we ad s invaded Militia when the to British master quarter and Canada ye adjS uet n ra 1 v 7 e 6t 3 d. in the to . 17 ye 5a 6 re t h Re gt 60 tt h h e reduc ut ni to in l and served in volunter . Go eo rge L r d Joined . yea s 2r8 . Switzerland . GenevLa ou y is . Captain Germain chiei f n com and- recom nde the the to er Excel ency Southern . Scotland . . . . . . John and Peter George Served His army Peter McKinnon of oj rop ins ed yce a r s with Captain Rangers thence t M o h on e son from depad rt ima en nt served river hawk the promoted subaltern P t eh a oc e f e Lan- de yea s 2r4 years gentleman Private Justices c m -t wo a l ar s bCy ol. Regiment incial in the Captain York situaions remarks . Former and yea s 2r8 Scotia Tryon C'y Tryon . Nova Halifax River . Frey Captain Bernard . Hare Pr Ao l o bf v 'y In Co. of Service Prov- yea r s Pr i o n v . . , 7 C'y .. . Gentleman's Re8 gi en 4mt ht from Oliver mande ceyo,anfdHis N.Y. . ,., A A York. New Mohawk ye Broe Tc ek n Place A Dame. Name Nativity Captain Captain Captain Rank Majesty's 0 of Len'th �,, Province .ioo;nf.f a ) ( os r Johns- town County sett 1l 7e 7d 3 Tryon High ln an a dd America emigrants .7 .6 .7 . . 25 ., . to a , , , . . . father years Came son Farmer's son . m oef n pfa r br t o gh aun dt amilye e s t a t h i s Mili iaa Cat pt i An o af nf d of corps company 1778 years Left . commissioned Regt remarks Scotland Riv Invernesshire Mohawk Proov f Y. N Albany Co. Riv . York Mohawk Schoharry Philadelphia . . . Butler Ball Hare Ball Pawling Nativity Place Peter John Jacob Turne Jo y hn Strangford years years Farmer's and Service ct oh r p s ii n aw ppo in te ed a s h up o wn as dh ui ts y . .. County farmer officer King' ye s a1 r8 s Farmer son years years Farmer's Rangers . 1-c,7h o w n hi o f 8n t i h n .. the joined a . 6 ye i ,n r s DC o o w . n , .y7ea . . 9 of Schen tady. Ireland. Nf etw o h , n n e a rie i n in other hwi s i t th o ., o f . , York;entdiHsMaj- Lieut.-ColBr'sn Yr.,9M. 3 Albany,Provice f New of Alex.McDonl Thomas Benjamin Andrew . Lt1. st Lt 1s .t st Lt1. st Lt1. Lt .t 1s Captain of situations For mer Capt.-Lt. Rank NBradt. ame Lt. 1st 9 Len'th Company which superceded he iR n a n d 6 e0 t g t h o t h . e f doinfg or ad,withlevnpyg though another Can- pon servicue Batt �i ne th .a,t , . yt ea wa r , o n s d corps o f ye a .6 f o u s er rr vs eA d Rangers of , . York a Refugee bo s dy years farmer 1y 7e 7 ta h 8 i r e n of Regiment the in a volunteer of Province Highland Johns- . .. in near County ; 1773 settled his with York as PrAC o l, b oa. ny America father Farmer's Farmer's ae t Riv Th er res the of vince Jericho . Luke service and son son of .Tonnancour Col. of Mill years 7 aasor . InvernessMh e ci Dor ne ll years . Connecticut years Riv Mohawk ( . Bradt sey .Yk years 8t oh r Formerand . . 4 Farmer in volunteer son,ervdyar . 6 Scotland . . . . . . . . .5 yea6 r½ s wright . ) Royal situa ions remarks R e g i m e n t . a ew EN. Co. Prov Tryon . as years Farmer's of Len'th Service New YorkH;entisdMajy' to Son N. New in town,iye Militia Came emigrantsTryon 4 Jer- Somerset Co'y Pennsylvania of Place King's New Plainfeld, Tonacur.Cnda. Nativity Brass Hanson David Richard NamCelench. the Philip Reynolds. Chicester Ralph other JohnCaleb Lt. Lt 1. st Rank Royal Charles Lt. Lt. Lt. 2nd in Lt. 2nd 2nd 2nd King'sNew Lt. Lt. 2nd York. 1st 2nd Emigrants volunterHighland in 84th the esty's service �. . ; . , -. , Com Cm oa lno dn ie nl g . , h y e w i t m a t e . . inof a s o , 4 7f i t n h Lieut . vessels to i a n y 17M 7 6 t o different America troops came hospmi ahl Ss ix ot nt years years years gentleman Rangecr s or ps Private years w c h Rh e g ti hi e three and , pp . 10 B5 .( ohn ButleJr .2 .8 .6 . . , .: .. . Ma yo Irelan d . Co. Burke Mk . Irel Li a me n ri d c . Guthrie Philadelphia twentys e r v e d y e a r s . 3 2 , so n . . . . as84th . . . . Yk . es se PawliJn g the ent nineteemn years nine ar tm hy e Eng'Yd ork In Butl elr sl Co o' ne Regime tn ht e Co. 9 a volun te ea er r y son Riv mos Lieut thn e o f s o n a d , t h e i a n Mohawk Smith Butler William years N.. Ce he W sst Rochelle 2nd Scotland Sutherland Secord Quarter 4e 4n tt h Regim Three and remarks of Place volunteye ea r rs NamTeief ie. Nativity Lt. 2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. 2nd Rank Service of Former situaions Lt. Andrew in 7 Farmer's Tie fs fti Ma ee r New ter Served David Samuel Sol mon . . sergeant Halifax Adj'ant trading A first surgeon 390-4.) Robert Patrick Mate QuaMratesrter Surgeon = Len'th �Haldimand's mind was busy during the winter with plans for the settlement of the loyalists and Indians in the "upper country", as is shown by his correspondence with Sir John Johnson and others. He wished the Six Nations to settle upon lands in the Grand River valley which had yet to be purchased for them from the Mississaugas. They wavered for some time between Cataraqui, the Bay of Quinté, the situation he proposed for them. and A part of the Mohawks led by Captain John finally decided to settle at the Bay of Quinté, while the remainder under the leadership of Joseph Brant preferred the Grand River. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON. Head Quarters Quebec 15th March 1784. Sir, I have been favored with your letter of the 11th Instant by Captain Brant & David with whom I have fully conversed upon the Subject of the settlement they so much wish to form on the Grand River above the Head of Lake Ontario. After examining the situation of the Country upon the Map, and considering the Reasons which incline Joseph to this measure I am clearly of opinion that an accomplishment of it, is much to be desired-I have communicated my ideas upon it to Joseph, and have promised Him every encouragement in my Power towards the success of it. He tells me that Col. Butler is persuaded he can purchase the Right of the Lands from the Messessagues for a very trifling consideration-You have therefore my Authority to instruct him upon that subject whenever it shall be thought best, after the necessary steps for carrying the mat- ter into execution shall be decided upon with Joseph & his adherents in this Plan-He informs me that altho' the Mo- hawks here, have not at first entered into his ideas, they will soon perceive the advantages of extending themselves into so fine a Country, forming a communication with the Delawares and other Indians who are settled there and strengthening themselves by the Emigration of some of the six Nations who it seems are not inclined to remove to the Bay of Quinte. I nevertheless intend to reserve that spot for such of the Indians who may wish at present, or on a future day to settle there (B. 63, pp. 128-9.) 12 �FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON. Head Quarters Quebec the 23rd March, 1784. Sir, Inclosed I Transmit for your Information the substance of Joseph Brant's Requisition with my answer thereto since my Letter to you of the 15th Instant I have had frequent conversations with Joseph upon the subject of it, which have confirmed me in the opinion thereon Expressed re- specting the settlement proposed upon the Grand River for such of the Mohawks, & others of the six Nations who shall chuse to retire to it-The Inclosed will show you that Joseph is so sanguine in the Business, as to expect it may be immediately carried into execution, desirous to gratify the wishes of these deserving people, no time should be lost in that part of it, which falls to our share you will please therefore to give Lieut. Col. Butler the necessary directions for purchasing without loss of Time, the Tract of Country as described in the enclosed, Viz. The Land situated between the Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron satisfied that you will be very particular in your Instructions to Col. Butler respecting the Terms of the purchase, I shall only observe that the Utmost Attention to Economy must be paid in this, & all future Expences in a Department which has so great a share in exhausting the public Treasure. In regard to the claim made by the Mohawks to indemnify the losses sustained in their settlements, I refer you to the enclosed, -sensible of the Justice of their arguments, & of the necessity they are driven to from their attachment to Government, uninstructed as I am with the intention of the Nation, I cannot help going some length in relieving them. You will please therefore to appropriate fifteen Hundred Pounds New York Currency to that Purpose, until His Majesty's Pleasure shall be known-I leave to you to concert with Joseph, and determine upon the mode most proper for the distribution of that sum. He has given me an abstract of their Losses, & says he has the particular accounts at Mont- real-It will be highly necessary that you see these Regu- larly made out & certified in the best manner possible, in order that they may be Transmitted to the Minister in support of the representation I shall make in their favor-You will perceive the necessity there is of keeping this matter from the knowledge of the other Indians of the six Nations who would not fail to make similar Demands tho' they have not the same pretentions. I have Instructed Joseph upon this head, you will say to Him what you think necessary upon the Occasion. His Reasons for wishing that the Cloathing promised to the six Nations be given as soon as possible, 13 �are very Just, & I wish you to take the necessary steps that it may be forwarded as soon as the communication by water will permit. Joseph has requested that I would take the opportunity of his being here to say something to the six Nations in answer to their last Speeches, which have been Transmitted to the Minister, in order to content them untill such time as I shall be informed of the Result. I can say nothing but what has been already communicated to them thro' you, but as Joseph desires it I enclose a short Speech, which you will Transmit by Him, with whatever you shall judge necessary to say from yourself. I have this day wrote a Letter to Col Campbell upon the Subject of the claim of the St. Regis Indians which he will show to you, and confer with you upon it. (B. 63, pp. 143-5.) PROPOSAL BY JOSEPH BRANT. SUBSTANCE of Captain Brant's wishes respecting forming a settlement of the Mohocks and others of the Six Nations Indians upon the Grand River &ca. Sir John Johnson will be instructed to That His Excellency the Commander in Chief should give the Superintendant and Inspector General purchase the Tract of Country between of Indian affairs Instructions and im- the chase from the Missisagas or Propri- three Ontario, Lakes, and etors, a tract of Land consisting of Huron, out of which, about Six Miles on each side of the the Tract required by the Mohawks for Grand River called Oswego Running from the River La Tranche into Lake the Six Nations will Erie, for the use of the Mohawks and be Granted to them such of the Six Nations as are inclined by a Deed. The rest to join will be reserved for Colo. Butler is fully acquainted with Loyalists, Erie, power Lieut. Colonel Butler to pur- or them in that Settlement.— any the Views, and inclinations of Captn. Brant and the Mohocks Respecting future Purpose.this Settlement, and only waits the General's approbation to make the Purchase. The sooner this can be done the better as they would remove this Spring time enough to plant Corn &ca. and Captn. Brant would propose that some of his Party be sent off upon this Business, to Colo. Butler as soon as he Returns to Montreal. The above mentioned Limits are only meant for the Indians of the Six Nations who may settle there, but a more con- siderable Tract of Land may at the same time, be purchased on very Reasonable Terms whereon to Settle Loyalists, or for any future purpose. 14 �Orders, dated 9 June, 1783, had been received from the War Office, reducing the strength of the regiments of the regular army and authorizing the discharge of certain men who were to be granted land if they elected to remain in the province. The final disbandment of all provincial military units was authorized with a view to their settlement. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.- COLONEL A.S. DE PEYSTER. Head Qrs. Quebec 29th March 1784. Sir, You will herewith receive a copy of a Letter from the Secretary at War accompanied with copies of His Majesty's orders for a reduction of the staff of the Army, disbanding the 1st Battalion of the 84th Regiment, and for a reduction of the several Regiments, serving in this Province, together with a Plan of the Establishment to take place from the Reduction, orders were at the same time received for dis- banding all the provincial Troops and for allotting Portions of the Crown Lands to them, and to such of the Army disbanded or reduced in this Province. Extracts of the In- structions and Letters upon that subject, are herein transmitted. These orders were not received untill it was too late in the season to communicate them to the Upper Coun- try, so as to have effect, and tho' I am naturally anxious that they should be executed as soon as possible, yet I have not received any Instructions concerning the Evacuation of the Posts in the Upper Country, nor even the definitive Treaty & that I am in Dayly expectation of them, I do not think fit to risk the consequences, which disbanding and reducing the Troops might have with the Indians, untill I shall receive my Dispatches, at the same time I have to desire that you will be in readiness on the shortest notice to reduce the King's (or 8th) & 34th Regiments to the pres- ent Establishment, and to disband the Corps of Rangers, commanded by Lieut. Col. Butler, together with all Persons of every denomination and serving under your command, in the description Provincials, the Navy excepted for which particular Instructions will be given. As it is my Butler's intention to of settle such part of Lieut. Col. Rangers on the Tract of Land opposite to Niagara purchased from the Messessague Indians as it will contain & the rest at the Head of Lake Ontario, towards the Grand River, upon a new purchase, which Col. Butler will have directions by 15 �this opportunity to make, they are particularly fortunate in their present situation, for by the time you will receive this, the season will be sufficiently advanced for them to go to work upon their settlement, and I shall send a proper Person when the Reduction takes place to distribute the Lands agreeably to the King's Instructions when the Lotts will be numbered and regularly drawn for, necessary preparations for the general good may, in the mean Time be making, by a Judicious Distribution of the Corps, to which Col. Butler is very equal, & will, I persuade myself, cheerfully give every aid and attention in his power. You will not lose time in communicating to Col. Butler the Extracts inclosed, that he may in the fullest manner, explain their contents to his corps, and at the time of its being disbanded, you will take down the names of the officers and men who wish to settle there. Their Desire must be signed by them- selves, to prevent future claims, or Retraction which would otherwise happen if they are so fickle as the Loyalists here and you will perceive by the Instructions that Lotts are only to be given to those who will cultivate them & not for the purpose of Land Jobbing which was the case after last war, an accurate Return of the men's names and number of each Family that will settle must be Transmitted to me as soon as possible, you will allow the Rangers to occupy their Barracks, untill their Lotts shall be assigned to them, but they must all winter upon their respective possessions, you will also allow them provisions in the following proportions from the day of their being disbanded untill further orders. To each man & woman in Family one Treasury Ration. To children above ten years old one do To children ten years old one half do To save time in case you should not arrive at Niagara as soon as this Letter, I shall direct it eventually to the officer commanding there who will execute the contents as far as it relates to Niagara and forward it to you. I have for the same reason Transmitted copies of the orders, &ca., to Majors Harris & Ross directing that the former may disband the 1st Battn. of the 84th Regt. and the latter the 2nd Battn. of the R. R. of N. York, as are now there. I would order Major Ross as commissary of the 34th Regiment, down to Cataraqui but that I wish to avoid as much as possible any movement of the Troops in the Upper Coun- try, untill I shall receive instructions whether to evacuate or keep the Posts any longer in possession, should any of the men discharged from the Regiments, the Rangers, or other Loyalists, at Niagara decline settling there, you will send them down to this Country without loss of Time. 16 If any �of them prefer settling at Cataraqui they may stop there, which you will notify to Major Ross, who will have my directions to receive them. To avoid any depredations on the Barracks & Buildings belonging to the Crown, at present occupied by the Rangers you will send an officer with a small detachment to reside there from the Time of their be- ing disbanded, who is to be answerable for the safety of them, as they will answer for Barracks, should Post be taken on that side the River on the Evacuation of Niagara; for which purpose the Surveyor will have directions in laying out the settlement to reserve the east end, comprehend- ing the High ground above Navy Hall, across to the four Mile Run, entirely for the Crown, in order that such parts of it as shall be found the most proper may be fortified. whenever it shall be necessary. You will please as soon as possible to order down the Detachment of the 34th Regiment from Michilimackinac Capt. Robertson excepted, for whom I enclose a Letter of service continuing him in command of that Post until further orders which you will please to seal and forward to him by the first opportunity notifying the appointment by an order from yourself. Potatoes for seed are much wanted. formed me Indian Corn and General Maclean in- there was a large quantity of the former in Store at Niagara, it must all be preserved for that purpose and send a few hundred bushels with what Potatoes can be spared to Cataraqui for that and the settlements down- wards. (B. 63, pp. 161-5.) The following letter indicates the anxiety of the governor to induce all the Mohawks and other Indians of the Six Nations, who wished to remove from the United States, to settle at the Grand River. FROM MAJOR ROBERT MATHEWS TO JOSEPH BRANT QUEBEC, 8th April, 1784. My Dear Friend, I received with much Pleasure your Letter of the 4th Instant, and have shewn it to His Exc'y, the commander in chief You are so well Acquainted with the Interest he takes in the welfare & Happiness of the Mohawks, that I need not tell you the concern which every circumstance will give Him that can interfere with either as such. He considers Captain John's unwillingness to unite with you-His endeavours to Join the Mohawks at La Chine with those who are desirous to settle upon the Grand River, being satisfied that your strength, influence, & existance, As a 17 �respectable Nation Depends entirely upon a perfect Union & close connection with each other, which can never subsist while you are so far separated-The proposed Situation has climate, Soil, clear ground, & every advantage in its favor, your interests would be united, & your Nation would soon grow Strong, rich, and happy, & acquire its former consequence. His Excellency can have no other view in recom- mending this Plan, for He has already declared to Sir John Johnson, & to Yourself, that a large portion of Land is to be reserved at the Bay of Quinte for the Mohawks, and tho' He anxiously wishes for your own sakes, that you would pre- fer the other situation, he, by no means insists upon, but leaves it entirely to your own decision. You & David are Masters of the Subject, you are Acquainted with the Advantages it promises, and with His Excellency's sentiments thereon-He thinks it is a Duty you owe to your Nation to state Them in the fullest manner, & to recommend to their Example the Conduct you mean yourself to Adopt-Those who do not follow it, will certainly regret their loss of Time, when they see you happily settled in a few years; and tho' late, will be glad to Join you-you will however have nothing to reproach yourself with, should you fail in the Attempt. The General has desired me to tell you that you shall have an Order for the Bell¹ before you leave Montreal, Accept my best wishes & believe me &c. (B. 63, pp. 190-1.) The frequent changes of ministers in the Colonial Office at this time seems to have had the effect of delaying correspondence in a disconcerting manner. Lord North had succeeded Thomas Townshend on 18 April, 1783, but gave way to Marquess Caermarthen on 23 December, 1783, who was followed by Townshend, who had become Lord Sydney, on 22 January, 1784. The new Secretary fully approved Haldimand's refusal to deliver up the frontier forts and instructed him to delay their evacuation until the United States had fully complied with the terms of the treaty of peace. This letter, however, was not delivered at Quebec until two months after its date. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LORD SYDNEY TO GOVERN- OR HALDIMAND, DATED AT WHITEHALL 8TH APRIL 1784 "With regard to your refusing a compliance with the desire of Major General Baron de Steuben for delivering up to him the Posts within the Limits of the United States, 1. For a church in the new settlement on the Grand River. 18 �you are certainly justified in every part of your proceedings, even if you had been in possession of the Definitive Treaty of Peace. The 7th Article stipulates that they shall be eva- cuated with all convenient speed, but no certain time is fixed, And as America has not, on her part, complied with even one Article of the Treaty, I think we may reconcile it in the present instance to delay the Evacuation of those Posts, at least until We are enabled to secure the Traders in the interior Country and withdraw their Property. "The management of the Indians requires great attention and address, in This Critical Juncture, but I am persuaded that our retaining the possession of those Posts will not even be detrimental to America, and may be the means of preventing mischiefs which are likely to happen, should the Posts be delivered up whilst the resentment of the Indians continues at so high a pitch. I hope the People of America will treat them with kindness, indeed if they considered it for a moment, their own interest would prompt them so to do, but if they should be determined to pursue a different conduct, you may assure those unfortunate people, that they will find an Asylum within His Majesty's Do- minions, should they be inclined to Cross the Lakes, and put themselves under Our Protection. The Ship Lady Johnson is now loaded with a considerable Cargo of Articles for their use, and some Implements for Agriculture and Tools for erecting Habitations for the Loyalists and their Families, who have taken refuge in the Province of Quebec, which are to be divided amongst them, according to your discretion upon an investigation of their wants." (B. 45, pp. 132-3.) Meanwhile Butler submitted a report showing a very substantial increase in the number of settlers and the extent of land brought under cultivation by them, which amounted to 731 acres. He was notably perplexed by his instructions to purchase so great a tract of land from the Mississaugas which he feared might have a disturbing influence on the minds of the other Indians. EXTRACT TO FROM MAJOR A LETTER FROM ROBERT MATHEWS, 8TH MAY, COLONEL JOHN BUTLER DATED AT NIAGARA, 1784. "Inclosed you receive a list of Farmers and their Im- provements agreeable to His Excellency's former order, ex- clusive of those about eighty of my Corps have made a be- ginning and cleared Lands, expecting the Commander in 19 �Chief will permit them to enjoy their improvements, amongst which I am one, but worse situated as the Lands that myself and four or five officers have built good Farm Houses thereon falls cultivated and within the limits ordered by His Excellency to be reserved for the King's use, but hope this will not prevent us possessing those improvements, for should any part of these lots be hereafter wanted, a clause if agreeable might be made in the Deeds to that purpose, for my own part I have already been at a considerable expence and am daily adding and mean to continue doing so till I have the pleasure of hearing from you. "I shall be greatly obliged to you by acquainting His Excellency with my present situation regarding these Lands, also wish to know whether Deeds will be given for the Lands already cultivated and those that are to be given hereafter, my reason for being so very anxious on the sub- ject is that I cannot point out anything better than Plough for my two sons at the present. the "I have received His Excellency's Speech thro' Sir John Johnson which I have delivered to the Indians. I also re- ceived orders to purchase all the Lands between the three Lakes Huron, Erie & Ontario, in consequence of which I Ihave sent for the Mississagoes & Chipawas, a few of the former is already here, & the Chiefs of whom tells me that a part of this Tract only belongs to the two nations, that the other part is the property of the Hurons, Ottawas & a few Chipawas near Detroit.-and to some that are farther west than Michilimackinac and to the Northwards a part longs to the Indians that Hunt near Cataraqui. be- "I am persuaded that the Indians will be greatly sur- prised, (and I fear will alarm others who are not concerned), when they find that we want to purchase the whole Country. However, I shall in a few days make the Proposal to them and their Answer I shall immediately transmit to Sir John Johnson." (B. 105, pp. 412-5.) LIST OF SETTLERS AT NIAGARA IN 1784 Acres cleared. John McDonell 50. Peter Hare 25. Bernard Frey 8. Andrew Bradt 5. Benjamin Pawling 8. Jacob Ball 11. Peter Ball 5. 30. Robert Guthrie 20 �List of Settlers-Continued. Acres cleared. John Reilly John Coon 1. 6. Jacob Benner 12. George Rancier 4. Ezekiel Brown 4. Joseph Robeson 8. Peter Thompson 6. 16. John McDonell Brant Johnson John Burch 20. Isaac Dolson 50. Elijah Phelps 50. Thomas Secord 40. Peter Secord 25. Samuel Lutes 30. George Stuart 12. George Fields 25. 15. John Depue Michael Showers 20. Daniel Rose 12. Thos. McMicking 6. Ralph Johnston 7. Philip Bender 6. John Chisholm 25. Francis Ellsworth 5. James Forsyth 2. Thos. Millard. 2. Allan McDonell 10. John Secord 50. Anthony Slingerland 3. Henry Mattice 10. Henry Volleck 11. Harmanus House 30. Adam Young 18. Joseph Petrey 18. John Secord, jr. 10. 4. Samuel Sipes McGregor Van Every 4. (B. 168, p. 38.) In communicating the royal instructions of 16 July and 7 August, 1783, to the privy council of Quebec, it is perhaps worthy of remark that Haldimand emphasised them as "proofs of His Majesty's Determination to retain and defend it." 21 LIBRARY �JOURNAL OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. On Wednesday the 14th day of April 1784. At the Council Chamber in the Castle of St. Lewis. Present His Excellency Frederick Haldimand Governor. The Honble Henry Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor. Hugh Finlay Picottee de Bellestre Thomas Dunn Francis Levesque John Edward Harrison Paul John Francis Baby Samuel Holland Adam Fraser William Collins Mabane Grant Roc St. Ours George Davison La Corne St. Luc Esquires J. G. C. De Lery His Excellency in a Speech acquainted the Council the Reason of his assembling them. Copy of His Excellency's Speech. Gentlemen, I have assembled you this day as the King's Council to communicate to you Two additional Instructions which I have had the Honor to receive concerning the Allotments of Lands within this Province to be made to reduced Officers, disbanded Soldiers, and Loyalists. Previous to the receipt of those Instructions I had ordered the unconceded Lands above and below Quebec to be explored by proper persons, and I have had the Satisfaction to receive from them such favorable Reports, as induce me to hope that His Majesty's gracious Intentions towards the Loyalists will be fully answered. The Measures taken for the Settlement of the Loyalists in this province are proofs of His Majesty's Determination to retain and defend it. The Surveyor General, with His Deputy and other per- sons are employed in making out plans of Seigneuries agreeable to the Instructions. When they are finished I shall assemble you again upon this business; in the meantime the Instructions with Extracts of two Letters from the Secre- tary of State relating to them shall remain in the Council Office for the perusal and Consideration of the Members. His Excellency delivered the said Instructions and Extracts to be read. Read His Majesty's Instructions dated at St. James's the 16th of July, and another dated the 7th of August 1783 in both Languages22 �Read also Extracts from Two Letters from the Right Honble Lord North one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State to His Excellency General Haldimand dated Whitehall 24th July and 7th August 1783.Ordered that the Instructions and Extracts remain in the Council Office for the perusal and consideration of the Members of the Council. (Vol. D. Part I, pp. 99-101.) His plan of settlement was made known to them at a subsequent special meeting called for that purpose. JOURNAL OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. Saturday 1st May 1784. At . Present His Excellency Frederick Haldimand Governor. The Honble Henry Hamilton Lieutenant Governor. Hugh Finlay Francis Levesque John Fraser Edward Harrison Paul John Collins Francis Baby La Corne St. Luc Joseph De Longueuil J. G. C. De Lery Samuel Picottee De Bellestre George Davison William Grant Roc St. Ours Holland His Excellency the Governor signified to The Council that seeing the Difficulties which present themselves to settle the Loyalists from the scattered and remote Situations where they are to be placed, He had planned a Mode which appeared to him proper for the purpose, and which is fully explained in a Book and Paper which His Excellency laid before the Council. In which Book his Majesty's In- structions regarding the Loyalists, and the Oaths directed by Law to be taken, together with the Declaration men- tioned in His Majesty's Instructions are inserted. His Ex- cellency was pleased to signify that He intends to confide different Copies of the said Book with such persons as He may think proper to empower to administer the Oaths and receive the Declaration, and Signatures of the persons intending to settle. When the lots are drawn, and the Boundaries can be ascertained, His Excellency said that the business should be again laid before the Council, hoping for the present that the Council approved of His Plan. (Vol. D. Part I, p. 101.) 23 �Demands were again made upon him for the evacuation of the frontier posts, by the governors of the States of New York and Vermont, and although they were firmly resisted by Haldimand on the ground that he had received no orders for that purpose, he was in considerable doubt what course to pursue. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LORD NORTH. No. 33... Quebec the 12 May 1784. By the Betsey 2nd July. My Lord, At the same time that I transmit a Duplicate of my Letter of the 26th April, I have the Honor to acquaint Your Lordship that the American Officer mentioned in it, arrived at Quebec on the 7th May, he brought a Letter from Governor Clinton, provided I had not received Orders for the Evacuation of the Posts, to urge me to give a promise of giving Notice, as soon as the Order should arrive, of the Time I thought the Evacuation Could take place. This I easily evaded, by assuring him that I would scrupulously obey my Orders, and that, uninstructed as I was by His Majesty's Ministers, in Consequence of the Difinitive Treaty of Peace, I could come under no engagement of any kind relative to the Measures to be adopted in carrying it into execution. But, however restrained I might be in my Pub- lic Answer to Governor Clinton's Letter, I could not hesit- ate to declare to Lieut. Colonel Fish that, in my Private Opinion, the Posts should not be evacuated, until such Time as the American States should carry into Execution, the articles of the Treaty in favour of the Loyalists, that in Conformity to that Article, I had given Liberty to many of these unhappy people to go into the States, in Order to Sollicit the Recovery of their Estates and Effects, but that they were glad to Return, without effecting anything after having been insulted in the Grossest manner, that altho' in Com- plyance with His Majesty's Orders to shun every thing which might tend to prevent a Reconciliation between the Two Countries, I had made no Public Representation on that Head, I could not be insensible to the Sufferings of those who had a Right to look up to me for Protection, and that such Conduct towards the Loyalists was not a likely means to engage Great Britain to evacuate the Posts for in all my Transactions, I never used the words either of my delivering or of their Receiving the Posts, for reasons 24 �mentioned in one of my former Letters, to your Lordship; Lieut. Colonel Fish gave me the Strongest assurances, that the Proceedings against the Loyalists were disapproved by the Leading men in the different States, and gave me a Recent instance of Governor Clinton having rescued Cap- tain Mure of the 53rd Regiment from the Insolence of the Mob in New York. Lieut. Colo. Fish sett off on his return the 10th Ultimo, and appeared sensible of the Civility and Politeness with which he had been received at Quebec and the different Garrisons and Posts Thro' which he had passed. The enclosure (No. 3) is a Copy of a Letter, which I received (though I could not learn how it was brought) from Governor Chittenden, relative to the Time of my evacuating the Post on Lake Champlain, which he claimed as belonging to the State of Vermont. I have here to observe to your Lord- ship that these people have not lately had much Communi- cation with me, and from the manner in which I received their Applications and Communications last summer and fall, seem to have turned all their thoughts to Establish their Interest in the Congress, at the same time that they are not neglectful of taking Measures and Steps which have the appearance of an Approaching Rupture with the State of New York. I have likewise to observe to your Lordship that I think myself more Justified in refusing the Application of the Governors of New York and Vermont, as I apprehend that Great Britain has Contracted the Definitive Treaty with the Congress of the United States of America, and that Consequently, I am not bound to treat except with Persons Authorized by Congress, relative to carrying into Execution the Articles of that Treaty and it appears to me that the Evacuation of the Posts might be delayed as the means of obliging the Congress to prolong the Term of one year granted by the Treaty for the Loyal- ists to Sollicit the Recovery of their Estates, for from the Want of Government and good Order in the different States, it has not, hitherto, been safe for the Loyalists to go amongst them for that purpose. (B. 56, pp. 214-6.) Anticipating that the Niagara portage would be removed to the west bank of the river, Lieut- Colonel Butler made a formal application for the contract on behalf of two of his sons, Andrew and Thomas, both of whom had been subaltern officers in his regiment. 25 �FROM COLONEL JOHN BUTLER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND. NIAGARA, May 12, 1784. Sir, My situation & circumstances not admitting of my pro- viding for my Children in a manner more suitable to my own and their wishes, obliges me to settle two of my sons at this place, which I humbly conceive will be of some advantage to the settlement additional inducement habitants thereof.-It will be established by River between the as I flatter myself that it will be an to many of my Corps to become Inbeing probable that a carrying place Government on the West side of the Landing & Chippawa Creek-I have therefore to solicit Your Excellency for the Contract thereof in their behalf. I am fully sensible of the favors conferred upon me already by Your Excellency and I have the honor to be with great respect, (B. 105, p. 415.) As Haldimand was then preparing to leave the province with little expectation of returning, he selected Sir John Johnson as the most eligible and competent person to superintend the settlement of both loyalists and Indians. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO SIR JOHN HEAD QUARTERS QUEBEC 17th JOHNSON May 1784. Sir, From your approved Zeal for the King's Service the Interest which you have at all times taken in the Happiness of His Loyal Subjects who owing to their attachment to His Majesty's Government, have been obliged to abandon their properties and take refuge in this Province, and from your knowledge in general of, and Influence with these people, I have thought fit to request that you will take upon you the management & direction of distributing to the said Loyalists, and to the disbanded Troops in the Upper part of this Province, the Crown Lands which, in pursuance of His Majesty's Instructions, I have allotted for their reception. You will herewith receive particular Instructions for your Guidance in the Execution of this important Public Service, in which the officers Commanding Posts and all others Civil & Military are hereby Strictly required to afford you every aid and assistance in their power to give. (B. 67, p. 170.) 26 �About the same time the Surveyor General was given particular instructions for laying out lands for the accom- modation of the disbanded soldiers and other loyalists. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO SAMUEL HOLLAND QUEBEC 18th May, 1784. Sir, Having communicated to you His Majesty's Instructions for granting Lands in this Province, to such of His disbanded Troops and Refugee Loyalists who are desirous of settling therein, and the Mode I have adopted for the Execution thereof, and having furnished you with copies of the same with every Instruction and Power necessary for laying out the Lands allotted for that Purpose-You are hereby directed to proceed without Loss of time to Sorel, where I have ordered that all Persons of the above description in that District shall be assembled to declare ultimately their choice of situation-You will therefore make out particular Returns Specifying their Names, number of each Family and places where they shall choose to settle which you will communicate to Capt. Barnes of the Quarter Master General's Department who has my directions to forward them without delay on their different Routes-From Sorel you will proceed to Montreal, where you will confer with Sir John Johnson, to whose direction I have thought fit to commit the Settlement of the Disbanded Troops and Loyalists in the Upper District of the Province, and to whom you will give every assistance in your Power in the Execution of that Service-Sir John Johnson will communi- cate to you my Instructions to Him upon this Subject, and you will deliver to Him the Books containing the King's Instructions, Oaths & declarations to be made and Subscribed together with the Certificates for the Settlers, which are to be distributed thro'out the Settlements as Sir John John- son and you shall think best. The advanced Season of the Year requires the utmost dispatch in this Business. You will, of course first proceed to settle the Royal Regt of New York upon the ground Allotted for them, which I hope is by this time nearly laid out, from thence upwards to Cataraqui -His Majesty's instructions respecting the manner of laying out the Land, and the Portions to be distributed are so full, that it is unnecessary for me to add to them, further than to remind you of what I have verbally mentioned that every partiality is to be avoided, for which purpose my Instructions to Sir John Johnson direct that the Townships, and lots in each are to be indiscriminately drawn for, as well 27 �by the officers as the men-Your Progress in this Business will depend so much upon local circumstances, and unforeseen Contingencies that it would be in vain to offer any other than general Instructions.-On Sir John Johnson's & your zeal for the King's Service, I therefore rely for a successful Execution of it. You shall hear from me upon the Subject of the Settlement at Niagara, concerning which I shall send directions to Lt. Colo. De Peyster and Major Ross to send up Lieut. Tinling to lay out the ground lately purchased at that Place, which considering the quantity that must be reserved for the King, is by no means sufficient to settle all the Corps of Rangers, part of whom will consequently come down to Cataraqui. (B. 67, pp. 171-2.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTEER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON, DATED HEAD QUARTERS QUEBEC, 20TH MAY 1784. "The Land opposite to Niagara which was purchased from the Mississague Indians is by no means sufficient to settle all the Corps of Rangers, particularly as I am obliged to reserve the East end of it as far as the high ground above Navy Hall for the King in case that a Post should be established there upon the evacuation of Niagara-Upon Joseph Brants Plan of Settling at the Grand River, I have prepared the remaining part of the Rangers to go there, but I shall now call them down to Cataraqui-I say nothing of the Mohawk settlement at the Bay of Quintie as you are acquainted with my intention to gratify their wishes on that subject, after which, there will be Land sufficient for the Settlers." Butler succeeded in obtaining tract of land from the the cession Mississaugas, of a large containing, it was estimated at the time, 2,842,840 acres and the price paid was about one-tenth of a penny per acre. INDIAN COUNCIL AT NIAGARA A Meeting held at Niagara 22nd May 1784 with the Mississaga Indians Accompanied by the Chiefs and Warriors of the Six Nations, Delawares &c. Present Lieut. Colonel Hoyes 34th Regt. Capt. Forbes 34th Regt. Lt. Col. John Butler Dy Agent Indn Affairs. 28 �Capt. Hamilton 8th Regt. Major Potts. Corps Rangers. Captain Parke 8th Regiment with many other officers. of the Garrison. Mr. Nicholas Stevens & Mr. William Bowen Interpreters. After the usual Ceremonies and Compliments was made Pokquan a Mississaga Chief rose and spoke as follows. Father. Some days ago your Message with the Belt was received desiring us to assemble at the great Council Fire, kindled at this place by the King our Father, we accordingly collected our people as soon as possible and are now ready to hear your business with us. Returned the Belt. Lieut. Colonel John Butler then spoke. Children. I have received the Commander in Chief's order thro' Sir John Johnson, to purchase some Land the prop- erty of you the Mississagas laying between the Lakes Ontario, Huron & Erie, for the use of such of your Brethren of the Six Nations, as may wish to plant and Hunt thereon, as well as for an intended Settlement for such of His Majesty's faithful Subjects who have assisted him during the late War, as wish to settle and improve the same; it would be needless for me to add more at present as I have already explained every Circumstance of our present Business, as well as future intentions in as clear a light to you, the Chiefs, as in my power to do. fore expect your immediate Answer. There- A Belt. Pokquan Mississaga Speaker. Father & Brethren Six Nations. Father. We have considered your request. We the Mississagas are not the owners of all the Land laying between the three Lakes, but we have agreed and are willing to transfer our right of soil & property to the King our Father, for the use of His People, and our Brethren the Six Nations from the Head of the Lake Ontario or the Creek Waghguata to the River La Tranche, then down that River until a South Course will strike the Mouth of Catfish Creek on Lake Erie, this tract of Land we imagine will be quite sufficient both for the King's people and our Brethren the Six Nations, who may wish to settle and Hunt thereon; Your request or proposal does not give us that trouble or concern, that you might imagine from some of our people the other day, that dif29 �ficulty is intirely removed, we are Indians and consider ourselves and the Six Nations to be one and the same people, and agreeable to a former and mutual agreement we are bound to help each other. Brother, Captain Brant we are happy to hear that you intend to settle at the River Oswego with your people, we hope you will keep your young men in good order, as we shall be in one neighbourhood, and to live in friendship with each other as Brethren ought to do. Colonel Butler Children. I have paid strict attention to your Answer and I now thank you for the Friendly attachment you show to your Brethren the Six Nations and I imagine that the Lands you have now agreed to dispose of will be satisfactory both to the Commander in Chief and Sir John Johnson. Your Brethren the Six Nations will Answer for themselves. (Q. 23, pp. 349-52.) DEED OF LAND FROM THE MISSISSAGAS This Indenture made at Niagara the Twenty Second Day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty four, Between Wabakanyne, Nannis- bosure, Poquan, Nanaghkagwiskam, Peapamaw, Tebendan, Sawarmaneck, Peasonish, Wapamonisschisqua, Wapeanogh- qua, Sachems, War Chiefs and Principal Women of the Missasaga Indian Nation on the one Part, and our Sovereign Lord, George the Third by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith, &c., &c., &c., on the other Part, Witnesseth, that the said Wabakanyne, the above-mentioned Sachems, War Chiefs & Principal Women, for and in Consideration of Eleven hundred and Eighty Pounds Seven Shillings & four Pence, Lawfull money of Great Britain To them the said Wabakanyne, the Sachems, War Chiefs and Principal Women in hand well and truely paid, at or before the Sealing & delivery of these presents, the Receipt Whereof they the said Wabakanyne, the Sachems, War Chiefs and Principal Women doth hereby Acknowledge, and thereof and therefrom, and from Every Part or Parcel thereof doth Acquit, release, Evonerate, and for ever discharge His Britannic Majesty, His Heirs & Successors and Every of them, by these presents, hath granted, Bar- gained, doth Grant, bargain, Sell, alien, release & Confirm unto His Britannic Majesty, and to His Heirs & Successors, all that TRACT or Parcel of Land, laying & being between the Lakes Ontario and Erie beginning at Lake Ontario, four 30 �miles South westerly from the Point opposite to Niagara Fort, known by the Name of Mississaga Point and running from thence along said Lake to the Creek that falls from a Small Lake into the Said Lake Ontario, known by the Name of Waghquata, from thence a North West Course untill it Strikes the River La Tranche, or New River, then down the Stream of said river to that part or Place, where a due South Course will lead to the mouth of Catfish Creek Emptying into Lake Erie and from the above mentioned part or Place of the aforesaid river La Tranche following the South Course to the Mouth of the said Cat Fish Creek, thence down Lake Erie to the Lands heretofore Purchased from the Nation of Mississaga Indians, and from thence along the Said Purchase to Lake Ontario at the Place of Beginning as above mentioned, together with the Woods, Ways, Paths, Waters, Water Courses, advantages, emoluments and Hereditaments whatsoever, to the said Tract or Parcel of Land, Situated as above mentioned, belonging or in any wise ap- pertaining, or which to and with the same now are, or at any time heretofore have been held, used, occupied, Accepted, reported, taken or known, as part parcel, member thereof, or any Part thereof, and the Issues and Profits of all and Singular, the said Premises, and Every part & Parcel thereof, with the appurtenances; and also all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest, property Claim, and Demand whatso- ever of them the said Wabakanyne, the Sachems, War Chiefs & Principal Women, of, in, and to all and Singular the said Premises above mentioned, and of, in, and Every Part and Parcel thereof, with the Appurtenances; TO HAVE and TO HOLD all and singular the said TRACT or Parcel of LAND, hereditaments and Premises in and by these Pres- ents released and Confirmed, and Every Part & Parcel thereof, with the Appurtenances, Unto his Britannic Majesty, his heirs and Successors for ever, and to and for no other use, intent, or purpose Whatsoever: And the said Wabakanyne, the Sachems, War Chiefs and Principal Women for them Selves, their Heirs and Successors doth Coven- ant, grant, Promise and agree to and with His Britannic Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, that they the said Wabakayne, the Sachems War Chiefs & Principal Women, now are the true Lawfull and rightfull owners of all and Sing- ular the Said TRACT or Parcel of LAND, hereditaments and premises above mentioned, and of Every Part or Parcel thereof, with the Appurtenances; and at the time of Sealing & delivery of these Presents, are Lawfully and rightfully Seized in their own right of a good, Sure, perfect, absolute, and indefeasable Estate of inheritance in fee simple of and in all & Singular the said premises above mentioned, with 31 �the Appurtenances, without any Manner of Condition, Limitation of use or uses, or matter, cause or thing Whatsoever to alter, change, charge or Determine the Same; and also that His Majesty, his heirs and Successors Shall and may at all times for ever hereafter, Peaceably and quietly have, hold, Occupy, Possess, and enjoy all and Singular the said Tract or Parcel of LAND, hereditaments and Premises afore- said with the Appurtenances and every Part or Parcel thereof, without trouble, hindrance, molestation, interruption or disturbance, of them the Said Wabakanyne, the Sachems, &ca., their Heirs or Successors, or any other Person or Per- sons Lawfully claiming, or to claim, by, from, or under them, or any of them, and freed, Discharged, and kept harmless and indemnified of, from, and against all former and other Gifts or Grants Whatsoever. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and Seals the Day and Date above mentioned. Witness Present. his Robt. Hoyes, Maj'r 34th regt. Wabaka X nyne mark his D. Forbes, Capt. 34 regt. Nanne X bosure mark his Pokqu Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea. X an mark his David Hill, Haronghyoutye Nanaghkag X wiskam mark his R. Wilkinson Peapam Act'g Secret'y Six Nation Dept. X aw mark his Tabend X an mark his Sawa X mencke mark his Peasa X nish mark her Wapamones. chiqua Mark her Wapeanogh X qua mark 32 �Before the result of this meeting with the Indians was known to him, the governor had addressed special instructions to Colonel Arent Schuyler de Peyster, a member of a well known loyalist family in New York, who had been ordered from Detroit to Niagara to take over the command of the upper posts. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.-COLONEL DE PEYSTER. HEAD QUARTERS QUEBEC 24th May 84. Lieut. Colo. de Peyster Sir, The advanced season of the year prevents me waiting any Longer for the Instructions concerning the evacuation of the Posts in the Upper Country, which I expressed my desire of receiving in my letter to You of the 29th March last previous to disbanding and reducing the Troops which occupy them. Having with that Letter transmitted to you the King's order for the said reduction with Instructions to hold yourself in readiness for the execution of it upon the shortest notice, I have now to desire that you will order the Accounts of Lieut. Colonel Butler's Corps of Rangers to be made up to the 24th of next June inclusive, and also of such Non-commissioned officers and Private men of the King's (or 8th) and 34th Regt. as are to be discharged in consequence of the general Reduction of the Army; and that you will on the said 24th day of June, disband the said Corps of Rangers & reduce the 8th & 34th Regiments to the Establishment according to the Plan which accompanies the order for the Reduction. Having communicated to you in the fullest manner, in my letter of the 29th March, my intention of settling upon the Crown Lands the Corps of Rangers, and such of the discharged Non-commissioned officers and men of the established Troops as wish to remain in this Province, in conformity to the King's Instructions, and Extracts of Letters from His Ministers, Copies of which were transmitted to you, I refer you to that Letter. In addition to it, I have to ob- serve that finding the Mohawks, and other Indians of the Six Nations who wish to retire from the Territory of the United States, more partial to Cataraqui than to the situa- tion at the head of Lake Ontario mentioned in my former letter, I must for the present abandon forming a Settlement there. my intention of You will please therefore to send down to Cataraqui such part of the Rangers as cannot be settled opposite to Niagara; if this Division cannot be made by mutual agreement, it must be decided by drawing Lots. WELLANDPUBLIC LIBRARY 33 �I have appointed Sir John Johnson to take the direction of settling the disbanded Troops & Refugee Loyalists in the upper part of this Province, but having so much to do from the Long Saut upwards to Cataraqui, I am apprehensive, it will not be in his Power to proceed to enough to complete the business there. Niagara in time I have therefore to desire that you will take it upon you, and I have for that purpose, ordered Lieutenant Tingling, Assistant Engineer at Cataraqui to proceed immediately to Niagara. You will carefully examine with him the Ground necessary to be reserved for a Post, should one be taken upon the evacuation of Niagara, and as it is impossible to say what the nature of that Post may be, provision must be made for Strength, it will be necessary therefore that the whole East End, comprehending the high ground above Navy Hall be reserved for that purpose, with a proportion in depth. The Land for the Settlement is to be laid out in Lots, and distributed in like manner as in the Lower Part of the Province, for which purpose I herewith transmit to you a Book (which is to remain with the Commanding officer) containing the King's Instructions for granting Lands_to disbanded Troops and Loyalists, with other necessary Instructions and the Oaths of Allegiance &c., and declarations required to be made and subscribed by each Settler-I also send you a special commission empowering you to administ- er the same, and a Parcel of Certificates, to be filled up with the Names, and Nos. of Lots drawn by each Person which must at the same time be entered in the Book, to be referred to at the expiration of the Twelve Months, specified in the Certificates, when deeds are to be delivered. of Axes &c., allowed to Settlers will A proportion be forwarded to Niagara, and also of Fall Wheat, Indian Corn you have, and will distribute as you see needful, some small seeds will also be forwardedTo save time, I shall direct Major Harris to disband the Battalion of the 84th Regiment under his Command, and Major Ross, that of the Royal Regt. of New York, and to Garrison Carleton Island and Oswego by detachments of the 34th Regiment, such of the men of all Corps and such Loyalists as do not chuse to settle in the Upper Country, must cease to receive the King's Provision and must be sent down to Montreal by the first opportunity. In order to prevent Jealousy, and to give as much general satisfaction as possible in the Distribution of Land, I have determined that the whole, Officers and Men, shall indiscriminately draw for their Lots; I had it in Idea that the officers should have a certain portion of Land in Front but upon reconsidering the King's Instructions, and 34 the good �effect such an evident impartiality must have, I have adopted the latter Plan; the inconvenience will be very Trifling to the officers, Their proportions being so much larger than those of the Men, it will be in their Power to make Exchange for Front Lots should any particular Situation make it desirable. (B. 63, pp. 334-7.) This letter was accompanied by the following document. DEDIMUS POTESTATEM. GEORGE the Third by the Grace of God King of Great Britain and the Territories thereunto be- longing, Defender of the Faith and so forth- To our trusty and beloved Aaron Schuyler De Peyster of the District of Montreal in our Province of Quebec Esquire Greeting. KNOW you that We have thought fit to empower you and We do hereby give and grant unto you full Power and Authority to tender and administer unto All Persons whom it may concern the Oaths directed by Law, and the Declaration following, that is to say, I "do promise and declare that I will maintain and defend the Authority of the King in his Parliament, as the Supreme Legislature of this Province, And to receive from such Persons their Subscriptions severally to the Oaths and Declaration. And of what you shall do herein you are to make Return into the Office of our Clerk of the Council for our said Province with this Writ. WITNESS our trusty and well beloved FREDERICK HALDIMAND our Captain General and Governor in Chief of our said Province of Quebec at our Castle of St. Lewis in our City of Quebec the twenty fourth day of May-in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Eighty four-" FRED. HALDIMAND By His Excellency's Command ALEX. GRAY A.C.C. RETURN OF WRIT I Certify that I have administered to the several Per- sons named in the annexed Paper, the Oaths directed by Law and the Declaration mentioned within, and have re- ceived their Subscriptions severally SO ANSWERS 35 �At. S. De Peyster Niagara this Lt. Col. Kings Rgt. Commanding the 25th June 1785 Upper Posts. Endorsed: Writt of Dedimus Potestem Το A. S. Depeyster Esq. Com'g the Posts in the Upper Country(State Records.) Haldimand lost no time in communicating Lord Syd- ney's momentous decision to retain possession of the military posts to Sir John Johnson with instructions "to make a prudent Use of it with the Indians." EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON, DATED QUEBEC 14TH JUNE 1784. "Persuading myself that you will participate with me in the Pleasure which every mark of attention that the King shall bestow on our Faithful Indian Allies must give, I wish to acquaint you that by a Letter from Lord Sydney, my refusal of giving up the Posts to the Americans has been ap- proved of, the Article of the Treaty of Peace upon that Subject stipulating that they shall be evacuated with all Convenient Speed, but not fixing any Certain Time and as America has not on her Part complied with even one Article of the Treaty, it is thought but reasonable that the Evacuation of the Posts should be delayed until Indian Af- fairs are in a more settled State, and that our Traders in the interior Country can withdraw their Property-It is to be hoped that retaining the Possession of the Posts will give the Indians an opportunity of arranging Matters more to their advantage with the American States and will induce the latter to treat with them upon reasonable and kind Terms, but if they should be determined to pursue a dif- ferent Conduct, I have the King's authority to acquaint them that they will find an Asylum within His Majesty's Dominions, should they be inclined to cross the Lakes and put themselves under His Protection-I have already from myself signified that to them, but as it will be more satis- factory to receive it from the Authority I now give, you will please to take a Convenient opportunity to communicate it to them-The Ship Lady Johnson was to sail in a few Days with a Considerable Cargo of Articles for their use-I wish you to consider that I mention the Circumstance of not eva36 �cuating the Posts for your Private Satisfaction, and to make a prudent Use of it with the Indians, for I would by no means have the declaration of the Minister on that Head transpire, as it would soon find its way to the States and, of Course, be turned to bad account." (B. 63, pp. 407-8.) Butler had been given orders to proceed with the disbandment of the rangers many of whom had been in military service under his command for seven years. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL ROBERT HOYES TO MAJOR ROBERT MATHEWS, FROM NIAGARA, UN- DATED BUT PROBABLY WRITTEN IN APRIL OR EARLY IN MAY, 1784. "I have communicated to Lieut Colonel Butler, the ex- tracts from Lord North's letter, as also the General's orders respecting the settlement of the Corps of rangers; and he is preparing to fulfil His Excellency's intention." (B. 103, p. 423.) The long delay in making arrangements for their settlement and the unsatisfactory proposal to make them tenants of the crown lands at a moderate quit rent, had dispiriting effects. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL A. PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, S. DE DATED "NIAGARA THE 28 JUNE 1784." "In compliance with your Excellency's orders of the 29th March and 24th May-On the 24th Instt. I reduced the King's & 34th Regts. and the Corps of Rangers were dis- banded. Orders were sent for the reduced troops from Detroit & Michilimackinac, but I fear contrary winds will detain them long. The people sign to their desire for cul- tivating Crown Lands but slowly, we have not above an hundred on the List. They seem to dislike the Tenure of the lands; and many wish to fetch their relations from the states by the shortest route-I have permitted some of the most decent people to wait your Excellency's pleasure on that head But last night about Seventy of the people which had refused to Sign went off, without leave with the intent never to return." (B. 103, p. 441.) 37 �One well known officer of the Indian department sought permission to make private arrangements for the purchase of land from the Mississaugas for himself and his family. MEMORIAL OF CAPTAIN To Frederick HENDRICK Haldimand, Esqr. NELLES. Captain General & Governor in Chief in and over the Province of Quebec and the Territories depending thereon in America, Vice Admir- al of the same, &c. &c. &c. General & Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in the said Province, &c. &c. &c. The Memorial of Hendrick Nelles, Captain in the Indian Department at Niagara, Humbly Sheweth:That Your Memorialist before the late War was possessed of a Dwelling House, Barn & Offices situated on the Banks of the Mohawk River, with a Farm of Three Hund- red Acres of rich Land, valued at Two Thousand five Hundred Pounds which he could have got for it, together with four other farms each containing One Hundred Acres with a House & Barn on each Farm, for which Farms be paid Twelve Hundred and Sixty Pounds besides Stock and Farm- ing Utensils of no small value and had exclusive of the above 3200 acres of Wood Land. That your Memorialist took the earliest opportunity to shew his Loyalty & abandoned then a Wife & eight sons to join the King and from his knowledge of the Indians attached himself to Col. Johnson, then sole Superintendent at New York, in 1777 was appointed a Lieutenant in the Indian Department commanded by Him and promoted to Captain in 1779. That your Memorialist recovered one of his sons, who first acted as a Volunteer in the Department & afterwards was made a Lieutenant and they were each and at one time both together employed on Scouts, where they believe they acquitted themselves becomingly. Your Memorialist therefore humbly begs that Your Excellency will consider the intent of this Memorial as meant to request a favour from His Majesty, which the Friendship of his old Friends, the Missessagas suggested to him to grant him a Tract of Land in their Country sufficient for himself and his sons and therefore Your Memorialist humbly hopes that the Petition of this Memorial may be granted in such a manner as your wisdom shall direct and if the Purchase is made in the name of the Crown that he 38 �may be employed in it and obtain the preference on a small acknowledgement and Your Memorialist will ever pray, &c., &c. &c. (B. 105, pp. 432-3.) The governor considered it expedient to give supplementary instructions for the benefit of the settlers at Niagara. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.-COLONEL DE PEYSTER HEAD QUARTERS, QUEBEC 15th July 1784. Sir, I have received Your Letter of the 28th ultimo, acknow- ledging the receipt of mine of the 29th March & 24th May upon the Subject of the disbanding & reduction of the Troops under Your Command, & reporting Your Complyance with their Contents- I am Sorry to find that the Spirit of Cultivation prevails so Little at Niagara, and that so many of those whom I expected to reap benefit from the King's Bounty have re- linquished it-the Departure of People so inclined is only to be regretted as it may affect themselves-I have given some Persons who came by your Leave to Montreal permission to go into the States for their Families, and if any in that Predicament remain with you, you will please to give the same indulgence by any Route they wish to take-Those desirous of remaining for the present at Niagara Without taking Land and Consequently Without being victualled, may be gratified provided that their residing at that place will not in any respect, Militate against the King's Service, or the Convenience of Such as Settle with a View to become permanent Inhabitants. I am pleased to find that Joseph¹ and other principal Chiefs are Still inclined to form a Settlement at the Head of the Lake Ontario-I only abandoned the Idea for the present, and from an apprehension that it Might Cause some division in the Mohawk Nation, many of whom had declared a preference in favor of the Bay of Quinte-please to inform Colonel Butler & Joseph that as I have no other View in proposing one Situation before another except as it appears to me conducive to their general Strength & Happiness, I very readily Consent to their Wishes of Settling at the place, and for the Purposes agreed upon with Joseph and that, with every Dispatch that their public Business, and private Convenience will admit of. 1. Brant. 39 �P.S. If you find (which it is not unreasonable to sus- pect) that there are amongst those who have desired to remain, without settling, at Niagara, who do it in expectation of the Post being given up, and joining the Americans (whose Emissaries they Perhaps are at the moment) please to send them off the ground without hesitation. (B. 64, pp. 51-2.) Although the mills had been completed for some time, the workmen had not yet been paid. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, "NIAGARA THE 15TH JULY DATED A.S. DE AT 1784." "As nothing is Yet settled with respect to Mr. Brass and the people imploy'd by him in building the Grist mill and Saw mill, at the four mile run-I shall be glad to have your Excellency's final orders on that head. The account amounts to £465 New York Currency, which is thought not unreasonable by those who are esteemed judges, but on the contrary, that much useful work has been done for the money." (B. 103, p. 445.) Haldimand reported the acquisition of lands for the settlement in terms which indicated the importance he attached to it. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LORD SYDNEY, DATED AT QUEBEC "THE 16TH JULY 1784." "In consequence of the desire which the Mohawks and some of the other Indian Nations expressed to remove to a Tract of Land between the Head of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie & Huron, I gave Sir John Johnson Instructions to make a purchase of the same from the Messessague Indians. copy of the Proceedings relative to this Transaction 6) is inclosed for Your Lordship's Information. A (No. The Settle- ment proposed there, will not only be a Frontier to our other Settlements in that Quarter, but may be conducive to securing the Furr Trade to this Province." "I have the Pleasure to acquaint Your Lordship that the Lady Johnson arrived two days ago, but as the Westerly winds now prevail, I have been obliged to consent that the Indian Presents and Implements of Agriculture should be embarked on Board small Vessels in order to be forwarded 40 �with greater expedition to Montreal at the expence & Risk of the Owners of the Vessel." (Q. 23, pp. 330-1.) De Peyster's report showed a considerably larger num- ber of persons wishing to settle than he had at first anticipated. FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL A.S. DE PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND. NIAGARA the 21st July 1784. Sir, The annexed list of subscribers being a copy of the original in the office will I hope be satisfactory. The Sur- veyor has not finished his survey which is attended with great inconvenience to him-nor are the certificates or Tools of husbandry yet come to hand. So soon as the survey is finished the Lots shall be drawn for, and the oaths taken conformable to orders." (B. 103. p. 451.) A LIST OF PERSONS WHO HAVE SUBSCRIBED THEIR NAMES IN ORDER TO SETTLE AND CULTIVATE THE CROWN LANDS OPPOSITE TO NIAGARA. JULY 20TH, 1784. SETTLERS WHO RECEIVE RATIONS. Bender, Philip; Burch, John. В BODIPRS | | | C J - - Chisholm, John. Dolson, Isaac. Johnson, Rudolph. Phelps, Elijah. Rose, Daniel. Sampson, Lutes; Secord, John, sen.; Secord, Peter; Secord, Widow. E - | BHLMY | || SETTLERS WHO ARE TO RECEIVE RATIONS TO 24TH DEC. NEXT. Ellsworth, Francis. House, Hermanus. Lyons, William. Mattice, Henry. | Young, Adam. 41 �YOUNG SETTLERS WHO RECEIVE RATIONS B Bruner, Jacob; Brown, Ezekiel. C Coon, John. D Depue, John. F Fields, George; Forsyth, James. J Johnson, Brant Mc McMicken, Thomas; McDonell, Allan; McDonell, John, Corpl. M Millard, Thomas, Sen. P Petrey, Joseph, jun. R Rancier, George; Reilley, John; Robeson, Joseph. SSecord, Silas; Showers, Michael; Stewart, George. T Thompson, Peter. YOUNG SETTLERS, LOYALISTS, AND BRANT'S VOLUNTEERS WHO RECEIVE RATIONS. B Barnes, James; Brigham, Elias; Brown Elijah; Bryan, Patrick. C Cole, Daniel; Colerick, Peter. D Davis, John; Depue, Charles; Depue, William; Dolson, John; Drake, Joseph. EEmmett Stephen; Every, Jordan. L Land, Robert; Lang, John. M Miller, Andrew; Miller, Peter. Р Park, James; Petrey, Joseph, sen. S Seally, Lodowick; Secord, John, jun.; Secord, Peter; Slingerland, Anthony; Soper, Samuel. T Terry, Parshall; Thompson, Archibald; Turner, Edward. W-Westbrook, Anthony; Wing, Abram. VVolick, Isaac. LIEUT.-COL. B Butler, John. CAPTAINS. | В BDEHUT Bradt, Andrew. Dame, George. Ꭰ | Frey, Bernard. Hare, Peter. F | | Mc| McDonell, John. | Tenbroek, Peter. LIEUTENANTS. BBall, Jacob; RH ST |||| Ꭱ Bradt, John; Butler, Andrew; Thomas. Hanson, Richard; Hare, John. Reynolds, Caleb; Rosecrantz, Michael. Secord, Solomon. TTurney, John. 42 Butler, �SURGEON'S MATES. Burke, Patrick. BB G Guthrie, Robert. SERGEANTS. B- Bebee, Adin. C Campbell, James; Campbell, Robert. BODEKMSTY Dell, Henry. Fedrick, Jacob. F Kooman, Adam. McDonell, Peter; McDonell, Randal. Mabee, Lewis; Mount, Moses. Mc M Secord, Stephen; Smith, Peter. Van Every, David. Warner, Christian; Winn, Thomas. W | || CORPORALS. Anderson, Elias. Frelick, | AFHSW Young, David; Young, John. | Benjamin. Heaslip, James; Hagerman, Arnold. Schram, Frederick. Wintermute, Peter. DRUMMERS. P Philips, John. W Withy, John. DISBANDED RANGERS, &c A Adams, William; Anguish, Jacob; Arner, Jacob; Arn- B old, Oliver; Austin, Joel. Basset, John; Bebee, Adin; Bell, Derick; Ben, Tom; Benson, Thomas; Berger, Frederick; Bowman, Adam; Bowman, Jacob; Bowman, Peter; Boyce, John; Bradt, Minart; Brown, John; Brown, William; Burns, John; Bush, Peter. C― Campbell, James; Campbell, Thomas; Cassady, Daniel; Cassady, Luke; Chambers, Francis; Chorus, Castel; Coghill, George; Conway, Patrick; Countryman, Jos.; Samuel; Cumming Thomas. D Doyle, Benjamin. F Farrell, John; Field, Gilbert; Fields, Nathan; Fleming, Patrick; Foryea, John; Foskit, Silas; Fridenburg, Mathew. G- Gahagan, Oliver; George, John; Gould, John; Goulding, Thomas; Grellinger, John. H- Hargison, William; Hare, Peter, Volun; Hare, William, Vol.; Harper, Thomas; Harris, Henry, William; Hicks, Benjamin; Hicks, Edward; 43 Higbie, Chris.; �Hohandoran, Herms.; Hollenbake, Henry; Hombeck, Lodk.; Horton, Edmund; Houghdeline, James; House, George; Hoverland, Andrew; Hudson, John. J- Jackson, James; Jacobs, John A. C.; Jago, Henry; Jones, James. K Kairns, Mathias; Kooman, Mends. L Lampert, Aiker; Laraway, Abram; Laraway, Jonas; Laraway, Peter; Lazear, Hyatt. McDonell, Christy; McDonell, Wiliam; McLeod, NorMc man; McMichael, John; McPherson, James. Maycock, John; Millard, Dan.; Millard, Jesse; Millard, M Pier- | ; point, Richard; Poole, Hendrick; Prout, Shuman. Quick, Benjamin; Quick, Solomon. | Nicholas , Philips ; John , Parks Joseph Page ORS Napp, Benjamin. | P ; N , Thomas; Marseles, John B.; Mitchell, Gilbert. Ramsay,Henry; Rowe, John. Schram, Van Alstyne; Segoe, Frederick; Segoe, Jacob; Shelding, John; Shoulitz, Frederick; Sips, Andrew; Skuse, John; Smith, Adam; Snider, John; Spencer, Robert; Springer, Richard; Springsteen, Casper; Stedman, William; Stuffle, John; Sutton, Thomas; T Topp, John; Townshend, James; Turnbull, William. VVan Alstyne, Jacob; Vandecar, John; Vandyke, Graus; Van Every, Benj.; Van Every, McGregor. W Walker, Jacob; Wheeler, Samuel; Windecker, Hen- drick; Wormwood, Mathias; Wormwood, Peter. LOYALISTS ARRIVED THE 19TH JULY FROM CANADA B Bowman, Adam; Brown, Joseph; Buck, Philip. E Eyckler, William. H Huffman, Michael. JJohnson, Conrad; Johnson, John. LLampman, Frederick; Lampman, Peter. Mc McClallin, William. Nullard, Josiah. S Skinner, Henry; Skinner, Josiah; Skinner, Timothy. V Veders, Cornelius; Vanderlip, Frederick. N W Wickoff, Peter. Number of souls: Men, 258; women, 99; children above ten, 148; children under ten, 115. Total 620. Rations per day 52112. A. S. DEPEYSTER LT.-COLONEL (B. 168, p. 38.) 44 �Meanwhile the Reverend John Stuart, who had been missionary to the Mohawks at Fort Hunter for more than ten years, and was then stationed at Montreal, paid a visit to the settlement of which he made a report to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, which has been recorded in the Journals of the Society. FROM REVEREND JOHN STUART PROPAGATION OF TO THE THE SOCIETY FOR THE GOSPEL "Letter dated Montreal, July 17th, 1784, acquainting the Society, that on the 2nd of June, he (Reverend John Stuart) set out & visiting on his way all the New Settlements of Loyalists on the River and Lake, on the 18th arrived at Niagara. "On the Sunday after he landed he preached in the Garrison, and on the afternoon of the same day, to satisfy the eager expectations of the Mohawks, he proceeded on horseback to their village, nine miles distant, and officiated in their church. After a short intermission, they returned to the church, where he baptized 78 infants and 5 adults; the latter having been previously instructed by his Indian clerk who regularly reads prayers on a Sunday, and lives a very sober and exemplary life. The whole ceremony was concluded with a discourse on the nature and design of baptism. It was very affecting to Mr. Stuart to see those affectionate people, from whom he had been separated more than seven years, assembled in a decent commodious church, erected principally by themselves, with the greatest seeming devotion and a becoming gravity. Even the windows were crowded with those who could not find room within the walls. The concourse of Indians on this occasion was unusually great; owing to the circumstances of the Oneidas and Cayugas and Onondagas being settled in the vicinity. All those people speak different dialects of the same lan- guage. Before Mr. Stuart left their village, he afterward baptized at different times, 24 children, & married 6 couple. (Vol. 23, p.409.) (Quoted by Dr. A. H. Young in Papers and Records of the Ontario Historical Society, Vol XIX, p. 172.) Before retiring from office Lord North signified his cordial approval of all Haldimand's arrangements. 1. At the temporary camp of the Six Nations at or near Lewiston, before these had removed to the Grand River. 45 �EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LORD NORTH HALDIMAND, DATED WHITEHALL 8TH TO GENERAL AUGUST, 1784. "You have without doubt judged wisely in sending Sir John Johnston to Niagara, as his influence with the Indians, from the favorable Opinion which they have always entertained of him, may at this critical Juncture, be a means of preventing disagreeable consequences, which might otherwise happen. The King at the same time much approves of your having sent Major Holland to inspect into the State of the Post at Cataraquay and to survey the North Side of Lake Ontario, as well as of your intention of carrying into execution your endeavor to prevail upon the Mohawks to settle to the Northward of that Lake, provided the country should be found well suited for their Convenience. These people are justly Entitled to Our peculiar Attention, and it would be far from either generous or just in Us, after Our Cession of their Territories and hunting grounds, to forsake them. I am, therefore, Authorized to acquaint you, that the King allows you to make those offers to them, or to any other Nations of the friendly Indians, who may be desirous of withdrawing themselves from The United States, and occupying Any Lands which you may allot to them within The Province of Quebec. It is to be hoped that from thence they will be able to carry on their Hunting on their former Grounds, and return with their Furs and Peltry, where the British Traders can meet them with their wives and children, in security, And being under Our Protection their Attachment to His Majesty may Continue, And this Country may enjoy the Advantages of their Trade. Assortment of Presents to be sent out to you for In the these People you will find a supply of Tools and Implements, which, it is judged will be useful in the formation of their new Settlements, in case they avail themselves of the Offers you may make to them." (B.45, pp. 117-8.) The long outstanding account for building the mills was at last approved in a letter which showed the interest Haldimand still took in the progress of the settlement. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.-COLONEL DE PEYSTER. DATED "QUEBEC 4TH SEPTEMR. 1784." "As the Grist and Saw Mills built by Mr. Brass are compleated, and are estimated by good Judges to be worth the Sum He charges for them (£465 N.Y. Currency) which 46 �is within the Original Estimate He gave in for that Work, You will please to draw upon me for the Amount as soon as you shall think fit. "I have in your Letter of the 21st July received a List of the Subscribers for Lands at Niagara and hope the Survey has been long since compleated and that the Settlers are in possession of their Lotts." (B.64, pp. 215-6.) The following letter from the person acting as superintendent of Indian affairs at Niagara, in the absence of Lieut. Colonel Butler who had obtained permission to go to England, shows that some discontent existed among the Mississaugas respecting their sale of lands, which was apparently allayed without much difficulty. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM DEASE TO SIR JOHN JOHN- SON DATED AT NIAGARA "SEPTR. 18TH, 1784." "I have had some Messages from the Messasagas Regarding the Sale of their Lands & I understand that there were some Geographical Errors happened On that Occasion by running the line farther N.W. than They intended― There is Also some Rum & Other Articles still Due to them, when Enabled I shall visit them (& the New Ind'n Settle- ment At the head of the Lake) & satisfy them-Captn. Nellus who has the commander in Chiefs permission to trade with the Messasagues on the Grand River where the Delawares are settled, has requested I should Mention to You that he will Esteem it a Great favor to be permitted to take up his Lands There, I hope his Losses & long Services will plead with You in his favor-he is certainly an honest man." (B.103,p. 460.) FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL A. S. DE PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND. NIAGARA 29th Septr. 1784. Sir, Agreeable to your Excellency's order to me in your Letter of the 4th instant-I have this day drawn upon you for £465 New York Currency, in favour of Messrs. Hamilton and Cartwright being the Amount of Mr. Brass's Account for building a Saw Mill and a Grist Mill near this place, (B. 103, p. 465.) LIBRAR WELLAND PUBLIC �Shortly before his departure disquieting reports were received by the governor which induced him to give particular instructions for the defence of the military posts. against a prospective attack. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.-COLONEL DE PEYSTER. QUEBEC 15th Octr. 1784. Lieut. Colonel De Peyster Sir, Finding from different Reports which have been circulated here by means of American News Papers, & Travellers from their States, that Preparations are making for taking Possession of the Posts in the Upper Country, and as it is highly probable that the execution of this Measure with Respect to the manner & time of doing it, will turn upon the Result of the Meeting they are now holding with the Indians, the complexion of which will soon declare itself to you, I think it necessary to recommend to you every precaution that Can be taken for the security of the several Posts in the District of your Command. -Oswego is, from its situation, and the advantage they would derive by being in Possession of it, the first to be apprehensive about altho' the definitive Treaty of Peace has been communicated to me, I have not yet received Instructions nor the least Authority for evacuating the Posts-I am therefore determined upon no Account whatever to give up the Posts untill I have re- ceived His Majesty's order for that Purpose. You will vigilantly Attend to the safety of Oswego by sending a proper Garrison to it, upon the first certain Intimation you shall receive of the Americans moving a Force that way, & in case Force should be attempted you have my Authority & Commands to defend it to the last and I have by this opportunity transmitted a similar order to Major Ross that no time may be lost in reinforcing Oswego should it be found necessary, in which case he is to repair there himself to take the command. Lieut. Tinling Assist. Engineer is the Bearer of these orders he will proceed to you without loss of time, & render every Service in his Power, should this event happen or otherwise in compleating the settlement of the Loyalists upon their Lots, and taking charge of whatever may eventually be ordered to be done in the Engineer Line should the Posts be evacuated. In regard to Querries which you have transmitted to me by Mr. Tinling, I refer you to my answers opposite to them, herein transmitted. 48 �ARENT SCHUYLER DE PEYSTER Lieut. Colonel Sth or King's Regiment of Foot 1777-1793 �Should Major Ross receive any intelligence that may make a movement to Oswego necessary, Lt. Tinling is to forward this to you from Cataraqui and proceed directly to Oswego. This was followed by the publication of an official statement authorizing the Mohawks and other Indians of the Six Nations to take possession of the lands purchased for them in the Grand River valley. OFFICIAL NOTICE. FREDERICK HALDIMAND Captain General &c., &c., &c. Whereas His Majesty having been pleased to direct that in Consideration of the early Attachment to His Cause manifested by the Mohawk Indians, & of the Loss of their Settlement they thereby sustained, that a Convenient Tract of Land under His Selection should be chosen as a safe and comfortable Retreat for them & others of the Six Nations who have either lost their Settlements within the Territory of the American States, or wish to retire from them to the British-I have at the earnest Desire of many of these His Majesty's faithful Allies purchased a Tract of Land from the Indians situated between the Lakes Ont- ario, Erie & Huron and I do hereby in His Majesty's Name authorise and permit the said Mohawk Nation and such other of the Six Nations Indians as wish to settle in that Quarter to take Possession of, & Settle upon the Banks of the River commonly called Ours¹ or Grand River running into Lake Erie, allotting to them for that Purpose Six Miles deep from each Side of the River beginning at Lake Erie, & extending in that Proportion to the Head of the said River, which them & their Posterity are to enjoy for ever. Given under my Hand & Seal &c., &c. 25th Octr. 1784 (B. 222, p. 106.) FRED HALDIMAND. The following memorandum submitted by Hugh Fin- lay, Deputy Postmaster General shows that the opinions of the new settlers were not unknown at an early date. 1. A misspelling in the MS. It was called the 49 Ouse. �MEMORANDUM That the Loyalists are well pleased with their lands in the new settlements, but are dissatisfied at being oblig'd to take them on the same footing as the Canadians take lands of their Seigneurs with respect to paying 8 per Cent. on the sales of their farms as often as they may be sold, and also of being debar'd from building Mills &c. on their own estates. That to satisfy those people Government should relinquish all kind of right of restraint on the subjects from building or disposing of their own Estates as they think proper, provided they do it to such as are or may thereby become British subjects, and that nothing more than the annual quit rents be paid on any account except what may be laid on them by their own representatives for the necessary support of good order among them. And the inhabitants of the new settlements in General wish (both on their own accounts as well as to encourage those who still remain in the united States tho' attached to the British Government to settle among them) that a system of Government be formed for them as near to that of the English Constitution as their situation will admit of, at least as any other British Colony in America as far as it may relate to their civil Government but not to affect the religious rites of any society or denomination of people. N.B. It may be of public utility if Government should grant all Mill places now in their lands in those new settlements to such persons as will actually build Mills on them im- mediately. Endorsed Memorandum In Mr. Finlay's of the 6th Novr. 1784. (C.O. 42, Vol. 16, pp. 220.) The merchants interested in the fur trade both in Canada and in London were naturally anxious that the frontier posts at Niagara, Detroit, and Mackinac should be retained as long as possible and their influence was very powerful. "Regulations proposed by the Merchants Interested in the Trade to the Province of Quebec to secure & withdraw their Property, dispersed throughout that part of the province now about to be ceded to the United States of America. "first That the several Forts of Carleton Niagara, Michilimackinac & Detroit may continue Island, in His Majesty's Possession for the Term of three Years, thereby giving only a sufficient time for securing & withdrawing the very valuable Effects of the British Subjects & allowing 50 �the Inhabitants of the Towns or Settlements particularly at Detroit to dispose of their Estates & settle their Affairs, for should the American States obtain Possession sooner under a promise of giving us protection, we are persuaded they would not have it in their power, as the Indians would not only prevent it, but probably take the Lives, of many British Subjects, encouraged by the hope of Plunder & stimulated by resentment for their Country being given up to the very People against whom they have been encouraged to carry on the War, & whom they consider at this time as their most inveterate Enemies. "From our knowledge of the Temper of the Indians we will venture to say it would be agreeable to Humanity as well as good Policy for the United States not to wish Possession of those Posts at an earlier period, And it will probably be the Interest of both Countries to unite in this measure as the means of preventing the Horrors & Cruelties of an Indian War. "Second-That after His Majesty's Garrisons are with- drawn an equal & free Participation of the different Carrying Places & the Navigation of all the Lakes & Rivers throughout that Country shall be enjoyed fully & uninter- ruptedly by both Parties." (C.O. 42, Vol. 16, p. 124.) The following extract of a private letter from Mr. (afterwards Sir George) Pownall found its way into the re- cords of the Colonial Office in some unexplained manner. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GEORGE POWNALL ESQR. SEC- RETARY TO THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, TO J.P. DATED QUEBEC, 11 NOVR. 1784. "The Loyalists and disbanded soldiers who are chiefly settled upon the Crown Lands lately bought from the Indians on the north side of the Lake Ontario, together with some familys at Sorel and in the vicinage of Montreal may amount to between five and six thousand souls including a Party of Butlers Rangers who are settled at Niagara, they are settled in ffiteen Townships which I understand extend from about fifty miles above Montreal to the Bay of Rentee¹ included. I am told that these people are very well satisfied and are most of them under Cover, if they possess a spirit of Industry and perseverance they may possibly thrive there, the Soil is by all accounts very rich and fit for the produce of every grain, the Woods produce fine white Oak and other timber, fit for the purpose of the West India Market and 1. Quinté. 51 �the Seasons are milder and the Climate better than in the lower part of the Province; but they still have Difficulties to encounter, one of which is from being at the Mercy of the Savages whenever these people may take it into their heads to quarrel with them: at present I understand they are in good humour, and I am apt to think as these new Settlements will drive away the game from those hunting grounds the Indians will consequently retire further back, for the better advantage of that pursuit on which they entirely depend. Should however these Savages disagree with the New settlers which it must be policy in the latter studiously to avoid, they are certainly at their Mercy and they would drive them from these Lands, particularly as they are only allowed a few fire Arms, least that should be a means of their not attending to the culture of their Lands. Another great disadvantage these people will meet with is from their situation, which places them so far from any Market for their produce and the rapids which they have to pass in order to get down the River are both critical and dangerous untill well known. I trust however that these people will succeed from the very flattering Accounts I hear the only doubt with me is from the very great partiality they still by all accounts entertain for their old Country, if the Colonists see the policy of regaining these people and hold out the most trifling incouragement for their return, whether they would not take the bait. If they remain they will without doubt prove of the most essential service to the Province, which from the unhealthiness of the last year stands in need of some such help to replace the sensible loss it has met in regard to the population. "Whether these people would not have been more useful to Great Britain, to the Province & to themselves, had they been settled below Quebec, is a question which seems to me to admit of some doubt: or if they had been settled more in the center of the Province whether their example of Industry and enterprise would not have been more useful to the Province and at the same time have sooner extended amongst the old inhabitants: I should at least think it would have been a means of avoiding those difficul- ties and expences to Government from the necessity there must be of appointing other Officers of civil Government for this new Settlement, from the great distance it is from the other Seats of Government." C.O. 42, Vol. 16, pp. 70-1.) Haldimand sailed from Quebec on 16 November, 1784, and one of his latest official acts was to send further instruc- tions to De Peyster respecting the settlement of the Nations on the Grand River. 52 Six �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.-COLONEL DE PEYSTER, DATED QUEBEC, NOVEMBER 1784 "This Letter is forwarded by Lieut. McDonell of the 34th Regim't, lately arrived from England, Capt. Brant and David and a Cayaiga Chief will follow immediately, the former will remain this Winter at Cataraqui, the others will proceed to Niagara, thence to the New Settlement at the Grand River, where I have promised they shall receive every assistance that Circumstances will admit of. A saw, and afterwards a Grist Mill be built for them and also a Church and school-an allowance of £25 sterg pr annum for a school master (whom they are to choose themselves) will be made and paid every six months by Warrant upon the Receiver General of this Province-and as the strength and Advantages of this Settlement will depend upon the Choice of a proper situation for the Town, you will direct Lieut. Tinling to accompany Capt. Brant in the spring to lay it out, and divide their Farms, but he is not by any means to Control or lay any Restraint upon their Opinions in this Matter, but to advise and explain to them His Reasons for what He shall recommend. A proper person should also be sent to undertake the Construction of the Mills, Church and school. He is promised every assistance from Capt. Brant and the Indians and you will of Course make the most advantageous Agreement possible, or take such Measures in the Execution of this service as shall be the least Expensive to Government." (B. 64, pp. 392-3.) Lieut. Governor Henry Hamilton, who succeeded Haldi- mand in the administration of the government, had been lieutenant governor of Detroit and consequently had considerable personal knowledge of the upper country. He promptly urged the Legislative Council to establish some form of civil courts in the new settlements. MINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF QUEBEC. Thursday the 3d March 1785 "Read in English and french a Letter or message from His Honor the Lieutenant Governor addressed to the president of the Legislative Council in the words following. February 28th 1785 Sir, Upon the Representations made to me of the Circum- stances of a number of Loyalists Settled in various parts of 53 �this province whose distance from the Courts of Civil Judicature renders it next to impossible to obtain relief in a variety of cases, I have thought proper to signify to you my desire That you would lay this business before the Legislative Council That they may take the same into Consideration and make such provision as their Judgement may point out for the satisfaction and benefit of the Loyalists in particular and for the maintenance of good order in the Province at large. I have the honor to be &c. HENRY HAMILTON. To the Honble Hugh Finlay Esqr. Presidt. Leg Council. (D. Part II, p. 240) Resolved That the Letter or Message from His Honor the Lieutenant Governor be taken into farther Consideration on Wednesday next. (Ibid. p. 241.) Wednesday 9th March 1785. Resolved that the Consideration of the business recommended by His Honor be postponed till the return of the Judges now absent on the Circuit of the Court of Kings Bench When the Ordinance for regulating the Courts of Civil Jurisdiction in the province will be read a Second time. (Ibid, p. 243.) Saturday 23rd April 1785. Read in English & French the Heads of "an Ordinance for Granting to the new Settlers at Cataraqui and the Townships above that place and at Gaspey and the Bay of Chaleurs in the Lower parts of the Province, The means of Settling differences and recovering Small debts in a Sum- mary way-1st reading. (Ibid. p. 292.) Read a second time, (Ibid, p. Monday 25th April. 295.) Read a third time and passed, Wednesday 27th April. (Ibid, p. 300.) April 30th 1785. The ordinance received the assent of the Lieutenant Governor. 54 �MEMORANDUM BY GENERAL HALDIMAND. Memorandums respecting Public Matters in the Province of Quebec submitted to the consideration of the Right Honble Lord Sydney by General Haldimand-16th March 1785.- 1st. Means the most probable to retain the Six Nations and Western Indians in the King's Interest. The Indians of the Six Nations, the Oneidas excepted, having taken an early, and very sanguine part with Govern- ment have, by the Fate of the War, and Treaty of Peace, forfeited their Country, and many of Them have been entirely driven out of it, with the loss of valuable Settlements and Stock-seeing the Policy, as well as necessity of providing a Retreat for Them, I made a purchase of a Tract of Land for that Purpose, from the Chippawa and Messessague Nations on the North side of Lake Ontario, where numbers are now settling, having assisted Them with Provisions and Implements for building and establishing Them- selves; all which I had the Honor duly to report to your Lordship.At my departure from Quebec I left directions to send the Engineer from Niagara to mark out Their Towns &c. and to assist them in building a Church and School-House, for which they expressed great anxiety.-This Settlement should meet with every Indulgence and Encouragement from Government, not only in consideration of Their past Services but in proportion as it shall be thought necessary to preserve the Friendship of the Indians, in other Words, the possession of the Upper Country and the Furr Trade- and these Measures should be taken without delay; that the Indians may be comfortably established, and experience the Sweets of the King's Protection before the Posts shall be evacuated by us; otherwise even should we take Post on the North side of the River, They will assuredly abandon us, and return to their former settlements, which the Americans already hold out to Them in order to detach them from us. -A certain quantity of Provisions will be indispensibly necessary, they should be punctually supplied so as never to disappoint the Indians-but it is full time that the Expence attending these donations be reduced to a narrow Compass which with prudent Management and a judicious distribution of the Presents may be done without alarming or distressing the Indians.- The Conduct of the western Indians, (tho' infinitely a more numerous People) will always be governed by that of the Six Nations, so nice a management of Them Imay not, therefore, be necessary-some Presents and marks of Friendship are nevertheless due to Them for Their past 55 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRAR) �Services, and should from time to time be dispensed amongst them. I also think that the Establishment of the Indian de- partment may be still much reduced, and put upon the same footing it was in Sir William Johnson's Time, which will be a further saving to the Public-Sir John Johnson and some of the principal Officers are in Town and may be consulted on such Reforms as may be thought proper. (Q. 25, pp. 295-7.) The wishes of the settlers in the "upper parts" of Canada were brought very forcibly to the attention of the Ministry by a petition rather unusually addressed directly to the King which was signed by several of the former officers of the loyalist regiments to which they had belonged, who happened to be in London. It seems to have been presented by Sir John Johnson, although his signature does not appear upon it. There is little doubt that it had considerable in- fluence in bringing about the division of the province, which they proposed and the formation of the province of Upper Canada. THE PETITION OF SIR JOHN JOHNSON AND OTHER LOYALISTS. Copy of a Petition intituled, "The Petition of Sir John Johnson, Bart. and others in Behalf of the Loyalists settled in Canada." Dated London 11th April 1785; and signed by Colonel Guy Johnson, and others. To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. The Petition of Sir John Johnson Baronet, and others, whose names are hereunto subscribed, on Behalf of the Officers and Soldiers of the Provincial Troops and Indian Department, who served under their Command during the late Rebellion; and of the other Loyalists, their Associates, who have taken Refuge in Canada. Most humbly Sheweth, That the Persons of the above Description, animated by your Petitioners' Example, having sacrificed their Estates and Properties in support of Your Majesty's Laws and Government, did faithfully serve in Canada, and on its Frontiers, till the Reduction of these Corps; when being still actuated by the same Principle of Loyalty and Affec- tion, they, to the number of several Thousands, resolved to settle within Your Majesty's Government, 56 L on the Lands �assigned them as a Reward for their Services, and in pursu- ance of the Proclamation of Your Majesty's Commissioners in the year 1776; and entered earnestly on the Improvement thereof, with a Prospect of making a Provision for their Families, and thereby contributing to the Advantage, Strength, and Security of that Province, and to the Increase of Your Majesty's Revenues. That the Tenure of Lands in Canada is such as to sub- ject them to the rigorous Rules, Homages, and Reservations, and Restrictions of the French Laws and Customs, which are so different from the mild Tenures to which they had been ever accustomed, and which continue to be enjoyed by the rest of Your Majesty's Subjects, has occasioned a general Discontent, and would have induced many to de- cline accepting their Locations, and to resolve on abandoning their Enterprize, but for the Influence of Your Petitioners, who had first led them into the Service, and on whose Endeavours they relied for obtaining through Your Ma- jesty's Favour, the Grant of such Terms and Tenures, and the Establishment of the same Laws as they formerly enjoyed under the Auspices of Your Majesty's Government. In full Confidence of this happy Event they were prevailed upon to persevere in their Settlements, on which they have already, at some Expence, and much Labour, erected Habitations, and cleared Part of the Lands allotted to them. For the Attainment of these Objects, so essential to the Happiness of Your Majesty's faithful Subjects, so conducive to the Increase of these new Settlements, and so salutary in their Consequences to the Public, we have, upon mature deliberation, formed a Plan, which with the reasons in support of it, we humbly presume to submit to Your Majesty's Royal Consideration. 1st. It is proposed that the Country of Point Boudet, on the Lake St. Francois, in the River St. Lawrence, and from thence Westward, shall be comprehended within One District, distinct from the Province of Quebec, under the Government of a Lieutenant Governor and Council, to be appointed by Your Majesty, with the necessary Powers of internal Regulation, but subordinate to the Governor and Council of Quebec, in the same manner as the Island of Cape Breton now is, to the Government of Nova Scotia. This Territory will include all the Settlements made or intended to be made by the disbanded Corps, and the Other Loyalists, while it leaves all French Canada and the French Seigneuries as they were before. 2dly. That this Territory shall be subdivided into smaller Districts or Counties, Cataraqui being the Metro57 �polis, with Courts of Justice to be established by Your Majesty. In support of such an Arrangement, we beg leave to remark, that it will be productive of the most beneficial Consequences, not only to the Settlers, but to the Nation at large Whilst this Territory remains a Part of the Province of Quebec, and the Inhabitants amenable to the Courts of Justice there and at Montreal, the Delay and expence of an Attendance on those Courts, both to Suitors and Witnesses, will be enormous, the distance from Detroit to Montreal being not less than Six hundred Miles, without any Road whatsoever, and the water communication exceedingly tedious, precarious, and during the Winter Season_absolutely impassable: Crimes will be committed with Impunity, from the difficulty of Prosecutions; and Civil Remedies in effect rendered burthensome from the same causes. The inhabitants of this Territory, already amounting to several Thousands, conceive with all Humility that they have the strongest Grounds to hope for such an exempt Jurisdiction as they ask for; They were born British Subjects, and have ever been accustomed to the Government and Laws of England. It was to restore that Government, and to be restored to those Laws, for which from Husband- men they became Soldiers, animated with the Hope, even in the most gloomy Aspect of Public Affairs, that should they fail in their Attempts to recover their former Habitations by a Restoration of Your Majesty's Government, they would still find a Resource in some Parts of the British Dominions, where they might enjoy the Blessings of British Laws and of the British Government; and they still possess the greatest Confidence, that by Your Majesty's Gracious Interposition they will be exempted from the Burthens of French Tenures, which however congenial they may be to Men born and bred under them, would be in the highest Degree exceptionable to Englishmen. The Petitioners have the more Confidence in the Suc- cess of their Application, from reflecting that they do not ask for more than has been already granted to their Fellow Sufferers in Nova Scotia, far less indeed than is enjoyed by those who are settled in the Province of New Brunswick, and only to be in the same situation with the Settlers in the Island of Cape Breton: A distinction between men under the same circumstances of Prescription, Confiscation, and Attainder, and who had been invited into the Public Ser- vice, and to take Part in the Royal Cause, by the same assurances of Protection, and the same Gracious Offers of Rewards, in the one case continuing to Settlers the Blessings of the British Constitution, and in the other subjecting 58 �them to the Hardships of French Tenures and French Laws, they trust will not be permitted by a Gracious Sovereign, who is the Father of all His People. In consideration of the vast extent of this Territory, along an important and valuable Communication, which is not only the Channel of the Fur Trade, but the Residence of those Nations of Indians who took part in Support of the Royal Cause, the Security, growth, and extension of these Settlements must evidently be an object of the utmost Consequence, not only as it will most essentially secure and promote that Trade, but as it will preserve those Indians in their adherence to Your Majesty. The United States are duly impressed with this Idea, and have already manifested a purpose of supplanting us in the Friendship of the Indians; and unless they are counteracted, the British Interest rapidly decline. with those Nations will very We humbly presume that effectually to counteract them nothing would be so conducive as the Establishment of a liberal System of Tenure, Law, and Govern- ment in this new Settlement; this would best contribute to the Growth and Increase of it; whilst it would stimulate the Adventurers themselves to the most vigorous Exertions, it would invite and encourage Emigration to it; for as the present Inhabitants before the Rebellion principally resided in the now United States, their extensive connections there, from their Attachment to Your Majesty, their ancient Predilection in favour of the British Government, their Dislike of the Republican as well as from Government they now live under, their Family and Personal Attachments, would be strongly induced to remove to this new Colony: Should Your Majesty graciously vouchsafe Your Royal Protection to these Settlements, we are confident that in every Competition for the Favour of the Indians Your Majesty will have a decided Advantage, not only from the In- fluence which many of your Petitioners are known to have over them, but because Numbers of the present Settlers have long been in Habits of Friendship and mutual good Offices with them, sharing the same Dangers, and fighting in the same Cause, and whose former Prepossession would thus, by means of a familiar and constant Intercourse with Your Majesty's Faithful Subjects, be best preserved and rendered permanent. Upon the whole, whether we consider the Relief and Prosperity of the Settlers as Sufferers in the Cause of their King and Country, for whom Your Majesty has ever ex- pressed so Benevolent a Disposition, or the Advancement of the Settlement, as conducive to the Benefit of the Nation, in either View, and much more in both respects, do we con59 �ceive that the Plan now proposed is such an one as will merit and obtain Your Royal Attention and Patronage. For our Part we conceive ourselves bound by the strongest Ties to use every Endeavour in our Power to pro- mote the Wishes of these People: It was by our Example that numbers of them were induced to quit their former Possessions, and take up Arms, by which they have been deprived of their Property, and Banished from their Country; and it was from their expectation of the Success of our Representation to their Sovereign, that they have entered upon the arduous undertaking of forming Settlements in a wild and inhospitable Country;-Well knowing the Disposition of these People, and the Habits in which they have been bred, we think it our Duty most respectfully to declare it to be our opinion, that unless they can obtain the object they are in pursuit of, they will be discouraged from Carrying on their present Enterprize, and prefer some other part of Your Majesty's Dominions, where they may enjoy the Blessings of the British Constitution, but where per- haps they would not be equally useful as they will be in their present situation, should they receive the Protection they solicit. Your Petitioners, therefore, impelled by motives of Humanity towards a Number of Distressed Families, by a sense of Honor and Justice to a set of deserving Men, who placed Confidence in them, and to whose Eventual Loss of Property and Reverse of Fortune, they consider themselves in a great Degree accessory, and at the same time by a Con- viction of the Public Utility of the Measure, most humbly implore Your Majesty that the Blessings of the British Laws and of the British Government, and an exemption from the Tenures, may be extended to the aforesaid Settlements. London 11th April 1785. ROBT. LEAKE, Major late 2nd Battn. K.R. Regt. New GUY JOHNSON, Col. 6 Nations & Superintendant of their York. Affairs. JOHN MUNRO, Capt. late 1st Battn. K.R. Regt. New JOHN BUTLER, Lt. Colonel York. EBEN JESSUP, late Lt. Col. P. DALY, Capt. late 1st Commanding. Battn. K.R. Regt. New YORK. THOS. GUMMERSAL, Capt. late 1st Battn. K.R. Regt. NEW YORK. (Q. 62 A-2, pp. 339-45.) Commanding late Rangers. King's Loyal Americans. JAMES GRAY, late Major K.R. Regt. New York. EDW. JESSUP, Major Commdg. late Corps of Royal Rangers. 60 �John Butler took the opportunity to present soon after a narrative of his services, justifying his conduct, particularly at Wyoming, which had been much misrepresented in hostile accounts that had been republished in some of the English newspapers and formed the basis of Thomas Campbell's well known poem, Gertrude of Wyoming, which, however, did not appear until 1809 thirteen years after Butler's death. NARRATIVE OF THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL JOHN BUTLER. The object of Enquiry under the Act of Parliament for the relief of the American Loyalists, being Services as well as Losses, I have thought proper to give this Detail to be subjoined to the Schedule of my Confiscated Property, & I feel the less Embarassment upon the Occasion because I have full confidence, that in such Instances, from which I may appear to claim Merit for myself, I may safely appeal to the Testimony of the General Officers under whom I have served. From the year 1755, & during the continuance of that War, I was continually employed in the Indian Department in Military Services, & was in the Action of Lake George when Baron Dieskau was defeated & taken, at the Attack upon the Lines at Ticonderoga, on the Expedition against Cadaraqui, & at the taking of Niagara, Oswegatchie & Montreal. In 1760 when the Officers of the Indian Department were principally dismissed, Sir Wm. Johnson thought pro- per to cocntinue me, on Account of my Knowledge of the Indian Languages & after Sir William's Death I acted under his Successor Colo. Guy Johnson the Acting Superintendent. Upon the Revolt of the Colonies in 1775, Colo. Johnson found it impossible to do his duty in the Place of his Residence & having every Reason to apprehend that Schemes would be formed against his personal safety, the Indian Department being viewed with a jealous Eye, by the Americans, went to Canada, whither I accompanied him, and upon his going to England in the Autumn of that year, he appointed me his Deputy, & I was ordered by Sir Guy Carleton to Niagara, where I arrived the 17 Novr. 1775. The part that the Indians would take was at that time very doubtful; Many Rebel Emissaries had found their way among them, & availing themselves of the absence of Colo. Johnson and myself, were using every Artifice to seduce them from their Attachment to 61 the King; In which I �found upon my arrival they had been but too successful, And in my Endeavours to reclaim their alienated Affections Lieut. Colo. Caldwell gave me every Assistance. I believe Sir G. C. will do me the Justice to say, that his Expecta- tions at that period went no farther than to keep them in a State of Neutrality. to that object. His instructions to me were directed I had several Conferences with the Chiefs & Warriors of the Six Nations, & used every means in my power to point out to them the insidious Designs of the Rebels & the pernicious consequences of their joining the King's Enemies. In this I was successful & the Rebel Emissaries were obliged to quit the Indian Country. In 1776, when the Rebels had invaded Canada, I sent a party of Indians properly officered to join Major Foster against a Body of the Congress Troops, who had taken Post at the Cedars, the Event of which is well known. The remaining part of the year I employed in inculcating upon the Minds of the Six Nations, the necessity of their being unanimous, urging that it was not only their duty to the King, their Father, but their Interest to attach themselves to his cause. In this I happily succeeded & at my instance they sent proper Messages to their Western Brethren to prevail upon them to follow their example. I call this a happy Event because I am confident that without it the upper Posts could not have been preserved, or at least protected from the Insults of the Enemy. In the year 1777, when every Effort had failed either by Reconciliation or Force to put an End to the Rebellion, & when it was Evident that the Indians would no longer remain Neutral, & if they were not engaged in the Part of Government that they would join the Rebels, which many of them had already done; the Plan was first formed to employ them offensively; & I was ordered by Genl. Carleton to collect the Six Nations & such Whites as I could, & to take the Command of them on the Expedition under Brigr. Genl. St. Leger against Fort Stanwix. I did accordingly convene the Indians of the Six Nations, & then for the first time gave them the War belt, which they accepted and engaged in the Expedition. I had the Honor to Command them under Sir J.Johnson at the defeat of Genl. Herkimer at Oriskine with a Reinforcement for the relief of the Fort. Soon after this Sir Guy Carleton did me the Honor to appoint me Major Commandant of a Corps of Rangers to act in Conjunction with the Indians & I was ordered to Niagara where I soon completed it to the number of eight Companies. In April 1778, the Chiefs of the Six Nations received a Message from Colo. Denison & Judge Jenkins, on behalf of 62 �the Settlement of Westmoreland (Wyoming) inviting them to a Council. The Indians having experienced the Treach- ery of these people, who had the Autumn before imprisoned three of their Chiefs, who had been sent for under Pretence of a friendly Conference, applied to the Commanding Officer at Niagara, who gave Orders acccordingly, for me to ac- company them; that they might go in such Force as would prevent a like breach of Faith, & as might at the same time enable them to procure the Release of those who were in confinement. Upon our approach the first Act of Hostility committed was upon two of my Indians & a squaw, who were killed by a Scouting Party about five Miles from the Settlement. Upon my Arrival in the Settlement I sent word Commanding to the Officer Colonel Dennison, that the Indians were come agreeably to his invitation & were ready to speak with him Either as Friends or Foes. His answer was that he was determined to fight, & that he would have all our Scalps before Night. The attempt was made, & ended in the total defeat of the Rebel Troops. I ordered all their Forts to the number of twelve to be destroyed, but Forty Fort in which the greatest Part of their Women & Children were, was saved & not in the smallest degree molested or plundered. I have been the more particular on this Head, to contradict the infamous and false Reports, which were so industriously propagated to the Predjudice of my Party, as to have found their way into some of the English Prints. Upon my Return to the Indian Country, I employed the remaining part of the Summer in sending out Parties for the purpose of collecting Provisions for the Indians & Rang- ers under my Command. In 1779, I was ordered by His Excellency Genl. Haldi- mand into the Indian Country, to oppose a Body of Rebels, who were on the march to annoy and cut off the Indian Settlements, which I twice attempted, but from their Superiority in Force (they having as many thousands as I had hundreds) I could do nothing more, but in some degree to retard their Progress. In 1780 I was honored by General Haldimand with the appointment of Lieut. Colo. Commandant, & the Indians and Rangers under my Command were employed in harassing the Frontiers in order to favor the Progress of our Southern Army which was then expected up the Hudson's River. In 1781 I commanded a party of Indians & Rangers on an Expedition under the Command of Sir John Johnson Bart. against Schoharie, Mohawk River, Stone Arabia, Canajo- harie, &c., & in the year 1782 I was employed in sending 63 �out Parties against the Frontiers of the Rebel States, in order as much as possible to distress the Enemy. When the treaty of Peace was made known to the In- dians in 1783, it was received by them with great disgust, as they conceived that they had been abandoned by the King their Father. It was no easy Task to remove this Impression, at the same time that the Necessity of reconciling them to the Measure was evident, & in this I laboured with indefatigueable Industry. Upon the whole my Employments and Exertions dur- ing the Rebellion have been confined to the Indian Department, a Service which I trust upon Enquiry will be found to be by no means less arduous, less hazardous, laborious than any in the Course of the War. or less Of the im- portance of the Object, I had no right to Judge either as a Subject or a Soldier; in both Capacities I submitted this to the consideration of my Superiors whose ideas of the Policy & even the necessity of conciliating the Affections of the Indians, & of steadily attaching them to the British Government will best appear from the unwearied pains which have been taken for that purpose from the first settlement of the Colonies. For proof of my Conduct & of the Fidelity & Alacrity with which I have from Time to Time obeyed the Orders I have received, I beg now to appeal to His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton under whom I served until the year 1778 & to His Excellency General Haldimand under whom I served from that Period until the Close of the War; & also to the different Commanding Officers of the Garrison of Niagara. endorsed: Narrative of Lt. Col. Butler's Services in America. London May 1785. (B.215, pp.196-202.) This narrative was accompanied certificate from General Haldimand, by a very who has hearty frequently expressed his general approval of Butler's conduct in his official letters. CERTIFICATE BY GENERAL HALDIMAND. Lt. Col. Butler Certificate. Having perused a paper intended by Lieut. Col. John Butler to be annexed to a Schedule of his property which has been confiscated by the States of America, con64 �COLONEL JOHN BUTLER �taining a detail of His Services in the Indian Department from the year 1775, during the late War, & thro'out the Rebellion in America, I hereby certify that the particular Services stated in the said Paper to have been performed during my Command of His Majesty's Forces in Canada, are faithfully set forth, having in the year 1778 found Him charged with the diirection & management of the Indian Nations. And in Justice to Colo. Butler, I further certify (from the Testimonies of the Officers who commanded the dis- trict of the Upper Country) that it is my opinion the decided part which the Six (and consequently the other) Indian Nations took in favor of the King's Government was in a great measure effected by the laborious and unremitting Exertions of His Influence with that People. And that His Services as well in the Field as in managem't of Indian Affairs, having been uniformly Zealous, Brave & Judicious, have deservedly obtained my fullest Testimonies of Approbation. Given under my own hand this 7th day of May 1785. FRED. HALDIMAND. (B. 222. pp. 70-1.) Henry Hamilton, the Lieutenant Governor of the province, on whom the administration of its civil affairs de- volved, after the departure of Haldimand, had been lieut- enant governor of Detroit and its dependencies, which included the island of Mackinac and other trading posts in the Indian servation country. He showed his interest in the pre- of the northwest fur-trade in the hands of the Canadian merchants by endeavouring to discover an altern- ative route of communication between Lakes Ontario and Huron. With this object he addressed letters to several persons who were believed to have a personal knowledge of the intervening country. Among others he wrote to Benjamin Frobisher, a leading merchant in Montreal, whose reply has been preserved. The sketch to which reference is made has been reproduced in the Simcoe Papers Volume I, at page 8. An endorsement upon it states that the in- formation was received from Mr. Curot who resided several years at Toronto. 65 �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM BENJAMIN FROBISHER TO LIEUT. GOVERNOR HENRY HAMILTON, DATED MONTREAL 2nd MAY 1785. "Since I had the Honor to receive your letter of the 10th March I have made every enquiry in my power, not only in Town but in different parts of the Country, respecting the practibility of a Communication from Lake Ontario to Lake Huron, and am sorry to say, all my endeavours to acquire some knowledge of it are far from being satis- factory. "I have seen several persons who have gone from hence to Lake Huron by the carrying place of Toronto, but have only met with one who set out from the Bay of Kentie, and that so far back as the year 1761, and the knowledge he seems to have of the Country he travelled thro', I con- sider as very imperfect; I have however laid it down in the inclosed Sketch, more to show that there is such a Road, than any opinion I have of its being Correct-I am told the Lands from the Bay of Kentie to Lake la Clie abound with good Wood, and are generally fit for Cultivation; there are several Villages of the Mississagues on different parts of that Road who raise Indian Corn, and other grain, and whose friendship it will be necessary to Cultivate, if upon survey it should be found practicable but if I may rely on in- formation, there is very little probability of establishing in that Quarter a communication for Boats or Large Canoes, on account of the Water being generally very shallow be tween the different Lakes, except in the Spring, and even then it is described to me, as being insufficient for large Canoes, not to mention the Carrying Places which are Six or Seven in number to reach Lake la Clie, and I am told three of them are near three leagues in length; I am however informed that to the distance of the Rice or the folle avoine Lake, from the Bay of Kentie, there is plenty of water for Boats of any Burthen-From all these circum- stances as related to me, I shall Judge a Communication that way without paying any regard to the Carrying places, to be from the want of water totally impracticable, however as I believe there is no Man in the Country capable of giving any certain information about it, I think a Project that holds out so many advantages to the Province at large ought not to be relinquished, until it is found upon Survey, to be represented really impracticable, and should that be the Case, the next object that offers to Introduce a Com- munication between the two Lakes is the Carrying place of Torronto, which from the Ontario side to Lake Huron in a direct line is no more than 100 miles, and by water it 66 �does not exceed 160-That is, Torronto 45 Miles, Lake La Clie 37, thence to Lake Huron over Land 18, or by the River as laid down in the inclosed sketch about 70-I am told. Lake La Clie will admit of the Navigation of small Vessels, and there is no want of water in the River already mentioned, that runs from it into Lake Huron, but it seems there are in it several Falls of Water, which with other obstructions occasions Six or Seven carrying places, all of them short ones-large Canoes have gone up and down it at different times, but am told it is not practicable for Boats until some of the carrying places are levelled so as to get them over upon rollers-To avoid this river there is no other way of getting to Lake Huron from Lake La Clie, but by a road overland as before described of about 18 Miles some parts of which are low Marshy Grounds of a considerable extent so that embracing every object for the purpose of establishing a sure and short Communication between the two Lakes, I am of opinion from the present knowledge we have of the Country, it can only be Accom- plished by the Carrying place of Toronto to Lake La Clie and thence down the river to Lake Huron, and tho' the length of Land Carriage will be great, yet as it is in a fine Country, and the Lands as I am told exceedingly good, it would require very little encouragement from Government to have it settled; and provided the Lands on the Carrying place are granted in small Lots and not in large Tracts to opulent Proprietors, we may expect in a high state of Cultivation, in which case, Carriages will not be wanting under proper regulations, to Insure at a moderate rate a speedy Transport. "These Sir are my Sentiments, until we are better informed of the nature of the Communication from the Bay of Kentie to Lake La Clie, and let what will be the Event of that Survey, I cconceive there is a necessity of establish- ing the Carrying place of Torronto as speedily as possible, as in the course of a very few years the Settlers from their vicinity, and facility of Transport to Lake Huron, would be in a situation to supply the Provisions that are wanted by the Traders for the Northern Countries, which under the most precarious circumstances, such as the failure of Crops &ca., they have hitherto been obliged to procure from Detroit, and should the United States be put in posses- sion of the Posts, their Situation will be still more precarious, as the Americans will have it in their power to injure or Ruin every Man from this part of the Province who de- pends on receiving his Provisions from that Settlement, from which and other reasons needless to enumerate, I submit to Your Honor the propriety of encouraging also 67 LAND PUBLIC LIBRAR) �Farmers to take up Lands on the North Side of Lake Huron, at such places as will admit of Cultivation, particularly on the river Tessalon, all of which collectively will facilitate the procuring of Provisions, and give the Traders from hence a manifest Superiority over their American Neighbours. On the other hand we must also Consider the ad- vantages that would Arise from so ready a Communication with Lake Huron, which while it extends, and adds strength and Security to our Frontier, (if I may be allowed the expression) will with the other settlements afford effectual Protection to the Natives between the two Lakes, who are Mississagues and some Tribes of the Chippawas, from whence I conceive there will be no difficulty in making the purchase, more especially as I believe their best hunting Lands are at some distance from the Tract that would be chosen for the purpose of establishing an entercourse of Transport between the two Lakes." (Q. 24-2, pp. 424-8.) Special instructions were given by Hamilton to the deputy surveyor general, who had been engaged for more than a year in surveying portions of the country on the north shore of Lake Ontario, for the location of new settlers. INSTRUCTIONS TO DEPUTY SURVEYOR GENERAL. QUEBEC, 28 May, Additional Instructions to John Collins, 1785. Esquire, re- specting the surveys in the Upper Country. You will take especial notice in your report of the stations which may be most advantageous for the erecting forts, redoubts, or batteries-having in view, first the pro- tection of the shipping or small craft, secondly the advantages of giving shelter and security in case of an attack from a regular force, or in the event of an Indian War. The nature of the soil, the distance of commanding grounds, the means of procuring water, and of keeping communication by land and water, are to be considered. (Quebec Instruction Book, No.5, p. 16.) The greater part of the Six Nations had remained upon the lands they still occupied in the States of New York and Pennsylvania but they were alarmed by the growth of the settlements in their immediate neighbourhood and the ef- forts of the newly formed governments to obtain large ces68 �sions of their territory. The terms of the recent treaty of peace had rudely shaken their confidence in the British government and they were disposed to be suspicious of all white men. It was unfortunate that both Sir John Johnson, the superintendent general of Indian affairs, and Colonel But- ler, his deputy at Niagara, should have gone to England at this time and were absent for more than a year. John Dease who acted as resident agent at Niagara in Butler's absence was far his inferior in influence and experience. The commandant at Fort Niagara confessed his apprehen- sions very frankly. FROM MAJOR A. CAMPBELL TO COLONEL ST. LEGER. NIAGARA, the 6th Augst. 1785. Sir, I have the honour of transmitting herewith a copy of the proceedings of a Council of the six with some Deputies from what they call federacy, held near this place scme days would appear that these people are much Nations together the Western conago, by which it dissatisfyed with the conduct of their American neighbours. How the matter will terminate it is not in my power to Judge, and can only say that the idea of having in a short time so numerous a body of Savages prepared for war in the neighbourhood of this weak Garrison, with the defences not in the best order, cannot be pleasing-I have endeavor- ed with all my power to keep this meeting at a distance from Niagara, and for some time thought to have fixed it at Buffaloe Creek, but this place being considered as the great fireplace of the six Nations, it was with difficulty and the assistance of some stratagem, that they were prevailed upon to remain at the landing place about seven miles from hence. I must however say that they shew every appearance of a steady attachment to their old friends the English, and they must certainly be exceedingly deep if not sincere- Your commands upon this or any other subject will always be punctually attended to. I have the honour to be &c. A. Campbell, Major. In his reply, St. Leger, who was acting as commanderin-chief, and had had some disconcerting experience of the fickleness of the Indians in his expeditions against Fort 69 �Stanwix, in 1777 was unable to do more than advise them to be patient and await the return of Sir John Johnson with the royal instructions. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL BARRY ST. LEGER TO LIEUT. GOVERNOR HAMILTON, DATED AT MONTREAL, 10TH AUGUST, 1785. "I propose to write to Major Campbell on the subject of the six nations-They have nothing to do but to keep themselves quiet till the arrival of their Superintendant who will probably be better able to speak the King's pleasure, than I am entitled to do-A categorical Answer from me they cannot expect. "I hope Joseph Brants politicks is not the reason of this bustle between them and the Americans." (Q.25, pp. 134-5.) The following letter from a veteran officer in the Indian Department seems to have caused considerable disquiet in the mind of the commandant at Fort Niagara who transmitted a copy to his superior at Montreal by whom it was sent to the Lieutenant Governor at Quebec and by him to the Colonial Office in London. FROM JACOB SERVOS TO JOHN BUFFALOE CREEK Septr. DEASE. 6th 1785. Sir, Yesterday a Runner arrived at this place who left Tioga seven days ago, who gives the following Intelligence and that you may believe it to be certain truth, that the Rebel Army at least was incamped in Tyoga point and told this Runner as many others that they were on their way to Niagara in order to take possession of all these back Posts to convince the Indians that the King had [no] business with the Six Nation Country and if the King with the Indians will undertake to fight them once more they may try their hands, however they expect to take without fighting although take care to possession bring Soldiers enough to conquer Niagara whether they will or no-The Indians had no opportunity to count their tents as they were order'd off the Ground at the arrival of the Army as well as some time before the Army arrived. — The Indians saw however several of their Boats that - arrived before the Main Body were loaded with pick-Axes 70 �and Blacksmiths tools and articles of that kind, and ten Scows or flat bottom'd Boats very large continually for some time before the Army arrived [had] been on the Communication carrying Provisions for the use of the Army- This report has been told here sundry times by different Indians many days before this and never look'd upon for truth but am apt to think will be too true I am Sir &c. Jacob Servos P.S. The Runner says that he had taken particular notice of their encampment it reaches from the mouth of Shimmong River over the long plain to the rising of the Ground. N.B. The Indians being order'd from that quarter the Cayuga Chief by the name of Johns has made it his business after he left Tioga Point which is ten days ago is gone through the different Villages in order to bring off the hunters with him to this placeJohn Dease Esqr Indian Agent at Niagara &c. Endorsed Copy of Indian Intelligence transmitted by Major Campbell from Niagara and receiv'd by Genl. St. Leger at Montreal Sepr. 14th forwarded by post next day and receiv'd by me at Quebec Sepr. 17th 1785 H. H. In Brigr. Genl. Hope's of 26th & 28th Septr. 1785. (C. O. 42, Vol. 17. pp. 115-6.) Dease very prudently advised the Indians to enter into negotiations with Congress on the subject of their complaints and endeavoured to lull their suspicions of the British government. FROM JOHN DEASE TO LIEUT. GOVERNOR HAMILTON. NIAGARA 16th Sepr. 1785. Sir, I was yesterday honoured by the rec't of your letters of the 17th & 20th of August and am exceedingly happy that my answer to the Indian speeches meet with your appro71 �bation; they were received by the different nations then present with the most serious attention & in consequence of my advice they have sent a message to Congress to request that Major Schuyler & Col. Monro¹ may be sent to Buffaloe Creek (a place nearly opposite to Fort Erie) to confer with plaints. them on the subject of their different com- I am thoroughly sensible how critical my present sit- uation here is and also of the very guarded part I have to Act & can assure you Sir that no caution of mine shall be wanting to promote His Majestys service in the department of which I have the direction. I have the satisfaction to receive constant assurances of the attachment of the Ind- ians to the King's interest. I hope Mr. Langan has according to my request communicated to your Ex. the contents of my last letter to him, since then I have received Accounts that the Americans are building three picquetted forts near Tiago on the west branch of the Susquehanna; in about ten days I shall have more particular Accounts from thence, having sent Lieut. Clement with some Indians to reconnoitre and watch their motions. The settlement on the Grand River is in a very promis- ing state, my last returns from thence which I'm sure are accurate make the Number settled there a thousand souls I am certain there would have been as many more if I could have encouraged them but that I declined being unwilling to encrease the expenditure of Provisions-The Senecas as- sure me that should the Americans take possession of these Posts they intend to remove to Long Point on the opposite or North side of Lake Erie-their principal Chief Kayenguaraghthon³ deserves Notice on account of his steady attachment to the Government. The present state of the Indian trade requires regulation a number of people belonging to the disbanded troops have settled themselves among the Indians on pur- pose to avoid the restraints of the Law; there unmolested they exercise every species of cheating & their continual Jealousies & quarrels give the Indians the most unfavour- able impressions of us-formerly no person was permitted to trade without a written permission from the Superin1. Philip Schuyler and James Monroe. 2. Joseph Clement. 3. Frequently called the "old King." 72 �tendent of Indian Affairs: Now every idle fellow com- mences Indian trader. I am &c. John Dease. (Q. 25. pp. 183-4.) The Lieutenant Governor was much embarassed by the want of definite instructions to guide him in his relations with the Indians and although he did not think an attack upon Fort Niagara was probable at that time of the year he believed defensive precautions would be necessary in the future and plainly asked for orders in such an emergency. EXTRACT FROM A PRIVATE LETTER FROM LIEUT. GOVERNOR HOPE TO EVAN NEPEAN, DATED AT QUEBEC SEPTEMBER 26TH 1785. "But I am sorry to find that Sir John Johnson is not on board the Ranger-however will hope that He is either coming in the Packet or in some other Vessell at present well advanc'd on their passage; or at least that pointed Instructions relative to the Indians have been given, and that Colonel Claus is charg'd with them, for the urgent and obvious reasons that you may well conceive at this Juncture, and that my former letters have glanc'd strongly at. Inclos'd I send you a copy of intelligence transmitted from Niagara about ten days ago to General St. Leger by Major Campbell of the 29th Regt. who commands in the Upper Country at that Post, since which there have been no later accounts from thence,-by it you will see at least how agitated the minds of the Indians are at this period; For as to any such attempt being seriously intended against Niagara as the intelligence contains at this Season by that Route, (which is the same by which Sullivan in the year 1779 advanc'd against the Villages of the six Nations) I can by no means bring myself to think that it is probable; on the contrary the general opinion is that the Americans have only made this move in the force that is mention'd to establish a settlement in those quarters with security to themselves and not with any present offensive views; even supposing the Fact to be as the Indians report-however if they are advanc'd that length I will not answer for its having no such view in future; but of which we shall be better able to judge hereafter from further intelligence, in the mean time every proper precaution is taken to reinforce Niagara if necessary as far as our own very weak 73 �state in point of numbers in this Country will admit of, (the Regiments being considerably below their establishments in general) or rather by putting on a countenance to shew the Indians in such event that by force the Posts are not to be tamely wrested from us. You know best prob- ably what the Future intentions are at home concerning these Posts but let me tell you that we must have more force in Canada next Season very early too if they are to be maintained vi et armis; and further that it is of essential consequence that we should be acquainted with these intentions as early as possible, to give time for preparation in a variety of detail."" "September 28th. "P.S. No further news from Niagara by this Post." (C.O. 42, Vol. 17. p.p. 119-20.) Another noted officer of the Indian Department, Lieut. Joseph Clement, had been sent to Tioga to reconnoitre and reported that the recent alarm was not justified by any- thing he could discover but that the Indians were annoyed by the approach of settlers. FROM MAJOR A.CAMPBELL TO BRIG. GENERAL ST. LEGER. Niagara 5th October. 1785. Sir, I have the Honour of informing you that the person sent some time ago to Tioga Point is just returned and says that things are perfectly quiet at that place, nor could he discover the least grounds for the Report made by the Indians to Mr. Servos respecting an American Army being assembled at the above place, as mentioned in his letter to Mr. Dease which was transmitted in my letter of the 9th Ultimo. The person says there are a number of Inhabitants settling upon the upper branches of the Susquehanna River near Tioga &ca., of which the Indians are exceeding jealous, and deem it an encroachment-upon this the above Report must have been founded. I have the Honour to be &c. A.CAMPBELL. (Q. 25, p. 217.) Lieutenant Governor Hope was convinced that the In- dians expected active support in the the United States and frankly warned 74 controversy with the Sec- Colonial �retary that the troops in Canada ought to be reinforced, particularily if hostilities should take place with France or Spain, which then seemed not improbable. FROM HENRY HOPE TO LORD SYDNEY. No. 7. Quebec 3d November 1785. My Lord Along with Duplicates of my letter of the 24th ult. and of the several papers it contain'd relative to Indian matters, I have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship another Message from the Shawanesse and Delawares dated from their Towns on the 20th of September and sent to the Indian Agent Mr. McKee at Detroit which has been for- warded down by Major Campbell commandng the Upper Posts, and which I have received within these few days. From the tenor of all these several assurances the disposition and expectations of those Indian Nations and their Neighbours will not fail to appear clearly to Your Lordship; but how far it may consist with the intentions of Government to fulfil the latter, must I presume depend upon the final resolutions relative to the Posts. I think it however my duty to have the honour of observing to Your Lordship that the Indians in case of their being press'd upon in their country by the Americans, who appear to be preparing for such a measure early next year, will I conceive expect from us something more than general assurances; and that if it shall be the determination of His Majesty's Councils to hold the present posts in the Indian Country; our actual Military force in Canada is very inadequate to the purpose: the six Regiments on this service even now wanting near 350 men to compleat to their establishments. If the idea understood should be renewed this winter which was once in contemplation, and which I have I con- fess to Your Lordship corresponds with my notions as being likely to contribute most essentially to the security and advantage of His Majesty's Government of this Province, to raise two Canadian Battalions of 500 men each under cer- tain regulations which I will have the honour to state to Your Lordship more particularly hereafter:-I should then think the six Regiments kept tolerably compleat equal to the ordinary service and protection of the Province but otherwise I should hope that His Majesty may be inclined to station two more Regiments at least next Summer in Canada: and to this sentiment I more readily suffer myself to be 75 �brought over from the consideration that in case of a Rupture with France or Spain and that an early attempt may be thought advisable against any part of the West Indies or the Spanish continent-I have always thought that the principal part of the Force to compose such an armament might be more conveniently and more secretly drawn from the Forces in Canada and Nova Scotia would consist of Troops better prepared for those services than could be sent from almost any part of His Majesty's Dominions which if a just idea would probably be a reason for increasing the number of Troops stationed during peace in both Provinces. But in this I am sensible of straying beyond the bounds of my Department, with which I should not certainly have presumed even thus to have intruded upon your Lordship, had it not in some degree been connected with a subject that I look upon as an indispensible duty in me to represent. I shall however take up no more of your Lordship's time at present but have the honour to with the utmost Respect subscribe myself My Lord Your Lordship's Most obedient and faithful Humble Servant HENRY HOPE The Rt Honble Lord Sydney &c., &c., &c. Endorsed: Quebec 3d Novemr 1785 Lieut. Governor Hope No. 7. R. 3d Decr. (One inclosure) (Q. 25, pp. 232-5) A few days later he was able to make a satisfactory report on the condition of the new settlement but recommen- ded the continuance of the allowance of provisions until next year's harvest was gathered. FROM LIEUT. GOVERNOR HENRY HOPE TO LORD SYDNEY. No. 9 Quebec 5th November 1786 My Lord By the arrival of Capt. Barnes of the Quarter Master Generals Department who together with Mr. De Lancey the 76 �Inspector of Loyalists had been sent thro' all the settlements with a view of collecting a just state of the situations and Circumstances of the Loyalists settled in this Province to be laid before His Majesty's Ministers I am enabled to inform your Lordship that these people are in general highly satisfied with the prospects before them and all gratefull for the bounty and liberally bestowed. The indulgences Government has so improvements have been promise a rapid and such as to permanent prosperity to these His Majesty's subjects, but I must beg leave to submit to your Lordship my well grounded apprehensions that these flattering appearances will in great measure be obscured, if some ex- tension is not given to the period during which the Loyalists settled in this Province are to receive His Majesty's bounty of Provisions. For your Lordships more perfectly understanding this subject, it may be necessary I should state to you that in compliance with the Instructions and intentions of the Right Honorable the Board of Treasury signified in a letter from George Rose Esqr. dated Treasury Chambers 7th June last to Lieut. Govr. Hamilton, The Distribution of Provisions to Loyalists thro'out this Province is only to be made to the 1st June 1786. As I perceived however on perusing a letter from your Lordship to Lt. Govr. Hamilton dated 27th April last, that the determination for continuing an allowance of Provisions to Loyalists was consequent upon Govr. Haldi- mand's representation to your Lordship, that such continuance was absolutely necessary to the middle of June 1786, I have thought it incumbent on me therefore to state to the Right Honble The Board of Treasury my doubts whether His Majesty's intentions were not that an allowance of Provisions should continue to be delivered to the period assigned by Govr. Haldimand and to request Their Lord- ships further instructions thereupon. From the circumstances as represented by Capt. Barnes that the settlers before it could be notified to them that all allowance was to cease on the 1st June 1786 had sown the whole produce of this years crop-which leaves them without resource from that period until the crop of next year can be reaped, and that if all allowance is withdrawn before the 1st of September next, many of them must inevitably quit the lands on which they are settled to their utter ruin and disappointment, I now think myself called on to sollicit in behalf of these faithful and hitherto unfortunate subjects of His Majesty your Lordship's interference and protection, trusting you will use your influence to procure 77 �for them an allowance sufficient for their existence from 1st June to the 1st September next. The quantities of wild Pidgeons and fish which are taken in abundance during the above period will contribute to their support; and I conceive an allowance of one pound of flour p. day for grown persons and half that quantity for those under ten years of age would enable them to live on their Lands to the 1st September, after which the crop of that year will abundantly support them. I shall do myself the honour of transmitting to your Lordship by a future Opportunity Capt. Barnes's Report on the objects of his tour which the time of his Arrival will not admit of my doing by this occasion. (Q. 25, pp. 238-40.) The necessary surveys of the lands allotted for their occupation were still incomplete and delayed a satisfactory settlement. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM SAMUEL HOLLAND TO LIEUT. GOVERNOR HOPE, DATED AT QUEBEC, 28TH DECEMBER, 1785. "At Niagara Lieut. Tinling has been so good as to act as Deputy Surveyor, who is now come down, and at Detroit Mr. Philip Fry, late Ensign in the 8th Regiment, now on half pay was appointed Deputy Surveyor, by the recom- mendation of the late Lieut. Governor Hay, and with the approbation of Lieut. Governor Hamilton, who I find to be very deserving and capable for the business, for whom I would propose 4/- per day when not employed, and 7/6 per day when employed on survey, and as but little business is carried on at Detroit, and Niagara, he might serve for both places." (Quebec Instruction Book No. 5, pp. 116-7.) Joseph Brant, who had been in London for several months was actively pushing his own claims for a reward for his services as well as those of the Mohawks for compensation for their losses and assistance in forming their new settlement. FROM JOSEPH BRANT TO LORD SYDNEY My Lord The claim of the Mohawks for their Losses having been delivered by Sir John Johnson His Majestys Super-Intendant for Indian Affairs to General Haldimand, and by him 78 �laid before your Lordship, who Cannot but be well informed that their Sufferings, Losses, and being Drove from that Country, which their fore Fathers Long enjoyed, and Left them the Peaceable Possession of, is in consequence of their faithfull attachment to the King, and the Zeal they Manifested in Supporting the Cause of this Country against the Rebellious Subjects in America. From the Promises made by the Governor & Com- mander in Chief in Canada, that their Losses should be made good and that Soon, When I left them I was desired to Put his Majesty's Ministers in mind of their Long and Sin- cere friendship for the English Nation, in Whose Cause their Ancestors and they have so often fought, and so free- ly Bled, of their Late Happy Settlement before the Rebellion, and their Present Situation; and to Request their Claims might be attended to, and that Orders may be given for what they are to Receive to be paid as soon as possible, in order to enable them to go on with the Settlement they are now making, in Some Measure Stock their Farms, and get such articles and Materials as all Settlements in New Countries Require and Which it is out of their Power to do, before they are paid for their Losses. On my mentioning these Matters since my Arrival in England, I am informed Orders are given that this shall be done, which will give great Relief and Satisfaction to those faithful Indians, who will have Spirit to go on and their Hearts be filled with Gratitude for the King their Fathers Kindness, which I pray Leave to Acknowledge, and to thank your Lordship for your friendship. Jos. BRANT THAYENDANEGA. London 4th January 1786 The Right Honble Lord Sidney Endorsed:-delivered the same day in the presence of Colonels Johnstone, Butler & Claus Capt. Houghton and Mr. Chew. (Q. 26, pp. 11-12.) The Commissioners for the settlement of the claims of the Loyalists for compensation for their losses, under a recent act of the British Parliament, had arrived at Halifax where they had determined to hold their sessions and Hope forcibly represented the inconvenience and hardship this would entail on those settled in Canada. 79 This statement �induced them to come to Montreal for the purpose of hear- ing their petitions of claimants living in Canada. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT. GOVERNOR HOPE TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR AMERICAN CLAIMS, dated Quebec 29th January 1786. "The Loyalists in this Province, with a few exceptions do not consist of Persons of great Property or consequence. They are chiefly Landholders, Farmers and others from the Inland parts of the Continent, many of whom very early quitted their homes and Possessions to join the Royal Standard, the rest have been forced to abandon them and take refuge under His Majestys Government.-Their Claims to Compensation cannot singly be considerable. The indul- gences which have been bestowed, by Allotting Lands for their improvement, and allowing Provisions for their Support, assisted by the active and persevering Exertions of their own Industry, have already procured for them promising Settlements-A small compensation for their Losses would restore to the greater part of them all the Comforts and Conveniences they have lost, but if those are only to be obtained by quitting the Establishments their Industry has secured, for such a length of time as a Voyage to and from Halifax would require, the sacrifice is too great. "By the Muster rolls of Loyalists settled in this Province taken in the Months of August, September and October last, The total Numbers are about Six Thousand three hundred exclusive of about Five Hundred settled in Chaleur and Gaspé Bays in the Lt. Government of Gaspé. "The Heads of families are about Two Thousand five hundred, who are distributed nearly as follows near Niagara and Detroit .300 from Johnstown to Cataraqui & its Vicinity. 1800 about Sorel and in all the lower Canada .200 ..200 Chaleur Bay and Gaspé.... 2500 "It is utterly impracticable at this Season to convey to Niagara Notice of your Arrival or intended Methods of Proceeding, so as to have any reply in time to be trans- mitted to you by the period specified. "The principal Settlements are from Cataraqui, Johnstown is about 100 Miles Cataraqui about 500. 80 Johnstown from to Montreal, �"Those in lower Canada are about 100 Heads of fam- ilies settled in the Seigneurie of Sorel, the remainder chiefly in the Towns of Quebec and Montreal." (Q. 26, pp. 115-7.) An ment important of the concession regulations was made in the amend- restricting the construction of mills in the new settlements which had caused well founded. discontent, by the publication of the following notice. FROM THE QUEBEC GAZETTE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1786. SECRETARY'S OFFICE, QUEBEC, 14th. February, 1786. Several Applications having been made to His Honor The Lieutenant Governor for leave to erect mills in the settlements. NOTICE is hereby given by The Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief of this province, by and with the advice of His Majesty's Council thereof, that Right will be granted to a person or persons to erect a mill in each seigniory or township, in the situation best adapted for that purpose for the use of the settlers; which person or persons shall for a limited time enjoy the Rights of Seignior in every thing regarding the mill, according to the laws and customs of this province, as a reward for his or their trouble, and as a full compensation for the expense thereby incurred on the following terms and conditions. Certain places in each Seigniory or Township having been pitched upon, which in the opinion of Judges are best adapted by their situations and advantages to have mills erected thereon, the holder of the lot in which such spot or place is situated, shall be in preference authorized by himself or in company with such other persons as he may find necessary for that purpose to associate with him in the undertaking, to erect a Grist-mill for the use of the Seig- niory or Township under the conditions hereinafter recited. 1. That a Grist-mill sufficient in all respects for the use of the settlers in the Seigniory or Township shall be erected and held in readiness for that use on or before the first day of November next. 2. That the said mill shall be kept in constant repair and attended on by persons necessary to grind the grain of the settlers. 3. That in consideration of the due performance of 81 �the above conditions, the persons engaging and binding themselves thereto, shall enter into the enjoyment of all the rights and privileges which His Majesty holds as Seigneur with respect to Mills, according to the laws and cus- toms of the province, under the following Provisos. That at the expiration of fifteen years His Majesty shall resume the seigneurial rights of Bannalité and that the Mills, together with all necessary buildings, &c,thereto appertaining, erected in consequence of the agreement, shall then be delivered up to His Majesty without any right or claim to compensation from the builders in consideration thereof. In lower Canada mills are often erected in this way%;B the undertaker enjoying the privilege from the Seignior for ten years; but in consideration of the situations and circumstances of the settlers, for their greater encouragement the term will be extended to the period of fifteen years. That if any period before the term of fifteen years is elapsed, it shall be found expedient for His Majesty to resume the rights of bannalité; it shall be lawful so to do; And in that case, a just and equitable compensation shall be allowed to the undertakers under the agreement, to be given according to the opinion of five persons, two of whom shall be named on the part of, his Majesty, two by the possessors of the mills, and the fifth by the first four, as well for the first cost of erecting the mills as in consideration of a reasonable profit to be derived from the undertaking. For the greater encouragement of the undertaker one batteau, properly manned, will be allowed at his Majesty's expence to make one trip to carry up from La Chine the mill stones, &c. for the use of each mill. All persons willing to undertake the erecting of a grist-mill in each seigniory or township, the holder of the lot upon which the mill is to be erected having always the preference, are immediately to signify the same through the usual channel of their inspectors; those for the seignoiries or townships of Johnstown and Oswegatchie to Stephen Delancey, Esquire; those for the seigniories or townships depending on Cataraqui to Neil M'Lean Esquire, Deputy- inspector; And if approved of by the Lieutenant-Governor and Commander in Chief, they are to be ready to enter into an agreement, on the above terms, with the inspectors, at the above mentioned places, and to give good and sufficient security to them, on the part of his Majesty, for the due performance thereof on or before the tenth day of May next. 82 �Right will be granted on the same conditions to erect mills at the settlements near Niagara and Fort-Erie. The commanding officer will be authorized to receive the proposals and ratify the agreements on the part of his Majesty. By His Honor the lieutenant-governor's Command. GEO. POWNALL,.Secry. 83 WELLANDPUBLIC LIBRAK) �. . t Gah 1 f r, r r i e 6 a o s n o m d n m i l e s P mo i t n l h d e e . t owh n t e b s h a h o y d i e us p t Inspecto br e Li ge i. v ue a t n M Cb or ff y . ins . Cr C a h e i n p e d w k Fe a la ly s Grt eh ae t Between La tk he abF oav ltl e hs e from At Pleasa nt Point o poin tr ed descpr ari tib cue lad rly Hamilton form sa e nr ct l iy on Remark To Governor now . under 18 building Mill Creek . Mill E s q fdu m l T o l r o y e es cr i b ed 18 b y DelS atn ec ph e e y n the Galleaux At . 25 . . . 26 .34 6. nn t JohnsP to oiw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mill Water Mill Water Mill Wind Mill Wind Mill .5 4. .3 Water Mill .2 Water 7. Mill .8 Mill Water Water Mill . Water Mill 6 .5 Wind .3 Mill .4 Mill Water Water Mill . 1 Water Mill .2 Wind Mill No. Wind . L kne Ta ow - MI EF R L EO C L O TR U I S N TG . Mill of Kind POINTED . Niagara , 10 12 o . t hf e , b y b y . . . . b .e . No. 21 New Johnstown ship Township Lot New . Oswegatchie . Cataraqui 84 Settlement PLACES �Joseph Brant's letters on behalf of the Mohawks were referred to Colonels Butler and Claus, who were naturally sympathetic as officers of long standing and much experi- ence in the department of Indian affairs. FROM JOHN BUTLER TO EVAN NEPEAN. Sir, Agreably to your request, I send you inclosed an Estimate of what Colo. Claus & I have thought would be suffi- cient to satisfy the Six Nations for the Losses they sustained during the late War. You will perceive also that we have taken the Liberty to recommend Several Matters as well in regard to the Articles to be sent out, as to the mode of the distribution of them- As I am shortly to leave this Country for Canada,-I think it a duty incumbent on Me, before my departure, to communicate certain Matters of Consequence that relate to Indian Affairs to Lord Sydney as Secretary of Statewhich I flatter myself from my knowledge of the Indians, from the long acquaintance & intercourse I have had with them will give him satisfaction.-I beg therefore you will be so obliging as to communicate this Letter to his Lord- ship, and if he will do me the honor to give me an Interview & appoint the time I will with Great Pleasure attend him. I have the honor to be &c. JOHN BUTLER. St. Martins Street Leicester Fields No. 1 17th March 1786. Mr. Nepean. Endorsed: St. Martins Street, 17th March, 1786. Colonel Butler. Sir Guy Carleton is of the Opinion that the Compensation proposed in the inclosed Letter ought to be Doubled. E. N. MEMORANDUM BY JOHN BUTLER AND DANIEL CLAUS. An Estimate of the Sums that We conceive will be sufficient to satisfy the six Nations of Indians for the losses of Personal Property which they sustained in Consequence of their taking up Arms in favour of Great Britain against the revolted Colonies.We recommend that these Sums should be distributed chiefly to those Indians, who shewed an early Attachment 85 �and a forward Zeal for the Interest of this Country, not under the Idea of a recompence for their Losses, but but as a reward for their Zeal & Services, or in other words as a present from his Majesty-We prefer this mode of giving them satisfaction to that of making them recompence for their Losses for these reasons1st. That it will be impossible to ascertain the Losses they may have individually sustained by any kind of Enquiry that can possibly be instituted, therefore if a Dis- tribution should be attempted under the Idea of a Recompense, great dissatisfaction would naturally be the Con- sequence2d. That from the Promises which have been made to the Indians by Colo. Butler, at the time he engaged them in the Service, & from the Conversation he has had with them since the peace, they have it not in Contemplation that they are to be fully recompensed for their Losses-The Promises he made them on the part of Government they expect he will most punctually perform, these Promises in general extended no farther than that they should be handsomely rewarded for their Services-That Provision should be made for the Widows and Children of such Men as fell in the Course of the War, and that they should hereafter be protected as Allies to the King- We would recommend that as many of the Indians have during the War lost their Cattle which they are very desir- ous of replacing, That certain Portions of the Bounty which is to be distributed, should be sent out in Cash, as Goods will not enable them to make those purchases of Cattle, and as the same Amount in Goods, will not give them half the satisfaction that Cash will. We conceive that six thousand pounds York Currency, dollars at 8 in Cash, and the amount of six thousand pounds like Money in goods, properly distributed among the Indians will be sufficient to give them the desired satisfaction. And We further recommend that among other Articles to be sent out, there should be included a Number of rifle barrel'd Guns & handsome Fusees, & also some good battle Powder for the Rifles, which will be more acceptable than any other Articles whateverWe do not mean to include the Mohawks in the number of the above Indians who we understand are already provided for, neither have We included the Shawanese or Delawares Who live in the Shawanese Country, We are unacquainted with their losses and therefore must refer to Captn. Joseph Brandt, for the Necessary Information, 86 �but We do recommend that whatever Sum shall be Allotted for them, should be put into the hands of Alexander Magee,1 the Deputy Superintendant of Indian Affairs at Detroit, who is well acquainted with those Indians, and will be best able to make a proper distribution of it among them. John Butler Danl. Claus. London 7th March 1786. (Q. 26, pp. 67-9.) Hope's letters on the subject of future relations with the United States if they made an attack upon the Indians and menaced the upper posts, placed Lord Sydney in a very embarrassing situation and he candidly confessed that the British Ministry were unable to give any definite instructions for his conduct in such a crisis. FROM LORD SYDNEY TO BRIG. GENERAL HENRY HOPE. WHITEHALL, 6th April, 1786. Lieutenant Governor Hope, Quebec. Sir: "Notwithstanding the Reports which have been circulated by the American Deputies sent into the Upper Country, His Majesty's Ministers are of Opinion, that they will hardly attempt by force to remove the Indians whilst they continue united, from the possession of the Lands which they at present inhabit within the Territory to which His Majesty, by the late Treaty of Peace, has relinquished the Sovereignty, much less to commence Hostilities for the Possession of Detroit, whilst there can remain even a probability that the Indians will not lend their Assistance in endeavouring to effect it. "His Majesty's Ministers observe, that the Meeting between the Deputies from the several Tribes, and the Deputies from Congress will take place some time this Spring, though probably not till after the arrival of Joseph Brant, and much will depend upon the turn which Matters will then take. His Majesty's Ministers rather imagine that no Disputes will arise at this Meeting but that the Americans 1. McKee, 87 �will leave them in the possession of their Hunting Grounds until a more favorable opportunity shall hereafter offer for effecting the purposes which it is supposed that Congress have ultimately in view, and if that should be the Case no difficulties will immediately occur; but if contrary to their expectations the Indians should not accede to any Proposals that may be made to them by the American Deputies, or cannot be prevailed upon peaceably to accept of the Asylum already directed to be offered to them, within the Province of Quebec, Our situation will in some degree become embarrassing. To afford them open and avowed Assistance, should Hostilities commence, must at all Events in the present state of this Country be avoided but His Majesty's Ministers at the same time do not think it either consistent with justice or good policy entirely to abandon them, and leave them to the mercy of the Americans, as from motives of resentment it is not unlikely that they might hereafter be led to interrupt the Peace and Prosper- ity of the Province of Quebec. It is utterly impracticable for His Majesty's Ministers to prescribe a direct line for your conduct should matters be driven ta the extremity much will depend upon your judgment and discretion in the management of a Business so delicate and interesting in which you must be governed by a variety of Circumstances, which cannot at this moment be foreseen. "However desirable it might be to encrease the Mil- itary Force in the Province of Quebec, I cannot at this moment encourage you to expect that the Measure will be adopted from the weak State of the Army remaining in this Kingdom, and the various Services which call for their execution: Your Suggestions relative to the raising Col- onial Regiments it must be allowed are worthy of consid- eration, and will be attended to at a proper time, when the State of the Province again becomes the Subject of discussion." Before this letter reached Hope he received further in- formation which tended to abate his apprehensions al- though he considered extreme vigilance still necessary at the frontier posts. EXTRACT FROM TO LORD LETTER SYDNEY, FROM DATED LIEUT. QUEBEC, GOVERNOR APRIL 15TH HOPE 1786. "As from the difficulty of the Communication just at this Season, I have not receiv'd very lately the usual accounts from the Upper Country, it is likewise to be presum'd fairly that all continues quiet and well there. By the last intelligence indeed from New York at the time of Lt. De88 �chambeault's departure from thence, since which no person has come across actually the Lakes, the Americans were it seems raising at Philadelphia and in those quarters a Body of Eight Hundred Men avowedly for the Western Country but from the small number as well as from a concurrence of other circumstances, with which of course your Lordship will have been acquainted at that time from New York, I could never for a moment consider such a Levy to be for any other Service than for the Defence of part of their own Frontier against the incursions they seem to apprehend from the Western Nations; and in which idea I am still more confirm'd at this hour from having receiv'd no further information from any quarter concerning their progress and object-At all events however I can venture to assure your Lordship, that the Officers Commanding our several Posts in the Upper Country will be upon their Guard, and are as well prepar'd as circumstances would admit." (Q.26, pp. 241-2.) Brant's language on his return to Quebec was so sing- ular as to excite grave distrust in the mind of the governor, who did not hesitate to report his doubts of his good faith to Sydney. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT. GOVERNOR HOPE TO LORD SYDNEY, DATED 26TH JUNE 1786. "With great pleasure I observe from Your Lordship's Letter that the affairs of the Indians had been the subject of much consideration, for certainly they are very critically situated at this period, as on the result does in my opinion the future tranquility of this Province in a great measure depend, the enclosed papers whose contents specify'd in the Schedule annex'd, will serve to shew to your Lordship the precise situation in which those matters stood previous to the arrival of Joseph Brant from England with your Lord- ship's message to the Indians, with which he has proceeded up the Country to Niagara, and on the turn that he shall give to its contents will the measures of the six nations in all probability be regulated."From several conversations with Joseph Brant during his stay here, wherein I endeavoured to penetrate his intentions and Sentiments, I was sorry to observe that his attachment to Great Britain does not appear to me to have increas'd by his voyage to England, notwithstanding the liberality of Government to the Mohawks, and particularly to himself and Sister-But as I believe that he thinks it 89 �to be the Interest of the Indians to keep clear of any En- gagements with the Americans, so it is not probable that he will favor any measures of that sort, at all events he has promised me a free and early Communication of every thing material that may occur, from which if he keeps his word, I shall soon be able to judge of the turn matters may take. "Seeing these things however in this point of View, I did recommend to Sir John Johnson in a conference upon the subject after Brants arrival, that he should proceed to Niagara along with him, and hold a general Council immediately there repeating from himself the subject of Your Lordships Message delivered to Joseph: and when he left me to return to Montreal, Sir John seem'd perfectly to concur with me in that Opinion, but since his arrival there he writes me that Brant had proceeded by his consent with the message to the six nations, but that he does not propose going up, till the General Council is assembled which will not be before the end of July or beginning of August, by which time, he says, that he hopes to be fully instructed on the Subject. "I can't but suppose that Sir John is herein acting for the best for His Majesty's Service and I hope that by Sir Guy Carleton's arrival, he will be enabled to meet the Indians in the manner he wishes, but on my part, I could not more fully instruct him than by giving him full Communi- cation as I did of the sentiments of His Majesty's ministers clearly conveyed in Your Lordships letter, in conformity to which however Your Lordship may be assured that my conduct will upon me be directed, before the in arrival case of future of the events Governor calling General, as also that no time or possible means shall be lost of giving Your Lordship any material information on the Subject, having the honor to be &c." (Q. 26-2, pp. 312-15.) The urgency of extending the survey of the lands in the adjacent townships is shown in the following letter to the surveyor, who was then employed at Detroit. FROM MAJOR A. CAMPBELL TO PHILIP R. FREY, DEPUTY SURVEYOR. NIAGARA, 4th July, 1786. Sir, I am to acknowledge the favour of your letter of 29th May, enclosing a copy of your instructions from the Surveyor General, and finding from the irregularity allowed of 90 �among the first settlers upon Government lands near the place as well as from the number of people daily coming in from the American States, the necessity of making a regular survey of the whole I am to expect that you will come down for that purpose as soon as possible. (Letter Book No. 2. District of Nassau.) Brant's conduct after arriving at Niagara did not make a very favourable impression on the mind of Major Campbell, who seems to have judged his character very accurately on brief acquaintance. "EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR CAMPBELL OF THE 29TH REGT. COMMMANDING THE UPPER POSTS, DATED NIAGARA YE 19TH JUIY 1786 AND RECEIVED YE 19TH AUGUST "Captain McKee will long 'ere now have made you ac- quainted with the arrival of the Deputies from the Western Indians, that came from Detroit along with him, to confer with their Brethren of the Six Nations, upon their common Quarrel with the Americans about their Boundaries; since this there have arrived 28 more upon the same errand; the whole are now assembled at Buffaloe Creek, and Capt. Joseph Brant, with Capt. David Hill pass'd here a few days ago on their way to the Council, where I find that Capt. O'Beal¹ has likewise made his appearance: I men- tioned to Brant the inconsistence I thought of permitting this Person to Harangue the Nations publickly upon subjects so diametrically opposite to the general professions of the whole confederacy, in favour of the King and British Nation, he appeared sensible of the impropriety and said it must be put a stop to at all events, how far his Sincerity may be depended upon, the superficial acquaintance I as yet have with him, cannot allow me to judge with any degree of certainty, tho' I cannot help thinking him deep and designing with a stronger attachment to his own Interest than to any Country or People, and I should likewise be induced to add, a very great share of Ambition to become a man of the first consequence among the Nations; tho' his chance of succeeding in this, I should suppose doubtfull: the meanness of his extraction, will certainly be a strong bar in his way among a People possessing strong ideas of permanence in Families and much attached to Hereditary Honours; from these circumstances therefore I should apprehend he may run no small chance of 1. Otherwise known as the Cornplanter. 91 �falling a sacrifice to this last passion if not managed with considerable address. . "I have here perhaps proceeded too far with a Character, with which as before mentioned, I have but little in- timacy; shall endeavour however to become better acquain- ted with it, in order to be able with more certainty to comply with the last Paragraph of your letter.". Endorsed: Extract of a Letter from Major Campbell to Brigr. General Hope at Quebec. Rd. 12th Sept. by Captain Mure. (Q. 26-2, pp. 521-2.) The report of the proceedings of the Indians in their Council strengthened General Hope's suspicions of Brant's duplicity. FROM LIEUT. GOVERNOR HOPE TO LORD SYDNEY Quebec, 17th August 1786. No. 30. My Lord. Since I had the honour of addressing Your Lordship last, on the 8th inst. by Capt. Wilson of the Royal Artillery who took charge of the duplicates of my former Dispatch of the 28th of June, the enclosed minutes of the six nation Council at Niagara have been transmitted to me by Sir John Johnson; from which Your Lordship will see an account of the Proceedings of the Indians at their previous General Meeting at Buffaloe Creek, and from thence will be able to collect the present temper, views and intentions of these People; but for my own part I confess to Your Lordship that my Sentiments which I have already had the honor of communicating are so far from being in the least changed, that I am the more confirmed in them from the total Silence observed at this Council on the sub- ject of the message transmitted by Joseph Brant and from the additional circumstances of the other meeting that is fixed to be held on the Miami, to which I am informed by Major Campbell that Brant had declared his intention of going and where, I fear that the poison will be further cir- culated, and the effects of it will very soon be evident. (Q. 26-2, pp. 525-6.) After much deliberation Sir Guy Carleton had been appointed Governor in Chief on 23 April, 1786 in succession 92 �to General Haldimand and was raised to the peerage by the title of Lord Dorchester. A paragraph in his instruc- tions placed the officers and soldiers of the disbanded 84th Regiment, which had been originally recruited in the A- merican provinces as the Royal Highland Emigrants on a much better footing with respect to grants of land than those of the loyalists and other regular troops, who had already settled in the Province of Quebec. EXTRACT FROM ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS TO LORD DORCHESTER GIVEN 23RD DAY OF AUGUST, 1786. "41.... And whereas upon the raising and establishing the Corps late the 84th Regiment of Foot, we did promise and declare that the Officers and Privates of the said Corps should when reduced be intitled to and receive Grants for certain allotments of Lands in proportion to their respective Ranks therein, It is Our will and Pleasure that you do in manner herein before directed Grant Warrants of Allotment and Survey to such of the Officers and privates of the said late Eighty fourth Regiment of Foot now reduced, who shall be willing to settle and become Inhabi- tants of Our said Province of Quebec, and shall apply for the same for such Quantities of Land as they shall be respectively intitled to, In consequence of our said promise and declaration contained in Our Instructions to Our Gover- nors of New York and North Carolina dated the 3rd April 1775 that is to say, To Field Officers 5000 Captains 3000 Subalterns 2000 Non Commission Officers Privates Acres 200 50 And that the Surveys be made and Grants for the same delivered free of Expence as herein before directed, Provided nevertheless that every Commissioned and Non-Commis- sioned Officer or private belonging to the said late 84th Regiment of Foot, who shall claim and apply for Land in Our Province of Quebec as aforesaid, shall declare upon Oath, that no land has been obtained by him in any of our other Provinces in America under Our Royal declaration as aforesaid. (Q. 26, B. pp. 231 et seq.) Colonel John Butler returned to Niagara and resumed his duties as deputy superintendent general for the affairs of the Six Nations, who he found in a state of serious 93 �discontent, which he endeavoured to allay by every means in his power. FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL JOHN BUTLER TO LIEUT. GOVERNOR HOPE Niagara, 5th Octr. 1786. Sir, On my dissatisfied, and Arrival that here Captain I found Brant the Indians found much difficulty in getting proper Indians to accompany him on his embassy to the Upper Nations. The next day I went to Buffaloe Creek, where I settled matters to his satisfaction, and the day after he sailed for Detroit. I inclose you a Copy of his letter to me, by which you will see the temper the Indians are in, in that quarter, and I assure you that the Six Nations &ca. are much more displeased than they are. I have had enough to do to keep them within bounds especially as I had nothing to do it with but words. I have as the Superintendent desired me to do, ac- quainted them, that he intended as soon as Sir Guy Carleton arrived, to pay them a visit, and bring with him a large present for the whole, also plenty of Ammunition. This promise and with what little I have been able to borrow, has in some measure kept them quiet untill now. But how long I shall be able to keep them so, certain, as there is at this time upward of two is un- hundred here for Ammunition. I have applied to Major Campbell (the Commanding Officer) to lend me some powder untill some is sent up, but he has not any to spare. As the season is so far advanced I fear Sir John Johnson will not be able to pay us a visit this autumn, but hope he will fulfil his promise in cloathing his children. If not it will not be in my power to render Government any further service in these parts. But as Mr. Dease is on his way up, I am in hopes Sir John will do the needful as I have stated matters to him in such a manner as will I hope induce him to enable me in some measure to satisfy those poor distressed creatures, for I am certain they never was so much in want of every necessary as at present. (Q. 26-2, pp. 594-5.) In pursuance of General Hope's recommendation the loyalists had been supplied with a much reduced allowance of provisions until their crops were harvested. 94 �MEMORANDUM BY THE COMMISSARY GENERAL ON THE ISSUE OF PROVISIONS TO LOYALISTS. The Loyalists in the Upper Parts of this province have received the following allowances of Provs. From the 1st June 1784 to the 1st Novr., 1785, full allowance 518 1st Novr., 85 to the 30th of June, 86 2/3 allowance 162 1st July 86 to the 31st Augt. 1 lb pr. day nearly 25 705 days The Loyalists in Nova Scotia have received 730 Rec's less by the Loyalists in Canada 25 days Quebec 27th October, 1786. John Craigie Com'y Genl. ABSTRACT OF THE NUMBER OF LOYALISTS SETTLED IN THE UPPER PARTS OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, VIZT. New Johnstown. 2047. New Oswegatchie. 759. 1853. Cataraqui. 2. Oswego. 946. Niagara. Fort Erie. 147. 6. Detroit. 5960. Total J. Craigie, Com'y Genl. Lord Dorchester arrived at Quebec and assumed the administration of the government on 23 October, 1786. Hugh Finlay, the Deputy Postmaster General, and Sir John Johnson were appointed members of the Privy Council as representatives of the new settlers. The Governor recom- mended the Council to take into consideration the Courts of Justice, the militia, highroads and communications; population and agriculture, and the settlement of the Crown lands; external and internal commerce and the regulation of the police, which he commended to their particular attention, "having an Eye to the antient laws and usages of the province." He then appointed four special committees to deal with these subjects. No member was omitted and none was required to serve on more than one committee. Mr. Finlay was nominated on the committee on courts of justice and Sir John Johnson on that dealing with 95 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRA �population, agriculture, and settlement of lands. The pronounced discontent of the Indians and the con- sequent danger of hostilities with the United States were immediately brought to Dorchester's attention and he resorted to the singular expedient of consulting them on the question of retaining the frontier garrisons which he seems to have been disposed to withdraw if this could be done without exciting their displeasure. Any attempt to take those posts by force he would consider as a declaration of war. His instructions to Sir John Johnson were very clear on these points. FROM LORD DORCHESTER TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON. Secret. Quebec 14th December 1786. Sir, I understand Colonel Butler talks of coming down to the lower parts of Canada next Spring, the Kings Service I apprehend will not permit his being absent from the Six Nations; 'tis said they are discontented with us: I should be glad to learn for what, if it proceeds from their not having received the presents they expected on my arrival, their own impatience is to blame; the season was so far advanced, that nothing more than has been, could have been forwarded; let Butler by all means, find it out, and whether it is not worked up by those who meditate mischief. He must likewise discover how the Six Nations con- sider the upper Posts, particularly NIAGARA, and the Fort near Oswego: are they sanguine that we should keep them in our hands, or is it matter of indifference to them? If the In- dians are indifferent, I see no reason why we should be anxious; I see no wise motives for keeping them, but on their Account. 'Tis necessary that we should thoroughly know their sentiments; what would they purpose doing, should we deliver them up, or evacuate them? how would they act should the United States by treachery, or by open force attempt to wrest them from us? an attempt to wrest them from us, I should consider as the beginning of hostilities, and however indifferent we may be about them, yet War must be repelled by WarAll things considered, I am inclined to think some of our neighbours nourish Ideas of the sort, and shall not be sur- prised if they detain those of the Six Nations that go to Albany, and keep them, threatening to punish for the conduct of the rest, thereby to intimidate, should they fail in their attempts to blind or corrupt. 96 �Colonel Butler you see has much to do above, Fort Ontario in particular requires his greatest vigilance; tell him I greatly rely on his address and management, he must not act nigardly in business of this importance, but reward generously those who may deserve. He should consult and communicate freely with the Commandant of those Posts, but to all others, yourself only excepted, he cannot be too reserved. Sir John Johnson. (Q. 27-1, pp. 86-8.) The merchants of Quebec were consulted by the committee of the Privy Council and reported in favour of making the grants of land in the new settlements "in free and common soccage," as the settlers desired. EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE MERCHANTS OF QUEBEC BY THEIR COMMITTEE, TO THE HONBLE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON "Article 15th. COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS. The Tenure on which the Crown Lands are hereafter to be granted, it being an object connected with Commerce. Observation In order to encourage effectually the settle- ment of the ungranted Crown Lands behind the Canadian Seigniories and other parts of this extensive Province by American Loyalists and other Emigrants - It would be highly necessary we conceive, to make out those Grants in Townships and in free and common soccage¹ similar to the concessions in the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and those heretofore granted in the Royal Governments now Neighbouring States. This is the only tenure to which English Subjects will be reconciled and we are firmly of Opinion that it will induce a very large number of Persons to resort hither to the improvement of Agriculture, the increase of Population, and extension of Trade. The antient feudal system of holding Lands in Fief et Seigneurie as well as en roture in quality of Vassals is inimical to a free Commerce, and together with the Constitution of the Government has greatly tended to prevent the settlement of Lands and improvement of the Province hitherto, and will still have the same evil tendency until the Lands to be granted are act- ually conceded or declared to be intended to be so, on a more liberal Tenure, for not only the desires but 1. . 97 �even the prejudices of the People ought to be considered. Nor can this proposed mode of Granting new Lands operate any evil with respect to Inhabitants of the Country now the antient holding under the feudal system, for we see different tenures of Lands in many of His Majesty's Dominions without producing any bad effects. Measures like these, we are confident will soon give this Province the form and figure of a British Colony, bring forth its resources, and raise it into consequence." Quebec 5th January 1787. (Signed) GEO ALLSOPP. JAMES JOHNSTON ROBERT LESTER S. FRASER MATHEW LYMBURNER WILL GOODALL JOHN YOUNG. (Vol. E, Part II. Pp. 185-6.) In the committee itself a considerable difference of opinion soon became apparent. EXTRACT FROM THE "REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL RELATING TO THE COURTS OF JUSTICE." "IVly. The case of the Loyalists from the old Colonies, who to the number of several thousands have seated them- selves since the last War in different parts of this Province calls in the opinion of the Committee for a very particular attention. If this Class of the Inhabitants is to be severed from any other District, and erected into separate Counties, an Act of Legislation will be necessary for that purpose, the partition of the Province into two Districts, standing at present upon a Law, that must for that purpose be repealed. (4) On putting the question as to making this Clause a part of the Report. For it Mr. Finlay. Agst it Mr Mabane. A substitute to be offer'd Mr. St. Ours. next meeting. "The Substitute offered. "Tho' we are sensible that every attention compatible with Law and the good Government of the Province should be given to the Loyalists, we beg leave to observe to your 98 �Lordship that by far the greatest part of the Loyalists who took up arms in defence of His Majesty's government during the course of the Rebellion, are already settled in this Colony, or those of Nova Scotia New Brunswick and their dependencies. "To this class of Men Government is bound by justice and Gratitude to give every protection and assistance. There may be of these meritorious people in this province (their wives and Children comprehended) about six thousand; of them a great number are Emigrants from North Britain who served in the 84th Regiment, the Provincial Corps of Sir John Johnson, and others; who assuredly cannot be supposed to have any predilection for Laws of which they are totally ignorant. Every precaution was taken to make the Loyalists and others before they were disbanded, acquainted with the conditions upon which the King's Lands were to be granted, and none of them could be ignorant that by fixing their residence in this Province they became subject to the laws of it. "In framing Laws for the Province consideration should certainly be had to the Opinions & Customs of 113,000 natives rather than to those of 6000 strangers. "The number of Loyalists settled above Montreal does not appear at present to require a separate District to be erected, tho' that measure may become necessary in a few years; but by that time the state of the upper Countries after the evacuation of the Posts without the limits of the province being known the Legislative Council will be better able to deliberate upon the measure with precision and certainty. "With regard to the great number of Emigrants from the United States of America, who we are told, may be expected to resort to this Province provided the Laws were made agreeable to them, We think it our duty to observe to Your Lordship, that as these men did not stand forth in defence of His Majesty's Government they can in general have no claim to its justice or gratitude; they are dis- contented with the taxes and other grievances which abound in the American States, and are therefore willing to seek an asylum in the British Colonies. It may be policy to admit them, but for many reasons they should be encouraged to settle in the Colonies where the laws and form of Gov- ernment are most agreeable to their ideas, such as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the Islands of Cape Breton and St. John; the climate in the latter is temperate, and the Lands fertile. The insular situation makes it easy for Great 1. Prince Edward Island. 99 �Britain to protect & keep it as a Colony. The Province of Quebec may be considered in many respects as a frontier to the remaining British Colonies. Its Inhabitants are numer- ous, & by Religion, Language, Laws & Customs are the class of men the least likely to coalesce or unite with the Neighbouring States of America. "It is most humbly submitted to Your Lordship whether or not sound policy does not require that they should cont inue as they are." Quebec (Signed) 11th Jany. 1787. Hugh A. Finlay MABANE. P. R. ST. OURS. (Journals of the Legislative Council, Vol. E. p. 125 et seq.) The military preparations reported to be in progress in the United States, although ostensibly directed against the Indian,s caused Dorchester some anxiety as he surmised that an attack on the frontiers might be contemplated, as it would be a popular step. He solicited precise instructions with respect to their retention and what he should do in case they were attacked and taken. FROM LORD DORCHESTER TO LORD SYDNEY. Secret. No. 10. QUEBEC 16th January 1787. My Lord The Military preparations in the United States with the Measures taken to form Magazines along the frontier of Virginia, and as far as Saratoga, their leading men say, are intended to reduce the Indians. Probably the disorders in the Massachusetts and neighbouring States, is another object of these Arrangements. I at the same time cannot but apprehend the Upper Posts are also comprised in their plan for the Campaign; the measure would be popular among them. The weak situation of these Posts, more particul- arly, Fort Ontario near Oswego, seems to invite an insult; the strongest of them depends on the Savages for protection, and these having neither national bands nor subordination of any sort, cannot have that firmness necessary for great confidence. 100 �Should this apparent Storm blow over without injury, and the wisdom of His Majesty's Council determine to maintain these Posts, a considerable expence must be incurred to put the works in a proper state of defence; and a considerable reinforcement should be sent up, which will not only increase the transport, but add to the expence alsoFort Ontario in this juncture, in place of the present Garrison of fifty men should have a Battalion to enable them to hold out, till succours might Arrive to them from the Province; and these succours must in a great measure, if not wholly be drawn from the Militia, when it is so arranged as to enable us to employ it. Should it be determined to surrender these Posts, the States will enough immediately become Masters against Indians, with of Forts, strong a communication tolerably secure, which will greatly facilitate the reduction of that people and draw on us many reproaches, at the same time we shall lose great part of the furr trade, and open a door for much Smuggling. Should it be judged advisable to retire and destroy, or suffer the Forts to be destroyed, the disadvantages would hereby be greatly retarded. The most injudicious of all is a no resolution, remain- ing in an impotent state, and yet holding those places in defiance of powerful neighbours, who have set their hearts upon them; and who sooner or later will certainly assault them, if left in their present situation. I must therefore request Your Lordship will, as soon as possible, honor me with the King's commands on these points, and what His Majesty's pleasure may be, should the upper Posts be attacked and carried. Endorsed: Dup. before received. R. 28th May. (Q. 21-1, pp. 34-6.) The special committee of the Privy Council of Quebec decided to recommend that the terms and conditions of the royal instructions for grants of lands to the Loyalists were suitable for adoption in spite of the determined opposition of Sir John Johnson who protested resolutely in writing. EXTRACT FROM COUNCIL THE UPON "REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE POPULATION, AGRICULTURE AND THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CROWN LANDS." ""Tertio. "Les Loialistes qui ce sont Etablis audessus de Montreal nous ont envoié les papiers marqué No. 13 et 14 dans les 101 �queles il donnent à entendre quils souhaitent que les Terres sur les queles ils sont, leurs soient concedes sur une different tenure que celles signifié par les Instructions de Sa Majesté, mais nous sommes d'opinion que les Termes et conditions i spécifiés sont convenable à être adopté." A la Chambre du Conseil le 20 Janvier 1787. ) J. G. C. DE LERY Longueuil SAMUEL HOLLAND Boucherville JOHN JOHNSON. "Sir John Johnson does not concur in Article the 3d of the foregoing Report, but offers the following paper as expressing his sentiments upon the subject of the reference. "That His Majesty's Instructions to His Excellency Lord Dorchester for granting the Crown Lands, which has been under the contemplation of the Committee, and upon which the Report is principally grounded appears to be the same, as that made to the Governor of this Province in the year 1774. "That "Since that period, the Rebellion, War, & Peace have produced an important change in the situation of this Province, and which will claim and merit His Majesty's consideration, a change that in policy and justice may prevail with His Majesty, to alter the said Royal Instructions, and grant the Crown Lands in a manner different, from that recommended by the Report of the Committee. "Soon after the commencement of the Rebellion "That in 1776 the Loyalty and attachment of several thousands of His Majesty's faithful Subjects called them forth to take up arms, and to a steady ex- ertion in support of the Laws, and Government of Great Britain, and by that Loyal_exertion, to protect and secure the property and Estates which they held under the Crown in the different Provinces. "By the Treaty of Peace in 1783, His Majesty That was pleased free and to declare independant the States Colonies in whereby Loyal Subjects so under arms, and Rebellion the others King's in con- stant exertions to protect, defend and support the laws and Government of Great Britain, lost their Lands and Estates, which by the peace fell to the power and possession of 102 the United States-Those �Lands and comfort, held in under and free those calculated the Estates afforded a competent support to their families, they were and common Laws and to protect Subject, them and soccage, that and possessed Government the person, and the best property of render him the most Loyal and happy. "That "Many thousands of his Majesty's Loyal Subjects whose Estates were seized and confiscated have remained hopes that in this Province in the confident His Majesty in his Royal wisdom and grace would be pleased to grant them Lands, upon the same Tenure and under the same benefits, as those they formerly held of the Crown and similar to the grants and Estates His Majesty has been graciously suffering pleased to Subjects, grant who and have secure resorted to other to his Majesty's Neighbouring Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. That these His Majesty's distressed subjects by protection of the Crown, and the Laws, to which they had been accustomed, and were attached, might be restored in a great degree, and their Children wholly, to that happiness, and those blessings, they fully experienced under British Government prior to the Rebellion. - the "They have had every reason to be thankful That for His Majesty's and Liberality and confidence that they may of of paternal care, the Nation, those hold and but Suffering Lands of the the Bounty that the hopes Loyalists Crown, in are, free and common soccage, and not en roture as the Vas- sals or Censitaires of a Seignior. "That "Such Tenures are contrary to the Growth of a Commercial English Colony, are adverse to Agriculture, must impede the Population of the Province, and are Tenures not the most advantageous to the Policy and interest of the Nation. "That "If the Land upon which such Loyalists have already been settled, could not have been obtained but en roture as feudal Vassals, It is more than probable, that many of the settlements already made would be abandoned and those His Majesty's faithful subjects driven to seek a refuge and sup- port in some other situation, whereas by granting those Lands in the manner which all other Crown Lands are granted, and in which all other Loyalists since the Rebellion and Peace have obtained Lands in the King's Neighbouring Provinces, his Majesty, 103 LANDPUBLICLIBRAR, �would in Wisdom and Mercy extend a source of Com- fort and prosperity to Those Subjects and greatly strengthen and increase the Population, Power and Utility of this province to Great Britain. "If "That it should please his Majesty to use the ungranted Lands in this province to the best National benefit, as an Assylum to the Loyalists now in Great Britain, who have infinitely suffered and are in distress, and who are desirous to become Resi- dents in his Majesty's Colony, and also as an Assylum to those his Majesty's loyal subjects, who have been persecuted during the Rebellion, and yet remain oppressed in the American States, Soliciting His Majesty's Royal protection, and an establishment, as and with his faithful Subjects in this Province: His Majesty may increase the Number of his subjects in this Province many thousands, by conceding the Crown Lands on the same terms and affording the same protection to his Subjects in this Colony, which in his Royal wisdom and justice, His Majesty doth in the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. "Such "That an addition of numerous Subjects would not only increase the Population of the Province, but infinitely add to its powers, and to the National advantages which Great Britain reasonably ought to expect and receive from an Ex- tent of Country, which might be populated, erned, protected and secured as a Colony, Gov- drawing small expenses, and affording great benefit to the Nation. "That "So far from concurring in the opinion, that the general tenure of Lands, now held under the Crown in this Province were under the feudal sys- tem, by grants from the French King, to his Subjects en Fief & en Roture, and that to grant the Crown Lands in the same manner, would preserve an Uniformity in the Tenure of Estates, and the Laws that governed civil rights thereon, & therefore ought to be conformed to by any new Grants. ""That "He humbly conceives it may well deserve the deliberation of Government, whether it will not be more for the Interest of his Majesty and the Nation, and also to the Holders of Land in Seignorie and en Roture, if His Majesty would be graciously pleased to concede, and make a free gift of his rights to mutation Fines, & permit as well the Seignior as the Censitaires or Vassals to convert 104 �their Estates into free and common soccage, the latter upon a commutation with the Seignior for his rights on the Vassalage Tenure, such a Grant and permission would be gratefully received, and would have the effect at no very distant period of assimilating this to the other of His Majesty's Colonies in America. And he further humbly conceives, that if the Crown Lands contiguous to those at present settled, were Majesty's to be granted to and cultivated by his English Subjects, they would diffuse a spirit of industry and knowledge in Agriculture, that would prove of infinite benefit to the Colony and nation. (signed) John Johnson. (Vol. E. Part II, pp. 273-6.) The merchants of Montreal, who were in general deeply interested in the fur trade in the upper country, requested that the rate charged for trans- porting merchandise over the Niagara portage should be considerably lowered and that the contract should not be renewed for a longer period than three years in the expectation that a road would be opened around the falls in the new settlement on the west side of the river. EXTRACT FROM THE "REPORT OF THE MERCHANTS OF MONTREAL BY THEIR COMMITTEE TO THE HONORABLE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS & POLICE." Carrying Place. Monopolies having always been considered as injurious to Trade, and a free competition amongst Subjects of the same Government, esteemed the most effectual means to prevent imposition, We cannot pass unnoticed the carrying place of Niagara, which for so many years past has been in possession of an Individual', and untill last Spring, bore oppressively hard upon the Trade, by the very high rate Government allowed him to exact for Carriage of Merchants Goods. We have reason to think that Brigadier General Hope, then Commander in chief of the Province saw it in that light, as he reduced the price, and renewed the Lease for one year only. 1. John This Lease will be at an end next Spring, and Stedman. 105 �as it is highly probable that application will be made by the present Lessee for a renewal of the same; We take the Liberty of representing that it ought not to be Granted for more than three years and that the price of Carriage should be Lowered to 3/ York or 1/1012 Curry. per Cwt. The distance from Montreal to La Chine is greater than the Carrying place of Niagara, the Roads are much worse, yet there is not more than sixpence pr. Cwt. paid by the Merchants. In requesting that the Lease may not be granted for a longer Term than three years we have an eye, to the new Settlements on the North side of the River of Niagara which may reap much benefit by opening Road on that side, and allowing the Settlers a to carry without restraint for such persons as may choose to em- ploy them, and it will also be the most effectual means of Lowering the price besides being of greater safety in case of any disturbances happening on the Frontiers; at present, the Settlers are not perhaps in a condition to undertake such Business, and it must appear evident, that so long as they are restrained from attempting it, no Rival can ever arise to enter the Lists with the present Lessee." "Montreal, 23rd. January 1787." (signed) JACOB JORDAN. JAMES PRE. MCGILL GUY BENJN. FROBISHER ME. BLONDEAU A. AULDJO P. BOUTHILLIER RICHD. JH. DOBIE PERINAULT JOHN MCKINDLAY JAMES WALKER THOMAS MCCORD (Vol. E. Part II, p. 206.) The committee of the Privy Council of Quebec on commerce, of which the Surveyor General was a member, reported that the lands on the northern and eastern shores of Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron were particularly well suited to the cultivation of flax and hemp and that com- mercial policy required that this great country should be peopled. The encouragement of its settlement was strong- ly recommended. 106 �EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC ON "NEW COMMERCE AND POLICE. SETTLEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN LOYALISTS AND CULTIVATION OF HEMP AND FLAX "The acquisition the province has made, in some Thousands of His Majesty's loyal Americans, is already begin- ning to be felt. Their superior skill in Husbandry, Their industry in settlement, and their perseverance under misfortune excite in the Canadians, the desire of imitation. Commercial policy requires, that this great Country should be peopled. Every encouragement therefore, should be held out to all who seek refuge, or fly from persecution, to its wild but friendly bosom. "More especially to those, who have suffered in sup- port of His Majesty's benign Administration and Government. The Lands on the Northeastern and Eastern sides of Ontario, Erie and Huron are equal in quality to any in America: The soil particularly adapted to the Cultivation of Hemp and Flax Articles of the first importance to the Commerce and Marine of Britain Millions of hardy, use- full and industrious Subjects, may be raised on the Banks of those extensive Lakes. No pursuit, therefore, can be more worthy of Your Lordship's foresight and wisdom than the introduction of all such, as will defend the Province in time of War, and render it useful in time of peace." (Signed) EDWD. HARRISON Quebec, 29th Janry. 1787. JOHN COLLINS GEO. POWNALL WILLIAM GRANT (Vol. E. Part I, pp. 162-3.) Lord Dorchester's instructions to Sir John Johnson to hold a meeting with the chiefs of the Six Nations to ascertain their views as to the retention of Niagara and Oswego placed Colonel Butler in a rather embarrassing situation, as they took care to remind him of the pledges he had made them in soliciting their assistance at the beginning of the revolt of the Colonies and concluded their reply with the sarcastic remark that "the War we were en- gaged in was yours, you are therefore the best Judges how to act in this matter." 107 �INDIAN COUNCIL AT NIAGARA. A meeting held by Lt. Col. Butler with the Principal Chiefs of the Six Nations of Indians at Niagara the 10th of February 1787. Colonel Butler addressed them as follows. Brothers I have called you together in order to put a few Questions to you, in consequence of a letter I have received from Sir John Johnson, Superintendent General and Inspector General of Indian Affairs, which I hope you will immediately consider of, and give me your answer, as he is anxious to know your minds. Brothers You without doubt have heard that the Am- ericans have frequently threatened to attack the different posts on this communication, expressly Oswego & Niagara, and its now said they are making arations to put their threats into execution. prep- Brothers I must beg that you will honestly tell your minds, how would you like it, or what would you say, if we were to evacuate those Posts, if we were determined to defend them, if the Americans should attempt to take them by force or treachery, or what part would you act, as some of the principal Chiefs of the Six Nations are now pre- sent, there can be no necessity for delaying your answer to the above. Brothers You all well know those Posts are kept up at a great expense to Government on your accounts & solely for your protection and interest-The Superintendent General says further that in case the Enemy attempt taking those Posts by force, that it will be considered as the beginning of hostilities and we shall retaliate War for War- Brothers He also desires me to tell you that he thinks it your interest to keep yourselves still and not quarrel with the Americans if possible to avoid it, but in case any of the States should disturb your Peace, he advises you to resent it only on those who are the offenders, its very probable some of the States wish to live in Peace and friendship with you-Should that be the case he thinks it will be your interest to cultivate it, as it will lessen the number of your enemies, and of course give you an opportunity of Chastising the disturbers of your peace, and probably oblige them to make peace with you upon your own terms. The Chiefs gave the following AnswerBrother We have according to ancient Custom repeated to you our resolutions and determinations at our late Con108 �federate Council held at the Shawanese towns and Huron Villages. Brother Having acquainted you with our proceedings at our different meetings-We now intreat you to call to memory what you said to us, at the commencement of the late War, as you see us still entangled & troubled with the effects of it, and we fear that we will be more embarrassed and that our situations will be more dif- ficult than ever. Brother We have desired you to recollect what passed at the commencement of hostilities, we have on our parts fulfilled our engagements with you, having sacrificed our lives and properties in the late War, and continued since the conclusion of peace to adhere to our former agree- ments, and have shunned coming to any binding Agreement with the American States. Brother We intreat you to answer us to what we now advance consistent with our critical situation and such as is due to us as allies, As you are not ignorant of the intentions and designs of the Americans respecting us, we therefore hope to have your answer as soon as possible. Brother We have heard what you had to say to us, being Sir John Johnson's particular desire to know our Sentiments on the questions you have just laid before us, which you expressly desire we will answer immediately, which we shall now doBrother You desire to know what we would think and say if the English Evacuate the Upper Posts, or how we would like it, if they should determine to defend them, if the Americans should attempt to take them by Force or treachery. Brother We are not a little surprised at you (the English) asking us such questions as you know our minds and as we have repeatedly requested your information in case of invasions, Peace. which we expected from the conclusion of Every transaction of ours is known to you since that time, and you must in our opinions, be convinced that we were dejected from the moment we heard of the treaty of Peace between you and the Americans-Our actions since then have also shewn you that we have not conceal- ed our resolutions especially at the late confederate Coun- cil, the result of which you are also made acquainted with- Why are those questions put to us when our sentiments are so well known respecting the evacuation of the Forts the War we were engaged in was yours, you are therefore the best Judges how to act in this matter. 109 �Endorsed In Lord Dorchester's No.15 of 10th April 1787. (Q. 27-1 pp. 103-7.) In the debate on the new ordinance proposed for the regulation of the proceedings of Courts of Justice an amendment moved by Sir John Johnson for the formation of one or more new districts to facilitate the administration of justice in the new settlements was voted down but next day another motion to the same effect was carried by a large majority of the members of the Privy Council present. EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNALS OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL. Tuesday April 24th 1787 An ordinance to regulate the proceedings in the Courts of Civil Judicature was read by paragraphs. Sir John Johnson then moved that the following Clause be inserted as an addition to the Bill, viz. "And whereas many Thousands of His Majesty's faithful Natural born subjects, who have taken refuge in this province are become objects of the national Consideration, and are chiefly settled together upon divers parcels of the Crown Lands, distinct and distant from the antient settlements; and their relief, comfort and convenience, require very special provision, suited to their circumstances, Be it therefore Enacted by his Excellency the Governor and the Legislative Council, and it is accordingly hereby enacted and ordained by the authority of the same, that for the better encouragement of his Majesty's subjects, and their ease & convenience under a due administration of Justice, it shall be lawful for his Excellency and the Commander in Chief for the time being, with the advice of the Council, by Patent, under the Great seal of the Province, to form one or more new Districts therein, to be afterwards Organized by Commission & Commissions for the creation and Appointment of all such Offices and Officers within the same as may appear to be most necessary or conducive to the purposes aforesaid; any thing in any Law or Ordinance of the Province contained to the contrary thereof notwithstanding And the question being put whether the same be a part of the bill or not, it was Carried in the negative by ten nays agst eight ays. (Vol. E. Part I, p. 112.) 110 �Wednesday 25 April 1787 The Committee met and Mr. Mabane moved that the following Clause be adopted as part of the Bill "Whereas there are many thousands of Loyalists and others settled in the upper Countries above Montreal and in the Bays of Gaspey and Chaleurs below Quebec, whose ease and convenience may require that additional Districts, should be erected as soon as circumstances will permit it is Enacted and ordained by the authority aforesaid, that it may be Lawful for the Governor or Commander in Chief for the time being with the advice and consent of the Council, to form by patent under the seal of the Province one or more new Districts as his discretion shall direct, and to give Commission to such Officer or Officers therein, as may be necessary or conducive to the ease and convenience of his Majesty's Subjects residing in the remote parts of the Province." The Question was put thereon debates arose, and it was carried in the affirmative to adopt the said Clause by 15 Ays against 3 nays. (Vol. E. Part I, p. 114.) Addresses were presented to Lord Dorchester from the settlers at New Johnstown, New Oswegatchie, and Catara- qui and the seven neighbouring townships on the Bay of Quinté, expressing their gratitude for the assistance they had received but stating that they hoped to have the same advantages as the other settlers in North America. Their spokesman, Stephen Delancey, explained that they referred to the unsatisfactory tenure of their lands and Dorchester remarked that he believed that they held their lands were "hard." the conditions on which Major Robert Mathews, the late military secretary, was sent to Niagara and Detroit to investigate the state of these settlements, and reported at considerable length. EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF MAJOR ROBERT MATHEWS. "Niagara, 31 May, 1787. This day came in eight or ten men from the States to see friends and wishing permission to settle with them. With regard to the settlement at this post it appears to be in the same thriving and prosperous state with those below, but notwithstanding the testimony of loyalty and good 111 �order given by the settlers, attested in their offer of assistance to Major Campbell in defence of his post, a few of them hold the principles and doctrines of Mr. McNiff. Major Campbell is well informed of them and has a watchful eye upon their conduct. Col. Butler told us there were discontents among the settlers, proceeding from what they consider an improper choice of the Commission of the Peace, wishing themselves to have the nomination of their civil officers and to hold committees for the choice of them and other interior management of the settlement, agreeable to the letter to that effect, which it seems was circulated from Mr. De Lancey through all the upper settlements, and which is considered by all the gentlemen in opposition to that doctrine with whom I have conversed to have been the origin of the McNiff party. Col. Butler also says they complain of not having received an equal proportion of clothing and of farming utensils with the loyalist settlers in other parts of the Province, which has been already represented, but no answer returned to them. They are also jealous of the tenure in which they hold their lands and cannot reconcile the idea of the Canadian one." A considerable consignment of presents was distributed among the Indians soon after and seems to have materially allayed their discontent, but reports of the intentions of the United States to advance their outposts to the frontier gave Dorchester much anxiety. FROM LORD DORCHESTER No. 23. TO LORD SYDNEY. Quebec 13th June 1787. My Lord, I enclose a return of presents sent to the six nations, Delaware and Shawanese Indians, in con- sideration of their Services and losses during the American War; also a return of presents for the Messasaga Indians, as a reward for their fidelity during the same period, and in consideration for their friendly reception of the Loyalists and Indians upon their lands. Sir John Johnson has been desired to use his endeav- ours to prevail with the former to Accept goods instead of cash, but I know not how far he will be able to succeed. New measures for the Indian Country, it has been said, are adopted by Congress, by these accounts they now purpose establishing Posts on the lakes Ontario and Erie, and on the communications, which Niagara and Detroit. 112 will be pushed near to �It would seem by this System that they mean to avoid all acts of violence, to leave us in possession of our posts for the present, but at the same time to render them of little importance by occupying Stations above and below on their own side of those waters, thereby to intercept the fur trade, while they rely on their numbers to obtain the entire possession of the country when they shall judge the occasion favorable. I presume they are confident, that the Indians will not oppose these encroachments, or that their own powers are sufficient to drive them beyond the lakes. The unsettled state of Affairs in the Upper Country induced me to order the King's vessels on the Lakes to be armed at the opening of the navigation, but I find great difficulty in procuring seamen, so that I apprehend I shall not be able to man them sufficiently, unless some hands are sent for that purpose from the Squadron on the American Station. This situation of Affairs will prevent my visiting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as early as I formerly intended. P. S. After closing this letter an express brings the minutes of a meeting of the six nations held at Buffaloe Creek between the 7th & 14th May, previous to the intended meeting of the confederacy at the Miami, which contain nothing of any consequence, except their general resolution to adhere to their former engagements formed at the Grand Council near Detroit river. Endorsed Quebec 13th June 1787. Lord Dorchester-No. 23 R. 11th July (2 Inclosures) (Q. 28, pp. 16-18.) Accounts of the advance of troops of the United States into the Indian country and their undisguised displeasure at the retention of the Upper Posts caused some comment in the English newspapers. THE QUEBEC GAZETTE. Thursday, September 7, 1786. LONDON June 23. The report of the Americans having sent an army to take possession of some English Forts on their back Settle113 �ments, does not appear to be true, though they are much dissatisfied with those places not being given to them, and about which they talk very big; This circumstance being well known, and their Militia being assembled, is supposed to have given rise to the report. The Americans pretend that the Forts on their back Settlements were by the late Treaty to be given up; and though they are insignificant places of themselves, yet from their situation they consider them of great importance, as they prevent their having free communication with the Indians, who are now persuaded to carry their furs, &c. to the Canadian market to the great prejudice of the United States. Although the formation of new districts was deferred, a new commission of the peace was authorized by which the appointment of a considerable number of leading loyalists as Justices of the Peace was announced, of whom, how- ever, only three or four resided at Niagara. THE QUEBEC GAZETTE. Thursday, June 29, 1786. The following contains a correct List of the Commissioners in His Majesty's Commission for the Peace for the Districts of Quebec and Montreal, in the Province of Quebec. Liste des Commissaires dans la Commission de la paix pour les districts de Quebec et de Montreal, en la province de Québec. DISTRICT of QUEBEC, DISTRICT de QUEBEC, General Commission. Commission Générale. The Honorable Members of the Legislative Council, Les Honorables Membres du Comseil Législatif. Nicholas Cox, Gabriel Elzéar Williams, Francis Dambourges, Le Panet, Thomas Edward Boisseau, Jessup, Taschereau, Jenkin Comte Dupré, Pierre Scott, Charles Lanaudiére, John Nairne, Malcolm Peter Fraser, George Lawe, Felix O'Hara, John Stuart, Nicholas Coffin, John Renaud, Nathaniel Taylor, Thomas Aylwin, William Lindsay, Juchéreaux Duchesnay, John Baptiste Couillard, and Alexander Fraser, Esquires. Commissions of Association for the above District. George Longmore, Esq; Gaspé; Pierre Marcoux, Esq; Cape Chat; Donald M'Kinnon, Matane. 114 �DISTRICT of MONTREAL, General Commission. The Honorable Members of the Legislative Council. Neveu Silvester, St. George Dupré, James M'Gill, Pierre Guy, James Finlay, James Stanley Goddard, Pierre Méziére, Pierre Fortier, Hertel de Rouville, Chevalier Niverville, John Campbell, Edward Southouse, Alexander Fraser, Jacques Le Moine, Benjamin Frobisher, J. M. Tonnancour, Peter Vanalstine, Thomas Williams, Stephen Delancy, John Barns, Niel M'Lean, Justus Sherwood, M. E. G. A. L. de Lothbiniére, Edward William Gray, Philip de Roch- blave, S. Anderson, Ebenr. Jessup, Pierre Guerout, James Clark, Michael Grass, Jepthah Hawly, Jepthah Perrot, James Rogers, Thomas Gummersal, W. R. Crawford, James Wright, Lefevre Bellefeuille, and Henry Ruitter, Esquires. Commissions of Association for the District abovesaid, Niagara and Detroit, &c. Commission d' association pour le district susdit,, Niagara et Détroit, &c. Rénè Amable de Boucherville, Etienne de Chambault, La Bruére Montarville, Ephraim Jones, Joseph White, Peter Drummond, William Fraser, Allen M'Donald, William Falkner, William Ancram, Duperon Baby, Alexander Grant, William Macomb, Alexr, M'Gee, Peter Tenbrook, Duncan Murray, John Birch, and the Reverend John Doty, Esquires. Published by Authority,, GEO. POWNALL, Secry. John Adams had been sent to London by the Congress of the United States to demand the immediate cession of the frontier posts and was informed very clearly that they would be evacuated when "America shall manifest a real determination to fulfil her part of the treaty" and a formidable statement of the grievances of British merchants and others having estates, property, and debts due them, which were unjustly withheld, was furnished him. THE QUEBEC GAZETTE. Thursday, October 5, 1786. From the MARYLAND JOURNAL of July 4. Substance of Lord Caermarthen's answer to the requisition of his Excellency J. Adams, Esq, &c. &c. on the 20th of last February, respecting the British posts, held on the 115 �territories which were ceded by the late treaty of peace to the United States. This very interesting abstract is in- serted in this paper at the particular request of several patriotic citizens, who anxiously wish the respective states would ('ere it be too late) vest Congress with power adequate to the great national business that claims their attention, and for the want of which this country hath already been materially injured in her interest and reputation. "That when America shall manifest a real determina- tion to fulfil her part of the treaty, Great-Britain will not hesitate to prove her sincerity to co-operate in whatever points depend on her to carry every article of it into real and complete effect. "The grievances complained of by the merchants and other British subjects having estates, property and debts due to them in the several states are as follows; "Massachusetts Bay. The act passed the 3d of November, 1784, suspending the payment of interest. "New-York. The act on the 12th of July, 1782, by which British creditors are precluded from the claim of interest on all debts before the first of January, 1783, and ex- ecutions on the principal are forbidden to be levied until the expiration of three years after the evacuation of New-York. "The act of the 17th of March, 1783, and confirmed by others in 1784, and 1785, &c. "Pennsylvania. The law passed soon after the peace, to restrain the recovery of old British debts for a given period. "Maryland. The act of October 1780, allowing British debts to be paid into the treasury, and that no provision is since made for it; the sums paid in, £144,574. 9s, 412d. equal to £3615. 18s. 2d. currency in specie. "Virginia. By an edict of the governor, the 2d. of July, 1783, all British agents and factors who had arrived in that state are ordered to depart the same; which restriction was removed by the Legislature in November follow- ing, and the British agents and factors permitted to return. That by an act of October, 1784, all British debts are to be paid by seven (equal payments the first to be made the first of April, 1786, and so on) annually. That no interest shall be allowed to British subjects for any time between the 19th of April, 1775, and the third said time to be considered as one day. of March, 1783, the That no settlement made by bond or other specialty shall carry interest. This act passed the house of delegates and senate, but did not at the same time receive all the formalities, is doubtful whether it exists as a law. 116 therefore it The sum paid into �the treasury, on account of British creditors, £273,554. 13s. 7d. equal to £12,035. sterling. "North-Carolina. Some acts in this state complained . of, but" not particularly South mentioned Carolina .By an ordinance passed the 26th of March, 1784, no suit shall be instituted for a debt previous to the 26th of February, 1782, until the first of January, 1785, when the January, 1780, interest only, which had accrued since might be recovered and on the first of January, 1786, one fourth part of the principal and all such interest as might be then due and so on. By another act, 12th of October, 1785, a debtor during any period of a suit, is allowed to tender land, which after being valued the cred- itor is obliged to take at three fourths of the valuation. These acts and others, and the conduct of this state, are greatly complained of. "Georgia. This state is charged with having passed laws and regulations similar to those of South-Carolina, with the aggravated circumstances that the judges from the bench have declared that no suit shall be proceeded on if brought by a British subject, while on the contrary, they allow British subjects to be sued by their creditors. "That no provision is made for the real property con- fiscated and sold for public services, nor for money paid into the treasury. His Lordship observes, that most of these recited acts which interrupt and prevent the collection of British debts, in the preamble run thus. 'Whereas this state is determined to fulfil and carry into, effect the treaty in all its parts, &c. Upon the whole that a British merchant is in some states positively, in others, virtually, prohibited by their legislatures from recovering his property, which is a violation of the fourth article of the treaty of peace. In several states judgment for interest for more than seven years is actually suspended by law, whilst in others, although the courts appear to be open, the lawyers are afraid to prosecute for British debts. "Those creditors are deemed fortunate upon giving up all claim to interest (which is equal to 30, and in some cases to 40 per cent) who can obtain security for payment of the principal." M. Philip de Rochblave who had commanded the British post at Kaskaskia, where he had been taken prisoner and harshly treated by the rebel party, had after his escape asked for a grant of land on the Rideau river for the purpose of forming a settlement and building a storehouse there. This scheme had come to nothing but he had lately petition117 �ed for a similar grant at Toronto and the carrying place to Lake aux Claies, which he hoped to make a practicable route for commerce. This project was referred to a special committee of the Privy Council for a report. EXTRACT FROM QUEBEC LAND BOOK, Monday the 25th of June 1787. Mr. Rocheblave for Lands at Toronto and for the carrying place there. The several Petitions of Mr. Rocheblaves read-Ordered by His Excellency by the Advice of the Coun- cil that the Surveyor or Deputy Surveyor General report the Survey_of location of One thousand acres not interfering with the Es- tablishment of a Township of thirty thousand Acres in that vicinity. And that the several Petitions to be in the interim referred to Messrs. Fraser, Bellestre, De Longueuil, Sir John Johnson and Mr. Boucherville who are to report thereon for the further consideration of Government respecting the other Objects of the Petitions. (P. 3.) With a view to the formation of a new judicial district at Niagara recommendations were solicited by the Governor of persons, who would be most suitable for appointment to the civil offices, from Colonel Butler and Captain Watson, who was in temporary command of the garrison at Fort Niagara. NAMES OF PERSONS RECOMMENDED FOR THE NEW DISTRICTS CIVIL OFFICES (18TH AUGUST, 1787?) District of Nassau Judges of Common Pleas Gilbert Tyce John Powell Henry Nelles Justices of the Sessions of the Peace Jacob Ball Samuel Street Jesse Pawling Robert Hamilton Peter Tenbroeck Sheriff Coroner Clerk of Com. Pleas & Sessions 118 IN �Names of persons recommended as fit to be Com missioners for the Court of Requests. District of Nassau Commissioners for the Court of Requests are wanting in this District, for the Ordinance of 1785 does not extend beyond the Bay of Quinty. Lists of Persons recommended for Civil Trusts. Gilbert Tice John Niagara for more Powell recom-Henry Nelles mendations for Jacob Ball by Lieut. Col. Niagara Samuel Street Butler by Captain Watson Jesse Pawling Robert Hamilton see page 5 Peter Tenbroek List of Persons recommended for [Magistrates] (erasure) For Civil Trusts. Place Remarks Names Lieut. Mr. Col. Butler Burch Mr. Warren Mr. Pawling Mr. Hamilton the Sessions recommended by Capt. Watson are in general the (Commandant of persons Fort Mr. of Niagara Fry as Clerk recommen- Niagara.) ded by Colonel Butler, had whose been icated Genl. names commun- to him by Hope. Endorsed:-List of Persons recommended for Magis- trates with remarks N.B. Copy of this list without the remarks deliv'd to the Clerk of the Council 27th Decr. (State Records) At length Lord Sydney made a very resolute and lucid reply to Dorchester's repeated requests for definite instructions. 119 �FROM LORD SYDNEY TO LORD DORCHESTER. Whitehall 14th Sept. 1787. Right Honourable Lord Dorchester. My Lord, I have been favored with Your Lordship's Dispatches numbered from 10 to 26 inclusive, and I lost no time in laying them with their several Inclosures before The King-They have all undergone some consideration, and I shall make my replies, as I have been instructed to do, to them in the order in which they stand. With regard to the Posts, to which No. 10. marked secret, particularly relates, it was, I believe, intimated to your Lordship, previous to your Departure, that it was the firm opinion of the King's servants that the retaining the Possession of the Posts was a measure perfectly justifiable, and from the conduct observed since that time on the part of the American States, they have no reason to alter their sentiments upon that point. It therefore becomes necessary that Steps should be taken by putting them into a temporary state of Defence, to resist any attack which the Citizens of the States may meditate, and the sooner it can be done, the better. The execution of a project of this sort must consequently be attended with Expense, but the King's Servants feel no difficulty in submitting the Extent of the works to be performed to your Lordship's judgement and discretion, persuaded as they are, that your Zeal for the Public welfare will induce you not to suffer a charge of any sort to be incurred which is not found to be indispensably necessary. This resolution naturally brings forward some Communications from your Lordship wherein that subject is very materially concerned, I mean with respect to the Conduct to be observed towards the Indians, and the Establishment of a Militia. As to the first it has all along been the Disposition of His Majesty's Ministers to pay that sort of attention to those People, and that regard to their Situation and neces- sities, which can with any degree of reason be expected by them. Under this Idea such supplies have been sent out as appeared from your Lordship's Dispatches to be Equal to their immediate wants, and though as your Lordship must suppose it is desirable upon many accounts that these Expenses should be kept upon as moderate a scale as possible, yet His Majesty's Servants considering that the pro- tection of the Fur Trade, and perhaps the general Security 120 �of the province of Quebec may, in some degree, depend upon the part these People may take, would rather submit to an augmentation of such supplies, than suffer them to be discontented or dissatisfied, particularly at this moment when their active assistance may possibly be called for and which must happen should the Posts be attacked-It is to be hoped that the Americans will not proceed to hostile measures, but if they should avail themselves of any opportunity which may offer of seizing upon the Posts, it will become your Lordship's duty to use every endeavour to regain the possession of them, if you should find yourself sufficiently strong to be able to effect it. With regard to the Establishment of a Militia, I am to acquaint your Lordship, that His Majesty's Servants entirely approve of the measure-It will not only immediately add to the Internal strength of the Province, but will be the means of attaching the Principal Canadian Families, and will incline them warmly to engage in the support of its Interests, whenever they may be invaded. It is proposed that the Cloathing which Your Lordship recommends for three Battalions should be provided, to be forwarded to Your Lordship early in the Spring, and it will be left to your discretion to embody that number of men, whenever you may see occasion to do so. be conceived that in the introduction of a It is rarely to new system arrangements of this magnitude are not at least conveniently to be made exactly suitable to those which might be wished, but upon the whole they seem to be got into such a train, as to promise fair upon a future day to be placed upon a more compleat and permanent footing. Endorsed 14th Septr 1787 To the Right Honble Lord Dorchester (Q. 28, pp. 28-31.) Toward the end of the year Robert Hamilton, who had been acting as official superintendent of the western part of the settlement of Niagara, made a detailed report of its condition. 121 �PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CANADA SERIES S―I. Return of Loyalists & disbanded troops settled in the district of Niagara West from Mill Creek. Heads Men of Families: Daniel Boys Boys Wo- above under men 10 10 1 Servos 1 Lands Girls Clear Wheat Sowen Total Persons 2 1 50 1 2 •• 16 21 25 5 25 Jacob Servos Wm. .. 1 Picket 1 Cobur Picket... 1 Fredk Miracle 1 1 Richd 1 1 Hen. J Harris John Boice 1 ... 1 1 Jacob Spareback... 1 James Clement unm. 1 Joseph Clement 1 1 John 1 1 Adam Chrysler 1 1 John Chrysler 1 Wm. VanderHip 1 Derick Slingerland. Daniel Cassedy.... 1 1 1 1 Silas 1 1 20 12 Joseph Page 1 Peter Seacord 1 1 Peter Seacord Jun. 1 1 Stephen Emmitt .. 1 John 1 1 Louts 1 2 1 3 2 1 2 13 BT 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 David 1 21 Christian Warner .. Math. Carl...... 2 1 10 30 24 7 2 15 9 16 10 281 156 ཀླུ 50 30 14 22 16 00 8 2 10 14 w 6 2 10 1 1 122 112 11 1 Peter Lampman 18 3 1 1 10 4 1 1 20 4 Francis Goring Acre 4 6 1 Lambert 42 02 John Louts Junr. Vanevrey 6 4 2 16432 8 ༠ B 15 ས° 1 1 4 12 1 A Louts.. 1 12 4 Samuel Louts... Louts 321 1 20 4½ NONG ... 1 l Seacord 10 NOTA∞ John Cohal unmar. Clement 7 8 1 unmar. 15 ཤཱ 18 1473 9 ཨྰ ཿ ཀྰ 8སྐརྞ Picket Junr. Springer 412 10 1 5 N2 A Unmar'd 8 10 79467 4 27169450 1 3 �Heads Men of Families: Wo- Boys above men 10 4 1 Philip Stephens... 1 1 John 1 1 John Coon.... 1 1 William Stephen 1 Edmund 1 Christ. Stephens Boys under Girls Lands Wheat Clear Sowen Total 10 Persons 1 40 174 3 26 6 & 3 sons above 16 Castleman 2 12 10 6 4 3 5 9 1 Abram Lawroway. Jacob Bessy Robert Bessy 1 5 3 1 1 8 5 101 62 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 John Reid 1 1 1 Wm. 1 1 Reid Hodgkeson 1 14 6 1 ... 1 Sons. 3 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 Gilbert Mitchell 212 91 1 Wm 2 3 10 10 John 6 1 10 1 1 George Reid 1 20 Jones Lauroway.. Newkerk 1 3 81 3 100 Hocton 3 5 1 4 3 5 3 3 4 3 2 James Jones & 2 John Stoner Thomas Butler 1 1 Andrew Butler 1 1 Wm, Garner 1 John McNabb 1 Colin McNabb 1 16 1 Thomas March 1 1 Herm Hogdet 1 1 Alex. McNabb 1 Simon Anderson 1 .. 54 32 3 85213 12 20 2 640 5 2 20 30 3 4 1 1 John Darbey 1 George Darbey 1 John Scram 1 1 Abram Scram Fredk Scram 1 1 1 1 1 1 Four of his Sons.. 4 4 Wm Price .... 1 1 Valentine Scram 1 Scram .. 1 Adam Bowman 1 Henry 1 Wm J. 1 May 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 10 10 4 3 3 5 3 3 51 6 5½ 1 Walter Clendinnen 1 Jacob 1 .. 3 1 16 10 1 10 6 8 4 1 12 6 18 1 1 412 2 662 James Clendinnen 1 1 1 May Tenbrock 1 1 Benj Pawling Bowman 3 9068 Jeremiah 3 12 123 4122 1 8 1 �Heads Men of Families: Women 1 Boys Boys above under Girls 10 Lands Wheat Clear Sowen Total Persons 10 64 2 Isaac Volluck.... Two of his Sons... Sten Volluck.. 2 2 1 1 Derick Hainer 1 Nick 1 Smith 1 1 Henry Smith Henry Hainer 1 1 1 1 Albert Hainer 1 Jacob Walker 1 R. Hamilton. 1 Jon. 1 Mathews Benj. Cramb 1 Abram 1 Clendinnen 1 2 1 1 1 10 6 5 10 5 1 209468 3 4% 3 3 2 3 1 4½ 3 5 10 1 John Hainer...... 1 1 Jacob Federick 1 1 Robert Campbell John Gould 1 1 1 B. Marceiles 1 John Harris 1 1 1 2 3 1 6 7 2 3 1 1 10 6 5 1 1 12 6 4 12 1 1½ 1 4 1 John Turney & 2 Sons 3 1 John Brown 1 1 Solomon Seacord 1 1 Benj. 1 1 Jessy Pawling 1 1 Fredck 1 1 2 1 Freligh Scram 1 1 247 1 1 1 212 1 14 180 0 836804 683 6 10 16 16 1 6 10 6 Philip M. Gregory son Aaron Bradt 1 Christian Bradt Edin Bebie 1 1 1 1 Christian Price 1 Wm. Matice Abraham Matice Wm Hare 1 Mich Crantz 1 John Baker .. 1 John Clouse 1 George Rousier 1 31 6 48 4 0 253 1 1 10 1 87 7 Herm House & Son 2 Philip House 1 Daniel 1 1 James Henry 1 1 Adams Haines 1 1 Tunis Slingerland. 1 House 3 1 1 2 124 11 13 12 54 4. 5132 1 12 2018 14 6 6845 5139 �Boys Boys Wo- above under Girls men 10 Heads of Men Families: Garret Slingerland 4 1 30 18 9 1 1 2 1 20 14 5 20 14 1 1 1 1 2 20 1 1 LT 11 1 Conrad Dufford 1 1 1 St Overholt& 2 Sons 3 1 3 Petman ..... 1 1 Jacob Culp & 2 Sons 3 1 Fredk Howe 1 1 1 156 77 24 1 6 38 1 1 Abram Dufries 12 1 6 43640 1 1 1 2 56 97 10 Women 156 77 from 16 to 60 Married Boys 24 Above Ten years of age Und. 56 Under that age Girls 97 Unmarried Total Persons 410 Clear land 1288 Acres Wheat Sowen 721 Bushell Niagara Sept 17 - 1787 R. Hamilton S. W. D. 125 2 1 1 3 3 8 2 6 5 5 6 1288 Recapitulation of old Settlers Men 1 3 John Shaver Culp 1 1 1 ... Persons 1 John Young Lambert Total 4 Adam Vroman John Collard Sowen 1 Sons.... Corns Wheat Clear 10 1 Peter Wycoff...... Henry Chrysler & Lands 721 410 �aa- a n o tm fp ro of therefoCr ore ps . proven & & in . ao n f . German Deserter himselOf wns of r biu ng ts tbh e . the th te o 2 1 strongest AproveAnproven 14 21 Chara co to ed r G Loyalty Proofs King's lame Being could &.. situation to Brother Loyalw ie sr te s tta ac ik ve e spW o. e kl el n in ce tsh e friends his War the during oo yountg fo fit r n'd n War German y from bei hn ig m .in Son 37 not Jersey Respected wekl nol wn Settlers Morality Recommended Dg Sh ot n Wr o s men OATHTAS KEN PetWe r eaver HaveW nm Haven Wm Frabicius Wm Several personaly LoyaltWy ell NIAGAT RHA E Age Wright HAVE SETTLEMENT OF FAMILIES COME Charctes Wm Jer s e y o Wat eJ r ho use . Germ as never such much Old o Sw r es rs e ts T H E SH E SV OE N T HA A I W H S O WO HF OCHo & 55 From Jersey 2 JoHh n ew et JerJ su en y . come arms nown tfko or Quaker A 10 2 & Proves . " " . 23 " 1 took 4 " 1 Govt. " 22 2 1 Was part 2 .3 bo v e tAh t e o Forces Jo n n oit above same 3 1 4 1 ag inst joininComeg 5 1 1 the 3 1 1 Single 3 Widower 1 family Single 21 4 21 1 Single 1 1 22 28 28 23 49 27 Jersey Jersey JersPeynsil. 26 60 Jersey Fdk.WaterhousJ y Miller mer Beamer BeaMan 30 30 32 JerseyJersey Raisin John Peter PhilipWm H. Names INTO RETURN �Charcters Corps Johnson's . character in h avs ing h i Lr an g M b u . t SJi or hn in cerh te if rye d disch rg hai se in gi oo dd h s an Arriving it York 3 1 Aproven 1 1 Sons Daughters SingleSingle ty Crimes Aproven 4 1 1 States Aproven 1 steh ao lr is ne gf o 222 Aproven 211 212 Aproven 4 27 1 1 1 4 1 21 40 80 2 2 25 . Pensil Jersey . Jersey Jersey Jersey t pH h li a ets t a hie n ou ti h e r G l b e h e a a v n s i ng when 2 5 Aproven Aproven Aproven Aproven Aproven Aproven Aproven Aproven Aproven AproAvpernoveAnprovNoten 1 . 1 2 Was lost don got Served New 2 229 3 1 1 1 1 1 Single 3 232 1 Jersey Medlar Jersey Je ras yn Se be ur Je sm eay Br ow n . . Jers y Ove erh olt Philip & the War Cows Horse 112 2 Single Single 1 . . Abram Philip Smith Jersey Jersey Jersey Jersey Jersey 1 Single 22332222222 40 40 56 20 39 30 30 30 81 Smith 1 25 1 1 1 Jersey Women Warden Parker 21 23 30 From Jersey JersePyensil. Age Holt Cook Names Elias JosSilas . . Harvey Corn Hans Ae nr d . Sam HubG aer o Smith Joseph Stephen Gee Hans lo l F. Ruhd Geo Denis Day Adam Will Whitsit And Allbright �... , Dict Western 1 77 8Se7 1 pt. Supt R. . & & ; WL M ..s OTl rod op 410 Childrn of HAMILTON NIAGARA Settlers Total 97 Cows . o tf he i n to Niagara District Western settle Wish 68 45 ot onf Horses Daughters 53 Boys 33 Apro ve e n M n 2 Women ApM ro vn en46 e can ot AprovenAproveAnproveAnproveAnprovAepnroveAnproveAnprovAepnroveAnproveAnproveAnprovenAproveAnproveAnproven w e hi tno k h wta h thd o ose . him acquit CHo or w S so s ens s Britain this been Ennemys was Charctes fro do m ne 5 31213245 97 432 3 31213128 68 222 31125 2 13 113 53 1 2 1 2 882 3 3 1 . Glover Jacob NixAo le n xr Parker Edmd Esea Je s eey Cr ha mb rs Single SingleSingle 13 3 RECAPITULON 33 1 1 1 1 Daughte Wo rms en Age Chambers Elijah JS omh it nh Petit Andrew Wm Vanhorn Petit John Willcox Absol Smith John Swap Jacob From Names 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 48 BeamerLewin Lewin Levy John Levy Jersey JerseyJersey JerseyJerPsensyil. Jersey Jersey JerseyJersey JerseyJerseyJerseyJersey 128 �In compliance with the requests of the Loyalists and English inhabitants an order in council was passed authorising the Governor in Chief to grant lands in "free and com- mon soccage" without payment of any quit rent. ORDER IN COUNCIL At the Court at St. James's the 26th of October 1787. Present The King's most Excellent Majesty in Council. Upon reading this Day at the Board a Letter from the Right Honourable Lord Sydney, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State to the Lord President of the Council together with the Draught of an Additional Instruction to the Right Honourable Lord Dorchester, Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Provinces of Quebec, &ca. in America, for allowing and enabling the said Governor with the Advice and Consent of the Council to grant Lands within the said Province of Quebec in free and Common Soccage, unincumbered, and without any Condition of pay- ment of any Crown or quit Rent whatever, upon Condition that the Grant so to be made shall not exceed one thousand Acres to one and the same person, without His Majesty's approbation previously obtained:And also for enabling the said Lord Dorchester as Governor of the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to remit the Quit Rent of Thirty Pence, upon every Hundred Acres to such persons as do not hold by one and the same Grant more than one Thousand Acres; And directing that in every Township of Thirty Thousand Acres there be reserved Five Thousand Acres to be granted by His Majesty's special Directions; And instructing the said Governor to propose to the Council of the Province of Quebec the passing of a Law enabling persons holding Lands in Roture, with the consent of the Seigneurs to change that Tenure into Free and Common SoccageIt is ordered by His Majesty in Council, that the said Draught of Instruction and Letter Accompanying the same (Copies of which are hereunto annexed) together also with a Letter from the said Governor, with two Inclosures, upon the subject Matter of the proposed Instruction Be, and they are hereby referred to the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council appointed for the con129 �sideration of all matters relating to the Trade Foreign Plantation to consider thereof and Report opinion therupon to His Majesty at this Board. and their W. Fawkiner. (Q. 28, pp. 374-6) Before he received Lord Sydney's recent despatch and this order in council Lord strongly on the subject Dorchester of had organizing written the very militia and incidentally referring to the dissatisfaction of the loyalist settlers at the tenure of their lands in a most forcible. manner. Considerable progress had been made in a resurvey of lands already occupied and the settlers were furnished with location tickets, many of which, often written on the backs of well-thumbed playing cards, are attached to petitions for confirmation presented to the Executive Council years afterwards. FROM PHILIP R. FREY TO HON. JOHN COLLINS, DEPUTY SURVEYOR GENERAL. NIAGARA, 18th September, 1787. Sir, I have the honour to transmit this accompanied by plans and reports of surveys of Township number one and the others of number two, together with the first concessions of the latter lately surveyed which I hope will meet your approbation. "The person who had been employed in the surveying business previous to me had made few and very erroneous surveys, having only laid out a few lots for particular people, many plans may have been transmitted, which may not have been effectually executed. stand that his Honour Brigadier I am sorry to under- General Hope expects that I shall finish the survey of the Crown Lands by next or the latter end of the ensuing Winter, from His Honour's expectations in this respect I am indeed to entertain an opinion that he conceived much had already been done, before my appointment to this place. In order to expedite the survey at a very small additional expence to Government I will wish his Honour's and your approbation to employ two very able assistants, provided you shall think proper to augment my pay during the active Survey to ten shillings Sterling per Day, in this case it might be accom130 �plished during that period. I shall continue the survey with the utmost diligence and beg to have the honour to be, &c. (Letter Book, No. 2, District of Nassau, pp. 7-8.) FROM LORD DORCHESTER TO LORD SYDNEY QUEBEC 8 November 1787. No. 43. My LordThe inclosed state and Distribution of the Troops in Canada will give Your Lordship at a view our Military strength and situation, and shew how far this Province is secured to the Crown by the forces of Great Britain. Two thousand Troops Extended Eleven hundred miles on a frontier (where several months of the year the com- munication is impracticable) in large forts falling to ruins, can neither cover the country, nor preserve themselves, against a respectable force, tolerably well conducted, from being captured, without some powerful assistance. The Vicinage and relative strength of the United States considered, the succour should not only be powerful, but at hand to give hopes of its being effectual. This condition of things deserves well to be considered. The urgent necessity of situation requires, and will justify political measures, the expediency whereof might other- wise be less apparent to many. The power to whom we should naturally look for suc- cour, and from whom only we can receive it with sufficient promptitude, is the Provincial Militia, the people of the Country. To bring forth these resources was the object of the Militia Bill passed in April last Your Lordship will per- ceive by the inclosed Return they amount to about twenty eight thousand men, it is the best return I can procure at present, but it is supposed considerably short of the Effective. Hitherto this Bill seems here to have general ap- probation, but until it is completely carried into execution, and some battalions Embodied as proposed therein, no decided opinion can be given, nor Great reliance placed on the resources of the country. On an appearance that the upper posts were to be attacked, the Loyalists in their respective Districts said they would join the troops and defend the forts, so said 131 �the Canadians about Detroit as well as the Loyalists, they are best situated for this purpose. I have also had many zealous declarations from the Loyalists above and below Cataraqui, but unfortunately hitherto a source of dissatisfaction remains among all these planters, and will remain till their lands are granted to them, as recommended in my letter No 18. Endeavours to excite disturbances have already appeared among the latter with some success and though all is quiet at present, the source of evil remains, and will soon acquire additional strength by comparison, as lands on the opposite side of the river Saint Lawrence are sold for a small consideration, and will be stocked by people free from all quit-rents-I think the same is likely to happen on the lakes Ontario and Erie, as measures are taken to settle these parts also. Whatever the present generation of Loyalists may do, surely their posterity will never draw their swords to perpetuate a burthen, with which the subjects of the states, their near neighbours, are not incumbered, and without the support of their swords Great Britain cannot maintain her dominion for a long time - Not to deceive ourselves, we must take for granted they will bear no burthen whatever longer than waiting for an opportunity to throw it off - They have some hopes, that Government will continue to deal liberally with them, in granting their lands on a free tenure, and for this reason they remain with Certificates of location, and the grants in form are not made out, Sure I am it never can be the interest of the Crown nor of Great Britain to disappoint their hopes. The political System, which lost thirteen populous Provinces, cannot preserve us these remaining fragments for a long space of time-I cannot too often repeat it the Provincials must have nothing to gain by a separation, or we must not depend upon their Attachment, and without their attachment the dominion of Great Britain will be of short duration-But should these Provinces be so governed, as to leave them neither private nor public advantage to hope for by revolution should they have nothing to hope, but much to fear, from a separation, the cause of defence may be made their own, national strength will be derived from their zeal, and in succession of time many national and mutual advantages may result from the connection. But I must further observe, that whatever is proper to grant, should be granted without delay- Delay affords opportunities to turbulent and factious men to poison whatever flows from the pure benevolence of the Crown, and to arrogate to their own seditious insolence the merit of 132 �all the free but tardy bounties of Government; and by such means they too frequently are suffered to usurp the gratitude and confidence of the people, which once Estranged from their natural objects seldom return unimpaired, and are easily employed for the worst of purposes. I am with much respect and esteem, Endorsed Quebec 6th November 1787-Lord Dorchester No. 34. R. 10th December-(2 Inclosures) (Q. 29, O. 178.) He followed this letter with another announcing his intention of proposing the adoption of an ordinance giv- ing private persons the right to navigate the lakes and enclosed a statement of the licensed trade with the Indians by that route. FROM LORD DORCHESTER TO LORD SYDNEY No. 44. Quebec 9th November 1787. My LordI inclose an Abstract of the Craft, Men and Goods, with their value, for which Licenses have been grant- ed to trade with the Indians in the upper Countries, in the course of the present year- All the Trade upward by Niagara and Detroit, as well as the returning Peltries is carried over the lakes Erie and Ontario in vessels owned and navigated by Government, for which the Merchants are liable to pay a certain freight to the Crown. This arrangement was made during the late war, when it was thought necessary for the security of the province to confine the navigation to the King's Vessels. But many Inconveniences are found to arise from this mode of conveyance- The Merchant has no controul over these vessels, and the King's troops or effects always taking the preference subjects him to delays and loss which he often thinks might have been prevented, at any rate, even in case of unavoidable misfortunes, would have been much less severely felt, under his own management. However occurrences of this sort are made a plea for non-payment of the freight, owing to which a considerable debt to Government, stated at nearly Twenty thousand, five hundred Pounds has accumulated up to the year 1785, three fifths of which are supposed to be recoverableBut independent of all these considerations it seems as if the States had adopted a System by pacific means to 133 �press forward the settlement of their own side of the river and lakes-this renders it highly expedient that the King's Subjects be admitted to that Navigation as soon as may beI shall therefore recommend it to the Legislative Council at their ensuing session to frame a law with such regulations and restrictions, as will procure the Advantages of that Navigation to the King's Subjects, endeavouring at the same time to strengthen our defence and guard against Contraband trade-This however (should the Smuggler find an interest in this trade) it will be impossible fully to prevent, from the vast extent of open Country bordering upon those Lakes and on the river which no Custom house Officers however numerous will be able to watch. Endorsed- Quebec 9th Novr. 1787. Lord Dorchester (No. 44) R. 10th December (1 Inclosure) (Q. 28, pp. 184-6.) MEMORANDUM Abstract of Craft, Men OF TRADE Goods licensed to trade with the Indians in the Upper Countries in the year 1787. Canoes 116 Battoes 167 1766 Men Rum 59,105 Gallons of Wine. 8,438 Fusils. 1,570 Gallons of 47,893 Pounds of Gunpowder Cwt. of Shot and Ball 742. Value of the Goods- £97,972- N. B. Besides the Above, sundry other Articles of Merchandize, not Enumerated, are included in the value of the Goods here mentioned. Quebec 9th November 1787. EndorsedIn Lord Dorchester's No. 44 of 9th Novr. 1787. 134 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 39" booklet, c. 1928 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 39" booklet, c. 1928 Subject The topic of the resource Niagara history Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the "Niagara Historical Society, No. 39" booklet, c. 1928. The Niagara Historical Society published their research/speeches regularly in these volumes, of which the Welland Public Library has most between 1-44. Volume 39 contains: "Records of Niagara, A Collection of Documents Relating to the First Settlement, 1784-1787." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Niagara Historical Society Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1928 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Booklet Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 971.33 Nia Vol. 39 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Niagara Ernest Alexander Cruikshank Niagara Historical Society Niagara Historical Society Papers https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/bb2061b542fe9d1b7bf87424b5862065.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=X2RJvYEIOW5JQs9WA6M1VmOWsvFoCsMzRxgEDC0vCCCHLSMWYDafEQapLjoYZSjTe16z4MfafkdQXOQ8Jci%7EiWsn6FnKW7rs05dV10PMaM4jqRHhxbXq51%7EHf2ijKHAlkNVBv68Ta75Dz9IW90Q03I-p2qePGz-NticpalTG3jMFZjQp9S31E0MRpIFloxJBU-Pa2p5aVXKgLyRLhWiGImqz5zxG9ZFfgTswIokKlaQMxNoNtFm5Gvtfau-UZnzinyhbi8pv5PDVhrueUZYNlgsmmfqSqKwojAP4z7IXogzctB4wyoRONyuchHzKJe5zQ1-FGQA8biIBL3L7caR4WA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 8a8344e134118284a3342efce37904db PDF Text Text "Ducit Amor Patriae " NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. No. 38 RECORDS OF NIAGARA A Collection of Documents Relating to the First Settlement 1778-1783 Collected and Edited by BRIG.-GENERAL E. A. CRUIKSHANK WELLAND PUBLIC FERENCE: IA L HISTORY LLECTION HC 38 PAMPHLET FILE Published by the Niagara Historical Society 1927 LIBRARY �B.P.WELLAND P.L 3 2759 01859147 2 "Ducit Amor Patriae" NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. No. 38 RECORDS OF NIAGARA A Collection of Documents Relating to the First Settlement 1778-1783 Collected and Edited by BRIG.-GENERAL E. A. CRUIKSHANK 97131 ВАК 2 3 1956 N51 LHC. Published by 08-16195 BLIC LIBRARY Niagara Historical Society WELLAND REFERENCE: LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION �UnitedPress �RECORDS OF NIAGARA THE FIRST SETTLEMENT On 26 June, 1778, General Frederick Haldimand arrived at Quebec, bearing a commission as Governor-in-Chief of the Province of Quebec which then included all the country ceded by France north of the Great Lakes and the Ohio River as far west as the Mississippi. He took the oaths of office next day. His predecessor, Sir Guy Carleton, remained in Canada for nearly a month afterwards and seems to have discussed the situation of the province very cordially and frankly with Haldimand. The prosperity of Montreal, and in fact of the province generally, was largely dependent on the success of the fur trade. The military posts in the "upper country" at Niagara, Detroit and Mackinac had been established and were maintained for its protection but were dependent for their very existence on the good will of the Indians. For nearly a year, in 1775 and 1776, all imports from England and exports from Canada had been cut off by the invasion of the province by the rebels from New England. The Indians had suffered much from being deprived of their annual supplies of clothing, arms, ammunition, and other articles which had become necessaries of life and comfort to them. John Butler, the acting superintendent of the Six Nations, finding his position at Johnstown on the Mohawk River unsafe, had been ordered by Carleton to establish his office at Fort Niagara, where he found little difficulty in persuading a band of Indians to join a small party of regular soldiers, commanded by Captain George Forster in an effort to reopen the communication with Quebec. This expedition captured the post at the Cedars, defeated a force advancing to relieve it, and finally joined the British troops, who had come up the river from Quebec, on the Island of Montreal. In June, 1777, Butler was instructed by Carleton to collect as large a force of Indians as he could and join Colonel Barry St. Leger, who had orders to advance from Montreal and attack Fort Stanwix, situated where the present city of Rome, N.Y., now stands. As the Indians considered this military post as a menace to themselves, they readily agreed to co-operate, and almost a thousand warriors accompanied Butler to the rendezvous at Oswego. He had already enlisted direct and control their operations. a company of rangers to With this company and four hundred Indians he took a principal part in the defeat of 3 �a force advancing to relieve the besieged garrison, at Oriskany. But the siege was ultimately abandoned on the approach of a much larger body of the enemy and the Indians dispersed to their villages in bad temper and much dispirited by the unsuccessful result of the expedition. Butler went to Quebec to settle his accounts and receive further orders. He was commissioned by Carleton to enlist a battalion of rangers, consisting of eight companies, each of them to be composed of three officers and fifty other ranks, to act in conjunction with the Indians, who were in future to be employed offensively when expedient. it seemed Two of these companies were to be exclusively formed of "people speaking the Indian language and acquainted with their customs and manner of making war," who were to receive double pay. The other six companies, "to be composed of people well acquainted with the woods, in consideration of the fateague they are liable to undergo," were to be paid two shillings a day, which was considered an unusually high rate of pay, although they were required to arm and clothe themselves. Haldimand afterwards reported that eight companies of rangers enlisted on these terms had cost the government as much as twenty companies of regular infantry. Butler returned to Niagara and during the following winter succeeded in recruiting three companies of rangers, which were gradually increased to ten before the end of the war. The surrender of the army commanded by General Burgoyne by the convention of Saratoga had been followed by open hostilities on the part of France, the appearance of a strong French fleet off New York, and the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British army. Although the province was not threatened by any immediate attack Haldimand's means of defence were very limited, as, in the case of invasion by the French, he felt certain that he could not rely for any support or assistance whatever from the inhabitants and very little under other circumstances. The upper posts were weak and feebly garrisoned. If they were taken or destroyed by a raiding force from the hostile provinces, the valuable fur trade would be lost inevitably. The friendship and active alliance of the Indians must be preserved at any cost, he declared, "for if they do us no good, they may do us much harm." He reported that "the Upper Posts may be easily cut off by Oswego River below or by Fort Pitt and the back Settlements of Virginia above." Carleton had abandoned the fort at Oswego, which had been built and successfully defended by Haldimand twenty years before. The Six Nations were clamouring for its re-occupation for the protection of their villages but no troops could be spared for that purpose 4 �although Haldimand admitted its great importance. "The Navy upon the Lakes," he wrote, "are by the last Accounts in very good order, and put upon an exceeding proper Footing, an unremitting attention must be paid to keep them up, to see that they are well officered and well manned, for upon securing the Navigation of the Lakes as well as of the Portages, the safety and preservation of the upper posts very much depend." To give the ships greater security in the winter and in foul weather he determined to take possession of Deer Island in Lawrence, about twelve renamed Carleton miles from Lake Ontario, the St. which he Island in compliment to his predecessor in the government, and where "a commodious & safe Harbor," for the small ships then navigating the lake had been discovered. An engineer officer with a sufficient body of soldiers and artificers, was sent there "to establish a Post at the entrance of Lake Ontario to serve the purpose of a safe place for the Traders to send their goods which go from Montreal in Boats, till the King's vessels now the only Craft allowed to navigate the Lakes can be spared from the more urgent services to transport them to Niagara, a secure Harbour for these vessels and a Defence against the enterprises of the Rebels upon this Province by that great avenue into it." The annual export of furs from Canada was valued at not less than two hundred thousand pounds sterling. Fully one half of these furs were brought to Montreal by way of Lake Nipissing and the Ottawa River and the goods bartered for them were taken up by the same route but the following contemporary memorandum shows that the trade by way of Lakes Ontario and Erie was very important and the furs obtained at Niagara and Detroit were valued at an average of £50,000 per annum. MEMORANDUM ON TRADE BY THE LAKES. (1778?) Memorandum relative to ye Trade in the Upper Country by the Lakes Ontario and Erie. It is carried on in Batteaux from La Chine to Carleton Island and emploies during the Summer and Autumn near 200 Men in navigating these Batteaux and may produce Returns in Furrs to ye amount of £50,000 one year with another. Goods sent to Niagara and Detroit are exposed to the Danger of falling into ye hands of the Rebels provided places and they make themselves Masters of those therefore the Propriety or Impropriety of granting passes for this Branch of ye Trade must depend entirely upon the intelligence which the Governor may 5 �have of the Enemies designs and the Idea which he has of the strength and safety of these Garrisons. Tho' the difficulty of evil minded persons supplying the Enemy with goods is not near so great as from Michillimackinak, yet Precautions may be easily taken which would as long as these places are capable of defence, prevent the Goods from being Conveyed to ye Enemy. Government has very properly taken all ye Vessels upon Lakes Ontario & Erie into their own hands, hence the necessity of all Goods being transported from Carleton Island to Niagara and from thence to Detroit in the King's Vessels from whence they may be disembarked and lodged within the Forts of Niagara or Detroit, ye Commanding Officers of which may be instructed not to allow the Traders to go into the Interior parts of ye adjacent Country but restrain the Trade to the environs of ye Forts and this it is said may be done without injuring ye Trade as the Indians in these places have not been much accustomed to have Traders go amongst them, whereas ye contrary Custom has prevailed toward Michillimackinak & ye Grand Portage. Supposing the Situation of Niagara & Detroit to be such as will permit the Governor to Grant Licenses for ye Trade, it is much to be wished that Means could be fallen on to prevent undue preferences to be given in ye transporting the Goods from one place on the Communication to another. Under pretence of ye denomination of being Sutlers to the Garrisons Several persons have had their Goods carried over whilst those of other Traders, which arrived at Carleton Island or Niagara before them have been left behind to the great detriment of Individuals and to ye Increas[e] of the public Expence for ye fewer ye Traders and ye fewer ye Goods at any Post the greater price ye King's Servants in that Country are obliged to give for such Articles as may unfortunately be wanted for ye King's Service, no doubt the Commanding Officers do right in encouraging & rewarding such Traders as have shewn attachment to Government but that should be in giving them ye preference of selling for the King's Service at the same prices as other Traders & not in Transporting their goods out of their turn which if not put a stop to, will in time create an Exclusive Trade in that part of the Country and be productive of many evils. One thing was forgot in ye Memorandums relative to ye Trade to la Baye &c. that every year many Canadians remain in these Countries, an exact Account should be had of their Number and ye Custom discouraged as much 6 �as the Nature of ye Trade will permit, these men turn fond of a savage Life and if they become considerable in Numbers may likewise prove dangerous to the tranquillity of that Country. (B. 99, pp. 176-8.) The transportation of supplies and goods for Detroit and other western posts over the portage of nine miles around the falls of Niagara was a difficult and expensive task and one of Haldimand's first acts was to let a contract for this service in which the contractor was bound under, a considerable penalty to carry the goods of the merchants at a certain fixed rate, which condition they soon complained he had failed to comply with and had overcharged them. They consequently appealed to Haldimand for redress and he ordered an investigation by the commanding officer. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL MASON BOLTON TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA SEPTEMBER "Last winter merchandize even 18TH, 1778. this place was quite the officer's Barracks lumbered was filled with with goods, as I would not suffer any to remain at the Landing during the winter but ordered the soldiers of the Garrison to bring down twenty-six Batteaux Load. Your Excellency very Justly observes that the eagerness of the Merchants in forwarding such immense quantities of Merchandize may tempt the Rebels to draw near this Post & I am astonished that last year when there were goods to the amount of fifty thousand pounds sterling on Deer Island' no attempt was made to destroy them, where they intend to lodge their goods this winter I no not, for it will be absolutely impossible to get the half of them over this year on account of the Provisions ordered for the upper Posts." (B. 96-1, pp. 216-7.) Haldimand had by that time decided to encourage the cultivation of land in the immediate vicinity of the military posts in the hope of lessening the expense of the transportation of provisions, which had strained the efforts of the marine service to the utmost. He had commanded the post at Oswego for many months in 1758 and 1759, had visited Fort Niagara, and even travelled over the portage road, and was consequently personally Carleton Island. 7 �acquainted with the difficulties of conveying supplies to the distant stations. In moments of despondency Bolton had written to him that the expense of maintaining the posts was so enormous that he thought it a pity that they had not been abandoned to the Indians altogether and that they "were costing Old England far more than they were worth." The number of persons he had to feed were daily increasing by the arrival of recruits for Butler's Rangers and other refugee loyalists. The demands of the Indians for provisions and other supplies became more exacting and he dared not disregard them from motives of humanity as well as public policy. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.-COLONEL BOLTON, DATED AT "SOREL THE 7TH OF OCTOBER, 1778." "The great expence and difficulty attending the Transport of Provisions to the upper Posts make it much to be wished that effectual means could be fallen upon at them All for raising a supply within themselves that might relieve them from their inconvenient and sometimes distressing dependance upon what is sent them from below, and at the same time ease Government of part of the heavy charges to which it is now subject on this Account-I must desire therefore that the Contractor at the carrying place and any other capable person you can find be urged to make use of every means to enable him, in which you will no doubt assist him all you can, to cultivate as much land next year as possible about the Fort; at least to lay a foundation of by degrees, supplying entirely the Post with Bread; And the rearing of Cattle is likewise possible, I should imagine to bring about in time. At present the excursions of the Indians might probably furnish something towards a supply of this Article:-and in the mean time I must recommend to your care to essay everything possible which may spare the salt provisions as much as it can be done with propriety and without exposing them to be spoiled." (B. 62, pp. 259-60.) The average length of time allowed for the conveyance of a letter from Quebec to Niagara was stated at six weeks when the navigation was open and for several months in the winter communication practically ceased. 8 Bolton seems to have lost �no time in collecting the information required by the governor and replied early in the following spring. In the course of the fall and winter Butler had built a large range of log barracks on the opposite side of the river from Fort Niagara for the accom- modation of his battalion of rangers which had then increased to a strength of about three hundred of all ranks, besides many old men, women, and children belonging to their families and those of other fugitive loyalists. This was without doubt the first building erected after the naval quarters, known as Navy Hall, in the present town of Niagara. The account for the cost of construction seems unusually large. EXTRACT FROM BOLTON, A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL MASON COMMANDING AT FORT NIAGARA TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED "NIAGARA, MARCH THE 4TH, 1779." "In a former letter I acquainted you that I should consult every person here who could give me any informa- tion concerning the Plan of Agriculture you proposed some time ago & now beg leave to enclose you their opignions." (B. 96-1, p. 253.) FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL MASON BOLTON TO GENERAL HALDIMAND NIAGARA, March 4th, 1779. No. 31. Sir, The gentlemen I have consulted on the plan of agriculture Your Excellency was pleased to mention to me some time ago, (in raising Corn &c. to assist in supplying this Post with Provisions) are of opinion that such an undertaking would be attended with difficulties for which no advantage for some years could result to this Garrison nor can they think it would be advisable at this time as such a scheme might be displeasing to our allies the six nations. By the definitive treaty with them in 1764, they ceded to His Majesty in full right the Lands four miles east of the river or to the Petit Morass which they suppose to be Johnson's Landing running Southerly 17 miles to a creek above little Niagara, taking in the Portage. They promised not to obstruct the Passage at the landing Place or any use of the tract granted but if they recollect this article right which they think is the 3rd the six nations 9 �mention allowing only such improvements as may be neces sary for supporting the stock sufficient for carrying on the business at the portage. They expressed recollect about eleven an uneasiness at Mr. years ago Stedman's the Indians making too great improvements & intimated that altho' it might have been necessary they should have been first consulted on it. In the year 1767 Sir William Johnson acquainted the Lords of Plantations that the six nations would any Grant to be given of their Lands on not suffer the Portage or any more improvements except by their permission. They have been rather particular on this passage to point out the necessity of first obtaining the Indians' permission before such a plan would be put in execution. They further wish to observe that after this grant might be secured it would probably lay a foundation for disputes which after the great expence government has been at in bringing about this alliance with the six nations ought to be avoided. It is also their opinion that the savages would commit frequent depredations on the grain & stock which might introduce differences between the Garrison & the Indians. They also think both from the Soil and Situation the West side of the river, (the Country belonging to the Missessagues & in the Government of Canada), by far preferable to the East & where none of those difficulties or differences can arise & are of opinion that an opportunity now offers to make a beginning by encouraging some of the distrest Loyalists lately arrived at this Post for His Majesty's protection. With the little stock they have brought the second year they may possibly support themselves & familys, the third they might be useful to this Post, and from that period the encrease would be considerable so that in six or seven years such a plan would be serviceable to Government & individuals that may be induced to undertake it. (B. 96-1, pp. 251-3.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM MAJOR JOHN BUTLER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, MARCH 8TH, "As Colonel Bolton 1779. thinks it proper that I should settle for the Expences incurred by building of Barracks for the Rangers & distressed Families, I have taken the liberty 10 �to draw a Bill upon Your Excellency for £2,527.19.2, the amount of said expences. Your Excellency will learn from Capt. Butler the necessity there was for this work & the propriety there was of it being built on the opposite side of the river & he will also be able to give any explanation that may be required in regard to the accounts." (B. 96-1, pp. 148-50.) Haldimand Bolton immediately reiterated his instructions to to lose no time in beginning a settlement on a small scale by encouraging a few families to undertake the clearance and cultivation of land on the west bank of the river nearly opposite Fort Niagara. THE PETITION OF ALEXANDER ELLICE To His Excellency Frederick Haldimand, Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of Quebec, and the Territories depending thereon in America, Vice-Admiral of the same, General and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in the said Province & Frontiers thereof, &c., &c., &c. The Petition of Alexander Ellice on behalf of the Merchants of Detroit sheweth. That Your contract with Excellency was pleased John Stedman for to enter into a carrying merchandize over the Portage of Niagara, and in consideration thereof Your Excellency was pleased to take a Bond from the said John Stedman in favor of Your Petitioners, dated the 27th of July last, binding him to charge only four shillings & six pence New York Currency for transporting each gross hundred weight, after such contract was notified at Niagara, which could only be done by order of your Excellency on the said John Stedman, therefore if omitted ought not (in your Petitioners humble opinion) operate to the disadvantage of the merchants. However it has by the said John Stedman's continuing to impose six shillings pr. Cwt. contrary to the spirit and intention of his bond, even during the months ofSeptember, October & November, notwithstanding the notification could have been made in twenty days which would have terminated that charge on the seventeenth of August last. Your Petitioner therefore prays that your Excellency will be pleased to order payment to be received at the rate of four shillings & six pence pr. cwt. for merchandize carried over since the said seventeenth of August last, and 11 �that your Excellency will direct the said John Stedman to furnish proper accounts expressing the mark & weight of each Package, or if the Packages are small & several weighed in the same scale, the marks of such their weight together, which however reasonable & necessary he has refused to do. Quebec, 26th May 1779. (B. 217, p. 80.) Stedman's activity and diligence in forwarding supplies and merchandise had induced Colonel Bolton to make a favourable report and he asserted that no partiality had been shown to any of the merchants, but that their goods had been transported in a regular rotation and although in wet weather the portage road was at times nearly impassable, a much larger quantity of their property had been sent on than could be shipped up Lake Erie. The prospect of high profits had caused the keenest competition among the traders and he was seriously embarrassed in consequence by Niagara. the accumulation of merchandise He stated the situation very frankly. at Fort A subsequent letter from Captain Mathews shows that Stedman had not been notified of the change of tariff. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.- COLONEL BOLTON, DATED QUEBEC, JUNE 7TH, 1779. "I cannot but approve of your having forwarded Capt. Aubrey's Detachment to Detroit and the sooner you send down those men belonging to it that you mention to be unfit for service, from a confirmed state of bad health the better, and here I must repeat to you my anxiety for having every useless mouth removed from Niagara for the reasons I have already mentioned to you, which is still as urgent as ever. All Prisoners & Idle people from the Frontiers I hope you have already sent, if you can find amongst the distressed families three or four who are desirous to settle upon the opposite side of the river, who are good Husbandmen and who discover Inclinations for improve- ment of Land only exclusive of every other view or pursuit, I would have you establish them there, affording them whatever assistance you may think necessary, whether by a little provision or a few Labourers, for which indulgence they are to understand that their Labour is to be calculated for, and to tend as much to the supplying of the garrison as to their private advantage." (B. 104, p. 28.) 12 �Bolton was instructed to notify Stedman of the date when the modified tariff of charges for the transportation of goods over the portage was to come into force. FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS TO LIEUT.-COLONEL BOLTON QUEBEC, 16th August, 1779. Sir, In consequence of a Letter which I received the 16th Instant from Captain Brehm, desiring I would lay before His Excellency the Commander in Chief the paper I now transmit to you, in order that he might decide upon the propriety of Mr. Stedman's charges for transporting Mer- chants goods over the Carrying Place at Niagara specified in the Lines marked with red Ink, I have it in command from His Excellency to acquaint you that, from the Tenor of the said Paper, it evidently appears that the notification therein mentioned was intended immediately to follow the Contract, that His Excellency understood it had been transmitted to you, and that the omission could have been occasioned only by His Secretary, Captain Foy's illness. His Excellency therefore further desires, that Mr. Stedman may be acquainted that he is to charge no more than according to the rates specified in his Contract, from the 8th of August 1778 (which allows six weeks for the conveyance of the intended Notification from Quebec to Niagara) after the 27th July, agreably to His undertaking signed that day by Him in presence of Captain Le Maistre and Mr. Williams. (B. 104, p. 44.) The disastrous result of Lieut.-Governor Hamilton's expedition to Vincennes and the successful invasion of the country of the Six Nations in which many of the Indian villages were com- pletely destroyed had changed the situation so much for the worse that the task of supplying provisions for thousands of Indians who sought food and clothing at Niagara, and to a less degree at Detroit, seemed almost hopeless. In reporting these facts to the Secretary of State and demanding reinforcements and supplies from England Haldimand took care to bring his project of establishing settlements near the western posts to his attention and asked his approval. A reply to his letter could not, of course, be expected until the following spring at the earliest. 13 �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LORD GEORGE GERMAIN, No. 33, DATED AT QUEBEC, 25 SEPTEMBER, 1779 "I beg likewise to represent to Your Lordship, that if it is intended to preserve the Upper Country and Fur Trade, one thousand to fifteen hundred men, with a necessary supply of Provisions distinctly for that Service alone, must be employed as early in the Spring as the River becomes Navigable. "The present state of Provisions in this Province and my pressing letters upon that interesting Subject point out to Your Lordship the Impossibility of undertaking any operation of that kind altho' the Salvation of the Province were to depend upon it, (which I think it in a great measure does), without very early Supplies from home both of Troops and Provisions. "I have many years regretted that measures were not adopted such as to prevent the safety of the Upper Posts from depending upon Supplies from Home, so very distant, the Transport so extremely precarious and attended with such a heavy Expence to Government, all which might be obviated, the Troops infinitely better provided and the different Posts be in perfect Security by raising grain and all kinds of Stock at Detroit, which from its centrical situation could very well supply both Niagara and Michilimackinac; the same Plan is very practicable at Niagara, and there is nothing wanting but a Beginning, it will necessarily be attended with some Expence the first two or three years, but would even in as many more amply repay it. "In these times nothing of the kind can be vigourously undertaken but should this unfortunate War have a speedy termination, it should be immediately carried into Execution, and in such case I should be glad to receive Your Lord- ship's approbation of and commands to undertake what I am convinced would produce the most salutary effects for His Majesty's interests in that Country." (Q. 16-2, pp. 563-8.) Bolton was informed of the complaints of the merchants that Stedman had failed to transport their goods over the portage as promptly as they wished and he was instructed to take additional precautions to protect them from a sudden incursion of the enemy which seemed probable, after their victorious advance 14 �as far as the Genesee river and the precipitate flight of a majority of the Six Nations to the neighbourhood of Fort Niagara. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.- COLONEL BOLTON, DATED QUEBEC 11TH NOVEMBER, 1779 "There are complaints that the contractor at your carrying place does not provide sufficient means of trans- porting the goods which arrive there, the principal reason which induced me to make the contract was to give satis- faction to the merchants, he must therefore at any rate provide everything requisite for that purpose, and prevent their murmurs on that subject in future. to "I am informed that a great quantity of goods lie at the carrying places at Niagara guarded by a small party & observing the eagerness of the merchants to send such quantities up, I am apprehensive of this becoming a Bait to tempt the Rebels, and to draw them upon your Post, for which reason I must desire, that you detach a company to each of these places, with the most particular orders, and if possible that a Block House with some enclosures of Picketting or other easier effected work, be erected to cover the ground whereon the goods lye, and to serve the party as a defence in case of sudden attempts, & it will be necessary that you have Indians employed constantly on scouts to give you early intelligence of the approach of the Enemy, in order the better to enable you to make these Detachments Capt. Aubrey is now directed to send you your Light Infantry company immediately." (B. 96-2, pp. 134-6.) Bolton had continued his inquiries relative to the proposed settlement and advised caution in undertaking this without the full consent of the Indians. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL BOLTON TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, November 11th, 1779. "I have consulted every Person here who can give me any information in regard to supplying this Post with bread and from all accounts it is impossible for the Contractor with all the assistance this weak Garrison can give him to 1Commanding at Carleton Island. John Stedman, contractor for transport of stores over the Niagara portage. 15 �do more than cultivate as much land as will supply his own cattle, &c., during the present trouble, perhaps hereafter in more peaceable times it may be accomplished agreeable to Your Excellency's plan but even then it will require at least seven years to do it, at this time we must be a little cautious how we cultivate or encroach upon the lands of the six nations, a subject we have often talked over at our Councils & informed them that the Great King had never deprived them of a single acre since the year 1759, at which time he drove the French out of this country, this they readily acknowledged, observing at [that] the Rebels had acted in the same a very different time manner for which they should severely repent. "The Indians from my observations are naturally suspicious & altho' easily encouraged with anything that promises them advantage are still inclined to believe evil reports of designs against themselves from even the meanest Authority. But this Your Excellency must know much better than I am able to inform you from your long experience & knollege of this country. I beg leave to observe also that the Indians not only make free with the Corn Gardens but often with the Cattle belonging to Mr. Stedman & some times even with those under the Cannon of this Fort I shall make further inquiries in order to give Your Excellency every information in regard to so essential an article." (B. 96-1, pp. 227-32.) On the other hand the Colonial Secretary warmly approved of the proposal and urged Haldimand to lose no time in carrying it into effect. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LORD GEORGE GERMAIN GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED WHITEHALL, MARCH, 1780. TO 17TH No. 23. "The care of raising provisions for the Garrison by cultivating the Lands around the Posts, when the Return of Peace, or the state of the War will admit of the Troops being so employed will be another charge suitable to their office And indeed as the expenditure of Provisions at the Upper Posts is become so enormous, you cannot too soon take some Measures for inducing all who are fed, to contribute to raise them for themselves." (B. 44, pp. 10-11.) 16 �ONTARIO a copy in the Department Lands and of Forests LAKE PLAN From (Ontario ) , Toronto �In fact Germain was so favourably impressed that within a month he wrote again on the subject, to emphasize his approval. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LORD GEORGE GERMAIN GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED WHITEHALL, APRIL, 1780. No. TO 12TH 31. "Much advantage as well as a considerable saving of expence must accrue from employing the Indians, and the inhabitants and Troops in cultivating the Lands about the Posts in the Upper Country, and I should think their attention to their own safety and comfort, and exempting them- selves from the dreadful consequences of a failure of supplies from the Lower Country, which must at all times be hazard- ous, would excite them to Industry, and to gain some knowledge of Husbandry. Should however any further Inducement be wanting you would do well to add presents of Tools and even Premiums upon Products to spur them to diligence." (B. 44, pp. 78-9.) These letters did not reach Quebec until late in the following June. Meanwhile the fur-traders showed no sign of being intimidated by the increased danger of losing their goods through capture by the enemy and their importunity finally exhausted the governor's patience. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.-COLONEL BOLTON. QUEBEC, April 17th, 1780. Sir I have daily applications from almost every merchant, who trades towards Lake Ontario, to grant passes for the Transport of goods to Niagara, and they do not fail to accuse those to whom I have granted passes for the Supply of the Troops with having smuggled up a large quantity of goods. You must be sensible of the evil tendency of such abuses and I request that as much as possible you prevent its continuance. In the present situation of affairs, I cannot think of granting any passes for this trade untill I have your opinion on the possible subject, send and me I request N will as soon as the truest account you can collect, of 17 2 that you �the merchandize, that now remains at the several upper Posts, and whether you would be useful or think the arrival detrimental to the of any more, King's Service, expressing also what articles you would approve of being sent, and the quantity nearly of each. (B. 104, p. 119.) Bolton protested that he had made every effort to treat the traders with entire impartiality in the transport of their goods although he had little doubt that some of them were disregarding the regulations under which EXTRACT FROM A LETTER they had FROM obtained LIEUT.-COLONEL GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT MAY their licenses. 16TH, BOLTON TO NIAGARA, 1780. "I have done everything in my power to serve the merchants & to forward their goods in rotation but that some of the people they employ smuggled goods up I have scarce a doubt of, not that I in the least suppose they ever gave any orders or knew anything of the matter, nor is it scarce possible I believe for the commanding officer of a Post to guard against such abuses." (B. 96-2, p. 23-4.) After being explicitly assured of Germain's approval Haldimand lost little time in giving orders to Bolton to proceed with the settlement. had undertaken to Colonel Butler had supervise the been at Quebec and establishment of several families on partially cleared land near the barracks occupied by the rangers. His influence with the refugee loyalists and knowl- edge of farming were believed to be very important. It is clear that the governor was strongly influenced by his advice. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO COLONEL BOLTON QUEBEC, 7th July, 1780. No. 26. Sir, Having maturely reflected uncertainty and upon difficulties attending the the vast expence. Transport of Provisions to the Upper Posts and for the better accomodation and support of His Majesty's Loyal subjects who driven from their homes take refuge at Niagara, I am come to a resolution to reclaim the land granted by (the) 18 �Messessaguas to Sir William Johnson for the crown situated on the south west of the river opposite to the Fort, directions of which will be communicated to you by another letter, which Land will be divided into several lots and distributed to such Loyalists who are capable of improving them and desirous of procuring by industry a comfortable maintenance for their families until such times as by peace they shall be restored to their respective homes should they be inclined to quit their situation at Niagara. As the above mentioned grant of land will be reclaimed at the expence of Government and of course remain at all times the sole property of the crown and annexed to the Fort. Those who settle upon it are not to consider that they have the smallest right to any part thereof, the produce alone being their property. They will hold their possessions from year to year which will be granted to them by the Commander in chief for the time being accord- ing to their merits. If at any time they should remove either from inclination or by order of the commanding officer are they to have permission to dispose of their crops, stock of cattle, etc., and a reasonable allowance will be made to them for their improvements. For their further encouragement no rent will be required of them. They will be allowed a reasonable amount of provisions for the space of twelve months after they are put in possession of their Lots. Husbandry Steel Mills Ploughs and other implements of will be furnished them gratis and you will please to afford them every assistance Whether of horses or otherwise as shall be in your power to those whose Sobriety, Industry and good conduct may entitle to such indulgence. Some part of this land being already cleared and all of it being fertile it is expected Produce will be considerable. that in a short time the The settlers are therefore to understand that the produce of their farms over and above their own consumption is not to be removed from the Post but disposed of to the commanding officer for the use of the Troops and not to Traders or accidental Travellers. (B. 96-2, pp. 145-7.) Within a week this was followed and emphasised by a second letter. 19 �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL LIEUT.-COLONEL MASON BOLTON, HALDIMAND TO COMMANDANT AT FORT NIAGARA, DATED AT QUEBEC, 13 JULY, 1780. "By your letter of the 7th Inst which will be delivered to you by Lieut. Col. Butler, you will be made acquainted with my intentions of settling Families at Niagara, for the purpose of reclaiming and cultivating Lands to be annexed to the Fort, the expediency of this measure is sufficiently evinced, not only by the injury the service has and must always suffer from a want of a sufficient supply of provisions as well as for the present unavoidable consumption of the Indians, as for the support of Troops it may be necessary occasionally to march into that country but likewise to diminish the immence expence and labour attending so difficult and so distant Transport, I am therefore come to a resolution to extend this scheme to the several Posts in the Upper Country, it already being in some forwardness at Carleton Island & I here enclose Instructions for carrying it into Execution at Detroit which you will please to forward to the commanding officer after you have perused them. And you will give such orders & assistance as you will judge most expedient for promoting with the utmost dispatch & vigour an undertaking so apparently Beneficial to government as well as to the ease and comfort of the Troops... "My letter to Col. Johnson whom I refer to you for particulars, will inform you of the situation I have chosen at Niagara, which he is directed Mississagues Indians. to purchase from the Lieut.-Colonel Butler with whom I have conversed fully upon this subject has promised to give you every assistance in his Power & from his knowledge of farming, his being upon the spot with his Rangers and his acquaintance and influence with those who may be found to settle, I am persuaded you will find him very usefull. I have conversed freely with him upon this subject and have desired him to engage any Loyalists He may find proper persons about Montreal and to take them up with him. He informs me there are some good Farmers in his Corps who either advancing in years or having a Large Family he could dispense with, you will probably find these fit persons to employ, the more so as they are likely to have assistance in clearing &c. from their comrades, but amongst those people little can be expected without a 20 �gratuity, and as that business must be done by Volunteers & fatigue men, it will be necessary that you furnish Col. Butler from the King's store a sufficient quantity." On the same day Haldimand wrote to Colonel Guy Johnson, the superintendent of the Six Nations, who was then at Niagara, giving him special instructions to purchase a tract of land on the west side of the Niagara river, four miles in width extending from lake to lake. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO COLONEL GUY JOHNSON QUEBEC 13th July 1780. Sir Having communicated to Lieut. Colo. Bolton my Intention of cultivating a sufficient Quantity of Ground at Niagara to supply, in part, Provisions for the Consumption of that Post, & given him necessary directions for that Purpose I have to desire that you will purchase for the King upon the most advantageous Terms, in your Power the Tract of Land belonging to the Messessaguas, opposite to the Fort, bounded by the River Niagara, and what is called the four Mile Creek, extending from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie in a Paralel line or near it, with the river, taking the advantage wherever it can be done, of a natural boundary-Lieut.-Colonel Butler informed that at the time the Six Nations ceded to Government a certain Tract of Land on the opposite side of the River, the Messessaguas did, or were about granting the ground in question, Altho' never claimed, to Him, and the Information of Sir William Johnson's Papers, I refer you for this Knowledge, & only mention it because I think that reminding them of it, may make them the more reasonable in their demand-I would however wish to have them satisfied, & as I conceive the speedy execution of this Scheme of consequence to H.M. Service, You will lose no time in forwarding it by the Purchase. (B. 107, p. 123.) In his reply Johnson stated that while he believed that the Mississaugas had a just title to ownership of the land, he considered it advisable to obtain the consent of the Senecas, who were the principal nation of the confederacy, and claimed a certain overlordship or suzerainty over them. 21 �FROM COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO GENERAL HALDIMAND NIAGARA, Augt. 21st 1780. Sir, I have been Honored with your Excellency's Letter of the 13th Ulto respecting the Lands I am directed to purchase for cultivation &ca. Agreeable to which on the arrival of some Chiefs whose presence becomes necessary I shall immediately proceed manner I can, to execute your orders, in the best And at as little expence as is in my power, but as it is in the neighbourhood of the Senecas & more than once subjected to their Claims it is necessary to make some previous Arrangements with their Chiefs, to facilitate the Business with the Mississagas who I apprehend will make few difficulties-I the of Preliminary Peace, shou'd Articles in Alliance & however observe April Cession following to which Lieut. Col. with 1764, the and the Senecas that as Treaty in July Butler alluded, were both drawn up by myself I am enabled to inform Your Excel- lency with Certainty about them, that the Grant was of the Lands on the East side of Niagara Straits, depth of four miles) (of the to Fort Erie, & of two miles on the West side provided it was solely reserved for the use of the Crown, for ever (they being Jealous of Settlers) & that it was surveyed in the presence of Sir William Johnson, & certain Seneca accomplished- Deputys This Cession was then which cou'd not then made by the Senecas, be & the Misisagas were not mentioned at all, neither were they Partys in subscribing, however this might be done in conformity to the Claims of the Six Nations, in my Idea the Mississagas have good pretensions to it & your Excel- lency may Depend on my Conducting the Transaction in the best way I can for preventing future disputes--The Senecas at the same time excepted the Islands and insisted on Sir W. Johnsons acceptance of a Deed for them, but that has never since been Agitated by Himself or Family. (In a P.S.) The Hurons of Detroit with many of the Western Indians, & also some Chipeweighs & Misissagas were present at the Treaty in 1764. (B. 107, pp. 151-2.) 22 �An expedition from Detroit commanded by Captain Henry Bird of the 8th Regiment had lately captured and destroyed several forts on the frontiers of Kentucky, which had been built for the protection of the border settlements from Indian raids. Nearly four hundred of the settlers had been brought as prisoners to Detroit where the Commandant proposed to settle them. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LIEUT.-COLONEL BOLTON, DATED AT "QUEBEC 29TH AUGT. 1780." "In regard to settling the prisoners from Ohio at Detroit it is so favourable to my determined scheme for agriculture, much approved and strongly recommended from home, that it must be encouraged but at the same time I should think it unsafe to permit so many of them to remain together and perhaps impolitic with respect to the Indians who are naturally jealous and suspicious, and should any bad consequence result from settling those people on their Lands, they will attribute it to design. I therefore wish to have them divided between Detroit Niagara and Carleton Island, those who remain at Detroit to be settled on Hog Island-at Niagara you will dispose of as many as the situation will admit of, and send the rest to Carleton Island, and as the season will be too far advanced for them to build after their arrival, you would do well with the assistance of Colonel Butler, to chuse proper situations and have log houses erected for them by the Rangers, and whatever men you may occasionally be able to spare from the Garrison. "You will of course observe that these people must be settled in strict conformity with the regulations transmitted to you, all of them who are artificers should be employed and reasonable pay allowed them, and in com- municating these instructions to Major De Peyster you will please to direct that a portion of the artificers found amongst them may immediately be sent to Michilimackinac, if the navigation should be open, to assist in building the new fort." (B. 104, p. 154.) Most of these prisoners were of German origin and had taken no part in the revolutionary movement. About twenty of the young men enlisted very readily in Butler's Rangers 23 �and the remainder willingly settled as farmers on the lands assigned them. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL BOLTON TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, SEPTEMBER 4TH, 1780. "I find the purchase of the Land from the Mississaguas must be delayed until Col. Johnson has a meeting with the Chiefs of the Six Nations." (B. 100, p. 454.) As the Indians had to be assembled from their villages and hunting grounds, or their return awaited from the war, several months must necessarily elapse before this meeting could be held and the requisite approval of the Senecas obtained to the purchase. Haldimand immediately reiterated his former instructions to Bolton in very forcible terms. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO COLONEL GUY JOHNSON, DATED AT QUEBEC 29TH. SEPR. 1780. "In regard to the Land to be purchased from the Messesaguas, I have only to repeat my wish & desire that you will effect it in the best and speediest manner-Every Ration of Provisions you issue will remind you of the necessity of the measure, and the sooner it is compleated, the greater will be the Advantage to Government and to the Residents." (B. 107, pp. 166-7.) In anticipation of this purchase of lands Butler had already established some families on clearings in the woods near his barracks, where log-houses were built for them and some grain was sown in ground roughly broken up with such implements as could be procured for the purpose. Colonel Bolton had long been in ill health and was tortured by rheumatism which made him almost helpless and incapable of any exertion, mental or physical. For this reason he had applied for leave of absence a year before to return to England, which Haldimand had. refused, saying that he was unable to send an officer of sufficient rank to relieve him. Bolton now renewed his application and urged that a senior officer should be detailed to take the command of the upper posts for very obvious reasons which 24 he �stated. Brigadier General H. Watson Powell, who had been in command of the Montreal district, was finally appointed and arrived at Niagara in October. This change of com- manders was taken advantage of by Guy Johnson to hold a council with the chiefs of the Six Nations, which was attended by both these officers. Although no mention is made of the fact, it seems probable that their assent to the proposed pur- chase was then solicited and obtained from these chiefs of the Indian confederacy, who had been much humbled by the devastation of their country. COUNCIL WITH THE SIX NATIONS, 1780. At a Meeting held at Colo. Johnsons Quarters at Niagara the 29th Octo'r in the Presence of Brigadier General Powel Superintendant & Lt. &ca. Colo. And Bolton before Colo. other Officers of Johnson his Depart- ment with the Chiefs of the Six Nations &ca. being introduced & Seated the Indians By Aaron the Mohock Chief addressed Colo. Johnson as followsBrother We are come here now before you on your Intimation to us of the Arrival of a General at this Place & that Colo. Bolton is going down the Country. We are few in Number as you know, our Chiefs are almost all at War but we speak for the whole as we know their Hearts. Brother We first take our new Brother the General by the Hand and welcome him to this Place, hoping that the great Spirit will direct him to act wisely and that he will be our friend and we assure him that we shall to shew him our Regard & hearken to his in the next place take our Brother Colo. Hand assuring him of our Regard and that forget that during some years he has had be ready Councils.-We Bolton by the we shall never the Command of this Place he has always used his Endeavours to do us Justice & to assist us in all things in his Power & we wish that the great Spirit may preserve him when he goes away towards the sun rising. Brother We have no more to say at present but to assure the General of our Love hoping he will always remember that we are a People who have been long true & faithful to the great King. And we hope that under a General who we 25 �hear is a good & wise Man & with a Superintendant who knows us so well as you do & who studies to direct us for the best that we shall continue as happy as we have been till we have conquered our Enemies. General Powell then addressed the Indians Expressing his Satisfaction at seeing them with Assurance that he woud continue to do all on his Part for them & woud shew all possible Kindness to the deserving recommending to them to continue to deserve well of it Government and assuring them he shou'd continue to assist Colo. Johnson's Endeavours & afford him his Countenance in the discharge of His Duty. Colo. Bolton then addressed thanking them Attention for to them, them in a few their favorable Remembrance Assuring that them a like Report to the Commander in he Words, woud Chief of of his make their good Behaviour particularly those who had distinguished them- selves, Adding that they might depend on General Powell's pursuing the same Measures for promoting their Happiness & wishing them to continue by their good Conduct to preserve the Reputation they had acquired. After which Colo. Johnson addressed them saying that he was very happy had Interview to find they had so agreeable an with the General & Colo. Bolton & that they might rely on the General's pursuing the same friendly System for which they had expressed their Gratitude to Colo. Bolton, whose friendship they had long experienced.-That he hoped they wou'd on their Parts by their gallant Services, their orderly Deportment, And Endeavours to prevent Irregularities endeavour to establish the good Opinion the General had conceived of them in which Case he cou'd assure them of his Friendly Regards. To which they answered with many Thanks to the Genl. and good wishes to Colo. Bolton And that they shou'd use all Endeavours in their Power to prevent Irregularities and deserve favour.-Then after being ordered some Liquor as a Compliment from the General and Colo. Bolton they took Leave. (B. 119, pp. 162-4.) On the last day of October Bolton embarked in the Ontario, a new ship and the largest on the lake, taking with him an officer and thirty men of the 34th Regiment for Carleton Island. Two days afterwards the ship was seen near the north shore of the lake off the mouth of the Genesee, and then nothing 26 �more was heard of her or of any of those on board. his first letters General Powell reported In one of unfavourably upon the situation of Butler's barracks, which had been chosen for convenience of obtaining logs for building. FROM BRIGADIER GENERAL H. WATSON POWELL TO GENERAL HALDIMAND. EXTRACT OF A LETTER NIAGARA, NOVEMBER 18TH, DATED AT 1780. "There certainly could not be found a more improper Spott for the Barracks of the Rangers, whereas if they had built them opposite to the Garrison they could not only have Enjoyed a good situation but they might have been constructed in such a manner as to have retarded any Attack upon this Place, which is very much exposed on that side & have secured to the Rangers a certainty of Retreat in case of necessity." (B. 100, pp. 488-92.) The seed grain promised arrived and Powell urged from Lower Canada had not that it should be sent forward as early in the following spring as possible. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BRIG. GENERAL H. WATSON POWELL TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT "NIAGARA, DECR. 4TH, 1780." "The Colonel [Guy Johnson] likewise mentions that he expected have been some sent up Indian Corn & Pumpkin seed would this Summer in order to plant this Spring but as it has not arrived if Your Excellency thought proper to order about two Hundred Bushels to be sent to Coteau du Lac during the winter it would probably arrive early enough in the Spring to plant and be the means of saving Flower. Colonel Butler also wishes to get up some Wheat to sow in the Spring as the Fall Wheat intended for the Loyalists arrived too late to sow this Season." (B. 100, pp. 498-500.) Haldimand and his military secretary, Captain Mathews, both apologised for this remissness and promised that the seed grain should be forwarded promptly, navigation. 27 on the opening of �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL JOHN BUTLER TO CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED "NIAGARA, 7TH DEC. 1780." "Captain Twiss¹ promised me a Forge for the Families who are to settle here, but it never came up, please put him in mind of it, the Families will want four Grindstones and a dozen of hoes for planting in the Spring-I have four or five Families who have begun and built them- selves houses, & would have put wheat in the ground last fall, had it arrived in time. I have wrote Captn. Morer [Maurer] for some Spring Wheat, Buck Wheat, Corn & oats to come up early in the Spring. might be forwarded. Indian I wish it The wheat sent up last fall I shall put into the Commissary's Store as Provisions, the Harness sent up is not the Kind wanted, if dressed leather could be sent up, I would get some of the Rangers to make the Kind Requisite." (B. 105, pp. 233-4.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER BRIG. GENERAL H. FROM GENERAL WATSON POWELL, QUEBEC, 11TH APRIL, "The Wheat &c., HALDIMAND mentioned TO DATED 1781. in your Letter of the 4th is already at Coteau du Lac in order to be forwarded by the very first Batteau which leaves that place and I hope their early arrival will in some measure Compensate for the disappointment last Fall and give some assistance to the Provision store the next." (B. 104, p. 191.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS TO COLONEL JOHN BUTLER, DATED AT QUEBEC, 12TH APRIL, 1781. "His Excellency is sorry to find that the Fall Wheat arrived too late but you can reclaim it from the store & distribute it at the proper season this year. Some Spring Wheat, Indian Corn, & small seeds are now at Coteau du Lac with positive instructions to be forwarded by the very first Batteaux, the Forge, Dressed Leather & Grind Stones are likewise ready & will accompany them. Of the Royal Engineers. 28 �(P.S.) You will receive 10 Bushels Spring Wheat. 4 do Buck Wheat. 4 do oats. 4 do pease & some small seeds. You will apply to Colonel Johnson for the Barrel of Indian Corn, a quantity being sent him for the Indians." (B. 105, pp. 259-60.) The projected council with the chiefs of the Chippewas and Mississaugas for the purchase of the tract of land ordered by Haldimand was not held until the 9th of May, 1781, when a deed was obtained from them for the first lands for settlement in the present province of Ontario. The long delay was probably due to the difficulty of assembling the Indians from their distant villages and hunting grounds. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED NIAGARA, 9TH MAY, 1781. "I had the Honor to write to Your Excellency on the 23d Ulto on the state of Affairs respecting My Department, Accompanied with a Return, since which I convened the Chipeweighs and Mississagas interested in the Lands you directed to be purchased for the Crown & have obtained a Deed from them for the same in the usual Form which was executed this day & is herewith inclosed- "I have not been able to find Any natural Boundary, neither did I think it advisable to make the Lines Parallel to the Courses of the Strait as it would be attended with difficulty & could not be easily comprehended by the Indians; but I took one Course to the Chipeweigh River, & another to Lake Erie, by which the Contents are more favorable for Government sketch which tunity) & I intend (as I to shall shew them from a transmit by another oppor- the Indians are well satisfied, having received about the value of Three Hundred Suits of Cloathing, which was as little as I cou'd give them, and they wou'd have got the most part of that quantity in a little time without any consideration from their necessitous condition." (B. 107, pp. 224-5.) Ten days later Johnson wrote again to report that the limits of the purchase had been marked on the shores of the two lakes. 29 �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, 19TH MAY, 1781. "Lieut. Terrot of the Royal Artillery marked the two points on this Lake and Lake Erie, of the late purchase & I now inclose from one of my Maps a little Sketch of the whole, but I shou'd think it wou'd be advisable to have the Line run & marked all the way, for preventing future disputes, or mistakes respecting the Boundary." DEED OF LAND FROM THE CHIPPEWAS AND MISSISSAUGAS To All Persons whom these presents may concern, We the Sachems and Chiefs of the Inhabiting at and near Chipeweighs & Missisagas Weghqueta at Ontario In the vicinity of Niagara on the Head of Lake behalf of ourselves and all our people here convened by Colonel Guy Johnson His Majesty's sole Agent, and Superintendant of the Six United Nations Greeting. several of Indians, Whereas of our then the and Chiefs Chiefs did their of in the the Confederates send Six Nations and Month of August in the Year one thousand seven hundred & sixty four at this place, In the presence and at the desire of Sir William Johnson, Bart. deceased, our late Superintendant entered into a Treaty for the Ceding to His Majesty King George the Third, A Certain Tract of Land on the West Side of the Straits Leading from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario which Cession was not then fully arranged, or finally executed by us, and Whereas we have been now summoned to attend at this place, to make and perfect a Cession of the same, and of such other Lands as have been required by Colonel Johnson to be ceded to the King Agreable to orders received for that purpose, all which we have had fully explained to us by the said duly considered the same. Colonel Johnson, and have Now Therefore Know Ye, that we the said Sachems, and Chiefs of the before men- tioned Nations, as well thro' our Zeal, Loyalty and Attachment to His Majesty, as in consideration of a Handsome present to us made by our said Superintendant Colonel Johnson in the part, and on behalf of his said Majesty, the receipt whereof we do Acknowledge. We the said Indians have for Ourselves, Heirs, and Successors Granted, bargained, Sold, released and Confirmed, and Presents Do Grant, bargain, sell, release and 30 by these Confirm to �our said Sovereign Lord King George the Third. All that certain Tract of Land situate on the West Side of the said Strait, or River Leading from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario Beginning at a large White Oak Tree forked Six feet from the Ground, distance Line on the Bank of the said Lake Ontario at the of four from the English Miles West Side of measured the on a Streight Bank of the said Strait, opposite to the Fort of Niagara, and extending from thence by a Southerly Course to the Chipeweigh River, at the distance said of Four Miles on a direct Line from where the River falls into the said Strait above the great fall of Niagara, or such a line as will pass at four Miles West of said Fall in its course to said River, and running from thence by a South Easterly Course, to the Northern Bank of Lake Erie at the Distance of Four Miles in a strait Line Westerly along the from the said the West Side of the Fort Erie thence easterly Lake by the said thence Westerly all Post Called the said Strait Post, and Northerly up to the said Lake Ontario to the place of beginning together with Hereditaments, and Appurtenances to the same belonging, or in any way appertaining and also all our Estate, Right, Title, property, possession, Claim, or demand in Law or Equity in or to the same, or any part thereof, To have and to hold the whole Lands, and premises hereby Granted, aforesaid Bargained, sold, released, and Confirmed as with the Hereditaments, and Appurtenances thereunto belonging unto our said Sovereign Lord King George the Third His Heirs, and Successors to and for his and their own proper use, and behoof forever. In Witness whereof we the Chiefs of the said Chipeweighs and Missisagas have hereunto set our Marks and Seals at Niagara the ninth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty one in the Twenty first year of His Majesty's Reign. Sealed and delivered in the presence of (the words) have between the 7th & 8th lines and Word (All) between the 18th and 19th lines (being first interlined) as also the following Words between the 15th & 16th lines Vizt. (or such a Line as will pass four Miles West of the said fall in its course to said River- Andrew Parke Capt in the Kings or 8th Regt. William Potts Capt in the Kings or 8th Regt. John Dease Depy Agent Indian Affairs. Alex. McKee Depy Agent Indian Affairs. 31 �I certify that the above Instrument was fully explained to the Indians and executed in my presence, & a consideration amounting to about 300 Suits of Cloathing given to them. G. Johnson, Colo. & Superintendant. The Mark of Nanibizure a Swan a Chipeweigh. a Bear The Mark of Paghquan a Missisaga. An Eagle The Mark of Wabacanine A Mississaga. The Mark of Menaghquah a Duck a Missisaga. Endorsed: Copy. Sale of a Tract of Land by the Chiefs of the Chipeweighs and Mississagas Indians of a Tract of Land on the West Side of the Straits leading from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario To the Crown dated Niagara 9th May 1781. (B. 114, pp. 175-6.) The winter of 1780-81 was unusually severe on the Niagara and attended with heavy falls of snow which had nearly cut off all communication between the military posts. A succession of heavy gales on Lake Erie in the spring had greatly damaged the stockade at its lower end which for convenience of the transhipment of supplies and merchandise had been built close to the shore, where it was furiously assailed by the waves and cakes of floating ice when the lake rose to its highest point. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM BRIG.-GENERAL H. WATSON POWELL TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, MAY 25TH, 1781. "Since I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency, I have been at Fort Erie, which is in general in a bad state of defence. The Face next the Lake is laid almost open by the lake storms, and the whole Fort must be new picketted. The artificers are now repairing the works and 32 �the engineer took that opportunity to mark out the Boundary line of the Land lately purchased from the Massasages." (B. 101, pp. 75-6.) Butler continued to press his demands for implements necessary for the progress of the settlement which he was carefully supervising, and for which he was entirely dependent on such articles as were sent up from Montreal. horses and cattle had been brought in from A few draft the frontiers of New York. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN WALTER BUTLER TO CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED AT NIAGARA, 30TH MAY, 1781. "Lieut. Col. Butler desires me to present his respectful compliments to you and would be glad if a dozen Breeding sows were sent up for the use of the Farmers. There is an old man in the Rangers named Michael Showers, tho' he is fit for service Lieut. Col. Butler has permitted him to Build a House, and he is clearing Planting & Commencing Farmer, he wants permission to bring up his Family from Machies, this Colonel Butler would indulge him, if agree- able to His Excellency the Commander in Chief, they can be assisted by four of the Rangers who were left sick in Canada, viz. Philip Burt, James Crowder, Jacob Van Alstyne and Jacob Augustine, the Latter would likewise be of use in the Farming way, if his Family were allowed to come up as the Family he has are not lazye. A Smith will be requisite for mending and making at first the Plow Shares, Hoes & Axes &c. for the Farmers, if one of the Rangers were allowed or in fact any other soldiers, they can be ordered to work at any fixed Rate, but this Coll. Butler just now tells me he has wrote you." (B. 105, pp. 264-6.) In the autumn so much progress in cultivation had been made that Colonel Butler made an application for the return of several families of men in his battalion, who had been sent down to Montreal to economise provisions at Niagara. Machiche. 33 JOL �FROM COLONEL JOHN BUTLER TO CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS NIAGARA, 4th Octr. 1781. Dear Sir I enclose you a list of Rangers' Families whom I were glad were permitted to come up in the Brigades, they are at Maskies, most of them excepting the Serjeants are good Farmers and whom I mean soon to recommend as Farmers to settle at this Post, no Provision for said Families will be expected excepting what his Excellency, the General, may see fit to allow other Farmers when they commence on that footing." (B. 105, p. 292.) Favourable weather in the autumn enabled him to make an encouraging report before the winter set in. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL JOHN BUTLER TO CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED AT NIAGARA DECR. "The Winter 1ST, being so 1781. moderate has enabled the Farmers to clear the ground and prepare it for planting & sowing early in the Spring; if they only begin to cultivate the Land in summer, the season is over before they can expect to draw any subsistence from their labour. I flatter myself that in a short time the Farmers will be found to be of essential use to this Post.-they have maintained themselves since Septr last and were only allowed half rations from the beginning." (B. 105, pp. 300-3.) General Powell, however, took a far less hopeful view of the new settlement and by Colonel Butler's advice about fifteen hundred Indians divided into bands under the direction of Brant, Dochstader, Tice, and other officers of their department, were sent to plant Indian corn at Buffalo Creek. This venture proved very successful as a large crop was harvested. Stedman seems to have anticipated that his contract for the conveyance of goods over the portage might not be renewed and the following petition shows the efforts that he took to protect himself in that event. In fact, however, the contract 1 Machiche. 34 �was continued to him and his heirs until 1791, when it was removed to the new carrying place on the Canadian side of the river, which had then become passable. THE PETITION OF JOHN STEDMAN To His Excellency Frederick Haldimand Captain General & Commander in Chief of the Province of Quebec General & Commander in Chief of His Majestys Forces in the said Province and the Frontiers thereof. The Humble Petition of John Stedman Contractor for the Carrying Place at Niagara. Sheweth That Your Petitioner in consideration of his having performed & fulfilled the several Articles of former Contracts for the Carrying of Provisions & Stores over the Carrying Place at Niagara for His Majestys Service did obtain from Your Excellency a further Contract for carrying the same from the 6th of March 1779 for the Term of seven years; it is to in the seventh Article of which provided, remove the That your Petitioner shall be Contract permitted. Buildings and other Conveniences which shall be erected during the said Term on the said Premises thereby granted at the expiration thereof. That your Petitioner having been at a great expence in erecting several Houses and other Buildings on the said Premises it will be productive of great Loss to your Petitioner to be at the expence of removing the same at the expiration of the present Contract in case he should not have a further Term granted him. May it therefore Please Your Excellency to direct & order That at the expiration of the present Contract your Petitioner shall have full Liberty & Authority to Dispose of & sell all the Buildings then erected on the said Premises together with all the Stores & other Articles thereon at a fair valuation to be made within Three Months from the Determination of the present Contract by three indifferent Persons one of whom to be chosen by your Petitioner the other by the Person who may be appointed to succeed him in the carrying of Stores as aforesaid & the third to be appointed by such two Persons so as aforesaid to be chosen & that such Person as may be appointed to succeed him in the said take the said Erections Contract with Government shall Buildings 35 and Stores at such �valuation so to be made as aforesaid and pay for the same within Six Months from the Time of such valuation. And your Petitioner will every Pray John Stedman April 17th 1782 (B. 105, pp. 307-9.) Guy Johnson was recalled and Colonel Butler was instructed to act as Superintendent of the Six Nations in his absence, a post for which he was well qualified by his previous long experience in that department and acknowledged influence with them. He continued to hold that appointment until his death in May, 1796. He found the Indians in great distress both for clothing and provisions and made urgent requisitions for supplies. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN HEADED "LIEUT. COLL. BUTLER ROBERT MATHEWS 16TH MAY/82." "I duly received and laid before His Excellency the Commander in Chief your Favor of the 7th of Decr. Acknowledging the Receipt of the General's orders to take upon you the Direction of the Indian Departmt in the Absence of Coll. Johnson, & reporting for his Informa- tion your obedience thereof-The Period of Time & Circumstances altered the unnecessary that have since passed have so subjects of your Letter, that it to recur to them-His materially is become Excellency having ordered up a supply of Indian Presents by the earliest Transport, it is to be hoped your Principal Anxiety is by this Time relieved.-Corn is likewise sent up for the Farms, & I am directed to acquaint you that His Excellency derives great pleasure from your Report of their Progress, & the Utility Already experienced from them. He recommends a continuance of your Attention to that Public good." (B. 105, p. 310.) Shortly after this letter had been written another application for supplies was received from Butler. 36 urgent �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN MATHEWS TO LIEUT. COLONEL JOHN BUTLER, DATED "MONTREAL, 19TH MAY 1782." "I have to acknowledge the Favor of your Letter of the 18th April, communicating for His Excellency's Informa- tion your distress for want of Indian Goods. I laid your Letter before the General and am commanded to acquaint you that before your Letter was received, a supply of Goods was well on its way to you, & I hope is by this time Arrived, or very near it. His Excellency presuades him- self that no pains will be spared on your part to reconcile the Indians to relinquish the Superfluities they have been Accustomed to receive - The thinking part of them must be convinced it proceeds from a motive & wish to continue to them Supplies of such Articles as their real wants require, and which you may assure them from His Excellency he will be careful they shall not want." (B. 105, p. 312.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM BRIG.-GENERAL H. WATSON POWELL TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, APRIL 14TH, 1782. "The Rangers are clearing some ground on the other side of the River there is some to plant corn for Government, exceeding good land and as cleared at Buffaloe Creek, Colonel Butler has advised me to plant some there, and a party shall accordingly be sent, but I am afraid no great progress can be made this year in farming." (B. 102, pp. 29-31.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM BRIG.-GENERAL POWELL TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED NIAGARA, MAY 17TH, 1782. "There has been some Indian Corn purchased here lately for seed for the Indians and for the Governments Farm. I beg to know if you chuse it should be charged on the Indian Account or paid for by the Commissary. It cost only twelve shillings per bushel N.Y. which is one third less than I paid for it in Canada, and as the Farmers 37 �will probably have more to dispose of, you will please inform me if any more is to be purchased as the Indians would rather have it than flour." (B. 96-2, pp. 37-8.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND BRIG.-GENERAL POWELL, DATED 31ST MAY, TO 1782. "Your supply of flour would no doubt arrive time enough to relieve their wants untill the mills would do it more effectually. "And I strongly recommend to you to encourage the raising of Indian Corn, never fail purchasing it when that can be done. it will be served to the Indians to save want. "I shall be glad of a return as nearly as can be found of the quantity of grain & stock raised last year, as it will be pleasing to observe this progress." (B. 104, pp. 318-9.) The progress of the Niagara settlement was still consider- ably impeded by the want of the blacksmithing outfit, which Butler had repeatedly asked for, and had been promised to him. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL JOHN BUTLER CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED NIAGARA, TO JUNE 1ST, 1782. "I have not as yet received the Smith's Tools for the Farmers, nor hear of 'em being on the way notwithstanding the great necessity." (B. 105, pp. 313-6.) Butler was greatly cheered by the assurance of Haldimand's approval and an intimation that the implements and other articles so long expected would certainly come to hand before long. He reported that two enterprising settlers were planning the construction of mills. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL JOHN BUTLER CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED AT NIAGARA, TO JUNE 12th, 1782. "Your Favour of the 16th Ulto. I received. As I wrote you a few days since leaves me very little to say at present I am happy His Excellency is pleased with the 38 �progress of the Farmers, they certainly have done very well & would have done much better had they received Smith's Tools, provisions, &c. the want of which has very much disappointed them, as they expected to be supply'd Agreeable to the Memorandum His Excellency gave me, which memorandum, (I imagine) were lost with the late Colonel Bolton. "Seven or Eight Rangers got their Families from the Frontiers last Fall, these with some others that have been here for some time are desirous of being discharged and lieve to settle on Lands near this place, provided they can be supply'd with Provisions for one year, and such Smith work as may be necessary, these People were bred Farmers & I am of opinion will soon be useful to this Post, as well as to enable them to support their Families comfortable, which at present is very difficult. I daily expect a number of Recruits from the Frontiers, which will enable me to keep my Corps complete after discharging these People that are in the decline of life, also having large Families. "Peter and James Seacord, Farmers, are about building a Saw and Grist Mill, which I think will be a great acquisition to this Post, they mean to purchase the Stones & Iron Work in Canada but beg His Excellency's assistance by permitting them to be sent up in the King's Batteaux." (B. 105, pp. 319-20.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL H. WATSON POWELL TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, 27th JUNE, 1782. "In respect to your wish of knowing what progress has been made in agriculture here, it is impossible to ascertain it, as the farmers raised scarcely enough for their own consumption. The small quantity of Indian Corn purchased for Government was raised by Captain Brant's Volunteers at Buffaloe Creek." (B. 102, pp. 99-100.) Butler, it will be noted, had already made a decidedly encouraging statement and Haldimand must have been puzzled to reconcile these rather contradictory reports. 39 IND PUBLIC LIBRARY �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL JOHN CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED BUTLER TO NIAGARA, 29TH JUNE, 1782. "P.S. The Farmers Utensils &c., agreeably to one of my former Letters if they are not already on their way shall esteem it a favor as well as the Farmers themselves to be sent to this Post by the first opportunity." (B. 105, pp. 226-7.) Butler was promptly instructed that the Government would bear the cost of the construction of the projected mills and that the Secords would be allowed to work them as tenants in accordance with the seignorial custom of the Province, as "banal" mills which the farmers would be obliged to use for the grinding of grain and sawing of timber. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS TO BRIG.-GENERAL POWELL, DATED QUEBEC, 8th July, 1782. "Colonel Butler has represented the desire of James Seacord to build a saw & Corn mill desiring only to have the assistance of Government to carry stones &c., as this savors of their wishes to establish them as private property, His Excellency has directed me to acquaint you that he will by no means permit them to build on that footing [but] wishing to encourage works so usefull has ordered me to write to Colonel Butler upon the subject and he is desired to shew you the letter for your information of the particulars wished by His Excellency which he desires you will have executed agreeably thereto." (B. 104, pp. 338-9.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS TO COLONEL JOHN BUTLER, DATED AT QUEBEC, 9TH JULY, 1782. "I have also received and laid before His Excellency Your letter of the 12th Ultimo respecting the Farmers. In order to encourage that useful branch He has no objection to your discharging the men you mention & granting them Provisions or other little assistance for Twelve months provided they are not fit for active Service, which & their Lots of ground &c., you will of course submit to B. G. Powell. 40 �"With respect to the Mill proposed to be built by the Seacords, His Excellency will not permit anything of the kind as Private Property, it must be undertaken entirely upon the same Footing as the Farms. Some estimate of the expence must be sent down by the most Intelligent of these men. "The General will provide and send up the materials, they will be paid for building the Mills and allowed a reasonable profit for working them, the Sooner Seacord is sent down the better and he should be furnished with Remarks in writing respecting the situation of the intended. Mills, the materials wanted, what parts of them can be procured above, &c. "The Smith's Tools have been Certainly forwarded, Capt. Twiss immediately has this moment told me so, but I write upon the subject to Capt. shall Maurer. Nails and a quantity of Iron has been sent to the Acting Engineer and if the Glass that will be wanting for the Store House is not in the King's Store it must be purchased. "His Excellency will mention these subjects to Brigr. Genl. Powell, but for particulars it will be necessary you shew him this letter." (B. 105, pp. 328-30.) A general survey of the settlement was prepared by Colonel Butler and forwarded to Quebec for the governor's information. 41 4 N. �" t , w , h a e , e s oh n , , . . ' F Se t it a h S r s P t e 1 s 1 e a s l J c e 7 d t s r u o e a t 9 . t e l r t t r e 4 e r y d d d ) 1. , . 2 3 64 36 0 JOHN BUTLE R 1926 8 40 8 4 12 12 12 1 65 3 20 0 1820 8 6 10 20 40 9 22 24 2720 16 30 70 50 70 3030 3 0 6 1 0 2 40 7 206 100 50 50 60 200 15 b h bu us s bu h sh of Acres Pota- toes LandClear 14 80 bush Yh ei as r t 10 3 0 13 9 42 thi is n Si Go mvt c e Lr i o o n ea e o ur t 2 0 21 9 Country 17 land petition . . ,. . In pa1g e 6 9 , V ol ( B. .. Van . Total Every .. McGregor Young Adam McMicken RangeHr s ou se Rangers Thomas . . . ,. . ... . 12 A 7 A U 5 8 GT T U2 T S H H O T E F Corn Indian Flour Hogs Sheep Heifers Cows andSte rs Oxen Horses Female Oats 49 1 SPARIS Male 60 10 15 10 50 30 20 10 20 124 29 10040 Wheat | ថ្មី gu8 + = 18888289 20050 20 Sawood wooowwoł 1192 2 2211 13 223 2142 312 22133 14232 46732322124 Girls 33112322 23 Boys 1 Hired нашом Married Harmanus .. Showers Michael Lutes Samuel Bender Philip Phelps Elijah Rose Fis eld Ranger . 1, ... Daniel George Depue John Stuart George Secord James Secord John Secord Peter Dolson Isaac OF FAMILIES HEADS A NIAG SET A TL R EMA EN T Produce SURVEY �Butler replied that the mills were intended for the general benefit of the settlement and the neighbouring garrison, which had hitherto suffered much inconvenience from a shortage of flour and boards. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL JOHN BUTLER TO CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED AT NIAGARA, 2ND SEPT., 1782. "I Received your favor of the 9th July, as to the Mills that were proposed to be Built by the Seacords it was never intended for Private property but for the benefit of the Garrison and the whole settlement. Brigr. Genl. Powell as well as myself thought it would be rather a hard- ship to send one of the Farmers to Head Quarters at this season of the year as it would lose much time in gathering their Grain &ca., and supposed an estimate which is sent would answer every purpose." (B. 105, p. 236.) The French trading post at Toronto had been destroyed and abandoned in 1759, immediately after the capture of Fort Niagara, and it does not appear that any attempt had since been made to re-occupy that place or to establish a trading post until this time when one of the merchants residing at Niagara made an application to the commandant for permission to make such a venture. General Powell had then been recalled to Montreal and replaced by Lieut.-Colonel Dundas for a short time pending the arrival of his successor. Dundas referred his request to the governor. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL A. DUNDAS TO CAPTAIN MATHEWS, DATED AT NIAGARA, 13TH SEPTR. 1782. "Mr. Thompson, Merch't here, has applyed to me for leave to send a Person to Taranto, opposite this, to trade with the Indians; I told him I could not grant his request till His Excellency's Pleasure on that head was known; be so good as to let me know what answer I shall give him. I must observe that Mr. Thompson is a very modest, good sort of man, and has suffered much from the Rebels on the Mohawk River." (B. 102, pp. 175-6.) 43 �Brigadier General Allan Maclean, who had raised the regiment at first known as the Royal Highland Emigrants but which afterwards became the 84th Foot, and had relieved Powell at Montreal, was then selected by Haldimand to succeed him in command of the upper posts. Haldimand's letters to him at this time continued to show a warm interest in the promotion of the settlement and the construction of the mills. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO BRIGADIER GENERAL ALLAN MACLEAN, DATED AT QUEBEC, 21ST OCTOBER, 1782. "There is a Serjeant Brass of the Rangers, who has undertaken a mill of two pairs of stones at Niagara. It is impossible to send up the materials wanted from hence this year but they shall be forwarded to the Coteau du Lac in the winter and pushed up by the very first boat in the spring. "In the mean time you will find every preparation made in order that the work may go on immediately upon the arrival of the Materials." (B. 104, pp. 357-8.) EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO BRIG.- GENERAL MACLEAN, DATED AT QUEBEC, 31ST OCTOBER, 1782. "Brigadier General Powell having represented to me the great relief the Traders and Farmers at Niagara would receive from being permitted to draw some flour from the King's store until such time as they have means for grinding their Wheat, You will please to order their wants to be supplied and in the mean time to receive their wheat into store until it can be ground when the quantity issued to them will be replaced. "There is likewise a quantity of Indian corn raised at Buffaloe Creek, said to amount to 2000 bushels, that and as much more as you can procure should be purchased and put into store." (B. 96-2, pp. 188-91.) Butler was called upon to furnish an estimate of the probable cost of the construction of the proposed mills, which he supplied in the following memorandum. 44 �MEMORANDUM BY COLONEL JOHN BUTLER, UNDATED. The expences for building a saw and grist mill at Peter Secord's farm will amount to £500 N.Y. currency for cutting and hauling Boards and Timber, building and filling in both Dams, nails, Iron, Stones, bolting cloth and saw excepted. The saw mill to be built first to get boards and small Timber for the Grist Mill. The expence at head of the Four Mile Creek will amount to £50 more, where there is plenty of water for both mills, which the other has not. JOHN BUTLER. Very soon after his arrival at Niagara Maclean assured the governor that he would give the necessary assistance in the construction of these mills and reported progress from time to time during the following winter and spring although no contract had been let for the work, nor any agreement made with the non-commissioned officer of the Rangers, detailed to carry it out, who, fortunately, was a skilled millwright. He asked for instructions how the workmen were to be paid. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, 12TH NOVR. 1782. "Serj't Brass of the Rangers shall have every assistance he shall want, to carry on the Preparations for constructing his Mill Early in the Spring." (B. 102, p. 225.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED NIAGARA, 24TH NOVEMBER, 1782. "Lieut. Brass formerly Serj't Brass now Employed to prepare Materials for Building a Corn & Saw Mill, says that he will undertake to Compleat the Dam and finish the Mills at the Expence of £500 York Currency; or to be allowed so much a day, as pay during the time he is Employed, as he is to be the principall Workman himself." (B. 103, pp. 237-8.) 45 �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED NIAGARA, 2ND FEBY, 1783. "I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency that all the Timber for a Grist Mill and Saw Mill is Cut Down and Squared, and will be on the spot where the Mills are to be Constructed in ten days and if the Iron Work is sent up in [the] Spring the Mills will be soon fit for use. I should be glad to know from Capt. Twiss what he may think reasonable wages to the two Mill Wrights, not mean the Principal I do Undertaker Lieut Brassy of the Rangers he besides being director is also the Principal Workman and will expect more than any of the Other two Mill Wrights; and the Common Carpenters that cut & square the timber are asking six shillings York Currency per day, but this I think too much, Captain Twiss would also be the best Judge what they ought to have, they are all rangers." (B. 103-4.) Maclean was eventually instructed to act on his own discretion and informed that the iron and mill stones necessary for their completion would be sent up from Montreal, but as usual, considerable delay occurred in transportation. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS TO BRIG.-GENERAL MACLEAN, DATED AT QUEBEC, 9TH FEBY., 1783. "In regard to Mr. Brass's proposals for mills either for £500 New York Currency or at per day I am directed to acquaint you that at unacquainted with the situation, Resources, building the an allowance this distance &c., &c., it is impossible to determine which is the most eligible pursue. to His Excellency therefore desires you will consult with Col. Butler and any other good judges you may have upon the spot and decide accordingly, paying every attention to Expedition and Economy. His Excellency further recommends to your particular notice an unremitting attention to the progress of Cultivation so happily begun at Niagara, his view being that he should not only afford the Troops the allowance of fresh provisions and vegetables but to furnish in as great a part as possible the ordinary Provisions for the Garrison and by that means lessen the transport from hence or provide against any accident that 46 �might happen to interrupt it. His Excellency last Fall desired that a return should be transmitted to Him describ- ing the several Farms and specifying as nearly as possible the produce of them in order to perceive the yearly progress made. Nothing of the kind being yet received I am directed to signify to you His Excellency's desire that you will so soon as possible have a return of the Kind made out and transmitted by the first good opportunity. (B. 96-2, pp. 204-5.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO BRIG.-GENERAL MACLEAN, DATED AT QUEBEC, 11TH MARCH, 1783. "I am pleased to find that the preparations for the Mills are in such forwardness and care shall be taken to forward the iron work as soon as the Navigation begins. In regard to the wages of the Artificers employed in that Work I observed in my last dispatch that you must be directed by good judges upon the spot. I have therefore only to add that the wages demanded as mentioned in your letter by Squarers are infinitely higher than any given by Captain Twiss to persons in the King's service." (B. 96-2, pp. 211-14.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM TWISS, R.E., DATED HEAD QUARTERS QUEBEC 13TH MARCH 1783. "Brig. Genl Maclean informs His Excellency that all the Timber for a grist and saw Mill is cut down and will be squared and upon the spot in ten days from the date of his Letter and requests the Iron work for the Mills may be sent up as soon as possible that they may be compleated and set a going. His Excellency desires therefore that you will give the necessary orders to have the Iron Works made & forwarded to Coteau du Lac, that advantage may be taken of the earliest boats after the navigation opens." (B. 154, pp. 420-1.) Maclean sturdily declined to consult any person who might inferentially be suspected of having a personal interest in the letting of the contract. 47 �EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED "NIAGARA, THE 29 MARCH, 1783." "I shall pay great attention to what your Excellency is pleased to recommend respecting the Mills. That work shall be forwarded with all the Expedition possible; You, Sir, very justly observe that it is difficult to determine which is the most eligible plan to pursue with respect to Economy in the Expence to be incurred; but as the work is going on with all possible diligence, the taking a Little more time to Consider this business will occasion delay nor inconveniency. neither Your Excellency must therefore pardon my declining to consult with Colonel (good man as he is) or with others here, who Buttler, may be supposed to be the best Judges; it is a hard matter for the best men to divest themselves of prejudice or partiality, in a matter wherein they are interested in One of the Parties: besides its a maxim I find that has been long adopted in this Part of the world, that whatever can be got from Government, is well got, where no censure can ensue. I shall therefore presume to try and Consider this matter with more deliberation, & Communicate on the subject to your Excellency Colonel Buttler assures me both work on or about the first of July, comes up early in spring. I shall my own Ideas for your consideration. Mills will be ready to provided the Iron work go upon the spot in a few days and make my report to your Excellency. "Colonel Buttler also tells me that the return your Excellency wished to have of the farms here & their produce, that he had given such a return to General Powell, but in that return Coppy of which I saw and which I herewith transmit, only altering the dates, I inclose I see there is no description of the Farms. I have therefore directed Colonel Buttler to make out such a Return as your Excellency wishes, and transmit it by the first and Earliest Opportunity," (B. 103, pp. 53-4.) By this time news of the disheartening treaty of peace had been received and it was naturally expected that this would be followed by a general disbandment of all provincial troops raised during the war. The officers and soldiers of the Rangers had little expectation of being able to return to their former homes and they were considering the advantages of a settlement on the peninsula near their barracks. A much larger tract of 48 �land than had been already purchased would be required to supply them all with lands. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM COLONEL JOHN BUTLER TO CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED AT NIAGARA, 31ST MARCH, 1783. "As the accounts of a Peace that we have from the Colonies will probably make a great alteration in the situa- tion of the Officers and men, many of them are looking about for Settlements & if His Excellency would give them Lands here, there are many of them, I am persuaded, that will not think of returning. Eight of the Officers have already made considerable improvements. "The Lands to the Twelve Mile Creek & Westward as far as Lake Erie, are in general very good & may be I believe purchased from the Indians for about five or six hundred Pounds Sterlg and under proper Regulations I think a considerable settlement might be formed in a short Time if the General would give us Lands there. Perhaps a Plan of this kind may be worthy His Excelly's consideration, however, I leave that to you to determine and either lay it before him or not, as you judge best. "The Farmers actually settled here are not well satisfied with the uncertain Tenure on which they hold their Lands & Improvements, and would much rather be subject to a small Rent if they might have them more effectually secured to them. Should this be done I am persuaded there are some of the People of this Description who have even Property in the Colonies that would not think of returning. "The Saw and Grist Mills are both in forwardness & if the material from below arrives in Time, I imagine may be set going by the Beginning of June." (B. 105, pp. 354-6.) The discontented farmers had prepared an address stating their wishes, which Butler presented to General Maclean who forwarded it to Haldimand. FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND NIAGARA 3rd May, 1783. Sir, At the request of Lieut Colonel Buttler, I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency, An Address of the 49 �Farmers here, on Account of the precarious footing upon which they hold their farms, and I really belive there is a great deal of reason for What they Advance this is however that must be left to your Excellency's Consideration, but Colonel Buttler has desired me farmers will be greatly Obliged to say that to your he and the Excellency, for let[t]ing him have some answer to give to those poor People when Convenient, He says none of his People will ever thing (sic) of going to attend Courts of Law in [the] Colonies, where they could not Expect the Shawdow of Justice and that to repurchase their Estates is what they are not able to do, that for a much smaller Sum the Missesagas will part with 12 miles more along the Lake, and they would rather go to Japan than go among the Americans where they could never live in Peace. (B. 103, p. 121.) MEMORIAL OF FARMERS (UNDATED) To John Butler, Esq., Lieut.-Col. commandant of the Corps of Rangers, &c. The humble address of farmers residing on lands on the west side of the River Niagara. On our first settling you were pleased Excellency to General Haldimand's proposals on read His which we settled, and expecting one year's provisions and a blacksmith to work for us, which we have not had as yet. Part only of the provisions has been given us. We shall esteem it a singular favor to lay this before Brig.-Gen Maclean. We should be forever obliged to His Excellency if he will be pleased to grant us leases or some other security for our farms. as our present uncertain situation is very discouraging as we are obliged to sell our produce, what little we raise, at such commanding officer thinks proper. prices as the We have no objection to furnish the garrison at a reasonable price, what quantity they may want, to be fixed by the commanding officer; at the same time beg leave to sell to merchants and others at the price we can agree, from being obliged to pay the merchants their own price for everything we want. We should be very willing to subject ourselves to a rent for our farms after a term of eight years, as the footing we are on at present we are liable to be turned off our places when the commanding officer pleases. 50 We are happy for the �present being not under the slightest apprehension, but the commandant often changes, which makes our stay uncertain. Isaac Dolson Elijah Phelps. Thos. McMicking. Donal Bee On behalf of ourselves and the rest of the farmers. (B. 103, p. 492.) Butler had employed Allan Macdonell, who was one of the settlers, to survey and mark the boundaries of the allotments already made. FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL JOHN BUTLER MATHEWS TO CAPTAIN ROBERT NIAGARA, 3rd May, 1783. Sir, Your much received. esteemed favours of the Brigadier General Maclean 12th March I has not as yet communicated to me His Excellency's pleasure respecting Captain Tinbrook. As His Excellency the Commander in Chief is very desirous to know the progress of the Farmers settled near this Post, I take this opportunity to transmit you an exact survey of the Settlements, and will as soon as possible send you an estimate of the same specifying the quantity of Land already cleared and cultivated with the different kinds of grain planted and sown &c. I also inclose the account for surveying those Lands, which I beg you will lay before His Excellency as Sir John Johnson has positively forbid the making any charges in the contingent accounts, that is not immediately Indian expences, and Brigadier General Maclean has also refused to defray any expences of the kind whatever. Several people have apply'd to settle on Lands at this Post, and would have been doing something for themselves by this time, had they not been refused Provisions. I have comply'd with His Excellency's commands in every respect as nearly as possible relative to Indian affairs, indeed I cannot help saying far exceeding my own expecta- tions circumstanced as I was, but my close application, and strict attention to the Indians has hitherto kept them 51 WELLANDPUBLICLIBRARY �in good Humour, but now I am fearful of a sudden and disagreeable change in their conduct, as yesterday an express arrived here from General Washington with the Terms of the present peace, the Indians finding that their Lands are ceded to the Americans, will greatly sour their Tempers and make them very troublesome and will be attended with great difficulty to reconcile them Terms. to such I have wrote Sir John on the occasion and requested his presence. (B. 169, p. 3.) Haldimand replied that he was unable to comply with the desires of the farmers as he was still awaiting instructions from England but promised to show them all possible favour in the final arrangement of the settlement. Sir John Johnson was instructed to go to Niagara to quiet the minds of the Indians, which he was very reluctant to do, saying that Colonel Butler could accomplish as much as himself, but finally obeyed an imperative order. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO GENERAL MACLEAN, DATED AT QUEBEC, 25TH MAY 1783. "It is not in my power at present to consider the Memorial of the Farmers recommended in your letter of the 3d instant, but you may assure Col. Butler, in their behalf that in whatever General arrangement shall be made, I shall shew them every Indulgence in my power." (B. 104, pp. 421-2.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON, DATED QUEBEC, 26TH MAY 1783. "Since my last letter to you I have confered at large with Colonel Claus and Joseph Brant upon the expediency of settling such of the Six Nations Indians on the North Side of Lake Ontario and River Niagara, as shall prefer that situation to settlements now the risk of returning subject to me pleasure to find Plan. Uncertain the Americans that Joseph so when I shall to their and former it gives readily adopts receive Instructions the from Home upon this interesting subject and finding that the Indians are become very impatient and discontented with 52 �their present situation, and as I am informed by Joseph they are in daily expectation of receiving Proposals from the United States, I have come to a resolution to send off Major Holland, the Surveyor General to Cataraqui to examine that Place and Country upwards, and if he should find them favourable to my view, He is to make application at Carleton Island for assistance to make a Beginning. He goes properly prepared in every respect for this business and altho' other Duty will Oblige Him to return before it can be accomplished, He will leave it in such a Train as to have it effectually performed, and such a Report procured as will enable me to decide with certainty upon the success of the measure. Wishing that Joseph may from Personal Knowledge & Observation have it in his Power to make a faithful Report to the Indians of what is doing in this matter and give his opinion of what it is likely to turn out, I have desired him with a few Mohawks of his own desiring to accompany Major Holland to Cataraqui and in the mean time agreeably to my Letter of the 22d Inst. I wish you without delay to proceed to Niagara to quiet the apprehensions of the Indians, by convincing them that it is not the Intention of Government to abandon them to the Resentment of the Americans. Joseph will deliver to you my answer to the Speech He brought in behalf of the six Nations, which you will please communicate to them on your arrival at Niagara, with whatever speech from yourself upon the occasion. Upon Reconsideration of Joseph's Speech by Him & Col. Claus, they have made some alterations which the Colonel will communicate to you." (B. 115, pp. 113-5.) Maclean had been much perplexed as to the scope of an order directing him to discontinue all public works at the posts which were to be ceded to the United States by the recent treaty of peace, but finally decided to proceed with the completion of the mills on the Four Mile Creek as an undertaking of the utmost importance to the settlement in the neighbourhood. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED "NIAGARA 10TH JUNE, 1783." "Your Excellency's Letter of the 26th April (which Letter I received on the 9th May) forbids the Carrying on of Fortifications or any Public Works whatever at the Upper Posts, which orders were immediately 53 complied �with; but I did not apprehend, that the Mill a bui[l]ding on the other side, came exactly under the description of public works at this Post, I allowed the eight men at work on the Mills to continue at work, as your Excellency seemed to wish them finished; and, that did you incline to discontinue building the Mills; that it would have been Particularly mentioned. Indeed it would be a great pity not to go on with that work, as the want of Mills would oblige the settlers to quite their farms, besides preventing many others from taking farms, who wish much to stay on the other side rather than be forced to become the Subject of the American States. "My reason for troubling your Excellency on this subject, is that in two Letters your Excellency was pleased to mention that the Iron Work for the Mills would be sent up with the first Boats Early in the Spring, and none having arrived I am under some apprehension, that the Mills might be comprehended in the order, tho' not expressed; I shall therefore request that your Excellency may be pleased to let me know if its meant that the finishing the Mills is to be put a stop to; indeed they cannot now do much until they have the Iron Work for the Saw Mill, as the saw Mill is all finished to the Iron work, and if it was once sett a going the Grist Mill would very soon be compleat." (B. 103, pp. 196-7.) His anxiety on this subject was expressed once more in a second letter, dated only two days later. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED "NIAGARA, 12TH JUNE 1783." "In my Letter of the 10th I forgot to mention that there is a quantity of wheat brought in by the farmers to the King's Store, for which they received flour agreeable to your Excellency's Orders, and this year they will have above twice the quantity, all which will be useless, should the Mills not be finished; and should Government resolve to take Post on the Other side, the Saw Mill would be of the greatest consequence, and in six months would pay the expence of Building it." (B. 103, p. 199.) 54 �Meanwhile the situation of the loyalists had been considered by the British ministers and a royal instruction was prepared directing the governor of the province of Quebec to offer them grants of land on a certain moderate scale, to be held as tenants of the King as their feudal seigneur in accordance with the customary tenure of lands in that province, free of rent for the first ten years and afterwards at an annual quit rent of a half penny per acre. Besides the usual oaths of allegiance the new settlers were to be required to make and subscribe a declaration that they would maintain and defend the authority of the King in his Parliament as the supreme legislature of the province. ADDITIONAL ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL HALDIMAND. GEORGE R. Additional Instruction to Our Trusty and Wellbeloved Frederick Haldimand Esqr. Our Captain General and Governor in Chief of Our Province of Quebec, in America, or to the Commander in Chief of the said Province for the time being. Given at Our Court at St. James's the 16th Day of July 1783. In the Twenty third of our Reign. Whereas many of Our Loyal Subjects Inhabitants of the Provinces, now the united States of America, are desirous of retaining their Allegiance to Us, and of living in our Dominions, and for this purpose are disposed to take up and improve lands in our Province of Quebec; and We being desirous to encourage our said Loyal Subjects in such their Intentions, and to testify our approbation of the loyalty to Us, & obedience to our Government, by alloting Lands for them in our said Province; And whereas We are also desirous of testifying our approbation of the Bravery and Loyalty of our Forces serving in our said Province, and who may be reduced there, by allowing a certain quantity of Land to such of the Non-Commissioned Officers and private Men of Our said Forces, who are inclined to become settlers therein. It is Our Will and pleasure, that immediately after you shall receive this Our Instruction, you do direct our Surveyor General of Lands for our said Province of Quebec, to admeasure & lay out such a quantity of Land as you with the advice of our Council shall deem necessary & convenient for the Settlement of our said Loyal Subjects, the non Commissioned Officers & private Men of our Forces which may be reduced in our said Province, who shall be desirous of becoming Settlers 55 �therein; such Lands to be divided into distinct Seigneuries or Fiefs, to extend from two to four leagues in front, and from three to five leagues in depth, If situated Navigable River, otherwise to be run square, upon or in a such shape and in such quantities, as shall be convenient & practicable and in each Seigneurie a Glebe to be reserved and laid out in the most convenient spot, to contain not less than 300 nor more than 500 acres; the propriety of which Seigneuries or Fiefs shall be and remain vested in Us, our Heirs and Successors, and you shall allot such parts of the same as shall be applied for by any of our said Loyal Subjects Non-Commissioned Officers & Private Men of our Forces reduced as aforesaid, in the following proportions; that is to say To every Master of a Family One Hundred Acres, and Fifty Acres to each person, of which his Family shall consist To every single Man Fifty Acres. To every Non-Commissioned Officer of our Forces reduced in Quebec Two hundred Acres. To every private Man reduced as aforesaid One Hundred Acres. And for every Person in The said held Lands to be their Family under Us Successors, Seigneurs of the Seigneurie or Fifty Our Fief Acres. Heirs in & which the same shall be situated, upon the same terms, acknowledgements Province and under services, the as Lands respective are held Seigneurs in our said holding and possessing Seigneuries, or Fiefs therein; and reserving to Us our Heirs and Successors, from and after the expiration of Ten years from the Admission of the respective Tenants, a Quit Rent of one half penny P Acre. It is our further Will and pleasure, that every person within the meaning of this Our Instruction, upon their making application for Land, shall take the Oaths directed by Law, before you or our Commander in Chief for the time being, or some Person by you or him Authorized for that purpose, and shall also at the same time make and subscribe the following declaration, Vizt. "I A.B. do promise and declare that I will maintain and defend to the utmost of my power the Authority of the King in his Parliament as the supreme Legislature of this Province," which Oaths and declaration shall also be taken made and 56 �subscribed by every future Tenant before his, her, or their Admission, upon Alienation, descent, Marriage, or any other wise howsoever, and upon refusal, the Lands to become revested in Us our Heirs and Successors. And it is our further Will and pleasure, that the expence of laying out and surveying as well the Seigneuries or Fiefs aforesaid as the several Allotments within the same, and of the Deed of Admission shall be paid by the Receiver General of Our Revenue in the said Province of Quebec out of such Monies as shall Our be in his hands, upon a Certificate from you or Commander in Chief for the time being in Council, Oath being made by our Surveyor General to the Account of such Expence; Provided however that only one half the Usual and accustomed Fees of Office shall be allowed to our Surveyor General or any other of Our Officers in the said Province entitled thereunto upon any Survey or Allotment made, or upon Admission into any Lands by virtue of this our Instruction." And it is Our Will and pleasure that a Record be kept in the Office of the Receiver General of our Revenue of every admission in Lands as well as by virtue of this our Instruction, as in cases of future Admission by Alienation or otherwise, a Docquet of which shall be transmitted yearly to Us thro' one of our principal Secretary's of State, and also a Duplicate thereof to Our High Treasurer or the Commissioners of our Treasury for the time being. G.R. (Q. 26 B. pp. 221-5.) The mills still iron work had not remained been unfinished as the long promised received and Maclean's letters still continued to state his anxiety on that subject. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED "NIAGARA 19 JULY 1783." "I am sorry Your Excellency has not been Pleased to let me know What is to be done with respect to the The two paragraphs omitted relate particularly to the Seigneurie of Sorel. 57 5 N �Mills, we are under the Necessity of issuing a quantity of Flour to the Farmers; we cannot let them Starve, and tho' they had some wheat Last Year and will have a good deal more this Year but it will be of no use till the Mill is finished, if we had the iron work it would Soon be finished may I therefore request that your Excellency will be pleased to let me know, if we are to Expect the Iron work for the Mills this season, I suppose that Sum rum will ar[r]ive soon." (B. 103, p. 276.) In forwarding the additional royal instructions to Haldimand, Lord North, who was once more a minister as Secretary of State for the Colonies, took care to inform him that no lands were to be allotted to any person who did not intend to settle upon and improve them and that none but persons of approved loyalty should be accepted as settlers. so moderate that he confidently expected The rent was it would be satisfactory. FROM LORD NORTH TO THE GOVERNOR OF QUEBEC. WHITEHALL 24th July 1783. Sir, The distressed situation to which many of His Majesty's faithful subjects in the Provinces and Colonies Now the United States of America, are reduced by adhering to their Loyalty, and Supporting the British Constitution, has induced His Majesty to Afford them every encouragement due to their zeal and sufferings; And as numbers of those deserving Loyalists may wish to settle in Quebec, it is His Majesty's pleasure that every assistance and support should be held out to them-The additional Instructions which I now transmit to you with respect to the alloting Lands for their cultivation and Improvement, and which includes such Non-commissioned Officers and Privates of His Majesty's Forces which may be reduced in Quebec, is a proof of His Majesty's gracious attention to their situation, as well as to the Improvement and Strengthening of the Province and I am to signify to you his Royal pleasure that you do in all things strictly conform thereunto and that you do also give the necessary directions to all the Officers whom it may concern Instance fully complied that the same may with. be Your Approved in every Zeal for His Majesty's Service, your experience, and your perfect 58 �knowledge of the country will enable you to carry into effectual execution His Majesty's gracious Intentions, and however full and clear the Instructions may be, I am sensible that much must be left to your discretion and prudence, upon which I am persuaded I may fully depend, and I shall therefore only touch upon a few particulars. which are more immediately Interesting¹ ....... It is cer- tainly an object of the utmost importance to the welfare of Quebec that no person should be permitted to settle therein but those of approved Loyalty, for this purpose His Majesty has thought it expedient that the Declaration mentioned in the Instruction should be made and subscribed to by all persons who shall Apply for Lands; I must therefore recommend to your particular attention, that the same be tendered upon every application, and I must also desire that you will be careful that no Lands be in any instance alloted but to those who actually intend to settle and improve the same without delay. The Rent to be reserved upon every Allotment is so moderate, that I flatter myself it will be satisfactory to the Settlers, and more especially as the remission for ten years is an additional encouragement to their Industry. As you will by my other Letters by this opportunity, be informed of His Majesty's further Intentions of encouragement to the proposed settlers, I shall not add any more in this than to repeat how much I depend upon your Zeal, prudence and discretion in the Execution. of His Majesty's pleasure." (B. 45, pp. 103-5.) In a second letter Lord North pointed out particularly that the declaration to be subscribed by the settlers acknowledging the supremacy of the British Parliament did not extend to taxation as by an act passed in 1778 that parliament had "in the most express terms restrained itself from ever imposing any Taxes or Duties in the Colonies except for the Regulation of Trade, the produce of which Taxes or Duties to be disposed of by the Provincial Assemblies." FROM LORD NORTH TO THE GOVERNOR OF QUEBEC. WHITEHALL, 24th July 1783. Sir, In my Letter of this date, I transmitted to you an additional Instruction for your Guidance in granting Lands The omission relates to the settlement of the Seigneurie of Sorel. 59 LIBRARY �to His Majesty's Loyal Subjects who have taken or may take refuge in Quebec; and those Non Commissioned Officers and Privates of His Majesty's Troops who may be reduced therein: And as a part of that Instruction directs that all persons whatever, upon their application for Lands, besides taking the usual Oaths as directed by Law, shall make and subscribe a Declaration acknowledging His Majesty in Parliament to be the supreme Legislature of the Province, I think it necessary to observe to you that the Declaration however General cannot extend to taxation, Parliament having by the Act of the Eighteenth of his present Majesty, intituled "An Act for removing all doubts and apprehensions concerning Taxation by The Parliament of Great Britain in The Colonies, Provinces and Plantations in North America and the West Indies, &c.," in the most express terms restrained itself from ever imposing any Taxes or Duties in the Colonies except for the Regulation of Trade, the produce of which Taxes or Duties to be disposed of by the Provincial Assemblies: judged not only such Unnecessary being the case, it was but implying some doubt of the sincerity of Parliament to make any exception in the Declaration, the exception being already made by Parliament itself in a manner so solemn and effectual that nothing can add to the security the subjects in the Colonies derive under it; these Observations you will naturally make a proper use of, should any Objection be made to the Declaration or the construction of it; And I doubt not but the necessity of guarding against disaffected Persons becoming Settlers in Quebec, will convince His Majesty's Loyal Subjects, of the Propriety of that Test, by which they cannot be affected or deprived of any Indulgence or Encouragement to which they are so justly intitled. (B. 45, pp. 111-2.) The unexpected arrival at Niagara of some itinerant traders from Albany with several boat loads of goods for sale provoked a strong protest from the local merchants. PETITION OF MERCHANTS AT NIAGARA NIAGARA 1st August, 1783. Sir We the mercantile people of this place on behalf of ourselves and all others in the Upper Posts beg leave respect60 �fully to represent to you the hardships we must be exposed to if Merchandize is at present allowed to be brought into these posts from the states of America. You are well acquainted that there is now here and at the rest of the Upper Posts a very large quantity of Merchandize, the whole of which has been imported from Great Britain and on the Article of Rum a duty paid to command of no less than nine pence Quebec Currency pr Gallon. While these posts are occupied by British Garrisons we presume they cannot be considered under the Jurisdiction of America and as no laws have yet been framed to regulate the Commercial Intercourse between the Province of Canada and the States of America we conceive that the inhabitants of the latter cannot be entitled in this situation (to) Trade therein. They are rather in our opinion to be regarded as Smugglers who introduce Marchandize into the Country without paying the legal rates to the prejudice and ruin of the Fair Trader, introduce is probably the And the merchandize they Growth and manufacture of Nations, the Rivals of Great Britain imported in foreign Bottoms. We need only mention this to show how unreasonable it would be that merchandize of this description should be allowed to be sold by strangers in British Territories and in competition with British merchandize imported by British subjects. We are with much respect &c. Hamilton & Cartwright John Thompson Samuel Street & Co. Douglas & Symmington. (B. 96-2, pp. 265-6.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA "AUGUST THE 2ND 1783." "This moment the Merchants brought me the Letter which I have the honor herewith Excellency. I acquainted to transmit to Your them with my having taken effectual steps to prevent any more such People Passing Oswego till I had the honor of receiving your Excellency's orders, and that I also got these three People to write to the Magistrates of Albany not to permit any more Boats or 61 �People to come up here, and with this answer they were well pleased untill they have Your Excellency's deter- mination. (B. 103, p. 299-301.) Lord North directed Haldimand's special attention to the contiguous settlements of the officers and men of the Loyalist regiments. FROM LORD NORTH TO THE GOVERNOR OF QUEBEC. WHITEHALL 7th August 1783. Sir, His Majesty being Graciously disposed to Testify His Approbation of the Loyalty and Service by the Commissioned Officers of His Majesty's Provincial Forces who may be reduced in the Province under your Government, by directing that Allotments of Land within the same should be made to them proportionable to their rank in the Service, I for that purpose transmit to you an Additional Instruction by which it is His Majesty's pleasure you should in all things conform, and I must in particular recommend to your attention that part of it which applies to the contiguous Settlement of the Officers and Privates of each Corps reduced, as it will certainly add to the strength and security of the distinct settlements as well as of the Province at large. (B. 45, p. 114.) Butler, it appears, was already preparing for the contem- plated second purchase of lands from the Mississaugas. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM BRIG. GENERAL ALLAN MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED NIAGARA 8TH AUGUST 1783 "In spite of all my Efforts, I am sorry to inform Your Excellency that there has been a much larger quantity of Rum Expended than I could wish, in about Sixteen days not less than 422 Gallons, sixty Gallons of that quantity Colonel Butler Carried with him to the Missisaga Country, where he is gone with presents for 500 Missisaga Indians. I was Very Glad that Colonel Buttler made this Proposal as it will prevent their Coming here, and save a quantity of Provisions: Colonel Buttler Carried two of his own. 62 �People with him that he can depend upon, to leave in that Country, to this Proposal I Consented only Untill your Excellency's further Pleasure Should be known, which I request I may have Soon, I also request that you may be pleased to Signify to me for my Guidance, what may be thought a reasonable quantity of Rum Monthly for the six Nations for it appears to me that the People at the head of Indian department Seem to vie with Each other who Shall Expend most Rum, and the great Chiefs are Striving who shall drink most Rum." (B. 103, pp. 319-20.) EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM BRIG. GENERAL ALLAN MACLEAN TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, NIAGARA 13TH SEPTEMBER, 1783. "The Indians are Very quiet and Very peaceable and it depends upon Colonel Buttler to keep them so, and I have not a doubt but he will, he stands in need of no help from me or any Other person. He however requests that the Winter Cloathing for Indians may be sent up soon, so that the Indians may be left at Liberty to go a hunting which will save us a great deal of Provision." (B. 103, p. 353.) An officer of the 8th Regiment who had served with a detachment of the Rangers in the field had been directed to inspect and make a report on the state of the battalion preparatory to its disbandment. A copy of an Albany newspaper had been brought to Fort Niagara, which contained a report of a meeting of the inhabitants of the district of Saratoga, called to discuss the terms of the treaty of peace with respect to the repatriation of the loyalists, which had unanimously passed a resolution declaring that "any person who has voluntarily joined the late enemy of the United States and who shall hereafter return to this district such person will be treated with the severity due to his crimes and infamous defection." EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAM POTTS, 8TH REGIMENT, TO GENERAL HALDIMAND, DATED AT NIAGARA, 14TH AUGUST, 1783. "The late views of great part of the Corps' was to return to their former Home as soon as a reduction should Butler's Rangers. 63 �take place, but from the late Publication of the Colonists and the disposition they seem to have avowed to abide by it, has much abated the ardor & anxiety of the men on the purpose to return home & the promises & hope of Coll. Butler to obtain some general settlement for them upon the neighbouring Lands of this Lake & River seems to have taken up & engaged very much both their consideration, hope, wishes and expectation that they may succeed in Grants of land to that end, which I believe most of them at present are disposed to settle upon, if granted to them, but on that subject should Your Excellency see it needful Coll. Butler can explain to you more fully and at large." (B. 105, pp. 359-63.) The summer was drawing to an end and still the long expected iron work and mill stones to complete the mills had not arrived and Maclean wrote again on the subject in terms of deep anxiety. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM GENERAL MACLEAN TO CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS, DATED "NIAGARA 18TH AUGUST 1783." "I shall be much obliged to His Excellency if he will be so good as let me know, if we are to Expect the Mill Stones and iron work for the Grist Mill this Season, for I do not hear any thing of them, and the poor Farmers are all in dispair as they have a good deal of wheat this year, and the wheat of last year is now in the King's Store." (B. 103, p. 338.) Haldimand was still awaiting precise instructions from England respecting the proposed settlement of the loyalists and although he had given orders for the survey of lands on the upper St. Lawrence and the north shore of Lake Ontario, he was unable to make any allotment of land and could only assure Maclean that justice would be done them and that those who had already settled would be treated equitably. FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO GENERAL MACLEAN. HEAD QUARTERS QUEBEC 11th Sept. 1783. Sir, I have received your letter of the 18th Ultimo upon the subject of granting Lands to Six men of your Regiment 64 �from the lotts which have been laid out by Colonel Butler on the side of the River opposite to Niagara. You may rest assured that such deserving men of your Corps as are in the predicament of other Loyalists, and intitled to His Majesty's Bounty, shall have every Justice done to them; but as I have determined that the strictest Impartiality shall be observed in the distribution of such lands as shall be granted to the Refugee Loyalists, it is not in my power to gratify individuals until the plans which I have adopted shall take place. I inclose for your information Instructions which I have given to Mr. Collins (the Deputy Surveyor General) for the Rule of his conduct in laying out the settlements at Cataraqui; these will be followed in all other parts of the Province where Loyalists shall be settled. I do not comprehend that part of your letter wherein you say that Colonel Butler has marked out seventy lotts of land, 30 of which are nominated for different persons- You can only mean the few farms already occupied, upon the Terms you are acquainted with, for I never delegated any other power to Colonel Butler or any other person, and I shall send a surveyor to lay out those lands agreably to the plan I have before mentioned. I am nevertheless pleased that Colonel Butler has made a beginning, as it will forward my intention-He some time ago made application to me, on behalf of his Corps, for settlements on that side of the River, but upon the principle here mentioned, I did not think fit to anticipate this business, nor have as yet granted a single acre of Land to any person whatsoever. I have nevertheless every Inclination and Intention to serve Colonel Butler's Corps and the Loyal- ists, who have already settled there, in such manner as shall be equitable, and at the same time consistent with their Wellfare- Major Ross has been much distressed for a person who much understands for a Rangers It the visit construction from Mr. of Mills, Brass is probable he will of find and Colonel wishes Butler's many among the Loyalists now going up, acquainted with that business, but if not, you will please, on his application, to send Brass to Him if he can be spared from the Mills at Niagara. (B. 104, pp. 431-2.) The materials for the completion of the mills seem to have arrived in time to finish them before winter set in. 65 �EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT MATHEWS TO GENERAL MACLEAN, DATED AT QUEBEC, 15TH SEPTEMBER, "The Mill Stones and Iron 1783. Work for the Mill was also forwarded a long time ago and by a letter from Major Ross you must 'ere this time have received them." By the last ship leaving Quebec before the close of navigation, Haldimand despatched a letter to the colonial secretary which shows that he was still without instructions but very hopeful of good results from the projected settlements in the "upper country." FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND TO LORD NORTH. QUEBEC 6th November, 1783. My Lord, I have to Express the great regret which I feel at not having received Dispatches from England. There are many things of which I could wish to be informed by His Majesty's Ministers for the Rule of my Conduct. I indeed know that the Intention of Government is to do every thing in their Power to alleviate the distresses of the Royalists and to procure for them and their Families a comfortable subsistence, with this View I allow them Provisions and have been under a Necessity to provide Many of them with Money and Cloathing. In Order to exempt Government from these Expences, I lose no time in preparing a Settlement for them at or near Cataraqui. Since my last Letters I have Received a Report¹ of some intelligent on the Persons Bank of whom the I River sent to examine Outawa &ca. from the Land Carillion upwards as far as Cataraqui. I inclose a Copy of the Report and two Plans, which will give your Lordship a better Idea of the Country than Words can. I am happy to find that there are in the Gift of the Crown, Lands of so good a Soil and in a favorable Climate, sufficient not only to settle the Provincial Corps when disbanded, but all such Royalists as may come from the Southward with a View to find an Asylum from the Tyranny and oppression of their Countrymen. settlement. I foresee great advantage from this The Six Nations wish it, the Royalists settled The Journal of Lieut. G. French sent on this expedition is printed in the Report on Canadian Archives, 1890, pp. 67-70. 66 �together in Numbers will form a respectable Body attached to the Interests of Great Britain and Capable of being Useful upon Many Occasions. Their industry will in a very few years raise in that fertile Tract of Country great Quantities of Wheat and other grains and become a Gran- ary for the Lower parts of Canada, where Crops are precarious and liable to be engrossed by a few designing and interested Traders; an Evil to be apprehended this year, for wheat is at present raised to the price of Two Dollars per Bushel.-Fisheries in Nova Scotia and the Island of Cape Breton Considered as National and Com- mercial Objects are certainly preferable to Settlements where Agriculture is the sole prospect, but still, Justice and Humanity require that the Royalists should have a choice, and even advantages with regard to the Fur Trade may result from the Settlement at Cataraqui. The Lands Contiguous to the Fort, I have, to avoid any difficulty, purchased from the Mississaga Indians for an inconsider- able sum. I have not as yet received reports in consequence of the orders I have given to examine the Land on the North Side of Detroit, tho' I am well Convinced that there is a Tract of good Land there, and which could be easily Purchased from the Hurons in case it should be found necessary. During the absence of Brigr. General Maclean the Command of Niagara and Dependencies has devolved upon Lieut. Colonel de Peyster as the Senior Officer in the Upper Countries; I have therefore ordered Lt. Gov- ernor Hay to relieve Lt. Col. De Peyster at Detroit and have given him Instructions to be very Particular in making an Inquiry into the nature of the soil &c. on the north Side of Detroit. (B. 56, pp. 168-70.) It became known that some of the officers of the Indian Department serving at Detroit had made private treaties with the Indians there for the purchase of considerable tracts of lands, and this fact probably encouraged Hendrick Nelles to apply for permission to do the same. His application was unsuccessful and all similar purchases were declared invalid. 67 PUBLIC LIBRAR �FROM LIEUT. HENDRICK NELLES TO GENERAL HALDIMAND. NIAGARA, Novr. 19th, 1783. Sir. From a small acquaintance I had the honor to have with Your Excellency when I was a Lieut. under Sir William Johnson at Oswego in 1759 and from Your Excellency's good Character, I take the Liberty to address to you on behalf of myself and Family for permission to purchase a Tract of Land from the Missassagoe Indians along the Lake, or any other Tract which is not already taken up for the use of the Crown or Individuals or as may seem. good to Your Excellency to grant Agreeable to Act of Parliament for appointing Commissioners to examine into the Losses & Services of the King's Loyal Subjects in America. I have made an Acct of the Losses I have sustained and addressed it to the said Commissioner but having no desire of returning to my former Possessions under the Government of the States & wishing to bring my sons up under Government of the Sovereign I have so long and faithfully served do earnestly pray that Your Excellency will be Pleased to take into Consideration your Memorialist and I shall ever remain, Sir, with the greatest esteem, your Excellency's most obedt, &c. HENDRICK Wм. NELLES. (B. 105, p. 379.) A general census of the loyalists residing at Fort Niagara, of the farmers already settled, and of the officers and men of Butler's Rangers with their families and dependents was finally completed about the beginning of with the governor's instructions. 68 December in compliance �RETURN OF PERSONS UNDER THE DESCRIPTION OF LOYALISTS, SPECIFYING THE NUMBERS, AGE AND SEXES, RESIDENT AT NIAGARA 1ST DECR. 1783. By Familys Names Alexr McNabb. Bennet Street Cartwright 21 15 1 James Bennet Negroe Man 1 71 1 Samuel Street Lockwood Street 30 1 15 Richard Cartwright 22 John Woodsides 2 54 John Thompson Dorothy Thompson 45 1 43 Abraham De forrest 14 Negro 15 do 7 12 do 1 do 1 John Burch. 6 42 1 ། 23 36 1 Martha Burch 10 ས Burch 2 25 Richard Beaseley Thompson 2 19 ། 7 Total...... James Bennett. (B. 105, p. 380) 69 2 ས་ 2 5 16 2 �RETURN OF PERSONS UNDER THE DESCRIPTION OF LOYALISTS, SPECIFYING THE NUMBER, AGE & SEXES OF EACH FAMILY, BEING FARMERS SETTLED AT THIS POST. NIAGARA 1ST DECR. 1783 James Seacord David Seacord family Rationspant 53 BORDER 49 23 Magdalen Seacord 1 Hester Seacord 1 Mary Seacord 1 19 17 13 James Seacord 10 James Forsyth 44 Unis Forsyth 38 11 Forsyth Age 11 Magdalen Secord Seacord Women Boys Girls No. Men of Names By Families Daniel Forsyth Wm. Forsyth CRANE 9 6 2 John Forsyth 1 Sarah Forsyth CORE PhilipMary Banter [BanterBender] Banter 40 30 5 John Banter Mary Banter 5 1 Sarah Banter 66 Jane McMicken 3 43 Jane Cooper 14 Thomas Cooper E 11 James Cooper Harvay Alexander 3 CRINE Rose 2 33 Thomas McMicken McMicken Daniel Rose 26 Jane Rose 25 Hugh Rose 5 5 2½ William Rose John Rose Peter Seacord 62 Abigail Seacord 40 Peter Seacord 18 Stephen Seacord 16 NORDOST Seacord 7 Elijah Phillips [Phelps] 34 2 Eleanor Phillips 24 David Seacord 10 Margaret Seacord Eliz'th Seacord Phillips Samuel Louts 1 15 1 14 44 CO Sarah Louts Louts 2 36 John Louts 14 George Louts 11 Sam'I Louts Job Louts 3 Sarah Louts 10 70 1 �RETURN OF PERSONS, ETC.-Continued. By Families Name Sarah Every Every Edward Turner 1 Hanna Turner Sarah Turner Fields Showers F RECENT 1 Jurden Every 14 11 62 George Fields Rebecca Fields 58 Michael Showers 50 2 2 5 2 2 2 43 Hannah Showers Michael Showers John Showers 19 Elizabeth Showers 17 Laura Showers 14 Hannah Showers 9 Ann Showers Mary Showers Allan McDaniel [McDonell.] McDaniel 49 1 am Hannah McDaniel William McDaniel Alexr. McDaniel Hannah McDaniel Elsworth 38 Francis Elsworth 02 27 Mary Elsworth Mary Stewart 1332 George Stewart Stewart 11 George Stewart David Stewart ½ Charles Stewart 55 John Depue 43 Mary Depue Charles Depue Depue 21 11 Wm. Depue John Depue 16 14 11 Susanna Depue Eliz'th Depue 12 10 Marian Depue 1 Isaac Dolson 30 Mary Dolson 11 Daniel Dolson John Dolson Dolson Isaac Dolson 6 Eliz'th Dolson 1 Mary Dolson 1 12 3 81 John Dolson Millar 8 54 Thos Millar [Millard] Mary Millar 55 71 �RETURN OF PERSONS, ETC.-Continued. By Families Name 29 Thomas Millar 18 Millar-Con. John Millar Noah Millar 7 13 Unis Millar 1 16 Sarah Millar 1 12 Drake Joseph Drake Davis John Davis Wing Abraham Wing 1 1 1 40 1 42 1 1 4 2 1 John Butler Lieut Colonel. 23 Total 19 102 294 35 25 (B. 105, pp. 381 et seq.) RECAPITULATION OF LOYALISTS INCORPORATED IN THE CORPS OF RANGERS, COMMANDED BY LIEUT. COLL. BUTLER. No. of Companies. Men. Women. Boys. Girls. Total. Rations received. Lieut. Col. John Butler 40. Captain Caldwell. 46. 12 19 7 7 20 968 2 17. 88. 48. 7 67. 48. McDonell. Ten Brook 53. 11. 12. 9. 85. 56. 44. 10. 10. 11. 75. 51. Hare. 52. 9. 10. 14. 85. 67. " Frey. 39. 16. 13. 17. 85. 44. " McKinnon. 46. 8. 11. 16. 81. 49. " Bradt. 49. 10. 14. 11. 84. 52. Dame. 49. 19. 18. 24. 110. 57. Genevay. 51. 9. 8. 9. 77. 54. 122. 135. 837. 526. " ፈረ " " " General Total 469. 111. NIAGARA, 1st Decr. JOHN BUTLER, 1783. Lieut. Colonel. (B. 105, p. 396.) 22 72 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 38" booklet, c. 1927 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 38" booklet, c. 1927 Subject The topic of the resource Early settlers of Niagara Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the "Niagara Historical Society, No. 38" booklet, c. 1927. The Niagara Historical Society published their research/speeches regularly in these volumes, of which the Welland Public Library has most between 1-44. Volume 38 contains: "Records of Niagara, A Collection of Documents Relating to the First Settlement, 1778-1783." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Niagara Historical Society Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1927 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Booklet Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 971.33 Nia Vol. 38 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Niagara Ernest Alexander Cruikshank Niagara Historical Society Niagara Historical Society Papers https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/746e7f385527581127c6f3c9d0440952.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=YZbLuFYigeG1PlUoLGjcjuHzP-35AQ6-SJwfdAYvpw8Vi67qWbrYmJqX3ZVLCQJIZ47KZ1t3OS0nANoGJs6Iyz4PX-bG3adSIjbmXfx8R0TrKfa-mHqU0XQIPmRTGuh8nktHzIFpMRqa5OO-QvU4DxDLRNH0L9B1A5G6WCiw2MDAuTEtxLhaG4pYJ5BwnM%7EIIgYtGcMJeAWJ8YEE8zQ-lZvnrMaJ%7EwS77uCGJR68-eFcApKFxcaXd%7E6KjtKN-txA4eHPjjZCtE%7EeLlwCCvQwIMfOpJznjOZMQNFg-RDBUqGo7FuSyPEVW-3tq4r9NQO2DfmC5YPgE0vztISbbPyGGg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM a53fb5571cf67b65216bb606a36cf6f3 PDF Text Text WWJefferys from Cry. MOOD DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE Niagara Historical Society 35 "Captain Matthew Hamilton' "Polish Force in Niagara" "Polish Relief Work in Niagara" "Rev. Robt. Addison" "Rev. John Burns" Price 50 cents WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY PUBLISHED BY The Niagara Historical Society NIAGARA FRENCE PRINTED AT THE ADVANCE OFFICE ALHISTORY OF NIA LHC #35 33 A #2 PAMPHLET FILE 1923 �Niagara Historical Society Its objects are the encouragement of the study of Canadian History and Literature, the collection and preservation of Canadian Historical Relics, the building up of Canadian loyality and patriotism and the preservation of all historical landmarks in this vicinity. The annual fee is one dollar. The Society was formed in meeting is held on October 13th. articles have been gathered pamphlets have been in December, Since May, 1895 1896, the Historical published, eleven The annual six thousand Room-thirty-four historical sites have been marked, an Historical building erected at a cost of over $6,000, and a catalogue published. OFFICERS Honorary President 1922-1923 Gen Cruikshank, F. R. S. C.,LL. D. Miss President Rev. A. F. MacGregor, B. Vice-President Third Johnson Vice-President Mrs. Recording-Secretary E. A. Clench Ascher. Mrs. S. D. Manning. Treasurer Mrs. Assistant Treasurer Curator, Carnochan Editor and C. E. Brown. Miss Cor.-Sec Carnochan Mrs. Bottomley, Mrs. Mussen, Mrs. E. J. Assistant Curators, Thompson COMMITTEE Alfred Ball Mrs. Goff J. Mrs. Bottomley M. Mussen F. R. Parnell G. H. Leslie LIFE MEMBERS Arthur E. Paffard Col. H. J. R. W. Leonard Wickham CE Brown Dr. T. K. Thomson, C. E. H. B. Witton A. E. Rowland C. Baur R. E. Biggar Best C. M. Warner, Mrs. D. McGregor HONORARY Mrs. C. W. Nash F. D. Porter MEMBERS Gen. Cruikshank, F. R. S. C., Newton, J. Ker, C. E.,Dr. H. L. Anderson, Dr. A. H. U. Colquhoun, J. D. Chaplin, M. P., Dr. Alex- ander Fraser, M. A., Mrs. E. J. Thompson, E. C. Graves, M. P. P., Peter McArthur, Judge Morson. �B.P. WELLAND PL 3 2759 01859144 9 "DUCIT AMOR PATRIE" NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 35 "Capt. Matthew Hamilton" "Polish Force in Niagara" "Polish Relief Work in Niagara" "Rev. Robt. Addison" MAR 21955 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY PUBLISHED BY The Niagara Historical Society 97133 NIACARA PRINTED AT THE ADVANCE OFFICE AA 1923 NIA LHC #2 REFERENCE: L.CAL HISTORY COLLECTION �Capt.James Matthew Hamilton 5th Regiment of Foot (BY JANET CARNOCHAN) In records, records of many kinds, church registers, historical papers, military documents, family books of travel, general literature appears the name of Capt. J. M. Hamilton, but to the people of Niagara the name is of special interest, as in the well preserved record of St. Mark's Church the second entry by Rev. Robt. Addison, August 24th, 1792 is thus quaintly worded "Capt. James Hamilton to Louisa Mit- chell his wife. commanding decent They had been previously married by some officer or magistrate, to have the office repeated," but thought and in such it more different places as Michilimackinac, Fort Niagara, Chippawa, Holland, London England, Cornwall and in pioneer life in the township of Matchedash we find him living and in such books as the military records at Fort Michilimackanic, the travels of Count Rochefoucauld de Liancourt, the Michigan Historical publications, the Ontario Historical Transactions we find him mentioned. How little the pair thought then of being the subject of an historical paper here after a hundred and thirty years. Numerous descendants are to be found scattered over the North American Continent and we are indebted to Mr. Basil G. Hamilton, of Invermere, B. C. a valued member of our Society for the following paper. I have gathered to- gether the references I could find which may help to supple- ment what follows and these notes maybe placed preceding or following as most suitable. In the travels of La Rochefoucauld de Liancourt in which he describes his visit in 1795 to Governor Simcoe at Navy Hall 3 �for nineteen days he says "Capt. Hamilton commandant of Fort Chippawa was so kind as to detain us to dinner. The ennui naturally resulting from this dreary post the most dull of any is beguiled by the society of a handsome, sweet and lovely wife and several children who constantly him. surrounded They both received us in that plain, cordial and easy manner which characterizes persons who have constantly frequented the best Society. In "Pioneer Women" written by Mrs. Ellet, in her account of Abigail Snelling occurs a reference to Dr. Mitchell of Fort Mackinaw and his daughter Louisa who became the wife of Capt. Hamilton. "The little girl's earliest recollection is visiting the family of a Scottish gentleman Dr. Their two daughters were sent Mitchell. to Montreal to be educated and returned home highly accomplished and very beautiful women. One of these was afterwards married to an officer," no doubt our Capt. Hamilton. It is remarkable how these references fit into one another. all In the "Anderson papers" in volume 6 of the Ontario Historical Society is a picture. of Mrs. T. G. Anderson the eldest daughter of the first wife the Betsey referred to by Basil G. Hamilton. From these notes we gather that of the four children of the first wife all died in England except Ann Elizabeth the eldest. Her grand parents in Fort Michili- mackinac sent for her to come to them, their three beautiful. daughters being dead and she their only grand child, she undertook this long journey difficult at that time and it was almost a year before she reached her destination, came out in a small sailing vessel was six or eight weeks on the ocean. She had letters to friends of Dr. Mitchell at Montreal where she had to wait for a brigade of bateaux going to Kingston and she also had letters to friends there the Marklands, Her- kimers and others and here was obliged to wait for an opportunity to Niagara. When she reached there she was detain- ed as the navigation was closed in the upper lakes and she spent the winter with old friends of her father, the Streets Usshers and others at the Falls and Chippawa. In those days the fur traders came down in huge canoes laden with furs and went to Montreal, disposed of their furs and laid in a stock 4 �of goods and returned for the next season's trade. Miss Hamilton had to wait for this and considered herself fortunate to secure a passage on one of the already heavily laden canoes Her journey from leaving England occupied nearly a year which for a girl of sixteen was surely an adventure. We wonder how she stood all these delays or whether she enjoy- ed all the changes of scene. In 1820 she married Captain Thomas Gummersoll Anderson and died in They were married at Drummond Island in 1820 by her grandfather, Dr. David Mitchell, Surgeon General to the Indian Department and this may give rise to the statement that Capt. Hamilton and his wife were married by Dr. Mitchell but this has been proved incorrect from records found at the Fort. Mr. Basil G. Hamilton is the son of William Basil Hamilton, the second son of Capt. Hamilton and his second wife Louisa Jupp and his mother was Janet Jamieson Campbell. 5 �Capt. J. M. Hamilton and Descendants (BY BASIL G. HAMILTON) James Matthew Hamilton the progenitor of one branch of the Ontario line of Canadian Hamiltons was the 5th son of Nicholas Hamilton by his wife Christian Bailie. He was born on 26th September 1768 in Tollynakill in the north-east- ern part of Ireland, died in Canada on a farm on the Coldwater road near Orillia Ontario, on the 16th November 1844, and lies buried in the old graveyard by the Church of England in Orillia Ontario. Nicholas Hamilton his father was Vicar of Tollynakill and Curate of Gray Abbey at the time of James M. Hamilton's birth. He died at Carlingford on his way to Dublin in June 1787. On the side of his mother, Christian Bailie, James Matthew Hamilton was of royal descent from Edward the 1st of England. Following a practice long common in the Old Country, a commission as ensign was obtained for young Hamilton the choice being in the Northumberland Fusiliers, earlier known as the 5th Regiment of Foot now known as "The Fighting Fifth", the date of purchase being 26th October 1780. The regiment at that date was stationed in Ireland, but on the 24th May 1787 embarked for Canada, and after a voyage of two months landed at Quebec, and on the 6th September of that year left by batteaux for the interior. Ensign Hamilton followed the fortunes of his regiment and found a stopping place at Fort Michilimackinac,, Mackinaw Island. 6 on �Mackinaw Island is situated at the junction of Lakes Huron and Michigan and was at the time a Fort belonging to and within the boundaries of the United States, being one of the many frontier posts of that country of which Great Britain retained possesion as security for the carrying out of the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles. The post was a very important one being the then entrepot to the great unknown west for fur traders and adventurers. Its importance is well dealt with by Washington Irving in his historical narrative called "Astoria". It was while at this post Ensign Hamilton met Louisa Mitchell, daughter of Surgeon-General David Mitchell, and on the 15th November 1791 she became his wife. The story of his courtship is not known except that it is said to have been short and sweet. At this out of the way place there was no clergyman nor Justice of Peace, so that in order that the ceremony should not be unduly delayed, they were united in marriage by the Commanding Officer of the Post, the record of which reads; "This day was married by Edward Charlton, Capt. in the 5th Regt. and Commander of the Post before the subscribing witnessses, Jas. Matthew Hamilton, Ensign, to Miss Louisa Mit- chell daughter of David Mitchell by his lawful wife. J. M. Hamilton Witness Benjamin Roche Ensign 5th Regt. Foot. Lieut 5th Foot. Louisa Mitchell W. Glendower now Hamilton. Edward Charlton Ensign 5th Foot. Capt. Comm. 5th Foot. D. Mitchell Surgeon. In June 1790 the 5th Foot was transferred to Detroit on the straits of the St. Clair River where it remained until June 1792. It was later transferred to Fort Niagara, a post on the United States side of the Niagara River. While stationed here circumstances arose which seemed 7 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY �to make it advisable for James M. Hamilton and his wife to go through the marriage ceremony once again, this time possibly in more legal form for it took place in the Free Mason's Lodge at Newark Upper Canada, where Church of England Services were held at that date. The ceremony was performed by the Revd. Robert Addison who was a Missionary to the adjacent country, and was duly recorded in the register which now belongs to St. Mark's Church, of Niagara Ontario. It is the second entry made and is quaint reading. "August 24th 1792-Capt. James Hamilton to chell his wife. Louisa Mit- They had been previously married by some Cammanding Officer or Magistrate and thought it more decent to have the office repeated". In 1795 J. M. Hamilton was in charge of Fort Chippawa on the Niagara River where he was visited on more than one. occasion by Mrs. John Greaves Simcoe wife of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, (now Ontario). The 5th Regiment of Foot was transferred to Quebec in 1796 and in 1797 the Officers and Sergeants were returned to England. Some time before leaving Lieut Hamilton wrote to General Prescott stating that the high cost of living made it difficult for him to get along on his pay. He was raised to the rank of Captain on 11th August 1799, and shortly afterwards was with his regiment ordered to Holland in an endeavour to free that country from the domination of the French. After Hamilton the return of his regiment sold his commission, the 1800, and retired into private life. to England date being 12th Captain March A blank occurs in the re- cord of his life here, but apparently from what can be gathered he went to reside in London, England. It was while living in that city in apparently the parish. of Little Mary la Bonne that his dear wife died, leaving one daughter Betsy. Spiritual comfort was given by the Rever- end Basil Woodd, D. D., the Rector, between whom a strong friendship developed which later resulted in Captain Hamilton courting Miss Louisa Jupp, the Revd. Basil Woodd's sister-in-law whom he eventually married. �The narrative of the life of "Betsy" Hamilton would in itself fill a volume, but suffice to say that about the year 1814 the call of her grandparents at Fort Michilimackinac beckon- ed her and with her father's permission she determined to go to that out of the way spot. Before setting out she was delayed by helping to nurse one of her Uncles who had lost a leg in the battle of Waterlco. This delay made her arrival in Canada so late as to prevent her from travelling farther than Chippawa that year. Here she spent the winter with friends, and proceeded by batteaux and came the next year until she reached the home of her grandparents just exactly one year after leaving England. On 26th February 1820 Elizabeth Ann Hamilton (Betsy). was married at Drummond Island to Thomas Gummersall Anderson who was chief Indian Agent for the whole of what was then the territory of Western Canada. The union re- sulted in the birth of several sons and daughters who resid- ed in various parts of Ontario but are since dead leaving a goodly number of children to survive them. Apparently James Matthew Hamilton continued to live in London, for some time after his marriage to Louisa Jupp, about 1807, for there his first son, James Hamilton was born in the latter part of the year 1808 or the early part of 1809. From London with his family he moved to the County of Cornwall about the year 1812 and apparently entered upon commercial life. There is not much data at present available to show what his particular pursuit was beyond a statement made that "he entered into a partnership with a Mr. Ball, who lived in Mevagissey, a small town on the coast of Corn- wall, not many miles distant from St. Austell. The business. carried on by the partners was connected with shipping at the port of Charlestown, out of which place they had the sole control in sending off the copper ore from the different mines in Cornwall, also the China clay to the potteries in Staffordshire and were engaged in receiving and selling lumber sent out from Norway for building and the use of the mines.". They were also engaged in the handling of car9 �goes of coal and limestone, the latter being turned into lime for the farmers who used it in dressing the land. They also had a bank and owned a foundry in St. Austell. About the year 1812, Hamilton who was apparently prospering, bought an estate named "Treewhiddle" near St. Austell, which he beautified. Also with commendable generosity he built an iron bridge on the public road over a river. This bridge is said to have been one of the first of its class ever built in the Kingdom of Great Britian and Ireland. According to a document in possession of one of his descendants, James Matthew Hamilton, did on the 19th day of December 1815, make a fresh arrangement, this time with Lewis Crawford, for the carrying on of the former's business under his name. ed. The bank Adversity seems to have follow- failed; mines in which Hamilton was inter- ested ceased work and a general depression came over the whole, county, which resulted in the closing down of his business and his retirement into private life. The next home chosen was a place near Bodmin, the county town and near this spot an old abbey known as Saint Benot's. Here the family resided for three years until they finally moved into Plymonth; still later a move was made to a farm on the Tavistock road. An account of their life here. shows that those of the children who were at home and attending school had to walk four miles into Plymouth and back again each day. It must have been in the year 1828 that James Matthew Hamilton had his attention re-directed to Canada by adver- tisements inserted in the English papers by the Canada Company, which held a large tract of land in and about Goderich district in Upper Canada, which they were praising highly. very The fever to return to Canada resulted in Hamilton chartering the brig Salamis, of Sunderland, which was sailing for Quebec and going on board her with his family and belongings. The sailing vessel left Plymonth in June 1829 and landed her passengers in Quebec in September after a pleasant and uneventful voyage of ten weeks and four days. A few days were spent in Quebec renewing old acquaint10 �ances, after which the journey was continued to Montreal, the passage taking three days. From there it was deter- mined to go forward to Toronto, or York sa it was then call- ed. The baggage was shipped by canal boat while the family proceeded by stage to as far as Prescott, from which place. they went per S. S.Sir Francis Drake to York, the last part of the trip occupying two and a half days. Hamilton then changed his mind and instead of going on the lands of the Canada Company determined on taking up one of the grants of 800 acres which the Province of Upper Canada was then offering to retired army and navy officers. In spite of letters of introduction and other means of ob- taining quick results, many difficulities presented themselves to prevent a selection. He was told all the surveyed land had already been taken, this as he afterwards heard, was "taken" by an inside ring friendly to the Government, known as the Family Compact. tract in what is now Province of Ontario. Eventually, in 1832, he selected a the Township of Matchedash of The land is situated on the the North River, later becoming, Lots 5, 6 and the E½ of 7, Concession one; and Lot 5 and the West half of Lot Six in Concession. Two. The part was in its wild nature state at that time, so the services of the surveyor were secured and he had cut the lines of the boundaries through white oak. the heavy forest of Much of the tract taken up was prairie, suit- able for the raising of cereals, root crops and hay. Here two of the sons built a log house in the middle of the prairie patch and there they spent the winter alone subsisting chiefly on Indian corn (maize) and wild birds. bor was their brother-in-law Captain Thomas Gummersall Anderson, who lived six miles away. their Their nearest neigh- winter vigil they As companions on had timber wolves and other wild denizens which roamed the nearby forest. The following spring the boys were joined by their father, who brought along a housekeeper together with some cows and oxen. As soon as was possible they commenced the ploughing of the "prairie" piece in which they made a garden and sowed oats and wheat. They reaped a fine crop in the Fall. 11 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBR Ar- �rangements were made whereby Hamilton leased a saw mill that had been erected for use of the situated upon the Severn River. Indian Department, This they operated with the help of the hired man and the two sons; later the sawn lumber was conveyed twelve miles along the river scow to the house site. The on house when erected was a two stories high, built of planks two inches thick, well calked between. Not Time passed very elegant but warm very pleasantly within and comfortable. its walls for in addi- tion to the large family of parents, brothers and sisters the group was generally augmented by the visits of young men from the not far distant settlement of Penetanguishene and a more permanent addition of two young cousins, the sons of a solicitor from Dublin, Ireland, who had come out to Canada in order to make their fortunes. As a venture, William Basil Hamilton, the second son of James Matthew Hamilton cousins, a boy of and the younger of the 17, journeyed to Buffalo, in the two United States, where they bought some cattle and after an arduous and trying journey in the forest. brought them back to the Young Hamilton relates; ing I have milked as Our father was liv- with us and one year we made about one pounds of cheese." farm. farm "We soon had six- ty head of cattle and a dozen milk cows. many as eleven cows before breakfast. home thousand This son remained for five years on this At one time in the midst of their prosperity the river rose and destroyed much of their arable land making it unfit for tillage. James Matthew Hamilton shortly after left that part and went to reside on a farm which he purchased near Orillia. There he and his wife and one of the younger of the sons remained until death took the two older people away. Incidents relating to the life of these people in their pioneer homes, on their farms in what was then the wilds of Ontario, are not lacking. They are full of interest and have been gathered from many sources. These go to show that James Matthew Hamilton and wife were of a deeply his religious temperament, very strict in the observance of all religious duties and in their dealings with their fellow men. 121 �Of their more may sons and daughters who survived them, much be said. The eldest, James, received the most advanced education of any, not leaving England for long after the others had emigrated. When he did come to Can- ada, it was for a while to conduct a boys school in Toronto from which school many of the scions of the well-to-do citizens of that place passed into college; later he became a clerk in at the Bank of Upper Canada, finally becoming their agent London, Ontario. There he remained in their service until the straightened circumstances of the bank in 1863 made it necessary for them to dispense with the services of many of their officers, James Hamilton being amongst the others. The severance in his case took place on the 30th September 1864. He took up other employment and on the closing down of the bank remained living in the premises, which became known as Holmbank, here he died on the 26th day October 1896 leaving his wife and several daughters. None of his sons survived him. William Basil Hamilton was the second son. farm at shene, of He left the Matchedash and became a merchant at Penetanguiin Ontario, Toronto, by where whom he first married Mary Wasenidge he had one daughter, and in 1846 married Janet Jamieson Campbell, by whom he had a large family of sons moved with and daughters. From Penetanguishene his growing and increasing family to Colling- wood, Ontario, then a small hamlet. of its he important enterprises; became He entered into many its first mayor and later postmaster, which appointment he held until 1882, resigning in ilton. favor of his eldest son, William Anderson Ham- After that he retired into private life, continuing to live in Collingwood until he died in November 1892, leaving his wife and a large family of sons and daughters. the sons he left Amongst behind were Lauchlan Alexander Hamilton, who for over twenty years was the executive head of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the sale and developement of their twenty-five million acres of land, operating in this capacity from Winnipeg, in Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia. As a surveyer he laid out the original town- site of Vancouver. Another son was Heber James Hamilton 13 �who in 1892 became the second missionary of the English Church in Canada to Japan and later under those auspices became the first Bishop of Mid-Japan under the auspices of the Canadian Church Missionary Society. Still another son of James Matthew Hamilton Gustavus Hamilton, who remained a farmer, living was most of his life near Ailsa Craig in Ontario where he died on the 26th June 1882, survived by his wife, three sons, who have since died without issue, and three daughters. Francis Hamilton was the youngest son. He died at the age of 55 many years ago in Orillia, Ontario. He was never married. Of the female descendants, there were many. Louisa, who first married James Stewart Darling, of Penetanguishene, by whom she had a son and a daughter, the former still living in that quiet quaint old spot. Later she married Andrew Mitchell, brother of her father's first wife, by whom she had twin sons, David John Mitchell and Andrew Mit- chell. These two while quite young emigrated to the Unit- ed States and settled in Chicago, where through energy and attention to business they worked up a large commercial undertaking having many branches still in existence through that city. Their descendants are numerous and chiefly make Chicago their home. Another daughter was Sophia Sarah Hamilton, married Dr. Paul Darling, her brother-in-law. Orillia Ontario, on the 29th November who She died in 1880, leaving one daughter, Sophia Hamilton Darling, who afterwards became Mrs. William F. Henderson of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Still another daughter was Carcline Jane Hamilton, who married her first cousin Basil Robert Rowe, his mother and that of his wife both being sisters named Jupp. She died leaving a large family of sons and daughters none of whom has ever married. In conclusion and as showing possibly how far conviction and influence may carry it may be interesting to cite that all the Canadian descendants of Nicholas Hamilton of Donaghedee who remained in the parental homes of his son 14 �are deeply religious; total abstainers in the use of liquor; members of the Church of England and of the great Conservative body of voters. 15 �The Polish Army in Niagara (BY JANET CARNOCHAN) Many have been the Military forces seen in Niagara and its vicinity, Regiments with the picturesque dress of the Gael marching to the music of the bag pipe, the pipers swinging their tartans so proudly, across the river the blue of the French regiments assisted by the Indians, meeting the scarlet coats of British regiments also assisted by many of the Six Nation Indians, 150 years ago, again in regiments combining with Canadian 1812 British. Militia, many of them the U. E. Loyalists who had given up homes of plenty to be true to their king and live on British soil, fighting to drive back the invading U. S. army with their different uniform. Again in peaceful days the regular training camp of twelve days on Niagara Plains and again on days that we remember our own boys, sons and brothers and friends preparing for stern battles free the oppressed of many who to be fought in France and Belgium to and drive back returned not, but the brutal never sight been seen as that of September, has invader, such unique 1917 when appeared aliens drilling on Canadian soil coming from the ing republic paid by France, officered a also by neighbor- Canadians hoping to free their country taken by force 123 years ago by three grasping enemies, Russia, Prussia, Austria, These patriotic people without a country we may say, still the patriotic fire burning and though living thousands of miles distant now. give up prosperous homes to give their lives so that they might again feel that they had a country and that they were free from Russian or Austrian or German yoke. It was wonderful, yes, there were so many remarkable things connected 16 �JanetCarnochon WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARI �with it, the visits of Prince Poniowtoski, of Paderewski and Madame Paderewski, giving up his fame as an artist spending his fortune like water to help the Poles his country men, the unfurling of the Polish flag, the white eagle, the story of the flag, the hunting up in the library of the history of Poland, of the works of Sienkewitz, the officers who drill- ed them, some of them professors from college halls, others were veterans with medals and clasps from the Boer War, the Rev. Rydlewski who gave up his comfortable parish, in Pittsburg to comfort and help the from home and recruits, lonely, away with the thought of death before them, the visits from ladies of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, N. Y., bringing farewell soldiers' kits before their departure from the town, the constant arrival of fresh recruits, arriving in their civi- lian clothing, sometimes two or three groups in a day, the departure carded off train scarlet of the same, dressed sometimes was some Polaks, in dis- coats of our troops, the crowds to see them mid cheers, and the good conduct of the men. there call by but fear never of what were we seen had been At first accustomed to so well behaved soldiers, quiet, rather stolid, heavier than our more active looking recruits, never had officers so little trouble in drilling troops. Niagara has the most pleasant recollections of officers and men of the Polish force and we are glad to know that they have pleasant recollections of our town. Many public build- ings were given up for their use, some of them unoccupied, but several citizens gave up the use of houses free of charge, the Y. M. C. A. did all that could be done for their comfort, for their amusement and the most wonderful sight of all was the parade on Armistice Day, wholly performed by the Poles and Canadian officers, cannons, flags, cages for the Kaiser the most unique disguises, marching through the town, across the common from Fort George and then to Fort Mississauga. And literature was not neglected addresses were given, Polish songs were given by noted singers, the Public li- brary was thrown open for their use, many of us recalled Campbell's "Lines on the downfall of Poland", and "Freedom 17 �shrieked when Kosciusko fell," and there was sadness too in the camp when the Spanish Flu, which prevalent in the armies in Europe reached the United States and was brought to our town. George. At first confined to the Polish Camp at Fort Our own recruits at Butler's Barracks were free for some time and then several were attacked in the town and some died, but of the Polish force forty died and are buried in St. Vincent's cemetery, one from Jamaica buried in St. Mark's. The article written by Major Young, published in our local called "The Polish Touch" is as fine a piece of literature as can be seen and the account given by Father Kydlewski to the reporter of the Montreal Standard must also in part be quoted. On expressing my admiration to Father Rydlewski, of the Polish National Hymn he was kind enough to give me a translation of it as well as the words in Polish. When I said it is very solemn and sad he said "You know it is a prayer." "God who has been our Ruler through the ages' Thou who hast brought us victory and might Sending Thine aid when tyrants would oppress us Shielding us from harm and guiding us aright. Before Thine Altars humbly are we kneeling Grant us we pray Thee Fatherland and Freedom." This is a fair translation of the Polish words given below: Boize cos Polske pezez tak liczne wieki Otaczal blaskeim potzgi i chwaly Cos jz raslanial tarcza Swej Opicki Od nieszezesc ktore pnzguebic za miaty. Puzed Twe Oltavze zanosim blaganic Ojezyzne, Wolnosc raez nam wrocie Panie Z Rydlewski, C. S. Sp. Chaplain at Niagara And there was doubt in the minds of some of the Poles fitted to govern their country? Camp. us: Are After a hundred ard fifty years of oppression have they developed the quali18 �ties to form a stable government? At the children of Israel, after their years of servitude in Egypt, required forty years. to strengthen them in body and mind to fit them to go in and posses the land, will the Poles have to go through a process of education in will power, in wise training, to enable them to govern wisely and well? And is Paderewski, a specialist in music, fitted for a military leader, or a statesman, or a diplomatist various of the factions, highest the order? views of And how reconcile the nobles who despise the the common people with those who wish a democracy, or with the views of autocracy or monarchy. And when we saw that the Poles intoxicated with their first success, seized territory beyond that doubtful, alloted to them and were driven back, we felt still more when the reports came, no doubt ex- aggerated of their treatment of the Jews, we paused in dis- may. But by degrees the Poles are showing ability and we hope for them a happy home in a well governed country, those who have had no country as it were, "sitting under "their own vine and fig tree none daring to make them afraid", with their beloved white eagle flag over their heads flying in the breeze. In a lecture given by Major Young, a Professor of Applied Science in Toronto University, a sketch was given of Polish literature. Frequently from visitors and from our own people was heard the phrase, "Foreigners drilling in Canada, why did they not drill in the United States where they lived" and the explanation was. The United States was at peace with Ger- many it would have amounted to a declaration of war, if the Poles were allowed to drill there to attack Germany and so Canada opened her doors and even when in 1917 war was declared the Poles were not allowed to drill in the United States and still came to our plains to help France and eventually reach Poland till 16000 had passed under the instruction of Canadian officers. How to explain the Polish army drilling in Niagara 191718 requires dipping into the records of several countries and above all to understand the intense patriotism in the hearts 19 �of thousands of foreigners living in the United States hopes long repressed from what seemed impossible, the thought of a Free Poland, of their land restored to them. The idea of a National Polish Army was considered early in the war but did not bear fruit till on the 4th June the declaration creating an of the French autonomous President Polish Army, Monsieur not a equipping and maintaining it. Poincare legion. French government guaranteed the expenses of The Canadian 1917 The recruiting, government supplied the necessary camp sites, the Canadian staff equipment, etc. They also supplied the clothing and food to equip and feed this army on repayment by the French Government. The payment of the men themselves is made from money. which comes direct to camp from the French Mission in New York. The men it must be understood enlisted voluntarily, are paid at the French rate of pay of five cents per day, receiving in addition from the French Government a bonus of $150 a year, this making their pay about forty-five cents a day, by contrast volunteers. this with the pay received our Canadian To provide additional quarters for so many in winter for what had been chiefly a summer camp, the work was chiefly done by the Polish troops themselves, buildings made water tight and wind proof and water mains lowered below the frost line, buildings erected, all done under the superintendence of Canadian Engineers and all done it is said with cheerfulness by the Poles though often suffering in the early and severe winter. There might be seen Polish officers, American officers and Canadian officers. French officers, At no time during the period of the camp, did the Canadian staff exceed twenty- eight. It had sometimes been asked by whose influence did Canada provide the help thus given to the Poles. admitted that the high officer called the It is now "Godfather of the Polish Army" was Major General W. G. Gwatkin, C. E. C. M. G., Chief of the General Staff at Ottawa, the good friend. referred to. The question often asked also was how were officers provided to drill so large a force, officers able to make 20 �themselves understood. It was not generally known that the School of Infantry, M. D. No. 2 had been at Camp Borden for some time training 150 Polish probationers. These arrived with Canadian staff at Niagara, Sept. 28th, 1917 at 4 a. m. and acted as advance party, laid out the camp, erected tents and on Oct. 3 recruits began to arrive and soon a camp of over 4000 was hard at work drilling. From that time groups arrived and after two months training a number were sent on to St. John's, Quebec, for a short time before embarking for France. At different times, troops when the camp became crowded 500 were transferred to Fort Niagara or to Quebec. News soon came of the arrival of the force in France where they received an ovation. From this time might be seen constant arrivals and departures at all hours of the day and night, on one occasion in a blizzard head quarters to be found in the middle of the night for a wearied group. The chief officers were-Col. Le Pan, Camp Command- ant; Major Kerk, Major Hamilton, Young, Camp Adjutant; Major Madill, Major Kenrick. Pugh, Fowler, Captain Harris, Pembroke, Parr, Smith, Ferguson, Nash, Lewis, Wright, Peart, Dr. Thomson and Dr. Geddes. I attempt not to give the names of Polish Officers, but one chaplain must be mentioned beloved by all Zy. Rydlewski who went with them to Poland and has frequently written from there describing the losses, gains and hardships of the forces. A word must be said of the Polish Flag with the White Eagle on dark red on one side and the picture of Our Lady Czestochowa on white field on the other side, the historical flag of the days of Poland's glory. Its origan is this, the legendary forefather of the Poles, Lech found a nest of white eagles on the spot where he built his castle and a city called Ginezno from the word Guiazdo, west. Many of the officers had occupied important positions previously, Col. LePan was joint superintendent of Toronto University and served as instructor to the C. O. T. C. of 1914. Major Young, a civil engineer held a position in the Univer21 �sity as professor in the school of Applied Science also instructor in the C. O. T. C. Major Architecture in the University. Madill was lecturer on Capt. Harris served in South Africa and Capt. Pembroke had fought at Ypres and Vimy Ridge. our It was interesting to notice own khaki so the different familiar, the light blue of uniforms, the French officers and afterwards of the Polish soldiers when they had put off the scarlet coats and dark blue uniform of our militia, the gorgeous dress on occasions of Capt. Lewis and the picturesque Highland dress of Lieut Dickie worn so proudly. The uniform of Major Wagner a veteran with the cross of the Legion of Honour. functions when the Y. M. C. A. or of France There were many. ladies from Buffalo and Niagara Falls, N. Y. brought down presents for a detachment leaving chocolate, socks, soap, towels, cigarettes, kits. Father Rydlewski the Polish Chaplain in conversation with a reporter pays a high tribute. to Canadians and gives a statement which goes back to an earlier date than September, 1917 of the first steps to form a Polish Army.. He was pastor of a church. at Pittsburg, Pa. and the first chaplain to enlist said "I have spent six months in the Polish Camp at Niagara-on-the-Lake and have learned to love and admire the Canadians and especially the Canadian Officers Staff in charge of our camp. We resolved to organize a Polish Army. is possible without officers. But no army. We started twenty-three trust- worthy young Polish men at the school of Infantry, Military District No. 2, Toronto. selves to their instructors. There they soon endeared them- In May these young cadets were ready to help as instructors in the military schools for Polish boys which the Polish Falcon's Allowance opened on the 19th of March at Cambridge Springs, Pa., with 250 pupils. The United States having declared war Mr. Ignace NastyCz J. the ial Paderewski United legions offered to form States Congress and on the 4th Polish did not of June, Army but allow any specFrance decrees that a Polish Army is to be formed, Canada opens its arms and 22 �the best young men are selected from among those of the training school at Cambridge Springs and sent to Camp Borden where Col Le Pan with his excellent staff Majors Young, Madell, Kirk and Kenrick who had taught from the first 23 young men at Toronto devoted themselves with zeal and love to make of them good officers and with them Col. LePan went to Niagara Camp, in October 1917 to receive three thousand volunteers and train them. Who was instrumental in getting that sacred historical spot Fort George and Fort Mississauga could would not tell. officer who not be learned and those who knew I only know there is in Canada a certain high likes to Army" who obtains be called the "Godfather of the Polish from the Canadian Government all the favors and privileges for the Polish Army. On 4th Novem- ber I witnessed the touching scene when after 125 years of persecution the "White Eagle, Polish banner was unfurled and on the spot where Canadians had shed their blood in defence of their country, a hundred years ago. The banners were given that day to three thousand men who had only been four weeks or less in the camp and the Canadian officers were giving the commands in Polish who had no idea about Polish till they met our boys. The water and light is furnished to our camp by the town free of charge. What we admire is that Canada furnishes the whole staff of officers, the hospital, the camp with all its implements. The Canadian Y. M. C. A. furnishes a recreation tent, a large hall for divine worship on Sundays and entertainment on work days, writes their letters, makes their wills, helps in many ways. My words are too feeble too indolent to express adequately the Polish Army's gratitude for all that is being done by Canada for us". 23 �The Polish Force in Niagara (BY MAJOR YOUNG) Seventeen months ago there began at old Niagara perhaps the most unique chapter of all history. Of fighting these plains had seen a plenty, and the tramp of alien soldiery was not entirely come a part unknown but never before had of Slavdom where the customs Central Europe and where foreign to Canadian There was there was heard place were a be- those of language as ears as Hindustani. much that Polish Army in camp. was instructive in the It was unnecessary observing visitor that he had left Poland. this life of to remind Canada and was now the an in A casual glance across the parade ground might have given the impression of a Canadian training camp before the war for here passed and repassed the scarlets and dark blue and rifle greens of the old militia. from a staff flew an unkown twin striped But yonder red and white service flag and from the end of a hut vigorously rose a white eagle from square its amaranth field. Then here was seen the topped head dress of the Polish soldier the czapka and down the breeze from a band that lightened the drudgery of drill floated the March of the Falcons. Those too could not be Canadians who spent their hard earned rest period in dancing the mazur and the polka on the green; besides the young men who swung by at a hundred and forty to the minute were shorter, bigger chested, sturdier and more stolid than Canadians of the same age. To those who had been accustomed to seeing men jump to the exposive "Squad Shun" it 24 was perhaps unexpected �MAJOR C. R. YOUNG, Camp Adjutant. �that anything should happen when there rang out over the field "Zaste p, Bacz-NOSC." Yet for a year and a half one might have heard it almost any hour of the day sharp staccato of drill instruction in Polish. who in civil life the Soon too, officers sputtered at Beauchamp or Cholmondeley might be seen nodding with ill concealed understanding and self approbation at such a sequence as this. Cieszczyk, Grzeszczuk, Kolodziejczyk, Krzyzanowski, Przybylowicz. It was in music that the spirit of the Pole that variable mingling of light heartedness and melancholy had its most compelling expression. That which might well have brought "Tears idle tears" to Tennyson floated across Niagara plain on many a soft summer never forget the night. Those who haunting charm heard it will of that song of happy youth with its foreboding of sorrow to come, "Jak Szybko Mijaja chwile. (How fast the moments fly). There there was the tripping care-free march of the victorious legions of Dontrowski Mesz. (All is not yet over with Poland) and the somber "Bezees Polske (O God Protector of Poland) by common consent re- garded in this camp as the National Hymn of Poland. Men and women who have heard all that is most im- pressive in music have often stood with tear-filled eyes as a thousand Poles poured forth in this sublime hymn the pent up emotions of a hundred and fifty years of persecution. Time may dim the impression of those who have witnessed events of the past seventeen months, but there is at least one lasting memento of the Polish occupation. Beneath a cross in the cemetery of St. Vincent de Paul there rest twenty-four forty-two now) young men, who as wrote the good Father Rydlewski in the inscription "Gave their lives for Poland." Extract from a letter written by Father Rydlewski on the eve of his departure from France for Poland, with the 4th division of the Polish Army: "It will no doubt be a pleasure to you and all our other 25 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY Boże c �friends at Niagara-on-the-Lake to learn that, although the French are naturally tired of soldiers in general, having seen so many of them in the past four years, yet I heard wherever I went in Bretagne, Normandie and Lorraine, our Polish boys are leaving. regrets that So they have kept up the fine reputation they got at Niagara and I am proud of it. God will bless such soldiers wherever they may be sent and I hope there will be little fighting needed to chase our enemies from within the boundaries of Poland, because "If God is with us, who'll dare be against us"? 26 �Polish Relief Work at Niagara (BY ELIZABETH C. ASCHER) C, Polish Mother, kneel thou before the image of the mother of sorrows And gaze upon the sword that has transfixed her bleeding heart, With a like blow the foe shall pierce thy bosom, Because, though all the world shall bloom in peace, Though nations, rulers, minds shall be as one, Thy son is called to battle without glory, To martyrdom without a resurrection. This quotation Mother", was used from Mickiewicz's poem "The Polish by Madame Helena Paderewski as she was pleading for help for the suffering, homeless people of Poland, her native land, before an immense assemblage at the Folish Army Camp, known in Polish (or the Camp of Kosciuszko as it was circles), at Niagara-on-the-Lake on the afternoon of July 27th, 1918, her last visit to the troops in training for service in France. She had come on from New York for a dual purpose to say farewell and bid God speed to a number of her personal friends who were on the eve of departure for France and to assist at the ceremonies in connection with the opening of anAmerican RedCross service tent,or sta- tion at the camp, destined to fill a great part in the recreation plans during the closing months of this unique training centre. Members of the Niagara Falls Chapter of the American Red Cross, of the Polish White Cross (a society that owed its organization to Madame Paderewski who was its first and only president), prominent Red Cross workers from both side of 27 �the border and many leading Poles from Buffalo and elsewhere were present at these ceremonies and watched with interest the review of the Polish troops, and the presentation of field comforts which were a part of the day's programme. ewski Before the gathering dispersed, made a brief speech in English Madame during Pader- which she thanked the friends of the Polish Army for their many kindnesses and then pleaded for help for the starving, homeless people of Poland. In speaking with the Madame and with other promiment Poles, from New York and Buffalo to whom I was introduced by Father Rydlewski and Mr. Beckett of the Y.M. C. A. I learned of the great distress in Poland and heard the wish expressed that some one would do something in the way of relief work in Niagara and its immediate vicinity. others But, who believing had more that our friends Red than I Cross in the workers rank and and file of the Polish Army, would take the matter up, I did not think of offering to do anything just then, nor did I offer to help till the good Father Rydlewski broached the subject and asked me to take the matter up. I could not de- cide till a few days later when a letter came to me from Mr. Nowak of Buffalo, saying how much help was needed and that with my news papers connection I was in a better position to make an appeal than anyone else and urged me to begin my work. money only So I commenced with an appeal as that seemed to be most urgently for needed. Money could be sent into Poland while anything else could not because of the fact that Prussia's Army was in occupation of the country and that enemies surrounded Poland on every side. It is rather interesting to note that the first contribution came from a wee two year old girl, little Margaret Masters, who gave the contents of her "gift box" for the Polish babies. This was the sum of $2.05 and was sup- plemented by a further contribution from her parents, both given on August 6th, 1918. quite a sum was collected Between that time and Aug. 8th and I was able to tell Father Rydlewski, as I said good-bye to him on his departure for France, that my work was begun and would no doubt 28 be �as successful as he hoped. On Aug. 28th, I sent in to Mr. M. M. Nowak of Buffalo the sum of $52.45, to be forwarded to White I Cross sent in head a quarters at second New York. contribution of On $51.00. Sept. 25th Then to save expense and also because Mr. Nowak was leaving on a long business trip, I decided to send further contributions rect to the Polish White Cross head quarters. tember I received a letter from Madam di- Early in Sep- Ivanowski, vice- president of the White Cross Society in which she conveyed to me on behalf of Madame Paderewski, the thanks of the Society for taking up this work and asking me to accept a membership later on, the gold badge of membership, also a very handsome certificate, signed by Madame Paderewski, who sent to me a proof of their appreciation. In October I sent away $30.00, on Nov. 6th, $32.00 and in December were small, $45.00. only Collections from that time till March $11.00 being sent away but in April the sum of $60.00 was sent, $50.00 of which was contributed by our Women's Institute. Just at that time the White Cross people wrote me with a request that clothing, hospital sup- plies, etc. be collected in addition to money and said that with the war over, it was possible to transport things of this kind to Poland where thousands of people were in the greatest need. ing for clothing. when all good homeless and destitute And so I began appeal- It was just at spring house-cleaning time housekeepers were turning out the contents of clothes-closets, trunks, dressers, etc., with a view to clear- ing out what was not to be kept any longer. With the wonderful way our people had given clothing to the Belgian and other Relief collectors in war time, I did not expect to be able to of my gather first any appeals and so varied. great quantity surprised together, but the result me, they were so generous On April 29th in addition to sending away a cheque for $60.00, I also sent a large package of splendid clothing to New York and followed it in the first week in May with two more, one of which consisted of pillow slips, sheets, towels, hospital supplies and soap. receipt of these gifts, the director 29 In acknowledging of the White Cross depot �said: "what wonderful kind hearts of the people of Niag- ara-on-the-Lake. our soldiers in After doing so much training, they are now for the helping martyred people of our devastated land. comfort relieve of the Your own splendid work has been an inspiration to us; we think "when a woman who is not of Polish blood can do so much, surely, we who are Polish should try to do more". May God forever bless you and the other kind people of your town". On July 7th, 1919, I sent in another cash contribution of $12.75, in August, $15.00 and later sent $65.00, $56.00 of which was contributed by the Girl's Service Battalion, who also gave a large quantity of excellent clothing. April and the end of August 1919, I sent Between 15 baies of cloth- ing and 2 of hospital supplies to the White Cross headquart- ers in New York. Then early in September when the Polish Women's Relief organization began work, at the request of some friends among its members and after consultation with Mr. Witkowski and others in New York, I changed my shipments to Buffalo and sent everything afterwards to that city except some of the soap recently collected. Early in 1919 some recognition of my relief work was being made by Polish folk. One of the first evidences of ap- preciation came to me in the shape of an invitation to a reception and banquet that was to be given in Buffalo, on March 4th by the Polish Citizens' Committee to the "Canadian friends of the Polish Army". The Canadian officers from the Polish Army Camp and their wives, members of the National Polish Committee from various parts of the United States and Canada, Sir Willoughby Gwatkin, of Ottawa, (Known among the Poles as the Godfather of the Polish Army), Mayor Macphee of this place, and James W. Mer- cer of the Military Y. M. C. A. were among the guests of this very charming event which took place in the hotel Iroquois in Buffalo. Early in May, 1919, the President and several members of the Polish Citizens' Committee came down from Buffalo to arrange for holding a service in memory of the soldiers 30 �who were laid at rest in St. Vincent de Paul's graveyard and who had "died for Poland" in France and on other fields of glory; while here they came to see me and in the name of the Polish beautiful Women of armlet of crimson, eagle of Poland thread. Buffalo, presented me with a very and moire sik, on which the white a motto were embroidered in silver In placing this badge on my arm, Father Krzyzan asked me to accept it as a token of sincere appreciation of my relief work. At the same time I was requested to con- vey to the people of Niagara the gratitude and appreciation of the Polish people of their whole-hearted generosity and their I in sympathy was for the suffering people of Poland. This very glad to do through the medium of my column the Standard. On the American Decoration Day, (May 31st) a large party of Poles from the American and Canadian sides held this memorial service in the little plot in St. Vincent de Paul's where 26 men of the "Army of Kosciu- szko" are sleeping service, their last sleep. At the close of the the Rev. Fathers Pitass, Krzyzan and Ostaszewski thanked the people of Niagara for their many kindnesses. All through the summer of 1919, though I was unusually busy and at times not very well, I continued my collections of clothing and about every fortnight sent away one large package filled with many useful things. at least At times it was difficult to find the time necessary for listing, packing and shipping these things but I managed it, encouraged by the knowledge of working. I was Proof that at least some of my shipments were reaching Poland relief the necessities of those for whom workers came to me in the shape of letters from in Warsaw who found my address in the package while proof that there was great suffering came in letters from Father Rydlewski, Mr. Bernacki and other friends who arrived in Poland from France early in May, 1919. One extract from a letter written to me by Father Rydlewski soon after his arrival contains a volume; it said "my poor people, what they are suffering and how brave is their endurance! We reached Poland in the midst of a blinding snow storm (This in May too), and while it look31 �ed as if the Almighty was showering His flowers those brave heroes who had helped win freedom for their country, I could not keep the tear back as my eyes beheld the frail, ill-clad forms of the women and little children who, with no shoes on their poor feet and little to protect them from the bitter, cold, were still rejoicing because "Poland lives again" What have my people suffered and how has God repaid them for what they have endured, Poland is once again restored to her place among free nations. Dear friend, you need not doubt that your work is needed, may God bless it give you strength to go on till it is completed". and I was feel- ing rather discouraged and was debating whether to go on or give up my relief work, but this letter made me feel that I should "carry on" for a while longer at least. As I re- ceived the generous contributions and sent them on, I mar- velled at the way our people were giving and was more than pleased at the frequent expressions of grateful appreciation that were coming in to me. In October, 1919, I was asked to attend a meeting of the Polish Council of Canada in St. Catharines and to bring a report of what I had done in the way of relief work. accepted the invitation parts of Canada. and met prominent Poles from I all Here again were expressions of gratitude for the generosity of my townspeople and I was told that Niagara-on-the-Lake, "The home of the Polish Army" as it is known to Polish folk, had exceeded any other place in Canada with the exception of Montreal, in the help it had given to the Polish Relief. I was very much pleased at hearing this, as may be suposed, I was asked to make an appeal on behalf of Polish Relief to the women's organizations, in St. Catharines and did so in November, "St. Catharines wo- men could not do anything just then", wrote Mrs. Malcolmson in reply to my appeal, "because they were too busy getting ready for Christmas." They forgot that the Polish people by sending an army to re-inforce the French Army at the most critical period had turned the tide that was setting strongly against us, made victory possible and so enabled us to enjoy Chirstmas and they also forgot that 32 �MRS. E. C. ASCHER �in Poland there would be no Christmas celebrations because of the havoc and suffering caused by the war. A second ap- peal was ignored and so far as I know nothing was done. for Polish relief residents and made few a except except what was for several months ago done by generous Polish donations by a kind-hearted lady who will not let her name be known. In November, 1919, a great gathering of Poles was held in Buffalo, ica when States the 2nd annual convention of the Poles in Amer- Poles met from together all parts of Canada and the United to discuss plans for the relief of Po- land and to tell of what had already been done. There were hundreds of delegates, women as well as men and I was given a special invitation and was also down for a speech. As I could not be away from home for very long I asked my Polish friends in Buffalo to let me know what days would be most interesting for me and was told to come on the 10th to hear Mr. Herbert Hoover speak on relief work in Poland. So I went to Buffalo early that day and was met by a deputation who at Lafayette the the big Fillmore way told Polish me hall on and passed then the corner As we under Polish and American seen to register and Hotel Avenue. we first my bag on to Dom. Polski of Broadway motored arches leave and down and Broad- festoons of flags, thousands of which were to be everywhere, while the main entrance to the hall was hidden by colors of decorations Poland in which predominated. the Amaranth and Arrived at Dom White Polski, I was given a delegate's badge (a very beautiful ribbon in the Polish colors, with a suitable inscription thereon and with a medal attached on which was a fine likeness of Mr. Pader- ewski. (Just then the idol of his people). I was given a seat on the platform among the guests of honor and had a splendid opportunity of hearing all that was said and done. Mr. Hoover was speaking when our party came into the hall and it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. He told some wonderful things regarding the work of his organization among the people of Poland and 33 other war torn �countries; part of his speech chiefly in his own lanuage. and so were those that At for recess, nearly luncheon, the Polish but lady left the delegates hall being and spoke went out of the guests At my table were Madam New- of the White Cross, Madam of the Polish Women's Alliance, Chicago), Miss Jean Newman, of Brooklyn; We discussed relief work and Andre- (both Mrs. and other relief workers from Buffalo, whom glad to meet. he followed. everyone man, acting president in It was a very interesting address Polish women of the city. jewski, head was from Hamian I was very all the ladies had something nice to say about what was being done in Niagara. As the ladies were most anxious that I should see the reception to Prince Casimir Lubomirski (The first Polish Ambassador to the United States) and his wife, we did not prolong our luncheon but hastened back to Dom Polski and got there just in time to see the arrival of the distinguished party. It was a very wonderful sight. We Niagara folk were witnesses of the raising of Poland's banner on Nov. 4th, 1917 at this place and of the emotion displayed by the Poles on that occasion but it was nothing compared to what took place on Nov. 10, 1919, in Buffalo. When Prince Lubomirski and his party arrived at Dom Polski, they were greeted by thousand of their country men with wildest enthusiasm, children and older folk sang the national songs of Poland and cheer after cheer rent the air. Pictures were taken outside the hall and then the guests of honor escorted by the dele- gates streamed room. up the stairs and into the large assembly Prince Lubomirski was carried to the shoulders of his people and one the platform on heard everywhere a glad hymn of thanksgiving because here was actual proof that Poland was restored to her place among the nations and that the sacrifices of her people had not been in vain. Had any one wished for a lesson in patriotism he would have found it here. During the reading of a financial report our town's givings in cash were read among others and later on what 34 �had been given aloud. I was $6000 had in the way of clothing, etc.,was also read. interested to learning this report, that over been raised at the Polish Camp in 1918 towards the mlilion dollar find for providing insurance for the Polish soldiers. tion I may say that my own first cash contribu- towards any Polish fund was made to this one in May, 1918, to Father Rydlewski who was in charge of col- lections here. Beckett ather on The Canadian officers at the camp, Messrs. and Henry of the Y. M. C. A. and civilians we all contributed received a very towards this one or two fund and later beautiful certificate as a mem- bership of this "golden deed." I had to stand up before this assemblage of Poles and receive their thanks for my own work and hear an expression of their appreciation of all the people of Niagara had done, on behalf the Polish Army and the poor sufferers in Poland. I was expected to make a speech but had a viol- ent attack of "stage fright" and had to go back to my seat all I could manage to say was "thank you". Dr. Syski, the chairman said afterwards that he thought all newspaper folk were fluent public speakers but now he had found one that wasn't. vention I was only glad that because I had learned that there was great suffer- ing and need of help in Poland grateful and to continue I had gone to the con- and that the Poles are a appreciative people and so my work. As a result I was encouraged of this gathering, the National Polish Relief Committee was organized and I was enrolled as a member of the Women's received a gold membership badge. Section and later As you may all re- member, the winter of 1919-1920 was unusually severe, yet about of every two weeks I sent away at least one package clothing and my brother, Mr. Arthur Masters, made. many trips through the ice across the river to get the things safely away. One very wonderful gift from the Polish Re- lief, of which special mention must be made was that given. by the Women's ther on. Every Institute, of which details are given one, with few exceptions, wanted fur- to do something for a less fortunate people and so the work went 35 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY �on. The Girl's Service Battalion gave me the balance of their funds early in the spring of 1920 and to this was added $9.00 given by other friends, making this remittance $65.00. Early in June when the Polish women began funds for Child Relief work in Poland, I had a drive sufficent for funds. in hand to send in a contribution of $25.00. In held the autumn a Scotch Polish 1920, the Niagara Bowling Club Doubles Bowling Tournament Relief and besides $26.00 which friends. of I sent in having a lot in of aid of sport together with $4.00 given In all, the cash contributions amounted raised by other to $600.20. the most of which was sent to Relief Headquarters. sums were at times sent to Father Rydlewski the Small and others serving in the Polish Army in France and Poland, together with packages of field comforts. During the early spring of 1920 some of the ladies of the Virgil lish Relief Women's Institute became interested work and sent in several small in cash my contribu- tions also a number of packages of splendid clothing. told me of the work they had been doing in Po- their They branch for the Red Cross, for Belgium and other relief work during the war and that they were continually working for the Children's Shelter at St. Catharines or they would do more for the Poles. I was sure they were willing to do what they could and was grateful indeed for the kind assistance given. Again and in May, 1920, did the hold a service of requiem Polish people come here and rememberance over the last resting place of the Polish Soldiers and the visitors were greatly pleased because some of our young ladies had de- corated the graves and the little plot with beautiful flowers for the occasion. Grateful appreciation of Niagara's great work for the Poles was once more expressed by representative speakers. On June 23rd the Cousul General, of Poland, Mr. Josef Okolowicz came to Niagara and called to express the thanks of the Government of Poland on me for my relief work and to ask me to convey to the people of my town the gratitude and appreciation of that Government for 36 �the generous help given in time of need. eral were Council their members of Canada request I of the most With Consul-Gen- Consular staff and of the of whom accompanied them I had to the met Polish before. By burial plot little and placed a wreath of beautiful flowers on the cross, afterwards taking part in a brief memorial service, conducted by Father Ostaszewski, of St. Catharines, (since deceased) and Rev. Dr. Tarasink, of picture, where then I made a Hamilton. We posed for a group motor trip around the camp ground was able to point out places of special interest to the party. Soon after this I met a lady from Toronto, who became greatly interested in my work and made a large contribu- tion of children's sweaters, wool, etc. and also gave me some cash with which to meet shipping expenses. At this time I was paying shipping charges myself so the help was very welcome. of the 60 The following are the totals of the contents relief packages that were sent forward between April, 1919 and December 31st, 1920, when my work ended. Men's Garments-29 suits underwear, 32 combination suits, 32 pairs shoes, 15 pairs slippers, 20 sweater coats, 20 pairs trousers, 37 pairs overshoes, gloves, pairs vests, 8 suits, 310 pairs socks, 3 10 mufflers, 10 pairs suspenders, 20 pairs 11 pairs mitts, 10 pairs wristlets, 37 overcoats, 22 collars, 15 ties, 17 caps, 21 packages shoelaces, 25 cakes shaving soap, 29 coats, 3 razors, 4 strops, 17 pairs pajamas. Women's print sets skirts, furs, gloves, 5 Garments, 29 etc.-11 cloth suits, long coats, 43 short coats, muffs, 2 fur coats, 6 hats, 21 19 aprons, 68 pairs stockings 142 skirts, 45 10 sweaters, 4 Tams, 18 pairs ,54 pairs shoes, 14 shawls, 10 scarves, 85 waists, 57 dresses, 17 kimonas, 20 pairs slippers, 19 wrappers, 23 capes, 10 flannel petticoats, 5 pairs rubbers, 325 pieces of underwear, 48 cotton and flannelette petticoats, 78 blouses,, 2 feather boas, as well as pins, belts, handerchiefs, safety pins, soap, etc. Baby's clothing- 826 pieces, some of which was fin37 �est flannel or lawn and all was whole, warm and service- able. Girl's wear 78 dresses, 51 petticoats, 17 Tams, 42 blouses, 39 coats, 48 pairs of shoes, 15 pairs slippers, 5 pairs sandals, 7 pairs rubbers, 72 pairs stockings, 21 pairs gloves, 7 pairs mitts, 22 suits, 39 middies, 9 11 scarves, 35 sweaters, 2 hats, 91 dresses, as well as fur sets, hoods, 10 sets of underwear, 23 night ties, handkerchiefs and other necessary clothing. Boy's trousers, socks, wear-38 17 pairs suits, 15 shoes, 31 10 pairs gloves, 3 pairs rubbers, 41 coats, pairs 18 pairs 19 overcoats, stocking, mittens, 5 37 pairs pairs short 14 pairs shirts, 46 blouses, 29 toboggan wristlets, caps, 49 suits underwear, shoe laces, belts, etc. Bed Clothing, Hospital, Supplies, etc.-17 pairs sheets, 23 pairs pillow slips, 69 towels, 27 wash rags, 5 quilts, 4 baby blankets, and 5 squares, 2 rubber sheets, 28 tins condensed coffee, 27 tins condensed soap, 40 packages milk, and cigarettes and 17 of cocoa, 826 cakes. 10 of tobacco, hospital gauzes, absorbent cotton, antiseptic socks boracic and hospital acid, jackets, Copenhagen talcum snuff, and rolls and many other supplies for hospital use. yards dressings, powder listerine, 26 of bed vaseline, old linen Special mention must be made, in this connection of the splendid gift of the emergency bag belonging to the Women's Institute who, having no further use for it, gave it to me to send to some hospital in Poland. lovely baby To clothing by the bag was added several of the a quantity individual of members. This splendid package was sent away on Feb. 3rd, 1919 to the Polish Women's Relief Society in Buffalo with a request that it be sent as soon as possible to some hospital in Poland where such articles were most urgently needed. In acknowledging the receipt of this and two other packages shipped at the same time, the secretary of the Society "your splendid consignment of relief packages arived said safe- ly just in time to be included in a shipment we were making up for Poland in New York. The relief ship 38. is now in port �and will sail on Tuesday next for Gdausk (Dantzig) with packages of clothing and other supplies as well as quantities of drugs, lief head tributed. food stuffs, quarters at The machinery, etc., all Warsaw from request made by plied with, we will arrange that. destined for re- whence all relief is dis- your ladies will be com- Please thank the ladies of the Women's Institute and our many other kind and gener- ous friends in your town for this fresh proof of their sym- pathy for a stricken people. "Bog Zaplac", the Polish expression of gratitude meaning "May God reward you for your kindness". Among other gifts that deserve special mention are the many pairs of children's new shoes given by E. P. Healey, the soap and cases of condensed coffee and Copenhagen stuff given by A. J. Coyne, the many suits of men's combinations, children's underwear, men's gloves, hospital gauze, wool, packing paper, etc., (as well as money), given by Thos. Mulholland, the many pairs of warm socks (28 in all), knitted by Miss Carnochan, the children's lovely warm sweaters knitted by Mrs. McPhedran, of Toronto, the sweat- er, socks and bed socks knitted by Miss Alma, Mrs. Man- ning and other ladies, and the assistance given in many ways, while the Polish Relief Work was in progress, by Mrs. William Ryan, Mrs. Charles Brown and Mr. Arthur Masters must not be overlooked because it was always given cheerfully and willingly and was most helpful. The members of the Women's Institute also deserve special thanks because they did so much towards making this work successful. Some idea of the extent of the work done to help the distress in Poland may be gathered from these figures. The whole may be summed up thus: Clothing for men and boys consisting of underwear, coats, trousers, suits, sweaters, shoes, gloves, waists, caps, collars, socks, etc.-1034 articles. Of clothing for women and girls, suits, skirts, coats, sweaters, shawls, kimonas, scarves, capes, hats, gloves, shoes, furs, stockings, etc.-1082 articles; baby clothing-826 articles; bedding, quilts, sheets, pillow slips, towels, 144; soap, 876 cakes; boxes of cigarettes and tobacco, 50; and innumerable other articles as muffs, wristlets, toilet articles, handkerchiefs, hospital requirements, too numerous to mention, making 4682 without the latter not mentioned or numbered.-Editor. The last phase of the Polish Relief work the "Soap 39 �Shower", was like all previous effects attended with great success and the result exceeded all expectations. Over 500 cakes of soap were contributed, all of excellent quality. One box containing 70 cakes went to the Polish Government Relief Bureau in New York remainder was sent to but for Buffalo. ecomomical Three motives boxes, the containing 70, 65, and 75 cakes were sent out in three days while the remainder sent away. this fresh was packed in with bales of clothing and thus The Polish people of Buffalo were surprised at gift for their suffering countrymen and in the leading Polish papers of that city there were lengthy articles telling all about it, while one of the largest Polish papers in Chicago had an article entitled "Our Friends in Canada" re- ferring to the generosity of Niagara people to the Poles and to the "diligent efforts of Mrs. Ascher on Kelief and the Polish cause". behalf of Polish This article was translated and sent to me and was reprinted a few days later in the Stan- dard in order that everyone might learn of the grateful appreciation of the Polish people for what was being done here. I may say here that at the time this relief work was com- menced or at any other time during its progress had I any thought of deriving any personal credit for its success; nevertheless it was very pleasant to know that my efforts are appreciated but still more so to realize that it has really been of use. It has not always been easy to find time to carry on the work but somehow I managed it and at the same time kept up with my many other duties. Someone has said that he could not understand why Niagara folk have such sympathy for the Poles. I think this query can be answered by an extract from a letter written by Colonel A. D. LePan, (formerly commander of the Po- lish Army Camp), in which he says, "All of us who form- ed Polish Associations during the period of that unique camp developed the greatest admiration of those people. I am quite sure none of us will ever forget the debt we owe your splendid old town and its citizens on the part it was able to play in this unique undertaking. The Poles are people of different nationality but of the same ideals as our40 �selves". Had we not had the sons of Poland set down in our midst to be trained to stand beside Allied soldiers on the battlefield of France and learned something of their patriotism and true indifferent worth, ear to perhaps we too would have turned an the tales of suffering that came later to us from their native, desolated land. "Lived to see But we had. thee, sword in hand. Uprise again, immortal Polish land. Whose flag brings more than chivalry to mind. Majestic men, whose deeds have dazzled faith, Ah yet your fate's suspense arrests our breath." And the perhaps Polish Army because of the in our fact that the presence of midst has linked us and our town with the future history of emancipated Poland we have and will always have, a greater sympathy with her people; and so we have given again and yet again in order that those who suffered with us and for us in the closing days of the bitter war, may to help tunes be clothed and fed and put in better condition reconstruct their ruined homes and re-build the for- of a martyred country. It would have stirred your hearts and repaid you for anything you have done, had you heard, as I did, the applanse that went up from hundreds of Poles autumn at the of memorable convention in Buffalo in the 1919 when the name of your town and the list of its gifts to Polish Relief was read out. To hear that our little town occupied such a prominent place in the "Book of Golden writer We Deeds", was have a pleasant been volume compiled by indeed and generous towards I rejoiced these a leading Polish that it was so. unfortunate people but if we have we were only following, I truly believe that Golden Rule which bids us "Do ye unto others, as ye would they should do unto you." Inclosing this little record, this extract from a letter, which came to me a few days ago from the Cousul-General of Poland in Canada, might be interest- ing; he says "I have just returned from a trip to various Polish centres in this country and the United States and find that the name of your town, (Niagara-on-the-Lake) is known 41 �and loved because of its association with our army and also because of the beneficence of your people to ours, while your own name and work in the cause of Polish Relief and in the defence of our country is equally well known and esteemed wherever there are Poles, the name of Niagara and the fame of its generous people are known and ever be indissolubly linked with my your town native will land". prominent Poles have expressed similar grateful for- Other apprecia- tion which is some reward for the time and energy spent in this relief work, a work that could not have been carried on so long and so successfully had it not been for the generous kindness, the wonderfully sympathetic hearts of our people. Our help has been an inspiration to Polish Relief workers every where and has often spurred them to a greater effort. Poland lives again after more than a century of suffering and oppression but needs the help of her friends for a little time during reconstruction days. It has been a great privilege to us that we have been able to give our help at a time when it was most urgently needed. One or two interesting items will show how the folk and Niagara are linked together. most the The first first contingent of Polish troops Polish is that al- from Niagara camp crossed the Atlantic to France on the steamship Niagara, this ship being used extensively as a transport in closing of the war; second that a part of the relief supplies sent from Niagara were taken across the ocean on this same steamer; third, that in Plowaret, Potigny, Constance, Lille le Guilliaume and the other places in France where Polish troops were encamped, each camp had an avenue named agara-on-the-Lake; fourth, on high days and after Ni- holidays Po- lish soldiers who met together for a social time never separated without first drinking a toast to "Niagara and our good friends in Canada", whether the meeting and celebration was in France or Poland. "Niagara's name shines like a ray of golden sunlight across the fair pages of the history of re-born Poland", said a Polish speaker at a great gathering not long ago, "because 42 �itwas there, on the ancient and historic camp ground, our army was trained heaven's breezes; and our flag was while once more flung to the names of her golden hearted generous people, those who have done so much to relieve the distress of the martyred people of our native land, will live in our hearts forever, may God reward them for their kindness". And so this relief work has been of some use and has been, you will all concede, well worth while. Article from the Polish Daily Telegram of Buffalo, of Oct. 28th, 1922 (TRANSLATED) At Niagara-on-the-Lake to-day, Oct. 27th, 1922, was closed one of what may be the last chapters of the short, im- portant and beautiful episodal history of the Polish Army. When the Republic of Poland gave public thanks to one who has so Army and willingly worked on behalf of the State and of its and who, sincere though Polish foreign woman for born, worked like a the restoration of true Poland. The evidence of sincere friendship and sympathy shown the Polish folk on that day will live long in our memories; as long as will stand the massive cross of granite, with its inscription "Died for Poland," in the small cemetery plot set apart for the last rest of our Polish Soldiers. It happened to-day that the ceremonies were begun by paying homage to the dead heroes when Consul-General, Straszewski, togeth- er with many Poles from Buffalo and other places, placed a large and beautiful wreath on the cross and joined in praying for the repose of their souls May they rest in peace, secure us the knowledge that so long as the beautiful Niagara flows, a grateful Poland will not forget them. From the cemetery the party went over to St. Mar's hall where the ladies of the Newark Chapter, I. O. D. E., had called a meeting for the occasion and who, after greet43 �ing all the Polish guests with cordial welcome, front seats beside Mrs. Ascher, fellow whose friends filled the building to capacity. gave them members and After the singing of the Canadian and Polish National hymns. The meeting was opened by Mrs.W.E. Hunter Vice-Regent of the Chapter after which the Consul-General, of Poland, Dr. Michal Straszew- ski, came forward, made an address in which he referred to Mrs. Ascher's which great service he pinned on her breast to the Polish cause during the beautiful cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in the name of the Government of Poland and congratulated her first on her investiture. Mrs. Ascher was warmly applauded, the Poles sitting near her voicing their hearty congratulations to this big hearted Canadian woman on her well-deserved honor. Mrs. Dr. Borowiak, in the name of the Relief Auxiliary of Buffalo, presented pen and sheaf of beautiful a roses together felicitations while the Rev. C. Krzyzan, in Polish Women's golden with the fountain their best name of the Polish Citizens Committee presented a large box of roses and ferns and said he hoped that long after the flowers had faded, the fragrance of the memory of this very happy occasion would remain with her and with all present. Little Miss Betty Hunter then came forward with a bouquet of creamy white Mums. from the Newark Chapter and other friends presented flowers and gifts and living congratulations. Secretary Kaleuski of the Polish Consulate, read a telegram of congratulations from czak the welcoming Mrs. Ascher into Dr. Order of Z. Buffalo E. Fron- while Mrs. Hunter read letters of regret from Major C. R. Young and others (who were unable to be present), all saying "Nobody among Canadians served better or more willingly on be- half of the Polish cause than Mrs. Ascher or more greatly deserves reward." Captain Charles K. Masters, of St. Mary's thanked the Polish Government and its representatives on behalf of his sister for the decoration and for the honor shown by the Poles in their presence in such num44 �bers on this occasion while speeches of congratulation were made by ex-mayor Jas. Macphee, Rev. Canon Garrett, Miss Janet Carnochan. (Mrs. Ascher's old school teacher and friend), all saying that the Polish Boys were liked and admired for their sturdy patriotism by all Niagara and that it was only a pleasure to help them. Other speakers includ- ed Rev. A. J. O'Brien, now pastor of St. Vincent de Paul's church but formerly in charge of the parish of St. Stanislaus Polish Church in Toronto, Rev. Cesary Krzyzan, of Buffalo: Major Henry zutci, who Burgoyne, of St. Catharines and Lieut. Ryco- with convey the Army. The cerity "We three other young officers were sent congratulations of the veterans of the Polish speeches were marked with great sin- Poles were greatly pleased with the landatory remarks of the Canadians about our Polish soldiers," were true to gentlemen, patriots all"said "They ex-mayor Macphee and the hearty applanse that followed proved that all agreed with him. There was a brief program and later all were hospitably entertained at tea by the ladies of the Chapter who are very pleasant hostesses, Mrs. Ascher, the decorated lady, received and was congratulated again and again, Canadians rivalling Polish friends in showering congratulations on her well deserved honor. to Buffalo about 5.30 The Polish folk left on their return p. m. only leaving early because of other engagements but taking with them the most pleasant memories of our good and noble Canadian friesds. We hope that to-day's happy incidents will strengthen our friendship. We hope that Mrs. Ascher and the good citizens of Niagara, who helped Poland when she was in need, will also remember her in her better days and that the traditions of this friendship will out live us. The Poles on this happy and unique occasion were represented by many officials and private citizens. were Consul-General Manduk, of Buffalo Straszewski, and from Montreal; Present Consul Mrs. Manduk; Mr. Edmund Kal- ewskis, secretary of the Consulate at Buffalo; Mr. and Mrs. Borowiak, Mrs. F. E. Fronczak, Mrs. Hodkiewicz, Mrs. Andrejewski, Mrs. Schunike and Mrs. Noryskiewrcz, repre45 �senting the Polish Women's Relief Auxiliary; Mr. and Mrs. Tallyn and son, Mr. and Mrs. M. Hamian, Mr. Jelmski, Mr. and Mrs. K. Urban, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Andrejewski, Rev. C. Krzyzan, Mr. and Mrs. C. Zawadsky, representing the Po- lish Citizens' Committee, Chicago, the Polish Catholic Union was represented by Mr. and Mrs. Andreas Kazunerski, The Polish White Cross by Father Glapurski and Mr. Bezerski; The Buffalo Chapter of the Polish Veterans Union was represented by Lieuts. Zawadzski and Reszutci and the Vet- erans Association by Lieut. Krob and Sergt. Czechowski the one from Cleveland, the other from Detroit. No Polish or- ganization in America failed to send a delegate to do honor to Mrs. Ascher. We went home with the best impressions of the hospitality of our Canadian friends in our minds and hearts and were glad, that we were able to have the privilege of witnessing the occasion when and appreciation to Mrs. Poland paid her debt of thanks Ascher tending over many years. for her noble work ex- Our thanks to her and to our Ni- agara friends for the help they have given us in our time of need. "Long live Canada and her people". M. Hamian .Editor. Y. M. C. A. A word should be given in connection with the assist- ance given by the Y. M. C. A. When the Poles arrived they found already on the ground a large tent with the usual equipmnet in charge Mercer and L. J. Henry. hall and reading room. of Mr. Ross L. Beckett, J. M. In the town was a large recreation In three centres were moving pict- ure machines, also a branch post office and a room for bank- ing business. Sunday, The recreation halls were used as chapels on the sacred vessels being loaned Sweeny, of St. Vincent de Paul's Church. 46 by Rev. Father All arrangements �are made in the buildings and grounds for amusements, for entertainments. The signs in the buildings are all in Polish The chaplains worked in harmony with the Y. M. C. A. and on arrival advised the recruits to place their money in their hands and $240,000 was in the hands of the Y. M. C. A., in sums large and small till the banking system was introduc- ed. Athletic exercises were encouraged, all kinds of games, concerts were given town. choirs and ladies of the The library consisted mostly of the Polish language and many books were sent with them when leaving. quent visits and by visiting Fre- were paid to the hospital to cheer the inmates write letters for them. The help given to the Polish Camp by the Y. M. C. A. has been of incalculable value. EDITOR 47 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY �Polish Army Camp (BY COL. A. D. LEPAN) Col. A. D. LePan has very kindly sent us his official report to the Chief of the Staff at Ottawa, which is herewith published with the permission of National Defence Headquarters This will be a very valuable addition to what precedes it and will give a complete record of a most remarkable event in the history of Niagara. My prosaic account, "The Real Polish Touch" of Major Young, given with poetic vigor, the humanitarian paper of Mrs. E. C .Ascher, and now the official account giving much heretofore unknown to the general public. Col A. D. LePan and Major Young have both received the decoration of the Cross of Commander of "Polonia Restitutia" from the Polish Government. Polish Army Camp Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., March 26th. From The Commandant, Polish Army Camp (Confidential) To: The Chief of the General Staff Militia and Defence Ottawa, Ont. Sir, On the closing of the Polish Army Camp at Niagara-onthe-Lake, Ont. I have the honour to submit the following re- port- On authority under Militia telegram 2424 confidental of date Sept. 22nd, 1917 the staff of the School of Infantry M. D. No. 2 with the Polish Probationers then in traniing at Camp 48 �Bordon moved camp there. to Niagara-on-the-Lake to establish a Polish We arrived there early on the morning of Sept. 28th. The association of this staff with the Polish cause dates back to January 3rd, 1917 when 23 Polish men were sent to the School of Infantry M. D. No. 2 in Toronto to be quali- fied as officers. Classes grew in size till in the summer of 1917 at Camp Borden we had 150 Polish Probationers. As practically no winter accommodation Accommodation was available at Niagara Camp, it was nec- Billets essary almost immediately on arrival that this matter should be given attention. October 25th, 1917 work was started on four On huts, Major Barry taking charge of this work and the labour being entirely supplied by men of the Polish Army. These were com- pleted man about December from canvas to billet. 1st when the last was moved These huts holding a total of 1,200 did not provide sufficient accommodation and about Dec. 1st 1917, 15 other billets in town in the form of disused hotels, unoccupied residences, old canning factories. Town Hall, etc., were occupied by Polish troops. These were obtained free of town. all cost from citizens of the camp strength all ranks was 3,078. On this ministrative addition to our These billets in town were repaired and made fit for winter occupation. commodation date This ac- while not ideal either from a physical or adstandpoint at least enabled us to carry on. this work water mains had to be lowered In and sewers constructed. The Numbers Total total number of Polish troops received in this camp and their disposition was as under- number of recruits received.. Sent on draft to France.. 22395 ..20720 (a) Discharged (Physically Unfit). 1004 (Compassionate Grounds)... 129 (Subject to U.S. SS. Law) 193 5 (Undesirable).... (Other causes)..... 91 ... 49 �41 (c) Died. (b) Deserters 212 22395 22395 Total Of this total about 221 or slightly less than listments. from United States. Canada, the balance The majority ality as "Russian all coming of the men Poles who formed 1% were en- gave from their approximately the nation- 62% of the total enlistments, with Austrian Poles approximately 31.5 per cent. German Poles approximately 3% and miscellaneous 3.5%. Our maxium camp strength occurred on November 21st 1917 when we had 4,279 men. With the exception of 1,573 Polish troops all ranks who sailed from Halifax, all Polish troops embarked at New York for shipment to France. With the instructions for Organization the opening of this camp no information could be obtained as to numbers or possible duration, so that our ganization had to be developed as new conditions arose. or- Our early organization consisted of a Headquarters, with its services and departments and three depot battalions. These battalions were divided into companies of 150 to 200 men, the number of companies varying constantly with the number of men in camp. John's The 1st Depot Battalion was moved to St. Quebec late in November of that depot on February 20th, 1917 and with the closing 1918 this unit was disband- ed and only the 2nd and 3rd Depot Battalions were maintain- ed during the balance of the camp. We also organized and maintained the School of Infantry Polish Army, where Polish officers were trained before being commissioned all and proceeding overseas. The staff of these battalions consisted of officers a Canadian sub-staff varying from four two to Canadian four, and acting Polish officers according to strength. The staff of the School of Infantry, Polish Army consisted of a Canadian O. C., an 50 acting Polish Officer as �Adjutant and one or two Canadian sub-staff instructors with lectures and special work given by the staff of the School of Infantry, M. D. No. 2 attached Polish Army. The Canadian officer Staff on November 25th, 1917 after organization had been completed was as follows:- Staff Officers Headquarters Officers DUTY UNIT NAME RANK Lt-Col LePan, A. D. COTC I. C. M. D No 2. Camp Commandant Major Young, C. R. COTC Camp Adjutant Capt. Harris, J. 109th Regt. Asst. Camp Adjutant Capt. Parr, C. H. 36th Regt. Camp Quartermaster Lieut. Richards, J. C. O. C. Ordnance Officer Lieut. Ross, E. H. C. A. S. C. A. D. of S& T. Lieut. Kerr, H. M C. A. S. C. Transport officer Capt. Smuck, J. W. C. A. M. C. Camp Medical officer Lieut. Graydon, W. L. C. A. M. C. Asst. Medical officer Capt. Fowler, C. H. C. A. D. C. Camp Dental officer Capt. Stethem, H. R. C. D. Capt. Hamilton, W. G. 109th Regt. D. A. P. M. Camp Paymaster First Depot Battalion, Polish Army COTC I. C. M. D. No. 2 Cammanding officer Major Madill, H. H. Capt. Smith, A. G. (MC) 37th Regt. Adjutant Capt. Wright, E. B. 109th Regt. Quartermaster Lieut. Johnson, B. K. Cob. H. Batty Asst. Adjutant Second Depot Battalion, Polish Army Major Kirk, W. F. C. S. C. I. Cammanding officer Capt. Pembroke, H. E. 31st Regt. Adjutant Lieut. Dickie, E. 48th Regt. Asst. Adjutant Capt. Ferguson, R. J. 13th Regt. Quartermaster Third Depot Battalion, Polish Army Major Kenrick, F. B. C. O. T. C. Commanding officer Capt. Nash, C. R. C. A. S. C. Adjutant Lieut. Brown, N. H. C. 48th Regt. Asst. Adutant Capt. Marriott, W. G. 91st Regt. Quartermaster Probationers' Detail or School of Infantry, Polish Army Capt. Lewis, J. L. 9th M. H. Cammanding officer 51 REFERENCE: LOCAL HISTORY WEL PUBLIC LIBRARYCTION �If this camp has had any success it is due in large measure to the excellence of the Canadian officers, N. men. All ranks Canadian have at all times C. shown Os an ency and devotion to duty that has overcome many situation. lege and good fortune success interests effici- difficult The Canadian officers whom it has been my privito have on the staff of this have by their tact and good judgment and devotion made a and of involved what and was, the on account difficulty and races, a difficult problem. of of the camp, to duty number different of languages They are all worthy of special mention and I hope it is appreciated the part they have contributed in enabling the Canadian Government to discharge creditably its obligations to a foreign power. During the early part of the camp and until the Training middle of the summer of 1918 all instruction was given in British drill with English and Polish com- mands, and all Polish officers qualified at the School of Infantry, Polish Army, took the regular course as in Canadian regulations. laid down At this time a change was made and instruction in French Drill started at the School of Infantry and men in the units. As practically none of the speak French, this was given in English and Polish. The bulk of the training was carried out by acting Polish officers and N. C. Os. under the supervision of Canadian officers and was rather restricted Squad and Section Drill with ion Drill for the practical to physical enough training Company movement of the and and Battal- battalions and drafts. N. depot C. O. classes units and were passed a continually unit kept examination going both in the oral and practical and assisted very materially in the training. No Musketry instruction was given except to the Pro- bationers at the School of Infantry, and no Rifle Drill to any except the School of Infantry and the necessary camp guards. Training was of necessity limited on account short period a great many of the men were in camp. 52 of the �Three bands (two brass and one bugle) were trained in the camp and proceeded overseas as units. School. of Just prior to our movement to Niagara the Pro- Infantry bationers at the School of Infantry, M. D. No. 2 had been almost entirely Polish, so that this unit with the changed staff already noted was converted into the School of Infantry, Polish Army. lent work and in all in It did I think very excel- both schools 295 Probationers were. qualified. It filled a very necessary place in our organization, because the Canadian Staff was far too small to actually do all training and the acting Polish officers from this school deserve great credit for the progress in training made by the men during their stay here. Occasional lectures were given in the school by French and Polish officers at various times attached to the camp. Examinations were held in both Eng- lish and Polish depending on the probationer. All appointments in the Polish Army here Appointments were made in every case in French Orders Polish Army almost always after qualification and recommendation here. In the latter part of November 1917 with St. Johns, Que. over 4,000 men in camp, and provided with Depot winter accomodation for only 1,200 we were very badly crowded and it was decided to open up a depot at St. Johns, Que. This depot was placed under Major Madill of this staff and a detail from this camp, and in the period from November 1917 when it was opened until February 1918 when it was closed, 2,400 men passed through this depot, all having passed trhough our camp. The accommoda- tion provided here was far from being ideal. Early in December when the camp strength Fort Niagara was over 3,000, additional accomodation had N. Y. Depot to be provided and instructions were received to York. open a depot at Fort Niagara, New Canadian officers did not take charge of this depot, but matters, such as Pay, were attended to by Canadian offic53 �ets visiting this depot. December overseas 13th, from The first troops were sent 1917 and this depot the on last Polish February troops 18th, here on proceeded 1918. During this time 1722 Polish troops were sent to this depot. All from Niagara-on-the-Lake. As a Responsibility to Government Canadian Staff operating on dian soil we were of course to the Canadian and Government. departments were Cana- responsible The services supplied by Can- adian forces on repayment by the French Government. regular Canadian issue was supplied to the men in The nearly every case with the exception of clothing in which the Polish troops were forms. supplied almost entirely Regular debits against materials supplied and with the French old miiltia uni- Government services rendered were for prepared, checked and certified to each month. Fortunately in the handling of this scheme which presented many features entirely different from those in purely Canadian service, we were given a large degree of freedom by District and Militia Headquarters. They fortunately for the scheme and for us, recognized that it presented peculiar and complicated problems that only those who understood Poles and who were in touch with the different volved could handle successfully. The thanks the interests in- of those in- terested in this camp are due District and Militia Headquarters for the sympathetic manner in which our requests were received and for the material and moral support given. Our responsibility to the Polish Military Commission was due to the fact that they were responsible for recruiting the Polish Army in America and all questions of enlistment and discharge were dealt with by them. As the scheme was one of voluntary enlistment, the conditions under which the men lived and their treatment in camp were closely allied to recruiting and our relations with this body were very intimate. We have tried at all times to get the Polish viewpoint and I feel that the smoothness of our relationship in this connection is an indication that in a large measure we were successful. We also had a very distinct responsibility to the French 54 �ยะ COL. A. D. LEPAN, Camp Commandant �Government represented by the French High Commission in Washington and New York. French Army attached to Colonel James Martin of the the French High Commission in Washington was the senior officer with whom we dealt and practically all our correspondence and arrangements were with him. It is only fair to say that we did not always agree. It is perhaps difficult for a foreign officer, not young, from a country where armies are not raised by voluntary enlistment to entirely appreciate the problems of enlistment, of a volunteer army, in a country where men have been used to a very great freedom value; but and after where all, our were always adjusted. money has an differences entirely were different. minor ones and I feel sure that if we did not always agree it was always appreciated that our one endeavor at all times was to further the interests of the Polish Army. Our responsibility to the United States Government con- sisted in the fact that only certain men were eligible Latterly lists of all recruits arriving in camp, giving detailed informaton in regard to them were prepared here and transmitted through the French High Commission to the American authorities. We also came into direct contract with American Army officers during the maintenance of a depot at Fort Niagara, N. Y. and our relationships at all times were the most cordial. Intimate States associations were also Customs and formed with the United Immigation authorities with the most satisfactory results. Immediately on arrival all recruits. examined by officers were Health of the medically of the Can- Troops adian Medical staff along lines laid down by the French Medical services. If a man was found to be physically unfit he was immediately discharged and provided with transportation back to his place of enlistment. Men found to be suffering from venereal disorder on arrival or on subsequent examination were also immediately discharged in the same way. In general the health of the 55 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBR �troops in camp was very good, the men being of a rugged strong type. Like others we suffered from an outbreak of Influenza starting about September 13th and running about six weeks. During this outbreak out of a maximum 2,500 men we had a total of 24 deaths. camp strength of This was a very trying period and was added to by the fact that we were continually receiving recruits from To have recruiting absolutely, stopped infected areas in the United would have very serious blow to the Polish Army in America. States. been a On Jan- uary 2nd, 1919 Captain E. B. Wright, a Canadian officer who had given excellent service here, died with pneumonia com- plicating Influenza. During this period the Medical personnel under Captain J. L. Robinson responded splendidly and it is due to their very excellent work that our death rate was not higher. We had a slight recurrence of this epidemic about middle of February 1919 but with less serious results. the Our total deaths during the period of the camp were 2 Canadians and 41 Polish troops. All deaths in the Polish Army Polish their Military Commission and homes or buried here. were recorded the bodies either The men buried cross. to were all here, each a stone marker and the plot by Arrangements are being made the sent here buried in a plot in the Roman Catholic cemetery grave indicated by with a large for the maintenance of this plot. The men received pay at the rate of .05c per day. Pay Ser- geants received pay at the rate of 20c per day and act- ing officers at the rate of $1.22 per day. In addition each man was entitled to a premium of $150.00 per year of which we paid here $10.00 per month to each officer, N. C. O. and man. The money for these payments came to me direct from Controller Johannet, French High Commission, 65 Broadway, New York City and statements with were rendered to him each month. 56 supporting vouchers �With Discipline the institution of the camp, no one could be quite sure as to the question of discipline and law and order. Fortunately our most happy prediction came true and discipline among the men was splendid. The Canadian staff during this association have developed the greatest admiration for these splendid men and have the highest regard for their patriotism and devotion to their country. The townspeople were much agitated when the establishment of a Polish Camp was announced. With the arrival of the men they were at first skeptical, but they now speak with enthusiasm of these men. Never they say has there been such an orderly camp or a better behaved lot of men. Our association with the townspeople was I Relations think with the Townspeople ory. They were very kind in their treatment of both Canadian and Polish troops. A great deal troops in almost every case entirely satisfact- of the accommodation occupied by the was provided gratis by the townspeople during the first winter and at a nominal rental during the second winter, while free light and water was supplied by the municipality. To show that in some measure at least these kindly feelings were reciprocated by the people of the town, I am appending below an Polish Camp. extract from the "Niagara Advance" on the "THE CLOSING OF THE POLISH CAMP" "It is hard to realize that after nearly eighteen months of military activity, old Niagara and the historic camp ground to the east of us is once more deserted, so far as the military is concerned. When the news reached us early in September 1917, that we were to have a Polish Camp, the prevailing opinion seemed to be that we were in for a pretty rough time and that it would be well to provide accordingly. How agreeably we were disappointed, we now know, and our regret is that the Polish boys could not stay with us 57 �indefinitely. Both from a financial and social point of view, we have benefited greatly but it goes without saying that we regret the departure of our Polish friends, more because they were our friends financial benefit. than because their sojourn here was Never in the history of Niagara as a military have we had a more orderly camp, a more of centre, soldierly lot of boys, or a more congenial and efficient staff than during the Polish occupation of the reservation, and, while we are pleas- ed and thankful that the wind up of the world's greatest war obviates the necessity for the continuance of the camp, our regret at parting is keen, not only because of our long and pleasant association with such a magnificent lot of men, but because they were, first and always, soldiers and above every- thing gentlemen." Almost Y. M. C. A. with Canadian which Y. were the M. institution C. A. gratefully of the offered camp its accepted. the services I cannot speak too highly of the work done by this association. secretaries readily adapted themselves to the ditions of the camp and were of the greatest peculiar Its con- assistance in keeping the men happy and contented. They co-operated with the Canadian Staff to the fullest extent in arranging sports and entertainments. Early in the camp came the American Red Cross re- American Red Cross presented by the Niagara Falls Chapter of Niagara Falls, N. Y. To each soldier leaving this camp they made a presentation of a comfort kit, soap, socks and tobacco. They also established in this camp a Service Station for the use of relatives visiting camp. Facilities. were also offered here, whereby enlisted men through Red Cross channels were able to communicate with relatives in enemy countries. This association also helped materially in supplying assistance during the Influenza epidemic. Too much cannot be said for their very successful and helpful efforts. 58 �On account of Customs and and Immigration material the large traffic both in men across the border we had con- siderable dealings with the Customs and Im- migation officials of both the United States and Canada and I cannot let this opportunity pass without testifying to their sympathtic co-operation and unfailing courtesy. At Attached Officers. different times and for different periods. French officers were stationed in this camp. We found them a delightful lot of men and our association with them was in every case most pleasant. Visitors At different times this camp was honoured by visits from H. R. H. Prince Arthur of Connaught; The Duke of Devonshire, Mr. Ignace Jan Pader- ewski and other prominent visitors. On March 3rd and4th, 1919 the Canadian officers and Tribute their wives were the guests of the National Polish Department in Buffalo, when everything possible was done by these kind people to show their appreciation for our small efforts. The Y. Canteen M. C. A. very generously agreed not to open a Canteen in connection with their activities so that the only Canteen was that operated by the camp authorities for the benefit of the Poles. During the period of our existence the total sales in this canteen amounted to roughly $122,500.00 yielding net profits of approximately $19,250.00 which were expended for the benefits of the men in the Polish Army in camp here. With the discharge of 3 Poles, medically unfit, from Closing hospital on March of camp their homes, 11th, 1919 and their return to no more Polish troops were left in camp, and every effort was made to close the camp with the least possible delay. By this time the Canadian personnel had been very much reduced, and simply enough kept 59 �for the physical closing of the camp and accounting to the French and Canadian Governments. On March 24th our accounting with Ordnance was com- pleted and on March 25th Lieut. Labat of the French High Commission visited the camp, audited the accounts of money. advanced directly from the French High Commission and found them correct. On March 26th, the balance of the staff moved to To- ronto and opened an office at the University of Toronto till a final clearance of Ordnance and Canteen accounts could be obtained. I feel that I cannot close this report without respectfully expressing the debt owing to Major-General W. G. Gwatkin, C. B., C. M. G. for his sympathetic interest and assistance during the whole period of the Polish Army in Canada. With- out his practical sympathy, our existence would have been I am afraid a difficult, if not an impossible one. I have the honor to be, Sir Your obedient servant, A. D. LEPAN, Lieut.-Colonel Commandant, Polish Army Camp. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. 60 �Rev. Robt. Addison, M. A. (BY REV. C. H. E. SMITH) Although the subject of this sketch was the first resident missionary at Niagara he was by no means the first to visit. in these parts. That distinction belongs to the Rev. John Ogilive, Chaplain to the Mohawks, who was with the Eng- lish garrison at Fort Niagara after its capitulation in 1759. In the year 1784 the Rev. John Stuart paid a visit to Ni- agara, then new home continued of the British Crown. westward to the Grand River, the Mohawk Indians, loyal subjects of the Mr. Stuart decided to settle in Kingston, and shortly after Mr. Addison's arrival in Niagara arranged with the society that the spiritual over-sight of the Indians be undertaken by him. Many inhabitants of Niagara had already made representations to Mr. Stuart of their need of a clergyman. He urged them to apply to the Bishop of Nova Scotia who in time wrote to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. This appeal being read at their meeting and Robert Addison, M. A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, having offered himself for the service of the society, the decision to send him was soon reached, particularly since his qualifications and recommendations were of the highest order. Arriving in Quebec late in the year 1791 he was advis- ed not to proceed to Niagara until the following spring as his journey would be by water. 1792 In his reports began the following year he states that as he only arrived the July preceding he could say but 61 �little concerning the place. He is the only clergyman of any denomination and has only preached to a pretty large congregation. They have no church but hope that the Governor (Simcoe) will assist in the building one. He has officiated in various parts of the settlement near 30 miles apart, but has been prevented by sickness from baptizing and preaching at much greater distance to which he was invited." In his semi- annual reports he always includes notibia parochialis-bap- tisms, marriages and burials. This was a great change from bridge, where he had been a tutor. Trinity College, Cam- In return for all that he had given up he received a salary of fifty pounds a year. Dr. John Stuart, now the Bishop's Commissary Canada, advises the to make stances Mr. will Society Addison's admit, that situation that Col. the as Butler people for Upper were comfortable assured disposed as him circum- that 200 pounds currency would be annually paid him by the Parishioners that the actual members of the Church of England in that quarter are not very numerous, but that a man of Mr. Addison's character and talents will doubtlessly greatly increase their number. The latter statement proved to be true, but the money part of the prognostication failed of fulfilment the governor "seems determined to put land on as respectable a footing as even though the Church of possible-from Eng- whose countenance much may be expected. In 1793 the Society is requested to grant an increase in Mr. Addison's allowance "for the keeping of a horse to visit the Indians and the distant parts of the neighbourhood" But the Society could not comply with the request and gave him a gratuity only-"on account of his extraordinary services." Thanks to the intervention of Dr. Stuart, Chief Joseph Brant, and Dr. Mountain, first Bishop of Quebec, 20 pounds were added to his annual allowance for visiting the Mohawks. This must have been welcome as he had already written "Everything is very dear in the settlement, but by great frugality, and some little private possession, I am free from 62 �actual want. is kind I am The humble settler who labours on his land to me; sorry to the rich trader endeavours to be polite; but say that their subscription is likely to end in words." As they however continued to promise fair he begged the Society not to remonstrate end of the 7th year with them however, the at present. At the Lieutenant-Governor also withdrawing at the same time. 1799 "he wishes to have the Society's interference to require Mr. Hamilton, Col. Butler, etc., to comply with their engagements to the Bishop of Nova Scotia to pay the missionary 100 pounds, which they have never done. The Hon. Robert Hamilton "promised to apply to Government for some wild land to make up all arrears" The Minister goes on to add that "the farm he has purchased in the Parish Shore) (west of the Four Mile Creek on the Lake is very productive. It appears that upon his leaving Cambridge, Addison engaged in tuition, an employment for which he was more than ordinarily qualified. fortunes withdrew It is only fair to state that domestic mishim from this avocation and induced him to offer himself for Canada, yet it is also true that he embraced the missionary's therein After place. life with enthusiasm, feeling that he "might be as happy as the Archbishop of York." the above remark it (Westmorland) province. is obvious was in to add the northern that his birth- Ecclesiastical Therefore it is not surprising to find him writing that he had hopes of "being the head of a Grammar School at Niagara" and so "he should be unwilling to leave the place." Three or four years prior to this he had thoughts of seeking a transfer to Nova Scotia. The hopes which he had en- tertained of being head of a Grammar School were doomed to disappointment instituted in for the time being, not until 1807 was any the Province. Notwithstanding these disappointments Mr. Addison had had the satisfaction of writing to the Society in 1798 that he was "one of the four clergymen appointed for U. C. under the Constitutional Act with an allowance from Government of 63 �100 pounds per annum. extravagantly dear he And if every article of life were not would think himself well provided for.". When the Government was about to be removed to York because of the cession of Fort Niagara to the United States thereby leaving Niagara rather too close to the guns of a possible enemy, it had been supposed by the Duke of Portland that there would not be anything for Mr. Addison to do here. Yet for many a year following 1796 Niagara was a much more important Town Commercially than York, and a more populous one, apparently. Hearing cholished "that and Chaplains of that clergymen regiments were residing in the to be vicinity of Forts, who could attend the garrison, were to be allowed for it "Addison intimated" that he was residing near Fort George and doing duty there without emolument "He was not ap- pointed chaplain until 1812 at the rate of £25 per annum. In 1813 his pay amounted to £60, his rectorial income being £200. 1798 He mentions that wedding fees were two dollars. He was quite unaccustomed to the idea of the voluntary support of a clergyman by the parishioners yet agreed to pay him to their a certain undertakings made annual him sum and liberty ceives he adds-"A man and consequence in from the not discouraged. breach of contract which he deprecated, not mode of support, since their having proportion It that what the he liked the he lose his thus re- Public." leave of absence to visit England. to the Society the plan. The for The Society was appar- ently more willing than the Bishop who usually of was seems to to Addison made several applications postponement living up voyage was Addison confessing in his journal "to perfect requested never made, hatred of the sea". No mention has hitherto been made that of Mr. Addison upon his arrival. of a Church save The Governor's lady remarked in her diary "There's no Church here, but a room 64 �has been built for a Freemason Lodge and where Divine Service is held. Nothing had service being been done in Governor Simcoe's time, the held after his departure in the Court House. In 1803 they are "talking of building a Church". In is 1804 begun and Church at large a there is a half scale next for that their and ready albeit for In 1805 the Church 1807 he has to report yet finished. that "The They began on too means, but have entered into a fresh hope summer". vances slowly nearly In Niagara is not subscription, of up. subscription list. to complete Later he writes it in the "the course Church ad- the floors are laid and the windows are glazing. But it is not to be wondered at it goes on no faster as almost all the settlers about Ni- agara are Presbyterians". In the same letter request is made for Prayer Books and a Church Bible. In 1808 he reports that nothing has been done to the Church, the expense having disheartened his good hearers but it has gone too far to be negelected and the next effort will finish it". In August 1809 service was performed in it. The pews are described as handsome and as having sold for more than £300. The Church contained a gallery and the congregation "which is large was said to be "well accomodated for Public Worship." Those who could discuss the signs of the times had long predicted a clash between Canada and the United States. Prudence was one motive which actuated the removal of the seat of Government from Niagara to York (Toronto). 1812-Very soon the incumbent had to report that "they were all in bustle and confusion from the declaration of war by the American States". Shortly after he says "That the Baptisms are so few ow- ing to the distress of the times. The enemy, after taking Niagara, sent most of the respectable inhabitants as prisoners of war into the States two or 65 three hundred miles into �the interior. He was put on his parole, and supposed to re- main in his own house. But, when our army advanced to- wards Niagara they formed a line about four miles from the Town, and his house was sometimes the headquarters. Then he performed Divine Service in the separate divisions of the army alternately, and visited the sick, who were very numerous." At first Brant represented that they were more con- tent to have Mr. Addison's "occasional visits, three or four in the year", than to have a Residential Missionary. Dr. Stuart had judged this to have been inspired by the idea that they feared the restraint of the continual residence of clergyman. and regarded the periodic visits of the missionary as a matter of form. In the intervals a schoolmaster looked after them and Brant frequently read the service. Later the chief seems to have changed the report to the Society states that his opinion Brant wants a and resident missionary, and that he is inclined to take a Roman Catholic priest. All this was somewhat discouraging when one bears in mind the earlier cheering reports but with patience and diplomacy the Chief was won to earnest allegiance once more As in 1806 he is reported to be of great assistance in the endeavours "to bring these wandering tribes to any attention to the Christian Doctrine". 1807 And "many of them had given up the pernicious habit of drinking spirtuous liquor." When Mr. Addison informed the society of Brant's death, 1808 he said "he was a man of uncommon intelligence" and that we shall miss him very much in his visits to the Mohawk Church." The following entry is gleaned from the old parish register. Burials, Niagara 1812. October 16th, General Sir Isaac Brock, Colonel John McDonald. They fell together at Queenston and were together in the N. E. Bastion (Fort George). Eighteen months elapse before the next letter. buried "Dur- the last half year, the enemy being in possession of Niagara 66 �he could not perform his duties as usual. The Town and Church are burnt, and the enemy have crossed to the other side of It the is not witnessed. though River. He he harassed possible has till has reason, been he to describe the horrid scenes he has however, to be thankful. For, plundered, made prisoner of war, and was dangerously ill, yet his house. which is about three miles from the town has escaped, and afforded an asylum to several unhappy sufferers who fled from the flames. They hope for happier times, and to see the Church, which was fortunately built of stone, repaired. 1815 He later writes that "The Church is covered and used as a Commissary's store. In this condition it remained for sometime and the services were held in the General Hos- pital. No comments are made upon the engagements in other parts his references being confined to the privations to which his people and himself were subject owing to the exigences of war. He records that "He has witnessed during the last Campaign almost all the sad scenes of Distress which a Country subject to the Ravages of War can suffer. 1816 This year sees him active once more and holding service in various parts. scription the Church has He reports that "by means of subbeen sufficiently repaired for the performance of Divine Service, though it is by no means so comfortable as before its destruction by the Americans. Apparently it could be used only in the summer. 1818 The restoration was not yet complete, some of the correspondence inviting assistance from the Government or the intervention of some influential person, is still preserved. In his letter this year he mentions the Church having been used as "a barracks" during the war. His salary was continued to him during his enforced absence from his mission owing to the war by resolution of the Society. He was also permitted to retain his allowance from Government in "consideration of the dearness and difficulty of the times". 67 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY �More than passing mention should be made of Mr. Addi- sons labours among the Indians, a cause which was very near his heart. The Iroquois tribe of the Mohawks led into Upper Canada by their chief Joseph banks of the Grand River. Brant had settled along the It had been agreed that on consenting to act as their Chaplain they should provide the conveyance from Niagara. Every visit he used to baptize twenty or more and it gratified him exceedingly to see them so attentive and devout. preter. Captain Brant, acted as his inter- "There are about 550 belonging to the Church and they are increasing, as he has some friendly Serious Indians, who under his direction persuade the neighbouring villagers to be baptised and teach them the principles of Christianity as well as they are able". After this Mr. Addison adopted for his interpreter a very extroardinary young man named Norton whom he encouraged in every possible way to translate the Gospels into Mohawk by agreeing to finance the translating and making application for a printing press as N. was accustomed to printing. It does not appear that this translation proceeded farth- er than the gospel of St. Matthew as Norton felt the Indians had retrograded and he himself greatly favoured the establishment of Indian Schools. Mr. Addison's reports after the war however continue to be encouraging. He asks for Mo- hawk Prayer Books. An Norton Indian, Adron and Testament. Hill, proceeded Addison's to visits undertook translate now the work portions become less begun of the by New frequent on account of the excessive heat of summer and the cold of win- ter also his impaired health. 1818 He recommends to the Society that Mr. Leeming missionary at Ancaster be appointed to the oversight of the Indians, as he could visit them much more frequently than could the former owing to the great distance of Niagara from their settlement. Mr. Addison however, promises to visit them as often as his health will permit, whether his allowance is continued or not. 68 �Writing of Mr. Addison much later Bishop Strachan has to say of his Indian work, "He was also Missionary to the Indians on the Grand River; and, although, from the great distance of his residence at Niagara he could visit them but seldom, yet by the blandness of his address and his peculiar facility in communicating the most important truths, he ac- quired over their untutored minds a prevailing influence." In his later sight of a much ment years Mr. Addison had the spiritual over- more restricted area owing to the appoint- of other missionaries. When he first came no one else. was in the field and he reports baptizing at the Ten, Twelve, and Forty-Mile Creeks, at the Head of the Lake Chippawa and Fort Erie besides the Grand River. went the to first York he before they had evidently performed a resident spiritual and at Later he missionary. At ministrations for all in the neighbourhood and welcomed the arrival of a Presbyterian Minister in 1794 as lessening his toil somewhat. For a long period after the war the Church was repaired only sufficiently for use in summer. His reports twice a year transmitted to the Society (sometimes oftener, but during the war less for obvious reascns) are practically the sole source of information about this much respected man. It will be observed that he makes no reference to the hardships and privations suffered by him in the couse of his missionary journeys nor to the disabilities of a life spent in the Canadian wilds. He won the people every- where by the readiness and sympathy with which he entered into their lives. He is said to have had a very fine voice and his style of preaching was winning and affectionate. His sermons though marked by good taste and simplicity were not without that quaintness of expression (as evidenced by many comments in the register) and occasional keenness of remark which tended to impress them more deeply on his hearers. The country owes a great debt of gratitude to such pioneers as this veteran missionary who encouraged them both by precept and example as far as husbandry was concerned, and we may be certain staunchly upheld loyal al69 �legiance to Great Brittain, while proclaiming by his life no less than by his word the citizenship of the heavenly country. It was not until 1821 that he could report that Church would be finished in the course of the spring. the He states that the military chaplain now takes his duty once a month, this enabling him to go out into the neighbouring vil- lages where he meets large congregations. An interesting second incumbent memorandum in the handwriting of is found in the Register, the "On Sunday. Aug. 3rd, 1828 the old Church, repaired after the desolation of the Town and public buildings by 1812-13 was first consecrated and the American Army solemnly dedicated in to the service of Almighty God, and in the Act of Consecration recorded, designated by the name of "St. Mark's Church" the Church yard as then inclosed being consecrated time by the Hon. and Rt. Rev. Charles James at the same. Lord Bishop, of Quebec. Morning prayer said by the Rev. Robert Addison, lesson and Litany by the Rev. Thomas Creen, Assistant Min- ister, the Sermon being preached by the Bishop. cellency Sir Peregrine Maitland, K. C. B. His Ex- (Family and Staff) Lieut.-Governor of Upper Canada being present." 1826 Mr. Addison suffered a long and severe illness during which he sometimes conducted service in his own house. Later he reports as having performed the duty in the Church for some months past. If Mr. Creen, the District School Master, could be ordained to officate at Queenston, and be his Assistant the appointment would be very acceptable to him, (Mr. Addison). The recommendation was promptly. carried out, for in 1828 he speaks in high terms of his Assist- ant, then computes that the Town of Niagara contains up- wards of 1100 souls (very nearly its present population), and the rest of the Township about 3000. The volume of the Society's proceedings for 1830 contains a letter from the Bishop of Quebec, Dec. 10, 1829. He begs now to communicate through the Society the loss sustained by them in one of their missions by the death of the Rev. R. Addison in October, 1829 whose Age was greater 70 �and the period of whose labour in the Service of the Society was longer than of his decease. that of any other clergyman at the time He had administered to the Congregation of Niagara nearly 40 years, and died in his 75th year, beloved and regretted by all. It may be well, since we know so little of the personality of Mr. Addison, to quote a few lines from a sermon preached by him shortly after the war of 1812-14 showing his sympathy with those who were suffering. The among text is "Above yourselves" for a widow and family was bravely unhappily and all it things is evidently her children. stood forward taken have an frevent charity appeal for help He says, "The head of the in defence of his country but prisoner and proved his loyalty by contriving and procuring at the peril of his life the means of escape for two useful and respectable militia one of whom is dead, the other lives in this place. self did not escape. officers, He him- Remember the Text "Use hospitality one to another without grudging". The heart I would wish cheer- ed by your present bounty is that of a widow and a helpless, young, and numerous after his arrival, she family. still had She lost her husband soon a son, he also fell. I wish to show how far your contributions this day may rescue an afflicted family from present and future poverty. Let us be this day at least to those poor helpless infants a kind indulgent father. Let the widow's grief, if possible, be soothed through your protection. bounty no more heard." Let their cry for bread be by your This sermon was printed in pamphlet number 5. J. C., Editor 71 �A Loyal Sermon (BY REV. JOHN BURNS.) one The Tev. John Burns was one of the first teachers of the Grammer Schol and also of the first ministers of St Andrew's Church 1805-18 8. He also peiched in the Presbyterian Church, Stamford hrtly before the battle of Lundy's Lare he incited his people many of whom no doubt t ok part in the h t le to loyalty in the words of Nehemiah Be not afraid of them. remember the Lord who is great and terrible and fight for your brethern your sons an I your da ghters, your wives and your homes-Editor." Preached in Stamford, June 3rd, 1814 P.inted by the Lundy's Lane His' orical Society and allowed by them to be reprinted by us "My son, fear thou the Lord and the King; and meddle not with them that are given to change".-Proverbs xxiv, 21. When to prevail a daring spirit of anarchy, and confusion through the world, it becomes the duty seems of every man, whose situation in life gives him the opportunity, to inculate ed in the lessons of obedience and subordination, contain- the words of the text; and to endeavor to extinguish that torch of sedition, which in the hands of a few misguided zealots is ready to scatter fire and devastation through the land. I need not tell you that the book of Proverbs, from which these words were taken, was penned by of wisdom which deserving of our descendeth highest from tains, would sufficiently above; attention.. ignorant of this circumstance, that excellent and And therefore indeed the various recommend is were precepts themselves spirit to it we con- our es- teem; by their intrinsic worth and importance, being grounded on unquestionable language; tained. and by We are truth, expressed in very their sententious brevity, not, however, vainly to intelligible easy imagine, to be re- that all the precepts there delivered are to be understood in a rigorous strictness of speech, or in the utmost severity of construc- tion. We are rather to interpret them according to that equit- able consideration of circumstances and times, which every 72 �general proposition requires; which though generally true and fitting, will always admit of some exceptions. Thus for example, when the wise king tells us, "train up a child in the way from he should go, and, when it," we propriety can have no of the precept. he is old, he will doubt But of not depart the general truth and should we from thence con- clude, that no child, who has been well educated, ever deviates from the good way in which he has been trained, we should only expose ourselves perience of all ages. who fall under ruin to a to ridicule, by contradicting the ex- For, though the greater part of those the just punishment of the law, owe their neglected or vicious education: yet there are too many also amongst them, the unhappy offspring of virtuous and honest parents, whom no precepts of wisdom could con- trol, whom no influence of example could sway, whom no restraints of parental authority could guard from destruc- tion; and with the same equitable construction, we are to understand that precept in the text, which forbids us to meddle with them that are given to change. For, though there can be no doubt that a meddling and contentious spirit, which is ever hunting after imaginary grievances and causes of discontent is highly to be condemned and avoided; yet, on the other hand, there are occasions where change becomes necessary, and where society, that also, of and are of given are we fearing the reason, first call principles of nature, and of upon to change; and in to the understand king. ignoble passion that on with them the same qualified sense the Fear inhabits. us to meddle precept is in here itself delivered the the human breast. most If we consider its origin, it is ever the child of guilt and disobedience; for when man came from the hands of his Maker, pure and unspotted, he was fearless, because he was innocent, but no sooner had he lost that innocence, than fear succeeded; "1 heard to his thy offended voice," God, said "and our unhappy was afraid." first parent If, therefore, our fear of the king should originate in conscious guilt, or the dread of impending evil, it would be slavish and abject; and, therefore we can never suppose it to be recommended to us by the pen of inspired wisdom, and, indeed, who would 73 �wish to instil into the breasts of their subjects, such a fear as this? except such monsters in human shape, as a Tiberius or a Caligula, who could willingly long as they were feared. be But content the fear to here be hated, so recommended is a filial sense of love and duty, which will lead us to show our reverence to the king by a strict obedience to his laws and by a just respect to his person and government. In one word, it is what the apostle Peter means, when he commands us "to fear God and honor the king." Having thus cleared the words of the text, from those inconvenient consequences, which would follow from too strict and rigorous an inter- pretation of them; I shall proceed to lay before you: 1st. Why we should fear God; 2nd. The duty of honoring the king; and 3rd. The danger of meddling with such as are given to change. I am then first to inquire why we should tear God? Before, however, I proceed to this part of my subject, it may be in necessary describe branch to remark, religion of it. that it in general The fear of is common scripture by some particular God is often made use to leading of for this purpose, as in that passage, "There shall be no want to them that fear him." It may, therefore, signify those, who have a sincere and unfeigned regard to the commandments of God, and have chosen him as their portion and hope; those who desire and deserve to be distinguished from the profane despiser, the secure formalist, or the disguised hypocrite? Those in a word, who are, and who desire to appear, to us in the strong language of scripture, "upon the Lord's side" in every struggle, and who resolve, with Joshua, that whatever others do for their part they will serve the Lord. But I cannot help thinking, we may words in a closer fearing God also with great safety explain the and stricter sense; and suppose that by is to be understood a due reverence for his in- finite majesty, a humble veneration for his sacred authority. This is a most excellent fence or guard to the conscience in an from evil time, and a noble preservative 74 the spreading �infection and insinuating poison of prevailing or fashionable sins. It is the cast off fear, to usual character treat the of sacred a dissolute age to have things with scorn, and to look upon that holy solicitude to avoid sin, which appears in the carriage and language of a child of God, as a mark of meanness or fears God is weakness of mind well described by in such an the Prophet age, one who Isaiah: "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." It is now my business under this head to mention some of the many reasons why we should be particularly atten- tive to this duty; and let it suffice briefly to touch the four following at present: 1st. It is an excellent guard against the commission of sin, that sin which constitutes our depravity, and which is the fruitful source of all our misery. sight from This appears at first what has been said of its nature. Can the man knowingly and deliberately sin against God, who has a suitable sense of his being, his perfections, his character and his government upon his spirit? No, the very idea of his being under the immediate eye of that God, who is a solem witness to all his transactions; a holy and a just God, to whom he must shortly give an account of all the deeds done in the body, would check his career and deter him from sin. Think you, my brethren, that the debauchee who gives himself up to idleness and profane company. who wastes whole days, and it may be nights, in the tavern, at the gambling table, or in places of a still more infamous character, that he can have the fear of God before his eyes? Verily no, it is because he is destitute of this principle, that the sinner restrains prayer before God; that he dares to take his sacred name in a profane manner in his unhallowed lips; that he dares to get drunk, commit uncleanness, lie, profane steal, or otherwise defraud the Sabbath his neighbor. of The the fear Lord, of the Lord would effectually engage him to forsake these and all other vicious courses. It would strip temptation of its charms and disarm it of its forces. Hence the fear of the Lord, and 75 �departing from evil are used as phrases of the same import. "Behold the fear of the Lord that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding." And we read, "the fear of the Lord is to hate evil," and "by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil." This is the sense is clear, enduring forever. in which the fear of the Lord. It not only deters us from sin and guards us against it, but, as has been already suggested, it excites and stimulates us to study a thorough conformity in heart to the approving will of God. horts us, "to cleanse ouselves from Hence the apostle ex- all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord." 2nd. duty. It greatly assists us in the I mean here the duties the most high God. important. we These, my right performance of owe more immediately to brethren, are numerous and They are secret, private and public. They are to be performed in the closet, the family, and the sanctuary; nor is it possible for us to be the true disciples of the Christ with- out a conscientious attendance upon further please to observe, God justly them. And you will requires they should be performed in a humble and devout, a spiritual and sincere manner. This our Lord teaches us with a spirit, and they that worship Him great must care, "God is worship Him in spirit and in truth." But to all this the fear of the Lord, as already described, greatly contributes. For in proportion as this fear or reverence towards God prevails in us, will the heart be fixed upon Him, the glorious object of our worship in every duty. In proportion hereto we shall be guarded against those vain and wandering thoughts that eat out the very soul of our duties and degrade them into empty form- ality. God requires, with great solemnity, "my son, give me thine heart," a precept that particularly binds us in this case of duty, for our God looketh at the heart principally in all our approaches to Him, and indeed He has a special respect to it in all our conduct. Again, it greatly tends to invigorate the graces of the spirit in the soul, and to call them forth into lively exercise, The more this fear of God governs the man the more active and vigorous will his graces be for the perfections, character and Christ of God that are the source 76 �of the one will promote the other. Our time does not admit of showing you here how this is effected. It must suffice at present to observe that so it is, and you will easily perceive how a spirit of devotion is hereby promoted. er exercise Him in of duty faith, is that hope and in which love the to God spirit For the propand delight consists. But in the more this is in exercise the more easy, delightful and spiritual will our duties be. 3rd. This fear of God excites us to the important duty of watchfulness and greatly assists therein. There is no duty of the christian life more frequently and strongly enjoined say in the sacred "watch and oracles than pray, this. You hear our Lord that ye enter not into temptation." And again "and what I say unto you, I say unto all, watch." To this purpose are the words of the Apostle: Watch stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. ye, Con- tinue in prayers, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" To which accords his exhortation thou in all things." And did our to Timothy: "But watch time admit of considering here the many snares to which God's own people are exposed in this life, snares that arise from the temptation of Satan, the allurements of the world, and the depraved tempers and passions of the human heart, you would easily perceive the utility, importance and necessity of this duty. There are none of all the duties of the christian life that have a more immediate and powerful influence on the peace of our own minds or our conformity to God. It must therefore be a singular favor to be properly excited to it and assisted in the exercise of it. But this is the office of that fear of God which our text enjoins, as appears from what has been said of its nature. For the man who fears God in the manner explained will not only watch against every kind of sin, but also those circumstances of temptations that lead to it. 4th. God recommends this duty to our study and prac- tice by His divine authority. This he does by the high en- comiums He bestows on it, and that with this express view. It is wisdom, it is understanding. Thus in Job: "Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is 77 �understanding." And in Proverbs: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" or as the Hebrew word will well admit of being rendered, it is the principal or grand constituent part of true knowledge. And again, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Lord is understanding." The fear of the Lord is strong confidence and His children shall have a place of refuge. "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to depart from the snares of death." Add to this the duty before us is matter of express command, as in our text, fear God. Secondly, after this necessary fear of God the wise auth- or of my text recommends the duty of fearing or honoring the king. And for the performance of this among the numerous demagogues who are daily starting out of the prolific soil of faction, many and cogent reasons may be assigned. 1st. earth. Kings are God's deputies They derive their power or from vicegerents Him and here on are the in- struments which His providence has made choice of to govern and protect the world in peace and quietness. was not only clearly allowed by Christ and their doctrines, but was also practice and demeanor. fully And this His Apostles in confirmed by their own Thus, when the tribute money was brought to our Saviour, let the rights of Cæsar be what they would, He clearly determines that it unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's. is a duty to render Nor is there a single word in the writings of the Apostles which tends either to the questioning or limitation of the powers in being, for sunk and debased as those powers were, the disciples of God, and therefore, in all things lawful and honest showed a ready and willing obedience to them without pretending to dispute, control or subvert their authority. And in their doctrines, in- stead of investigating the origin of government or defining the prerogative of princes, or stating the pretended unalienable rights of individuals, the novel language of modern days, they exhort men in the strongest terms to obey such as have the rule over them, "to submit 78 to every ordinance of man �for the Lord's authority." such as some sake, to pray for kings and all that are in And both the Apostles Peter and Paul threaten despise heavy dominion judgment and speak evil of dignities which our translators severe word damnation. with render by the And, indeed, the very heathen them- selves so clearly saw the necessity of supporting the dignity of imperial characters that we find the Romans constantly styling their magistrates sacred, that so having, as it were, the name and character of God upon them, the people might reverence their persons and venerate their office. Nor was this wise and salutary idea removed till the violence of tribunicial frenzy levelled all distinctions and converted the mild- ness of a dutiful and submissive people into the savage fury of a wild and ungovernable monster. 2nd. We are bound by every principle of gratitude to honor kings, both on account of the troubles they undergo in the necessary administration of government, and also in respect of the benefits accruing to us attention. There are, I believe, few from their care and crowns which are like that of our great Master not plated with thorns; I mean that every prince who pays a due regard to the duties of his station is in a state of continual anxiety. ing grievances affection. wound his must The spring The redress of grow- from his paternal mistakes or miscarriages foresight and of his ministers reputation, and what is still more aggravating, the wisdom of the prince is too often unjustly traduced for the people's folly, which would not suffer him to pursue the necessary measures for the support of his dignity and the safety of his kingdom, so that what the Roman annalist said of war may not unfitly be applied to government: "This is the hard and unjust condition of war; everyone lays claim to a share of its prosperous events; its miscarriages are imputed to one alone." Again, the height of a prince's situation sets him above all the dearest pleasures of society and friendship and in their place substitutes all the forms and impertinence of ceremonial restraint. He can neither sit down without care nor walk. 79 �abroad without trouble, so that he is certainly less to be envied for the pageantry which accompanies him than to be pitied for the hardships it brings with it. And, therefore, if kings, for the sake of public advantage and the security of individuals, will subject themselves to these inconveniences it is certainly the duty of subjects, in return, to pay every reasonable acknowledgment of gratitude and respect to- wards them. And this first by reverencing their persons and government. It has been too much the fashion of the present times to rail at superiors and to speak evil of such things as we do not us if we understand and which, in did. But men would do fact, do not well to belong to remember that though this may for a time, answer the purpose of the party, by distressing those to whom the public welfare is entrusted, yet it is ever attended with the greatest danger to all, by obliterating those ideas of subordination from the minds of the populace, without which no society can long subsist. For it should always be remembered, that the madness of the people, when once excited, becomes like the raging of the waves, fierce and uncontrollable, and has not unfrequently overwhelmed those very persons who ward in exciting it. opinion from have been the most for- However, therefore, we may differ in those who govern we ought to be extremely cautious of expressing any disrespect for their persons or of weakening the operations of their government by an incautious or intemperate censure of its measures. 3rd. We ought to show our respect to the king by a ready obedience to his laws. To obey, we are told in holy writ, is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the rams. fat of And if this be the care even of kings themselves in relation to God, who in that respect are no other than subjects to the King of Kings, who are their subjects. it cannot be otherwise And whatever with us men may pretend under specious names of patriotism or public good it is as great a solecism in politics for a man to call himself a good subject who lives in contempt and defiance of the laws of his country as it is in religion for a man to call himself a good christian who lives in direct contradiction to the laws of God. 80 �Such a mask is too thin to decieve any but the credulous and unthinking vulgar, and will never impose on those who in political as well as religious matters think it the wisest and safest way not to give credit to every pretender to superior excellence on his own word, but rather to judge of the tree by its fruits. Lastly, we ought to show our respects to the not meddling with those who are given to change. essary qualifications in a leader of which some politicians have king, by The nec- required faction are much eloquence and little under- standing; much eloquence to persuade and mislead others but not understanding enough to foresee the dangers arising from his own conduct, lest ruinous enterprises. he should be discouraged from his And men of these qualifications are to be found in every state, who under pretence of redressing imaginary grievances or reforming abuses which ever exist- ed, are ever ready to turn the world upside down. But be- fore men give way to their insidious harangues they would do well to consider, what the experience of all ages will teach them, that however auspicious the pretences of such demagogues may be, self interest generally lies at the bot- tom of all they do or say; that, however, some grievances may and must exist even in the best and wisest civil con- stitutions, yet that an imperfect administration is preferable to that anarchy and violence which always follows the subversion of legal and settled government, and lastly, that however the powers of government may change hands, yet that the people are seldom any man doubt refer him Great truth of these positions And should we need only to the consideration of those unhappy times in Britain powers of the gainers by the change. when legal government authority usurped by was abolished and factious disturbers the or canting zealots; or again to those successive revolutions in the Roman state by which the governing powers were transferred in turns to kings, consuls, tribunes, triumverates, decemvirates and emperors, and in each of which the people ever shifting, ever restless, gained only an accumulated load of misery and oppression. If, indeed, our constitutional lib81 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY �erties were taken from us, if we were forcibly desseized of our property, if the laws were trampled under foot and the iron hand of power or the wide stretched grasp of preroga- tive were ready to snatch away our sacred claims or chartered rights, we might then justly complain, and think look for these expedients things and is true and defenders. for a But the striking proof only appeal singly to the impartiality it time to reverse of this of I all need with which justice is administered to all ranks of people by men of learning and talents, and now happily independent of the will of the crown to convince every reasonable man that he is a free member of the most mild, wise and equitable government in the world, which therefore it is his interest as well as his duty to sup- port by every mark of the cheerful obedience in himself and by discouraging every factious innovation in others. Let, there- fore, past experience teach us wisdom, and whilst we set every man under his own vine, and let us fear God and honor the king. under his own fig tree, Let us study to be great without pretending to interfere in things which no way be- long to us and without meddling with those that are given to change. We are assembled here to-day to return thanks to Al- mighty God for the many unmerited acts of kindness which He has shewed unto us. been delivered in several By the Providence of God we have instances from our enemies. All their schemes for our subjugation have as yet proved abortive. ence Let us then be thankful and acknowledge the Providof God which watches over the fate of nations, and which has preserved this province in the most perilous and critical circumstances. Does not this then afford some ground to hope that if we, by the grace of God, endeavor to render ourselves worthy of the divine protection, it will be once more extended to us, and that by a speedy and effectual reformation of our hearts and lives, we may remove or lighten those heavy judgments, which our iniquities have now most justly drawn down upon us. What may it be in the councils of the Most High; what mighty changes He may be now meditating in the system of human affairs, He alone can 82 tell. But �in the midst of this awful suspense, while the fate of empires hangs trembling on His resolves, of one thing at least we are absolutely certain; that it is better to friend than our enemy. have Him for our If, by our infidelity, our impiety, our libertinism, our disregard to the Lord's day, our inatten- tion to family worship, and neglect of secret prayers, our ill tmied gaiety, and wanton profusness in the very face of public distress, brave His we utmost audaciously insult His admonitions and vengeance; what else can we expect, but that very thing which ought naturally to be the means of our stability, will be converted into instruments of our de- struction? But if on the contrary, by reverencing the judg- ments of God, and returning to that allegiance which we owe Him, we again put ourselves under His protection, He may still as he us; or if has often done, dispel the clouds that hang over for wise reasons, He suffers them to gather and darken upon us, He may make even this,in the final result, conduce to our welfare. Let, then, all the wise and the good in every party and denomination of men among us (for they are in everyone to be found) stand forth in the present exigency as one man, to assist and befriend their country, and as the Roman triumvers, gave up each his friend for the de- struction of the state, let everyone now give up each his favorite prejudices, systems, interests, nections for the preservation of it. the Lord, who resentments, and con- Our safety cometh from hath made heaven and earth. If he be for us. we need not apprehend what man can do, if he go not forth. with the host against our enemies, the arm of our countrymen will be powerless in battle and their hearts will fail them for fear. Girding on our harness in humble hope of divine aid, and displaying our banners in the name means put he hath into our hands of the Lord, let the be vigorously exerted. As we are now addressing you who have the prospect of being called to the high places of the field, we would borrow the exhortation of Nehemiah in similar circumstances: "Be not afraid of them, remember the Lord, who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, 83 �your wives and your houses." Never a general at the head of an army, and on the eve of an engagement, made a more impressive speech. It comprises everything; Nehemiah knew the way to the heart. The consideration which he suggests, would inspire cowardice and valour. Brother is an endearing name. In the hour of common danger, all its tenderness is felt, and to sacrifice life in a brother's defence is at once the impulse of nature, and the precept of the bible. But "your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses," shall the inheritances of thy father, or the hard earned fruit of thine honest labor, become a robber's booty, and shall the babe that smiles in thy face and calls thee father, spill his blood on a murderer's sword? Shall she whom thou has pledged thine oath to cherish and defend, become a ruffian's prey? To him who unaffected by considerations like these shrinks from danger, we wish no worse than that he may live to witness his own. dishonor and find at last a coward's grave. But abave all let your courage be founded on "Remember the Lord who is great and terrible." separated from piety is not courage but madness. directed by Providence to promote the cause exerted; religion. Courage It may be in which it is but should the warrior fall, we tremble at his fate. Were we to describe the complete hero, we would give him not only that patriotism before which danger and that vanishes, but imperious that sense of reverential his God, which excludes from the heart every that testimony of a good conscience, which other duty fear of fear- strips death of its terrors, that faith which looks to a brighter recompense than sovereigns can bestow. Such a warrior might fall, but he would fall in glory; and were the drops of heaven the only tears that bedewed his head, his immortal spirit is safe with his redeemer in paradise. We are anxious my brethren for your honor as soldiers, but allow us to be equally concerned for your salvation as men. Be ye reconciled to God, then march as native valour prompts you to the cannon's mouth, or enter first the deadly breach, you are independent of every event that can befall you. 84 �But all are not soldiers; we trust were it necessary, the greatest number would have the will, and should such a necessity occur our exhortation would be-"let him who hath no sword sell his garment and buy one.". who discover a With respect to those backwardness to defend their country by every means in their power, when she is in danger, I would say, "they have not the fear of God before their eyes." regard to such I may well apply these With words:"Curse ye Meroz, sáid the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because theycome not to the help of the Lord against the mighty." But though not called to gird on our harness and aid our country in the field, still each can con- tribute his share in her defence. Our iniquity as a province is great, and so we have more to fear from the displeasure of heaven than from any earthly foe; while we humble our- selves in the sight of God, and penitently confess our guilt, let each of us exert his endeavors to put a stop to its progress and, as the most effectual tion begin at home. mode of procedure, let reforma- Let every man know the plague of his own heart, lay aside the sin that most easily besets him, and ease the fences. public burden by repentance for his personal of- Let us rend our hearts and not our garments, nor imagine that while we hang down our heads like a bullrush and assume the external appearance of humiliation, that this is pleasing to God. the heart. Let us remember that He looketh upon Let us hear and obey His voice, saying, "wash ye, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from be- fore mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well." His judgments are abroad in the earth, let them teach us right- eousness, and when the host is going forth against our enemies, let us keep ourselves from every wicked thing. shall the blessing of heaven descend upon Then the deliberations of those who sit in council, and upon the exertions of those who turn the battle to the gate. Then shall they who are girding on their harness in the best of causes, put it off with honor, having secured the peace, the independence, the glory of their country. May God grant Amen. 85 it, for Christ's sake.- �Meetings The Regular Meetings are on the second Monday of each month from October to May, except that the Annual Meeting is on the 13th of October. Publications Of many of our publications the edition is exhausted, have, but we (price chiefly 25 cents): 2.4 Slave Rescue, etc., (reprinted) and battle of Queenston Heights 3. Blockade of Fort George (reprinted). 5. Sermon of Rev. R. Addison, Historic Houses, etc., 6. Niagara Library 1800-1820. 8. 11. (reprinted). Early Schools. Family History, (reprinted.) Reminiscences, (reprinted). 13. Battle of Fort George, republished from No. 1, with additions, St. Vincent de Paul's Church, A Canadian Heroine, (reprinted) 14. Letters of Mrs. William Dummer Powell, 1807-1821. 15. Sir Isaac Brock, Court de Puisaye, 16. Report of the Opening of the Historical Building, (reprint). 17. Ten Years of the Colony of Niagara. 18. Early H story of St. Mark's, Robert Gourlay, etc. 19. Inscriptions and Graves in Niagara Peninsula. (Price 40 cents). 12. (republished). No. 10, reprinted with additions. 20. Reminscences of Fenian Raid, etc. 22. Some Graves in Lundy's Lane. 24. Catalogue. 25. Laura Secord, Diary of prisoner in Fort Garry, 1869-70. 26. Notes on District of Niagara, 1791-3. 27. Names Only, But Much More. No. 1 Company, Niagara. 28. Family History and Reminiscences. 29. Niagara Frontier, 30. Hon. William Dickson, etc. .31. 1837-8. Appreciation of Lt. W. J. Wright, M. A., Emigrants of 1847 in Niagara etc. 32. Notes on Niagara, 1759-1860. 33. Documents of 34. "Whose debtors we are" Our boys in the war. 1814. We have a large Exchange List. The Historical Room is open in summer on Wednesday and Saturday from 3 to 5. We have now a membership of three hundred. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 35" booklet, c. 1923 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 35" booklet, c. 1923 Subject The topic of the resource Niagara history Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the "Niagara Historical Society, No. 35" booklet, c. 1923. The Niagara Historical Society published their research/speeches regularly in these volumes, of which the Welland Public Library has most between 1-44. Volume 35 contains: "Capt. James Matthew Hamilton" by Janet Carnochan. "Capt. J. M. Hamilton and Descendants" by Basil G. Hamilton. "The Polish Army in Niagara" by Janet Carnochan. "The Polish Force in Niagara" by Major C. R. Young. "Polish Relief Work at Niagara" by Elizabeth C. Ascher. "Polish Army Camp" by Col. A. D. Lepan. "Rev. Robert Addison" by Rev. C. H. E. Smith. "A Loyal Sermon" by Rev. John Burns. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Niagara Historical Society Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1923 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Booklet Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 971.33 Nia Vol. 35 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Niagara Janet Carnochan Niagara Historical Society Niagara Historical Society Papers Polish https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/16257437e5764b935340ba615c2043c7.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=Tfle4ikeC46h%7EWKkKr-S3qB0QAjRD3hQ-4-81JrxNIhJzL2Q7%7EKQ3Jmnkg8l21NqeoTwx07%7Euigt4Zr1j1JKxQeRLmNRRQz4ICIBWJcV4HTpl7pmQFf0IMJrJfgGv%7EqKVF4WqWXYZAc-uR5F4WTp8Fc3dKO%7EoSZYv1USp1wyjrHc2huKwQ3rU-Wgr1FAWpjHi1BZE1A1IZmrOPGtc-nKSCxhji5cF3XUIJPpijQzIngdp17CTkaxlmrTXCL1cjy3zcEVKEoQ87HZEQXIGq3%7E0imo925TJE%7EGhlw1m0ikXUCPA7LJuacOO4MynDWIL7tQlnGED75fYTwYSl8tV6S-Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM f191b5880887153ccf657df1409c4621 PDF Text Text MOOD ΙΟΕΙΟΣ "DUCIT AMOR PATRIE" NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 34 "Whose Debtors We Are" BY CATHERINE CREED Price 50 cts. PUBLISHED BY The Niagara Historical Society BRENCE: NIA LHC NIAGARA HISTORY PRINTED AT THE ADVANCE OFFICE 1922 ECTION PAMPHLET FILE OO #34 $2 ND PUBLIC LIBRARY OO �NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Its objects are the encouragement of the study of Canadian History and Literature, the collection and preservation of Canadian Historical Relics the building up of Canadian loyalty and patriotism and the preservation of old historical landmarks in this vicinity. The Society was formed in December 1895. The annual meeting is held on October 13th. Since May 1896 over six thousand articles have been gathered in the Historical Room thirty-four pamphlets have been published, eleven historical sites have been marked, an Historical Building erected at a cost of over six thousand dollars and a catalogue published. OFFICERS, 1921-1922 Honorary President Gen. Cruikshank, F. R. S. C., LL.D. Miss President Rev. Vice-President Second Vice-President Third Carnochan Canon Garrett Rev. A. F. MacGregor, B. A. Johnson Clench Vice-President Secretary Mrs. E. Ascher Treasurer Mrs. S. D. Manning Mrs. C. E. Brown Assistant Treasurer Miss Carnochan Curator, Editor Assistant Mrs. Bottomley, Mrs. Mussen, Mrs. Curators E. J. Thompson COMMITTEE: Alfred Mrs. Goff Ball Mrs. Bottomley F. R. Parnell G. H. Leslie J. M. Mussen LIFE MEMBERS: Arthur E. Paffard. Dr. T. K. Thomson, C. E. Mrs. C. Baur Lt. Col. R. W. Leonard, H. B. Witton, R. E. Biggar Best H. J. Wickham A. E. Rowland C. M. Warner C. W. Nash E. C. Brown, F. B. Porter, Mrs. D. McGregor HONORARY MEMBERS: Gen. Cruikshank, F. R. S. C. Dr. H. L. Anderson J. D. Chaplin, M. P. Mrs. E. J. Thompson Peter McArthur Newton, J. Ker, C. E. Dr. A. H. U. Colquhoun Dr. Alexander Fraser, M. A. Frank Greenlaw, M. P. P. Judge Morson �B.P. WELLAND P. 3 2759 01859143 1 "DUCIT AMOR PATRIÆ" NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 34 "Whose Debtors We Are" BY CATHERINE CREED Price 50 cts. PUBLISHED BY The Niagara Historical Society NIAGARA PRINTED AT THE ADVANCE OFFICE 1922 �Preface From the day on which the writer saw the first two boy's leave Niagara for Valcartier she made a list of her expupils who joined the army. When school opened in Sep- tember 1914 this was placed on the blackboard and had added to it the names of all ex-pupils known to be doing mili- tary service. The pupils of the third form were much inter- ested and kept in touch with some of these soldiers by in- terchanging letters. In 1915 the school board was asked to provide a permanent roll. After the death of Inspector Ireland, Mrs. Ire- land presented a hand illuminated roll, which I presume has been filled in and hung in a prominent place. The High School list was added at the suggestion of Miss Avie Evans. Very early in the war the idea of having these Niagara soldiers write records of their service was conceived. Owing to a number of circumstances, chief of which were the men's reluctance to write, and the writer's this was abandoned. removal from town, However books of war experiences are many and these brief records, often but the bare official figures from Ottawa, will serve to show that Niagara has still the virile life that she had in early years. The writer is handing her work over to the Niagara Historical Society with pride, believing that few places of its size can show a better record of patriotic service. teen missed but the wonder Some ex-pupils may have is not that some have been missed but that so many have been obtained. The tion. ing War Records Office at Ottawa deserves commenda- When a list of over sixty names was sent to them askinformation the answer beautifully tabulated was re- ceived within ten days. The title has been taken from a peom published in "Punch", a few verses of which are quoted. CATHERINE CREED. iii �EDITOR'S PREFACE A few words must be added to Miss Creed's very modest preface. When this patriotic work was undertaken no one could have imagined to what extent it would reach or what written labour would be involved. The author must have perhaps hundreds of letters to obtain the informa- tion and the photos which we are glad to add to the pamphlet. The record will be valuable in after years as well as at the present time. The author shows her good taste in the short appropriate poem prefixed to the names of those who gave their lives. The name of the pamphlet "Whose debtors we are" is very suggestive to us all. The patriotism, the en- ergy, the patience, the perseverance in the midst of dicouragement, the interest in the pupils who enlisted all reflect the greatest credit for her faithful and patriotic work, on the author "Whose debtors we are". JANET CARNOCHAN. �"Whose Debtors We Are" With generous hands they paid the price, Unconscious of the cost; But we must gauge the sacrifice By all that they have lost. The joy of young, adventurous ways, Of keen and undimmed sight; The eager tramp through sunny days, The dreamiess sleep of night. No lavish love of future years, No passionate regret, No gift of sacrifice or tears, Can ever pay the debt. -Punch. WHOSE DEBTORS WE ARE "Some have been driven by a sense of duty to do the best there was in them in a task for which they have no natural desire. Others eagerly welcome the chance to sweep straight as a faleon at a quarry which may be death; and these may come back with broken wings, or they may never come back, and word may be brought to the women who weep that they must walk henceforth in the shadow. But all alike have done their duty and more than their duty; and their souls shall stand forever in the glory of the morning; and all who dwell in this land now or who shall dwell in it in the future, owe to them a debt that can never be cancelled." -Theodore Roosevelt. vii �Fred Walter Fisher, V. Langdon C. Nesbit William Perry Curric Gordon Blake Ryan �Arthur ills Leroy Whitside. George Brownlee Herbert Longhurst �Charles Thompson C. E. Shepherd Robert C. Houghton Reginald Thomas �"Whose Debtors We Are" Lance Corporal Fred Fisher, V. C. Killed in action April 23, 1915 He saw not where his path would lead, Nor sought a path to suit his will; He saw a nation in her need, He heard the cause of honour plead; He heard the call and gave it heed And now he sleeps in Flanders. -R. J. C. Steed. A picture taken of the third classes in Niagara Public School with the teacher, Miss McIntyre, has two rows of boys. Charles Hainer, M. M. St. G. M., is in the centre. Fred Fisher v. C. is at one side of him and Robert Houghton on the other, Lincoln Quinn, Earl Campbell, Roland Gardiner, Clifford Reid, Herbert Walsh, Ernest Grimstead, Ernest Coleman, Ernest Kemsley, Logan and Percy Gordon are all in the same group. George The boys in the picture being from seventeen upward, when the war broke out, almost without exception offered themselves. count of physical disability. waking. Three were rejected on ac- Two sleep the sleep that knows no Fred Fisher's name is known thoughout the length and breadth of Canada as the winner of the first Victoria Cross presented to a Canadian during this war. Fred Fisher attended the public school during the period in which his father was manager of the Sovereign Bank in Niagara. ' The official record is in "Canada in Flanders". The following has been copied from "East and West" a Pres- byterian S. S. publication. "Here is the tale of how Lance-Corporal Fred Fisher of the 13th Battalion won the first Victoria Cross granted to a Canadian 3 �soldier in the present war. It was during the heavy fighting around St. Julien in April of 1915 On the 23rd of the month, the 13th be- came engaged in a fierce struggle with the enemy. The latter were pressing forward, under rain of shot and shell, and the safety of a battery of our artillery became seriously threatened. So close did the attack approach that in order to save the battery from capture, it be came necessary to remove the guns to a place of greater safety. To cover their retreat, young Fisher, who was only a lad of nineteen, went forward with the machine gun of which he was in charge, right into the face of the enemy, and, with intrepid courage, held the Ger. mans off long enough to enable the guns to be withdrawn. fighting he lost four men of his gun team. In the Later in the day, when it became again necessary to protect the advance of supports, the young corporal went forward once more into the firing line and was just on the point of bringing his gun into action, when he was killed. Corporal Fisher was famous as an athlete and was a member of the 1914 championship track team of his univèrsity. At the out- break of war he enlisted with the 13th Battalion, which was raised in Montreal. Corporal Fisher was born in St. Catharines and before the war was a student in the engineering at McGill University, Montreal. Gunner William Perry Currie Died May 4, 1915 And now these waiting dreams are satisfied; From twilight into spacious dawn he went; His lance is broken; but he lies content With that high hour in which he lived and died -Herbert Asquith. Douglas Devinny, Perry Currie, Charles Hainer, Tom Porter, Roy Maess and Herbert Brady were the first to go to enlist from our town. They went together to join the field battery in St. Catharines. 4 �They were all accepted. Devinny, Porter and Brady were returned from Valcartier but enlisted again and served in France. Perry was the third son of the late Bartlett and Mrs. Currie, His father died soon after Perry went over seas. were very brief. He was so badly wounded at St. Julien that he died at Aldershot, May 4, 1915. tery there. His soldiering days He was buried in the military ceme- The letter from the nurse reads: Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, May 29, 1915. "I was sister in the ward in which he spent his last few days. He came to us on the evening of May 1st. He was one of the nicest Canadian boys and one of the nicest patients I have nursed. Never once grumbled and always so thankful for what was done for him. Poor boy he had his left arm off just above the elbow when he came to us and his left leg badly broken and wounded high up the thigh. In the afternoon of Sunday 2nd, the Doctors were obliged to further amputate the arm. On the Monday May 3rd, he was very restless and we could see he was getting worse and weaker, general poisoning had set in. I can assure you everything possible was done for the poor boy and one of the doctors sat up by his bed side on the Monday night. came. He felt he could not leave the boy and the end gradually He passed away at 5 A. M. May 4, very quickly. He spoke of you frequently on the Monday 1st, but was unconscious some hours before he passed away. He would not have you anxious or worrying. You will feel proud of your boy. He was indeed a hero, for his sufferings were great and he bore them so bravely. "The five other Canadians in the ward, at the time, dreadfully cut up at his death. amongst them. He seemed to be a great were so favorite He was such a fine boy and had such a kind face. We all, doctors included, feel dreadful not being able to save him". The nurse speaks of his kind face. they were billeted in Devizes. rough and ready thought; but good all After leaving Salisbury He speaks of the people being just through, then follows the kindly We have good comfortable stables for our horses it was very hard for them on the plain. He was six weeks in this billet and must have endeared him- self to the family for in July, 1915, Mrs. Currie received a letter from this family asking for news of him as they had heard nothing and were anxious. 5 �Sergeant Walter Langdon Nesbit Died May 23, 1915 Lord we believe Thy tender love must keep Each valiant soldier Who has fallen asleep. Walter Nesbit went with the Canadian Contingent to South Africa. When the war was over he remained there. work in the mines at Johannesburg, Walter After ten years returned to Niagara broken in health, nevertheless when the call for men came he tried to enlist, but his wife would not give her consent as she knew he could not stand it. He tried again and was made acting quarter master sergeant in the Welland Canal Force and was a volunteer for overseas when he became ill. 1915. He died at his home in Niagara, May 23rd, He left beside his three children. parents and three sisters, a widow and He won in South Africa both the Queen's with four bars and the King's Medal with four bars. stolen from him. Medal The latter was Such preference had been given to soldiers that it was quite a common thing to steal a medal and name and thus obtain employment. He was in the South African Constabulary for three years. When the Zulu rebellion broke out and Royston's Horse sent to quell it, Walter tried to enlist. ever and would take no one. was They were in full force how He followed them, day after day, across the veldt and up into the hills. Then his perseverence had ward, someone dropped out, he was taken in. campaign, obtained the medal, Zulu rebellion, its re- He served through the 1906, Natal. There were only a thousand of these struck and not half a dozen of these came to Canada. Captain Straight knowing of only three, his own, Walter Nesbit's and that of one other. 6 �Gordon Blake Ryan Died January 31st, 1916 He is dead the beautiful youth The heart of honour the tongue of truth He, the life and light of us all, Whose voice was as blithe as a bugle call Whom all eyes followed with one consent The cheer of whose laugh whose pleasant word Hushed all murmurs of discontent. -Longfellow. Gordon Ryan was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ryan of our town. He was always an active boy, fond of and taking part in games of all sorts. He was a member of the boys scouts, also of the bugle band and town band. He was a member of the Methodist Church and president of the Epworth League. He had gone through all the classes of both Public and High school and was clerk in the town branch of the Imperial Bank when he enlisted in the band of the 92nd Highlanders. He moved his regiment to Toronto where he contracted measles. parently better when January 31st, with He was ap- he took pneumonia and died very suddenly, 1916, dying in the great cause just as much as those who gave up life in the field of battle. His body was brought home and a public fnneral held that his townspeople might pay their last respects to one who had always commanded the respect of all. His young friends came from Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharines many of them in Khaki. The home guard from Butler's barracks provided the firing party and sent as many men as possible. The cadets from the public school under Major Sproule also attended the funeral. The sympathy of the whole com- munity goes out to the sorrowing father and mother and sister. 7 �Pte. Arthur Mills Died August, 1916 Upon the deathless battlefield, where all The pulses leap responsive to the beat Of martial music, and amidst the heat Of mortal strife is heard the inner call The Nation's need-which ever holds in thrall Heroic souls--never to know defeat But go with high unshrinking heart to meet The foe-it would not seem so hard to die. -E. W. Wilcox. Arthur Mills has not lived in Niagara for a great many years, but as a small boy attended our school. Wm. Winterbottom-of our town. He was a grandson of the late With a man of his age enlisting is not an impulse to be regretted but an act following the conviction that it is a duty. From his letters we gather he took pride in his work and in his regiment, and was thoroughly interested in all the duties of a soldier. mental His tent fellows are the very finest―Their regi- site is the best "We have the best battalion getting into camp not a man missing and on record time" is a sentence from a letter showing what his commanding officer calls his "bright and op timistic" point of view. The colonel's letter goes on to say, "Pte. Mills while with us proved himself to be a competent soldier and bore an exemplary character. Pte. Arthur Mills, of the 170th Batt., died of pneumonia at Camp Borden Aug. 1916. One more gone for England's sake-giv- ing up life that the honour of Britian might be mentioned as truly as if he had fallen facing the foe in far off Belgium. George Brownlee Missing Sept. 15, 1916 And those that leave their Valiant bones in France Dying like men They shall be famed. -King Henry V. Perhaps the saddest word in the casualty list is "missing" 8 �months later followed by "presumed to have died." When we see killed in action we think of death coming too quickly for suffering. When it is died of wounds we have visions of kind and skilful nurses and doctors, but the word missing brings no comforting afterthought. This was the fate of George Brownlee youngest brother of Mrs. John Elliott of our town. His schooldays were spent mostly in his native town of St. Catharines but he attended school here one year while living with his cousin R. J. Allen. My first knowledge of his enlistment was through a letter from Edward Wooton dated Belgium July 28, 1915. Did I tell you that I had seen George Brownlee? one day along the road driving a team. never have known him. be. He recognized me. I met him I should He looks well but is thin to what he used to Captain C. Bell in speaking of Niagara boys he had met, says in almost the same words, 'I met George Brownlee one day driving along a road in Belgium. He had gone across with the engineers in the spring of 1915 and remained with his unit till Sept. 15, 1916 when he was missing. Presumably a shell met him one day on a road in Belgium and no more is ever seen or heard about him. Leroy Whitside Died November 11, 1916 They never fail who died in a great cause. -Byron. On Nov. 11, 1916 the following notice appeared in the papers. Relatives at Delhi have been informed that Roy Whitside, eldest son of the late W. H. Whitside, of Delhi, was killed in action. He graduated from the S. P. S., Toronto. He enlisted from the West whither he had gone to follow his profession as an engineer. He had been in Europe for a year or more. Mr. W. H. Whitside was the manager who opened the Niag ara Canning factory. Leroy attended our public school from Septem. ber to December each year until he was in fourth class. The information obtained from Ottawa is that Lieutenant Le- roy Whitside enlisted in Sewell Manitoba in the 46 Battalion on the 9th day July 1916 and died of wounds November 11, 1916. 9 �Gunner Herbert Longhurst (83679, 14th Battery, 4th Bde, C. F. A.) Died May 14, 1917 The future's gain Is certain as God's truth; but meanwhile pain Is bitter, and our tears are salt; our voices take A sober turn, our very household songs Are heavy with a nation's griefs and wrongs And innocent mirth is chastened for the sake Of the brave hearts that never more shall beat, The eyes that smile no more-the unreturning feet. -Whittier. How well I recall both the first time and the last time I was with Herbert Longhurst; the pretty delicate looking white haired boy and the handsome stalwart man in Khaki. son of the late James Longhurst. air. He was the youngest As a lad he liked the great open He knew the haunts of bird and beast about "The Two" and "The Four," never so happy as when he had a gun and a few traps. The routine of business was irksome writes. me." to him but from France he "If my luck holds out it will be the simple and quick life for His love for animals revealed itself even in the trenches. He had as a pet a white rat, and writes, "he sure is a pretty good pal," He delighted to tell of its narrow escapes but it died the day Herbert was wounded the first time towards the end of October 1916. In a letter just before this, he had written 'We consider them lucky who are wounded just enough to be sent to Blighty This first wound was in the hand and was not enough to put him among the lucky ones. I have quoted elsewhere Herbert's description of their rather grimy appearance and of the private bath in a pig stye. I will here quote from his letter described the Christmas of 1915. Dec. 1915. outs. I guess we will enjoy Christmas in our little dug- We are saving up our parcels till Christmas. We all get a few you know-We are going to buy a roast of pork so we will make out somehow. I had a nice parcel from the old country it was a dandy, roast chicken, cake, and mince pies. I wasn't very long getting rid of it, is the next sentence which didn't look like saving up. Dec. 29, 1915. here. He wrote-We had a fairly good Christmas Although it wasn't like being back home it was a good deal better than I thought it would be. 10 We had some boxes sent to us �and one of the boys had a turkey sent to him. a very nice meal. We managed to have We just got settled down nicely to eat when the side of our dugout fell down so we just had to get busy and build it up and make a fresh start. Everything was very quiet in trenches you would hardly know there was a war on. the Of course I was thinking how much better it would be at home. Mrs. Wickware who as nursing sister Muriel Armstrong was in the clearing station that Herbert passed through tells that he might have lived had he not strained himself walking the four miles to this station when he might have been carried-No-I can walk take someone else he said. How this war has brought to light the divine spark hidden in such quiet reserved natures. three days. He lived for The doctors hoping to save him, operated, but he died during the operation. He lies in the military cemetery in France. Pte. Charles Thompson (No. 412632). Died July 17, 1916 Sleep on, ye brave; the shrieking shell The quaking trench, the startled yell The fury of the battle hell Shall wake you not, for all is well. Sleep peacefully for all is well. -C. B. Galbreath. Extract from a letter from Chas. Thompson dated. Somewhere in France June 26, 1916. The part of the line we now hold is very hot-either one side or the other takes a trench If the Germans take a trench we have to counter attack and take it back from them again--that is what happened on the 13th June, we made a counter attack and in the charge I received a shock from a shell which laid me out and buried me up, that is all that I can tell you 1 do not remember anything until I found myself in the hospital suffering from nervousness from being under fire so long-and my back is hurt a little but I think I will be over it soon. The nurses are very kind to me here at the 11 �base hospital-they can't do enough for one-They seen to think here that the war will be over this summer I hope so, for I have seen enough of it and already have done my little bit, I do hope I will see you all soon and will be glad when I step foot on the shores of dear old Canada once again." Poor chap such gladness was not his he sleeps in foreign land far from the shores of his native Canada. (Perhaps he would like that in time a Canadian Maple should cast refreshing shadows o'er his grave.) He recovered from his wound mentioned in the letter quoted, rejoined his regiment and must have been killed almost at once, for the official notice gives the date as July 16/16. As a postal card was received from him dated July 17-his mother hoped against hope that a mistake had been made. She feels the loss keenly. the first death in a family of ten children. those boys careless of school duties and This is Charles had been one of later sometimes carelesss of home ties but something of the seriousness and sacredness of life seems to have come to him in obeying the great call of duty to his country. His letters to his family were regular and like those of many others surprised everyone by the interesting matter he managed to send. By the letter quoted first we see his love for his native landThis Canadianism comes out in other letters-"If the Germans take a trench from us we will have it back by morning. We don't let them put anything over on us-They are scared of the Canadians, one of our soldiers is worth four of them. If when advancing their lead- er is killed that settles it they will at once retire in all directions. With this strong Canadian feeling he makes other claims, he writes- "I am a Scotchman now I wear the kilts. They call us the women of hell over here -In a letter dated March 17/16 he says. This is my birthday and I came out of the trenches with a bunch of shamrock in my cap. This had been sent to him from niece Miss Muriel May. Niagara by his In a letter dated April 26/16 he writes "I have been in a terrible battle since I last wrote to you. It is a won- der I ever came out alive, for five hours we, the Canadian, French, and British underwent a severe bombardment from the German ar- tillery and trench trench was blown mortars, and shelis bursting all around. in, a lot of our battalion was killed and 12 Our wounded. �The stretcher bearers had more than they could do for some of them got hit with shrapnel. I turned in and helped them to remove the wounded and dress the poor fellows' wounds. were buried and could Some of the wounded not be got under such a terrible fire. I lost two of my chums that joined with me in Canada and came over with me in the same draft, I have not been hurt, it is just luck. Charles Thompson boyhood days here. was born in our town and spent all his The family moved to Niagara Falls, one sister Mrs. Thomas May remaining here. He enlisted at Belleville in the 13th, Battalion in April 1915, and left Canada with the 39th Battal ion. He is buried in the Railway Dugouts, Burying Grounds, Belgium. Private Robert C. Houghton (No. 800176). Killed in action on August 15, 1917 He was more than wise His was the proudest part; He died with the glory of faith in his eyes, And the glory of love in his heart And though there's never a grave to tell Nor a cross to mark his fall Thank God; we know that he "batted well" In the last great game of all. -Service. Robert, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Houghton, was born in Niagara and lived here till after writing Junior Matriculation when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and took up a course in draught ing. As soon as he could he followed brothers and signed up in January 1916. the example of his older He trained with the 134th Highlanders at Camp Borden and left there for overseas in August of the same year. His stay in England was short. to the 15th Battalion and went to France with in October 1916. his brigade in every engagement till August was reported missing. He was transferred He was 15, 1917 when he His comrades reported that he was slightly wounded but mistakes are made in the confusion of battle and missing was later changed to killed in action. 13 the �Captain C. E. Shepherd Killed in action Oct. 26, 1917 He died the noblest death a man may die Fighting for God and Right and Liberty; And such a death is Immortality. -John Oxenham. Edwin Shepherd or Ted as he was familiarly called was the eldest son of Magistrate Edwin Shepherd and Mrs. Shepherd. He was one of those rare men who never lost the visio. He splendid. had not lived in Niagara for over twenty years but on his rare visits one could see the indomitable spirit shining through his clear eyes. In his presence was always confidence strength. both in his goodness and None of his friends were surprised when they learned that he had thrown up everything and was entering heart and soul into enlisting a company to take overseas with him. For many years he had taken an interest in military affairs and had taken the officers' course in Toronto. He was in his military days attached to the 23rd and then to the 98th Algonquins. When the 159th was formed he joined that and himself recruited almost every man in the company. He received his majority in Camp Borden. He was offered a fine position in England but he had gone over to fight and so reverted and went to France as lieutenant. He writes from France-My men are fine brave fellows there is a great wonderful love between us and our men. They look to us as a father and we love them as though they were our own sons and do everything possible for them. erful idea brotherly love. We have a splendid lot of officers in our company such fine gentlemenly happy fellows. 10, 1917 he wrote; In a letter dated Sept. 'I am very lonesome to-night, I am all that is left of the company of officers. good fellows. It is a wond It is hard to part with a bunch of I have three of my platoon yet. I feel "like one who treads alone some banquet hall deserted." His great gift of love, and appreciation of others did not pass unacknowledged. Let me quote a paragraph from a letter to Mrs. Shepherd from a private soldier personally unknown to her-'I first knew your husband when he commanded a company in the 159 Batt. at Camp Borden where he earned the respect and regard of not only his own but those of the entire unit. 14 When I came to France he was �second in command of a company in this battalion and as I am em ployed in the Battalion Orderly Room I have a good opportunity of learning with what favour he was regarded by the Officer commanding the battalion. He had in his company many of the men of the old 159th and they were with him when he died. who knew and trusted He led those mea him so well over the parapet at 5.40 in the morning of the 26th of this month (Oct. 1917) in an attack which has been described by the old soldiers of the unit as the most brilliant in its history and which under the condition of mud, rain, cold, wind and work. murderous fire from the enemy, was a phenomenal piece of It will I know, be some consolation to you and your family to know that your husband died facing the enemy and showing that example of coolness and bravery which made the reputation of Canad. ians as fighting men what it is to-day. When a man has to die in this game it is a mercy for him to be killed instantly as Mr. Shepherd was. To lie wounded, and to lie out in the mud of Flanders in these cold October days is to die more deaths than one. Another sentence in the same letter read.-A few months ago Mr. Shepherd obtained from me a list of the old 159th men in the battalion as he said he wished to forward it to North Bay with boys with a Christmas box. the idea of providing the It was this regard for his men which made him so popular and which will make his loss so felt.-These words unsolicited and unofficial are a fine tribute. Letters from friends among the officers tell They all the same story. tell of his cheerfulness and fine spirits, his coolness and bravery and his thought for the welfare of his men. fore this he had led his men over the top. got him when about fifty yards over. Seven times be- This time a sniper's bullet Quoting from a letter-He died as a hero leading victorous troops who gained the Front from which they went after and they were the only outfit to carry their object that day. It is hard not to quote many more of these letters but I will just take a sentence or two from that of his friend a chaplain of the battalion.-Just before he went up the line he attended Holy communion. I know from conversation with him that his con- fidence and trust were placed in God. What a comfort at such a time as this to be able to leave our loved ones in God's care and keep- ing-He is gone-What fairer death could we wish him or what nobler heritage could he leave to his sons than the record of such a 15 �life and death. A few days after word was received of his death he was gazetted captain. Reginald Thomas Killed November 1917 Blow out your bugles over the rich Dead! There's none of these so lonely and poor of old But dying has made us rarer gifts than gold, These laid the earth away; poured out the red Sweet wine of youth; gave up the years to be Of work and joy and that unhoped serene That men call age; and those who would have been Their sons, they gave their immortality. -Rupert Brooke. Reginald Thomas was born in Wiltshire England boy of probably 12 years old when he came to Niagara. and was a His school days here were brief as his mother needed his help. He worked on the Hiscott fruit farm for several years leaving there to enlist. He went overseas as a signaller in the 98th. At the front he seems to have been with the bombers in In the summer of 1917 he the 20th. in a rest camp which I gather means a change of work. a farm working hard. was He was on He finds French farming different from fruit growing in the Niagara Peninsula, but hoped that it would be "for the duration." He was sent back to the lines and was acting guide for the stretcher bearers when he was struck by a shell killed instantly. as and The lad was barely twenty years old but felt the re- sponsibility of being the man of the house. Every letter of his is full of loving thought for his mother who has the sympathy of the whole community in her bereavement. Robert Follett Best Died February 18, O, Mother! 1918 Lift thy weeping eyes Say through the sobs that choke thy breath My son he was, God's soldier let him be. Of the three grandsons of the late 16 Robert Best of our town, �one has been killed in action, one has lost an eye and carries an all but useless arm; and the third at the base hospital in Robert Follett Toronto just three Best died Feb. 18/18, weeks after enlisting. Though then only 17 years of age it was not the first attempt to enlist. He had tried both the army and the navy. He had been re- jected from one on account of his age and from the other because ofde- fective vision. He finally succeeded in being accepted as bugler in the 2nd Central Ontario Regiment stationed at Exhibition Camp. Toron- He contracted spinal meningitis and was found lying in his hut to. unconscious. He was taken to the hospital and his family are satis- fied that everything that could be done was done for him. His body was brought to Niagara and was laid with military honours in the family burying plot in St. Mark's. He was intelligent above the ordinary, too full of life and spirits to make a student but our land is full of opportunities for one of his capabilities and our hearts go out\ in sympathy for the family whose hopes were centered in him. Pte. Tom Hadley Houghton (50675). Killed in action October 1, 1918 Tears may be ours, but proud, for those who win Death's royal purple in the foeman's lines. -Lowell. Tom Hadley Houghton eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Houghton spent all his school life in Niagara and went to Cleveland U. S. A. to enter business. He married and settled there. war broke out he found that he was still a loyal British subject. When He was not accepted when he volunteered at first but was able to sign up at Niagara on May 31, 1915. He left with the 36th Battalion for England on the one hundredth anniversary of Waterloo. He was in England but a short time when he volunteered for duty on a hospital ship. He did duty at various Hospitals in Alexandria, Lemnos Island, Suvla Bay, Malta and Salonika. Gibraltar, He was on the ship that last took off the last wounded and sick from Gallipoli before the evacuation. Tom Houghton was of a strong positive and sympathetic character and had the power of concentrating his mind upon any work he had to do. We know that his hospital work was done with 17 �sturdy ability and unsparing kindness. But when he returned to England with number 4 Hospital he thought that he was more needed in France and transferred to the 4th Battalion for active service. was in a number of engagements. He fell in action the first day He of October 1918. Corporal Joseph Garland Keith Died October 29, 1918 Of all human things nothing is more honourable or more excellent than to deserve well of one's country. -Cicero. Garland Keith the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Keith, enlisted for overseas early in the summer of 1916. After serving in Niagara Camp he was rejected for overseas but was drafted Guard. into the Frontier He served at DeCew Falls till discharged June, 1918. In October he took the "flu", and died on the 29th of the same month.. He left besides his parents and brothers a widow and a posthumous son. Pte. Edward G. M. Fisher (No. 3107864). Killed November 6, 1918 And in the morning we shall not forget them. In the evening we shall remember them. Edward Fisher better known to his schoolmates as "Ted" came to school in Niagara for one season only. He was in the Senior Third at the time and was very popular with the boys. moved to Grimsby. He with his family re- He enlisted in Hamilton with the 2nd C.O. R. on the 20th day of February 1918. After a month in Hamilton, another in St. Johns, and a short stay in Nova Scotia, he went overseas and arrived in England May 28/18. He went to France September 20th with the 4th C. M. R. and was transferred to the 25th Nova Scotia Battalion. On Novem- ber the 6th he was killed in action near Valenciennes and was buried 18 �Joseph Garland Keith Robert Follett Best. Edward G. Tom Hadley M. Fisner Houghton �Arthur John Harley Teeple Coffey Carleton Nash �W. J. Wright �near there. He had been a little over eight months in the army. His mother's only remark about him was "He was a dear boy and a good soldier" That indeed is all that need be said. Lft. Arthur Coffey S. Aviation Corps). Died December 31, (U. 1918 We did not give you all unasked you went Sons of a greater Motherhood than ours; To our proud hearts your loving brief lives were lent, Then swept beyond us by resistless powers Only we hear, when we have lost our all That far clear call. -Punch. Arthur Coffey, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Coffey of New York, attended our public school for a time. He was fond of athletic sports and was Captain of the Princeton Tennis Team. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve Force on April 27, 1917, going for training on J. P. Morgan's Yacht, which was one of the convoy to go abroad with Pershing's troops in June of that year. In the same month he was granted his diploma by Princeton University. While at Brest he had trouble with his eyes and returned to the United States for treatment in September. In April 1918, he went to train for aviation at the Princeton Training School, graduated from there in July and went at once to Georgia where he obtained his commission in October. From there he went to Arcadia, Florida. He was very proud of his wings and he deserved to be for it is hard and dangerous work obtaining them. He went home on December 23 for Christmas vacation; was taken sick with influenza and the next day he died, December 31, 1918. Gunner John Harley Teeple (334064). Died April 21st, 1921 The pain we have to suffer seems so broad, Set side by side with this life's narrow span, We need no greater evidence that God Has some diviner destiny for man. -E. W. Wilcox. Harley Teeple attended the schools of Niagara while his father 19 �was minister in charge of the Methodist Church here. London, Ontario, on A. December 1st, 1916, in the 63rd Battery, C. F. He served in England in the Reserve Brigade ilized January 25th, 1919. He enlisted at He was demob- He caught a very heavy cold while in England and was in the military hospital in Hamilton till a short time before his death which occurred at his home in Grafton, on April 21st, 1921. Lieut. W. J. Wright Killed in Action August 26, 1917 A brief appreciation of the late Lieut. W. J. Wright, spoken on Sunday morning in St. Andrew's Church, Niagara, by the pastor, Rev. A. F. MacGregor, B. A. I think that I may say we are all in sorrow because of the passing of Lieut. W. J. Wright. We, who know him as the Principal of the High School and as a member and elder of this church, find it hard to believe that he is gone. Brilliant as a student, gifted as a teacher, as a soldier he has left an undying record. Our hearts go out in sympathy to the loved ones at home. Our tears flow with theirs, and though we cannot visit his grave, nor place on it a wreath of honor, we can cherish recollections of his worth, his kindness, his valor and his sacrifice; and remembering that there is a realm and home for liberty, for love and aspiration and service above these changeful skies, we have good hope through grace that after the strife is past and the work of the day is done, the loved in Christ we have lost awhile will be ours again. Therefore, we say not "Farewell" for we know that we shall meet again in the Summerland of life and joy. Miss Carnochan has written an appreciation of the late Mr. Wright, former Head Master of Niagara High School, which was published in pamphlet number 31 and from which the following is taken: "He qualified as lieutenant in 1914, and afterwards as Captain, went overseas in August 1916 and to France in October 1916 to 20 �the 19th Battalion. His death took place in the attack before Lens at Hill 70, August 18th, 1917." A few extracts follow from pamphlet 31: Mr. Wright was a Gold Medalist of Toronto University in 1895 and gained his M. A. in 1897 when 22 years of age. Although having a wife and three chil- dren he enlisted from a sense of duty. From letters received from him while in the trenches, much can be gleaned showing his loyalty, his cheerful spirit, his keen sense of duty. From brother officers and old pupils many tributes have been paid as "There is no braver or better loved officer than Lt. Wright; he never asks his men where he will not go himself", and again "No man ever answered the call of King and Country with purer motive. No spirit of adventure actuat- ed him, he went because he loved Britain and British institutions and British liberty." His letters abound in witty sallies and are all marked by strong common sense, patriotism, love of books and love of justice and liberty and a strong religious vein. He says "I have few books, Virgil's Eneid, New Testament; I would like a Hamlet and one of the Iliad, but we cannot carry much." When the tablet was unveiled at St. Marys' it was said that this was the only case of a tablet to the Principal of a Collegiate Institute who had given his life. The various tributes paid all attest he was a keen student, a brave soldier and a Christian gentleman. 221 �Veterans, you are the remnant of many a well fought field. -Webster. Bunker Hill Speech. "There is hardly a man who will not return from the war bigger than when he left home. He may be rougher in manner. But it will not be for nothing that he has learnt to endure hard- ship without making a song about it, that he has risked his life for righteousness's sake, that he has bound up the wounds of his mates and shared with them his meagre rations." Donald Hankey. A Student in Arms. Gunner Anson Armstrong A rule is known by its exceptions. The War Records Office at Ottawa is wonderful in the way it is able to give information asked for. But in reply to inquiries about Anson Armstrong they say that they are unable to identify. However we in the town know that Anson, although never a robust boy, followed his sister and brothers into the army. He served in England only and was discharged unfit for service at the front. Bdr. Ivan Armstrong (No. 83613) Ivan Armstrong was serving on the police force of Toronto when he enlisted in the 4th Brigade, C. 1918. F. A., on December 3rd, While he was serving in France his wife, who had gone to England with their son, died from shock during an air raid. He re turned to Canada and received his discharge September 13th, 1918. 22 �J. Raymond Armstrong (No. 210062) Raymond is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong who had three sons and a daughter serving in the army. Raymond signed up with the 44th on January 8, 1915, later he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Toronto regiment, demobilized April 23rd, 1919. with which he remained till it was This was the first regiment to cross the border into Germany and remained there on guard duty till relieved by English troops in January 1919. Like almost everyone else Raymond does not care to enlarge upon his experience but gives a list of the main battles in which he with his regiment took part: Vimy Ridge, Fresnoy, Hill 70, Arras, Passchendaele, Amiens, Monchey. Nursing Sister Muriel Armstrong Muriel Armstrong offered her services immediately after her graduation froin a Montreal Hospital. pital General dated served in France. While overseas she London, The date married Her enlistment in No. 2 Hos- England, of February 24th, 1915. her discharge is July Doctor Wickware in service 18, She 1917. with the Canadian Medical Corps. Lieutenant Charles Avery When the late Dr. Buel Avery was compelled, cn account of his health, to leave Niagara, Charles was but a very small boy but had attended the public school for a term. He enlisted as a gunner, (No- 63489), in the 14th Battery, C. F. A., in Toronto, March 27th, 1915. He served till demobilized in Toronto, March 27, 1919. Gunner Gerald Ball (No. 340167) Gerald Ball is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Ball and a 23 �descendant of the well known United Empire Loyalist family of that He attended the private school of Miss Servos and the Niag name. ara High School. He was accountant in the Imperial Bank at Wel- land when he signed up at St. Catharines, January served in France in the 8th Brigade, C. F. A. 18th, 1917. He He was demobilized June 11th, 1919. Cadet George Joseph Barrack George citizen. Barrack, aithough born in Niagara, is an American He spent part of every year with his grandmother, the late Mrs. Stephen Sherwood, attended the public school at those times. He had tried to enlist several times in Canada but had been rejected on account of a week ankle and an almost imperceptible lameness He was rejected on the same account when entered the War. feur in On October 24th, the air service. Texas, the United States first 1917, he was accepted as chauf- He served at Fort Slocum, N. Y., and in His physical disabilities were the cause of his failure to get training as a pilot but he was sent to the gunnery school to be trained for a commission in aerial gunnery. ed to Texas. After six weeks course he return- Later, while testing guns for the protection of New York City, he had a crash. About the middle of June, 1918, twenty- five of the cadets were sent to Doncaster for advanced training from English officers. According to George the twenty-five did not take very kindly to English discipline. the armistice was signed. They were still in Doncaster when George landed in New York, Dec. 4th and received his discharge February 29th, 1919. Capt. C. J. Bell Capt. C. J. Bell, an old Niagara Public School boy, enlisted as a private in the 44th Lincoln and Welland Regt. (Militia) for various reasons. First, because an attack of home-sickness for his boyhood surroundings produced an overwhelming desire to take advantage of an opportunity to spend twelve days in a training camp so near the many friends and companions of his school days, and second, because 24 �of his love for his country, and in what better way could he prove it than by wearing the King's uniform? After attending a few annual trainings with the 44th, he found that the old "common" lacked much of the charm he remembered as a boy when he roamed its broad acres free and unfettered with the the boys from the "dock." It was very different in a stuffy red coat, forming fours in the scorching rays of "Old Sol." So he transferred his affections from the Infantry to the Artillery and had the pleasure of doing his training on the Niagara commons on a horse which was less tiresome. At the outbreak of the war the 7th Battery, C. F. A., in which he held the provisional rank of Captain, offered its services to a man for overseas. The battery was mobilized at St. Catharines and sailed as a unit in the 3rd Artillery Brigade, 1st Contingent. On Salisbury Plain the 1st Canadian Division was formed from this contingent and many officers were obliged to revert to a lower rank in order to go to France. Captain Bell reverted to the rank of lieutenant and went to France with his division in February 1915, and served through all the battles in which the Canadians fought until January 1917. With the exception of a few minor scratches and various jolts, he came through unscratched. He was invalided to England with a severe attack of trench fever contracted at the Somme and returned to Canada after a protracted period in an English hospital. Shortly after his arrival in Canada he was put in command of the 63rd Battery at London, Ont., and later commanded No. 1 Artillery Depot at Guelph, which post he held till the demobilization of the overeas forces in Canada. Headquarters, M. D. No. 1, London, Ont., Jan. 24, 1919. My dear Miss Creed,I am in receipt of your letter of the 13th inst. which was forwarded to me from St. Catharines. To be among the names of ex-pupils of the Niagara School who served in the war will give me much pleasure indeed. I will write to my sister in St. Catharines and have her send a photograph as you requested, having none with me here in London. 25 �Here are the particulars of my service: 1. Enlisted for overeas with the 7th Battery, C. F. A., at St. Catharines on August 5th, 1914. 2. In France and Belguim twenty-six months. 3. Canadian Field Artillery, 1st Contingent 4. Operations: 1915-Fleurbaix, Laventie, Neuve Chapelle, 2nd Battle of Ypres, Festuvert, Givenchy, Ploegsteert, Kemmel Mes- sines, Bois Grenier. 1916 Ypres Salient, Mt. Sorrel, Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Hill 60, Blauport Farm, Menin Rd. The Somme- Thiepval, Mouquet Farm, Poziers, Leipsig Redoubt, Courcelette, Regina Trench, Grandcourt. The above is a summary of the principal engagements in which I participated with the 3rd Brigade, although there were numerous minor actions that appeared in the communiques as: "On the western front there was artillery activity", etc. Trusting this may prove satisfactory, I remain Yours very truly, CHAS. J. BELL, Capt. Sergeant Wilfred H. Black, M. M. Wilfred is the oldests on of Mr. John Black who was for many years manager of the canning factory. He was still a schoolboy when the war broke out. He enlisted in Toronto on January 12, 1916, with the 134th Battalion, 48th Highlanders, and went overseas on August 9th, 1916. On October 10th he went to France and joined the 15th Canadian Infantry serving continually with that until dis- charged in Toronto, May 10th, 1919. He was wounded at Arras in 1918 and was awarded the mili- tary medal after the Battle of Amiens. Herbert George Brady (No. 227094) Herbert Brady, formerly of our town, was, when he enlisted, 26 �living with his parents at Lake Lodge, the home of the first rector of St. Mark's, Mr. Addison, from whom he is descended. He enlisted first in August, 1914, but was discharged at Valcartier. He enlisted again at St. Catharines, He went overseas in April 1916 November 21, 1915. 1916 and was in France in September, He was wounded at Vimy Ridge, 9th April, 1917, and was sent to England. He was there till March 28th, 1918, when he was sent back to France. He was in France till the end and spent six weeks He went back to England, April, 1919. in married He Germany. while there. He He received his discharge August 19th, 1919. is now living in St. Catharines. Gunner John Brady (No. 42280) John Brady enlisted August 13th, 1914, in the 11th Battery, Hamilton, and served till March 18th, 1919. and a good one. It was a long service General George Mitchell, who was his C. O., says that Brady was a good soldier. Captain Charles Bell, who was in the same battery for a time, says that Brady was complimented on his outfit many times. He was in France early in 1915 and served through all the hardships and discouragements of those early days till September, 1916, when at the Somme he was badly wounded in the legs. 15th, 1916, found him back in France as good as ever, he says. March, 1918, he got home on furlough. June In On October 11, 1918, he sailed for England once more but was there only a short time before the armistice so was not sent to France again. Pte. Carl Booth Some years ago the Booth family lived in the Western Home Cottage. The youngest son Carl was away up north when the war 27 �broke out. He enlisted and was severely wounded in France. He did not like his name Carl and enlisted under another name so that the Records Office has no record of Carl Booth. The family lived in St. Catharines and the list of his service is quite authentic. Lieutenant Fred Booth Fred Booth, eldest son of the family, enlisted in Flying Corps. the U. S. He called on me at the Central School, St. Catharines, the day after his return and told me that he had seen service in France with that force, but I have not seen him since nor received any answer to letters asking for information. Peter Brown Peter Brown, elder son of the late Wm. Brown of Niagara, was seen in England by his cousin, Major Fred Smith, but letters addressed to his old home in Hamilton have been returned and the Records cannot locate him on the meagre information furnished. Captain Charles Stewart Calhoun The Calhoun family lived for a few years on the outskirts of the town, on the farm now owned by Mr. Duncan Freel. attended public school during that time. Both boys Charles enlisted as a private in the 3rd Battalion at Valcartier, September 22nd, 1914, and was discharged July 2nd, 1918. 28 �Major John Campbell Calhoun Doctor John Calhoun enlisted at Toronto in No. 2 Hospital on the same date as his brother, July 22, 1914. Genera He served till 2nd of October, 1918. Driver Earle Hardinge Campbell (No. 349909) Earle Campbell, son of Mr. Walter Campbell, of British Columbia, has lived most of his life with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Campbell. He enlisted in He is on the roll of both public and high schools. the R. C. H. A. at Kingston, 31st December, 1917. He served with the 1st D. A. C. till demobilized, 9th May, 1919. Sapper Francis Manning Carnochan Frank Carnochan Carnochan is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James of Niagara and a grand-nephew of the President of the Historical Society. Mr. James Carnochan, who had been some years before an enthusiastic member of the Q. O. R., went overseas soon after his son but is not on our roll because all his school days were spent in Toronto. Frank, who had been in Niagara Camp, as tele- grapher all the summer of 1915, enlisted on November 3rd in the 81st Battalion as signaller. When the examination lists were published Frank stood third in a list of twenty-five with first class rank. He went overseas the following May and reached France August 12th, 1916, with the 4th Division Signal Co. He spent most of his time travelling up and down through France with the headquarter's staff of the 4th division. He returned to Canada on the Mauretania and received his discharge June 8th, 1919, after three years, seven month's 29 �service. Like many others he is now proving by his steady applica tion to his work that the army did not unfit our best men for civilian life. The record given by Gen. Malloch is worthy of quoting at least in part: "I wish to record and express to you my appreciation of your faithful and efficient service. You are one of the many who has returned to Canada with no outward sign of having rendered more than the average service to the cause. I know that no one has en- deavored to do his duty more conscientiously than you and if circum stances had been different you would have won the decorations that others have obtained for merely playing the game as you have done. This is the fortune of war, but rest assured that your comrades know and will remember your good work." Sergeant Charles W. Castle (No. 477162) Charles Castle attended Niagara Public School while he lived with his grandfather, Mr. Kemsley. He enlisted in the Royal Cana- dian Rifles at Halifax, N. S., on August 23rd, 1915. ed May 10th, 1916. He was wound- He was discharged physically unfit on April 25th, 1918. Pte. Edward Caughill (No. 2120224) Shortly after the death of his wife, Edward Caughill enlisted in the 98th Battalion, December 8th, 1915. He went with his regi ment to France and served on the Somme and at Vimy Ridge. Vimy Ridge he was gassed and buried. He was sent to England. His back At was badly hurt. He speaks gratefully of kindness received from Mrs. Nelles and Mrs. Mann (formerly Miss Fleishman), whom 30 �he met while in the hospital there. He was returned to Canada and received his discharge September 30th, 1917. Corporal Wm. Lawrence Chamberlain (No. 317877) William Chamberlain erlain, now of St. is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Chamb Catharines. 49th Battery, Jan. 22, 1916. He enlisted at St. Catharines in He went to France in March, and was transferred to the 23rd Battery. 1917. his November battery. On 1916. He was wounded After about a week's rest he was back with about two months off duty. slightly wounded. 1917, After training at Kingston and Petawawa he went overseas in August, first August 8th, the 1st he was gassed. On October 10th, This time he was 1918, he was again He was on the way to rejoin his battery when the armistice was signed. He made the trip to Germany with them. He received his discharge May 29th, 1919. Miss J. Moss Chrysler Miss Chrysler, younger daughter of Dr. F. Chrysler, had shown wonderful executive ability in her position as secretary of the Girls' Friendly at Cleveland. During five months with Y. W. C. A. war work in New York she again proved her worth. In October of 1918 she was sent abroad also to organize for work, the women of the war stricken regions. Niagara is glad that some of Miss Chrysler's best work was done in Poland. Miss Chrysler left Warsaw to come home, arriving on May 5, 1920, but wont back to Europe to continue her work. 31 �Gunner Ernest Hedley Coleman (No. 349912) Ernest Coleman, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. James Coleman, was born and educated in Niagara. He left the high school and en- tered the local bank and was teller there in the early days of the war when every man in camp was paid by cheque which was cashed at the local bank. He was in a Toronto bank when he joined the R. C. H. A., Kingston, on December 31st, 1917. He left for England, Febru- ary 24th, without having the last leave which seemed the right of all After training in Witely Camp he went to France August 15, 1918, with the 2nd D. A. C., Divisional Ammunition Column. He was with that till September 15th when he joined the 15th Battery, C. F. A., at Hendecourt. He was at Cambrai and (Valenciennes), receiv ing there a slight wound He was with that much discussed taking of Mons on the morning of the signing of the Armistice. stationed near Bonn till February 28, Belguim. He left He was 1919, when he returned to for England April 16 remaining there month when he was returned to Canada and discharged about a May 25, 1919, arriving home with cousin, Hainer Currie. Pte. Ernest Norman Connolly (No. 3314459) Ernest Connolly, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Connolly, joined the 2nd C. O. R. at Niagara Falls, Jan. 23, 1918. was sent overseas April 7, 1918. He He took a machine gun course and was sent to France with the 4th Battalion in August. At Bourlons Wood on Sept. 27th, he was wounded in the left thigh. After a brief stay in Boulogne he was sent to Rlyll and from there home. ceived his discharge April 1st, 1919. Ernest as he had very ill. to leave for She died shortly after. 32 He re Much sympathy was felt for overseas while his mother was �Corporal Frederick William Corbett (No. 503130) The Corbett's were one of those numerous families who come Their three younger to Niagara, stay a few years, then move away. sons joined the army but two of them are on the public school roll. Fred was in the Canadian Engineers. He enlisted in Vancouver, B. C., January 31st, 1916. He was demobilized June 17th, 1919. Pte. Thomas Edward Corbett (No. 703709) Thomas Corbett enlisted at Thurlow, 1916. He was wounded April 11th, B. C., February 1st, 1917, and demobilized Novem- ber 10th, 1919. Captain Charles Blanchard Cowley Charles Cowley attended Niagara Public School during the time in which his father was conductor on the local M. C. R. R. enlisted and was in enlistment is dated October 3rd, that famous regiment, Ottawa, August 20th, 1914. of State for March 27th, 1918. His He was wounded 1915, and again February 15th, 1916. tained from Ottawa says: tary the P. P. C. L. I. He The record ob- "He was brought to the notice of Secre- war for valuable services in connection with war He was acting captain and was demobilized July 22nd, 1919." The Niagara Historical Society is indebted to Captain Cowley for a picture of Princess Patricia presenting the colors to her regiment. John Cowley Jack Cowley was an English boy who lived with Mis. Lewis. 33 �a ad Mr. Walter Freel while attending Niagara Public School. During the second year of the war Mrs. Freel received a letter from him from England saying that he was wounds received in France. in a hospital there recovering from This letter was mislaid and as no inform. ation as to place or time of enlistment could be given, Office failed to locate him. the Record Lecters written to an address, furnished by the Records Office, were returned un-opened. Lieutenant Frank A. Crighton Frank Crighton attended Niagara High School when his father was pastor in charge of the Methodist Church. service is as follows: Enlisted Canadian Army Medical His report of military Corps July 3rd, taken on strength of overseas unit, C. A. M. C., August left 6th, Canada for England February 26, 19th, 1915; 1916; sent to France June 1916; promoted to Corporal February 14th, England 1915; for commission February 2nd, 1917; returned to 1918; gazetted 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, August 11th, Lieutenant, 1918; returned to France October 12th, 1918; took part with the first army of occupation in Germany; returned to England March, 1919; returned to Canada and demobilized April 23rd, 1919. Gunner Clarence Cumpson (No. 302114) Clarence Cumpson enlisted in the 8th Hamilton, Ont., on August the same day as his brother. 15, 1915. Brigade, C. F. A., at He served till demobilized on Mr. and Mrs. James Cumpson went to Hamilton to assist in the welcome home of their nephews. 34 �Driver Herbert Cumpson (No. 141384) Herbert and Clarence Cumpson are sons of the late Cumpson whose family removed from Niagara many years ago. two boys attended the junior classes of the public school. Sam The Herbert enlisted in the 40th Battery, C. F. A., at Hamilton, July 28th, 1915. He was wounded October 9th, 1916, and demobilized March 30, 1919. Hainer Currie Hainer Currie is the fourth son of the late Bartlett Currie and of Mrs. Currie. He is next in age to Perry Currie who died after St. Julien in 1915. Hainer enlisted November 9th, Battalion at Niagara Falls. transferred to the 19th not be put more briefly: 1915, in the 98th He became a signaller and Battalion. was later His account of his service could "Nine months in Canada, two months in England, two years seven months with the 19th Battalion in France, Belgium and Germany, and was in every engagement that the 2nd Division was in." in June, 1918. He returned to Canada and received his discharge He has taken advantage of the government's aid in vocational training and has moved from our town. Captain Robert Hamilton Dickson Robert, better known as Bert Dickson, is the eldest son of Captain R. G. and Mrs. Dickson and grandson of the late Senator Walter Dickson of Niagara, and of the late Angus Morrison, M. P. He attended Niagara High School for one year. the Canadian He served He enlisted with Engineers at St. Johns, P. Q., November 30th, 1916. with that regiment in France. He returned to Canada and was demobilized June 16th, 1919. Pte. Robert Doran Robert Doran is the eldest son of the late John Doran, a vet35 �eran of the American-Cuban war who served on the frontier guard at the beginning of this war. His mother, Mrs. the daughter of the late Robert Smith of the old and one of the numerous pensioners of Niagara. Doran, WHS Royal Canadians He is a cousin of Major Fred Smith, so well known in the athletic work of the Y. M. C. A. among th soldiers. Robert left Niagara a number of years ago and settled in Red Deer, Alberta. He writes: "The information you request, I am very pleased to furnish although it does not describe a very brilliant army career. 1 enlisted in Red Deer, Alta., on June 1st, 1915, in C Squadron of the 12th Mounted Rifles; transferred to the 20th Battery, C. F. A.; ar. rived in England on June 16, 1915; entrained for overseas on 22nd June, 1915; arrived England July 10th; proceeded to France Jan. 10th, 1916; in the firing line Jan. 24 at Neuve Eglise, Belgium, St. Eloi, (Mt. Kemmel Ypres 3rd Battle), Hill 63 and other minor engagements until going to the Somme the latter part of August. I was wounded in the abdomen and groin at Mt. Kemmel on August 4th and taken to Balieul Hospital, 8th was thence to Boulogne, and on the operated on to extract bullets; sent to England (Coulter Hospital, Grosvenor Square, London, on the 13th; from there was sent to various convalescent camps until the following Sept., 1917) when I was sent to Moore Barracks Hospital (No. 11) Canadian General at Shorncliffe for another operation; was then sent to Epson Convalescent Hospital, from there to the reserve depot at Witley, to the Canadian Discharge Depot at Buxton; from there on S. S. Metagama to Canada, arriving at St. Johns, January 5th, 1918; arrived at Calgary, Alta., January 11th; discharged February 8th. He ends his letter with "My hearty good wishes I extend to all ex-pupils of the Niagara Schools." Bombardier Wilfred Laurier Eckersley Laurie Eckersley, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Eckersley, though born in Halifax, N. S., E. L., Jacob Ball, Niagara. al is a descendent of the well known U. He came to Niagara while very young and obtained his schooling in our Public and High Schools, leaving the latter to join the staff of the local bank in that strenuous season 36 �of 1915. In the early part of the summer Laurie determined to enlist and went up to Camp Borden for that purpose. While there he re- ceived word from his chums, Harry Rowland and Dan MacArthur, that there was a vacancy in their battery, the 56th, formed at the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. He went at once to Petewawa and enlisted July 15 in that, under the late Major V J. Kent. They left Petewawa and arrived in England by the Metagama on Septemb er 19, 1916. to six gun While in Witley the division was changed from four batteries and transferred to the 55th. the section to which Laurie belonged was The stay of this battery in England seems long compared with that of many; eleven months was spent at Witley. They left for France August 20th, 1917. "Landed at La Havre Aug. 20th, 1917. flu casualty February 10th, 1919. ly was a mere I left France as a The year and six months seeming- incident not worth mentioning." We know that they bore their part nobly and well, losing their gallant major who was so well liked by his men. He was discharged April 8th, 1919. Gunner William John Elliott (No. 318016) William Elliott, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Elliott, was still attending Niagara High School when he enlisted Battery at St. Catharines, February 26th, Exhibition 1916. Camp, Toronto, he sailed for 1916. After training at England September 13th, On March 17th, 1917, he was sent to France. France lasted just one April 17, 1917. month. in the 49th He was wounded at His service in Vimy Ridge His wound was so bad that he was kept in Etapes Hospital till May 3rd, when he was sent to Birmingham, then to Ep- som. His hospital experience has been long and varied. He left England New Year's Eve, 1916. Since being in and Toronto. leg could Canada he has been in hospitals in Burlington Although there were times when it was feared that the not be saved, William was discharged December 23, 1919, and has but a very slight limp. 37 �Pte. Charles Y. Emslie, M. M. (No. 108211) Charles Emslie lived in Niagara Clark, for about two years. lic and High Schools. with his aunt, Mrs. Wm In that time he attended both the Pub- Most of us recall him as he appeared on Sun- days or holidays in the regimental kilts of his father, Major Emslie. He enlisted at Edmonton, Alta., on January 20th, C. M. R. 1915, in the 3rd He was awarded the military medal October 27, He was discharged as medically unfit on March 12th, 1916- 1919. His laconic reply to a request for information about his military career is a fair sample of the reason for meagreness of detail in this record. "I thank you for your congratulations about my medal and am glad to have the honour of being placed on the roll of Niagara schools. Your very truly, etc." Lance-Corporal Erland W. Field (No. 522740) Erland W. Field is the eldest and Mrs. Murray Field of Virgil. done in Niagara. of the three soldier sons of Mr. All of his High School work was He served his time in the drug shop of the late Mr. Randall, then graduated from the School of Pharmacy in Toronto. He enlisted with the C A. M. C. at Camp Niagara June 21st, 1915. He remained in Canada for five months before going overseas. On reaching France he was taken on the strength of the 5th Canadian Field Ambulance (2nd Division). In August of 1917 he was tranfer- red to the 1st Canadian Field Clearing Station. He served in France, Belguim and Germany for two years and nine months and arrived home early in July after four years, thirteen days of service in the army. Gunner Harold M. Field (No. 318037) Harold Field, son of Mr. Murray Field of Virgil, is one of the three brothers who are on our High School honour roll. 38 He spent �three yeare and five months in the army serving in France, Belgium and Germany, yet sums it all up on one page of ordinary notepaper, this including the usual opening and closing forms of a letter and an apology for delay in answering. same mail, one from February 22, 1916, Matthew Two letters were received with the Girvin who had enlisted in Detroit the other from Harold Field who had enlisted in St. Catharines February 22, 1916. Harold went across with the 49th Battery, C. F. A. turned early in the summer of 1919. He re. He returned almost at once to his old position and with many others is proving that the citizen returned from life in the army is not unfitted for civilian life. Wilfrid Murray Field Three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Murray Field, of Virgil, enlisted, served their time in France and have all returned. They all passed their entrance from Virgil School and attended Niagara High School. Wilfrid was, for a short time, in the local bank and then went West. He enlisted in the 59th Battery at Winnipeg on March 3rd, 1916. He sailed for England September 8th, 1916. While there he was transferred to the 61st Battery which unit he went to France with on August 20th, 1917. operations from He says "I took part in most Canadian Corps. that date, and when the armistice was signed we marched to Cologne, Germany, and formed part of the army of occupa tion until January 20th, May 11tth we returned 1919, when we returned to Belgium. On to England and on June 13th to Canada." After a brief visit at home he returned to the West. Lieut. Donald Alexander Fisher Donald Fisher, eldest brother of Fred at Montreal August 28th, the AMG talion. Brigade. 1914. Fisher, V. C., enlisted He was first private No. 45560 in Later he became a lieutenant in the 60th Bat-1 He was wounded October 4th, 1916, and was discharged as medically unfit for further service September 30th, 1917. 39 4 �Lieut. William Henry Fisher, M. C. Will Fisher, also a brother of Fred V. C., enlisted at Montreal in the 2nd Highland Battery, C. He was awarded 1919. F. A., on November 14th, the Military Cross (L. O. 31266) on 1914. April 2nd, He was demobilized medically unfit 6th of May, 1919. Robert Fizette Folk another of the older generations in Niagara will remember Robert Fizette as he appeared in public functions of the Masons, or as he carried out his official duties of town constable. Robert of this record is a grandson of the former. The His home has been in Chicago and Toronto but he attended our public school for two years while he and his father, Mr. Charles Fizette, were at the old home. Robert enlisted with the 166th Q. O., May 11th, 1916. was transferred to the 75th Battalion in France. He He saw service at Vimy Ridge, Lens and other actions of that section. He was gassed and sent back to England and received his discharge in January of 1919. His account of his experience is: "All that I have to say is that I am proud to have been a member of the famous "Suicide Battalion" serving with them as a scout." Gunner Duncan Hugh Freel (No. 302758) Duncan Freel left his farm when the crops of 1915 was in and enlisted November 10th in battery. He spent that winter in Toronto and left for overseas March 10th, 1916. While on duty in England he broke his leg and was kept there till February of 1917 before being able to go to France. He served with his battery till January 3rd, 1918, when at Lens he was gassed. He was sent to England and spent nearly a year in various hospitals and convalescent homes. He sent home various samples of his handicraft undertaken while recovering. He arrived home for the New Year and received his discharge January 26th, 1919. 40 �Sapper Edward Norman Freel (No. 3039465) Norman Freel, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Freel of the township, received all his schooling in town. colours on June 5th, 1918. He was called to the He saw service in England only and was with the 3rd Canadian Engineers Reserve Battalion. He was demo- bilized on July 3rd, 1919. Pte. John Alexander Fyfe (No. 850160) The Fyfe family came to Niagara from the Island of Rothsay, Scotland. years. John attended the Public School in town for about two He signed up at St. served with the 176th Catharines on March 10th, 1916. Battalion and vice was in England only. with the C. A. S. C. He His ser- He was demobilized August 7th, 1919. Sapper Rolland Gardiner (No. 2266079) Rolland Gardiner is the only surviving son of the late Mr. John Gardiner who carried on the bakery business in Niagara for some years. He enlisted in Hamilton October 12th, 1917, in the Divisional Signallers. on February 18th In a month's time he was sent to England and went to France. He was with the first Tramway Co. doing line work till January, 1919, when he returned to England. He received his discharge March 30, 1919. Matthew Knowland Girvin Chief Yeoman U. S. Naval Reserve Matthew Girvin is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Girvin, at one time resident of our town but now of Detroit, Michigan. Matthew is a grandson of the late Mrs. Swift whose candy shop and 41 �ice cream parlor was the favorite resort of Niagarians some years ago. Two other grandsons of this esteemed lady are also on our roll-Harry and Wm. Riley of Buffalo. C. R. When Mr. Girvin, conductor on the M. R., was transferred to the main line the family removed to Detroit. This happened just a short time after Matthew passed the entrance examination, so that his name does not go School roll. on the High He enlisted at Detroit in the Michigan Naval Militia on February 22nd, 1916. The name of this organization was changed to "National Naval Volunteers" and Reserve Force." later to "Class 2, U. S. Naval This force was called to active duty upon entrance of the United States into the war April 6, 1917. Matthew served on the U. S. S. Iowa from April 6, 1917, to April 22; on the U. S. S. Kansas from that date till active duty May 30, 1919. May 30, 1919. He was released from He records his service thus: Inactive service 13 months, from February 22, 1916, to April 6th, 1917. Active service 2 months, April 6, 1917, to May 30th, Will be discharged March 3, 1920, (if another war 1919. doesn't start. Our duty consisted of convoy duty during the war and transporting troops to the U. S. from France after the armistice was signed. Percy C. Gordon (No. 2265650). Warrant Officer Telegraphist Percy Gordon is the youngest son of the late James Gordon and Mrs. Gordon. High Schools. Percy is on the honour roll of both the Public and In answer to a request for a record of his service he writes: "I enlisted May 24th, 1914, as a sapper in the Canadian En gineers in St. Catharines and trained at Rockcliffe Camp, Ottawa, in the Divisional Signallers Depot. My regimental No. was 2265650. On August 17th I was discharged from this unit to enlist in the R. N. C. V. R. Joined the training ship "Niobe," Halifax, in Septem ber as a warrant officer telegraphist. While I was in the Halifax explosion of December 6th took place. 42 training here After I completed �my training I was variously engaged in patrol and convoy work off the east coast of Canada and Newfoundland. Was demobilized Jan. 3rd, 1919, at Halifax. Lieutenant Reginald Lane Griffith Croix de Guerre Reginald Griffith signed up as Pte No. 1100049 at Toronto on February 21st, 1917. As he was a He served with the Canadian Railway Troops. civil engineer at the Panama he was of much service. He was given his commission and was lent to the French army to do draughting. For this work he was given the Croix de Guerre. He was demobilized March 31st, 1919. Private Ernest George Grimstead (No. 3314464) Ernest Grimstead enlisted at Niagara Falls, Ont., in the 24th Battalion on January 23rd, 1918. He served in England till demob- ilized May 12th, 1918. Gunner Charles Franklin Hainer, M. M. (No. 42691) Charles Hainer, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Hainer, enlisted in the 7th Field Battery, St. Catharines, on August 14, 1914, and was discharged in Montreal July army one month less than five years. years of age. 15th, 1919, thus being in the He is now but His record too is a fine one. twenty-two When Harvey Hainer answered the roll for the first time in Toronto, the sergeant asked him if he had a relative at the front and on his replying that his brother was there, the sergeant said: to have you. right. he was "He was with me over there, I am glad If you are as good a rider as your brother you are all Hainer was a good man and when anything was to be done the first man to volunteer." Capt. Charles Bell also says: "Charles Hainer was very brave, brave almost to a fault. 43 He was a �fine fellow, quiet but ready always to do his share." This did not go unnoticed by others for, besides the Mons and General Service Medals, he wears two others, the Military Medal and of Russia. the St. George's Medal The following is a copy of the certificates: General Headquarters, Allied Forces, Archangel 10th June, 1919. By virtue of the authority which has been extended to me by His Brittannic Majesty's Government, I hereby have the honor of conferring upon you, No. 42691, Driver Charles Hainer, Canadian Field Artillery, The Military Medal in recognition of gallant conduct. The following is the official account of your conduct for which the award has been made. "Has served in France and Russia since the beginning, being twice wounded. His courage and devotion to duty has been most marked." I heartily congratulate you upon the honor which has thus been conferred upon you. E. IRONSIDE, Commanding-in-Chief, Allied Forces, Archangel. 42691, Gr. Hainer, C. In virtue of the power given me by the Provisional Govern- ment of N. R., I confer upon you the St. George's Medal of the 4th class in recognition of your gallant conduct in the field when fighting with the enemies of Russia. I heartily congratulate you with the award thus conferred upon you. L. MILLER, General Staff, Lieutenant General, Governor General of N. R. No. 3294. 6/19. Archangel. 44 �Charles is not so ready with his dates as some. He did not keep a diary and he says that in France he hardly knew one day from another. He went to France first with the 3rd Brigade Ammunition Column, February, 1915. He was wounded in April, 1916, at St. Eloi and saw his cousin, Perry Currie, when he was so badly wounded. A shell landed almost under him and cussion smashing his legs. blew him into the air, the con- He lit on his back in a shell hole. He says that he never lost consciousness and his description of being carried off amid bursting shells, of being dropped many times by his bearers as they rolled into holes for safety, then the arrival at a station only to find it shelled out, is certainly a vivid portrayal of what was endured. After some days at Boulogne he was sent May 1st to King George Hospital, London, where he says: "I was lucky enough to be attended to by the Harley St. Specialist." In November he went back to France with the 9th Battery. At Passchendaele in October, 1917, he was again wounded. "Nothing much this time," he says, "only the jaw fractured, shrapnel in face and arm." Upon his recovery he was sent to Witley. While there he volunteered three times for France but was not accepted as he had seen so much service and they were sending over the men who had not yet served in France. fed up with camp dians signed. By this time he says that he was so thoroughly that he volunteered for North Russia. went into action in The Cana- Russia two days after the armistice was After seven months there they were sent back to England. July 16, 1919, Charles came back to his native town. Clifton Hainer One after the other the sons of C. F. Hainer and Mrs. Hainer offered themselves to their country. Clifton, the third son, was not sixteen when he began trying to get in the army. He tried seven times, succeeding sometimes in getting past the doctor, but his mother had him discharged. At last she decided that she might as well give her consent so he became a member of the Mounted Rifles and was sent to England. It does not seem easy to escape the lynx eyed authorities in England and despite all sorts of manoeuvores, Clifton 45 �was sent back to Canada. A little later he enlisted in the permanent force, R C. D. Driver Harvey Colin Hainer (No. 318018) Harvey Hainer, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Hainer, soon followed his brother into the army. arines on February 25th, 1916. He enlisted in St. He served with Cath- the 5th D. A. C. He was demobilized June 11th, 1919. The chances of meeting in London without appointment are very few. One day Harvey was crossing London Bridge to get a train at Waterloo Station. at the river. He stopped when part way over to look As he turned to go on there was his brother Charles almost beside him and would certainly have passed him minute as one khaki back looks much like another and in another Harvey had grown both taller and broader in the two years since the brothers had met. Edwin Hewgill Edwin Hewgill is a grandson of the late Captain Hewgill of Niagara. His father and mother having died in the West, or Ted, as he is still called, came to Niagara to live Mrs H. Garrett. with his aunt, He took the officer's training course and was gazetted with the 19th Lincolns, August, Edwin in Toronto 1915. It was probably his youth which prevented his going overseas but Edwin got tired of waiting and enlisted as a private in the 182nd at Whitby on May 2nd, 1916. The following February he was in France with the 116th Battalion. He was with that unit till August, 1918, when he was wounded at Amiens. His left arm is almost useless, a very ser- ious handicap for a left handed man. 46 �Pte. Francis Joseph Hindle (No. 850680) From both sides of the house Frank Hindle is descended from the "old soldier families of Niagara. He enlisted at Battalion. , when his St. Catharines May 12, 1916, in He was stationed at Niagara Falls till battalion was sent to England. the 176th the next April In March of 1918 he was sent to France to the 164th Battalion, later, with a draft of two hundred, he was sent to the 52nd. He was with the 52nd when they relieved the Imperials held up by the enemy, and was in every other scrap till the relief of Mons. He has one of the medals presented to the re- lieving army by the grateful people of that city. He returned and received his discharge 30th March, 1919. Pte. Joseph Archie Holohan (No. 249275) Archie Holohan, youngest son of the late Thomas Holohan, enlisted in the 208th Battalion in Toronto on the 27th April, 1916. He went to England and was there declared medically unfit for service. He was returned to Canada and received his discharge on Dec- ember 31st, 1917. Driver Thomas Merrick Holohan (No. 342011) Merrick Holohan, second son of the late Thomas Holohan, who, some years ago, was a shoemaker in Niagara, enlisted in the 1st. D. A. C. in Toronto on his unit till 28th the 4th of December, 1916. of September, 1918, He served with when he was wounded. He received his discharge in Toronto, May 31st, 1919. Lance-Corp. J. Herbert Houghton, M. M. (No. 11660) Herbert Houghton, second 47 son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph �Houghton, was living in Toronto when war was declared. He was among the first to volunteer and signed up August 10th, 1914. was discharged April 1st, and seven months. He 1919, thus being with the army four years The joy of his home coming was shadowed in his mind and in that of the parents and friends by thoughts of those who cannot return. Although strong and fit now, he did not go unwounded through four years of fighting. He was wounded April 23, 1915, the same day on which Fred Fisher was killed and Perry Currie received his death wound. April 9th, 1919 He was sent back but was wounded again on While in England recovering from this wound, he, like "Ole Bill", was called from clink to have the Military pinned on his breast. Medal He could not obtain leave to attend his cousin's wedding, so took it, being willing to endure the consequences. He says that he knows of no reason why this honour was given him. He had been wounded four a. m. but remained with the action of which he had charge till late in the afternoon. This, which in the minds of his officers, deserved the recommendation, seems to him to be only the natural thing to do. It was once more into the breach and on Aug- ust 1st, 1918, he joined the first Machine Gun Battalion. While with this he was burned with gas and developed septic poisoning. By November 8th he had again returned to France, this time as a cyclist with the second motor machine brigade. A few days later he was on that victorious march into Germany. After six weeks in Bonn he returned to Belgium and back to England once more. On the King's Birthday the same year in St. Mark's he was married by the Rev. Canon Garrett. A happy ending to almost five years of waiting and warring. Nurse Dallas Ireland Mrs. MacMillan, elder daughter of Mrs. Ireland, of St. Cath- arines, and Mr. W. W. Ireland, late inspector of public schools in Lincoln County and former head master of Niagara High School, writes: As you may remember I went in training in 1915 and so was just graduated at the time of the armistice. I had enlisted for active service with the nursing division of the American Red 48 Cross and �sailed for Siberia in April, 1919, with the Czecho-Slovak unit of the A. R. Cross Commission the need for units to to Siberia. However, on arrival we found work with Czecho Slovak troops was past, so we were assigned to general duty in the military and civilian hospitals which the A. R. C. maintained. In February, 1920, the Red Forces took over in Vladivostok and the A. R. C. was forced to leave. My work in China was of a purely civilian character, so I believe that ends the little report. Tpr. William Edward Knally (No. 550390) William Knally enlisted at Toronto, Feb. 22, 1917. ed in England only. medically unfit. He serv- He was discharged November 20th, 1918, being M. D. No. 2, Toronto. Sergt. Charles Alex. Keith (No. 400212) Charles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Keith, is the youngest of four brothers who enlisted. His service was with the C. A. M. C. which he joined early in August, almost immediately. Je was six months Egypt. 1915. He was sent to England In September he was sent to the Dardanelles. there and then was about a month and a half in For the next two years his corps was stationed at Salonika. While there he contracted malaria. He was sent to hospital at Malta. During his stay there the Canadians in Salonika were returned to England and Charles was forgotten and actually in army records was listed as missing. Canadian there. He returned to Salonika to find himself the only He made himself such a nuisance to the imperial officers that they shipped him to England. at Hastings and remained He was on hospital duty there till he went home. discharge July 4th, 1919. 49 He received his �Pte. William George Keith (No. 157610) Mr. and Mrs. Keith have five sons, the was a small boy when the war broke out. go overseas. William, in whom the 81st Battalion on He left for overseas April 25th, France he was drafted to the 4th C. M. R. the Somme he was gassed. of The other four all tried to the eldest, enlisted September 11th, 1915. youngest 1916. In Three months later on When he came out of the hospital he was transferred to the 7th C. R. S. as sapper. He was with this until discharged April 11th, 1919. Sergeant Ernest Kemsley Mr. J. J. Kemsley and Mrs. Kemsley, of our town, had three sons and two sons-in-law serving in the war. Sergeant Ernest Kem- sley, their fourth son, was the first of our resident men He enlisted with the 19th Lincoln Battalion Jan. left Niagara Camp for Engla ad, June 18, 1915. 14th, to return. 1915, and Newspaper accounts Newspaper accounts of Zeppelin raids were very meagre leaving us with the vague idea that they caused very little loss of life. two notes from the diary. I copy Sept. 17, 1915-Zepps reported last night. Stood outside one hour and a half listening for them. Heard a buz- zing and was told it was air craft but found out afterwards that it was telephone wire. But, on Oct. 27, a different note is made-Zepps raided Otter- pool Camp last night at 9.45 and dropped five bombs, killing seventeen men and about thirty-five horses. killing all inside. One bomb struck the guard tent We were called out to pick up the remains. We picked them up in kit bags and labelled them with a name. While at this camp he passed his examinations for first-class instructor and became sergeant instructor. In February of 1916 he began to complain of his back and was sent to the hospital. From then till Jan., 1917, he spent his time in hospitals and convalescent homes. On Jan. 21 he sailed for Canada on the Carpathian which passed the Californian Jan. 26, the day on which she was torpedoed and sunk. 50 �Pte. Clifford Kemsley Private Clifford Kemsley is the third son of Mr. J. Kemsley and Mrs. Kemsley of Niagara. He was a married man with two children but that did not prevent him signing up to serve his country. He enlisted with the 134th Highland Battalion in Toronto, January 18th, 1916. He twenty-seven was drafted months through the battles at into the in Canada, 19th Battalion England and and France. served He was Lens and in the taking of Hill Seventy. He remarks that things happened too quickly over there for one to retain a clear impression. One was much like another. He was invalided to England, sent to Canada and received his discharge in the spring of 1918. Gunner Edwin D. Ker A number of years ago Mr. and Mrs. Ker, with their family, occupied the house then known as the Fred Paffard house, now called Green Acre. Edwin was the second son. He enlisted in Vancouver, B. C., October 9, 1915, in the Canadian Field Artillery, 1st Division. He served in the Ypres salient, Belgium, 1916, 3rd Battle of Ypres. He was discharged on account of wounds April 4th, 1918. Eric Kirby Many years ago William Kirby wrote in "The Harvest Moon." "Her future wars. For Britain's honour and our country's need Will never lack Canadians of my kin To guard her crown and empire evermore." Grandsons of the late Mr. Kirby served their country during the late war. They joined the ranks of our Canadian regiment and wreathed the British colours with the maple leaf. Eric attended both Public ara before going to England to live. and High Schools Niag No reply has been received to letters asking for records of his military service. The only authentic information is that he served with the Imperial Air Force. 51 in �Isaac Lavell Isaac Lavell's skill as a mimic, added to a keen sense of humor, makes a talk with him very enjoyable. He has little of real war to talk about for he did not succeed in getting to France. At the be ginning of the war he tried to enlist with the 7th field battery and later with the 98th battalion but was turned down by both. listed with the Welland Canal Guard January 6th, with that force until April 20th, 1917. He en- 1915, and was Four days later he signed up with the 255th Q. O. R and left for overseas May July 1st he was transferred to the 12th Reserve. 29th. About One evening while walking towards Folkstone a shell from an enemy plane dropped not far from him. The explosion deafened him in one ear. now be sent to France. He was given work at the Divisional School of Instruction and was there about six months. ton He could not at the end of February, He was sent to Bux- 1918, and arrived in Halifax by the Scandinavian on March 17 and was mustered out April 24th, 1918, just one year from the day on which he had signed up for overseas. Bombardier Harry Clarence Lee (No. 317931) Harry Lee is the elder son of the late James Lee and of Mrs. Lee of Niagara. He enlisted at St. Catharines in the 49th Battery on Feb. 10th, 1916. He served in Toronto, and arrived in France March 17th, 1917. Petawawa and England He served with the 82nd Battery in England and with the 9th Battery in France. Valenciennes when the armistice was signed. He was at He left Belgium April 17, 1919, after two years and one month at the front with not a day of that time in hospital. He received his discharge May 27th, 1919. Percy E. Lees (No. 542218) Percy E. Lees enlisted on the 18th of Sept., 1916, at St. Cath- arines with the Divisional Cyclists Corps; left Toronto April 26th, 52 �1917 for Halifax; on S. Ship F628 (Justicia) arrived at Liverpool May 14th; proceeded to Chisledon Camp, Wiltshire and trained there until the cyclists were drafted to Infantry Battalion, 198th, Canadian Buffs, (5th Division); left Chisledon for Witley June 30th, 1917; proceeded to France in reinforcement draft to 75th Battalion, 1st March, 1918; left La Hulpe, Belgium, on Good Friday, 1919; sailed from Southampton Sunday, June 1st, on S. S. Mauretania and arrived Halifax Friday, 6th June, 6 a. m.; entrained same day for Toronto, ar- riving at 5 p m., Sunday, June 8th, and arrived in Niagara, June 9th. He was with the 75th Battalion, Infantry, C. E. F., when discharged. Pte. Roy Le Fraugh (No. 916991) Roy Le Fraugh's family has lived He agara. is a descendant of great retreat to Moraviantown. Shaw who fought in the Roy signed up with the 198th Bat- talion at Toronto on December 30, 1916. talion in France. for four generations in Ni- He was with the 3rd Bat- He was wounded Augnst 8th, 1918, and was dis- charged medically unfit February 18th, 1919. Lance-Corporal George Gerald Librock (No. 3109615) Gerald Librock, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Librock of Niagara, was called to serve in the 2nd C. O. R. May 10th, 1918. After training at Niagara Camp he volunteered for Siberia September 1st, 1918. He left Canada with that force December served at Vladivostock till May 19, 1919. 26th. He He received his discharge Jnne 12th, 1919. Private George Miles Logan (No. 3314471) George Logan was with the 2nd C. O. R., 1st Depot Battalion. He enlisted at Hamilton England only. on March 18th, 1918. His service was in He was demobilized August 31st, 1919. 53 �Pte. John Henry Loughlin (No. 201848) John Loughlin came with his parents to Niagara when quite a He attended the Public School but left town as soon as small boy. old enough to earn his living. 5th, 1915. F. He sigmed up at Toronto December He served. the 95th Battalion and in the 12th C. R. He was demobilized March 21st, 1919. Lieutenant Clarence C. Lyall Clarence Lyall, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Lyall, enlisted at Vancouver, B. C., May 21st, 1915, From England he was sent to Salonica. in the C. A. M. C. In July, 1917, he came back to England and after a short course, joined the North Staffordshire Regiment, British Infantry. A severe attack of trench fever, follow- ed by rheumatism, shortened his career in France. In August, 1919, he brought back his English bride to Niagara but has since gone back to Vancouver where he had lived for some years before the war. His service in England and France was with the Imperials and he remarks that it was the widespread belief among them that the Canadian contingents in France was the equal of any as a fighting body and in the Air Force they were the best Gunner Maurice Scott Lyall (No. 338020) Maurice Lyall is the second son of Mr. W. E. Lyall and Mrs. Lyall. Mr. Lyall was for many years principal of Niagara Public School and as such was known by most of the boys whose names are in this record. Maurice enlisted Sept. 25th, 1916, in the 67th Battery. He trained in Toronto till March 22, 1917. In Shornecliff he was transferred to the Reserve Artillery Brigade. He was sent to France June 5th, 1917. At Hill 70 on August 18th, 1917, he was gassed. After a short time in the Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, he was placed in the Artillery Reserve. 54 On November 22nd, 1917, he �went back to France to the 48th Howitzer Battery. 3, On September 1918, near Arras he was wounded, and lost part of his thumb. He was in the hospital at Exeter for two months, sent back to Can- ada in January, 1919, and received his discharge February 16th, 1919. Pte. John Homan Lyall (No. 231364) Homan Lyall lived with his mother and sisters up near the Western Home. Opposite lived Mrs. Albert Wood. Almost the first thing that Arthur Wood tells when speaking of his experience is his brief meeting with Homan Lyall. schools. Homan is on the roll of both Hn enlisted in the 202nd Battalion at Edmonton, Alta., on March 8th, 1916. He arrved with the 10th Battalion. He was demobilized May 17th, 1919. Pte. Albert J. Maess Albert Maess is the younger brother of Roy Maess, M. M. one of our origninal firsts. Albert had been always rather delicate and it was a surprise when he was accepted in the army. first depot battalion, C. O. R., on May 31, 1918. to the 116th when sent to France. He enlisted in the He was transferred He was three months in France, arrived home and was discharged 1919. Army life may not have been enjoyable but it certainly agreed with this young man. came home minus the glasses, with broadened chest and a He robust appearance, quite unlike the lad who went away. Sgt. Roy Arthur Maess, M. M. (No. 42183) Roy Maess was one of that group who went to St. Catharines to enlist on August 14, 1914, and went to Valcartier and overseas with the first Canadians. After that stormy passage down the Bay of Biscay, they landed in France Feb. 55 10, 1915. When volunteers �were called for, Roy joined the trench mortar corps and them a year. Returning to duty, after being wounded at Courcelette, he was back with the 3rd brigade and end. was with remained with them till the After the battle of Cambrai he was given the Military Medal. He received his discharge May 27th, 1919. Driver Harold St. John Malcolm (No. 342519) Harold Malcolm spent most of his early life in St. Catharines, but after his father's death Burt St. John. lived for a while with his uncle, the late Harold enlisted at Toronto May served in France with the 71st Battery, C. F. A. 2nd, 1917. He He was demobiliz- ed May 27th, 1919, at No. 2, Toronto. Captain the Reverend Charles Masters, M. C. Keith "CAMPAIGN MEMORIES" "The war is over." still lingers. How the thrill of that announcement With it mingled glory of a great sacrifice and ghastly horror of a bloody desolation, it is receding into the dim distance of memory. But the memories remain. And those memories of a com- radeship born in strange surroundings, hardship lightened by a cheerful and somewhat devil may-care acceptance of the lot, and of calm determination, come what may, to see the thing through, balance the other set of memories, of savage cruelty, of blood-lust and ish hate sated in the torture of the innocent. of fiend- Without pretence of literary elegance of finish style, I should like to reproduce some from the throng of memories that linger in the mind of a Chaplain to the Forces, who had the privilege and the great experience of serving through some stirring days on the Western Front. It was just at the end of the year 1915 and after long and anxious waiting, that the commission came to the writer to proceed overseas. A few days of hurried arranging of affairs, farewells and outfitting found the Rector of Trinity Church, Wiarton, suddenly transformed into a formidable 56 �warrier, and even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed, etc. 5.30 on a bitter cold morning of Jan. 6th, At 1916, a somewhat self- conscious, slightly over awed and sadly desolate young soldier climbed on the train, to the turned his back on home and Great loved ones, and Unkown strengthened only by his face the consciousness of Divine guidance and Protection and the determination to play a man's part, even though a small one, in a great struggle. Less than a week later found me on board the transport Scandinavian, with Canada vanished astern and the consciousness growing that we were already in an atmosphere of war. On board were 9 chaplains, 30 nurses, a goodly company of medical men, 250 sailors from the West Indies, bound home to serve in every branch of service His Majesty's North Sea fleet, soldiers of and young Englishmen from all over the world, hastening home at the call of the Motherland in her hour of desperate need: We were placed at once under military discipline. The sound of the bugle with its weird cadence called us to our meals. The daily parade on the quarter-deck instilled in us a sense of discipline and the carefully darkened sleep, the order never to be out of reach of our life-belts, and the frequent boat-drills were pleasant reminders of the traps awaiting the unwary traveller. As the voyage progressed one was conscious of an increasing sense of strain and tension. And when the actual danger zone was reached and the ship began to zigzag in the accepted way, and a lively and business like destroyer, bobbed up out of nowhere ranged aloneside, and proceeded to bear us com- pany, the tension grew. tion to go below. On the last night only a few felt any inclina- A brother chaplain, age 73, granted his commis- sion on the strength of having six sons on service, ship like an uneasy spirit throughout the night. wandered over the And even the more experienced soldiers breathed a little more easily when at last green old Ireland began to fade from sight, The Giant's Causeway passed astern and the lights of Liverpool twinkled in the distance. was real heartiness and spontaneity in There the Thanksgiving service in which we all joined when the anchor was dropped in midstream out in the Mersey and we knew that we were safe. We had been long on the trip, for a heavy storm delayed us, but January 25th found us "All aboard" the headquarters, France. train for London where we To my delight I found myself reported at Chaplain booked at once for Two weeks of reporting to various officials, hurried sightsee57 �ing, more outfitting, with medical inspections and inoculations sandwiched in, and then we set our faces toward France. ance of that stay in England is curiously indistinct. over there bore mute witness to Britain's war My remember- But three things effort. The dark- ened streets, the careful food economy, and the absence from their ac- customed places of the young men. The trip of the transport from eventful. Boulogne was blessedly un- The omnipresent navy surrounded and hedged us in and only the crowd, the cold and general discomfort served to stimulate the masculine fluency in grumbling. When at remarked that on the trip over I had last I reported and been glad to wear my life-belt to keep my body warm, a callous adjutant was cruel enough to ask if I had also needed extra socks. I shall never forget the overwhelm- ing rush of feeling that possessed me when at last we set foot on French soil, and the swarm of dirty little street arabs surrounded us almost mobbed us in their eagerness fittingly to welcome "Les Cana- diens" and to secure "souvenir". Two free days, while waiting for belated military papers to authorize our proceeding, without which an obdurate R. T. O. (Railway Transport Officer) would not allow us to budge out of Boulogne gave us time to explore. Obliging French officers not only took us on a tour of inspection of the many hidden batteries and fortifications that guarded the city, but also led us over the famous walled city and through the mazes of the underground dungeon keep of the Castle of Godfrey de Bouillon and the famous White Company. At last came our marching orders. Mine were to report as chaplain at the First Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, located at Bailleul, near the Belgian frontier and fifty miles from Boulogne. A crowded French troop train bore us along, and in our dizzy flight across the country we averaged four and a half miles per hour, reaching Bailleul at 8 o'clock in the evening and the Clearing Station a half an hour later. quickly. In war things sometimes move A wag has defined army life as "a round of monotonous duties interspersed with dangerous episodes." in France there was no monotony. But on active service I found that the clearing station was situated in the hospital building of a large women's insane asy. lum. In the other buildings were lodged some 1500 insane women. As one humorous Tommy said, "it's bad enough to be insane but fancy being insane in French." My initiation into active 58 service was �swift and sudden. We were situated on the outskirts of the town, towards Locre and the famous Mount Kemmel, and only a little over 3000 yards behind the fighting line. And my coming synchronized with the putting on of a "show" by our attentive neighbors, the guileful Huns. As I neared the Clearing Station I saw the long line of motor ambulances moving slowly down the road and turning in at the gate. At the station everybody was busy receiving and caring for the wounded men. As nobody had time to fuss over me, I dumped my kit in a corner, pulled off my coat, rolled up my sleeves and went to work with the rest. Throughout the long hours of the night there was no halt or respite. Such was my initiation to active service. There was not even time to feel shocked at the sight of so much blood. And indeed, one was so absorbed in caring for and alleviating the sufferings of wounded men as to have little time to ponder over one's own feelings. When I finally got my bearings I found that in Bailleul were three clearing stations, the other two being imperial. One of them received three days a week, the other two each twice. And I had happened in on one of our receiving days. Everything was care- fully and wonderfully systemtiized so that the wounded men could receive the maximum of attention and time. treatment in the minimum Among the nursing sisters it was a great pleasure to find, in Miss Flora Wylie, an old friend and schoolmate. And probably the lot of one as unsophisticated as I was made easier by thus having a friend at court. Looking back I count it a great privilege that I was able to carry the glorious gospel of the Blessed God to my comrades at the time when the need was greatest. place in the vast military machine. One soon shook down into his I found my time fully occupied with many and various duties, visiting with and speaking to the men, writing their letters, sending messages of comfort home to their "folk," consoling the dying, burying the dead and holding services for the living. Through the whole of my stay there the busy airmen of the enemy were industriously trying to blow us out of existence. Day after day the attempt was made and often the margin between their success and failure was perilously small. "Sisters" carried on great comfort. with admirable coolness. And through it all the One old soldier was a When all around us the anti aircraft guns, "Archies' 59 �as we called them, were wearing out their welcome, and the ring of white explosions high in air were seen always to be in the rear of the fast advancing plane when at last his success and our own destruction seemed imminent, our soldier would drawl out cheerfully and uncon cernedly "Hello, Fritzie, over having a look around?" It seemed horrible to think that instead of getting us men, "Fritze" might get the women patients next door, and on several occasions he nearly did. But every situation has its touch of humour, and Tommy could always extract humour from near-tragedy. In the yard of the hospital was a group of tents in which slept the personnel of the station. aforesaid personnel was a big sergeant named Charlie, night duty. Charlie didn't like our aerial visitors. One of the who was on He was a little nervous about their coming, so it was a natural thing for a mischiev ous practical joker to heave a heavy brick on the tent just as Charlie was dropping off into his early morning beauty sleep. electric. The effect was Charlie came flying out in very scanty attire. And by a curious co-incidence most of the nurses and attendants happened to be looking out of the windows just at that moment. As the hospital was crowded I lived for some time in billet with a very kind French family, who initiated me into the mysteries of French cooking and the fine points of French etiquette. The daughter of the house, age 22, whose lover lay sleeping his last sleep in a soldier's grave, counted herself too old to marry, and was looking forward to a con- vent life. There was something impressive, almost chilling, in the quiet, bitter hate of those intelligent, midddle-class French people for the Germans great drive. But their town had been in German hands in the first And the tale of those experiences and of the brutal and fiendish cruelty of their inhuman enemies left one with no word to say against that deep and deadly hate. the fate of my friends. I have often since wondered as to Their town later passed once more into the enemy hands and is to-day a disconsolate heap of ruins. to the clearing station. But to return I soon found it expedient to move nearer my base of operations and my obliging Adjutant granted me a tent and a little coaloil stove. They make a happy combination for March and April out of door housekeeping. And a canvas tent as a protection from the shell casings of our own "Archies" and the bombs of the enemy leaves something to be desired. 60 But a convenient cellar way �close at hand supplied the deficiency and I soon grew proficient in the art of diving. Just along side our station was an Imperial aerdrome so that our daily experiences never lacked variety. The last sound at night was the return of the planes from patrol duty. The first sound in the morning, the whirr of their propellers as they set forth on the day's work. Shortly before my arrival the famous little Nieuport fighting planes had been perfected and brought into operation. And the fight for air supremacy was then being fought with the odds inclining in our favor. One daring young pilot, who had been an artist in civil life, left his station at 6 a. m., rose 1000 feet, defeated and shot down his German opponent and was back at his station in half an hour. I remember well seeing that same pilot, on patrol duty, actually teasing the German gunners, darting hither and thither and coming back again and again to the same spot to secure a much deserved photograph or piece of information. On one occasion he came down with 53 holes in his machine, none of the bullets having hit a vital spot. There was something charmingly boyish about him as he said "I never was so scared in my life." Twice during my stay in the 1st C. C. S. we got the victims of a German gas attack. And such an experience is horror unspeakable. We had our hospital full to overflowing. we laid on the grass out in the open air. The worst cases And there hour after hour we passed from man to man breaking little tubes of ammonia and spil ling it on a cloth to hold to the mouth of the stricken man as he chok. ed for breath and gasped his life away. Hour after hour the work went on, doctors, nurses and attendants all at it, till those who were too far gone for earthly help and others began to respond to the rem edies. Through all that time the only respite for the chaplain came as he hurried to the side of a poor unconscious victim to commend his soul to the great Father as he passed into the Eternal. Next day another section of the long trench in a military cemetery received its silent blanket-wrapped sleepers, and new homes across the sea were desolate. After such attacks it taxed the powers of the chaplain to write a message of comfort to each man's people. But few were missed. Among my treasured possessions are letters from every part of the British Empire in answer to that message. But even in the most stirring scenes that bubbling humour of Tommy would break out. On 61 �one occasion a German squadron had managed to escape the vigilance of our guardians and to drop their bombs on Bailleul. The result was disastrous to the tombstones and wax flowers in the French Cemetery and to several acres of glass under which grew the hothouse grapes for which that part of France is famous. of the raid I set off with a friend. Anxious to know the result Arrived at the scene of destruc tion I anxiously enquired from the military policeman on duty if there had been any casualties. buried." "Yes sir, one," he It was delightful in its sly humour. said, "a cat, but he's Shortly before my transfer came I had the privelege of seeing a great field-day, when a famous French General presented a number of our Canadians with decorations, kissing each one on the cheek as he did so. And it was with a thrill of natural pride that one overheard a French officer say, "the Canadians are the finest soldiers in the world, even though they are somewhat lacking in discipline." Even that small reservation has, I believe, since been proven unjustifiable. But at long last the time had come for a shift. I had been warned by our D. C. S. (Director of Chaplain Service) that I was slated for a transfer. On the last day of May, 1916, the order came through that I was transferred to the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division, and attached to the 58th Central Ontario Battalion. I joined the Battalion June 1st, 1916, at Camp on the Ren- inghelst-Ramertinge Road, a few miles back from the city of Ypres. The Battalion had just been relieved after nearly a month of contin uous duty in the iine The section we were then holding was the Hooge, Sanctuary Wood, Mt. Souel and Hill 60 position in the famous Ypres Salient and the work had been strenuous and wearing so that the men were looking forward to a hike down country and a rest among the green fields and pleasant pastures of sunny rural France. But fate and the enemy ruled otherwise. the morning of June 2nd, Shortly after I reported, on orders came to remain where we were. Rumours of all sorts were flying about. The thunder of the guns seemed even louder, more insistent and more menacing than usual- The glare of the Verey lights throughout the night had been incessant and had turned night into day. The air activity was much greater than usual and the observation balloons along the line, the eyes of the enemy searching out our secrets behind the Something unusual was in the air. line, had multiplied. All day we waited in idleness and 62 �uncertainty, and the rumours grew into certainty that the Hun had broken our line, the 8th Brigade Mounted Rifles and part of the 7th had been overwhelmed, Generals Mercer and Williams had disappeared, dead or captured and the way through was almost open to the enemy. That night we were on the move back up the line to Ypres and beyond to hold the enemy back, with the grim determination that the Hun should not pass. It was a somewhat nerveus Chaplain who marched with the Headquarters' details alongside the Battalion M. O. into action for the first time. The night was pitch dark lightend only by the incessant Verey lights. the road up which we moved. Both were going The enemy batteries were searching The moan of the shells was sufficiently awe-inspiring and nobody knew just what lay beyond or how far the Germans had moved forward. 1 had great sympathy with a young officer I had met shortly before. He told me he had been moving quietly along the Dickiebusch Road one bright afternoon when a shell lit not far from him to be followed speedily by another. His only re- mark was, "Here's where little Willie takes to his legs," and he headed for safety with great celerity. along the road close to the ditch. I am The Doctor and I stole cautiously The ditch was full of green water. quite satisfied that if a shell had come our way we would both have taken a high dive. Fortunately it didn't come. Our first halt was at the famous Belgian Chateau, around which were several of our batteries and some Belgian batteries, also, for which the Enemy gunners were industriously searching. Here we had our first casualties, several being bowled over with shrapnel. soon became a busy centre. headquarters to await orders. Our temporary aid post Shortly before midnight I went into As I sat on the bench which formed the only furniture of the room, a young chap who had been returned to the Bn. a few days before, cured of shell shock, suddenly had a relapse, and as each shell came over our heads I got as loving an em- brace from my un-nerved young friend as the most ardent lover could desire. When the Battalion again moved forward, it became the business of the Chaplain to remain behind for a season to see that the ambulances duly picked up our wounded men. Important as the task was, with the uncertainty ahead of us, no combatant could be spared. talion. That duty discharged, I was free once more to join the batIt was an eerie sensation to set out 63 that dark road accom- �danied by my faithful batman, George Cumby, heading in the general direction of Ypres. Arrived there we spent a day at the busy dress- ing station to which our wounded comrades were being carried, fast as strong arms and enemy fire would permit. The station was in the centre of Ypres, in the basement of the ruins of a huge hospital build- ing. Here men were given the surgical treatment needed, prior to being sent down for more deliberate and careful attention. was a warm one. The spot It was under fire continually and men soon learned to play the game of "gopher" very expertly, dodging for cover at the whish of a shell. I think it was that morning that Col. Turner, O. C., of one of our Field Ambulances, was killed by a shell at the very entrance to the station as he stood quietly chatting with some of his men. To his eternal honour be it said that he might have had a chance for life only that he insisted on waiting his turn while men of lower rank who had been there longer were treated. Nay, I say that that spirit of cheerful self-forgetfulness was the animating principle of all ranks from the highest to the lowest. Our Battalion had been halted at the Ramparts, our outer wall at Ypres to await the coming of night, and here I was able to rejoin. On the way up I travelled with a young artillery officer, also new at the game, going to join his battery. We passed the ruins of the Cathedral and the Cloth Hall on the run for it did not do to linger in that vicinity. incident of the trip up came just afterward. come over. And the only A shell actually did It passed over our heads and lit in some ruins about 60 yards farther on. When we gathered our scattered wits, my comrade was discovered lying flat on the ground where he had thrown him. self, aud I was sitting on top of him. That night at 10 o'clock we passed out of Ypres, across a frail little swing bridge and went single file across the plain in dead silence and with the utmost caution to a place called Zillebeke Bund which was to be our base. From there advance companies were thrown out to the Village of Zillebeke and the railway switch and there we held on and stopped the gap in our line till the counter-attack could be organized. time to prepare. Such an attack takes And so the counter-blow actually landed on the enemy on the night of the 13th of June. The intervening time was one of intense activity for all. The broken lines of communication had to be re-established, the temporary line that had been taken back of Sanctuary Wood strengthened and 64 �made tenable, ammunition accumulated and each one carefully in- structed in his part in the coming "show" as the enemy called it. And those who could be spared were set at the task of clearing the battle field, gathering up the dead and giving them decent burial. It was while at this task that I first had the experience of seeing a comrade at my side. And here I first felt the sting of an enemy bullet, and the dint on my steel helmet of enemy shrapnel. And here it was my sad duty to see many fine comrades laid to rest. Men who could ill be spared, and whose gallant death in defence of the rights of man will always be an inspiration to high thinking and noble living. last, on the night of June 13th, all was ready. At The attack was to be on the front, Sanctuary Wood, with the 13th on the right and the rest of the glorious The night was wet 1st Division covering the balance of the front. and dark and the hastily trenches a perfect quagmire. improvised line of The approaches too were unspeakable, and motion of any sort exceedingly difficult. It was in the face of such obstacies that our Canadians smashed their way through the Germans, taking numerous prisoners and completely re-establishing the original line. There followed for the 58th a somewhat severe test of courage and endurance. After the attack it is usual to relieve the attacking force and let the new force take over and consolidate the ground gained. But recent events had strained the resources of the Canadians, and the relieving force for the 58th was not quite ready. Cheerfully, therefore, the wearied, battered battalion held on for two more days and nights, not only living in the midst of an appalling sea of mud and a steady down-pour of rain, but the straightening out and consolidating the new line so that when relief came it was in a defen- sible condition. It was the privilege of the Chaplain to take a bearer party of 100 men borrowed from our supporting battalion, the 43rd into the line to bring out the wounded. 1 shall not easily forget the sight of those poor wounded men lying in the mud. And it was a great moment when at last, after a night of toil, we were able to report that not only were our own all out, and that the balance of the 13th Casualties, that even the German prisoners had been cared for. Our men made it a rule to give to the enemy wounded the same treatment given to our own men. Needless to say that was the best and tenderest care it was in our power to give them. One very great personal sorrow I experienced just at that time. 65 �My friend, Major Ballachey, who had been temporarily in command of the Battalion during the attack while Col. Jenet was on leave, was killed by a shell while on a tour of inspection of our line. that followed were stirring days. line. Much of the time we spent in the Our home was wherever we found ourselves. Our shelter was often a tiny dug-out whose sides were sand bags and corrugated iron with more sand bags on top. sleep were simple. The days whose roof was Our preparations for Just take off your steel helmet, use it for a pillow, roll yourself up in a blanket or an overcoat, if you are lucky enough to have one, and lie down, and the noise of the guns would soon lull you to sleep. Tommy found many uses for his steel helmet. It was not only his defence against the enemy, but on occasion, his pillow, his wash basin and his soup tureen. Most of our food was in cans. We had canned butter, canned milk, maconachie rations, canned canned meat, marmalade bread, our cheese and our bacon salt and pepper were in cans, and the canned inevitable fruit. alone were minus a can. But such as it was, Our Even the there was an abundance and nobody suffered. During one of my rest periods I had the curious experience of being suddenly deserted by my congregation in the middle of a service. It was in a Y. M. C. A. hut at Reninghelst. A hostile air force passed over our heads on their way to bomb Poperinghe, and every- body ran out to see the sight. in the It was my fortune a little later to be above uamed town during a bombardment and women and little children carried out of Not down much later too I had been to see men, the ruins of their homes. at a chaplain's meeting at Canadian Headquarters at the little Belgian Village of Abeele. On my way back I saw a sad procession. The inhabitants of Poperinghe had at last been driven from their homes by the opening of a general bombardment of the city by the enemy. falling steadily on the doomed Shells were city aud the hapless refugees had abandoned their all and were trudging wearily down the country in search of safety. Old men, old women, boys and girls made up the company. young men. women with babes in arms, Few indeed were the able-bodied They were all in the army or under the sod. These were the brave home-keepers that I met who had been bearing the burden and fighting the battle of life at home while waiting for the day when God and their men would deliver their country. 66 And now they were �homeless. As I saw their misery, and the anguish on their faces, I rather doubted the existence of the glory of war. I am inclined to think the average soldier would be hard to convince of war's ennobling qualities. mind of the wounded hour. He is more of the man who had been silent for half an When asked by his mate of what he was thinking his reply was, "I was just thinking youngest howl for I should like to hear my half an hour." To him that would be. sweeter music than the music of the guns. But now the time. has come once more to move up to the front. Our destina- tion this time was the Mt. Seoul line, to the right of the Sanctuary Wood. On the way up I stopped at the Minon Road dressing station for a funeral. It had to be held at night, as had most of the funerals in that unsavory spot. constant and vigilant It was under observation by the enemy, and the slightest unusual activity during the day would intensify the fire. Here I had a diverting day with a doctor friend who first fed me on strawberries and lettuce discovered in the re- mains of a once fine garden, and then took me out to search for souvenirs among the ruins of a huge Technical school, on which German shrapnel enjoy it too. "pop" of a fell constantly. He seemed to Not far away from us could be heard the "pop" little "peanut" battery of 13 pounders, steadily plugging away intent on annoying the enemy and for these the Germans were searching with their heavier guns. In the distance could be seen the spot on which the Canadians stood and died so gloriously during the second battle of Ypres. On our left were the famous Grenadier Guards, and as I looked out from the safe shelter of the Dressing station a party of them passed down the road, dirty, unkempt and bedraggled with mud of the trenches. It was something to know that Canadians were deemed worthy by the powers that be to fight shoulder to shoulder with such gallant soldiers. A moment later and the Ypres Salient had once more lived up to its name of "bloody Ypres." The sharp crash of shrapnel was heard and the call came "stretchers on the double." At a particularly dangerous turn in the road the little party had been caught, hit, one or two 67 �fatally. As soon as night had fallen a little party of pioneers stole silently out to the roadside cemetery and "darkly, at dead of night," dug the big grave and there we laid away the offerings on the altar of our country of those gallant young Canadians who had died during the day. There was some- thing strangely impressive about that quiet scene as the pioneers completed their task and the still forms, wrapped in blankets were lowered reverently into the grave while the chaplain recited the office for the Burial of the Dead. Many and various were the experiences of that stirring time. As my faithful batman and I stole silently along the Menin Road through the darkness on our way to rejoin our battalion we came to a spot separated from the German lines by only a barricade. To our dismay we were suddenly hailed and halted, and the hailing voice had a strong accent, unmistakeably German. Giving ourselves up for lost, we promptly obeyed orders, to find awaiting us in the shadows a Canadian patrol, commanded by a German Canadian sergeant. The tour of duty of that date would be described as comparatively peaceful but was not without incident At one point our vigilant nevertheless. watchers detected the sound of a German mine shaft burying under our front line. At once the company commander withdrew his men to a support trench in the rear leaving only a small guard at stated distances in the threatened part of the line. All night those. brave fellows stood on guard over the mine, not knowing when it might be touched off. they had been relieved. I saw the poor fellows after Two of them were quite delirous. If my memory serves, it was just here that I was permitted to explore the shaft of the British mine down which General Victor Williams was carried wounded and where he was cap- tured by the Germans in June 1916. In such circumstances one came face to face with the shortness and uncertainity of human life. One Saturday afternoon I went up the line to meet a new hieutenant (Sutherland) night before. who had arrived at 10 o'clock We had a nice chat in his shelter. the Just after I left him he went outside, a sniper caught him and before I 68 �was out of the line the poor chap was dead. only child of his father, and And he was the he was a widower. The Ger- mans had a most unpleasant habit of training a fixed rifle on certain much-travelled spots in the hope of catching some unwary traveller. One night I had taken my Roman Catholic Coufrere up to Battalion Headquarters. After our business was transacted we were returning to the Battalion Aid Post where I was to spend the night. It was pitch dark and I was leading. Just as we passed the corner of a hedge we heard the sing of a bullet. Just at that moment Father T...... behind me cried out in an agonized voice "My God", I thought the fixed rifle had got him, but he had only stuck his foot in a mudhole and gone down just when the bullet went over his head. Some- times I marvelled at the hardihood of our men. At one spot in the line I called on a young officer, to find him quietly asleep in a hut in the frout line with nothing but a tin roof between him and destruction. Breakfast up the line It was not even sandbagged. is rather a curious meal. Of course in the line the men had to depend practically altogether take on prepared a little rations. But brazier, often a little only an back old oil one could can with holes in it, put in a little charcoal and with no other weapon than a mess tin, boil tea, fry bacon, and burn toast to make a breakfast fit for a king (or a hardy veteran). the rest. Appetite did All days were much alike to us in our tour of duty. But by the kind permission of the Colonel I was able on occasion to minister in some small degree to the spiritual needs of the boys in the line. It was not possible to have anything like an assembly of men.. But on several occasions I found it quite possible to have a continuous communion service.The men came in singly or in pairs, reverently partook of the sacred emblems of the Lord's Passion, and went quietly back to duty, strengthened and refreshed for the grim business of war. So the time wore on to the welcome hour of our relief. And we turned our faces down country to rest and refit. And what a day it was when at last we left behind the booming or the guns and found ourselves in a land of green beauty, 69 �of lovely flowers and fresh fruits and vegetables. Our home was only a farmer's kitchen devoid of every comfort or lux- ury, big and bare and ugly. The floor was of bare brick. There were no blinds on the window. Our only lights were candles and our table-ware was of granite; our men were sleeping on straw in the barn but to us, it was a palace, and nobody grumbled. There was heart and gladness in the choruses as we sang on our route marches "The Long Trail" "Pack up your Troubles," "I want to go Back," "If you were the only Girl" and we thrilled to the music of the famous Battalion combination march, Babel Mandeb, that had so of- ten sounded along the roads of old Niagara. So the long days of summer passed and life lived nobly up to Colonel Ford's description of military duty. "A weary round of monotonous duties interspersed with dangerous episodes." There are always plenty of dangerous episodes in the "Bloody Salient", and a large part of that summer was spent on the famous Hill 60. Meantime things had been happening at the Somme,and the air was aquiver with the excitement of the great events. Throughout the month of August the Canadians were gradually withdrawn from the Salient. last of the corps to move. did at last come move. through Our 9th Brigade was the To our delight, though, orders. that we, too, were to be on the And we were quite ready to leave the Salient behind without undue lamentation. So on a lovely morning in early September we set out, loaded march to the Somme. like jack mules on the long As a gentle little preliminary canter, so to speak, we first marched about thirty-five miles railway to be loaded into a freight train. to a The men had the box cars and we had the caboose, I doubt if we were much better off than they. At some time in the night our genial second in command announced, "These seats just fall short of being comfortable. I've lain on every part of me so now I'll sit up," which he did. Our only diversion in the whole dreary trip was listening to a mule trying to kick the end out of a car and speculating on how long it would take him to finish it. The night seemed interminable to us 70 in our im- �prisonment. out, just But at last the train stopped, and we tumbled as dawn broke, and set off on the last lap of our trip, 65 miles across country through a succession of sleepy villages, to the famous ruins of Albert. very little lingers in one's memory. singular clearness fields of Albert. Of that long hike I do not remember with the arrival at our destination, the brickNight had fallen. So had the rain. In- deed it showed a maddening determination to keep on falling. Cold and and wet bidden shelter. make But anything. and our And miserable, we were marched on the field, ourselves at home, Canadian lads are without fire, adaptable food or if they are as if by magic the field was covered with little bivouac fires and the men were hard at work hollowing out little sleeping trenches beside the fires, where they could be warm and dry covered with a rubber sheet. Fortunately About into their ingenuity midnight the billets in order Albert. was not unduly came to move and we tested. marched The billets were the ruins of an old house, with bare floors to sleep on, covered with the dirt of ages, but they were dry. People were still living there, in the cellars, and even carrying on business. Just outside Albert I got my first glimpse of the great new Engine of War, the Tank. It had that day helped in the taking of Courcelette, and was on its way back for repairs. On Sept. 16th we took over the ground around Pozures reaching it by way of Contalmaison, sacred to the memory of the Australians, and the famous "Chalk Pitts". maison I saw rather a curious sight. ruins of At Contal- In the centre of the the village there still stood the village Calvary. The figure of the Saviour had been entirely shot away from the cross. One hand alone remained and that hand had swung round so that it pointed heavenward as if to remind us that above the roar of battle and the ruin and desolation. of man's destruction stood the Great Eternal and Unchang- ing One ready to receive and to forgive. When the battalion advanced to take up their station and hold the ground just won, the Chaplain (your humble servant) was ordered to stay behind for special duty. That special duty consisted. 71 �in taking a succession of parties out and working over the recent battlefield gathering up, identifying and burying the poor lads who had fallen in the charge. Night and day we worked for six days always under fire, in wet and mud almost inconceivable. From shellhole to shellhole we crept, gradu- ally working over the whole area of Pozures nothing what- ever remained, except I think, one cement gatepost. An occasional fragment of brick or splintered wood lying in a shellhole would remind one that once there had been a house on that spot. Otherwise no trace remained to tell us we were standing on a village. Over this rugged road had travelled the 27th and 31st Canadian Battalions and it was our duty to search out the fallen. In our seeking we came at length to a railway cutting that had been a German front line. Our guns had caught them as one battalion relieved another, and had literally piled them up in heaps. As we worked our way through those grim and silent figures, giving them decent burial we came on a sight I shall never forget. One of our laddies, a mere boy, posted on sentry had made for himself a little shelter in the side of the Cutting. And as he sat there on guard the concussion of a big shell had killed him.And there he sat on guard, as it were. We left him there bury- ing him in his little shelter, and there to-day he keeps silent watch and ward over hard won fields a mute and glorious testimony to the world that Canada has given her best for liberty. Following this strenuous stretcher duty with the battalion. work I did a spell of The only way to get our wounded out was to carry them overland by day-light. We were ordered to carry a Red Cross flag while about this task, but soon threw it away when we found it only made us a fair mark for the enemy's bullets. Returning to the line early one morning I found our wounded in rather a serious plight. A ration party had been knocked out and neither food or water had arrived. So I organized a small search party and set out to look for the missing men with their precious stores. The men had been killed or wounded by a big shell. Their rations had been bumped into a shellhole and ruined by the rain but several cans of water remained undamaged. 72 It was �ticklish work and crossing the so-called Valley of Death, I got my first taste of enemy metal, in the shoulder. It was well worth it though to be able to give the precious water to our wounded men. It was on this turn in the line that our bombers, under command of young Lieutenant Joe Walker, made a raid on the German line, were held up by uncut wire and were wiped out. I will remember seeing the sole surviver, Sergt. Blaney, brought into the lines from No-Man's Land, after lying there for three days and nights in a shellhole without food or water and quite helpless from a wound in the back. One of my abiding remembrances was of a birthday party of which Joe Walker was the host and I the guest. We sat on a bare floor and discussed the contents of a birthday box he had just re- ceived from home. And our thoughts were busy with many a tender dream of home. Two others of my best friends went down on that town, Lieut. Simpson Brigade Trench service was to and Capt. John Ryerson, the latter of the Mortar Battery. The heartbreak of active see one by one the brave comrades giving their lives at the call of duty. And never had man more lov- able comrades than these three. At length,the day came for our relief, and tired, dirty and strained we headed once more down country. The military idea of a rest was to have us march three days down country and three days back, which we did. But at least it was a change. On the way back we spent Sunday in billets, Oct. 1st, and I was able to have a parade service with the battalion and following that a notable communion service with over a hundred communicants, among them some of the Niagara boys, including the two Best boys. gagement. I think one of them, Harry, fell in the next en- It was my last Sunday with my boys. Next day we went in the trenches at into the line for Courcelette, then a three-day spell a day out with a bivouac in the mud of the famous Tara Hill just outside Al- bert. On the morning of Oct. 7th it was whispered about that we were going in for a general attack. ders came that we were to move. 73 Soon after or- All day we were busy �We getting everything ready. for a general tridges, Mills inspection. in Revolver bombs, Juks, were all served out. fell about two ammunition, shorrls, sandbags, o'clock Rifle and About 4 o'clock we moved car- rations slowly out of our camp and took up our march up the Albert-Bagaume road. It took us until about 8.30 to reach our destination, we travelled so slowly over the crowded road. Every gun in the area was pounding its hardest and the din was frightful. At one place we halted behind a battery of 15-inch Ho- witzers. The concussion our teeth loose. of their explosion nearly shook About 8 the firing slackened, to re-open at 10 for a two hours' intensive barage. and for four hours there was stillness. At 12 all firing ceased, Meantime everybody. had found his station and had received his instructions. I was left behind at the big dressing station in the cellar. of the Chateau at Courcelette. Here every Doctor in the corps had been marshalled, with his staff of orderlies and assistants. To each M. O. had been assigned his own particular spot and all were busy with preparations for the coming rush of wounded men. 5.30. The zero hour had been set for At 4 the barage re-opened and one would wonder how anything could live in the face of that fearful volume of fire. At 5.30 was launched the general attack on the famous Regina Trenches, the 58th and 43rd in the centre, with the 1st and 3rd on one side and the 13th and 16th on the other. The attack was only temporarily successful, the force of it being weakened by imperfectly cut wire. Our men suffered very heavily, very few coming out unscathed. By 7 o'clock the wounded were coming back in a stream that grew into a flood. And shortly after, while bringing in a badly wound- ed brother officer, I was myself put out of action with a severe shrapnel wound. Of the walk out to the ambulance, the ride across country in the ambulance to Coutay and the treatment there, one's remembrance is hazy. Followed a ride in the famous Prin- cess Christian Hospital, Tram to Etaples, where I found my- self in No. 1 Red Cross, Duchess of Westminster Hospital. And oh, the rest and peace of that hospital bed, 74 I actually �slept at last in linen sheets. After that I followed the usual course, Calais to Dover, thence to No. 4 London General at Lenmark Hill, there a delightful convalesence away down at Peuzance, Cornwall, and then a long spell of duty in a Can- adian hospital at Brighton and in the neighboring Camp at Shoreham-by-the-Sea. And when at last the call came to set my face homeward in the Autumn of 1919, I came back with the feeling strong upon me that it had been a privilege to have had even a small part in the redemption of the world from threatened slavery. And when His Majesty the King was graciously pleased to confer on me the Military Cross for services in the field it came to me only as a visible token that in what I had tried to do in the way of duty I had not altogethered failed. Pte. Frederick James Matthews (No. 3108212) Fred Matthews, fourth son of the late James Matthews and Mrs. Matthews, joined thelst C. O. R.at Hamilton, Feb. 25th, 1918. He left Quebec for England early in May. had always been slightly troubled with asthma. He This trouble and other developments caused him to be sent to a hospital in England. He was kept there till August of the following year He got his discharge August 23, 1919. Pte. George Matthew Matthews (No. 3035976) George Matthews is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Ar- thur Matthews of Niagara. May 1st, 1918. He joined up with the C. O. R. He went overseas June 2nd, and was in France September 28th of the same year. He was back home with his discharge on April 26th, 1919, being away just a few days less than a year. Lt. Gordon Tutton Millar, M. M. Gordon Millar, younger 75 brother of Leslie, was but a �school boy when he signed up as Bugler in the 151st Battalion. on Jaunary 11th, 1916. He was transferred to the21st. was wounded April 10th, 1917. ary Medal. He He was awarded the Milit- His date of discharge was May 30th, 1919. Pte. Leslie Balfour Millar (No. 3037076) Leslie Millar is the older son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Mil- lar, who resided in our town for a short time, during which the boys attended the Public School. Battalion, the 10th,1918. 1st C. O. R. He signed Leslie up in His service was in England only. was in No. Toronto 1 May He was dis- charged October 17th, 1919. Lt.-Col. F. W. Miller, M. C. Fred Miller is the son of Mr. W. Miller, who was for a number of years a merchant in Niagara and who served as Mayor for several terms, but removed to Brantford some years ago.Fred attended both the Public and High Schools. 'He came from a family of soldiers,his grandfather was prominently connected with the Canadian Militia. had taken went an active interest in the militia, overseas as Captain during the His father too volunteered war. is a long and honourable one lasting from Fred's August, and service 1914 to August, 1919. His rise in rank was very rapid as the appended list will show. Commissioned at Brantford, Ontario, August, 1914. Proceeded overseas with rank of Lieut. in the4th talion Sept. 22, 1915. 1915. Canadian Bat- Promoted to rank of Captain April 22, Appointed Adjutant 4th Canadian Battalion June, 1915. Appointed Staff Captain, January 17th, 1916. 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade Appointed Deputy Assistant Quarter- Master General, 5th Canadian Division, and promoted to rank 76 �of Major January 27th, 1917. Appointed Adjutant and Quar- ter Master General 5th Canadian Division with rank of Lieut. Colonel, September, 1917. Appointed Deputy Assistant Ad- jutant General, 4th Canadian Division, September, 1918. Ap- pointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Canadian Corps, Headquarters, transferred December, 1918. Returned to Canada and to Corps Reserve, August, 1919. Honours-Mil- itary Cross. Pte. Joseph Nolan Raynor (No. 175417) Nolan Raynor in his youthful days in Niagara was well known for his adventurous escapades. The youthful spirit has not deserted him for although past the soldiering age he signed up in the 86th Battalion Oct. 13th, 1915. was in England only. 1917. His service He received his discharge May 6th, His home has been for many years in Hamilton. Pte. Cameron Milloy (No. 141729) Cameron Milloy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Colin Milloy, and grandson of the late Captain Milloy of the old steamer City of Toronto, was born in Niagara and attended the public school for a time. The family removed to Welland where Cameron enlisted July 27th, 1915. bat was transferred to the 58th. He was first in the 76th He served in France and was discharged medically unfit March 3rd, 1920. Sergeant Daniel Carman McArthur (No. 324897) Dan er, Mr. McArthur is the eldest son of the well known writ- Peter McArthur, Mrs. McArthur 77 is the youngest �daughter of the late Daniel Waters, of Niagara. attending the Ontario Agricultural College at Dan Guelph was when on March 7th, 1916, he enlisted in the 56th O. A. C. Battery. He went with the 55th Battery to France in August, serving with that unit as signalling corporal until ing of the Armistice. He was through all gium to Germany and the Rhine from Bonn. the sign- the campaigns which the Canadian Corps undertook during that was gassed at Cambrai. 1917, time. He He was in the march through Belwas stationed for six weeks across He was discharged June 23rd, 1919, after three years and four months of service. Sgt. Albert John McClelland, M. M. (No. 227127) Albert McClelland, better known as Bert, is the only son of the late Albert McClelland and of Mrs. McClelland. On both sides of the house he is descended from the old soldier families of Niagara. His grandfather, the late John Raynor, was a veteran of the American Civil War and of the Fenian Raid and a member of the old No. 1 Co. 19th Battalion. Bert enlisted with the C. M. R. in November of ter was spent in Hamilton. 1915. That win- In the middle of the following April he went overseas landing in England May 1st. He was with a draft to reinforce the Fort Garry Horse and went to France in August, 1916. He was in France for two years and nine months, just in hospital for a short time with a skin trouble supposed to have come from the mustard gas. His military medal was given him by General Tawlinson. After the battle of Amiens in August, 1918, Bert received his discharge on June 18, 1919. Lance-Cp. Everton Howard McClelland (No. 159626) Howard McClelland when 78 a small boy lived with his �mother and sisters down towards the dock, later the family moved to Toronto. Addison. He is a nephew of Mrs. Chas. Byng He enlisted November 23, 1915 with the 81st Bat- talion, Toronto, and served with the 4th C. M. R. Battalion in France and Belgium for three years. Pte. Albert Owen McGuire (No. 331775) Albert McGuire was one of many who had been rejected early in the war. He was called on January 23rd, 1918, and joined the 2nd C. O. R. at Niagara Falls. land in February. He went to Eng- When he was two weeks in England he joined the machine gunners. He was sent to France June 12, 1918, and served there till the armistice after which he spent six weeks in Germany. He returned to England in April. He received his discharge in Toronto May 25th, 1919. Vincent F. MacGregor (No. 2498361) Vincent MacGregor is the younger son of the Rev. A. F. MacGregor, for many years pastor of St.Andrew's Church Niagara. France, The older most of the tending university son, Arthur, served as an officer in time with the Imperials. when the He was at- family came to Niagara and so does not enter on the honour roll of our schools. attended the High School for a short time. Toronto on August Corps. He trained 28th, ern France till He enlisted at 1917, in the Canadian Forestry at Camp early in January, 1918. Vincent Borden and went to France He served with that Corps in South- February, 1919. in Toronto April 11, 1919. 79 He received his discharge �Gunner Charles Joseph Nipper (No. 37439) Charles Nipper came as a small boy from Buffalo to live with Miss Flynn. He stayed there for a number of years and was still in Niagara when the war broke out. the first group of boys to go He was with to St. Catharines to enlist. He was in the 1st Divisional Ammunition Park. He enlisted under the name of Nicholson. He served from August, 1914, till May 27th, own folk 1919. He has, since his discharge, found his and gone back to his native country. Private Geo. M. Noble (No. 2418306) George Noble had all of his Public School education and about two years of High School in Niagara before the fam- ily moved to Saskatchewan. He enlisted in Saskatoon June 1st, 1917, went overseas in January, 1918, and went to France to the winter 1st of Machine 1919, Gun Battalion. returned to Canada He left and France received in the his dis- charge in Toronto May 11, 1919. The schoolmates of George and Edna Noble were grieved indeed to learn that the sister died while the brother was serving his country in the army. Sapper Henry S. O'Melia Many of his townsfolk will be surprised to find that this is the appellation of our genial custom house officer always known as "Eddie" O'Melia. Eddie is the elder and only sur- viving son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward O'Melia. He enlisted at St. Catharines January 30th, 1917, with the 256th Canadian Railway Troops, Canadian Railway France and Troops. afterwards changed He served to twenty Belgium, thirteen months of this in 80 Battalion the 10th months the in Ypres �salient. He was gassed November 13, 1917. He won his stripes in France but asked to have them removed. He re- turned to Canada and was discharged March 23rd, 1918. Pte. James Edward Patterson James Patterson, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pat- terson, tried to enlist a number of times but though sound and well did not come up to the required stature of a soldier. On December 15th, 1915, he was accepted in the 92nd Highlanders and went overseas with that Battalion in May, 1916. By September he was in France on the Somme. On the 6th of October he was wounded and sent back to England. On March 21st, 1917, he was sent back to France and served till August 27th when he was buried by the explosion of a shell. He was badly crushed and was in the hospital for several months. He was sent back to Canada and arrived April 15, 1918. He was kept in hospital here till December 13, 1918, when he received his discharge. His term of service was just two days less than three years. Thomas William Porter (No. 3314497) Thomas enlist. He Porter was was sent one of the to Valcartier tism there and was sent home. first to leave but contracted town to rheuma- In November, 1915, he went to Toronto and tried again but was turned down when he showed his discharge from Valcartier. When the first draft was called Tom was sent to the 2nd C. O. R., Jan. 23, 1918. In July 1918 he was sent to France to the 14th Batalion. Cambria, Sept. 27, 1918, he was one of eight men machine gun. At with a One of our own shells fell short and six of the eight men were killed. One was wounded slightly and after a short stay in the hospital was sent back. 81 Tom had part �of his thigh shot away. in France. He had spent just seventy-one days For some time while in Brighton Hospital he was not expected to recover, but has done so, so effectively, that unless it is looked for the slight halt is not noticeable. Tom can not speak too highly of his treatment in hospital and by the people of England and, Scotland when he was out on leave. He returned to Canada and was discharged at the beginning of May, 1919. Pte. Lincoln Savage Quinn (No. 193250) Lincoln Quinn was born in Niagara and attended both. Public and High Schools. He, with the Late Gordon Ryan, Ernest Coleman and Laurie Eckersley, worked in the local bank in the busy season of 1915. 15th Battalion He enlisted in the at Niagara, September 30th, served with the band. 1915. He first Wm. Elliott tells in an amusing man- ner of an encounter with Lincoln at the front. He was run- ning towards his dug-out, head down, when crash went his helmet against that of a runner opposite direction. Each starting back, with the natural inclination to blame the other was surprised enough in the to indulge in a more friendly embrace till Lincoln's request for something to eat reminded William of his nearby dug-out. ober 22nd, 1917. While on Lincoln was wounded Oct- leave he had another nieeting at the railway station, he met James whose leave fortunately coincided with his. to spend it together. Lincoln was demobilized May 10th, 1919. 82 surprise Patterson, They agreed �Major John G. Rankin, A. S., U. S. A. Headquarters First Air Park, American Forces in Germany, Weissenthurn, Aug. 18, 1919 Catherine Creed, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Dear Madam, Your letter of July 21st forwarded to me, I am glad to furnish the information requested. 2. At the date of the United States' entry into the war, 1. I was on the retired list of the Michigan National Guard with rank of Captain, having fifteen years' srevice including the war with Spain, 1898. 3. In September, 1917, I was commissioned and assign- ed to command a construction Squadron of the Air Service, sailed for foreign service on Oct. 29th, arrived in France Nov. 2nd, 1917. 4. My command, the 52nd Aero Squadron, was sent to Issoudon in Central France to aid in establishing what became the largest training camp for aviation ever built. 5. On January 5th, 1918, I was detached from the 52nd and assigned as Supply Officer of the first American Combat group to be formed for operations on the front. This group was designated as the 1st Pursuit Group and made an excellent record later. In this group served such well-known pilots as Lufberry, Rickenbacher, Campbell, Hall, Peterson, and many others of lasting fame. 6. Upon me fell the duty of establishing an airdrome at Ville Neuve-Les-Vertus. There was at this time no Am- erican Supplies available and all the material had to be secur- ed in small quantities from French sources. However, over- coming this handicap, we succeeded in building a first-class airdrome, securing Nieuport-28 pursuit planes and starting operations against the enemy. to Challons. Our sector was from Rheims On this sector we lost the first American pilot in combat, Captain James E. Miller. 83 �7. During the enemy's, spring drive on Amiens, we had to give up our 'drome to a French bombing group and we were moved to the Toul Sector, operating between heil and Pont-au-Mousson. Due to the St. Mi- experience gained at Vertus, our pilots developed remarkable efficiency on this front, and their numerous victories at this point rapidly called attention to what America would count for in the war. Of course we had many losses, it was here that Major Lufberry had his last combat, but on this sector we certainly secured undisputed mastery of the air. 8. When it was apparent that the enemy was about to make his big final attempt to win Paris, in June, were moved to the Chateau Thierry 1918, we front and for some weeks were the only "Chasses" aviation against great numerical supremacy. While our victories at this time outnum- bered the enemy's we had our heaviest losses. Our pilots were continually on duty making three, four, and even five patrols over the lines day after day. 9. We received some reinforcements in the shape of French Chasse Squadrons and in the Champaigne-Marne defensive July 15th to 18th, the enemy's drive was blocked by the army as a whole. 10. July 18th we operated fensive which continued till in the Aisne-Marne August 6th. of- This offensive was the turning of the tide and forever finished the emeny as an offensive It was here force, that the from that hour wonderful he was fighting the defensive. qualities of the American 1st, 2nd and 3rd divisions were first seen, and the effect on the enemy was noticeable in his morale from that time on. It may be of interest to you to state that one of the First Pursuit Group pilots, Quentin Roosevelt, was lost during this action. 11. The Group was moved to Rembercourt, south of Verdun preparatory to the St.MeHeil offensive which open- ed Sept. 12, and lasted till 16th. Other Chasse groups were by this time organized by the American Army and our group had considerable assistance. 12. On September 26th, the 84 Meuse-Atgonne offensive �began. Owing to the lack of any possible place to establish airdrones, as our ground troops worked harder on account of the length of flights. We had now instituted and devel- oped daylight and dawn balloon straffing and night flying chases. vember and had This all 11th. came to an end with the Armistice on No- The First Pursuit Group lost scores of pilots hundreds of victories to its credit. Twenty-four pilots had qualified as aces and Captain Edward Richenbacker as the American ace of aces with twenty-six victories. 13. After the Armistice, in command of the 4th Air Park I accompanied the Army of Occupation in the march to the Coblenz bridgehead. During the month of May, I was promoted to Major and assigned to command the 1st Air Park, which Park was designated to dispose of all property of the Air service after the departure of the flying equadrons. This duty I am now engaged in. 14. I am enclosing you the only photograph available. This was taken in February, 1918, with my oldest son, Private 1st Class Joseph Donald Rankin Company G., 26th Infantry, 1st Division, who was killed in action July 19, 1918, and is buried near Soissions, France. JOHN G. RANKIN, Major, A. S., U. S. A. Sergt. Clifford George Reid (No. 597) Clifford Reid, second son of Mr. and Mrs. George Reid, was attending the Dental College, in Toronto when he signed up for service in the Canadian Army Dental Corps. was in Toronto on February 8th, 1917. He served with this corps in England till the close of the war. discharge September 7th, 1919, course almost immediately. 85 This He received his and resumed his college �Pte. Edmund Richardson (No. 210776) Edmund Richardson, eldest son of Mr. William Richardson 1915. enlisted in the 98th Battalion on the 2nd November, He went overseas July 5th, 1916, was transferred to the 12th Reserve in October, 1916, and went to France No- vember 14th, 1916. He was in Belguim when the armistice was signed and was at the taking of Mons. He was back in England about May 1st and receved his discharge in Can- ada, June 8th, 1919. He served three years and a half in the army without being either sick or wounded. Private William John Ross (No. 1073). 4th General Hospital, C. A. M. C. William Ross better known in Niagara as "Texas", en- listed at Toronto March 31st, 1915. and served in Salonika. He proceeded overseas. In one of Tom Houghton's newsy. letters to the school children he says "there is no better man here than Texas he does the work of three men handling the meat for the unit". William had spent several years at this work in the shop of the late Mr. Fred Best.. He was discharged May 27th, 1919, M. D., No. 2, Toronto Ont., on demobilization. Sgt. Harry Frederick Rowland, D. C. M. (No. 1073) Harry, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Rowland at- tended the private school of Miss Servos Mrs. (Colonel) Ptolomy, and the Niagara High School. He was a student at the O.A.C., Guelph, when he with his friend Dan C. Mac- Arthur enlisted March 15, 1916, in the 56th Battery, C.F.A. He served in France with distinction and was awarded D. C. M. He was demobilized April 6th, 1919. 86 the �Lieutenant-Colonel Percy L. Rowland Percy Rowland, of the firm of Hearst, Rowland, and Aitkin, Sault Ste. Marie, son of the late Thomas Rowland, mer- chant of Niagara, received all his Public School and some of his High School work in 1915, he was appointed to goma Infantry Battalion. Niagara. On November recruit and command 11th, the Al- His battalion trained at Niagara in the early summer of 1916 and left for England August 8th 1915, he was appointed to recruit and command the 119th Al- of the same year. till April of Colonel Rowland was kept in England 1918 when he was sent to France. He left. France February 12th, 1919, and came back to Canada July 11th, 1919. Pte. Fred Alexander Russell (No. 171842) The Russell family lived for a year or two on the Doctor Watt farm now occupied by Colonel Nelles. the family came here When from Alberta Fred was attending Upper Canada College but the next year went to Niagara School. He enlisted in Toronto August 14, 1915, in the 83rd Battalion. He was wounded September 30th, 1916, and again August 26th, 1918. He was demobilized on April 17th, 1919. Major J. Howard Sandham Howard Sandham, is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Sandham both native Niagarians but for many years. resided in St. Thomas. short time. He attended our Public School for a When the war began he was an electrician in St. Catharines. He served with the 19th at Niagara Falls 87 �from August 5th, 1914. On December 1st, 1915, he enlisted with the 98th C. E. F. going to England with that battalion. He returned and was placed on the reserve of the C. E. F. May 24th, 1917. Major Harold Chelmsford Sheppard Harold Sheppard, was the second son of Major James Sheppard, a well-known officer of the 2nd Dragoons, and he also had been connected with the same troop for a number of years. He joined the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles at Toronto on January 9th, 1915. He went to France but returned and served at Niagara Falls till the Frontier Guard was demobilized May 12th, 1916. Major Fred J. Smith, M. B. C., M. P. E. Fred Smith, is the son of the late William Smith, who for a number of years was editor of the Youngstown News. His grandfather, Robert Smith, was one of the Royal Canadian pensioners so familiar to the townspeople a generation ago. For from the the war service of Major Smith I copy verbatim September 1920 number of "Physical Training". "When the war broke out was asked by the National Council to go to Valcartier, the mobilization camp for Canadian soldiers, to organize the recreation. Returned to duty at Central Y. M. C. A. in October. In the spring of 1916 volunteered for service over-seas and was asked by the National Council to organize the physical work. France with the honorary rank of in England and captain. In 1917 was put in charge of all Canadian Y. M. C. A. work in England and promoted to major. Canadian His work was recognized Military authorities and 88 he was made by the chairman �of all championship events in Great Britain Went to France in the spring of 1917, returning to England to carry on the work which had grown from five centres in one area to eighty-four scattered all over Great Britain. Was in France again in 1918. In June 1918 was made a member of the Order of the British Empire by King George for valuable services rendered during the war. Was offered the National Physical Directorship of Canada by the National Council and returned to Canada in August 1918 to take up the new responsibilities. In June 1919 was honoured by Springfield College with the degree of Master of Physical Education." Lieutenant G. Bayly Stewart-Jones The late Stuart-Jones assistant of St. Mark's is still re- membered with love and respect by many in Niagara. The name too is often heard, for several boys were called after him. Among these is Stuart Thornton D. C. M. Bayly the eldest son was five years a pupil of the Niagara Public School. He enlisted in Caledonia, Ont., in March 1916 in the 114th Brock's Rangers, Haldimand Battalion. He was attached to the Imperial War Office and Air Ministry for special duty on aerdrome construction. He served in Canada from March 1916 to November 1916, in England from November 1916 to August 1919. Pte. Alfred Stevens (No. Alfred Stevens came. when he was fourteen School for a year. 3314638) with his mother years old and from England attended our Public He tried to enlist in the summer of 1917 but was not accepted. He has always had defective vision. He joined the 2nd C. O. R. on February 19, 1918. 89 In April �of the same year he went to Witley August he was in France. two weeks in the hospital Camp England. In He was gassed at Cambrai. After and five in Convalescent Camp No. 5, he was sent back to Etapes then to Mons and through to Germany. He left Belgium April 2nd 1919 and was back in Canada and received his discharge May 25, 1919. Lewis Emerson Swinton Lewis Swinton is the youngest son of the Swinton. late David He was very young when the family left Niagara and received most of his schooling in St. Catharines. the death of his wife he removed to Toledo. other Canadians, living in The country entered Union Jack. the war, he States preferred when Like many his the He came to Toronto early in the summer of duty in England when the armistice was signed. to adopted service under 1918 and enlisted as a mechanic in the R. A. F. back After Canada and received his discharge in He was on He came April 1919. His son Arthur Swinton enlisted but as he was only sixteen years old could not get overseas. William James Thornton The story is Thornton went told that on November 1, 1915, William pheasant shooting. He encountered a couple of officers from the 58th who weren't long noticing that William could bring down his bird before they could get a chance. "A shot like you should be in the army," one of them remarked. In that pleasant drawl of his William answered "They wouldn't take me". "Just report to-mor- row morning and see how quickly we will take you", said the officer. Whether this story is true or not Wiliam listed in the 58th at Niagara November 2, 1915. He served almost a year in Canada going overseas October 6th, 90 en- 1916. �William's school days had been just as few as he could make them but no letters were more enjoyed. coming to the public school children He had a peculiar knack of sizing up things and expressing them. For example when writing about his first leave in London he says. Those Englishmen who talked so much about over (ome), used to make me mad but now I understand. He proceeded to France October 28, 1916, and with but one short leave was there till April 29,1919. He served with the 58th, the 2nd Pioneers and with the 10th Engineers. At Vimy he received a slight wound. On returning to the front he served two months with the Australian Tunneling Company before returning to the Engineers. He received his discharge June 16th, 1919. Sergeant Hedley Bert Thornton (No. 210910) Hedley Thornton is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. John Thornton of Niagara. He has always been noted as one of the local athletes and has numerous cups for his prowess in jumping and running. sent to coln and His wife would not con- his going overseas so he enlisted in the 44th LinWelland Battalion. On November the 6th of the same year, he joined the 98th Battalion C. E. F. overseas with that unit July 5th, 1916. He left for In England he was declared medically unfit for France but was put to work at his trade of baker and was kept there till November 28th, 1918. He received his discharge in Toronto, March 5th, 1918. Pte. Stewart Jones Thornton, D. C. M. (No. 226172) Stewart Thornton was working in 91 Detroit and came �across to Windsor to enlist October in the Canadian Corps awarded the D. C. M. Cavalry 14th, Regt. 1915. He enlisted Horse. He was He received his discharge April 25th, 1919 and is now back in Detroit. Sapper William Alfred Tilley (No. 678693) William Tilley worked far Mr. Wright at Fort George and attended Niagara Public School for two years. He en- listed in the 169th Battalion in Toronto on January 24th, 1916. He was wounded on October 25th, 1917. He was dis- charged medically unfit February 21st, 1919. In one of Wil- liam writes, Thornton's letters from the front he "Tilley and I often have a game of cards in our happy home under ground disturbed by nothing but the rats, but nobody minds. them". These two had not known of one another till meet- ing in France but the tie of the old town had made them friends. William George Todd (No. 4090100) Pte. William George Todd spent the most of his boyhood and school days in Buffalo but went to Niagara Public School while visiting relatives in town. He went west with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Todd and later took up land for himself near Dunkirk, Sask. In November 11th, 1917, he listed in Regina with the Motor Machine Gun Brigade. was wounded Oct. 1918. After eighteen months service en- He in England and France Pte. W. G. Todd came back to Canada, Feb. 19th, 1919, and after a short visit in the east he returned to the west, after spending one day in Niagara, received his discharge and is once more in the words of the prairie poet "a man of the furrows". 92 We hope that the glorious �sun of our Western Provinces will soon take away all ill effects of the rain and mud of days and nights in Flanders. Herbert Walsh Herbert Walsh eldest son. of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Walsh of our town is a grandson of the late John Bishop who served as councillor and mayor of Niagara and was also a member of the county council for many years. Herbert enlisted July 28th, 1916 in the 71st Battery, St. Catharines but was later transferred to the 11th battery, 3rd Brigade. He sailed for England Oct. 21, 1916, spending his twentyfirst birthday on the ocean. He was sent to France Jan. 9th, 1917. After three months in France he was wounded at Vimy Ridge April 9, 1917, and was sent back to England. He lost one eye and has a stiff finger on his left hand. was discharged at Toronto April 28, 1918. He He had been working as an electrician before enlisting and is now taking one of the government vocational courses in more advanced work of that business. Pte. Charles Whittem Charles Whittem Whittem of Toronto. is the The only late child Mrs. of Mr. Walter Whittem was Miss. Daisy Bolton elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bolton of Niagara. Charley Whittem spent every summer of his childhood from the first trip of the boat till the last with his grandparents going to school both in the spring and in the fall. 1915. He enlisted in the C. A. M. C. at Toronto July 1st, This was patriotic celebration of our Dominion Day. He trained in Niagara Camp and went overseas in the same draft as Charles Keith in August 1915. He was transferred tc No. 1, C. S. H. doing service in the Dardanelles. 93 With the �rest of his unit he was transferred onica. After eighteen months he to Egypt contracted then to malaria Salfever and was sent to the Island of Malta for seven months before. being returned to Canada in June 1919. Lt. Col. F. W. E. Wilson C. B. E., C. A. M. C., etc. Ernest Wilson is on the roll of both our Public and High Schools as he passed his entrance examination here during the time in which his father was minister in charge of the Methodist Church. Even after being transferred, the family seened to remain part of Niagara for they spent many seasons at their summer home at Chautauqua. After obtain- ing his degree,Doctor Wilson settled in Niagara Falls, Ont. He was a major in the Canadian Militia when he enlisted in November 1914. He obtained the same rank in the C. E. F. being the first medical officer of the 4tth C. O. R. at Toron- to. He went to England in April 1915 with No. 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. sistant Director 1916 was made Medical Assistant Lieutenant Colonel. S. England. ical Officer In July 1915 became Deputy AsService at Director Shorncliffe. of Medical In May Service and In November 1916 was acting D. D. M. In March of 1917 went to France and was Medof the 50th Battalion for three months. He worked in the trenches at Vimy Ridge and was mentioned in despatches. From September 1918 to May 1919, Colonel Wilson was A. D. M. S. with the Canadian Forestry in the Jura Mountains. In June 1919 he was made Corps com- mander of the British Empire. In his record for the Niagara Historical Society, Colonel Wilson made no mention of the famous Bruce Report and has given no permission to use any statements from that report, but no record of Colonel Wilson would be complete without some quotations from the book written by Colonel Bruce after he had returned to civilian life. 94 �In naming the members of his board of Inquiry he gives "Lieut.-Colonel F. W. E. Wilson, for ten years in the Canadian army officer the Shorncliffe district for a year and a half and in Medical Corps had been an administrative was Deputy Director of Medical Services for England during the re-organization, which which post he held until removed by General Jones upon the latter's return to office". Col. Bruce writes to Sir Edward Kemp-"he (Col. Wilson) is one of the best administrative officers in the Canadian Medical Service and the highest ability and integrity." "Lieut.-Colonel Wilson was generally recognized to be the most Service. efficient He was administrator regarded by in the Canadian the British Medical Medical Service as a man of unusual administrative ability and accorded the highest praise." Arthur Andrew Wood I, Private Arthur A. Wood (No. 225751), of St. Catharines, enlisted with Second Depot C. M. R.'s of Hamilton on April 27,1916. I went overseas in October 1916 landing in England on November 1st. I was at once transferred to 11th Canadian Reserve Infantry, Shorncliffe Camp. In the early part of December, we were sent to France to help reinforce 78th Battalion as they marched from the Somme to Vimy Ridge. We held the line until the big Brit- ish advance on April 9th, 1917. We went over the top at 5.30 a. m. gaining all our objectives, the 38th Battalion being in the first wave while the 78th was in the second. I was slightly wounded in the hand and leg about three hours later. Then I received my trip to dear old Blighty, finally land- ing in Glasgow Hospital, Scotland, where the Scotch lassies were delighted to give every attention to the Soldier Boys. The Scotch people were extremely 95 hospitable to the �soldiers. Through their kindness I was taken by automobile to many points of interest viz: "Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond," "Ben Lomond", "Loch Fyne," and "Kocken Glen". I was then sent to Princess Patricia's Convalescent Hos- pital at Ramsgate and later to Hastings. I was returned to France on April 16th, 1918, to help reinforce Fort Garry Horse, C. C. B., with which regiment I remained till the end of the war ended on November 11, 1918. I took part in three cavalry engagements, viz: Amiens, Roye and Le Chateau. It was a strange meeting when five minutes before the charge at Raye, I met Homan Lyall, an old school mate at Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was in this charge that old Fritz took spite on me, putting my horse out of action while I remained unwounded. I could tell much more but shall make my remarks brief. I received my discharge at Toronto on May 31st, 1919, and arrived in St. Catharines on June 1st after having put in a little over three years of military service. Providence was certainly with me all through the war, and I thank God that I am back on dear Canada's sod to that sacred spot called "Home, Sweet Home." How true are the words.- "Be it ever so humble There's no place like home." Capt. Francis Edward Wootten, M. C. Edward Wooton's father served with the old Royal Can- adains and his grandfather was Sergent Beaven a well known pensioner in Niagara a generation ago. Edward Wooton attended both schools and was a student in the Un- iversity 4th, 1914. at Winnipeg when he enlisted on November He was gunner No. 86378 in the 3rd Brigade. He ob- tained a commission and later won the Military Cross. was demobilized July 19th 1919. 96 He �On returning home with the rank of Captain he went to the University of Saskatchewan and in Saskatoon paper of 1921 describing the Convocation it is told that the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering was conferred on him with honours in several subjects, also he gained the Governor General's Gold Medal. Sapper William Wright (No. 404954) William Wright attended Niagara Public School for a year while living with his grandmother, the late Mrs. Alexander Wright at adian Engineers Fort George. at Niagara on He enlisted with June 1915. 12th, the CanHe was wounded on June 4th, 1916 and received his discharge June 16, 1919. Capt. William Hamilton Wylie William Wylie only brother of N. S. Flora Wylie, attended both our gineers. schools. He signed He served with the Canadian up at Ottawa on February 21st, En- 1916, and was with them till demobilized June 16th, 1919. Nursing Sister Flora Wylie From the time July, 1914 when our little one-class steamer Ionian sailing from Montreal to Le Havre we started to seek November, fame and fortune in 1918, is indeed a Paris. To the famous 11th far cry and comprises a life- time of experience, hope, despair and sorrow. Nevertheless, I shall try to give a brief resume of my infinitely small share in the great game during that time. 97 Already the war-clouds �lowered albeit invisable to all but those "in the know". first impressions however of liard the gay shining glimpses of beautiful Capital streets were and Our white buildings, heavenly blue sky, marvellously dressed women and under it all the homesick heartache of strangers in a strange land. In ten short days, all was changed. ed in France and every cupation and reported. the moment man of Mobilization was order- army age dropped his oc- In deed a marvellous system but at the confusion was indescribable. In the twink- ling of an eye cabs, moterbuses, taxes were commandeered for the army. was paralized. ing to get a Banks closed and transportation to and fro We lived for days at the "Gare du Nord" trytrain while the crowd surged back and every little while we would hear the crash and and forth fall of broken glass, some German's shop being smashed up. were looked upon with suspicon. We England had not yet de- clared war, and I expected any moment to see Madame Defarge herself appear with her knitting so much to my excit- ed mind did the scene resemble the days of The Revolu- tion. After much tribulation and many sleepless bedless. nights and exciting experiences we arrived in England with all our worldly goods in our hand bags. (Eventually we did get our trunks including our fur coats from Paris to London thro' the American Express-that was after living n the selfsamei clothes for months, our funds were runnng pretty low.) England was so sober, so staid and well-ordered, after the intense excitement of those first days in Paris, and we settled down in a cheap boarding-house in Bloomsbury building with the all our energies towards British army this time. getting Our back to France first work was at Shorncliffe at an old Elizabethan Mansion belonging to Lady Markham and loaned by her for a hospital, to the War Office. Here we bursed the brave defenders of Antwerp. Belgian officers and all were dazed with suffering and stunned with the terribly fate of their land. After a few weeks here I was ordered to join the first Contingent of Canadian Sisters one hundred strong at St. Thomas' Hospital London. 98 Here on �the bank of the Thames almost under the shadow of the Big Ben at the first redoubtable training school for nurses formed by the Florence Nightingale, we enjoyed true hospit- ality at the hands of the English nurses who turned out of their rooms to give us quarters. From here two lucky groups of sisters were sent to France, while with my heart in my boots from disappointment I was detailed one How of nine to describe for those Salisbury awful died daily of Pneumonia, In the dark old-fashioned Plain-Bulford Manor- rain-soaked months when Meningitis and all sorts over crowded men of ills. Manor house once the home of Sir Walter Raleigh, we struggled with insufficient supplies and little or no equipment to meet ever increasing numbers of stricken men. abroad and still our "up and at them". And still the war went badiy brave fellows chafed and fretted to be In the spring leaving a smiling Plain al- most idyllic in its beauty and peace after the sordid scenes of the winter, the troops sailed away to France and the sisters too. As yet we had not seen the war-Boulogne the great English base of operations teemed with life and excitement. It was now March 1915. Ambulance trains arriving-Sisters, French, English, "Boulonnaises" appeared in all sorts et quaint cries. We costumes stayed crying their at the Louvre weird unintelligible Hotel over night street eating strange French "hors d'oeuvres" and drinkng strange light wine as naturally as water? The next day was spent in a long slow train which seemed never to get anywhere, but finally after dark, stiff and sore, tired and cold we arrived at the picturesque fishing village of Le Treport. On the plateau at the top of its tall white cliffs, our hospital rows and rows of canvas tents was just beginning to go up. We were growing to love this quaint beantiful spot fifteen miles north of Dieppe, when after a week a few of us were ordered to report to No. 1 Can. Stationary Hospital at Wimereux. Back to Boulogne with all our equipment we travelled and two miles farther along the coast to the once-fashionable seaside resort. Here we were billeted in the Hotel Sussex, so close to the shore one felt all but swept 99 away in the �Spring tides. Out of the village on a wonderful green slope we helped start another canvas hospital. It was a place, lovely yellow primroses grew there and Burns' little crimson tipped daisies. beautiful myriads of Here we took walking wounded "who came and went with startling rapidity poor lads. Here too came our 2nd Battle of Ypres. brave Canadians wounded In the words of the sober old in the London Times"Brilliant Action of Gallant Canadians! They indoubtedly saved the day Their conduct was magnificient throughout." After the delay and censor of Salisbury days and conduct I shall never forget the fierce thrill of pride with which I read the words that first gave us our record destined to be proudly held by the Canadian troops all thro' these after years of horrible warfare. After two months of hard interesting heartbreaking, because these men all were full of life and work, not went fun we were moved to So Blighty, and to No. 1 Can. Gen- eral Hospital at Etaples. Here amongst the sand dunes, in a little canvas hut beside the main road reeking with fresh tar, with heat and sand and flies and horrid another hospital. unappetising rations, we helped Ours and one British likewise just start start- ing, formed the anchors of what afterwards became a busy city of tents and huts. Thousands of beds were soon avail- able and necessary for the steady influx of badly nien, who came and came and came all those wounded interminable years, until in May 1918 the brutal Hun bombed the area and demolished many of the hospitals killing and wounding many of the already mangled inmates, as well as the sisters and orderlies who attended them. After nearly a year spent mostly in the operating room here, and one of the hardest worked years (I never seemed to have quite the same force after), I was sent to Bailleul to No. 1 Can. Casualty Clearing Station in March 1916. Here eight miles from the firing sound of guns and with aeroplanes, 100 line within enemy and continual otherwise �ever buzzing overhead, we felt as tho' we really were at the War. It was here I met Captain Masters the Padre, with his unselfish untiring zeal on behalf of the wounded and his steady cheerful smile bringing untold comfort to the weary and dying men, for they were all dying it seemed to me, our Ward was filled with terribly one little Scot wounded ones-I rememeber who complained that they put the High- landers and the Canadians at the toughest parts of the line, and I said "But Jock, think of could dae the compliment." "Aw we wioot it Suster," says Jock with his dry smile. Tho' it broke my heart to do so I was called home and had to leave my Ward and return to Canada for two months. Then returning I was sent to 'Bearwood' Eng. a convalescent hospital at a huge country place near Reading-belonging to Mr. Walter at one time owner and editor of the London Times. been In the meantime my sent from Bailleul to best friend Miss Squire had the Ango-Russian Hospital in Petrograd then St. Peterburg. Here (in Bearwood) comfortably quartered in this hideous ultra early Victorian Mansion we looked after 700 Convalescents during the awful fighting on theSomme, fretting all the time to get back to our real work in France. In sent January 1917 Miss Macdonald our Matron-in-chief 9 of us, all friends, to No. 3 Station at Remy-Siding, Belguim. Can. Casualty Clearing Here on both sides of the Ry. track four clearing Hospitals 2 British and 2 Canadian were established. Ah! that awful January and February liv- ing in a canvas hut-I was never so cold never. tor the sick cases were wooden and after huts finishing the dressings The Wards hurriedly constructed in the morning my feet. usually felt like huge clogs of ice that I was compelled to lug up and down. In the winter the work was not bad be- cause both sides simply held the line, but that summer saw the real beginning of the war in the air. Day and night the awful raids went on and the thundering replies of our "Archies" made the air hideous. There the Fifth Army was holding that part and everything they tried to do was a failure. Day after day and month after month with heat and 101 REFERENCE: LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY �flies and wounds our lives were interminably weary. Some- times looking at the poor lads brought in and thinking how a heavy motor lorry or something equally deadly would run quietly over me and put an end to it all. Cowardly thought. Yet on days when we were not busy thrilling and exciting adventures were ours. Poperinghe the highway to the front line was less than two miles away. Here we could ride in an ambulance or on the front of a motor lorry and watch the traffic which was as conjested as in Piccadilly or Oxford Cir- cus and as well-handled by the "traffic cops." Then one day hidden inside of a Flying Corps Tender two. of us got right into the ruined city of Ypres itself right up. to the Lille Gate, but an odd enemy shell came hurtling and crashing over and we were glad enough to dodge into a dug out in the Ramparts. Another wonderful time we had a ride, exciting, rather, inside a Tank one of a squadron stationed in a wood near the line. For nine months, with absence of two weeks glorious leave spent mostly in Land's End, Cornwall, we worked like slaves at that Clearing Station. In November 1917 just as the Canadians were going into the line for the Paschendaele push much to our regret we were ordered to the Base and went back strife we months. to LeTreport. worked in No. 2 Here far Can. away General from noise Hospital for and ten We learned to love the place and the many lovely and historic Dieppe and spots in the vicinity Rouen. going several times to In December three of us had leave in that playground of the world the heavenly never to-be-forgotten Riviera, Nice, Mentone and Cannes. spring of 18 when Haig's backs against In that terrible truth-compelling the Wall" made the bravest words-"Our heart quail, our hospital and the others in the area were evacuated. You see we were in a direct line from Amiens to the coast and in the event, well in any event,-we might be cut off. Most of the sisters were sent to the Boulogne area to other hospitals to help was in the care of the enormous numbers of wounded-It awful glorious for those of us who spring sunshine remained to be waiting 102 doing idle nothing in the when �for so many of our sunshine) ain's best and bravest, (the glorious spring had been for ever extinguished. But again Brit- Bulldog qualities held the tide turned. At a moment's notice we were ordered to be ready to receive wounded and soon the hospitals were in full swing gradually so gradually the German's lost ground. All summer we were very busy. In August that great coup was played, and the whole Can- adianCorps brought south under absolute secrecy,a stupendous and wonderful feat. In Septemebr Miss Squire was given the Matronship of No. 2 Can. Casualty Clearing Sta- tion hospital. Soon the Great Retreat started and our Clear- ing Station was chosen by the British General to be one of a few to advance with the army following up the enemy. We first went to Monveaux near Lille and took over a monastery as our hospital. Just inside the gates was a lovely statue of our Lord his hands raised in gentle benediction as it had stood thro' the gloomy years of Hun occupation. The building itself reeked still of its Hun inhabitants of three days before ugh! Roubaix and Tourcoing two large French manu- facturing realize cities were close to us. the effect of the Now indeed we began to iron hand of Germany. Not a domestic animal in sight, not a vestige of goods in the shop even the brass door-handles were plundered. sadly few alas, that these clever A few things. French people had slyly hidden were brought forth from inside mattresses and walled up cupboards, and eagerly picked up, such as quaint candlesticks, leather Bridge Sets, odd bits china, et cetera Here to us in this monastery-Hospital, our wards still filled, the historic marked queer 11th it stunned wonderful relief to Scourge But appreciate next move was to Leuze in meeting the patients all having Alas we had only be- this when the was upon us almost decimating the Road near Mons. only way we as the days went on, the wonderful, no more wounded! realize and The and unbelieving as we were was by the silence of the guns and by stout for dinner. gun November came. awful troops. Flu Our Belgium on the main Brussells I remember one glorious day of happy at Mons which was then bursting 103 with the over- �flowing spirits of the Can. Corps. While at Leuze the first British Prisoners turned loose by the Huns after the Armistice made their our Hospital. long painful way in that bitter weather to Had I never lived the years of war, had I only known the Huns thro' these poor, pitiful, suffering, starving wrecks of men returned to us, I would know that no reparations imposed by the allies would be adequate to meet the case of this diabolical enemy. I am still nauseated with horror when I think of the Prisoners and of their stories every word of which rang true. Our next move was 100 miles forward always by ambulance and motor lorry, Meuse, thro' Charleroi. along the beautiful poor ill-fated valley of Namur and on thro' lovely undestroyed country to the ancient city of Huy (pro- nounced wee) with its quaint Cathedral and bridges. city square one morning the I saw a young In the Canadian gunner cleaning his Machine Gun- looking up with a grin he said "Hello Sister are you from Toronto" bless him. I was cabled for to return home and the From here clearing hospital went on into Germany and spent Christmas in Bonn, there indeed getting some of their own back. I had a ghastly trip back to Boulogne as many refugees and so much congestion of ways were demoralized. Seasick and owing to so troops the rail- miserable I crossed the Channel on Christmas day, reviving sufficiently Xmas. dinner with two British officers and to another eat Sister (English) on the boat train from Folkestone to London. In the middle of January 1919-4½ years from that July morning that saw us sail from Montreal in such high spirits, I arrived home to "take up the burden of life again". H. W. Halifax 104 1921. �THOSE WHO DID NOT REACH OVERSEAS Lloyd Black Lloyd Black brother to Wilfred Black (M. M.) enlisted in the flying corps and worked with that unit as mechanic till demobilization. Carleton Nash Carleton Nash, son of the late Benjamin Nash enlisted in B. C. and died there before his regiment was ordered overseas. (Ottawa sent a record of Carleton Nash as pro- ceeding overseas and serving with the Imperials but this must have been another with the same name.) Pte. Lorenzo Irvine Everette Brock (2009123) Lorenzo Brock. His can Army Brock is the only son of Mrs. Lila Bissel father Mr. Irvine Brock had been in the Ameri- and served on May 28th 1918. during the Cuban War. He enlisted He served as Headquarter's Bugler at Brockville till August when his mother having for him as her sole support he was sent home. petitioned He was not discharged till January 15th 1919. Gunner John Bolton, (317857) John Bolton only son of the late John Bolton and Mrs. Bolton of Niagara had been living in Port Dalhousie when he enlisted Major January 27th, 1916, in the 49th Battery under Lancaster of St. Catharines. The battery drilled St. Catharines, Toronto and Petawawa. place koka. he developed He was thus in While in the latter trouble for which he was sent to Mus- unable to go overseas charged in Toronto October 31st 1916. 105 and was dis- �Pte. Edward Harold Ball Edward Ball youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ball, was one who tried hard to get overseas but every declared him medically unfit. On January 8th 1915 the 44th accepted him for frontier duty. May 8th 1918. doctor He was with this force till During this time he was stationed at many places on the peninsula, Port Colborne, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Queenston, and Niagara. Charles Ball Charles Ball third son of Mr. Albert Ball served on the Frontier Guard for two years. Richard C. Burd While an American citizen Richard Burd spent all his school days with his relatives the Healey family. On May 1. 1918 he enlisted for four years service in the American Naval Reserve. He served on the Great Lakes till July 1918, when he went to the submarine base at Panama. was engaged in patrol work there till when he was given leave. 17th December, 17, He 1918 His present rank is seaman 2nd class. Pte. Herbert Joseph Caughill Herbert Caughill is the youngest son of Mr. John Caughill. His eldest brother Edward Caughill is on the list. enlisted lattalion. in St. Catharnies February 8th, 1916, He was transferred to the Welland in the He 19th Canal Force. He served at Niagara, Niagara Falls, and De Cew Falls. He was discharged July 31, 1916. Edward Carnochan Edward Carnochan the second son of Mr. James Car- nochan enlisted on Feb. 8th, 1916, but as he was only fifteen 106 �his baptismal certificate was obtained from Toronto and on, application to the commanding officer he was discharged after serving sometime, as under age. Cadet Edward Coffey Edward Coffey is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Coffey of Yonkers New York. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve Force, April 17th, 1917, while a student at Princeton. He returned to Princeton college in October. he transferred to Naval Aviation and was sent In June 1918 to Massach- usetts Institute of Technology where he studied until August 30. He was then spherical balloons. sent to Akron Ohio for training in After obtaining his pilot's license there hc was sent to Pensacola, Florida for more training. ceived orders for inactive duty December 12th, He re- 1918, and returned to Princeton University. He is editor of the Prince- ton paper "The Tiger." Jack Coffey, (U. S. Army) Jack, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Coffey of New York, attended High schools. May 1917. for a short time both our Public and He enlisted in the service of his country in He was about to enter an officers' training camp in July but his mother writes "as he has a wife and child and a very good position in Philadelphia we finally succeeded in getting him to resign under conditions that when he was needed he would again enlist." Robert Connolly, (7166) Robert Connolly is the second son of Mr. James Connolly and seeking the late Mrs. Connolly. restoration of health. when the war broke out. Robert had gone west. He was in San Francisco He came home the next spring and on April 25th, 1915, joined the R. A. F. as first class mechanic. He served with this force in Texas, Toronto and Deseronto and received his discharge November 30th, 1919. 107 �Pte. James Cumpson, (255680) James Cumpson eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Cumpson of Mary Street, had been in the west (for a number of years. He enlisted in the 210 Battalion in Moose Jaw on the 23rd of May 1916 and served till Feb. 8th, 1917. Service in Canada only. Nurse Maude Fisher When Maude Fisher late of Virgil finished her course at Niagara High School she trained for a nurse in Geneva N. Y. She enlisted in that city November 1918 and was sent at once to New York City to the Old Green Hut building. Fisher remained on duty there till it closed July The Debarkation Hospitals were Miss 15th, 1919. for receiving the sol- diers on their return from overseas and as soon as possible transferring them to camp to be discharged or near their patients would homes. Debarkation No. 3 accommodated and was frequently filled for a few be to hospitals days. 4600 Many transferred in two or three days especially the ambulatory cases. The nurses in the American Army are not ranked but classed between a cadet and a first lietenant. Corporal Frederick Edward Garrett, (2692724) Frederick Garrett enlisted February 13th, 1917. He was sent to the Canal Force and was there till June 30th, 1917. He then joined the 2nd Garrison Battalion and was with them till July 23 when he transferred to Depot at Niagara. erian Force 59th 1st Battalion 2nd In September he transferred to the SibBattalion. In October he took the "flu" and then was in hospital in Burlington, Guelph and Whitby. The flu left him in such a state that when he received his discharge April 14th, 1919, he was placed in Category E. Captain Hamilton C. Garrett Hamilton Garrett only son of Canon Garrett for many 108 �years rector of St. Mark's received most of his schooling at Ridley College Schools for ober 6, 1914 a but attended short time. in both our Public and High He enlisted at Toronto on Oct- the C. A. S. C. 124th Battalion. He served one year as Supply and Ordnance Officer at Kapuskasing Internment Camp, seven months with the 124th Bn., C. E. F. and four months staff Captain of the 5th Training Bde. was declared medically unfit for overseas service and He was given permission to retire on October 1916. Albury K. Hood Albury Hood, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hood, was born in England but received all his schooling in Niagara. He joined the Permanent Force in London, Ont. on July 1st 1915. He served with the Ordnance Corps in London, Toronto, Camp Borden, Halifax and received his discharge in Montreal in July 27, 1919. Pte. Arthur Richard Hood, (2692618) Arthur, better known as Archie, is the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hood. Early in August 1914 he went to St. Catharines to enlist in the Welland Field Battery but he has always been very short sighted and could not pass. tried again in the 98th Battalion. He On February 7th, 1915 he joined the 44th for frontier defence. Since leaving that July 5th, 1918, he has been in the 2nd C. O. R. and the Canadian Army Vetinary Corps at Exhibition Camp and in the R. C. D.'s. He received his discharge July 31st, 1919. Edward James Keith Edward Keith, second son of Mr. and Mrs. William Keith, enlisted in the 180th or Sportsman's Battalion early in 1915. He passed as an Air Man but was discharged as un- fit for service after a few weeks in the army. 109 �John Lynch John Lynch received most of his public school and all of his high school education in Niagara. American Army September 3, 1918. He enlisted in the Attached Adj. Det. Per- sonnel Sections at Camp Sherman, Ohio. Felix Lynch Felix Lynch, youngest son of the late John Lynch and Mrs. Lynch, spent all of his school days in Niagara while his father was fireman on the M. C. R. R. He was in the South- ern States when he enlisted, Feb. 28th, 1918. He was attach- ed to the 339th engineers stationed at Norfolk, Va. He was discharged at Camp Hill,Va., March 12, 1919 with rating of Master Engineers, Sr. Gr. 2nd Lieutenant J. W. Meadows, R. A. F. William Meadows attended the public school during the years in which his father was engineer on the M. C. R. R. the local line of He enlisted in the Air Force in April He was demobilized Dec. 15, 1918 with the rank of 2nd 1918. Lieu- tenant. Cadet James C. O'Donnell James O'Donnell families of this is a descendant vicinity. of two well known. He is the youngest son of Mr. James O'Donnell and of Mrs. O'Donnell who was Miss Jo. Cummings of the town. He left his position at Niagara Falls, Ont. and enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in Toronto, August 30th 1917. He attended the School of Aeronatics serving in Camps Long Branch, Borden, and Leaside. His flying course was all but completed when the Royal Air Force was demobilized. Charles Sherlock Charles Sherlock, is the older son of the late Charles 110 �Sherlock Harry and Mrs. Sherlock. He Hindle one of the old is a great grandson of Imperial Army pensioners of Niagara and his grandfather A. Sherlock served in the Fenian Raid. He enlisted in Toronto, April 8th, 1918, serving in the office of the Head Quarters Staff. from there, but re-enlisted in the He was discharged R. A. F. serving in the office in Toronto and Long Branch, receiving his discharge December 1st, 1918. Major Dexter Cleveland Rumsey, Air Service, Senior Mili- tary Aviator, U. S. A. Dexter Rumsey was a summer visitor to our town and neighbourhood school many years. for a short time. He graduated 6th for He attended the public His military service is as follows: from West Point in 1911. He was with the U. S. Cavalry on Mexican Patrol duty 1912-1916. He was 1st Lientenant and Captain with the 4th Cavalry 19161917 in Hawaiian Islands. He Senior, Military Aviator 1917. vising engineer, South fields, Field Commander became Major, Air Service, Flight Commander, super- Western District, over eight flying 1917-1919. Major Rumsey was due to depart on service with the A. E. F. in France in March 1919, but was recalled owing to armistice. Not many years of the small public schools of the Uuited States can have supplied more men to the United States Flying Corps than is on the list of this Canadian School. Major Rankin of Detroit, Mich.; Major Rumsey of La- Jolla, California; Lt. Booth of Los Angeles, Cal.; The late Lt. Coffey of Yonkers, N. Y.; Cadet George Barracks of Buffalo, N. Y.; Pilot Ed. Coffey, of Yonkers, N. Y. Harry Reilly. William Reilly These two boys are known to have served on U. S. A. battleships but as neither they nor the United States War Records answered the letters asking for information no ac111 �count of their service can be given. They are grandsons of the late Mrs. Swift and cousins to Matthew Girvin who is also on our roll. Staff Sergeant Leeming Hedley Servos Leeming Servos is the only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Dan Servos of Niagara. He enlisted in the C.A.M. at Welland August 5th, 1914. He was attached to the head quarters staff of the Welland Canal Protectors Force and served for two years and a half. Fred Stivens Fred Stivens who faced many a bitter wind across Ni- agara Common to reach Niagara Public School, served in the American Army. 112 �PUBLIC SCHOOL HONOUR ROLL Armstrong, Anson. Armstrong, Ivan. Connolly, Robert. Armstrong, Muriel. Corbett, Armstrong, Raymond. Avery, Charles. Corbett, Thomas. Cowley, Charles. Ball, Edward. Cowley, John. Ball, Fred. Cumpson, Clarence. Cumpson, Herbert. Charles. Barrack, Bell, Coleman, Ernest. George. Cumpson, James. Charles. Best, Robert. Currie Hainer.. Black, Wilfred. Currie, Perry. Bird, Richard. Doran, Robert. Black, Lloyd. Eckersley, Laurier. Bolton, John. Elliott, William. Booth, Carl. Emslie, Charles. Booth, Fred. Fisher, Donald. Brady, John. Fisher, Edward. Brady, Herbert. Fisher, Frederick. Brock, Fisher, William. Brown, Lorenzo. Fizette, Robert. Peter. Freel, Duncan. Brownlee, George. Calhoun, Charles. Freel, Calhoun, John. Fyfe, John. Campbell, Earle. Gardiner, Rowland. Carnochan, Garrett, Hamilton. Edward. Norman. Carnochan, Frank. Garrett, Frederick. Castle, Grimstead, Ernest. Charles. Caughill, Edward. Griffith, Caughill, Herbert. Gordon, Percy. Chamberlain, Gordon. Girvin, Matthew. Chamberlain, William. Hainer, Charles. Chrysler, Moss. Hainer, Clifton. Coffey, Arthur. Coffey, Edward. Hainer, Harvey. Coffey, Reginald. Hewgill, Edwin. Hindle, Frank. John. Holohan, Archie. Connolly, Ernest. 113 �Holohan, Merrick. Millar, Frederick. Houghton, Herbert. Houghton, Robert. Mills, Arthur. Houghton, Tom. McArthur, Daniel. Hood, Albury. McClelland, Hood, Arthur. McClelland, Howard. Ireland, Dallas. McGuire, Albert. Kanally, Wiliam. Nipper, Charles. Keith, Charles. Nesbit, Walter. Keith, Edward. Noble, George. Keith, Garland. O'Donnell, Keith, William. O'Melia, Henry. Kemsley, Arthur. Patterson, James. Kemsley, Clifford. Porter, Thomas. Kemsley, Ernest. Quinn, Lincoln. Ker, Edwin. Rankin, Gordon. Kirby, Eric. Raynor, Nolan. Lavell, Isaac. Richardson, Edmund. Lee, Harry. Reid, Clifford. Lees, Percy. Reilly, Harry. Le Fraugh, Roy. Reilly, William. Librock, Gerald. Ross, William. Logan, George. Rowland, Percy. Longhurst, Herbert. Rumsey, Dexter. Loughlin, John. Ryan, Gordon. Lyall, Clarence. Sandham, Howard. Lyall, Homan. Lyall, Maurice. Servos, Shepherd, Edwin. Lynch, Felix. Sherlock, Charles. Lynch, John. Smith, Frederick. Maess, Albert. Maess, Roy. Stewart-Jones, Bayley. Stivens, Frederick. Malcolm, Harold. Swinton, Lewis. Masters, Charles. Stevens, Alfred. Matthews, Frederick. Teeple, Harley. Matthews, George. Thompson, Charles. Millar, Gordon. Thornton, Millar, Leslie. Thornton, Stewart. Milloy, Cameron. 114 Albert. James. Leeming. Hedley. �Thornton, William. Whittem, Charles. Thomas, Reginald. Wilson, Ernest. Tilley, William. Wood, Arthur. Todd, William. Wootton, Edward. Wallace, George. Wright, William. Walsh, Herbert. Wylie, William. Whitside, Leroy. MISS SERVOS' SCHOOL Librock, Gerald. Nash, Carleton. Rowland, Harry. HIGH SCHOOL HONOUR ROLL Ball, Gerald. Hainer, Charles. Best, Robert. Hainer, Harvey. Black, Wilfred. Houghton, Tom. Bolton, John. Houghton, Robert. Crighton, Frank. Kirby, Eric. Chrysler, Moss. Lee, Harry. Dickson, Robert. Elliott, William. Lyall, Clarence. Lyall, Maurice. Lyall, Homan. Emslie, Charles. Masters, Charles. Field, Earl. Millar, Fred. Field, Harold. MacGregor, Vincent. Field, Wilfred. Noble, George. Fisher, Donald Quinn, Lincoln. Fisher Maud. Reid, Eckersley, Laurier. Clifford. Garrett, Hamilton. Richardson, Edmund. Gordon, Percy. Rowland, Harry. Girvin, Matthew. Rowland, Percy. 115 �Russell, Frederick. Wilson, Ernest. Ryan, Gordon. Wootton, Edward. Shepherd, Edwin. Wylie, Flora. Sheppard, Harold. Wylie, William. Teeple, Harley. Wright, W. Walsh, Herbert. 116 J. �MEETINGS The regular meetings are on the second Monday of each month from October to May, except that the annual meeting is on the 13th October. PUBLICATIONS Of many of our publications the edition is exhausted, but we have (price chiefly 25 cents): 2. 4 Slave Rescue, etc., reprinted, and the Battle of Queenston Heights. 3. Blockade of Fort George, reprinted. 5 Sermon of Rev. R. Addison, Historic Houses, etc., re- printed. 6 Niagara Library, Early Schools, reprinted. 8 Family History, reprinted. 11 Reminiscences, reprinted 12 Battle of Fort George, republished from No. 1, with additions, etc. 13 St.Vincent de Paul's Church,A Canadian Heroine, reprint 14 Letters of Mrs. Wm. Dummer Powell, 1807-1821. 15 Sir Isaac Brock, Count de Puisaye, republished. 16 Report of Opening of the Historical Building, reprint. 17 Ten years of the Colony of Niagara. 18 Early History of St. Mark's, Robert Gourlay, etc. 19 Inscriptions on Graves in Niagara Peninsula. Price 40 cents. No. 10 reprinted with additions. 20 Reminiscences of Fenian Raid, etc. 21 Historical Buildings, Churches, No. 7, reprinted with additions. 22 Some Graves in Lundy's Lane. 23 Fort Niagara, Col. MacDougal. 24 Catalogue 25 Laura Secord, Diary ofin a Prisoner Fort Garry, 1869-70 27 Names only, But much No more. 1 Company Niagara. 28 Family History and Reminiscences. 29 Niagara Frontier, 1837-8 31 Appreciation of Lt. W. J. Wright, M. A.,Emigrants of 1847 in Niagara. 33 30 Hon. Wm. Dickson, etc. 32 Notes on Niagara, 1759-1860. Documents of 1814.. We have a large exchange list. The Historical Room is open every Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5. In summer on. Wednesday also and when possible on application on other days. We have now a membership of over three hundred. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 34" booklet, c. 1922 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 34" booklet, c. 1922 Subject The topic of the resource Soldiers from Niagara who served in World War I Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the "Niagara Historical Society, No. 34" booklet, c. 1922. The Niagara Historical Society published their research/speeches regularly in these volumes, of which the Welland Public Library has most between 1-44. Volume 34 contains: "Whose Debtors We Are" by Catherine Creed. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Niagara Historical Society Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1922 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Booklet Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 971.33 Nia Vol. 34 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Niagara Catherine Creed Niagara Historical Society Niagara Historical Society Papers World War I https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/04b66b0c6170b20d5336abe8ab2f114f.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=GIFQThV3clB%7EYmj24mKj%7EfTaeJXaUzq5QiF0Lf8kB-MFTPAjY485RPaxHU4XuZt6mx2vuna4GTbDXTFrP2YINY-zicf3BMvLYQvPh7RTiQQongy5hEtAB%7Emf8SaTafAwMCBDb64zIBS%7EBM8ii5eSwsgd3e%7E7Jw1F7qh9bXl%7EfGGOxn3If-1q6xWEopfP5QdpsyQn2XhD4V-0sm5xT7AQWjX%7EXacsTs5OPuEac4h3o5PtrqGRju7PWqsWUYc5L7h2hvFjbOW4xOjKYcyDyJVXGfhTvBzZNIWUHoOvqtKat-3n%7ED9-j-NcKkanCRHm5%7EzATjDceDS1d%7EmeKKeTCmmRpg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM d468b925153c850dbad0940bf68469ea PDF Text Text "Ducit Amor Patriæ" DOCUMENTS (No. 33) Relating to the invasion of the Niagara Peninsula by the United States Army, commanded by General Jacob Brown, In July and August, 1814. Collected and Edited by Brigadier General E. A. Cruikshank, LLD., F.R.S.C. Published by The Niagara Historical Society Price 50 cents Printed by The Niagara Advance County Printers Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. -HC 33 CTION PAMPHLET FILE #33 A #2 D PUBLIC LIBRARY �Niagara Historical Society I TS OBJECTS are the encouragement of the study of Canadian History and Literature, the collection and preservation of Canad- ian Historical Relics, the building up of Canadian loyalty and patriotism, and the preservation of all historical landmarks in this vicinity. The annual fee is fifty cents. The Society was formed in December, 1895. ing is held on Ooctober 13th. The annual meet- Since May, 1896, six thousand articles have been gathered in the Historical Room, thirty-two pamphlets have been published, eleven historical sites have been marked, an Historical Building erected at a cost of over $6,000, and a catalogue published. Officers for 1920-1921 Honorary President Gen. Cruikshank, F. R. S. C., LL. D. Miss Carnochan President Vice-President Rev. Second Vice-President Canon Garrett Rev. A. F. MacGregor, B. A. Third Vice-President E. H. Shepherd Secretary Mrs. E. Ascher Treasurer Mrs. S. D. Manning Mrs. Assistant Treasurer Curator C. E. Brown Miss Carnochan Editor) Mrs. Bottomley Assistant Curator Mrs. Mussen Second Assistant Curator COMMITTER Mrs. Bottomley Mrs. Goff Alfred Ball Wm. Ryan G. S. Bale, B. A. LIFE MEMBERS Arthur E. Paffard Dr. T. K. Thompson, C.E. Major R. W. Leonard H. B. Witton H. J. Wickham A. E. Rowland Mrs. C. Baur R. Biggar Best C. M. Warner C. W. Nash HONORARY MEMBERS Gen. Cruikshank, F. R. S. C. Newton J. Kerr, C.E. Dr. H. L. Anderson Dr. A. H. U. Colquhoun Dr. Alexander Fraser, M.A. Frank Greenlaw, M.P.P. J. D. Chaplin, M. R Mrs. E. J. Thompson Peter McArthur �.P.WELLAND P.L 3 2759 01859142 3 "Ducit Amor Patriæ" DOCUMENTS Relating to the Invasion of the Niagara Peninsula by the United States Army, commanded by General Jacob Brown, In July and August, 1814. Collected and Edited by Brigadier General E. A. Cruikshank, LLD., F.R.S.C. Published by The Niagara Historical Society Printed by The Niagara Advance County Printers Niagara-on-the-Lake, AIM Ontario. �PREFACE With a few exceptions the documents printed in this publication have been transcribed from letter-books formerly the property of Major General Jacob Brown of the United States Army now preserved in the Division of Washington, D. C. Manuscripts in the Library of Congress, The exceptions, relating to the operations of the squadron on Lake Erie, have been transcribed from the original letters in the Navy Department, Washington. General Brown's letters to the Secretary of War, dated July 6th, and August 7th, 1814, have been printed before as official reports, but were considerably altered for obvious reasons before publication. kins, dated August 1, His letter to Governor Tomp- 1814, has also been printed from a copy in the Tompkins Papers from which there was an omission of some consequence. The documents entitled "Memoranda of occurrences and some important facts attending the compaign on the Niagara in 1814" was known to the historian, Charles J. Ingersoll, who printed a portion of it with some verbal changes in his "Historical Sketch of the Second War between the United States and Great Britain, Events of 1814". (pp. 100-5) as extracts from General Brown's Diary. The remainder of these papers with two exceptions, which are included to preserve continuity, it is believed, have never appeared in print before and will be found to throw considerable fresh light on the events of that compaign when read in conjunction with the official correspondence pub. lished in the first and second volumes of the "Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1814" to which this may be considered as forming a supplement. E. A. CRUIKSHANK Ottawa, 2d April, 1920. �SACKETT'S HARBOR, April 14, 1814. Dear General, I arrived at this place late on the night of the 12th; the Commodore has this moment informed me that our confidential agent has just now returned from Kingston and states that the Enemy have their old Fleet all out in the stream and ready to sail the first fair wind with 3,000 men we shall for this place. The wind is now fair and that this Evening or to-morrow morning have some hard knocks is very certain, unless the weather prevents or the Enemy should conclude to pass on to Oswego, where we have 'tis said, a great quantity of provisions. know We shall exert our strength to the utmost. what our strength is. You Our works have been improved by the zeal and industry of the late Command'ts and the troops. I need not tell you that a Regt. of Infantry, a company of Artillerists and mounted diagoons would render this place more secure. and I pray you will send them as it may be possible the Enemy may not move until the reinforcements could be got here. Your friend, E. P. GAINES, Brig. Genl. Comdg Major General Brown, Comdg. near Niagara. NEAR LEWISTON, April 18, 1814. Dear General, Your letter has made me very anxious and unhappy, and was it possible I should rejoice to change situations with you for a few days. I have never doubted the ability of Commodore Chauncey to beat off the Enemy should they attempt to land a force near Sackett's Harbor during his continuance in that part of the Lake. He has never expressed to me a doubt on the subject and it was only in case of his absence that apprehensions were to be entertained for the safety of the place; judge then of my surprize to see by your letter that the 5 �enemy would presume to cross and cover their troops with their OLD FLEET. It would be impossible to march troops from this frontier in time to be of any use to you. All that I could do with any prospect of being useful has been done. Capt. Harris with the mounted dra- goons is, I trust, on his way back. I have ordered him to move rap- idly the Recruits for the 23rd Regt. say 300, are also under orders to join you. You will not hesitate to make use of all the means within your reach for the preservation of the important trust committed to your charge. Call every soldier to your assistance by accepting the service of every militia volunteer disposed to arm in the defence of his coun- try. If you are deficient in arms take them or anything the cause re- quires which you can procure from the State Arsenal at Watertown. Victory in such a contest will cover you with immortal honours and I feel your chances are enviable should the enemy presume to attack your post. I cannot believe that he has the power to bring against you 3,000 men, but this number is not alarming, considering the strength of your position. Lieut. McChain is the bearer of this, he is ordered to forward to the Regts. here BY LAND whatever cloathing may have gone to your post for them; have the goodness to facilitate him in this business by all the aid you can give so as to prevent delay. With great Regard, Yours, JAC. BROWN. Maj. General Brig.-Genl. Gaines, Commdg. Sackett's Harbour. NEAR LEWISTON, April 18th, 1814. My Dear Sir, It is very unkind in you to remain so long silent. I did ex- pect that you would have written me very fully before this time. 6 Last �evening I received a letter at Williamsville, my Headquarters, from Genl. Gaines, dated the 14th inst., in which he states that from information received from you he thousand strong at is induced to believe that the Enemy are three Kingston, that their old Fleet was drawn out and that an attack on Sackett's Harbor was expected in the course of a day or two from that time. You never intimated to me a doubt of your ability to face the Enemy at any moment after the Ice was out and I must confess that I was so confident of your strength by water that I did not expect there would continuance in its be any alarm for that post during your neighbourhood, of which I had no doubt until the new ship was completed. I should have been very much gratified by receiving a letter from you, showing how the great change in the relative strength of Sackett's Harbor and Kingston is to be accounted for since I had the pleasure of seeing you. Yon then mentioned that by the last advices from Kingston there was no reason to believe that the Enemy had at that post to exceed from 14 to 1500 men of the Army and had you expressed a doubt for the security of the position so interesting to you particularly, and to all of us, I believe that you will not doubt that I would have been disposed to stay with you, notwithstanding your unhesitating opinion that the orders I rec'd made it my duty to march to this frontier. The letter of General Gaines has rendered me very anxious and unhappy and I pray to God that what he appears to apprehend may not take place. All that I could do with any prospect of being useful has been done. The mounted Dragoons have been ordered to return with all possible expedition and the Recruits in the neighbourhood of Utica have been ordered to your assistance. Genl. Gaines will have called in every soldier he can reach and will accept of such Militia Volunteers as may have the patriotism to offer themselves, or that he can induce to arm in defence of their country. The troops from this frontier could not by any possibility be expected to reach you in time. Should the Encuny presume to land in defiance of your means, I can but hope and believe that you will im- mortalize yourself and should they get on shore, it does appear to me that Gaines will be able to place the army on higher ground than it yet has stood. Let me again entreat you to write me fully on this 7 �and every other subject connected with the common cause. Yours truly, JAC. BROWN. Maj. General. Commd. Chauncey, Sackett's Harbour. WILLIAMSVILLE, April 20th, 1814. Dear General, Induced by reasons that I have fully explained to you I leave this for Sackett's Harbour in the morning. The particular Command upon this Frontier devolves upon you during my absence. I deem it unnecessary to give you detailed instructions as you will understand the situation of the country in which you are placed & without orders will do everything for the country & for the health & honor of the forces placed under your command that can be reasonably expected of an officer with the means in your power. That part of the 3rd Artillery not ordered to Sackett's Harbour will remain at Batavia until further orders from me, unless a case should occur to induce you to believe their aid necessary. We have agreed that it was most prudent and military under the existing state of things to order Maj. Gardner to fall back to the Depot of provisions along the Ridge Road. You will to-morrow send him the necessary directions upon this subject. Send a confidential officer to Capt. Elliott to ascertain the precise situation of the Flotilla upon Lake Erie & of the troops near Detroit & by all the means in your power possess yourself of information relative to the enemy's force and movements. You will open all public letters addressed to me, take copies of such as may concern your command, send by express to me the originals of all such as may be important. You shall be regularly advised of every important occurrence. coming to my knowledge that may affect your command. Yours, JAC. BROWN, Maj. Genl. Brig. General Scott. �WILLIAMSVILLE, April 20th, 1814. Dear Sir, I send you enclosed copies of Letters that you may see why I proceed to Sackett's Harbour. When I wrote Genl. Gaines and Com- modore Chauncey I had not concluded to proceed to that post but such is the anxious state of my mind that I cannot live upon this Frontier under the existing state of things. Scott is here and can do all that is necessary in my absence. I hope to be at the Harbour in time to share the fate of the place Yours truly, JAC. BROWN. Maj. Genl. The snow that fell the night of the 14th & 15th inst., may delay the enemy a few days. Hon. John Armstrong, Sec'y for War. SACKETT'S HARBOUR, April 25th, 1814. Dear Sir, Letters from Commodore Chauncey and Brig made it my duty to proceed to this post. Genl. Gaines I arrived here yesterday and after having taken a short time to look around me, I am persuad- ed that an attack is more to be desired than apprehended. Brig.-Genl. Scott commands upon the Niagara Frontier until my return; this offic- er has a force fully competent for any present operations in that quarter. Lieut. Colonel Mitchell is in march for Oswego & will be there before the arrival of the supplies for Commodore Chauncey's flotilla. Yours truly, JAC. Honble Secy. of War. BROWN. �HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOR, April 29th, 1814, Dear Sir, You will, I trust, have rec'd my several letters from Batavia and Williamsville before this comes to hand. My whole effective force upon falls short of 3,500 men. this and the Niagara Frontier Notwithstanding the high health Troops at present enjoy, with such limited means would I these be justified in again putting to hazard the honor of the army and country by commencing offensive operations? To invest Fort Niagara with a know- ledge of the Enemy's force in its neighbourhood and the probability of their having the ascendency upon Lake Ontario during the investment does not appear to be a measure contemplated in your orders, or one which you would approve were you on the spot to direct. The necessary military stores for the battering train ordered to the Niag ara Frontier had not left Albany on the 15th Inst., as I learned by a letter from Colo. Jenkins and no part of it had arrived at Canandaigua, on the 21st when I passed to this post. My several letters will have explained to you my feelings, sentiments & power views with the best information to obtain of the enemies strength it and has been in situation. my General Scott is on the Niagara Frontier with two companies of the 2nd Ar- tillery, a well found field train and the 9th, 11th, 21st and 25th Regts of Infy. Lieut. Col. Mitchell commands at Oswego with four companies of the 3rd Artillery. Some recruits are on the march, I understand, and will be here in the course of a few days. The enemies new ships are nearly ready & it is probable they will be out in the course of ten days. I do not intend to leave this post again untill I receive orders from you after you are informed of my being here. Very respectfully and truly. I am, dear Sir, Your humble servt. JAC. BROWN. Honble John Armstrong, Sec'y. of War. 10 �SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 1st, 1814. Dear Sir, Johnson returned from his friends in Canada this morning, he states that the Enemy cannot have to exceed 3,000 men of the Army in Kingston, from his account I am induced to believe that they have not that number. the 41st that had recalled and been that the It would appear that the Battalion of ordered up the Country some time since was 103rd arrived in Kingston about two weeks since. Johnson is positive that some troops moved from Kingston for the Upper Country about four days ago but I cannot be induced to believe from his statement that the number exceeds two or three hund- red. The Enemies new ship must I think be completed about the 10th instant. The Superior, Commodore Chauncey's new ship was lauched this morning. Very respectfully, JAC. BROWN Honble. John Armstrong, Sec'y of war. *This was possibly William Johnson who became notorious in 1838 as "Bill Johnson, the Pirate of the Thousand Islands." HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 4th, 1814. Dear Sir: Two ships, two brigs & one schooner of the Enemies Fleet have this day appeared upon attack upon this place. desired than the Lake. I do not apprehend an I cannot but consider an attack to be more apprehended. For Oswego I am under some appre- hension and have advised Colo. Mitchell accordingly. Very respectfully, Yours truly, JAC. BROWN. Honble. Sec'y of War. 11 �HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, 6th May, 1814. Dear Sir: We have good reasons to believe that an attack made upon Oswego, has been Commodore Chauncey advises me that the officer commanding the Lady of the Lake heard cannonading in that direction yesterday for three hours. port of the cannon in I have distinctly heard the re- the direction of Oswego from the Bay & been at the head of Horse Island for several hours this morning. Lieut. Col. Mitchell and his corps I place great reliance. will not be disgraced by this oflicer or have his In The army command but as the Enemies squadron is upon him with, I fear, all the force they could carry, the event of Commodore ships are Enemies the conflict may be considered Chauncey out. Fleet The being has not ascertained that the moment I was informed upon very doubtful. Enemies new of any part of the the lake an express was sent to Colo. Mitchell with the intelligence and apprising him of the danger. I rec'd from him a letter dated the 5th Inst in the morning advising me that the Enemies Fleet were in sight, there could therefore be no surprise & his full strength will be exerted. Very Truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble John Armstrong, Secy. of War. HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 7th, 1814. Dear Sir. Your letter of the 7th April has came to hand & had I rec'd this communication before I left the Niagara Frontier, say that it would have been my duty to have I cannot remained. but As our military and naval forces & those of the enemy ARE NOW situated I do not see that anything I can say in answer to this letter would be useful. I received a Report from Colo. Mitchell by an express which left him after the affairs of the day & night of the 6th. with their old The Enemy fleet, one new ship and some gun boats, 12 it would �appear, had been endeavouring to force Mitchell from his position. The Colonel appeared undiscouraged and like a brave man tenacious of his own honor and devoted to the cause in which he is engaged, will do his duty. ignorant. Of the Result of yesterday's attack we are yet It is reported to me this morning that the Enemies sixty- gun ship left Kingston yesterday. I shall know in the course of tc- night the truth of this report Finding that letters move slow between I sent for Mr. Utica and Buffaloe, Varnum, who is here as agent for the postmaster, for the purpose of ordering the military Express mail from Utica to Buffaloe or wherever the army might be on the Niagara Frontier when he showed me a letter from Mr. Bradley, declining the allowance of Funds "deeming it unnecessary as an Armistice would pro- bably take place" in the course of a few days. You will direct what is proper to be done in this case. Yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. John Armstrong, Secy. of War. HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 8th, 1814. Dear Sir. Oswego was taken by the Enemy on the 6th. fleet, new and old, was employed upon this Expedition. counts from men Their whole I have ac- Kingston after the fleet sailed; advising me that 1500 embarked. Col. Mitchell with three hundred men maintained his position for nearly two days in this unequal contest. Time was given for the militia of the Country to have been raised in Massefor his support. Colonel Mitchell and his gallant comrades deserve well of their country, some have been killed, many have bled, after every effort consistent with duty, a retreat was effected in the face of the vastly superior force of the Enemy. The Enemies Fleet passed in view of this place yesterday afternoon, apparently bound for Kingston. We have not yet learn- 13 �ed that any force was left at Oswego. Should this be the case Col. Mitchell will with the aid of the Reinforcements that I have sent him and the Militia that have by this time joined, be able to main tain his position at the falls and save the guns and naval stores at that place. I will send you the official account of this affair the moment it can be received from Colonel Mitchell. Maj. and muster Orne, Asst. Inspector General, the troops on the Niagara Frontier, orders to perform the same duty at this post. must necessarily result from willing to perform this duty. to inspect he is now under I regret the delay that there being but one General to my Division of the army. the was ordered Asst. Inspector The officers here are very un- I suppose they think the Officers of staff would do well to live with the army and remain on the Lines. Gardner has reported himself to me as an Adjutant General & Roger Jones as Asst. Adjutant. himselfas a Brigadier. General Ripley has reported I must be permitted to say that the Government have made some excellent selections from the Lists of Colonels for Brigadiers, better I believe could not have been made. The envelope to Capt. Jones' notice of his appointment Asst. Adjt. Genl, was addressed Asst. INSPECTOR Genl. rise to some doubts. as This gave As Capt. Jones is one of best young men in our army, I contended that you designed him to select which office he would hold. He utterly refused to serve as Asst. Inspector Genl. I have announced him in orders as Asst. Adjt. Genl. and take him into my family. Very respectfully, JAC. BROWN. Honble. The Sec'y of War. HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 9th, 1814. Dear Sir.. The enemy abandoned Oswego the morning of the 7th; it appears that they captured Eight of the Commodore Chauncey's Guns 14 �& some amount of his naval stores. Lieut. Colonel Mitchell lost the baggage of his command. Yours respectfully, JAC. BROWN. Honble. John Armstrong, Secy of War. (Enclosure) War Department, 30th April, 1814. Sir: So long as we had reason to believe that the Enemy intended and was in condition to re-establish himself on the Thames and open anew his intercourse with the Indian Tribes of the West, it was no doubt proper to give to our naval means a direction which would best obstruct and defeat such movements and designs. An order had been accordingly given by the Navy Department to employ the Flotilla in covering the shores of the more western lakes, in destroying the Enemy's trading establishments at St. Joseph's and recapturing Fort Michilimackinac. As however, our last advices show that the Enemy has no efficient force westward of Burlington Bay and that he has suffered the season of easy and rapid transportation to escape him, it is evident that he means to strengthen himself on the peninsula & to make fort Erie, which he is now repairing the western extremity of his line of operation. Under this new state of things, it is respect- fully suggested whether another (and better) use cannot be made of our Flotilla. In explaining myself it is necessaay to presume that, the Garrisons of Detroit and Malden included, it will be practicable to assemble on the shores and thousand Regular troops and navigable waters of Lake Erie, five three thousand volunteers and militia & that measures have been taken to produce this effect on or before the 10th day of June next. Without, however, the aid of naval means this force will be comparatively inoperative and unnecessarily dispersed but with their aid competent to great objects. Lake Erie, on which our dominion is undisputed, furnishes a way scarcely less convenient for approaching the heart of Upper Canada than Lake Ontario. Eight or even six thousand men landed in the Bay between point Abino and Fort Erie, and operating either on the line of the Niagara or more directly, if a more direct route is to be found, against 15 �the British post at the head of Burlington Bay cannot be resistep with effect without compelling the eastern posts as to bring them Enemy within so to weaken his more the reach of our means at Sackett's Harbour & Plattsburg. In choosing between this object and that to which the flotilla is now destined, there need not be much, I think, if any hesitation. Our attack carried to Burlington and York interposes a barrier which completely protects Malden & Detroit, makes doubtful and hazardous the enemy's intercourse with the Western Indians, reduces Mackinaw to a possession perfectly useless, renders probable the abandonment of Fort Niagara, and takes from the enemy half his motive for continuing the conflict on and Lake Ontario. what is gained but On the other hand, Mackinaw itself. If this take Mackinaw plan should be adopted no time should be lost in countermanding the other. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, Your most obt. Servant, The President. War Dept. 7th May, 1814. Dear General. I have received your several letters from Batavia, Williamsville and Sackett's Harbour. The letter to the President of which the enclosed is a copy, will show what is the plan of Campaign for the Niagara and Erie frontiers. I have seen a letter from Benedict of Ogdensburg giving a most terrific thousand account of the landing British troops along women of all ages and both sexes. and moving the St. Lawrence. westward of There ten are old This Benedict is one of them. It is by droping? animals of this kind and sending them to us that the British Army in Canada have done half their work and prevented us from doing a tenth part of our own. Dearborn believed last March was a year that the British Army at Kingston amounted to eight thousand men. Farewell Yours respectfully and truly, J. ARMSTRONG. 16 �WAR DEPARTMENT, May 11th, 1814. Sir: You will receive herewith a copy of laws having relation to the Army, passed at the last session of Congress & of the new military Regulations which the President has approved and which in addition to those already published, it becomes your duty to promulgate & enforce in your command. Those relating to Hospitals & to Cloathing call for the most rigid observance. Brigr. General Winder, having been exchanged, has been assigned to the important office of Chief of the Staff, the staff of your division will report to and communicate with him. I am, Sir, with great respect, Your Mo. Obt. Servant, J. ARMSTRONG. HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 12th, 1814. Sir: You have enclosed Lieut. Colonel Mitchell's official acct. of the affair at Oswego. which Colonel Being well satisfied with the officer-like manner in Mitchell executed my orders and gallant conduct so well evinced on the occasion by the troops he commanded I have thought proper to notice them in a General Order, a copy of which you will also find enclosed. Very respectfully, Yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble, John Armstrong, HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 12th, 1814, Private. Dear Sir. I send you enclosed official accounts given by Colo. Mitchell as received of the affair at Oswego that you may see as clearly as 17 �possible every occurrence. You will have the goodness to have it con- densed for his sake before it goes to the public. I know that the Enemy suffered greatly in this affair & that they have paid most severely for the little they have taken at our hands. Very truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. John Armstrong, Sec'y. for War. Erie, 13th May, 1814. Sir, The troops from this place both ordered to Buffalo. Regulars and Militia are I do not, however, apprehend any danger from their departure, as I have acquired the best information, within a few days past, from the opposite shore by which I learn they are building nothing, on any part of the Lake, troops which can give transportation to I learn that near Long Point they have a considerable quantity of flour deposited in five or six manufacturing mills, stand ing within a compass of as many miles, and guarded by only a com- pany, and distant forty or fifty miles from any military post. Those mills supply all the upper part of the Province with bread stuff. I have proposed to the Commander of the Military (Col. Campbell of the 19th Regiment, an intelligent and apparently enterprising officer), that I will transport as many of the Troops from this to Buffalo, as can embarked on board the small be vessels, say 750 which will not interfere very materially with my outfits and that we will wait a favorable opportunity, touch on the shore, land before daylight, and by a rapid move destroy these mills, embark the same day and proceed down. He seems full of the enterprise and if the weather favors, hopes it will be accomplished. I am in I know it is your wish to give every possible aid to the movements of the armies, and as those small vessels are equipped for service, I will employ them to the best advantage. Your letter of the 27th mentions that some of the officers ordered here will have arrived by the time I received it, but I regret to say that they have not yet done so. How they reconcile it to themselves to 18 �trifle with their orders in the way they must have done, is very astonishing to me. I have the honor to be &c. A. SINCLAIR. The Honorable William Jones, Secy of the Navy. HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 19th, 1814. Dear Sir: I had the satisfaction to receive last evening your letter of the 7th inst. An Express has gone to Scott & Porter. that no time shall be lost on our part. We will endeavor Capt. Sinclair should have the proper orders from Washington, and is it improper that I should be made acquainted with the Instructions given him? The officers commanding the Flotilla upon Lake Erie, having a single eye to the success of our Arms on the Land & the forces you mention being found and as well supplied as was the force that left Sackett's Harbour last fall, I shall consider it competent to great objects I intend to leave this for Buffaloe within six or eight days. You have not ordered me there but I suppose you consider me as having the proper authority. As to Benedict you will recollect that when you asked me last fall my opinion of him, I advised you that he was a well-disposed trifling body, as liable to be wrought upon as an old woman, and therefore having no qualifications for the department of intelligence. The enemy have now in Both Canadas, I believe, a force that may be counted upon of ten thousand regulars Of this force they have five thousand in Upper Canada, and principally I have no doubt, near Lake Ontario, to be moved at pleasure by their Fleet. Very respectfully yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. John Armstrong, Sec'y of War. 19 �U. S. SLOOP NIAGARA, Erie, 19th May, 1814. Sir, In my last letter of the 13th Inst. I stated to you that I was about giving transport to the Troops stationed here in such of the small vessels as were ready for service, and not otherwise employed, from this to Buffalo, and that if the weather would admit they would call at Long Point, and endeavor to destroy such stores as the enemy might have there, and several large manufacturing mills, on which most of the Bre d upper part of the Province was dependent for Stuff. To forward these views I placed under the conmand of Col. Campbell 3 pieces of light Artillery manned from the Gun Boats, and commanded by Lieut. Packett. Hide with 25 marines. This party was covered by Lieut. They were two days on shore, succeeded in destroying several valuable mills, and some Public property, with very little opposition; but I am sorry to learn that several private Houses were also distroyed, which was contrary to my wish, and to the idea I have of our true policy to these people, that I used every argument against it before his departure, and was under the impression that he accorded with me most fully. He has explained to me that he was urged to do so by people favorable to our cause, on that side, who pointed out those persons as old revolutionary Tories who had been very active, not only in oppressing our friends in Canada, but in aiding all in their power the burning and plundering Buffalo. However much such characters may deserve our vengence, I do not think it correct that our judgements should be past upon them from their merely being designated by a partizan officer or citizen who may, and no doubt are, in many instances, biast by individual motives. however, will explain official report he makes. the whole affair to the He, Government, in the The impossibility of getting the militia to volunteer for an expedition without it being made known to its fullest extent was no doubt the cause of the enemy being informed of the 'contemplated attack, and of their having moved several thousand barrels of flour to the Niagara Frontier just before the arrival of the party. We learn of no Troops being to the Westward of York, of any consequence. There are 400 at that place--30 at Burlington. Heights 500 at Fort George, and 700 in Fort Niagara. A Capt Marcle, one of the Canadians of Willcox's party, was 20 �over on the expedition. He has sent several of his friends into their military Posts to gain all the information in their powers, which will be sent over to us on Sunday next by a person we shall take off from there. I have the honor to remain &c. A. SINCLAIR. The Honorable William Jones, Secy. of the Navy. HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOUR, May 21st, 1814. Dear Sir: My letter of the 19th will have advise you of the receipt of yours of the 7th and my intended change of position in consequence. The Enemy's Fleet have been for some days off this Harbour. The five larger vessels are now at anchor within Stony Island. I ain not advised of any increase of Force at Kingston & I do not believe that there is any cause of alarm for this place. General Gaines will be left with fifteen hundred effectives and I am sure that you believe with me that this is force sufficient for Defence. that you were at Albany or nearer to us. I would to God Letters are so long in pass- ing from Washington. I shall expect to hear from you and receive particular instructions upon my arrival at Buffaloe. Very respectfully, Yours truly, JAC. BROWN. Maj. Genl. WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25th, 1814. Dear Sir: I have received your letter, accompanied by Mitchell's report 21 �&c., & have made them public as you will see by the enclosed paper. The story tells well, though we did lose the Fort and as I under stand through Jenkins, some flour and whiskey at the village. By the way no General or other officer ever did report to me the state of Fort Oswego in relation either to the Guns or the fortification itself. If the war continues, as I think it will, this point may become im- portant and must be attended to. Let your Engineer go there. If the old work is large, (and Mitchell says it is), let him erect within a Blockhouse. which will serve both as barracks & defence, a furnace for heating Shott and a small magazine. The work itself should be con- structed so as to accomodate a Garrison not Guns at the Harbour to spare, of 200 men, and if you have make a requisition upon Bomford for them. An Asst. Adjt. & Asst. Imspector General should be left with Scott, or in other words a sufficient Staff should be formed with every corps consisting of two or more regts; of four Regts of Infantry and a detachment of Artillery with him, whose effective strength is not more than 1400,600 are reported absent and these scattered of the earth. An officer from each regiment should over the face be Stragglers and absentees of all descriptions & he should sent after be a man of much industry & perseverance. When will your Fleet be ready to go out? Untill it is, your post cannot be weakened nor even then untill it be known that we are masters of the Lake because if not the masters the Fleet tinue to require the aid of Land Batteries to protect them will con.. How many men will be sufficient to man yours? Consult the Commodore in the following questions & let me have your joint answers by the next mail. I Scott can make his way to Burlington or York, with what force naval and military from Sackett's Harbour can you join him there? and when? A position at the former of those places divides the Enemy's forces and if they come out to attack you, enables you to beat them in detail. It will also give full play to the disaffection of the Inhabitants 22 �which is rising to a high pitch against the British Army in the peninsula. I am respfy & Truly your, JOHN ARMSTRONG. Maj. Genl. Brown. U. STATES SLOOP OF WAR NIAGARA, Off Erie, May the 27th, 1814. Sir: I think it proper to inform you that Genl. Scott sent, with a letter of introduction to me about two weeks since, a Captain Marcle, who it appears is a Canadian of respectable standing and one who has taken a decided and active part in our cause during the present war. He brought with him a confidential and enterprising man, selected by the Genl. as a Spy. Through this man, who I have landed several times in the Enemy's Country, Capt. Marcle has been enabled to correspond with his friends, who are favorable to our cause, and has gained considerable information as to the numbers, situation and movements of the Enemy in the upper province. ed York in order to ascertain One of his friends visit- what had gone Westward, and their views in that quarter. It is now certain that a large body of men, more than a thousand, 500 of whom were mechanicks and sailors, with a number of pieces of Cannon have been sent Westward, by the way of Lake Simcoe, during the last winter, and since that time quantities of stores have gone the same rout, but so closely cased up that no citizen could say of what kind they were; indeed, no under- taking of theirs during the war has been kept so profound a secret as has this; so say his friends, and they are clearly of the opinion the object is the building a strong naval force. They go on to say to him, "from frequent hints we have from officers, in the different Garrisons, there is no doubt but they are constructing a fores above, with which they calculate to gain the superiority of all the upper waters, and from what our WIVES have gained from the WIVES OF OFFICERS high in rank, we are confirmed in the belief that they calculate on the superiority of this Lake before the month of August." Marcle ap pears to be a man who can be relied on, and places implicit confidence in those friends who give the information. 23 I therefore feel it my �duty to transmit it to you, that you may use your judgement as to its correctness and if believed, order the necessary coercive steps to be . taken. I will not venture o hazard an shall endeavor to be in perfect readiness, opinion on the subject, but with all the means in my power, to meet an emergency, and I trust that whatever force he may bring to oppose me, the well will receive no tarnish. earned glory of our Flag on this Like Our informant states that a ship to rate 80 and mount upwards of 90 Guns is now building at Kingston by a company of Merchants and other citizens, who have bound themselves to their government to have her completed by the middle of July. Chauncey is no doubt informed on the subject; but I will, Comd. notwith:- standing, give him the information as I have reed it. Our information as to the number of agara Frontier (including York) and their their Troops on the Ni- distribution correspond with what I last stated to you. I have the honor to remain &c. A. SINCLAIR. The Honorable William Jones, Secy. of the Navy. Utica, May 30th, 1814. Dear Sir: General Porter has very few volunteers embodied. Genl. Swift of that command, who has been with me to-day, believes that they have from a thousand to twelve hundred engaged. ed them to be put in motion for I have order- Buffaloe, that he may see to what they amount & have made a requisition for their necessary Camp Equipage as I learned from Genl. Porter that no supplies of any kind have been provided for them & he urged this as a reason why more volunteers had not been obtained and embodied. layed until this force is in condition to act, wasted. If we are to be de much time will, I fear, be With your approval I shall not hesitate to cross, (Capt. Sin clair having ree'd the necessary orders), with four thousand Regulars, but it would no doubt be desirable to have a greater force, if a great- er could be promptly assembled, but I dread the delays that appear to 24 �attend all our movements. I learn from Mr. Varnum that an express will be established on the direct route from ara Frontier about the 1st of June. Washington to the Niag- A more rapid communication is very desirable unless you are nearer to us. Very respectfully yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. John Armstrong, Sec'y of War. War Department, 2nd June, 1814. Sir: If you enter Canada, the laws of war will govern. Men found in arms or otherwise engaged in the service of the Enemy treated as Enemies. Those private occupations will be behaving treated as will be peaceably & following Friends. Private their property must in all cases be held sacred; public property, wherever found, will be seized or destroyed. Your utmost protection must be given to all, who join or evince a desire to join you. Dr. Chapin is not to be employed nor permitted to follow the army under any pretence. If Captain Leonard comes within your reach, apprehend & put him under guard; institute a Court Martial and try him for treason, cowardice & neglect of duty. convicted. shoot him. If capitally Loomis must also be tried. I am, Sir, very respfy and truly, Your obt. servant, JOHN ARMSTRONG. P. S. Leonard is retained on the Roll of the Army by spec- ial order the better to get over any difficulty in trying or in punishing him. To Major General Brown. War Department, 2nd June, 1814. Sir: I received your letter announcing your intention of returning 25 �to Buffalo & requesting that instructions might meet you at Batavia. I enclose copies of three letters to Brigadier General Scott & Col. Croghan, from all which you will collect my views in relation to your operations. If you can beat the Enemy out of the Peninsula or comi pel him to withdraw from it & establish yourself at York, you will do well. ing Harrison having resigned I will push on McArthur in preparthe Western Regts to follow Chauncey's force? you. What is your Will he be able to meet Sir James? opinion of If he is I do not despair of your taking Kingston before the Campaign ends. 1 am respfy & truly yours, JOHN ARMSTRONG. Major General Brown. Canandaigua, June 3rd, 1814 Private. Dear Sir: I have rec'd a letter from General Scott from which I infer that he did not expect me to assume the command of the force about to ente. Canada by way of Lake Erie and he gave me cause to suppose that he had adopted this erroneous opinion from a correspondence he had held with you. I cannot suppose that you would have said a word to weaken my hands or to diminish my authority with any part of the force that you had placed at my command. If I should hesi- tate, as far as in my power, (to execute?) a plan of Campaign by me approved & where the best part of my division was destined to act, I should certainly despise myself & would not expect to be respected by those whose good opinions I am ambitious to retain. Very respfy & truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. John Armstrong, Sec'y of War. Canandaigua, June 3rd, 1814. Dear Sir. General Porter has embodied 110 mounted men & from 600 to 26 �700 as Infantry, at the mouth of Genesee River, he appears to be confident that one thousand can be assembled in the course of 10 days after his Camp Equipage arrives. Parish & Granger were with me in company with Genl. Porter last evening. I believe that from four to five hundred Indian War riors may be induced to join us; they are desired to be at Buffaloe by the 10th inst. I hope that it may not be found necessary to wait for Militia Volunteers. I would do no act to wound the feelings of Genl. Porter in the slightest degree, time, he can follow. if he cannot get out his volunteers in I shall consider it my duty to pass into the En- emies country the moment I find at my command five thousand Regulars. Very Respfy and truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. John Armstrong, Sec'y of War. Head Quarters, Buffaloe, June 7th, 1814. Confidential. Dear Sir. Detachments from my division having been long engaged in the defence of the Stores destined for the flotilla at Sackett's Harbour & on this service having conducted with honor to themselves & to the country, I cannot patiently stand by & see a reputation so fairly earned by the gallant corps employed wrested from them. I feel the more tender upon the subject as I do know that the Navy of Lake Ontario is under great obligations to the Army for its preservation & support the last & present campaign & I have not seen in this navy a magnanimous expression of the obligation unless the expression is to be found in the surrender of a dryed scalp. Do not suppose that 1 feel unfriendly to Commodore Chauncey or the Navy. The Commodore has my friendship & the Navy will ever have my support, but do not expect me under any circumstances or for any considerations to offer up the honor of the Army on the 27 �Altar of the Idol that all Sects and parties in the Country have agreed to worship. Believe me, Very respectfully & truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Besides Mitchell's Artillery & Appling's Rifle Corps, Major Lyman with three hundred & fifty Infantry was ordered upon this service & was at Oswego when the Guns and Stores passed. Lyman is now near this place. At Buffaloe I have found all well. Honble. John Armstrong, Sec'y of War. War Department, 9th June, 1814. Dear Sir: The articles required by General Porter have been forwarded by Colonel Jenkins, excepting 200 Rifles which we have not to give and a 1000 Knapsacks. Great quantities of Arms, tents, camp equipage, &c., have been passed into the hands of the Western Militia of New York and have never been returned; out of these this new corps might have been equipped if proper pains had been taken to look them up. But economy is not the order of the day. To know the exact number of these volunteers and to enable you to see more of the articles for- warded are not taken than ought to be taken, you will order them to be assembled and send your Inspector to muster the whole Corps, Officers and men, taking care that a copy of this Roll be sent immed- iately to the War Office. We cannot accept of half or quarter com- panies, Battalions or Regts and a full complement of officers. ers & privates must be proportioned to each other. Offic- Report also the numbers & characters of the Pennsylvania Militia. I am, dear Sir, yours respfy & truly, JOHN ARMSTRONG. P. S. Cover & send the enclosed letter to Mr. Granger or in his absence to Mr. Parish. Major General Brown. 28 �Sir: The difference between your, effective strength and aggregate numbers is so great as to render it proper that you should immediately despatch an officer to call in and march to their regiments respect- fully all absentees, (officers, waiters), of the Line coming within the meaning of this order and are not in any case to be exempted from this order. I am, Sir, very respfy, your most obt. servant, Maj. Genl. Brown. JOHN ARMSTONG War Department, June 9th, 1814. Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 12th, 1814. Dear Sir: I am not advised of any material change in the state or situa- tion of the Enemies Force upon this frontier since the 17th of April. Their force at and above York has not, I believe, been increased to exceed five hundred men. I have no information that warrants me in saying the enemy have to exceed 5,000 Regulars in Upper Canada. You have enclosed the Report of this morning. I have order- ered one company of the 2nd Artillery and a Battalion of the 23rd Infy, say 500 men from the Harbour. near at hand. I am not advised The company of Artillery are that the 23rd have marched, some alarm may have delayed their movement. Genl. Porter will not be in condition to act before the last this month and then his volunteer force will not exceed 1,000. of From Capt. Sinclair of Colonel Campbell I hear nothing. Very respfy & truly yours, JAC. BROWN. The Sec'y of War. Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 12th, 1814. Dear Sir: I directed on the 9th Inst. Major Wood of the Engineers, 29 �(an officer of great worth and whom I intend to keep in my family during the Campaign), to pass with thirty Riflemen silently along the Streight and examine the Enemy's positions. ening & reports that the Enemy have He a new returned last even- work on Queenston Heights, that they have repaired Fort George and erected a work of considerable strength near the Light House below. not been essentielly strengthened. Fort Niagara has The Major found a British desert- er who made his escape on the night of the 10th, he has not yet arriv ed but the information he gives as reported to me, confirms the intel- ligence received thro' other channels. In my letter to you when speaking of the Enemy's Regular Force, I put down every man I can bring myself to believe they have. I do not intend to underrate them as to numbers or quality. Their force in Upper Canada is principally near the shores of Lake Ontario. At Fort Erie they have not to exceed two hundred men. Very respfy and truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. The Sec'y of War. Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 15th, 1814. Dear Sir: Yours of the 25th ultimo, I received last evening, it was for- warded to me from the Harbour by Genl. Gaines. After receipt of your letter of the 7th ultimo, giving the plan of Campaign for the Erie and Niagara Frontier with a copy of the letter before me that I wrote you from Williamsville and the strong indication of your sentiments expressed by reference to the information received from Benedict, I do not find upoa reflection that my conduct could have been approved had I remained at the Harbour. I could find no justification in own mind for the alarm for the safety of that post. my I believed it safe & I had made the necessary arrangements to secure the stores on the way for the Flotilla, under these circumstances I deemed it my duty from your orders & the indication of your sentiments to change my position with the view of executing the plan of Campaign given me. I find the force of General Drummond as follows. 30 �The 89th at Prescott. One of the flank companies of this Regt. which was at Burlington Heights, has been ordered to Prescott, the Headquarters of the Regt. 104th, Glengarries & De Wattevilles, Kingston. 41st, York. 103rd, Burlington Heights. Royal Scotts, Fort George and Queenston. 100th, Fort George. 8th, Chippewa & Erie. Total, say five thousand effectives. I am not certain that all the companies of the 103rd are at Burlington Heights or that they have all left Kingston, but I know that four companies of this Regt left Kingston before I left Sackett's Harbour & that a part of this Regt and most probably the whole of it is now at the heights. Will Commodore Chauncey deem it prudent to take troops on board his fleet until he has met & beaten Yeo? Commodore a cha ace for beating him? Will Yeo give the I must heartily approve the plan indicated by you of concentrating my division at a given time & place near York or on the peninsula. This, I believe, is what any Military Chief should do. who had the command of our military and naval means as now situated. But I do not know the man under the President, who has this command. Untill Drummond is reinforced or our Fleet upon Lake Ontario captured or crippled I should consider Sackett's Harbour safe with a garrison of one thousand men. And did it rest with me, great as is the Stake, I hold upon the safety of that post, more than one thousand men should not remain under the circumstances. Very respfy & truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. The Sec'y of War. Information of the Enemy. Buffalo, June, 1814. Martin Lyons of the Royal Scotts arrived at Quebec last Nov31 �ember, was quartered at Three Rivers during the winter, left Three Rivers the 15th of March and arrived at Kingston in April with 39 Royal Scotts and 70 or 80 of the 41st. This Detachment and about 200 Glengarries were all the troops which had wintered at Three Rivers. He states the force at Kingston during the stay there was as follows. 104th Regt. 500 or 600 strong. Glengarries, say 250. De Wattevilles's 800 or 900. Detachment of artillery, say 100. He left Kingston in May for York where all the 41st remained with the Battalion, (500 strong.) Passed Burlington. At that time there were on the heights. 2 Companies Royal Scotts. 89th flank Company. 100th Grenadier do. From thence to Fort George the last of May & found at that place the force as follows: 900 Royal Scotts in Fort George. 100th Regt. and 600 artillery in Fort Niagara.. 200 Royal Scotts at Queenston Heights Left Fort George on the 8th. At that time, the 100th Regt, Col. Hamilton, 600 at Ft. Niagara; R. Scotts, Col. Gordon, 1,000 Ft. George & Queenston Heights; 103rd Regt. Colo. Scott, 900, B. Heights; 41st Battalion, & Erie. 500, do & York; 8th Regt, say 600, Chippewa Total 3,600. * If no force arrived from below at Kingston there would re- main at that post. 104th Regt. say De Watteville's 600 1009 Glengarries, 250 Artillery 100 1850 The company of the 89th that were at Burlington Heights have gone to Prescott. Lyons states that he has no knowledge of any Recruits or 32 �detachments having joined the R. Scotts this spring except the 39 men who joined at the same time with himself. Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 17th, 1814. Dear Sir: I am highly gratified with the receipt of your order of the 2nd Inst, directing that the friendly Inhabitants of Canada should be respected in their persons & property. All private property ever has been and ever will be by me respected. No such man as Dr. Chapin will, I hope, ever accompany an army I have the honor to command. Leonard and Loomis will be found and tryed if within my command A Court of Enquiry has been ordered in the case of Colonel Campbell. Very respfy and truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble Secy of War. Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 17th, 1814. Dear Sir: In your letter of the 2nd Inst, I find these questions. What is your opinion of Chauncey's force! Will he be able to meet Sir James? To these questions I answer that I believe Chauncey's Force fully competent for all the objects for which it was created, if used before the new ship the Enemy is now building is upon the Lake. I am of opinion that Sir James will not meet Chauncey. He will retire upon the appearance of the Commodore upon the Lake. 33 �-If I am mistaken in this & Sir James does meet Chauncey (with. out his new ship now building), Sir James will be ruined. Very respfy and truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble the Secy of War. Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 17, 1814. Dear Sir: Your letters of the 2nd Inst, were received last Evening. Capt. Sinclair, it appears, goes with the large vessels of his Fleet into Lake Huron. I am not advised by Capt. Sinclair that any part of the naval means upon Lake Erie will Le employed to attend my movements. Colonel Campbell arrived here on the 15th Inst & advised me that Capt. Sinclair informed him that he should loave upon Lake Erie five small vessels. If these vessels are left and so ordered the forces under my command can rely upon them, we can cross. that But as no provision has been made for boats, reliance having been placed upon the Fleet upon Lake Erie, our means of transportation will be very limited, so limited that, I believe, we shall find it most prudent & expeditious to cross directly from this place to commence our operations by the reduction of Fort Erie. I do not believe that this will detain us a day, even if we surround the place as I intend and secure all it contains. By taking this direction our Artillery, wagons, Horses, baggage, &c. &c. &c., can be passed in good order and without injury in a few Scows that we will have provided in a few days. Having crossed at this point we should move upon Chippeway, and if in our power, secure what is there and then move upon Queen- ston and Fort George or Burlington Heights or take a position near Lake Ontario between these posts and expect the arrival of Chauncey as circumstances should dictate. Always bearing in mind that the contents of the British posts are of much greater importance in this contest than the posts themselves. If we can capture or render useless 34 �to the Enemy the force he has in the Peninsula, we may hope to reach Kingston in the course of the Campaign. Very respfy & truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble Secretary of War. War Department, 19th June, 1814. Sir: This despatch is forwarded by Lieut. Frazier of the 15th Regt. Infantry. It concerns the necessary instructions both as to the ob- jects to be attained and the means of attaining them. 1st. Capt. Sinclair will go up to Detroit with a part of the Flotilla, he will there embark Lieut. Colo. Croghan and as large a number of troops as his vessels will accommodate with the necessary supplies of provisions & ammunition. He will then enter Lake Huron and proceed to Gloucester Bay where the troops will debark, attack and carry the enemy's new Establishment at Matchedash, fortify and garrison that place and open with you a communication if another part of the plan, next to be detailed, shall succeed; this effected the fleet will go on to the mouth of St. Joseph's & Mackinaw. 2nd. What remains of the Flotilla on Lake Erie will be put under orders to transport your Division to the Canada shore. The place of landing will be selected under the best information you possess. From Colonel Campbell's report & other advices, it is believed the point marked "A" in the enclosed Sketches, is best adapted to the purpose & that your approach to Burlington Bay, which will be your first object, should be made by the route marked "C" as laid down in Faden's map. On reaching the heights of that place you will spare no pains to fortify the position in such way as effectually to cover your wholeforce, taking care to establish a small and interior work of increased strength, which will render the position tenable by a reduced force & which in particular will command the only road as we understand that leads from York to Fort George. Thus situated, you will find yourself in the heart of the enemy's country, in the centre of his military stations & prepared to fall upon and carry these in succession. 35 �A Question arises here whether this Expedition should be suspended until we obtain an ascendancy on Lake Ontario and as a part of the greater plan; this Question turning on a circumstance which I shall briefly examine. For all military operations we must begin with the belly. Our attention must therefore be first directed to the quantity of provisions on hand, to the means of transporting it and to the expedients for supply should either of these be deficient. assured of one month's provisions. be transported? You ought at least to be This you possess, but how is it to On boats to the Canada shore and afterwards by Land in wagons or on pack horses. But 5,000 men require for one month 200,000 lbs. weight of bread & meat; calculate then the load of a two-horse wagon at 1500 lbs and that of a pack horse at 250 lbs and your train will be enormous, difficult to sustain, & perhaps impos- sible to procure, but besides provision, you must carry a train of artil- lery, ammunition, medicines, Hospital Stores, Camp Kettles, tents, spare musquets, &c. &c. horses to be found? Where is such a number of wagons or pack In Canada, no. They also must be carried with you, which necessarily leads me to state another difficulty. I have said you may cross the lake in transport vessels but the Secretary of the Navy does not calculate that more of these will be left by Sinclair than will be competent to transport 800 men at one trip. Hence it follows that the transportation of 5,000 men will require more than six trips, besides what may be wanting for your Artillery, your tents, provisions, wagons, Horses, &c. Is it to be supposed that the enemy will remain ignorant of these movements across the Lake? Or that knowing them he will either mistake their object or be inattentive to the means of defeating it? well informed, We have no right to think so. vigilant and skilful. They are Taking for granted, however, that we have conquered all difficulties, arising from Land & water transportation and that we have actually got hold of Burlington Heights, are we in a condition to avail ourselves of that position so long as the Enemy has command of Lake Ontario? Could we advance to the reduction of York or Fort George with any hope of success without the aid of a Fleet? Could we maintain ourselves at Burling- ton for any length of time without that aid, and, if not, ought we to hazard the approach of a retreat or the disgrace of a surrender? The conclusion from all this is that though the expedition be approved, its 36 �execution must be suspended till Chauncey shall have gained the command of the Lake. That accomplished there will be no hazard of interruption to our march from the Enemy nor any necessity for load- ing ourselves or retarding our movements by a large provision train & Burlington will be easily supplied from the 18 Mile Creek or the Gen esee River, where depots have been established. lead to the same conclusions. This course will give time to Brigdr. Genl. Porter to assemble his Corps, the Recruits of the Other considerations to General McArthur to forward 17th, 19th and 28th Regts, to those of the 9th, 11th, 21st and 25th, to join their Regts, to the 1st, 22nd and 23rd Regts to reach their destination & for the Boats now at Detroit to be brought down to Buffalo. Commodore Chauncey says, "The Fleet will be ready in all the month of June," to which the Secretary adds two weeks for accidents, making it the 15th of July before they will be certainly on the Lake and fit for action with the Enemy. On the whole it will be seen that this expedition will be contingent and that if our Fleet on Lake Ontario be beaten or destroyed, it will not be undertaken. To give immediate occupation to your troops and prevent them from stagnating, why not take Fort Erie & its Garrison, stated at 200 to 400 men. Land between point Abino and Erie in tne night, assail the fort by land & water, push forward a Corps to seize the bridge of Chippeway and be governed by circumstances either in stopping there or going further. concentrate his Boats may follow and feed you. whole force on this Line, it If the Enemy will not exceed 1600. But Garrisons must be left to occupy Forts George and Niagara, whence the probability that he will not shew in the field, 1200, them you should not decline a contest. with The issue of a successful one on our part would be to enable you to invest Fort George & to avail yourself in the most direct way of Commodore Chauncey's aid, (should he beat Yeo) in reducing that place & Fort Niagara. I am, Sir, with great repect, Your most obt. servant, JOHN ARMSTRONG. Major General Brown. 37 �Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 19th, 1814. Dear Sir. Capt. Sinclair, or Officer Commanding the Flotilla upon Lake Erie not having advised me of any intended co-operation with Army under my command & being resolved that no obstacle that it is in my power to remove shall prevent my passing into the Enemy's Country the moment I have a sufficient force collected to warrant the move- ment, I have ordered Captain Camp to furnish me with water trans- port for two thousand men by the first day of July, by that date all the force on the march to this place of which I have any knowledge will, I hope, have joined & if my effective Regular force amounts to three thousand & Porter with his volunteers & and Indians is here, you may expect me to cross the Streight before me and endeavor not to be disgraced. With the Regulars that marched with me from French Mills, I know that I can fight. They were then in a good state of discipline but have since greatly improved by the industry & military talents of Genl. Scott. Very respfy & truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. Secy of War. Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 21st, 1814. Dear Sir: When I parted from you at the Harbour, you assured me that you would communicate freely with me & give me all the information in your power. I have not received a line from you, and I am yet to learn when your fleet will be upon the Lake. 1 shall consider the Lake as yours the moment you have your new vessels in condition to appear upon it. Sir James will not honestly & manfully meet you, and if his Fleet is captured this Campaign, it will be captured in port. Capt. Sinclair is ordered to Lake Huron and I am yet to learn that the fleet on either Lake will o-operate with the Army under my 38 �command. The fleet of Lake Erie having failed me, I have taken measures to procure the necessary water Craft to enable me to cross the end of Lake Erie and I intend to cross with the means the Gov- ernment has given me about the first of July with the hope of not be- ing disgraced. Upon the receipt of this will you have the goodness to let me know by express when you will be out and if I may expect you in the neighborhood of Fort George by the 10th of July or what day? If you conclude to meet me at the head of Lake Ontario, I desire you to bring up in the Fleet two 18 pounders that will be delivered to you by General Gaines and if the General believes that he can spare the Rifle Corps, will you have the goodness to convey them to me in your Fleet. I am not advised of any Reinforcements having reached Kingston, but I know that the best. Regiment that the Enemy had at that post, the 103rd, has been moved to the peninsula Three of the Enemy's ships & three of their smaller vessels were near the mouth of the Niagara River on the 19th Inst. They, no doubt, conveyed the Stores & troops that Johnston gave an account of, from Earnestown to Fort George and Fort Niagara. Very respfy and truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Commodore Chauncey. Head Quarters, Buffalo, June 22nd, 1814. Confidential, Dear Sir: The enclosed, I send you in confidence, it was written & sent off by Express on the morning of the day of its date. Chauncey to-morrow. It will reach I send it to you because I have not a thought connected with my profession that I wish to conceal from you and I desire that you should know the precise state of the relations existing between me and the naval commander upon Ontario. Respfy & truly yours, JAC. Honble. Sec'y of War. 39 BROWN. �U. S. Ship Superior, Sackett's Harbour, 25th June, 1814. Dear General. Your favor of the 21st I received yesterday; the extreme anx iety under which I have labored for the fate of my guns and other Stores must plead my apology for not writing you before. rec'd the whole of my Guns & Stores. I have now The Superior is ready to sail, the Mohawk is rigged & will be ready to sail the first week in July when I shall proceed in quest of Sir James and offer him battle; if he accepts the invitation I shall either go to Kingston or be at leisure to co-operate with you in any Enterprise against the money, but if Sir James should pursue the policy he did last year of avoiding a general action, I should be obliged to watch his movements to prevent his doing mischief. I shall therefore be governed by circumstances. If he visits the head of the Lake with his Fleet, you may expect to see me there also, if he returns to Kingston, I shall remain in the vicinity to watch his Movements. Our force is about equal without reckoning his Gun Boats and small schooners. My fleet will mount five guns more than his, but he has had greatly the advantage of me by two months exercise on the Lake. He has received a reinforcement of about 700 seamen, 2,000 marines, & 300 carpenters. It is said that a large reinforcement of Troops have arrived at Quebec, & I have no doubt but that it is the Enemy's intention, (if he can lead me up the Lake & induce me to weaken this post by detaching from it), to make a bold dash across in boats & attempt the destruction of this place & Stores and if he should succeed, he gains a great object. It is my firm opinion that this place has been too much weakened already & I think it would be unwise at this time to detach either Guns or men. As soon as I am ready to sail and fix on the day I will write to you and I will also keep you informed from time to time of my movements upon the Lake. I am much indebted to Major Appling & the brave men under his command for the protection & preservation of my Guns at Sandy Creek & beg to express to you & through you to them the high estimation in which I hold their gallantry & services. General Gaines has also on all occasions promptly rendered me every assistance in his power. In your contemplated Enterprise may your most sanguine. 40 �wishes be realized & may the God of battles preserve you & give you victory. I have the honor to be, With great esteem and respect, Dear General, Your most obt. Servant, ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Major General Brown, Commanding a Division of the Army of the U. States on the Niagara Frontier, Buffalo. Sackett's Harbour, 25th June, 1814. Private. Dear General. Your favor of the 21st I ree'd yesterday & have replied to it this morning. Johnson has not been over lately. I shall send him over on the 28th & will let you know immediately after whatever information he collects on that side. I think I shall sail on or before the 10th but I shall not leave this vicinity unless the Enemy's Fleet leads me up the Lake I have orders to build 15 galleys, 75 feet long and to mount two guns & to row forty oars, this force will be admirable for the St. Lawrence or to operate against Kingston, that is if we are to act offensively this summer, which I see but little prospect of. If you joined your Division with the Brigade here, could not we carry Kingston? Present me kindly to Scott & believe me, Dear General, Yours most faithfully, I. CHAUNCEY. Maj. General Brown. Head Quarters, June 28th, 1814. Dear Sir: I had the satisfaction to receive last Evening, your several ord. 41 �ers by Lieut. Frazier. You will have seen by my letter of the 17th and 19th Inst. how fortunate I have been in thinking with you on the subject of the Campaign. Wind & weather permitting I intend to cross the Streight before me with the humble means I have on the 1st or 2nd of July. I have with me Camp & Hogan of the Qr. Master Genl's Department. With such officers I can hope to find the means to trans- port and subsist my Forces. These officers receive no compensation for the services they render, such men are scarce in the Q. M. Department and I hope you may find it proper to promote them both keeping Camp senior. Hogan was with me at French Mills and at that post rendered his country important services. The Rear of Col. Fenton's militia arrived this morning, they shall be reported to you by the next Express. I have not heard from General Porter for some time. He may have 1000 volunteer militia, but if they are in a condition to act before the 10th of July I shall be dis appointed. I have found as yet no difficulty with the Indians, say 250 are here that may be depended upon, more I understand are upon the road. Will you have the goodness to cause all Reinforcements for my Division that are beyond my reach to march. Very respfy & truly yours, Jac. Brown. Honble. the Secy. of War. Naval Forces on Lake Ontario. Estimated by Major General Brown. June 1814. American. Superior, 32 long 32 pounders; 32 42 pounder carronades. 64. Mohawk, 44 long heavy guns..... 44 Pike, 30 long 24 pounders....... 30 Jefferson, 23 42 pr. carronades.. 23 42 �Jones, do do do 23 2། ས2 ྶ ༣ Madison, 25 generally 32 pr. carronades.. 25 Sylph, 22 long 24 prs..... Oneida, 18 24 pr. carronades.... 18 Lady of the Lake, one 24 pr. & one 12 pr. carronade... 2 251 ཏྲཱ Total British. Prince Regent, 28 long 24 pounders, 28 32 pr. carronades 56 Princess Charlotte, 22, 24 prs. 22, 32 pr. carronades... 44 Wolf, 28, generally 32 pr. carronades........ 28 Royal George, 24 24 pr. carronades.. 24 Melville, 22 22, 24 pr. carronades...... Earl Moira, 18 Light Guns... 18 Brig. Prince Regent 12 do do....... 12 Sir Sidney Smith, 12 12 do do.. Total 216 Buffalo, July 3rd, 1814. Sir: I am directed by Maj. Genl. Brown to inform you that our Forces have effected a landing on the Canadian Shore and are now within a mile of Fort Eric. The landing was made in fine order unattended by any material accident and our troops have as yet met with little opposition. Very respfy your obt servant, L. AUSTIN. A. D. CAMP. Honble, The Secretary of War. Head Quarters, Erie, U. Canada. 4th July, 1814. Sir, Enclosed is a letter from the Secretary of War. 43 I had the �pleasure of receiving a copy of your instructions from the Secretary of the Navy relative to your cooperation with the Army. Our landing at this place was effected yesterday, without any opposition of consequence & the Fort Capitulated without firing a Gun at 6 in the Afternoon. it. A respectable force will be kept to Garrison I consider the situation most favorable for your cooperation and the Point from which I can most readily receive such assistance as may be needed. I would wish your whole force to move down & take a position near the Fort, where the Vessels can continue with perfect safety and form a very desirable support to our rear. Very respectfully, Sir, Yr. Obt. Sert. JAC. BROWN Major Genl. Cp. Kennedy. Erie, July 8th, 1814. Sir, I have the honor of enclosing a copy of a letter received from Majr. Genl. Brown at Fort Erie, he desires to have all the Naval force on this Lake, to cooperate with him at the place he names. The Three Gun Boats, Ohio, Porcupine & Somers are the force on this Lake in readiness. The Lady Provost will be ready in a few days. I have given charge of the Schooners to Lieut. Conklin, they are at Erie now and will wait my arrival.............. I have the honor to be &c. EDMD. P. KENNEDY. The Honorable William Jones, Secy of the Navy. 44 �Head Quarters, Chippeway Plains, July 6th, 1814. Dear Sir: Please to excuse my reserve towards you. ed for our country. detain us a day. I have been engag Fort Erie did not, as I assured you it should not, At Eleven o'clock at night on the 4th, this place with the reserve, I arrived at Genl. Scott with the Advance having taken up the position about noon. We made our arrangements for ad- vancing on the morning of this day and if possible turning & taking the Enemies position east of Chippewa in rear. Major General Riall, perhaps apprised of our intentions and adhering to the military rule that it is better to give than receive the Attack, having concentrated his forces in the peninsula, came from behind his curtains cast of the Chippewa, prepared for Battle, about five o'clock of the fifth. We did not hesitate, before Six, his lines were broken & his forces defeated, leaving full four hundred of his men killed & wounded on the field of Battle, he was closely pressed & would have been utterly ruined had he been one mile further removed from his works. pared to carry them by a direct attack in front. We were not pre- The wounded of both armies must be attended to & removed to Buffalo; this will require two or three days with our limited means of water transportation. As soon as this is done, I will advance, not doubting but the gallant & accomplished soldiers I have the honor to command will break down all opposition to the shores of Ontario north of Fort George, where if Commodore Chauncey can meet us, it is well; if he cannot, this Army will trust in the smiles of providence upon our just and honorable cause and endeavor not to be disgraced. eral order for publication. I send you the enclosed gen- My detailed official account shall follow in a day or two. Respfy, I am, Dear Sir, Your humble Servant, JAC. Honble The Secretary of War. 45 BROWN. �Head Quarters Queenston, July 16th, 1814. Dear Sir. It is my painful duty to report to you fellow ci izen, the loss of our worthy Brigadier General Swift of the Militia. His ardent gallantry led him to solicit permission to reconnoitre Fort George and capture a picket near the tion. Fort for the purpose of obtaining informa This request was granted & the picket captured. At the mo ment of surrender the General was shot & as it is believed by a soldier of the Enemy who had surrendered and asked for mercy; not another gun was fired. This brave man rests in honor, the Army laments his fall & the Nation will do justice to his name & his family. Respfy & truly yours, JAC. BROWN Honble, The Secretary of War. Head Quarters, Queenston, July 17th, 1814. Dear Sir: The enclosed reports were made by order. I desire that the distinguished gallantry of the Corps & of the Individuals engaged in the Battle of the 5th should be well understood by you and the nation. I have ascertained that the Enemy had more regular troops engaged in this action than we had & that his loss exceeds five hundred men. 1 feel myself under great obligations to Capt. Kennedy for his prompt attention to my communications. He has afforded and is disposed to afford all the assistance that is in his power to render. I am delayed here for the want of my battering Guns. pect them by water from Sackett's Harbour. Very respfy and truly yours, JAC. 46 BROWN. I ex- �Honble The Secretary of War. For the enclosed reports see the "Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1814" Vol. 1, pages 44-7. 19th July, 1814, War Department. Dear General. I have rec'd your letters of the 3rd and 7th* inst. and hasten to congratulate you on the brilliant opening you have given to your part of the Campaign. If Croghan succeeds, as I do not doubt he will, in establishing himself at Maskedash and Chauncey gives you his aid in taking Forts George & Niagara & intercepting supplies and reinforcements to Bur- lington & York, you will by the first day of September present a line of posts from the mouth of the Niagara to Gloucester Bay covering & quieting all westward of that line & menacing Kingston, &c., to the East. If on the other hand Chauncey should fail, you will have fought but for glory & be compelled to retrace your steps to Erie; in this deplorable Event you will be careful to re-establish the Bridges in your Route and after serving your purpose to.destroy them. If the Enemy is permitted to retain the command or even the use of the Lake, it is to be considered George directly or indirectly. whether he will reinforce The latter course presents the Fort most safety & his route will then be by the Bay of Cante to the Carrying Place and thence by land to Presqu' Isle where the means of transportation being assembled he will pass to Burlington Bay. This position will enable him to menace or attack (as circumstances may direct) your flank or Rear unless the Inhabitants of the Country are disposed to give you information, the movements may be made with little if any previous notice on your part. The best mode of obviating difficulty of this sort would be by anticipating him, getting possession of the Heights, establishing there a post, which should hold them in check or at least under observation. Other modes I need not indicate. Present my best compliments and 47 �wishes to Generals Scott & Porter & believe me most sincerely yours JOHN ARMSTRONG. Maj. Genl. Brown. *For General Brown's letter dated July 7th see the "Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1814," vol. I, pp. 38-42. Head Quarters, Queenston, July 21st, 1814. Dear Sir. When I wrote you on the 7th, preparations were making for crossing the Chippewa about 1 miles above the enemy's works. As the country on our left was covered with thick woods, into which the Enemy did not think proper to penetrate, after the Action of the 5th we were enabled to open a road to near the Creek unperceived Dur- ing the afternoon of the 8th, our road being completed, our Materials prepared & our Artillery brought up, we promptly showed ourselves and commenced the work, in a few minutes the Enemy showed him. self with his artillery on the opposite bank but our Artillery having been placed, prepared & well served, the Enemy soon retired. Leav- ing Generals Ripley & Porter to complete the Bridge, cross & if pos sible, prevent the retreat of the Enemy, I sent notice to General Scott to advance on the direct road upon Chippewa, the few boats we had moving by his right. ing. He had moved by a previous understand- I advanced with my Escort to examine the situation of Enemy and found Capt. Harris, who was in front reconnoitering. the He advised me that the Enemy had abandoned their works & asked permission to cross & take possession. Pleased with the ardour that beamed from his countenance (an ardour that I desire to see pervade the American ranks), I granted his request. The Bridge being des- troyed & no boat at hand, he plunged into the stream & swam across, his troop following him. Having gained the enemy's works & finding no object for completing the Bridge, it was left unfinished. The Army crossed in Boats during the night & early next morning. Capt Line of the Pennsylvania militia refused to proceed and endeavored to in. duce his men to remain. I have ordered him to work upon the forti- fications of Fort Erie during the remaining time of his service. 48 At �10 o'clock p. m., of the 9th, the whole regular force took up their line of march for Queenston heights where we expected again to find the enemy strongly posted. General Porter was prevailed upon to remain for the defence of our Stores at Chippewa as we had not the means of transporting them at hand. The Enemy abandoned their work at Queenston Heights & retired to Forts George and Niagara upon our approach. I am anxiously looking for Commodore Chauncey to open our communication with Lake Ontario and bring up some additional battering guns. Until he appears we shall, I fear, be condemned to inactivity unless the Enemy open themselves in the field, when we shall not hesitate to meet him and give him Battle. Very respfy & truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. Se'y of War. 22nd July, 1814 War Dept. Dear Sir: Your pnblic letter of the 7th and private letter of the 14th have been received. accountable. The delay and silence of the Commodore are un- My letter to you fixing the 1st as the day on which he would certainly leave Sackett's Harbour & by which your movements were to be governed was written at the instance of the President who was anxious to prevent any want of co-operation arms from ignorance of each others movements. no cause of reproach to you. between the two There is, however, You have done your duty whatever may be the consequences. Yours most respfy & truly, JOHN ARMSTRONG Maj. General Brown. Erie, 22nd July, 1814. Sir, Your letter of the 13th Inst. I have before me, 49 everything �therein directed shall be strictly attended to. I yesterday dispatched the Ohio, Porcupine, & Somers with Several hundred Men under com mand of Lt. Col. Nicholas and Majr. Marlin, for Buffaloe-they had a fresh whole sail breeze, & in all probability will return here to-mor row, when they will be immediately ordered to Cleveland, & the Mouth of Portage River for the purpose of transporting troops to Buf. faloe agreeable to arrangements made with General McArthur. Genl Brown has requested me by express, not to take on board the prison. ers alluded to in your instructions, untill he has received reinforce- ments, or untill I hear further from him on the subject......... The Lady Provost will cruise between this place and Long point while I can ascertain the force & the spot where they are collected. Respectfully I have the honor to be &c EDMD. P. KENNEDY. The Honbl. Wm. Jones. Secty U. S. Navy Washington. Head Quarters, Queenston, July 23rd, 1814. Dear Sir: On the 20th, the Army moved & encamped in the rear of Fort George. General Scott, with the Van had some skirmishing before the main body came up but as the enemy kept close to their works, nothing important occurred. No force was left in our Rear. The Heights were abandoned to the Enemy & we did hope that the movement would have induced him to re-occupy them or close in nearer to us so as to bring on an engagement out of his works. disappointed. In this we were The army returned to day and found a body of militia & a few regulars in and about the heights. General Porter pursued them with his command & a few regulars & was so fortunate as to come up with & capture seven officers and ten privates. They will be sent to Greenbush. Very Respfy & truly yours, JAC. BROWN. Honble. The Secretary of War. 50 �Head Quarters Chippewa, July 25th, 1814. Dear Sir: On the 23rd inst. I ree'd a letter by Express from General Gaines advising me that on the 20th the heavy guns that I had order* ed from the Harbour to enable me to operate against Forts George and Niagara, were blockaded in that port together with the Rifle Regt. I had ordered up with them. I had ordered these guns & troops in boats, provided the Commodore should not deem it prudent or proper to convey them in his fleet, not doubting that he would have been on the Lake for their protection & that the Enemy would have been driv en into his port or captured. As General Gaines informed me that the Commodore was confined to his bed with a fever and as he did not know when the fleet would sail or when the guns & troops I had been expecting would even leave Sackett's Harbour, I have thought it proper to change my position with a view to other objects. You know how greatly I am disappointed and therefore I will not dwell upon that painful subject and you caa best perceive how much has been lost by the delay and the command of Lake Ontario being with the Enemy, reliance having been placed upon a different state of things. The Indians all left me some time since. It is said they will return but this you will perceive will depend upon circumstances. The reinforcements ordered on from the West have not arrived. Yours respfy & truly, JAC. BROWN Honble John Armstrong. Secretary of War. Head Quarters, Buffalo, 29th July, 1814. Dear Sir. I have the honor of addressing you by desire of Genl. Brown who is now confined by wounds received in a severe & desperate engagement on the afternoon & night of the 25th inst. Our army had fallen back to Chippewa. The enemy collected 51 REFERENCE: LOCAL HISTORY WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY. CARV �every Regt. from Burlington & York & meeting with no opposition on Lake Ontario, transported by water troops from Kingston & even Prescott and were enabled to bring against us a force vastly superior under Riall. the command of Lieut. General Drummond & Major General They were met by us near the falls of Niagara when a most tremendous conflict ensued. The enemy disputed the ground with res. olution yet were driven from every position they attempted to hold. We stormed two Batteries and took possession of all his Artillery not. withstanding his immense superiority in numbers & position, he was completely defeated & our troops remained on the battle ground with out any interruption. As, however, both Genl. Brown & Genl. Scott. -had received severe wounds-almost every Chief of Battalion disabled & our men quite exhausted, it was thought prudent to retire to our encampment which was done in good order & without any molestation from the enemy, our wounded having been first removed. Maj. Genl. Riall with the A. D. C. of Lt. Genl. Drummond with about twenty other officers and two hundred men are taken prisoners. The loss on both sides is immense but no account has yet been returned. The aid & Brigade Major of Genl. Scott are both severely wounded & Capt. Spencer, an aid of Genl. Brown, most probably dead, having received two balls through his bony. is Both Generals Brown & Scott are on this side, confined by their wounds. Genera Ripley commands on the other and an order has been sent to Brigl General Gaines now at the Harbour to join this army immediately. I have, &c., L. AUSTIN, A. D. Camp. Hon. The Secretary of War. Washington. Erie, July 29th, 1814. Sir, I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of yours of the 52 �19th inst & a Triplicate of your Orders of the 13th. Lieut. Conklin with the three schooners sailed on the 21st Inst. for Buffaloe, with three hundred Troops from this place, with orders to return here to be joined by the Lady Provost for Cleveland, but his not having yet arrived induces me to believe he has been detained by Genl. Brown. I wait his arrival to put in execution your last Orders........ The Schooners Porcupine & Somers are commanded by Ship's Masters Mates, they are active, genteel young men, have been long on Station & have conducted themselves with propriety; the warrant Offi cers, Masters & Midshipmen are dissatisfied on account of it, "how am I to act, Sir, in this case." I am sorry to say, Sir, that there are only three others on the Station (of any experience), that confidence can be placed in. Donald. Those are Mr. Conklin, Sail'g Masters Coldwell and Me- The latter has recd. his Warrant as Master, & beg'd me to mention that he would much rather, if it met your approbation to have a Midshipman's Warrant, believing that Masters cannot be advanced in the line of promotion. I hope he is mistaken. I herewith enclose you a report from him.* I gave him orders on the 23rd Inst. to pro- ceed to Long Point, or its vicinity with a few volunteers and land under cover of the night for the purpose of reconnoitering the Enemy & obtaining information respecting the force there, & in what place, if any the Boats were building. He has executed his Orders promptly, & brot. off a prisoner, who gives information that there are from 6 to 700 Militia and Regulars, at, & near Long Point and at Grand River 1200 including Indians, he gives no information of Boats, he calls himself an American, born in New York, his name is Montrose, an Amer- erican Rifle & Musket was taken with him. I think that by treating him well & permitting him to return he may be of use, he is very com. municative, he is known by several here to be friendly to us. All his property, consisting of a Mill and distillery were destroyed at the attack of Long Point by Capt. Campbell. I have the Guns of theQueen Charlotte mounted, I am going on with her out fitts as fast as circum stances will admit of. Respectfully, I have the honor to be &c. EDMD. P. KENNEDY. The Honbl. Wm. Jones. Secty. of the Navy, Washington. For Sailing Master McDonald's report see Documentary History Vol. I, p. 114' 53 �Buffalo, 1st August, 1814. My dear Sir: Will it not be possible for you to increase Genl. Porter's command & that promptly? officer. I have found Genl. Porter a brave & efficient In the midst of the greatest danger I have found his mind cool and collected and his judgment to be relyed upon. These are rare qualifications and therefore it is that I desire that all militia force may be continued under his command. It does appear to me to be an object of great national importance as well as very important to this State that the enemy should be driven out of the peninsula and a line drawn between him and his savage Allies to extend from near York or Bur- lington Heights to Lake Huron if it cannot be pressed further down. If you could by any means bring out a force of from three to four thousand militia to operate with my gallant little army I do not doubt but what this object could be effected. It is in vain for the people of this country to attempt to shrink from the war in which they are engaged & if they do not arise & exert themselves at a distance from their Farms they will soon find the War brought to their firesides. This State has suffered in reputation this war, its militia have done nothing or but little & that too even after the State had been invaded. Being resolved not to order my Army out of Canada under existing circumstances without other & further instructions from the War Department I have deemed it proper to call upon Major General Hall for a thousand militia for the defence of this frontier. I hope you will approve the measure but if you do I am not certain the force will be formed unless stronger & more military Measures are adopted than have hitherto been, as I find the Inhabitants of this frontier more disposed to skulk from the danger that threatens them than to arise in defence of their country & her rights. My wounds are very troublesome but not dangerous. I send you the enclosed statement of Dr. Bull for yonr information but not for publication*. but few parallels. The Battle of the 25th, it is believed, will find More desperate fighting has rarely been known. I hope the nation will be satisfied with our conduct. deavored to do our duty. We have en- The official returns are not yet in but I am informed that I have lost above sixty officers killed & wounded among 54 �which first, I fear, is my Aid -de-Camp, Capt. Spencer. Very respfy, JAC. BROWN His Excellency. D. D. Tompkins, Albany. *See Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1814, Vol. 1, p. 104. Barkersville, 5th August, 1814. Dear Sir: General Gaines arrived yesterday and assumed the cammand of the army at Fort Erie. Under his command the Army will not per- mit the fair fame it has acquired to be sullied. my wounds are recovering. My mind is at rest & I hope to be able to take the field again in the course of a month and in the meantime I pray you to make no arrangement or interfere with the command to which I have called Gaines, should any officer arrive senior to Gaines but junior to me, I shall order him away unless otherwise directed by you. I cannot yet get off my back with any degree of comfort & therefore write with a pencil from my bed. I will make out and send you iny official account of the battle of Niagara Falls as soon as possible within a few days certainly. My health was never better. This army should be reinforced if possible. Two or three thousand militia under Genl. Porter could be made useful. We will endeavor not to be disgraced under any circumstances. Yours, JAC. BROWN Honble. The Secretary of War. Private. My dear General. You have behaved nobly. You have rescued 55 the Military �Charactor of your Country from the odium brought upon it by fools & rascals. You have put your own hors d'ensiette? & shewn abundantly what you would have effected had you been well supported from be low. I am most happy that your wounds are not dangerous & that in six weeks you will be again on horseback. promoted as you requested. Scott &c., &c., have been Be careful of yourself & accept my most affectionate regards. JOHN ARMSTRONG, Washington, 7th August, 1814. Express to General Scott my great respect and best wishes; he is a young man of great promise. Maj. General Brown. U. S. Ship Superior, Off Niagara, 7th August, 1814. Sir; I arrived off this place three days ago. I have run one of the Enemy's Brigs on Shore which he set fire to & blew up, two brigs & one schooner lay in the Niagara river. I shall leave three brigs under the orders of Capt. Ridgely to watch them & prevent Reinforcements being landed at Niagara. I shall leave here with the remainder of the fleet for the vicin ity of Kingston this Evening as I do not feel myself justified maining longer absent from the lower end of the Lake, as Sackett's Harbour has been left so weak. in re- particularly My own health is mend- ing slowly. I have, &c., Isaac Chauncey. Major General Brown, Commandg troops, &c., &c., Niagara Frontier. Judge Barkers, On the Shore of Lake Erie, August 7th, 1814. Sir: I will endeavour to give you a description of the Battle fought near 56 �the falls of Niagara, between the Army under my command, & the Enemy's forces in Upper Canada, under the command of Lieut. Gen'l. Drummond. Confined as I am, and have been, since the action I fear that my acconnt will not be so satisfactory as is desired, & that the conduct of my gallant countrymen & brother soldiers, will not be noted in a way due to their fame & the honor of their country. On the 25th, our army lay at Chippewa. About noon, Colo. Swift who was stationed near Lewiston, advised me by express that the enemy appeared in very considerable force in Queenston and on Queenston Heights, and that four of the Enemy's fleet had arrived during the preceeding night & were lying near Ft. Niagara & that a number of Boats were in view moving up the Streight. Within a few minutes after the receipt of this intelligence from Colo. Swift, informa- tion was received from Capt. Denman of the Qr. Masters department, stating that the enemy were landing at Lewiston, & of course, our baggage & stores at Schlosser & on the way to that place from below, were in danger of immediate capture. It may be proper here to mention that having received at Queenston Heights on the 23rd inst. a letter from Brigr. Genl. Gaines, dated the 20th, advising me that Commodore Chauncey's fleet remained in the harbour & the Commodore himself sick, we ceased to hope for any aid from the fleet & resolved to dispossess ourselves of all the baggage that could be spared & march for Burlington Heights. To mask our intentions & receive a small supply of provisions from Schlosser, I thought it proper to fall back upon Chippeway. These arrangements left much at hazard upon the opposite shore on the 25th and it was by me believed that if the enemy were passing up the American shore for the purpose of capturing our stores, the better way to secure them would be to move down upon the British side, as the movement would be seen & known to the Enemy. General Scott, with the 1st Brigade, Capt. Towson's company of artillery and all the Dragoons & mounted men were put in motion on the road towards Queenston. General Scott was ordered to report if the Enemy appeared and call for reinforcemonts, if he deemed addi- tional force necessary. On his arrival at the Falls, (distant from Chip- pewa one & a half miles) he learned that the Enemy were in force directly in his front a narrow strip of woods interrupted the view between the 57 �two forces. General Scott immediately dispatched Major Jones, Asst. Adjt. Genl. to advise me of the fact and without delay advanced to meet the Enemy. By the time Major Jones returned to me, the ac- tion had commenced and before the Reserve had passed the Chippewa, it was evident that the action was close & general vance of the two armies. General Ripley with between the ad- the 2nd Brigade, Major Hindman with his Corps of Artillery & General Porter with his command, pressed with ardour to the scene of action, but Genl. Scott must have been in close engagement with the enemy for full an hour, before this force was placed in a condition to give him support, during which time his command had most skilfully & gallantly sustained the Conflict. Upon my arrival I found that Genl. Scott had passed the wood that had obstructed his view & engaged the enemy to the left of the Queenston road, with the 9th, 11th and 22nd Regts., the 25th under Major Jessup having been ordered to the right to be governed by circumstances Capt. Towson's company of artillery occupied the road. Apprehending that Genl. Scott's command was in some degree exhausted, & knowing that it had suffered much, I resolved to form a new line with the troops advancing to the front, so as to disengage Genl. Scotts command and hold it in reserve. With this view, I sent my A. D. Camp, Capt. Spencer, to direct Genl. Ripley (with the advancing columns) directly on the road, they having inclined to the left through some open ground in the rear of the wood behind General Scott. By this time, Major Hindman with Capt. Ritchie's companies of artillery were on the field. Biddles & Capt. General Ripley led up his Brigade and was at first ordered to form it in a lane to the left, some distance in front of General Scott (the Enemy's Infantry having at this moment fallen back) but induced by the fire of his Artillery, advantageously posted in an eminence fronting this lane & the advice of Major McRee of the Engineers, I recalled Genl. Ripley and order- ed him to advance still further on the Queenston road. Major McRee & Major Wood, both of the Corps of Engineers, were now near me and Maj. McRee as senior answering to some of my enquiries, said "that the enemy held the key of the position with their artillery-to secure the Victory their artillery with the height on which it rested must be carried." Twilight had by this time passed, and altho there was a moon, the smoke and surrounding woods cast a shade over the fields in which we were engaged, that rendered it very difficult to distinguish at any considerable distance, the Hostile columns or Lines. 58 �Major Macree was directed to see Genl. Ripley and cause the 21st under Colonel Miller, to prepare to storm the Heights, and carry the artillery of the enemy. On the right of this Artillery, I discovered by close inspection a line of Infantry. The 1st Regt was now ordered to face this line & amuse them with a fire, while Colonel Miller ad. vanced Height. upon their left flank & carried the When the 1st Regt had gained its position, I became impatient for Colonel Miller to move, & riding Height. towards him ordered him to advance & carry He replied with great coolness "it shall be done, Sir." the At this moment the fire commenced between the 1st Regt. and the enemy & to my great mortification, the 1st Regt. broke & retired for some distance before they could be rallied. It is believed that Colonel Nicholas & the officers of the Regt exerted themselves to stay their flight. Colonel Miller with the 21st advanced to his object, without reference to the conduct of other corps & with a firm & gallant countenance, carried the Height & the cannon upon it, immortalizing his own name & the Regt., that had the honor to be placed under his command. At this moment, the 23rd that had faultered, were brought up by Genl. Ripley to the support of the 21st & the enemy disappeared from the Height. The 1st Regt. was now brought up & formed upon the left of the 21st., Genl. Porter's command being upon the left of the whole. At the moment that Colonel Miller was storming the Heights, I passed by his rear with a view of turning up Lundy's Lane to meet him, when in possession. As I approached, a line of troops was discov- ered formed to the north of the Queenston Road, and extending from the lane as far as the Eye could discern, at this instant a person in the road exclaimed "There are the Yankees" pointing across the road, when as quick as thought, a fire came from whence he pointed that shook the line I observed, it was returned, and continued with great fury for a few minutes when all became silent in that quarter. I advanc- ed with my attendants & found Major Jessup with the 25th Regt in the middle of the road, & the line I had seen literally cut to pieces & destroyed. The first question the Maj. asked me was "Where shall I place my Regt. to be most useful." I ordered him to form upon the right of the 2nd Brigade. I have been thus particular that justice might be done to as brave a man and as enterprising an officer as this nation can boast. Major Jessup at the commencement of the engage59 �ment had been ordered by Genl. Scott to the right, he had succeeded in passing the Enemy's left flank & a detachment from his command under Capt. Ketchum had made prisoners of Maj. Genl. Riall, the Aid of Lt. General Drummond, & several other officers & privates, he had made his way through the enemy's lines with a comparatively trifling loss & for the first time, showed himself again to his own Army in the blaze of fire, I have mentioned, which cut down and superior force of the Enemy. defeated a very We had now driven the enemy from the strong ground he had selected & were in possession of the Artillery he had posted upon the Height. The 25th, detachments of the 17th, 19th & the 23rd, & 21st, 1st Regt. of Inf'ty, with Genl. Porter's command and our artillery were forced to face him. ever having rallied his forces on with the having received shewed a strong line in cur front & immediately He how- reinforcements, attempted by a charge to drive us from the position we had carried & regain his Artillery. A dreadful contest ensued, our line was in no part shaken or dismayed, & the enemy were repulsed with great loss. minutes after this, all was silent, seen in motion & advancing. For a few when the Enemy's line was again Genl. Ripley then came to me, & ob- served "that now was the critical moment, as the Enemy were advancing in great force" & asked if Genl. Scott could not be ordered up to his support. I hesitated, as I knew that the 1st Brigade had suffered much gallantly sustaining the action in its commencement & I designed to hold this Brigade in reserve, to give the finishing blow to the Ene.ny at some favourable moment when tinctly see our way. ceased to regret, more dis- Diverted from this object which I have never I rode to Genl. Scott & ordered He had supplied himself with ammunition & ing the call. we could him to advance. was impatiently expect- The enemy shewing himself in front upon the 1st Bri- gade coming up, Genl. Scott led out to the charge in front of Genl. Ripley's line & driving back the enemy, formed again beyond the extreme left of this line. The last I saw of him on the field was march- ing near the-head of his column, in a direction that would have placed him in the rear of the Enemy's right flank. Immediately after this, the Enemy inade another desperate charge to regain the Height & were again repulsed with evident loss, several of their officers, with many privates being taken prisoners. I had observed with great pleasure, the good conduct of Genl. Porter's 60 �command from the moment of their arrival on the field but during this charge, it was particularly conspicuous. Stimulated by their gal- lant Chief, by Maj. Wood of the Pennsylvania line, Lt. Colo. Dobbin of the N. York volunteers, and by their officers generally, as also by Major Wood of the Engineers, who was frequently near them & most deservedly enjoyed their confidence, they were precipitated directly upon the Enemy's line, & it was this corps that captured the prisoners during this charge. Having been for some time wounded, and feeling somewhat exhausted from the loss of blood, I resolved to surrender the command to Genl. Scott, & leave the field, when upon enquiry for him, I had the misfortune to learn that he was disabled by wounds. I still con- tinued & had the satisfaction to see the Enemy again repulsed, when I informed Major McCrae of my condition & necessity of my returning & desired him & Major Wood to give Genl. Ripley all the support in their power. On leaving the field & passing to camp, my reflections on the battle with a knowledge of our force disengaged, confirmed me in the opinion that the Victory was complete, if proper measures were promptly adopted to secure it. I saw that there were advantages under existing circumstances in the troops returning, being re organiz ed, & water. formed, & taking refreshment. They particularly required I saw and felt the want of this necessary article as I passed from the field, and I believed it proper for General Ripley to return to Camp, if he brought off the dead, the wounded & the Artillery, and I perceived no difficulty in doing this, as the Enemy had ceased to act against him. Not more than an hour after my arrival at my tent, I was informed that Genl. Ripley had returned with the troops in good order, not again having been fired upon on his leaving the field. I sent for him and my staff, and after having given him my reasons for the measure I was about to adopt, ordered him to place the troops in the best possible state, giving them all the refreshment necessary, to take the picketts & camp guards, & every other description of force, and appear upon the field of Battle, as day dawned & meet, & again beat the Enemy if they appeared. He made no objection to this order. relied upon its execution,-it was not executed. I To do justice on paper, to the gallant troops I have had the honor to command in the field, is not within the compass of my abili ties. They may have done less than was expected, more might have 61 �been accomplished under an abler direction, but I find consolation in believing that no blame can attach to my Government will perceive that this Army forces, & that you & the has endeavored to do its duty, as became the soldiers of a brave & generous nation. You have seen from this report the conspicuous gallantry & good conduct of Genl. Jesup. Scott, Genl. Porter & Colo. Miller & Major These gentlemen held conspicuous 'commands, but the officers generally, in inferior stations, acted equally well & to the honor of my country I must say that I saw few officers during the Engagement, who did not appear to consider Reputation, as the greatest blessing. Of the 1st Brigade, the chief, with his A. D. Camp, Lt. Worth, and his Major of wounded. Brigade, Lt. Smith, with every chief of Battalion were The 2nd Brigade did not suffer so much, but as a Brigade, their conduct entitles them to the applause of their country. After they were formed near the Height carried by the 21st and the detachments of the 17th and 19th, from that moment the 1st and 23rd Regts assumed a new character, they could not be again shaken or dismayed. Major McFarland of the 23rd nobly fell at the head of his Battalion. Genl. Porter has immortalized his name. Under his command, the militia of Pennsylvania & New York stood undismayed, amidst the hottest fire & successfully met & repulsed the Veterans of the enemy. Pennsylvania & New York should honor & reward their gallant sons. The corps of Canadian Volunteers under the command of Colonel Wilcox, are reported to me by Genl. Porter as meriting & receiving his approbation, they acted with the Volunteers of N. York and Pennsylvania, and are entitled to participate in all their honors. Capt. Towson with his company of Artillery commenced the Action with General Scott. I have not language to express my admiration of this officer, his subalterns & his Company. They were the first in action, the last to leave the field & in every stage of conflict, they were prepared to do their duty. Major Hindman, with Capt. Biddles & Capt. Ritchie's companies, arrived in advance of the Reserve, and rendered every assistance that brave & ardent men could effect under similar circumstances. Capts. Biddle wounded, they refused to quit the field. & Ritchie Capt. were both soon Ritchie declared that he would never leave his piece, & true to his word, fell by its side, covered with honorable, wounds. I must now speak of Major Macrae & Major Wood of the Corps of Engineers. 62 Major Wood went to the �field with the advance. Reserve. Major Macrae accompanied me with the We met Major Wood as we approached the scene of Action & from that moment, untill I was compelled to retire, they were both near me, or engaged in the most important duties on the field. I felt the loss of Colonel Gardner, who had been for some days indisposed, he was however on horseback and did all in his power. Major Jones, ever active and useful, with my aid de camp, Capt. Austin, had duties to perform that kept them frequently at some distance from me, in Majors Macrae & Wood & my gallant & much lamented Aid, Capt. Spencer, I found support. remember with Capt. Spencer I will tears of gratitude for his gallant conduct, his deeds have elevated him with his Companions in glory far above all other offerings. Majors Macrae & Wood exposed continually to the full force of the Enemy's fire had the good fortune to remain uninjured; their high military talents were exerted with great effect. firmness, much is fairly to be ascribed. To their advice & With pride & pleasure I ack- nowledge the services that they have rendered me & the Army--and I most earnestly recommend them to their Country, as Officers worthy of the highest trust & Confidence. The Staff of Generals Ripley & Porter were distinguished by honorable zeal & attention to duty. You have enclosed a Return of our loss. Those noted as miss- ing were, I fear, generally killed, as the Enemy having been driven, had no opportunity of taking many prisoners. A Return of the pris- oners taken by us you have also enclosed.* (Unsigned and unadressed) *A comparison of this draft with the official version printed in the "Docu- mentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1814," Vol. I, pp. 97-101, will show that its phraseology was considerably altered before publication. 16 August, 1814Private. My dear Genl. Your letter, (in pencill), and without date, was rec'd by the mail of to-day. I rejoice that your health is good, that your wounds 63 �are healing and that within a month you will be again on horseback and in command of yr Division. But a month, my friend, is under exist- ing circumstances an age, an eternity, because within that period the campaign takes its permanent, its unchangeable character. is now on the Lake and Yeo in port. Chauncey Chauncey's ascendency, his power to do good to us and Evil to the Enemy will in all probability be shortlived, it can but last till the new British ship is ready for service & she will be in that condition by the 20th of Sept. The conclusion from these facts is inevitable. Unless the fleet of the Enemy can be beaten or Kingston taken or Forts George and Niagara reduced before that date all your prospects of doing more than illustrating your own skill and courage and those of your division are lost. This state of things would be deplorable as regards the public interest & it becomes the duty of all and particularly of myself to secure to the campaign, if possible, a better result. To accomplish this as far as depends on the Army, I propose to push Izard rapidly forward to the St. Lawrence with instructions to attack Kingston, if that measure be found possible & if not, to embark his two or three thousand men at Sackett's Harbour & transport them to Burlington, debark there and the heights secured, they will effect a junction with your division when the whole force will be employed in beating Drummond & reducing Forts George & Niagara. plan. Orders have been given to execute this There is nothing on the cards better for us. The only objec- tion to the game is the evils which may befall the shores of Lake Champlain in the absence of the army & that I have weighed seriously & scrupulously. in It is precisely the objection raised by Genl. Dearborn 1813 against moving Pike's & Chandler's brigades to Sackett's Harbour. I thought then & I think now that Prevost understands his trade too well to hazard the loss of any principal post on the westward line of defence for the benefit of scattering firebrands & death among such villages as Plattsburg & Burlington. I believe too that if you are not in condition to cut your way to Montreal directly the better policy for us will be to carry the war westward. By doing so you compel the Enemy to give much of his force to the protection of his water communication. You render his subsistence more precarious & you deprive him of the benefits growing out of his commercial intercourse with Vermont. If his increased force, (concerning which much is now said & believed,) be competent to both objects, to the defence 64 �of his own posts from Montreal to Chippewa & to the invasion of our territory at the same time, it is greater than I think it. No one knows better than you the tricks he has played off on our suc- cessive commanders at different places & the effects of these on the spirit & extent of our operations. I will say nothing of Hull & Smyth. But we cannot forget that instead of revenging the wrongs that we suffered at the River Raisin, Genl. Harrison at the head of 4,000 men, burnt much of his baggage & stores & retired hastily towards Sandusky. Again after the siege of Fort Meigs to escape the wrath of a disappointed & retreating enemy, he ordered Fort Stevenson to be burnt & abandoned & when attacked, tho' within sustaining distance, & believing & declaring that it would fall, he neither moved a foot nor a finger to give it succour and why so? strength of his enemy. Because he overrated the He neither wants sense nor courage, he there- fore retreated in the one case & refrained from doing anything in the other merely from a false estimate of Procter's force. General Dear- born declined attacking Kingston (and so did Chauncey), in the spring of 1813, from a belief, no doubt sincerely entertained, Enemy's force then at that post amounted to 8,000 men. know that it did not exceed 1,000. that the You well General Lewis the same year and as late as the month of July, stated the British force at that place at 16,000 men. Why did Boyd permit himself to be cooped up & daily insulted at Fort George by a force less than one third of that he com manded? He was duped. An Art so profitably employed hitherto is not likely to be laid aside now and the less so as the pacification of Europe gives him a vast fund to draw upon and renders his reported reinforcements at least possible. Yours faithfully, JOHN ARMSTRONG. Maj. Genl. Brown. General Wadsworth's Genesee River, August 16th, 1814. Dear Sir: I have been gratified by the receipt of yours of the 7th inst. 65 �For this kind and cheering letter at such a moment accept the assur- ance of my inalterable friendship. I have found the best of Quarters and as Mrs. Brown & the children are with me, my wounds will be well in the course of a short time. Within four weeks I do not doubt but what I shall be fit for duty & the moment I can mount my Horse without injury I shall join my brave Companions in Arms. I hope you will be able to encrease my force so that I may be able to drive the Enemy out of the Peninsula. Yours sincerely, JAC. BROWN. Honble. John Armstrong. Washington, 17th August, 1814. Private. Dear General:" The Brigadier Senior to Gaines will be sent to Erie. Arthur is destined to lead an Indian Expedition. competent to call out a militia brigade. Mc- Your authority is Porter will do everything with them that any other man could do & much more than any other Militia General of N. Y. is able to do. I have sent to Gaines all the field officers of the 4th Regt., some Artillery officers & about 80 Artillerists from Pittsburg. Among these officers I have two sons, one of whom, who was with me last year at Sackett's Harbour, is qualified as an aid de camp. well He is an excellent scholar and has a good head, understands several languages, living and dead, & writes his own with taste & correctness. He has moral qualifications of a higher character & less common among young men, viz. silence & sec- recy. He enters the army against my wishes but being there, would be agreeable to me to see him under your special patronage. Yours truly, JOHN ARMSTRONG, 66 it �My dear General. Your report has been received. The Government & the tion will do you justice and your army too. brevets for Miller, McRee & Wood. na- I send by this mail Ripley will no doubt demand a Court of Enquiry, but this cannot be given untill the campaign is over. I shall present Genl. Porter's name to the President as a Brigr. Will he accept the appointment? if it be made? Snelling is now with you; he is an excellent officer. Yours truly, JOHN ARMSTRONG. 19th August, 1814 War Dept. Genl. Brown Big-tree, Genesee River, August 19th, 1814. Dear Sir: Having almost recovered from my wounds and being consider- ably unwell and somewhat reduced by confinement and exercise, I intend the want of to leave this to-morrow with a view of travelling for my health and to see a few friends in the adjoining counties. I shall not go further cast than the County of Cayuga and I flatter myself that within three weeks I shall be so well as to be ashamed to re- main longer from the Army at Fort Erie. I can but be very anxious for the ultimate fate of this army. If the Enemy deems it an object of the first importance to destroy this force that has given them so much trouble and cost them so much, the Reinforcements arriving from Europe will, I fear, give them the means. I doubt very much if a parallel can be found for the state of things existing upon the frontier. A gallant little Army struggling with the Enemies of their Country and devoting themselves for its Honor and its safety, left by that Country to struggle alone within sight & within hearing. I called upon General Hall for 1000 militia; after the lapseof20 days, it is said that 300 have turned out. How long are the people of this country to be amused and disgraced by such a state of things! 67 You �must not suppose that I am desponding. The Army at Fort Erie will, I trust, be able to maintain itself in its present position and under any circumstances will, I am persuaded, do its duty, but can- not this Nation make an effort to secure the safety of this Army. Retreat, I believe, it cannot, even granting that we had the Boats necessary in the face of the Force that will most probably be kept op- posed to it. I shall be very happy to hear from you and to receive your in structions and advice and to learn what aid I am to expect. Very Respfy JAC. BROWN. Hon. The Secretary of War. Canandaigua, Aug. 21st, 1814. Dr. Sir: I was gratified on the 19th inst. by the receipt of yours of the 13th. Colonel Yates, your aid, will remain with us and we will try and make the most of the means the ample powers you have cloathed him with will produce. I rejoice to learn that you have in contemplation to convene the Legislature at an early date. ed long enough. We have been amused and disgrac- Strong measures are necessary to save the sinking honor of this Nation. We must have more of the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven infused into the laws and institutions to enable us to carry on war with honor & success, more of rewards and punish. ments. The soldier of the regular Army is well paid; it is but just that the militia soldier should receive an equal reward. be punished for disobedience of orders. Let him also The Citizen of a Republic who meanly shrinks from the performance of his military duty shonld be deprived of the right of suffrage and excluded from office. Your Excellency will, I hope, find it proper to brevet Genl. Porter and continue him Chief in Command of the militia. Brigr. He has done much to redeem the character of your Forces and merits the marked approbation of his country. 68 �I have nearly recovered and expect to be so well in the course of a few days as to be ashamed to remain longer from my command. My gallant little Army has so far done its duty and been blest with the smiles of Providence but unless it can receive effective aid there is cause to be alarmed for its ultimate safety. With great respect, I am, Yours, &c. JAC. BROWN His Excellency, D. D. Tompkins, Aurora, Cayuga County. August 25th, 1814. Dear Sir: Yours of the 16th, to receive this morning. 17th, & 19th, I have had the satisfaction Previously to the receipt of these letters I had fixed upon Monday, the 28th, for commencing my march for Fort Erie. Your letters will aid my cure and I count upon being fit for duty within a few days but be this as it may, I shall join my division & expect your further orders. Your plan I deem the wisest that could be devised as it offers the best chance for assailing the enemy with success, as the forces of the two Nations on the horders of Canada are now situated. Drummond has now with him the remains of the Regts that were in Upper Canada the last campaign except the 49th. remains of that Regt he has the 103rd. 8th, 41st, 89th, cibles, Glengaries & hundred 25th 100th, Indians. excepting after the action. That is to say he has the 104th, Royal Scotts, Canadian Fen De Watteville's, with many militia & say three All the 103rd, For the these Regts were in the action De Watteville's this Regt arrived of the three days The Regular troops at Kingston & Prescott are, I believe, of the late arrivals. I am satisfied that should the naval & military means under the command of Chauncey & myself have been brought to bear upon the enemy as they ought to have been in June & July, the power of the enemy in Upper Canada would have been broken before the arrival of reinforcements. 69 �Governor Tompkins will, I trust brevet Porter. lency has sent his aid to me. be commanded by Porter. His Excel Four thousand militia are called out to I calculate from this call as some pains his been taken to alarm all parties in this country that we may pos- sibly get two thousand men to the frontiers and possibly into Canada. I observed your son critically at Sackett's Harbour and do not doubt but that I shall be pleased with him as an aid-de-camp. him to join me without delay. Direct I had resolved not to select an Aid untill I could find an accomplished scholar that should please me. Very respfy yours, JAC. BROWN. Hon. The Secretary of War. Private. Dear Sir: If General Ripley demands a Court of Enquiry upon his con duct from the 1st of July to the 1st of August he will be ruined. I have been greatly embarrassed by the movements of this Officer upon more than one occasion. It is painful to me to say so as I have been his constant friend in the Army and given him every support consistent with duty. He is one of a few men in whom I have been disappointed. Yours truly, JAC. BROWN. Hon. Secretary of War. Batavia, August 31st, 1814. Dear Sir: I intend to arrive at Williamsville this morning. I learn with great pleasure that Genl. Gaines is not so seriously wounded as was at first believed. Porter has been engaged in getting out the militia. 70 On my �arrival at Canandaigua he pressed rapidly for Fort Erie where he, I trust, arrived last night. Yours, &c., JAC. BROWN. Hon. Secretary of War. War Department, September 8th, 1814. Sir: By your letter of August. 30th, it appears that one thousand regulars may be taken from Detroit and its vicinity for immediate & temporary service. The Navy Department will give orders for a sufficient number of vessels to be in immediate readiness to take on that number of troops. You will therefore please to consult His Excellency, Govr. Cass and embark under an efficient commander all the regular troops that can be collected & spared for that service with orders to proceed down Lake Erie without loss of time to the most convenient point of landing & report to the Comdg. General of the Left Division at or near Fort Erie. As the usefulness of this depends on the promptness of the movement, a duplicate of this letter will be sent direct to the Commanding Officer at Detroit & a Copy to the Commanding General at Fort Erie. These troops will return to the 8th Military District in time to relieve the Militia and volunteers who may garrison the posts iu the upper country during their absence. Very respfy, JAMES MONROE. Br. Gen. Duncan McArthur. Memoranda of Occurrences and some important facts attending the Campaign on the Niagara in 1814. On the morning of the 2nd July, Major-General Brown auth- orized the Generals of Brigade to inform the Commandants of Corps 71 �that the Army would cross the strait before them as day dawned or the 3rd. The arrangements for embarking and debarking and the order of attack were settled Engineers, satisfaction. with Generals of Brigade and the Senior (as the Commanding General believed,) to their entire Our limited means of transport were divided between Generals Scott and Ripley, who were to land simultaneously at dawn of the 3rd, the former below and the latter above the Fort, they were to surround as soon as practicable. having landed, which The advance below the boats were to return immediately to Black Rock and transport the residue of the army, ordnance, &c., &c., Towards the evening of the 2nd General Ripley appeared to be very much dis- composed. He then objected to the division that had been made of the transports and complained that he should not be able to cross with sufficient force, that the principal fighting would be above the fort where he was ordered to land. He had seen lights during the night and smoke during the day in that quarter for some time past. General Brown endeavored to satisfy him in vain. He tendered his resignation which was not received by General Brown, who remained inflexibly determined that the army should cross agreeably to the arrangements made as he conceived that delay might lead to disastrous consequences, the enemy might learn our intentions and the effect upon our own troops would not be to inspire confidence. Towards the morning of the 3rd when General Brown supposed that all the troops the transports could carry were embarked, he proceeded from his quarters with his suite, General, Majors McRee and Wood, viz. Col. Gardner, Adjutant- Engineers, and Captains Austin & Spencer, Aids de Camp, (Major Jones, Assistant Adjutant General, was assigned to General Ripley's command to observe his orders and expedite their execution). On his arrival at the beach, General Scott was embarked, and supposing that General Ripley had also embarked, as the time had expired, he ordered General Scott to put off, and the troops not embarked He to commence their march to Black Rock. then proceeded in his barge a few rods up the lake, where General Ripley was to embark his command, with the intention of ordering him to put off and was greatly disappointed in finding that only a part of his troops had embarked and that General Ripley was not to be found in the boats, schooners or on the beach. 72 Despairing from �what he saw of getting General Ripley into action or to the landing, (should there be any opposition,) the Major General left orders that he should follow as soon as possible and then proceeded after General Scott. When General Brown arrived on the Canada shore, he found that General Scott had landed and formed his command Fort agreeably to the arrangements made. below the At this time the boats which had conveyed this command had proceeded to Black Rock for the transportation of the troops ordered to that point, those of Rip- ley's Brigade, &c. General Scott It was daylight. The Major General directed to advance a battalion near the Fort to observe the movements of the Garrison as they might blow up the works and attempt an escape. The Major Jessup of the 25th was put upon this duty. Adjutant-General was ordered to meet the residue of General Ripley's Brigade as they landed from Black Rock and march them up to General Scott's right where they would receive further orders. During the execution of this order, General Brown proceeded to recon noitre the woods in advance of General Scott's right and had the good fortune to meet with an inhabitant and his son, (a small boy,) on their way to the strait for fish. By threats and promises this man was secured as a guide and given to Col. Gardner, who was ordered to continue his march with the command he had formed, pass General Scott's right, penetrate the woods in the rear of Fort Erie and come upon the lake shore above the Fort, there resting his right flank near the lake and extending his left so as with his and Jessup's command completely to enclose the enemy's forces. These orders were executed be fore General Ripley had landed at some distance above when he was informed of the order of investment and the Fort, received direc tions to march down, unite his brigade and relieve Col. Gardner, who returned to his staff duties. No time was lost in crossing the neces sary ordnance, the positions for the batteries were selected by our Engineers, and the pieces were moving up when a flag advanced and proposed a Surrender. The terms were promptly settled. marched out and was crossed to Buffalo. The garrison It was nearly night. In the course of the evening, arrangements were made for securing Fort Erie. General Scott was ordered to march on the morning of the 4th with his brigade and Captain Towson's company of artillery to secure the bridge across the Chippewa before the enemy could bring up his 73 �forces to defend that important pass. On the morning of the 4th General Scott marched. It was late in the afternoon before the 2nd Brigade under General Ripley and the artillery under Major Hindman could be prepared to follow; our supplies of every description filo. were to be brought down from Buf- About midnight General Brown with the residue of the army joined the advance. General Scott had found the enemy strongly posted near the bridge at the mouth of the Chippewa and after feeling him, had very judiciously chosen a Street's Creek. position for his camp behind The army rested in good order. On the 5th, as the day dawned, the enemy commenced a petty war upon our pickets. tion as The Major-General, relying upon his informa- to this force, and not doubting that he was competent meet them in the field, had no desire to show his own force. to The enemy was therefore indulged and permitted to extend some of his light Troops through the woods and give us a desultory fire towards the left of our extreme line where the command of a picket was en- trusted to Captain Treat, who, in the eyes of the enemy, so conducted himself as to draw down upon him the indignation of the Major-General. This punishment, though severe, indispensable. was just, and at the moment It had the happiest effect upon the army. Brigadier General Porter of the Militia had been engaged in collecting volunteers from the western part of New York. They had not joined but he was enabled by the most zealous exertions to bring up about noon a few hundred Indian warriors and part of a Regiment of Pennsylvania militia, who had volunteered to cross from Buffalo. Immediately on his arrival he was ordered to report his troops and prepare for an attack on the enemy's light troops, who had been annoying us, and if practicable, to cut off their pickets in front of us. The order of attack was to file off to the left from camp, make a detour through the rear of our the woods so as to be concealed from the enemy, and place himself between their main camp and advanced parties. panied Major Wood and Major Jones of the General Staff, accomGeneral Porter. The Major-General having seen General Porter in full march, passed with Colonel Gardner and his aids in front of the camp to observe the effect on the enemy of Porter's move- ment. asleep. On his way he called for General Scott and found he was As he required rest General Brown thought proper not to 74 �disturb him a ad accordingly proceeded to the plain in front of Street's Creek. Our advanced pickets were ordered to provoke a fire from the enemy's pickets and then fall so as to induce them General Porter in back to a log house near Mrs. Stree.'s, to follow, and thus facilitate the movement of taking his position in their rear. after our pickets had gained A few minutes the position directed, a heavy fire com- menced in the woods on the left and front of our camp and continued advancing towards column of dust the Chippewa. was observed across the Chippewa General While attending to this fire a to arise in the direction of the bridge Brown eoncluded that the enemy was advancing in force and as Genera! Porter was too far advanced to be recalled, he resolved to support him. Riding rapidly to General Scott, he found him up, his horse before his tent, and his brigade forming for drill. After having advised him of what he had seen and the conclusion he had drawn, he ordered him to advance upon the plain toward the Chippewa and meet the enemy. General Scott rather captiously observed that he would march and drill his brigade, but that he did not believe that he should find 500 of the enemy. The order he received was most gallantly obeyed. It appears that General Riall had ordered an attack with his whole strength; and expecting to find us unprepared, had directed his whole force of Indians and light troops to fall upon the left flank and exterior line of our camp, at the the same time, that he attacked it in front with his veteran regiments. Thus General Porter and this col- umn unexpectedly encountered each other in the woods and Porter's command, conducted itself with the greatest gallantry at the onset. He drove the enemy with great slaughter, (considering the description of the force engaged), until his Indians came to the open ground near the Chippewa, when pereiving the heavy column of British Infantry advancing and not knowing that they were supported, they were panic-struck and fled in the greatest confusion. It was within ten or fifteen minutes of his observation of the enemy's movement from the front when General Brown ordered Colonel Gardner to put General Ripley in motion with the 21st Infantry to remain with him and conduct his column by the left of our camp through the skirts of the woods, and having passed the left of General Scott, to fall upon the rear of the enemy's right flank. Capt. Ritchie had been ordered out with his company of artil75 �lery. The Major-General was on the plain when Capt. Ritchie arriv ed and ordered him to form battery between General Scott's left and centre battalions. During this movement Genl. Porter's command was seen running out of the woods even to the centre of our camp. Majors Jones and Wood had the good fortune to return safe, and im mediately mounted for duty in the main battle, the former joined General Brown about this time. As General Ripley had not come up and Porter's command had been routed, the left battalion of General Scott's brigade, commanded by Jessup, was outflanked and greatly exposed. moment. This was a critical Captain Austin being struck by a half spent ball, which deprived him of his breath and he was supported on his horse by Captain Spencer and Major Jones. The Major General rode up in persón to Major Jessup and assured him of having a speedy support, he then hurried to the rear of Major Jessup's left flank and met Colonel Gardner, who informed him that General Ripley's command was nearly up, and in a few minutes would be able to close with the enemy. The Major General returned, but before any additional force came action the enemy was defeated by General Scott's command. into They were promptly pursued by our whole army and would have been killed or captured to a man but for the retreat afforded them in their works behind the Chippewa. The enemy's loss was much greater than estimated by General Brown in his official account and the services of the gallant Porter and his command were undervalued at the time, great execution was done in their spirited advance upon the enemy through the wood and they certainly effected as much as could have been reasonably expect- ed from undisciplined men. July 6th. It was late in the evening of the 5th before the wounded of both armies could be taken care of, the dead remained on the field during the night, much of our time was engrossed on 6th the and 7th in carrying the wounded to the hospital at Buffalo, and in burying the dead that were found in the woods and on the plains. General Brown was impatient at this delay-he was apprehensive that he could not arrive on the shore of Ontario and meet our fleet on the 10th as on examination of the enemy's works, the passage of the Chip- pewa bridge was deemed too hazardous and the country on the left was represented as an impracticable forest. 76 On the evening of the �6th, General Brown secured the interest of an inhabitant who inform- ed him of an old timber road that led by a circuitous route from the rear of Mrs. Street's house to the conjunction of Lyon's Creek with the Chippewa. On the morning of the 7th, Generals Brown and Porter with the Senior Engineers and Major Jones, the guide and a small guard explored this road. It was determined that it could be rendered pass- able for artillery in a short time, accordingly a heavy detail was immediately made for this duty and at night it was reported "practicable" for artillery. As General Scott's command had manifested from the moment of crossing the strait the greatest degree of emulation in the promptitude with which they executed their orders as well as the gallantry with which they improved each opportunity to distinguish themselves, and on the contrary as General Ripley was tardy in the investment of Fort Erie and as his brigade had not participated in the laurels of the 5th, the Commanding General was induced to afford him this opportunity to establish the reputation of his command and was particularly anxious to diffuse throughout the ranks that stimulus to gallant achievement which is ever produced by emulous exertion, accordingly General Ripley with his brigade, reinforced by General Porters's command, and two companies of artillery under Major Hindman, was ordered to take this road we had fonnd, forcé a passage, which existed formerly near the mouth of Lyon's Creek and cross the Chippewa. We found that the enemy had erected no work for the defence of this passage and we believed that it might be approached undiscovered, as the road lay through a thick wood and the enemy had confined himself to the north side of the Chippewa after the battle of the 5th. The materials for a bridge were principally procured by taking up Barn floors, which were forwarded in waggons (with the troops) and selecting the light boats which could be transported in that manner, and it was not supposed that General Bipley would be delayed but a short time in crossing, after which he was to place himself upon the enemy's right flank and in his rear, when we should be governed by circumstances. General Ripley did not pursue that prompt and de- cisive course which the service he was on particularly required. The day was far spent and General Ripley continued to doubt and hesitat The Major-General advanced to the point and assumed the immediate 77 �command. The materials for the bridge were then advanced to the creek, Hindman's artillery was posted to command the opposite bank, and the enemy after a short cannonade was disconcerted and retired. It was soon reported that apprehensive we should force a passage to his rear he had abandoned his works. This proved to be the case and we found that the guns of his batteries were destroyed by breaking off the trunnions and that they were thrown into the Chippewa. construction of the intended bridge was abaloned. The General Ripley marched his command down a road running along the Creek and Gen- eral Scott advanced on the main road to the bridge which the enemy had destroyed. With our boats we were enabled during the night to cross Scott's and Ripley's brigades and a part of our artillery. July 9th. The army marched in pursuit of the enemy with the exception of General Porter's command, which was left to guard the baggage and rebuild the bridge across the Chippewa. As the enemy had a strong new work at Queenston Heights, it was expected that he would occupy this position. We were greatly surprised when at our approach he abandoned his work and fled, leaving his intrenching tools and a quantity of stores. We immediately occupied his posi- tion and advanced our column of infantry to the village of Queenston. The enemy retired to Forts George and Niagara and left the country open to us in every direction. We could march to the shore of the lake from our present position in a few hours whenever our fleet. should arrive. General Brown had been induced by the Government to rely implicitly on the co-operation of the fleet in the execution of the plan of campaign presented and had experienced the greatest anxiety as to his arrival at the lake shore by the time appointed to meet Commodoro Chauncey, viz., the 10th of July. In anxious ex- pectation of the speedy arrival of the fleet, the army encamped, having every advantage of strength, health, and convenience, which the country could afford. General Porter, reinforced by a detachment of New York Volunteers, and having rebuilt the bridge across the Chippewa, brought up the baggage and joined the main army on the 10th. After remaining some days in painful suspense, we found that the original arrangements intended for our supplies could not be realized; we could draw nothing from the depots at Genesee River and Sodus without the fleet, we, therefore, were dependent for Provi78 �visions on a line of supplies from our rear. During this halt nothing of moment occurred except the loss of General Swift of the militia. This brave officer was killed by a soldier of a picket near Fort George, which he had with a few men surprised and captured. Detachments occasionally marched to the Lake Shore for forage or observation without being molested. The Indians left us about the 20th and were crossed to Lewiston. The same day the works on Queenston Heights were blown up and the army took a position near Fort George. On the 22nd, we oc- cupied our old position on the Queenston Heights which the enemy had possessed with a few men, who were soon routed and fled. General Porter with his usual zeal pursued them and captured a few prisoners, of the number were nine officers. On the morning of the 23rd, the Major-General received by express a despatch from General Gaines commanding at Sackett's Harbour with advice that our fleet were in port and the Commodore sick. In consequence of the delay of the fleet, the Major-General had ordered from Sackett's Harbor all the riflemen at that post with a battering train of artillery. It was hoped that this reinforcement by coasting the southern shore of the Lake could arrive safe in some of the harbours or creeks near the head of the lake and thence be trans- ported to the army. In this the Major-General was also disappointed. Major Morgan after having embarked was detained at Stoney Island under the conviction that he was in danger of being captured by the enemy's squadron. This information from General Gaines precluded all hope of co-operation from the fleet and of the timely arrival of Major Morgrn. It was therefore resolved to fall back to the Chippewa and be governed by circumstances. It was the intention of the Major-General, (in which all his principal officers coincided,) to march upon Burlington, having first received a small supply of provisions from Schlosser and removed from the army all baggage which could possibly be dispensed with. With this object in view the army fell back to the Chippewa on the 24th. General Scott, ever ambitious to distinguish himself and his command, was solicitous to be allowed to march for Burlington Heights with the 1st Brigade and expressed his wishes to that effect on the evening of the 24th. the request in form. On the morning of the 25th, he made He appeared to be very tenacious on this sub79 �ject and quite vexed that the commanding General his force. Scott honestly believed that with would not divide the troops he asked he could cover himself with additional glory and add to the fame of the army. General Brown received about noon from Colonel Swift, who was posted at Lewiston, advice by express that the enemy had appeared in considerable force at Queenston and on its heights, that four vessels of the fleet had arrived during the preceding night and were then lying near Fort Niagara, and that a number of boats were in view moving up the strait. Within a few minutes after this intelli- gence, the Major General was further informed (by Captain Denman of the Quartermaster General's Department) that the enemy was land- ing at Lewiston and that our baggage & stores at Schlosser and on their way thither were in danger of immediate capture. It was con- ceived that the most effective method of recalling him from this object was to put the army in motion towards Queenston. It he was in the field on the Canada side of the strait, our only business was to meet and fight him without loss of time as General Brown had almost ceased to hope for co-operation or reinforcement from any quarter. The support upon which the Major General had hitherto relied had failed to appear and the enemy having the power on the Lake could reinforce at pleasure. General Scott, with the 1st Brigade, Towson's artillery and the Dragoons and mounted men were accordingly march ed on the road towards Queenston. He was particularly instructed to report if the enemy appeared and to call for assistance if that was necessary. Having command of the Dragoons he would have, it was considered the means of collecting and communicating intelligence. On General Scott's arrival near the falls, he learned that the enemy was in force directly in his front, a narrow piece of woods alone intercepting his view of them. Waiting only to despatch this information but not to receive any communication in return, the General advanced upon him. Hearing the report of cannon and small arms, General Brown at once concluded that a battle had commenced between the advance of our army and that of the enemy and without waiting for information from General Scott, ordered the 2nd Brigade and all the artillery to march as rapidly as possible to his support, and directed Col. Gardner to remain and see this order executed. He then rode with his aids de-camp and Major McRee with all speed towards the 80 �scene of action. As he approached the falls about a mile from Chip- pewa, he met Major Jones, who had accompanied General Scott, bear- ing a message from him, advising General Brown that he had met the enemy. cluded From the to order up sent with met information given companied General Advancing a Wood of General Scott and was con- General Porter's command & Major Jones was this order. Major by Major Jones it the Corps Scott; he of little further, Engineers, reported that General who had the conflict Brown also ac- between the enemy was close and desperate and urged to hurry a reinforcement. all possible rapidity. The reinfercements were now marching with The Major-General was accompanied by Major Wood to the field of battle. Upon his arrival he found that General Scott had passed the wood and engaged the enemy on the Queenston road and the ground to the left of it, with the 9th, 11th and 22nd Regiments and Towson's artillery. The 25th had then been detached to the right to be governed by circumstances. Believing these troops to be much exhaustsd, notwithstanding the good countenance they showed, and not knowing they had suffered severely in the contest, General Brown determined to form and interpose a new line with the advancing troops and disengage General Scott and hold his brigade in reserve. By this time Captain Biddle and Ritchie's companies of ar- tillery had come into action. The head of General Ripley's column was nearly up with the right of General Scott's line. the enemy broke. General Scott's line gave a general hurrah that cheered the whole army. line and display At this moment his General Ripley was ordered to pass this column in commenced in obedience to the order. front. The movement was Majors McRee and Wood had rapidly reconnoitered the enemy and his position. McRee reported that he appeared to have taken a new position with his line and with his artillery occupied a height which gave a great advantage, it being the key of the whole position. To secure the victory it was necessary to carry this height and seize his artillery. McRee was ordered by the Major-Goneral to conduct General Ripley's column on the Queenston road with a view to this object and prepare the 21st Regiment under Colonel Miller for this duty. The 2nd Brigade immediately advanced on the Queenston road, General Brown with his aids-de-camp and Major Wood, passing to the left of the 2nd brigade in front of the first, approached the enemy's 81 �artillery and observed an extenden line of infantry formed for the support of his artillery. The first regiment of Infantry under the com- mand of Lt. Col. Nicholas, which arrived that day and was attached to neither of the Brigades, but had marched to the field in rear of the 2nd, was ordered promptly to break off to the left and form a line facing the enemy on the heights with a view of drawing his fire and attracting his attention while Colonel Miller marched with the bayonet upon his left flank to carry his artillery. ducted by Major Wood, As the 1st Regiment con- and commanded by approached its position, the commanding General Lt. Col. Nicholas, rode to Col. Miller and ordered him to charge and carry the enemy's artillery with the bayonet. He replied in a tone of great promptness and good humor that he would try to execute the order. At this moment the first Regiment gave way under the fire of the enemy but Col. Miller, with- out regard to this occurrence, advanced steadily to his object and carried the height and the cannon in a style rarely equalled, never excelled. At the point of time when Colonel Miller Regiment was on his right a little in the rear. moved, the 23rd General Ripley led this regiment, it had some severe fighting and in a degree gave way but was promptly reformed and brought up on the right of the 21st with which were connected detachments of the 17th and 19th. eral Ripley, being now with his brigade formed Gen- in line, the enemy driven from their commanding ground, had the captured cannon, nine pieces in his rear. into line by Lt. The first Regiment having been rallied and brought Col. Nicholas, on the left of the 2nd Brigade and General Porter coming up at this time, occupied with his command the extreme left. Our artillery formed on the right and between the 23rd and 21st Regiments. storm Having given the order to Col. Miller to the heights and carry the enemy's cannon as he advanced, General Brown moved from his right flank to the rear of his left. Major Wood and Capt. Spencer, met him on the Queenston road; turning down that road, he passed by the rear of the 23rd regiment. The shouts of the American soldiers on the height at this moment assured him of Col. Miller's success and he hastened on, designing to turn from the Queenston road towards the place up Lundy's Lane. In the act of doing so Major Wood and Capt. Spencer, who were about a horse's length before him, were nearly riding upon a body of the enemy and nothing prevented them from doing so but an officer 82 �exclaiming before them "they are the Yankees". The exclamation halted the three American officers, and upon looking down the road they saw a line of British Infantry drawn up in front of the western fence of the road with is right resting near Lundy's Lane. The British officer had at the moment he gave this alarm, discovered Major Jessup. The Major, as has been already stated, had at the commence- ment of the action been ordered by General Scott to take ground to his right. He had succeeded in turning the enemy's left flank, had captured General Riall and several other officers and sent them to camp, then searching his way silently towards the principal scene of action, he had brought his regiment, the 25th, after but little comparative loss, up to the eastern fence of the Queenston Road, a little to the north of Lundy's Lane. The moment the British officer gave Major Jessup notice of having discovered him, Jessup ordered command to fire. apart. The lines could not have been more than four rods The slaughter was dreadful. Queenston road. his The enemy's line fied down the As the firing ceased, General Brown approached Major Jessup, advised him that Colonel Miller had carried the enemy's artillery and received information of the capture of General Riall, &c. The Major then asked him where he should form his regiment and was directed to move up Lundy's Lane and form on the right of the 2nd Brigade. The enemy rallying his broken corps and having re- ceived reinforcements was now discovered in force. The commanding General, doubting the correctness of this in- formation good order and great and to ascertain the truth passed in front of our line. He could no longer doubt as a more extended line than he had before seen during the engagement, was near and advancing upon us. Captain Spencer, without a remark, put spurs to his horse, rode directly up to the advancing line, then turning towards the enemy's right, enquired in a firm and strong voice, "What Regiment is that?" and was answered "The Royal Scotts, Sir". General Brown and Captain Spencer then threw themselves behind our own line without loss of time and waited the attack. The enemy advanced slowly and firmly upon us; perfect silence was observed through both armies until the enemy's line approached to within from four to six rods. Our troops had loaded their pieces and the artillery was prepared, the order to fire was given and most awful was the effect. The lines closed in part before that of the enemy was broken, he then retired precipi83 �tately, the American fire following him. The field was covered with the slain, but not an enemy capable of marching was to be seen; we dressed our lines upon the ground we occupied. General Brown was not disposed to leave it in the dark, knowing it to be the best in the vicinity. His intention then was to maintain it until daybreak and be governed by circumstances. Our gallant and accomplished foe did not give us much time for deliberation. He showed himself again within twenty minutes, apparently undismayed and in good order. General Ripley now urg- ed the Major General to order up General Scott, who had during this time been held in reserve with his three battalions. The Major General rode in person to General Scott and ordered him to advance. That officer was prepared and expected the call. vanced toward the right of the 2nd Brigade. General Scott ad- General Brown passed to the left to speak with General Porter and see the condition and countenance of his militia, who at that moment were thrown into some confusion by a very galling and deadly fire from the enemy; they were, however, held to their duty by the exertions of their chief, and most nobly sustained the conflict. The enemy was again repulsed from the whole line and driven out of sight. But a short time had elapsed when he was again seen advancing in great force upon our main line. General Scott, now on our left, had given to his column a direction which would have enabled him in a few minutes to have formed line in the rear of the enemy's right and thus to have brought him between two fires. But in a moment most unexpectedly a flank fire from a party of the enemy concealed upon his left, falling upon the centre of General Scott's command, while in open column, blasted our expectations, his column was severed in two, one part passing to the rear, the other by the right flank of platoons towards our main line. About this time General Brown received his first wound, a musket ball passing through his right thigh. A few minutes later, Captain Spencer, aid-de-camp to the Major-General, received his mortal wound. this time the enemy had nearly closed with our main ing up to the left of this line, By body; mov- General Brown received a violent blow from a ball of some description, on his left side; it did not enter, but such was its force, that it nearly unhorsed him, and in the General's own words "he began to doubt his ability to sit his horse." 84 Meeting �with his confidential friend, Major Wood, he thought proper to state to him his wounds and condition. Wood exclaimed with great emo- tion, "Never mind, my dear General, you are gaining the greatest victory that was ever gained for your country". "His gallant soul," says the Major-General, "was exclusively occupied with the battle that was then raging, if possible with redoubled fury". This was the last des perate effort made by the enemy to regain his position and artillery, a broader display of heroism from the ranks was never exhibited. The hostile lines met in several places, and we captured many prisoners who surrendered at the point of the bayonet. Porter's volunteers, who were not excelled by the regulars, were seen precipitated by their commander upon the enemy's line, which they broke and dispersed making several prisoners. The enemy seemed to be effectually routed, they disappeared. In a conversation that occurred a few minutes afterwards between General Brown and Majors McRee & Wood and two or three other officers, it was the unanimous belief that we had nothing more to fear from the Enemy with whom we had been contending but it appeared to be admitted by the whole that it would be judicious to retire to camp. The idea did not occur to anyone present that it would be necessary to leave behind a man or a cannon. Major Me Ree expressly observed that there would be no difficulty in removing the cannon by hand. Wagons had been by the previous order of the Major General provided for the wounded. wcund, now General Brown, suffering severely from his moved from the field with Capt. Austin, his surviving aid-de-camp, observing to the other officers that they would remain and aid General Ripley by all the means in their power & as the Gen- eral moved towards the camp, many scattered men were seen by him on the road, not a man was moving away. None seemed to be alarm ed but having lost their officers, were seeking water and were either drinking or struggling for drink. This scene assured the Major Gen- eral in the belief that it was proper for the army to return to camp, for the purpose of being re-organized and refreshed before moving, that being the only situation where all the scattering men could be collected and certainly arranged to their companies and battalions. An officer was accordingly sent to say to General Ripley that the army would return to camp. It being understood that the wounded men on the field and the cannon captured by the army were included. 85 �Being supported on his horse, the Major-General moved slowly to his tent. Within a few minutes from this, it was reported to him that General Ripley had returned to camp, having left the captured cannon on the field. General Ripley being immediately sent for, Gen- eral Brown stated to him that there was no doubt upon his mind but that the enemy had retired and that our victory was complete; he appeared to be of the same opinion as were all the officers present. Gen- eral Brown then in strong and emphatic language ordered General Ripley to re-organize his battalions, to see that they were refreshed with whatever might be in his power to afford and put himself with all the men he could muster of every corps on the field of battle as the day dawned, there to be governed by circumstances, at all events to bring off the captured cannon. It was not believed the enemy would dare to attack him if he showed a good countenance. General Ripley left General Brown with a conviction that he would execute the order given him. He did not make the slightest objection to it, none was suggested from any quarter. As the day approached, finding that the column had not moved, General Brown ordered his staff to go to every commanding officer of corps and order them to be promptly prepared to march in obedience to the order given to General Ripley, but it was sunrise be fore the army crossed the Chippewa. General Ripley led his troops as far as Bridgewater Mills and halting his column there, returned the Major-General and stated his General Brown persisted objections to to proceeding further. when he informed the General that General Porter was also opposed to proceeding. At these words General Brown replied "Sir, You will do as you please;" and had no further intercourse with him until they met at Buffalo. tained no doubt of the intelligence or General Brown had enter- personal bravery of General Ripley, nor had he ever expressed himself to that effect. In conse- quence of the events of the night of the 25th; and especially on the morning of the 26th, his confidence in him as a commander appeared to be diminished and the General believed that he dreaded responsibility more than danger. In a word physical than moral courage. that he had a greater share of General Scott and the Major General being both severely wounded, a courier was despatched without loss of time to General Gaines ordering him on to take command of the gal- lant remains of the army of the Niagara. In the morning of the 26th, General Brown was placed in a 86 �small skiff under the care of Capt. Austin and conveyed towards Buffalo. The General arrived at Black Rock the evening of that day where he remained during the night. Towards the morning of the 27th, he was advised that the army had fallen back in haste and was then near him on the opposite side of the strait. unexpected and greatly affected him. He This movement was was removed to Buffalo. General Ripley upon his arrival at the Ferry at Black Rock intended to have proceeded with the army to the American side of the strait but the honorable stand taken by the officers whom he consulted in- duced him to shrink from the intention. Majors McRee, Wood, and Towson as well as General Porter deserve particular honor for their high minded conduct on this occasion. He left the army and came to General Brown in the hope of obtaining an order from him to cross with the forces; no' proposition could have been more surprising to the Major-General and perhaps he treated General Ripley with unjustifi- able indignation and scorn. Upon General Ripley's leaving the Major General's chambers, he said below that he would not be responsible for the army if it remained in Canada and insisted that a written order should be given him. When this was communicated to the the Major-General he sent General Ripley the following note: "Headquarters, Buffalo, 27th July. Sir: All the sick and wounded and the surplus baggage will be im. mediately removed to this place. Those men who are sound and able to fight will encamp by Fort Erie so as to defend that post and at the same time hold the Ferry below until the wounded, sick and surplus baggage have crossed. You will send Major Wood or Major McRee to me immediately. Yours respectfully, JACOB BROWN. Brig. General Ripley". Agreeably to this order the army took up a position at Erie and through Major Wood, who came to the Major-General, he communicated to the Engineers his reliance upon them for the security of the army by the erection of proper defences for its camp. These gentlemen displayed a zeal and expressed a confidence which was in87 �spiring to others and most praiseworthy at this trying moment.. They devoted an unremitted attention not only to their particular duties but to every other object connected with the honor and safety of the army. General Ripley continued to despond and although in com- mind, was in the habit of saying that the army could not maintain its position. General Gaines reached the camp at Erie the 5th of August, his arrival relieved General Ripley from the responsibility he so much dreaded, gave hope to the army and reassured the commander-in- chief that it would be in his power to close the campaign with honor. Shortly after this General Ripley asked and obtained leave of absence to attend to his private business but did not avail himself of it until after the memorable 15th of August. See General Gaines's official Report for an account of that splendid achievement. At this time the Major General was moving about the western part of New York for the benefit of his health and with a view of infusing as much zeal as possible into the principal men so as to induce them to aid by their influence a call upon the militia which he expected His Excellency, D. D. Tompkins to make for the relief of the army on the Niagara. On of August, he met Colonel Yates, the Governor's the aid, at Canandaigua, clothed with full powers to call forth such number of the militia from visng with General P. Major B. the western Counties of the State as after ad- General Brown, should be Porter was particularly consulted thought expedient. upon this occasion and it was determined to ask for 4,000 Militia and Col. Yates issued the nccessary orders in the name of his Excellency to meet this call. It could not at this time be reasonably doubted that this force would be promptly assembled and marched to the frontier. In consequence of the severe wounds received by General Gaines the Major-General hastened to found General Miller in command. the camp at Erie where he General Gaines had been removed to the hospital at Williamsville and although General Ripley had agained joined the army and was the Senior officer with it, before the arrival of the Mayor-General, had he not gone upon duty. The Mayor-General endeavoured to see the real condition of his command and to determine with prudence the steps to be taken to preserve the remainder of his deeply suffering heroic forces 88 �He issued an order the 2nd of September, placing General Ripley in command at Erie and returned to the New York side of the strait with the hope of expediting the movements and organization of the militia, &c. &c., to be better situated than he could be in a tent for the healing of his wounds and the restoration of his health which was greatly impaired. On the evening of the next day, Colonel Wood came to the Major General and informed him as a private friend that it was not safe to leave the army with General Ripley, that no confidence could be reposed in him, that with such a commander the moral efficiency of the army would be lost and that as he hoped to preserve the honor of his command, he must return to camp and remain with his suffering soldiers in the face of the enemy. Col. Jones, Ass't. Adjt. General came to him a few minutes after Col. Wood had gone out, of whom he made many inquiries and found that he concurred in sentiment with Col. Wood. The Major-General returned with them to the camp at Erie, leaving it with General Porter to bring out and organize the Militia. This was found to be a most dithcult duty. Notwithstand- ing the danger that menaced the country, the unprincipled partizans of opposition were clamorous against every measure that led the people to the field, and the citizen soldier was too often willing to listen to any argument that gave him a pretext for resting quietly behind a constitution, which God and his country called upon him to advance and defend. It was soon seen that of the 4,000 militia ordered to Buffalo but a part would ever arrive even there, and but little hope could be entertained of getting any considerable number of them to face the enemy from the camp at Erie; as little reliance could be placed upon the promised succour advancing under the command of General Izard. Major General Brown saw his danger and perceived with equal certainty that there was no escape from it but by the heroic efforts of the men who stood by his side. They had often bled and triumphed and he believed that they would prefer to die in the blaze of their glory than live dishonored by captivity or defeat. As the daily casualties were thinning the ranks and constant fatigue and exposure enfeebling those that escaped the fire of the enemy, the Commanding General determined without loss of time to make one great effort to save the suffering remains of the force that 89 �appeared to be neglected by a country for which it had devoted itself. It should not be concealed that it appeared at this period to the army of Niagara and its chief that there was a conspiracy planned for its destruction and that this opinion, however unfounded, tended to render it more desperate. Major General Brown gave much attention to the deserters from the enemy's camp, he examined in person all that came in, and soon became convinced that he understood the disposition, employment and arrangements of his forces. Upon the opinion thus formed, he laid his plans for the sortie which he determined to execute the moment that General P. B. Porter joined him reinforcements. with the expected militia Feeling deeply how much he was about to put to hazard, he desired the concurrence of his principal officers, and convened them for the purpose of eliciting their sentiments without fully disclosing his own. The result did not justify the General-in-Chief making known his determination. From this time he acted and spoke as though he relied for safety upon the defence of his camp and to confirm this opinion in the army took measures to floor the tents and in every way to improve the condition of his forces in quarters as if they were to remain stationary for a long time. To render it certain that the enemy should be advised of what was going on within the lines of the American army, spies were sent to them in the character of deserters to give all the information they knew on the subject and to say further that General Brown could have no apprehension for the safety of his position so long as he remained in his works for their defence, but that he was alarmed for the safety of Buffalo whence he drew his subsistence; and to secure that place a call had been made on the militia for its defence. Although it was known that the militia did not cheerfully obey the call made upon them, it was believed that from two to three thousand could be marched to Buffalo and General Brown would not permit a doubt that at least two thousand could be prevailed upon to cross to Erie. The zeal and devotion of General P. B. Porter led him to entertain the same opinion but the result of this call of a reinforcement of 4,000 militia after all the great and patriotic efforts of their chief was that we increased our effective strength less than two thou sand men, yet as these men were all volunteers and came with hearts 90 ez �prepared for combat, those only who understand the effect of moral power in war can estimate their importance. They were passed silently to their quarters during the nights of the 9th and 10th of Sep- tember and all possible display was made of the forces remaining upon the opposite shore, it is believed that the enemy was in utter ignor- ance of the movement. To confirm him in error a succession of trusty spies were sent to him up to the dawn of the day of the 17th and so little did the army under General Brown know of what were his plans for that day, even had an officer gone over to the enemy, the information that he could have given must have been favorable to the meditated enterprise as no one had been consulted but General Porter and the Engineers, Col. McRee and Major Wood. At nine o'clock in the evening of the 16th the General-in- Chief called his Assistant Adjutant General, Major Jones, and after explaining concisely his object, ordered him to see the officers named and direct them to his tent. The officers General Brown had selected to have the honor of leading commands on the 17th came, he explained to them his views and determination and enjoyed much satisfaction in seeing that his confidence had not been misplaced, they left him to prepare for the duty assigned to them the ensuing day. At 12 o'clock the last agent was sent to the enemy in the character of a deserter and aided by disclosing all he knew in confirm ing him in security. It was due to General Ripley as second in con mand that some explanation of the intended movement should be made to him, and with the view of doing this the Major General sent for him about 8 o'clock in the morning of the 17th and fully disclosed all his arrangements for that day. General Ripley perceived that no duty was assigned to him and he neither claimed nor asked any, contenting himself with saying that the enterprise was a hopeless one and that he should be well satisfied to escape from the disgrace that in his judgement would fall upon all engaged in it, that the enemy were in the habit of looking into our camp from the tree tops along their line, they would see our movements, be at their works to receive us and that inevitable ruin was impending over the American army. The Major-General was much gratified to find that his second in command claimed no situation in the attack, as such claim at the moment would have been very embarrassing. 91 �The columns moved to the positions assigned, our fatigue parties progressed with their labors as usual and as the time approached for the assault, no indication within the enemy's lines. General Ripley now asked and obtained the command of the reserve. carried, he was ordered was perceived of alarm or movement The moment the enemy's works were to advance from between the bastions of old Fort Erie to the position the General-in-Chief had taken to see to the best advantage the movements of the line. This order was either mis- uuderstood or disobeyed as General Ripley moved his command in a different direction and it was not until the General-in-Chief sent a second order by his aid-de-camp that the reserve were marched to him. For further information of the closing scenes of this campaign, read General Brown's official Account of the Sortie. Buffalo, 31st July, 1814. Extract of a letter from General Brown to General Ripley. If the enemy do attack the probability is this will be the point being the weaker position. You will endeavor to keep yourself correctly informed of his movements and like other military men, you must be governed by circumstances. I do not believe that any cir cumstances will occur for many days yet to come that will endanger your post or the army under your command and in no case is the surrender of the one or the other to be thought of. cross to this shore and you a successful blow, do it. If the enemy should see a fair opportunity of striking him a If he attacks your position I expect you to ruin him. Estimate of British Regular Troops in Upper Canada, July 1st, 1814, with a view of their distribution. At Forts Niagara, George and Erie & at Chippewa and Queenston. 400 8th ......350 41st ...600 100th Royal Royal 850 Scots. Artillery. 150 2,350 92 �At Burlington Heights & York. 800 103rd At Kingston. Right Wing of De Watteville's........... ..700 .500 Glengarries Canadian Fencibles .400 104th .550 Squadron of Dragoons... 100 Royal Artillery... .150 2,400 - Amt. carried over. 5,550 At Prescott. 89th ...500 Royal Artillery..... 50 550 Aggregate Rank and File........ 6,100 I do not estimate the total effectives fit for the field at more than five thousand. Estimated strength of British regular Troops in Upper Canada, July 1st, 1814... 5,000 Between the 1st of July and the 15th of September the following Regiments arrived in Upper Canada. I estimate them as their sup- posed effective strength. Left Wing of De Watteville's in the early part of July...... 6th & 82nd, in early part of August.. 550 1,250. 97th in middle of August.. 557 2,357 7,357 90th & 37th, last of August..... Newfoundland Fencibles..... Towards the close of August and beginning of September, the 16th, 26th and 37th arrived and were 93 1,500 550 �stationed at Johnstown, Prescott and Brockville where they still remain. 500 say, Total effectives..... 10,707 Non-effectives 1,100 Aggregate rank and file......... 11,807 From the above deduct for the Enemy's total loss in the various contests with the 2nd Division and by desertion and sickness. 3.900 The remains of the 8th, 41st and 100th sent to the Low- er Province for winter quarters....... 600 4,500 Rank and file, Distribution 10th Dec. of the 1814...... British regular 7,307 force in Upper 69.12 Canada, 10th Dec. 1814. Johnstown, Prescott & Brockville, 16th, 26th, and 37th 1,450 50 Royal Artillery... --- 1,500 Kingston. Canadian 400 Fencibles.... Newfoundland do 350 Battalion companies, 104th.. 350 150 Royal Artillery....... Remains of the old Regiments of the Province, except- ing 8th, 41st and 100th....... 1,457 2,707 Upon the Niagara Frontier. 6th and 82nd 400 97th 90th 500 and 37th. .1,500 Royal Artillery.. 100 3,100 7,307 94 �Estimate of the British regular Troops opposed to the 2nd Division. Major General Ryall's command upon the Niagara, at York and Burlington, 1st July, 1814. 8th 400 41st 350 100th 800 Royal Scots... 850 Royal Artillery 150 103rd 800 3,350 Of this force he brought at least eighteen hun- dred men úpon the plains of Chippewa. Lt. General Drummond arrived with the follow ing reinforcements, July 24th. 89th..... 500 Glengarries 500 Flank companies of the 104th. Filled up to 100 each... 200 Squadron of Dragoons 100 1,300 4,650 The whole of the above force for duty was con- centrated near Fort George during the day and night of the 24th of July, excepting say 700 men lost at Fort Erie and on the plains at Chippewa...... 700 3,950 From which deduct for those left sick and in garrison at Forts George and Niagara........ 500 3,450 And you have an effective force of of men engaged in the battle of Niagara. Loss of the enemy 25th July....... 1,000 2,450 95 �Drummond's 26th Regular force fit for the field, 2,450 July....... July 29th, De Watteville's right and left wing 1,100 1100 strong joined Drummond... 3,550 After the arrival of this reinforcement the enemy moved slowly and cautiously upon Fort Erie. The 15th of August in attempting to carry that place by assault, he lost not less than 1,200 men. In his offic- ial report of that affair he acknowledged the loss of 945 exclusive of De Watteville's Regt. and we have good reason to believe that this regiment did not lose less than 300 men........ 1,200 2,350 Toward the last of August Drummond was re1,250 inforced by the 6th and 82nd..... In the early part of September by the 97th... 557 1,807 4,157 September 17, Sortie, the enemy did not lose less in killed, wounded and prisoners than 1,000 men... 1,000 3,157 On the 21st September, Drummond retreated with his remaining force, say three thousand one hundred men to his field works on the east bank of the Chippewa, keeping out a light party at Black Creek to watch the movements of the American army. Lt. General Drummond's regular force fit for the field 22nd September, 1814, say......... .3,000 Sick in garrison, exclusive of wounded men... 500 3,500 Ryall's force, 1st July.......... 3,350 Reinforcements with Drummond, 24th July...1,300 4,650 96 �De Watteville's Regiment, 29th July 6th, 82nd & 97th......... 1,100 .1,807 7,557 The enemy's loss by desertion was considerable He must also have lost many men by the fire of our batteries, in affairs of pickets, and in the attack upon Buffalo. These various losses together with those oc- casioned by service must I think be equal to his gain by the recovery of wounded men. This view of the subject will give his loss as follows. Fort Erie and Chippewa Falls of Assault 700 ...1,000 Niagara...... on Fort Erie.. 1,200 Sortie....... Force .1,000 remaining 22nd September, upon the Niagara Frontier, 1814......... .3,657 In this estimate it is to be understood that no account is taken of Militia or Indians in the British service and it is established that he carried with him to the battle of Niagara of this description of force at least one thousand men. On the 17th of October, the enemy's fleet sailed from Kingston with provisions and the 9th and 37th regiments and arrived at Fort George the 21st and 22nd. The fleet returned to Kingston in October with the wounded and sick men of the old Regiments. Another supply of provisions and military stores was put on board and the fleet sailed for the head of the lake. Upon the return of the fleet from the second cruise, remains of the Old Regiments came down for Winter Quarters. the The 8th, 41st and 100th were sent to the Lower Province. Dear Sir: I rec'd your two letters of the 24th and 26th from Sackett's Harbour, before this can reach you, one from me will have been rec'd which can leave you no doubt about the true construction to be given to that under which you acted, nor any on the subject of what you ought 97 �to do under existing circumstances. If you left Sackett's Harbour secure, go on and drive the Enemy out of Niagara. I will offer to you a few thoughts which may not be altogether useless. A Fortress may be taken by Assault, by siege, by investment or simply by a well chosen position which threatens the supplies & the retreat of the Enemy; the first rarely fails when made in the Confidence of strength, (much superior), and by veteran officers & men. The second is an affair of calculation, more certain than the other and indeed infallible if your Engineer understands his trade, if your batteries be sufficiently formidable & well served & well sustained by your Infantry. The suc cess of the third is more doubtful because depending more upon what your Enemy is unable or unwilling to do than upon what you do yourself, in a word by this mode you starve or you frighten your Enemy into submission, he despairs of being reinforced & therefore is justified in yielding. 3rd. The fourth mode has in it some of the characters of the Some people would not readily see the difference between them. They may even say that every investment is a position. You will understand the full meaning of the distinction when I say that were you in force to cross the Niagara & occupy the passes by which the Garrison communicates with Burlington & York, you would not invest but most probably so disquiet it that it would soon abandon the fortress it now holds. This last was my winter plan, & had the Governor been able to raise his Volunteers while the ice lasted it was to be pre- ferred to any other, but the ice is gone & no volunteers raised & we are left to do the best we can without the aid of either. What is that best? to reconnoitre well the ground, to seize that most commanding position in the night, to cover your men & to raise your batteries and to mount your cannon before daybreak and as the day dawns to fill his fosse with shells and shot. You are in a country of wood and batteries are rapidly formed by means of fascines &c. earth enough to cover and consolidate them. enterprising officer. I If you can get Your Engineer is a very hope he is also a scientific one, much will de pend upon him. This is written at midnight and after a day of great labor and cannot be much lengthened with advantage. What remains of my paper I would fill up with details of information from Canada were it not probable that you may be as well if not better informed than are on that subject. we That the enemy mean to recover what they last 98 �year lost in the West is evident. Your movement is calculated to check this policy at least & if I can make the Western Regts muster 3,000 effectives by the first day of June I shall endeavor to put it down altogether. My compliments to Genls Gaines & Scott. Yours truly, JOHN ARMSTRONG. 7th April, 1814. Washington. Major Genl. Brown. 99 �Meetings The Regular Meetings are on the second Monday of each month from October to May, except that the Annual Meeting is on the 13th of October. Publications Of many of our publications the edition is exhausted, but we have, (price chiefly 25 cents): 2.4 Slave Rescue, etc., (reprinted), and battle of Queenston Heights 3. Blockade of Fort George (reprinted). 5. Sermon of Rev. R. Addison, Historic Houses, etc., (reprinted). 6. 8. Niagara Library 1800-1820. Early School. Family History, (reprinted). 11. Reminiscences, (reprinted). 12. Battle of Fort George, republished from No. 1, with addittons, etc. 13. St. Vincent de Paul's Church, A Canadian Heroine, (reprinted). 14 Letters of Mrs. William Dummer Powell, 1807-1821. 15. Sir Isaac Brock, Count de Puisaye, (republished). 16. Report of the Opening of the Historical Building, (reprint). 17. Ten Years of the Colony of Niagara. 18. 19. Early History of St. Mark's, Robert Gourlay, etc. Inscriptions and Graves in Niagara Peninsula. (Price 40 cents). No. 10, reprinted with additions. 20. Reminscences of Fenian Raid, etc. 22. Some Graves in Lundy's Lane. 24. Catalogue. 25. Laura Secord, Diary of a prisoner in Fort Garry, 1869-70. 26. Notes on District of Niagara, 1791-3. 27. Names Only, But Much More. 28. Family History and Reminiscences. 29. Niagara Frontier, 1837-8. No. 1 Company, Niagara. 30. Hon. William Dickson, etc. 31. Appreciation of Lt. W. J. Wright, M. A., Emigrants of 1847 in Niagara etc. 32. Notes on Niagara, 1759-1860. We have a large Exchange List. every Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5. The Historical Room is open In summer on Wednesday. We have now a membership of three hundred. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 33" booklet, c. 1921 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 33" booklet, c. 1921 Subject The topic of the resource War of 1812 Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the "Niagara Historical Society, No. 33" booklet, c. 1921. The Niagara Historical Society published their research/speeches regularly in these volumes, of which the Welland Public Library has most between 1-44. Volume 33 contains: "Documents relating to the Invasion of the Niagara Peninsula by the United States Army, commanded by General Jacob Brown, in July and August, 1814" by Ernest Alexander Cruikshank. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Niagara Historical Society Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1921 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Booklet Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 971.33 Nia Vol. 33 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Niagara Ernest Alexander Cruikshank Niagara Historical Society Niagara Historical Society Papers War of 1812 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/9db51b0b5801819de1a5959330173218.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=B0VsJWuZ25NR-Lc-gbzOeaYb4uekfIJv47-TOvgd%7E2xxNdikNSeR%7E1gJSKa2g2UYJ-VwG5wIAVCMEgo01LOZ2Lu0O5rmn12w7-HwNEfllXpSEYjjOGSJV8-p9eTaZakA7PnAawnArSNOaUTb9trkeH2YnWcpGXFylN1bLyqtNDECIjRsVLipKNBo%7ECiJHlFGxcXI20PwDnt%7Emh4QzTPOZ3V1o5mgSjVvOGI5wGMEWrAP8nFGiEfHWxJYAWEoV6t6mYkbyUOxI9zqag9RLWFvJZdztlJ2M1g2zcmh2uyrw9XMMgNsVh4FqiDD1AVy26IhLVhQhB8CNTL6PB%7EE%7EwZe9w__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 11cc1ffcd42461137df4a2a418f99e40 PDF Text Text "Ducit Amor Patriæ" Notes on No. 32 A Niagara 1759 - 1860 REFERENCE OCAL HISTORY COLLECTION Niagara Historical Society LAND PUBLIC LIBRARY Price 25 cents Advance Print, Niagara, Ont. NIA LHC ヨ PAMPHLET FILE #32 (COMPLETE) �Niagara Historical Society TSHistoryand Literature,the collection and preservation of Cauadian Historical Relics, the building up of Canadian loyalty and patriotism, and the preservation of all historical landmarks in this vicinity. The annual fee is fifty cents. The Society was formed in December, 1895. ing is held on October 13th. The annual meet- Since May, 1896, six thousand articles have been gathered in the Historical Room, thirty one pamphlets have been published, eleven historical sites have been marked, an Historical Building erected at a cost of over $6,000, and a catalogue published. Officers 1919-1920 Gen. Cruikshank, F. R. S. C. Honorary President Miss Carnochan President Rev. Canon Garrett Vice-President Rev. A. F. MacGregor, B.A. Second Vice-President E. H. Shepherd Third Vice-President. Mrs. E. Ascher Secretary Mrs. S. D. Manning Treasurer Curator) Miss Carnochan Editor) Mrs. Bottomley Assistant Curator Mrs. Mussen Second Assistant Curator COMMITTEE Mrs. Bottomley Mrs. Goff Alfred Ball Wm. Ryan G. S. Bale, B.A. LIFE MEMBERS Arthur E. Paffard Dr. T. K. Thompson, C.E. Major R. W. Leonard H. J. Wickham Mrs. C. Baur H. B. Witton R. Biggar Best A. E. Rowland C. M. Warner HONORARY MEMBERS Dr. H. L. Anderson Newton J. Ker, C.E. Dr. A. H. U., Colquhoun J. D. Chaplin, M.P. Dr. Alexander Fraser, M.A. Gen. Cruikshank, F.R.S.C. Frank Greenlaw, M.P.P. Mrs. E. J. Thompson Peter McArthur �B.P. WELLAND P.L. 3 2759 01859141 5 Extracts from Niagara Papers Index PAGE YEAR PAGE 1813, Buildings at Fort George...23 1759, Burial of Prideaux and John 3 son 1778-83, Van Every Statement.... 4 1777, Bowman YEAR 3 Family.. 1782-3, First Census. 5 1814, Regiments at Fort George..24 1814, Mrs. Jennoway's Letter, re the Earthworks at Queenston Heights..... 31 1784, Servos Mill. 6 1814, Dr. Dunlop. 1784-1790, U. E. L. Claims. 6 1816, Ad. for Building Jail and 1791, Plans of the Town 7 1792, Masonic Hall. 8 30 Court House .32 1317, Medals of 1812-14 1817, Loyal Patriotic Society. 1792, Marriage of Capt. Jas. Ham9 ilton .33 33 1817, Paymaster Jas. Scott, brother of Sir Walter Scott....... .34 1792, Agricultural Society. 1793, First Paper.... 1793 to 1913, Newspapers. 1793, First Brick House.. 1793, Navy Hall. 9 1818, .10 10 11 11 1793, Simcoe. 11 1793, Town Officers Appointed. 12 1794, U. C. Gazette Ads.. 1794, Bounty Money.... 1794, St. Andrew's Church. 12 12 .14 1794, Grant for Land Asked. 14 1795, Grant Given..... 1795, Meeting of Parliament.. 1796, Sermon to Free Masons. 15 15 1798, D. W. Smith's House... .17 1799, Count de Puisaye. 1799, The Wilderness. 1800, First Library. 1800, McFarland's House. 1802-9, St. Mark's Church.. 1803-15, The Light House. 1806, Geo. Heriot's Travels. 1812, Condolence of Indians. 16 17 18 .20 18. .20 21 21 .22 1813, Capt. Martin McLellan. 26 1812-13, Inventory of Brock's Sale..24 1812, The Bee Newspaper... 1813, Tecumseh 1813, Wm. Dickson. (2) 22 .25 26 REFERENCE: LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION Presentation of Colors Grimsby at .35 1814. Letter from an American Prisoner... .28 1817, Expenses of Wake at Queenston 1818, Ads. 32 in Spectator. 32 1819, Disputes with John Greer...37 1819, John Goldie, the Botanist...38. 1819, Union Sunday School.........37 1319, Ads. of Library 1819, Gourlay's Trial 1821, Statutes re Debtors.... 36 .37 38 1822, Curious Stories of Animals..39 1823, Mrs. Campbell's Losses.....40 1824, Reminiscences of Jno. MeEwen 1825, First Canadian Poem. 39 40 41 1826, Assizes 1826, Dunbar at Brock's Monu- ment 1827, Gleaner Ads. 43 1828, Consecration of St. Mark's Church... 1828, Losses of David Secord.. 1829, Baptist Church. 43 .44 .45 1830, Ads. in Gleaner.. .45 1830, Fire Company. .46 971.33 NIA LHC WELLAND. DUPLIC UDDA #2 �Index (continued) PAGE YEAR 1831, Dock Company.. YEAR PAGE 46 1847, Help for Distress in Ireland..59 47 1832, Debtors in Jail.. 1831, St. Andrew's Dedication.....47 1847, Pigeons, Fever, Telegraph...60 1832, District School Grant. 1848, Physicians... 1848, Falls Dry, Bridge.. 1848, Free Schools..... .48 1832, Meeting at Court House.....49 1832-3, High School Plans... .50 1847, Emigrants... ......59 .60 .61 .61 1832, Dock Company.... 49 1848-9, Mechanics' Institute. 1833, Views of Drinking... 50 1850, Telegraph. .62 1834, Tea Furnished to Toronto...50 1850, Provincial Fair. 1824-1837, 1851, Queenston Bridge. Losses of David cord.. Se44 1837, Slave Riot. 1837, Rebellion. .51 52 1837, Fish Caught. .52 1838, Mrs. Wait. 1839, Town Bell. 1840, Indignation Meeting. 53 1841, Canada Spelling Book. 54 1841, Former Graveyard.. 1841, Indian 52 52 .54 Contributions to Brock's Monument. ..............54 62 .63 .64 1851, Free Schools....... 1857, Petitions re 63 Licenses..... 1852, Park and Mechanics' tute. .63 Insti.64 1853, Removal of Brock's Body...64. 1853, Slave Rescued... .65 1854, Abigail Becker.. 66 1855, Prohibition Asked. 1855, Tornado.. 1857, John .67 .67 Whitmore and Hoople Meet....... Mrs. .69 1844, Stained Glass Window.. 55 1858-1873, Progress of Town........68 1844, Chair for Old 55 1860, Laura Secord Signed Clerk.. 1845, Great Storm. Peti- 56 tion to Prince of Wales...........69 1841-6, Temperance Society. .56 1860, Visit of the Prince of Wales 70. 1847, Launch of Magnet... .57 1869, The Veterans of Queenston 1847, School Population... 54 Heights... .70 8 553 �Preface N the custody of the Niagara Historical Society are many papers printedinNiagarainthe earlyyears of the Nineteenth Cent ury, and also the closing years of the Eighteenth Century. Many interesting items from them were given by the President of the Society to the Niagara Times. Besides the Mail, Chronicle and Reporter, there are copies of The Gleaner, Telegraph, Spectator, Herald, Argus, Spirit of the Times, not forgetting the Upper Canada Gazette of 1793. These shew the difference between Niagara then and now, the progress of the world, the notabilities of the past, etc. So began Histor ical Item Number One, continued from 1896 to 1915, when the Times ceased to exist, the last item being Number 285. It has been strong. ly urged that we should print extracts from them in order of date to form a pamphlet. �Extracts from Niagara Papers 1759 Ia a letter from Rev. Jno. Ogilvie, who ministered to the Royal American Regiment at Fort Niagara in 1759, after its conquest from the French. "In this fort is a very handsome chapel and the priest, who was of the Order of St. Francis, was the French king's chaplain to the garrison. I performed divine service here in this church every day during my stay here." This reference to the chapel is interesting, as in it were buried two English officers, General Prideaux and Colonel Johnson, and many attempts have been madeto locate their graves. his diary: In the life of Sir Wm. Johnson is an entry from "On the 28th of July we buried General Prideaux and Colonel Johnson in the chapel, with great form." On the authority of Peter A. Porter, the chapel, which was Roman Catholic, was taken down and removed to Fort Schlosser. The question arises, were the bodies removed to the military graveyard? A Miss Hosmer states that when she was a girl at school there was a monument to General Prideaux near the altar tomb, to Amasa Snow Excavations were made and remains found, but because no military buttons were seen it was not, thought the right spot was found; forgetting the fact that in those days they buried in a shroud, and as he was not buried for several days there was ample time for preparation. the battle-field would Soldiers buried on retain their military clothing. It has been thought that there should be a monument to two British soldiers who gave their lives for Britain's glory. Lately, Jno. Ross Robertson found in the British Museum a map shewing the position of the chapel, which can now be pointed out in the parade ground. 1776 Mrs. Bowman Spohn, of Ancaster, wrote an account in 1861 for Dr. Ryerson's History of the U. E. hardships in coming to Canada. Loyalists of the "When their home was pillaged, the 3 �sick mother and children took refuge on the Mohawk River. fall the commander of the British forces at Fort Niagara, In the hearing of their destitute condition, sent out a party with some Indians to bring them in. They brought five families, viz: Nelles, Secord, Young, Buck, and Bowman; five women and thirty one children, and only one pair of shoes among them. ber, 1776. They arrived there on the 30th of Novem- In the Spring of 1777 my father joined Butler's Rangers. His brother, only nine years of age, went as a fifer. In 1789, the year of the famine, their only food was the leaves of trees, milk and fish. As soon as the wheat was ripe they rubbed it out and boiled it as a great treat." 1778 1783 Strange stories are told of the hardships of the United Empire Loyalists in reaching Canada, in wagons, on foot, by water, long and arduous journeys, the help given them by rations from Fort Niagara. The name of McGregor Van Every oc- curs in the census taken by Col. Butler in 1783. Mr. Van Every tells that they were the first settlers in East Flamborough and came from the Mohawk Valley, took six weeks to travel to Montreal. "My moth er carried the first plow share here. In fording a river on rafts, fore ing the cattle to swim, they took to pieces the farming implements and carried them separately. There were three houses at Hamilton and the board shanty of Robert Rand. white oak. My father's house was of There were five brothers; one returned to find a young girl whom he loved, and found her in three days fastened to a tree; he cut her thongs. Later he made known his love, but she was prom- ised." D. W. Smith's notebook tells of a method of crossing the river: "Nineteen covered wagons, conveying families, came to settle in Lincoln County. The way they cross the river is remarkable. of the wagon is of close boards. The body They caulk the seams and by shift- ing off the body it transports the wheels and the family to the other side, and the vehicle is then put together again." 1780 1782 The story of the Gilbert Captivity published in 1784 is connected with Niagara and gives several facts, confirms dates and gives several names familiar to us, shewing the 4 �kindness shewn to these captives, and money and present expended to purchase them from the Indians, so that they were all finally, ex- cept the father, who died from hardships, returned to their homes in Pennsylvania, first being sent in British vessels to Montreal. The Gilbert family (Quakers) fifteen in number, were captured in April, 1780, by Indians, carried off and endured many hardships, travelling to the Seneca country. Several of them reached Fort Niagara and were kindly treated by Col. Guy Johnson and different British of- cers, among them being Capt. Dace, Capt. Powell, also Mrs. Powell. Mrs. Frey is mentioned as giving money to free some of them. They crossed Niagara, in over to what was then called Butlersburg, now 1782, Newark, where Elizabeth stayed in the home of John Secord for over a year, where she felt so at home that she called Mrs. Secord "mamma." She was visited here by her brother, Abner, and taken over to Fort Niagara to see other members of the family, and finally purchased from the Indians who claimed her. They were gathered from many quarters where the Indians had separated from one another, and in 1782 they met in their former home. Col. Clans, then in Montreal, is mentioned as interesting himself in their favor. The story is valuable and interestoing t us, as shewing that John Secord's home was near NiagaraDuring the Revolution, we have the names of seven Secords who settled in this neighborhood, at Niagara, Queenston and St. where their descendents are still found. Some of the Davids, women and children came in 1777, while the men were in the army. 1782 From the Archives obtained by Capt. Cruikshank : "24th August, 1782. Settlement of Niagara. Col. Butler took the first census of the There were sixteen families, eighty-four per- sons, forty-nine horses, sixty cattle, one hundred and three hogs, thir- ty sheep, and two hundred and thirty seven acres cleared. The state- ment also gives the number of bushels raised that year of wheat, oats, potatoes, and Indian corn. The names of settlers given are: Isaac Dolson, Peter Secord, John Secord, Jas. Secord, Geo. Stuart, Geo. Fields, Jno. Depue, Dan. 5 �Rowe, Elijah Phelps, Phil. Bender, S. Lutz, Michael Showers, H. House, T. McMicken, A. Young, McG. Van Every. is included in the list. One male slave In 183 among the new names are: Barnard Frey, A. Bradt, B. Pawling, Jacob Ball, Peter Ball, Brant Johnson, J. Chisholm, Jas. Forsythe; and the number of cleared acres, 373. Mill at Palatine Hill, 1784 One of the first mills was that of Capt. the Home Government had sent machinery. far and near with their grist. Daniel Servos, to which The settlers came from It was about 200 yards above the pre- sent iron bridge over the creek on the Lake Shore Road. merged timbers still mark where it stood. store carried on. A few sub- There was also a general From some old account books, extracts are made, shewing prices then and names of early settlers, most of them United Empire Loyalists. June 10th, 1784, Messrs. Street and Butler are charged lumber at $20 per thousand; Mrs. Frey is charged $7.50 for with 100 lbs. of flonr; Jno. Clement paid $3.38 for three pecks of salt; Capt. Peter Ten Broeck bought deer skins at 63 cts. each; Isaac Vrooman bought wheat at $1.00 per bushel; Samuel Street is charged with elk skins at 14s. each, 6 bear skins at 20s. each, and 3 marten at 5s, cach. 1784 1790 In two bulky volumes of the Ontario Archives may be found much the United Empire Loyalists. curious information of the losses of In 1783 a Commission of five mem- bers was appointed to classify the losses and services. They sat in London, (England), Halifax, St. John, Quebec and Montreal. Many found it impossible to go so far, so that many names of Loyalists do not appear in the lists. By April, 1788, 1,680 clainas had been examined and 834 not heard, and nearly $3,000,000 allowed. A transcript had been placed in the Public Record Office in London. The manner in which another copy was obtained is another example of the curious "finds" we hear of. One of the Commissioners, Col. Dundas, of Carron Hall, Scotland, was visited by a relative from Canada, who saw the manu6 �script and persuaded him to place it in the Smithsonian Institute of Washington in 1860. The Ontario Government granted a sum of money to copy it or our Archives. Claims were lodged to the amount of $47,000,000, and the total outlay on the part of Britain amounted to $30,000,000 to 2,560 persons. Witnesses were required, which made the expense of travelling so far, too heavy. To us the familiar names of Ball, Secord, Servos, Field, Freel, Butler, Clement, Claus, Crysler, Johnson, Merritt, McMicking, Nelles, and Warner occur. To understand the losses of those who remained faithful to the king, it must be understood that property could not be sold nor debts collected, many were subjected to imprisonment or were slain, some were actually tarred and feathered for their loyalty. Their sufferings in reaching Canada and their hardships there in the "hungry year" have only been partially told. By Jay's treaty of 1794 they were to be recompensed by the United States for their losses, but this was never done, and Jay was burned in effigy when he returned to the United States. 1789-1790 Archives Land Board Since a new survey of the town has been made it may be interesting to refer to the different plans for the town. On the 29th of March, 1790, Mr. Augustus Jones produced a plan for the first township. On the 31st of March it was proposed that the cen- tre of the township on the bank of the Niagara River be the proper place and that the lots 15, 16, 17, 18, in the centre at present in the possession of Gilbert Field and others be procured for that purpose. On 25th August the inhabitants asked that a part of the lands near Navy Hall be granted for a town. On 20th June, 1791, the town is to be called LENOX, with a font of three-quarters of a mile. On 24th June the outlines of the town are to be run west of Navy Hall. A document of 1795 gives a plan of the town west of King Street with the names of owners of lots numbered from 1 to 412. Another of 1830 gives the owners then. After the town was burned, orders were given in the summer of 7 �1814, when an attack was expected, that all the brick walls and chim- neys still standing should be pulled down, lest they give shelter to the enemy. In a letter to General Drummond it was recommended that the site of the town be changed to the other side of Fort George, as safe from attack, but this the people refused to do, and began rebuilding on the old site. In a map of 1817 procured from the Archives at Ottawa, the houses and barns built up again can be easily counted. In a map of 1822 by Capt. Vavassour the common was to be laid out in streets. In the maps of 1817 and 1835 the buildings of Butler's Barracks all appear as now; also the Indian Council House, which became the Military Hospital. In the map of 1799 the buildings called Navy Hall appear. In later maps only one building is seen, still called Navy Hall. In 1822 the town was extended east of King Street, and differ- ent names were given as Queen Street became Picton Street from King Street, Prideaux Street became Ricardo Street, Johnson Street became Platoff Street, and Gage Street became Castlereagh Street. 1791 In the Crown Lands Departmen is the following, which may shed some light on where the first Masonic Lodge was situat- ed: "Land Board met at Niagara 24th June, Gordon, commanding Upper Posts; Col. 1791. Present Col. Butler, Peter Ten Broeck, Robt. Hamilton, Benj. Pawling, Jno. Burtel, Jno. Warren, Jno. Me- Nabb, Lieut. Bruyere, Royal Engineers. The Board authorize a Public House to be built on the corner lot at the east end of the town, adjoining the river, and a Masons' Lodge next to it. This gives reason to suppose that the Lodge was opposite the El. leott House, but later investigations in the Crown Lands gave certain information that the "Lodge" was on lot 33, and in another place the words "the Masons' Lodge." By a strange coincidence, the present Masonic Lodge is on the very spot in the building formerly called the "Stone Barracks," built �about 1816 by Jno. Eaglesum. It is said he carried the stones to build it from the ruins of the town. The phrase, "on the next to it," which has been taken to mean the next plot to it, may mean the corne next to it. The town then only extended to King Street and the Public House was the east end of the town. The Historical Society placed a marker on the author. ity of the first statement, which now should be altered, although the building may first have been close to the river, or later orders farther up, but lot 31 is certainly the corner of King and Prideaux Streets. August 24th, 1792 In the old Register of St. Mark's Church of Births, Deaths and Marriages, the second entry in the marriages reads: "Captain James Hamilton to Louisa his wife. They had been married by some commanding officer or magistrate, and thought it more decent to have the office repeated." This quaint notice has attracted much attention and investigations have been made. The Michigan Historical Society states that the marriage was performed by Dr. Mitchell, the bride's father, he being a Justice of the Peace. But a grand-daughter of Captain Hamilton has obtained from the Record Book at Mackinaw that the ceremony took place on the 15th November, 1791, and the marriage was per- formed by Capt. Charleton, of the 5th Regiment, Commandant of the Post of Michilimackinac. Agricultural Society The bride's father was Dr. Mitchell. 1792 Silver Snuff Box Two doeuments give evidence of the first Agricultural Society in Upper Cana-Ja, at Niagara, one the diary of Col. Clark, the other the record of the Ni- agara Library, dating from 1800. In the dlary: "Governor Simcoe subscribed ten guineas to the Agricultural Society in 1793. My father was a member. I remember the monthly dinners given by the members and the great silver snuff box ornamented with the "Horn of Plenty" on its lid. 1 wonder what has become of that old box? It most deservedly onght to be kept among the Archives of Canada. 9 �It always remained with the house-keeper who had to supply the next monthly dinner. It was the property of the President PRO TEM for the year, and at the annual meeting, when a new one passed into his hands. was chosen. It was a piece of fine workmanship, and I trust it may yet turn up and remain an heirloom to tell posterity at what an early age agriculture was encouraged here." The second reference is in the old Record Book of the Niagara Library of 1800. It appears that the Agricultural Society had a lib- rary of fifty valuable works, which they presented to the Library in 1805, in consideration of the fees of certain members in arrears being remitted, they being also members of the Society, and that a share in the Library be given to others who are members of the Agricultural Society. Jane Crooks, eldest daughter of the late Francis Crooks, was admitted to a share in right of her father as a member of the So- ciety. Thus history repeats itself, as the daughters of Zelophehad in Bible history demand and obtain their share of land, so Miss Crooks demands a right in the benefits of the library. A few of the books are: Youngs' Agriculturist (14 volumes); Museum Rusticus (6 volumes); Gentleman Farmer; Bath Papers (5 vols.); etc. Newspapers, 1793 - 1913 By reference to copies in the Historical Building, twenty-three newspapers have been published in it is shewn Niagara. that Their names and dates are: The Upper Canada Gazette, 1793-8; The Constellation, 1799-1800; Herald, 1801-2; Freeman's Journal, 1809-10; The Bee, 1812; Spectator, 1817-8; Gleaner, 1817-1837; Argus, 1820; Canadian, 1824; Herald, 1828-1830; Spirit of the Times, 1830; erary Miscellany, 1832; The News, 1832; Reporter, Ark, Lit- 1832-1842; The 1835; Telegraph, 1836; Chronicle, 1837-1854; Argus, 1844-6; Mail, 1846-1870; Fountain, 1847; The News, 1870; The Echo, 1884; The Times, 1894-1914. And in the vicinity: St. Davids Spectator, 1816; Upper Canada Phoenix, 1818, at Dundas; Farmers' Journal, 1826, at St. Catharines 10 �1793 First Printing Press in Upper Canada In the Museum in the Normal School Building, Toronto, are two relies which might well have a place in Niagara. Upper Canada Gazette of 1793. The printing press used in printing the When the Historical Collection was visited by Col. Neilson, of Quebec, and he saw some copies of the Gazette of 1794, he wrote in the Visitors' Book: "My grandfather, John Neilson, sent his workman, Louis Roy, to Niagara to print the Upper Canada Gazette." The printing press was removed to Toronto, when, in 1798, the paper was printed there, as the capital was changed to Toronto. The other relie is the imposing stone used by the Mail, given by Mr. Kirby, the editor. It had been used by the Constellation in 199, and possibly by the U. C. Gazette. 1793 First Brick House in the Province A document in the Reference Library, Toronto, gives us information as to the first brick house in the province. It is the memorial of William Dickson, of Newark, merchant, to His Excellency, J. Graves Simcoe. "That your memor ialist has resided there for six years past in the town now called New ark and has expended to a considerable extent in buildings and im- provements; that your memorialist considers it some merit to have built the first brick house in the province; he has one town lot, but finds it inadequate to his wants; your memoralist is without a pasture for horse or cow; without any place for the purpose of an orchard, for the raising of hay or vegetables for domestic use"; and asks for land above Navy Hall; and thinks himself deserving of twenty acres, more or less." 1793 Navy Hall, Nov. 4th Ina document to Portland, signed by J. Graves Simcoe, the Lient.. Governor, occurs the following passage: "Last year I hutted the Queen's Rangers as well as possible close to Niagara, and I fitted up 11 �the King's Barracks and storehouses to contain the officers of government and to accommodate the Legislature of the Province, for some time have their annual assembly at that place. who must These temp- orary buildings I thought a great public saving to refit, as it is most probable they may be required hereafter for various governmental purposes." 1793 Old Record Book ToWN MEETING RECORDS. At a meeting of the inhabitants electors of the Township of Newark, for the appointment of parish and town officers, William Mollynox, constable, presiding; Ralph Clench, town clerk; assessors, collectors, pound-keepers, and fence-viewers were ap pointed. The name Newark is used till 1799; but after, that of Ni- agara. 1794 The Upper Canada Gazette or American Oracle, Vol. 1, No. 17, Thursday, August 14th, 1794, printed by Louis Roy, Newark, (although Vol. 2, December 16th, 1794, is printed by G. Tif- fany). It is a sheet of 14 by 10 inches, and is a great contrast to the papers of a century later. There are no illustrations, except the "Royal Coat of Arms, G. R.," when "good old King George" reigned. There are no personals, no poetry, no stories, no editorials, no jokes, no telegraphic despatches. What, then, are the contents? First: A proclamation, signed John Graves Simcoe, "from George the Third to onr well beloved and faithful Legislators, Counsellors of our Province of Upper Canada, to meet at the Town of Newark on the 22d day of September, to treat, do and conclude upon those things which favour of God may be ordained. Navy Hall. by the Dated at our Government House, Wm. Jarvis, Secretary." Another proclamation offers £50 reward for bringing to justice those who passed in a batteau the garrison of Niagara, carrying contraband goods, and when followed by Sergt. Lawson, of the 5th Regt. of Foot, refused to come to shore and fired twice on the Sergeant and his party, in defiance of the laws and contempt of our Lord and King. 12 �Another long n tice from the Council Chamber, May 24th, signed John Small, resolves : That those who have taken up land without having been located by the Surveyor-General, although authorized by the Commanding Officer, must give in a memorial of it, so that proper grants may be made." Another notice from the Secretary's Office (Mr. Jarvis) relates to an Act to lay and collect a duty on stills, declares they shall pay one shilling and three pence on every gallon which the still may be capable of obtaining. The latest An infringement on this incurs a fine of ten pounds. news is from the Philadelphia papers, news from Frankfort, Apr. 10th; Tournay, Valenciennes, Philadelphia, June 30th and July 3rd; apparently news six and ten weeks old. The Niagara News gives the arrival of His Majesty's armed ves sel "Mississauga," with the Right Reverend Lord Bishop of Quebec, who confirmed a respectable number ot young persons who presented themselves August 14th, 1794. On Monday the magistrates and principal inhabitants presented an address to the Right Reverend, Father in God Jacob by Divine permission Lord Bishop of Quebec. Both address and reply are given in full. Several advertisements are signed by D. W. Smith, Acting Surveyor-General. A notice to Free Masons reads thus: "A meeting of the mem- bers of St. John's Lodge, No. 19, will be held in the lodge room, Newark, on the second Tuesday of Oct ber at 11 o'clock a. m. Signed, Ralfe Ciench, secretary." Another advertisement is interesting to us at the present time of enlistments "TEN GUINEAS BOUNTY MONEY. To all loyal and gal- lant subjects: Recruits wanted for His Majesty's 1st American Regiment of Queen's Rangers. Fifty active young men. Gentlemen vol- unteers, healthy and stout, shall receive ten guineas bounty on approval as fit for active service of the regiment, enter into free quart- ers, be cloathed, accoutred, victualed and paid agreeably to His Maj. esty's regulations. None need apply to Lieut. Brooking at Niagara but such as are perfectly fit for the most active service; five feet, four and a half inches high, healthy and stout." 13 �1795 Slavery Although it is generally supposed that slavery was done away with at once, it must be understood there were conditions in the Act. attaining a certain age. Some were free at once, some at Here is a strange advertisement: "For sale for three years, by year or month, a negro wench named Chloe, years old, understands washing, cooking. ceiver General's." 23 Robert Franklin, at Re- In some advertisements of servants or slaves it is given as a recommendation that they have had the smallpox. 30th September, 1794. St. Andrew's Church. In an old leather- bound Record Book the first item reads: "A number of people met this day at Hind's Hotel and resolved that "as religion is the foundation of ali societies, and which cannot be so strictly adhered to without having a place dedicated solely to Divine worship, that a Presbyterian Church should be erected in the town of Newark, and that subscriptions for that purpose be immediately set on foot, as well as for the support of a clergyman of the same persuasion." The committee consisted of John Young, Four-Mile Creek, chairman; Ralfe Clench, Andrew Heron, Robert Kerr, Alexander Gardener, William McLell lan and Alexander Hemphill. 46 x 32 feet. The size of the building is given The subscriptions, the agreement with Rev. Jno. Dun. The church was burned in September, 1813. by the enemy, as it was claimed that its spire was used for taking observations. The schoolhouse, partly burned, was repaired and used for service till 1831, when the present church was built. Nov. 4th, 1794 Council Chamber, Navy Hall. Excellency, John Graves Simcoe. Present His Read the pe- tition of John Young, Esq., on behalf of a number of inhabitants of the Presbyterian persuasion, Town of Newark. ous of erecting church and school house, "te. four lots be granted for that purpose. 14 Fetitioners are desir- Prays that a square of Ordered-by the Honorable �Signed, John Small. Executive Council, that the same be granted. January 25th. Mrs. Ker, the wife of Dr. Ker, was the daughter of Sir Wm. Johnson and Mollie Brant. Cemetery. 1795 She is buried in St. Mark's The stone is the oldest there. La Rochefoucault de Liancourt spent nineteen days at Navy Hall as the guest of Governor Simcoe. He says: "During our residence at Navy Hall the session of the Legislature of Upper Canada was opened. Dressed in silk, Simcoe entered the hall with his hat on his head, attended by his adjutant and two secretaries." Now, where was the hall? This has been a vexed question. The old building still standing has been spoken of as that where Parliament met. From the evidence of the "oldest inhabitants" sev- eral places are mentioned. By Mrs. Simcoe and Governor Simcoe's letters, Col. Clark, Mr. M'Ewen, and Mrs. Quade, the following places are mentioned: Navy Hall, the Indian Council House, Butler's Bar racks, a Marquee Tent, the Parliament Oak. Each has its advocates, one scouting the others' statements. Now, as Parliament met here five years, it is possible that each of these places can claim the honor. The Parliament Oak seemed to be a myth, but there is generally some truth, if searched for, in the story. If in a tent on a hot day, the shade of a tree would seem soothing. But why that tree? Was it the only one near? But evi- dence, and good evidence, has lately been produced where Parliament met the first day. Littlehales, the secretary, states that the meeting was in the Masonic Hall, which stood where the present Masonic Hall stands (the old stone barracks). Statements have also been made that all the buildings of Navy Hall were burned in the war, and that the present old building was not treated till 1816. The question gives room for further discussion. 4th ob., 1795 No. 3034. Province of Upper Canada Grant to Robt. Kerr, James Muirhead, William Dick son and Isaac Swayze, of the Township of Niagara; and John McFar15 �land, John Young, Andrew Heron, Bernard Frey and John Grier, of the same place, yeomen. In trust for the Presbyterian Congregation of the Town of Niagara, a square of four lots in the said Town of Niagara. An extract from the minutes of Council, Mar. 2d, 1803. 4th Nov., 1795." Thos. Scott. Another document describes the four acres square as Nos. 157, 158, 183, 184, being those now occupied by St. Andrew's Church. Signed, D. W. Smith, Acting Surveyor-General, 11th May, 1795. 1796 In the Upper Canada Gazette, Dec. 12th, 1796, St. John's Lodge of Friendship, No. 2, will meet at Wilson's Tavern, Festival of St. John. Ralfe Clench, sec'y. The members of the Grand Masters' Lodge to meet at Thompson's Hotel to celebrate the Festival of St. John, Dec. 27th. J. MacKay, sec'y. A sermon to be preached at the Presbyterian Meeting House in this town, being the Anniversary of St. John. 1797 On Jan. 4th, Lodges 2 and 4 of Free and Accepted Masons, clothed in badges and preceded by a band of music playing Masonic airs, walked in procession to the Presbyterian Meeting House, when Rev. J. Dun delivered an excellent and philanthropic discourse, amidst the deep attention of a crowded audience. The thanks of Lodges 2 and 4 were given afterwards for the excellent and liberal discourse. Thos. Clark, sec'y, Lodge 2. Richard Cockrel, sec. Lodge 4. In Philanthrophy Lodge, No. 4, at a meeting of the lodge in their room, Newark, it was resolved to establish a fund for the benefit of Free Masons' widows and orphans and indigent Brothers' children. 1799 Festival of St. John In 1799, Festival of St. John, Grand Lodge and them at Charles Field's at 2 p. m., procession to church. 16 others Sermon join by �Rev. Bro. Addison, Grand Chaplain. This must have been St. And rew's Church, as St. Mark's was not started till 1802. 1796 Giving Up of Fort Niagara Correspondence with re speet to giving up of Fort Niagara to the U. S., which was the last fort given up. held by part of the 5th Regt and was given up 11th August, It was 1796. A celebration of this event was held 11th August, 1896, the centen- ary of that event. The period of thirteen years between 1783 and 1796 is called the "hold over period," as Britain retained certain forts as a guarantee that compensation would be given for losses, as promised by Jay's Treaty. 鹦缀 1798 The Count's House." Hearing the expression often, "The Count's House," it had seemed a myth, as no explanation had been given, but on visiting the Archives in Ottawa the whole story was made plain from the documents found there. During the French Revolution many had fled to England, always the refuge of the oppressed foreigner, and the Brit- ish Government gave them assistance and support A plan was form:- ed for a military settlement in Canada by the Count de Puisaye and it was expected that two hundred would go, but only forty-seven ventured, and it was a venture, going from Sunny France in winter to build huts in Canada. The settlement was in Markham, north of To- ronto, but not proving a success, notwithstanding the assistance given, nearly all returned to France. The Count de Puisaye obtained 200 acres of land on the Niagara river, two miles from Niagara, built a house in 1799, a long low building with dormer windows, which still stands on the property of W. K. Jackson. General de Puisaye lived here till 1802, when he returned to England, as he was in bad odour, both with the Royalist and Republican party, the former blaming him for his part in the disaster at Quieron. Ho married his house. keeper, Mrs. Smithers, whose name is given in the list. There are de- scendants of her son, who assu:ned the name of Kent, and several val17 �uable relics are in this country, as the sword given the Count by his friend, William Pitt, in 1794, which has this inscription. also the portraits of the Count and Countess, There are the latter the French Countess whom he had married in France. The house was used as a store at one time, and has at one end a brick building supposed to have been used, but whether for weapons, for wine, or for sto age, has nev er been settled. In the letter-book of the Hon. Richard Cartwright, grandfather of Sir Richard, lately presented to Queen's University, are many points interesting to us. They seem to have been friends. Fruit trees were sent for, and it is said till lately a fine variety of pear of unknown name still flourished, supposed to have come from France. The house of D. W. Smith, with the four acres, now called the Town Block or the Market Square, was offered for sale with an endowment of 160 acres for a Seminary. The objection made was that it was in range of the guns of Fort Niagara. A plan of the building is in the Reference Library, and it was described as the best house in town, with fine gardens. Half of the four acres became military prop- erty, and the whole finally town property, which it still is, all the owners of houses paying ground rent. The house is described as 80 x 40 feet, with large rooms, and four fireplaces. It must have been situated about where the electric car station now is. 1799 The Wilderness An article by Miss Jean Earle Geeson gives many particulars of this pictur- esque spot, one of the most historic in the town, and containing one of the oldest houses. There are also several magnificent trees, one a Balm of Gilead with a girth of sixteen feet and two hundred feet in height, which in early times was a guide to fishermen steering for home. An old oak is nearly twenty feet in girth, and numerous syca- mores and an old weeping willow and fine stately pines add to the wild beauty of the scene. Here Chief Brant and his followers pitched their tents when they came once a year for their presents or to trade with Governor Simcoe. The property first belonged to Robert Pilk18 �ington, of the Royal Engineers, who purchased it from the Crown in 1796. The Indians, to show their gratitude to Mrs. Ann Claus, the wife of Daniel Claus, and the daughter of Sir William Johnson, raised money to purchase it by surrendering a part of their land on the Grand River, and presented it in 1799, 31st Dec. On her death it belonged to Col. Wm. Claus, whose diary at Port George shows that he was one of the last to leave when the Fort was taken by the Amer icans 27th May, 1813. He says: "At the time I went out of the breach by the octagon blockhouse a flag came in at the gate." told that at the time the town It is was burned, Mrs. Taylor, the wife of Fort Major Taylor, took refuge here with her four children in an old root house, which is still known by the name of the "Pitt." An- other spot was a large dugout, where forty wounded men lived part of that winter. The present house, part of it built in 1816, is said to he the shape of "Longwood," occupied by Napoleon in St. Helena. An attempt to open the street in 1822 which should run right in front of the house was frustrated, as a road closed for sixty years can not now be opened, so that instead of the usual four acre block there is here an eight acre block with no thoroughfare." 1800 A document of 1794 gives power to John McFarland, of Niagara, the true and loving Attorney of McFarlane & Gibbs of Montreal. The brick house on the River Road was built in 1800. In 1813 John McFarland was sent as a prisoner of war to Greenbush. On his tombstone in St. Mark's: "Finding his property burned up and destroyed by the enemy, it enervated him so much that he died in a few months after, in the 64th year of his age." This must have been a house in town, as given in the list of houses burned in December, 1813. The brick house is still standing and in good order was used as a hospital during the war, as was also the home of George Field farther up, where they show the cannon ball which pierced the brick wall. 19 �8th June, 1800 When, by the merest chance, I laid my hands on an old brown leather covered book, I had no idea of the rich treat it was to prove. By it was shown that in these early days there was in Niagara a valuable library, well supported. The book contained the list of proprietors and of their payments and those of non-subscribers, catalogue of the library, money expended, rules and regulations, account of annual meetings, contingent meetings, list of books taken out, alphabetical list of subscribers, There were at first forty-one names of proprietors, afterwards more; the church, the army, the civil service, the yeomanry, several names from Fort Niagara, U. S., and names from as far as thirty miles distant, several names of women, too. were burned when The library existed till 1820. Some books the town was burned, many were saved. The members paid on joining, sums from four dollars up to nine, and an annual fee of one to three dollars. There were 1,000 books in the lib- rary, chiefly history, travel, religious, valuable reviews, but few of fic tion. The first entry reads: Niagara Library, Sth June, 1800. Sensible how much we are at a loss in this new and remote country for every kind of useful knowledge, and convinced that nothing would be of more use to diffuse knowledge amongst us and our offspring than a library, supported by subscription, in this town, we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, hereby associate ourselves together for that purpose, and promise to pay annually a sum not exceeding four dollars, to be laid out in books, as agreed upon by a majority of votes at a yearly meeting to be held by us at this town on the 15th August, annually, when everything respecting the library will be regulated by the na jority of votes." The first name signed is An Irew Heron, who a great part of the time acted as librarian, secretary and treasurer, gratuitously. The book was found in a drawer in the Vestry Room of St. An- drew's Church, where it had lain probably seventy years 1802 1809 St. Mark's Church From the annual reports of the S P. G. (Society for the Propagation of the Gospel) certain information has been obtained 20 �as to when St. Mark's Church was built. Extracts from been sent by Mr. Cyril Rudolf, of London, these have England, and since then by Prof. Young, of Trinity College, Toronto. It has generally been stated that research it was erected in 1792, but from in Archives, early books of travel, and other documents, it had so far been shown that it could not have been begun before 1802. It is of course cer- tain that Rev. R. Addison came out in 1792 as the missionary to all this region, and he kept a careful record of births, deaths and mar riages, which register may be seen, and this fact has given eredence to the belief that the church dates from 1792. In Mr. Addison's report to the S. P. G. he says: "Dec. 29th, 1804. The congregation rather increases, and they begin seriously to talk of building a chare. 1st, 1805. The church is begun and half up. church advances slowly. July 5th, July 1807. The The floors, however, are laid and the wind- ows nearly ready for glazing. ten the first coat of plaster. Jan. 2nd, 1808. Jan. 5th, 1810. The church has gotThe church is so far finished that Divine Service has been constantly performed there since last August." 1806 George Herot's Travels "On the western bank is the British earth and cedar pickets. fort, constructed of Beneath the fort and on the border of the river are several buildings, consisting of store houses and barracks, one of which is called Navy Hall, contiguous to a wharf (King's wharf). A swamp in the vicinity is prejudicial to the health of the inhabitants and the troops of the garrison. A plain intervenes, ex- tending a mile between the town and Fort George. The houses in general are of wood, and may amount to two hundred. The streets are spacious, and are laid out at right angles to each other, so that the town will be healthy and airy. On Mississauga Point on the west side of the river a lighthouse has lately been erected." 1802-1815 The Ligthouse The lighthouse which stood near where stands was built in 1803. Fort Mississauga now We have had much information from Miss 21 �Quade, of Ransomvile, whose mother was the daughter of Henry, the lighthouse keeper. Dominick A picture obtained from J. Ross Rob- ertson shews the lighthouse and the keeper's house, and a copy from the Archives shews the plan. Mrs. Quade was born there in 1804, and was present and remembers the day when the town was taken and the night when the town was burned. Many people brought valuables to store in their home, which was not burned, as the lighthouse was valuable to both sides. She tells that the tower or fort was built partly of bricks from the ruins of the town, and it is true that broken bricks can be seen in the walls. Niagara Bee, Oct. 24th, 1812 This is another example of the odd corners, in may be discovered. which history A page of an old newspaper, the Niagara Chron- icle, August, 1838, had been used as the lining for the lid of a trunk, from which it was removed as perfectly as its cracked state would al- low, by two sympathetic young ladies, for Mrs. Curzon, whose interest in Canadian history was well known. The article in the Niagara Bee, Oct. 24th. 1812, had been reproduced in the Niagara Chronicle, Aug. 22nd, 1838. The battle is described with particularity, and a different rendering given of the famous words attributed to General First it is told that on galloping past Brown's Point, where some of the York Volunteers were posted, he called out: "Push On, Volunteers!" Brock. York Another account gives it as his last words in ascend- ing the mountain, but this version says: "Push On, Never Mind" (ME, it is supposed to be, as the paper is mutilated.) It is possible both accounts were true, the one at Brown's Point, the other while as- cending the hill. The Bee was started in July, 1812, at Niagara, by James Durand. Nov. 6th, 1812 In the Michigan Historical Society publications are many things interesting to Niagara, such as council meetings of Indians and Military in 1793, 22 1795, ete. "At a �general council of condolence held at the Council House, Fort George, Nov. 6th, Claus, 1812, with Dep. Supt. the Six Nations, Hurons, Gen.; Capt. Norton, Capt. J. etc. B. Present Wm. Roussiaux, etc. Little Cayuga Chief, Speaker, said: "Brothers, we therefore now see- ing you darkened with grief, your eyes dim with tears, and your throat stopped with the force of your affliction, with these strings of wam- pum we wipe away your tears, we clear the passage in your throats that you may have free utterance for your thoughts, and we wipe clear from blood the place of your abode. That the remains of your late beloved friend and commander, General Brock, shall receive no injury, we cover it with this belt of wampum, which we do from the grateful sensations which his friendship toward us inspired us with, as also in conformity with the customs of our ancestors." There had been many meetings of Indians in Niagara before this, in 1791, 1793, 1795 and 1802. Several of these were held in the Free Masons' Hall, and names of well known chiefs are given: Jacket, Farmers' Red Brother, Cornkiller, and also we find that Joseph Brant was present at some of the meetings. When Fort Niagara was given up by the British in 1796, word was sent to the U. S. officer that there were three thousand Indians to be victualled at the Fort. At these meetings a regular ritual is observed, and much figura- tive language preserved to the present day, as at a meeting of the Ontario Historical Society at Oshwekin, when Chief A. G. Smith gave the address of welcome to the council fires from the Six Nation Indi- ians, his speech being marked by dignity and oratorical powers of no mean order, closing thus: "We will pull out the thorns that have penetrated your shoes and wash your feet with pure cold water to refresh you, for we meet not as strangers, but as brothers, whose fathers have fought side by side in the past in defence of the country; may the Great Spirit, who has guided you on your way, watch over you on your homeward journey." 1813 Fort George Although iu the double star ramparts of Fort George there are no buildings but the stone powder magazine and the caretaker's house, there were a num23 �ber of buildings, four blockhouses, all of a good size, one 100 ft. by 30 another 44 x 24, north and south blockhouse the same size, octagon blockhouse, 28 ft. in diameter; another for stores, The officers' pavilion, 120 x 20, with wings 20 x 20. was a good building, 70 x 26. magazine. A guard house, And there were kitchens detached soldiers' quarters. an 90 x 26. The hospital 48 x 20. from and the A powder officers' and The fort was defended by forty-eight guns of dif- ferent sizes, from three-pounders to eighteen-pounders. When on the 27th of May, 1813, the American force was seen approaching, sixteen sail vessels and 134 boats and scows, with a force of 6,000 men, Gen- eral Vincent had only 567 all told, consisting of forty men of New- foundland Regiment, ninety of the Glengarry Light Infantry, 310 of the 8th or King's Regiment, and 100 of the Lincoln Militia, twenty-seven of Captain Runchey's Negro Company. Creek there were fifty Indians, under Norton. with At Two Mile 2,300 of the Ameri- can force landed at once, and were repulsed twice, but our force gave way, but were rallied by Col. Harvey, who brought a few of the 49th, and made a stand at the Presbyterian Church, and again at near the Indian Council House. and Vincent sen: word to Col. Wm. Claus to evacuate Fort George join and later him at Queenston, they reached Burlington Heights. Many of the people had left the town One incident may be told Mrs. Cassidy went to Butler's Farm for safety. who afterwards back. became Mrs. Whitten, carried Her daughter, her brother on her On the next day the mother returned to see if she could go to her home She found it occupied by officers, who asked if she had made the bread they found in the house, and agreed if she would return they would supply 100 lbs. of flour, and if she would give them one hundred pounds of bread, she could have the rest for herself. of which shewed that Mrs. Cassidy made good bread. All During the seven months occupation by the Americans, there were only wonen and children, or old men unable to fight, in the town." 1812-1813. Inventory of General Brock's Effects. A curious discovery was lately in de while taking down the house of the late Hon. G. W. Allen, in Toronto. 24 �In the cellar, stuffed into a hole in the wall, a number of pag- es yellow with age were found, being an inventory of the furniture and belongings of the late Sir. Isaac Brock. The greater part was purchased by Major-General Sheaffe, the remainder by Major Glegg, Capt. Brock, Col. Bishop, Major Allen Rev. Dr. Strachan, etc. The articles sold consisted of silver, cut-glass, furniture, wine, carpets, pro visions, etc., the whole amounting to about £800. sold at auction Jan. 4th, 1813. Rev. books, also Major Allen, Mr. Denison, Dr. Powell, Lt. Dickson and Mr The books were Dr. Strachan bought several Mr. Small. Hamilton, Major Givens, Miss Selby bought a sofa and a gig. Among the live stock sold were sheep, pigs, and a cow; and pantry stores preserved cranberries, in the pickled mushrooms, The prices are given in dollars and N. Y. currency. etc. Reminescences of Tecumseh, 1813 Mrs. Van West Every, Flamboro, of told her children, about 1860, what she could remember of the great war- rior, Tecumseh. "The about five miles from ground Indians were near us. West Tecumseh went off Flamboro village, near the great burial where your father and the late Hon. Jas. Crooks dug up the big copper kettles, pipes, beads, clay crocks and tomahawks without number. He was dark copper color, six feet in height, broad should- ered, deep chested. He had long arms, prominent brow, firm chin, Roman nose, piercing eyes and black hair. He wore a t.que of eagle plumes, silver half moon ornaments in his fine robe and beads on moc- casins and leggings. He was quiet, lonesome, proud. stood north of our house. water. He harangued statues of stone. ig "Attention!" His wigwam He often warned his people against fire- thousands of Indians, who were as still as When he raised his arm they said "Hough!" mean He was a man no one could torget, a perfect De- mosthenes in eloquence. He swayed words were like an electric charge. his hearers like reeds. His My brother at 16 would dress up in Indian fashion and repeat the speeches of Tecumseh, which seemed to have fixed themselves in the minds of my mother and brother. Some sentences I remember. They ran as follows: "The Pale Faces who fought against our fathers, the British, are 25 �our enemies They came to us hungry, and they cut off the hands of our brothers, who gave them corn. and they poisoned our fonntains. We gave them rivers full of fish, We gave them mountains and val- leys full of game, and in return they gave our warriors rum and trinkets and a grave. The shades of our slaughtered fathers can rest, their eyes can see no herds on the hills of light in grounds of the dead. find no the hunting Until our enemies are no more we must be as one man, one chief whose name is DEATH!-I have apoken." Tecumseh was a remarkable man. Brave, merciful, he did every- thing in his power to prevent cruelty in his followers. He did what many white men have not done-conquered his love of drink. He travelled from the Gulf of Mexico to the north, trying to form all the tribes of Indians into one Confederacy, and shewed great administrat- ive powers, so that his memory should not be forgotten. X 1813 May 27th X Of those who were killed when the town was taken, we find the record of township in a tablet at the north door of St. a resident of Mark's Church. this Capt. Martin McLellan, whose fa:m was about a mile from town, is the first past the Oak Grove. He had been captured by the Indians when a boy, but restored to his family. It is told that on the evening of the battle, when retreating, he and several others, favored by the heavy fog, went back to spike the guns, but the fog lifting, they were slain. In the Historical Room is an interesting relic: his pocket-book, with his name written by himself, he having left his watch and purse with his wife the night before the battle, saying she would not see him again alive. 14th Aug., 1813 From the Archives was obtained the correspondence between Hon. William Dickson, pris- oner of war, and Gen. Dearborn. ALBANY, 14TH AUG., 1813. SIR:- In behalf of myself and others, whose names are hereunto attached and designated by their different avocations in the 26 District of Ni- �agara, in the Province of Upper Canada, prisoners of war in Albany, in the State of New York, I respectfully call your prompt and animated attention, in your official character, to their case, arising out of a policy of war which had not been anticipated by them. I have there fore to state that on the 27th May last, when General Dearborn's troops entered the town of Niagara and Fort George was evacuated, many inhabitants of Niagara and its vicinity, with their families, un der the existing circumstances and under impressions favorable to the presumed policy of the commander of the forces, remained at their homes. Generals Lewis and Boyd gave me assurance of protection in person and property, and civilities with them and the officers of the army were mutually exchanged." On the 19th June I and others were taken under a guard and confined in a house in the Town of Niagara for two days. We were escorted under guard across the river to the American Fort, remaining there three days under unaccustomed privations. From thence to Batavia, Canandaigua, Geneva and maining at these respective places for some time, Utica, re- making a procrasti- nating route of about three hundred and fifty miles in fifty-seven days. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient, humble servant. WILLIAM DICKSON. List of persons ordered in the custody at Niagara by order of Major-General Dearborn on the 19th, 20th, 21st June, 1913: NON-COMBATANTS. Alexander McDonnell, deputy Paymaster, Gen. of Militia. William Dickson, Esq, Barrister at Law. John Symington, Esq., Merchant, D. M. Paymaster. Joseph Edwards, Esq., Merchaut, Justice of Peace. James Muirhead, Esq., Surgeon, Justice of Peace. Andrew Heron, Merchaat, Niagara. John Grier, Merchant, Niagara. John Baldwin, Merchant, Niagara. John Crooks, Clerk to Jas. Crooks, Merchant, Niagara. Haggai Skinner, Farmer, Falls, 64 years of age. Doan, Farmer. 37 �-Ramsay, boy of Stamford. John McFarland, Boat Builder. William Ross, Commissariat. MILITIA. Ralph Clench, Esq., Clerk of the Peace, Register of Surrogate, Col. of Militia, and Dep. Qr.-M. Gen. John Powell, Esq., Register and Capt. of Militia. George Law, Usher of Leg, and Capt. of Militia. John Decoe, Farmer, Thorold, Capt. of Militia. John McEwen, Merchant, Niagara, Capt. of Militia. John Jones, Taylor, Capt. of Militia. -Baxter, Farmer, Capt. of Militia. Jacob A. Ball, Farmer, Niagara, Capt. of Militia. William Powers, Farmer, Niagara, Lieutenant. Jonathan Williams, Farmer, Niagara, Lieutenant. John Bradt, Farmer, Ensign. A list has been fund with names of those to whom passports were given Dec 11th, 1813: Wm. Dickson. Jos. Edwards, John er, John McFarland, John Crooks, J. Baldwin, A. Heron who Griwere returned to their homes. 9th Jan., 1814 From an original letter of an American prisoner. "QUEENSTON, 9TH JAN., 1814. DEAR SIR- It being very uncertain where my family are at this time, I must request the favor of you to inform Mrs. Lee that I am still a prisoner at the house of Gilbert Fields, that I am well, etc. Will you please to call on Mr. Potter for the balance of the money he has collected from Mabee and London on my account. Also call on Mr. David Beard for $1,000, the amount of the draft I gave him, of which you are knowing. If Mrs. Lee is not near you, please give your receipt for both sums, which shall be good. But in case she is near, I wish her to re28 �ceive the money and receipt thereot-at all events, let her have the money. With respect and esteem, Your obedient servant, AMOS LEE. CAPT. B. CARRYL, Williamsville, New York. 粥粥 July 8th, 1814 Weekly distribution return of the Right Division, Major-General Riall. HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, JULY 8TH, 1814. Fort Niagara, Lt.-Col. Tucker, 41st Regt. Staff: 21 officers. Royal Marine Artillery-Four officers, five sergeants, one drnm- mer, 62 rank and file. 41st and Regt. 25 officers, 29 sergeants, 18 drummers, 466 rank file. 100th Regt. Sergeant, twelve rank and file. Fort George Lieut. Col. Gordon, Royal Scots. Fort Mississauga-Major Evans, 8th Regt, 19th Light Dra- goons; three officers, six sergeants, one bugler, 64 rank and file, four sick. Provincial Light Dragoons-Two officers, three sergeants, 15 rank and file. Royal Engineers Two officers. Sappers and Miners-Six rank and file. Royal Artillery-8 officers, 3 sergeants, 3 buglers, 162 rank and file, two sick. Incorporated Militia Artillery-1 officer, two sergeants, 10 rank and file. Royal Artillery Drivers-One officer, three sergeants, one bugler, 28 rank and file, one sick. 29 �1st Royal Scots-29 officers, 53 sergeants, 22 drummers, 726 rank and file, 153 sick and wounded. Sth Regiment 27 officers, 35 sergeants, 10 drummers, 515 rank 1 and file, 11 sick and 100th wounded. Regiment-5 rank and file, 11 sick and officers, 15 sergeants, 17 drummers, 261 wounded. Incorporated Militia 33 officers, 27 sergeants, 10 drummers, 309 rank and file. Colored Corps One officer, 2 sergeants, 1 drummer, 22 rank and file, fou sick. 26th July, 1814 In the account given by Di. Danlop, often called "Tiger Dunlop," of his share in the War of 1812-1814, he tells of arriving at Niagara in a gunboat the day af- ter the battle of Lundy's Lane, and his waiting on two hundred wounded in a log building at Butler's Barracks. "There was great want of room, many lay on straw on the floor, others in above another, so that it was impossible to get round their wounds. berths one them to dress In the course of the morning I had my hands full. Our surgeon had gone to Scotland in ill health, our senior assistant was exhausted with bringing his wounded down-waggon after wag- gon arrived and before mid-day I found myself in charge of 200 wounded, including my own regiment, prisoners and militia, with no one to assist me but my hospital sergeant, who, luckily for me, man of sound sense and great experience, cond. was a who made a most able se- But with all this, many a poor fellow had to submit to ampu- tation whose limb might have been preserved had th re been time to take reasonable care of it, as it was better to convert a troublesome wound into a simple one to save the patient's life. I never under- went such fatigue as I did on the first week at Butler's Barrack's The weather was intensely hot, the flies were in myriads and lighting on the wounds deposited their eggs so that maggots were bred in a few hours, producing dreadful irritation, so that long before 1 could go round dressing the patients it would be necessary to begin again, and as I had no assistant but my sergeant, our toil was incessant. 30 For �two days and nights I never sat down. When fatigued I sent my rvant down to the river for a change of linen, and having dined and dressed, went back to my work quite refreshed. On the morning of the third day, however, I fell asleep on my feet with my arm embrac ing the post of the berth. It was found impossible to waken me, so a truss of straw was laid on the floor on which I was deposited and a hospital rug thrown over me, and there I slept soundly for five hours without ever turning. My instructions were as soon as a man could be safely removed to ship him to York, and as the whole dist ince was by water conveyance and there were ships of war always in readiness, and as muy men were eminently uncomfortable, I very soon thinned my hospital, and the few that remained were sent to a temporary hospital and I was despatched to Chippawa." 1814 HOPE COTTAGE, 14TH SEPT., FORT GEORGE. This is a letter from Mrs. Jenoway, the wife of the Royal Engineer who built Fort Missusauga and the earthwork fortifications behind Brock's Monument, which have been thought to be the work of Indians, the French or the Americans, so that two points are made clear by this letter in the possession of a lady in St. Catharines : "It is now five months since your brother was made Assistant Engineer at this place. I left York on the 6th June to join my hus band at Queenston, he having been ordered from Fort George to erect fortifications there. Five thousand of the enemy landed at Fort Erie. Mr. Jenoway was left to command Queenston and the fortifications he had constructed, but as our army had to retire afrer a hard hattle, with only fifteen hundred British to oppose so many, consequently your brother had to blow up the batteries and go to Fort George with his men and guns Previous to that I had to retreat with the child- ren at nine o'clock at night. stayed three weeks. We went to the "Twelve," where we My husband has now the entire command at Forts George and Mississauga of the Engineer's Dept. The latter is a large new fort, which he had the direction of at the commencement, 31 �and considered the largest and most important in Upper Canada." (We are indebted to the Hon. J. G. Currie for this information obtained in a letter belonging to Mrs. Saxton, of St. Catharines.) Spectator, St. Davids, 1816 In a copy for May is the fol lowing advertisement, Ralfe Clench: "Materials for building gaol and court house, ara, to be delivered in June and July: 20 toises stone, lime, 200 thousand brick, square oak timber 14x12, signed Niag 330 bushels 20,000 ft. pine lumber, 20,000 ft. 18-inch shingles." From the report of the Loyal and Patriotic Society, learn: 1817, we "The Society granted £25 to Dominick Henry, who kept the lighthouse at Niagara, and was extremely meritorious. His wife was very active in assisting the troops on the 27th May, giving them re- freshments during the battle. 1817 Quite a heroine not to be frightened." A memorandum on an old yellow sheet of paper gives the contrast between then and now. It is a list of the expenses of liquor for the funeral of Mrs. Hewit, of Queenston, in 1817 The items are for four days and include seven kinds of liquor. This is a custom that has fallen into desuetude, and is certainly more honored in the breach than in the observance. Oct. 26th. To 1 1 qt. Madeira wine 27th. brandy 12s. 8s 1 "shrub 1 "Teneriffe 1 "Port wine wine spirits....... 1 28th. 8s. "spirits. 1" 1 "Madeira wine 1 "shrub 1 1 " " 12s. 12s. 12s. 8s. 12s. 88. Teneriffe wine 12s. Port wine 12s. 32 �1 spirits.... 86. gin 6s. 1 " 1 46 1 "Madeira wine. 168. gin 6s. 1 "gin 12s. 1 "Madeira wine.... 1 29th. 12s. brandy " 8s. To cash for liquors at Queenston and ..£3.0.0 digging the grave... The whole amounting to... £12.4.0 In a very rare book the report of the Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada, published in 1817 at Montreal, may be found much relating to Niagara. given. The reasons for the formation of the Society are First The army had neither arms nor clothing; they were first armed at the expense of the enemy; private subscriptions from York; flannel shirts were made by the ladies for companies between Fort Erie and Niagara. ion of Second: For distress of families a subscript- one-tenth of the income of subscribers in Montreal, London in England, Nova Scotia, Jamaica. Quebec, The Duke of Kent, fath- er of Queen Victoria, subscribed liberally; the Militia in Canada gave one day's pay. Rev. Dr. Addison and Dr. Strachan person illy dis- tributed the Nova Scotia fund for those suffering from the burning of Newark. Medals were struck to be given for merit. In the Niagara Peninsula between £4,000 and £5,000 was distributed. George was given £30 from the fund to distribute at 20 Mile Creek. Secord to distribute at St. Davids. Dr. ingly active in assisting the distressed, Muirhead had Ball Mr. been exceed- and although he had lost al- most all at the burning of Niagara, would receive nothing from the Society, but attended patients gratis. A statement is given October, 1817, signed by John Strachan (Bishop Strachan) who was treasurer. At a meeting in March, 1814, it is mentioned that Mr. Clench's house, the only one remianing in town, was burned accidentally on the 14th inst., with clothes, bedding, etc. There were seventeen people living in it, as the Stewarts, who were cousins, had taken refuge there when their house was burned, Ralph Clench, the owner, being a oner of war. 33 pris- �From The Gleaner newspaper, started in 1817, we learn held on the race course made by the Turf Club in 1797. of races A ball given afterwards by the officers of the 70th Surrey in their mess room. Dancing was kept up till five in the morning. Another item tells of a famous apple tree near town which pro duced thirty bushels of apples which would make three barrels of cider worth five dollars a barrel. Sept. 20th, 1817 Here is a curious reference Scott. We remember to Sir Walter how jeasously was guarded the secret of the authorship of "The Waverley Novels." His brother in Canada had been mentioned, but we had not known that his brother was in Niagara as Paymaster of the 70th Surrey. Sir Walter did not acknowledge his authorship till the failure of the great publishing firm, which he so nobly redeemed In the journal of Capt. Langston, 1817, describing a trip from Philadelphia to Niagara, is found this passage: Took the stage at 6 for Newark. Reached Fort George between and 9 and went to the inn kept by A. Rogers to the American fort. at Fort George. On return talked with Major Daws, of 99.h, They live well and Next day visited Fort Mississauga, a strong little star fort with a block tower in the centre. higher up, has been curtailed one half. flagstaff in the highest bastion and ston. 8 Next day went across Dined with mess of 70th Regt. have a good mess room. gallant soldier. "Sept. 20th, 1817. Gen. Fort George, a mile Brock lies under the I walked over the grave of the Sept. 25th started on stage. Saw remains of several redoubts. Passed through Queen- A tall pole like a flagstaff is erected on the spot where Gen. Brock fell, about 300 yards from road." he returned Finding he had left some articles in Niagara, the inn of A. Rogers, and was pleased to find them. the to "The next day ate paches at Col. Grant's garden. Saw Capt. Vavasour. Sept. 30th started at 7 o'clock, Plagued with the harness. Got some string at Mr. Scott's, Paymaster of the 70th, who lives three miles from George. etc. Fort Said to be the author of "Guy Mannering," "Waverley," Disappointed at not seeing him. These novels are supposed to be sketched by Mr. and Mrs. Scott, but finished for the press by their 34 �brother Walter. Such is the opinion of the officers of the 70th!!! A find has lately been made by Dr. Clarke, of Toronto, who found that the die of the medals was still kept in England. made. He had several The design is remarkable, having the American eagle attack- ing the Canadian beaver defended by the British lion, the Niagara river dividing the combatants. The medals, for some reason, were not given the first consignment. It is said they were not accepted, from some fault. Some say that the Canadian and American sides were re versed. The question as to what became of the medals has now been ascertained, as in the history of the Toronto Hospital by Dr. Clarke, it is seen that they were sold and the money used for the hospital in 1819. There were 561 gold and silver medals sold for £395.9 They were 2 inches in diameter. 11. They were 61 of gold, the rest of silver. Niagara Spectator, Inne 18th, 1818 An account of the presentation of a set of colors at Grimsby: "The annual cola Militia, at Grimsby. meeting of the 4th Regt., Lin- A set of Colors, consecrated by Rev. W. Sampson, who delivered an animated oration, after which the colors were presented by the two Misses Nelles, each addressing a few words to the officers and men Miss E. Nelles said: "These colors are pre- sented to the 4th Regt. of Lincoln Militia under a fixed conviction that you will do honor t, them on every occasion, and should you again be called on to defend your country from an invading foe, may your united endeavors as heretofore be crowned with success by the God of Justice, and may these banners, sanctified by Divine benedict- ion, remain unsullied as symbols of your loyalty to suceeeding generations." Miss M. Nelles then said: me to add to the brave officers and except that to say, "My friend has left nothing for men of the 4th Lincoln Militia, "that there is any doubt of their voluntarily defending with their lives these colors now confided to their charge, would be to contradict the many p oofs they have publicly given of their loyalty and bravery. the enemies of your country." May your arms always prosper against The evening was closed with a social party and dance at the Lieut.-Colonel's (Robt. Nelles)." 35 �Niagara Spectator, April 9th, 1819 This number contains a long letter from Rob- ert Gourlay to the resident land owners of Upper Canada. Two columns are devoted to the District Common Schools. The teachers are requested to go from house to house, inquiring who possess a copy of the Holy Scriptures, and if without, can have one for a quarter of a dollar a month, and if not able can have it gratis on ap plying to Samuel Street, Falls Mills, Secretary of Niagara Bible Soci- ety. Signed: Ralfe Clench. Rules for schools are printed, ten in number. % % Niagara Spectator, Feb. 4th, 1819 "Proposals for Estab lishing a Circulating Library in the Town." Rules are given. Subscriptions in advance, ten dollars. Subscribers to have access to all books in the New Book Store." On another page: the following books." "Just received at the Niagara Library These advertisvments are unsigned, but it is known that the Niagara Library was in charge of Andrew who was at different times its librarian, secretary and eventually became its owner. Heron, treasurer, and In those days people were willing to pay for the privilege of reading, when ten dollars were asked yearly. It is not known whether the Circulating Library was formed, but there was a library in 1825 and again in 1830 are advertisements for magazines and reviews for a Circulating Library, and St. Andrew's Church Library was formed in 1830, as shown by the printed catalogue. The Mechanics' Institute Library was formed in 1848, now Public Library, so that there has been a continuous library in the the town from 1800, which can be said of no other place in Ontario. The St. Andrew's Catalogue of 1834 shews 1,000 volumes, and these were added to in 1854. The Library of 1,000 volumes, as shewn by the catalogue. 1800-1820 also had To this may be added the valuable library of Rev. Robert Addison, for a long time in the possession of his grandson, Dr. Stevenson, now in the Rectory of St. 36 �Mark's, consisting of 1,000 volumes, many of them extremely rare, large folios. A small map of 1819 by Capt. H. Vavasour, Royal Engineers (copied from the Archives) came into existence from a curious dispute between the military and civilian elements. John Grier, a merchant here, wrote to the Governor in Quebec complaining of the injury done him by the filling up of his tan pits by the order of Vavasour, and Vavasour on being reproved writes defending himself, sending a map shewing the plots offered to Grier in exchange in which had been refused by him. spot, but refuses. 1820. 1817 and 1818, The Governor is asked to select a A long correspondence ensues, finally settled in Vavasour explained that the site desired by Grier is too near the town, the church and the engineer's quarters. The whole bank, he says, is provided with springs. A Union Sunday School was in existence in Niagara in held in the School House of St. Andrew's Church, what is now the Sexton's House, and where Divine Service was held after was burned in 1813. 1819, the Church John Crooks conducted it for fourteen years. Among the teachers were Dr. Miller, Mrs. Miller, T. Creen, A. Heron, Mrs. Heron, etc. Miss Young, Rev. A curious sort of acrostic of the names of Christ was composed by Dr. Miller in 1822, also at one time a superintendent. It was committed to memory by the child- ren, and Mrs. Comer, the grand-daughter of Dr. Miller, at eighty-four could recite it. It began: A was an ANGEL, came down from the sky, (Is 1. 63:9) B was the BRANCH exalted on high, (Zec. 3:5) C was the COUNSELLOR who good counsel gave, (Isa. 9:6) D the DELIVERER from death and the grave. (Rom. 11:26) A list i in existence of the members of a class of boys in the Sunday School. x 1819 1822 x From the volumes published by Robert Gourlay we learn much of his troublous days and of the condit ion of Canada. He was confined in Niagara jail for eight months in 1819 and banished illegally by a misinterpretation of the Alien Act 37 �of 1804 and false evidence given. Briton" He is often called the "Banished It is not generally known that in the petition drawn up by him to be presented to the British Parliament, many of the changes for the betterment of our country were outlined hundred years ago. for Canada nearly a It was recommended that a union of all the Pro- vinces should take place, tha. each Province should govern its own local affairs, that there should be a Parliament for the Whole, there should be no duty on goods between Canada and States, the improvement of navigation on the St. that the United Lawrence, Clergy Reserves should be sold and applied for education, that the that Can- ada should support its military and naval force, so that no expense should fall on Britain, and finally, that Canada should be represented in the British House of Commons. This shows remarkable foresight on the part of Gourlay, who certainly time. was a man far ahead of his Every one of these, with one exception, has been gained by strenuous exertions after strong opposition. the British Parliament, members. we know If not yet represented in that at least three Canadians are Gourlay, a man of unimpeachable integrity, immense ener gy and a man of eager, restless spirit, would by some be called an agi- tator, bnt we cannot but feel sympathy for one ever strong for the right, but sometimes unfortunately in the wrong. 1819 In the diary of John Goldie, who walked the greater part of the way from Montreal to Niagara to examine the botanical productions of Canada, he states that "the only building worthy of particular notice is the jail just out of town. It is a large, two-storey brick building, very handsome, and is considered to be the finest building in Canada. Gourlay. ents. At present it holds within its walls the celebrated The papers are full of his writings and those of his oppon- I suspect his greatest fault is 11 speaking too many truths." 1821. Statutes of Upper Canada Two Acts refer to the weekly maintenance of insolvent debtors and to fixing of limits in the jails of the Province. In the first case a weekly allowance of five shillings, 38 payable on �Monday, is to be made by the creditor, and in default of such pay- ment the prisoner shall be discharged out of custody. MARCH 19TH. An Act for additional allowance to the Rev. R. Addison, Chaplain of the House of Assembly, for his long and faith- ful service. "Whereas the Rev. Robert Addison has for thirty years with zeal and piety discharged the duties of Chaplain to the Honourable House of Assembly, and whereas from his advanced age, and long services it is expedient to grant him a pension during his life, that the sum of fifty pounds annually be granted after the passing of this Act." 1822 Som curious stories are told shewing the ability of animals to fin their way home across rivers and even by land. by long journeys We have heard of remarkable returns home of both dogs and cats, but these extend the story to the horse and even geese, not generally considered the wisest of animals. In 1822 Mr. Lachlan Currie, living half way between Niagara and Queenston, sold a grey mare to a gentleman of Waterdown, N.Y., for $140. It was conveyed by the lakes. In two months the mare was seen swimming across the river and came home. Mr. Currie kept her and returned the money. The Lambert family moved and took a flock of geese with them to Wilson, N.Y. They returned across the river to their old home. Another story is that a dog was sold for $25 to go to the States. It came home six weeks after, swimming across the river. Rev. John McEwen, 1824. Reminiscences of one born Niagara, 1811. October, 1824, in "On the 13th I was present when the remains of General Brock and his Aid were taken from the ramparts of Fort George to Queenston Heights. cloth. The hearse was a large army waggon covered It was drawn by four black horses. black driver. with black These were driven by a Four black men walked at the head of the horses. 39 Boy- �like, though very young, I followed, walking with the procession and back again to Niagara." July 15th, 1823 A letter from Alexander Stewart, a lawyer in Niagara, gives the losses of Mrs. Campbell, the widow of Fort-Major Campbell, who died in December, was buried at Fort George. The letter tells of the house, furnished in a handsome manner, also barn and outhouses, and the furniture plundered. 36 x 24, all burned "I remember hearing of her having a sum of money taken forcibly from her hand. at £1200. 1812, and The house was valued Her case requires commiseration. Left with three child- ren, one an infant, she walked four miles, carrying it for baptism, and on its death had to dig its grave and cover its remains." 1825. First Poem. It is believed that the first poem published in Upper Canada was "Wonder of the West, or a Day at the Falls of Niagara in 1825." It was printed at York by G. Fothergill the same year, simply signed by a Canadian The writer is now known to have been J. L. Alexander, York Grammar School, brook. afterwards incumbent at a teacher in Saltfleet and Bin- An imperfect copy was found in a garret of the town, but by the kindness of Dr. Bain, of the Toronto Reference Library, the first eight pages were supplied, copied in his own handwriting, our copy being thus not only a rare book, but a memorial of Dr. Bain. As a poem it is not of a high standard, but is chiefly interesting to us as giving a description of the town, the river, Queenston, Brock's ment, the Falls, etc. A few lines may be given: "Upon the river's eastern side A fortress stands in warlike pride, Ontario's surges wash its base And gradually its walls deface. And from its topmost tower displayed A flag with Stars and Stripes portrayed. Upon the west an ancient mound, 40 Monu- �The Union Jack and Rritish ground. Nor distant far another stands, Which the whole river's mouth commands. Between the two lays Newark Village." The fruit trees along the road te Queenston are mentioned, Brock's Monument and the winding staircase on the outside. erence to the death of Col. Nichol, to Table Rock, also A ref- the ladder made from a tall tree, etc., the romantic meeting of two lovers who each had thought the other dead. 20th April, 1825 There are 48 pages. From an original letter: that on the 11th "This is to certify December, 1825, I paid to Mr. Jno. Wilson, of Niagara, by order of Mrs. Mary Truesdell, executrix to the estate of the late James Rogers, of Niagara, deceased, the sum of two hundred and eighty-five pounds curreney on account of the losses sustained by the late James Rogers during the war. ROBERT GRANT. Queenston, 2d Apr., 1825. Niagara Gleaner, 1826 At the Assizes three thieves were sentenced to be hanged 25th October. At the time appointed thonsands flocked from miles to see tion and were greatly disappointed the execu- when at the last moment a re prieve arrived. GLEANER, 1826 "Surprising feat of agility in old age. Mr. Wm. Dunbar, a carpenter in his 77th year, ascended by a very difficult perpendicular ladder to the summit of the monument to General Brock, where he levelled, plumbed and placed the semi-circular arch on the top of the monument, 115 ft. from the base, and continued there near- ly six hours, when he descended the ladder with the agility of a sailor. Jas Mr. Dunbar is a native of Scotland. Signed: Peter McArthur, McNaughton, contractors, Ed. De Field, Wm. Foley." GLEANER, JAN. 28TH, 1826. From a Gleaner of 1832 we quoted an account of the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, and in another was 41 �was told that of St. Andrew's Society. In The Gleaner of 28th Jan- nary is the account of a dinner on January 25th to the memory of Robert Burns, shewing who were present, what toasts were given and how the day was celebrated three quarters of a century ago. "At six o'clock Muirhead and forty sat down to a sumptuous dinner. Dr. Hamilton did the honors of the table. Jas After the cloth was removed, the following toasts were drunk, and the music was furnished by the band of the 76th Regiment. No. 1. To the memory of Robert Burns. Tune: "I'm Wearin' Awa, Cean." 2. The King, 4 Times 4. Tune: God Save the King. 3 The Land of Cakes. 4. Rose, Shamrock and Thistle. Tune: Kail Brose. Tune: All Who of Brit- ain Bear the Name." 5. Earl of Dalhousie and British Colonies, Tune: British Grenadiers. 6. Sir Peregrine Maitland. 7. Scottish Wives, Tune: British Grenadiers. Scottish Scotchman's Arms. Bairns and All Who Lie in Tune: Come Under My Plaidie. 8. Wooden Walls of Great Britain. Tune: Rule Britannia. 9. Duke of York and the Army. Tune: Duke of York's March. 10. Lady Sarah Maitland and Canadian Fair. Tune: Green Grow the Rushes O. 11. The Great Unknown. Tune: A Man's a Man for a' That. 12. Washington Irving. 13. The Greek Cause. Tune: White Cockade. Tune: Scots Wha Hae wi' Wallace till an early Bled." Some of the true sons of Caledonia continued next morning. It is not probable these toasts were drunk as would likely be the case at the present time. in water, The three last toasts are suggestive of the time when the authorship of the Waverley els was still kept sacret, though soon after hour Nov- openly acknowledged at a public dinner after the crisis, when Scott found himself under such an immense load of debt, which he nobly made such discharge. herculean efforts to Washington Irving was the friend of Sir Walter and the Greeks were then struggling for freedom a year before Navarino. 42 the Battle of �Niagara Gleaner, 1827 On Jan. 18th which lasted for an icebridge formed, five weeks. Booths for the sale of liquor were put up on the ice. FEB. 23RD. A collection was taken up in the school of Mr. Da- vid Thompson in aid of the distressed Greeks, amounting to 11s. 1d. This was the year of the Battle of Navarino. Aug. 3rd, 1828 St. Mark's Church was consecrated on Sun- day, August 3d, by the Hon. and Rt. Rev. Charles James, Bishop of Quebec, in the presence of Sir Peregrine Maitland, His Excellency, his staff and other dignitaries, the Bishop preaching and the Morning Prayers and Litany by Rev. Robert Addison and Rev. Thomas Creen, In Council, 6th August, the assistant minister. 1828 "Received the petition of the Minister and Church Ward- ens of Niagara, praying for a title to the land appropriated for the Eiscopal Church of that place. Surveyor General thereo. Read also the following report of the The block of land within prayed for con- tains about fou acres and a half, and formed part of the Military Reservation adjoining the town at Niagara. Upon which it was ordered that the grant of land within alluded to be granted in perpetuity to the Minister and Church Wardens of the Town of Niagara, for the purpose of a site for an Episcopal Church and Burying Ground, in the usual way and upon like trusts as in other cases upon payment of usual fees in similar grants to the Surveyor-General." Gleaner, 1828 1814-1823-183", War Losses Major David Secord. In the Welland Tribune appeared many articles by Lt. Ernest Cruikshank, now General Cruikshank, who is called the Historian of the Niagara Peninsula. 43 His account of all the battles �there of the War of 1812-1814, his Documentary History in nine or ten volumes, all published by the Lundy's Lane Historical Society, all shew his research, his reliability, his non-partisan spirit. The documents loaned to Mr. Cruikshank shew that the Secords were among the first settlers in the Niagara Region, coming in 1777. There were seven of the family in the Rangers who settled in Niagara or St. Davids. The first mill, 1783, was their's, the materials supplied by the Government. St. The house of John Secord is spoken of in Davids took its name from Major David Secord, patents for 600 acres of land near the village. who obtained In 1796 he was a Mag- istrate, and in 1811 Member of the Legislative Assembly for coln. 1780. His losses were great from the burning of St. 2d Lin Davids on the 19th July, 1814, of which a list was furnished, consisting of two stone houses, one frame house, one barn, one grist mill, one blacksmith shop, two log buildings, one store of merchant goods, all his household furn'- ture and family clothing, seven horses, four cows, twenty tat hogs, etc. We have heard of delay in paying the war losses, of the deductions made, of the length of time between the instalments paid. is a long article, or rather petition, of David Secord in There 1837 to the House of Assembly, detailing his losses and his treatment by the Government, notwithstanding his services in the war, years in the militia. and of thirty-three It appears that his claims !ad been allowed in 1823, but not paid, and his statement in full was published in a Wel- land paper. In the Gleaner, Nov. 24th, 1828, is a long article giving the w ongs suffered by Major David Secord, He tells that he is now old man, having been a resident for fifty-one years. Had taken an part in the battles of Queenston Heights, Chippawa, Lundy's Lane, Fort Erie, and had lost property to the value of $20,000 In the Gleaner of January is recorded the death of Ralfe Clench, who had held so many offices; Clerk of the Peace, Judge, Register of Surrogate, Colonel of Militia, Member of Parliament. King's 8th Regt., and also in Butler's Rangers, 44 Had been in �1830 Extracts from Journal of Rev, Jno. Oakley, a teacher in agara, and afterwards Baptist minister: ara in October, 1814, "I arrived Niag There I was appointed to take charge of milit- ía stores, as clerk of the field train at Fort George. In 1815 ried Mary Henry, eldest daughter of an artillery pensioner, Henry, light-house keeper. army list on half pay. in Ni I mar- Dominick In 1816 I was placed upon the reduced Before I left Niagara the Lord enabled me to obtain means for building a chapel on the western side of the town. It is a plain, substantial building, 30 x 40 ft., and is now principally occupied by the African race, they being the most numerous members of the church, A child of Mr. Oakley's is buried in the graveyard near the church, Oct. 4th. Have been travelling, soliciting money from the breth- ren of other churches to assist. subscribers, several of them The Lord gave me favor, and out of 220 Catho ics, not more than 30 from our own denomination, many of whom gave less than was expected. 1830. Ads. in Gieaner. Mr. Groat advertises his library, sub- scription $4.00 a year. A Sabbath School Soeiety at the Pine Grove, Queenston Road, adopts a constitution and appoints officers: Mr. Solom.n Vrooman, president; Joseph Brown, vice-president; Geo. Field, secretary; H. Brown, treasurer; managers, Daniel Field, David Kemp, Daniel Cooper, Jas. Cooper, Jas. Durham J. E. Ferry Niagara Ferry. The proprietor having refitted his house boat, is now ready to convey horses, waggons, and passengers to and from Youngstown. Passengers can be conveyed across the Niagara river in the small boats at a moment's notice. In Gleaner for December, subscribed Andrew Heron 1830, we learn that £750 has been for erecting a Fresbyterian Church, and plans and esti- mates are asked for the building, to be capable of containing 600 people 45 �1st October, 1830. Rules and Regulations of the Niagara Fire Company No. 1 printed by A. Heron as a small pamphlet Officers John Barker, Capt. Edw. C. Campbell, Lieut. J. Y. Crooks, Treas.: John Rogers, Sec. The company consists of two divisions of seventeen each. Other names are John Graham, Geo. Varey, R. Howard, Jno. Clement, R. Fields, J. MacBride, Jas. Rogers, R. Wagstaff, T. Whit ten, H. McNally, Thos. Richardson, A. Heron, Jr., Jno. Davidson, N. Wall, J. Kay, A. Boylan. A meeting of the Temperance Society in the Methodist Meeting House. The death of John Secord the earliest settler is recorded, aged 80. 1831 A map in the possession of the Historical shows that the Har- bor and Dock Company was formed in 1831. From newspapers it is learned that the marsh was part of it filled in, part of it pumped out and excavated for the "Slip," a foundry built. used before was at Navy Hall where it is told in The King's Wharf magniloquent teras by the reporter at the launch of the George Canning that she glided most majestically from the stocks to the noble waters of Niagara and floated proudly on its bosom. She is an elegant vessel wall worthy to bear a name dear to Canada and ish history." imperishable in the annuals of Brit The Gazeteer of 1848 gives the names of many steam- boats and schooners built here. The first steamboat on Lake Ontario was the Frontenac of Kingston 1817. It has been a disputed point whether Canada or the United States has the honor of the first steam- boat on Lake Ontario. Au article by in a Buffalo paper gives pictures of the Frontenac and states that the Ontario, the U. S. ves- sel, was built in 1817. It is remarkable how many boats connected with Niagara have been burned, the Frontenac near Niagara, the Zimmerman, at Niagara Wharf in 1863, the City of Torouto at Port Cibola at Lewiston Wharf caught fire in Dalhousie in 1884, the 1895 and drifted down the river giving a spectacular sight as well as a sad one for the third engineer perished. Dr. Scadding in his Toronto of old gives a vivid description of the loss of the Zimmerman at the Niagara Wharf Aug. 21st, 1863 concluding this. "The long shrieking of the steam whistle, 46 �the resounding moans and convulsive sighs in a variety of keys from the tubes of the boiler gave the onlookers the painful impression of some gigantic sentient creature helplessly undergoing a fiery death and suffering pangs protracted and inexpressible." The second mate and the fireman, Patrick Lawless, were burned to death. Many stories are told of the captains of the lake boats, of their ability and thorough seamar ship, among others Capt. Gordon, Capt. Dick, Cap. Twohy, and some remember Capt. Duncan Milloy as their beau ideal of a ea ca tain. 31st May, 1831 In the Niagara Gleaner, June 4th 1831, is an account of the ceremonies at foundation stone of St. Andrews Church. the laying the A detachment of the 79th or Cameronian Highlanders was present. The prayer and addies of Rev. Robt. McGill are given in full. The prayer was as follows "Almighty and Eternal, Creator of Heaven and Earth be pleased to prosper by thy gracious providence this undertaking and enable as happily complete what we have piously begun. to Preserve this building from fires, floods, storms and all accidents that it may be a sanctuary to Thy sincere worshippers to remote time. May those by whose Christ- ian liberality it is erected, long enjoy within its walls the blessings of a pure gospel faithfully administered and bequeath it to their poster- ity as evidence of their own true piety and of their concern for the real and immortal welfare of their children and their country. And may a seed arise up to serve and praise Thee when we are joined to our Father in mortal and the Temple above. Invisible, Now unto the King Eternal, Im- the only true God, the Supreme Architect and Ruler of Heaven and Earth be honor and glory for ever and ever." It is remarkable in view of the prayer for protection that St. Andrews has suffered from fire, by lightning stroke, by tornado, but it still stands. Gleaner, Mar. 31st, 1832 At the request of the debtors confined in the Niagara Gaol we insert the following, Mar. 27th 1832. 47 �Sir. If there is a time when the kindness and sympathy of strangers entwine with the most secret fibres of the heart it is when the gloom of adversity has gathered darkly around and friends and acquaintances have dropped off, one by one till all are gone and left us in a sex of trouble to be borne down by some merciless wretch or driven to desperation by despair. Then is the soothing of the strang- er who prompted by humanity stretches forth a hand unfortunate duly appreciated and deep and to succor the lasting gratitude awaken- ed which no change of fortune can extinguish in a breast of ordinary sensibility. With these impressions, Sir, we beg to express our grati- tude to Mrs. Stephenson, widow, whose kindness and liberality during the past winter can only be duly appreciated by those who found their misery so much alleviated by it. But how shall we thank little Mary Stephenson, who comes to us like an angel of mercy diffusing happiness to every heart and inquiring out and administering relief to every little want. We trust that the Author of all Goodness will protect her the rest of her life. We also have the honor to acknowledge many favors from Mrs. Capt. Mosier and we are obliged to Jno. Crooks, P. M. for his liberal donation of wood during the month of February. We have the honor to be Sir, your obedient servants. There is a fine oil painting in existance symbolical of the above. A birdcage and bird representing the prisoner and the young girl holding out food to the inmate of the cage. have been painted by one of the prisoners. jail and a It is s.id to It hung in a house in Niagara for many years. Gleaner, Dec. 11th, 1832 Pursuant to notice, of the Niagara the Trustees District Grammar School lately appointed by the Lieut. Governor met when the following gentlemen were present, Rev.Thomas Creen, Rev. Robt. McGill, James Melville, Robt. Muirhead, Thos. McCormick, Clark, Wm. D. Mille", and George Ball, Robt. Dickson, Wm. Esquires. Resolved 9th that this Board express their high satisfaction at the liberality of James Muirhead, Robert Dickson and John Claus, Esquires, the Trustees of the Market lots for the liberal appropriation of £500 they have mide for the erection of suitable buildings for a District School. 48 �Gleaner, Nov. 3rd, 1832 The Dock Company is excavating the marsh to form a basin sels drawing ten feet of for In June 1833, there are now five water. vessels coming weekly, The Great Britain, William the Fourth, ed ves- Unit- Kingdom, the Queenston from Prescott and the United States from Ogdensburg. SEPT. 21ST, 1833. name of Princess Launched Victoria the a fine new presumptive Schooner heiress of with the he British throne. SEPT. 7TH, 1831. Niagara Market, beef per pound d2 to d3, butter d7. MAY 18TH, 1833, GLEANER. A return of the population gives 1573 to the town and 1940 to the township. Gleaner, Mar. 31st, 1832 A remarkable meeting called by J. Kidd, Acting Sheriff to meet at the Court House (now Western Home) at the request of the yeomen to dis cuss the affairs of the country and draft an address to the King. The account is very confusing and conflicting, charges and counter-charges go on for weeks with regard to the meeting. Mr. Jas. Cooper was nominated Chairman also Mr. Woodruff, a show of hands seemed to beso equal that it was hard to decide. outside when The Sheriff desired the meeting to adjourn to the Mr. Cooper was made Chairman. Mr. Dickson in- troduced the resolutions, eleven in number, and an address to the King, stating their loyalty; full contentment and their detestation of designing and with their present condition seditious men. Meanwhile another meeting was being held in the Court room, eleven resolutions and an address to the King passed declaring their loyalty, but asking for a change of men and measures, referred to the war losses not being paid declared by the Home Government seventeen years ago and called for their payment also to the Crown Land abuses. that theirs was the only legal meeting. Each party asserted The Editor sums up declar- ing that while he upholds the constitution he will fearlessly state what be hinks is wrong and dress. Of course we mentions several real know these were not evils which demand re- redressed till after the re- bellion but this was the muttering of the storm which had been going 49 �on since the time of Gourlay. seems to be vested rights. granted after a hard 1832-3 How hard it is to do away with what Not till 1854 was Responsible Government struggle. Just at the time that letters were received asking information about the early years of the Grammar School in Niagara, several pages of foolscap werefound in the chest containing the Commun ion Silver in the Manse, with minutes of meetings apparently by Dr. MeGill who was a trustee. Letters to and from the Lieutenant Governor, resolutions nineteen in number relating to plans for erecting a suitable building. In those days the trustees were appointed by the Lt.-Gov- ernor and permission is asked to appoint another teacher he having been warned to improve his classical attainments. The reply is that it will not be necessary to go to the Mother Country as proposed but that a competent teacher can be found in Canada. Four acres had been granted for a site opposite Fort Mississauga on Queen St. It is remarkable that though plans had been made as far back as 1798 and now in 1832 no permanent building was provided till 1875 for the High School, and the Public School in 1859. Gleaner, May 1833 As showing the views held by some as to the use of liquor a ietter signed G. F. gives thecharacter of somegentleman styled Stoicus a man of soundlearning and solid judgment but of stern moroseness. One day when invited to dinner withfriends, either from the ridiculous supposition that three or fourglasses would impair his faculties or some other reason he was observed to fill his glass only twice. When he withdrew for some minutes it was remarked how strange it was that a man of such superior understand- ing, should labor under so great a foible. How strange to us now is such language and yet how many arguments now in 1920 are brought forward for the uses of liquor. Oct. 2nd, 1834 The contents of a document found lately will be a surprise to some, to know that over eighty years ago the merchants of Niagara were supplying goods to those of Tor 50 �onto. This isshown by several letters from Robert Cathcart to Messrs Jno. Rogers & Co., wh> did an immense business at that time in this town in the large three story brick building at corner of Gate and Queens Sts., since taken down. Toronto, Oct. 20th, 1834 "Dear Sir,- Send me a chest of your best Twankay Tea and I will forward the cash. Let me know how the election comes on." Yours, Robert Cuthcart. Another letter of Oct. 6th tells House and an affidavit is requested of trouble with the Custom that it was bought at the India sale Montreal which on being given, the price of the chest of tea was sent with the remark "Trade good in,good spirits, cash plenty these times." On April 24th 1835 he encloses fi ty pounds and speaks of fifty pounds sent by the Captain of the Canada. Niagara Reporter, Sept. 14th, 1837 The article describes the the town when the order Johnson Molesby, an escaped horse stealing. to the sheriff excitement to deliver in up slave confined in our jail charged with "Curiosity induced us to go up to the jail where we found a motley assemblage of colored people drawn up in battle array. Up marched a non-commissioned officer of the Royal Artillery with three of his men ordered Gracious Havens! up by our Magistrate to assist the sheriff. are we in a British Colony? Not one person of respectability would step forward to assist the officers and constables. The soldiers were ordered to charge and they entered the thick of a justly infuriated mob but just then orders arrived from Toronto for a reconsideration of the case and the multitude dispersed with three cheers, Since writing the above the Deputy Sheriff repaired to the jail with military and constables to deliver the slave to the authorities of Kentucky. The assistants were ordered to fire on the mob the prisoner escaped but two colored mea were shot dead and two wounded. 51 REFERENCE: LOCAL HISTORY WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARYCOLLECTION �Dec. 9th 1837 In the diary of Col. Clark, St. Catharines is a reference to the troublous times of the Rebellion. "In 1837 Dec. 9th 100 volunteers went across from Niagara to Toronto to help against the rebels. Mr. Lockhart and staunch friends from the Dock had fitted up in twelve hours the Britannica (dismantled) prov- isioned her etc. Warning had been given at St. Catharines, wagons procured, some walked, 50 cavalry formed at once, all went through mud and mire to Niagara in three and a half hours, as they passed every window flew open, handerchiefs waved. ed twenty horses. The size of the boat only allow- At six p. m. the boat left the wharf amidst cheers but such a gale blew that they returned after three hours. Indians came in under Chief Col. Kerr of Wellington Square, Niagara was filled Dec. 11th. The Niagara troop was under Capt. Dickson. Reporter, May 26th, 1837 The fishermen of Niagara last night captured upwards of 6000 whitefish equal to sixty barrels. They are sold at the beach at six dollars per hundred. 27 March, 1839 An account with the weight and Town Bell. Niagara Fire price of the Company bought of H. R. Wagstaff Fire Bell, weight 700 lbs, cost £71 s11 d3. The bell was put in place and rung the first time on Monday 27th March, 1839. The committee, W. D. Miller, James Monroe, H. Charles, W. Press, John Andrews, James Harvey. The bell must have been placed in the Market House as the present building was not erected till August, 1838 In the account of Benjamin Wai, ished to Van Dieman's Rebellion, there is the pathetic story of his for his release. land for 1847. who was his share in wife's devotion in banthe efforts He had been sentenced to be hanged at the jail here 25th Aug. 1838. This heroic woman went 700 miles to Quebec to 52 500 MALEW �intercede for a pardon from Lord Durham. The reprieve only arrived half an hour before the time appointed for the execution. She after- wards went to England to try to obtain a pardon from the young Queen and had determined to go to Van Dieman's Land but came back to intercede with another Governor. Wm. Hamilton Merritt, years of her life in She was assisted by Hon. Jesse Ketchum and others, and spent four helping the prisoners. When he was at last re- prieved it was found that he had escaped. Although he spoke as if his health was injured by his hardships he lived to be an old man while she lived only a year after his release. August 14th. 1840 In the Niagara Reporter are given the speeches given at the great Queenston Heights, when 8,000 people were present. meeting Ten steam ves- sels from Toronto, Cobourg, Hamilton and Kingston reached at ten and ascended the river, the banks being for the dinner Niagara lined with spectators, shouting being heard from shore to ship and ship to shore. that those who had provided on lost It is said heavily, as the speaking lasted so many hours that evening came on and the steamers started with an enthusiastic, if a hungry crowd. There were eleven resolutions, and the mover and seconder spoke, giving an opportunity for twenty-two speakers. The speakers were: Sir Allan McNab, Col. Angus McDo.iell, Mr. H. Draper, Mr. Thorburn, M.P P.; Col. Morris, 2d Lanark; Hon. Justice Macaulay, Col. Clarke, 15th Lincoln; W. H. Merritt, M.P.P.; Col. Sherwood, 2d North York; Col. R. Stanton, 1st North York; Hon. Chief Justice Robinson, Col. Kerby, Hon. Mr. Sullivan, Col. Cartwright, 2nd Lennox; Hon. Mr. Justice Hagarman, Col. H. Ruttan, cott. 3d Northumberland; Col. Kearns, 2nd The Lieut.-Governor, Sir George Arthur, closed. Batt. Pres- Only two of ficers of the regular army who were in the battle were present: Col. Bullock and Major Garrett, of Niagara. This was what was called the "INDIGNATION MEETING," after the blowing up of Brock's Monument, when it was determined to erect a larger and finer one. 1842 The "Chief Justice Robinson," 400 tons bnrden, built at Ni- agara. Capt. Hugh Richardson. 53 Peculiar bow Enormous �cutwater, like a double-furroughed plough, to cut through the ice in winter. May 20th, 1841 The Niagara J. G. R., Reporter has a letter signed proving what had been said, that the graveyard extended much farther than now: "Having been in formed that the bones of individuals long deceased are visible in the road leading by the side of the English Church to the wharf, I visited the spot and found on one side of the road the end of a coffin, the fragments of a skull crushed by the waggon wheels, and a coffin lid worn away by passing feet. I trust the proper anthorities will cause the remains to be placed in the graveyard, or remove the fence to the original limits of the consecrated ground." Alexander Davidson has three columns advertising new books for sale and that of the Canada Spelling book by himself recommended by Rev. A. N. Rethune, Cobourg; Rev. J. Scott, Rev. Robert McGill and Rev. Thomas Creen. The Canada Spelling book was used for years in the schools. 1841 Brock's Monument 1842. A balance on hand of £428 was recorded A document relating to the funds was held at Kingston £2800. and 29th Sept. debentures of It was agreed to publish the resolution of thanks to the In- dian tribes which had contributed. "That the committee has received with the most lively satisfaction an account of the Munificent Dona- tions of the principal Chiefs and others of the Chippawas ofthe Upper Reserve on the river St. Clair, the Hurons and the Wyandots of Amherstburg, the Chippawas on the Lower Reserve and of Walpole Island on the river St. Clair, the Chippa was on the river Thames, the Moravians on the river Thames, the Munsees of the river Thames, the Oneidas of the river Thames, the Six Nations of the Grand river, the Mississaugas of the river Credit, the Chippewas of the Saugeen river, Lake Huron; the Chippwaas of the township of Rama, Like Simcoe; the Chippewas of Snake Island, Lake Simcoe; the Mississagas of Alminck, Rice Lake; the Mississaugas, of Rice Lake Village in the 54 �township of Otonabee, and of Mud and Balsam Lakes and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. The Committee have much pride in finding themselves associated with the brave and faithful warriors of the Indian have the greatest respect for the loyalty of their Red Nations and Brethren and they shall take care that their generous gift shall be made the best use of, that as long as the Monument shall endure it shall tell their great mother the Queen and all their White Brethren that the brave and grateful Indians have not forgotten their glorious leader and friend and that they have helped to build the tomb over his grave." Who now in viewing the monument ever recalls the fact that the Indians contributed so generously to its erection? such deeds should be 1843 It is well that remembered. Some facts regarding the beautiful stained glass window in the chancel of St. Mark's church which are not generallyknown may be found interesting. The simple design, the soft subdued colors, the chaste appearance of the whole attract attention and are a contrast to the glaring colors and questionable taste of some more modern windows in other places. Several years ago the Rev. Archdeacon McMurray gave the writer some facts which have not yet appeared in print. firs: stained glass windows in Ontario that of St. Of the three Marks is the only one now in existence as both the others, that of St. James Cathedral and in Ancaster were destroyed by fire. 1843. tion. The chancel was built in Several names were mentioned in connection with its construc There would of course be the designers, the contractors and the workman, the names Craig and McCauseland were mentioned. Furth- er information it is hoped may yet come to light. Sept. 20th, 1844. A document in the possession of the Society gives the story of a chair now in St. Marks Choir. It is a list of subscribers in the Sunday School to purchase a chair for the old clerk, the sums varying from 7d to 2d 6s It begins "Whereas the old clerk has returned to town and expects to occupy 55 �his place in the church so long as he lives and is able to attend divine service, it has been observed that his seat on a stool is not easy nor suitable for him and an easy chair has been kindly thought of. This has been made to order and will be an appropriate present to honorable age from the young as a mark of respect for his grey hairs and long service. The list of youthful contributors will be carefully pre- served. "The cost is £1 15s currency, the surplus for Sunday School books." In the graveyard is a tombstone to John Wray, clerk for 50 years of the church. Ehronicle, Feb. 7th, 1845 The weather this week has been of the most wintry cast, the northeast wind blew its heaviest, accompanied with a heavy fall of snow, and it was altogether the most dreadful storm we ever witnessed, even in Canada. The snow drifted tremendously as shown by a fact nnprecedented in the memory of the oldest inhabitant hat from Tuesday to Friday at 11 p. m. not a single mail has reached this town though we ought to have one daily. The steamer from Toronto has discontinued her trips no doubt in consequence of the bay in Toronto being frozen over. One of the overdue mails arrived on Saturday at noon brought by a man on foot who started with it from from St. Catharines at 10 o'clock the previous day and reports the road to be almost impassible." Observe in the above there was no railway train, no electr.e car to bring the mail, just the stage coach alone, but the steamer ran all winter when practiable between Toronto and Niagara. June 20th, 1841-1846 In an old record book is some account of the 1841 to 1846 and again in signed June 20th 1841. and addresses given. Niagara 1850. Temperance Society First is given the from Constitution Meetings were to be held every three months Hundreds of names were signed ings where a lecture was given. many at meet- The names of lecturers are 56 Rev. E. �B. Harper in 1846, Rev. John Hart in 1850, Rev. J. B. Mowat, in 1852. Followiug some of the names are some strange remarks one ."requested his name to be taken off as he is to be married this day," others "broken out," "expelled," etc, Mail, March 31st 1847 A letter contradicts the statement. that vessel to cross the Atlantic with steam. the Savanna The was the letter goes on first to say "Canada can boast of owning the first vessel to cross the Atlantic alto- gether by steam, her name was Black Quebec in 1831. the Royal William built by George The machinery was made in the establishment of Messrs. Bennel & Henderson, Montreal, drafted by John Lowe, late of this place. The Royal William crossed from Halifax to Falmouth in 1833 making the passage in nineteen days. As I was Chief Officer of that vessel when she commenced running I am desirous of putting this matter right. Yours respectfully, James Sutherland. This is the James Sutherland who was afterwards the Captain of the Magnet, A letter in the Montreal Witness 1893 signed by Robert Slack confirms the above statement and gives the additional fact that the plans of the vessel were designed and drawn by his brother-in-law L. H. Shea, Montreal, formerly of H. M. Dockyard, Woolwich, England. Chronicle, July launched at the 6th, 1847 dock and was On Saturday last Capt. land's iron new christened the Suther steamer was "Magnet." Her Majesty's war steamer Cherokee was lying at anchor in the river. At the launch the steamer Admiral moored on the outside of the wharf and the Telegraph came to the inner side, Capt G. of the former re- marked to Capt. M. of the latter that he had cut in and obstructed 57 �the view. "It is not Capt. M.'s fault said a bystander the Magnet attracted the Telegraph." Millions of wild pigeons pass Niagara Mail, April 7th, 1847 over this town almost daily but altogether out of reach. Sept. 15th. The new and splendid Court House erected by the Corporation is so far progressed as to admit of the Assizes being held in it. The Hon. Mr. Justice Jones assisted by E. C. Campbell and Thos. Butler as associate Judges. His Honor alluded in compliment- ary terms to the noble and elegant edifice and was decidely of opinion that it is superior to any other building of the the kind in the province. Jan. 29, 1847, Chronicle The trustees of the town being requir ed to ascertain the number of children of or certain age thought it as well at the same time to obtain the number of inhabitants in the town. From these returns we find the total number of souls 3058 of these 792 are between 5 and 16 and of these about 300 attend the five Common Schools respectively conduct- ed by Mr. Shaw, Mr. Thompson, Miss Eedson, Miss M. A. Eedson and and Mrs. Wilson. There are a number at the Roman Catholic School and in addition there are three institutions of a higher order of learn- ing namely the District Grammar School conductrd by Dr. White- head assisted by Mr. Logan, the Classical School of Rev. Dr. Lundy, and the Ladies' School of the Misses Burgess. There is also an elementary school by Mrs. Read. Niagara Mail, Nov.9th A bear weighing 300 lbs was killed about a mile from town by two men in the employment of Jno. W. Ball, Esq. 58 They discovered it among �the branches of a huge oak tree and retraced their steps to obtain guns and a dog. The first fire did not kill him and he fiercely engag ed the dog when the other man ended the strife by shooting him through the head. Sept. 22d, 1847, Niagara Mail Two columns are filled with names and amounts given for the relief of distress in Ireland from famine and fever shewing the people of this neighborhood were both wealthy and generous £1776 and 1200 barrels of flour being sent, the names of twenty-eight collect- ors are given and the amount, the largest being £50 each from two perGeo. sons. Keefer's mill, Thorold, gave 25 barrels of flour and G. P. M. Ball's mill, Louth, 16 barrels. In the Mail a graceful speech made by Mr. Hamilton in presenting a silver snuff box to Warden Thorburn in the Niagara District Council. had For himself he could say that the conduct of the Warden furnished him with many wholesome lessons of self restraint, patience, good feeling and temper. In presenting this Mr. Warden I perform a duty highly pleasing to myself. June 15th to Nov. 20th, 1847 A curious part of the history of town has lately known perhaps to not many. been unearthed It is contained in a small minute book and relates to the emigrants arriving here in 1849 in that sad sad time resulting famine from the failure of the potato and fever which resulted. many in Kingston and from At that time the Board of Town Council. Police represented Health, President and T. the Ireland and Thousands died They received orders from Messsrs in the record just found selves into a Board of Boulton. crops A. Grosse forty in Isle, Niagara. what we now call the Kingston to form members McCormick, at the being Davidson, John A. them- Simpson Heron, J. Medical officers were appointed Doctors Melville and Rolls. Buildings were rented for a hospital and for shelter. Beaver Bonerer was appointed Inspector and was to visit the steamboats on arrival and report. The minutes give the names of those who died, the ex59 �penses of nurses, food, medical attendance, blankets, beds, furniture, etc. Weekly reports were given of the number sick and well. two hundred in all were relieved. The Total expenses which were to be paid by the Governmeut amounted to almost-1000 died. Many letters money was paid. were About written by M: Simpson One nurse before the The buildings were, one near Navy Hall, the house of Mrs. Putman perhaps the oldest in town, the brick house of Mr. Stevens, near it was the hospital- These must have been sad sad days for the townspeople to witness such distress as well as for those suffer- ing in the hospital. In May on a Sunday was seen one continuous flock of pigeons, which would dwindle now to a line and then widen out almost to cover the sky, sometimes so low as to be knocked down with a club, at others very high. They were flying from the south to the north but rather curiously seemed to be flying west, because when they reached our lake they skirted the shore till they reached the western end of the lake and then flew north. July 16th 1847 Niagara Ehronicle In the Emigrant Hos- pital in this town there are still several cases of fever two of which it is feared will prove fatal. We regret to learn that there are some soldiers of the Royal Canadian Regt. il with the fever which they caught from some on the Mail Steamers coming from Kingston. We are sorry to learn that Dr. Grassett, physician to the Emigrant Hospital, Toronto, died this morning. Mail Nov. 22nd, 1848 Here occurs a rather complimentary notice of the medical men of the town, "Niagara is favored with a fair or rather an unusual proportion of medical talent and skill-Strabismus or squinting. that Dr. Lowe of this town, M We understand R. C. S. L. L. A. C. L., recently per formed several successfu operations where the obliquity of the eyes was concerned. our office. One of the individuals was formerly a workman in We believe the doctor uses chlorform in cases susceptible of its influence Dr. Lowe, Dr. Melville and 60 Dr. Maitland of the �Royal Canadian Rifles are all above mediocrity in their profession. A few days ago Dr. Maitland amputated the leg of a soldier who refused to avail himself of the aid of chloroform saying he would rather be shot than use it." JUNE 7TH, 1848. Interesting and important operation. On the 31st Dr. Campbell, Port Robinson, performed a very serious oper ation on Mrs. Andrews of this town without the slightest pain through the influence of chloroform. APRIL 5TH, 1848. Dr. Campbell soon after came to town. A singular phenomenon at the Falls. The water ceased to flow and dwindled away to the appearance of a mere mill dam the rapids above disappeared, the bed of the river was expos ed. This is accounted for by the accumulation of ice at the lower ex tremity of Lake Erie which formed a sort of dam between Buffalo and Fort Erie. An account of the Suspension Bridge at the Falls. The Iris. says that the feeble beginning was made by sending a kite across the Niagara with a string, then a cord, then a wire cable. Mr. then a stout rope, then a hawser, Ellitt the engineer of the bridge crossed the the river upon this wire in an iron basket. MAIL, JULY 12TH, 1848. The footpath was finished and people crossed on payment of a quarter of a dollar. directors had been appointed. opened 18th Mar. In the On 24th Sept. 1847, The Queenston Suspension bridge was 1851 Journal of Education of 1848 is an item read strangely to Torontorians as well as Niagarians. that before the it system was of law free schools in Toronto. striking contrast is presented between was will It would seem adopted The which Journal in Niagara says: "A the City of Toronto and the town of Nigara, instead of shutting up the schools to gratify wealthy or party selfishness, they nobly provide for educating all the children of the town and open up .he Town Hall for a public examination and for the distribution of prizes. What a different feeling would be produc- ed in the City of Toronto by a Public School Examination from that of shutting up the schools and in ignorance and idleness." leaving the children to wander about Then follows an extract from the Niagara Mail giving the list of prizes in the schools of Mr. Shaw, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Wilson, Miss Eedson and Mr. Loony. examined was 377." 61 The number of children �July 16th, Telegraph, 1847-1850 The Niagara and ston Telegraph Queen is comple ted and from Queenston to Chippawa is in operation and from Toronto to Montreal in a few days. Dec. 11th, 1850. An article tells when telegraphic communi cation began between Niagara and Queenston. It was paid for by stockholders and it appears by the letters signed by the Managers E. C. Campbell, Geo. Boomer, R. Wagstaff there was a deficiency of £17 made up by the Chairman. The operator was Mr. Nisbet. there was a deficit of £66 and the office was closed in townspeople are urged to come to the rescue. In 1849 August. There is given The the number of messages sent in 1847, 8, 9 and 1850 and the distant points mentioned. 1849-1850 In the Chronicle and Mail, November 1849 is an in- teresting account of the first annual meeting of the Niagara 1848. Mechanics' Institute, which was founded "The chair was taken by Walter H. Dickson, President. The annual report was read and adopted in the year Esq. M. P. P.. by motion of Thos. McCormick and John Simpson. This was ordered to be print- ed. 6d. There was a balance of £34 19s The number of members was 126, the number of volumes 270, and such "the avidity of members in availing themselves of their priveleges that 200 issued as recorded on the library register." there had been boo's had been During the winter months twelve lectures to full audiences in the town hall kind ly granted by the municipal corporation. Several ingenious pieces of mechanism the work and designs used in illustrations form the nucleus of a museum. Application had been made to the government for pecuniary assistance, but was refused. The members intend to appeal to the liberality of private sources to obtain scientific apparat us. Signed: Richard Wagstaff." The collector of these extracts remarks here, In many respects this report is a contract to the present state of affairs when instead of 270 volumns there are 4000. But alas could we by any way obtain audiences for twelve lectures except per aps our successful and skilful young hockey players would kindy give their aid.) MAIL MAY 8TH 1850 has an address to the officers of the colored company Incorporated Militia, lately disbanded at Port Robinson. 62 �At the MAIL, 1850. Provincial Exhibition to be held at Nia- ara September 18th, 19th, 20th, Professor Croft was to deliver a a lecture in the Court House and the annual address was to be given on the grounds, a public dinner in the evening, steamboats to carry passengers at half rates, hotel keepers to entertain at the usual rates. The premium list amounts to twelve hundred pounds. His Excellency the Governor General to be present, a ploughing match to take place in the neighborhood at 9 o'clock a. m. SEPT. 4TH. Preparations for the Provincial Show to be held at Niagara are progressing. octagonal fence. Fourteen acres are enclosed by a substantial Floral Hall is 140 ft long by 40 ft wide. ural Hall and Mechanic's Hall are each There are pens in great number for 100 ft. the Agricult- long by 24 ft. wide. reception of poultry and animals. 1851 Two petitions presented to the Mayor and Town Council shew a difference of opinion. The one signed by one hnndred and thirty nine demands that the law made with regard to licenses be more strictly enforced, the other signed by twenty inn keepers and recess keepers asks that the law be repealed and the license lowered. Strange reasons are given for this. If not granted it is said "the in- come of the town families will either be reduced to will be lowered, want or driven elsewhere for substance, houses will be left untenanted on the hands of their owners and anarchy, confusion and bad feeling exist throughout the community. "All this seems strange to us who now exist without the sale of liquor either in store or hotel. JULY 7TH, PAPER 1851, NIAGARA CORRESPONDENCE IN ST. CATHARINES Town Council. system were negatived Five and resolutions the against the amendment moved by Free School Alexander Davidson seconded by John Davidson, carried. "Resolved that the education of paramount the rising generation is of importance not only as being the most likely means of qualifying them to be useful and repectable members of Society but as the most effectual method of preventing crime and the consequent ex- penditure of money in maintaining the concomitants of retributive courts. 63 �Resolved that for this purpose the Free System is the perfect and efficient that can be devised." CHRONICLE, FEB. 6TH ed. 1851. most Carried. Queenston and Lewiston connect- The magnificent bridge between Lewiston and Queenston is so far finished that this day a footpath was perfected and the engineer E. W. Sirrell and lady, followed by the Warden of the United Counties of Lincoln and Welland, Major Brown, followed by an immense crowd of all ranks and degrees crossed from the Canadian side to the American. Cheers were given for the engineer and for his lady, for the Company and for good feeling between the two countries. pension Bridge, Niagara Falls. Sus- By the papers of 1848 it is seen that the wire cable by which people crossed in an iron basket was in use in April, and in July 1848 people crossed on a footpath on the Suspen. sion Bridge at the Falls. Mail, Nov. 10th, 1852 The Park. 3rd. "A Council petition Excellency the Governor General for permission Chamber, Nov, to be sent to His to occupy four acres of land in front of the Episcopal Church for ornamental grounds.,. I. H. Johnson, Clerk. This was the origin of our beautiful park, permission being obtained from the Ordinance Dept. To the persistency of Mr. H. Paff- ard and his good taste as well we are indebted for the beautiful trees. He told me once that when he tried to obtain a grant for trees for the Park and the streets all they would grant at first was $25, but more liberal grants were given afterwards. Nov 30TH, 1852. The annual meeting stitute (now Public Library) is recorded, W. Kirby, Secretary; T. Eedson, the Mechanic's In- E. C. Campbell, President; Treasurer library then consieted of 500 volumes. of and Librarian. The Numerous notices appear of lectures the titles of which seem not very interesting subjects as Mental Improvement, Sympathy, The Real and the Ideal, Use and Benefit of Mechanical Institutes, etc. 1853, July 29th Ehronicle In this number is a letter from Wm. 64 Thomas, the architect of �the present Brock's Monument, defending himself from the charges made by the Loyalists of carelessness in the removal of the remains of Gen Brock. It may not be generally known that there were four interments, first at Fort George, next under the first monument 1824, third to the Hamilton family graveyard for a year while the vault was being prepared and fourth, to the present monument 1853. He says, "I beg to state that I had orders when proceeding to take down the former ruinous constructure to Lave two shells prepared and re- move the remains to the burial ground of the Hamilton family at Queenston. I therefore took the two shells from Toronto on the day appointed and very carefully had the vault opened and placed all the the remains and fragments of the broken coffin into each separate shell and fastened the original silver plates with the inscription engraved thereon and accompanied them to the burial ground where I had them placed in a grave eight feet deep as proper security I had no order to make any further ceremony only to take proper care of the remains, therefore it must be seen that the greater part of the Loyalists' statement is not founded on JULY 13TH. fact." Mr. Worthington has the contract for building Brock's Monument. Mr. Thomas is the architect, came down on Saturday after repeated blasts. has been contributed MAIL, AUG. The ruined shaft From £5000 to £6000 voluntarily. 10TH 1823. The Steamer Chief Justice Robinson picked up a colored man aboat twelve miles from Niagara floating on a raft made of a gate. iston but was afraid He escaped from Tennessee and came to Lewto go on one of the steamers to cross and tried to cross the river on the gate but the current being strong he was drifted out into the lake. He said, "Thank the Lord Massa I am a free man now." 1854 Abigail Becker Perhaps it may be said why tell the deed of one who had no connection with Nia- gara, but the Historical Society possesses a short letter with signature and photograph of the heroine rent by herself. In the High School Reader is a fine poem by Amanda Jones, a Canadian, born not far from Niagara and at Amherstburg the Ontario Historical Society had the 65 �pleasure of hearing this recited and seeing Capt. Jones one of those rescued at that time, a very old man. The following story of the deed appeared as number 175 in Historical items in 1904. "Enough is not known of this Canadian heroine who fifty years ago performed a deed perhaps never excelled in courage, strength and daring, saving the lives of seven men from the Schooner Conductor, wrecked at Long Point, November 1853. Born near Kingston, Abigail Jackson mar ried Trapper Becker and the "daily toil for scanty gain" prepared her for her deed of heroism. She was a large strong woman aged twenty-four, they lived alone and her husband was absent, when a vessel struck in a fearful storm and the seven men took refuge in the rigging clinging there benumbed for hours. Abigail built a fire on the beach and wav. ed her hands encouraging the men to swim ashore. The Captain at last ventured but was caught in the undertow and would have perished but thae Abigail rushed in and dived for him dragging him to shore and restoring him to life by the fire where she had hot tea ready. In turn this was repeated she wading out and grasping the drowning men in one case bringing by a superhuman effort two together as her crip pled stepson had attempted to assist and was himself almost lost. For four days she kept and fed them in her hut till the arrival of a party to search for the dead bodies from the wreck but found instead seven living men saved so wonderfully. The city of Buffalo raised $550.00 and also presented her with a beautiful bible. The New York Life Saving Association, gave her a large and handsome gold medal and later Queen pride in Victoria sent her a letter enclosing £40 expressing her. knowing that a woman of such heroic courage was her subject. On several other occasions she has saved life but it is a pathe ic circunstance that though she saved others she could not save her own as her husband was frozen to death and her stepson met with a tragical fate. She is now Mrs. Rohrer aged 74 a large woman weigh ing 255 pounds living on a farm at Walsingham Centre. A short sketch of her life by her stepdaughter tells of kindness to her stepchildren and says tha she has brought up seveteen children, eight of them boys who use neither tobacco nor liquor. In the preface to the account by her stepdaughter the a clergyman, alters a verse to show that it was the stepson writer, instead of the mate and says with calm self satisfaction on the verse he substi66 �tutes that he trusts it does no injustice to the poem of Miss Jones. Her verses reads:- Oh life is dear: the mate leaped in. I know the Captain said right well: Not twice can any woman win A soul from yon ler hell. His substitute is:-- Her crippled stepson now comes down To mother's help he wants to go And heeding not his mother's frown He tries what he can do. Which shows that some people are very easily satisfied with their work. Mail, 1855 Until lately it was thought a very extreme measure to propose prohibition and it was thought it was an impossibility to obtain it, but it is rather startling to find that in the year 1855, (over eighty years ago), there were fifty-two men brave enough in Niagara to propose it, sending a petition to the Town Council to ask them to petition the Legislature to pass an enactment prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors, except for med. icinal or mechin cal purposes. On examining the list of names, we find all the four churches of the town represented. A sentence may be quoted: "Humbly sheweth that your petitioners regard intemper- ance as a great moral and social evil, destructive of health, virtue and happiness, and producing only disease, hunger and crime-entailing heavy burdens on Society and creating a fatal barrier in the path of individual and national progress." In 1858 there is a list of thirteen taverns and fourteen recesses -twenty-seven places where liquor could legally be procured-and it is known that there were other low places without licenses. MAIL, APRIL 25TH, Wednesday, 18th inst. 1855. A long account of the "Tornado last About a quarter to seven o'clock in the morn- ing the town was visited by a frightful hurricane. a green color, succeeded by a clear white. 67 The sky assumed The storm came from the �north-east, leaping in its course, lasted about five minutes, and was at its height not more than one minute, but the damage done was tre mendous. The storm seemed to leap first to the Car Factory, next to the Daguerrean Gallery standing in the Park. St. Andrew's Church. The next leap was to At the Car Works, were levelled finishing shops, each 175 ft. by 50 ft., two stories high. frame building. 200 x 70 ft., was piled in a mass. two large A large new The engine house of the Erie & Ontario Railroad was very much twis.ed. It appeared to be most providential that the day had been set apart as a "Fast Day," so that no workmen were in the Car Factory, otherwise there might have been a loss of 50 to 100 lives. The contents of the Dag uerrean Gallery were scatterad on the common in fragments, it having turned over several times and made a complete wreck. St. Andrew's Church had a third of its roof and gallery inside swept away. remembered that in 1854 a storm took off part of the roof. and chimneys were blown down. It is Fences It was remarked that during the hurricane the water suddenly rose from five to eight feet along the lake shore and in the river. We may thank God that neither was life lost nor any person seriously injured." 1857 1873 In the St. Catharines Weekly News is found an ac- count of the address presented to the Rev. William McMurray, D.D., Rector of St. Mark's, which throws much light on the condition of our town in those years. When Dr. McMurray was appointed in 1857 the town was in a prosperous condition. manufactoriss were employing hundreds of artisans. Several Niagara was the County Town, and a sum had been collected for a Rectory. A grant of two acres from the Ordinance Department had been obtained. The first sod was turned February, 1858, and the Rectory completed and occupied in December, 1859. Since then, serious changes have oc- curred in the town. Manufactories have collapsed. vastated Niagara the town. has ceased Hundreds of the population have emigrated. Fires have de- to be the County Town. Reference was made to the services of Dr. McMurray to Trinity College, he having been ap pointed by Bishop Strachan to visit the United States and Great Britain and Ireland in its interest. 68 �Mail, 20th October, 1858. In the obituary notice of Mrs. Hoople, aged 93 years, an incident of the Revolutionary War is mentioned. John Whitmore. She was a sister of the late After the murder of the father and mother by the Indians, some of the children were adopted by the tribe, and bein separated, never met for seventy years. Mr Whitmore, who had settled in Niagara Township, heard of his sister's whereabouts, and visited her. Mail, February 28th, 1859 The destruction of Warehouse and Gibson's the Free Mas- ons' room above, with all their papers and regalia, is recorded. Mail, Aug. 8th, 1860, Laura Secord, "A CANADIAN HEROINE." "A respectable, aged lady of this county, one of the loyal stock, presen.ed herself at the office of the Clerk of the Peace at Niagara, to sign the add ess to H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, along with the old soldiers of 1812. The Clerk demurred to taking so novel a signature. although the lady insisted on her right, having done her country more signal service than half the soldiers and militiamen engaged in the We do not give the venerable lady's name, as she might not like the notoriety, but she is the same person who, etc." war. The article goes on to tell of her walk to Beaver Dams to give warning, and closes thus: "We say the brave, loyal, old lady ought not only to be allowed to sign the address, but she deserves a special introduction to the Prince of Wales as a worthy example of the fire of 1812, when both men and women vied alike in their resolution to defend the country." In a later paper it is mentioned that the Prince of Wales visited Laura Secord at Chippawa, and in The Mail of March, 1861, it is re- corded that a present of £100 had been sent by the Prince to Mrs. Secord. 69 �SEPT. 19TH 1860, NIAGARA MAIL. After the Prince of Wales had laid the foundation stone of the obelesk where General Brock fell, Oct. 13th, 1812 he went on board the Zimmerman for Niagara where a handsome arch had been erected and also a pavilion on the wharf. A band of pretty little girls strewed flowers before the Prince and school children sang God Save the King, and the Mayor read the ad- dress of the Corporation of the town. Judge Another address was read Lawder, that of the County Magistrates. pleasing event took place. by Before leaving a Miss Miller presented a jar of fruit to the Prince and a little girl gave a bouquet. On leaving for Port Dal- housie, the steamer Peerless arrived from Queenston loaded tia men and accompanied the Zimmerman all the way. and his suite took lunch in the Ladies' Cabin where with Mili- The Prince the tables were piled with fruit the finest specimens of peaches, plums, pears, necta rines, grapes, presented by the Town Association. and Township Agricultural On Monday the 16th the following gentlemen were in- vited to lunch with the Prince, Mr. Sampson, M.P., Mr. Merritt, M. P., Mr. McMicken, M. P., and Col. Kingsmill. Colonel Bruce remarked to the Prince. On presenting them This officer Col. Kingsmill, fought at the battle of Busaco fifty years ago under your great grandfather George III. It may be said in explanation that the Miss Miller who presented the fruit was the Miss Miller who died here very lately and small girl who presented the bouquet was Marjory McMullen, the now Mrs. Bottomley. St. Catharines Journal, 1869 A a meeting at Queenston Heights, 13th October, a picture was taken of eight veterans who took part in the battle, the eldest being 89, the youngest 67 and their united ages 609. Their names are Daniel Fields, Soloman Vrooman, Seneca Palmer, John Clement, John Whitten, Lewis Clement, Cooper. 70 Duncan McFarland, P. Daniel �Epilogue INCE the pamphlet consists of scraps of a miscellaneous nature, STthe following lines relating to the notabilities of the town are added, authorship and date unknown, but supposed to have been written by James Davidson, the son of the Editor of The Mail, date (from internal evidence) about 1847. walls. the They were pasted on the One was resened, rather torn, and, in after years, was recited from memory for the amusement of old residents, the reciter having read them when she was a little girl. Election times are coming on. Dobie still goes for Henry John. But, as we do not deal in fiction, We'll do our best for Walter Dickson. Some talk of nominating Blain, If Henry John don't come again. Blain is a good man, and he will stick To old Niagara like a brick. Others again, indignant thereat, Threaten to bring forward Garrett. Although his colour is not white, His manners always are polite. x x x The Board of Police-a pretty crew! Perhaps we wont their acts review; Their heads much wisdom comprehend, And fairly aim our ways to mend. First comes John Simpson, fair and bland, His acts you all can understand.. His aim is high, his efforts strong, And seldom he is in the wrong. Then comes the worthy of The Mail, Who does his duty without fail; A modest and a careless air Conceals a power which cries: "Beware!" 71 �The third rejoices in a name Applied to something like a Crane; To give him all the praise we wish, He tries to catch the golden fish. James Boulton has, we understand, Addressed the folks in Haldimand; If he can't talk a man to sleep Before a jury he can weep. The gentleman who keeps the bank Does not deserve inferior rank; In calculation he stands first, And in kind actions not the worst. The street surveyor and the clerk Is just the man to do his work; His acts are always just and fair, No better man could fill his chair. Then comes High Bailiff Beaver Bonner, He is a man of sense and honour; Who fills his office very well: How punctually he rings the bell! Mr. Simpson was the Editor of The Chronicle, and afterwards Deputy Assistant Auditor General at Ottawa. "Henry John" was Henry John Boulton. Those mentioned without name would be: Mr. Andrew Heron, Mr. Alexander Davidson, Mr. T. McCormick, and Mr. Isaac Johnson. Three verses have been omitted. A complete copy was found lately in a garret in town. 222 72 �Meetings The Regular Meetings are on the second Monday of each month from October to May, except that the Annual Meeting is on the 13th of October. Publications Of many of our Publications the edition is exhausted, but we have, (price chiefly 25 cents): 2.4 Slave Rescue, etc., (reprinted), and Battle of Queenston Heights. 3. Blockade of Fort George (reprinted). 5. Sermon of Rev. R. Addison, Historic Houses, etc., (reprinted). 8. Family History, (reprinted). 11. Reminiscences, (reprinted). 12. Battle of Fort George, republished from No. 1, with additions, etc. 13. St. Vincent de Paul's Church, A Canadian Heroine, (reprinted). 14. Letters of Mrs. William Dummer Powell, 1807-1821. 15. Sir Isaac Brock, Count de Puisaye, (republished). 16. Report of the Opening of the Historical Building, (reprint). 17. Ten Years of the Colony of Niagara. 18. Early History of St. Mark's, Robert Gourlay, etc. 19. Inscriptions and Graves in Niagara Peninsula. (Price 40 cents). No. 10, reprinted with additions. 20. Reminiscences of Fenian Raid, etc. 21. 22. Historical Some Buildings, Graves in Churches. Lundy's additions Lane . (No. 7, reprinted with 23. Fort Niagara, Col. MacDougal. 24. Catalogue. 25. Laura Secord, Diary of a Prisoner in Fort Garry, 1869-70. 26. Notes on District of Niagara, 1791-3. 27. Names Only, But Much More. 28. Family History and Reminiscences. 29. Niagara Frontier, 1837-8. 30. Hon. William Dickson, etc. 31. Appreciation of Lt. W. J. Wright, M.A., Emigrants of 1847 in No. 1 Company, Niagara. Niagara, etc. Our Exchange List now numbers sixty. open every Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5. days. The Historical Room is In summer on Wednes- We have now a membership of two hundred and sixty. ). � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 32" booklet, c. 1920 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Niagara Historical Society, No. 32" booklet, c. 1920 Subject The topic of the resource Early Niagara newspapers Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the "Niagara Historical Society, No. 32" booklet, c. 1920. The Niagara Historical Society published their research/speeches regularly in these volumes, of which the Welland Public Library has most between 1-44. Volume 32 contains: "Notes on Niagara, 1759 - 1860" Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Niagara Historical Society Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1920 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Booklet Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 971.33 Nia Vol. 32 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Niagara Niagara Historical Society Niagara Historical Society Papers https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/0da9ab8fcd98c01e7d69c0dc6b7c461b.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=T26CVeggKfyeDE8uqFpr8pOz0cSwBg0%7Eetjrua-iPQ17t-UVQoI0n1q3Do389Iz16Oa28M7ckaB83467Kawfinn4F8fB%7EyV4CAmyvLviKkOA7vxwpxDQ-eqPe9ZE2ZiVyMzX0Fv2CP3yx4kpgC8IlpAjub41yXBzQK%7EyPLsbo-iePVlfLpMuhNmEAuq0S18AMKBzbZATo%7EfNjJIFj4-W7xKnFYIq0kBIwtd6jLLv2lXEuU781W66M3mOhzYV%7EBJhd7wcPKz8cO5YwaDn5mzqGBMG6iMNItQUM8kSnYyITLZWvb-c61l-0-XkzWOUHCY9toP6CREYUcFjXMDWaY6WjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 646dfc6c9f91e78161f010efb6ececfe PDF Text Text PEN PICTURES OF EarlyPioneer Life In UpperCanada BY A"CANUCK" PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED 1905 �1 �PEN PICTURES OF EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA BY A (OF THE "CANUCK" FIFTH PROFUSELY GENERATION) ILLUSTRATED TORONTO WILLIAM 1905 BRIGGS �COLES CANADIANA COLLECTION WELLAND PUB. ARY PL MR.L.S. PRICE 3:36 DATE May 4/73 ACCESS: No. CLASS.9171802 73-2141 Originally published in 1905 by William Briggs ofToronto, Canada. Facsimile edition published by COLES PUBLISHING COMPANY, Toronto Copyright 1972. Pen �TO THE Boys and Girls of Canada, AND ESPECIALLY TO WHO , ARE DESCENDANTS OF THE EARLY PIONEERS, THIS BOOK RESPECTFULLY IS DEDICATED. �Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand nine hundred and five, by MICHAEL GONDER SCHERCK, at the Department of Agriculture �INTRODUCTION HE main object of the author in putting together the scattered pages forming this humble volume has been to give glimpses of life-of real homely life among the early pioneers. He lays no claim to any other merit than that of telling his simple story. His means of information have been of a more than ordinary character, and these he has endeavored to improve by personal enquiry and visiting the localities, so far as possible, where the scenes are laid and depicted. There is, as will be seen, a large amount of information supplied, which he would fain hope may be found useful in adding to the historic fund of other writers, who have already placed themselves on record on the same subject as historians of early pioneer life in Canada. Real and homely as his tale has been told, there will still be found no lack of romantic incidents and chapters of much interest to the general reader. The book, in a word, is the author's humble contribution to the history of the early days of his native province. Access to old manuscripts and records of family events retained in both his father's and mother's families for a century and more, has helped him to a very great extent in carrying out the design which he had in view when he first commenced what, to him, was a labor of love. �CONTENTS I. THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. PAGE. ន Who the Early Settlers Were 15 The United Empire Loyalists ✓✓ Butler's Rangers. 18 គ The Mennonites and Tunkers ✓ 25 20 6 3 II. EARLY EXPERIENCES OF THE SETTLERS. How the Emigrants from the States Reached Canada. 29 Appearance of the Country 34 The Indians. 36 The Wild Animals 40 III. PREPARATORY WORK OF THE SETTLER. The Old Log Houses and Barns 43 The Fireplaces 45 The Felling of the Trees. 48 The Stumping 48 IV. TRAVELLING CONVENIENCES. An Old Military Road. 52 The Wayside Tavern 54 Y The Corduroy and Other Roads 57 The Old Stage Coach 58 Horseback Riding . 59 �CONTENTS. viii V. 5 WAYS AND MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. PAGE. The Mails 61 . 3 62 The Newspapers. Postage Stamps and Envelopes The Quill Pens 3 65 3 . 5 The Old Currency VI. SOCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS. The Industry of the People. 69 The Hospitality of the People 71 The Amusements of the People 73 The Schools. 74 . The School-houses 77 The Churches 78 VII. SOME PHASES OF EARLY COUNTRY LIFE. The Country Store 80 The Wayside Blacksmith. 82 The Country Peddler. 83 The Itinerant Shoemaker 84 The Country Squire 85 Tramps 86 VIII. SOME PHASES OF EARLY SOCIAL LIFE. The Old-Time Camp-meeting 88 The Old-Time Funerals. 90 The Superstitions of the People. 91 Ghosts, Hobgoblins and Will-o'-the-Wisps 92 The Lightning Bug or Firefly 95 In Time of Sickness 95 . Saving Habits of Grandfather 98 Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies 99 �CONTENTS. ix IX. HOME SURROUNDINGS. PAGE. The Old Homestead 101 The Orchards and Vineyards . The Old-Time Garden The Old-Time Wells The Family Cemetery 105 . 104 . 108 110 . The Rail Fence 111 X. HOME SURROUNDINGS-(Continued). The Bake-Ovens. 114 The Smoke Houses 116 The Old Workshop 116 The Old Grindstone 117 The Corn Crib 118 XI. HOUSEHOLD APPURTENANCES. The First Stoves. 120 The Old Corner Cupboard 122 The Grandfather's Clock 123 The Old Flint-lock Musket 125 The Dinner Horn. 127 The Old Dash Churn . 129 XII. HOUSEHOLD APPURTENANCES-(Continued). Early Household Utensils and Articles of Furniture Pewter and Crockery Ware. Candles and Candlesticks Tea and Coffee, and Their Substitutes. Lighting the Fire. . 131 . 134 ⋅ 136 . 138 • 139 �CONTENTS. X XIII. CLOTHING AND DRESS. PAGE. The Clothing of the People 143 . The Fashions in Dress 144 Our Grandmothers' White Caps 146 XIV. DOMESTIC Spinning Yarn INDUSTRIES. 148 . Straw Working 149 Milking Time 151 Plucking Geese 152 Soap-Making 153 Potash. 154 Cheese Making 154 How Sauer Kraut was Made 156 XV. DOMESTIC AND FARM WORK. Cider and Cider Mills. 159 Making Apple Butter 162 Honey Gathering, Straw Hives and Superstitions About Bees 163 Shingle Making 164 Flax Culture 165 Tanning Leather 168 XVI. FARM WORK. Early Farm Implements 170 The Sickle and Reaping Hook 173 Sowing the Grain Cradling Grain 175 The Reaping Machine. 176 Sheep Washing and Shearing 177 175 �CONTENTS. xi XVII. FARM WORK-(Continued). PAGE. The Threshing 179 The Logging Bee. 181 The Raising Bee 183 Maple Sugar Making Time. 188 XVIII. CO-OPERATIVE GATHERINGS. The Paring Bee 193 The Quilting Bee. 194 The Husking Bee 195 Butchering Day, or "The Killing" 196 XIX. EARLY PASTIMES. Raccoon Hunting. 199 Hunting for Bees 201 Hunting and Trapping 203 Fishing in the River The Wild Pigeons and Wild Geese 205 207 XX. COUNTRY AMUSEMENTS. The Old-fashioned Country Dance 209 The Charivari (Shivaree) 211 The "Old Sorrel " 213 The Spelling School The Singing School 214 215 Pop Corn, Nuts and Apples 217 XXI. COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. Early Country Courtship 219 The Country Wedding 222 �xii CONTENTS. XXII. FARM SCENES. PAGE. The Family Watch Dog . A Trip to Market 226 228 . An Auction Sale on the Farm 230 XXIII. COUNTRY SCENES. The Old Water Wheel 234 The Old Sawmills. 236 The Windmills 237 . The Old-Time Winter 237 Views of The Niagara . 239 XXIV. FOREST LIFE. The Wild Fruits 242 The Familiar Wild Flowers 243 Lost in the Woods . Forest Fires 245 V 248 A Primitive Canadian Band . Mosquitoes and Black Flies . 249 251 XXV. FOREST LIFE-(Continued). The Squirrel 254 The Fox 256 Rabbit Hunting APPENDICES. . 258 259 �LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE. An Old Homestead on the Niagara-Built 1810. Fort Niagara, from the Lighthouse . Frontispiece 18 . In Camp at Niagara, Butler's Barracks at Rear 22 Military Relics-Niagara Historical Society 28 Crown Land Deed-1799 32 Crown Land Seal-1801 38 York Pioneers' Cabin, Exhibition Grounds, Toronto 42 An Old Fireplace Modernized 48 . A View of the Niagara, with Grand Island in the Distance 52 Laura Secord's Monument 58 . A Group of Old Newspapers 62 Leaf from an Old Account Book 68 An Old-Fashioned Cradle.. 72 Box Stove-In use for a hundred years. 78 An Old-fashioned Loom 82 Spinning Flax in the Early Days. 88 Weaver Filling His Quills 88 . A View of the Canadian Side, from the Gate of Fort Niagara 92 Soldiers' Monument, Lundy's Lane 98 The Old Homestead 102 An Old Family Table 102 The Old Oaken Bucket 108 Another View of the Old Homestead 108 An Old Family Cemetery . 112 An Old Corn Crib 118 An Old Cider Press 118 �ILLUSTRATIONS. xiv PAGE. Grandfather's Clock Reflector, Bake Kettle, Tinder Box and Kettle A Group of Old Family Relics " 128 . . 132 . Old-Time Lighting Utensils. Pewter Ware and Old Utensils 122 . 138 . 142 . Spinning and Reeling Yarn 148 Relics of Bygone Days 152 The Ruins of Fort Erie 158 . Spinning Wheel and Household Utensils 162 Implements Used in Preparing Flax for Weaving Soap Kettle, Sauce Kettle, Shaving Horse, etc. . 168 172 " Spinning Flax-The Reel-Spinning Wool. 178 Old Dress, Bonnets and Panama Hat 182 . Some Old Time Articles 188 Arsenal in Fort George . 192 Fireplace with Old Utensils. 198 List of War Losses, 1812 202 List of War Losses, 1812-Continued. . Village of Queenston and Brock's Monument . Brock's Monument • 208 212 218 Where Brock Fell 222 An Old Tread-mill 228 Beaver Dams Monument . 232 House Occupied by FitzGibbon at Beaver Dams. 238 Grandfather-A Typical U. E. L. Descendant 242 Mouth of the Niagara from Fort Mississauga . . 252 House at Stony Creek Occupied by American Soldiers in War of 1812. Mouth of the Chippawa 248 258 NOTE. All the illustrations in this book are from photographs taken expressly for it, most of them by Mr. E. F. Walker, of Toronto. �PEN PICTURES OF EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. I. THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. WHO THE EARLY SETTLERS WERE-THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS BUTLER'S RANGERS-THE MENNONITES AND TUNKERS. LARGE settled proportion of on the the frontier of people who Canada dur- ing the earlier days of settlement were United Empire Loyalists, those who came from the neighboring States of the American Union at the close of the Revolutionary War of 1776. The first settlement of any note was that made at Adol- phustown, on the Bay of Quinte, in June, 1784. that After date, settlements grew up on the St. Lawrence Niagara and Detroit Rivers, and at Long Point, on Lake Erie. The impression is general that there were but a few squatters previous to that time. Provincial Government affairs, however, being at that period in an unorganized condition, such records as are at hand have only the 15 �16 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. reliability of tradition. A number of the first settlers were persons who had naturally sought refuge in the vicinity of Fort Niagara and other border forts, then in the possession of England, from the relentless persecution that was waged against British sympathizers intending to return home when peace was concluded, as they fully expected it would be, in favor of Britain; but, finding the result to be contrary to their expectations, they crossed the border and took up land on the Canadian side. Colonel Butler and his Rangers were granted a large tract of land in the vicinity of what is now the town of Niagara. The first settlers were a mixed stock of English, Irish, Scotch and German, many of whose ancestors had settled in the United States, then British territory, a century or more previous, some of them probably coming to America on the Mayflower, in 1620. This class of settlers, who came mostly from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, brought with them the customs, habits and style of living of their American forefathers. Being of a Conservative type, they preferred a monarchical to a republican form of government. After these settlers came a large number of Yankees, attracted by the fertile lands of Canada; and, although they were not British in sentiment, many of them afterwards became loyal subjects of the country, and fought for Britain in the War of �WHO THE EARLY SETTLERS WERE. 1812. 17 There were whole settlements of "Pennsylvania Dutch" (properly called German), adherents of the Mennonite and Tunker faiths, whose descendants to this day make up a large part of the population of Welland, Lincoln, Waterloo and York Counties. There were also large settlements of Quakers, particularly in the vicinity of Font Hill, near St. Catharines, and along the Bay of Quinte, who, like the Mennonites, left the States, fearing the Government might insist on their bearing arms. feeling against British sympathizers being so The strong, there was some talk of compelling all, irrespective of their religious belief, to take part in military affairs. Many of the Mennonites and Quakers, having been granted the religious freedom they desired under British rule, were not in sympathy with the Revolutionary party. This brought down the wrath of the new Government upon them, and, although they threatened to enact measures that would curtail the freedom of these sects, they never carried their threats into execution. There were also a few settlers from the British Isles and from Germany, but the larger number of this class came Many of the British soldiers who had taken later on. part in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, having been given free grants of land by the Government, after country. 2 receiving their discharge, settled in the �18 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The United Empire Loyalists. If honor is a mark of nobility, then the old United Empire Loyalists can truly be classed among the first aristocracy of Canada, for a more honorable class of people never settled in the Province. Steadfast in character, true to their principles, loyal to their king, they chose to leave their homes and property in the United States and come and hew out new themselves backwoods in the Canadian homes rather for than remain under a government so antagonistic and bitter towards the Mother Country they loved. Many of them had considerable property, but they preferred to sacrifice it all rather than become citizens of a hostile government. To be sure the British Government gave them grants of land, and furnished many things necessary for beginning life in a new country so far away from the older settled parts; still it did not begin to repay them for the hardships and privations they endured in days of their settlement. Many of them the early sundered family ties that they might remain true to their convictions and allegiance. As an instance, the writer has in mind one family where the mother remained Pennsylvania with several of her children, while in the father came to Canada with the remaining two, and although the mother followed the waggon conveying her husband and children away, weeping, and trying to �. t, hfe rom Lighthouse Fo t Niaga rra �THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS. prevail on them to remain, it was of no avail. 19 Possibly he had good reasons for leaving the country; for the Whigs had burned his house, and all there was in it, because he sympathized with the Royalist party. A sequel to the above took place several summers ago, when a party of the descendants of the Pennsylvania branch of the family visited their Canadian cousins, exchanging fraternal greetings, renewing ac- quaintance, and endeavoring to perpetuate the love and friendship existing between the two branches of the family which, though differing in nationality, are yet one in blood. Mr. Kirby, in his "Annals of Niagara," says that " every one of the U. E. Loyalists had a military bear- ing, an air of dignity, and a kindly spirit of comradeship, derived from dangers and hardships which they had shared together." The wealth and aristocracy of the Colonies, as a rule, were arrayed on the side of the Royalist party, while many of the rebels were persons having no great interest at stake. party meant no great loss The defeat of their to them, while on the other side it meant the loss of all, especially if they had been swear allegiance wonder their active partisans, at the children parents? To to the staunch and this or were new not willing to government. conservative grandchildren adherence to principles who the Can were principles we of our of �20 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. monarchical government, as an American said, "was due the sterling character and author has dignity of these people." They believed in a principle and they fought for it. The old U. E. Loyalists never got over their bitterness towards the United States. This antag- onism was inherited by their descendants for several generations. It was more of a national than an indi- vidual hatred, however. The women were equally as patriotic and loyal as the men, and you could not offend one of them more than by saying anything against their country. It is told of one of the women in the early days that she would not eat at the same table with a Yankee. Her reason for being so bitter was that her husband had been shot in cold during the Revolutionary War. blood by the rebels Many of these women displayed their patriotism and loyalty during the war of 1812 by looking after the crops while their husbands were away fighting for their country. The firmness and dignity of the old U. E. Loyalists and their descendants were due to a great extent, no doubt, to their military training, for in the fore part of the nineteenth century all men between a certain age were enrolled in the militia. Butler's Rangers. Many of the United Empire Loyalists were military men who had taken part in the Revolutionary War. A large number of those who settled in the vicinity of �BUTLER'S RANGERS. 21 Niagara and in other parts of the Niagara Peninsula had formerly belonged to Butler's Rangers, a regiment of cavalry who carried on a guerilla warfare against the revolutionary party of the United States, their operations being confined principally to the eastern parts of the States of New York and Pennsylvania. They were accused of laying waste the country, destroying property, and burning buildings. Many atrocities were laid to their charge, however, which were quite unsupported by the facts, and where offences were committed the actual facts were greatly exaggerated. It is true that war at any time is cruel and relentless, and many things are done that at another period would be considered barbarous. Most of the Indian tribes of New York State sided with Great Britain and made frequent raids on the American settlements. It is possible that the onus of their evil work may have been placed upon Butler's Rangers. In their raids the Rangers were associated with Indian allies. It is quite probable that many of the atrocities attributed to the Rangers were perpetrated by the Indians connected with them, and whose well-known ferocity when on the war-path the Rangers themselves were unable to restrain. The Indians, it is true, may have been assisted by some few cruel white men, fiends in human form, who unfortunately got a footing amongst Butler's Rangers; but the general opinion has been long since arrived at that most of these stories were gotten up by the Ameri- �22 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. cans in order to excite the American people to revenge. General Sullivan, who was sent by the United States Government to make raids on the Loyalist settlements of New York State, is reported to have been guilty of just as much cruelty as the Rangers were ever charged with. A Ranger descendant told the writer that his father always said the stories of the cruelty of Butler's Rangers were at first manufactured and afterwards adopted as American history; yet we well know that in American history there has been a great deal of falsification of the actual facts when relating to anything pertaining to Canada, and they even now admit some of the mistakes themselves. When war is being waged there is a great tendency to exaggerate and falsify, anyway. Take, for instance, the reports sent out by the Boers during the late Boer-British War in South Africa. It is not denied that some of those who had belonged to Butler's Rangers were á rough class-there are always such who follow the fortunes of war and were known to boast of the cruelties they had committed; but how do we know that they were always telling the truth? They may have told these stories to excite the awe and terror of the children of the people among whom they lived. We all know the proneness of such characters to exaggeration. The poet Campbell has given a pathetic description of the descent of the Rangers into the Valley of Wyoming, in his poem entitled "Gertrude of Wyoming." It was proved to him �at . Rear a ia t g a ra BaBr ur ta le cNr k ' s s Camp In �BUTLER'S RANGERS. 23 afterwards, however, that the facts upon which he based his poem were quite baseless and without foundation. Just how much truth there was in the stories of the alleged cruelties of these Rangers may never be fully known; but the fact remains, and can be fully vouched for by some of the old people still living, that horrid stories concerning them, such as the killing of innocent women and children, the burning of their homes, dangling infant children on their bayonets over the fire, and other equally revolting fireside anecdotes of admitted doubtful veracity, were common talk among the old settlers, both Loyalist and otherwise, in every section of the country, and talked and told over and over again, just for talk's sake. The common saying that none of the Rangers were known to die a natural death was but one amongst the many other exaggerations as we know from ocular proof to the contrary. As has just been said, it is admitted that some of the Rangers were of a low type of men. But one black sheep or two should not be accepted as true representatives of a hardy, courageous and enterprising type of guerilla soldiers. Here is an instance that will explain our meaning: One of the old Rangers, who lived alone on the Niagara, was the dread of the women and children in the neighborhood on frightful stories he told. account of the When he died, it is said, the coffin would not stay in the ground, but one end kept �24 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. coming to the surface. neighborhood The superstitious people in the attributed this fact to his whereas the real cause was quicksand! wickedness, Some few of the Loyalists, on account of the hardship and ill-treatment they were subjected to by the rebel party, were filled with the spirit of resentment. scarcely wonder at this? And who can It was the result of despair. In one instance, known to the writer, the American soldiers came to the house, and demanded the young men of the family; when told they were away they shot the old father of the family, without any provocation, on his own threshold. And other cases of equally barbarous and unjustifiable, might this be kind, given. One thing must ever remain to the credit of the Rangers -their adherence to principle. "Their loyalty was still the same Whether they lost or won the game." When talking over facts of history that occurred during war time a century and a quarter ago, we must remember that military discipline and martial law were very severe then, much more so than at the present day. At that time, even during peace, persons were hung for forgery and sheep stealing. Men had no heart or "bowels of compassion"; victory must be gained at all hazards, and no matter at what sacrifice. It is said that the military men who settled at Niagara were of a stern �THE MENNONITES AND TUNKERS. 25 character, and had no conscience when it came to carrying out military discipline and stratagem.. This was the class of men Col. Murray took with him for the attack on Fort Niagara, on the night of December 19th, 1813. The orders were that not a soul should live be- tween the landing-place and the fort. This was to pre- vent anyone from notifying the garrison of the fort of the approach of the enemy. The attack on Fort Nia- gara was said to have been in retaliation for the burning of Niagara by the Americans. The inhabitants were only given half an hour's notice by the American general, and that on a bitter cold December day. It can safely be said of the descendants of most of these old soldiers of the Revolution, however, that they have proved an honorable and honest class of men in every relation of life. The Mennonites and Tunkers. The Mennonites were among the earliest settlers in Upper Canada. and Lincoln Many of them settled counties previous to in Welland 1800, and in that year their settlement in Waterloo County began, Waterloo Township being bought by a company of these people. Markham, Vaughan, and Whitchurch town- ships, in York County, were settled largely by members of this sect. Through marriage and social intercourse with English-speaking people their language and pecu- �26 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. liar customs are fast disappearing, and it looks as if in the course of a very few years there would be nothing left but their family name and their religion, which some of them still adhere to, to distinguish them from other people. The early Mennonite settlers must not be classed, however, with the Russian Mennonites who settled in Manitoba more than a quarter of a century ago, although originally of the same stock. Although being like the Quakers, a non-fighting class of people, we think the early settlers of this class might properly be called United Empire Loyalists. Their sympathies in the Revolutionary War were certainly with Great Britain, although, in consonance with their religious belief, they refused to bear arms for either party. They were honest, God-fearing, industrious people, many of whom left Pennsylvania and came to Canada for the reason that the British Government granted them exemption from military service, and allowed them to make an affirmation instead of taking an oath or making an affidavit in the courts, which privilege they were not sure of being able to retain under the government of the United States. Their religion was opposed to war and going to law. In this respect they resembled the Quakers. Their ancestors emigrated from Switzerland and the Palatinate along the Rhine early in the eighteenth century, and �THE MENNONITES AND settled in the commonwealths of TUNKERS. 27 Pennsylvania and Maryland. Many of their descendants are to be found yet in those states, some of them still retaining the language, religion, style of dress, habits and customs of their German ancestors, although for the last fifty years there has been a gradual breaking away from the primitive customs which their forefathers brought with them from the fatherland and maintained so well for more than a hundred years. It is no longer considered wrong for their children to marry English-speaking people of other faiths. At one time if one of the family married outside of their own people they were sure to incur the anger and estrangement of their parents. It was no uncommon thing to find young people who had never entered any church but that of their own denomination. Although not by any means an ignorant class of people, they were a simple-minded folk; all the education that was considered necessary among them being a good understanding of the three R's: "Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic." Many of them were great readers; their reading, how- ever, being confined to books of a religious character. Although not deeply versed in learning, they were and are a thinking class of people. As is quite apparent from the thrifty manner in which they conduct their business, which was and line. is chiefly in the agricultural �28 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The Tunkers (or Brethren) belonged to the same race of people and spoke the same language as the Mennonites, most of them in the early days being converts from the faith of the latter. Their customs and habits of living were similar. Their style of dress, however, was somewhat different. In religion they differed chiefly in the form of worship and tenets of their faith. �Military Relics Niagara Historical Society. �II. EARLY EXPERIENCES OF THE SETTLERS. How THE EMIGRANTS FROM THE STATES REACHED CANADA- APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY-THE INDIANS-THE WILD ANIMALS. we all know, a hundred years ago there were no railway or steamboat lines on the States miles of which to travel. Between border frontier stretched dense and the two, three and the Canadian settlements four in hundred forest, inhabited by wandering tribes of Indians and infested by ferocious wild animals in great abundance. It was the practice of the emigrants from the States to pack all their belongings, or at least all of them canvas-covered they while on take with them, in wagons, similar to those used by gyp- sies at the present day. lived could their In these conveyances they long and dangerous journey. Among the " Pennsylvania Dutch" the " Conestoga wagon" was used; its box was oval or boat shaped. This style of wagon has long since become obsolete. Indeed it was only in general use among these people. The wagon was usually drawn by a yoke of oxen, for 29 �30 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. horses were not suited for such travel. Many of the early settlers, however, made the journey on horseback. There being no public roads through the forest, the emigrant was obliged to follow Indian trails, the course of rivers, or "blazes" (marks on the trees), made by some previous traveller. constructed Later on, after roads had been (the government frequently sending men out to slash down the trees on the routes surveyed for the leading roads and clear the way for the wagon track), the emigrants came with horse teams, four horses being usually attached to a wagon. As may well be imagined the journey was not only full of danger at every step, but was also tiresome in the extreme. The women and young children suffered most, but they courageously encountered all the hardships of the way to reach the "promised land," where they would be permitted to live free and peacefully. It was a lonesome and melancholy sight to watch the wagons slowly wend their way between the logs and stumps of the newly- cut wagon road on their way to Canada. These journeys occupied three and four and sometimes eight and ten weeks. The passage through the unbroken forest, over the mountains and through the passes, being so slow and tedious, the journey necessarily lasted all the longer. Usually several, sometimes quite a number, of families came in company, and thus by mutual help got over difficulties which otherwise might have been unsur- �HOW THE EMIGRANTS REACHED CANADA. mountable. 31 The emigrants generally took a cow or two with them to help them begin life in the new country, as well as to furnish milk and even butter on the way. The milk in some cases was hung in a leather bag at the back of the wagon, and it is said that the motion of the wagon would frequently churn it into butter. Chickens, too, were also taken in numbers, and these supplied them with welcome eggs, so that the weary emigrants were not obliged to be without their customary meal of ham and eggs. At the dawn of day, in their encampment in the woods, could be heard the crowing of chanticleer as he made the welkin ring in depths of wood with the familiar notes of welcome to the opening dawn. The journey from Southern Pennsylvania led through the Alleghany Mountains. At one point the pass was so narrow that only one team could go through at a time. When two teams happened to meet one of the wagons, had to be taken apart and carried past the other on men's shoulders. When they came to streams which could not be forded, if a scow to cross was not obtainable, trees were quickly cut down and a raft con- structed for conveying them over the stream. As the stream of emigrants increased, ferries were placed and attended to by persons living in the vicinity of these crossing-places. bottomed Some of the old ferry boats were flat- boats propelled by horse-power, the horse �32 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. having to walk on a tread-mill, or to walk round and revolve a post which connected with machinery, and which kept the paddle wheels in motion. The rope and capstan was also used in the early days for crossing the rivers and small lakes. The rope, attached to a revolving post on board, was run out and fastened to a tree or post on shore, or attached to a heavy anchor and carried for- ward by a small boat the length of the rope and then dropped to the bottom. The post on board was then turned by a horse or by hand power, which caused the boat to be pulled ahead as the rope was coiled around the capstan. Another method of propulsion, in certain places, was by stretching a rope tightly across a stream and fastening it to a post or tree on both sides. A pole or stem with a roller on the end stood on the prow of the boat, the boat being pushed out from the shore. The force of the stream caused the roller to revolve and thus carried the boat across. Still another form of power was by running the rope through a hole at each end of the boat and pulling the boat across by hand. Along the Niagara River, Niagara, Queenston and Fort Erie were the prin- cipal crossing places. only of a few huts. Buffalo, a century ago, consisted The locality being low and marshy was considered undesirable for farming purposes. In coasting or travelling up the large lakes and rivers large canoes and bateaux, long flat-bottomed boats with �by, , , o , , r . , . - . .of . a t n o d h i f t a a a h i f s m d e n e n e v e r, d o t o , w b e e , ; t h e o a ; f o r i b n t e o o : I f n o , r , o r of , , , , , , ) t o e , o ar no df b i n b e , a , o f S u r v e y o r o a u u s r d m a y t a c t h o o n i a , a f d n t l , a , a o f t o o t o h f f e h i s 17D9 eL 9 e ad nd Crown t Mt ai pn ag lu l Sy et 999 Oft fh ie c Auditi or ns Jd ua l hi y g ,h on e Lo o rf d o u r . . w i a i f n n e y r he a t v p a h l a e e r p n r r l c a e , d a e r t onl t f d m lai na k nn e e , o d r ur be c o m e on; tcn h e f h d a l l v a b o n n t u i e d l o fd t a l h me e an a d f u c h a n d recc ot a rh u d a f f e l o e d l a l DEF l AULT p e r f o n s t h e i r p f e u r o f co r h , n h h e a i n f r e t s x e t r t oh f n o e e m e e i t h e r d e f o r o fa f le b g , o i y f rt tf he a t i t f a hl a . ft oo t h e a n d fa o i i un d r d pf e o ro f m , u r e n an ac ee not ftph a riogwhnt b u n i o l t t ( t h e a b u n e t i re d l , o o ct t r e d ny d o r tu hu e e on f a f rr p w v , a h o e i n c y d h f a u c h no an no c d t t h o e on fy , o r i, n Spend Eound reo iu gr n of our faid het rhe a ii n nn y g mt iy n die Prendent fucch ef ef ier u r i s s n t ahr e thoufay ned the WITNESS in of province our this his great the notwithſtand coi t nt n h ra g e ry of every o f h uo c e u c i e f r r f o s r s f o r a m m a n g t a r r b h k d d e a t o i f e n h e o a f s d r t n e b e y f o l a o f n r d n p a t o h . r a t t o f o f : a n d , fi l h r c e f a g a o m i o o a p a l i l l o u h p l t n n v n e d l u l e , e s i d o r r s r s t o f i d H O L D i n b e f o o f A U N T . D o t t h o o e f t h e a s t h e a s , o f wF i h f i n c h , a a s na d a n d t h e t f o o f f , a o s ro , a f n d a so b e g i n n i n g p l a c e t C h T h w a e e i n n t s y a n d y f h a y o n O m r n i d e s , t h e n A w S n i o g aM n l g u u S o t i s t s e t h i t n f l t l e h h e n g y y n e t ohf eo" , e a n y o , . fat me t he, t o n f, o t h o e r t o a h f e t o o f i n , o f t , o A n n t i , h n e " , a a o c n f t ho i f si o .y , / ,o s, tohfe ) mr a , i n l o o , f t , , . wha pt uf ro p a e ov n fe e d r s granted ca oi nd f any been intents befo l b r ay e w whic oh f inheritanco er prefcribed exchange thence all vefted faid provi tn h o ce f e declare office enfeof ment year One contained herein to refident virtue conh te ar ie nti e hi n d ng takebn een hereby convey da e a n e n c od y e f gra d gn it vhe e ern eby ch ah ee l faMii d t du arn in f d o gr havian ffi g gns o r gauf bu e ain ld d n tt wr iat co on rh y every mont twh el s ve having wh poe mr ff oe ov n pe e r a s f r n oy n her t ei am fo t ee r s r fo ca ufe faid therein within of ered witfh nl hi al time houfe dwellfi uff n icg ient affiggs heirsor chael lia id the fhall made being province to granted certifipc f ro a a vt i ine o d cue r provinc ho a e un fe be referv wa if t t b o i h u o e i nn d s effe va o cn i t nd ub le l a d pa fu f rc o t h r gn iv en years thing therein Gander fecretary's into,adpfehmk s entry by land granted Gander Michael the hereby of marrida eg vie fe Presided fame of lo an fd tract parcel faid Michael thereto c r ais ae dj c ei n n aar be l y nt g appropriaat lle otd ed its clergy fa fi dae dc West One th Cf aap se forths , a of of faid theme Chains referving parcel faid hereby to as aforefaid land grant our heiras nd aforefagi ran d ted and as aforefaid part the heirs feventh allotcm ae u hf n ae v t d e we t o certra ep i en al Wateras nd is enfuing his opf art in fome the that alfo aforefaid Woods of and the to fame the like allotted provifion thereon lying Stuate the Fifty of GIVE admit will the in proportion Sou th teh n 1. Inland PeC lo lf if i gi e n n the province of his Majefty's Worth of faid the in made par mc ae il n knowledge Fra nce an d Britain clergy is declared parliamb en yt more of Bri Gt ra ei an t whereas f ti a o ( s y at after herein county o f of Of D , oCo f land CANADA that follows and limitations conditions alligns heirs grace the UP ER made within province fhall provi ef f fe i co tun al inf br eos nt t over provinceof the sanda ( mislf eid m our mor fae me Willoughby refpect grahn et re ebd y e fhall North Twenty unto to effec vt au la il d fpecificatci ono ta n in America ty hes n of GRANT prefents thefe deputy of par fc ae il d aff a in gn ds nat tu hre e quality to appropriated Chains Twenty butteld and e kn oto hew rb wn i fe be ai nnd g lying in Hundred come,GRETIN:Gandin. shallnel One f o grahn et re eb d y and appropriation and pafp lae rt ds fourteenth T Sh oe ur te h a bon und d ae rd e tuh e nd er th b a ee n i, n dg num e cb ob m ep o i l oe n f r f e g s d by ... and all of containing Woods west acres and whom in tt hu h nr d r e d w ee se t Hun Ed arSs e o tu t h d t eh n proteftant Finition the governm feo nr t Maj ft yr 'ts he yee a province," i" s n hertehaefter k Nne ow w land l a g n r d a t n s ht at unle s bh s ee l akn t ma e dsQuebec f o r to haf e a cn t fti s t hr ipr af t fy ed entr ie ti lg en d fole al ny d the p and Ares maintehunsaentcse propicites be or further act aforeidaw,tglh e prefents Faith,ndfor the be king,defnro Guatem db,nythe trade admeafurem nt cent but il h di e ng lawfu le l th o r iy r fp aai rcd el fh ai t ed s h in sdae y r Ma ah fa ail d cwa eh hf ic refervh a wt ii to hn ie s n by e r t r a pa f c r ac t t i e h d l e ge r n t e d alP sra ovy id s ed h la r a e n t o b r d a r y ct a b u n g a d h e r e b l a o t n r r a d cy t a s hn o ei u u r r t s o fuJc c e f nf ef ve eo r v t e f h i r v eo n l e s e r g r ss h e r e b y e l q eu u fta ie mc a l a te nd l t a h n p d e as rt va H A V E n ra r d ct . "neaa rn ll yato nea br a ei l nny d g a wd i cm t a o l i h f f l t e e res l t p a a e h nc s d e t s d fe o v n e e n the re a fe n rd ve f up bp eu n o f e f r t o fe h l i t fe o tr and fuceors,tpwahiln r fame Worst7TehHundawyCi,15 that than diſtrict Ireland Great our Special of it ty ha Kt NOW e he THItR D Rendent Township year thundred Home he and Lined for grade,comar by ev r,acetino exprfed:whica the aforei,dinBegin ing and we Happy GEORGE government reignfa"A,toclrdmkig Peter the and Gander granted given the lands granted this circumftances and of - cbeingumitances be proteftant AND res rvations, as of thiny and Refill Tetor Honorable Cand: oaths and or lawful any Michaepoffelfed l Gandegood r magiftrates General as and Upper tenure fhall in Honor feal under By Com end GIVEN nowafbh,nernutydpowr,rheaftgbity flandig:Proude heirs,falcomntp d ditonsgf,ralemhc tained being may heirs upon next and land of of �HOW THE EMIGRANTS REACHED CANADA. 33 pointed ends, propelled by oars and sails, and in rapids and shallow places by long poles, were made use of. The Durham and Schenectady boats used on the St. Lawrence before the days of the steamboat, were only a form of bateaux. The canoes used for transporting merchandise were quite large, some of them being four- teen or fifteen feet long and three or four feet wide. It required four or five men to paddle these canoes when laden with goods. It was by means of large canoes, also called bateaux, that the French in the early days of Canada transported their furs and merchandise from one place to another, in many cases hundreds of miles. When the streams did not intersect, or falls and rapids occurred, portages were made at the most convenient places, when the canoes and bateaux and their cargoes were dragged or carried overland and again launched. If the portage was a long one, as for instance that between Queenston and Chippewa, when the traffic became large, the goods were conveyed overland in wagons, people living in the vicinity of the portage owning a large number of wagons and doing a lucrative business. The lakes and rivers of the country formed a waterway which was found very convenient in the early days when the country was covered with swamp and forest; they formed the only real public highways. They afforded a speedy means of transit for the time, much preferable to the slow and perilous traffic over3 �34 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. land, where rivers had to be crossed and other dangers encountered. Before the days of steamboats and rail- ways the bateaux were towed up the St. Lawrence and along the shores of Lake Ontario by horses and cattle when bringing emigrants and merchandise from Montreal and Quebec. It was usual for the merchants to visit these places in the spring and buy goods and supplies sufficient to last them till the following year. Appearance of the Country. A solitude of unbroken, silent woods and bush were the chief features of the new country out of which the settlers felt that they had to carve homes build shelters for themselves and and their families, and bravely did they face the stern and repulsive realities, which meant a lifetime of unwearied toil now before them. The level intersected slopes, low by stretches rivers, swamps were creeks and much broken and lakes, marshes. hills Much and and of the latter features have disappeared and given place to welltilled fields, smiling pasture land, fruitful orchards, and comfortable, happy homes, through the hard toil of the settler. Timber encumbered the ground, the difficulty of the settler being how to get rid of it. The kinds of timber varied according to the locality and soil-in the low places being found the cedar, swamp elm, black ash, willow and tamarack, and in the dry, elevated locali- �APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY. 35 ties the birch, beech, maple, oak, pine, spruce, hemlock walnut, etc. A considerable portion of the country along the Niagara, and between Lakes Erie and Ontario is low and level. When first settled it consisted largely of marsh land, in fact, some of it remained in that condition until recent years, when large draining works were put through by the Government for utilizing tracts which formerly were of no value except for growing huckleberries, people coming for miles around to get their yearly supply on the marshes. These low places were also at that time great breeding-places for rattlesnakes. To avoid the swampy land as much as possible, the early settlers selected land bordering on the lakes, rivers and creeks, where it could be conveniently drained. The creeks being fed by the swamps and marshes were much larger than they are to-day-the clearing up of the country having caused many of them to become dry. Much of the land lying farther back in the country, on account of its swampy condition and liability to frost, remained unsettled for many years. settled and drained Since it has been it has turned out to be soil for farming purposes. the best of The condition described. above applied to many other sections of Canada as well, for even in the oldest-settled parts, fifty years ago, there was a great deal of uncleared land, the earliest settlers even then having considerable bush at the back of their �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER 36 farms. The low price of farm days did not encourage the CANADA. produce in the early farmer to hurry up the clearing of his land, so that he could raise grain and fatten cattle for the foreign market as he does now so profitably. The Indians. The Indians never gave much trouble to the early settlers of Canada, for the British Government always treated them fairly. Being of a nomadic nature it was customary for them to wander around the country and barter with the people, exchanging their baskets, beadwork, etc., for provisions and clothing. Here and there through the woods would frequently be found a bark wigwam and the marks of an Indian camp. The early settlers would often allow them to come into their houses and stay all night, lying on the floor before the fire wrapped up in their blankets. If they were hungry they would be made welcome and have food, etc., given them. It was quite a novel sight to watch them seated around a big dish of porridge or soup, all eating out of the same dish. The Indians, as has just been said, were well treated by the early settlers, and Indian that he will it is characteristic of the remain a true friend deal honestly and fairly by him. to those who It was quite common for an Indian chief to bestow a belt of wampum upon a �THE INDIANS. white man for favors received. 37 This belt, if hung in an exposed place, served as a protection to the settler's house; for if any members of that tribe happened to be on a marauding excursion they would do no harm to the house in which the belt of wampum was hung as a token of peace and friendship. In the early days the Indian always carried his blanket with him wrapped around his body. In travelling they walked one after the other in Indian file. Sometimes as many as forty or fifty of them would be seen in a line. They paddled over the lakes and rivers in canoes made of birch bark. Their customs, habits, mode of living, dwellings, etc., varied according to the tribe and the locality in which they located. Basket-making and bead-work were their chief industries. As a rule most of this work was done by the squaws, the men only exerting themselves when fishing and hunting. Seated on the ground before the camp-fire, with their legs crossed one over the other and a bundle of green splints beside them, the Indians could be seen making baskets. They would take the splints one by one from the bundle and weave them into a mat to form the bottom of the basket, sufficient length of the splint being left to bend sharply at the edge and turn up to help form the sides and ends; between these were woven more splints until the framework was finished in the shape desired. A heavy splint or gunwale was put on the inside at the top to form the rim of the basket. �38 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. Around this the ends of the upright splints were wrapped. A heavy splint was placed on the outside of the rim, and lashed with a lighter splint to keep it in place. Some of the splints before being used were soaked in a solution of Indian berries, the solution staining them blue or red, the two principal colors used, according to the strength obtained by boiling. sometimes added Sumach bobs or blossoms were to the solution to obtain a drab color. The wood out of which the splints were made was rim ash (second growth ash) usually five or six inches diameter, cut into lengths about six feet long, in first soaked in water (thrown into a creek or brook), after which it was taken out and pounded or hammered with a big wooden maul until the fibre of the wood became loose, when it was easily peeled off and cut into strips of various widths. The Indians were expert at making moccasins out of deerskin. The skin, after being cut the size required, was sewed with strings or thongs made of finer leather, and ornamented with colored porcupine quills, and sometimes with beads. Their beads and colored cloths, of which they made their fancy work, were obtained from the Indian traders. Their work of this kind was varied, and ofttimes displayed taste and skill. There had been a Government depot at Niagara for years for distributing supplies among the Indians. Here they brought their furs and exchanged them for merchandise. �ORRECT .- 1801 Seal Land Crown �THE INDIANS. 39 Previous to the advent of the settler many of the In- dians had fields of corn. They ground the grain in rude stone bowls into a coarse meal, which they made into cakes and baked in the hot ashes. They also raised beans and pumpkins, but they lived chiefly by the spoils of fishing and hunting. In certain Indian resorts are found pieces of pottery, which, though rude in design, show that they knew some- thing of the art of making vessels out of clay. They were expert in the use of the arrow, the heads of which were tipped with pieces of flint carved out of stone. The Indian language is very expressive, one word con- veying a great deal of meaning. proval is "Nee." Their grunt of ap- They applaud their speakers by exclaiming, "Ho! ho! Ho! ho!" The primitive red men tattooed their bodies and faces, selves they and when with tied on the different in a war colored knot on path smeared pigments. them- Their hair the top of their heads; into this bunch of hair was stuck feathers, which gave them a wild and fierce look. see him The noble red man, as we to-day, is certainly a different individual to what his ancestors were a century or two ago, and it can scarcely be claimed that he has been improved by the white man's civilization. �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. 40 The Wild Animals. In some localities wild animals were quite numerous in the early days of settlement. As became more thickly settled, however, disappeared. Deer were the country they gradually frequently seen stalking through the woods, and every now and then a bear might be seen crossing the path of the settler. The grandmother of the writer used to say that frequently at night they could hear crunching that had the bones the wolves been gnawing thrown and outside. A friend related to the writer that sixty years ago, when his father-in-law baby child and mother-in-law with were driving through the woods, from Toronto, on a visit to a friend, they their not far were sur- rounded by wolves. They were obliged to drive furi- ously to get away from the pack, throwing out the buffalo robes and blankets for the wolves to tear up, and so delay their oncoming. They right up to the door of their friend's were followed house by the animals. The sheep had to be gathered into folds at night to keep them from the wolves, and occasionally bruin would get into the pig pen and carry off one of the pigs. It is told that sometimes the early settlers carried torches through the woods at night to frighten the wild animals away. �THE WILD ANIMALS. 41 In order to help rid the country of these pests the government granted a bounty, i.e., so much per head for the scalps of all wolves that had been killed. Their pelts could often be seen nailed up, flesh side out, to the sides of the old log houses, or salted, stretched on boards, and hung up to be dried and cured by the sun. Besides the wild animals above mentioned there were many others. The wild cat, which made its home in the dark woods and swamps, was the dread of the settler. Porcupines were quite common, and occasion- ally the house-dog would come home after an encounter with one of these animals with his mouth full of quills, which it required pincers to draw out. The squirrels, red, gray and black, were to be found in abundance. Snakes in some places were very unpleasantly plentiful, among them being the rattler, which still makes its home in the crevices of the rocks lining the Niagara gorge. Snapping turtles were numerous in certain localities. Foxes were also quite common, their bark being heard nightly in the clearings. fested the swamps and in the fall of annoying weasel raids on depopulated the corn fields. the chicken The racoons inthe year made The skunk roosts. and Rabbits and hares were very plentiful and helped out many an enjoyable meal. The otter and beaver were also to be found in many of their favorite haunts along the small creeks; even now are sometimes found small cleared spots, �42 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. called beaver meadows, where these animals formerly cut down the trees and built a dam. The whole country, it may be said, was at that period a hunter's paradise. The settler did not have to go far to bag game for the dinner table. He could drop his axe, stroll off into the woods with his gun over his shoulder, and soon return with a supply of fresh meat for dinner. Birds of all kinds were very numerous; the eagle could often be seen flying over the tops of the highest trees; the caw, caw, caw of the crow was always a familiar sound. The turkeys, ducks, partridges and pheasants were also very plentiful in places. It is said that deer were so numerous that they could sometimes be seen pasturing with the cattle, and had been known to come home with them at night. The settlers were frequently obliged to make fires at night near the house to scare the wolves away, so badly did their nightly howling frighten the women and chil- dren of the family. A snow-storm could invariably be foretold by the howling of the wolves, which at such times became louder and more prolonged. �Pioners'Cab,ExhtGudT. York �III. PREPARATORY THE OLD LOG WORK HOUSES FELLING AND OF THE BARNS-THE SETTLER. FIREPLACES-THE OF THE TREES-THE STUMPING. ✓ HE first houses and barns of the settlers were built of logs. When a new settler came into a neighborhood, the neighbors, if there were any within a convenient distance, the would assemble newcomer to rear houses at the "raising" and help his domicile. Some of these were substantially built, but the first put up, being often erected in a hurry and without any assist- ance, were only temporary structures or cabins, twelve to sixteen feet square, one story high, built shanty style, i.e., with the roof sloping one way and covered with bark or small hollowed basswood logs, laid in tile fashion. A small window, containing six or eight lights of glass (sometimes oiled paper), furnished light, although square holes closed by a shutter were sometimes made to take the place of windows. The chimneys were built of sticks and clay, bricks not being procurable, and lumber being scarce, the doors were made by split43 �44 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. ting pieces of timber into rough boards, and in some cases the hinges and latch were made of wood. The floor was made of split logs,* and sometimes the earth, packed down hard, served as a floor. There is a tradi- tion in the writer's family that in the pioneer house of his paternal great-grandfather, built in 1800, stump, hewn flat on top, standing in the centre a big of the house, was used as a table; rough benches served as seats, and there being no months after occupation, a hole in the bark roof. chimney for the first few the smoke escaped through The logs comprising the walls of the old log houses were notched so as to fit into each other at the corners of the building, with the ends of the logs left projecting a foot or two. After the build- ing was completed, these logs were usually sawn off. The cracks between the logs were chinked, i.e., filled with wedge-shaped pieces of wood and plastered with clay, moss often being stuffed in out the cold. temporarily to keep Many of these primitive houses contained only one room, one end being occupied by the fireplace and the other by the beds of the family. In the two- storey houses, in many cases, the upper storey or loft was reached by a ladder, sometimes from the outside. These old log houses were quite some of the old settlers made shift in comfortable, and them for years Called puncheons, three or four inches in thickness, hewn smooth on one side by the broadaxe. �THE FIREPLACES. when they might have had better. 45 Fifty years ago even, many of them were still to be seen standing in the oldest settled parts. This tardiness in doing away with the old log houses was due partly to the fact that they were exempt from the taxation that was imposed upon stone, frame and brick structures. The furniture in these primitive houses was very rude and plain, and did not consist of much more than a bedstead, chairs, or stools, and a table, all home-made, with shelves on pegs in the wall for holding the dishes. The Fireplaces. A conspicuous part of the old farm house was the large red brick chimney containing the fireplaces, one or two on each floor, built the lower part being of stone. up from the ground, Very often they were built on the outside, but against the house at the end. A crane, with a number of hooks for hanging the kettles on, swung back and forth in the kitchen fireplace. Here was done all the cooking for the family, and although not to be compared with stoves as a means of heating, our forefathers enjoyed the comfort of the old fireplace. It was, indeed, a cheerful sight during the long winter evenings to see the family seated around the fire, with the light from the burning logs illuminating their beaming, healthy, happy and satisfied countenances, the men-folks smoking or reading, the women �46 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. knitting or sewing, the children listening to stories of bygone days, which were being told them by their mother or father, or the aged grandmother, grandfather or perhaps by some stranger, who might be, for the occasion, enjoying the hospitality of their home. social life of the fireplace days has disappeared. The News- papers and books have taken the place of the family chat of the fireside. The old folks do not take the same interest in telling of the days gone by, or in relating folk-lore, or the children in listening as they did when sitting around the old fireplace. Our brilliant means of illuminating our houses has now, it may be said, turned night into day, so that the people do not give their evenings up to rest and social intercourse as much as they did in the days of the candle and hearth fire. appurtenances of a well-equipped fireplace The were the hand-bellows for blowing the embers into a flame, the tongs, the long-handled shovel, the poker, the spit, for roasting fowl over the hot fire, the fire irons or andirons (sometimes called fire dogs), for placing the sticks of wood on, so that they would burn more easily, and the fender in front of the fireplace. On the mantel over the fireplace were placed the brass candlesticks and some of the family ornaments and bric-a-brac. In the summer time the crickets got into the fireplace and broke the monotony of the evening by their chirping; sometimes they would venture out of their hiding-places on to the �THE FIREPLACES. 47 hearth, when the playful kittens would gambol around them and stealthily grab some of them up. Great chunks of wood were burnt in the fireplace, the largest, called the "back log," being placed behind. The back log was sometimes so large that in some of the primitive houses it was drawn into the house by a horse. About the large kitchen chimneys, in winter, hung squashes to keep them from frost, and guns, to keep them from rust. In front of the chimney, on poles suspended from the ceiling by cords, hung chunks of beef and venison, and strings of apples to dry. Some- times pieces of meat were hung up to dry inside the capacious chimney itself, far enough away from the fire to prevent them from being roasted, and yet not far enough for them to become blackened by the smoke. The first chimneys were built of sticks and clay, as bricks were not then procurable. A framework of sticks was well plastered on the outside and inside with clay mixed with straw, which, in time, by the heat from the fire, became almost as hard as stone. These chimneys were always built on the outside, probably to render them safer from fire. In a song sung by the young folks years ago in one of their games this chimney was referred to thus:- "Sticks and clay will wash away, March on, my ladies, on!" �48 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The Felling of the Trees. Considerable of the time in the winter was spent by the pioneer in felling the trees, preparatory to clearing the land. The sound of the chopping and the crashing noise made by the falling trees, as they yielded to the sturdy strokes of the woodman's axe, could be heard in all directions. In the fall of the year, previous to this, the "underbrushing" was done. This consisted in cut- ting down the small trees and bushes and throwing them together into piles, so that they would not be in the way of the chopper. The trees were chopped so that they fell in a pile or "winrow." During a dry spell in summer, a day was set for the "burn," when the piles in the " "fallow were set on fire. After this, what re- mained was cut into logging lengths, a logging bee made, and these lengths drawn together by oxen, and again made into piles and burnt. The chunks which remained after this second burning were collected by the farmer and his men (the women folks and children often assisting at the "chunking") into little piles, and once more set fire to and kept burning by heaping up the burning fragments and pieces of log until they were all reduced to ashes. and The brush, consisting of the limbs branches, was collected burnt. into separate piles and In order to hasten the clearing of the land, and save labor the farmer would often convert part of his �An Old Fireplace Modernized. �THE STUMPING. 49 woods into a "slashing," by chopping the trees down, and allowing them to remain for a few years in this fallen condition, to be acted upon would "girdle the trees," by decay. Sometimes he i.e., cut off a ring of bark around the tree, so as to prevent the return of the sap from the branches to the roots in the fall of the year. In consequence of this the trees would die and fall to the ground in the course of a year or two. What had not fallen in three years' time were cut down. the time and labor of cutting the fallen To save trees into lengths suitable for being drawn together by the oxen, they were often "niggered," i.e., burnt in two, by placing small pieces of wood across the larger logs and setting them on fire. The Stumping. After the land was cleared of the timber, the only obstacle remaining was the stumps. They did not pre- vent the farmer from cropping the land, however, the three-cornered rowing up drag being made as a means of har- the land between the stumps, and the grub hoe or mattock * for getting out the roots, although after the first crop the ground was usually allowed to remain in an uncultivated state until after many of the stumps had been removed. usually rotted out in The the course of three, four or five A mattock was a hoe and axe combined. 4 hardwood stumps �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER 50 CANADA. years, or became loose so that they could be easily pulled out by the oxen, the larger ones being burnt out by piling brush around them and setting them on fire. The pine stumps were not got rid of nearly so easily, but would remain undecayed in the ground for twenty years or more, the pitch in the wood acting as a preservative and preventing decay. The pine trees were not usually as close together as the other trees, and very frequently were found growing among trees of other kinds. To get rid of these almost everlasting pine stumps it was necessary to resort to something besides decay and fire. To dig them out would take too long, although that was frequently done. Sometimes blasting was resorted to. Holes were bored in the stump with an auger, powder was placed in these holes and exploded by means of a fuse. This was a better plan than digging, although not suited for decayed stumps. After the blasting the roots near the surface had to be dug out and cut off. The best device for ridding the land of pine stumps was the stumping machine. almost intact. This took the stump out All that had to be done by way of pre- paration was the cutting off of some of the larger roots. The first appliance for pulling out the stumps consisted only of a good strong logging chain, and a pole from twelve to fifteen feet in length and six to eight inches in diameter. The chain was fastened around the stump, but slack enough to permit of the end of the pole or �THE STUMPING. 51 lever being inserted between it and the stump. To the other end of the pole was hitched a yoke of oxen, which, on being driven ahead, twisted or upset the stump from its place in the ground. This plan of pulling stumps was only suited to the smaller ones. It was the stump- ing machine that pulled out all sizes, by means of a screw fastened to a framework placed over the stump, and attached to a chain placed around it. was a long pole fastened to the screw. to the other end of the pole Above the machine A horse hitched was driven round the machine and elevated screw, stump and all. After the pine stumps were taken out, they were either made into piles and burnt or placed in rows and made to serve as fences. When properly made, these stump fences were as secure a fence as could be got, and were very lasting. In sections of the country where there was considerable pine timber these fences might be seen extending for miles. �IV. TRAVELLING AN OLD MILITARY CONVENIENCES. ROAD-THE WAYSIDE TAVERN-THE COR- DUROY AND OTHER ROADS-THE OLD STAGE COACH-HORSEBACK RIDING. HEN making a settlement the first settlers usually selected the best land situated on the borders of the rivers and lakes. The Niagara River being a narrow body of water, many of the emigrants from the States crossed the frontier at some point along this river, and made choice of locations along its banks, so that it was not long before a line of settlement extended from Niagara to Fort Erie. As so many rods along the banks of a large stream is a government reserve, the old road along the river might be called a government road. It facilitated the transportation or conveyance of troops from Fort Erie to Fort George, a necessity in itself in those troublous times succeeding the Revolutionary War, and although it followed the windings of the river, it became the main highway for travel for many years. Of late years more direct roads have been made further back in the 52 �Distance. the in Island , Grand with Niagara the of View A �TRAVELLING CONVENIENCES. 53 country, but in picturesqueness and beauty they are not to be compared with the old river road, although it has been getting so very much narrower in places caused by the constant washing away of its banks. Indeed, it is now likely to soon lose its quaint beauty, for a line of electric cars is being talked of to run from the village of Fort Erie to the Falls. For years, and within the recollection of a few of the oldest inhabitants, this old road was the route for a line of stage coaches running from Niagara town to Fort Erie village. At that time there was a number of hotels scattered along the river, but since the stage coaches have been done away with most of these have also disappeared. Within the memory of the writer's mother, who was born in 1828, much of the bank along the river has been washed away, and in many places the military road of a hundred years ago now lies under water. To prevent the bank from washing away in front of his farm the writer's grandfather planted a row of willow trees close together along the edge of the water. The river road is rendered very pretty in places by the tall poplars and maples planted by our forefathers fifty and one hundred years ago. Familiar to the writer is the old maple tree in front of the old homestead, which was a good-sized tree three-quarters of a century ago, and �54 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER still blossoms in beauty and strength. CANADA. It tempts him to exclaim: "Woodman, spare that tree, Touch not a single bough; In youth, it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now. "'Twas my forefather's hand That placed it in this spot, So woodman, let it stand, Thy axe shall harm it not." Long may its fine spreading branches be protected from the depredations of the despoiler. In the early days it was a great hindrance to the lumbermen, when towing their rafts of logs up the river from Chippawa, as they were obliged to unhitch their horses in order to get around it. The Wayside Tavern. Situated here and there, at convenient distances along the leading roads, were to be seen the country taverns. Some of them were fine, imposing edifices, although in the earlier days many of them were built of logs. They did not partake of the nature of saloons as much as the country taverns of the present day, but were built ex- pressly for furnishing accommodation and shelter for man and beast, as well as refreshment, for in those days, �THE WAYSIDE TAVERN. 55 there being no railways, all the traffic was over the public roads. Everything had to be conveyed overland by wagons; a great many farmers had to team their produce many miles to the nearest market town. These country hotels, or inns, were patronized largely by the immigrants coming into the country, of which there was at that time a constant stream. The innkeeper did not always depend on the inn for his living, many of them having farms in connection therewith. Liquor in the early days was considered more of a necessity by the people than it is now. The temperance agitation not having commenced, it was the custom for all to drink. Even prominent members of churches "kept tavern" and religious services were frequently held there. Most of the people kept liquor in their houses, and many of them served it at their table, but strange to say, there was no more (perhaps less) drunkenness than there is now. Pos- sibly one reason was because the people were obliged to work hard and had little time for leisure, and less money to spend, for after they became better circumstanced the drinking custom became more alarming. some people drank to excess, but as It is true long as they attended to their business it was not considered wrong. The art of adulterating liquor being then unknown, the same harm did not seem to result from drinking to ex- cess as in later days. It was not considered necessary to adulterate whiskey in those early days, for the pure �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. 56 article could be obtained at a trifling cost, fifteen to fifty cents a gallon, say, from There was no Internal Revenue tax imposed upon its manufacture as at present. In some localities the people were very temperate, very few people drinking to excess, those who did so being considered as lacking in sense. In the early times the tavern was the centre of social life in the neighborhood. The men would congregate there and acquaint themselves with the latest news of the day, talk politics, have a few glasses of grog, and even if they did become a little tipsy it was thought nothing of. Over the driving-shed, in connection with many of these country hotels, there was usually a in which the annual ball was held. large hall, It was also engaged by travelling theatrical troupes, lecturers, phrenologists, etc., and was often used for local public and political meetings, and even, as already remarked, for Sabbath service. The stage coaches running between the towns made thèse hotels their stopping-places. different It was here they let off and took on their passengers and lug- gage. Somewhere on the walls of the hotel shed were posted colored bills of the coming circus. These pictures of animals, clowns, actors, etc., filled the small boy with wonder, and gave him something to think and talk about for days, as was only naturally to be expected. �THE CORDUROY AND OTHER ROADS. 57 The Corduroy and Other Roads. Some of the first roads in the country were not much more than paths through the woods, with a piece of bark cut off the sides of the trees here and there to point out the way. After a while a few trees were cut down along the road, and the strip of sky showing between the tree-tops on each side of the road would indicate the route, for the marks made by the wheels of the occasional waggon were soon grown over with grass In swampy, marshy places, the roads were bridged over with corduroy. This was done by laying logs of cedar, or some other wood, six or eight inches in diameter, close together, across the road. Sometimes these cordu- roy roads would extend for as much as a couple of miles, where the nature of the causeway required. They fairly jolted the life out of one with the constant bump, bump, bump, they gave when driving over them. In the course of a few years they were usually covered over with ground, which helped to make them a little more passable. Some of the first main roads running through the coun- try were made of plank; sleepers were put down, and four to six-inch plank nailed on them.+ roads were afterwards Macadamized introduced, but as they were * Blazed. +A plank road ran between Trenton and Belleville, a distance of twelve miles. One of the between Napanee and Kingston. first macadamized roads was that �58 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. expensive roads to build, the right of building and operating them was granted to private companies, who were allowed the privilege of erecting toll gates and levying toll on all teams passing through. In this way they earned a dividend on the money invested, and paid the running expenses of the road. days, before the era of railroads, when much overland traffic over the In the early there was so public highways, this may have been a good way of securing good roads, but nowadays it would seem like an imposition, and we are pleased to know that of late years the toll-gate nuisance has been gradually done away with, so that now there are very few toll-gates left in the country. The Old Stage Coach. Before the era of railroads the general public travelled by means of stage coaches, regular lines of coaches running between the different frontier towns. The coaches being heavy and cumbersome, and the roads frequently very bad, especially in the spring and fall, they were usually drawn by four horses, a change or relay of horses being made at certain places along the route. They were obliged to travel fast to make good time, in order to connect with other lines at the various junctions, and, if mail coaches, to fulfil their contract with the Government for carrying the mails. The trunks and valises, or carpet bags, were piled on top or �PERPETRATE E NAME AND FAME OF LAURA SECORD WHO WALKED ALONE NEARLY 20 MILESBYA CIRQUEDOS,DIFFICULT ARDPERILOUS ROUTETHROUGH WED ANDSWAMPS AND OVERMISYROADS WARR & BRITISH OUTPOSTAT SLSEWSFALLSOFAN INTENDO ATTA ANDTHESEST ENABLED LieutFitz ONTHE 24 JUNE. WITH LESS THAN 50MEN OFM 43 RECT ABOUT 5MILITIAMEN AND SMALL FORCE OFSIXNATIONAND OTHERINDIANS UNDER CAPTAINS LOMJOHNSONKERR AND DOMINE DUCHARME TOSURPRISE AND ATTACK THE ENEMYAT BEECHWOODS ORBEAVER DAMS ANDAFTERASHORT ENABEMENT TOCAPTURECOLBERSTLER OF THEUS ARMYANDHIS ENTIRE FORCE es542 MEKWITH TWOFIELD PIECES Laura Secord's Monument. �HORSEBACK RIDING. 59 on a rack behind. It must have been a very tedious way of travelling. How much we, who live in an age of steam and electricity, with our rapid modes of transit, finely lighted and comfortably heated cars, have to be thankful for; and yet many of us have yet to learn how to properly appreciate and enjoy the privileges we have. An aged Toronto gentleman told the writer that he remembered when it took eight days to travel from Montreal to Kingston by stage, a distance of 180 miles. The stages often got stuck in mudholes, and the passen- gers were then obliged to alight and help pry the coach out with fence-rails and wooden levers. Horseback Riding. Horseback riding was quite common among persons of both sexes in the early days. It formed one of the chief diversions of the young people.* A number of them would frequently gather at a friend's house and go out together for a ride. Every farmer kept a saddle or two for the men, and a side-saddle for the ladies to use. Horseback riding was the most convenient means of travelling through the pathless woods. Some of the old settlers, when visiting their friends so far away as Pennsylvania, used to travel back and forth in this manner. The early Methodist minister, or circuit rider, with his saddle-bags containing his Bible and hymn-book, a valise Called riding parties. �60 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. with his clothing and an umbrella tied on the pommel, was quite a familiar figure on the roads. The roads, in consequence of poor drainage, were very bad in the early days, and for that reason travelling on horseback was the easiest and quickest means of transit.. It was not until about sixty or seventy years ago that steel-spring buggies first came into use. The first vehicles of that class were very heavy and cumbersome, and it was some time after their introduction before they became popular. The "buckboard," a species of buggy, was at one time in considerable favor among the people. Being light and strongly made, it could well withstand the jolting over the rough country roads. Saddles were made of hog's leather, or pigskin, the old settler frequently having skins tanned for this purpose. It is quite common, even now, to see a saddle as a sign in front of a harness shop and the name "Harness-maker and Saddler" door, over the but the name saddler has largely lost its sig- nificance. �V. WAYS AND MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. THE MAILS THE NEWSPAPERS-POSTAGE STAMPS AND ENVELOPES -THE QUILL PENS-THE OLD CURRENCY. N the early days the mail was carried between the different offices in the outlying districts by post-boys on horseback. On the leading or post roads this work was done by the stage-coach, a shrill blast from the horn which the driver carried giving notice of its approach. The coaches engaged by the Government for this pur- pose bore the name, "Royal Mail," and most of them had the British coat-of-arms emblazoned on their sides. The post-offices were confined mostly to the towns and villages. These being few and far between, many of the people in the country districts had to go miles for their mail. As, however, there were but few newspapers sent through the mails at that time, and comparatively few letters written, it was not necessary to go to the office very often. When anyone in a neighborhood called at the office for their mail, they generally got the mail for the whole neighborhood. 61 �62 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. Postal rates were very high in the early days, the charge at one time being according to the distance sent, the cost of sending a letter to a amounted to as much as half a dollar. far-off place often Fifty years ago it cost seven cents to send a letter anywhere in Canada, and a York shilling or more to the Old Country. You may depend upon it, when people had to pay so much for sending a letter by mail, they did not write or trouble the mails more than they could help. Letters were frequently sent by travellers from one place to another. Again, people living long distances apart made a practice of visiting each other periodically, and in that way kept track of each other, or word was brought to them of their friends by others. The writer was told that in one place in the country, where the post-office was in a pri- vate house, if the post-boy left mail for any of the neighbors a flag was hung up to notify them. The Newspapers. Although the printing press was invented centuries ago, it is only within the last one hundred years or less that the spread of the newspaper has become universal. Now there is scarcely a home among intelligent people that the daily or weekly paper does not enter. This has been due to many favorable causes-popular education, the railways, cheap postage, improvements in the print- ing press, etc. Popular education has given everyone a chance to learn to read and write, and in fact education �Upper Canada Phoenix. NIAGARA HERALD. MAGANA TIRSDAY, DEMA WANTED $10,000 in Cash Zake Notice. New StorT. Canadian Freeman. haart Gande Niagara Reporter. The Correspondent and Advocate. TORONTO MONDAY, MARCH 17 A Group of Old Newspapers. �POSTAGE STAMPS AND ENVELOPES. has been made compulsory. 63 The railways furnish quick The telegraph and cheap means of transportation. flashes news from remote parts, cheap postage has made it possible for the poorest in the land to have all the reading matter they want sent to them at a trifling cost, and the improvements in the printing reduced the cost of printing wonderfully. press have In the early days any paper or magazine that came into the house was treasured, read and re-read, and then given to the neighbors to read. The first post-offices being few and scattered, and the postal rates high, the newspaper was usually distributed by the publisher, who sent a man around on horseback to deliver the paper to the subscribers. Oftentimes a box was nailed to a post or the fence near the road, into which the paper was dropped. To save expense, sometimes six or seven neighbors would club together and subscribe for a paper, the subscriber living on the main road receiving it first, and who, after reading it, passed it on to one of the others. Sometimes it was left with persons along the route appointed as agents. Postage Stamps and Envelopes. Those of us living at the present day often wonder why it is that we enjoy so many privileges that our fore- fathers did not possess. telligence. We do not claim superior in- The only explanation we can offer is that they lived in the conservative period of the world's �64 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. history, when changes by many were considered wrong and of the devil, while we live in a period when progress of any kind is welcomed. Sixty years ago, even, the people in Canada did not have stamps and envelopes They wrote their letters on one side (sometimes three sides) of a sheet of letter paper, folded the paper, then wrote the address on the unwritten side and fastened it with sealing wax. People did not write so many letters in those days-in fact, there were any number of people who could not even write their own names, as shewn by the number of marks that are to be seen attached to such documents as wills, deeds, etc. Then, again, it cost con- siderable to send a letter by mail. We are indebted to Rowland Hill, of England, for introducing cheap postage. His attention was called to the matter by seeing a servant girl take a letter from the postman, carefully look it over, and then return it, on the plea of not being able to pay the postage. The letter was from a brother of hers in a distant place. By the postmark, and cer- tain other marks on the outside of the letter, she knew where her brother was and how he was situated. Rowland Hill, in spite of her protest, paid the postage and handed her the letter. After the postman had departed she told Mr. Hill of the understanding between her brother and herself. This incident led to the establishment of the postal system of England on a new basis and the issuing of the first postage stamps, in �THE QUILL PENS. 65 January, 1840, a penny carrying a letter to any part of the British Isles. This system was soon adopted by all the well colonies, as as other countries, the first postage stamp being issued in Canada, in 1851. The Quill Pens. Steel pens are a comparatively modern invention. It is not much more than seventy-five years or so since they were introduced. Previous to that time the writing was all done with the quill pen made from the quills or large feathers taken from the wing of the goose. People usually kept a bundle of these on hand for use in making pens. when plucking gathered Sometimes the geese, they would be taken out but when the geese shed usually they were their feathers, the quills being found scattered around the yard. They were then boiled in water to remove the oil and make them hard and pliable. All that was necessary in making a quill pen was a good sharp pen-knife, in fact this was how the name pen-knife originated. Many persons in the olden time were quite expert penmen and some of them who had always been accustomed to use quill pens preferred to still use them even after the invention of the steel pen. Until quite recently, points made from quills were kept for sale in some of the stationery stores. The ink the old folks used was made at home in various ways. 5 One �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. 66 kind was made by boiling the inner bark of the soft maple in water and adding a little copperas to the solution. Nut galls and copperas were also frequently made use of for making ink. These old-fashioned, home-made inks were good and durable, the writing in some of the old letters and documents written a century ago being as distinct to-day as when first written. Before the days of blotting paper it was customary, especially among students and professional men, to keep a box of fine sand on the desk before them, to dust on the paper after it had been written on, so as to dry up the ink quickly. The ink-well always had small holes in it for inserting the quill pens in when not in use. It may not be inappropriate here to introduce the words of a famous riddle on the THE QUILL PEN. "In youth exalted, high in air, Or bathing in the waters fair, Nature to form me took delight, And clad my body all in white. My person tall and slender waist, On either side with fringes graced, "Till me that tyrant, man, espied And dragged me from my mother's side! No wonder now I look so thin; The tyrant stripped me to the skin,*The sand-box usually had a top like a pepper-box. �THE OLD 49 CURRENCY. 67 My skin he flayed, and hair he cropped, And head and feet my body lopped, And with a heart more hard than stone He picked the marrow from my bone! To vex me more he took a freak To split my tongue and make me speak ; Riddle me this before next week!" The Old Currency. The first official currency in Upper Canada was the Halifax currency (£ s. being adopted till 1858. d.), the decimal system not In the United States the deci- mal system was authorized by the Federal Government in 1793. Previous to that time there was what was called the Colonial currency, each State having a money system of its own, adopted when it was a colony of Great Britain. tion of the however, It was some time after the authoriza-. Federal that its use rency to which the currency, or dollars and became universal, the cents, old cur- people were accustomed being still employed to a greater or less extent in ordinary transactions. A person travelling from Boston to New York a century and a quarter ago was obliged to com- pute in the currency of the different States through which he passed. Among the people of Canada living along the border, as well as among the emigrants from the United States settled in other parts of the province, the New York currency (N.Y.C.) was used consider- �68 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. ably in the fore part of the century and in some places until the middle of the century. The dollar was also made use of quite frequently, it being customary to reckon so many York shillings (12 cents) to the dollar. The penny of the New York currency was equivalent to our present cent, but the name ally used then instead of cent. copper" was gener- It was not until 1820 that the Halifax, or Provincial currency, became at all general, private and store accounts being mostly kept in New York currency previous to that time, public and school accounts only in Halifax currency. In Halifax currency the pound was equivalent to $4.00 and the shilling to 20 cents. In New York currency the pound was equivalent to $2.50, and Much of the shilling to 12 cents. the trading in the early days was done by barter, i.e., by exchanging farm produce for store goods. Logs were exchanged for shingles, and lumber and whiskey for grain, circulation. for money was generally Previous to silver coinage in Canada. Confederation there in scant was no The silver in circulation was British and foreign (British mostly). The British coins most common were the six-pence and shilling pieces. Considerable United States silver was also in circulation. There were also a few Mexican, Spanish and French coins. The present Canadian cent was preceded by the Canadian Bank penny and half-penny tokens, usually called "coppers," as well as the British penny and halfpenny piece. �VI. SOCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS. THE INDUSTRY OF THE PEOPLE-THE HOSPITALITY OF THE PEO- PLE THE AMUSEMENTS OF THE PEOPLE-THE SCHOOLS-THE SCHOOL-HOUSES-THE CHURCHES. ABITS of industry were inherited by the old pioneers. The people who emigrated from the New England States and from New York and New Jersey necessarily belonged to an industrious race. Their ancestors had cut down the primeval forests in these States, and had gone through experiences and privations similar to those which our forefathers had gone through in this country. The thrift and industry of the "Pennsylvania Dutch," many of whom settled in Canada, are proverbial, their farm houses and farms being almost everywhere models of neatness and order. While the early settler was clearing his land, sowing, planting and reaping his crops, his industrious spouse was kept equally busy with matters pertaining to household affairs, and yet she was not above going out on the farm and giving her husband 69 �70 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER a hand if occasion required it. CANADA. We can see her picking up sticks and chunks in the logging field, helping to cut (with the sickle) and bind the sheaves of wheat; at work in the sugar bush and hoeing and planting in the garden. The women folks wove the woollen blankets and linen sheets for the beds, cloth for their clothing and carpets for the floor. When they grew old and feeble they spent their time in knitting, sewing carpet rags, plaiting straw for hats and darning stockings. The writer can well remember grandmother's work-basket, which stood on the sitting-room table, with its spools, scissors, twist, piece of wax, thimble, spectacles, and the stocking she was knitting. In Happy, quiet days! studying the times of our * Carpets did not come into general forefathers, use among the country until about sixty years ago. The people could not afford the time They to make we see all classes in were a luxury. them. Some of the religious sects in the early days considered it an indication of luxury and pride to have such things. Some of them were so narrow-minded, bigoted and ignorant that they would not own a buggy that had steel springs. It is remembered that a certain bishop of one of these sects, on putting on a new suit of home-made clothes, went to the barn and stood behind the fanning mill, which was being operated, and so covered himself with dust in order to show his humility. The Methodists, even, in the early days were opposed to finery in clothing, and their ministers often disciplined the members for wearing jewellery, etc. Even the Presbyterians, until late years, did not allow the use of organs in their churches. These preju- dices, as a result of education, have mostly disappeared, and these people now take advantage of all the latest conveniences and inventions, even to having telephones and electric lights in their barns. �Christian Shoup account 1813 No.7 Mark Jo1 CalfSkin to tan onshares paid 9.1 Yearling then paid Skin Jo pain 2.166w. Je444 do1Shupshine-paid debackto Balmer s.. Ruser 8½ ToCartto Elesalute Blainsor 16 welver 3.1 ox.hide75h/Steerfride 55t.. 21 Shelf Kit Jepaid Betsyfor weaving. Je Brass Bob lock 32/ pai 1011 lightsGlass 1120 2/6- 11:31 Darrells lime 16/ 2160 Jo 1 hoy thin to Tann. 1815 1 Cord Tann Dark- 1120 horse hive -3 Sheep Shin December7thto1 three year oldSteen hide toJan onthemes. 112 1816Apri the25 do 1GulfShin &Sheep Skin dekad " Maythe14 to1 oxhide. gott 9 2 12 10 the20 de mareto house aget toben To Side Seat Leatherin Lew ofofhier above75+55 201 Gow hide to tan ofthe BlackCowbebeloberthe28 201Lantion for Etios how 302Shocksthinthe wolfestellenpair the25this thelarge Bull hide- 8oll. 29 1817 3 hadochgen 1ſidewheſter LeatherofChave Shanallporpromotethisdate 18181.1692 1019 20paidyourdes do Isteer hide thatBroke his neck. 1820may 1821 J.18 Longe pine Inus 16/- 1824 March 2.1Days were mekingbassin bs.— Leaf from an Old Account Book. �THE HOSPITALITY OF THE PEOPLE. 71 clearly illustrated the truth of the old saying, "Necessity is the mother of invention," for, in order to have the conveniences and luxuries of life, outside of a few store goods, they were obliged to produce them them- selves, as most manufactured articles had to be im- ported from the Old Country, and for that reason were very expensive. They were very ingenious, however, and whatever they made was well made and not loosely put together in a frail manner, as such things are now. Many articles of furniture then made by them still defy the lapse of time, and are preserved by some of their descendants, giving strong evidence that they were made to last. The Hospitality of the People. Among the old settlers it was not necessary to lock the entrance door, the latch string* being frequently left hanging outside, so that anyone could enter that wished. It is said that oftentimes when the folks got up in the morning they would find several Indians lying before the fire. The old settlers never turned a stranger from the door; in fact, they were always glad to have someone come along and partake of their hospitality. This was one way they kept themselves informed of the goings*The latch, in most cases in the old houses, was lifted from the out- side by a string which ran through a hole in the door. they wished to lock up, they simply drew in the string. At night, when �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER 72 CANADA. on in the outside world, for there were very few news- papers at that time, and the news in those they received was weeks and months old before reaching them, and did not contain anything like the amount of reading matter in the newspapers of the present day. There generally seems to be more of a feeling of social equality in the backwoods-anyway, all are comparatively poor and, therefore, on the same level. As the land gets cleared up and this one and that one gets a new house or barn, then the class distinction begins, and envy, jealousy and pride assert themselves. The houses of our forefathers were always welcome stopping-places for the emigrant from the States, and some marriages were not infrequently acquaintanceship thus formed. the result romantic of the The people, having to produce nearly everything themselves, were usually good providers, and their tables were bountifully supplied with good things to tempt the appetite of the visitor. The women folks were not behind the times in making mince pies, pumpkin pies, doughnuts, ginger snaps, etc., and the old-time sausage, head-cheese and "liver-wurst," I . excelled be to not were It was more customary in the early days for people living long distances apart to visit each other at certain set times, even if they were obliged to go on foot. People were known to travel back and forth from the States in this manner. Neighbors would frequently �.- Cra Fad shl ioe ned Old An �THE change AMUSEMENTS work, and in that into each other's society. the fashion. OF THE PEOPLE. way were often 73 thrown "Bees" of different sorts were There were "bees" for logging, ploughing, sheep-shearing, wool-picking, corn-husking, etc. quilting, apple-paring, These gatherings all helped to bring the people together and encouraged sociability among them. Smoking was quite an evening pastime among the people. Almost all the men smoked, and some of the old women even did not conceal the pleasure derived by them at being addicted to the practice. After the toils of the day were over, the men folk could be seen sitting around the fire-place smoking their pipes the whole evening long, and, of course, chatting with a neighbor crony who might drop in to have an evening's social enjoyment. The Amusements of the People. Even with all our so-called modern improvements and facilities for enjoying ourselves, it is doubtful whether the people of the present day enjoy themselves any better, if as much as, the people of fifty and one hundred years ago. Their amusements were simple, it is true, but they entered into them with a heartiness and freedom that gave to the social atmosphere a charm that could not be surpassed. Although their opportunities were limited the spirit of contentment seemed to thoroughly prevail �74 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. among them. They had varied amusements for every season of the year. The list included paring bees, husk. ing bees, horseback riding (riding parties), skating, sleighing parties, taffy pulls, quilting bees, etc. These gatherings as a rule wound up with a dance, unless this amusement was interdicted by the religious society to which they belonged. The Schools. There was no system of public schools in the early days, schools partly supported by taxation not being introduced till near the close of the first quarter of the century. The usual way the people had of supplying their children with the means of education was for the different families in the neighborhood to club together and subscribe a certain sum towards the maintenance of a schoolmaster, each paying according to the number of children in the family. The pay the teacher received did not, as might be expected in such circumstances, amount to too much. He had, however, free board, the custom being to have the teacher board around among the people during his term of engagement. These school- masters, as a rule, were not over-learned graduates in their profession. Many of them were discharged British soldiers, and others came from tailors, shoemakers, etc. the ranks of worn-out It was not necessary to hold a diploma in those days in order to be allowed to teach �THE school. There were SCHOOLS. some few of these 75 teachers, no doubt, who had the advantage of a superior education, but the great majority of them had no regular training, and were wholly unfit for the work. Their primary efforts did undeniably good service in the case of beginners, but the smart pupils soon outstripped the master. The reference here is, of course, confined to the schools in the country districts. In the towns there were private schools and boarding schools, which offered superior facilities for getting a liberal education, although very few of the people in the farming community were able to avail themselves of these advantages for their children. Not- withstanding that the chances for obtaining a higher education were limited, all the people were not by any means illiterate. In fact, many of them, being great read- ers, were what might be called self-educated men, whose education extended even to a high range of subjects and various branches of knowledge. early It has been alleged that in the century a large percentage of the people could not read or write, and such was probably the case; but it has to be remembered that people of this class were mostly immigrants and foreigners from the Old Country and from European nations. The settlers being so widely scattered over large areas, many of them were prevented from giving their children the advantages of school training. Attendance at school not being compul- sory, many of them who were not well educated them- �76 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. selves neglected the education of their children. They thought that because they had succeeded well enough without education their children should. About the only subjects taught in the early schools were reading, writing and arithmetic. Many of the teachers themselves had very little knowledge of any other subjects. Of grammar many of them knew nothing. Their knowledge of arithmetic very seldon went beyond the Rule of Three. Of geography they were ignorant. The people in the early times having fewer books and papers to read, their memories generally retained what they did read. other than The knowledge they got of subjects those taught in the schools was mostly obtained by reading. In regard to the discipline in the schools in the early days, it may be said that order was maintained in most cases by a liberal use of the "birch rod" or "blue beech." Nowadays a teacher who depended on corporal punishment for securing obedience would not be tolerated. The public schools were at one time called "common" and "district" schools. The change in name and desig- nation to that of public schools was more in accordance with the progressive spirit of the times, which gave the grammar school, the high school and the collegiate institute. �THE SCHOOL-HOUSES. The 77 School-houses. Before regular school-houses were built, it was cus- tomary to hold the school in private houses, one of the neighbors having a house large enough setting a room apart for this purpose. The first school-houses were built of logs, and had two rows of desks, one on each side, facing the windows, and placed against the walls, with two rows of benches or forms without backs for seats for the scholars, and were placed so high from the floor that the feet of in the air. the younger children dangled At one end of the room was the master's desk or table, and chair, and in the middle a big box stove, with a bench on each side, on which the children collected at recess or before school hours. There were no such things as blackboards, maps or globes, and quill pens were used exclusively for writing. Part of the master's work was to see that the children's pens were kept properly made and mended, his ability as a teacher being reckoned largely by his proficiency in this line in a time when to read, to write and to cipher were con- sidered sufficient education for ordinary people. In localities where there were no churches, the school- houses were often used for divine worship on Sunday, as well as for singing schools, lectures, political meetings and polling places at the elections. The scholars' hats and dinner pails were hung on �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER 78 CANADA. wooden pegs driven into the logs, or into a board at the back end of the school-room. were made of boards The with legs of wood auger holes at each end. piece of benches driven into When the writer first went to school stone ink bottles were the fashion. was obliged to furnish his own ink. Every scholar On cold, frosty mornings in the winter, it was customary for the scholars to place these bottles on the stove to thaw out the ink. Occasionally some mischievous boy would leave the cork in the bottle; the result would be an explosion and a large black spot on the ceiling of the room. The Churches. Churches in the country places were few and far between, most of the people having to travel miles to the place of worship, and yet the people, if anything, were more devoutly religious than they are now. many places, if there was no church convenient, gious services were held In reli- in school-houses, in private houses, and even in barns; and although the ministers' as a rule, were not a highly educated class of men, the people were always glad to listen to anyone who felt himself "called of the Lord" to preach gospel of Christ. to them the Many of these preachers were noble men and endured hardships and privations that they might carry the good tidings to the remote settlements. They were always made welcome guests and were �Box Stove In Use for a Hundred Years. �THE CHURCHES. 79 generally on hand to console the people in times of grief and trouble. In the towns and villages there was usually an English or Presbyterian church, or both. The min- isters of these churches, aside from the magistrates, were the only persons authorized to marry. The Presbyterian minister could only marry when at least one of the contracting parties was a member of his congregation, magistrates only when the parties wishing to be married lived more than eighteen miles from a fully authorized minister. It was not until 1831 that a law was passed allowing ministers of any denomination to marry. In the very earliest days, before even magistrates and parsons had been appointed, in garrison towns, like Niagara, it is said the ceremony was occasionally performed by army officers. To make the contract more binding, the parties to it would sometimes have a minister go through the ceremony afterwards. performed in Marriages of this kind were St. Mark's parish, Niagara (see church register of Mr. Addison, the first minister). TO 1820 �VII. SOME PHASES OF EARLY COUNTRY LIFE. THE COUNTRY STORE-THE WAYSIDE BLACKSMITH-THE COUNTRY PEDDLAR-THE ITINERANT SHOEMAKER-THE COUNTRY SQUIRE -TRAMPS. HE country store was in many respects a departmental store on a small scale, for a well-equipped store contained a little of everything. On one side were to be seen shelves well filled with groceries, crockery-ware, and a few patent medicines, such as blood purifiers, painkillers and liniments; on the other side, a well assorted stock of dry goods, including prints, woollens, muslins, calico, cottons, etc. At the back, a lot of hardware, comprising nails, paints, oils, putty, glass, and garden tools, as well as an assortment of boots and shoes-from the copper-toe to the farmer's big cowhide. tiny In the back room, at the rear end of the store, were to be found barrels of sugar and New Orleans molasses, crates of eggs, and tubs of butter and lard. With this miscellaneous mixture-tea, coffee, dry goods, codfish, and boots and shoes-the odor of the country store was truly a compo- site one, and trying to the olfactory organs of 80 the �THE visitor. COUNTRY STORE. 81 The country merchant was usually a man in good circumstances, for he was obliged in most cases to give a year's credit, the farmers paying their bills in the fall of the year, after the "threshing" or the "killing"; their only source of revenue at any other time being from butter and eggs, which their wives took to the country store, usually once a week, and exchanged for store goods. Perhaps there was no more popular place of meeting than the country store. After the day's work was over, it was customary for many of the men in the neighborhood, especially the farmers' hired men, who had no other place of amusement to go to, to gather here. Even if they did not have occasion to buy any- thing, they would drop in for a few minutes to while away the time; have a chat, see someone they wished, hear politics discussed, and generally learn all the latest news. The society of the country store had a peculiar fascination for many of them, for there generally hap- pened to be some one there who was gifted with the faculty of cracking jokes, telling funny yarns, or inter- esting stories; besides it was a comfortable place, especially on the long winter evenings, when they would gather around the big box stove, lounge on the counters, sit on the boxes and barrels, puff away at their pipes, chew tobacco, and chaff one another to their heart's con- tent. I am sorry to say many of them were as uncouth as their habits, and language was often used that was 6 �82 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. neither polite nor edifying; still this can be said to their credit, they generally managed to show a respectful air if a lady or clergyman entered. Occasionally there would be heard a loud "whoa!" at the door; soon after which some big, burly farmer might be seen entering, with a long riding whip in his hand, pants tucked into his boots, and long coat reaching to his heels. While he asked for a pound of tea or a plug of tobacco, some rustic from morning, behind the stove would Sam How call out, "Good are the roads up your way?" and sundry other questions pertaining to the neighborhood. Usually the post-office was located in the country store, and this brought a still greater diversity of people together. They would flock in about the time the mail was expected to arrive, wait patiently until it was distributed, and then file out one by one. In the early days, before the temperance movement began, whiskey being cheap, it was common for country stores, who also sold it, to keep a barrel of it, with a faucet attached, and a glass for the free use of customers. The Wayside Blacksmith. The wayside blacksmith was a useful personage in the olden time, his services frequently being called into requisition, for besides having to shoe the horses and to make the iron part of the rude farm implements, he �.- Loom Fashione dd Ol An �THE COUNTRY PEDDLAR. 83 made nails for the carpenter's use, made and repaired the logging chains, made the garden and other tools, such as hoes, rakes, spades, axes, hammers, etc., and did sundry other odd jobs for the farmers. Travellers fre- quently sought him out to have a lost shoe replaced on their horses or mended. to His shop have breakages to was located at point, usually the county crossroads. their vehicles some prominent Here would col- lect on rainy days the farmers to get their odd jobs done. Meeting so many people from near and far, he was usually well posted on the news of the surrounding country and district, and the farmers knew if they wanted to find out what was going on in the country roundabout they were pretty likely to find it out in the shop of this son of Vulcan. On the soot-begrimed walls of his place of business were posted bills announcing an auction sale, a bailiff's sale, or a notice of some breechy steer that was lost, strayed or stolen. The Country Peddlar. The peddlar, with a pack on his back, was a frequent visitor to the backwoods settlements in the early days. His display of goods was the only sight many of the children got of the stock of a store. Their imagination led them to believe that he was a very rich man to own such a valuable lot of goods, and really it was surprising what a vast number of articles he could get into his �84 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. pack. When he displayed his goods he would cover the table and chairs around him with his stock. There were needles and pins, horn combs, hooks and eyes, spools of thread, buttons, handkerchiefs, ribbons well as a few toys and picture books. and tapes, as The children would look on this display with wondering eyes and would beg their good mother to buy something for them. Usually something was wanted, after which this itinerant merchant would gather his stock of sundries together and pass on to another house.* The Itinerant Shoemaker. In the early days the families were usually large, it being a common thing to find children in one family. fourteen or fifteen The reader can imagine what it would cost to clothe such a family according to modern methods. In those early days, however, people were trained to be economical-in fact, they were obliged to carefully exercise that virtue. To be sure leather was cheaper then than it is now, and shoes were made to wear longer. To save expense, it was customary to buy a hide, or get a hide of leather tanned and engage a shoe- maker to come to the house to mend and make up shoes for the entire family. In fact, there were what might be called itinerant shoemakers, who made it their busi- *Many of these peddlars on the frontier in the early days were Yankees and it is said some of them became quite wealthy. �THE COUNTRY SQUIRE. 85 ness to go round among the people periodically, usually in the fall of the year, and do this kind of work. Some few of the farmers tanned their own leather* and made their own shoes and those of their children. Many of them could not afford to provide more than one pair of shoes in a year for each member of their family. It was customary in the rural districts for the children to go barefooted from early in the spring till late in the fall, and occasionally men might be found who did the same. Amongst the early German settlers one hundred years ago wooden shoes or clogs were worn more or less. Specimens of these shoes are to be found now among the people, kept as curiosities. The Country Squire. The magistrate, or justice of the peace, upon whom it devolved to settle disputes among the people in the country districts was usually called "squire" and was known by that title for miles around. He was quite an important personage in the community in the olden time. It was quite a common sight to find the yard in front of his house filled with people attending a trial. If he found that the case to be tried was of too serious a Those who did their own tanning kept a trough hollowed out of a log for this purpose. Troughs made in this way were used for different purposes instead of tubs, coopers being scarce, besides they were inexpensive, any farmer being able to make them. also used for salting down venison and other meats. Such troughs were �86 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. nature for him to pass judgment upon, he would have the case remanded to a higher tribunal. At these rustic magistrate courts were to be found all sorts and conditions of men. As might well be surmised, it required considerable judgment and tact to deal with so many conflicting cases and classes, especially with the foreign element, many of whom language very imperfectly. understood In the the English early days the squire was also the conveyancer and the petty lawyer of the neighborhood. for the people. He drew up the wills, deeds, etc., Many of them also went to him to be married, when a minister authorized to marry did not live convenient in the neighborhood. For many years the magistrates of the district met every three months at the "quarter sessions," and with one of their number as chairman performed the judicial work of the district. At the quarter sessions they granted the privilege of marrying, kept the peace of the district and sometimes even had a jury for trying cases. Tramps. The modern nuisance, the professional tramp, said to be the outcome of the American civil war, presumably by the soldiers thrown out of employment looking for work, and the hard times succeeding, was unknown in the early days of settlement. There was then work enough for all, and therefore no necessity for going far from home to obtain it. There were very few beggars �TRAMPS. 87 and consequently no need for county poor houses; the people who were sometimes compelled to beg being cripples and old people of both sexes, who had no homes and were unable to work. There were very few of these, and they were nearly always strangers. Occasion- ally men with sticks over their backs and bundles on the end, might be seen going along the road, but they were usually people on a journey (for many people travelled on foot in those days, there being no railways and few public conveyances), or perhaps they might be foreigners recently landed in among the farmers. the country looking for work During haying and harvest time men from the new settlements could be seen going by on foot to the older settled parts of the province to work, and in that way earn money to maintain their families until they could raise sufficient on their own uncleared farms to keep them. Occasionally there might be found persons who made their living by begging. It is said there was a man in Waterloo county years ago who begged enough to buy a farm. The people in the early days, being more hospitable and unsuspecting, may have been more easily imposed upon than the people are now, for if a stranger came to their houses in the evening he was given a night's lodging and breakfast, for which they would not think of taking money, even if the guest were able to pay. To be sure there were not the vagabonds in the shape of tinkers and umbrella menders then as now. �VIII. SOME PHASES OF EARLY SOCIAL LIFE. THE OLD-TIME CAMP-MEETING-THE OLD-TIME FUNERALS-THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE PEOPLE-GHOSTS, WILL-O'-THE-WISPS-THE TIME OF LIGHTNING SICKNESS-SAVING HOBGOBLINS BUG HABITS OF OR AND FIREFLY-IN GRANDFATHER- NURSERY RHYMES AND LULLABIES. HE camp-meetings of the present day are to a large extent social gatherings, with religion and fashion mixed up together, but in the olden time of spiritual outpouring. dists they were held. they were times It was only among the MethoTheir churches being few and scattered, this was one way they had chosen for getting the people together in the summer time for special revival services, and some of the results were truly wonderful. untiring. The zeal of the early results are sure to The camp-meetings usually lasted from one to two weeks. Crowds of people came from near and far to attend them. curiosity. was He was sincere and earnest, and when these two qualities are combined great follow. Methodist A great many were attracted out of Many that went there to "scoff remained to 88 �. His Quills Filling Weaver . Days Early i tn he Flax Spin ing �THE ." pray." cabins OLD-TIME CAMP-MEETING. 89 Some remained on the ground living in tents and made of boards. Provisions were sold on the ground. People were frequently overcome by the "Power," as it was called, and would lie prostrate on the ground for We are inclined to think that this was only some time. the reaction from the nervous worked themselves into. frenzy Meetings that they had were held nearly every hour of the day. There were mass meetings for all, and prayer and praise meetings in the different tents. The voice of prayer could be heard in all parts of the ground. No doubt great good came of these meetings. The following description of a camp-meeting held in Northumberland County over fifty years ago, as given me by a friend who attended it, may be of interest to the reader: "The camp was situated in the woods, and consisted of board shanties sufficient to accommodate 500 people. In the centre of the ground was a square space large enough to seat the crowds of people who gathered there for the Sunday service. At each of the four corners, raised on posts, was a platform covered with earth, on which pine knots were burned for giving light at the nightly meetings. At one end of the ground was the preacher's stand, in front of which was a space covered with straw, and roped off for the penitents to assemble. The public meeting was nounced by a horn from the preacher's cabin." an- �90 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER The Old-Time CANADA. Funerals. There were no regular undertakers in the pioneer times, all the work connected with a burial, from the laying out of the body to the digging of the grave, being done by the neighbors and friends. A carpenter or handy man was employed to make the coffin. Usually it was made out of pine and stained with lamp-black; but it was very frequently made out of good cherry or oak, nicely planed and varnished, and looked almost as imposing as the modern coffin or casket with its drapery and silver mountings. It was the practice with some of the old settlers to select lumber and lay it away years beforehand for the making of their coffins. It is said that the coffin of one of the old pioneers in Norfolk County was hewed out of a walnut log. The style or shape of the coffin was somewhat different to that of to- day. The cover was raised in the centre, the upper part being on hinges, so that it could be turned back. On the day set for the funeral assemble at the house and follow last resting-place, perhaps in the farm. the friends would the remains family plot to their on the After the obsequies were all over many of them would return to the house, where refreshments served to all, and the will (if any) read. were There being no hearse then available, the coffin was conveyed to the cemetery in a farmer's wagon or sleigh, a blanket or quilt being thrown over it in the winter time to keep �THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE PEOPLE. off the snow. 91 In the settlements where the neighbors were few and far between, a man was sent around on horseback to notify the people of a death and invite them to the funeral. In the early days, if the cemetery was any distance from the residence of the deceased, the funeral procession would consist of a line of farm wagons, the more fashionable "democrat" and buggy being seldom seen; indeed, a farmer who had one was thought to be getting up in the world. The Superstitions of the People. The people of fifty and one hundred years ago were more superstitious than they are now, the great ad- vances in education having rid the minds of the people of many of the superstitious beliefs held by the majority of the people years ago. Science has helped to explain away and make ridiculous many of the ideas of the supernatural indulged in by our forefathers, and yet we cannot blame our ancestors for their erroneous theories and practices; they were trained to them. were fostered by people of all classes. These things The people of New England believed in witches, ghosts, etc., and we find the German settlers bringing similar notions from the Fatherland. The old settlers always butchered their hogs, made their soap, sowed their grain, plucked their geese in a certain time of the moon. We do not deny that the moon has a great influence over the earth, but �92 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. the old settlers certainly carried this idea of the moon's influence too far, imagination in most cases having more influence than the moon. The old almanac always hung by a nail to the wall, and was often consulted by the old folks. When grandmother wished to wean the baby she was very particular in what sign of the zodiac she did it. Such phenomena of nature as thunder, lightning, etc., which are now known to be the result of natural causes, were at one time by many ascribed to the wrath of an angry God. Scientific men, however, by giving an explanation of these disturbances, have helped to divest society of much of its former superstition. Ghosts, Hobgoblins and Will-o'-the-Wisps. Among the early settlers a belief in the existence of ghosts and hobgoblins was more traditional than real. Occasionally there might be found a man who claimed to have seen a ghost, matters of hearsay. but such stories were usually As the people became better in- formed they utterly repudiated such ideas. Although the old folks may not as a rule have believed in such things, they took delight in talking about them, and as all children have listening ears they heard these stories and were filled with fear, in consequence of which they were afraid to go into a dark room alone, and there was always a certain amount of dread of having to go by a cemetery after night. Although people may be �. t NiagF ao rra of t , f e re om Gh at Side Can dian o tf he View A �GHOSTS, HOBGOBLINS, WILL-O'-THE-WISPS. 93 skeptical regarding ghosts and apparitions, it is oftentimes hard to eradicate the idea of such things from their minds. We have no way of investigating and finding out the cause of the many wonderful things that occurred in the past, but a belief in such things is gradu- ally wearing away. We hear less of them every year; this of itself shows that they were the creatures of fancy and a superstitious mind, as well as the inventions of certain designing and wicked persons for the purpose of deceiving the people, in order to gain some unworthy object they had in view. Most of these superstitious beliefs originated in the Old Country, and many of them could be traced back to the Middle Ages. Certain parts of Europe, a century or two ago, were infested with robbers and smugglers, who made their living by plundering the people. They had their hiding-places in lonely and unfrequented spots and sometimes in old abandoned churches and graveyards, from which they would issue dressed in the form of ghosts and hobgoblins to frighten the people away. No doubt the woman in white with streaming hair, and the headless man on horseback, were the invention of such men, for people nowadays do people not see such things. associated such fancies with Sometimes the the place where someone had been murdered, and oftentimes the houses where such wicked deeds had been committed were supposed to be haunted by the spirit of the murdered �94 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. person, strange sights being seen in them and strange The sounds being heard issuing from them at times. father of the writer often used to relate a story about a drunken man that might throw light on some of the graveyard stories. A man passing by a cemetery after night heard strange noises issuing from it. Not being satisfied to go by without investigating, he entered the cemetery. Following in the direction the sound pro- ceeded from, he came to a freshly-dug grave in which a drunken man had fallen, and who, no doubt, thinking the Day of Judgment had come, and being unable to extricate himself, lay there groaning in terror. The will-o'-the-wisp, or jack-o'-lantern, as it is sometimes called, is nothing more than a certain kind of gas which issues from the decaying vegetation in marshy places, and very frequently in Ireland from the bogs, which, as it comes into contact with the outer air, ignites and floats around in the air for a time like a ball of fire. This was supposed by some people to be the spirit of some departed person let loose to frighten folks. a fungus growth in decaying wood, Punk, when wet, sometimes emit a phosphorescent light. will This is called "fox fire." We will not attempt to denounce or utterly repudiate all belief in mysterious powers, for in mesmerism, mind- reading, etc., we see manifestations of an unknown force; but just what that force is we are unable to say, �IN TIME OF SICKNESS. 95 although our limited knowledge of such things would lead us to believe that it does not emanate from any person or place outside of the material world. The Lightning Bug or Firefly. There are very few people but have experienced a peculiar creepy feeling when seeing the fireflies darting around on the edge of a wood in the dusk of the evening, this feeling generally being more acute if in the vicinity of some old deserted building. Along with the croaking of the frogs, the chirping of the crickets and the hooting of the night owl, they made the silence of the evening very weird and doleful, and to a person of superstitious mind (and most of us were so inclined as children) suggestive of ghosts, spooks, etc., and helped the imagination to conjure up images of such ; a white horse or cow, sheep or pig, often being transformed into a phantom creature, and, unless circum- stances afterwards explained the mystery, were always believed to be such by the beholder. In Doctors Time of were not obliged Sickness. to hold diplomas in the early days in order to be allowed to practise medicine, the law requiring registration not coming into force till many years afterwards. There were, to be sure, a few educated medical men, but there was a larger �96 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. number of quacks and herb-doctors, some of whom had the reputation of being quite skilful. Many of the old women made excellent midwives, their services being often called into requisition in the absence of a qualified doctor or a trained nurse, either of which it was sometimes impossible to obtain. There were also "witch- doctors" and persons who had "charms," people some- times going miles to visit such persons. An old gentle- man told the father of the writer that, when a young man, he was sent on horseback over to Pennsylvania by one of the old settlers to consult a certain witch-doctor. Our grandmothers always kept a collection of herbs on hand for treating the simple ailments of the family. These herbs were collected at certain times, tied into bundles and hung up to the rafters and walls of the house to dry. Vaccination, blood-letting and cupping were commonly practised, there generally being some one in the neighborhood with skill in performing these operations, to whom the neighbors would go when requiring such treatment. Blood-letting was at the time the great panacea among the people in doctoring. were bled for nearly every ill. People The practice of medi- cine has indeed undergone a wonderful transformation within the last fifty years, and will not likely undergo as great a process of progression in the coming fifty. We said the progress was wonderful; might we not add, as still more to be wondered at, that so many patients �IN TIME OF SICKNESS. 97 survived the medical treatment in vogue half a century ago! Many a man who has had the lancet applied to his arm and the life-blood taken away from him, suc- cumbed to the operation, who otherwise and with proper treatment might have lived to a long and useful life. Cold water was strictly forbidden anyone suffering from a fever, it being stupidly supposed that it would cause immediate death. The doors and windows were kept securely closed to prevent any cold air from coming into contact with the patient. During the cholera times, men who were supposed to be dead and had been removed to outhouses, were brought back to conscious- ness and recovered by the invigorating action of the pure cold air. Notwithstanding their ignorance of the practice of medicine and of principles of sanitary science, however, there was apparently less sickness among the people years ago than there is now. No doubt the plain fare of the people, coupled with much exercise in the shape of hard work, as well as the wholesome ventilation furnished by the big chimneys in the living rooms, helped to make people healthier and hardier than the people of the present day. immune from They were, however, not epidemics, such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, small-pox, etc., and when these made their appearance in a community they sometimes made great ravages. 7 �98 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The healthfulness of the people in the early days was attested by their vigorous old age; many of them, not- withstanding their life of toil, living to be ninety and one hundred years old. Their diet of fried pork and food fried in grease was apparently rendered harmless by their life of hard work in the open air. Saving Habits of Grandfather. Then, as now, extravagance was a sin, economy a virtue, but economy seems to have been practised more generally by the people in the early times than at present. In the early days everything was made by hand nowadays nearly everything is produced by machinery, which has reduced the price accordingly. Imported goods were so high-priced as to be beyond the reach of the limited means of the struggling settler in the backwoods, in those days of scarcity of money and low prices for farm produce. High ocean freights, added to the cost of conveyance to long distances inland, more than doubled the first cost price of the imported Besides, the settlers in the rural districts article. felt more comfortable in their substantial and inexpensive home- made clothing. And they also knew too well the value of their independence to run into debt for what they could well afford to do without. In this respect it is not too much to say that they were no less happier nor less wise than some of their descendants of the present day, who cut a dash in expensive imported garments obtained on �LUNDY'S VANE Soldiers' Monument-Lundy's Lane. �NURSERY credit. RHYMES AND LULLABIES. Our forefathers wasted nothing. 99 Every scrap of iron was thrown in a barrel or heap in a corner of theshed, every old piece of furniture was stowed away in the gar- ret or workshop connected with most houses, even the old letters, newspapers and magazines were bundled up and packed in boxes and chests. It is to this character- istic saving of our thrifty ancestors of fifty and one hundred years ago that the relic-hunter is able to unearth mines of wealth of this character in some of the old farmhouses.* Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies. Mothers sang their children to sleep in the pioneer times, the same as they do now, but they did not dose them with paregoric or Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup, or other drugs to keep them quiet; and no doubt the babies were just as well off. About the only medicine given to baby was castor oil or catnip tea. We can imagine we see our grandmothers leaving their work and catching up the baby to lull it to sleep, and perhaps singing to it some of the old-fashioned lullaby songs, or, if it were too cross or troublesome, telling it that if it would not be a good baby the bears would come and take it away. The old-fashioned rocker cradles had strings tied across the top over the cover to keep the baby in, so that the women folks could get their work *It is only in farmhouses that have remained in the family for three and four generations that any great collection of furniture, etc., of bygone days is to be found. �100 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. done; and many a mother in the backwoods has rocked her baby to sleep in a sap-trough and it is said that one mother used a cannon-ball box as a cradle. It must have been quite an honor to be rocked in such a cradle. The Indian mother would strap her baby or papoose to a board and lean it up against a tree; when travelling she would put the baby, board and all on her back. Some think this accounts for the Indian being so straight and upright in his physique. In the early days of New England the mothers are said to have placed their babies in baskets and hung them on the trees; this is said to be the origin of the Mother Goose nursery song: "Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top; When the wind blows the cradle will rock; When the bough bends the cradle will fall, And down comes cradle, baby and all ! Among the nursery rhymes and lullabies recited and sung by our grandmothers were the following: "Hush, my child, lie still and slumber," "Trot, trot to Boston," "Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man," "Bah! bah! black sheep!" "Once there was a little boy who lived by himself," "Shoe the horse, and shoe the mare, and let the filly colt go bare," etc. One of the German ones went thus: "Trot, trot, trille, Der bauer hat ein fille, Fille springt aveck, Und das kind felt in der dreck.' �IX. HOME SURROUNDINGS. THE OLD HOMESTEAD-THE OLD-TIME GARDEN-THE CEMETERY THE ORCHARDS OLD-TIME AND VINEYARDS-THE WELLS-THE FAMILY RAIL FENCE. "How dear to my heart Are the scenes of my childhood." is not every one that has an old homestead to visit, and those who have enjoy a privilege worth possessing and to be thankful for. In these days of change the majority of people move around continually and travel much in the course of a lifetime, and very few in the new provinces can be said to have a permanent place of absolutely settled home residence, descending from generation to generation. The province of Quebec is an exception where the French-Canadians remain fixtures. But com- paratively new as our country is, there are yet some of us Canadians who can lay claim to old homes that have been in the family for more than a hundred years, and although they may not be as grand as the stately homes of England or New England, many happy mem- ories are associated with them. Every foot of the land 101 WELLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY �102 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER is familiar ground. CANADA. Here, as barefooted boys and girls, romped and played three or four generations of the same family. Every tree and almost every landmarks which had their own story, stones could speak and tell stone if were trees and of the secret meetings, where lovers sat, and walked, and wooed, and won, and how the names, still remaining in evidence, came to be cut into the trees long years ago. The old house still remains, standing nestled in among the trees and shrubbery by which it is surrounded, the tall red brick chimney at the end marking out its location, poplars and maples along the roadside the big making the place conspicuous at quite a distance for miles around. There still was the once fruitful, smiling, large orchard adjoining, in which grew luscious fruit of all kinds, from the early harvest apple to the rich and juicy pear. No fruit seemed to taste so good as grand- father's; there was a peculiar flavor to it which made it taste different from anybody else's; perhaps it was on account of the sense of ownership that was attached to it. You felt that because it was grandfather's it was yours. The garden and yard were full of flowering plants and shrubs, where monster bouquets were to be got, and when we returned to our own home after a visit to grandfather's we always carried some with us. They reminded us for days, by their beauty and fragrance, of the enjoyment of our recent holiday. How �The Old Homestead. An Old Family Table. �THE OLD HOMESTEAD. 103 grandfather and grandmother, when they became ad- vanced in years, enjoyed gathering around them their children and grandchildren. The old home was a meeting- place not only for the immediate family, but also for all the relations and friends. hearty welcome here. They were always sure of a Although scattered far and wide, their affections lingered more or less around the old home- stead, the early home of their fathers and forefathers. Many relatives came from long distances, and sometimes we had not seen them for years. How pleasant it must be for those who have been successful in life to return, after years spent in business pursuits, to the old homestead! How longingly, when children, we looked for- ward to summer holiday time when we could visit grandfather's! We had the freedom of the place by birthright. About our only work was to be sent after the cows and to bring in wood and water. and stable, too, were our familiar haunts. The barn We enjoyed riding the horses to water%3B going with our uncles to the fields; following in the furrow after the plough; watching the men at work in harvest time; going with grandfather to feed the pigs, or with our aunts when they went to the barnyard to milk the cows, or to gather the eggs. Although the house was old-fashioned, we all loved it. There was the old fireplace, which had been used for cooking as well as heating before stoves came into use; the garret, full of old books, papers and �104 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER furniture, old flint-lock muskets, CANADA. spinning and flax wheels, etc., where we would steal away unnoticed and spend an hour in turning over the old cast-offs. Then there was the old style furniture of the house; the oldfashioned splint-bottomed chairs, and the old box stove, which had been in use for nearly a hundred years (we can, in imagination, still see grandfather stirring up the coals and putting in a big "chunk" of wood before retiring for the night). Nor should the great kitchen table, also in use for a hundred years or more, be for- gotten. It was around that hospitable board the children of several generations had met and had grown up. How we did enjoy sitting around it and eating "bread and milk " prepared for us by grandmother! It always seems to me like desecration to see an old building that has stood the storms of years torn down. Imagination pictures the spirits of the men and women who once inhabited the house--now, alas! long since dead"Gone to that bourne whence no traveller returns "- still hovering around its precincts, and that it is only when it is destroyed they leave the locality. The Orchards and Vineyards. The old settlers were a thoughtful and far-seeing lot of people. One of the first things they did after locat- ing on their farms was to set out orchards. of them even brought apple trees with them. Some The �THE OLD-TIME GARDEN. 105 writer remembers seeing, several summers ago, an apple tree still living and bearing fruit that was brought by an early settler to Canada more than a hundred years ago. It is said that one of the early settlers from Pennsylvania brought with him a peck of apple seeds, got from the pulp of a cider press, with which to start an orchard. The trees which grew from these seeds produced what is called "natural fruit," an inferior quality; but superior grades were afterwards got from the parent stock by grafting and budding. Fruit trees thrived wonderfully in the soil of Canada, and in the Niagara peninsula, as we know, fruit culture is one of the staple industries. Years ago every farmer had a number of grape-vines or a vineyard, a certain part of the fruit being set apart for the making of wine. Temperance sentiment not being the fashion seventy- five years ago, the thrifty farmer prided himself on the quality of the wine he could produce. When his friends came to visit him it was the custom for him to bring out a bottle of his choicest brand to treat them with. The Old-Time Garden. The gardens of our forefathers were models of neatness and order as well as pictures of beauty. Among the Pennsylvania Dutch settled in Canada, the garden plot stood close by the house and was surrounded by a picket or board fence to keep out the poultry, pigs and �106 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. other animals that would soon make havoc of the flower and vegetable beds, if accidentally allowed to enter. A path ran round the sides of the garden and one or two paths through the centre. The bed enclosed by the centre-walks was usually devoted to flowers and the rest of the garden to vegetables, herbs, etc. One could not help wondering how our busy grandmothers found time to devote apparently to such work, their pride, and time working in them. but their gardens were they spent a good deal of It was the custom always to take visitors out and shew them through the garden beforeleaving. We can see the women now, with perhaps a white handkerchief or an apron tied over their heads, strolling through the garden and yard, interested in looking at the flowers. In the spring of the year our grandmothers would bring out the boxes in which were stored the seeds collected the previous fall, each kind of seed being wrapped up in a separate parcel, some in folds of newspaper, some in pieces of brown paper, some in cloth, some in paper bags, all carefully marked and pinned up or tied with a piece of string or tape. Together with the flower seeds there were also all the common vege- table seeds, as lettuce, cabbage, onions, beets, beans and cucumbers. In the flower-beds plants were to be seen blooming the whole summer through, commencing early in the spring with the crocuses, tulips and daffodils, and ending in the fall with the dahlias, phlox and asters. There �THE OLD-TIME GARDEN. 107 was generally a border of daisies and amaranthus (called in German Schissel Blume, because the shape of a dish, or rather cup and saucer) and in the centre hyacinths, marigolds, Cæsar's crowns, bachelor's buttons, carnations (called pinks in the early days), primroses, sweet Williams, four o'clocks, pansies, sweet peas, mignonette, a choice rose bush here and there, peony, white-scented and red (called Gichter rose by the Germans, because its roots were supposed to be a cure for fits), and a tomato stalk with its red fruit, called love apples sixty years ago, and cultivated only as an ornament, as its fruit was not thought to be fit to eat. to be found In a corner of the garden was a bush of "Old Man" and one of live-for- ever, used in bouquets. A grape arbor or trellis was to be seen in the garden or yard and a hop-pole or two in one of the corners. Then there were beds for vegetables of all kinds and a bed for the herbs used for medicinal and culinary purposes, such as rue, thyme, sage (Ger., solvein), sweet savory, fennel, carraway, loveage (Ger., liebsteckley), wormwood, pennyroyal and catnip. In the fall of the year these herbs were collected and dried for winter use. Along the garden fence, on the inside, were to holly hocks and gooseberry and currant be seen bushes, and on the outside, in the yard or lawn, a few beds of daffodils (smoke pipes), always yellow and white, peony and fleur-de-lis. Scattered through the yard were to be found a variety of shrubbery, such as rose bushes, �108 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. lilacs, syringias and snow balls; against a lattice near the house a honeysuckle vine, and around the back door the familiar sunflower. The Old-Time Wells. Many of the people living along the old Niagara River, with their houses in close proximity to the bank, got their drinking water out of the river. tom still prevails. This cus- The farmers build wharves extend- ing out into the stream, so that they can dip up the clear running water, but on a windy day it is all riley enough. Any one who has been in the habit of drinking this water can never forget its peculiar flavor, although it tastes good when you are thirsty. Further back from the river they have always had wells, only they have had different ways of drawing the water. Before the days of the pump, and even since, if the water was close to the surface, a well, say ten or twelve feet deep, was dug in the ground and lined with stone. A curbing or box arrangement was put around the top to prevent any one from falling in. A pole, with a crook at one end for hanging the pail on, was used for pressing the pail down into the water and then drawing it up. Deep wells had a rope and windlass, with a heavy pail, usually left hang- ing to the rope, for drawing up the water. This is the kind of well which has been immortalized by that old song, "The Old Oaken Bucket that Hangs in the �. Ol to d hf e Homestea d Vi ew Another . BuOc ak kO e e l t n d The �THE Well." OLD-TIME WELLS. 109 Another kind of well was generally called a "sweep." A post with a crotch in the top was placed near the well; in this swung a pole with one end much heavier than the other; the light or upper end had a pole attached to it long enough to reach down into the well. On the end of this was placed the bucket, which, after being filled, was lifted by the weight of the heavy end of the pole which extended over the top of the post. Most of these wells, although still to be seen in remote places, have been supplanted by the more modern pump. The first pump to be used was the sucker pump. This was made byboring a hole lengthwise through a tamarac or pine log. A rod ran down through this, at the lower end of which was a sucker made of leather, in which was a valve which opened as the pump handle was raised and allowed the water to flow through, and closed as the handle was lowered, bringing the water up. Another kind of pump, which is very common in some localities, is the chain pump. It is not as ancient a pump as the sucker pump. A chain runs down and up through a pipe, and as the crank is turned the buttons, placed here and there along the chain, bring the water up. In connection with wells it might not be out-of-place to mention the "divining rod," which was used, and is still used in some places, for locating a place to dig a well. Whether there is any real virtue in it is a question, although there are intelli- gent people even now who have great faith in its effi �110 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN cacy. UPPER CANADA. In the opinion of the writer it is one of the myths which future developments in science and psychol- ogy will explain away. The operator, or "dowser," with a forked stick made of witch hazel, holding a prong in each hand, and with the crotch pointing upwards,walks over the ground until he reaches a point where water is to be found, when the crotch turns in his hand and points downwards. A recent paper states that in parts of Pennsylvania, where the practice was quite common, and in consequence of which many wells were dug in out-ofthe-way places on the farm, it has been entirely aban- doned, as water can be found just as well without it. The following memoranda, showing the antiquity of the sucker pump, was found in an old account book: JC, Esq., Dr. to J B and J- G- To one pump auger and apparatus you borrowed several years ago and did not return. Said apparatus cost when new twelve and a half dollars (currency, £3 2s. 6d.). Willoughby, April 10th, 1837. The Family Cemetery. There being few public cemeteries, many of the old settlers had burying-grounds of their own on farms. their Here are to be found now head-stones marking the last resting-places of three or four generations of the family. When possible, some secluded place on the �THE RAIL FENCE. 111 farm was usually selected as the place of interment, perhaps on the side of a hill, or near a creek or gully, and surrounded by willow trees and a picket, stone or board fence, to keep out intruders in the shape of cattle which might be grazing in the adjacent fields. After the people commenced to build churches they usually had cemeteries, or graveyards, as they were then called, in connection. It is to be regretted that many of these old cemeteries have been allowed to go to ruin. The fences in many cases have fallen down and the tombstones been broken and scattered by the cattle. This has been due, in most cases, to the land passing into the hands of strangers, who take no interest in these resting-places of the dead, with whom they are not connected by any blood relationship. The Rail Fence. The picturesque old rail, snake, worm or stake and rider fence, on account of the scarcity of timber, is gradually being done away with. it will be a thing of the past. seded In a very few years It is fast being super- by the barb-wire fence, and in localities where municipal laws have been framed to prevent animals running at large, many farmers do not build any fences at all after their old rail fences have been taken down. It required considerable time and labor to fence off a �112 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. farm and divide it up into fields, but it was done, little by little, as the farmer cleared his land. farmers, after their fences commenced would take out the poorer rails and summer firewood. Some of the to rot away use them for They often supplied him with this kind of wood for years, until all the old fences were torn down. It was a familiar sight to see a pile of rails in the back yard, and it was the farmer's job at meal time, while waiting for his dinner, to cut up the wood. If he did not get enough cut you might often see his wife out breaking up rails, gathering the small pieces into her apron and carrying them into the house to make a fire with which to cook her husband's supper. The following anecdote is related of the late President Lincoln. A wag once accosted him with: "Mr. Lincoln, I understand you were once a rail-splitter." "Yes," said Mr. Lincoln, "and if you had been a rail-splitter, you would be one still." Some of the old settlers were expert rail-splitters and could cut and split as many as one thousand rails in a day. The tools used were the axe, wedges, both iron and wooden. maul or beetle and The timber chiefly used for this purpose was cedar, oak, ash, chestnut, although other woods, as basswood, elm, hickory and even walnut, were sometimes made use of. The old rail fences, if properly taken care of, lasted many years In later years a rail fence was a very expensive fence �. CeF ma em ti e Ol r ly d An �THE to build. RAIL FENCE. At one time it was reckoned that it cost sixty dollars to fence off an acre of ground. of the 113 The usual length rails was eleven or twelve feet. Two lengths of eleven-foot rails when laid were said to make a rod of fence. It served as a measure for the land, however, and was very convenient for the farmer when putting in his crops. The fences were generally eight or nine rails high (seven or eight feet), the municipal by-laws, as a rule, requiring a certain height. In fact one of the municipal offices at one time was that of fence viewer. The rail placed above where the stakes were crossed was called the "rider." When clearing off their land the settlers, to keep out the cattle, would stumps or logs. they fell in a line. temporarilly build fences of brush, They would chop down trees, so that Around these they would pile brush; when they were ready to build a rail fence they would set fire to the brush fence and burn it up. 8 �X. HOME SURROUNDINGS-(Continued). THE BAKE-OVENS-THE SMOKE-HOUSES-THE OLD THE OLD GRINDSTONE-THE CORN WORKSHOP- CRIB. HE families, including the hired help, being usually large, it was necessary to bake large batches of bread. The earliest contrivance for this purpose was "bake-kettle," an iron kettle, with long legs the usually. The dough was placed in this kettle, after which the kettle was set on a bed of coals; more live coals were then drawn over the cover and around the sides of the kettle, a fresh supply being raked on when those first put on had cooled, until the bread was baked sufficiently. In the absence of a bake-kettle, the bread was sometimes baked in the hot ashes. After the bake-kettle came the "Reflector," called by some the "Dutch Oven." This appliance was mostly used for pastry-baking and for roasting meat. It was made of tin, the open side facing the hot fire, the top and back sloping so as to reflect the heat from the fire on whatever was being baked in it. Later on, large ovens, built of brick, similar 114 �THE BAKE-OVENS. 115 to those used by bakers, were built outside in the yard or in an outhouse. Sometimes they were built in the house, beside the fireplace and connected with the chim- ney, and opened out into one of the living rooms. Many of them held two or or three dozen loaves of bread. A fire was built in the oven, and, after it had been properly heated, the burning wood was removed, the oven cleaned out with a scraper and broom, and the lumps of dough placed on the brick floor. It was necessary to allow the oven to cool to a certain temperature before putting in the dough. To ascertain the right temperature some such rule as this was observed: The housewife would place her hand in the oven, and if she could hold it there while she counted twenty, the oven was considered in fit condition for baking in. A few of these old ovens are still to be found in connection with some of the old houses, but the modern range, on account of its conve- nience, has entirely supplanted the primitive oven. These brick ovens were sometimes also used for roasting meat and for drying apples and berries. Among the Pennsylvania Dutch, the bread, when being raised, was placed in conical-shaped straw baskets. After it had risen sufficiently, it was turned over on a big wooden shovel and put into the oven. This same shovel was also used for taking out the bread after being baked. �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. 116 The Smoke-Houses. The hams and pieces of beef, after the were salted down in purpose. butchering, big casks or tubs kept for the In the spring of the year, generally about the first of April, the hams were taken out of the brine or pickle, washed off and hung up in the smoke-house. The smoke-house usually stood in the yard close by the brick bake-oven. Its walls were covered with grease, and had a strong odor about creosote. them of beech wood The smudge for making the smoke was got by burning beech or maple wood-a certain amount of oil of smoke was distilled from this confined smoke, which gave the peculiar smell to the place and flavor to the hams, besides, by its antiseptic properties, acting as a preservative to the meat. When better classes of houses were built by the settlers, these smoke-houses were then built of brick or stone, which made them safer from being destroyed by fire. The Old Workshop. Our grandfathers were also practical men with their other good qualities. They always kept a collection of tools on hand for doing any repairing necessary, as well as other kinds of work, while nowadays a skilled mechanic has to be employed to do the same class of work. In the old workshop was to be found a carpen- �THE ter's bench, with OLD GRINDSTONE. 117 vise, saws, planes, chisels, turning lathe, etc., as well as the old shaving horse, used for shaping shingles and pieces of wood for other purposes, which riding. wooden horse, when children, we were fond of Here in the workshop in rainy weather, or during the long winter days, our industrious grandfathers might be seen busily engaged in making a whiffle-tree, fashioning a plough-handle, repairing their grain cradles, making ox yokes and axe helves, shaping shingles and doing sundry other odd jobs, while our grandmothers were toiling at the loom and spinningwheel. In many cases part of the workshop was set apart for the weaving and the spinning. Here could be heard all day long the hum of the spinning-wheel and the rattle of the loom. The Old Grindstone. Somewhere on the premises, conveniently situated, stood the old grindstone. It was a veritable instrument of torture to smaller male members of the family, for when the axes, scythes, etc., required grinding, it generally devolved upon the "small boy" to do the turning. If he saw one of the men appearing with a tool in one hand and a basin of water in the other, he knew he was in for a half hour's hard labor. How eagerly he watched, as the edge of the tool was being examined, to see whether it was sharp enough for the word to be �118 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. given that would release him from the tiresome duty. How his arms did ache as he turned, first with one hand and then with the other, putting forth an extra effort when the tool was being pressed more firmly on the stone, and what a sense of relief and freedom he felt when the job was finished and he could run away and play. The Corn Crib. A pen picture of the farm buildings and their surroundings would not be complete without mention being made of the corn crib, which usually stood some- where on the premises in an exposed place. placed on posts, which raised it up from It was the ground several feet, so that the air could circulate freely underneath. These posts were usually covered with tin or sheet iron, or had an old tin basin or pail turned upside down on the top, so as to prevent the rats and mice from getting at the corn. The sides and ends were made of slats placed several inches apart, so that the wind might have freedom to pass through, and so prevent the corn from heating and getting mouldy, which it is liable to do when kept in a pile. The ears of corn, after being husked, were placed in this crib, and allowed to remain there until needed for use, for feeding the pigs and fattening the poultry for market. The more primitive crib was made by boring holes in the foundation logs �An Old Corn Crib-An Old Cider Press. �THE CORN CRIB. 119 several inches apart, and placing stakes in them, on top of which was put a rail, to which the stakes were withed, and sometimes withes were put across the bin to prevent it from spreading. The top was thatched with straw, or covered with boards or hollowed bass- wood logs. A TYPICAL SAW-MILL. �XI. HOUSEHOLD APPURTENANCES. THE FIRST STOVES-THE OLD CORNER CUPBOARD-THE GRAND FATHER'S CLOCK-THE OLD FLINT-LOCK MUSKET-THE DINNER HORN THE OLD DASH CHURN. HE first settlers did all their cooking and warmed places. their houses by means of fire- Until chimneys were built, they were obliged in some cases to let the smoke escape by a hole in the roof. A pole was run up from the ground through this hole, and it is said the smoke would circle around it, and so find its way out. It was necessary, of course, to keep a door or window open in order to get a draught. It was not until about seventy or eighty years ago that cooking stoves first came into use, and since then their use has changed things considerably, and so have the stoves, too, in style and shape. It was some time after their introduction. however, before their use became universal, as even fifty years ago many of the farmers in the country still did all their cooking in the old fireplaces. Among the first styles of cooking stoves in Upper Canada were the old "King" stove, with its elevated oven, the hollow 120 �THE place underneath the usually kept filled keep it dry, FIRST STOVES. back part of 121 the stove being with kindling and other wood to the "Burr" and "Davy Crockett," all familiar to many of the old folks, and reminders of the happy days gone by.* Big heavy box stoves, for heat- ing purposes, were introduced at the beginning of the century, but being expensive, the families who owned them were few and far between, some could not afford them, and others were slow in taking up with fangled ideas. new- One of these old stoves is still in the possession of the family of a descendant of one of the old pioneers. It has been in constant use since before the War of 1812-14. The writer's great-grandmother, being afraid that someone might steal or destroy it at a time during the war when she fled with her children for safety back into the country, had it sunk in the creek at the back of the farm, where it lay all one winter. To this day it carries the marks of that bath, for the rust ate into its surface, although not enough to It is said that years ago it was customary for men to make a business of peddling cooking stoves among the people; they drove around with a load of stoves the same as is done with fanning-mills and sewing machines at the present day. † It was not always the soldiers who did the plundering of the old houses when they were deserted during war time, but evil-disposed people living in the country. The writer's great-grandfather's house, on the Niagara, which was a first-class house for the time, was strip- ped of everything valuable, such as locks, doors, etc., while the family were away. �122 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER destroy the figures. of cast-iron CANADA. It is a two-storey box stove, made plates, so arranged that it can be taken apart in the summer time and laid away. In the homes of a few of the well-to-do families was to be seen years ago the "Franklin" stove, said to be the invention of Benjamin Franklin. It was, in the way of heating, perhaps, the first remove from the fireplace, which it was certainly an improvement upon, as it had a stovepipe attached, and so prevented a great deal of the heat of the fire from passing up the chimney, a fault with the old fireplace. It had, like the fireplace, however, an open front with fire-dogs. After a while folks saw that by closing the front the fire burned just as well, and better; this fact led to the invention of the box stove, and later on the cooking stove. Most of us, who have always been accustomed to modern conveniences, can hardly imagine just what the simple, primitive life of our forefathers was like. Life in the backwoods to-day is different to what it was in the early days of settlement. The Old Corner Cupboard. In a corner of the dining or sitting-room was generally to be found the old corner cupboard, with its glass doors, behind which were placed the porcelain, china and glass- ware, the dishes covered with blue or red-colored pictures of Chinese pagodas, of landscapes, of men, women, �Grandfather's Clock. �THE GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK. animals and birds. 123 The plates were usually set on edge around the sides of the cupboard and the nested cups and saucers in the centre. Below the dishes were sev- eral drawers for keeping the knives, forks and spoons in. In the bottom part of the cupboard, behind wooden doors, were usually kept handy such articles of food as bread, butter, sauce, a jug of milk, etc. When the chil- dren, after romping in the orchard, around the barn and stables and over the farm, came in tired and hungry, their kind-hearted aunt would go to the corner cupboard and spread them a thick slice of bread and butter, with a good liberal coating of apple sauce or "schmier kase," or perhaps give them a bowl of bread and milk. How very good things tasted when taken out of that old corner cupboard, with the appetite whetted by the active exercise of youth! What epicurean dish could be manufac- tured to give equal enjoyment? The In Grandfather's Clock. another prominent corner of one of the living rooms usually stood the grandfather's clock. Mostly it hung on the wall, with the weights by which it was wound dangling in the air; or perhaps the works were fittingly enclosed in a suitable case. With its flowered dial, highly polished case and large pendulum, it was quite an imposing piece of furniture, and the sound it made as it struck the hours solemnly broke the stillness �124 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER of the midnight air. With descendants CANADA. of some of the old families may still be found one of these old clocks that has come down to them after a couple of hundred years Generations come and go, but still the old clock wags on, a monument of bygone days. What a pleas- ant reminder of the old song: "My grandfather's clock was too long for the shelf, So it stood ninety years on the floor; It was taller by half than the old man himself, Though it weighed not a pennyweight more." How interested we were in seeing grandfather wind up the clock! When there was no one around, we would sometimes stealthily open the door and peer curiously in at the works. In many of the old clocks the wheels were made of wood, and not a few of the more expensive kind had music boxes attached, which them still more attractive. served to make In the early days peddlars (usually Yankees) went around among the people introducing these clocks. After buying one, the farmer would engage a carpenter to make a case for it. Occa- sionally there would be found a house among the poorer class of settlers in which there was no clock, the time being told by the sunlight reaching a certain mark on the floor. On cloudy days the time for getting dinner had to be guessed. Sun-dials were also introduced and did the duty in some of the houses of indicating the time. �THE OLD The FLINT-LOCK MUSKET. Old 125 Flint-Lock Musket. The only gun in use, by the military as well as the people, seventy-five years ago or more was the old flintlock musket. Breech-loading firearms were unknown. Even still, among the descendants of some of the old settlers, are to be found some of these old guns that did service perhaps in the War of 1812-14 and the Rebellion of 1837-38, handed down as family heirlooms. In the hammer of the flint-lock gun was fixed a piece of flint, which struck a piece of steel near the flash-pan when the trigger was pulled. This threw up the cover of the pan, flashed a spark into it, and so ignited the powder. If the gun had not been loaded so as to properly fill the vent hole which connected the flashpan and the barrel with powder, there would be a "flash in the pan" but no discharge. The clumsy old horse pistols were made on the same principle as the guns, there being no revolvers then. Sometimes it was difficult to get these old flint-lock guns to go off. If the powder happened to get the least bit damp it would not ignite. For this reason it was necessary to protect the gun from the wet, so as to have it in readiness. It is said the expression, "Trust in God and keep your powder dry," was first made use of by a certain general in the army many years ago, in the days of the flint-lock gun, when addressing his men previous to an engagement. After the heavy and cumbersome �126 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER flint-lock gun came the gun lock. CANADA. with the percussion pill A small percussion pill was placed over the vent hole of the gun perhaps smeared over with a little tallow to keep it in place and free from moisture when the gun was ready for being discharged. came the percussion cap lock. After the percussion pill Small copper percussion caps were placed on a nipple through which the vent hole passed. The percussion lock was an improvement and more convenient in every way than the flint lock, for it did not require "priming," i.e., putting flash-pan when loading. powder into the The percussion lock was also a "muzzle loader," i.e., the ammunition had to be put into the end of the barrel and pounded down with the ramrod carried in connection with the gun. It was loaded as follows: first the powder was poured in, then a piece of wadding (generally tow, although paper was sometimes used) was well rammed down, so that it would be sure to fill the vent hole with the powder. On this was poured the shot, after which another piece of wadding was shoved in to keep it down. If not properly loaded the gun was liable to burst and injure the marksman, perhaps blow off a hand or an arm, or even fatally wound him. kind happened occasionally. Accidents of this The old-fashioned flint-lock gun served both as a shot-gun and rifle, shot being used for killing wild fowl and small animals and bullets for larger game. Nowadays we have rifles with a special �THE DINNER HORN. 127 bore in the barrel for bullets only, as well as guns for shot. Hunting was a favorite pastime among the young men in the early days, many of them being "good shots." When not in use the old gun stood in the corner, or hung on the wall over the door, or against the chimney above the fireplace, where it was kept free from rust, besides being out of reach of the children. In the pioneer times it was used to kill bears, wolves and other wild animals, also crows, hawks, pigeons, etc., which were so plentiful that they were pests to the farmer, often doing consider- able damage to his crops, and not infrequently it served as a protection against marauding bands of Indians. The hunter always carried a powder horn attached to a string slung around his body. In addition to this he carried a bullet or shot pouch fastened to his belt. His bullets he made by pouring melted lead into moulds of different sizes kept for the purpose. cartridges in their pouches. Soldiers carried When loading, they bit off the end of the cartridge, poured a little of the powder out of the cartridge into the flash-pan, and the remainder into the barrel after which the paper wrapper and the bullet which was fastened to one end of the cartridge were shoved down with the ramrod. The Dinner Horn. At most of the farmers' houses a tin horn several feet long was kept for calling the men from their work in the fields, woods and barn to their meals. If there was �128 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. no horn many of them would hang a white cloth on a pole where the men could see it. Often the hollow tinkle of an old cow-bell served the purpose and might be heard hoarsely reverberating over clearings. fields and Sometimes an old worn-out cross-cut saw, a big steel plough the triangle, or were hung up the used-up to a tree mould and board of a hammered on, to notify the workers that dinner was ready. One of the writer's great-grandfathers had made of a sea-shell, a conch, which is still family. placed Later on, on some the roof of from their work. of the the farmers a horn in use in the had a bell house to call the men in Its melodious tones were never an unwelcome sound to the weary worker as he toiled in the harvest field, in the logging field, or at the plough. It announced a glad respite from labor, and the hungry laborer went towards the house with an appetite for dinner few city people know anything about. To a really hungry man everything tastes good; he does not have to pamper his appetite with this and that dainty condiment, in order to be able to eat enough to properly nourish his body. It is said that even the horses well knew the sound of the dinner bell and would sometimes stop in the middle of the furrow and refuse to go any further until after they were fed. �., a K B e n t o, t d x l, e Tin K B e d a te t kl r e e Lantern Reflector �THE OLD DASH CHURN. The Old Dash 129 Churn. The first churn in use was the old dash churn. It has not as yet been altogether superseded, although newer styles, that are much easier to operate, have to a very large extent taken its place. It is doubtful, however, whether any of the new-fangled kinds make the butter taste any sweeter and richer than that made in the old- fashioned way. Possibly this was because of the labor required to produce it. How patiently did the women, with their capacious calico or linen aprons tied around them, stand beside the old-fashioned churn, and stomp away at the cream until the oily globules were gathered into a mass of golden butter. The first indications that the butter was coming was the heavy sound the cream made as it thickened, and the ring of butter which gathered around the hole in the cover through which the handle of the dasher passed. When the cover was raised, to see how the churning was progressing, you could see the dasher and sides of the churn covered with cream and flecked with little pieces of butter. Sometimes hot water was poured into the churn to raise the temperature and make the butter come more speedily. removed for the last time and When the the cover was butter taken out with the big wooden ladle, the children could be seen gathering round with cups for a refreshing drink of buttermilk. 9 �130 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. When the women were too busy to attend to all the dairy matters themselves, they would place a big apron around one of the small boys or girls, stand them on a stool and get them to do the churning. This was labor to us children, and the time would drag wearily until aunt came, examined the milk, and pronounced the churning finished. Our weariness was soon dispelled, however, by a thick slice of fresh bread and butter. So much for such homely work and which, perhaps, the critical reader may worthy the time bestowed upon describing. its rewards, not consider But it must be recorded, as we have undertaken to be the faithful chroniclers of the times and of the doings and manners of the people of whom we write, the early pioneers of Canada. �XII. HOUSEHOLD APPURTENANCES-(Continued). EARLY UTENSILS HOUSEHOLD AND ARTICLES OF FURNITURE― PEWTER AND CROCKERY WARE-CANDLES AND CANDLESTICKS -TEA AND Coffee, AND THEIR SUBSTITUTES-LIGHTING the household THE FIRE. ANY of utensils in use from fifty to one hundred years ago were very rude and plain, compared the the present day. more common. machine-made articles We will describe in a few use of at the Perhaps the rudest of the household utensils was the old-fashioned splint broom, corn-top brooms not being in use three-quarters of a century ago. It was sometimes called the Indian broom, as it was, no doubt, first used by the Indians. They made them and peddled them around among the people. the Many of early settlers made such brooms themselves, fine ones being made for sweeping the house and coarser ones for scrubbing and for use around the barn and stables. Sometimes a bunch of blue beech twigs or hemlock boughs, tied together at the end of a stick, was made to serve as a kitchen broom. 131 �132 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The splint broom was made in the following manner: A stick of green wood, usually hickory, birch or blue beech, one and a half or two inches in diameter, was first selected. After the bark had been removed the stick was splintered up for eight or ten inches with a sharp knife, commencing at the bottom, until enough splints had been made to form the centre of the broom, the part of that end of the stick remaining being cut off. The stick was then splintered for a certain distance from above, the splints being bent over so that they covered and reached to the bottom of the first lot of splints. The whole were then bound into a round bundle forming the broom, the part of the stick remaining, after being shaved down to the proper thickness, serving as handle. a When corn-top brooms came into use many of the farmers made their own, a patch of broom corn being raised for this purpose. Gourds were hollowed out and used for dipping water, soft soap, etc., as tinware was then more expensive than it is now. For dusting off the hearth the fowl, usually that of a turkey or goose, wing of a was used. When not in use it hung on a nail beside the fireplace. The old wooden boot-jack was always handy for the farmer to pull off his long cowhide boots after coming in from his work. venient place. It was to be seen hanging in a con- A common chair was the old-fashioned home-made splint-bottomed chair. Sometimes the bot- �. Relics Family Old of Group A �EARLY HOUSEHOLD UTENSILS. tom was made of 133 strands of elm or willow-bark, and again of rushes. Like all the old furniture, though plain, it was strong and made to last. In the sleeping apartments of the family was to be seen the old family bedstead, with a high wooden framework on top enclosed by damask curtains, and with a white linen curtain or valance around the bottom of the bedstead, as well as the low trundle-bed, on wooden castors or rollers, in which the children of the family slept in the same room with their parents, often until they were twelve or fourteen years of age, and which in the daytime was shoved underneath the large bed. When the farmer was short of bedroom space there was to be seen in the dining-room or kitchen the oldfashioned bunk, which served as a seat or bench in the day-time and a bed at night, the lower part being in the shape of a box, which, when opened up, disclosed a quantity of bedclothing, and made a comfortable place for sleeping. Among the more fashionable articles of furniture were the big high bureau, the two-drawer stand, and the fall-leaf table. Nor must the important cheese-tub be omitted from this category. Our grand- mothers used it for making cheese, and also the dye-tub for dying cloth or yarn. For cooking in the fire-place there was the long-handled frying-pan, the long-handled skimmer and long-handled ladle. The handles of these utensils were made three or four feet in length, so that �134 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. the cook could stand away from the heat of the fire. A rest usually stood in front of the fire-place for placing the handle on when the cook happened to be busy with other work. Many kept a fire-box, with handle attached, for carrying live coals from one room to another when making a fire before the days of matches. to be handle. seen the warming pan, In some houses was with cover and long It was not connected with cooking operations, as many might suppose from its shape, but was filled with live coals and passed underneath the bed-clothes to warm them up on cold winter nights. For making pancakes they had a griddle with an iron bail made fast to it for hanging it to the crane. The waffle irons also deserve mention. They were filled with batter and buried in the coals. They also had toasters for setting before the fire. Pewter and Crockeryware. In the early days, china, porcelain and glassware being very expensive, as all articles of that character had to be imported from the Old Country, pewter and crockeryware were quite common among the people. Occasionally there might be seen a few pieces of china, as, for instance, a sugar bowl, cream pitcher, or teapot, ornamenting the mantel, which were kept as cherished heirlooms in the family, and perhaps were owned by �PEWTER AND CROCKERYWARE. 135 some great-grandmother who lived in the colonial times of New England, or belonged to some remote ancestor in the Old Country, who lived 150 or 200 years before. Fifty and seventy-five years ago, even, there was not nearly as much porcelain ware to be seen among the common people as now, many of the and spoons being made of pewter. dishes, cups Although most of the farmers had a set of earthenware dishes, yet, for fear they should get broken, many of them supplied their children with pewter cups and plates; and if we went far enough back to the scant days of the early pioneer times, when dishes of any kind were still scarce, we might occasionally see some of the children all eating out of the same dish of soup or porridge set up in the centre of the table, and no doubt it tasted just as good as if each one had had a portion in a separate bowl. Milk and water pitchers and the six-penny and shilling (York) crocks for holding the milk were made of crockery ware. A few horn spoons were to be seen, especially among the Scotch settlers, who used them for their porridge. also Spoons and plates made of wood were brought into requisition. Pewter ware was not. easily broken, and was, therefore, the most economical kind to use. If the hunter happened to be out of bullets he would often take the broken spoons, etc., melt them in an iron vessel and pour them into the bullet moulds. �136 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER Candles and CANADA. Candlesticks. We can scarcely realize that it is little more than fifty years since coal gas was introduced, coal oil* within the last half a century, and incandescent and electric lights within the last twenty-five years. Before the introduction of coal oil lamps the common method of lighting was by tallow candles, Dutch lamps, the tallow dip, and pine knots, and many an ambitious youth in those days read and studied by no other light than that obtained from the burning logs in the fire-place. Although the candle does not give the amount of light that is to be obtained from coal oil, gas, or electricity, the old settlers loved its flickering, mellow light, and even after the introduction of modern methods of light- ing, many of them continued to prefer the use of candles. Candles were made in tin moulds. The cotton wick was stretched through the mould, tied in a knot at the pointed end, and attached to a stick at the large end. The mould was then filled with melted tallow and set away for the tallow to cool and harden, after which the candles were drawn out and put away in the candle-box for future use. The candlesticks for holding the candles were of all kinds and sizes, from the most expensive silver, brass, china and crystal, down to the ordinary tin candlestick, *Coal oil, called "kerosene," when first introduced, being poorly refined, had a bad odor. �CANDLES AND CANDLESTICKS. 137 with the bottom in the form of a tray for holding the snuffers and burnt matches. The snuffers were a specially-prepared kind of scissors for cutting off the charred part of the wick, so that the candle would burn brighter. The extinguisher was a small, cone-shaped article, attached to the candlestick by a chain, and used for placing over the flame of the candle when you wished to extinguish it. Dutch lamps were flat, urn-shaped vessels made of iron, brass and copper. They were filled with lard oil, the wick protruding from the side by a nose. A chain attached, with a hook to it, was used for hanging the lamp up. The hook was also used for drawing out the wick when it burned low. This lamp was introduced into the country by the Dutch and German settlers. The tallow-dip was made by twisting strands of cotton twine, attaching a number of them to a stick and dip- ping them into melted tallow, repeating the operation as soon as the tallow had hardened, until proper-sized candles were obtained. After the introduction of the tin mould for making candles this operation was discarded by most people. For use around the barn and stables there was the old-fashioned tin lantern, without any glass, but perforated with holes for the light to shine through, and with a tallow candle with glass sides. inside. After this came the lanterns Many of the old settlers soaked the rush tops in oil and used them for lighting purposes. �138 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The "Witch" was made by putting a coil of cotton rag into a saucer of tallow or other grease, the burning end being allowed to hang over the edge of the saucer. In the public halls and churches, to light up the assemblages, there were the "sconces," i.e., candlesticks made of tin for hanging to a nail in the wall, the high back of the sconce serving as a reflector, besides a candlestick or two sitting on the pulpit or desk for the speaker to see by. These lighting arrangements showed up the room very dimly compared to our present brilliant means of lighting by gas and electricity. Frequently people, and generally at the singing-schools, took their own candles with them to see to sing and read by. These were truly old-fashioned times, but their simplicity and spirit of industry made them all the more enjoyable. When we pause for a moment to picture to ourselves our grandfathers and grandmothers moving around in the hazy light of the tallow candle and the fire-place, we are impelled to exclaim, "Truly, what great changes the past century has wrought!" Tea and Coffee and Their Substitutes. Such luxuries as tea and coffee were much more expensive in the early times than they are now, on account of the greater cost of carriage and the heavy duties then imposed upon them. fathers, however, knew how Our economical fore- to adjust themselves to �. - UtL ein i l s gs h T ti i m n e g Old LA �LIGHTING circumstances, genuine article its place. and when THE FIRE. 139 they could not afford the they always had something to take As a substitute for tea they used decoc- tions of such herbs and barks as sage, thyme, choco- late root, spice wood, hemlock boughs and sassafras, and for coffee they roasted peas and barley, acorns and dandelion roots, rye and carrots, or they toasted bread and made a decoction of the crust. genuine coffee became cheaper, its use When the was quite common among the people generally, only that they bought it green and roasted and ground it themselves. The familiar sound of the coffee-mill, as the housewife ground up the roasted bean previous to preparing the favorite breakfast beverage, as well as the aroma from the kitchen that followed it, were intimations to the tardy riser that it was time to get up. The original hand coffee-mill was round or square, and made of iron or wood. Later on came the kind that was fastened by screws to the mantel over the fire-place or the window- jamb. These hand coffee-mills were sometimes used for grinding wheat for porridge, as well as pepper and other spices for seasoning purposes. Lighting the Fire. Lucifer or friction matches are a comparatively recent invention. It is not much more than fifty years since Congrieve brought out his self-lighting or phosphorus-tipped �140 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. match. The first matches of this kind were made in blocks, and were so imperfect that it was some years after their invention, however, before their use became gen- eral. In the early days, and well on into the middle of the nineteenth century, fire was got by means of the flint and tinder-box. When fire was so difficult to obtain people were very careful not to let their fires go out, and it was no uncommon sight to see persons going a mile or two through the snow to their nearest neighbor's to get a few coals to start the fire on a cold winter's morning. It was the custom to cover up the bed of coals with ashes at night before retiring, so that there would be some left with which to start the fire in the morning, all that was necessary being to add kindling wood and blow the embers into a flame with the hand bellows. The following amusing incident is told by a descendant of one of the old pioneers: One morning, the fire on the hearth having gone out, one of the daughters cut up a handful of cotton cloth and placed it in the fire- place, while one of the sons loaded the gun with a wadding of cotton and discharged it into the bundle of rags, so as to set them on fire. The father of the family, who was still sleeping, was awakened by the report of the gun, and came hurriedly downstairs, thinking something terrible had happened, but was well contented when he found a blazing fire the result. When matches were first introduced they were not, �LIGHTING THE 141 FIRE. as now, tipped with phosphorus, but were simply pieces of stick dipped in melted sulphur. These sulphur sticks, or matches, as they were called, were lighted by placing them in contact with live coals or the flame of a candle. When we stop to consider, we have reason to be startled by the fact that we now enjoy so many privileges and means of comfort that were unknown fifty years ago even. We are led to conclude that the past century has seen more progress than any previous century of which we have any record in the world's history. The tinder-box was a tin box with a tight-fitting cover, used for making and preserving the tinder, which was made by holding finely-cut cotton or linen rags over the uncovered box, setting them on fire and, after they were all in a blaze, allowing them to drop into the box beneath, then replacing the cover and smothering the fire. The charred remains formed the tinder. To get a light all that was necessary was to strike the flint and steel together over the opened box, so that the sparks would fall into it and ignite the tinder, after which it was touched with a sulphur stick and the fire applied to the kindling-wood in the fire-place. This was the English way. Among most of the early settlers punk-a fungus growth in decaying wood, thoroughly dried-frequently took the place of the tinder. *The flints muskets. used were The flints* they used were sometimes taken from the old flint-lock �142 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. often Indian arrow-heads, which were found in many places when ploughing. By placing a piece of punk on the flint, held in the left hand, and striking the flint with a piece of steel (usually the back of the steel blade of a pocket-knife *) held in the right hand, the sparks would fly on to the punk and ignite it, after which it was placed in the fire-place, kindling-wood added and blown into a flame. Some used the old flint-lock gun for starting a fire Some such combustible material as tow or linen cloth cut fine was placed in the flash pan of the gun. The trigger being pulled, sparks would fly into the pan and cause ignition. Once, when an uncle of the writer was getting fire in this way, the gun happened to be loaded. The steel ramrod, which was in the gun at the time, was driven into the board ceiling of the room, where it was allowed to remain for some time as a reminder of the incident. These were slow and tedious ways of obtaining fire, but they were the only means known (with the exception of the sun glass) to our grandfathers. *Some knives had a special blade for this purpose, and some men carried a small pocket steel made for striking a light. It is said that the knife blades were frequently deeply indented by constant use on the flint. �. Utl ea ns id ls O d n Ware Pewter C �XIII. CLOTHING AND DRESS. THE CLOTHING OF THE PEOPLE-THE FASHIONS IN DRESS-OUR GRANDMOTHERS' WHITE CAPS. E ROADCLOTH was not unknown in the early days, but the wearing of such clothing was restricted to weddings and special holiday occasions, the ordinary clothing of the people being made from what was called "homespun." The wool was carded, dyed, and spun by the good housewife or some of the female members of the family, and in many cases woven by them or by some neighbor who had a loom, after which it was fulled to prevent it from shrinking. An itinerant tailor, when he could be had, was engaged to come to the house to mend and make up clothing for the whole family. Stockings in abundance were knit for the family by the old grandmother or aunt, etc. Many of us, brought up in such households, can imagine we hear the click of her needles or see the elderly dame glancing over the top of her spectacles to observe what was going on, or to make some necessary remark. 143 �144 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. A favorite cloth for women's dresses was the "linseywoolsey," a mixture of linen and woolen. It made a very pretty dress, the cloth being woven in stripes of several colors. The yarn was colored previous to weaving, our grandmothers keeping a special tub for this purpose. The dyes used were most of them was used for dying blue, homemade. madder for red, Indigo butternut husks or sumach blossoms for brown, onion skins, waxwood or golden rod for yellow and beech tree bark for drab. The Fashions in Dress. The fashions in dress in the early days were many and diverse, many of the religious denominations having a style of dress peculiar to themselves. Some of them dressed very plainly, it being considered an indication of pride to dress at all gaudy. varied from time to time; As at present, the styles certain innovations and changes in style coming in and going out, changing with the seasons of the year. In the first half of the century the prevailing style of dress coat was the frock coat, similar in appearance to the present Prince Albert, but longer. The large and roomy box-coat, with big pockets in the sides and brass and horn buttons, so common in the eighteenth century, was worn by some of the older men. Later morning coat. on came the cutaway, now called the Among the Mennonites and Tunkers �THE FASHIONS IN DRESS. 145 many wore the swallow-tail or shad-belly coat, similar in shape to the present full dress coat, only the collars were straight, i.e., made to stand up instead of to lie down. At the beginning of the century, among the English people, and the New Englanders, knee breeches and long stockings were worn by the men, but we have no knowledge that this custom prevailed in Canada to any great extent, trousers or pantaloons being the style. The old English style must have been in vogue in Canada amongst certain classes for a time at least after the Revolutionary War, for Mr. Kirby, in his "Annals of Niagara," in describing the meeting of the first Parliament of Upper Canada, in 1792, says that at that gathering "the people were in their best holiday attire. The men, in the fashion of the times, in long stockings, garters and shoes, with their hair in queues, surmounted by three-cornered hats; the women in dresses high- waisted, with tight sleeves and bunched up behind over elaborate petticoats." Among the women there was to be seen at various times the poke bonnet, the cottage bonnet, the Quaker scoop and numerous other styles of head-dress, the more stylish ones being made of beaver, Leghorn or straw. They did their hair up in plaits, waterfalls, curls, or in a coil behind, but with no bangs. Hoops held sway for quite a time, but even they were more sensible than the modern corset, which gives shape and figure to a woman at the expense of health, for, no 10 �146 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. doubt, they are the cause of much of the headaches and other diseases, as well as premature deaths, so unhappily prevalent among the ladies. The plug or silk hat (at one time made of beaver skin with the fur side out) has always, with its many changes in shape, been more or less fashionable among professional men, not excepting the old time dandy or the young man who wished to cut a dash among the ladies. Our Grandmothers' White Caps. It was the custom in the early days for all the old women to wear white caps. Among certain religious denominations, such as the Mennonites, Tunkers and Quakers, even the young women, as soon as they were enrolled as members, were obliged to comply with the rules of the society and don the conventional white cap. White caps were worn night and day, only the night cap, worn while sleeping, being plainer than that worn in the day- time. These caps, no doubt, may have detracted from the beauty of the wearer somewhat, yet for all that, the women looked well in their quaint attire. They always kept themselves so prim and nice, great pains being taken in ironing and starching the frills on the borders of their caps, and the strings or ribbons that fell down the fair *Ear-rings were at one time quite the fashion among the ladies. Very few of the belles of the day were seen without them. �OUR GRANDMOTHERS WHITE CAPS. 147 rosy cheeks and were tied in a bow knot underneath the chin. We have handed down to us from the times of our grandmothers odd-shaped irons for ironing and fixing these frills, and mangles (made something like wringers with wooden rollers) for smoothing the caps. �XIV. DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES. SPINNING YARN-STRAW WORKING-MILKING TIME-PLUCKING GEESE-SOAP MAKING-CHEESE MAKING-How SAUER KRAUT WAS MADE. N imagination we can see the industrious aunt walking back the spinning-wheel, of carded wool to and forth beside attaching a length the spindle, then twirling the monster wheel* and drawing the wool out into yarn, stopping now and then to examine the thread and singing to herself as she marches back over the floor. and forth Day in and day out she keeps at it. After she has a spindle full of yarn it is wound on the reel into skeins, a peculiar clock-work contrivance attached to the machine, making a click every time a knot is wound on. After enough knots had been wound on to make a skein, they were tied together and hung up. Four skeins of fourteen kncts each was considered a good day's work. A machine called "The Swift" was * To turn the large wheel some spinners held in the right hand a small forked stick. +A certain number of skeins was called by some "a run." 148 �. Yarn Re ling and Spin ing �STRAW WORKING. 149 used for unwinding the skeins when the yarn was being wound into balls. For spinning flax a smaller wheel was used. It was kept in motion by a treadle worked by the foot, the operator sitting down while spinning. A bunch of flax was fastened on to the distaff, a forked stick at the front end of the wheel. The white flax was pulled off the distaff, attached to the spindle by the spinner, and lengthened out into linen thread, which was tied into bundles called "hanks." The high wheel for spinning wool, it appears, was used by most of the descendants of the settlers from the United States, and was probably the kind used by the people of New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The low wheel was used mostly by the settlers from England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany. Straw Working. One of the many domestic industries of the early time was the straw working. The stalks of grain for this purpose, in order to prevent them from becoming too brittle, were usually cut before the grain had thoroughly ripened and put away in sheaves until wanted. Oat, wheat and rye straw (preferably rye, as it was long and pliable) were the kinds mostly used, although the straw of the wild rice, swales and which grew in swampy places, was considered superior. �150 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The straw was first plaited into strands and then sewed together into hats boys and girls. to the fumes barrel. for both men and women, and for The hats were bleached by exposure of sulphur burnt in a covered box or This kind of hat is still worn among the farmers. There are, however, but comparatively few of the women nowadays who understand how to make them, this work being generally done in hat factories. The straw beehives were quite common fifty and sixty years ago. A strand of straw was twisted into a coarse rope, which, as it lengthened out, was coiled (com- mencing at the top) into a conical-shaped hive. coils were bound together, as the with cords or strips of elm bark. hive took The shape, This kind of hive, although light, was lasting and made a warm home for the bees during the long winter months.* Baskets of all sizes were made of straw on the same principle at the farm houses. Such straw work was both strong and durable and, if well made, would outlast the Indian or splint baskets. Among the Pennsylvania Dutch conical-shaped baskets made of straw were used for raising their bread in. *It is said the bees sealed up the holes in the hives, so as to make them proof against frost and cold. �MILKING 151 TIME. Milking Time. Nowadays on the farm hired men mostly do the milking, the women usually having enough to do in the house, but years ago it was as much a woman's work, if not more so than a man's, to do the milking. About milking time might be seen the housewife with a sunbonnet or a colored handkerchief tied over her head and several pails in her hand hieing away to the barnyard to milk the cows. After the milk had been emptied out of the pails, the latter were washed out and placed upside down on the pickets of the garden fence to dry. We can see now, in imagination, the grandmother, as she sat on the three-legged stool milking, and, as Brindle switched her tail or moved her leg to shake off some offending fly, nearly putting her foot into the pail or upsetting it, we can hear grandmother saying, "So, bossie, so." Each milker had certain cows to milk, it being thought that a cow would not yield its milk so readily to a strange milker. It was the small boy's work to bring the cows from the pasture field in the evening and take them back again before going to school. back and forth by in the morning He was generally accompanied the farm-house dog. The cows could be seen moving slowly toward the bars in response to the familiar call of "Co, boss; co, boss; co, co, co," those that lagged behind being brought up by the dog. �152 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. Plucking Geese. The geese were generally plucked three or four times during the year, or once in every seven mencing in the month of June. weeks, com- In some places the practice is contrary to law, it being considered as cruelty to animals, but in the early days it was very common, every farmer keeping a flock of geese for this purpose. The plucking was done by the women,* the down being made into pillows and feather ticks. Among the Ger- mans and Pennsylvania Dutch it was the custom, as a matter of economy and comfort in the winter time, to have a feather tick on top instead of quilts. To most of us, however, the greatest luxury in the way of a bed was the old cord-bottomed bedstead, with its snuglyfilled straw ticks, woollen blankets and "patchwork" quilts. It was about as comfortable as the modern spring mattress, although it had a tendency to sag in the centre after it had been used a while. It was quite a feat for the small children to clamber up the high sides of the tick when freshly filled with straw. How father would stretch and strain as he tugged at the cords, or with a stick or hammer handle twisted the round sides of the bed, in order to screw it into the posts and so tighten the ropes attached to the knobs on the outside of the rail when putting up the beds. Bees were often made for plucking the geese. Grandmother would put a stocking over the head of the goose when plucking it. This was done to keep the goose from biting. �. DaBy y gs o ne o f Relics �SOAP MAKING. 153 Soap Making. We have previously mentioned that in our grandfather's time nothing was wasted-everything was utilized. All scraps of grease, fat, pork, rinds, etc., were thrown together in a box or barrel until sufficient had been collected for making a batch of soap. This had to be made in the right time of the moon, otherwise the soap would shrink and not be so bulky, at least so our superstitious forefathers thought. The lye used in making soap was obtained in plenty from hardwood ashes. The ash leach was usually a permanent fixture in some out-of-the-way corner of the back yard. Sometimes it was made out of a length of a hollow basswood log, and also by knocking the bottom out of a barrel and setting it on a board raised up from the ground several feet, and tilted so as to carry off the lye, by a groove in the board, into a crock or pail placed under- neath. In the leach was placed, first, a layer of straw, then a quantity of lime, and on that the ashes. Water was next poured on, which, as it soaked through, dis- solved the alkaline salt (caustic potash). The making of a batch of soap usually occupied a whole day, from early morn till late at night. A pole was hung on several crotched sticks placed in the ground a few feet apart; on this the large iron kettle full of lye and grease was placed and a brisk fire built underneath. �154 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. There were two kinds of soap-hard and soft. If hard soap was to be made it required more boiling than for soft, besides the addition of a little salt and resin. In regard to the superstition as to the time of the moon in which the soap had to be made, we might say it is doubtful whether there is really anything in it, notwithstanding that many people belief. still hold to the A soap manufacturer of many years' experience told the writer that he paid no attention whatever to the moon when making soap. This ought to be proof enough that the old idea is a fallacy. Potash. Among the settlers the making of potash was quite an industry, as it is yet in some of the backwoods settlements. The ashes of the hardwood logs, after the log-heaps had been burnt up, were gathered together and put into large wooden leaches. The lye which was obtained was evaporated by boiling to obtain the residue, which was crude potash. to boil down the lye. source of revenue Great heat was necessary The potash industry was quite a to the pioneers. Quantities were shipped to Montreal, where a fair price was obtained. Cheese Making. Nowadays, here and there through the country, we find cheese factories. A wagon is sent round every morning to collect the big cans of milk, which are filled �CHEESE after milking and MAKING. 155 left standing on platforms by the roadside at the front of the farm. In the early days there were no cheese factories, and therefore the farmers had to make their own cheese. done by the women. Usually this work was The ordinary or English cheese was made in the following manner: First, a calf was killed, the stomach was taken out, rinsed off, and dried for the sake of the rennet (pepsin) which it contained. The sweet milk was brought to blood-heat, and a solu- tion, made from small pieces of the rennet, added, when the curd formed would separate. The whey was then drained off, the curd cut up fine, seasoned with salt, and put in a lever-press (afterwards screw), which removed the balance of the whey and pressed the curd into a solid block of cheese. A cloth was then placed around each cheese, after which it was set away until it was cured enough to be ready for use. Among the German settlers it was customary to make the sour milk into different kinds of cheese. most common curd cheese, One of the kinds was the "schmier kase," or sour made by taking sour milk after it had become thick, subjecting it to moderate heat, or scalding it slightly, when the solid part of the milk would separate from the whey; it was then put into a cloth bag and hung up to drain. This kind of cheese, introduced by the Pennsylvania German settlers, became popular among all classes living in the vicinity of the �156 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. German settlements. article of diet. It is a wholesome and delicious Usually cream was added when made ready for the table. The "hand kase," or ball cheese, was made by taking the same cheese, seasoning it with salt and butter, and then rolling it by the hand into balls, and laying it away to ripen or cure. The pot cheese was made by taking the sour curd cheese, packing it in a crock after seasoning, and setting it away in a warm place to decay or ripen. Germans it was greatly relished. Among the The odor from it was not unlike that of the famous "Limburger," and to a person unaccustomed to it was rather offensive. How Sauer Kraut was A certain medical "rotten cabbage." writer has Made. called sauer kraut Even though it may be cabbage in a somewhat putrid or fermented state, and unfit food for persons with weak digestion, it certainly served a helpful purpose on the bill of fare of the early settler, especially in the winter time, when green and fresh meats were scarce. vegetables It was rightly considered a preventative of scurvy, and for that reason is generally laid in stock by sailors and soldiers who expect to have to subsist for any length of time on salted provisions. The Germans are credited with being the originators of this article of diet, and even now among �HOW SAUER KRAUT WAS MADE. 157 them its use is more common than among other classes of people. The usual method of preparing sauer kraut by our forefathers was as follows: In the afternoon the cab- bage was gathered and brought into the house, and in the evening it was trimmed of its outer leaves and cut fine. Some would use a bright clean spade for cutting it up, but most folks had a board with knives fitted in, the sharp edge of the knives projecting slightly as in a plane. On this a box without a bottom, raised up above the knives by cleats at the sides of the board, was placed. The board being placed over the top of an empty barrel, the box was filled with cabbage, and as it was run back and forth over the board the cabbage was cut into shreds and dropped into the barrel beneath. The cabbage was arranged in the barrel in layers, with a goodly quantity of salt between each layer. the barrel After was filled the cabbage was stomped down with a wooden stomper, then covered with boards, on which were placed heavy stones, when it was left for several weeks or a month to ferment or become sour, when it was ready for use. In order to keep the sauer kraut from spoiling, the brine which formed was always supposed to cover the cabbage. Among the Old Country Germans it is said (although the veracity of the statement has never been vouched for) that the cabbage was stomped down with the bare feet. This should be �158 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER no detriment CANADA. to the cabbage, provided the feet were clean. In pressing the grape in the wine countries of Europe the help of the naked feet is resorted is none the worse of the process. to, and the wine But still the weight of evidence is against the belief that this practice has ever been adopted in preparing cabbage for sauer kraut. NOTE. It was principally among the German settlers, or those of German descent, that sauer kraut was an article of diet. file. A SETTLER'S HUT. �. EF r o o i r f e t Ruins The �XV. DOMESTIC AND FARM WORK. CIDER AND CIDER MILLS-MAKING APPLE BUTTER-HONEY GATHER- ING, STRAW HIVES AND SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT BEES-SHINGLE MAKING FLAX CULTURE-TANNING LEATHER. FTER the orchards which the first settlers planted out had matured (which for apples generally took about twenty-five years), they had fruit in abundance. Large quantities of apples were shipped away to the new settlements, where the settlers had none. The balance was either packed away for winter use, or made into cider and apple-sauce, or apple-butter, as some still call it. We cannot say just where the custom of making apple-sauce originated, but apparently our forefathers brought the custom with them from their former homes in the States. It is probable that it was introduced by their ancestors when they came from Europe, where the custom also prevailed. The windfalls, i.e., apples which had been blown down by the wind, along with apples of a poorer grade were heaped up in a waggon-box and taken to a cider mill, which some person in the neighborhood was sure to possess, one mill sufficing for a 159 �160 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. number of families, although cider-making was a busi- ness of itself, and was a source of profit to any one owning & mill. Cider was generally made out of the sour apples, the sweet apples being kept for thickening the cider after it had been boiled into syrup. In the early days the apples were not wormy, and, therefore, did not require any more attention than a slight washing, and some- times not even that, before being sent to the mill. The cider mill and press were usually kept in an outhouse erected for the purpose. up in the mill. The apples were first ground The cider mill consisted of two solid wooden cylinders, from two and a half to three feet in length, and one and a half feet in diameter, placed close together, horizontally, in a framework of wood. The surface of the cylinders was ribbed or fluted, so that the flutings of the one cylinder fitted in exactly between the flutings of the other, like the cogs of two wheels. The apples being poured into a hopper were drawn in between these wooden wheels, which crushed them into a pulp. One of the cylinders was longer and reached above the other. To the top of this long cylinder was fastened a pole; a horse was hitched to this pole and driven around the mill, causing the cylinder to revolve. After the apples had been put through the cider mill, the pulp thus formed was placed in the press and the juice squeezed out. The first press was a clumsy affair, �CIDER AND CIDER MILLS. the hand or screw press coming later on. 161 A square box arrangement, made of hardwood slats, was placed on a heavy beam; this beam had an upright piece of timber fastened to the end of it; another beam, say about thirty feet long, with one end mortised in this upright piece, extended over the box and had another box weighted with stones attached to the end, so arranged that by turning a wooden screw that fastened into the beam the box and beam could be raised or lowered so as to bring the weight of both down on the apple pulp which had been placed in the first box. In the bottom of the slat box was placed a layer of straw. The ground up apples were put into a cloth and placed on top of this, and on the top of the whole was placed a number of wooden blocks, which extended above the top of the box for the beam to rest upon, and so squeeze out the juice. was mostly used Cider for making apple-sauce, but a few barrels, called by some rack cider, were kept for drink- ing purposes, for the different bees, and harvest time, and social gatherings. After temperance sentiments gained ascendancy the custom was abolished, for, after the cider had been kept a while, it became "hard." Hard cider, because it contained a percentage of alcohol, was very intoxicating. Jack." best It was sometimes called " Apple Cider was also made into vinegar, and of the quality; by being left exposed to the air, i.e., not corked up, it became vinegar in a few months' time. 11 �162 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. Among people who had no orchards it was customary to make pumpkin sauce. In appearance it was much like apple-sauce, but had, of course, a different flavor. Some of the squeezed out. pumpkins were boiled, and the juice The juice obtained was put into a kettle over the fire, sliced pumpkins and sometimes sliced apples being added, and the whole then made into a sauce. Making Apple Butter. The boiling down of the cider into sauce or apple butter, as it was called by some, was a job which required a good deal of time and labor. On the morning of the day set for the work, the big copper, or brass kettle kept for the purpose, and very often holding a barrel of cider, was brought out, scoured, and after being hung on a pole placed over crotched sticks fixed in the ground a few feet apart, it was filled with cider and a brisk fire built underneath. The boiling down of the cider to a syrupy consistence was commenced early in the morning; about three or four o'clock in the afternoon the apples (preferably sweet), which had been previously pared, cored and sliced, were added. After three or four more hours' boiling over a slow fire, so that the same would not burn, and constant stirring with a short board or paddle full of holes fastened to the end of a long pole, or an appliance fitted with paddles and placed in the kettle to prevent the apples from settling to the bottom and �. UtH eoa n us sn e i hd l ol sd Wheel Spinning �HONEY GATHERING. burning, the sauce was finished. 163 It was then flavored to suit the taste, with either cinnamon, allspice, nutmegs, sassafras or other spices, put in crocks and stored away for future use. The keeping qualities of the sauce depended largely on the amount of boiling given it. Why it was called "apple butter" we do not know. It may have been because it was so often spread on the bread like butter, or it may have been because when kept very long it would sometimes get solid and could be cut with a knife like butter. The name was not inappropriate. Honey Gathering, Straw Hives, and Superstitions about Bees. Sitting around the garden walks were to be seen the conical-shaped straw hives. When the season for honey gathering was over, the bees were suffocated with smoke, or by the fumes of burning brimstone, and the honey taken from the hive, a few hives being reserved for breeding purposes the following year. Some peculiar superstitions, too, prevailed regarding bees. If there happened to be a death in the family, the duty devolved on some one of tapping on the hive and notifying the bees, else it was believed the bees would die also. When the bees swarmed and were taking their flight all hands would get out and hammer on tin basins and pails, and it was the custom to flood sunlight into their �164 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. midst by the use of a mirror. The noisy sound made was supposed to represent thunder and the flash of light lightning, so as to give the bees the impression that a thunder storm was coming alight near home. up and so cause them to This practice can not exactly be called a superstition, and whether or not it was of any value in preventing the bees from getting away out of reach is doubtful. hive of bees. It was considered unlucky to sell a If it were known that a man had more hives or "skips" of bees than he wanted, any person wishing to get a hive would simply go to this man's place and carry away one of his hives. He would not pay for it in person, but would leave an equivalent in money lying around where it could easily be seen A fermented liquor called "methigelum" by some of the people from honey. honey had been drained was made After most of the from the comb, the residue, partly honey and partly wax, was put into a vessel and covered with water; after a few days it fermented and became quite intoxicating. It was an imitation of the ancient "mead." Shingle Making. When the first houses were built the settlers could not afford the in the back woods, time to make shingles. The practice was to cover the roofs of their houses with bark or hollowed basswood other in tile fashion. logs, fitted one over the The first shingles used were very �FLAX CULTURE. 165 long (three feet) and very heavy, being split out of cedar, pine, ash, or oak blocks by the frow (sometimes the axe), but were not shaved. They served the double purpose of shingles and sheeting. There being but few and far between sawmills, lumber was not to be easily had for placing on the pole rafters. Long pieces of split cedar, three or four inches wide, placed a foot or two apart, were put up lengthwise with the house across the rafters. The shingles were fastened on these by wooden pins, each row being lapped over the one preceding it. It is true, also, that even after the people commenced to use the short (eighteen-inch and less) shingles they did not always use sheeting. Strips of lath, three or four inches apart, were laid across the rafters, to which the shingles were nailed. This was thought to preserve the shingles, as it allowed the air to circulate underneath the roof and kept the shingles dry. when they first came out The shingles in use now, were not sawn, but were rived out of blocks of cedar or pine. used was the frow. The instrument The blocks cut the required length were split by the frow into thin pieces of board which were afterwards shaved smooth and thin and shaped by the drawing knife. Flax Culture. One hundred years ago the cotton industry in the Southern States was only in its infancy, the introduction of the spinning jenny and of machinery for cleaning the cotton �166 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. wool and for weaving it into cloth having since caused it to grow to enormous proportions, and has resulted in the reduction of the price of cotton cloth to a very low price, within the reach of the poorest. The cost of linen goods in the early days was beyond the ability of the people of small means to purchase, so they were compelled to raise flax and make their own linen cloth. The making of the flax into linen cloth was quite an interesting and intricate process. To get the flax ready for the weaver required a good deal of preparation. When the plant had reached its growth it had to be carefully pulled by hand and tied into small sheaves. These were set up to dry and for the seeds to fully ripen and harden. Then one of the sheaves would be held in the left hand and with a heavy stick the seed balls would be beaten till all the seeds would drop. Perhaps about the last of September the flax would be spread in thin layers on sod or wheat fields. The object of this was to cure the flax, i.e., to partially rot the pith, after which the fibre would readily come off. As soon as the flax was cured, on some fine day when it was quite dry, it would be taken and put away for winter. step was to use what was called a "breake." The next This con- sisted of two sets of long wooden knives, probably four or five feet long. These knives were fastened into wooden blocks and the lower set set upon legs. The upper set of knives was placed upon the lower set, each �FLAX CULTURE. 167 knife fitting in between two of the knives of its com- panion. The two were carefully hinged together by a wooden pin at the back. There was also a wooden rod on the top of the upper set about as long as the knives. This preparation was for the "breaking" of the flax. The operator would take a bunch of the flax in his left hand, lift the upper part of the breake with his right hand and bring it down with a good deal of force on the bunch which he held in his left hand. It required some minutes of pounding to break up the pith inside the fibre of the flax, and it was none of the easiest kind of work. Often it was done out of doors and a large fire would be kept up near the large bundles of flax. The next step in the process of preparation was the *swingle board. The swingle board was about four feet long, placed upright and nailed at the bottom to a heavy wooden block. The top was in the shape of a hand with the index finger extended and the others closed. top end was sharpened. The Upon this sharpened end a bunch of the broken flax was placed and held by the left hand, and with the right hand the operator would dress the flax with a long wooden sword sharpened on both sides. The steady, well-directed strokes of the sword removed the "shives" or loose pith. To do this meant work, besides being very unhealthy on account of *The swingle board was called by some the scutching machine and the sword used the scutching knife. �168 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. the dust. The last step to prepare the flax for spinning was the drawing it through what was called a hackle or flax comb (Ger., hechel). This consisted of a board about eight inches long by four inches wide, full of rows of long steel spikes. Bunches of flax were drawn through this comb, which removed all the coarse fibres; what was left was soft and silky and was made into cloth for the finer linen goods. The coarse fibre was various purposes. called tow and was used for Ropes and coarse cloth for grain bags and men's working pants were made out of it. The linen cloth after it came from the weaver was spread on the grass and sprinkled with water a number of times each day for several weeks, to shrink and bleach it. The home-made linen cloth was very hard and stiff and after being washed, before rinsing, it was generally folded together, placed over a block and pounded with a stick to soften up the goods. The father and mother of the writer have occasion to remember such work. Tanning Leather. The Indian mode of tanning was to take the ashes left from the camp fire, and make a solution of them in water. The skins were placed in this solution and left for about three weeks, when the hair and bits of flesh adhering would readily come off, leaving nothing but �. f We o F al vi r i an x g n PreparU is neg d Implements �TANNING LEATHER. the clear skin or "raw hide," as it was called. then worked with 169 This was the hands or rubbed with sticks to make it soft and pliable, when it was ready to be tanned. This was done by putting it in a solution of hemlock or oak bark, and leaving it in this solution for about three months until all the oil and fatty matter was exhausted. After this it was again rubbed and worked with the hands to further soften it up. is not nearly so This method of tanning injurious to the skin as the modern method in which chemicals of various kinds are used. The Indian mode of tanning was adopted by some of the early settlers, who were compelled to do their own tanning. They had a tanning-tub or a trough hollowed out of a log of wood for soaking the skin in. Later on, every neighborhood had its tanner, who did the tanning for the farmers. This kind of work, like many others, was usually done on shares-the tanner keeping part of the hide for his work and returning the balance to the owner. �XVI. FARM WORK EARLY FARM SOWING IMPLEMENTS-THE THE SICKLE GRAIN CRADLING MACHINE SHEEP WASHING OR REAPING GRAIN THE HOOKREAPING AND SHEARING. LL the farm implements in the early days were made by hand, the wooden part being made by the farmer himself, and the iron part smith, although some of by the wayside black- the farmers had forges of their own and were ingenious enough to do their own blacksmithing. The implements used by the pioneers were few and simple compared with those used by the farmers of the present day. The chief farming imple- ments were the plough, harrow, cradle, sickle, rake, scythe and roller. Many improvements have been made in the plough of recent years. The first plough was made of wood (usually a piece of bent oak), and covered with iron. Some very rude ones were made out of a natural crook, as the root of a tree; others had wooden mould boards and iron points. The first harrow used in the backwoods clearings was 170 �EARLY FARM IMPLEMENTS. the "three-cornered drag," 171 a V-shaped framework of wood, with cross-pieces and fitted with iron teeth. It was often made out of the crotch of a tree, holes being bored for the iron teeth.* This kind of harrow was particularly well adapted for working up the soil in the stumpy ground, as, on account of its shape, it did not catch on to the stumps so easily as the square harrow. The "brush" or "bush" harrow, made of a bunch of brushwood, was sometimes made to answer the purpose of a harrow in the loose soil of the new ground, which very often did not require any ploughing at all the first time cropped. harrows, made In of the cleared ground, the square wood with iron teeth, were used. These were afterwards made in two parts and hinged together. This kind of harrow has been almost entirely superseded by the harrow made of steel. The only kind of rake was the wooden hand-rake; later on, the wooden lift-rake, and the wooden dump- rake, drawn by a horse, came into existence. farmer walked behind and held the handles The until sufficient hay had been collected, when he would lift or dump it in rows. These rakeз were followed by the sulky-rake now in use. For levelling off the lumpy ground the farmer had a roller, made out of a heavy log of wood, with a tongue attached to it, to hitch the horses to. Sometimes the teeth were made of hardwood. �172 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The minor farm implements were the long-handled shovel and spade and the pitchfork, the hoe and garden rake, all very heavy and clumsily made of iron, while nowadays such implements are made of steel, and consequently much lighter and better finished. were wooden forks for pitching straw. There The manure forks were generally made with broad tines and very heavy. The old farm wagon had wooden axles* with a strip of iron above and below, to prevent the wood from wearing away. They were greased with tar, made from the pitch got from the pine trees, and mixed with lard in the winter time, to prevent it from becoming too thick. The tar was kept for the purpose in a special bucket, which was hung underneath the back of the wagon when on a long journey. The wheels of the old "lumber" wagon were kept in place by linch-pins, which were dropped through a hole in the end of the axle, but as they did not secure the wheel very tightly when the wagon was in motion, they made a rattling noise, which could be heard for quite a distance away. There being no iron wagon springs, the seat was perched on the end of two poles with the ends fastened in the wagon box. This "spring-pole" wagon-seat, although high up in the air, was the most comfortable one known. Made of maple wood. �, Ho. rse Etc , Shaving Kettle , Sauce Kettle Soap �THE SICKLE AND REAPING HOOK. 173 The Sickle and Reaping Hook. In the early days of the country all the grain was cut by means of the sickle,* a curved knife a couple of feet long, with indented teeth. This was the only kind of har- vest instrument the farmer had for years for cutting grain, the cradle being then unknown. To cut a field of grain with it must have been a slow and tedious as well as a very tiring process. With all hands on the farm to help, however, both male and female, the harvesting was soon accomplished. It is interesting to hear some of the old folks tell how first the grain was sown, cut, threshed and got ready for the mill. It was frequently planted in the stumpy ground with a hoe or rake. When ripe it was cut with the sickle, bound in sheaves, and taken on the jumper+ to the threshing-floor, which was often no better than a big flat stone, sometimes a floor of boards, and sometimes even the bare ground, tramped hard and smooth, where, by means of the flail, or "pov- erty-stick" (two pieces of hardwood united by leather), the heads were pounded until the grain was all threshed out. It was then "winnowed," or cleaned, by pouring Although the sickle and reaping-hook were practically the same thing, there was a slight difference between them. The sickle was the older of the two, and had a serrated or indented edge, which did not require to be sharpened. The reaping-hook had a sharp edge and had to be sharpened like a scythe. + The jumper was a rough, home-made, one-horse sleigh, whose shafts were a continuation of the pole runners. �174 EARLY PIONEER LIFE from one vessel to another IN UPPER CANADA. in the wind, until it was free of the chaff, after which several bags were put across a horse's back and sent to the mill-often fourteen or fifteen miles or more distant-to be ground into flour, the farmer having to wait patiently his turn for this to be done, and which sometimes kept him from home for several days together. It was not an uncom- mon thing for some of the old settlers who had no horses to have to carry the bags of wheat to the mill on their backs for long distances of fifteen or twenty miles. The first mills were situated on some stream or creek, where water-power could be obtained, as there were, of course, no steam mills then in the country. These water-power mills were scarce, even, people sometimes going forty and fifty miles to get their grists ground.* Hand mills for grinding wheat were furnished by the Government to the U. E. Loyalists, and those who did not have these hand-mills would burn a hole in the top of a white oak stump; into this hollow, when well scraped out, they would place the wheat or corn and grind it into a coarse meal with a pestle made out of a piece of hard wood. This was probably in imitation of the Indian method of grinding their corn in stone cups or bowls. To facilitate the operation the pestle was some- *It is said the people sometimes came from the Long Point country to Street's Mill at the Falls, a distance of 75 or 85 miles, to get their grists ground. �CRADLING GRAIN. 175 times fastened to the end of a spring pole extended over a forked stick stuck in the ground. The first crop of the settlers usually consisted of a field of wheat and peas, with a small patch of potatoes, pumpkins and corn. Sowing the Grain. Formerly the farmer in sowing his grain had a sack* tied around his body and as he walked over the ground he scattered the seed with a sweep of his hand. With measured step he strode forward and did his work care- fully and manfully. This method of sowing grain was common for centuries. parable of the sower. Our Saviour speaks of it in His Since the seed drills were intro- duced, forty or fifty years ago, the old-fashioned way of sowing has gradually been discarded, until now there is scarcely a farm that is not equipped with a seed drill. Cradling Grain. Following the sickle came the cradle, which consisted of a framework or "rigging" of wood for gathering the grain together as it was being cut, fixed to the scythe, an instrument which previous to this time had only been used for cutting grass. The farmer, with a sweeping stroke of his brawny arms, would cut down a "swath" of from four to six feet in width. The binders *Some farmers used a box instead of a bag and sowed with both hands. �176 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. (men and women) would follow with their rakes and, after raking enough together for a sheaf, would twist a handful of the stalks into a strand and bundle. bind up the An expert cradler could cut as much as three or four acres of good standing grain in a day, about as much as three or four men could bind. After the grain had been bound it was gathered together and stood on end, two sheaves in a pair, in "stooks" or "shocks" of ten or twelve sheaves, to dry. The Reaping Machine. The cradle was superseded by the reaping machine, which has been the subject of many improvements up to the present time, since its introduction in 1831, when a man walked behind and raked the grain off the table as it was being cut. In 1845 a seat was made for this man at the rear of the machine, and in 1863 a selfraking attachment was added, until now we have machines which not only cut the grain but also bind it into sheaves as well. The advent of the reaping machine is a striking illustration of the truth of the old saying, "Necessity is the mother of invention." The inventor, who lived in the Western States, saw the need of a machine that would cut the grain in the big fields of the western country just opening up to settlement more rapidly than it could be done by the old methods. This idea of saving labor has been carried out with all kinds �SHEEP WASHING AND SHEARING. 177 of work, until now there is scarcely any department of labor the in which machinery does not do the bulk of work. Sheep Washing and Shearing. In the spring of the year, generally the last of May or the first of June, the sheep were driven into an en- closure beside some stream, and one by one taken by the farmer and his men and washed in the stream, so as to get their wool clean and white. After a day or two of drying the sheep were shorn of their fleeces. The wool was then picked over by the women and girls, to get out any burs or lumps of dirt that might have adhered to it, "picking" bees being frequently made for this purpose. the After the picking, in order to make wool soft and pliable, it was spread out on the floor and greased by sprinkling melted lard over it and next whipped with a rod, after which it was bundled up in big woollen blankets, pinned together with a thorn from a hawthorn bush and sent away to the carding mill to be carded into rolls for spinning. Many of the farmers, when carding mills were not convenient, did their own carding with the old-fashioned hand cards. If the farmer had a large number of sheep he would often make a bee for the washing and the shearing. If the sheep were afflicted with "tick" or vermin a solution of tobacco leaves was made and applied to the skin of the sheep. 12 �178 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. A flock of sheep after being sheared were and are quite a lean and awkward-looking sight; pitiable, shivering, starving-looking creatures, seeming different animals altogether from the well-wooled sheep that gave good promise of fat mutton. NOTE. Nowadays many farmers do not pay much attention to sheep raising; they buy their clothing from the merchant and the butcher makes his rounds through the country and supplies them with fresh meat, but in our grandfather's time they were obliged to keep a good-sized flock of sheep. The wool of the sheep they made into clothing, and when fresh meat was required for family use for the threshings, etc., the flock was robbed promising-looking members. and of one of its most Years ago there was no market in the towns and villages for mutton and other meats. What the farmer raised he raised for his own use principally, as there was no foreign market as there is now. �Wo l. pie nT nl in RSe h eg Flax Spin ing �XVII. FARM WORK-(Continued). -THE LOGGING BEE-THE RAISING BEE-Maple SUGAR MAKING TIME. HE "threshings" are in many respects much the same now as they have been for years back, yet in the last one hundred years they have undergone a complete transformation. The early settlers threshed most of their grain with the flail. Sometimes, with certain kinds of grain, such as oats and peas, they would cover the barn floor with the sheaves or stalks and drive the horses and cattle over it until the grain was all tramped out. We can imagine now we hear the thud, thud, thud of the flail on the threshing floor, as the farmer bent to his work. Now and again he stopped to wipe the coursing per- spiration from his brow, or to examine the heads of the wheat-stalks, to threshed clean. come out until see whether or not they The first threshing-machine about seventy-five years were did not ago, and it was a small affair, with a narrow cylinder, fitted with iron spikes, the rapid revolution of which, as the grain passed through between these spikes and the spikes 179 �180 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. in a half cylinder or concave, shook out the grains of wheat. There being no separators (screens or sieves) for separating the grain from the chaff, or carriers for conveying away the straw, everything went out in a heap at the rear of the machine. The straw was raked, shaken and pitched away, leaving the grain and chaff on the floor. It gave considerable work to the men and boys with the fanning-mill to separate the grain from the chaff, for it had to be put through the mill at least twice. Nowadays it usually comes out of the threshing- machine cleaned and ready for market. It required at least eight men to operate one of the old threshing-machines-one man to drive the horses, one man to cut the bands of the sheaves, one to feed, one to take away the straw and to pass it on to three or four more men, who pitched it into the mow or on to the straw-stack in the yard. With all this work the first machines could not thresh more than fifty or seventy-five bushels a day, while now they can thresh as many bushels in an hour. What a mighty difference to the farmer, in time and labor saving. The "horse-power" stood in the yard at some distance, and was connected with the threshing-machine by a belt and a tumbling rod or shaft, which kept the machine in motion. The driver stood (sometimes sat) on a table or platform in the centre of the horse-power and flourished his long-lashed whip in the air as he touched up the �THE LOGGING BEE. 181 lagging horses of the four or five teams hitched to the power. Scarcely anything could be heard above the buzz of the machinery but the crack of the driver's whip and his strident voice as in stentorian tones he called out to the horses, "G'ap there," "Go on," "Get up there, Bill," "G'long," "Whoa." One kind of the primitive threshing-machines was oper- ated by tread-mills, the horses having to walk on rollers. At the present day the horse-power has been almost entirely done away with, the steam thresher (happily for the farmer) having taken its place. The Logging Bee. All the men in the neighborhood were invited to the logging bee. The oxen, with a big chain dragging behind them, could be seen coming from different direc- tions along the side-roads and concessions, and as many as a dozen yoke of oxen at a time might sometimes be seen at a "logging." The farmer would prepare the iron-wood handspikes a day or so beforehand. There was always a jug of whiskey ready for the occasion. A logging bee without whiskey would be considered a dry affair indeed. After placing the chain around the end of one of the big logs the driver would crack his whip and the log would begin to move and be "snaked," or dragged in a serpentine direction between the stumps and piles until it reached the spot where it was to be �182 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. deposited. The "Gee!" "Haw!" "Buck!" "Bright!" of the driver, as he encouraged and urged on his oxen, could be heard distinctly resounding through the clearing. Besides the driver of the oxen there were always three or four more men, with handspikes in their hands, ready to lift the logs on top of each other. After all had inserted their handspikes in different places along the log, someone would call out, "Ready, boys!" and the log would be raised from its place on the ground, and with considerable grunting and straining, and "Now, boys!" and "Yo-he!" "Yo-he-heave!" in concert from the men, and an extra effort, the log was finally placed on top of the pile. Skidways made of heavy poles were placed against the lower logs for running the topmost logs on the pile. Some of these log-heaps were three or four logs high, and sometimes as many as seven or eight. A rough piece of land at night, after the log- ging was over, would look almost as neat and tidy as a barn floor, after it had been swept and cleaned. After a day's work among a lot of dirty black logs the men looked more like a lot of negroes from the south than free-born Canadian citizens. The sight of the burning log heaps here and there, at night, looked quite picturesque and weird, and reminded one of the picture of hades in Dante's "Inferno." In the early autumn even- ings the boys would gather around these log-heaps, roast ears of green corn, tell stories and crack jokes. In the �. Ha t P an ad ma a n , Bonnets ld DresOs �THE evening, after RAISING BEE. 183 the wind-up of the logging, amongst certain classes of people, there would be a spree and a dance lasting till three or four o'clock in the morning. Night after night the farmer could be seen going around the log-heaps, poking up the fires, throwing chunks together, for strange to say, the log-heaps burned best at night. When there was a big field to be logged, to create rivalry and get through with the work quickly, the logging bee took the form of a race, with a jug of whiskey or a new yoke as a prize. The field was staked out in lots, so many rods wide, with a yoke of oxen and a gang of four men to each lot. ment prevailed as the Great excite- different gangs strove through with their part of the work first. to get As the work went on, the "Grog Boss" with his jug could be seen moving around among the different gangs of men, dealing out to them their several allowances of whiskey. The Raising Bee. The "raising" was quite an important event in the neighborhood and for miles around. The people liked the excitement of such an occasion. If the barn or house was of any size, a large number of men (perhaps fifty or one hundred) would have to be invited to take part. The housewife would be kept more than fully occupied for days beforehand getting provisions ready of all �184 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. kinds to feast the visitors and helpers. And in the olden time it was never forgotten to supply plenty of good Canadian whiskey, as was then the universal custom. This latter custom has, by degrees, been dropped, tea, coffee, and temperance beverages having taken the place of the once all-popular mountain dew.* The first raising bees, no doubt, originated with the raising of the old log-houses and barns. If a new settler came into the neighborhood, the other settlers would gather and help him to build his house. After a number of trees had been felled and cut up into lengths they were drawn together by oxen and rolled up by the men on "skids" or heavy poles to their place in the walls of the house until the house was of the required height, a man stationed at the corners (the "corner man") making a notch or saddle in the log, so that it would fit over the log underneath it, hewed into a triangular shape at the end, to receive it. For the most part the logs were left projecting a foot or two at the corners and afterwards they were cut off, which added to the appearance of the building. After a few years of life in these early log cabins the settlers would build larger and better dwellings. The first frame houses were built of heavy timber; when the balloon frame houses, made of scant- ling, first came into use the people laughed at them, for It is said that in some instances it was impossible to get sufficient men to come to a raising unless whiskey was promised. �THE BEE. 185 they imagined they would blow down. It is true they are not as houses. RAISING substantial as the old-fashioned "frame" When a farmer decided on building, say a large barn, he would engage a carpenter, who had experience in that line, and who would go out into the farmer's woods and commence operations by preparing the timbers for the frame. Pine was preferred, but if it was scarce with the farmer, other suitable woods, such as oak, elm, tamarac, hemlock, etc., were used. The trees, which had previously been felled and cut into required lengths, were placed on blocks which raised them up from the ground several feet, so that they could the more easily be gotten into shape. The first part of the work consisted in "scoring" the log. After a portion of the bark had been removed from one side, a chalk line was drawn along the log, after which it was chopped into as far as this line every few inches. The wood which had been loosened by the scoring was then hewed off by the broad axe. After the four sides of the log had been treated in this manner, with the exception of the timbers used for the sleepers of the house or barn, which only required hewing on one or two sides, the timbers were removed to the site of the future build- ing and hewed into more perfect squares, with mortise and tenant, so that they would be ready to fit into each other when raising day came. Pike poles, ten or fifteen feet long, with sharpened �186 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. pieces of iron fitted into the end, were got ready for the men who were to take part in the raising. On raising day, after heavy timbers or sills had been placed on posts fixed in the ground, or on foundations of stone- mason work, the sleepers were placed across and all was ready for the raising. called The frame consisted of what was "bents," one at each end, and two or more in between, according to the length of the building. These bents consisted of two upright timbers or posts and one or two cross-beams, according to the height required. They were framed and laid together on the foundation timbers and raised in rotation. with a bar in his A man was stationed hand at the hole mortised in the foundation timber for receiving the upright post, and as the bent was raised, he saw that the post went into the socket made for it. The master-builder directed affairs, attention being given to everything he said, none of the other men uttering a word, and with pike-poles in the hands of the men on one side to raise and on the other side to steady, the heavy timbers were lifted into place. The man who did the calling off was usually a man of powerful voice and he could be heard half a mile away, as he called out, "Now, boys," "Altogether, now," "Lift," "Yo-heave, "Steady," throwing up his arms as he called out. After the first bent had been raised it was stayed or braced with boards until united by "girts" to the other bents. After the bents had all been raised, �THE RAISING BEE. 187 two "plates," one on each side of the barn, for receiving the rafters, were placed on top of the posts. After that the "purloin" plates, for giving support to the roof, were placed on top of short posts, which stood on the crossbeams. Last of all, the rafters, made of poles hewed on one side, were run up and put in position, when the frame was ready for the siding and the sheeting. No iron was used in the framing, the timbers being fastened with wooden pins, big wooden "commanders," or mal- lets, being used for driving the pins into their places. The raising was often a dangerous job, and for that reason everything had to be done with care and caution. Sometimes there would be a hitch, and occasionally men would lose their lives at these bees. If everything had been properly arranged and the timbers numbered, etc., the raising could all be done in two or three hours' time. In order to get up an interest and have the job finished in a hurry, very frequently captains were appointed and sides chosen, the right of first choice of men and of location being obtained by the tossing up of a coin, or a piece of bark marked on both sides, and a guess being made as to which side would turn up, as black or white, wet or dry, head or tail. The race usually began at the putting up of the plates and rafters, although in some instances they raced from the start, each gang of men working at different ends of the building. The race was to see who could get their part of the work done first. �188 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The winning side would always raise a lusty cheer over their success. With the hooting and shouting that sometimes took place when the race was going on, the excitement was intense and began at the very commencement and continued with increasing intensity until the last rafter was in place. at these bees in their Men sometimes lost their heads anxiety to get ahead of the opposite side, and ill consequences were the result. A friend mentioned to the writer that he once saw a man-by mistake, of course-saw off the log on which he was sitting, in his haste to overcome his antagonists on the other side. Some of the men who were accustomed to such jobs would climb over the beams and plates, as lively as a lot of squirrels, and oftentimes the captain would ride the cross-beam of the bent as it was being raised. Those on the winning side were given the privilege of going to supper first. Usually in the evening, after the raising was over, there would be a dance on the floor of the newly-raised barn. Maple Sugar Making Time. During the latter part of February and the first of March vegetation begins to awaken from its long rest, and again prepares to put on its mantle of green. The sap commences to flow back from the roots of the trees to the branches. It is aided in this by the heat and light of the sun, for the flow is generally greatest in the �Some Old-Time Articles. �MAPLE daytime, and SUGAR MAKING TIME. 189 particularly so on a mild, sunny day following a frosty night. The early settlers took advantage of this passing up of the sap to obtain their year's supply of maple sugar. Often it was the only kind they could obtain. Maple sugar making time was to them one of the busiest and most romantic seasons of the year, and during this season they spent considerable of their time in the "sugar bush." The sap was boiled down in big iron kettles, three or four kettles being required for one boiling. The sap in the first kettle, after it had been evaporated down to a syrupy consistence, was poured into the second, and so on, to make room for a fresh supply of sap.* Sitting on logs out in the woods beside the boiling kettles, the watchers had often a weary wait until into the night for the time to "sugar off." There was nothing to break the stillness but, perhaps, the hooting of the owls in the pines or the dreaded howling of the wolves in the distance. The children always looked forward to this season of the year with pleasure, for they knew they could then get their full of nature's delicious nectar without money and without price. It frequently brought the young folks together in gatherings called "taffy pulls." Fol- lowing closely on St. Valentine's Day, when the birds are supposed to mate and when Cupid's darts go straight A piece of fat pork was often thrown in to prevent the syrup from boiling over. �190 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. to the mark, many matches were the result of these happy gatherings of the young people. Just before the boiling liquid reached the point when the sugaring off was done, a portion of it was taken out of the kettle and spread on the snow or a piece of ice, when it would harden into taffy, clear as crystal and with a flavor like nectar, fit for the gods. After the sap had been boiled down to a syrupy consistence, a portion of it was removed for use as molasses. And how the old folks, as well as the young, did enjoy this maple syrup along with their "buckwheat pancakes" and "griddle cakes!" The sugar was moulded into cakes of various sizes and shapes, from the big loaf weighing ten or fifteen pounds down to the little cakes made in the crinkled patty-pans for the children.* Speaking of sugar making time recalls to mind an old song that was sung years ago, with a chorus something as follows: "Oh it's bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble goes the pan, Furnish better music for the season if you can; See the golden billows, watch their ebb and flow, Oh is not it the jolliest fun the sugar makers know?" The gathering of the sap was, perhaps, the most arduous part of the work. Holes had to be bored into the trees with an auger, and into these wooden spouts, or The tins were first greased to prevent the sugar from sticking fast to them. �MAPLE " SUGAR MAKING TIME. 191 spiles,"," for running off the sap were inserted. In early pioneer times a slanting notch was made in the tree with a hatchet; beneath this notch was made a hole. with a semi-circular iron gouge, the spiles which were driven into these holes being split out of a block of pine or cedar wood with the same instrument. Troughs, hollowed out of short lengths of basswood, pine or ash logs, were placed at the base of the tree to catch the sap. Later on, wooden pails, made for the purpose, oftentimes by the farmer himself if he had any notion for cooperWhen the sap ing, took the place of these troughs. troughs or "buckets" became full, the sap was collected and poured into barrels or into big wooden troughs hol- lowed out of a log of wood. With a wooden yoke placed over his shoulders and a pail attached to a rope at each end, one of the men helpers would go around among the trees gathering the sap. Sometimes a horse and sleigh, or jumper (home-made sleigh), with a barrel on, was driven around through the woods to collect the sap, for the snow used to generally lie deep in the woods in those days. Maple sugar making is still quite an industry at the present day, but in the modern "sugar camp" things are much more convenient than formerly. In the early days a rough shed, open on one side and covered with brush and boughs, was made out in the woods to shelter the watchers, and there they sat and watched when the �192 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. weather was cold and rough. Nowadays an arch of brick is built; on this is placed an evaporating pan, and over all is built a shed, which not only protects the sugar makers from the inclemency of the weather, but also prevents the dead leaves and twigs from getting into the kettle. There are many other additional conveni- ences as well, which make the making of sugar much easier at the present day than formerly. Of the many different species of maple there is only one species from which sugar can be obtained. It is com- monly known as the sugar, rock, or hard maple. The average yield of a healthy sugar tree would be about a gallon of syrup in a season. A gallon of syrup makes seven pounds of sugar, although, if the syrup be very thick, it may make as much as ten pounds. Two pails of sap is supposed to make a pound of sugar, although the strength of the sap varies according to the season and the locality. It is well understood that the earliest sap which rises is the strongest and makes the lightest colored sugar and the molasses. sweetest and nicest flavored Before the sugar became hard it was some- times stirred with a stick. This crumbled it up so that it resembled the light brown muscovada sugar of com- merce, which it was often made to take the place of. The sap which is obtained just before the buds on the trees are about to burst is often made into vinegar. �. GF eo r e oi rg t n Arsenal �XVIII. CO-OPERATIVE GATHERINGS. THE PARING BEE-THE QUILTING BEE-THE HUSKING BEE- BUTCHERING DAY, OR "THE KILLING." IFE, to a large extent, was co-operative in the early days; another. It the people helped one would, indeed, have been very dull in the backwoods and remote country places if it had not been for their frequent social gatherings. One of the paring bee. his apples Work and play were combined. chief gatherings of this kind was the In the fall of the year, in order to get pared and cored for drying and making apple-sauce, and to prevent them from spoiling, the farmer would invite his neighbors, young and old, to his house to assist him. After a sufficient quantity of apples had been prepared, the guests were regaled with a plentiful luncheon of cake, pie, cider, etc., and then, if there was time, the young folks would spend an hour or so in games of various sorts, and perhaps a dance. It was the regular thing to see a big burly young fellow dutifully assisting Peggy, or Sarah Jane, or Sally Ann, or Polly, in paring a lapful of apples-sitting as close to her 13 193 �194 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. as possible, or we can, in our mind's eye, see some handsome girl throwing a length of apple parings over some bashful Tom or Dick, and laugh to see him blush in confusion at the compliment. Considerable amusement was got by carefully paring an apple so that the peeling would come off in one long piece, then, holding one end of it in the hand and twirling it around the head, when it was let fall on the floor. The letter of the alphabet which it resem- bled, as it lay on the floor, was supposed to be the initial of the name of the future husband or wife of the party paring it. At first the paring was all done by hand, but, later on, machines were introduced, which considerably shortened the process of paring and coring. The Quilting Bee. A number of the ladies, both married and single, would gather at a friend's house where the bee was to be held, mostly early in the afternoon, to do the quilting. The husbands and young men were invited to tea, after which the time was spent in social conversation and popular diversions, the young folks engaging in the various games and amusements which were then the fashion in those times. Cupid was just as busy and active with his bow and quiver as he is now and has ever and always been, and the young men were not one whit behind the young men of to-day in paying their devoirs to the pretty girls of the company. The so- �THE HUSKING BEE. 195 called kissing games were quite popular, as might be expected. It was the custom at these bees for the girls to throw the quilt when finished over one of the young men and laugh to see him extricate himself from its folds. Sometimes they would succeed in getting one of the party enveloped in the quilt, when, with strong hands at each corner, they would toss them high in the air. This added greatly to the mirth and jollification of the occasion. The Husking Bee. Husking bees were quite common among the farmers in the early days. In the fall of the year, after the corn had been stripped off of the stalks in the field, it was loaded on to a waggon, drawn into the barn and piled up on one side of the big barn floor. The men, women, boys and girls in the neighborhood who had been invited to the "husking" would assemble about six or seven o'clock, and spend the evening in stripping the husks off of the ears of corn. The ears, after being husked, were thrown into piles on the opposite side of the barn floor, the husks being placed in front of the huskers and accumulated. removed The from time old-fashioned to tin time as they lanterns, with candles inside, were hung around the barn to furnish light. These gatherings would break up about ten o'clock, after which all hands would adjourn to the �196 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. house to partake of refreshments hostess before going home. provided by the Sometimes the remainder of the evening was spent in playing games and in dancing. Butchering Day, or "The Killing." Butchering day was quite an day in the early times of our important and busy pioneer grandfathers. The farmer generally arranged to complete the job in one day. From the killing of the six or eight pigs and the "beef," to the making of the sausages, all had to be completed without rest or adjournment. the farm took part in children. the All hands on work-men, women and If the farmer did not have sufficient help of his own, he could always depend upon getting necessary assistance from his neighbors. the Some handy man in the neighborhood who had a special "knack" for butchering, was usually engaged to act as "chief factotum." The farmer would rise early in the morning and put the large kettles of water on the fire out in the backyard, and with his smock coat buttoned around him and, perhaps, his pipe in his mouth, would get the knives sharpened for the butchering. The first part of the work was to catch the pigs. The farmer would enter the pig-sty, catch one of the animals by the legs and drag it out of the pen, and *Other devices were sometimes made use of. �BUTCHERING DAY, OR "THE KILLING." 197 the pig would be held down while the chief butcher plunged his ready knife into the animal's neck, which soon finished the poor hog. The carcase was then removed to a raised platform, against which leaned a barrel filled with hot water, into which it was plunged and allowed to remain for a few minutes, or until the bristles became so loose that they could be easily scraped off.* After the hair had all been removed the carcase was hung up by the gambrel, a stick which was run through between the cords of the hind legs, to a bar at the top of a post, or to a tree, washed and wiped off with a cloth, a slit or opening made the whole length of the body, and the entrails removed and taken to the house, where the women help would turn them inside out and clean them, so that they might be ready for the sausage-making. The women were very careful in removing all the fat adhering and ren- dering it into lard; the liver was cooked and made into "liver-wurst," and the meat around the bones of the head and feet chopped fine and made into "head-cheese." The operation we have been describing was gone through successively until all the carcases were seen dangling from the posts in the yard, forming a far from unpleasing sight for the farmer. The fatted steer or cow was next brought around and held fast while a A handful of hardwood ashes was sometimes added to help loosen the bristles. �198 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. swinging blow of the axe on the forehead, wielded by one of the strongest and most expert of the men, would bring the animal down on its haunches, when the knife in the hands of the butcher ately plunged into its neck. on the watch was immedi- After the stream of blood had ceased to flow the carcase was hung up, the hide removed and the entrails taken out, after which the beef was allowed to hang for a few hours before being quar- tered and put away.+ In the afternoon the carcases of the hogs were taken down one by one, placed on the table and cut up. In the evening the men and women helpers would finish the job, which consisted in grinding the meat for sausages and stuffing it into the "caseing." This part of the work took considerable time, and it was generally two or three o'clock in the morning before they got through, after which there was usually a meal of sausage served before retiring. * Small, sharpened, wedge-shaped stones or pieces of hardwood were sometimes used instead of knives for removing the hide. +Packed in tubs or casks with a plentiful supply of salt between each layer. �Fireplace with Old Utensils--Niagara Historical Society. �XIX. EARLY PASTIMES. RACCOON HUNTING-HUNTING FOR BEES-HUNTING AND TRAPPING -FISHING IN THE RIVER-THE WILD PIGEONS AND WILD GEESE. IN the fall of the year, when the corn was beginning to harden in the ear, the raccoons, which usually inhabited the hollow trees and logs in the woods and swamps, would make frequent raids on the corn patch, and if not stopped would destroy large quantities of corn. In order to prevent these depredations the farmers and farmers' sons would organize into bands, and on a clear frosty night in October, with their dogs trained for the purpose, and, armed with old guns, would go out to the corn fields. remain on They would quietly the outskirts of the field with their dogs until they heard the cry or whistle of the coons in the field, or the noise they made as they broke off the ears of corn, when the dogs, which had been waiting impa. tiently for the fray, were allowed to plunge into the corn patch after the coons. The men would follow with 199 �200 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. their guns and sticks, and as the coons and attacked each other, they would dogs strike and kill the coons with their sticks and clubs. If the coons were "treed," i.e., obliged to flee and climb into a tree for shelter, the men and boys would remain underneath, so as to prevent the animals from escaping, until daylight dawned, when they could see to shoot them. times they would build a fire underneath Some- the tree, to enable them to see the coon, and sometimes they would chop the tree down, so that they could get at him. The raccoon is, like the bear, a hibernating animal, and lies dormant in the winter time. ous in the backwoods They were quite numer- settlements, frequently in the older settled parts. and were found They live chiefly on nuts and green vegetation, such as corn, clover, etc. They are harmless and rather cowardly animals, unless cornered, when they will fight desperately, and frequently came out victors in their fights with the dogs, when the farmer was not close at hand to help his dogs. They are sharp, cunning, quick-scented, and keen of eye, and will cry to imitate a child, and whistle sharply, appar- ently for the purpose another. of calling or answering one If a number of them happen together and are pursued, they will take to the nearest tree and get out on the furthest branches, or hide in the crotches, where they have been found after being shot. Their fur is handsomely marked, and is valuable for making into �HUNTING garments and leather. FOR BEES. The 201 leather is one of the strongest to be got, and is very useful for making laces for shoes and belting. Hunting for Bees. In the woods were to be found numerous hollow trees where escaped swarms of bees had taken up their abode. It was quite a profitable business at one time to locate these wild rustic hives and rob the bees of their honey. This was usually done in the fall of the year when the flower season was nearly over, and after the bees had laid in their winter's supply of food. The bee hunter would place some honey as a bait in a small box, and perhaps burn some comb to make an odor to attract the bees. On a bright sunshiny day he would go out to the woods to "course the bees."* A good place to com- mence from was the vicinity of a stream, where the bees were generally to be found in large numbers, having come there in quest of water. The bee hunter would wait patiently until some bee, flying around in the sun- light, was attracted by the odor of the burnt comb, and would fly into the trap prepared for it. After it had gorged itself with honey it was allowed to wend its way homeward, the direction it took being carefully noted. The trap was then moved a few rods further on, in which position it was kept until other bees, which had A magnifying glass was sometinies used for "coursing the bees." �202 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. possibly been informed by bee No. 1 of its find, would fly into the trap. The direction they took as they were let out of the trap in turn moved was noticed and the further on, as before. trap This would be repeated until the bee hunter arrived in the vicinity of the hive. Sometimes cross scents would enable him to find several bee trees in which the wild honey was stored at the same time. The spot where the bee tree was located was marked and the bees allowed to remain unmolested until late in the fall. On some cold day, when the bees, being chilled by the cold, were not so liable to sting, the tree was chopped down and the honey taken away. If the season was a good one the hunter was often well rewarded for his labors and took away honey by the pail, and even tubful. It is said that bears were fond of honey and, when possible, would rob the log bee hives. Every country school boy has had the experience of robbing a bumble bee's nest. How diligently he would work up the sod and ground where a nest was supposed to be until he came upon the cone-shaped sacs full of the sweetest honey. What mattered a few stings, so long as he found a good supply of nature's luscious nectar. It is said the bumble bees, when they found they were about to be robbed, would at once commence to fill themselves with honey and would often leave very little for the boys. It might be well in this connection to �Account ofTapesSustamedby facilGander ofthetownsp WilloughbyDivingthelate was bytheBritich bröcher 1812 asfollows Jane I Cancelationaway(order 1111- 3Lange higgs by 3 acres Indian Com destroyed bytroops 40 Buchelle Potatoes. time thatis2tenthsTap 40 Ponnets Railfina 30JannekeSailing 3000futPine Plant&SomeBrands 2000-27 Inch Shingle25/ 20 six tide Soal Leather 34/- 10 1 Bonnel vinegar 36Gallons 5/Spade & 1 Chuvel- 100 Bushelle Pear 20 Buchelle wheat 30 Buchelle outs 1 5/ 15.Junes Strow 1 Heffer taken gang bez troches BlackWalnut &Cherry a quantity Boards & Scantling 12 10 16 Run Borrell 110 12flour Borrelle 2/6 Broke & JannesBerkkinäise 2 twilled & 16anvasbags 2 Patch. forks a quantityraw, / new ax 3/6. Max destroyedbytroops &Pain & & LingletrudronWhere Lange Peter Boron & frow 2 Jun hay. 18Doll neupied souse oflarge house byadetach mentofMatiline Commandedbybapt Campble 6monthe 10bands wood- GehtCampble recept. List of War Losses, 1812. 181 5 �HUNTING AND TRAPPING. 203 mention how the expression "bee line" originated. When the bees have filled themselves with honey they fly up into the air to a certain height and then make a straight line for home. NOTE.-It must be remembered that it was only in cleared or partially cleared sections of the country that bee-hunting was carried on, as all of the wild swarms had a domesticated ancestry. yards years ago were dotted with bee hives. Many of the farm- If not carefully watched when swarming time came the new swarms were sure to get away and find a home for themselves in the neighboring woods. Hunting and Trapping. Birds and animals of all kinds were very numerous at the first settlement of the province. then experts in the use of the gun. Settlers were Part of the day's toil was the search for and killing of game, which was looked to as a necessary and regular means of replenishing the larder, which for the first few years after settlement was not always any too well supplied. Along the lakes, rivers and creeks, wild fowl, such as ducks, etc., were to be found in great abundance. In some localities wild turkeys were very plentiful and venison and bear meat frequently took the place of beef and pork. The wild geese when flying by would stop to feed and it was common for some of them to be bagged in numbers by the pioneer hunter. The peculiar drumming sound made by the partidge could be heard any day in the woods. Snares were set for rabbits and other animals. �204 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. Many animals were killed easily secured trapped. for by the rifle-ball their fur. not and shot they were The common trap was the steel trap with jaws, which was of different sizes. was When Muskrats were caught by called the deer gin. small traps of this kind. A very large one Bears were often caught by means of a dead-fall, or bear-pen. The bear-pen was built of logs, about eight feet long, four feet wide, and five feet high. The cover or log roof was made so that it could be raised at one end high enough to admit Mr. Bruin. One of the logs was made longer than the rest and when the roof was raised it extended behind pen to the ground, where it was lightly fastened. the To this end of the log was attached a cord, which had a piece of meat fixed to the other end of the cord in the pen. around The bear attracted the pen a number by of the bait times, would walk snuffing as he went, and finally, not being able to resist the temptation any longer, he would make a leap into the pen, and pull at the bait, when suddenly down comes the roof, making him a prisoner and placing him at the mercy of the settler, who soon dispatched poor bruin with his rifle. The dead-fall for catching bears and large animals was made in the following manner: An enclosure was built of logs, an opening being left on one side to admit the animal. In this opening were fixed several logs, one �FISHING IN THE RIVER. 205 on the other, the upper one being raised at one end, leaving space enough for the victim to crawl through. It was so fastened that when the animal got part way in and when he pulled at the bait the log came down upon him and held him fast. Fishing in the River. The rivers and lakes teemed with fish, chief among which were and pike. the whitefish, trout, salmon trout, pickerel In the Niagara River there were large num- bers of sturgeon, some of them measuring as much as five or six feet in length and weighing sixty or seventy pounds. The larger fish were caught by trolling and spearing as well as by nets. To catch pike the fisher- men would shoot over the water, when the fish would come to the surface belly upwards, apparently stunned by the sound. They would remain in this state for a time, when they were picked out of the water by hand. On a fine day, a small boat with several men in it might be seen remaining almost motionless, except for a slight movement of the oars, out in the middle of the stream, when all at once one of the men could be seen moving his hands quickly in the act of drawing in a line, shortly after which a silvery fish would appear at the surface of the water and be quickly drawn into the boat. Frequently on a dark night a light could be seen �206 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. moving along the river, which might be mistaken for one of the lights on the opposite bank only for the dropping into the water of the sparks from the "Jacklight," and the reflection of the light on the faces of the men as they moved around, spear in hand, ready to thrust it into the body of the first fish that made its appearance. The Jack-light was made of fat pine knots (knots full of pitch), or hickory bark placed in a basket made of hoop iron hung up to a pole at one end of the boat. The fish were attracted by this light and would quickly come to the surface, when the fisherman could sight them and speedily gather them in. In the winter- time the settlers would cut holes in the ice, through which they would catch the fish. The fish would gather around the opening in the ice, where they became easy victims of the hook and the spear. In the spring of the year the sucker (so called from the shape of its mouth) would swim up the rivers and creeks to spawn in the shallow running water. Being stopped in their course by the dams, which they could not get over," the people would set nets for them at this point and catch large quantities, enough country round. to supply the whole Another arrangement they had for catching the fish in the small streams was the "weir," a framework made of stakes placed close together. The suckers have been known to jump five or six feet higher in order to get over the dams. �THE WILD PIGEONS AND WILD GEESE. 207 This was put across the stream from bank to bank so as to intercept the fish on their way up, when they would catch them in great numbers. This was the Indian plan. The throwing into the water of the sawdust from the mills situated along the banks of the rivers and lakes has proven most destructive to the fish, so much so that they are not nearly as plentiful as they were at one time. The sawdust settled to the bottom and pre- vented the fish from spawning and procuring their food. Since the government has prohibited the throwing of the sawdust into the streams in places where a few years ago there was scarcely a fish to be found they are again becoming plentiful, helped on by the present fishery regulations and the restocking of the denuded waters. The Wild Pigeons and Wild Geese. Every spring and fall the country was visited by immense flocks of wild pigeons and wild geese; in the fall, on their way to the south, and in the spring, on their way to their breeding places in the forests of the north, although in the early days, when the country was nearly all bush, they frequently selected a suitable place for hatching out their young, and remained in the locality all summer. The wild geese were headed by a goose called the "leader," and flew so high in the air that you might not notice them except for the cackling noise they made in their flight. The wild pigeons were very �208 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. plentiful, and were then one of the pests which the farmer had to contend with, for he was obliged to keep them off his grain fields, as they were very destructive to the crops. They were so packed they when were thickly numerous and flying by that sometimes they fairly darkened the air (some may doubt this, but it is said to be a fact by some of the old settlers). Oftentimes they would locate their rookeries or breeding places near the settlements; then there was lots of pigeon pie to be had, for the people would go out to these breeding places and bring away pigeons by the bagful, which it was the custom to make into pigeon pie. They were so thick sometimes that frequently all that was necessary was to knock them down with sticks. Sometimes the branches on which they rested would break with their weight, and kill a number of the pigeons. Different devices were used for catching the pigeons when they came around the farm. One of the most simple and ingenious of these was the figure 4 trap. Three sticks were cut the required size and notched so that when put together they resembled the figure 4. The grain for bait was placed on the ground underneath the long stick. The cage was placed over this, with one end resting on the top of the figure 4, and holding it in position. As the pigeons came underneath and brushed against the long stick down came the cage, making them prisoners. �1 Longehouse occupied by adetachment ofthe6thRegement5 monther 5done to bo houses. Jamazes Damage donetoBorns thefame in Grosethe DomgerDone - m troops destroying 9 acres ofgroßbyndl to15 Turner hoy at 15Dollarsf3. 1919 BytheEnemy asfollows #17th 1greatboat &BockedCompass Novel – 8 Borrellsflour812 400 FlaxClean. 1 Saddle. (new Rifle&accustrements bloathingGraine hazenterzud byGeneralHorrisons troops I news Blanhit 4 Ruchells Potaton 57– affles. 6 Do 1 Large Canon 1 house & Bundle, 4 Lange hoggs. 1 Sy theandregging. Flannel BlanketPotato Buchelle 30 2 Sheep n List of War Losses, 1812-Continued. �XX. COUNTRY AMUSEMENTS. THE OLD-FASHIONED COUNTRY DANCE-THE CHARIVARI (SHIVA- REE) THE OLD "SORREL"-THE SPELLING SCHOOL-THE SINGING SCHOOL-POP CORN, NUTS AND APPLES. HE old-fashioned country dance was a very friendly means of amusement, everyone present being of the same social standing. It almost invariably took place in the evening, after the wind-up of a logging bee, a raising bee, a husking bee, or a wedding, and usually lasted till the break of day. Often surprise parties were gotten up, the young folks going in sleigh-loads distances of five where they or ten knew have a dance. miles to some friend's house, they would be made welcome, to Nowadays the young people are gen- erally dressed in their best attire, but in the olden time the folks were not so particular about their appearance, the men from the logging field often dancing in their shirt sleeves with the country lasses in their linsey-woolsey or striped woollen dresses. These dances in the olden time were usually called "sprees," and well 14 209 �210 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. they might be, for whiskey, wine and cider being freely supplied by the host, the young men very became over merry from its effects. frequently Often a dance was held in houses where there was only space enough to move around, but, as there were no carpets to take up, the furniture was soon put to one side to make room. After the people became better circumstanced and more stylish, there was an annual ball held in the ballroom, over the driving-shed of the country tavern. usually a "swell" affair. In the olden This was time, just the same as now, the girls indulged in petty coquetries and the gentlemen in flirtations, and between the dances the couples could be seen sitting around in the shady places exchanging loving glances and whispered nothings, the girl, perhaps, sitting on her sweetheart's they made no knee, for show of affectation, everything being done in the spirit of true rustic simplicity. Music was furnished by some noted local musician, who generally played the fiddle by ear, a collection being taken up among the young men to pay him for his services.* Above the noise of the dancing and the scraping sound of the fiddle could be heard the voice of as he shouted out: "Salute your the caller-off, partners," "Grand When a musical instrument of any kind was not obtainable, some one present would whistle, lilt or sing a tune for the dancing. In the backwoods settlements many of the young folks were quite expert at such humble means of supplying harmonious sounds, which served for the time the devotees of Terpsichore. �THE CHARIVARI. chain," "Promenade all," etc. 211 Waltzing not being popu- lar, was very little known in the early days, the square dances being most in vogue, and amongst them being such dances as "The Soldier's Joy," "Money Musk," "Old Dan Tucker," "Pop Goes the Weasel," etc., many of which are still popular. The different kind of reels were the fashion, viz., the Scotch reel, the Irish reel, the four-hand reel, the eight-hand reel, etc., also jigs and hornpipes. Fagan, the poet, describes the different kinds of dances as follows: "With decent Irish jigs we beat the floor, And practised hands would dance the old French four. With jig and reel we made the shanty ring, And those who could not dance would lilt or sing. The name of polka then was never heard, And only Jews would wear a lengthy beard. But times are changed, and every year is worse, And beardless boys, like Irish jigs, are scarce." The Charivari (Shivaree). Usually, when one of the boys in the neighborhood got married, a number of the young men would gather of an evening and serenade the young married couple. The musical instruments used were tin horns, strings of horse-bells, cow-bells, the horse-fiddle, tin pans, copper kettles, and anything and everything else they could find that would make noise enough. They would keep quite still until they got close up to the house, when all of a sudden the most unearthly music would strike on the ear of the guests. �212 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. There would be heard the shooting of guns, the grating of the horse-fiddle, the ringing of bells, the beating of tin pans and copper kettles, etc., together making the most discordant possible noise. They would keep up this horrible din till late in the night, unless the bridegroom came forth and gave them money or invited them in to partake of refreshments. If the wedding party refused to treat them, they would often keep up the racket for three or four nights in succession. Occasionally some of the wedding party would resist the intrusion, and altercations would take place, which not unfrequently resulted fatally. In such cases the crime was generally condoned, nothing was done to the perpetrator, the law considering that a man who was killed at a charivari was a wanton trespasser who deserved his fate. If the match happened to be an extremely objectionable one in the estimation of the neighbors, as, for instance, the marriage of an old man of eighty to a girl of sixteen, the boys would sometimes carry their depredations further than a mere serenade. They have been known to get on the roof of the house, place a board over the chimney, and smoke the wedding party out. If they carried their depredations too far, informa- tion was often laid against them by the offended party, and they were summonsed before the country squire, who usually imposed a fine on them by way of punishment. �. and MB or no uc mk eo ' nf s t Queenston Village �THE "OLD SORREL." 213 Although the charivari was a rough game, it was one of the social diversions of the young people in the early days, and without these diversions it was considered that life would have been dreary indeed. form of sport has, This however, almost died out, law- abiding people nowadays being opposed to such unlawful proceedings. A description of the horse-fiddle might be interesting and instructive, as it is known only to the young people of the present day by name. four inches in A wooden wheel, three or diameter, with a number of slanting teeth cut into it, was placed between two pieces of board held in place by a wooden rod, which went through a hole through the wheel and boards, and extending a foot or two on both sides, served as a handle for twirling it. Another piece of flexible board was fitted in between the two boards in such a way that as the end which touched the cogs of the wheel was displaced by the turning of the wheel it made a rattling noise which could be heard half a mile away. NOTE. Mrs. Moody says the charivari originated among the French of Lower Canada. The "Old Sorrel." The enforcement of the moral law was very strictly insisted upon in the olden times. Those found guilty of infringement of the law had quick, summary justice dealt out to them by the people themselves, without the �214 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER aid of judge or jury. CANADA. The usual way of disposing of offending persons was to give them a rough ride on the "old sorrel," or, in other words, to give them a coating of tar and feathers and set them astride of a fence rail Usually, once was sufficient, for, after plucking out the feathers and making himself presentable, the culprit would quickly decamp for parts unknown. This was the way they treated some of the Mormon apostles who went through the country fifty or sixty years ago trying to get converts to a system of religion which advocated polygamy, or a plurality of wives. The "tarring and feathering" process consisted in divesting the culprit of his clothing and covering him all over with tar made from the pitch got from the pine trees, and then rolling him in feathers, which made him resemble a bird more than a human being. NOTE. The term, "Old Sorrel," was not used by the people gen. erally. The Spelling School. Spelling schools were very common in the early days. The young people in the different school sections would meet on certain appointed evenings in the winter to have a match. Sometimes the match different schools. would be between. Great throngs would gather to wit- ness the contest, which always created a great deal of rivalry. The old people as well as the young took a �THE SINGING SCHOOL. great interest in these matches. 215 It certainly was a good way to teach the young people the art of spelling, for, besides the gain in educational advantages, it afforded the means of enlightened amusement and diversion. A captain was invariably chosen for each side, and he selected the spellers in turn, according to his knowledge of their proficiency. result of these could often graphy. Many of the young folks, as a matches, became expert spellers, and correct college-bred men in their ortho- The lists of words in the old spelling-books were almost as familiar to some of the boys and girls as were the letters of the alphabet. In order to spell down opponents it was necessary to hunt up the most obsolete and difficult words possible, and even then some of the spellers were almost invulnerable, unless they became worried or excited and forgot themselves for the time being. When they did misspell a word, they usually recognized their mistake as soon as they had made it and acknowledged the correction. The Singing School. Another valuable means of recreation and improve- ment was the singing school. The singing master was usually a young farmer, or some one selected from a near-by town, who, having had the benefit of some musical instruction, and being gifted with a good strong voice and a fair ear for music, took upon himself the �216 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. duty of teaching the young people in the rural districts the art of singing by note, and in that way adding to his income. He generally had a class for three or four evenings during the week, and drove around in a cutter to his different appointments in the school houses and churches of the district. His efforts in drilling the young men and maidens in the musical art were not as a rule productive of very great results, for the majority of his pupils at the end of his term of lessons knew very little more about principles of harmony and the reading of music by note than they did at the beginning. How- ever, they had their money's worth in the fun and enjoyment of mind. a not unhealthy employment of the Usually these classes were patronized only by the younger class of people, and in the absence of the old folks the former made good use of their term of liberty, and although the singing master brought all the dignity and authority of his position to bear upon his work, he at times found it no easy matter to keep the young people under control. The singing master was quite usually a most imposing personage, as he stood on the platform and with a piece of chalk in hand, drew the musical staff on the black board, putting the notes here and there as he saw fit, with the necessary flats and sharps at the beginning, or bit his tuning fork, and listened to its vibrations as he sang out, "Do, re, mi, fa, sol," and started the choir of singers off on some �POP CORN, NUTS AND APPLES. 217 piece of music, flourishing his baton in the air as he beat time for the singers. An entertainment was generally given at the end of his term of lessons, the receipts of which were handed to the singing master, the fees from the scholars not always being sufficient to remunerate services. him for his Fifty and sixty years ago, before the days of coal oil lamps, the young people carried candles and candlesticks with them to singing school, the girls vieing with each other as to who could bring the prettiest candlestick. Pop Corn, Nuts and Apples. During the long winter evenings the children would frequently gather before the fireplace and amuse themselves by popping corn and cracking nuts. The "pop" corn is a variety of corn with a small ear and small kernel, and is raised only for the purpose of popping. In the fall of the year it is taken off of the stalk, the husks pulled back and tied in a loop at one end of the ear; a number of ears are then bundled together and hung up till winter to dry. A small handful of corn after being shelled is put into a frying pan or spider, covered up and held over the hot coals in the fireplace. After constant shaking for a minute or two, the kernels swell and burst and fill up the pan with white feathery particles. The nuts, which were gathered in the autumn �ARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. and spread out to dry in the shed or loft, are brought in. With hammers, flat-irons or stones they are divested of their shells and the meaty particles extracted and eaten. By way of variety there was always a pan or basket of apples for all to help themselves to—in fact, a basket of apples was generally left specially on the table for eating, it being a common custom to partake of some fruit before retiring for the night. �Brock's Monument. �XXI COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. EARLY COUNTRY COURTSHIP-THE COUNTRY WEDDING. VER since Adam fell a prey to the charms of Eve woman's man has favor. In always the sought salon of for the courtier and the cabin of the backwoods settler Cupid's fatal shafts have fallen alike. The more primitive the life, the more unaffected the courtship. In the early days of the country many opportunities were afforded the young people for becoming better ac- quainted; the frequent visits, especially in the winter time, the dances and the various bees in which they took part, threw the young people into each other's company and with the usual effect in such cases. When John became enamored of Mary he made frequent visits to her father's house and could be seen sitting with the family around the old fireplace, where, if his suit was favored by the parents, he was always a welcome guest. The folks being kept busy during the week, Sunday was the great day for courting, or "sparking," as it was commonly called. On pleasant Sunday afternoons 219 �220 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. rustic couples might frequently be seen walking arm-inarm along the country roads, the young man, perhaps, carrying his sweetheart's parasol. The country church was a common place of meeting. Many of the young men were attracted thither on this account, if from no higher religious motive, and each would wait patiently at the church door until his special enamorata appeared, when he would quietly walk up beside her and ask for the privilege of "seeing her home." Sometimes a coquettish girl would have several strings to her bow. This not only set the people to wondering which young man would come out first choice, but often resulted in a quarrel, and sometimes, perhaps, a fistic encounter between the aspirants for the young lady's favor. After a reasonable period of courtship, during which the girl's mother had helped her prepare a stock of clothing (the trousseau is the more fashionable word), etc., the couple would be, of course, happily married and would take up their residence in a home of their own, which, if the young man's relatives were well-to-do, was frequently the "back place," a farm of fifty or one hundred acres on the concession at the rear of the old homestead or close by, where the young man had likely previously erected a log house and made a small clearing. Here, with a table, a bedstead, several chairs and the young woman's outfit of bedclothing, dishes, etc., provided for her for housekeeping, they would commence their married life. �EARLY COUNTRY Such was about the usual COURTSHIP. 221 course of events. courtship was not without its difficulties. Country Sometimes the neighborhood was startled by the announcement of a runaway marriage, the daughter of some well-to-do farmer eloping, perhaps, with her father's hired man, or with some other objectionable person of whom her parents disapproved. The old adage that "the course of true love never runs smooth," and that "love laughs at locksmiths," etc., was then as true in humble life in the bush as it has ever been in higher circles. Where suspicions were entertained of the young lady being likely to make an undesirable choice, a strict watch upon her movements was likely to result. But woman's wiles and cunning would conquer in the end. Where there was the will a way was found, even to the stealing out by the window and descending by a ladder or ropes, or by more primitive means, to meet her lover according to pre-arrangement. Forty or fifty years ago, across the border in the rural districts of New York State, run- away marriages were even quite fashionable. Even if the parents of the bride knew that she was engaged, she would often, unknown to her parents and friends, run away and get married and in that way give them a surprise. It is said that the poorer classes in New York State would frequently pay the magistrate for marrying them with a bushel of apples or a bag of turnips. Canadian law was not so favorable to elopements, for �222 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. the banns of marriage had to be published beforehand, and when licenses were issued the couple had to prove that they were of marriageable age. Yet, with all these precautions, the law was frequently evaded. The One of the Country Wedding. most interesting social country neighborhood was the wedding. events of the Among well- to-do people it was generally made the occasion of much merry-making, all the friends and acquaintances of the contracting parties being invited to the festivity. Old and young mingled together and greeted one another with smiling faces and pleasant how-d'ye-does. In the early days the young couple, accompanied by several of their friends, drove off in a wagon or sleigh to some magistrate's or clergyman's house to have the nuptial knot tied; at other times the minister would come to the house of the bride's parents to perform the cere- mony, or possibly the couple went to the church, if it happened to be convenient, to have performed. In the ceremony some localities, when buggies became common, this proceeding was followed by an afternoon's drive around the country. A long line of buggies could be seen on the country road, the procession being led by the bridal couple (the bride being distinguished by the long white bridal veil which she wore), followed by the bridesmaid and groomsman, and after that by the �THIS STONE WAS PLACED BY HIS ROYAL HICHOICES ALBERT COWARD PRINCE OFWALES Where Brock Fell. �THE COUNTRY WEDDING. 223 younger members of the wedding party, all coupled off. The groom generally tried to have the fastest horse in the party, for if he did not others would get ahead of him and secure the prize which was offered to the one who got back to the house first. On such occasions the mischief-loving boy put in his work, and it was by no means a strange thing to have the wedding party brought to a halt by a rope stretched across the road until a donation was made to the roysterers. This buggy jaunt was the forerunner of the wedding trip or tour of the present day. When leaving home the pair were generally followed by a fusillade of old boots: this was supposed to insure them good luck on their journey through life. Nowadays the Oriental custom of throwing rice has been added, and at one wedding known to the writer the event was announced by the bride's father firing off a gun three times. summer time, if there was not room In the enough in the house for the guests, the wedding dinner was partaken of outside; long tables being set out in the orchard or lawn, or on the threshing floor of the barn, loaded down with the delicacies of the season, the tables being ornamented with bouquets of flowers, and with a three or four storied frosted wedding cake in the centre, a piece of which the young ladies always carried home with them for placing under their pillows at night, in order that they might get a vision of their future husbands. �224 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. These weddings were not without their funny incidents, and occasionally the guests were placed in an em- barrassing position by the lateness or non-appearance of the groom or, may be, the unwillingness of the bride at the last moment to consent to the ceremony, the confession being finally obtained from her that she had been married clandestinely to some secret lover. Some- times the bashful country swain, in his awkwardness, would find, when asked for the ring, that he had mislaid it, in which event the clergyman has been known to marry the couple with the key of the door, the ring being found afterwards in the lining of the young man's coat. After the ceremony was over it was the custom for all the ladies in turn to kiss the bride, and sometimes the young men would try to secure the first kiss, the groomsman oftentimes managing to do this before the groom. It is told of one minister that he always made a practice of kissing the bride; the only time he was ever known to object was when the couple were colored. In the evening, after the wedding, the guests would assemble in loads for the all-night dance, a favorite trick of the driver of the sleigh in the winter time being to upset the young folks into a snow-bank. There would be considerable rivalry among the young men to get the second dance with the bride, the husband always being allowed the privilege of the first. One of the last things on the programme was the charivari, �THE COUNTRY WEDDING. which the young men in the neighborhood who 225 had not been invited to the wedding got up for the enter- tainment of the guests, the discordant notes got by hammering on the mould-board of a plough, or from some equally crude musical instrument, disturbing the tran- quillity of the midnight air. As a rule the charivari was gotten up to celebrate the wedding of an old bachelor or a widower, or some objectionable person that the boys thought would give them a good time or a five dollar note to spend at the country tavern. 15 �XXII. FARM SCENES. THE FAMILY WATCH-DOG-A TRIP TO MARKET-AN AUCTION SALE ON THE FARM. VERY farmer kept matter of course. a watch-dog The names as of & the different dogs on our grandfather's farm in the order of their lives were more familiar to us than the names of the kings of England or the presidents of the United States. Commencing with "Old Watch," then there was " Shep," "Jocko," "Skip" "Coley" and "Carlo." The dog seemed to be one of the individual characteristics of the place, and on our annual visit to the old farm, we were always glad to see him and make friends with him, and truth to tell, we imagined from the preposterous wagging of his bushy tail, that he was equally pleased to see us-at least, it took him but a short time to renew acquaintance with us and he could soon be seen following us as we went from house to barn, and from barn to house. I doubt whether as much attention is paid to the farm house-dog as formerly; he is now kept outside for fear he may track the floor or soil the carpet. 226 The moral to �THE be learned from FAMILY this is WATCH-DOG. that 227 we should cultivate more. regard for dumb brutes than we do, for, like ourselves, they are God's creatures, and some of them not much below the intelligence of some human beings. The family watch-dog has always served a useful purpose on the farm, a good dog easily earning his own living, for besides keeping the poultry out of the garden and the cows out of the meadow, he would accompany the far- mer's boy every morning and evening when sent after the cows, and after the bars had been let down would run into the field, round up the cattle and chase them homeward, hurrying from one to another and starting them up as they lagged behind to browse the herbage along the way. The sagacity and faithfulness of the dog are as remarkable as they are well known and admired, and although only a dumb brute he seems to be gifted with more reason than most animals. Some may think it is instinct only; the writer believes that the dog can reason in a way of his own. He can be taught many useful tricks, and if properly trained soon gets to know what is expected of him. He is affectionate, and if well treated will see that no harm comes to his mas- ter's property. charge. The children can safely be left in his He is a sworn enemy of tramps and vagrants, and seems to know by the sense of smell whether a per- son is wanted on the premises or not. Some of the old pioneers had dogs trained to do the churning. They �228 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN were fastened to the treadmills UPPER which CANADA. operated the churn and after the churning was done were rewarded with a piece of bread and butter. Some of them dreaded the work, as did the old turnspit dogs of Old Country kitchens of former days. When they saw pre- parations being made for churning or roasting, it is well known that the dogs would run off and hide themselves, necessitating oftentimes tying then up beforehand. NOTE. It is said that a good dog knew all the cows and horses, etc., on the farm, and if a stray animal came on the place would single it out and chase it away. A Trip to Market. Years ago a trip to market meant a long drive through the woods, over corduroy and muddy roads, for the market towns were then few and far between. About the only commodity the farmer raised that he could realize money for was wheat, and sixty years ago it sold for 35 and 40 cents a bushel. The towns did not have the population to demand much farm produce, and the facilities for transportation were poor, consequently the prices were low. The writer's father remembers when butter sold for six and eight cents a pound, and eggs for four and five cents a dozen in trade, and sometimes merchants would not take his butter and eggs at any price. What the farmer raised was chiefly for his own use, for by barter �. - Mil Tr O l el ad d An �A TRIP TO MARKET. 229 and by making what he needed in the way of clothing, implements, etc., he could live very well without outside assistance. Still he was always glad to avail himself of any means by which to get some cash. As a rule, the pioneers, when they first located on their bush farms, did all their farm work with oxen, for they were cheaper and could be used to better advantage in logging and other rough farm work than horses. His trip to mill or market was usually made behind these primitive steeds. It was, to be sure, a slow way of travelling, but he was glad to possess such a team. Most of our prosperous farmers of that time began life in this way. If we could take a backward glance at Toronto even fifty or seventy-five years ago, we would, no doubt, see a great many ox teams around the market. Later on, as the land became cleared and the farmers more prosperous, horse teams became more common. In order to reach market early, the farmers who had long distances to go, say from fifteen to thirty miles or more, were obliged to travel all night or to start very early in the morning, perhaps as early as two or three o'clock, on their journey. Of course, they traded off some of their produce, as butter and eggs, at the country store, but in order to get a fair price it was necessary to go to town. On his trip to market it was customary for the farmer's wife to accompany him, so as to get rid �230 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. of her share of the produce, viz., the butter and eggs, and to make purchases especially in the winter, for their home. was a cold one, The ride, but well wrapped up in blankets, buffalo robes, and quilts from the bed, they succeeded in making themselves comfortable. It was not unusual for them to travel on a cold frosty morning with hot bricks wrapped in cloth placed at their feet. Preparations for the trip were always made the day beforehand the butter and eggs packed, the grain bagged and placed in the wagon or sleigh box, or the hay loaded up on the rack. This trip to market was a pleasant change to the farmer and his wife from the daily drudgery and monotony of farm life; and with many it meant the uncorking of bottles and a temporary little jollification. As farmer met farmer they clinked their glasses together over the bar and talked of their cattle, sheep, calves, colts, etc. It was considered a necessary duty to call at the different inns on their way home, and while the good wife waited the farmer would have a glass of toddy to warm him and a talk with the tavern keeper. An Auction Sale on the Farm. If a farmer wished to sell out and retire, or go to another part of the country, he would dispose of his stock and other property by auction. The sale was �AN AUCTION SALE ON THE FARM. 231 advertised in the country town newspaper, if there was one, as well as by auction bills on the fences, in the barrooms of the hotels, blacksmith shops, stores and other conspicuous places. It was usually headed "Auction Sale," "on the farm of -, on the concession of," in large type. Following this, in smaller type, was a list of the animals and articles to be sold, every article of any importance being enumerated, as, for instance, so many head of cattle, so many horses, sheep, pigs, etc.; also farm implements, such as wagons, ploughs, etc. After this came the terms of payment, which were usually joint note for nine months or a year, with so much percentage off for cash. The auctioneer had to be on the ground early to value the stuff. Besides being a good valuator, it was necessary for him to be good-natured and able to crack a joke. He usually had a stock of jokes for such occasions, and would spring them as required, for it was necessary to keep the crowd in good humor in order to get them to bid. He would take his stand on a box or barrel, or other elevated place, from which temporary rostrum he harangued the crowd. He usually started the sale with the smaller articles, such as hoes, rakes, etc., and left the most important articles until the last, so as to keep the crowd on the ground. As the different articles were put up by him, he could be heard calling out loudly something like this: "How much am I bid for this fine muley cow? Fifteen �EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. 232 dollars, Mr. Smith. bid sixteen? Fifteen, Seventeen Mr. Brown for this dollars, teen, seventeen, seventeen. to in the crowd.] Sixteen, sixteen, sixteen. are not going to let dollars? fifteen; anybody [A nod from some one Sixteen Mr. Jones. you fifteen, cow do go I Surely for sixteen hear? Seven- Going at seventeen. seventeen dollars." would come for miles around to attend The an Sold farmers auction sale. And there was lots of fun at these sales, and even if they did not go to buy anything, they were sure to meet a number of their acquaintances there, and farmers, the same as other people, like a change now and then. At these sales were to be seen of men. all sorts and conditions There was the jolly fat man, the tall, slim man, the little man, the homely man, and the handsome man. here They could be seen standing around in groups and there, discussing politics, and municipal matters, talking over local news, such as the crops, the roads, examining the different articles offered for sale, and giving their opinion as to their merits. Liquor was generally plentifully supplied by the party having the sale. It was policy on his part to furnish it, for usually after the farmers became a little "merry," they would be likely to bid things up a smart figure and would also be more easily tempted to buy many things they could have done just as well without. Many of the farmers, by buying articles because they were cheap, �BEAVER DAMS 24 JUNE 1813 Beaver Dams Monument. �AN AUCTION SALE ON THE FARM. 233 contracted debts they were not able to pay at maturity of the notes given and so ruined themselves. Experience has made the farmers wiser, they do not now buy useless stuff at auction sales as did some formerly. They have come to the proper and sensible conclusion that if an article is not needed it is dear at any price. AN OLD BLOCKHOUSE. �XXIII. COUNTRY SCENES. THE OLD WATER WHEEL-THE OLD SAWMILLS-THE WINDMILLS- THE OLD-TIME WINTER-VIEWS OF THE NIAGARA. REVIOUS to the introduction of the steam engine the saw and grist mills in the country were operated by water power, with the exception of a few grist mills run by wind and called These mills, where windmills. being situated water-power on some (See page 237.) running could be obtained, stream were widely separated on account of the scarcity of suitable locations and the expense of building and keeping up a dam. In some localities when the water was low the mill had to remain idle and unproductive for months. The water was conducted from the dam or pond by a race course and was carried by the "flume," a long wooden box, sometimes placed on trestle-work, to the "pen stock" over the wheel, where it was held by a gate or sluice, which could desired, so as to let the be raised or water fall into the lowered as buckets of the big wooden wheel, causing the wheel to revolve and 234 �THE OLD WATER WHEEL. 235 turning the shaft connected with the gearing of the mill. The larger the wheel the greater the power. Some of the thirty-six old "overshot" feet wheels were as much as in diameter and over ninety feet in circumference, with a shaft two or three feet through. The ordinary wheel had a diameter of from twelve to fifteen feet, the flow of water in many cases not being sufficient to operate a very large wheel. They were not left exposed, as they usually appear to have been in the Old Country according to pictures we see, but were built over or boxed in to protect them from the weather, the drouth of summer and Later on the the frost and "undershot" wheel snow of winter. was invented and was made to turn by having a stream of water, flowing underneath, strike the paddles of the wheel. so large as the overshot wheel. It was not It was, however, claimed that the undershot wheel required one-third less power than the overshot. Both these wheels were superseded about forty years ago by the iron turbine wheel, which gives far more power than either of the old-fashioned wheels, the water flowing to the centre or axle of the wheel. The turbine is smaller than either of the others. The mill-dams, usually built of logs, mud, plank and posts, often gave way in the spring and fall by the action of the frost and the force of the water during a freshet, and the repairing of them entailed a vast amount of labor and expense, as is also at present the case. �236 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. The Old Sawmills. Here and there, where suitable locations could be obtained along the rivers and creeks, could be seen the old sawmill with its water wheel, flume, or race course, and dam for supplying water for power, and with heaps of saw-logs piled around ready lumber for the settler. when money shares. was scarce to be converted into Usually, in the early days, the lumber was sawed on When sawmills were not easy of access some of the pioneer settlers, from sixty to seventy-five years ago and earlier, sawed what lumber they needed with the "whip-saw." A hole was dug in the ground over which the log was rolled. The saw was drawn up and down by a man on top, the "top-sawyer," and a man or two below, with goggles or a veil on to keep the sawdust out of their eyes. This was a slow way lumber, but 'the settlers were compelled of sawing to resort to this method at times to get what lumber they needed. Sometimes a platform was built on the side of a hill and the log rolled on from above. In shipyards to this day lumber for certain parts of the ship is sawn in this way. Lumber was scarce in the early days, sawmills being, as before remarked, few and far between. The sawing had to be done in the fall, winter and spring, as in the summer the water was generally too low for the purpose. �THE OLD-TIME WINTER. 237 The Windmills. There were quite a few windmills in the country early in the century, and where they were to be found they formed one of the marked features of the land- scape, the old windmills at Fort Erie, Niagara and Windmill Point, in Prescott, being historical landınarks. The windmill was one of the most conspicuous buildings then to be seen on the face of the country. In a picture of Toronto, probably a hundred years old, in the possession of the Canadian Institute, the old windmill stands out prominently. The windmills, being built on level ground or in elevated places could be seen from afar off, and with their spreading wooden fans looked like some huge butterfly against the sky. very ancient form They are a of power, and where water-power could not be easily obtained, before the days of steampower, they came in very handy for grist-mill purposes. The old-fashioned windmills must not be confounded, however, with the windmills of the present day, with their iron fans, to be seen connected with so many upto-date farm buildings, and which are used for grinding feed and drawing water for the stock. The Old-Time Winter. During the last hundred years careful observation goes to show that the climate has been changing considerably. Many attribute this to the cutting down of �238 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. the forests. formerly. The winters are not nearly as severe as In the olden time the snow was generally very deep, and often covered the ground from November to April. The farmers would go out with their teams (oxen and horses) the morning after a heavy fall of snow, and "break the roads." Oftentimes they would make a gap in a rail fence and allow the people to drive would be through the fields, or perhaps the journey made over the ice on the river until they arrived at a point where the road was passable. What a comfortable picture on a frosty winter's day is a backwoodsman's log house situated in a clearing, white with snow, with the smoke from the chimney curling up through the tree tops, the cows standing around in the barn yard, the dog whisking around the door? It is, to the mind of the writer, a picture of comfort more perfect than that of a cold stone mansion on a palatial city street. It gives one an idea of a phase of life which might be described as living "near to nature's heart." In the winter time the children would gather on the side of some hill, and with their home-made sleds, with runners made of natural crooks or of boards, and shod with pieces of hoop-iron or hickory, make the air re- sound with their shouts, as they joyfully sped down the hill and out over the ice on the pond or river. was making "the welkin ring." This �. Da B a em t avb s ey r FitzGibbon Occupied House �VIEWS OF THE NIAGARA. 239 Skating was a common and healthy exercise, espe- cially for those who lived near the shores of the lakes, rivers and creeks. It afforded a means of locomotion in the wintertime, which in summer was changed for the row-boat, canoe or dug-out, the latter hollowed out of a log. Views of the Niagara. Anyone that has been born and raised on the old Nia- gara or has spent part of his childhood days there, must love the old river, its sights and its sounds. To those living above the falls there is always the knowledge of the fact that the mighty cataract is below them, which they must use caution in avoiding. This, of itself, gives a certain feeling of excitement and apprehension when crossing the river above this point. There are also the many sights which the youth, unharassed by the world's anxieties and cares, cannot fail to enjoy, and which remain indelibly impressed upon his mind wherever he may roam. The wharves extending out into the river here and there, the poplar points showing themselves above the surrounding landscape, the tugs steaming back and forth on the river, the spires of the churches pointing heavenward, the pretty recreation houses and grounds on the American side of the river, frequented by the pleasure-seekers from Buffalo-all bring back fond recollections to his memory. He returned to find �240 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. that, after all his wanderings, the sun never shone any brighter, the air never felt more balmy in any spot than it used to in his childhood days on the old Niagara. A drive along the river road at sunrise, with the reflection of the morning sun on the waters, with the dark woods of Navy Island looming up in the distance, recalling the time when the rebels, in 1837, made it their rendezvous and fired their cannon balls towards the main shore, is an enjoyment not forgotten in a lifetime. The scene from the bank of the river on a fine moonlight night, the light from the moon shining on the rippling waters and causing them to sparkle like myriads of diamonds, the sound of merry voices from the water to the regular accompaniment and the movement of the oars, all so distinctly heard at times across the river, is another delight only to be felt at old Niagara. In the winter time, however, the river looks lonely and for- saken. An uncle of the writer, many years ago, came very nearly being swept over the falls. He was but a child of three or four years of age at the time. Unno- ticed, he got into a boat moored on the bank of the river in front of his father's house. The boat became unfas- tened and was swept out into the middle of the stream. As the current bore it downward some of the family noticed the boy alone in the boat. It so happened that just then no other boat could be got to reach the boy. His father, however, followed him down the river bank �VIEWS OF THE NIAGARA. 241 for several miles, but still could not find another boat. Finally, when about three miles from home and about the same distance from the falls, by calling loudly providentially he attracted the attention of a woman on the opposite shore, about three-quarters of a mile away. This good woman bade her son, who was painting a boat on the bank, right the boat he was painting and shove out into the stream to the rescue. Had the boat with the child floated much further down the stream it would have got into the strong current and been swiftly borne over the falls. It was a narrow escape, which gave the family much cause for thankfulness. FORT MISSISSAUGA, NIAGARA. 16 �XXIV. FOREST LIFE. THE WILD FRUITS-THE FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS-LOST IN THE WOODS-FOREST FIRES-A PRIMITIVE CANADIAN BAND- -MOSQUITOES AND BLACK FLIES. HE woods were full of wild fruits and berries, many specimens of which have disappeared since the country became cleared. These fruits, such as wild plums, grapes, cherries and crab apples, were plentifully made use of by the settlers before the latter were able to raise cultivated fruits of their own. our best varieties of domestic fruit from these wild fruit stocks. The got by grafting on wild stocks. were propagated best results are still Among were the strawberry, blackberry, Some of the raspberry, berries huckle- berry (blueberry), cranberry, gooseberry, red and black currants. Some of these berries were to be found in profusion in the woods, in the slashings and around the stumps and fences of the clearings. Berry picking was one of the necessary occupations of the women and children of the family in the summer time. The berries were dried and made into sauce and preserves for winter 242 �Grandfather A Typical U. E. L. Descendant. �THE FAMILIAR use. WILD FLOWERS. 243 Frequently, in pioneer times, the berry pickers would come upon bruin helping himself to his share of the crop of berries. Many of us later-day folks have some pleasant recollection of berry picking in our younger days. After a long tramp, we would some- times return home famished for want of water, tired and hungry, and many times with empty pails, what few berries we did get being eaten to help satisfy the cravings of our empty stomachs. The Familiar Wild Flowers. So few people are familiar with the appearance of the common wild flowers, let alone their names, that it will be a surprise to many of them to be told that there are hundreds of varieties in Canada. We may take notice of flowers, perhaps, when we see them in gardens or hot-houses, but very few of us realize that the most beautiful of the flowers in nearly every case, unless it is a tropical one, has its original in the wild flowers of the woods. It is true cultivation and fertilization have made a great change in their appearance, both as to size and beauty, but a true student of nature can see plenty to interest him in the modest flowers along the road, on the hillsides and in the woods of our glorious Canadian land. To find the different kinds one must go to the localities where certain varieties are known to grow. In the early days, when the country was �244 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER covered with forest, he would not have CANADA. far to travel, but nowadays he might have to trudge many a weary mile to secure a particular variety, for although it may not have become extinct altogether, it is now more difficult to find. But why should we not know something about our wild flowers of the forest? When once we have learned to recognize a flower and know its name, we can never forget it. pull it to pieces It is not necessary for us to to find out what flower it is-we leave that to the botanist-for when once known there is always some prominent distinguishing mark by which it is easily known. Flowers bloom in Canada from the time the snow leaves the ground in the spring till it comes again, but the month of June is the month of flowers, and it is in that month they are to be seen in their greatest variety and perfection. We will enumer- ate some of the more common occurring ones. Before the, snow has entirely left the ground in the spring, in the open woods are to be found the hepaticas, pretty little flowers; then come the trilliums, purple and white, which look like silent sentinels in the not too densely shaded woods. The pretty columbine, with its scarlet hooded flowers and desiccated leaves, is to be seen here and there in some shady recess. The different varieties of ferns, stalwart cryptogams, the most prominent of which is the cinnamon or flowering fern, fill up the vacant spaces of the moist ground. On the hillsides �LOST IN THE WOODS. 245 and open grassy plains grow the violets, modest little flowers half hidden by the grass; the ox-eye daisy, which in June and July dots the meadows like the stars in the sky; the wavy lupine, with its wealth of blue; the wild rose, with its delightful perfume, around whose stalk the bindweed climbs for support, mingling its white flowers with the delicate hue of the roses, and, last of all, the buttercup, which on account of its com- monness is scarcely noticed. Lost in the Woods. Those of us living at the present day can scarcely realize what it meant to early when days, the be lost in the woods in the country was covered with primeval forest and in which abounded ferocious wild animals. We can imagine we see the look of anxiety on some fond mother's face, when she found out that one of her children was missing-lost in the woods! This was a terrible time of trial and anxiety, only relieved by the joy of having been found. It was an easy matter for even grown persons to lose their bearings in the big stretches of bush, for in many cases the settlers lived three and four miles apart. Oftentimes children would get lost when sent after the cows, which were allowed to roam through the woods in search of pasture. Or, perhaps, when picking berries or looking for wild flowers, with which the woods were �246 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER filled, children would lose track of the CANADA. familiar land- marks, and when they were ready to return home would not know which direction to take. In one instance known to the writer, a boy was lost for three or four days, and when found was so weak from want of food that he could scarcely walk. It was dangerous to get lost in the woods in the early days, for besides the liability of starving to death, there was always the danger of being attacked by the wild beasts with which the forest abounded. Oftentimes men when travelling through the woods would be overtaken by darkness, and not being able to find their way, would have to remain out over night, perhaps perched in the branches of some tree, so as to be out of reach of the wolves and bears, and then there was danger of some treacherous wild-cat springing upon them. When it was reported that any one had been lost, the whole township would turn out to help hunt for the missing one, and would sometimes keep up the search for days. They would divide off in searching parties and would shoot off guns, blow horns and rattle tin pans to attract the attention of the missing party, as well as to let each other know where they were. When the missing one was found, a signal arranged beforehand, such as the shooting off of a gun three times, was given to let the other parties know, so that they could give up the search. Sometimes the searching party would form a line �LOST IN THE through the WOODS. 247 woods, of, perhaps, a hundred or more persons, and reaching a couple of miles or more, not so far apart but that each person could see the person nearest to him. In that way they would march right through the settlement, the end men having horns to notify the others. The following story is told of several men who lost their way in the woods of Upper Canada about fifty years ago. They were out for a stroll one afternoon, and although only a short distance from home were unable to find their way back. For two nights they were obliged to sleep on a bed of spruce boughs, and to subsist on beech-tree leaves.* One of them being a smoker had a supply of matches in his pocket, so they were able to make a fire at night to help keep them warm, and to drive away the mosquitoes. The third day, after wandering around in a fruitless endeavor to find the house, they heard a cow-bell,+ and knew they must be near some human habitation, so when they reached the cow one of them caught hold of its tail while the other thrashed it with a stick. The cow, not It is said that beech-tree leaves contain considerable starchy matter and are, therefore, more nourishing than the leaves of other trees. +When cows were allowed to pasture in the woods, one of the herd always carried a bell. The owner always knew by the sound of that particular bell where his cattle were feeding. If he could not hear the bell distinctly, it is said, he would lie down with his ear to the ground and in that way catch the sound. �248 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. liking this treatment, struck out for home, just as they expected she would do, taking the men with her and bringing them to a small clearing, with a hut and a patch of potatoes. They here found that they had wandered twenty miles from home. NOTE. It is said that people when travelling through the woods can tell the direction they are going by noticing the moss on the trees, which always grows on the north side of a tree. Sugar makers take advantage of this fact, and generally tap the maple tree on the south or sunny side. Forest Fires. At times during seasons of drouth, in certain sections of the country, fires would sweep through and burn up large stretches of valuable the woods timber land. These fires often originated in the choppings of the newly settled districts, when the settler was burning up his brush or log heaps, and camp-fires. sometimes from the Indian Being fed by the decaying logs and fallen timber in the surrounding bush, and fanned by the wind created by the intense heat, the flames would spread with great rapidity, killing and destroying the standing as well as burning up the fallen trees. For some time after a forest fire the country would look quite desolate until new growths of trees had taken the place of those which had been destroyed. The smoke created by these fires would darken the air for miles around and often necessitated lighting the candles early in the afternoon. �. o2 f 181 War in Soldiers American by Creek Occupied Stony at House �A PRIMITIVE CANADIAN BAND. 249 The frightened deer and other wild animals could be seen running pell-mell to escape the conflagration. The settlers would often have to get out and fight the fire for days to prevent it from getting to their farm buildings; and oftentimes in spite of their efforts their barns and dwelling houses would be destroyed. One method of arresting the progress of the fire was by ploughing a number of furrows so as to prevent its creeping along the dry grass, but oftentimes the flames would leap over these barriers, as well as over streams of catch at the opposite side. water and When the fire got in the vicinity of their buildings the settlers would cover the roof and sides of the houses with blankets wet with water to prevent them from taking fire. A Primitive Canadian Band. One of the few things that helped to enliven the summer evenings in the backwoods settlements was the "Bull Frog Chorus." As soon as the frost had disappeared from the ground in the spring their nightly din could be heard and all were glad to hear it, for it was the welcome harbinger of warm weather. If the settler happened to wake up in the night he would hear through the open window the continuous racket made by these dwellers in the pools and ponds, accompanied by the chirp of the tree-toad, the hoot of the night owl, and the song of the katydid or whip-poor-will. This �250 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. swamp music was loudest in the spring, but died out somewhat late in the summer and fall, when the low places became dry. If surrounded by cheerful company the croaking of the frogs was not unpleasant, but if feel- ing sad or lonely, or if going through some wild swampy place alone at night it made everything appear dismal and forsaken. City people are sometimes glad to get away for a season to the backwoods, where they can quietly listen to the monotonous The never-ceasing chr-r-r-r music of the frogs. made by the millions of small frogs, lizards, or tree-toads, interspersed with such sounds as croak, croak-cloog, cloog-chuck, chuck- bur-r-r, in various degrees of pitch, from the loud bass to the high alto and tenor, all giving a feeling of dreamy listlessness to the place that is a change from the noisy life of the city. When passing by a swamp at night, it would seem as if the whole place were alive, but on going close to the water the near-by noise ceases and save an occasional splash, as some big frog plunges into the water to get out of the way, all is quiet, with no sign of life, excepting perhaps here and there some soli- tary frog sitting on a root sticking up out of the water. Various amusing interpretations have been given to the noises of the frogs. They are generally of a local character and a take-offon some well-known individual in the place. We give the following story, related to the writer by a gentleman well acquainted with the men referred to, as �MOSQUITOES AND BLACK FLIES. an illustration. 251 On the shores of Lake Scugog is a large marsh, near which is situated the village of Port Perry. Some years ago three of the prominent men of the place were Mr. Thomas Paxton, formerly member for North Ontario, and afterwards sheriff of the County, who carried on a large sawmill business there; Mr. W. S. Sexton, once warden of the county, who was also en- gaged in the sawmill business on an extensive scale, and was a well-known man in the neighborhood, and Mr. Joseph Bigelow, who owned a store in the village and did a large business. The inhabitants of the village who listened to the nightly music in the marsh gave the refrain of the frogs the following interpretation: "Old-Sax-ton! Tom-Pax-ton! Bigelow-too! Bigelow-too!!"* Mosquitoes and Black Flies. Two of the pests of the backwoodsman's life were the mosquitoes and black flies. They did not, like the wolves and bears, devour their victims, but they made life for man and beast during certain seasons of the year almost unbearable. May and June. The black fly time came in Their home was in the dense damp woods, but they were brought by the cattle out to the *The first two lines were repeated slowly, with a short pause between each syllable; the last one quickly. �252 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER clearings. CANADA. They were a terrible torment, for, unlike the mosquitoes, they could not be kept away from the face by netting, they managed so to work their way in under the clothing. Their bite was very painful and poisonous, and caused the flesh to swell badly. The settlers some- times smeared their faces with grease in order to prevent the flies from biting. As the clearings became larger these pests happily disappeared. The monotonous droning of the mosquito could be heard any night in the summer, a cessation of his song being usually followed by his alighting on some unprotected part of the body, and his presence being made known immediately after by an itching, sore feeling which followed the insertion of his proboscis underneath the skin. If there were an opening of any kind in the drapery of the bed, or in the netting of the bedroom window, Mr. and Mrs. Mosquito, and their uncles and aunts were sure to find their way in. storm. They were as a rule worse before a rain- The backwoods folks would make a smudge of chips to keep them out, but this itself was a torture, for the smoke was suffocating as well as irritating to the eyes. The settlers would often make a smudge for the cattle out of damp wood, as the cattle would frequently come home frantic from the bites of these pests. Deer have been known to get in among the cattle to get the benefit of the smudge. It is claimed by medical men now that in malarial regions malarial disorders are con- �., Fo t fr ro tm he Mississa u g Ni ag aa r o fa Mouth �MOSQUITOES AND BLACK FLIES. tracted through the bite of the mosquito. 253 After the country became cleared, so that the sun and wind could get in to dry up the moist low ground, their breeding places, this diminutive elephant became scarcer and was not seen, excepting in damp weather, or around the family rain barrel. The sand fly-bite-em-no-see-em, as the Indians call it-was also a great annoyance to the settlers. It also was worst in damp weather. �XXV. FOREST LIFE-(Continued). THE SQUIRREL-THE FOX-RABBIT HUNTING. QUIRRELS in the early days were very numerous. Of late years, however, their numbers have diminished There were about five considerably. varieties common to this section of the country, viz., the black, grey, red, flying, and ground squirrel, or chipmunk. The red and chipmunk are about the only two varieties that are at all common now in the older settled parts. The black squirrel, which at one time was so plentiful, is very rarely seen now, excepting in the newly settled districts. They were very fond of grain, and could often be seen in large numbers in the wheat fields when the wheat was ripening. They would bite off the head of the grain stalk and carry it away to their nests. Being large, they were much sought after by the hunter for their fur and their flesh, which latter, when cooked, is said to taste very much like that of a chicken. This fact, no doubt, had a great deal to do with their rapid extermination. The flying squirrel was never very 254 �THE SQUIRREL. 255 common, and it is only a few of the older people who remember seeing one in the wild state. Squirrels live in holes in the hollow trees, with the exception of the ground squirrel, which lives in holes in the fallen trees or logs, and the ground. They live principally on nuts and grain, of which they lay away great stores in their snugly-constructed homes, for supplying them food during the long winter months. amusements It was one of the of the boys to chase the squirrels sticks along the old rail fences. the squirrel in most cases. with with This meant death to When killed their tails were often placed in the boys' hats as trophies. If the boys saw a chipmunk running up a tree they would hammer on the trunk of the tree with a stick. This would bring Mr. Chipmunk down to the ground, where he was the more easily despatched. For years back it has been the custom on Thanksgiving Day in November, in many of the country towns and villages, for the young men who practised gunning to choose sides and spend the day in hunting for game, the side bringing in the greater number of rabbits, birds' heads, squirrels' tails, etc., being free guests at the supper held in the evening and paid for by the losing side. Unknown to the others, some of the unprincipled young men would go out hunting days beforehand, thus stealing a march upon and meanly cheating their oppon- ents. Of course, this was not fair sport, and the guilty �256 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. parties, when found out, were generally frowned down upon and their company avoided and dispensed with in future matches of any kind. The Fox. In some localities where there was foxes were very plentiful. Their considerable bush short, sharp bark, which resembled that of a dog, only sharper and not quite so loud, could be heard at night when they came out of their holes in search of food. They lived in holes they burrowed in the sand or loose soil, mostly on the side of a hill, near the woods. A great deal has been said about the cunning of the fox, but it is only necessary to know of their habits to be convinced of the truth of the saying, for truly there is no animal more wily or crafty than he. Their fur is valuable if obtained at the right time of the year-any time from September to April-months with the letter r in the name. poor in color. At any other time the fur is loose and These animals are frequently poisoned, but great pains have to be taken in setting the bait. must not come in contact with will not touch it. It the hand, or Reynard Usually a hole is made in a piece of lard, strychnine is placed in this hole, after which it is plugged up. The lump of lard is then carried on the end of a stick to a place frequented by the fox. Strychnine is also placed in a piece of meat, with the �THE same precautions. FOX. 257 It is almost impossible to catch foxes in a trap, but they are frequently shot. It is necessary when hunting them to take along a foxhound, or some other dog trained for the work, as no other will answer. The best time to start out is early in the morning, when their tracks are fresh in the snow, as the hound can only scent a fresh track. As soon as the hound strikes a track he begins to howl, and keeps this up all the time as he follows the track, only howling the louder as he gets nearer the fox. The fox is a fleeter animal than the dog, who only helps to keep the hunter on the track. He will not take to his hole when being hunted unless he becomes very tired, but will keep up the chase for a whole day. When followed he runs round in a circle over his own tracks, unless he sees the hunter, and then he will strike out in a new direction. When possible, he will jump from the snow on to a piece of ground, so as to put the dog off his scent, as the scent is not so good on the ground, but he will not take to water. You cannot drown or smoke him out of his hole, as he will die first. But sometimes, when digging him out, smoke is blown in to find the other holes (he generally has two or more), and thus prevent his escape. He lives on birds, rabbits, etc., and has been known to tackle lambs a couple of months old. In the early days he frequently attacked the hen roosts, so that it 17 �258 EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN UPPER CANADA. was necessary to pen up the fowl at night, so as to keep them from the depredations of Reynard. He would catch a goose by the neck, give it a sudden jerk to break it, throw the goose over his shoulder, and then away as fast as possible to his den. NOTE. Since the bush has become small the foxes have disappeared. Rabbit Hunting. Rabbits were more plentiful years ago than they are now. There were a number of varieties, viz., the gray, brown, black, and jack rabbit, but the kind that was the most common was the little gray or cotton tail. They live chiefly in the swamps, in holes or burrows in the ground, and subsist on cedar boughs, herbs, roots, clover, grain, etc. Their flesh is good to eat. Excellent for eating is a rabbit stew, being a dish fit for an epicure when properly cooked. They are frequently caught for their flesh, as well as for their fur and skin, which is made by tanners into leather for gloves. The fox-hound was often used for hunting them, their tracks being easily discovered in the fresh snow. They were sometimes caught but more commonly by snares. by the figure 4 trap, The snares used this purpose were made of brass wire. for It is fastened to a tree, a loop or noose being made and set across their runways. When the rabbit runs through this noose it tightens around his neck and chokes him. �. t Chi h pp e o af wa Mouth �APPENDICES. APPENDIX A. SHORT DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS. AN OLD HOMESTEAD ON THE NIAGARA-BUILT 1810--Frontispiece. This old homestead is situated on the River road, six miles above the Falls. It is occupied by Wm. Miller, a grandson of the original owner. FORT NIAGARA, FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE 18 The military history of Fort Niagara dates back to 1678, when a house defended by palisades was built here by LaSalle. Under French rule it was considered an important point for fostering and holding the fur trade and went through various changes and vicissitudes. Of the present buildings the large stone building called the Mess House, or Castle, was built by the Marquis de Vaudreuil in 1726. Report says the stone for building it was brought from Frontenac. It contains a dungeon called the Black Hole, where men were said to have been put to death. geon. The well of the castle was located in this dun- The fort was finally taken from the French by the British in 1759, in whose possession it remained till 1796, when it was handed over to the United States. Many British refugees found shelter here during the Revolutionary War. The present walls are of comparatively modern construction. IN CAMP AT NIAGARA-BUTLER'S BARRACKS AT REAR 22 The barracks at the rear are of historic interest. MILITARY RELICS-(Niagara Historical Society). The central figure of this collection is Brock's cocked hat. Strange to say, it was never worn by Brock, as it was on its way from England at the time of his death. It was placed on the coffin at his later burials. This fact gives it great historical value. Sergeant's sashes (1812); key of Fort Mississauga; Swords (1812)-second one at top is the one handed over by 259 28 �APPENDICES. 260 the officer in charge of Fort Niagara when that fort was taken by the British from the United States in 1813; officer's epaulettes (1812); Captain Shaw's coat (1812); Joseph Brant's powder horn (at top of picture); 10th Royal (now Grenadiers) cap, same as was worn at Battle of Ridgeway; old cartridge pouches; horse pistol; canteens, etc. CROWN LAND DEED (1799) 32 . The original deed, of which this is a photograph, belonged to the writer's great-great-grandfather. It is 21 inches long by 14 inches wide. Notice the wording: "By the grace of God, Great Britain, France," etc. The word "France was discarded shortly after this. CROWN LAND SEAL (1801) 38 The "great" seals attached to the Crown Land deeds by a piece of tape were made of wax, 4 inches in diameter and half an inch thick, and are certainly curiosities. The photo-en- graving shows both sides of the seal. YORK PIONEERS' CABIN, EXHIBITION GROUNDS, 42 TORONTO. This building is said to be a facsimile of the one occupied by Governor Simcoe in Toronto in 1794. AN OLD FIREPLACE MODERNIZED 48 This picture was taken in a very old house near Queenston. VIEW OF THE NIAGARA, WITH DISTANCE GRAND ISLAND IN THE 52 . This view was taken in front of the old homestead. 58 LAURA SECORD'S MONUMENT Monument erected to the memory of Laura Secord, the hero- ine of the War of 1812, in the cemetery on the Lundy's Lane battle ground, where she is buried. 62 A GROUP OF OLD NEWSPAPERS. These papers belonged to the writer's great-grandfather and were found in the old homestead. LEAF FROM AN OLD ACCOUNT BOOK. 68 The account book from which this was taken belonged the writer's great-grandfather. York Currency (N.Y.C.). to The prices are given in New This was the kind most generally used by the people along the Niagara for private and store ac- counts previous to 1820. (See page 67). Many of the entries, as will be seen, are for hides and leather, the account being against a community tanner. (Page 169). �APPENDICES. 261 AN OLD-FASHIONED CRADLE-(Niagara Historical Society). 72 Notice the knobs at the side for tieing baby in, and the handles for rocking the cradle. (See page 99.) 78 84 Box STOVE-In use for a hundred years (See page 121.) 99 AN OLD-FASHIONED LOOM. 82 In the early days many of the households owned a loom. It was the work of one of the thrifty daughters to do the weaving for the family. (See page 143.) SPINNING FLAX IN THE EARLY DAYS. 88 (See page 149.) WEAVER FILLING HIS QUILLS 88 A familiar sight in the early days. A VIEW OF THE CANADIAN NIAGARA . SIDE FROM THE GATE OF FORT 92 . The building seen in the picture is the Queen's Royal Hotel, a large summer hotel at Niagara-on-the-Lake. SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, LUNDY'S LANE 98 Inscription "Erected by the Canadian Parliament in honor of the victory gained by the British and Canadian forces on this field on the 28th day of July, 1814, and in grateful remembrance of the brave men who died on that day fighting for the unity of the Empire, 1895." THE OLD HOMESTEAD 102 The birth place of the writer's mother and the one with which he has been associated more or less since early child- hood and where he got many of his ideas of the early life and times of the country. AN OLD FAMILY TABLE (See page 101.) 102 . This old table belongs to the house and has been in use in the family for a hundred years. Family tradition says it was used by General Drummond when he occupied the house for a short time in the War of 1812. It is said he kept his papers in the drawers with the old brass pulls. (See page 104.) THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET-(Niagara Historical Society) . Many of our readers may not have had the privilege of seeing a real genuine old oaken bucket. This is certainly a picture of one. 108 �APPENDICES. 262 ANOTHER VIEW OF THE OLD HOMESTEAD 108 This view of the old homestead is, in the mind of the writer, so pretty that he cannot resist the temptation to insert it. AN OLD FAMILY CEMETERY 112 This old cemetery is on the Gonder homestead. It has been the burial ground of the family for seventy-five years. The writer's grandfather and grandmother and great-grandfather and great-grandmother are buried in it. such cemeteries in the early days. There were many (See page 110) 118 AN OLD CORN CRIB-AN OLD CIDER PRESS (See pages 118 and 161.) 122 GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK Owned by Mr. H. Zimmerman, Stevensville, Ont. family heirloom. (See page 123)." REFLECTOR, LANTERN, BAKE KETTLE, TINDER KETTLE (Niagara Historical Society) Reflector, page 114; lantern, p. 137; tinder box, p. 141. It is a BOX AND . . 128 bake kettle, p. 114; A GROUP OF OLD FAMILY RELICS 132 Peacock duster, candle mould, p. 136; wooden clog, p. 85; old bonnet, basket, bread tray, pewter dish, p. 134; basket, jug, sea shell (used as a dinner horn), glass candlesticks, whiskey decanter, brass candlestick, p. 136; old cradle, wooden lantern, straw beehive, p. 150; beaver plug hat, p. 146; family Bible, old stands, p. 133; fall-leaf table, p. 133; old rocking chair (100 years old), etc. OLD-TIME LIGHTING UTENSILS (Niagara Historical Society) 138 1 branch sconse, p. 138; 4 branch hanging candelabra 3 branch sconse, p. 138; 2 long tin sconses, 2 lanterns, 2 candle moulds, 1 candlestick with extinguisher, p. 137; snuffers and tray, p. 137; 3 candlesticks, p. 136; 1 Dutch lamp, p. 137; 1 tinder box, p. 141; brass snuffers and tray. PEWTER WARE AND OLD UTENSILS 142 Pewter teapot, sugar bowl and cups, wooden apple-paring machine, smoothing iron (hollow), straw basket for raising bread in, p. 115; brass knob lock, shaving box and mirror, wooden mortar and pestle for grinding spices in, wooden front of old door lock, iron coffee mill (minus crank), Laura Secord's tea caddy. SPINNING AND REELING YARN (See page 148.) . 148 �263 APPENDICES. RELICS OF BYGONE DAYS 152 Bench, kraut cutter, p. 157; apple sauce stirrer, p. 162; rack for drying apples; board for drying apples and ber ries; hand cards, p. 177; andirons, p. 46; flax wheel, p. 149; old almanacs, p. 92; bayonet, fire tongs, p. 46; powder horn, p. 127; clock, gun, potato masher, shoe last, high spinning wheel, p. 149; reels, p. 148; swift, p. 148; tin churn, flax hackle, p. dash churn, p. 129. 168; THE RUINS OF FORT ERIE curd cutter, sausage stuffer; 158 . This fort stood on the Niagara River, Canada side, near Lake Erie. In the War of 1812 it was taken and occupied by the U. S. soldiers for a time. When pressed by the British they blew the fort up and retreated across the river. The fort was never rebuilt. The ruins of the fort are very imposing. SPINNING WHEEL AND HOUSEHOLD UTENSILS 162 High spinning wheel, p. 149; Dutch hoe, clamps for mending shoes and harness, coffee mill, p. 139; jugs, dough scraper, butter mould, rolling pin, cannon balls (many of these balls, relics of 1812, are to be found among some of the old families on the Niagara), brass kettle, sauce stirrer, p. 162; three drawer stand, p. 133; old basket, old-fashioned bed spread (the women folks would furnish the yarn and get. weaver in the neighborhood to make these spreads for them), large basket made of straw, p. 150; fire tongs, stilliards, yoke, p. 191; powder horn, p. 127; boot jack, p. 132; flail, p. 173; kraut cutter, p. 157. IMPLEMENTS USED IN PREPARING FLAX FOR WEAVING 168 Swingle board, p. 167; hackle, p. 168; breake, p. 166; flax wheels, and sheaf of flax ready for swingling or scutching. SOAP KETTLE, SAUCE KETTLE, SHAVING HORSE, ETC. Soap kettle, p. 153; 172 sauce kettle, p. 162; shaving horse, p. 117; grindstone, p. 117; grain cradle, p. 175: old chair, p. 132; flax hackle, p. 168; candle mould, p. 136; sauer kraut stomper, p. 157; sauce stirrer, p. 162; old scales, steel trap, p. 204; butter dish. SPINNING FLAX-THE REEL-SPINNING WOOL . .. 178 (See page 148.) OLD DRESS, BONNETS AND PANAMA HAT-(Niagara Histori- cal Society) . SOME OLD-TIME ARTICLES Warming pan, p. 134; 182 188 short sword, Crown Land seal, sword, Thomas Lundy's coat (1812), cannon balls (1812); flax wheel, hand cards, brass candlesticks, etc. �APPENDICES. 264 ARSENAL IN FORT GEORGE 192 The ruins of Fort George stand quite close to the river front in the town of Niagara. This old arsenal is hid away in one of the hollows in the fort. stone. It is very strongly built of The walls are five feet thick. FIREPLACE WITH OLD UTENSILS-(Niagara Historical Society) Candle mould, p. 136; 198 old lantern, p. 137; candlesticks, p. 136; pewter teapot, sugar bowl, platter and mug, p. 134; tinder box, p. 141; coffee mill, p. 139; iron for fixing frills to cap. p. 147; warming pan, p. 134; gourd dipper, p. 132; stands for smoothing irons, toaster, waffle irons, p. 134; sugar tongs, horse radish grater, fire box, p. 134; pot hooks, p. 45; tea kettle, fire dogs, p. 46; bake kettle, p. 114; serving tray, fire tongs, p. 46; fire shovel, p. 46; dinner horn, p. 127; smoothing iron, stand for handles of pans, p. 134. LIST OF WAR LOSSES (1812) LIST OF WAR LOSSES (1812)-Continued The 202 208 . losses sustained by the writer's great-grandfather. Many of the war losses were not paid till many years after the war. 212 VILLAGE OF QUEENSTON AND BROCK'S MONUMENT Taken on the hill just as you enter Queenston on the road from Niagara. The monument is perhaps a mile away. BROCK'S MONUMENT. 218 This is the second monument, the first being destroyed in 1840. The present monument was completed in 1852. It is 185 feet high and stands on a commanding eminence overlook- ing the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. The inscription on the monument reads as follows: "The Legislature of Upper Canada has dedicated this monument to the very eminent Civil and Military Services of the late Sir Isaac Brock, Knight Commander of the most honorable Order of the Bath, Provis ional Lieutenant-Governor and Major-General commanding the Forces in the Province, whose remains are deposited in the vault beneath; having expelled the North-Western Army of the United States, achieved its capture, received the surrender of the Fort of Detroit, and the Territory of Michigan, under circumstances which have rendered his name illustrious, he returned to the protection of the Frontier; and advancing with his small force to repel a second invasion of the enemy, then in possession of the Heights, he fell in action on the 13th of Oct., 1812, in the 43rd year of his age, honored and beloved by the people whom he governed, and deplored by his Sovereign, to whose service his life was devoted.' �APPENDICES. 265 222 WHERE BROCK FELL. All who have taken the electric road from Queenston to the Falls have no doubt noticed this stone. It stands at the foot of the hill. AN OLD TREAD MILL 228 Used considerably years ago for threshing and sawing wood. BEAVER DAMS MONUMENT. 232 This monument stands near the Welland Canal in the out- skirts of the Town of Thorold and was placed here by John Brown, one of the contractors of the Welland Canal, who on excavating for the canal came across the remains of a number of U. S. soldiers. He had the remains placed here and this monument erected to mark the spot. HOUSE OCCUPIED BY FITZGIBBON AT BEAVER DAMS 238 This is said to be the house where Laura Secord went to inform Colonel FitzGibbon (then Lieutenant) of the intentions of Colonel Boerstler, the officer in command of the U.S. forces. (See inscription on monument, page 58). This act of Laura Secord deserves to go down in Canadian history, not only because it was the act of a brave and courageous woman, but because it caused the defeat of the Americans at a period in the War of 1812 when their success might have meant the loss of Canada to the British. The patriotic spirit she showed was the spirit of all the U. E. Loyalist women of that time. (See page 20). GRANDFATHER-A TYPICAL U. E. L. DESCENDANT 242 Captain Michael Dunn Gonder (1804-1886), the maternal grandfather of the author. Both Mr. Gonder's father and grandfather were Loyalists and came to Canada from Pennsylvania in 1789. Mr. Gonder was connected with the militia in the early days and was for many years a "country squire." He lived all his life on the old homestead (see photo of the old homestead) on the Niagara, eight miles above the Falls. MOUTH OF THE NIAGARA, FROM FORT MISSISSAUGA . 248 This photograph was taken from behind the palisades in front of the fort. HOUSE AT STONY CREEK, OCCUPIED BY THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF 1812. This building is owned by the Wentworth County Ladies' Historical Society, and the historical collections of the Society are kept in it. It is said that in the War of 1812 the owner was taken prisoner and the family locked up in the cellar during the occupation. 252 �266 APPENDICES. MOUTH OF THE CHIPPAWA 258 The mouth of the Chippawa Creek, as the people in that locality call it (the geographies call it the Welland River), was the first southern outlet of the Welland Canal. At the left- hand side of the picture is the spot where old Fort Welland stood during the War of 1812. The old hulk which you see in the picture was run into the mouth of the creek some years ago by its owner, who was in debt, to get it out of the way of his creditors. APPENDIX B. HISTORIC FAMILY PAPERS. These papers belonged to the author's great-grandfather and grandfather, Captains Jacob and Michael D. Gander (now spelled Gonder). (Circular.) FORT ERIE, 18th September, 1824. SIR, I am directed by order of His Excellency the Lieutenant- Governor to inform you that the remains of the late Major-General Sir Isaac Brock are to be removed to the monument on Queenston Heights on the 13th day of October next, and that it is the wish of His Excel- lency that the militia of the district should be present on that occasion. You will, therefore, order your company to assemble on that day at ten o'clock in the morning, with their arms and three rounds of blank cartridge, at John McFarland's, two miles above Fort George. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, J. WARREN, TO LIEUTENANT JACOB GANDER. Colonel Com'g 3 Reg't Lin. Militia. NIAGARA FALLS, July 14th, 1840. Chippawa. SIR, By a militia general order, dated Toronto, 30th June, 1840, His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor is pleased to request a meeting of the officers of Militia, to assemble at Queenston Heights on Tuesday the 30th day of July, instant, at one o'clock p.m., in order to determine in the most public manner the best mode of reconstructing the monument erected by the people of this Province to the revered memory of the late Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, which has recently �APPENDICES. 267 been most wickedly attempted to be destroyed. Therefore, in compli- ance with the wishes of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, the attendance of all officers of the 3d Lincoln is earnestly requested by SAMUEL STREET, Col. Com'd'g 3d L. M. LIEUT. MICHAEL D. GANDER, 3d Lincoln Militia, Willoughby, Niagara River. REGIMENTAL ORDER. (Circular.) NIAGARA FALLS, September 14th, 1840. Chippawa. In compliance with circular instructions from the Adjutant-General of Militia, bearing date the 20th August last, and in pursuance of resolutions which accompanied, passed at a meeting of the General Committee, held in the city of Toronto on the 17th preceding: It was among others unanimously Resolved-that "The Adjutant-General of Militia be requested to address a circular letter to the several officers in command of Militia Regiments or Corps throughout the Province, requesting and recommending that a muster of their Regiments and Corps should take place on the 13th October now next, being the anni- versary of the Battle of Queenston (or such other day as may be most convenient), for the purpose of receiving subscriptions from the officers and men under their command for the construction of the Monument to the memory of the late Major-General Sir Isaac Brock on Queenston Heights." The Adjutant General is directed by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor to the purpose of ofinvitingthequest an assemblage the 3rd Lincoln participation in the of national object of a for again raising a Monument upon the former site to the memory of the said late Major-General Sir Isaac Brock-officers commanding companies of the said 3d Lincoln are therefore hereby requested to call out the indi- viduals of their several companies of the ages of 18 to 60 years for a General Meeting of the Regiment at Chippawa at 10 o'clock in theforenoon of the aforesaid anniversary-which comes on Tuesday the 13th day of October as aforesaid. In the meantime, without any more than necessary delay, the said1officers, with the assistance of their subalterns and non-commissioned officers, are requested to circulate the accom- panying subscription Lists (Two Lists for each Company) that any individual of their companies, Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Privates shall have an opportunity forthwith of subscribing in proportion to his Rank-a day's pay according to the scale of pay when in actual service, of which schedules accompany the subscriptions and to save time and confusion which will be likely to occur at the General Meeting if the subscriptions are deferred till that day. Officers and Non-commissioned Officers will be pleased to bear in mind that the name of no person is to be admitted to the List unless he �268 APPENDICES. be prepared at the same time to deposit the amount of subscription; and His Excellency desires that no means whatever shall be used to compel subscriptions-that the act must be purely voluntary-A copy of the resolutions referred to will be read on Parade at the General Meeting. The subscription List may be presented to Aliens and other exempts as well as Militia, but with the observance as before recited, that their subscriptions must be voluntary. SAMUEL STREET, Col. Comdg 3d L. M. For the purpose of Conference all officers of the Left Wing are requested to meet the undersigned at the village of Crowland (Cook's Mills) on Friday, the 18th September instant, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon and all officers of the Right Wing to meet him at Lieut. Jacob Wilson's at the cross roads in the Township of Bertie on Saturday, 19th instant, the day following, at the same hour. SAMUEL STREET, Col. Comdg 3d L. M. LIEUTENANT MICHAEL D. GANDER, Commanding the late Capt. Edgworth Ussher's Company of 3d L.M., Willoughby. SCHEDULE OF RATES OF PAY. Cavalry. Infantry. Currency Currency d Captain. 18 3 Colonel. 25 0 Lieutenant. 11 3 Lieutenant-Colonel.. 21 3 Major... Captain Lieutenant Ensign 20 0 14 6 8 2 6 7 15 8 10 8 Cornet. Troop Sergeant Major 10 0 3 9 Sergeant... 29 Corporal. 21 Trumpeter. 20 Private. 17 Paymaster. Adjutant Quartermaster Artillery. Captain.... 16 3 Assistant-Surgeon 9 5 Sergeant-Major. 3 9 Quartermaster-Sergeant. 3 2 Colour Sergeant. 2 11 24 Surgeon.. 15 2 First Lieutenant.. Second Lieutenant. 87 7 0 Company Sergeant... 3 11 Sergeant 3 1 Corporal 29 Sergeant Corporal Bombardier. 2 Drummer or Bugler. Gunner (or Bugler).. 18 6 82 Private.. 18 1 5 1 3 �APPENDICES. 269 SUBSCRIPTION LIST Of the late Captain Edgworth Ussher's Company of 3d Regiment of Lincoln Militia, towards the General Fund for the reconstruction of the Monument on Queenston Heights to the memory of the late MajorGeneral Sir Isaac Brock, 20th September to 13th October, 1840: Amount No. NAMES Rank. Halifax Currency. £ ... Michael D. Gander Ensign.. Isaac S. Haun ...Thomas Need 8. 0 8 0 6 0 2 0 10 Private James Crysler 0 10 0 Private. William Crysler Private. Joseph Wilson d. 2 3 3 0 1 1 Private. John Flett... 0 1 3 Private. Samuel Pettit 0 1 3 Private. James Walker 0 1 3 George White.. 0 1 Robert Cummings 0 Apolonair Myers Ronald Chisholm. Joel Lyons... William Wallar James H. Lyons James Smith... 6 John D. Kinck.. 3 Alexander Nicholson 3 3 George Gander..... George Weaver.. Calvin Goodenough. William Wintermute .. Henry Quess.... Henry Hudson William Grey... 1 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 Her Majesty's Government, Canada, Dr. To Michael D. Gander, 1. Furnishing quarters for forty men of the Gore Militia for fifteen days during the Navy Island campaign in December, 1937, and January, 1838, occupying the greater part of the house, and bedding 2. Half ton of hay used by the teamsters, in attendance upon the men and officers £3 10s. Od. 100 �APPENDICES. 270 3. Fifteen Bushels of Apples at 1/3 p. Bushel, and one barrel of cider taken and used by the same at ten shillings 4. Furnishing Stabling for Teamsters' Horses during the 8 1 0 above period, Ten Shillings; also 3 Bush. of Oats taken and used by the same while attending the said company at 1/3 p. Bush... 0 14 41 £6 12 41 5. To Damage done by a Detachment of Incorporated Militia under the Command of Lieutenant Gatchell, who came into my Orchard, set their Tents and re- mained there during the greater part of the summer of 1839, thereby doing much damage, having had no wood furnished for cooking, and occasionally used my fence rails for that; also that the men could not be prevented or hindered from using the best fruit of the orchard, so that I estimate the amount of damage 7 10 6 12 41 £14 2 4112 at brought down MICHAEL D. GANDER. BROCK'S MONUMENT. KINGSTON, 29th September, 1842. At a meeting of the General Committee appointed for the reconstruction of Brock's Monument, held this day, at the residence of Colonel FitzGibbon, in Seaton Street, near the Parliament House, Present. Colonel Sir Allan McNab, 3rd Regiment, Gore, President. Colonel Richard Bullock, Adjutant-General Militia, Secretary. Colonel FitzGibbon, unattached. Colonel Honorable John Macaulay, 2nd Frontenac Regiment. Colonel J. B. Marks, 3rd Frontenac Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel G. S. Boulton, 2nd Durham Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel F. S. Jarvis, 2nd West York Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Cartwright, 2nd Lenox Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel D. J. Smith, 1st Frontenac Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Honorable J. McDonald, 6th Leeds Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Bowers, 3rd Frontenac Regiment. Thomas G. Ridout, Esquire, Treasurer. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read. The Treasurer exhibited a statement of the Funds, showing a cash balance at credit of £428 17s. 3d. currency, and a memorandum of Debentures belonging to the same fund amounting to £2800, currency. The following Resolutions were then proposed: Moved by Lieutenant-Colonel Honorable J. McDonald, seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel Boulton, and resolved, �APPENDICES. 271 1st. That the thanks of this meeting are justly due and are hereby tendered to the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men of the Militia of New Brunswick, for the amount subscribed by them in aid of the Brock fund, and that a copy of this. Resolution be transmitted to the Honorable Lieutenant-Colonel Shore, Adjutant-General Militia of New Brunswick. Moved by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel Bowers, and Resolved, 2nd. That the thanks of this meeting are justly due, and are hereby tendered to those Inhabitants of Montreal, who have subscribed towards the reconstruction of Brock's Monument, and that a copy of this Reso- lution be forwarded to Benjamin Holmes, Esquire, M.P.P., by whom the amount was transmitted. Moved by Colonel FitzGibbon, seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel F. S. Jarvis, and resolved, 3rd. That a Petition be presented to the Governor-General, accom- panied by a statement of the amount paid in, and praying that His Excellency may be pleased to recommend to the Provincial Legislature to grant a sum of money in aid of the Brock fund. Moved by Lieutenant-Colonel Cartwright, seconded by Colonel Honorable John Macaulay, and resolved, 4th. That the Petition to His Excellency the Governor-General just read, be adopted. Moved by Colonel J. B. Marks, seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, and resolved, 5th. That a deputation consisting of the following Officers, wait upon His Excellency the Governor-General, with the Petition: Colonel Sir Allan N. McNab. Colonel Richard Bullock. Colonel Honorable Alexander Fraser. Lieutenant-Colonel G. S. Boulton. Lieutenant-Colonel F. S. Jarvis. Lieutenant-Colonel Honorable J. McDonald. Lieutenant-Colonel D. Jones. Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Bowers. Thomas G. Ridout, Esquire. Moved by Colonel FitzGibbon, seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hon- orable J. McDonald, and resolved, 6th. That the Secretary be requested to wait upon the GovernorGeneral with a copy of the Petition, and to ascertain when His Excel- lency would be pleased to receive the deputation. Ordered that the account of Mr. Henry Roswell, amounting to £3 9s. 10d., be paid by the Treasurer. It was then moved and resolved unanimously, that the foregoing proceedings and Resolutions, together with a former vote of thanks to the Indian Tribes, passed at a meeting of the Committee held in Toronto, on the 19th February, 1841. be published in the Canada Gazette, which vote of thanks was in the following words, viz:That the Committee for restoring the Monument erected to the memory of the late Sir Isaac Brock have received with the most lively �272 APPENDICES. satisfaction a letter from the Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs, written by desire of His Excellency Sir George Arthur, and communicating the Munificent Donations of the principal Chiefs and others, of the Chippawas of the upper reserve on the River St. Clair, the Chip- pawas of the lower reserve and Walpole Island on River St. Clair, the Hurons and Wyandotts of Amherstburg, the Chippawas of the River Thames, the Moravians of the River Thames, the Munsees of the River Thames. The Oneidas of the River Thames, the Six Nations of the Grand River, the Mississagas of the River Credit, the Chippawas of the Sau- geeng River, Lake Huron; the Chippawas of the Township of Rama, Lake Simcoe: the Chippawas of Snake Inland, Lake Simcoe; the Mississagas of Alnwick, Rice Lake; the Mississagas of Rice Lake Village, in the Township of Otonabee, and of Mud and Balsam Lakes, and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. And that they have read with great interest the affecting Addresses in which the principal Chiefs have made known their wishes to the head of the Government. The Committee have much pride in finding themselves associated with the brave and faithful Warriors of the Indian Nations in the design of doing honor to the memory of the lamented General who was loved and admired by all his followers, and it is their anxious wish that the Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs should, under the direction of His Excellency, take the most effectual means of assuring the principal Chiefs that the Militia and other Inhabitants of Canada are very thankful for their kind assistance in the grand design. That they feel the greatest respect for the loyalty and for the warm and friendly hearts of their Red Brethren; that they shall take care that their generous gift shall be made the best use of for the purpose they have resolved to join in; and that as long as the Monument shall stand, it shall tell their great Mother the Queen, and all their White Brethren, that the brave and grateful Indians have not forgotten their glorious leader and friend, who flew to their defence in the time of danger, and that they have helped to build the tomb over his grave. KINGSTON, 30th September, 1842. This day the Deputation from the Committee waited upon the Governor-General at the Government House, by appointment, at 12 o'clock, when the following Petition was read and handed, together with the Treasurer's Accounts, to His Excellency: To His Excellency, The Right Honorable Sir Charles Bagot, G C.B., Governor-General of British North America, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c., &c., &c. : The Petition of the Militia Officers and others of the General Com- mittee, appointed for the reconstruction of Brock's Monument, most respectfully sheweth: That in consequence of the destruction of the Monument erected on �APPENDICES. 273 Queenston Heights to the memory of the late Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, it was resolved at a meeting of the Militia and other Inhabitants of Upper Canada, held on the said Heights, on the 30th day of July, 1840, that an Obelisk should be erected instead of the ruined Monument, and upon the same site; That your Petitioners have been enabled to procure, by voluntary subscriptions, and contributions from the Militia aud Indian Warriors of Upper Canada, and from other sources, funds for the erection of the Obelisk to the amount of £3228 17s. 3d., as per the Treasurer's Ac- count herewith delivered for your Excellency's information; That from the best information your Petitioners have been able to obtain, it will require about £5000 to complete the said Monument, upon a scale worthy of the object; That your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, that Your Excellency will be pleased to recommend to the Provincial Legislature to grant such a sum of money, in aid of the Brock Fund, as Your Excellency may see fit. Which is humbly submitted. ALLAN N. MACNAB, President Brock Committee. RICHARD BULLOCK, Secretary Brock Committee. His Excellency was then pleased to reply verbally to the following effect, "That he should feel very great pleasure in recommending it to the Legislature." The Deputation then withdrew. RICHARD BULLOCK, Secretary Brock Committee. SUBSCRIPTION FOR SCHOOL AND MEETING-HOUSE. WILLOUGHBY, AUGUST THE 30TH, 1824. We, the Subscribers, agree and promise to pay the Several Items we have set down with our names, towards the Building of a School House, and Meeting house, or Public worship, in the Township of Willoughby, on the River between Black Creek & Chippawa. £ s. Jacob Gander, in Labour, 15 Dollars, paid 3 15 B. Shoup, ten dolers, In nals, paid John Seegrist 2 10 John Beam paid paid 1 1 Thomas Mohr Paid 1 Joseph Danner, Paid Johannes Lauer, in Bord, Paid . Jacob Miller, in bord u Geld, 4 Dollars 5 5 - 2 10 1 10 2 10 paid in boards 1/13 Jacob Whisler, fife Dollars, Lauber and money Paid Cash 12/6 *German. 18 15 d. 21 0 1 0 �APPENDICES. 274 G. McMicking & Co.-6 M Shingles Paid Samuel Street, 700 feet Roof Boards. Wm. Richardson Adam Crysler 10 Paid Joseph Moore, in boards 5 paid 10 Abraham Beam, 5 Bushels Wheat Paid Wm Atkinson, five Dollars in Leather 150 Lewis White, Paid 7/6, paid in full. 12 6 David Thomas 15 0 paid We, the Subscribers, Promise to pay Severally the Sum Set Down with our names for the purchase of a Stove the for the School-house in Township, Niagara River: 0 Jacob Gander - £0 John Seegrist Paid Cash John Beam Paid Eve Shoup Paid Cash Thomas Mohr Paid Jacob Whisler - Joseph Danner - Paid Abraham Lap - Paid Jacob Miller - Paid Peter Colerick - Paid William Colerick Paid Jacob Troup - Paid Henry Miller - John Miller - Paid Johannes Byer - - Paid Martin Shoup Paid Paid Abraham Climenhague - Paid Eve Shoup - Paid Mrs. Palmer 102 0 0258713- Paid Urial Driggs Henry Fick+ - Paid 5 John Lemon - Paid 5 Andrew Miller - Paid - Paid Paid 60 10 5 10 90 5 - Paid John Beam SCHOOL 6905 201 John Miller 0 10 David Davis, to 5 hundred Brick. James Shackleton 6 AGREEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION. Articles of Agreement entered into between the subscribed inhabi- tants of the Township of Willoughby on the one part, and Rob Grierson, Schoolmaster, on the other part, agreed to on the 4th day of December, 1826 That is to say, that the said Rob Grierson, on his part, binds and obliges himself to teach a regular, and well conducted The x is the subscriber's mark. When persons could not write someone would write their name and they would make their mark after it. �APPENDICES. 275 School, until the 30th day of April, 1827, at the rate of Twelve Shil- lings, New York Currency, per quarter, for each and every individual Scholar, the school to be subject to the same regulations as other provincial institutions of the same kind in the province, and under the control of the present managing Trustees, whose decision in all matters, if any disputes should arise between the employers and employed, shall be considered by both parties as final. No charge to be made for any Scholar except the time actually attending, an account of which shall be regularly kept in a book for the express purpose by the Teacher, liable to be sworn to if necessary. The employers to pay the said Grier- son at the expiration of the three months, in the current paper or other money of the province, for his services duly performed. The inhabitants concerned further agree to board and lodge the said Teacher, during the time of his engagement, according to their respective proportion of Scholars, and also to contribute their quota of wood for the supply and comfort of the School. This list, as soon as com- pleted, to be delivered up to one of the Trustees, in whose possession it is to be retained; that if necessary it may be forthcoming when called for. It is clearly understood before signing that the said Grierson is not to make any demand for the time he taught previous to the 4th of December, and that he is to teach an Evening School two nights in each week without any expense to the parents or scholar during the present winter months. ROB GRIERSON, Teacher. Time of Date. entry. SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. No. of Scholars. REMARKS. 1826 Dec.... 4 :: John Byer George Harruss Joseph Danner Jacob Gander. John Graham 134 SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY. Whereas, the united testimony of all Christians confirms the importance of instructing the rising generation in the first principles of Religion, as they are taught or contained in the Holy Scriptures, and as the most happy consequences have resulted from Sabbath Schools established in Great Britain and America, and wishing to see one of these excellent institutions brought into operation in this place, therefore we whose names are annexed to this paper do cheerfully �APPENDICES. 276 unite for the purpose of promoting this important object, and engage to adopt as its basis the following articles: Art. 1. A Committee of five or more suitable persons shall be chosen annually by the Subscribers, whose duty it shall be to appoint a Secretary and Treasurer, and provide for each School a Superintendent, good Teachers, and suitable Books. And this Committee shall collect and apply the funds, and transact all the necessary business of the Society, and report thereon, annually, in time to have anything interesting inserted in the Annual Report. Art. 2. Each person who may subscribe to these Rules, and annually pay two shillings and six pence towards forming a library, shall be a member of the Society, and shall have the liberty of taking out a book or tract every Sabbath. Art. 3. Every School and Bible Class which may be opened under the care of this Society shall be made accessible to all who may be disposed to attend and conform to the Rules and Regulations of this School, or such as may be adopted. Art. 4.-The School shall be opened and concluded with prayer. The order of proceeding in the employment of the day shall be established by the Committee. But this pledge shall be given to the public, that no sectarian creeds or dogmas of human invention shall ever be taught in any School or class under this Society, for the grand design of this institution is to give the rising generation a correct knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Art. 5. All who attend regularly, and behave well, and are able to read the Scriptures, will, as a reward, have the privilege of access to the library one week in four, or oftener, if the Committee shall think most expedient. Art. 6. The labour of the Committee and Teachers will be gratis, therefore, all that may be paid to the Treasurer will be applied towards the increasing of the library, and paying any necessary expenses which may occur. Donations in cash or books will be thankfully accepted. Art. 7. Any addition, alteration or amendment can be made to the above, by the concurrence of two-thirds of the members, at a regular meeting, which may be called by any two-thirds of the Board, atter giving timely notice. A majority of the Committee must be present to constitute a quorum for business. WILLOUGHBY LIBRARY, APRIL 23RD, Subscribers' Names-Female. £8. d. 1826. Subscribers' Names-Female Mary Ann Gander ...paid 0 26 Elisabeth Beam ......paid £ s. d. 26 " 26 26 Catharine Miller.... " Sarah Shoup. " 26 Sophia Moore " Abigail Wait " 26 Mary Webster " 26 Sarah Ann Wait. " 26 Elisabeth Haverland. " 26 Hulda Yale " 26 Elisabeth Miller.... " 26 Veronica Miller Mary Miller.... Hannah Peck " 26 26 " 26 " 26 Maria Cowl �APPENDICES. Subscribers' Names-Male, Jacob Gander paid " Munson Peck ....... Samuel Wait " George Lutes " Adam Beam.. " Michael D. Gander " £8. d. 26 277 Subscribers' Names-Male. David Gander..... £ s. d. paid 26 26 Jacob Gander, jun " 26 David Young " 26 46 13 26 26 26 Joseph Moore Richard Tubbs " 26 William Burk... Jeremiah Monroe " 26 Alfred McCarty. Urial Driggs 26 26 " 26 46 26 Alexander Young 4 26 Michael Lemon " 26 26 Levi Wait " Daniel Case " 26 Joseph Lemon.. 4 Andrew Miller, jun. B. Shoup " 26 Robert Treffry " 26 " 26 Martin Everett " 13 Samuel McAffee 66 26 Lawrence Corson 46 26 " 26 Thomas Cartwright, jr. " 13 Reuben Wait 26 Joseph Messmore, paid 2. 6 and 1. 6...... 40 RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL. August 27th, 1826. The Committee of the Willoughby Library met for the purpose of making Rules and additional Regulations, appoint additional teachers, when the following persons were chosen : Teachers. Sarah Ann Wait, Mary Gander, Levi Wait, David Gander. 1st. Resolved that the school commence at 10 o'clock and continue until 1 o'clock. 2nd. Resolved that Jacob Gander and Reuben Wait are appointed by the Committee to purchase books for the library and to bring a bill of the same. Committee Present. Jacob Gander. Adam Beam. David Young. Michael Gander. Reuben Wait. Veronica Miller. George Lutes. David Gander. The Committee of the Willoughby Library feel disposed to give every Indulgence in their Power according to the Size of the Library. Sept. 9th, 1826. The majority of the Committee made the following Rules and Regulations: 1st. Resolved that all who have subscribed and paid their subscription shall be at liberty to take out 1 book at a time and return the same unto the library after the time which the Committee prescribes, and any person who shall neglect returning at the expiration of said term shall be liable to such fine as the Committee may prescribe for �278 APPENDICES. such neglect, and also for soiling or tearing a leaf and turning down corners of a leaf. April 7th, 1827. It is further voted that Mr. Rob. Grierson may become a teacher of Sabbath School. BILL OF BOOKS FOR LIBRARY. Messrs. Gander and Wait. Bot of Lovell and Francis: $7.00 1 Set Moor's works 1 No. Fiction... 125 1 Christian Guide.. 0 50 1 Porteus... 0 1 P― Piety 0 37 1 Solomon's Temple... 0 1 Watts on the Mind 100 37 50 $11.00 Buffalo, Sept. 8, 1826. Rec'd payment, LOVELL & FRANCIS. BOND SERVANT INDENTURE. THIS INDENTURE witnesseth that - of the Township of Willoughby, County of Lincoln, and Province of Upper Canada, hath, a child of the age of by his own consent, bound his son seven years, to Jacob Gander, of the Township of Willoughby, and County and Province aforesaid, as a servant to serve him from the day and date hereof, the full term of fourteen years from thence next ensuing, with him as a servant to dwell and continue unto the full end and term aforesaid, during which the said servant his said master well and faithfully shall serve, his secrets keep, his lawful commands everywhere willingly obey, the goods of his said master he shall not. embezzle nor waste, or lend them without his consent to any, at any unlawful games he shall not play, nor frequent any places of public entertainments, fornication he shall not commit nor matrimony con- tract during said term, he shall not absent himself from his said master's service without leave, and in all things behave himself as a faithful servant ought to do during said term, aud the said master shall and will find the said servant meat, drink, washing, lodging and apparel, and in all other necessaries, in sickness and health, fitting for a servant during the term aforesaid, and at the expiration of said term shall and will give to his said servant (over and above his then clothing) one complete suit of clothing fitting for a servant, and likewise in said term his said master shall and will send the said servant to some good English school to be instructed in reading and writing and arithmetic (not to exceed one year schooling), and for the true performance of all and every the said covenants and agreements either of the said parties bind themselves unto the other by these presents. �279 APPENDICES. In witness whereof they have hereunto set their hands and seals this tenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six. Signed and sealed in presence of her Betsy x Benger, Jacob Gander. [SEAL] S- D- [SEAL.] mark Sam'l Street. ITEMIZED ACCOUNT OF A CAPTAIN'S OUTFIT. CAPT. GANDER TO J. TODD, DR. £ Making military coat. Buttons for 8 d 200 do. 1 10 0 Padding and canvas 50 White cassimere... 3 9 Silk twist, thread, hook, etc. 3 0 Sleeve linings... 19 £4 3 6 7 6 4 11 0 3 10 0 Blue cloth for facing, etc., cotton Received in full for making and trimming. J. TODD. Niagara, U.C., April 21, 1825. Cloth and aplet, $14. Silk sash .... £8 10 2 10 00 10 11 00 Received payment for cloth and applet and sash. J. WARREN. ONE PENNY REWARD. Ran away from the subscriber on the sixth of December a servant boy by the name of Elias ; about high; dark complexion; having on when he went away a short, homespun sailor jacket, a pair of homespun brown trousers. This is therefore to forbid all persons harboring or trusting said boy on my account, as I will pay no debts of his contracting after this date. N.B. Whoever will return the above described runaway shall be entitled to the reward, but no charges paid. JACOB GANDER. WILLOUGHBY, 6th Dec'r, 1817. �280 APPENDICES. Advertisement of a Stage Line, taken from The Farmer's Journal , April 18th, 1833: NEW DAILY LINE OF MAIL STAGES BETWEEN NIAGARA AND HAMILTON. ARRANGEMENTS. Leave Niagara every day at eight o'clock in the morning; pass through Queenston at 10, and arrive in Hamilton, via St. Catharines, &c., in time for passengers to take the Stage for York or Sandwich. Returning-Leave Hamilton every night at 12 o'clock (or immediately after the arrival of the York Stage), and arrive at Niagara, via the same route, in time to take the steam boat for York the same day. Passengers will be taken or left at their residences, when necessary, if within the limits of any of the towns or villages on the line, and it can be done without delaying the mail. All baggage at the risk of the owners. A General Stage Office is established at Hamilton, where seats may be taken for York, Niagara, Brantford or Sandwich or any of the intermediate places, and where every information will be given respect- ing the different lines of conveyance for Passengers throughout the province. E. St. Catharines, May 4, 1831. 9 469 Printed in the United States W. STEPHENSON. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Pen pictures of early pioneer life in upper Canada" book by Michael Gonder Sherk, c. 1905 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Pen pictures of early pioneer life in upper Canada" book by Michael Gonder Sherk, c. 1905 Subject The topic of the resource Early pioneer life in Upper Canada Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the book "Pen pictures of early pioneer life in upper Canada" by Michael Gonder Sherk, c. 1905. The book features heavy emphasis on the Niagara region. Michael Gonder Sherk (1862-1927) was born on the family homestead just outside Welland. His father was the Rev. Abraham B. Sherk of Stevensville. Michael later moved to Toronto where he died in 1927, and surviving him were several nieces and nephews in Toronto and Welland. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Michael Gonder Sherk Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available William Briggs, Toronto Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1905 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Book Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 917.1302 Pen Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Upper Canada Michael Gonder Sherk https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/403a636b3f687c4acc580ecd011a3653.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=r0eoy66hqDOYmAJNGXYl06GkqI6JnuTBDJKu-v0COV9xxAknxqN3RChUclXO-NhoAFIsHZnuDE%7EvYsftcAAmH9yWGWWg4LFWPtZWTee5RDvZGE5Ic1vE-Kv0xInBYX2snOzHEJf7nRHEWrp9SpLII36wtXBwrH1WnR17SiSSwvHXVI5j7fnZRaWKMYdvz8QZxBVmR3rwiyG3w7ogONo9tTeyDtXM7PhGKIZwcVX7BTtCjjoWt8ljabuXhPEwIx4%7EuwBhvmA1iL0Eod6T7BvdCoxO4MkcBqLvj2R-JMI%7EdxCPWv8za36mfMI3YtTaOdf6DRezvBD1YcYiEPu8NR4%7EeA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 7dc8397801cceff507ef3a07b4a831ed Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Historic Buildings Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Payne family house at 268 East Main Street, c. 1910s Subject The topic of the resource 268 East Main Street property Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of the Payne family house at 268 East Main Street, c. 1910s. Charlotte Payne was the daughter of James Alexander Gilchriese, who was for a while the turn-key at the Courthouse and Gaol (the keeper of the county jail). She married Joseph Douglas Payne who became the manager at Empire Cotton Mills and also the president of the Welland Board of Trade. The family lived at 268 East Main from 1902 to 1929, and in the 1930s the house was torn down and a social club erected at the same site. In 2026 it is a restaurant known as the East Side Diner. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1910s Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this content. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Welland Charlotte Eliza Payne East Main Street Gilchriese family Joseph Douglas Payne Payne family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/f489f50929aed111f809679b34458925.tif?Expires=1779926400&Signature=JM-HFMwb3rEKfSDlTxEyvAqzECFM3e4glgXaMOi3I58zizkW7IFCTcx-gYpJ5we8bZEBkm275E5-9hDom9XvZyTAmP9S5HlCZcLFmQ360KinS1lE45BMXNkQEcIbFyRl8D%7EphCQdydcVhTzl4q%7EZVxR-e%7EmHdSBFjBL76vvPKP%7EA6gJIDlgSpDm3O-nMo616j2Cms1bwk4FjXXW0EyGIRs25SMYkxfQNZZ6vqWEP%7EF5UMCFjn-hs7pAFEjbnzjOa7vnoeRpKHqFhVhl%7EyxGr5dp5mwJvaMiy36-nmZNEfKa9I66Awcz1iR%7EoZwaIBUHsLuyHySk%7EDoWDKmyl7TOD6g__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 3ffda7a82eec8fb312e6a5f4ce4a74d9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prominent Citizens & Biographies Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Charlotte Eliza Payne (née Gilchriese) with her mother Charlotte Gilchriese (née Pilbeam) and sister Pearl in front of the family house at 268 East Main Street, c. 1920 Subject The topic of the resource Charlotte Payne, Charlotte Gilchriese, and Pearl Gilchriese Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Charlotte Eliza Payne (née Gilchriese) with her mother Charlotte Gilchriese (née Pilbeam) and sister Pearl in front of the family house at 268 East Main Street, c. 1920. Charlotte Payne was the daughter of James Alexander Gilchriese, who was for a while the turn-key at the Courthouse and Gaol (the keeper of the county jail). She married Joseph Douglas Payne who became the manager at Empire Cotton Mills and also the president of the Welland Board of Trade. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1920 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this content. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Welland Charlotte Eliza Payne East Main Street Gilchriese family Joseph Douglas Payne Payne family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/f7e320fee583be009bedb4c900dd6563.JPG?Expires=1779926400&Signature=JYAM%7EgXs0kU%7EyEp4sF1GXKmWLPQORnEvxyzU5aJDQr7NRMyicrIqOHps4Oxs%7ExlHp8E1RzeJL6Kd%7ETyl4%7E1i0AT8twar9Sp9004Q7Alo3A5OqhBB3IsNA4Cgup90yExb7MBee%7EioYfH2dgGTrd42dvhyG0rs61nSbdmtZkKpq5buo7DXWv48R39smtzV-qr0QvF6EXrGDYppljTaLZqWLIqDlXdXFdZbJXnpMirqZMs%7EBgKy0OjLTdcnVyTPpvuREzLzNss3tB%7E7CBmbUk8Qd2N2jIhdwuyrrSJejD-ZjtSYjnJRxnTFeLt8flzTL3UnKzzyuNsxo2NW91CQv0E8Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 6398383fc1e90a67a4cec9be9207b3c4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prominent Citizens & Biographies Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ruth Payne with her dog in front of the family house at 268 East Main Street, c. 1920 Subject The topic of the resource Ruth Payne Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Ruth Payne with her dog in front of the family house at 268 East Main Street, c. 1920. Her father Joseph Douglas Payne was the manager at Empire Cotton Mills and was also the president of the Welland Board of Trade. The family lived at 268 East Main from 1902 to 1929. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1920 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this content. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Welland Charlotte Eliza Payne East Main Street Gilchriese family Joseph Douglas Payne Payne family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/ec1a19f017687d1308e4e355092a028c.tif?Expires=1779926400&Signature=u-bxZH2PpC9LD0EJSNixDbKKlW2%7Er%7EYh1DG1iIIyqCGzX3PXJDpz8ckXheVmYg8%7EInAxFOPyrxFcNijk9DKJtEr1v326ImtwU%7EY%7EAafHvpcieRoivA4Hz8ivvIZ842ZZ1t3ylARdG-m7sWNZ2A5H0lOEqTDIYKh%7E4eEVzA28PRLBtmiHe5P1suSg9QUo7E7GH1fkxRrI1BMdRxBv8%7EIZSsKbwjRP24muAyqIpYybF%7EzNysJ%7EOj4izl%7EyaAP9lVoTnYEX-mst87rU68YVkq9lAfU7hSuuSrvHVC3jPIoaksbTJNk9U9WcZRvzWFZ14QvldBGn6wGF0KSm%7EGgKhmrIVg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM e9a054196cea93730ee4b89fa6aefc5a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prominent Citizens & Biographies Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joseph Douglas Payne and family at his house at 268 East Main Street, May 24, 1919 Subject The topic of the resource Joseph Douglas Payne and family Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Joseph Douglas Payne and family at his house at 268 East Main Street, May 24, 1919. Joseph is seated on the porch, and standing is Vera Wilson, Fred Payne, Frederick Wilson and Ruth Payne. Seated is Gil Wilson, Clarence Wilson, Jim, Marion and Isabel Gilchriese. Not many months after this picture was taken the cousins were separated forever. Vera died on Christmas Day and the Gilchrieses left Canada for California where the descendants still live. Joseph Douglas Payne was the manager at Empire Cotton Mills and was also the president of the Welland Board of Trade. They lived at 268 East Main from 1902 to 1929. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1919/05/24 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this content. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Welland Charlotte Eliza Payne East Main Street Gilchriese family Joseph Douglas Payne Payne family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/aa20df3411b65703409df06827ab3ddc.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=cPhKIGg6m9XW-hoPogpiAshjN4Fc-M5Lqk4hw-Z0dCzuXwjk7uYHYrGLmSWFBPFlpsanBJ08l6Y9n9x2PeGWn2fgHuU%7EYBCQsf97A%7ECTOvGlutEi1sGqkXSk-nmHTarDb%7EG6rYAFAg2JPDAC2hH4SO2Jo8BoLeAqL2zWaAAJRT-A57DFzYDZ%7Ezft9NlIa%7EAzod5F8VF%7E8kWdeNFFIHODnxk61HvpCVmHXpiKXejTEQaH5FSsNoUIfg0Hz03c1Xp30RvMkgf06FUaBXbYzEVlNp2woTZSrmmnhoSM7Gh9Rer63qpoFkPwBD50a5y48D2qn1xyJtZvZQmtmyv0HmisXg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM c617b5e078ac891f3305cc2b6bbd6fcd https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/f8396d70ccd7e9392ff26cd547a47e9a.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=YOtRjxeKQsge3ASQ5LTqaOzFbV5IugfRMMNq69tTnAyc1zy20vXees5Swijncq2JrBW5ClHLaUzqQzp6Caaa8u6Tydez8U35RSjwctyGAfmztLDcUZ9ITrZ-6GGJhmZlrYui5iHyQ-GAis2A0CWIY5YomgDSdovIRW6hcnOQGQDootfo4%7EbSL1DKiZJWZpj-D0VYT5jLzSEzwazrjNvYe65QqEMQW9Z3TjmXQovwd%7EpXRezKuAcYxWu%7EnTtjQtG%7EjI2Sb5HK0fK6uW2OQHrcdrxrF-iW01c7VNbho4bSIIqc5d0qwxZKbu0LxSzYBB11AtDTsU3X8BaCDp2tj435SA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM f079a9a17c8b4a5e23dbde77254421d0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prominent Citizens & Biographies Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource View of the front and back yard of 268 East Main Street, Charlotte Payne (née Gilchriese) and Joseph Douglas Payne's house, c. 1910s Subject The topic of the resource 268 East Main Street property Description An account of the resource Two black and white photographs of a view each of the front and back yard of 268 East Main Street, Charlotte Payne (née Gilchriese) and Joseph Douglas Payne's house, c. 1910s. Charlotte was the daughter of James Alexander Gilchriese, who was for a while the turn-key at the Courthouse and Gaol (the keeper of the county jail). She married Joseph Douglas Payne who became the manager at Empire Cotton Mills and also the president of the Welland Board of Trade. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1910s Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photographs Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Welland Charlotte Eliza Payne Dorothy Street East Main Street Gilchriese family Joseph Douglas Payne Payne family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/9deaa7293b46a5de04202b56fb573cad.tif?Expires=1779926400&Signature=NkUaW3L3Yr8fC2LgA2XP3O4dlWci8waahKAFuITVupaG-uoY7xU5vFk1q4qYIIpgZ8HRT2FjLDvEhVd1RSkPyTLDdVZmQZZeS-EIm0xLmUHnetoUurLQBuZetkFsFpOZ37deWx6zCroieG30LbiFa0nbhW3hXr9oiMDJdCnrXCO0WQ%7E9jHgaxAMFJzWXKnmYCMHthklxt2Lbo5ElsVGRbndpUX71dAfB8eftlV-KRFEva8ByeMrvP9u0hJV4zErTaJpqWsDy52oeZurXNGjd3fz01WxuoCbJOSTXfeab%7EN-LTnGAaDWeEgsXXbU7SKbkR%7EiFWGOrXwIoVwM6EB5OvA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 66a45d1983df172a1e2572e1bdb7717a https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/fb47ce8321158f8d0dd7d5f5fee0e222.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=oVM8uFVtyWKocBOIMAnfcpUwiKURjqUblTfNdKiepLQTbEx4e9XaAwcOyS%7EDwWtZzjcjFgYbqk9LaTJyQKNGGjc5Y4VggDsyKeX8bSvorP-hBS8CbPWjEbr78Pd2-Fy93kIE1tuXTT9dZh%7EM%7EBDCwyf3xeFy6H6VBq5OfuYq-4Wr6nKWgeRdU42YEI0d9e91wXMKG3hs-55Hhob1uoFTx5ZQdvtLhAgrl65QKGwxwd8lNxUxLlWJGpXfb0xmyKT8lmPn9rUx9wczpSbPfeMvPTKpj9mWZ9SofIVfNWd4nX%7EDTSDLLZ0A9rQRayjgxhKWfCwEHRioaDTFqme6lEFwzg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM ffbc0cae18b586c4672e53430079506d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prominent Citizens & Biographies Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Studio portrait of James Alexander Gilchriese and the men of his family, c. 1900s Subject The topic of the resource James Alexander Gilchriese's family Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of a studio portrait of James Alexander Gilchriese and the men of his family, c. 1900s. Upper row, from left to right: James Alexander, Will, and Frank. Bottom row, from left to right: Clarence (James' son), Art, Sam, and Al. James Alexander Gilchriese was for a while the turn-key at the Courthouse and Gaol (the keeper of the county jail). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1900s Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Gilchriese family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/65876c5c88d54d5893150f2fb051a31c.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=OUfOCXl2de2Fi9yRr1zm3ZmjL3lo3oduSx1adhEOTXr64Y2X3MBXoRVpJxBXbONscIcXh-E7CHwrg5bZLDkz5XUdu8LPgJJzug%7EzAd4UT3631xt5VFOLCHpz4wAKpl8LVlyaiK%7EeB1RHS-Gs3WUmn8Y4Aycz2FndgpjOnNusjVCjBvDdKPB-CMhWQTpOK-3%7EtF43il4uCqQDGC3gKlsuqRSUnZ2OlpXl6FjBcYeRbUqQ4dsomTwdGeS-uUxdhsfaVhNdfUXKl-WBdIJkBbsJYZ7K8dpVMaIe8N%7EGr9I3VVDnfPw3OEOxeC1QElQcP-MkTRzYC3vnMXmvy78qyG1v3w__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 804a42407b627ebc19dfa0f27ef487cd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prominent Citizens & Biographies Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Charlotte Eliza Payne (née Gilchriese) posing in front of her house, c. 1924 Subject The topic of the resource Charlotte Payne Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Charlotte Eliza Payne (née Gilchriese) posing in front of her house, c. 1924. The house was located at 268 East Main Street. Charlotte was the daughter of James Alexander Gilchriese, who was for a while the turn-key at the Courthouse and Gaol (the keeper of the county jail). She married Joseph Douglas Payne who became the manager at Empire Cotton Mills and also the president of the Welland Board of Trade. Joseph's job moved him to Toronto in 1923, but the family maintained the house until at least 1929, when Charlotte also moved to Toronto. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1924 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this content. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Welland Charlotte Eliza Payne Gilchriese family Joseph Douglas Payne Payne family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/141f729bf48d8f186772935f8afc7186.JPEG?Expires=1779926400&Signature=gc2uhc0ChHR1VUsaQsI34Z4brW96nTYHQhMd8vnLUsMYKLy8wtbiXXHCPphkDvslpmAdFaqIVx7AT2DuSMN0FP7qSPlY7JPT%7EnKOYDt9mFNea9jsKOJDEK%7ETuHYuHAuQzAsKZgfr6OGvjIGJUCOweB7DMRPcWOV0siRXLkTUx2b1Xv0RNS6xTkuTWFFZsA1bXMKvmOW9BnNEM8i2Dq7RSfPoJWPOkIqfMByZmGHaxXrh5EEl2VEhLbEUi1%7EciYpdf-yKmgHm8hFKdY9oORAOl5Aywz3dng5iTfGiDD-VtI8XZV47aWeau46dne%7EM1dJ9SZs0tLwjbUHfrzvWI8hSxg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 6c829e1408c0de549486b029385cb3fd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prominent Citizens & Biographies Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Charlotte Eliza Payne (née Gilchriese) and Joseph Douglas Payne's children posing in front of their house, c. 1917 Subject The topic of the resource Charlotte Payne and Joseph Douglas Payne's children Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Charlotte Eliza Payne (née Gilchriese) and Joseph Douglas Payne's children posing in front of their house, c. 1917. Their house was located at 268 East Main Street. From top to bottom: Jamie, Fred, Ruth. Charlotte was the daughter of James Alexander Gilchriese, who was for a while the turn-key at the Courthouse and Gaol (the keeper of the county jail). She married Joseph Douglas Payne who became the manager at Empire Cotton Mills and also the president of the Welland Board of Trade. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1917 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Welland Gilchriese family Joseph Douglas Payne Payne family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/771d53bd9c36e9104dc942c4b561fe9b.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=AURBLZgXyWErKuWQNmYaXLAMQ0vCTBOsBy5CyZ6U3-jBGqZ-HEAKMIesJF2GSJywNEH-z%7EHj6qQcXgwX1nujt%7EicVcu7HaNcw7U2t219NzM6MZf6Q5I%7EpgoVaZ59t98cAZO4ajLQIUWXKxI-pNQijjKf3h0p-uJS%7Eiv1jLG%7EESqofcTZo6UfOVzC13a2eb602z7PSVwN2biTUjE3NcDebVyjBDgzwbSNmy8V90jqorzAVHlYxUTimlpp6WLwwjphzEhKsX2PlKK7GV7SL2pWyoWT1YEV8pbyPdh6pvxQ9nnbQ0Ccjf8O%7Eh7uTyinHBNFWi6AnkBvBNShX03-QlFnRg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM e252872a3813e6abd4e22f6f4b40cab2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prominent Citizens & Biographies Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Studio portrait of Charlotte Eliza Payne (née Gilchriese) and her children, c. 1911 Subject The topic of the resource Charlotte Payne and her children Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of a studio portrait of Charlotte Eliza Payne (née Gilchriese) and her children, c. 1911. From left to right: Fred, Jamie, Charlotte, and baby Ruth. Charlotte was the daughter of James Alexander Gilchriese, who was for a while the turn-key at the Courthouse and Gaol (the keeper of the county jail). She married Joseph Douglas Payne who became the manager at Empire Cotton Mills and also the president of the Welland Board of Trade. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Fred and Julia Payne Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1911 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donated by Fred and Julia Payne Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Welland Charlotte Eliza Payne Gilchriese family https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/19cc94263a41e929f72fea9360a95feb.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=vWJYjcu5ya9aFAo6f1lFNLXO0iei5Z%7EW09tK3oJeRm5oKJ8e3uEmMdWlhoYX8NV7GmQxVMW0vj-pYfKYsh-h9zRLIeMOtYjxwUKpgpeg0RBQAXawNpd9LQR5icSHwDmsTnUAPtVaYLOz2dhLafiTwu5xww1UvM4QWYq4KW1RmJIUdC%7EoLG4WbVU4ZYNXyuZ7FdclpuDyXuEIiVismW5rDly%7EHYMOv5SP8cmi6xMaePc38Fky%7ED1Zv4wOkWWcL4MbebIGVQVZl-er4PXev91ebl6%7E%7Ep4WGK%7EwwjW1xsVg68w1dW%7EbBAYg0lmu89-5ILN-8Q5RzDX25YhFTvtqtmo6mg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM d46feece1067e5ed8bf383c911e2b19d PDF Text Text MAGIC AND MEDICINE ---~ by· Louis Blake Duff reason I have been asked to give this graduation have just come out of the hospital.. My first have first hand information to give out to those in this audience who have had no hospital experience. Doctors will never tell you. Nurses will never tell you. 1 1 11 tell you .. To begin at the beginning: I awakened in my home from a sort of stupor. (There are those mean enough to hint that I am always in a sort of stupor, but that i:a not so.) At least I thought I awakened and I thought I had been in a stupor. There at the foot of the bed stood, of all people, the undertaker. 0 Brother 11 , I said, 11 Begone.. Come back in a bout two days .. 11 Then he explained that he had come not in his capacity as an undertaker, but as operator of the hospital ambulance. Ha.d my life not been one of extreme piety and virtue I am sure that experience would have unnerved me .. At the hospital, notwithstanding the activities of the nurses,a few people tried to keep life in me by sending me potted plants and bouquets. TheBe, I suspect, were mostly from creditors, who had a sinister object in wanting me cheered up and in keeping the flame burning. Whenever a particularly choice specimen arrived I used to send my nurse out on tour with it, not to show it, but to flaunt it before some fellow patients I knew very well,. Some of these flowers were so large, so �Page 2 - Magic and Medicine beautiful, that I was moved to write a poem about the vicissitudes of hospital life, but the refrain that ended each verse struck a profound+Y hopeful and optimistic note:Life here is not so hard I've the biggest aspidistra in the ward. I passed this out through the zipper in the tent and the nuBse put it into circulation .. Came a note from a lady dovm the hall11 You may have the biggest aspidistra, but I've got a burn on my back the size of the map of Australia .. " So we all have our vanities, little and big .. You think of a hospital as a place of quiet, rest and repose .. Get th~t out of your head .. A nurse shoves a thermometer into your puss every seuen minutes and then asks how you are feeling as she holds your wrist .. Holds your wrist 1 El ~hink of it1 Not your hand or your head but your wrist .. Between thermometers there are tablets and pills and spoons and needles and endless drinks .. This ends only when the nurse is utterly exhausted and can't think of anything else. The poor patient never gets a moment to himself until he sees her swoon .. How pleasant it is to see a nurse swooning .. So my first word of counsel to you girls who are graduating tonight is to trust in the Lord and leave the patient alone" Let him lie .. Give him a chance .. weak and helpless condition .. Do not take advantage of his �Page 3- Magic and Medicine ~hese exercides, tonight under such happy auspices, should be held not on graduation but when the class enters probation .. There are so many things one like myself could aay to them helpfully when they are beginning. Now you are practically beyond human aid .. There are some rules for success that I should like to lay down for beginners in the nursing profession. is: Always be firm with the superintendent. The first of these SuperintendentsJ are important, of course, but they need to be under control. Probationers have a duty here. But we hage doctors here with us too. There is no branch known to surgery that could not be carried out here now. r£veryone of you has a date with history. It is a date which ushers in the significant period toward which all up-to-now has been merely an approach .. If I have a word of advice it is this. Build your education brick on b1~ick so that at every recurring year you are better and wiser than at the year before. Mix your vocation with an atl'ocation .. A Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, of eighteen centuries ago, left a homely pattern of his life, just as good now as when he uttered it: "I learned endurance of lEJbour, and to want little, and to work with my own hands, and not to meddle with other people's affairs, and not to be ready to listen to slander, and not to busy myself with trifling things, and to endure freedom. ot speech, �Page 4 - Magic and Medicine and to become intimate with philospphy. 11 Looking over this class with a keen and careful scrutiny one calls to mind the order of Sir Guy Carleton issued to the superior of the Nursing Sisters in Quebec: that no novice w~s to be admitted into the nursing order under the age of thirty years. Apparently that edict hns been rescinded. Three nurses were sent out by a niece of Cardinal Richelieu in 1639 to establish the first hospital in Quebec. have the f:irst nurses and the first hospital.. their work in a nice enough house .. There you '.I'he ladies began It was a gift from the famous Company of One Hundred Associates. There were no beds so the nurses piled up branche~ of trees. At daybreak on the first morning the patients were found to be covered with caterpillars. Locally the hospital vvas known as the House of Death, a name appropriate enough for death order of the day. Wc!S the Death or not patients kept flooding in till the hospital had to take over other houses and cabins .. The history of Hotel Dieu makes an heroic chapter in the humanitarian annals of Canada .. Then when a young woman signed an application to begin training as a nurse she signed at the same time her own death warrant .. Epidemics, plagues, scourges, infections - the science of medicine knew not what to do with them. hospital. of fire. Cases flocked to the The nurse as she battled diseases stood in the line Few nuases survived, but it is a fact that gaps in the ranks were always immediately filled .. �Page 5 - Magic and Niedicine Disease, indeed, if it did not write the early history of our explorations, our battles and ou~ colonization, certainly guided the hand that wrote., Disease was here on this earth before the arrival of man .. it 1Nas here in America among the Indians when the first white man came. The Indian knew Indian d£kseases, and, magic apart, he knew pretty well how to alleviate and how to cure. man brought his own diseases with him .. The white The Indian wa$".l.ost in the forest of new disabilities and pains. The first licensed practitioner in Upper Canada was a Scotchman .. It would be a Scotchman .. His name was John Gilchrist .. He passed successfully examinations in physic, surgery and midwifery.. He walked seventy miles from Copbourg to Toronto to be examined by the medical board .. on the 5th of June, 1810.. That license was issued He settled at Ottomabie township where he ran a grist mill, a general store, and, appropriately enough for a surgeon, a saw mill .. Later in Port Hope he established the Upper Canada Academy, the child of which is Victoria College .. John Strachan, VIT.I'.' iting in the Kings ton Gazette, 1814, said of doctors:ttThey comprehend not the causes or nature of diseases; are totally ignorant of anatomy, chemistry and botany .. taught .. There are men who have never been regularly They are indeed so unschooled as to be unable to read the books on medicine and surgery .. " �Page 6 - Magic and Medicine I have aeen a doctor's account of a little later than Strachan 1 s letter .. I quote two words from it:medsin whene It seems hard to have confidence in such scholarship .. Later still, 1852, the Don jail was considered in so foul a state of insanitation that a new jail was built for the comfort of the prisoners~- Then the old jail was put to use as an asylum for the insane .. Pnoper care for the insane was then an idea that w9ys just abornine; .. Medical science did not know about the fly, the flea, the mosquito, - yes, and the rat. Nor the virtues of clear water, clean milk, clean food and elean living .. I am old enough to remember the chain comb that hung beside the roller towel in every hotel washroom .. This comb and towel are long gone to be joined in quite recent years by the worst pestilent horror of them all - the common drinking cup .. J., Crumline is still with us .. cup .. Dr .. Samuel He is the man who banished the common On a train one day he saw a little girl drink next from the same cup after a man of unspeakable disease and filth .. Doctor Crumline vowed that the common drinking cup be driven from the face of the earth .. He devoted his life to it and at last succeeded .. The history of my youth is scored and scored, across and across, with the sad tale of tuberculosis, diptheria and typhoid .. Tuberculosis is rapidly making its exit .. I have not known a case of diptheria or t~phoid in a quarter century .. �Page 7 - Mt;Jgic and Medicine We talk glibly about the hardy pioneer .. Well, he was hardy if he lived but he didn't live, except an odd one here and there, and his children died like flies .. Doctor Tallman took a decade in the Niagara Peninsula of a century and a quarter ago and on examination of the church records, the cemetery records, the newspapers, and such other information he could get, found that the average age of those whose deaths were recorded was 25 years .. expectancy was 19 years .. In rural Ireland in 1848 life l!l!:X In medieval Englanl it was 8 years. Now it is nearly 70 years .. Medical science may well say of itself: I am the strongest force operating in modern civilization for the betterment of the human race .. I have said that disease was here on earth lying in wait for the human race and man's earliest efforts were aimed at meeting it, at slaying the dragon .. is in a cave in the Pyrenees. The oldest of all portraits That portrait is 15,000 years old. It is the porttait of a doctor, the first portrait of a human being. This learned man is dressed in skins. His ovm skin is painted and he has fastened to his h~ad a pair of antlers. His armour is magic, charms, incantations, for the original idea of sickness was that it came from the elements, the wrath of God, or the malice of the devil. Hippocrates was the first to throw a bomb into the bogus temple. Medical seience has been throwing bombs ever since and the work is not yet done. All down through the ages Science has had to fight its way against ignorance and superstition. �Page 8 Magic and Medicine Out of ignorance and superstition was born medicine man and second the quack .. natural fruit. first the Quackery is, indeed, a very It lives in our own time. Icf did more than live, it flourished in the age just before ours. attended on her deathbed by quacks. ;t;l;;f Queen Anne was The great Doctor Samuel Johnson went to be touched by her for the king's evil., Pepys life was spared as he went in and through the great plague of 1665., He had a rabbit's foot in his pocket .. The logic of it is hard to urrl erstand .. The m.egro as he threads his way through the woods is solilcbquizing .. He is off to get a rabbit .. He wants a rabbit foot to give to his wife so she will have good luck.. The hunt~d rabbit overhears and says to himself, says he: 11 Pve had fo 1 rabbits> foots All ma born days But they don't 1 pear to have Brung good luck my ways .. 11 The reasoning of the rabbit is unanswerable .. It ts a curious fact that tflhe oldest complete bool-c known to man is a medical work, a compendium of all the medical knowledge known in Egypt 35½ centuries ago .. The book was found by a German, Georg Ebers, in 1878 and it bears his name, the Papyrus Ebers .. You will find there our old friends cancer, T .. B.. , and pyorrhea.. While it is a medical work it is very generous in its inclusions. It tells what to do about mice and li~e, about bald heads and falling arches. A cure for indigestion: Take a hog's tooth, powder it and mix it with sugar cakes. Today we look to the hog to alleviate the pains of indigestion. We powder his pancreatic gland and make sugar- coated pills of it. �Page 9 - Magic and lVTed:icine Another cure: 1Jin1.en evil has happened to the eye, take half a human brain, mix it vdth honey and annoint the eye .. 'When I read that first I concluded that the brain donor was made a dead man .. in Egypt But no doubt, there were realms tbf surgery 35c½ centuries ago that 1950 knows nothing about. In other words the brain donor gave half his brain, had the aperture filled with sawaust or excelsior, was sewn up and sent on his way, just as good as ever except that he hit on,6only one cylinder mentally .. But he lived his life, tjlarried his kind, begat his kind in a race clearly marked right down to the present day .. F'ron these ranks we ¼have drawn some of our poets and politicians, and our starred generals .. This address could not close better than with a quotation from Sir William Osler: "Yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a viston, but today well-lived makes every yesterday a drearn of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope .. 11 Our vision of hope centers about the su6cess of the doctor, the service of the hospital, the trained intelligence and skills, and the devotion of the nurse. Rational medical practices grew as a flow~r out of the soil of the early civilizations. Surgery blossomed, certain drugs became well attested and, above all, c2me hygiene, the preventative medicine .. It was the ,n Jews who first developed a sound and rational code of hygiend. religion0 police. They at once built that code into their Sanitation became religious; priests were sanitary �Page 10 - Magic and Niedicine But it was the Greeks who first l e a n e ~ ~ science, who built the first wall separating religion an~science .. They removed mystery from medic'ne and made it a practice, " not of magic, .mm not of rel:lgion, but of common sense .. ••• • fv.Jedicine long ago began to alleviate suffering by experience, • observation and reason .. Surgery had a difificult road to travel .. Jndeed, for a thousand years .. It was forbidden, That made the surgeon a member 1 of a disp,sed profession and the going got mighty good for the charlatan., The medical practitioner was put in the same class as the sorcerer and the magician .. Supernatural means of cure were so abundant there was something irreligious in seeking cure by natural causes .. Anathema was thrown at the famous medical school,! at Salerno when it established rules of diet -- as though a natural function like eating could have any affect on a person's health. In reading Richard ~urton•s Anatomy of Melancholy I was astounded to read so many quotations/ from Jerome Cardano. I began a study of the Italian. Columbus and his 11 So He belonged about the time of Cardanus Comforte 11 was brought out in English by the Earl of Oxford in 1573• He did more than any other doctor of whom I haw knowledge to inject common sense into his medical practice and into his teaching as a professor$ A very great Scotchman who had been long at death's door was cured by Cardano 8 who did no more than take the booze and menu from the great man® �Page 11 - lVfagic and dicine Cardano published 10 medical works, and more than that on in mathernatics"which field he was an expert .. he died in his old age in a broken-hearted poverty. because he tried unsuccessfully to save his son who had been sentenced to death for the murder of his wife. Doctor Cardano bribed everyone from the king down .. Queen Anne and Louis XIV of France did a great business in setting out to cure Kings Evil ( a sort of scrofula, by the exercide of merely touching the patient. It is said that Charles II, the debauchee, so touched over one hundred thousand persons, Catholic and Protestant, legitimate and illegitimate~ But the old era has almost completely passed away with the sail, the house and the ox, and I our 01m feet.. The automobile drove these things out. The/0 '~ era seems as far away as Babylon /\ and Carthage. Science drove magic out of medicine. But some new disabilities have crowded in. The automobile has brought them in in such volume as to exceed the wars in casualties, filling the hospitals, jamming the courts, clogging the highways, harrassing the doctors. Nfaybe the total gain is not so great after all-. All down through history the doctor has had not only to do his job but also to fight his way through a wall of ignorance and superstition for disease came from three sources, the wrath of God, the malice of Satan, the machinations of un:firiendly elements .. In the p~gue of 1834 in Ontario the church took the of wicked people. Dr~ Elam a book laying down some �ge 12 - Magic and lvleaicine scientific elements back of the outbreak .. That I believe was the first medical book published in Canada. No wonder the priestly class controlled the healing art in Egypt and Assyria, in Persia and Ind:ia , in Greece and Judea. I-Uppocrates was the first to throw a bomb into the old structnre, but its walls lingered with us long. I knew a pradtitioner who had never seen a medical school .. His parkine; lot was constantly covered with many antomobiles, for patients came from far and near. no partinulars of their illnesses. He asked his patients for He removed a hair from a patient's head and from a close examination of it he could recognize the disease and prescribe the cure. me for I never felt that I had a hair to spare. He never treated He died ten years ago:i evidently having failed to exandne his own hair. I should like to speak to you before I am through about the doctor as a man of letters, and in that I could not begin better than with Doctor William Osler, who beside his exalted place in medicine ranked high in many fields. He was curator of the great Bodleian library, he was delegate to the most famous and most important, and oldest press in the world, the Oxford University Press; he was president of the Hibliogra phfo al Society and President of the Classical Association .. From his boyhood he carried with him tlrough life an intense and inslktiablehunger for books, a hunger that ended finally in the presentation of his marvellous library to McGill University. �Page 1.3 - Magic and Medicine For reasons ·tbat I know not medical men have been notorious bookmen, and our literature is rich in the gifts they have iliaid on the altar.. l:t7rom Dr .. Thomas Brown vve got Urn Burial, and The Gardens of Cyprus. From Thomas Rabelais came the tales of G8 rgantua and Pantagruel .. Francis Brett Young, a doctor and son of a. doctor, left us thirty books" was Tobias Smollett .. Goldsmith was a doctor; so Shelley and Keats walked the hospitals. Tchekov, the Russian, Alex Munthe of our own day, and Conan Doyle of yesterday w·ere doctors.. We have our own Doctor Drummond .. Nor could I complete this catalogue without naming Oliver~ Wendell Holmes, ,.not the_ Chief Justice, ,_but his father who was Au t '!~•;-;,,, "~if' fht ,•i~:~t/i~t"T:f~~;: :!11\\~ ~J}<;,' ~~'.[i/'';·~ 't~ '~nd ~~- indeed until I wonder if any other profession has approached medicine in its contributions to the literature of the ages. The old time doctor was turned into a ,joke and if a joke was ever# to be played a doctor was the butt of i·t.. did that and he himself was a doctor. He tells of a doctor who called to col:OOct his fee and was beaten to death.. supposed to be funny. he did not possess. had. E:ven Rabelais rrhat was The old doctor pretended to knowledge There was no proper medical education to be Quackery abounded .. In the eldest of all medical books we find tuberculosis, pyorrhea, tumors, abscesses, and fevers; old remedies like must:i:trd, castor oil and hartshorn .. For baldness the cure was to rub the head with a mixture made up of fats from the hippopotamus, the lion and the goose .. Now we have Vitalis .. None of these are now mentioned on TV. �Page 14 - Magic and Medicine Sir James Frazer in his in 1922. 11 The Golden Book" shook the world He had so much to say of the lore of charms, incanta- tions and other vain devices, spread among all primitive people aimed to beat the devices of disease .. In his tale he took in almost all lands and almost all known ages -- India and the islands Ugantja, Africa, Burma. i:;J.~l onslaught disease ever made on the human race was by the Black Death of 1348 .. It reached every inhabited corner of the world and carried off, it is estimated, 600 million people. It destroyed a larger proportion of the ~pulation of every European and Asiatic city than did the bomb at Hiroshima .. The Roman Celsus wrote eight books on medicine: Internal diseases, operation&, cataract and tonsillectomy; cures such as mandrake, rd tre, saffron and iris .. I quote from Celsus one piece of advice to the surgeon: He "should be youthful or in early middle age, with a strong and steady hand, as expert with the left hand as with the right, with vision sharp and clear, and spirit undaunttd; so far void of pity that he is not moved by cries to go too fast, or cut less than is necessary .. " There are a few more brief quotations that I should like to leave with you illastrating as they do the devious path of medicine through the ages .. We come, for instance, in 1140 to Musandinus with his textbook of sickroom cookery.. more than a mere cook book,. But it is: It tells, to give but one instance, how the physician should comport himself. Here it is: "When �Page 15 - Magic and Medicine cal~ d to a, patient commetld yourself to God and to the angel who guided Tobias,. On the way, learn as much as possible from the messenger, so that, if you discover nothing in the patient's pulse, you may stilJ astonish him and gain his confidence by your knowledge of his case .. Sit down, take a drink, and praise the beauty of the country and the house, or extol the liberality of the family .. Do not be in a hurry to give an opinion for the patient will be more grateful for your judgment if he has to wait for it .. 11 For a piece of psychology over eight hundred years old, I think that is not bad .. Skip another century for this cure from the pen of Gilbertus Anglicus.. This is for gout: 11 Skin a fat puppy and stuff him with cucumber, rue, juniper; the fat of goose, fox and bear in equal parts .. Then boil him and add wax to the grease that floats on the top .. 11 There you have an ointment that will cure gout .. Gilbertius, the Englishman, was of Montpellier -- the greatest medical university of its time .. Another JVIontpellier worthy, Henri de Mandeville (1260 - 1320) 700 years agoJ advice to doctors: 11 If the patient is a business man false letters may be written telling him of the death of his enemies. 11 If he is a Canon of the Church, he should be told that the bishop is dead and that he is elected. 11 When treating an accident the friends should be excluded �Page 16 - Magic and l\lfedicine or they may faint and cause a disturbance; nevertheless a higher fee may be obtained from persons fainting and breaking their heads than from the principal patient .. 11 It was another Montpellier man, Arnold of Villa Nova, who began his boolc on poisons with these sentences: 11 In this book I propose, with God's help, to consider diseases of women, since women are poisonous creatures., of venomous beasts .. I shall then treat if the bites 11 In our day, under our very eyes, medicine is making its greatest advances of all time .. At the San Francisco conference of the United Nations there was formed a fforld Health Organization .. The aim of xcience has overleaped the parish, the and the State., II r Its parishJ is now, indeed, the world .. 1., To promote maternal and child welfare .. 2., To foster activities in the field of mental health., 3., To promote improvement in nutrition, housing, sanitation. Medicine has moved into a new and more enlightened age .. I � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Magic and Medicine" address by Louis Blake Duff https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/7ee6f3876d823aa77cd1973f81360af1.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=uLouK8h6xO1vQH07MWGpwwcgwSC3-BzZRKKaRVG1h12jDvU783%7EeS7OC4IBx30kakzx2MIbOWQ0X7PrcKi9VuTyRmUZE07DAcxJD5GouFWsAWU-ydowFI9GI912JmBB%7Ee4Ur-8%7EP--HgUJZpeZuenToMm4QUcZevzN%7EQ5QYWh6A3IQY9RHziF00N2yNAnpRumnBBzKThYise7sfA2lsZ-sSPodZCJIoqozgIg84nF8FCRgJHEk2PQ0NzGSyXuv%7EqxmdRnz0wdgj37zhEWIFFIeZQ75ujKVsmQW%7E2-zBzNJfxJvswWOkjuG1FzsHkYCx7CoV9yHdaeqz8lSryGK4iUw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM df7f11d4e744c2e829c4d4948f662908 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Welland Hospital Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Magic and Medicine" address by Louis Blake Duff Subject The topic of the resource Magic and medicine Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the address"Magic and Medicine" address by Louis Blake Duff. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." Also included in the files is an ad from the April 22, 1948 edition of the Welland Tribune, which promoted a speech called "Medicine and Magic" by Duff at the Niagara Peninsula Sanatorium (now the Hotel Dieu-Shaver Hospital). However in this speech he is addressing an unspecific graduating class, so he may have re-worked it for a graduation event at a later date. In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Hotel Dieu-Shaver Hospital Louis Blake Duff Niagara Peninsula Sanatorium Nursing https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/e11b5ad67fd34353584ac7eae709e72a.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=dy7g-VpYginq1u0TL9DSysytAqq9yac96H9v7hzbngY%7ExlSauKG-IDPbbhNBo-upM5mLsd-1M5Fsvea5%7ECah0vkCSFazDT-3l40FV7VYSGr4P-wPYPk2DRt2LoeiKAuCMb9aVlbXebtSdn2Tg1n8hO6h8d5xyWAoaiyF6eaFsFK5De669qh6v8tuSJBWYpsAPWdTlaWqjZIW7-7r87wUxNV%7Eg-HV82JE96MVs3NUrxwVbtBmyu%7Ei0eGUc8QEw77mPZJkJ2T8gVPV4rR7s1LJhFpq5w%7E09CpkgIBXLjrmmMZx5XtFxjmyAKzP%7EsoNQcL2n2KYpe1BRXStAj6HmrikNw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 817210654766245d302261b5dc962400 PDF Text Text lJ t I 1 t- �(2) ccvered with oa.terpillorB. \ Locally the hospital wns known e. s the House of Death, o name a1.ipro:1rinte enough for death of the d.e.y. W,c1.e t~:;.e order Death or not put1ente kapt floodin~r iri til1 the hospital had to ta.2.~e over. other houses and ca.,bine.. The history of in the h.umcm1 tar1tm annals Hottil Dieu of Canada,. trainins as a nuree she signed at. the s~i.me time her own de<:.:th warrant. Epidemics, ;'>lagues, sooure;es, 1n!'eot1cns - the science of meatclne 1tneH not 1:ba.t to do w1 th them. hoapito,l. fl.re. Cases flocked to ths The.,mn·se as aha battled d1eeaaee stood in the line of Few nurses survived, but 1 t 1s a fact tha.t ge.ps in the ranks were always 1m·ned1a t,!,'.{ly ftlled. Disease, indeed, if 1 t did not w:r.1 te thG earls history of our exploro.ti ons, OLH' battles and our colonize,t 101'1, eert11inly guided the h9.,nd thri t wrote. D1setiae was here on this aa.rtr.t 'befor::: the, urriv•:i,l of man. It w~us here in Amer1cn. amonz the Indirins when th.G first wb.1 t6 m:;1n came. well hm1 to :.:.i.l.levi:,te and how t,o cure~ own d:teaases w1 th him. The wh1 ta rna.n brm.1rht his Thii Indi.:1n was lost in the forest of new d1eab11.1t1ae and paina~ The first 11cens·,~d :pr,rnt1 tioner in Upper Oani:,da. It would be a. Scotchma.n. WR.e. His rmme was John Gilchrist. a Sootchman. He .f)a.ss.:.:.d successful.ly examlne.tiona in phy!3ic, surgery and midwifery.. He w·:111-::ed soventy milE,s from Cobourg to Tor•::::mto mwto be examined by the m-sdica1 bor:rd. Th<:.1t :u.cenE1e war1 issued on the 5th of June, 1810. He set~led at Ottomabie township i11ers he ren a grist mill, mill. Later in Port Hope he eatabllshad the Upr,er Canftd:::1. Acac1emy, tr1e child of wl'.11.ci:1 is V1ctorle. COllsge. John Straoh2.n writin,:i: in the Ki:ncB"ton Gazwtte, 1814, s;,::,,id of �(3) doctors:''They comprehend. not. the \ and botany,, 'l'hGr,-; 1J.r3 m~n oau::H:.>S or nature of who have nE:ver been. to he unable to read the boo1ca on me(!ic1n$ at!d surgery .. 11 letter . . I quote three word.a from 1t:- whene choked., It seitm::, ha.rd to have oonf idenoe in auah schol~rsh1p. t>o., Ln.te-r- ztl:Ll, 1852, tha ~m ,jail was conslder-ed 1n ao roul a s tat,,, of ina.fln1 tatlon th.:,.t a new ja.i.l was biJ 1lt ror the comfort for the inaane. the roller tmml 1n evs:ry hc)tf'.>J. wnsb!'oom. ?hh:; oomb and towel are lo:tt_7 sonf;:'? t.o 'bo joined tn qul te: re oant yer1rs. by tho wor~t :r-,ef'!tile:nt h0rrot<of' thcnn aJJ. - tbt'3 cornc1on dr1.nk1n5 otJp., cup, r:1.fter ,:~ r:ien or unsp1'H1kab1~ d1aease and rtlth,. Dr. Sa1nuel DootffP Crumline vowsd thnt the common dr1.nlrinf! oup be d.rtven :t"ro1,i the face of the e,9.rth, f:fo devoted bis life to 1t, Hnd ~t lA.sh euoc1:1eded. �( 4} he lived ·:.rnt he didn't li.ve, except an odd one here and. there, / Doctor Ti:t1lme.n ·took a. decade and ~1ls ohi1dren died lllce flier.. in the Ni arl· Feninsul3 of' n century an:3 a qucart&r rctf?O and on ,yf t\·,.s church records, the came"t.€•ry rernords, the nnd atrnh otber tnformm.t1on t·H~ could eet1 ~~found that In rurnl IrAl;::,n,:i in 181l8 life e:xpGctancy W98. 19 years. In Now i t 1s over 60 ..vsars . Msdi.ca.l Science may well say of' "ttsalt': I liEU the strongest !oroe o:psr·ltine 1n modern oivilht'3.t1on for the bettaI•mant of' the humrm race. in wHit for the human r~.ce ond. m<'lri I B &,:;i,rl h1et efforts were r~.ed at m,~eti116 ·r~1e oldewt of 1;.ll :portraits 1s in a it, st slay:i.n.g the dragon. That portr.:i.i t 1.e. 15000 yee.rs old. cave :i..n :Pyreneas. It t8 n doctor, the firnt portral t. of a humo,n being. portr111.t l@P.rne(l man is dre es,~d tn sldns. has fastened. 1:.o l1 ta l1e,'.:"1d f.I the This Hls own e.k1n is painted and he prlir of antlore. ~rmour is magic, ch.'.irms, inoantntions, .. for thfl orir::tns.l idea of atcknese was that it oane froFi the the de,ril. 0 laments, the wrnth of God, or the m'llioa H1ppocrates w::is the f 1:rst boe;ue temple.. tr.) throw ri bomb tntc. the Med1.c1.1J.. irn:tence has been throwing bor.nbs ~nn tJ!1e work is not yet done~ ot ever since All down through the ~.fee Science Out of ignorrmce ,Tnd suparsU."tion 'l';as born first the medicine mn:a and second the quaok. fr,Jit. Quackery 1a, 1ndaed, a vary n:,turn.l It lives 1n our own tlme~ It dl1d mor, thgn live, 1t fl01...1ri1::.hed in t,he aee just. beforE o:..rrs. !'HJ~ d.ecithbed by cgw.oke. Qeen Anne was att.1:tnded on The gr,::at. Doctor Sr.•.;;:uel Johnson ·want to be ev'il. foot in his pocket.. 'l'hG logic of it in hard to 1.,mderat;.rmd., �(5) The nesro as he threads his way t;1rough the woods ia soliliquz1ng. Hs :u, off t-;) f!at n rnb1:)i't. He W(tnte to give to hio wife eo she will have goad luck. :-¾ rabbit f'oot The hunted rabbit overhears and aays to himself eaya he I 'va had t' o' nL bb1. te foots All mR bor•11 days But tbsy dcm 1 t 'pea!' to lia.ve Brung Erood luok my ways., The rz:1ason1ng of the rabbit is una.nswer~Ible .. It is tit curious fact tt1P,t the oldest complete book known tc man is a medical worlr:, a. compendium: of all the medical knowledse knui,,m 1n Egypt 35½ centuries ~go. 'rhe book we,s found by a German, Georg Ebers, 1n 1878 and 1 t 'bears hia :name the Pap-vrus Ebers. ., L ... You will '!!I, ~ • find there our old fri-3nds C"-1.ncer, T.B., and. phyrobi.a~ s med1.cal work :l.t is very generous 1n1ts inclusions. While i.t is It tells what to do :1bout mioei .!;!Dd lice, abo:.it bald heads r-;.nd f":\lllng arches,. A cure\ for in.d1trestion: Today we lock. to the hoe: to r~ llevl:J te the r>B.ins 1..-ith sug-e.r ccllrns. or ind1gs::,,tion. 'Take e. hoe's. tooth, powder it and mix it we powd.er his panoreatio ghmd and make sugar- co~ted pills of it. Another cure; When evil has happened. to the ~ye II tN.lte hrAlf a human brain, m1x it with honey and anno111t the eye,. 1:!hen I rend th'J.t first I concluded tbet the brain donor was made ;,:\ dead rnan* But Egypt 35i centuries 110 ::i.t~o dbobt, there were r~:iolros in surgs:ry in that 1951 k:nows nothing- about.. words the brain donor gave half hie brain, ht::i.d w1th eawduat or excelslor, was sewn U~) t!.'18 ":l.nd sent. on In other 1:1.perture filled his way, Just as t:;ood as aver exoept that h.e hlt on only one cyl l.nd.ar men.tally .. But he 11vea. tits llfe 1 married his kind., begnt, hie 1c1nd 1.n s. race clearly marked_ rie;h t down to the preser;t d:..ty., From these ran1r.s ,:re draw s.:Jm6 of our poets and pol1t1.oians, and our starr.sd e:enerals. An address to '.1 gri1duatinz: class could not close better th 11n with. a quotation from Sir W1111am Osler: 0 Yesterd:,:.y is but a dream, �(6) hope. 11 Our• vi.:!1.on of 1·.,4.)~ oonters ab(mt the ~-ri,rncBss of t.hs doctor, th.e service of' the ho13 pi t.11l• ti-ic. trr,1. lned :t:nteJlieenoe ttnd skills, and the devotion of tt1e nurse .. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Address by Louis Blake Duff at the graduation of nurses - Women's College Hospital, Toronto, at Convocation Hall, June 1, 1951 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/5674868860fa5c356f7b2daebae493be.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=eIE91uL8Kv9FXDKyWzrO2v52a6w48zbHP1wSrdFnZ3nFHNpV-8gQSbjrq1B9JqlNoCKRnnV1ysqd4U9mDfAwYbZt5VnGNRA-TcsLzU1PJXbTg8%7EX9iDQj9AJS0K6zF4UXyd60dK6idZXflwEKoCm%7EOKCQlM0%7EZ2SRmolbu%7Etzyx52cV9hjGv0vv4J5Im6yC3gMlm4N%7EuPIa2vFAe2wGuk-MvLjYzdRrDuU1O6DGMNEKg77Q64pJ46rSIL9WIPf3l16MhHo8OiKadwRsU6x7q1z4Q%7EI-SWGYOjduJ0Kb4y1HQFZdZgKFxcLcRT3ZKf9agAkrDj2SpJ4yMsD-E4z2DTg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM c0704c535c9c442e916c611abcca72ce Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Celebrations, Events & Holidays Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Address by Louis Blake Duff at the graduation of nurses - Women's College Hospital, Toronto, at Convocation Hall, June 1, 1951 Subject The topic of the resource Graduating nurses Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of an address by Louis Blake Duff at the graduation of nurses - Women's College Hospital, Toronto, at Convocation Hall, June 1, 1951. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." Also included in the files is an excerpt of an article about the proceedings from the June 2, 1951 edition of The Globe & Mail, focused on the speech Duff gave. In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951/06/01 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Toronto Louis Blake Duff Nursing https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/7e79694539d590944689b57d96cfab0a.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=ddi6lS3UhJD-DoZojzU2PalOWMD43SfOzL8rF4J28JZgmW7mZJHasqeOxk1DWtYACrIY7i-dWyMmaIwyRoA99yNik7oqe5i4zw7teATUBCw70xOZ5sg9HL1OICWv7JEvp9ri3LfNwcCk1FdvIjP87pAzJOsskJilCaT1SOYY%7E75wZZ4RA22Lt32YxaTVXHvVHZMLAZ522FtbM24nTo0naGorlYZYv32%7EDisO5uV43UjnmD%7EIN2IEVnHBtXK9IdyLfJOYFVEKabGuyje%7EIb4uVzTdZCZO5zpDN1bqMUXNEs%7EM4DShbiR3e0P-vURr68%7Eg%7ETo4b5zRcSfU8YdL1-K2Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 8ddcaf7c0894e464ce91f7f0d674f7ea PDF Text Text by Lou:ts Bloke Duff Ilrid~os occupy an lmport:1nt plnce 1n the lives of nntiru1s, gre:1t cities und ltttlo huntlota; tHl Lwco.usn of i't:1 thr<:e-wiy untrnncc. lmport.ont place, too, iii An engineer D thonsnnd yoars w)w tevo:e to the \to:rld, hut it :Ln ·11m:>l<I-kn01.m f t>r tho mero 1.•no :wn i'>ovnn Gou,::::. f'ro111 the Yon aro rlr;ht. 1.1/hnt ln·'idc;o c:onhl thnt he? lak:GG It ls and seas rineking ont:rnnce to the 1Uar{nra, or ex:i:t from :t t;" hnt ru thflI' thnt it .:in l1u t3 k:i1otm ... 'fhc tho C~J~,-::r1 teat Chrlnt of the An.(loz; r,1())1 lJitlOH ho:1 ' t to pc:wco of tl1,J world conrse, more poetry �Po.go 2 - P('HWO Built in it; tt strllrns thc1 1•1m:o nrid1~e; 1:lhnt Hnilt tho Pflo.ce? truly nl:::io on thn r0liGious note. The Pooce Hridge, however, ts tho g:lgantic Monm,1ent, the ontr,taudine ·tl1i" . . 1·1° L':), C(Y}'J.' i 1·1rr . . . J .. 1'0il+ ~ . u '." Cl of Cnrwda. mr.m dally at their tanh::s, nati.ons j.:r1 thoir /l.F: r,)r automohiles: as rr1nny 1:HJ 32,000 hnvo passed in a [1'1-.tt~ln (wy. nen norld tn v1.h:lcl:t 'l'hin f :tc~nre I quote revenln thu :neighbo:rlj.ness 1:m J tvo;y, ln a r:hnln yonr only 50 rnitomo1J1los \ror•e ,:dm:l ttod at nll the Dtatlstlcs. $'0 :ln a yoor at 011 norts Jn Gnrwda in 190:2; '1'.lw PoDco nrt(le;e is 25 yenrs old nnJ the onuJvcrsnry r;lvos ono a p:rooor excusn to talk of. :Its history nn<! the s0r:icH{ of clearly u cUnnor hel<l n.·t tho old Stutler notol in Bnf:Calo in July, l 1)JA * Thnt di.nnor wns ·to henr tho fJ.rst call to the c~ountrie s tn build a r110nrn.-1nnt to their c:inc:lent peuce -- t.lwn nbbut a century old. rci Buff'nloninn It rms () nn.ffnlo idaa. 1;1:Hle thn 1°:oyrwto apeech.. Buffalo f .tred thn shots, One hundr.•ed men were there decided that nn :lntornut1onu1 body should bo .f.o:r.r,10.d to �'tk, pence bnt1,10cm Conndn and tho United Staten. nan p1~npo1:::od an(l Go<·1 disposed rdth:i.nt, ,.1 mouth~~)!;{ n r nc'.. .sornH1ness of thn purr,noo of tlwt July meettng; bnt befu:rn 1 ·1' .,l\18/J the two Gnuntrics 1.s vms opened. 1i1t1ch r.io:ro oordial tlwn on tho de.y tho 1n.. 1t1go Fnrthor, tt seer,1::: end.dent todny that tho mutnol confldence and trust, s plr:U:; of co-opuratlon nnd helpfulness will �·1.1orld over, a lmnd betuoon tvro nntions jt{)'i thn:b havo been nt r,eace tluit ac do J :Hrn our no:i.1~h1Jour., ll'J10 b:rtde;e hrw brouc;ht us closo. tli.Jt from tl,.:it punccl Schools 011d l1olJCO<H•i collec;es \!OUld lcrnt in hor 1 ;11om1m.ol'.l'tol hlf;tory of the be ro.zec1 by cai tnon hulls, every effort rm lwve mt~de ·to ro.:rnh a ldglwr Jovel would have boen destroy<Hle 'l'he Oanauc1 danding eontinuully in tho atmo.sphere put emphasis on the f1~u:i.ts of peace, tho contont, tho :.:>lches nnd Boeiul woll-betng th,·t havo 1~rorn1 ont of tt. �Pogo r; - Ponco Bnilt the Hride;e; Vlhut Built the Peace? Co r,e look boek to soe i7hat pro ceded the br:tdt;e Dt Fort 1:1GreJ.y to ;_;ho n(ivoluttonary v1::.n•, thn h:lrth of tho i\n1orican nation. f:r,iend of ::n·o corbdnly i:;ho lJetl't:; 11.'ho U.tLL ;;cd Gtc1t0~1 sells ,,1oro goods to ur; than sho do0s to tho Sovio t Union :Ls of trewmdona on'.J: neir;h1Jonr.. Iii st:i.•:.:i teglc :impo:i.•taxwo to \Jf' nnoth<Jr plw::rn, Glturchill sa i.d: 11 l~anada linch-piu betwoen !lroat Dritnin o:nd the Uni•tod States. wt arisen ont; of onr 0110 is the Th:ls has hunch•od rmd. i' ifty yonrs or po ace. Dut the greatest trade betr,eon tho trro nc1t:tonB is uot in Uncle Gara Osler, Do\:n,m.n, 'iinrker arnl Con.:.1nt, dir.;tint~uishod mo:n for hor 1mivorst t:les, and eleven hundro<l p:rofonsm::s bes hles. �'t'JG buy· NOT'e o:i.' Uncle Sam's books th:::m nll o::C the othor l\rilerie,.lS .in :cecon i; yo:q's 8nrn:u :::: t1.rio11 :Jcorcs doul w:J. tb Cana<.ti.an htstor i.cnl, c:.i t -tr~.il and oc:ono1;1ic snb;j ccta. l!n:ited Gt,Jten 1,oats as it Oooo tc tho80J of Cnru.1.dtun ftog:Lstry. ov1nEicl by lfnclo fiam, is ln 'tl 10 rJrnrK3 ea tego:ry, and as a snt'Vi.ce tn ),oth.i rwti.ons. culveuturor. '.thon cn11m 'the 1:i~ttler who v1as to p0oplo tho Arn0rican f)lrnost tlw solo gateway, �throur;h wld.ch f)nt.3sod fror,1 lfow l!inalnnd, tho I1J.ik11e West, then LwJ i vidua.l;:;. '.l1 l10 :3 l:;r Hie .Ji' tlw r,,volt:rt:ton 1.·ms eloi:.1cHl by tho Troqty of n flo 17o3 reprosontat; 1 vos wol."(3 J'ohn Ada.His, v lco-pro8 ido:nt nnder ··.vashin1:ton, nrc to cone upon ,it:;::dn in this fltndy of ponce; nnd Ben Fronltlin. ftl.e tr<3u:ty, while cnr0f1 illy and ccJnsciontion::;ly made, v.1as :found s.ido 1>f the Detroit ntver. Rlghts iu roc;:n·d to seo there: were ·tno Gt. GrolxJ lUvers, so whn t to do? r lsh0rt0s �i1• pr:lnctpl8fj . . of 1812 H1'1t:lsh L,1t Jt b0 ilfflTCH' 1.n<J v.dt;_1.t ;:11:i)rt froM :hidnr~t;or1 to Lowlon in tho wi, ttEn· s Ii(-) 1.:!JHJld difforencen by neGotiiition. r'lo ,._lJunt h:,.v:Lnr~ tho document �.Tuy had nor:tcc::ided too inuch• In tho Un:i. tod 8t::1ton there wn :3 hue ... Anothuv fl)ot110tc scun::.i np1n•opri.R1;o here<> Gastlo tn. County Down, ln➔ ltn1d, I quote thl.'1 11 :evn to iJcotland to challenr;o Lhc ,·lS ,i conclus:l.i.:in :;f ,::1. ::rr:citcils uw.-; :rn i;u prc·t11cd;o ,1 di~:position fuvoroblo tn :'~ooli ncdghborhood 'Hwt :'Ls notov1orthy fen• it stnnds ar; the f' l.rst ffv:i..dcnee in t thn:~ E ; t ~ ~ 1.'~Dtrt;e(~ Unite11 [; t:::toslll friuncll:l:ncs::; bot-:,,1oc:?n Canacl[) nncJ. thc:i It is a pl1L.1s,:i that opened an orch In l t :Ls an 1dea th:1L lla.s grovm und ;:,:ro 1·m fo1 one hund·r,'od rind ftfty yoors 1 'rlw 1n•ayer of ;ray• z 'freuty ww:i carril'ld out until 181?.. uncl om·ious J.n his ~ory. n bo;:;an nftor 1-1.11 tho .i.toms of �cttf:f.'oronco i)utt'Je<-m t';r:i.t11in :md tho United Ctates hnd be<~n 'l'routy uf Ghent. ~1crun -- nut Unnnd inns hod g:::1 Lnoci some: tld ni:; in tho now rol~Ltnc!e Jn tlH)ir own povrer, a now coni'ido.nce c1 ~fohn 1Ju:i.ncy !Id;-, 111:1, son of John Adams, }H 1d ho1pod to 0 <ir-av1 the not m11Uco1y to l8ad to ennfllct. situation at tho time thot Adams' feArs .::ind 300 guns. war □ HrousAd. \Jhy should not Great Ur:ltc1 :i.n build demo, r,hy :.:;hould not the Un:Lted States build 1'1oro? 111.orEi'? Uncle Thot Then the ttm nn tions would .h::,ve ontered a crazy r,;;).eo leading to an inevi.t:J ule eoal or de[ith und destruction. Adnms ::ot machinery on foo·t to cancel tho 1•nce and though he tm □ /Jt culled home to be Gec:rctury , if [3 tD.to tllndor Nonroe, hu left his plans j n the h:mds of two e·ood ti1m1 -- a.tchurd Hush, �tho11.;_;l1 100 tons a11el ,,vEn'u to boar i)U t one :J;trn, ,H1 1;J tghteen pnunder. \i/o llcivo been spe;;kin.-~ and wri.ti113 for. 150 ye,:irs cibout an 1mg1.1t1ruec1 frontier. '.7ell, that r1nn the birth of it. b :irth, too, of our peace, It was the Pec=1 ce has ueen no 1;ic~c5 dent, so1,1ethtnc fortuitous tlrnt grt-=iw of Jt;s own ncco-rd i.n 0111° ,jn:int htf;tory. by cordial 3000 will u11d cordlnl cood will seems likoly to maintain :i. t to tho on<1 of tim<'h �I 1:011wr!::;s inn :i..s 0118 of' the f oremo:::;t of thane. Jt 1,m r: his thn TJnl tecl C',1-,,.l.J..,-, '" Li t.,,_, l,,,'-" L) ' in ,Jl1 nndnr:,tnndlng .:1ro 'l'lie gron t; ~oa eci Dr:ldr~o spmmin;~ th.:c) rU.~q,;afa tnduy 1001: ,''.1 :rnck O!! it::. ,,rtsi,tou ui' ,.,. quortcn~ of a e(n:.tirc-y '.1old:ln1:; b()fo,~n mon 1 fyes t1w v:lsi.on of peo.ce; Jou:;.s lw.ck on nc::urly- n. eent1rcy nmI r1 .l-wlf of peace i'or 'vtrhich .·u t1 hmds ;:Is monument; looks .forward to the lon:-r, nwrn.uos uf tho futnro drn'Jn which pouc0 will rmlk, may wo hope 11 to tho 0-nd of time. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Peace Built the Bridge; What Built the Peace?" essay by Louis Blake Duff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bridges Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Peace Built the Bridge; What Built the Peace?" essay by Louis Blake Duff Subject The topic of the resource Peace Bridge Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the essay "Peace Built the Bridge; What Built the Peace?" by Louis Blake Duff. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1952 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Louis Blake Duff Peace Bridge https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/b98dcb46b8f15e9a0584901eea20caf2.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=MbvP20xXjeBPmoeOfuU9oNcyzV1do5HnYXSjRd0nJJFKojfItlltKvJD8PuN05lq5BgaVekZyzHIQwMW6Y78tbwY6e51TgeuIt%7EMJvjStFfKkTvgwMnLe1B7nNjX8-8FxqfdBCYlvl1MxD3tEN9RDtDiULaJ3yJwFuUcSiKK%7E0Y0xFBBTvKJWrZuTS4jc4ci-KKud4LShLzOHrqAdV8K3g0ET9QluvZd2GU33gft5p5Ouj3%7E0yXkaHYVe0TB6b3aBbcZNrCRjl4NzUidc8BDPyxU%7E5NzEnwV-rCkTpebA4Nv7YKCkotoMDhBBmHecIXN1c9OfeXML3mBGSN6bjT59A__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 1e5c31c414faa2a207696947304de8d0 PDF Text Text ,iV I .I /I A glance at place-nnmes reveals at once pecu1iarities, incongruities, ine itudes, and history.. for instance as a case to begin with. Take Picadil1y An area of ten acres outside of London at that time was owned by a widow named G6l:Lghty. died in 1596 and her heirs sold the plot for £50• She The purchaser was a. London tailor named Robert Bar·ker, who at once erected on the land an ED::ceed ingly pretensious house.. Homes did not have names then but the Cockney humorists gave the Barker house a name-PickacUlly Hall, a sirlelong svvlpe at Barker's business and the means by which he had made h:i.s fortune, for pickadills were a ruffled collar worn by the gentry of that era~ So tl1.e area came to be known e.s Piclrndilly and when a street came it was naturally called Piekac1illy ,Street, one of the best known streets in the vvorld~ Now the theatre cent1~e of London, its fame was much increased by a soldier's song in the first world war. While the world has come upon Pickadilly in a strange manner there are many others in the same catagory.. Cleveland, Ohio. Take, for instance, When the United St8.tes opened up the Northwest ierritory in 1789 and gave it a governor a large tract of land borderinr; on Lake Erie was t;iven to a lawyer names Moses Cleaveland,. He was a general but he did not win the title on the bloody fields of war. He sent surveyors into the plot of his 3:rant and they were instructed to lay out plans for a city to be named Cleaveland. was duly done and the place began to be populated. with the ambition to found a newspaper. were ordered :from Philadelphia. Thi:s Came a man Paper and printer's supplies The type he selected for the heading �on the front page was The Cleaveland Plaindealer. But the line in the type he had was one letter too long for the w:Lclth of his sheet,. He met the difficulty by taking the hitter a out of Cleave making it Cleve. So the name of the city vvas altered to Cleveland, as the paper itself was so altered and them it h~s stuck to this day. The Plaindealer is one of the metropolitan u mewspapers of the United States. Thus a great city got its name. Wh:Lll'.'.J Pickadills and Cleveland are two old-t Lmers in .r:name giving affairs Pakistan is a new-comer. And this is hov, it came about: In 1933 Indian Moslem students at Cambridge University fort11Gd a debatine society called the Jlliajiis and a resolution which they passed is today revolutionizing the destinies of India's 94,000,000 Moslems. After Britain had proclaimed Dominion status as the goal for India the Moslem minority agitated flot for separate independence but for special safeguards to protect their religious freedom and political r:lehts. They feared the persecution of the Hindus, who number 255,000,000 out of India's 400,000,000, when India ach:teved Domin:lon rank. The Cam.bridge Majiis, a soore of 1\/foslems betwE?en 13 ,'lnd 22 years old, voted that independence would be their only real safeguard~ They even devised a name for their new State -Pakistan. P stadds for the people of the Punjab, A for the Afghans who inhabit the North-West F'rontier Province, and K for neighborine; Kashmir: �3 istan is a termination mean:ing 11 country of 11 • Nobody he~rd of the resolution passed by this obscure undergraduate group unti; one of them sent it to a friend of his in India, Sir Moha~ned Iqbal. The name America is a queer one. er Columbus had reported the nevvs of his finding a new world a company of merchants in ,c Genova got a ship and found a crew to send it to find out more details of the new land. And they engaged a mere wr:Lti.ng man, not an explorer, discoverer or adventurer, to go along and write the story. got aboard .. That was the role in wh.lch Arnerico Vespucci When they got home again Ame:rico wrote his story and it was published in 1504 under the t :l t le 11 The New World 11 • The edition sold out but the wr:Lter died w:Lthout imowing fame .. In 1507 a new edition was gotten out ancl i.n a preface by a new editor it was said that since two continents, Europe and Asia, had been named after women, th1s new one should be mamed after a man • .llnd what !Jetter man than AmeJ:-ico Ves puce i, and what better name than Ame:cica? So it has been America ever since, a name that is ineptly and unwarrantably applied. Lt few minutes ago we were speaking of Ohio and maybe this would be a good place to deal with her neighbour Pennsylvan1a. Charles II ovved £16,ooo to 'INilliam Penn~ to e;et the money. Finally H1s Highness Penn made repeated attempts proposed to give Penn, the CJuaker, a grant of a very large section in America. Penn accepted and Charles ordered that the papers be prepared. mame had been given to the land granted so a clerk named it 7 No �4 and so entered it in the records.. When Ch@:rles saw the C he changed the name to Pennsylvania.. Penn when he saw this was aghast for he was a modest man but Charles was obdurate. So, Pennsylvania it was a.nd Pennsyluania it is. �rhe provino o of' Ont,1rio, fb•fft known an Uriper Canada, 1 wtw the child of the pj- tt Act of P791,. 'rho wholE1 provtnce then had. a populn tion of only tuen·ty thouoand { i91t~.,i--s7<'forrS11'.1-1,rably llta-.':1 _toon __J;----,~--hr: c~----O.t---g.:.l;..-~-enttrrrrln-es-. rrh e AC a.n t y f3 0 t t l 8l II On t S fron·tier nnd. · Amherotburg, with a Fron oh group on. tht:i 'l1harnes and i:m Indion group on the Grand~ Govormirnnt bo{';an with the appointment of' ~John Graves :Jimcoe 1:1s l:teutenant-rjo·vcn·nor. ;am.eoo laid. tho foundaticms.. He ontorod upon hi.11 duties on the Hth of July, 1?92 with a ·vnry clear idc:m of' wh11 t; ho waP. nbout -- 1 .. 'l'hn t Rd tn.in would never relinquish hor f)ODsorrnion o:e Co.nnr:n nnd 2., ~i1hat tho front it}r r,ovnrnnwnt was to bn r1mlntai:ned upontho r11or1t ::mlir"1 rind unassailabl~ basis., .An a sol<1ier :h.is 1'irBt groat oonfH.cirn in Can.ad a vuu:1 mili tnry; as an 11:nc;l ishman his first wnn the 0ntahlishmont of an aristoor0oy., Under both heads ho developed olabornto plans, but hifi hopE) of 1"oun.ding an ariri toernny died n.-borning., A nk:otoh in mi.ni.ature uf l,'l!dn f'ircit e;ovcrnor would not bE out of plac 0 here. ffo wns ho:rn in Northamptonshire, Do:t1 of Capt, .John :;i·rn.ooe, with Vlolfe at tlte oicp;e of' 1.iu.ehoc a.s conmiander of the Pembroke., There Oa11·t., Dimooe lont hia life in 11ction~ vridow ai ·th her young rnmil;y movotl to 11:xetor j n Dovon. 'rl10 His son., :rohn Graves_ educn.tod at :1:ton and at Merton. College, Oxi"ord. 9 joJ ned the army ut tho Hgo of n:inffteon., Un nrri-vod in Boston on the 17th of .June, 1775--the day ot' Dunker Hill® In July of the :noxt yenr h(..:i took oowrna:nd or• the provinninl corps known horse wcu:i shot under him--tho11e were tho fortunes 1:'Jar 11s h0ld for him., �A(; the ond oi' 1701 lrn l'oturn od t,o :1:nglnn('I. rmd married l~liznbcrt;h Pot,rthuma. Crwillim, whonH father had beon aide-de- camp t;o G0ncrra.l ·.volfe at tho Plains of Abre.hmn o:nil thero lost h:ts lif r2., rrhn horne of tho s:lmc oes in novon., WHfl ./ol ford Loclc~a, nonr Hol'l.i ton 1 ~leotod to Pnrli~~ont by a Cornwall ridinG in 1790, tho :n oxt year rm. tho d 1 vt Gion of the Con ad iBn provtnces 1.re find him nppointod. the f'irFit r,;ovornor., Aftor hJ.r; ·torn, in Cnnoda he i:n1r. made conm1fl.ndor of ·the c;ont on. o rn.iss:i.on to Jlortugnl ho \iook 111 nnd. diod He was bur .locl a·t ·.Jol:i:'ord. o:n tho 4 \;11 r~xf}tnr Unthedral.. qt LiGbon. .. of novrrrnbar, 11105,. :itrnngoly enough n nomowho.t md;ondod innori~tion makes no roforanoo to hiR militnry career, and none t;o hir; Gan.: tdV:ir1 service, ex.oept thnt ·t;he :eiguro of an 0 Imlian forr1u1 part o:C ·tho nrtiGt' s d.eni~n.., Eis ntntue in bronze The capital, as you know, ho ontahlished e:t; Niagorn, but on ,July 16, 1792, clividing thn province into ninot8eB oounties take un tho lfl'.nr;·thy ocrtn.1.ofi;u~, huJ; Wl➔ hnve o. vnry teep in torest �(~ '1 1 Phl3 uroa 1,Ih:lo}1 vie torm. tho Nta {';ara poninsula he named Li:rrnoln County aftor Lincolnshire 1.n. :~nt:ln.na. nmch-ohurn L:incoln County you know.. placed in the n.cH1 I Ji; It wns n.ot the ran from county w,,u:1 frrnn ol<'l Linnoln - Lnk,➔ to Lak:e n·l t'h.0r As Lir1cf;ln.nh:ire pl0.ce or a Lincnlr1.F1h:Lre po:r·son... This t·muld E:H3em. to i:nc':l. i.cwte a prirtioul :~r ·1ffoetion for Ltncoln:Jh Ln:, or srnne tntima te co:nnoc tior1, for rhie uued these xxxxxxxxxxxx namac nll about his no\, capital, hut ir that is so :r: hnvo beu:, unabln to f:lnd n traco of it af'tc:e y cn1:'s of sonrch .. irnoortBd bY' Simcoe frori1 t;llo a:nc i unt Lincoln nnd tio't clown here ln the ne\J world: Villagos like llinbrook:, Glanford an<J. Grimsby. Ca:i. F:tor, n CfH3tle. Gainsborough 9 1:1n rmc~l m:rt tovrn on the east0rn bank of the Hiver 1Crent0 Louth, a '!110.rko-t tovm., Grf:m·tham, H. ftno olcl town nbotrt tho size of ut .. Co·thnrinos, with an inn, tha Angel and ~itmnf'orc1, ono of t:;h:1 oldos·t t.;01.,ms, on.ce i3taent•ord, that is,a place t1:tH:;rfl on<➔ fordecl tllf) river on :::;tones .. 1.,/ainfleot, H village 15 mtlef: f'rom Hoston., numhcir::1trn10, a town nonr Grimsby., c::i:·owland, rc➔ tllly Croyland, who so mono.r.::tory vms foundod. in '/16, and \Jhose tr:iangular briclGe in th<2, heart of the town i:::1 over 11 thousand yours old., �f':to\1ark tho Lincoln villo.ge. Jthis r<➔ t-w1~·ve He n:imo i'or his c1:1pi·tn.l and for h:l H liovmnbip Ifo .1.. '1'ho name was ri' L'icially iliacarded. i.n 1?98, juo·t. ns thfl.t other /3imcoe ni:ttrH3, York, was 'J'he➔ re to ho dt :ionrcled a c_onta1r:'l agof tla-!'f..,yeM .. vter8 Lirwol.11. ))8I'srn1s comr,101'lora i;ed ln tho names atwut ur; hnre, as in Clinton, the f'nmily :n.arno nf the 1)uke Pelham., OL">J"nhor for Lincoln in 1792; an.a rrhorolc1., aftor ,C31r ,John rrhorold... 'l.1horn 'L'ha t; r111n \.IO.S rme gentleman v_iho r;ot; n triplfi honor. t:.tr Peret~r1.ne H0rtie, 3rd nuJ.ce of rmcaster an<'I 'Phor:ie threo n1:1mes 19th Hnron \iilloughby.. trio.. ,·1hen Dimcoo wn □ m1 appo.tntod ho nolontott have with us n, comr.nde-in.- '!illi.rur,: 1arvis, as !'irnt provinoiril se:1crctnry. l1IU . at once %XX~XQps'.~S"¥:1¥K%X~UUt:XMl:~I'. ,Tarvis Vh)S \app 1·oachoo by 1Arisonic rirmLJ, 1 rntliasur:i.er; ln i~nglnnd with ·the Canada. .Tnrvi s was :o.o t a TJason; U-pper Oanaa.a had no Clrahd Lodge, thoueh 11 1 110 that he ac:cept pro{)o □ al ox10 had flourished. in '.lueboc for many ycors"· dof oot in Jri_rvi o C-rnnd ru)nst(=ir, and. 1:Ji v10.tJ th romed it3d in a authority t;,.:::i f; ingle cl.ay., He ore;n:n:t. ze hl :~ omi Grand who \,as onl,ir n ::;cotch111an, w,,is tlrn outntnnding 1',.'!t·rnon in in our local n.cw10:ncln.ture - Bertie. \Villour,;hby, /\.ncastor., �Dut wn n.rn not i;l1,·nuvh 1;,rith the ,'jimoo8 proclamatiiJn yet,. Uhippewn to tho ,-:ollund, ni'-tm:· the t;he t'11nn o:r LinooJ.n 1:111.<1 rnot i ti:1 trib11to:ry by \JollA11,cl Hi'vcr, a<n·osi:'l thn lily VftH:: 11110 i 0:nt 100@''1 \1/ellnnO that arnined tn the heort of The Welland, incleed, i;he subject of both song and sto:ry---Over \Jelln.nd' a winding vale Dmrn 1 ts grassy gr'>rges Floi:rt ye many a tuneful ta.le BellR of olil st,. George's. Th1:wo tnles go back: "Go tho huginninga oi' r~H,ot·d.ed and-willow veilnd b11.nks, l;!lat boro tho monk-attended_ "bier of rrareward. to its ro:]tlng 1\_'G pl1H}11 in the mJ.nster of' tbe f'0ns. Lllo outset of thin a.d_(lre:rn I :neationed tr1nt r>imooe' s chic,:t~ crrncorn ,w s i'or- the: mili tnry 001.mr:L'ty of hin nroo.,. l10 1 this end he hac1 :hree imdor·tont 1·oads built for tiho easy movement of troops--Kin~~ton nond, Yonge 8trHet, und DundaA Street, Burlington nn.y to the 'rharnes.. In thi :1 lrn sour;ht to do honor to Duke of' Portlnnd's oabinoi;, and., nt a later nr~riod, troai:rt1rer of raprosonting Uoniton in Devon. 'rho to\m ott Dundas wn.s i.n la.tor years to trike 1ts frorn the nond e shoot wnt,:irfowl., tho grorit marsh., nof'oro thnt it wru; known as Coote' fl na111.,a Pnrndise, •rhey were found i:n tremr:m.doui::, nurnbors nbout �//) Simcoe made rnany long journeys on foot and by boat thragh- ~ut the province and in one ofthe earliest of thoae, in 1793, he rc;;r1.ch0d th0 'l111nmes v1hiol1 .nJm11ci ht} r:n.ve. ri vor he d0clde<l to build hi:::~ capital nnd. On ·tho brJ.nkri of this nnr1t<') 1·t Goorgina-on- the-':C'hnmes, in honor of t;he reigninc sovereign. a.s the r1a.rn.0 for tl1e ci i~7y, London., however , 1 vm.s lnter cleo.ia.oo upon, ~md. tho cnp:i tal vm.s ewtabl inhed nt York, not because L;i,nooe had ehane;od his mind 9 but booaur:o he had beeen overruled by Lord. DoJ: ohe:1t er. rhe governor namal Lake Simcoe, no·t aft0r himself but af·ter. 1 h:to :fnth 01•, and Gook' s Bay therein, oom:m.em.ora tes no less thnn Captain James Cook, the great navign:to~· and dt scoverer., Capt., th..a:t Co:pt. Cook's tent was uaed by Governor ~}irno oe to house his :first legislature nt J-U0 gnra. not by but in Norfolk rrn.s narned in honor of .Tohn Grave[1 ra111.coe, and tha.t is true also of the Ccrnnty of :!imcoe,. departure from Conoaa .. rhe wif'n of tho govern.or, n sprightl;y wr:l·ter, nno. on 1 nrtir;·t of parts, has lof·t behind her in P1k0tcher=i nnd lottori:i a olooo-up of our Lincoln of one h1.m<~.rrn1. nrul forty ·,vor:1rs ago .. 'l'hi:::1 oo:ntributlcm ·to 01xr history hao hea:n prcsorvod. to posterity and a.bly elli ted 'by the lo.-te J"ohn Ross Robertsono Rochefouoault 1,·1ri'tin.e; in 1795, said., 11 l1b.e Duo de la 1 Mrs. Simcoo is bashful and speaks 11 t·tle; but 10 a woman of nemse, hnndsorne ru1<l amiHble, drawing, th€1 pr11.ctioe of v-JJ1tob nhe eo:r1f':tnar:i to mt?Jps 11nd plans:, 0nablep, her to he mctreniely llG<➔ ful ·to tho Govurnor .. '' Sho is rmnernborod in three tovm.ships in YDrk County - l•Jnst, t10st :North Gwillimbury" ~.,~, 'Vr\OJ,A)v'i\ lv-.uvv,,u. \sJ l'iV'I <;I\', 111 \'!11. tind ·- �S iui.c oe changed the naru o o :e Lak. o Geneva. to Burlington Bay, and und.er ord.er of th0 e:ovcrnor an· inn, 1-::nmm us the Kin~~, s Head, Vlt'Ui hull t at tho fmt1th sido nf tho bo,loh., ;Jnn.tworth County r;ot lte :nurn.e froM Sir lohn \.tcm·two:cth, ,vcrn:c of 0111• proola111ation. \fon:twoei;h, it rn.uy be no·ted, rffu3 e.n in tint:1.te friend of' \1illiam ,:Jarvis., hnve dealt with tho abori~inal Th'lis f nr- :in th io / arnee that ro:rn.airt. t th t;he few ronight 1 / on o :rrnw era 11:n d ,,/trace . th A vm have 1 if't hot~innings o ti 10 "'or7i 1r;n1 f io a , t nm,,o s the first 1 sh n~J,n1esi, hov1 tl1e • and when,. yoyi(re g oa onnn&,; you vr:ill hen u'tiout the f,eoond, :nnm es thn. t; w us., /a /l our o mmun 'l ty ---- ,..;o /1oro 9 who to i sten. next roup;h·t them 'L1uendny night d mid fourth layers of lnid on /by riovornors auoceeding climooe, Ii i GAVE US, it �:t'ir:;t threo i:mocoeding Col borne.. {';ovo:rnr,:cs - Gore, ,·~ai tland and Hore vm have a per:iocl thnt ran frrnn lB06 rl:tk until the NiHcKenzie rebellion. You have noted the aclvort;iscimont of a Of3rtntn food that hold, ~3 the myfl tery of vigor nn tl low,; yenrs.. For 11 like tonio offoo t I can reen@11en<'l the Duke of' Wo llinµ;ton t e peninsular c0r,1pai1~ns and the ba:ttle of \·!aterloo. In "these '/ellingtonian e:nterpriseri we f'lnd two of' the 'three soildiors who i.·mro afteruard.to be succei:rnive lieutcmont-eovornors of Upper: Gtuio.<'la .. i'•flaitlnnd died nt 77 hut Gore, who resigned his co:rnmisnion at tho dawn of tlw ec:(itnry, nnd Colborne were oaoh 83 when death olaimed ·1;hcm., Of Col borne a versifier wrote: Sir .Tohn Colborne was a. soldier And n bravo one, it is aaid; He was goV'ernor of Co.nad11 Hofor<.i U ir J1'rnnc :io 1leod .. '11:hough he oft faced deo.th in tJattle Vi/hnre h1 s conira<'hrn tough t and. bled, ..A He died poaoefull;y at Belf.ohvrnod, Of old age, in his bed. While tho p6em may �;Jir fl'runc:is Clore on hi:3 1:1rrtval f'or the second p<:,riod of hie adminir;·tration brouc;ht ·to Cu.nnda tlu."J firflt tho defna.t of Napoleon. IUs r,orlocl of o ff'ice organtzation in 1010 of tho Gore JliBt:d.ct, countier:: o:r Wentworth and 1ra1 ton. been already explnlned, nt1wi:1 1 markecl by the WEU3 1riade up of the 'i1he nam.o 1cinn-tworth 9 ar::i has in honor of Bir John tUH3 of' ./n.t0:rloo and 11 /entvmrth., Hal to:n. was named for iVfa,:jor \Villiam Hal ton, $10crot11ry to the Hal ton is nr1 1:mciont word n10aning a tow o:n ·~ a .hill@ ::3o we huva here « case of a man getting hin name from a '11rt, I,\,"f Vl town 1md t;he:nN':-;lving hif.:i name to a county. 1rheru art) other like Li0utenant-Govnrnor. f"t\ "bt d,--~ t ~~ ~ . :.3tnnley means a. stoney tract. Dtnnley' s got th0ir nar,1e. l1'ro111 thi ::: source the I'hey r:;ave it back to nnoth0)r stoney 1 trac b whon they planted it in Huron Cutu1ty .. Nor1 tho name::; Governor Gore spread i:n lTnl ton rnak:e a perfoo·t nc➔ nt of J'lGlSDn m.emorials., Tho toTinship of Nelson, aftor that wisp of a man, onearmed an cl f0ver-haunt8d, who placed the sei:~ pov1<Jr of Bri tnln beyond nhollonce 1'or a. century .. 1\f/er ·ton, ]\i el son's 11:ngl i sh home., ' I , \\ \ 1')', }"I\ (A\,V( Bronto - Nelson's noapoli tan title ·ViltS nuk(~ of Bron to. ~· Palermo - after Palermo in ;Jioily, Nelson's naval 'l1 rafalgar - no explanations need.od th0ro. .Je have fifty-two m1m0s in On'tarto aer:tved from the 1 Crimean 1'/ar, so Nel::mn got no mnre tl1an his due in the little group I ~1vo juot quoted. �It :is a f11r jump from !(al ton to Holltfville bu·t jump we mur:d,0 On a hot ;ruly da.y· Bir ]':rt-incis nore rnttl h1n ttfe, Lady Ara.bella Goro, weri3 travelling out of Kingston v1h0n they came to a tiny haml ot kno ·wn as t1iy0r • s Creek r1.•he innkeeper at once 0 began to ort1;an ize a ball for ·the evenin.e; a:o.a. u 11 the country folk ware invited. every nun there. It is said th11t l,Rdy Arnbulla dnnoed with Money changers in the Temple of 1I1erpisoore o·ver the inn Rheds took e.dvanto.r;e of the governor t;o ask for a post-office. quostiori., prei30no0 of the )~hen came up tho name 1 "Belle'Ville, n said the f~overnor .iocularly in a humorous compliment to h:ta wife., 130 BellnvtllB i·t is .. Sir Peregrine Maitland, ae I have r111id, was at ~0terloo. But ho was also, nnrl :tt vm.s H0 hn.d oomman<l o:t' n d.ivision. iD1portant for h:im, at i,ho hall gi·ven by the nuoher'ls of Hichmond at Brussels on the oVG of \Voterloo -- the ball Byron Tnr.''Hle fmnous ni'th his nbr ight the lirr,ht shone of er tair wom.en and. brave men. v, 'T'horo our· hosteas, La.dy Barah Lennox. GOl<l ier m.et the daur;hter of' his A few weeks ln·ter, when. in PAris, and when balked by parental refusal, the E-Joldi er eloped ·with \..:.JU,;.u,,M1,J\; \e. \J-'t/\.' 1/'vJ'\ Lady rJnrnh 1:n1d. they wera marrted. 1L,. ,}/) {\. , 1 t, l \:,·v'¼ Vv\Jv' ' u, They cr::1r11.e t:o Canada in. 1818. nncl after one good, square I\ look at M'.uddy York, dec1dot"l to live elsewhE~re,. Where better than our own. beautiful townahip of ;3tamford7 Thr:,re on the crest of the hill south of St. Davids ·the c;ovnrno:r· built a twenty-two roamed house wh ioh he ea llod 1 hB CcYtto.ge. tt Before 111 1 the d.oor he planted two weeping willows wh:teh he had brought from tho grave of t<fapoleon at ::it. Holena., Today not a stick$ ti' V11,e, nor hrick: nor stono r·emnins of ''Th(~ ca·ttage 11 1 received □o many of the noblo nnd the grnnt. t;hat in i"ts ~ ., The iron gates c>:f.' the cmtrance drive is tho sole surviving memorial of fa1e ~:!It~. Tlfega/g~~~arvn--~tharTflmJ:'a~~~~~~Ege@ �Now nbout numEjr,.. Maitland :1pread nb out -Lhc province a consid.cn•able n.umJrnr of Spanish natr1es, probably HS momentos of his expc:irinnoea in :Jpain.. Here ~re a few oamples:- Ma~1posa - in Victoria County. butterfly.. It is Spanish for If you have :not read of' utephen Leacock' s Mariposa do so., Rama - ,n Ontario County, t;he branch of r1 tree., Oro - in Simcoe, gold .. Mono - in Dufferin, monkey., Zorra - in Oxford; the she fox .. Lobo - in MirlcUesex. the wolf .. oso - in Frontenao, the bear .. "ff\ SotAJbra - in Laiflbton, shade., When ho had dono hia worst wi'th Spanish he ventured into Hebrew with '11 horah, will of' (}od. Yt in Ontario County. It means "the revealed Why that is particularly appl::J.oe.ble to the area in q_uestior1 is not olenr., rrhe :rrui t of hi n c.::ola Latin excursion is found in Ops, in Victori.a County. wealth or riches, and crnt of it 111<::1 It moan.a have rnada our i.:1ord. opulent .. Today we apply it to the few :r:emaining persons who are not hard up.. Ops h, r:m easy word to get :in to a hen dline"' Hillier - in Prinoe Ji:tlward county, cornm.emorotea Major George Hillier~ the govornor 1 s secretary. Ji..lai tland named Douro, in Pet0rborough co1,11ty, in honor of tho Duke of' ·rnllington, who rece1 ved. from Spain Baron Douro .. u the title He named Gi"imsthorpe in nustins after that Grimathorpe in Lincolnshire, built by the DUkA of Suffolk to en tertuin Henry Vlll JP:1l,AU~..-·J~~p.-~".ha.s.,,,t~- h~1ves 1 ,1;.,_ .,. 'I.._.--~,;:, Of! l}U,,..J,tt1;, UJ.V Y ~ �~J/ 10 The gov~lrnor • s own name is perpetuated in Port rJmi tla.nd, named by· ·tho Hon.• \1illiam Hamilton .M.erritt, and irt the River \11Hi tland, nemed by Dr"' \vil l iam. Dunlop,. :1 Lady :3arah ·19m_;3 on1::1 of the tour·teen children of the Duke of Oonad.a and while :in this country died of hydrophobia as a reoul t of being b1 tten by a tame fox. :1ome nuthori ties ascribe his demise to a oause even less pleasant and oertninly less oreclitable,. Many names we owe to Lady t3arah Mai tlan.d., Lhe County of Lennox.. fathc:r. and bm l;hero ):rirst of all March ano ri1orbol ton f'rom titles o:r her Huntley, from Lord Huntley, an unole. J1~rnily, in Victoria, thP. name of her aunt, Lady Berkeley. Lavant, in La11arkt the narne of the Duke of HichmoncP s sea·t in missex,~o.'¼ ~AA~ It; V'li:lS f~ld ~ ' not;, however, :i'or any of. these aohJ.ovoniHr1ts Lady Sarah vn:1.s to win undying t'nme in our nornenolature., townships in Simcoe boar the Floss and Tay. )1l.1Jt I,~ namt"•H1 that rrhree of her poodle clogs -- Tiny, exception of the ,'Ytn'/ 13entlomr; who made the{e1;,111r,yJlr~iter)E\t1:Hl a1:~ hr!,1on).ius,L)'Ve~s/ rr / .--~~.eJL,J.a. /" \ / I ; ,l leetle dog pne? tt/\ cont" erred o n~:h • ·{me upon a can e. We have still to cleal with E31r John Col borne., a man.. There wna Napier said that with the exception of' thG nuke or Wel.lin.gton he was the grentest soldier of hin time. s 1r Sohn rrioore ( ho who He wae with was buried at dead of night) nt Corunna., and at 'Vatorloo he oonduotod the decisive move:rnent wi.th the 52nd light infantry thnt mad.e victory V.:ngland on the cone lusion Lord Seaton. ()f SEH;Ure. He went home to his term in GanadH to ba oroa ted �1 -Jv t1 He wan the founder of Upper Ceineda College and. a supporter of tho !,J o.Lland Canal p:ro ject., Indeed, he was a shareholder, and I rriake the gues:3 -'Gha·i; it m,u; due to Colborna that Jollington wa.n al£:io a shArehold.or,. Tho canal opened \'m:c3 gave the name or I-)ort Colborne to tho southern terminuu whilah hitherto hac1 lH3'.:m known as Gravelly Bay., In the same year Sir John viei t~.,d :1ort Golbo1•ne" :3arnia belongs in thir-1 list, too. Bir John, before ooming to Uun:1.da, had been governor of Buernsey, the old Hor'1an for which :ts :Ja.rnia. m11,1e J1lympton, also in Lmnbton, is fro1n r.ha t ·villn:~e of Plympton, riea.r f3ir :rohn 1 o home in .Devon,. At .Plyip.pton t:iir Joshua Reynoldi:i was born .. P\lslinoh, in ':Jellington 0011:n.ty, is also from Devon, the bi,thplaoe of Lndy Colborne. Her father was a clergyman and she wai; known in. her youth as 11 tho brm.uty of novon.," her portraits do her rw more thi:rn. justiee tlu:i phrase i If' 3 true cnongh" .rho Howan 1 •1var and Port Ho111an comnrnm.orate the nam.e of Gol. How an, pri V{lte Gecretary to :::;lr ,John.. governora remewbored a trio of So tho trio of secretaries in HHlton, Hillier and Howan .. It; io of intor0Bt to relate that tho Golbornes entered Canada nn<'! got; their 1'1rnt view of" the country Falls. 11·t T:.J'ing:1ra. Lady Colhorne, her siffter, Milas Yonge, and five ohildren, were i.n ''an. eleeant horaes. n carriage drnvm by four spirited r:he govornor hinwelf was on. horoeback.. 1 They i,assed through :;,t,. Cntharines on the vm.y to thn lmwever, no f.:1ayor ~it to welcome them, was then just nicely out of ·~he shell" N~~~:.__~J.(l.'.l.-_;,t_g-~~Iil.cH '' �vf. ~-- 1\ ®~t1'H--Mn2gon :@~i--r-b '.i1ho Atlantic cable <mr1rn t;()o lnto. of 1012-14., On ;fune 16 Canninr: 1utd Hn.d. i·t; nrrived at hls r,1Jrty gnvo way and ngJ:'Ernd 't;o reponl the hateful ord.8rs-in-<rnur1cil. .A cable to tha. 1, effnct woultl havo 1=1v<:irtnd tho Airm~cicnn doolar,1 i;io:n of wnr two dnyn ht·ter.. The orio eonspicuous i\xnerican victory, flew Orleans, m:u;1 aohie·ved uf'ter l)e11co hnd heon signed. for tl Here again 1:111:u:1 need or1ble., •rho war front i·i thnt (Jorifliot of' a eo.nt11ry .C)nJl twenty ;y·oars ngo extenned frow Halifax ·to Nmr orlo:ms, hut i t;s rnnl l;h.0n·tre wns hero tn •iiho Nin{~nr.u. Peninm1la.. area an tho t:iclo of war ebbed nnd .flovtm1. t:rpon 11 norry ruin.. Googr11p}1y clocia.ed )'once 1:nnllod at last York ,1:nd Nlo 1~nrn hac1 bn th hEKlll bu 1. ,1, 1(1 .. J.lJ1:r•oue;nout our land homos had beon <1 estroyed, grni.n and cattle 1 P, \1 iL-,'J/ Hero gono, nnd tho poo pl0 W(1re f)<➔ n:tlilei:m. 'Jllirf, f'nmily eirola (\ llud its vrrnan t nhoJ.r cnl<"I 1 t:3 wr:mnded. ('),/;))£) $ H<:lGpo:nr:3ibili ty for the/\ dnwige s11ff0red bolone;od to ·th<➔ ut11·to, but thr➔ exchequer was as empty as th o pri va.te purfle., out; oJ~ this "ituation, i:1trango as it moy noem; arose the frnt tler,ront; of VJe(itm:m Ontario., rrhe war oln.1ms moun.ted. nnd th0 yearB pasned, on cl c1 t long last th.a claimanto engaged a young :.3eotohlnun, le.wyor and man of lettors, to hri:ng tl10 mattor to ifrnue., 'l'hus enters a Galt.. He mnch ,journo.vs into law nnd Lnto bm3inosn l:mt it wns aEi m1:.l.n of lettora that hH vms to 1111-1.ko m:1 nn<'lurinp, nrnne., Critic, and essayist, poet ond historiai'l, biographer oe 'ilolsey and B~on.t the orovrn of his fw110 cr:irn.e froHI his rwvol::1 .. t.l �#· Galt +~ l~ saw that r;ho claims wou Ld )1trver be paitl unless Out 01' thn t idaa money vmn 1Jrovidod with \thioh to pay thorn., g:irnw the Canada Compnny. ea.pi talized at 11 rnillion pounds a torl ing. A prino ipal i ty vrn.s bow~h t :t'rorn the e:ovornrnont and Galt inaup;urnt(Hl ·thA rno at; ext,rnrJi ve oolonizn tion had. his, but Galt cnr(;)rHhadowad them Hll. 1,.inhc:1,10 Canada Ifir1 O:=mndn Gompany bDught out settlers by the thousand, and he shiftea. the frontier of civilization from A:ncaster to tho shores or. Lakn Huron.., tJt,{Af..~M 011 Dto neorgo 1 r1 Dny, 1827, a si to was ~ d for bngl:rming the work. A lHrgc maple tree v.ms sol0ct0d and Galt him.r3<3lf rrtruck the fi rnt blow with the axe. He SR)lS in his uutobio~r~phy, "ThA silance of the nonde thot aohoed to the rmun~was 11s the sigh or ·the i:1olemn gonius of tho vitlaorrwss departing forever. Hov1 1 t reGoundod ·through the wila.orness of wooas and spelled its doom." suroly that waB I t rms not; the felling m.omon to us sound rrvor h rt[lrd in on tnr io. of one t1~0e; but the clenr:tnr; of a million and. ond. tho summ.oninr; to t;he olt:H1ranc0, of the most th<➔ a hnlf' rHH'C3S, pleasant farri1.s, the c i ti0131, towns and villages thn t have rnade \'Jestorn Ontario v1hat i t is .. \/Jhen the tree fell a gentlomru1 of tho party got up or1 the stump.., Mark him well for we nrfi to S€H:1 him ae;ain.. Ifo took a flnsk from his pooket. He alvm.y-s had a flask roady cm all ctnrniovahle occnsions. He drank to tho pronpority of tho :naw city of Gu.elph. Dici ever b\:forc:~ tn the wake of a libation follow suoh a train of tremEmdou.fl consequences? :Not ono trea fell, bu·t a Q:ignntic forest nnd tli <'Jrn sprang from the soil a n.evJ people, a m:,w culture and <.1ivilization. �Galt; named the town. of aoursG, in honor of the th 1a dir0ctors of the oor,ipany in 1~nglan<l. d.irectors w11:'l 'J.lho reply of the thn·t the ni.une should. bo f}odorioh, not Guelph, 'I'ho Hie~ht Honourable T1'r0dt1riok John Robinson, Viscount Goderich, J~nrl of Hipon, when tw0nty-seve:n had been appointed under trnorotor;v for the G1Jlonier1 and.. rwr unner Lord Castlereagh, and in the vory year of \1hioh I speak, 1827, had taken the title of Lord Goderioh .. One can well understr-md why the London <Urr:1ctors would wish to ho:nor hirn. Gnlt repli0c!. that hn coul<'I not nhanr;e tho nr1me for a town had been laid II O\l t about ·the emot whr,ro ho hH<1 felled with tho na1no spelled Guelf. But he offered to (10 the next best thing--founa. another town an<'l r,i ve 1 i; tho :narnG of Qodnrioh. To find t;he site for this :::111;.rnrmd. city he a.eBpatohed the ~en.tleman who had stood o:rt tno stump o.n<1 produ oed. the flaslc--Dr. William Dunlop.. /Cll I•] \'far of J:812,. nur1lopt Ha vHrn wounded at ·the➔ a forgotten horo of the siege of Fort ·11:rie; h:te was ·the prodir:;ioue task ot enr:l.n{:; for tho wounded at Old Niagara aftor the battle ·Of Lundy' s Lane. the most picturesque and humorous, the appealing figure the i~Ueen' JflO ~Jurely his was st in tore a ting, s Bush was to know" '11ho rii te aoleoted vn:u:i on tho high hills ovArlooking Lake Huron and. the flats of' 't;he vreneoetung ri vnr, atrange11y enough the vory spot where Champlf\in had camped in the winter of 1618. rl'here Goderich wns lai<l out an() built v1ith the most unu::iual tomt plnn in Canada., �J\ ,.4'~ The next tri.sk of thn □~ empire builders wa.o th (:'l Huron noud., that seventy mile highway running atrait~ht ns a die f'rom Thie wn~ ,1ottod v1ith inns east to vVEHit across their country.. f'or tho:rt:, were no settlors, frien/l.ly nor otherwise• to take pity o:n ·thG tr,w0llor. word means r1 bird Dt,Ni:tford. I1:he f'i:r,.'t of thooe vraa Fryfogle's (The 1 of freedom. tt), about t:rnven miles this r~ide of strntford. was plan tea. on the :n.ew highway,.· wi.rned 1t 1:md I think I know why. founded cm :lt@ Q.eorge's Day .. Galt Guelph, as has been so.id, w~s Now Dt. George's Day Shokospeare's birthday--it 1a also his denth day. iF1 not only So I think Galt may have had this in mtnrl when he chose :1·tratford. for ·the town and Avon for the rivor .. PraoticA.lly 0vc1ry(1irector~ the Crmada Gompany ~ in thor::10 early yen.rB had hin rrn:rne plnce<1 Dm110whor0 or.- other in the traot--Logan, Bid.d.ulph, rrucker r.:lm:t. th, Tilasthope• nay. Dtn:nley, iorrts, imd th~ like. 11 1 :r.1 ver 't'urnberry,. Dunlop christened one townshi1:, up the In 1307 Hobr,rt Uruoo lnndE-"d on the Carr:tok c01u:1t of :]notland Find captured, his ovm. cr::astlo of rrurnborry from tho '.nglish., 11 Dunlop sprn.ng from the B:ruoe line. 'i/awnnosh he narnad f'or his friend, Chiu f \'Jawano sh ,ii The city of Galt is, of Gf'JUrsa, not intha Huron Tract<II It was fo11ndc:1d by the Hon. William Dickson of' Niagara. and named by him in ho nor of his friend. , ,r ohn Galt ., �Doct;or Dunlop was tho :fi:i~st 81:::icted :repret-'l(;n:tn.tive of i r,i:id(1le of tha contur:r wo f:bvl him rmporint,endAn t of ·the LachinEi.manal.. ffhere he died. 'J'he body in its lend.en casket was drawn on n. wagon ru:: f'ar as Hmnil ton when it was plaoed tn :>ir Allon MeNub'a plot :ln nu:ndurn until 111Lnter hftd. rnade the ro&ds :~ol.id"' Th0n it ta k.:eri up an;nin :,nd tho long journey bor;nn to \'10.0 Goderich. You JIH¼Y s~e the tom.b todny at the old· homa Gairbrrtid, high cm tho hill, where it looks ou:t ricror'~s the bluo lake, m.r,ir i;ho prottv- town 11nd. up i;he lon~ ron.ches o:r tho rivo:r ·that; Dunlup knaH rrn well .. I said. 1iunlop was· the inont humorous figure that evt'1r ! have forty proofs of ·ch:it but I entored thfJ ,1u0en' n Dush,. shall q 1.:1.c;d;~ only one: his will. en tared the dry va.ul ts 01~ '' In the :nan 1. o o :f' God • '...luroly· no f:mch d.ocmaon t ever a r.mrroga te crnur-t 1>,)fore. nor~1 is a Amen , HI, \Jilliom nunlop, of Gai rb1'.'o id, ~m-1uire, bein p; in soun.d 11 health of ·body, rmil .rny mind jufi t as usual ( which my fri.enda who flutter m0 say is 1:10 g:caat shakes at the best of times), do Htake this my last \'Jill and rl!estmnont cw follows: 11 I letiVG tho property of Gairbrai<l, find all my other landed property I w:iy die possessed or t to my sisters» Helen Boyle ntory and. t:liznbP-th Boyle Dunlop; ·the f'orm.er because 1 she ia marrio d to a mini stor whom ( Sod help him) she henpeek;s,. '.rha lntter beoause she is mRrried to n.obody, nor is t;ha likoly· to be, for she is· an olrl 111rd.d nna. :n.o t m.arket rife. = �fr 8)P ~ ~1~ ''I 1oave 11,;y tdlyor tankard ·to 1ilrn r1ltH-d:; son of' Old .John_ as tho repr0sento.ti va of the fnm.ily., ii:; JGO I would ho Vc:'l left Olcl John hinmeif', but he vmuld melt it down 'to make ·temporan ae m.ed.als, and ·that ncJ\ll(l ho sacrilege--howovnr, I leavo wy big horn snuff-box to h.irn; he car1 only make tm11.pHrnnoe spot::ms nf that .. :f'ormorly of rny groat-grHu, t-~randmother, Bethia Hamil ton, of rJoodhall; ona. when she knows os much of the spirit of 1 t e.s aha (1.0e s of the lc:,tter, she will be ri.nother guise Christian than sl1e is., nr also loave my ln.te brother's watch to nry brother Jandy, exhorting him b at the smrie •time to p;i v0 up Whiggery, n.adioalian, and tc1ll other stns tha·t do most ensily beset him., I am i:rrfurl'ted he is rn ther n deom1t Uhri stian• wl th 11 swag belly and. a ,jolly faoe. 0 I lcmve Parson Chevaase (JvTagg' a husba.nd) the snuff- box I u;ot; frcii1 the i-iornia Mil::t tia, as a small token of my grati tud·f3 for tho service he has done the family in taking a sister that no man of tante \muld hava taken. nr lAaVe .John Caddle r:i silver taa-potj to the ond that ho may drink tea thererrom to cowfort him und,;Jr the affliction of a. slatternly wif(1., ri / an s-i:nilill at tho hum.ors of -'6. will a century old probably :reel differfrt,~tly ab611t it if the will but rn:i reftd by-t yesterday· had J .f -· ben ef:io :(~12;·.~an .. A~~~1e wt1re nmonf~ the �It ifJ t)any to sn1ilc nt tho humors of' a will a old 'but :you would. p1•obahly feol diffornntly :tb1Jut century it 11' it bad. lloor1. first road but yoGtorday and you had boo11 0-n.0 of ).'here v1as but one other in those dt:rys of the 1 i.ucwn' s 1 Bush (,0111p:~rnble to Galt and Dunlop; a oomponi'te fie;ure, the pionee:t:"., Jfc was i,ho last genuine pioneo:r Carina.a wo.s to know .. Gl1!HV I should wrote a play VJhioh he called ·.11aJ110 1Ieartbreak Housa." 11 t;lw .tueonta D11sh, ttHea:rtb:reak: Land,n for 1 h e"tr·i,brenks wore the lot of Che pionoer, h0artbreRks for thCJ rn.ourrta1ns of nr<luous toil to make o. clearinr; 01n(\ a home 11 heartbr011ks for the solitude thr.i.t lay about him, heartbreaks f'or th"'J homeland and the homofolk that ho •:rell know he !:lhould ~,: ·turt'l.y and resol11te he t'oup;ht 011 to the end. roap let Uf:l ?.1hen rwt; :t'or[''.et the m1:1n who sowed 11nd wont o:f'f to h18 bent bGi'oro tho harves·t. \'fO �Not all the usurping 1t:nr1;l ish names took roo.t in tho soil tha:t ·was ol ion to them., York11 Hewark soon wi thor~d und <liod, as cUd ,,7· Our 'Tolland Hi,rnr was so nemea. by .Simooa t) ~ The stream is usually bu·t the nn:nie never became acclimatized., .1l~h (i TJ1ctinns called it Chemonda r<~f'orre<l to as Chippewa Creek.. which is a beaattful ,.vord inc]Aed. imexora.ble '.'Jell, ,/ horita{l,e of o:f br)1uty A. / .~uobcc, Ontnr o, Mani·toba, ua.skatoh.e the /-A.borig:1.n.es ri I ,Us tine :,i~Jr--- ,nnfldall I ,, ities n. Dive J1nta / ns do s;>'or0s R.nd no 9,rid of river □ I bays. anr1 ot 0r nutµ'rc1l foatur(H:1., /' , r3trymnis, la i / ,// ma~7;t1:ng monuments, n. o !;1~~oe names, tribal lane~ ng -s 9 f towns /I /I nncl villages of this . 0nt that we h_9 e n rich // g0.t their a.1 ckuO uv.t the In closing short-11 ved yoare ago montw1c·::n ta of an or~/ lcme: clo sad plains,. f irwm,r of a People �St:rangoly enough we hnve a few Indian. nam<'lD thnt, lilce ~inona, ~ro not nAtive in Ontario. 1!'rontenane Ocm:rrty ... Hrunriwiok.. For one Kenneboa, in It; wos imported from f llv.vu j·•:i Mia in. fJ or New Ii'o ):' anothe;\ llelo.ware in Mid.t'll(H:iex County o Delaware :!.B nri. i::n.glish mune, broup;ht cnrer from J.11 ranoo n t tho tinw of ·the Oonquer3·t. Lord de la 'dare vra::1 r~ovo:rnor of Virgtnia tn 1610. .l:he tribal mmnbtJI'.S 1 cu~me from tha :3outh nncl rwttlod, on tha Nanti coke, ln Ha ldmm.a.ml county, is arnYth 1:1r llelr-i.vn1re '.t'hamcs. word... '/J0 havo othor well known plocc-names takon from Ind. ian tribes: Oayuga ( thffro nre :rorty spellings :for thn.t v1n:rd, and f'our authorities fr,iv1~ .four meanings all of which clash),. u:n.(lc'.:l:ctninty as t;o tho menni:ng hero.. 1ho Tuscarora.s vmre 11 playinc; holow zoro we may all be f1aid. ·~o bc~long to the 'i us c ,wora t r1 be • , ~ a : ,~Y''flt" ,,.dcl,'!j_ Jlfl _ , , :s--ro11 ev rm inge ago,,' I l\!aG n _ 9:IJ.Q_(}aron...µl~.f 'l'he:re 1s no 1:nton tion of imposing on you r,d ther a oatHlogue or n d.:i.ction~1ry, hut rnay TJ<.'l n.o·t hurriedly seem a few your pnrtioUlnr intorent'?---Ne.panee "tho plaoo Saugean "river mouth" 11her<'i flour is rnacle" 1 hJ:assagB.'woya _' rivor rd.th two outlets" Penetanguiohenc - "the place:} of' white, rolling sands'' Oobooo:nk ''water falling over a smooth rookn llananoque - "rooks in deep wate:rn Ermnosa "a clogn :rntobiooke Aga.wa tt·the place wh.0:r'e the alders ,c_,;rov1" "a long shore with a bend" �Mani towa.n.ing - "the dwelling plaoe of' spir1 ta" ( In :ngl ish we vrnuld probably say oellar 11 c,r a.1 s t i.11 ery 1m et bo cl o:r.uJ i. th 1t. o/ And her(1 is n qutntet"t.e from 6u t;ci.clo l;he provinoe :- Klondiko ... "a river rull of fi.sh i, Winnipeg "rnud dy wn ter it :Jaskatoon - ''the red berry of thnt name'' Assiniboine- "people who cook their food on hented l\ sto•es 1i Wetaskiwin - "the hills of peace" •rhis last sho~,s the Indian e.s ptbet. poetry o.r:1 he hnd. the e;ift of oratory .. ne had the p;ift of What little hB.s ·bc:ien proBe:rved to urJ of' his :formal opGooh shcn,a a qy,,1t s r11r0 combination of' gilts -- rllr~ni ty, grace• imae;Gry and clear thinkin.e; .. When I vms spen king a rninuto fJ.{~O nbout the heedless obli t,:1ratio:n o:f' Ind inn nnrl'.tos 1 rlid not say· all I i.n tenc1ed.• 'Fh.e old. C:ndinn nameG nlong tho q,uintr: Ahore, nroto nr .. George i1 11. Grant, were llP-nrly nll tram.pled unc1,Arfoot in th.0 shamel0ss tuft-hunting of our 0nrl·y governors~ stli'fioe~ Ona inn tnnoe will At Belleville tho o:nc:tent JUvor Sagonaska ronamed ·to f'latter t;he ·1:;nrl of Moira.. 1iJHS ~Phat vms in 1792 .. Yr':ais lutc::1r thorn vuu1 ,1.:nc:1thor -violation. Rtill further east in Ontario.. By act; of parlianwnt th<) rroniata Hiver re:nnmefl J'onen Creek.. i. on.inta -- 1 1 vthnt Cl WHS r;lory in the slain �2i3 I should like to close with a reference to what some poets have said about these place-names we have been .studying. Names are such enchanting thingsl F,ver do they bring to me Beauty, vision, lift of wings, song and scent ancl mystery l 1; Names that I have loved and knownNan~s that lure me wide and far Guan~ Valencia, Car cassoneLondonderry- Shalimar. Memphlnemayg , Santa B,e Athens, Singapore, Baku • C' Buenos A -ires, ~~guenay, Fez Godhaven Paotingfu I I Zamboango, '1 a j Mahal 1 (Oh, songs and dreams and lift of wings 1) Devon, Bagdad,·S~negal Nilson MacDonald calls his poe1m 1 11 Sin£;ing Words 11 London is an eloquent word, A word for the mouth of a King. There are words that speak with thunderj.ng voice, And there are words that sing. Te:mrniscaming has a singing sound Like pine-songs, sweet and slow, Paris and Rome are iron words, They speak but they do not glow. �29 Boston is cold as arctic ice, Moscow's abrupt, yet strong, But when you have said 11 Ti.rhagami 11 You feel you have sung a song .. Let us sing a song together·:: Mattawa, l\Japanee. M:anitowaning, Ottawa~ Nipissing, Ville Marie. Miss an atne, Manitoulin (whisper 1_them soft and low) \ . , Bs pinola, Michipicoten,. Iroquois, Orono. Munich is rich and Cairo sounds Soft as a floating swan; But they are words, and these are songs, J 1,8, • ~1· t 0 r1'l__ nlagane awa.n. Moosonee is a lovely rune It flows like a wild-birds wing, O there are words that stand like rocks ' f And there are words that sing. / WilJ iam Vincent Ben~t in his "American Names" made his strong note on the point of incUviduality, a quality in which your American momenclature , Js so rich: I have fallen in love with American names, The sharp names that never get fat, Trre rattleskin titles of mining claims, �30 The plumed war-bonnet of Medicine Hat, Tuscon and Deadwood and Lost Mule Flat. Seine and Piave are silver sppons, But the spoonbowl-metal is thin and worn, There are English counttes like hunting-tunes Played on the keys of a postboy 1 s horn, But I will remember where I was born. Co:-r', '> 1, C\,~\ I will remember C,iririnques f1trai~ 1 '1 Little French licks and Lundy 1 s Lane, The Yankee ships and the Yankee dates And the bullet-towns of Calamity Jane. I will remember Skunlktown; Plain. If I ever have time for things that matter If I ever have the smallest chance. I'm going to live in Little Broom Gardens, Moat-by-the-castel, Nettlecome, Hants. I' ll:l take my ease and never, never hurry. And sit for hours on top of a stile, with a friend from Yfookey, Gress-on-the-water, Spemmithorne-Baggot, Bury Saint Gile. , Here we have a lover of the little places. to go to Nettlecombe, in Hants? Who, indeed, would not like �31 I hever read this in Houseman I s II () AJ2rhropshire Lad 11 , Clunton and Clunbury Clungunford and Clun Are the quietbst places 1 Under the sun. I never read that, I say, that I do not long to visit those "quietest places under the sun"~ This leads me to what one has to say, about the hamlets of our own country side. To search them out and knov1 them-For life's never empty for those Who go yearning out of the city and into the dawn; If roads would go eastward or westward or northw~rd or southward--no matterl Romance leads them on. One may never have been out on this Tewkesbury Road as has Masefield, but there are many other: Tewkesbury Roads alJ. about us. All the Tewkesbury Roads in England, In New York State, in Ontario--lead to the hamlets. What a beautiful and sonorous music is in the names of so many of theml and mystery L What a song and scent Do you not feel this when I say Tralee, or Clandeboye or Amulree Gll:renallan or Kinisale or Montrose? The music of the hamlet names and something of their scent ond mystery I have tried to capture for you in these verses, binding ln a garland hamlets that I know. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "A journey among place-names" essay by Louis Blake Duff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "A journey among place-names" essay by Louis Blake Duff Subject The topic of the resource Origins of place-names Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the essay "A journey among place-names" by Louis Blake Duff. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Undated Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Louis Blake Duff https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/0fd6d50ee94e9088eed1fdb86ce11994.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=c85w6Y-sBz4cU2YP5N8rbHx8XHskeClsV0N2N9rhygrZATAykvxE-ySPAjqoMfU5OMaoCTLsPEyp7Jt6-UM8dOEtxgoLm9YvJZtKImPeS2TYd78YYOpp6dVyGcGGLr8gtfZcFYPjSxMa7uTl8s949N5SqbxUQu5X8aqHMIBULIVrlRABbC%7EWfKEIPR7YJmy0v6d1UaXGKxCchmzJvz6FO6LkZ8TBH3NwAJQ28duVR%7Eqh4yy67Y2Qe0lv9y7mLgXb-pnsB5Z-nUOnXkk90NTItzXA9UclzzGO-pntycoGVKoqVVGTPFQeIf5I8W2CVekd0klbUF%7Ek586EWS6qPyuU2A__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM b8ef324c197d3168402551e794eb717b PDF Text Text s1-m: LEFT A WOHLD LE:GACY IN A TIN BOX -----------•-----•-~----w--,--•,---Emily Dickinson was a queer and very gifted woman. lived the life of a recluse. She When a friend called, even an old friend to whom she owed much, she would stay in her room and send dovm her excuses. She went nowhere. She saw no one. For years she dressed in pure white from head to heel. Emily Dickinson, she was an audacious woman, witty, passionate, deliberately elusive and superbly coura~eous. time felt any need for ferne. She never at any Indeed she fled from it as she would flee from a contagious disease. Emily died on May 15', 1886, when she was 5'1 and after her death there was found a locked tin box, which when opened, revealed a treasury of nearly 1800 poems. Evidence shows that many of these she worked over and over again, striving for perfection. \\(i,\J )_ All of her poems edition. 1l:1,av€ t ;,1JJ\'\ 0/3~ ,just now published in a three volume /1 The critics say they are ✓ good. ,1 y,. l, She had too, a '< l'>- v ol umin ous output of letters to kindred souls. They are unlike any letters you have ever read. The discovery of these poems was an episode that much surprised the literary world. Reading people were quite m1mvare of her existence, even ignorant of her poetry writing for she was very secretive about it. To place Emily in her historical setting it may be remarked that her death almost coincided with that of Mark Hopkins, who .J,l had been president of Williams Col1ege at Amhurst, Massachusetts, �for 36 years. He died in 1887 at the age of 85 years. He asked his staff for inspired teaching"'l /Moulding young men of good I character, rather than achieving scholarship. It was an idea I somewhat in vogue then. One of Emily 1 s intimates was Helen Hunt Jackson, she of foremost literary woman of 75 years ago. lmew some of them by heart. but without success. 11 Ramona 11 , She knew the poems, even She repeatedly urged publication In her ovm 11 Songs and Lyrics 11 , published by Roberts in Boston in 1886, Helen Hunt Jackson dedicated the book to Emily. Its first poem runs: So they laid her to rest In the sun-washed, beauteous West, Clove blossoms on her breast. Another of her literary intimates was Thomas Wentworth Higginson of Boston. Higginson was a Unitarian Minister and probably the foremost literary critic of his era, not so close a friend as Helen Hunt, but he was a very sympathetic one. He stood close in the Atlantic Monthly circle. He in a gentle way urged publication, fruitlessly. Higginson was a very handsome man and had a flair for aiding young writers. He had a flair too, as an abolitionist. He took an active part in trying to free the negro Anthony Burns.. this he suffered a sabre wound in his arm. In It was the last fu~itive case in Massachusetts. gmi1y•s life was frustrated by many deaths. Bereavement �3 followed bereavement. Several taken were very close to her. not surprising that she wrote 600 poems dealing with death. It is That is probably the largest communication anyone ever made to the funeral column of poetry. She was a puritan and took the puritan view but that did not prevent her from falling in love with two men, both married. Her home was of the utmost tranquility. Her father took a prominent place in politics and public life. man and an excellent father. her poetry. He was a good But Emily never introduced him to He would have been a shocked man as was everyone else when the box was opened, had he been alive. This inspired 8 an indefat to a little girl wrote this economics.. 11 able letter writer in a letter Do you love birds, it is good It will save you from Heaven"• What this means I do not know except that a loving heart filled with the close-by things of this earth will not be yearning for the joys of a remote heaven. Emily Dickinson, her troubled life ended over 60 years ago, has now sprung into a belated fame. From it go to her soft breezes wherever she may be to lend satisfaction and tranqui1ity to her life which was so busy and agitated here on ea~th. LOUIS BLAKE DUFF' � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "She left a world legacy in a tin box" essay by Louis Blake Duff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "She left a world legacy in a tin box" essay by Louis Blake Duff Subject The topic of the resource Emily Dickinson Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the essay "She left a world legacy in a tin box" about poet Emily Dickinson by Louis Blake Duff. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Undated Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Louis Blake Duff https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/133e1c7c395abbed8845855ff5d10c45.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=fPgunB0lgGrLXsWKWBTrNJXTsKuJplvdo8pzmAtcDDSCWfbWXsMOp7v9s43wg6VGOw5fP4epSknICIFIkkvPFfCtj9lgIaXJ0AAsH9px1iWIWHY2IUEBcWQASJmBN3Ta9VEI65VmUspkljfgee9dmMW9e3yrRUrZzNZ5sK0GqHPa0rbKHgtsBoiIdY9ZDBbkxRpKqcl2Vrcave4B-mDS42b6ZzdpW1J2OnKK1c5iZ0iLl-ZNiJaIF9nLGoJYOFU6df6DQnGsPBwm0mg7ibP3u%7E2fMHBX5faTdtUEXPzOecud8eev9v-fXZRwSv3VmeCmvaJp--y7vMvf-vnS3ek5XA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 27feba9703e469f9530f00b443c9eaab PDF Text Text FROl\lf A DOSS-HOUSE T.O J:ARNA!SSUS by Louis Blake Duff On the evening of Monday, the 20th of March, 1899, two tramps lurked in the shadows about the Canadian Pacific railway station at Renfrew, waiting for the arrival of the through express from Montreal to Winnipeg .. Under the famous and hospitable roof of Joe Beef in Montreal they had formed their partnership and perfected important plans .. They were going to beat their way to the Klondike, for their pot of gold was still at the foot of the rainbow .. The heavy snows and intense cold of a severe winter kept them hanging about the city for weeks but at last came signs of spring and the enterprise was on foot .. They hopped a train that in all fairness should have taken them to Winnipeg, but by some miscalculation it set them down in Retl.frew, a good place to get out of speedily .. railway's gift to them .. The night express seemed to be the It was due at seven. still lurking in the shadows .. At aright they were iR~ The tall one was Three-fingered Jack, so distinguished because he had lost two fingers in an accident in a cotton mill two years before. Thereupon he took permanently to the road. The stocky, sturdy one was Will, a Welshman .. Within a month of his twenty-eighth birthday, without formal education, jobless throughout his life except for one short period of absent-mindedness, from his early youth Will had been a tramp .. He learned the rudiments of the hobo 1 s art in England and then came to America for a pest- �Page 2 - From a Doss-House to Parnassus graduate course that lasted five years .. On that day when he arrived in Renfrew he probably knew more of tramps and the tr~mping life than any other man on earth .. Many others had devoted more years to the calling but none had his powers of observation, the ability to know, to remember and understand .. So it was a master craftsman who with Three-fingered Jack was officially received by the Renfrew chief of police add was an official guest of the municipal co'.I'poration for Sunday night .. Monday's task was to find a way out .. express seemed to be the answer .. the gathering darkness. The se11Ien o 1 clock Cheek by jowl they waited in The J train steamed in at a few minutes after eight, and five minutes later it steamed out again .. The hobo, it should be explained for the benefit of those of other callings and ther~fore unacquainted with the tribulations and technique of the business, does not enjoy all of the beneficent facilities bestowed by the railways on passengers who belong to other professions and walks in life .. For instance, he does not board his train in the broad glare of the station lights, nor does he have a kindly porter to hand him up the car steps and assure him that this is the right train .. His berth, if he must ride on an express, is on the blind baggage .. He must leap for it in the darkness, and while the train is in motion .. rrhree-fingered Jack, because of his disabled hand, was given the privileged place as the express pulled out .. hand rail and gained the step.. He caught the :F'or some reason that has never �Page 3 - From a Doss-House to Parnassus been e~plained, and never will be explained now, he did not move up to make room for his partner.. Will held the. hand rail, running at full speed to keep abreast and waiting for a clear step .. The train was fast getting into its stride as though in a hurry to overtake the missing hour .. 1 he runner fell and the train wheels chopped off his foot .. The Three-fintered one sped on into the night and out of the ken of men, fior nothing was ever heard of him afterward .. Agreat deal has been heard of and from Will .. With these bridf and halting words, ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you W.. H.. Davies, the poet whom Robert Lynd in the introduction to his 11 Anthology of Modern Verse" describes as "a luminary for all time" .. 11 His fame will be measured only by the limitations of time," wrote another, saying the same thing in a ~ slightly different way.. That, of course, j_s an exceedingly long period, and maybe after all Davies will not light up the whole future of the human race~ forget him .. Time may some day Prophecy can flap any breadth of wings she chooses, but retrospect has to stand on the ground$ Looking backward, one critic places the Welshman among the first haJf-dozen lyric poets in our tongue. And this from Thomas Moult: "A ~enius who has gone forth into the green world of Nature, the red world of the revolutionary, the many-coloured world of the lover, of the man of religion, of the philosopher, and returned from none of them without his matchless harvest of shin,iing song." �fage 4 - F~om a Doss-House to Parnassus But we must not pause for further praise while a lyric peet with a foot off is languishing in the snow at Renfrew. We must get on with the accident, the matter which really concerns us here. In his "Autobiography of a Super-Tramp 11 Davies tells us just how he came to be sitting, 3/f1l,a~=ded, by the railway tracks that Monday night of ~ ~ f i ! w years ago: "Taking a firmer grip on the bar, I jumped, but it was too late, for the train was going at a rapid rate. My foot W<!il<i came short of the step, and I fell, and,still clinging to the handle bar, was dragged several yards before I relinquished my hold. And there I lay fo1· several minutes, feeling a little shaken, whilst the train passed swiftly on into the darkness,. E1l!en then I did not know what had happened, for I attempted to stand, and found that something had happened to prevent me from doing this-. Sitting down in an upright position I then began to examine myself, a:dd found that the right foot was severed from the ankle .. 11 Enough from Davies; now we'll let the newspaper reporter tell it. The :Renfrew Mercury, then edited by the late W.. E. Smallfield, had this in its issue of March 24th: LOST HIS FOOT The hospital has a patient once again. On Sunday, Chief McDermott entertained two "tired travellers" at his castle back of the old Town Hall. One was maimed of a a~ hand .. The other was a young man, not too badly dressed, who had been out only three weeks from the old country, and was heading for the west. Monday they hung about the C.P.R, station, keeping an eye on the Chief, and watching for a chance to take a free ride on the first train heading west. Owing to the storm, freights were scarce that day, and so it was not until the evening local express came along about eight o'clock-- �Page 5- From a Doss-House to Parnassus an hour late--that their opportunity came .. As the train started to pull out of the station, the two sought to get on the blind end of the baggage car, next to the tender .. The young man allowed his companion of the maimed hand to get on first, and as he was slow about it owing to his infirmity the train had put on fair speed before the youngster made his effort .. In fact, the speed was too great 1 he missed his grasp, and was flung under the wheels .. After the train went by, he lay in the snow for some time, but finally his cries atttacted Mr .. Jas .. Galvin, who went to investigate, and soon had the victim of the accident in the station .. Here he displayed ·wonderful nerve, and informed the authorities that ~0 he had money on his person .. Chairman Moss of the Hospital, was communicated with, and it was decided to take him to that institution.. When the Chief appeared, the sufferer saluted him with, "Well, Chief, I1 ve been done UP! It's my own fault[ I had the money to pay my way, but tried to save it .. 11 He had $143 sewed about his clothes .. ~ This he handed to the Chief, as well as his razor and knife, saying as to the latter that one never knew what might happen .. He gave his name as William Henry Davies, of Newport, England .. Drs .. Connolly and Murphy were summoned and bandaged the foot at the station, preparatory to having the man removed to the hospital.. 'While the bandaging was in progress, Davies took out his pipe and had a smoke .. At the hospitall the Doctors amputated the l~ft foot at the ankle .. The root had been badly crushed .. Chploroform was administered, but throughout Davies exhibited such fortitude that Dr .. Connolly remarked that it was easy to understand how Britishers won victories, if they were made up of such stuff as he was .. Davies says that as soon as able to be out of the hapital, he will t return to his home in the old country. His intention had been to beat his way to Vancouver, and then go on to the ltlondike .. He says that he had been one of the many in the cities of the old country who had been set nearly crazy by the flaming advertisements of the mine promoting companies, who exhibit large gilded nuggets as a,amples of what are picked up in the Klondike .. Quite a long story that to write about a hobof Yet not too long to ·write about a hobo who was to become a lyric poet with fame measured only by the limitations of time .. �Page 6 - From a Doss-House to Parnassus The newspaper article seems to call for four footnotes: ( 1) The "Autobiography" makes no mention of the jF143 which must have been a tremendous sum of money for a hobo, especially one who had in him the potentialities of a lyric poet. told all, sof did Hazlitt. Rousseau Davies hid $143 in the lining of his vest and later hid it from his readers. (2) "Chloroform was administered, but throughout Davies §xhibited such fortitude, etc. 11 Fortitude was in part the use of more foul language in ten minutes than had probably been used in the previous twenty-four hours by the whole population of Canada. Selections of the highly oriented orations were reported to the patient by the doctor when he felt Davies was strong enought to bear the recital. (3) The right foot was cut off by the train and the left foot was amputated by the doctors. VI/ell, doctors do make little mistakes sometimes, but in this case it was the Mercury that cut off the left foot, as it was honest enough to confess on March 31st: I'.L1 WAS THE WRITER'S MISTAKJ:i: Those ·who read The Mercury 1 s account of the taking off of the foot of Davies, the victim of the accidentJ at the C P.R .. station here last week, will have thought that the doctors made a mistake and cut off the wrong foot. Our re port said that i ~"Davies '..-.lliP.!---!n.o.:L..ih_~!."_-__... l1' was cnushed by the wheels, ancY at'a:-T'urther stage the item stated that the doctors amputated his left foot .. It was the right they really took off. We had understood our informant to say that it was ta.e left foot that was damaged, and so wrote it.. But after the i tern was in ty~ hearing someone remark that it was the right foot that had suffered, we made inquiry and found that this was correct .. We thereupon had the "left" changed to "right" at the beginning of the paragraph, without noticing that the 11 li!ft 11 was mentioned lower down .. Hence the second 11 left 11 was not changed to "right", as it should have been .. 0 (-'.. '? �Page 7 - From A Doss-House to Parnassus (4) Victoria Hospital, Renfrew, where Davies was treated, was burned dovm a few years ago, with all its records, or we might have had the pulse, temperature, and langua~e charts for the embellishment of this narrative. The physicians who attended Davies were Dr. Stephen H.. Murphy, and Dr. B~rnard Gervase Connolly. Doctor Murphy still lives in Renfrew. died in Ottawa on January 11, 1931 .. Doctor Connolly He was for some years managing director of the Capital Trust Corporation, Limited. James Galvin, who found the wounded man and brought him to the station, is a resident of Ottawa. The doctors and the newspaper were not through with operations yet, however. One night Davies threshed about soih at he got the wounded leg free and he pounded it about until the stump was seriously injured. A second operation was necessary. The limb was amputated above the knee. Poets and potential poets are supposed to stand, fnailly, flower in hand, gazing sadly out of the window, while they think of death, unrequited love, and the smell of jasmine. Davies, with a railway accident on March 20th that se-gered a foot, then two major surgical operatj_ons, was discharged from the hospital on the first day &-9 of May. a world's record. For a lyric poet that is surely At once he breaks into print. Here is the letter of the robust and gnateful man as it appeared in the Mercury on May Da,y--a Davies first if ever there was one: �Page 8 - From A Doss-House to Parnassus MR,_ DAVIES EXPRESSES HIS THANKS Monday, Ma.y 1st, 1899• Dear Sir: I wish to thank the good people of Renfrew for their kindness and sympathy during my illness-. It was a most unfortunate affair altogether; but I am thankful to say, that I did not have to ask with Shakespeare "Is there no pity sitting in the clouds"; for I soon found there was more pity in Renfrew than the most hopeful could expect,. Whatever i,iay be my opinion of Canada and its inhabitants, I shall certainly remember Renfrew.. In one way, I have good cause.. If I believe in predestination, I must certainly thank the Creatnr of all things, for picking out such a good spot in th.e universe for the accomplishment of His work. If I do not believe in it, I must flonsider myself to be a mest lucky dog in falling upon such a spot .. When I am able to wear an artificial limb, I will strut around persuading people I am lame, and at the same time, laugh up my sleeve at the deception. I am really proud in having made so many friends .. As I am not in fit condition to visit you individually I have with the kind permission of the editor, adopied this method of expressing myself,. Not to take up more valuable space, I must now conclude, with many thanks for the sympathy shown, and for the kindness expressed by word and deed., Sincerely yours, w.H .. Davies .. The "Autobiography" touches on this point, too .. 11 What a kind-hearted people are these Canadians!" he writes .. 11 Here was r, an entire stranger among them, and yet every hour people were making enquiries, and interesting themselves on my behalf, bringing and sending bool{S, grapes, bananas, and other delicacies for a sick man .. When a second operation was deemed necessary, the leg to be amputated at the knee, the �Page 9 - From a Doss-House to Parnassus whole towm was cpncerned, and the doctors had to give strict injunctions not to admit such a number of kind-hearted visitors ••. It was at this time (convalescence) that the kindness of the people touched my heart. They came single, they came in twos and threes; old people, young people, and children; until it became necessary to give them a more formal reception, limiting each person or couple, as it might be, to a few minutes' conversation. 11 Something happened to Davies when he was in the hospit~.1, something beyond the receipt of books and bananas. Something happened to Henley in hospital, too; he found he was captain of his soul. The hospital was Davies' excelling spot, if you get what I mean .. William Ellery Leonard said it: In each man's life there's some excelling spot, Indoors or out, that m~y not be forgot,-Some hall whose music set his spirit free, Some stream unbridged which lost him victory, Some hut, some hill, determining his lot, Divid.ing still what-is from what-is-not •••• The hall in the hobo's case was really a hospital; the music was really an article on the poetry of Burns. A new Klondike opened before the eyes of the wanderer, one he had dreamed of in his youth. On crutches he set out from Renfrew to find it. And he did find it, strange as it may seem. In oHl London at last he made his home in a doss-house with thirty of his kind .. This establishment was nicknamed in irony "The :F'armhouse", and was situated (is situated, though now devoted �Page 10 - From a Doss-House to Parnassus to other uses) in Marshalsea Road. Here the Johnny Vl!alkers slept in their cheap beds and cooked their meals, such as they were, in a common kltchen. Out of the doss-house, in 1905, came Davies' first book poems, 11 cf' The Soul's Destroyer", of which he was not only the author but the publisher. Publisher Davies, there on the title-page, gave his business address: The Farmhouse, l\!Iarshalsea Road. Surely the most unpropitious imprint that ever appeared on a book. There were only two hundred and fifty copBs printed and most of these were sent out on approval in the hope that the recipient would press gold on the poet's palm. The financial returns were slender, but knowing ones recognized a new poet.. "Some of the most beautif~l and poignant poetry cf our day, 11 wrote Edward Thomas, and St. John Adcock said 11 The Soul's Destroyer" had one hund:red lines that had not been excelled in our generation .. Shaw saw Davies' quality, so he confessed, in the first three lines, and gave the bard a hefty leg-up in his introduction to the 11 Auto'giography 11 .. 1 t was high praise, indeed, but not a whit too high, for the tale has grip and certainly no superior in English in the simple dignity of its p:p'ose .. Then the books began to pour from the pen of this lazy m;:m.. Today they number nearly half a hundred.. his experiences as a vagabond in the Adventures of Johnny Walker", 11 Autoblographyu, in "The ,J. 11 He capitalized Beggars:!:f and "the Tramp• s Opera"" �Page 11 From a Doss-House to Parnassus He wrote two novels, 11 Dancing Mad II and 11 A Weak Woman tt, done, let it be ~reely admitted, in the best manner of the Pansy books. But he was at his old prose level in 11 A Poet's Pilgrimage", where, in his poet days, with the call of the open road upon him, he went tramping abou-t the country in search of ale and experiences--and ale. Maybe on the reasoning of Hous~an! Malt does more than Milton can, To jus•tify God's way to man. His concession to his past was to go a-foot, to stay in cheap rooms and frequent the small wayside inns. '!is a world of capride, my masters, and fate is a bit of a wag .. This waggery, as Hardy remarked, started Clive as a w.ritingf'clerk, Gay as a linen-draper and Keats as a surgeon. In such a list belongs Davies, near the top .. This Welshman, in his way kinsman of Borrow, is the supreme miracle from vagabondia, the finest flower of that tribe whom Bliss Carman described as The ~agabondish sons of God Who care not how the world may plod .. Good people rest, as Davies pointed out, on Sunday, but the vagabond is a better man, for he rests from Monday until Monday and lets the world do its own plodding. (it Davies asks of life nothing but the privilege to stand and stare, and wear his dreams-Let me be ~ree to wear my dreams, Like wee~s in some mad maiden's hair, When she believes the earth has not Another maid so rich and fair; And proudly smiles on rich and poor, The queen of all fair women then: So I, dressed in my ifile dreams, Will think myself the king of men .. �Page 12 - From a Doss-House to Parnassus "What sort of man is this Davies?tt I asked one day of a young student whose text book of modern verse I held in my hand. 11 He seems," she said, anything. 11 11 to Certainly be a man who does not trouble about he has never troubled about what most other people trouble about. A vagabond, who, weary and hungry, lies down under a tree for a night's sleep, hears an uneasy mother-bird stirring nervously because he is too close to her nest, and at once gets up to find in the darkness another sheltiring tree and another grass bed--well, he has a set of troubles almost pecul.iarly his own .. The lives of men reveal but one example to st;and beside this bird episodel Mahomet, being consulted one day on a point of piety, preferred to cut off his sleeve, on which his favorite pussy was resting, rather than wake her violently by rising .. The pussy, be it remarked, was a dear friend, and the sleeve was probably a very old one; but the bird was a complete stranger and a noisily protesting one at that .. Moreover, no one had consulted Davies that day on a point of piety .. Davies married happily and spent his declinint years in a cottage in the Cotswold hills. the British government .. He was awarded a pension by So a life that began in nothingness, wandering and turmoil, ended in peafe, content and achievement .. He will be remembered as long as English lyrics are remembered .. In his last years he had plenty of time to stand and stare and that was all he wanted to do -- at the birds and the buds, the lanes and the hedges, the tbees and the skies .. of them all he stamped on his poetry .. The imprint � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "From a Doss-House to Parnassus" essay by Louis Blake Duff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "From a Doss-House to Parnassus" essay by Louis Blake Duff Subject The topic of the resource W. H. Davies Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the essay "From a Doss-House to Parnassus" by Louis Blake Duff. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Undated Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Louis Blake Duff https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/f81e0d183f5b632be9b84202f578e531.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=c3foGYeMupprIk05YYSFev01IyKnRIxvwBBwhKLGQQhLJl-Ms8JIrtDL0g11IpcetE9UzPpVXsbiSbSRYs-rhoz5SJj5aAC9rn%7EWTFu4O7wcuhgFbZWkfhbU536Lvl9GrAEL0WB2E6BQKScbWU9PCx7gpRhpFEVM5QE0lHUuLxslo-AH4Co2XtFDuXaFif6dDPOwptyu1k2Qbu8Eiu7nMULMQ0uBsgJhzQ5FWXge5Y37E80ey7-dQ2oUlgoriXQn0J7YaWLC1rhZPbfvNJGpWcBkCKHHu0cvYsJNchRz-IzFSXMV-6TGiEDVUfljUILIX0UQB7cEInpXHEWA3XL3qg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 3f69ae46f7b52e4aeedb781eaca22abc PDF Text Text LOST BOOKS OF HISTORY by Louis Blake Duff Hebdrick Wilhelm van Loon in one of the best of his books, published just before his death a few years ago, "van Loon's Lives 11 devoted his last chapter to Lost Children of History, that is, the t inces, the tots who followed the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the lost Charley Ross, the countless children in frontier days in Canada and the United States who were carried off or wandered off into Indian encampments to be lost forever to civilization, sometimes due to coercion and slavery, sometimes due to choice, for Indian life had its attractions as had the Indian people. Now since Lost Children of History he thought to be worthy of a chapter it may be that Lost Books of History is worthy of my address. But while the children disappeared for all time most of the books I speak of came to view again and went on down the stream of world literature. 0 These last books are exceedingly generous in their scope, going back to the earliest culture of Egypt, to the Papyrus Ebers, the only complete book known to man, yet it lay silent and unknown for thirty-five centuries; the Dead Sea Scvolls, antedating Christ, probably the most important find ever made in the book world. Crops up the names in this category: Livy, Pepys, Rossetti, notably Boswell, right to our own day with Clarence Day, T.E. Lawrence, and Edna St .. Vincent Millay. �Page 2 - Lost Books of History This list touches books destroyed aplenty in the earlier throes of Christianity, some by accident or quite fortuitous circumstance disappeared from the ken of men and then when years or even vast centuries had gone by, in another fortuitous circumstance, popped into sight again to enable, enrich and inform the mind of man. Sometimes the book is not wholly lost but its light only dimmed until its quality and genius re-recognized brings it back again .. B~ton 1 s Anatomy of Melancholy went through five editions in his lifetime.. That was in, the seventeenth century. In the eighteenth the Anatomy had practically died away though it was in the eighteanth that Doctor Johnson proclaimed it the only book that would keep him awake when he ought to be sleeping .. But the book, more copious in its quotations than any other and higher in its analysis of the human mind, passed into near oblivion unt Who Lamb revived it .. Will she ever come back? I think not but I am old enougr;tbo remember the :t:remendous furore it im de when DuMaurier threw it to the public in the last years of our preceding century .. Losses go back, it seems, to the very beginning of a thinking human race. For two and a half centuries a persistent effort was ~ hit. made to destroy every line ~➔-.re::i/WE'1' had ever written.. TranslaJ % tions of her remaining lyrics lie beside me, a very respectable book in size, worthy, too, in its lyrics. �Page 3 - Lost Books of History Homer lay unread and forgotten for fourteen centuries until the new learning brought him to life again. published in Venice gave him new 1 The Aldus classics Up to the timeaf' Aristophanes it is estimated that upwards of two thousand dramas had been written and issued .. Livy, born 59 B.. c. , Only 42 have survived to this day .. had Augustus for his patron .. He did the history of Rome from the very beginnings down to the birth of Christ .. It made 142 volumes altogether .. Time trimmed that monument .. Only 35 volumes have been preserved to us .. There are bottomless pits into which the human race has been throwing books, and ill-starred abysses, it has been observed, waiting to engulf books, just as there are starred hilltops to hold them up to the sight of the world .. Some books as old Sir Thomas Brovme has said ane cursed with "the oblivion of the poppy" .. Some fall by ineptitude along an unfrequented wayside where the eye of man never lights .. The oldest and the best of the Greek romances was lost fer something like a thousand years, to be found at the sack of Buda in 1526 .. It twlls of Persina, queen of Aeth±opia, who gave tirth to a white child.. The queen fee.red her husband might have as indeed, he might .. The So she shipped the child off .. adventures among priests, sailors, soldiers, pirates make a narrative of hardship that ends in glory .. seize should s4~~~ that tale. Hollywood But there is no need of t~avelling so far through the years .. In this decade there has broken on the world almost the greatest �Page 4 - Lost Books of History romance in the whole history of lost books. It would be impossible to invent any detective story so fantastic as the history of the lost Boswell papers, lost, but found, and now being printed in 52 volumes .. The good man who had got his fame in the Life of Johnson, died in 1795, and left boxes and boxes of his papers to his trustees .. These Illapers made a truthful relation of a scandalous life, so scandalo.us, that the trustees hid the boxes where they would be out of sight and where they might be well lost and forgotten. One batch turned up at last in a grocery store in Boulogne in France. The grocer had purchased the papers for wrappings. Prof. Tinker of Yale in the present century engaged on a life of Boswell, advertised in a ]London paper thijt he would like news of any Boswell papers that might be extant. His only reply was an anonymous postcard, saying "Try Malahide Castle" .. Now Boswell's great-grandaughter had married one of the anc~nt and noble family of Talbot, Lord Talbot de Ma.la.hide of Malahide Castle, just outside of Dublin. It was Thomas 'I'albot of this family who got a tremendous grant of land from the crown, through Simcoe, and settled the St. Thomas and Elgin region in Ontario. As a result of the postcard Prof. Ti:mker went to Malahide Castle, got a peep at a case containing Boswell papers .. was not permitted to examine them. But e.e �Page 5- Lost Books of History In a later year Col .. Isham, Yale man, an American, who had served in the British army in the first World War, was a guest at Malahide, and in a box in an attic he found a further collection .. More papers of very considerable ~olume were found in a storage barn at Malahide .. But the papers out of which Boswell's London Journal was made were found at Fettercairn House in Scotland .. So these are the varied sou~ees from which half a hundred Boswell books are to be built .. The finding of books has surely no equal to this in the whole history of literature .. Almayer•s Folly was a wanderer among books .. in England in a small lodging house .. to Poland to have additions made .. Conrad began it He took 7 chapters with him Then he carried the pile to the Congo and it came out fatter than when it went in .. A chapter was done in Geneva, another in England and still another in Rouen., From Rouen he went back to Poland to finish six years of his wandering book. Then he lost the whole thing in the Fredrichstrasse railway Station in Berlin-. But the lost was flound and the world eventually got Almayer's Folly. The fates were kinder to it than to Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a book that Churchill said 11 belonged to the great stream of English literature that began with Chaucer .. 11 Lawrence left it in the railway station at Reading and it was never found. He had to write it again .. These are books that have been mislaid in manuscript .. j_s yet another class that has been burned in manuscript.. Ta.ere Moliere made a translation of Lucretius, and a maid noting a pile of papers, began using precious leaves for curl papers, for that was the era when papers and rags were the only implements available �Page 6 - Lost Books of History for curling hair. When the great man, high-stomached and full or ine, discovered the profane use to which his wr:lting had been put, he flew into a rage and tossed the remaining pages into the fire. The best known of all the stories of burned books relates to the burning of Carlyle 1 s "French Revolution"• He had finished the book one day and sent the great pile of sheets to his brohher Scot, ,John Stuart Mill, for a critical opinion. Came Mill to Cheyne Row the next evening, surely the saddest man not only in London but in all England for he had a confession to make .. A maid lately from the country, seeing a disorderly mound of papers on the table had thrown it bodily into the fireplace. Carlyle was stunned .. "Nothing like this ever happened before, 11 said Ji/fill. 11 0h yes,u said the sage of Chelsea, 11 There was Newton and his dog Diamond .. " In this he lifted the lid on another painful experience. One evening the dog Diamond jumped up on Newton's great desk, laden with the vvri ting labours of ten years.. Diamond overturned a candle, set fire to the papers and all was lost .. Carlyle was a stunned and defeated man .. For a month he moped in his study, looking out the window and seeing nothing .. He observed one day, however, what he had seen and not seen for thirty days, a man .building the wall of a brick house across the w~Y• Brick on bric~, row on row. Carlyle realized that he had seen the Wl:J,11 begun and now had seen it reach the height �Page 7- Lost Books of History of the eave. Brick on brick, row on row. To himself he said, "Paragraph bn paragraph, chapter on chapter I can build the French Revolution again. 11 So he began. So he finished. So he produced his history of the greatest eruption in all social history, and made it one of the classics of the English tongue. Books Carlyle held in great veneration. He wrote, 11 0f the many things man can do or make here below, the most momentous, wonderful and worthy are the things called books. 11 We need not travel so far in years or space in recording these burnings of boolrn, books in manuscript. A seasoned actor, William Gillette, set out to dramatize Sherlock Holmes. He finished his task while on the road with a stage company, Came the last dot, the end of the final revision at the Baldwin Hotel (named for Lucky Baldwin) in San Fnancieco. He was through at 6 o'clock on a summer afternoon and set out for a walk of a few blocks before dinner. When he turned homeward he behellfl the Baldwin a mass of flame. The manuscript and all his other possessions in the hotel were lost .. the stage in 1899 and not 1898 .. That is why Sherlock mounted Gillette created the character and played in the role from 1899 until his death in 1937 - surely a record without par~llel in the story of the theatre. There was another manuscript consumed by a burning hotel. Edna St .. Vincent Millay, whose career was untimely ended, went in a recent spring with her husband, Eugene Boisvain, to Sanibel Island off the gulf shore of Florida. It was to be a holiday but a working holiday for she had brought with her the almost completed manuscript of a new volume .. Arrived at the hotel �Page 8 - Lost Books of History their baggage was put inside .. They did not enter but walked a half mile down to the beach. There they turned to see their hotel being licked up in flames .. in which they stood .. They lost all but the clothes He was a sensible and sensitive hotel- keeper for in no time ha had his two guests installed in another hotel. He had brought in typewriter and paper, so that in an hour Edna St. Vincent Millay was seated at the machine trying to capture from the recesses, of her memory the lost book.. The recapture was completed when the holiday ended .. The book made of it was nconversation at Midnight" .. I cannot think it added anything to the stature of the poet who wrote "Ballad of the Harp-Weaver. 11 But enough of fire .. the pathway of books .. There are other pitfalls that lie in "Life with Father" delighted one generation as a book, and another as a stage play and a movie. No one knet until Knopf, the publisher, told it, how nearly this book came to being swallowed up in complete oblivion .. Clarence Day, who wrote it, was an arthritic sufferer from the time of his return from the Spanish-American War. in bed .. The disease landed him permanently That was where he wrote the "Life" and when he had finished it; it seemed unlikely he would ever 1,vrite anything fnrther. The manuscript went to Knopf. It was wieapped by him in a parcel with a very voluminous scientific work and the bundle was sent off to the printing house at Plimpton. Odd, that the Day manuscript was not clean and that he had not kept a copy of it. �Page 9 - Lost Books of History Inquiry a few months later brought the reply from the printers that they had never received the 11 1Life", had never seen it .. Further questioning afterward seemed to establish that the Day writings had been thrown away with the wrappings of the great parcel .. Where did this printer's waste paper go? house of a Boston jobber .. and inspected .. Every bale in the warehouse was opened No luck .. mill in Connecticut .. To the ware- This Boston firm sold waste to a paper Knopf 1 s three scouts went there .. days were spent vainly .. Three But this mill sometimes sold scrap to another mill at Fitchburg .. To Fitchburg went the scouts .. The waste from Connecticut, when the trip arrived at Fitchburg, was already running down the chutes to the beaters .. A triumphant shout announced the appearance of a few pages of Life With Fabher .. In the end, all but three pages of the manuscript were recovered .. The book, the play that all the world knows, lived by the slenderest thread of accident .. Had the search of the chute failed it is quite unlikely anyone would ever have known the most famous father in all literature .. However Edmund Gosse had a father too and what the son wrote of him makes one of the most engaging biographies in English .. There was another manuscript, not found, like Day's, but lost forever, that in its disappearance came near denying us an American classic, a sea-story that ranks with IVfoby Dick and The Cruise of the Catchaltt as a tremendous epic of the sea .. It was a hundred years ago and a little more that a lad of seventeen set out aa as a sailor for the great voyage around the Horn to the p,rts of �Page 10, Lost Books of History the Pacific .. When he got back to the docks at Boston, after two years, he was met by his parents and his sister .. Greetings over, he turned to collect his bags and boxes and found his trunk had been stolen .. In a round century no trace of that trunk has ever come to light .. The youth lost his souvenirs from the Pacific, the presents he had brought for his family, and, most important of all, the manuscript of the Mast 11 .. 11 Two Years Before For the youth was Richard Henry Dana .. On his sea journey he had set down his observations every day, the weather, the food, the character of his mates, what was said, what was done, the details of the profession of sailing .. These rough notes he, as time allowed, expanded into a narrative .. srtory was .ti:l in the missing trunk. That But Dana still had the notes .. Four years later in the final year of a l&VW course at Harvard Dana wrote out his note& a second time .. Before the Mast1t was reborn .. 11 Two Years It has had a splendid career in these hundred years and is likely to live as long as men and boys love stories of the sea and have red blood in their veins. Er. Lorne Pierce lost a book once. Threw it in the fire. Lost it deliberately .. He had written the life of William Kirby-, he of the Niagara Mail and The Golden Dog. Then he went over to old Niagara to view again the scenes that Kirby had known so well. In the old Kirby home that day in an attic he came across stacks of notebooks. They were the diaries William Kirby kept ytith some regularity over two score years, and written �Page 11 - Lost Books of History as the mood seized him in any one of four languages .. This from a man whose formal education enaed when he was ten years old-. The diaries revealed much that had been hidden from the biographer, made certain whart was uncertain, and, in short, rounded out the figure and the career of the man .. Doctor Pierce destroyed his manuscript and ~egan his work anew .. we got 11 William Thus Kirby, Portrait of a Tory Loyalist", one of the best of Canadian biographies .. Dana lost the manuscript that had been made from the note books .. The great humorist Twain last the note books .. Mark Twain fancied himself as an inventor and among the things he invented was a note book .. He had stacks of these made up for his own use, bound in leather, and each page having a perforated tab or ear to be torn off when the page was filled, always opened on a virgin page. So the book One of these note books he carried about with him always for holding memos of events, even thoughts, idea~ and references to the passing scene. All this in the hope that these jot•t;ings might one day be ground in his w.riting mill .. When he died these notebooks were assembled b~ his trustees. Two were missing, belonging to the years 1897 and 1898. Now Mark Twain and his wife had spent that period in Hotel M:etropole in Vienna. (On the German occupation in March, in 1938, the Metropole was made headquarters of the Gestapo and not a fewaf those behind bars had been guests of Mark Twain there forty years before.) The notebooks had been lost for nearly twenty years when �Page 12 - Lost Books of History they appeared in a sale catalogue of the Anderson Galleries of New York .. The Sheriff was ordered to rrake seizure for the estate .. This move brought to light two things - 1 .. That a bid had already been received for book No .. 1 at ~a5,ooo.. 2 .. That the consignment had been sent in from down state, from a former Austrian who aad been a servant in Hotel Metropole at the time of Mark Twain's residence there .. In that 1897 book under date of December 1 is this en~ry, characteristic of Mark Tw~in, "Buried 'freasure in Missouri Village: Supposed to be $980 .. quarrels and murder .. Corrppts the village, causes is $9 .. 80 .. 11 When found at Indeed found fortunes are always Out o.f that slender note grew 11 The Man Who Corrppted Hadleyburg", a good but not the greatest of the stories of Mark Twain .. Its thesis is that virtue does not grow,i in glass cages, but thrives only in fighting battles and winning them .. Milton aad said the same thing long ago: 11 lt cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, that never sallies out and meets her adversary, but slinks out of the race with its dust and heat. What purifies us is trial .. ~ Cl.:oistered Hadleyburg had no race until the day of the hidden treasure .. Temptation that day changed respectable citizens into scoundrels. The greatest diary in the English tongue, in any tongue, lay in an unknown grave, a vault at Cambridge University for �Page 13 - Lost Books of History a century and a half., Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) bequeathed his library and his papers to the library of his old university .. As a part of the bequest was a large number of notebooks written in code and dated from 1660 to 1670., It was an 1825 that a studious preacher cracked the riddle, solved the problems of the code and 101'ii he revealed the greatest of all diaries .. revelation had three qualities that made for sensation .. The The story had been secret for a century and a half, it was complete for not one page was missing, it was an intensely human document of tremendous vitality .. nothing .. And above all these it was frank, hiding Here was a man confessing sin, every meanness and wickedness, his vanities, big and little, a man telling honestly of his dishonesties .. This diary was a series of books giving a vivid picture of everyday life, the administration of the navy, the ways of the court, and above all the experiences and thought of Samuel Pepys, his quarrels with his wife, his chasing of skirts, how he walked through the dreadful plague of 1665 unscathed because he carried a rabbit's foot in his pocket .. This million and a quarter words is at once the most honest and most searehing record of a man's daily doings over a period .. It came upon the world in a burst of sensation in 1825, before which year no person had the faintest suspicion of its existenc~ .. In the year 1321 the great poet Dante died unexpectedly~ a fever in Revenna, Italy .. Among his papers were found a major portion of his epic poem, the Divine Comedy .. But the end of �Page 14 - Lost Books of History the great work was missing .. for the missing pages .. Weeks were consumed in the search Son Jacopo claimed that there was revealed to him in a dream by the dead Dante himself the location of a panel that secreted the writings. Jacopo ~ot up next morning and went to the spot, finding the pages .. I do not endorse dreams myself but anyway there is the legend and by you rests the complete book with its last thirteen stanzas. The Pre-Raphaelites and the other writers of their era form what is probably the most interesting chapter in the history of English literature, and the king among these PreRaphaelites w~s undoubtedly Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Famed as a painter and famous as a poet, he had a fame in quite another respect that dwarfed both the poet and the painter. His life enaed badly in a haze of idleness induced by cheral, but undoubtedlliy he had had his tremendous days. Leicester Square in 1849 or named Elizabeth Siddall. meagerly educated .. 1 At a milliner 1 s shop near 50 Rossetti met a young assistant She was very poor, frail in health and But she was refined and lovely .. She had a brilliant complexion, so glorious that all her contemporaries remarked on it; and a heavy wealth of hair the color of newly burnished copper. Added to all this was a personality of peculiar charm .. Rossetti painted her again and again, using her as a model for over n~nety Shakespearian, biblical and historical subjects. Millaia used her as the model for his famous Ophelia, an Ophelia = �Page 15 - Lost Books in History an Ophelia who floated in green waters under overhanging will!l)ws .. Elizabeth's face and figure is probably the best known in all the realms of art .. Husband taught wife to paint and no less anauthority than Ruskin declared Elizqbeth had more talent in art than Gabriel. Ruskin, indeed, agreed to buy all of her paintings (this before they were produced) but that may have been more a gesture of encouragement than a tribute to jher art. Rossetti and his wife went out to dinner one night taking Swinburne with them .. Swinburne was fond of Elizabeth but it did not prove a sparkling dinner party .. After dinner the two men deposited Elizabeth at home and vra:at out for the night. When Rossetti got back in the small hours dead. JiiJi: he found his wife She had taken a dose of laudanum and left a note .. Rossetti's grief bore a deep burden of remorse for he had never been the husband he should have been. He made a queer resolve: that his manuscripts should be buried with her. were hers, she had inspired them .. They Buried with her they were. Time does heal wounds of the heart. poet wanted to have his poems again. Seven yearslater the So a gruesome exhumation was made, and the pages rescued to be his fir.tt book of poems. Even had there been no merit there were seeds of a sensation in this publication. Six editions were issued in the first year. But there was merit, too .. The lost book revealed itself in Sister Helen, Love's Nocturne and The Blessed Damozel. �Page 16 - Lost Books in History The exhumation Dorothy Parker treats lightly in this:Dante Gabriel Rossetti Buried all his liberetti. Thot:t§ht the matter over- and then Went and dug them up again. Elizabeth Siddall was obsessed with the idea of death. Here is a fr.1gment found after she was gone: How is it in the unknown land? Do the dead wander hand in hand? Do we clasp dead hands, and quiver With an endless joy forever7 She w~s to learn the answer to that question at the aged.' thirty-two. The story of lost books 4~ can be rounded out by the tale of. a few books that were nearly lost, that were within a hair'sbreadth of going to an untimely grave. Rubayiat of Omar Khayyam. One of these is the famous An eccentric, crotchety, lazy bachelor spent his life in a country cottage by a river. He was so blind that for a long period of his life he had to be read to. He had the endowment of a poet's touch, and he had qcquired in his Cambridge days a wide range of scholarly knowledge of eastern languages. A great gift of Persian manuscripts was made to the university library of Cambridge. idleness by the river. earlier. One of these was sent to the man in his It was the work of a poet of nine centuries No man was ever better fitted to translate than was Edwf:!:rd Fitzgerald to translate Omar. same dark philosophy. born of seclusion. Each was penetrated by the Ea.eh was immersed in the same self-absorption Month after month Fitzgerald chiseled and burni19hed the metal of Omar and there left his hand li·ttle delicate �Page 17 - Lost Books in History vessels of pure gold. Each stanza was complete in itself, and that is one reason the poem is so quotable. When done Fitzgerald sent the manuscript to Fraser's Magazine. The Frasers kept it a year and then declined it. had 250 copies printed at his o,~1 expense. friends. Fitzgerald then These he gave to his The balance of one hundred odd copies he made a &4.~ gift to his friend Bernard Quaritch. sale but nobody would buy. Quaritch offered them fvr Finally they were thrown pell mell into a penny box which was really a grab-bag. Rossetti and Swinburne found a copy there, and later so did Edmund Gosse. At once the heatheri was on fire. reprinted. How often that poem has been Has there been any year that has not seen a new edition? The Rubayiat is a classic not content in its role of classic - it is knovm to everyone. Not a few classics are universally and war.ibly praised but never read. Those copies in the grab-bag! They have become very valuable. One was sold for eight thousand dollars. Only the Kilmarnoch Burns ranks near it in the market place. Fitzgerald lived to make three revisions of the text. I still love the first one best, because, I suppose, it was the one I saw first. Mary Webb walked to ~WQ eggs from her little farm. toMi on market days with butter and That was an eight mile vmlk. In whatever remnants were left from her days of toil she wrote novels, each of which died by the wayside and she died too. �Page 18 - Lost Books in History in the autumn of 1932 Stanley Baldwin at the annual dinnerA of I Stationers' Society ( that is the book publishers) ' made mention of the joy he had got out of "Precious Bane", a book written by one Mary Webb .. That was praise in high quarters and, of course, the press carried it to the ears of everyone .. But who was Mary Webb? What was Precious Bane? So the plates of the lost book, the dead book, were taken down from the publisher's shelf, dusted, and put to wDDk .. The presses hummed .. book became a living book, an English classic.. The dead ILrary Webb joined the great BOmpany of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, George Eliot and Elizabeth Barrett Browning .. Where there was a company of now there is a company of '1t~x .. Among the nature writers, too, she took a place alongsmde of Wordsworth and Hardy. She looked on nature as a great healing and ennobling power .. Arnold Bennett was mean enough to say of Stanley Baldwin that his Mary Webb speech is the only good thing for which he will be remembered .. It is a bitter saying and untrue. Baldwin will be remembered for the noble act of making a king into a duke. Mary Webb knew hardship and poverty. She had the arduous tasks of a small farm; she had an invalid husband to maintain; she had her long journeys to market .. A great editor writes of her that she was shy and self-conscious .. her, a gown that had been 11 turned 11 .. her thumbs peeped through holes .. She wore, when he met She had mended gloves but She wrote him once, "I have this week existed on bread and scrape." But she had high = �Page 19 - Lost Books of History confidence in her own purposes and that sustained her .. Like many another less gifted she found it hard to trade words for bread. After her death came the publication of her literary remains. From that collection I take this verse entitled Market Day: Who'll walk the fields with us to town, In an old coat and faded gown? We'll take our roots and country sweets Where high walls shade the steep old streets, And golden bells and silver chimes Ring up and down the sleepy times. Our shoes are golden as we pass With pollen from the pansied grass. If all folk lived with labour sweet Of their own busy hands and feet, Such marketing, it seems to me ·w-ould make an end of poverty .. She had holes in her mended gloves, and a "turned" gown but she was the richest woman in England. She had seen the smoke on the morning mountains, she had heard the water-ouzel singing wild and sweet;. She had seen the flowered meadov,s, and had heard the cattle call from the hills afar. The oldest complete book knovm to man is a medical book, a compendium of all the medical knowledge known in Egypt thirtyfive and a half centures ago. It was, too, the longest lost. A German Egyptologist of some fame, Georg Ebers,, dug it out in 1878 and it carries his name among antiquarians and bookmen the Papyrus Ebers. into English. In quite recent years it has been translated While its theme is medicine it was quite generous in the extent of its contents. For instance it tells what to do about mice and lice and bald heads. Medicine in Egypt thirty- five centuries ago leaned very lightly on science, and very �Page 20 - Lost Books of History heavily on magic. What to do for an infected eye., a human bra in, mix it wi·~h honey and annoint the eye.. Take half When I read that my first thought was that someone would have to be killed to make the cure; maybe, however, there were realms known to Egyptian surgery thirty-five centuries ago of whlch surgeons of this era are quite innocent., So it is likely enough that when John Zenophos came in with an~ infected eye, the brain donor was called in and made his donation .. Then the surgeon filled up the vacuum with sawdust or excelsior, sewed him up, and turned him loose .. Thes~ people with half brains went their ways, lived their lives, and begat their kind, a breed that has continued right down to our own day., They get along very well, too, except that mentally they hit on only one cyminder. Some books, indeed, live not because of inherent greatness, but for the mere fact that an effort had been mde to destroy them .. But man is a stubborn animal. Books are stubborn too .. It is related that twenty-two centuries ago a ruler of China formed the opinion that all books were pernicious except those relating to medicine and agriculture .. So he ordered the destruction of all, and the destruction of the authors thereof., His way of destroying an author was to buy him Jim a quagmire up to the chin. The little emperor died and went to his rew~rd; and those who had saved books in defiance of him brought them out from hiding places and again these works went on their way. Scholars tell that the literature of this emperor's era has of been better preserved than that of any other/pre-Christian times., �PD170 21 ... Lost 1 look.'J nf Titsto:r.y In my 1ihro'1'.'y, quite ::i::1 porf<3ct physlonlly rw uny hool:: there, I h~1ve cJ c:opy o.f 1.Vill:tnrn Prynno' s H:istrto Mnsttx. It wc,1rr; the a vm~;y hononrod place nmon[~ Rriglish books .for tt ts tho f'i'rst book ordered destroyed by the rml;lic hnnGrm::n1-t 'l'he Star Gh~nnlJer sought to have evnry lost copy removed from tho face of the oGrth. 'l:o this pnbl tc bonf tre ovo:t> which the hanf~mnn pras ided HE'0Po b1'0UP,ht a.11 the copios that hflo beon seized, then the nri.nte1:-, the !Jnblishor ~nut tlw ::rn tho:r 111er(:,i to hI•inr:; their~ nncl e,1t.1·1.:1'J' pOSSCSSOT' of unyone hnving a copy in hls poseAsston• ::~ ~ii w, .~ of' tl r~opy YAt son1e frrnvo srrnl had hidden his copy ,:iway an<! it ~ e dmvn to r;m in 195'1• hore ':vns un onslanght on tho dr::,mn, tho the1J t:re on<1 st::i[;e, nnd Prynne 1.vu ::, generous enm~gh to t11olwie tn h ts conde1mw t ton tlt'; Viciotis penaltles werE! put on thls quarrel!:r\ 1110 ii1an.. He ,'JHS • ' t;\. f inod .flvo th0Ds,1nd pom1:'9 n.nd that ho pa.id lt shows tho we:;lih Hlstrio Mns tix t:-: not thc-r anJ lnterc st inr, rnn· :1:n iioportrmt hook but :t t occupies a key ,ulnco fHnong the tot•1,;ets a·t V\lh:tch the of GnG11dos/books have o trr1ed. �hc=i::: :tn l t ,mr-, d·roo or v.1hn t rTil ton r:ialled 11 the nrecions 1ifo- Seo you:r.· 11;~1y hom,H:1S On solid rock thoy stund [Jt=icJ my ::::;h:tn:lng paL.1<.KJ Built upon the sand. prn:im that t:iu!§ht to 1;o hetter known said the same thing th.lu Egypt'[, ,,1:tr.;ht is tumhlod dovm, Dowo a-down l;he deeps of thou1~ht; Grceco is fnllon .tmd Troy town; Glor lous RLF118 hu th lost hor c:ro,,rn ., Ven1ce I prtdo j_s nought<ji nut the d:r•Aams thoi.r eh.LL<..1r011 (tceumed, Fleeting, unsubstant1Dl, vain, G}w do1:1y as the shado!?"lnJ seoil1ed, Airy no thine;, a~ they dreamocL, '.I'hoso remain. It ls the dreams of' •rroy town that hDvoli ved. book :i.11 ovc➔ ry uno nf you. you l:wmrnt enough. ,Ho If you But you •1:.1.ill n0vor write .1.t. not dlseenn:i.nr~ enoui'~-h, you vrE':1 ;111 0 Yon not 3ut for the lack or those virtues immortal �little bo(_)k cnuld n,;-i 1((-:3 f'o'.L' y-ou nr1dy in!.'. f'n 1n0 .. .1.m,,1ortaltty y,m du n.ot noed 1:i t(n'r:1ry sld.11• fnsc l not:. i ng rloenment. For the 1r1r:1ei0. tn thts l;i_d for what :,'f('P• Pop-ys Ono nf humnn J:l.fe ts nn t 1.•Avcialed ~n1d - ,ibnvc oll - abrrnlutely unlqmh, /\11! thc:('e ls the point. un1qne 1n youil ·t.hottghts, tn ymrc expP.r:lencas,. 1'ho answer to thnsEJ questlmrn is :yum.:' lost hofllc• 111<:i=i 8h,n:-los L<unb' ::, dee:-i 1n eh:Udr.en l;hat nc:nrnr irroro horn, thJ 11 ls your \Jol)k th:i l; nov"n' w,,1 r; vn:'1. tten, never wt11 )J(') wrlttenill\ It ts your � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Lost Books of History" essay by Louis Blake Duff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Lost Books of History" essay by Louis Blake Duff Subject The topic of the resource Lost books of history Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the essay "Lost Books of History" by Louis Blake Duff. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Undated Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Louis Blake Duff https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/5f7c227ed6b3c58be4fb75718897ffb5.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=JifuLtsmPDSdcHHaop1DonshLKc0kWSZnplBGa0mUQfW9EJakkEdGJ1d61P7fKMUeHSUCl8oUpcws6zCr3GMcjliSI0OdSvXtMISKlPaL1JFO6bjDkQM0J51L45MgJBwJxCVnYZzeH9sgOvESjhdoaEEwoozG9nR3BbbQelPHUhZmPeeVw9kqRrDqKWfNAqTvaFsThGjErxfgTx-SaQ1IcPXCNxb596uGGA8F31kGfZPf82Tu9%7EChCLMFjqsm6x6GzFuAg5u9H9P6A631bwyWWz6T6od5hLRTYsfwmRJAIdnfZJUkrYaiKc%7E%7EqT0KwD-pyUVeaNP9KaW0Ij1VAD8lw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 8d771002fcc0e863edca039a165a37d3 PDF Text Text We are honored in having with us Mr .. James 1T'Jalter Ozanne of St .. Peter Port, the capital of the island of Guernsey .. He has been c omrnis s ioned to come to Canada to lay a wreath on t.he bomb of Sir Isaac Brock, commissioned by the Bailiff of Guernsey who is also chief Magistarate and Speaker of the Island Legislature.. The Bailiff in Guernsey has a post somewhat kindred to that of Premier in Canada. Today, October 6th, is Brock's birthday, and how appropriate it is that an outstanding citizen of St,. Peter Port, Brock's birth city, should c orne here to lay a wreath on the 1:;reat man I s tomb. We give him every welcome and express the hope that the visit of Mrs. Ozanne and Mr. Ozanne may be wholly ple~surable and make for the future a bond between Guernsey and Welland .. May I say that we were honored here twenty years ago, on this very spot, with a very pleqsant visit of a member of the family of Sir Isaac Brock. We had from the stage that day speeches by noted lawyers and clergymen, even some noted politicians, but the real speech of the day was made by an India.n from the Brantford reserve. One speaker that day referred to our visitor as a descendant of Sir Isaac Brock. Now Brock was never ma:C'ried and bachelors very seldom leave descendants though some cases are well knqvm. I have seen a picture of st. Peter Port and there in the centre is The Town Church. It contains a screen in memory of her most notable native son, Sir Isaac Brock. The island is one of many po~ts and many �2 rocky coasts. In the famous and most unfortunate conflict of 1812 Brock did what no man believed he could do- he mobilized the man-power of Canada, raised an ar·my and gave it fine spirit. thing He did another impossible he mobilized the resources of Canada which gave the army sinews. His victory at Detroit surprised even his ovvn forces. It surp:rised too the confident enemy. But his big achievement was that his unfailing energy and ability built for the first time c1 United Canada. Canadians took a new and healthy pride in their country for the War in 1812 was conducted on a different basis than in ours. On the day o:f Sir Isaac Drocks funeral Gem;ral '#infield Scott o:rdered his Un:Lted States army to cease fire as a mark of respect to the {i dead commander. The original monument was begun here in May, 1824, (r,1igr61K&uzli.e •. Blown down in 184 o. Rebuilt and rededicated in 1856, a great crowded r,ae~~i.ng here. Streamers brought crowds from Toronto, Cobourg and Kingston, and the whole peninsula was represented. stronger than now. Forty speeches were made. Men were They could take more punishment. Brock fought to preserve Canada as a member of the British Empire, to rekindle in our people a renewed fidelity to the British Crown, It was a poor country. Boastfully weal thy was the housewife 'Nho •'j claimed she owned a cow, a bed, six plate~ and three lmtves,. �j ( A high honor to a gre Brock's name has been kept green in Canada for this century and a half. It will be kept ever green in the years to come. This event today, the laying of a Guernsey Island wreath on his tomb, is our contribution in this day and age to a great citizen and a great soldier0 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The laying of a wreath at Brock's Monument" address by Louis Blake Duff, October 6, 1955 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/ee36227fd93fbd7240dcbdabd465f1a3.jpg?Expires=1779926400&Signature=Pa0eZGvvUW-gJqOU2Ojg3tPzh3sE7qLwaaP15--MJtUMOMMjxWk8cno7gv3Nmw3DpFpr4ZdOdRDiTrwE8VHKUCoeUwq3WmU3R3NBIUFANTnELVj0RjT26J%7EXTNvwXirwkqHIqAGlVw5I-Xa3vrKYfUeFzWEnCQd0yZeqV0eyirGDZsd2ctdbOdXHlINfm753Ohs8qCE1MGj2zgOVUwDSqOmSL4GlKWqKvGsCvB-zZu3ECE5o88uvJKCNtIVoaaQJ4H-W3yifm0sXm2%7E5DA4wd6Mdm7AEwCsY2wPSIEZPzLrtE11lba8vPf%7ExymFZSHnawbGIhQ5cseePp0vRl%7EcRKA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 9bdc921c6822eb6e45be6a056fcfe68c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The laying of a wreath at Brock's Monument" address by Louis Blake Duff, October 6, 1955 Subject The topic of the resource Sir Isaac Brock Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the address "The laying of a wreath at Brock's Monument" by Louis Blake Duff, October 6, 1955. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Also included in the files is an article from the October 7, 1955 edition of the Welland Tribune providing more context on the event. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1955/10/06 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Queenston Brock's Monument Louis Blake Duff Queenston Sir Isaac Brock https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/59848/archive/files/63767afbd66a50e6ae5ed77124c7b2b4.pdf?Expires=1779926400&Signature=opxLzV2lv79ivhjtwap7BrQ-RLUn1tXP4zU9WIbUG3QNYYbcJx%7EjkN-9xHoK7zeDgp7WLf1NJvJxWSO5258tIco1Yeqr309-KS78cP04jTzPkYA-obWl09APhtuGOstiqUH7yda%7EWujc3LDaHoytZk9G3D882HONoSuPeY1F%7EZCWg-9CLkvn92YiMRa8wQfkzx3OSteDPHDI6lYQ7vmSmocENPVQyu4jLAbCUqi2NRThfkb3rv65W4JV8QTZjNw1Oz0KAyEUIc0aSM42xuF19XZGsbUf9TssS1yhg10hlTDcxbaNtaWk5EO%7Et3pGdsDFsas7hAW2KX4bIVaGHs-SRg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM f0c9353d92689003d5354d472eaaac66 PDF Text Text by Lords n1:i1rn nuff Orin ¼$6 hOJ1.(J ;·):ftornoo1·t ~ ln lV:i11.:;nr 1.rhou J 17n,'; !Joy rny fathfft' c1 c;.!,l(T tkeon;2:h :., Febr-n,Cy ri b>I'111. brlng:lng i.,d th h l 1,1 n little hook ecw1 ,nny ,. ✓tth /;Ju,brn 11n,-,!'Fl rn1d r::,,?tf.-;t ,:md G:y.d11oy Srrti th, i ! o.•11<.1 1'11,:c1m:i•riy, rrabelnis rn1c1 Don . Prunk:lin, ,Jacobs .E1nd J?r:c1loy .:11:id . . ', ~ l\l11or,t n11 the 1f!'ttcrs of note' sh:)11111 hDVO '' ' .;, . . ', /., . '' • .-.·. 111.Vhen th<~ Grnce;s sot;ght a ·tor,1pl~ .. tJ1c.1t.,'.1J,r)µ],d Plc11;o t.:laid: thoy fottwl a tn t;ho \i:oql I te1i1plo ht1~, noV01' ,' • ~}r. tho /. ·' . com~(:li~ri !A±-J$::to;r,ltends:. 11 , fa~:len. • It. otri~ds· ' ••,, d.n ·, '1 • ,• l . ' 1 • ·' toui[:ht. 1 yciHr lil~Fnr/:;: , • ! I Ls ln1t a .l": And hoi.· nyos :1:r•c ,,ntcn•-l>:t'o\•Jn+.: Do .<inni~ Isi:, ~JClln \l,:•••;f,~tt:f ''· G·,:u \1Co ,~d. VALI\NCc'I ·/ I:, �'l'hn .1 lttle bonk uf Hoo],::., u ho h:id riot ont to ec, pture John n11Jl, difficlllt to do 1.JlLh hnw'>1rr., so I tis sn:td. It 1.w:rn ~~ :1 feat of hlu1 Lundot:. In John nrtnkvrnto·r.-• s pJ.ny set f01. 0 Gept;en1ber 22, 1UG2. rnoc0t int~, wh.ich ho solclout d:ld. 11 /lbraht1ir1 L1ncoln 11 nn r~p1sode is Li.ncoln had called a full c:::·idnct Tho pros hlent himself is s prawied on the tn.ble revnalinr·: n numbor oi' ob:bru.ded paporn. He ·1·n1s lonc;ld.ng .h1moderute1y. y,-)11 a littlo bit of Arto.,ms \1nr(]. 11 And he road 11 Ju.das Iseur1ot .f,'inishecl, ho sniJI. to hi.s n1en, 11 v1n1:t do J'OU not lc1ugh? I IN • rJoulJ go mad ~ the crisfs nnder v1hich this country staggers, .if I cJdid not laUGh• u �ho sn ld, 11 .Lf :con (U.nc: a chnpter from 1'rt011ms WHrd is the,) l:hc cur!;hor ought liiekots lH 1 he~ind 2 .:1 .ln tho t01yt. co1;1mot:io11 a lorge re(~whlskor•ed ,·tan w.ith top loy 1.n the ~rnnd. oreltJd0 C.PrN ~NI ZED to be ~ ¼ ;:i nnnninc in he fnt1nd ~~t~ starripi.ng '.ro ,Jaed 1 s protest the mon r;:dch on ~Tudus ns he 0 Jnd1:1s Iscr:1.rlot t M'PU NEf<.T'/ cor1• t shuw ld.J<lfJc:lf in Uticn v;ith li1ff1,ml-ty, not by n damn sir_;ht. 11 An inconr~ruons pt•0lnde to the Ba1:1ncipntton Proola@J.tio:n, ono of th0 most r110mentous nnactnients in the htstory of the UnJ.toti to woar ~m crvor>co,:it to til:.ikc n a 1:;ro~.:i t shock of yolloH hair. shadow. Ho had llr~ht blue eyo:3 rind nut his outstandi.n~ phys J.c.:il foature ,ms his noso--violently ro1Aanesque, so lon1t and pointed, ho said, he nover could take a ehonce on :=rticldng it into other people's business. �Page 4 - A Pione0r 4,ilerlcn,1 IInn10:rist buct of hlr,1 Wnr.d 1:1nrn0t1, "De :mro to prosorve tl!o nrchJtont;uraJ Jn a 1:i.t;i;J.e lmd:voon1 :tn n l:i.ttle totrn~ A hrok:cn winL1oH aau nur-~gots On a11 on~osim1 he ~is iD Grenad0. A s1Jft nnd Whilo he s·trm11ri1ed hls t~nitnr he snng with of S't;ophen Foster, 11 Com.e 1,;r():1t luxurious fervor tlwt song Where i'1y Love Lies D:rcanilnc;. u mistnke he rmr~ under the 1"Jronr; window, W,:ird' s wingow. By 0But I no wns born Churlos J:t"arrar nro·,.m, son of Jude;e TJro::m of.' H11t0rfort1 in tdne. 'rtmt Wnterfo:rd J.s 1:1 village of a'l,ont a :21nore of houses, nntl 1ts streets tu•o still innocent of s1dewrilks. Tho ,Ju.den died 1:1hH11 Charles 1.lft1s 13 years old. = �C"- ~..,\-e~ ~ \'JM, dorJ'l,Jnoc1 to b'riv<:"J fur• but hn nov:ir fm:•1-:0 ~~ l'J,1; 110 tho hung n p:i:-opho::;y on him: tlwJ; God 1,7ou.ld p1mish hi1,1. God did.. Gn'.i."D onongh Ins tde of Dix r:10:nths }d.G anrrt diocl an(1 loft hln1, n :fnr;,1 Thn ,Tndgo rA1i:,:in ho d.iad l&ft nothing hnt tho fn 111tly hor1E:1 nnd The tvm Brown sons lw<l to cat out ln the world. Chr,rles FarrAr' wont to Nm,1 London, Coi 1nectieut, to lon!'n to bo n jJrln i;or. /\'t 17 he ,"H➔ t type on �\mro t:i:r11,10:tn1:• HE. • \J11:i,d Dn<"iAf 1i i:1 Jly undoc; :L11 11. Li: h J :, i;:,•:1vc-J:1 'i11. Cleve:) n.r.Hl 1.rhc,·,:•e .hn ;j n l.i.wcl become to c:UiilH f:com tho pen of an :tt.1n8r,m·t ~hnvnn:Jn uho Yrnnted to 11:now Cleveland .. Glovolmid lnnf;heil abont ~ .nA;ct day so Wo:rd followed it np li;f lettors from '.I1oledo, ColuMbtrn, Tlfftn nnd Oberlin ( rcwl plaocs) 011<1 r~n irnn/'.;inn:i?y plnoo l:1:r.c naldwi.rwville, T11J.11unch \7DS hGa<lirt/!. for Cloveland tn maka tJ, public ciddross. Vifci.rd was to �:an Jn ldrJ ho'tol co1w1 ;1nd gcd; un 1ntorv5.o'\"l; lntt ltE 1ud:ortnnutnlyi\cwllnd :it a nm,1bm.~ n:f b:.1rs on the 1v;.iy :Jo Uwt he,1:i:'c: i;'I 1<, c~:rod.:tt to liim. th1::J chc:Jlr he sut on .li1 U1f~ Plnlndenler of i:' lco P:c'(HlS Glnl> ls known ,1 h.,Jfl n plDc:e of s thu ,\rtni,llUJ HDrd Pross Club. An adi tiou �Jq No,.:,, 'York he t;out: Uw ol·inn of Clt,:rlns <ro<tfr>c:y Le:l1c1nd O'F VANITY FAIR, os d,;ttm•/ Lolr:nd ·in knntm tn f':11,tn n:::. tho nntho·-r~ nf the :1.nns r'IELDS r;:,n turod into !n:my .•:u:!;l1~;sJ qhi.eh soft fl11t0like voice. stood. ovnr her-- n gcui:11 smile 1:rr:>.d:tat:Lng n •Hal• cirlorl tho pirate, 9 1onr;es·t tho1., thon for t;ho lnnL~hinc hillocks nqd tho bollmving ':Jullocks of thine cn7n chilly �Pace 9 - A P:loneer Amcri.cun 1[U1110ris t half ldt::h :i.11 tho n lr, n t a d i.stunco of oYDI' four hrmdrcd feet fro111 tho eroundl 11 Oh, .it wn::; f111 lghtfnl!,. \iie C,)nnnt here too st:ront:.lY nrge npon 11mnufactnrers of rope the 1wcessi ty n:f inolcing :Lt otrong. It inay c:of:lt 1,10:co, bnt J.s Jt :fn.i.r, :i..s tt mvnly, to sell ropo 1,~nov1ing lt ·to ho of fliMsy tcxtnro? �J'O ])0• hornc1! ;)ff tlto e::ir't. • llll �nvo:c i;ell yuo."' 11 }!nglnnd strites nnd the Atluntic Btatcs. Up c:r.·opped one i"fo(}nire �.it::t ;1:t: (;)_\'{ l)ofN~ , .1~=~;+r.1:-l.i1(.;rr t1.'l:,:.c~(J • 111 " tt1t1·!~ Lrt;t"c)T.'.ICJ 11lC•)1tJ:1 �thn WA-rc.r:::> lt~'l(~! D~Jl1t2rr; :'-.r~1,l:1 0 }',_;?;- \;'/: llJ.1~(1 UI\ITIL :1;-.'j- I,\:,'l.)r•rw1,y, ·:1l11::x1 _l1,1 ,1,;1_r; trio ·i]l i:ri •1:;-:,or::00,-; fnrthor. uf: r,lilde:c cl it,w l;o .·n.i;::1t :1Jcl h1r,t~ Hllr; tt rms of nri nv,:.:dl,. T3nck .i.n ~~cf:i- Liu (!Jed c·w1 v:ds lrnrled tn K<.:!HSal/ GreGn lios ldo h :i.s f:tiond, 'for(J Hooc1. �~ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "A Pioneer American Humorist" essay by Louis Blake Duff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General History Books Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "A Pioneer American Humorist" essay by Louis Blake Duff Subject The topic of the resource Charles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward) Description An account of the resource Scanned copy of the essay "A Pioneer American Humorist" by Louis Blake Duff. Taken from a binder collecting some of his writings called "Louis Blake Duff, Occasional essays, Addresses." Here Louis discusses the importance of the humorist Artemus Ward (1834–1867) who is considered the first stand-up comedian and influenced Mark Twain. In his 1959 obituary Duff was described as an “Eminent historian, inimitable humorist, and an after dinner speaker par excellence... a man of many parts. His career embraced the callings of county school teacher, newspaperman and publisher, bibliophile and financier." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Blake Duff Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Welland Public Library Local History Collection Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Undated Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public domain Relation A related resource <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6946/6946-h/6946-h.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THE COMPLETE WORKS OF ARTEMUS WARD</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Typed pages Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context LHC 819.452 Duf Louis Blake Duff