diff options
Diffstat (limited to '45662.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 45662.txt | 2188 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 2188 deletions
diff --git a/45662.txt b/45662.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fdfe8f3..0000000 --- a/45662.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2188 +0,0 @@ - PIONEER LIFE AMONG THE LOYALISTS IN UPPER CANADA - - - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - - -Title: Pioneer Life Among the Loyalists in Upper Canada -Author: W. S. Herrington -Release Date: May 16, 2014 [EBook #45662] -Language: English -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PIONEER LIFE AMONG THE -LOYALISTS IN UPPER CANADA *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - -[Illustration: Cover art] - - - - -[Illustration: PIONEER LOG CABIN (_From an old engraving_.)] - - - - - Pioneer Life Among - the Loyalists in - Upper Canada - - - BY - - W. S. HERRINGTON, K.C. - - AUTHOR OF - "HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF LENNOX AND ADDINGTON," - "HEROINES OF CANADIAN HISTORY," ETC. - - - - ILLUSTRATED - - - - TORONTO: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY - OF CANADA, LTD., AT ST. MARTIN'S HOUSE - MCMXXIV - - - - - COPYRIGHT, CANADA, 1915 - BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA. LIMITED - REPRINTED 1916, 1924 - - - - - *PREFACE* - - -To present a picture of the early settlements of Ontario and enter into -the daily life of the pioneers is a most fascinating task. As we visit -these historic districts and mingle with the descendants of the men and -women who built the first log cabins in the forest, we imbibe the spirit -of their simple life. Many of the old landmarks recall the stories of -strange experiences we have so often heard, and the presence of the very -flesh and blood of the first actors in the drama of the long struggle in -the wilderness makes the scene all the more realistic. We think we can -discern in the honest faces and general demeanour of these living links -in our history something which indicates a deep-rooted sense of -citizenship and a consciousness of a responsibility in keeping inviolate -the traditions of their ancestors. - -In the following pages I have endeavoured to bring the reader into -closer touch with the first settlers. Many excellent historical works -have traced the development of our province and laid before us the -achievements of our public men. In vain may we turn over volume after -volume in our search for information concerning the evolution of the -homestead, and the customs and peculiarities of the common folk of long -ago. - -For the most part the sources of my information have been original -documents and interviews with old men and women, many of whom have since -passed away. Even from such sources it is an easy matter to fall into -error; but I have discarded what I feared was not trustworthy, and -believe that I can confidently ask the reader to accept the general -statements of facts as thoroughly reliable. - -I wish to acknowledge the receipt of many valuable suggestions from the -Honourable Mr. Justice Riddell of Osgoode Hall, Toronto, and Dr. James -H. Coyne of St. Thomas. I am also deeply indebted to Dr. M. R. Morden -of Adrian, Michigan; the late Peter Bristol of Napanee, and Elisha -Ruttan of Adolphustown, for much useful information regarding the -pioneers. - -W. S. H. - -Napanee, Ontario, - December 1st, 1915. - - - - - *CONTENTS* - - -CHAPTER - - I. The First Settlers of Upper Canada - II. Building and Furnishing the Log Cabin - III. The Struggle with the Forest - IV. Early Courts and Elections - V. School Teachers and Preachers - VI. Provisions and Public Highways - VII. Doctors, Domestic Remedies, and Funerals - - - - - *PIONEER LIFE AMONG - THE LOYALISTS* - - - - *CHAPTER I* - - *THE FIRST SETTLERS OF UPPER CANADA* - - -One of the unexpected outcomes of the Revolutionary War was the -effective settlement of what afterwards became known as Upper Canada. -Up to that time the greater part of this rich territory was a -wilderness, to which the white man had attached little value, except in -respect to the part it played, through its chain of forts, in giving -access to the great fur-producing tracts of the interior of the -continent. Although the French governors had frequently advocated the -introduction of settlers into this part of Canada, with a view to -establishing the supremacy of France more securely upon the Great Lakes, -very little had been accomplished in that direction. - -The net result was a few military posts along the border and a French -settlement in the neighbourhood of Detroit. The entire European -population grouped about a few centres did not exceed 2,000. Throughout -the rest of this territory, where now we find busy towns, thriving -villages, and well-equipped farms, one might have travelled for weeks -without meeting a human being, save, perhaps, a solitary trapper, with a -small bundle of peltries upon his back. - -That the rich farm lands of what is now the banner province of Canada -were apparently so long overlooked might appear strange, if we do not -bear in mind that there was no shortage of territory well adapted to -agricultural purposes on the Atlantic seaboard and on the lower St. -Lawrence. It must also be remembered that the fur trade had for nearly -two centuries held first place in the regard of the governing bodies of -Canada, and that little care was bestowed upon the agricultural -possibilities of the lands bordering upon the Upper St. Lawrence and the -Great Lakes. - -The manner in which the settlements were begun was more remarkable than -the long delay in beginning them. In most instances, new territories -have been opened up for settlement by a few hardy pioneers, whose -numbers were added to, year after year; but here we have a whole colony, -coming in as one body, taking up all the desirable lands in the front -concessions of a score of townships. - -The Loyalists were above the ordinary type of emigrants who, too -frequently, having made a failure of life in their native surroundings, -seek other fields in which to begin anew their struggle for existence. -When the thirteen British colonies declared their independence, there -were many thousands of their best citizens, men of means and influence, -who looked upon the British flag as their best safe-guard of freedom and -justice, and they declined to take up arms against their Motherland. -Their loyalty brought down upon their heads the wrath of the leaders of -the revolutionary movement. Their property was confiscated, some were -thrown into prison, and, in a few instances, the death penalty was -inflicted, for no other offence than their allegiance to the British -Crown. In the face of such threatened dangers thousands rallied to the -standard of the king, and many more, who for various reasons, did not -enlist in the army, made no secret of their loyalty to their sovereign. -When hostilities were concluded, the persecutions still continued, and -the Loyalists found themselves little better than outcasts from their -own homes. Giving up all hope of regaining their property or receiving -compensation for their losses, they set about to seek new homes under -the flag for which they had sacrificed so much. Thousands went to -England, many more thousands emigrated to the British West Indies, Nova -Scotia, and what is now New Brunswick, and large numbers were attracted -to the rich farm lands in that territory which was afterwards known as -Upper Canada. - -In the autumn of 1783 a great body of emigrants sailed from New York, -and, coming around through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, wintered at Sorel, -in the present province of Quebec. In the following June they proceeded -by means of flat-bottomed boats, to the land provided for them. By far -the greater number settled in the new townships laid out, under -instructions from Governor Haldimand, on the St. Lawrence, and as far -west as the head of the Bay of Quinte. Only a few went farther west and -settled in the neighbourhood of Niagara and Detroit. - -During the next four years straggling bands of one or more families came -by different routes to share the fortunes of the first great army of -settlers, and the strictest care was exercised by the authorities to see -that none but those who had demonstrated their loyalty to the British -cause were admitted to the new settlements. - -The appellation "United Empire Loyalist" was not conferred -indiscriminately upon all applicants, but was a "Mark of Honour" -bestowed only upon those who had taken their stand for the unity of the -Empire, and who had allied themselves with the Royalists before the -Treaty of Separation in 1783. The terms of the proclamation creating -this new Canadian aristocracy were broad enough to embrace practically -all of the first settlers of 1784, and those who arrived during the -succeeding four years. - -In 1788 representations were made to the governor, Lord Dorchester, that -there were across the border many relatives of the Loyalists, and other -persons, who, although they had not joined the royal standard, were -favourably disposed towards the British. With the view of securing a -further body of desirable settlers, Lord Dorchester gave instructions -that all applicants, who upon examination proved to be unexceptionable -in their loyalty and good character, should be given certificates of -location for lots of not more than two hundred acres to each: but upon -the express condition that they should become _bona fide_ settlers. -Never were the portals of a new settlement more scrupulously guarded. -None but the strong and determined would in any event venture north to -hew out a home in the forest, and the government took good care that -only those who were likely to become good citizens were admitted. - -When, by the Constitutional Act of 1791, the separate provinces of Upper -and Lower Canada were created, the lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada, -John Graves Simcoe, threw the gate wide open and issued a proclamation -inviting emigrants to enter the new province, without any adequate -provision for enquiring into their loyalty or character. Among those -responding to the governor's invitation were some who had actually borne -arms against the king. Many of the Loyalists resented this lack of -discrimination and complained that the favours, which should have been -reserved for those only who had remained faithful in their allegiance to -the king, were being showered upon his enemies.[#] - - -[#] _Life and Letters of the Honourable Richard Cartwright_, page 93. - - -These criticisms upon the character of the new-comers were, no doubt, -well merited in some cases; but, whatever views they may have -entertained during the stormy days of the revolution, they could have -had only one object in coming to Canada, and that was to better their -condition. They did not need to be told that their interests were -identical with those of the earlier settlers who had entered the country -at a time when it was more difficult to gain admission. They were not -entitled to receive the "Mark of Honour", but before many years had -passed all differences had been forgotten and they and the Loyalists -worked together for the common good. - -[Illustration: Some Loyalist Household Articles] - -The main body of Loyalists, the settlers of 1784, to the number of about -ten thousand, came in organized bands, some being remnants of the -battalions that had been engaged in the war, and, in some cases, they -were under the command of the same officers whom they had followed while -upon active service. They, however, were not military organizations in -the sense in which we view the term to-day; they were not fighting -machines, but were bent upon a peaceful mission. In anticipation of -their coming, the government surveyors had been busy for months in -laying out the townships. The newcomers were experienced farmers, and -understood well the advantages of a home upon the shores of a body of -fresh water. In a country, where as yet there were no roads, the water -afforded an easy means of communication by boats in the summer, and by -sleds upon the ice in winter. They also looked forward to the future, -when their flocks and herds, pasturing upon the cleared lands, could -find abundance of water to drink without leaving their enclosures. Many -of them had previously lived near to the bays, lakes, and rivers of -their native States, and had learned to love the companionship of the -water. - -The longer one has lived upon the banks of a stream or the shores of a -bay, the more loath is one to live amid surroundings of a different -character. There is a charm about the presence of the water which -baffles any effort to describe it. There is a sublime majesty about a -mountain, a weird loneliness about a desert, an appealing mystery about -a prairie, but a body of water, particularly a small navigable one, -seems to comport with all one's moods. - -It would have been difficult to convince some of our pious and sainted -grandmothers that our lakes, bays, and rivers did not leave their moral -effect upon those who lived along their shores. Who is so dead to the -influences of his surroundings that he has not stood spell-bound upon -the shore as the boisterous waves broke with an angry roar at his feet? -No sooner has one wave spent its energy than another, with a fury as -relentless, rushes madly forward, followed by countless others; and yet -there is no apparent loss of power. Or who could sit unmoved, upon a -moonlight night, and look upon the silver sheen upon the placid bosom of -the water, and not feel the inspiring presence of that grand object -lesson of "Peace! Perfect Peace!"? Why should it not be a part of the -divine plan of the Creator to mould our characters by these evidences of -His power and omnipresence? - - - - - *CHAPTER II* - - *BUILDING AND FURNISHING THE LOG CABIN* - - -When the first Loyalists landed at the different points along the -shores, the lots had not yet, in most cases, been marked out by the -surveyors; and they were obliged to wait several weeks before the -"drawings" could take place. They had brought with them a number of -military tents, which had seen service during the Revolutionary War. -Camping out in tents, as a recreation for a few weeks during the summer, -is still looked upon as a rather pleasing pastime. It was, however, -very annoying to the Loyalists. They had left their homes across the -border several months before, to enable them to be ready to take -possession of their new homes in the early spring, and every day lost -meant one day less for them to prepare for the coming winter. - -They had no alternative but to pitch their tents near where they had -landed, and wait until the surveyors had completed their work. Several -weeks were thus passed in idleness, and the first summer was far spent -before the "drawings" took place. This was a simple process. Small -pieces of paper, upon which were written the numbers of the lots to be -apportioned, were placed in a hat, and the surveyor, with a map spread -out before him, superintended the operation. The officers came first, -and drew their lots in the first concession, fronting upon the water. -As each drew forth a piece of paper from the hat, the surveyor entered -his name upon the corresponding number upon the map. After the officers -had been served, the other members of the company went through the same -ceremony. During the few weeks that they had been waiting, some had -made short trips through the forest, and had observed favourable -locations, and after the "drawings" were completed, there was more or -less trafficking in lots, and exchanging locations for a consideration; -but for the most part each accepted the lot drawn, and hurried away to -his future home. - -The white village upon the shore was soon a scene of great confusion. -Each family secured a few days' rations from the government supplies, -packed up the tent and their other belongings, and set out through the -lonely forest. Unless one has visited a section of Canada from which -none of the timber has yet been removed, it is difficult to form a -proper conception of the condition of the older settled portions one -hundred and thirty years ago. The debris of the forest lay rotting as -it had fallen, the swamps were undrained, the rivers and creeks were -unbridged, and the only roads were the blazed trails left by the -surveying parties. The clearing up and draining of the farms has -brought about a great change in the low lands. Large impassable creeks -have been reduced to small streams that can be crossed with ease, and -the swamps, which threatened to mire any who ventured over them a -century ago, furnish now a safe and firm foothold. - -It was with difficulty that the lots could be located, as there was -nothing to indicate the boundary lines but the "markers" placed by the -surveyors. When the little family group arrived at their destination, -they pitched their tent again, and the housewife busied herself in -preparing their first meal in their new home, while the husband surveyed -his domain, noting the character of the soil, the presence of creeks, -mounds, and other conditions favourable for the first clearing and the -erection of a house. That the selection was in most cases wisely made, -is attested to-day by the excellent natural surroundings of the old -homesteads. - -As they partook of their first meal in their wilderness home they -contrasted their primitive surroundings with the comforts and luxuries -they had left behind them; but, with no regret for the sacrifices they -had made, they laid their plans for the future. On the morrow the -father, and the sons if there were any, and not infrequently the mother, -too, set out to do battle with the forest. The short-handled ship axe, -not much heavier than the modern hatchet, was their principal weapon. -They laboured with a will and cleared a space large enough for the -cabin. - -There was no cellar nor foundation, as for our buildings of to-day. A -small excavation, to be reached through a trap-door in the floor by -means of a short ladder, served the purpose of the former, and a boulder -placed under the ends of the base-logs at each corner of the building -was ample support for the walls. It was slow work felling the huge -pines, cutting them into proper lengths, hewing them into shape, and -laying them into position; but slowly the building rose until it -attained the height of nine feet. Then the rafters were set in position. -Then, too, the chimney was commenced. A stone foundation was carefully -built up to the level of the floor and crowned with flat stones, to -serve as the hearth. The huge fire-place was then built of stones, and -above it was erected a chimney in a manner similar to the house, but -instead of using logs, small sticks, two or three inches in diameter, -were laid tier upon tier in the form of a hollow rectangle. It was -carried a foot or two above the peak and plastered over with clay, -inside and out. In many of the early dwellings there were no chimneys, -and the smoke was allowed to escape through a hole in the roof as best -it could. - -In some of the first cabins the floor was of earth. If made of wood, -large timbers were used, squared on the sides and hewed smooth on the -upper surface. Paint was very scarce, and a painted floor was a luxury -which very few could afford. A clean floor was the pride of the -mistress of the house. Coarse, clean sand and hot water were the -materials used to obtain it. Once a week, or oftener, the former would -be applied with a heavy splint broom, and the latter with a mop. The -hotter the water the quicker it would dry. While the perspiring mother -was scrubbing amid clouds of steam, the tub of boiling water was a -constant source of danger to her young children. - -The roof was composed of thick slabs, hollowed out in the form of -shallow troughs, and these were laid alternately with the hollow sides -up, the convex form of one over-lapping the edges of the concave forms -of those en either side. There was an opening for a door, but no lumber -was to be had at any price, unless it was sawed out by the tedious -process of the whip-saw, so doors there were none; but a quilt hung over -the opening served the purpose. Two small windows, one on either side -of the door, admitted light to the dwelling. These windows would hold -four or six 7" x 9" panes of glass, but many a settler had to content -himself with oiled paper instead. The sash he whittled out with his -pocket-knife. Sometimes there was no attempt at transparency; and the -window was opened and closed by sliding a small piece of board, set in -grooves, backwards and forwards across the aperture. The interstices -between the logs were filled with sticks and moss, plastered over with -clay. Thus the pioneer's house was complete, and not a nail or screw -was used in its construction. - -When lumber became available, a plank or thick board door took the place -of the quilt in the doorway. This was fastened by a strong wooden latch -on the inside. The latch was lifted from without by means of a leather -string attached to it and passed through a hole a few inches above, and -when the inmates of the house retired for the night, or did not wish to -be molested, the string was pulled inside. The old saying, "the -latch-string is out", was a figurative method of expressing a welcome, -or saying "the door is not barred against you." The pioneers had big -hearts, and to their credit it can be said the latch-string was rarely -pulled in when a stranger sought a meal or a night's lodging. - -If the family were large the attic was converted into a second room by -carrying the walls up a log or two higher. Poles, flattened on both -sides, were laid from side to side to serve as a ceiling to the room -below and as a floor for the one above. A hole left in one corner gave -admittance by means of a ladder, and one small window in the gable -completed the upper room. - -For the same reason that there was no door, there was precious little -furniture. Some of the Loyalists brought with them from their former -homes a few pieces--a grandfather's chair, a chest of drawers, or a -favourite bedstead; but, as a rule, there was no furniture but such as -was hewed out with the axe and whittled into shape and ornamented with a -pocket-knife. A pocket-knife and a pen-knife were not the same. The -former was a strong knife made to serve many useful purposes, while the -latter was a small knife carried mainly for the purpose of shaping quill -pens. - -For a bedstead, there was a platform of poles across one end of the -room, about two feet above the floor, supported by inserting the ends -between the logs in the wall. Bough benches with four legs served as -seats, and a table was similarly constructed on a larger scale. Later -on, when lumber was obtainable, these articles of furniture were -replaced by more serviceable ones. The deal table, the board bench, and -the old-fashioned chair with the elm bark bottom and back, woven as in a -basket, were one step in advance. It not infrequently happened that in -large families there were not enough seats to accommodate all, and the -younger members stood up at the table during meal-time or contented -themselves with a seat upon the floor. If a bedstead could be afforded -it was sure to be a four-poster with tester and side curtains. "What -was a tester?" do I hear someone enquire? It was a cloth canopy -supported by the four tall bed-posts. Bunks were built against the -walls, which served as seats in the daytime; but when opened out, served -as beds at night. Mattresses were made of boughs, corn husks, straw, or -feathers, and rested upon wooden slats, or more frequently cords laced -from side to side and end to end of the framework of the bedstead. A -trundle bed for the children was stowed away under the bedstead during -the daytime and hauled out at night. This was like a large bureau -drawer, with rollers or small wooden wheels on the bottom and handles in -front. The handles consisted of short pieces of rope, the ends of which -ran through two holes and were knotted on the inner side. - -As soon as the iron could be procured, a crane was swung over the -fire-place, and from it were suspended the iron tea-kettle and the -griddle. The latter was a large disc upon which the pancakes were made. -It was supported by an iron bale, and was large enough to hold eight or -ten fair-sized cakes. The frying-pans were similar to those in use -to-day, but were furnished with handles three feet long, so that they -could be used over the hot coals of the fire-place. The bake-kettle was -an indispensable article in every household. It was about eighteen -inches in diameter, stood upon short legs, and would hold four or five -two-pound loaves, or their equivalent. The coals were raked out on the -hearth, the kettle set over them and more coals heaped upon the iron -lid. These were replenished, above and below, from time to time, until -the bread was thoroughly baked. The bake-kettle was superseded by the -reflector, which was an oblong box of bright tin, enclosed on all sides -but one. It was placed on the hearth with the open side next a bed of -glowing coals. In it were placed the tins of dough raised a few inches -from the bottom, so that the heat could circulate freely about the -loaves. The upper part of the reflector was removable, to enable the -housewife to inspect the contents. - -The reflector in time gave way to the bake-oven, which was built in the -wall next the fire-place, so that one chimney would serve for both, or -the oven was built outdoors under the same roof as the smoke-house. The -latter was a comparatively air-tight brick or stone chamber used for -smoking beef, and the hams and shoulders of the pigs. Before the advent -of the smoke-house, strips of beef required for summer use were dried by -suspending them from pegs in the chimney. - -The reflector was sometimes used for roasting meat, but where the family -could afford it, a roaster was kept for that purpose. The roaster was -smaller than the reflector, but constructed in a similar manner and, -running from end to end through the centre, was a small iron bar, one -end of which terminated in a small handle or crank. This bar, called a -spit, was run through the piece of meat, and by turning the handle from -time to time the meat was revolved and every portion of the surface was -in turn brought next the fire. The drippings from the meat were caught -in a dripping-pan placed underneath for the purpose. These drippings -were used for basting the roasting meat, and this was done with a -long-handled basting spoon through an opening in the back, which could -be easily closed at will. - -[Illustration: INTERIOR OF A SETTLER'S HOME IN 1812. ONE OF THE EARLIEST -LOYALIST SETTLEMENTS IN UPPER CANADA. Notice on the left the man using -the "hominy-block." From "Upper Canada Sketches," by permission of the -author, Thomas Conant, Esq.] - -As there were no matches in the early days, the fire was kept constantly -burning, and when not required the coals were covered over with ashes, -where they would remain alive for hours. Occasionally the coals would -die out and then one of the younger members was sent away to a neighbour -to obtain a pan of live ones. Most families were skilled in making a -fire by striking sparks from a flint upon a dry combustible substance, -or by rapidly revolving one dry piece of pine against another, as the -Indians used to do; but these practices were slow and were not resorted -to except in extreme cases. - -The blazing logs in the fire-place furnished ample light during the -winter evenings. The inventive genius of man has since produced the -kerosene lamp, gas, acetylene, electricity, and other illuminants, but -none of these can furnish the bright welcome of the pine knots blazing -about the old-fashioned back-log. If any other artificial light was -required, the tallow dip was the only alternative. This dip was a -tallow candle, in use before moulds were introduced. A kettle was -placed over the coals with five or six inches of water in the bottom. -When the water was brought to the boiling point there was added the -melted tallow. This remained on the surface of the water. The only -service the water was intended to render was to support the tallow by -raising it so many inches above the bottom of the kettle, where it could -be used much more easily than it could if it remained at the bottom. -The candle wicks were twisted with a loop at one end, which was slipped -over a small stick. Five or six wicks would be thus suspended from the -stick and slowly dipped into the liquid tallow, by which process the -wicks became saturated. As soon as the tallow congealed they were -dipped in again, and the operation repeated until the wick was -surrounded by a thick coating of tallow very similar to the ordinary wax -or tallow candle of to-day, but not so smooth or uniform in size as -those made at a later period in the moulds. - -Dishes were as scarce as cooking utensils. A few earthenware plates, -bowls, and a platter were displayed upon a shelf; and they were all the -house could boast of. Others were whittled out of the fine-grained wood -of the poplar and served the purpose fairly well until the Yankee -peddler arrived with the more desirable pewter ware. - -A corner cupboard, from whose mysterious depths, even in our time, our -grandmothers used to produce such stores of cookies, doughnuts, tarts, -and pies, completed the equipment of the first house of the pioneer. - - - - - *CHAPTER III* - - *THE STRUGGLE WITH THE FOREST* - - -Unless the site for the homestead was conveniently near a spring or -other never-failing supply of fresh water, one of the settler's first -requirements was a well. The location for this was, as a rule, -determined by a divining-rod of witch-hazel in the hands of an expert. -Confidence in this method of ascertaining the presence of water has not -yet died out (the writer witnessed the payment of five dollars last -summer for a service of this kind). When the well was dug and stoned -up, heavy poles were laid over it to protect it. A pole, terminating in -a crotch several feet above the ground, was planted ten or twelve feet -from the well--the height depending upon the depth of the well. In this -crotch rested another pole, called a "sweep", from the small end of -which, suspended over the centre of the well, hung the bucket. The -sweep was so balanced that its heavy end would lift the bucket of water -from the well with very little effort upon the part of the operator. - -During the first season, barns and stables were not required, as the -settler had neither stock nor crop of grain. When he did need barns and -stables, they were built of logs in the same manner as the house. - -A small clearing about the house was made the first year, and in this -was planted some turnip seed. This patch was carefully guarded and -yielded a small crop of roots, which were stored away for winter use in -a root-cellar built for the purpose. The root-cellar was a small, rough -enclosure of logs, built in a bank or the side of a hill and covered -over with earth. - -Little further progress could be made in the new home until more land -was cleared, stock introduced, and farming operations begun in earnest. -The clearing was accomplished only after many years, as the land was -densely wooded, and even with the aid of the cross-cut saw and the oxen -it was slow work getting ready for the plow. The farmers worked early -and late battling with the forest, single-handed and in "bees"; cutting -and burning the valuable timber, which to-day would yield a fortune; -then, the only return from this timber was the potash made from the -ashes. The stumps were most unyielding, particularly those of the pine; -and all kinds of contrivances were devised to uproot them. Sometimes -they were burned out, but this was a slow process, and a large portion -of the soil about them would be injured by the fire. Blasting powder -was used and many patterns of stump machines were employed, but the most -common and perhaps the most satisfactory method was to sever the roots -that could be easily reached, hitch a logging-chain to one side, bring -it up over the top and let the oxen tip over the stump by sheer brute -force. The pine stumps made excellent fuel for the fire-places and were -also used for fences. - -The word "potash" is indicative of the process of its manufacture and -the chief article from which it was made. It was in great demand as a -bleaching agent and was extensively used in the making of soap. -Shiploads of it were annually exported from Canada. Nearly every farmer -had a leach, a large V-shaped vat, which he filled with ashes. Over -these he poured a quantity of water, which filtered through the ashes, -dissolved, took up in solution the alkaline salts, and trickled out of -the bottom in the form of lye. A certain amount of this liquid was -required for the manufacture of soft soap for the farmer's own use. -This was made by adding some animal fat to the lye and boiling it down -for several hours. The ordinary fire-place provided all the ashes -needed for this purpose. The large quantity made from burning the -timber in clearing up the land was carried one stage farther for -convenience in handling. The lye was boiled down in a huge kettle -capable of holding fifty gallons or more, and, when it reached the -proper consistency, it was transferred to a large iron pot, known as a -cooler, where it congealed into a solid, and in that form received the -name of potash. When the country store-keeper became firmly established -he received it in exchange for his merchandise, and not infrequently -purchased the ashes and manufactured it himself upon a large scale. -Some of the farmers hauled their ashes in with their oxen; but the -merchant also kept one or more teams thus employed, when not engaged in -drawing his goods to and from the nearest shipping point. Up and down -the concessions the creaking ash-wagons went, gathering in all that was -left of the once proud forest that had been cleared away to make room -for the plow. Convenient to the store was an ash-yard, with half a -dozen leaches in operation, and the fires were kept roaring under the -kettles. Here the wagons unloaded the ashes upon a platform suspended -from one end of an evenly balanced beam, while iron weights of fifty-six -pounds each, or some other fractional part of the long ton, were placed -upon a smaller platform suspended from the other end of the beam. This -was the customary method of weighing bulky substances that could not be -conveniently weighed by the steelyards. - -When the first crop of grain was obtained, it was harvested with the -crude implements of the day and conveyed to the threshing floor. As a -rule this consisted of a bare piece of ground, sometimes covered with -boards or flat stones, but more frequently the bare earth had no -covering. Here the grain was pounded out with a flail, and Nature -supplied the fanning-mill; the mixed grain and chaff were tossed into -the air during a stiff breeze, and the chaff was blown away. - -To convert the wheat into flour was a more difficult matter. The -government had provided a few little hand-mills, but they were not -adapted to the purpose; so that the settler took a lesson from the -Indian, burned a large hole in the top of an oak stump and pounded the -wheat to a powder with a pestle or a cannon ball suspended from the end -of a sweep. It was not many years before government mills were erected -at different points, where there was a sufficient supply of water-power. -The localities thus served suffered little inconvenience, as compared -with less favoured districts. - -Ten, fifteen, or twenty years wrought a great change in the wilderness -home. Small clearings were everywhere to be seen. Barns had been -built, the houses had been enlarged, and the melodious tinkling of bells -betrayed the presence of cattle. Sheep and swine were also found on -every farm, but they had to be guarded to protect them from marauding -bears and wolves. Of horses there were but few. Awkward as the ox may -appear, he was more than a match for the horse in finding a sure footing -among the stumps, logs, and fallen timbers. Breaking in "Buck and -Bright" to come under the yoke and to respond to the "gee", "haw", and -the snap of the whip was a tedious undertaking, but was successfully -accomplished. - -The general store made its appearance, but the pioneer had learned to be -independent and still supplied most of his own wants. He raised his own -flax, and when it was ripe he pulled it by hand, tied it into small -sheaves so that it would dry quickly, and shocked it up. When it was -cured, it was taken to the barn and threshed out with a flail. The -straw was then spread out on the ground and left for two or three weeks, -until it had rotted sufficiently to permit the stalks to be broken -without severing the outer rind, which supplied the shreds. The object -was to get it in such a condition that this outer part could be freed -from the inner. It was first put through a crackle, which was a bench -four feet long, composed of three or four boards standing on their edges -and just far enough apart, that three or four similar boards, framed -together and operated from a hinge like a pair of nut-crackers, would, -when closed down, drop into the several spaces between the lower boards. -The straw was passed over the lower boards at right angles, and the -operator raised and lowered the upper frame, bringing it down on the -flax, breaking the stalks, and loosening the outer shreds from the inner -pulp. To remove the pulp the stalks were then drawn over a heckle, -which was a board with scores of long nails protruding through. This -combed the coarser pulp away, when the same process was repeated over a -finer heckle, which left the shreds ready to be spun into thread on a -spinning wheel similar to, but smaller than that used in spinning wool. -The thread was then bleached, dyed, wound into balls, and passed on to -the weaver. The farmer also raised his own sheep, sheared them, and -washed and carded the wool. - -Every maiden served her apprenticeship at the spinning wheel, and her -education was not complete until she had learned how to spin the yarn, -pass it over the swift, and prepare it for the loom, which had become a -part of the equipment of nearly every house. The linen, flannel, and -fullcloth for the entire family were made upon the premises. Service -was more sought after than style, particularly in the "everyday -clothes"; and, if the mother or maiden aunt could not cut and make a -suit, the first itinerant tailor who happened along was installed as a -member of the household for a fortnight and fitted out the whole family -for the next year. - -The boots and shoes were also homemade, or at least made at home. -Somewhere about every farm was to be found a tanning-trough, in which a -cowhide would be immersed for three weeks in a weak solution of lye to -remove the hair and any particles of flesh still adhering to the skin. -It was then transferred to a tub containing a solution of oak bark and -left for several months, after which it was softened by kneading and -rubbing, and was then ready to be made up. The making of the boots -required considerable skill. A man can wear and obtain good service -from an ill-made suit of clothes, but a poor-fitting pair of boots is an -abomination likely to get the wearer into all sorts of trouble. Corns -and bunions are not of modern origin, but have afflicted the human race -ever since boots were first worn. A kit of shoemaker's tools, composed -of a last, hammer, awls, and needles, was to be found in every house; -and some member of the family was usually expert in adding a half-sole -or applying a patch; few, however, attempted to make the boots. The -travelling shoemaker went about from house to house and performed this -service. A few years later every neighbourhood had its tannery, and -every village its one or more shoemakers. The tanner took his toll for -each hide; and the shoemaker, for a bag of potatoes, a roll of butter, -or a side of pork, would turn out a pair of boots, which would long -outwear the factory-made article of to-day. - -The skins of the bear, fox, and racoon furnished fur caps for the -winter; and the rye straw supplied the material for straw hats for -summer. In nearly every house some one would be found capable of -producing the finished articles from these raw materials. The milliner, -as such, would have had a hard time in earning a living a hundred years -ago, as head-gear at that time was worn to protect the head. - -The life of the early settlers was not all work and drudgery. They had -their hours of recreation, and what is best of all, they had the happy -faculty, in many matters, of making play out of work. This was -accomplished by means of "bees". There were logging bees, raising bees, -stumping bees, and husking bees for the men, while the women had their -quilting bees and paring bees. The whole neighbourhood would be invited -to these gatherings. It may be that upon the whole they did not -accomplish more than could have been done single-handed, except at the -raisings, which required many hands to lift the large timbers into -place; but work was not the only object in view. Man is a gregarious -animal and loves to mingle with his fellow men. The occasions for public -meetings of any kind during the first few years were very rare. There -were no fairs, concerts, lectures, or other public entertainments, not -even a church, school, or political meeting, so, in their wisdom, the -early settlers devised these gatherings for work--and work they did. -but, Oh! the joy of it! All the latest news gathered from every quarter -was discussed, notes were compared on the progress made in the -clearings, the wags and clowns furbished up their latest jokes, and all -enjoyed themselves in disposing of the good things brought forth from -the corner cupboard. - -Perhaps some special mention should be made of the logging bee, since it -stands out as the only one of these jolly gatherings that was regarded -as a necessary evil, particularly by the female members of the family. -Perhaps the grimy appearance of the visitors had something to do with -the esteem in which they were held at such times. The logging bee -followed the burning of the fallow, which consumed the underbrush, the -tops and branches of the trees, and left the charred trunks to be -disposed of. In handling these, the workers soon became black as -negroes; and the nature of the work seemed to demand an extraordinary -consumption of whiskey. Anyway, the liquor was consumed; the men -frequently became disorderly, and concluded the bee with one or more -drunken fights. It was this feature of the logging bees that made them -unpopular with the women. - -The afternoon tea now serves its purpose very well, but modern society -has yet to discover the equal of the quilting bee as a clearing-house -for gossip. To the credit of the fair sex, we should add that they -rarely made use of intoxicants; but the old grannies did enjoy a few -puffs from a blackened clay pipe after their meals. Both men and women -were more or less addicted to the use of snuff. - -Whiskey was plentiful in the good old days, but the drinking of it was -not looked upon with such horror, nor attended with such disastrous -consequences as in our day. This difference was probably due both to the -drink and the drinker. Some people will not admit that any whiskey is -bad, while others deny that any can be good; but the whiskey of a -hundred years ago does not appear to have had as fierce a serpent in it -as the highly-advertised brands of the present day. It possessed one -virtue, and that was its cheapness. When a quart could be purchased for -sixpence, a man could hardly be charged with rash extravagance in buying -enough whiskey to produce the desired effect. It was considered quite -the proper thing to drink upon almost any occasion, and upon the -slightest provocation; and, if a member of a company received an -overdose and glided under the table, it created no more sensation than -if he had fallen asleep. As the population increased, taverns were set -up at nearly every crossing of the roads. Some of these, especially the -recognized stopping-places of the stage coaches, were quite imposing -hostelries; and as the guests gathered about the huge fire-place on a -winter's evening and smoked their pipes, drank their toddy, and -exchanged their tales of adventure and travel, the scene was one that -has no counterpart in our day. It was a form of sociability and -entertainment that departed with the passing of the stage coach. - -In this age of railroads and motor cars we have no conception of the -discomforts of travel eighty or a hundred or more years ago. The -Loyalists clung for many years to the bateaux, the flat-bottomed boats, -which conveyed them over the last stage of their journey to their new -homes. These boats were very popular upon the Bay of Quinte. In going -west they were carried across the Carrying Place at the head of the bay -by a man named Asa Weller, who kept a low wagon and a yoke of oxen ready -at hand to transport the travellers from the bay to the lake and back -again upon the return trip. It is needless to add that Weller's Bay was -named after this enterprising teamster. - -In 1816 the first stage line in Upper Canada was inaugurated between -Kingston and Bath by Samuel Purdy, of Bath, and in the following year he -opened a line from Kingston to York. The roads were wretched, and the -fare was eighteen dollars. Fourteen years later William Weller, a son -of Asa, whose business of transporting the bateaux from one body of -water to the other had brought him in contact with the travelling public -and acquainted him with their needs, established a bi-weekly service -between the Carrying Place and York, in connection with the steamer _Sir -James Kempt_, which carried the passengers on to Prescott. The fare -from York to Prescott was L2 10s. ($10). The stage left York at four -o'clock in the morning, arriving at the Carrying Place the same evening. - -The very term, stage-coach, suggests to our minds a spanking -four-in-hand, in brass-mounted harness, attached to a gayly-decorated -conveyance. We picture them dashing through a village under the crack -of the coachman's whip. Away they go, rattling over the bridge, down -the turnpike, and with a shrill blast of the guard's horn, they haul up -at the wayside inn, where a fat and smiling landlord escorts the -passengers in to a hot dinner. Such were not the stagecoaches of our -forefathers; they were simply lumber wagons without springs and covered -with canvas like the prairie schooners, or plain wooden enclosures with -seats suspended by leather straps. Just think of being cooped up in -such an affair from sunrise to sunset--the clumsy "coach" jolting over -the rough roads, dodging stumps, rocks, and fallen trees, plunging down -a steep embankment, fording rivers and streams, and sinking now and then -to the axles in mud! - -During the summer months the mosquitoes and black flies added to the -misery of the travellers. Even so, in this, as in all things, the -pioneers looked not so much on the dark side of life as on the bright. -The distance had to be covered; every jolt and bump brought them one -step nearer their destination. The tales of the fellow travellers were -entertaining and helped to shorten the way. Perhaps one was a -legislator just returning from a meeting of the House, perhaps a -merchant on his way to Montreal to make his year's purchase of goods, or -a young adventurer from the old country spying out an opportunity to -better himself in the New World. The forest had its charms, although -the insects at times were abominable. As the coach passed through a -clearing the yeoman, with a swing of his hat, would wish the travellers -God-speed. The monotony was broken, time and again, by a glimpse of a -bay or lake; and the road, in places followed the beach, where the waves -broke under the horses' feet. Awaiting them at the journey's end were -that rest and peace which the home alone can afford, that bright welcome -of the fireside built with their own hands, and the smiles of the loved -ones who had shared all their trials and victories. - - - - - *CHAPTER IV* - - *EARLY COURTS AND ELECTIONS* - - -All that territory from the Ottawa River to the Detroit, in which the -Loyalists settled, inclusive of the western bank of the latter river, -was, of course, part of the Province of Quebec; but there was very -little in common between the newly-arrived settlers and their French -neighbours on the lower St. Lawrence. There were no judges, no lawyers, -and no regularly established courts in any of the new settlements. The -people were too busy to devote much time to litigation. The nearest -court was at Montreal, and to the English-speaking settlers the French -civil code, which was in force, was an untried experiment, and they -wisely endeavoured to avoid making use of the legal machinery at their -disposal. Minor differences were frequently referred to some of the -officers who had been appointed to take charge of the bands of emigrants -when they left their former homes. These officers did not profess to be -versed in the law, but they had exercised a certain amount of authority -during the voyage and in locating the families committed to their care, -and in distributing the supplies. It was quite natural that they should -be appealed to when the parties to a dispute were unable to come to a -satisfactory understanding between themselves. They were not hampered -by hair-splitting precedents or long-established forms of procedure; but -they made the best use of their common sense in their efforts to apply -the Golden Rule, and so far as is known, substantial justice was done. -As early as 1785, indeed, the Justices of the Peace were given -jurisdiction in civil cases up to L5 ($20); but they had little to do, -and their courts were very informal. - -On the 24th of July, 1788, Lord Dorchester, Governor of Quebec, issued a -proclamation dividing the newly-settled territory into four districts as -follows: Lunenburg, composed of all that portion east of the Gananoque -River; Mecklenburg, from Gananoque to the Trent; Nassau, from the Trent -to a line running north and south through the extreme projection of Long -Point into Lake Erie; and Hesse, that portion of the province west of -the last mentioned line. There was established in each district a Court -of Common Pleas of unlimited civil jurisdiction, presided over by three -judges (except in Hesse, where one judge only was finally appointed), -attended by a sheriff and the other necessary officers. - -In naming the first judges to serve in the newly-established courts, -Lord Dorchester selected men of well-known probity from different walks -of life, regardless of their experience in courts of law. - -On the division of the old Province of Quebec into Upper and Lower -Canada, John Graves Simcoe was appointed the first Governor of Upper -Canada; and the first Parliament met at Niagara on the 17th day of -September, A.D., 1792. With a due regard for the wishes of the people, -the first Act placed upon the statute book abolished the French code, -and declared that "in all matters of controversy relative to property -and civil rights, resort shall be had to the laws of England." This was -a longed-for boon welcomed by all classes. - -At the same session, there was passed an Act for establishing Courts of -Request for the recovery of debts up to forty shillings, whereby it was -declared to be lawful for any two or more Justices of the Peace, acting -within the respective limits of their commissions, to hold a court of -justice on the first and third Saturdays of every month at some place -fixed within their respective divisions, for the purpose of adjudicating -upon these small claims. It was essentially a justices' court. They -appointed their own officers, devised their own forms, and laid down -their own method of procedure. These courts afforded the magistrates an -opportunity of appearing upon the bench and taking part in judicial -proceedings, without calling for the exercise of any superior legal -knowledge. This was a privilege which many of them greatly enjoyed and -of which they took full advantage, as is shown by the fact that as many -as ten have been known to preside at a sittings, although only two were -necessary.[#] - - -[#] I find upon an examination of the records of the Court of Requests, -held at Bath, covering a period of eight years from 1819, that rarely -were there less than four justices present, frequently there were more -than that number, and at the four sessions of March and April, 1827, -there were seven, ten, six, and eight, respectively. - - -There were no court houses at the disposal of the justices when the Act -first came into force, and only one in each district when buildings were -afterwards erected; so they were forced to hold their courts in private -residences, taverns, or any convenient room that could be secured. When -we endeavour to picture a row of justices behind a deal table across the -end of a low-ceiling kitchen, crowded with litigants, any preconceived -notions of the dignity of the Court of Requests are speedily dispelled. - -In 1816 the jurisdiction of the Court of Requests was extended to claims -of L5, where the amount of the indebtedness was acknowledged by the -signature of the defendant, or established by a witness other than the -plaintiff. It did not take the merchants long to discover that it was -greatly to their advantage, in more ways than one, to take from their -customers promissory notes in settlement of their accounts; for by thus -obtaining a written acknowledgement of the debt, an action for the -recovery of the amount within the increased jurisdiction could be -brought at a trifling expense in this court. - -By another Act of 1792 the German names of the four districts were -changed respectively to the more acceptable English ones. Eastern, -Midland, Home, and Western; and provision was made for the erection of a -gaol and court-house in each of them. Before these very necessary public -buildings were erected, even the higher courts were held in cramped and -uncomfortable quarters. It is said that the first sentence of capital -punishment imposed in Upper Canada was pronounced in a tavern on the -shore of the Bay of Quinte at Bath, and, as summary execution was the -recognized method of carrying into effect the judgment of the court, the -convict was immediately hanged to a basswood tree on the roadside, only -a few rods distant. The pathetic part of this tragic incident is that -it was afterwards learned that the poor victim was innocent of the -charge of which he was found guilty, the theft of a watch. Such a -stigma attached to this particular basswood tree that it was adopted and -used for years as a public whipping-post.[#] - - -[#] This incident was, I believe, first published by Dr. Canniff in 1869 -in his _Settlement of Upper Canada_. I am unable to point to any -official record bearing out his statement; but up to a few years ago old -residents, including descendants of the tavern-keeper, told the story -and evidently believed it. - - -In the early courts the parties before them were occasionally -represented by counsel; but the only recognized standard of admission to -the bar was under an ordinance of the old Province of Quebec, and few -were called. Under such conditions it can readily be conceived that it -would be difficult to maintain any uniformity in the practice. In 1794 -the Legislature empowered the governor, lieutenant-governor, or person -administering the affairs of the province, to "authorize by license, -under his hand and seal, such and so many of His Majesty's liege -subjects, not exceeding sixteen in number, as he shall deem from their -probity, education, and condition in life best qualified, to act as -advocates and attorneys in the conduct of all legal proceedings in the -province." In 1803 the demand for lawyers had become so pressing--at -least so it was alleged--that an Act was passed making it lawful to add -in a similar manner six more practitioners to the roll. Neither of -these Acts called for any educational test or professional experience. -It is not therefore a matter of surprise to learn that the gentlemen of -the long robe, who were thus admitted to the bar, were sometimes alluded -to as "heaven-born lawyers", though some of them were of the highest -standing, one becoming a judge of the King's Bench, another treasurer of -the Law Society. - -The Law Society of Upper Canada, which has now its headquarters at -Osgoode Hall, Toronto, may properly be classed among the pioneer -institutions of the province. It came into being under the provisions -of a statute of 1797, which made it lawful for all persons then -practising at the bar to form themselves into a society, under the name -which it still retains. The declared purpose of the society, in -addition to caring for the needs of the legal profession, was "to -support and maintain the constitution of the said province." It was -created a body corporate by an Act of 1822, and its affairs are -administered to-day upon somewhat the same lines as those upon which it -was first formed. - -Before the arrival of Governor Simcoe, many of the communities had -organized their town meetings and appointed their local officers, such -as clerks, constables, and overseers of highways. The provisions of the -first statute authorizing such meetings were based upon the -organizations already in existence, so that the idea of local -self-government did not originate with the Legislature. Parliament -merely legalized and made general throughout the entire province the -holding of just such town meetings as had already been organized in many -of the older townships.[#] - - -[#] For instance, the town meetings of the township of Sidney date from -1791, and those of Adolphustown from 1792, although the statute -authorizing them was not passed until July, 1793. - - -It is no particular mark of superiority to-day to be enrolled as a -Justice of the Peace. Not so in the early days of Upper Canada. The -humblest citizen may now in correspondence be addressed as "Esquire"; -but, a hundred years ago, all hats were doffed when the "Squire" passed -through the streets of a village. He was a man of some importance. He -tried petty offences in his own neighbourhood; as a member of the Court -of Requests, minor civil actions were heard by him; but, as a member of -the Court of General Sessions, he rose to his greatest dignity. This -body of justices, assembled in General Sessions, not only disposed of -criminal cases, except those of the gravest kind, but were clothed with -executive power as well. They enacted local legislation for the -districts which they represented, they levied and disbursed the taxes, -granted licenses, superintended the erection of court houses and gaols, -the building of bridges, and generally performed the functions of our -municipal councils of to-day. They met periodically in the leading -village of the district and sometimes remained in session for a week, -and, considering the amount of business they transacted, they were very -expeditious, as compared with the modern county council. Few would -gainsay the statement, if I were to add that the municipal legislators -of to-day frequently do not, in many other respects, attain the standard -of a hundred years ago. - -[Illustration: PIONEER STAGE COACH. The Weller Line from Toronto East] - -The town meetings continued to meet once a year on the first Monday in -March, to appoint officers, and, although they had no jurisdiction to do -so, to pass, repeal, and amend enactments for purely local purposes. -These "Prudential Laws", as they called them, regulated such matters as -the height of fences, the running at large of certain animals, and the -extermination of noxious weeds. The people favoured the town meeting, -as it was of their own making. It was the first step in democratic -government by and for the people. The chronic grumbler found there an -opportunity to air his grievances. The loquacious inflicted his oratory -upon his assembled neighbours. Each man to his liking played his part -at the annual gathering, and realized that he was of some consequence in -controlling the affairs of the township. Thus did the inhabitants -continue to encroach upon the authority of the Justices in Session, who -from time to time issued their decrees, dealing with some of the matters -over which the town meetings had assumed jurisdiction, until 1850, when -our present municipal system was introduced and the justices were -practically shorn of all but their judicial power. - -Parliamentary elections to-day are very tame affairs compared with those -of a century ago. The open vote afforded opportunities for exciting -scenes that the rising generations know not of. The closing of the bars -on election day has robbed the occasion of a good deal of romance. The -actual voting contest is now limited to eight hours, from nine to five; -and to-day one may rest peacefully in a room adjoining a polling booth -and not be aware that an election is in progress. - -It was all very different in the days of our grandfathers. Whiskey and -the open vote were two very potent factors in keeping up the excitement. -Instead of having several booths scattered throughout each township, -there was only one in the electoral district. The principal village in -the district was generally selected, but sometimes the only booth was -set up in a country tavern, especially if it was in a central location -and the proprietor could pull enough political strings. A platform was -constructed out of rough boards and protected from the weather by a -sloping roof. On Monday morning of election week the candidates and -their henchmen assembled in the vicinity of the platform, which was -known as the hustings. The electors came pouring in from all parts of -the district. Each party had its headquarters at a tavern, or tent, or -both, where the workers would lay their plans. The forenoon was spent in -listening to the orators of the day, and at one o'clock the polling -began. It is easy to imagine what would happen to the doubtful voter -when he arrived at the village. As the poll was kept open all day and -every day until Saturday night, it is not quite so easy to picture the -scenes during the last day or two of a hot contest. Couriers with -foaming horses were going and coming. Heated discussions frequently -terminated in a rough-and-tumble fight, in which a score or more -participated. Drunken men reeled about the streets until carefully -stowed away by their friends in a tent or in a stall in the tavern -stable. If the inebriate had not yet polled his vote, his whilom -friends were most solicitous in the attention bestowed upon him. - -It not infrequently happened that the indifferent voter purposely played -into the hands of both parties. It was a golden opportunity for free -lunches and free whiskey; and the longer he deferred the fateful hour -when he had to announce to the returning officer the candidate of his -choice, the more difficult it was for him to choose. In his dilemma he -would seek his solace in a little more whiskey, and, in the end, perhaps -vote for the wrong man. If unhappily he did make such a mistake, his -political guardians never failed to call his attention to the error in a -manner not likely soon to be forgotten--such incidents were thereafter -associated in the mind of the offender with unpleasant recollections of -the village pump or the nearest creek. - - - - - *CHAPTER V* - - *SCHOOL TEACHERS AND PREACHERS* - - -The Loyalists were so busy in clearing the land and getting the new home -into shape that little time was left for looking after such matters as -educating the young. There were no laws regulating the school system, -no buildings nor funds for school purposes, no officials to take the -lead, and what was done was the spontaneous outcome of a desire to equip -the rising generation for the duties of citizenship.[#] - - -[#] The first enactment of any kind respecting schools in Upper Canada -was passed in 1807. This made very inadequate provision for the -establishment of one public school in each district. The first -legislative attempt to encourage, assist, or regulate common schools was -by an Act passed in 1816. Both of these statutes were very crude and -left much to be desired. - - -The first efforts were those of the mother and other elder members of -the household. Later on a few families clubbed together and employed a -man to instruct their children in the rudimentary elements of a common -school education. There was no building for the purpose, so a room was -set apart in one of the dwellings, probably the only room on the ground -floor, and while the good housewife busied herself about her duties on -one side of the room the teacher was training the young ideas how to -shoot on the other side. For one or two weeks he would remain with this -family, getting his board and washing and two or three dollars a week, -and then he would move on to the next neighbour with his little flock, -and so on until the circuit of his subscribers of five or six families -was completed, when he commenced again at the first. - -As late as 1818 in a contract entered into between a teacher and a few -of the farmers in one of the first townships, we find the covenant to -teach in the following words: "That the party of the first part engages -to keep a good school according to his ability, and to teach reading, -writing, and arithmetic." His hours were from eight o'clock in the -morning until four in the afternoon, with one and one-half hours for -noon. He was to teach every alternate Saturday. In addition to his -board, lodging, and washing, he was to be paid the princely salary of -twelve and one-half dollars a month, "whereof one-half in cash at the -end of the quarter and the other in orders or other value monthly." - -Soon the little log school-house appeared, not larger than fifteen by -twenty feet, with a door in one end and a window on each side. On the -inside holes were bored in the logs about two feet six inches from the -floor, pegs inserted, and upon these pegs rested a plank. This was the -desk, and the pupils, while working at it, necessarily sat with their -faces towards the wall. A rude bench without a back was the only seat. -Books were very scarce. About the only real school book that ever found -its way into the hands of the pupil was Mayor's spelling book. The New -Testament was the universal reader, and if any other books were in use -in the school the teacher was the only one who had access to them. The -three R's: "Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic" were the extent of the -general curriculum. There were no authorized text-books, and such as -were in use were far from perfect.[#] - - -[#] The Act of 1816 required the trustees of each school to report to -the district Board of Education the books used in the school, and it was -lawful for the Board to order and direct such books not to be used; but -no one was clothed with authority to order what books should be used. - - -For many years the only Geography used in the schools contained the -following information relating to the continent of America: - -"What is America?" - -"The fourth part of the world, called also the New World." - -"How is North America divided?" - -"Into Old Mexico, New Mexico, Canada or New France, New England, and -Florida." - -The next answer must have been particularly enlightening to the -ambitious youth thirsting for knowledge. - -"What is New France?" - -"A large tract of ground about the River St. Lawrence, divided into East -and West, called also Mississippi or Louisiana." - -Having given this very lucid explanation the author then proceeds to -make his readers feel at home by acquainting them with their neighbours. - -"What does the East contain?" - -"Besides Canada, properly so-called, it contains divers nations, the -chief of which are the Esquimalts, Hurons, Christinals, Algonquins, -Etechemins, and Iroquois. The considerable towns are Quebec, Tadousac, -and Montreal." - -"What is New Britain?" - -"It lies north of New France, and is not cultivated, but the English who -possess it derive a great trade in beaver and originac skins." (In -passing it may be pointed out that "originac," or more correctly -"orignac," was the name applied to the moose.) - -The painful part of the story of this most extraordinary geography is -that what I have already quoted was all there was between its two covers -in any way touching upon North America.[#] - - -[#] _Documentary History of Education in Upper Canada_, Vol. I., page -106. - - -The great drawback to the legislative efforts to improve the system was -the lack of uniformity. Each section, and later, each district, -followed its own inclination, and no satisfactory results were attained -until Egerton Ryerson introduced his reforms, and brought every school -in Upper Canada under the same general supervision. - -The old teacher of the pioneer days is gone from us forever, and, while -he served his day and generation as well as he could, we cannot -entertain any feelings of regret that he will never return. Brute force -played an important part in his system of instruction. The equipment of -no school was complete without the tawse or leather strap, and the -offending pupil was frequently despatched to the neighbouring woods to -cut from a beech tree the instrument of torture to be applied to his -particular case. - -The minor parts of speech were recognized as such, not from the -functions performed by them in the sentence in which they appeared, but -from the fact that they were in the list which the pupil was forced to -memorize. "With" was a preposition because it was in the list of -prepositions, and "forth" was an adverb because the teacher said it was, -and if by chance, from nervousness or any other cause, the boy with a -treacherous memory failed to place it under its proper heading, a -flogging was considered a proper chastisement for the offence. It -sometimes happened that a boy did not see eye to eye with his teacher -upon this question of corporal punishment, and a scrimmage would ensue. -If the teacher came out second best, his usefulness in that -neighbourhood was gone. - -To be learned, as the teacher was supposed to be, was a distinction -which gave him a certain amount of prominence, and opened up for him -several other fields of usefulness. He was frequently called upon as -arbitrator to adjust complicated accounts, or to settle disputes in the -measurement of wood or lumber, or to lay out a plot of ground with a -given acreage. He was the court of last resort in matters of -orthography and spelling. If he happened to be of a religious turn of -mind, he might be called upon to fill the pulpit in the absence of the -regular clergyman. - -The Squire and the school teacher each played his part in the -administration of the affairs of the neighbourhood. Each carried some -weight and commanded a certain amount of respect; but both yielded first -place to the clergyman. While there were several other denominations, -the Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Methodists formed the great mass of -the population. The Anglicans were the pampered class; they received -most of the public favours and were correspondingly haughty and -independent. For the first fourteen years of the settlement the -clergymen of this church enjoyed a monopoly in the matter of marrying. -It was a common occurrence, before there was a Protestant parson or -minister duly ordained residing in the province, for a Justice of the -Peace to tie the knot, and in rarer cases still for a military officer -to perform the ceremony.[#] - - -[#] All such marriages were confirmed and made valid by "The Marriage -Act" passed in 1793; and it was declared lawful for a Justice of the -Peace to solemnize marriages under certain circumstances, when the -parties lived eighteen miles from a parson of the Church of England. - - -In 1798 the privilege of performing the marriage ceremony was extended -to the ministers of the Presbyterian Church, and as they did not insist -upon the wedding party going to the church, the "meenester" secured many -fees which otherwise would have gone to his Anglican brother of the -cloth. The great democratic body of Methodists were severely -handicapped, and did not come to their own until 1831, when the gate was -thrown wide open, and the clergy of nearly every recognized religious -denomination were placed upon the same footing in respect to marrying as -the Anglicans and Presbyterians. - -Some of the extreme Loyalists could not reconcile Methodism and loyalty -to the Crown, and the records inform us of more than one persecution for -preaching the doctrines of the Methodist Church; in fact, one duly -elected member of the Legislative Assembly was refused his seat in the -House, because he had upon occasions filled the pulpit in a Methodist -meeting-house. It is only fair to those who supported such extreme -measures to explain that these extraordinary occurrences took place at a -time when the feeling in this country against the United States was very -strong, and the Methodist body in Upper Canada was under the -jurisdiction of a General Conference across the line. - -The life of a preacher even in our day is not one of unadulterated -bliss. But as far as the comforts of this world are concerned, the -modern clergyman has a very easy time of it when compared with the life -of the pioneer preacher of a hundred or more years ago. Then the -clergyman travelled on horseback with his Bible and a change of clothing -in his saddle-bags, preaching ten or twelve times a week in churches, -schoolhouses, taverns, and the log cabins of the settlers, wherever a -few could be collected to receive the Gospel message. In all kinds of -weather, he might be seen plodding along through the heavy snow drifts, -or fording the unbridged streams, upon his holy mission to the remotest -corners of the settlements. No complaint escaped his lips as he -threaded his way through the lonely forest, now and then humming a few -snatches from some old familiar hymn. Perchance he halted beside a -spring for his mid-day meal, and fervently thanked God, from Whom all -blessings flow, as he hauled from his spacious pockets the sandwiches -furnished by his host of the night before. - -His circuit extended sometimes for fifty, sixty, or an hundred miles, -and he rarely spent his evenings at home, if he had one, but slept where -night overtook him, glad of the opportunity to share a bunk with his -parishioners' children, or make himself as comfortable as he could upon -a mattress on the floor. His uniform may have been frayed and not of -the orthodox cut; his sermons may not have possessed that virtue of -brevity which so many congregations now demand; they may have fallen far -short of some of the sensational discourses of to-day; but he was a -faithful exponent of the Gospel, the plain and simple truth as he found -it exemplified in the life of our Saviour. That the pioneers closely -followed the tenets of the Golden Rule is largely due to the -self-sacrificing efforts and exemplary life of the early missionaries. - -[Illustration: FOOT STOVE. CRACKLE] - -Among the Methodists no other religious gathering could compare with the -camp-meeting. It was the red-letter week of the year, given up wholly to -prayer, singing and exhortation. In selecting a location for these -annual gatherings there were several details to be considered. The -first essential was a grove, high and dry, and free from underbrush, -accessible both by land and water. The auditorium was in the shape of a -horseshoe, about one-half acre in extent, surrounded by tents made of -canvas or green boughs supported by poles. Across that part -corresponding with the opening in the shoe was a preachers' platform. -In front of it was a single row of logs--the penitent bench--and the -rest of the space was filled with parallel rows of logs--the pews. - -Thither by land and water came the devout Methodists of the district; -but then, as now, the women far outnumbered the men in their religious -observances. With them they brought chests of provisions, their -bedding, and Bibles. Morning, noon, and night, the woods resounded with -songs of praise, the warning messages of the preachers, and the prayers -of the faithful, pitched in every conceivable key. The surroundings -seemed to add an inspiration to the services. When the great throng -joined fervently in "All hail the power of Jesus' name", to the -accompaniment of the rustling leaves, the hearts of all present were -deeply moved. During the closing exercises, marching in pairs around the -great circle, with mingled feelings of gladness and sorrow, they sang -lustily the good old hymns and then, with many affectionate -leave-takings, dispersed to their several homes. - -The Methodists looked upon dancing not only as a very worldly but also -as a very sinful form of amusement, and as the violin was closely -associated with the dance it also was placed under the ban. The -Loyalists were musically inclined, but during the first years of the -settlements little opportunity was offered for the development of their -talents in that direction. Later on singing in unison was extensively -practised, and singing schools were organized during the winter months -in nearly every neighbourhood. There was a great scarcity of musical -instruments before the introduction of the accordeon and concertina, -both of which were invented in 1829. - -The members of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, as they were more -commonly called, were sorely handicapped by reason of their refusal to -take an oath under any circumstances. By their strict adherence to this -article in their creed they were debarred from holding any public -office, or giving evidence in any court of law. That this was a great -hardship, from which no relief could be obtained except by legislative -enactment, goes without saying. One of their number was regularly -elected to the first Parliament and trudged through the forest to the -seat of government at the assembling of the members. From purely -conscientious scruples he refused to take the prescribed oath, so his -seat was declared vacant, and he trudged back home again. - -It is not to the credit of the other denominations of Christians, that -no steps were taken to relieve the Quakers from the disability under -which they were placed, until after twenty-five years of patient -endurance. It is true the disability was self-imposed; but they were -actuated by the purest of motives, and their exemplary lives and -standing in the community entitled them to more consideration from their -fellow citizens. The relief first extended to them, after the lapse of -a quarter of a century, was only partial, and allowed them to give -evidence in civil courts by a simple affirmation instead of an oath. -The Legislature having to that extent admitted the principle of -affirming instead of taking an oath, could find very little to justify -its course in postponing for another twenty years the admission of the -Quakers to their full rights, by accepting their affirmation in criminal -courts and in all other matters in which an oath was required. - -The Quakers took a most decided stand against the law of primogeniture, -whereby the eldest son of a man who died intestate inherited all the -real estate of his father to the exclusion of all the other sons and -daughters. In this respect they were in advance of their age and -insisted upon an equitable distribution among all the children of the -deceased. Many a young Friend was given the alternative of dividing -among his brothers and sisters the real estate thus inherited according -to law, or of submitting to the humiliation of being expelled from the -Society. To their credit it can be said that very rarely was there any -occasion to enforce the latter alternative. The statute abolishing -primogeniture came into force on January 1st, 1852. - -The Quakers were uncompromising in their opposition to the liquor -traffic, and could be relied upon to support all measures for the -advancement of temperance. They were progressive in educational -matters; they established and maintained efficient schools, and -generally took a deep interest in all matters directed towards the -general improvement of the country. Beneath their quaint garb and -solemn faces, there frequently was found a deep sense of humour, all the -more effective when expressed in their peculiar form of speech. - - - - - *CHAPTER VI* - - *PROVISIONS AND PUBLIC HIGHWAYS* - - -The staple articles of food among the pioneers were much the same as in -our day. Pork formed the chief item of meat. The hams and shoulders -were smoked and the rest of the carcass preserved in a strong brine. -The flour was coarser than the article we get from the modern roller -mills, but none the less, rather the more, wholesome. Corn meal was -used much more extensively than now; it was boiled and used as porridge -for breakfast, a thick covering of brown sugar being sprinkled over it; -what was left over became quite firm as it cooled, and was eaten for -supper with milk, or cut into thin slices and fried. Corn meal -griddle-cakes were also in great demand. Johnny-cake was not popular, as -it was regarded as a Yankee dish; and it took a good many years for the -Loyalists to reconcile themselves to anything in any way associated with -their former persecutors. - -Wild strawberries, raspberries, plums, and gooseberries were to be had -for the picking, and the thrifty housewife always laid in a good supply. -The raspberries and plums were dried in the sun and put away for future -use, or made into a jam, like the gooseberries and strawberries. - -The maple furnished the most of the sugar, but cane sugar was afterwards -imported--not the white lump or granulated sugar of to-day, but a moist, -dark-brown, unrefined product known as "Muscovado". - -Tomatoes were not considered fit for human food until after the middle -of the nineteenth century. If grown at all, the fruit was used merely -for purposes of ornamentation, suspended from strings in the windows -under the name of "love-apples". Many believed that they would cause -cancer in those eating them--a notion that is not even yet wholly dead -in some places. - -Although our fresh waters abounded in fish of a superior quality, the -Loyalists were not what we would call a fish-eating people--perhaps no -people ever were or are as a matter of choice. Most of us enjoy a fish -dinner once in a while; but few, if any, of us would care to accept it -as a steady diet, or as a substitute for meat. The rigors of our -climate and the outdoor life of hard work seemed to call for something -more sustaining. The bays and rivers teemed with maskalunge, bass, -salmon, pickerel, and pike, and in the late autumn months the whitefish -and herring were very plentiful. The "mascos" were speared at night by -the aid of a jack-light; they were even shot from the shore as they were -lazily swaggering along in the shallow water. In the early spring, a -mess of pike could be secured at any time with very little effort; every -inlet and creek seemed to be alive with them. The whitefish always has -held first place among our merchantable fish. In the summer season they -were caught in nets upon the shoals of the Great Lakes, and in October -and November the seines were thrown across their path as they were -running up the lesser bodies of water. I have heard an octogenarian, -whose truthfulness even in a fish story I had no reason to doubt, -declare that he had frequently, when a boy, speared fifty or sixty -whitefish in one night. - -If we examine the map of any of the first townships, we find that the -road allowances are in straight lines, intersected at right angles by -cross-roads, also in straight lines. About the only exceptions are the -roads along the waterfront, which of necessity must conform to the -irregularities in the shores. How few, however, of the roads in actual -use are straight! We find them twisting and turning in every direction -and intersecting each other at various angles. - -During the first few years of the settlements a path through the forest -was all that was required. A low piece of ground, a steep precipice, or -even a fallen tree, which would present no difficulty to the modern -road-builder, might at the time have been deemed a sufficient cause for -departing from the blazed trail. Once such a path was laid out and -improved from time to time, it became a very easy matter for it to be -recognized and adopted as a regular highway. In time the cause for the -deviation may have passed away, but the crooked road remained. The -writer knows of several "jogs" in public thoroughfares which were so -constructed in order to pass around buildings carelessly erected upon -the road allowance. Many of the most important highways in Ontario -appear to be the shortest practical lines between certain towns or -villages, and were unquestionably laid out as a matter of convenience, -with an utter disregard for the road allowances reserved by the -government surveyors. - -During the second session of the first Parliament of Upper Canada the -Legislature passed an Act to regulate the laying-out, amending, and -keeping in repair the public highways and roads of the province. Under -its provisions the whole matter was left in the hands of the Justices of -the Peace, who were declared to be commissioners of highways to lay out -and regulate the roads within their respective divisions. They were -also given power, upon the sworn certificate of a majority of twelve of -the principal freeholders of the district, summoned for the purpose by -them, to alter any road already laid out or to construct new ones. We -can readily imagine how many of the crooks and turns in our roads were -thus introduced in the first instance to serve the temporary purpose of -some friend of the commissioners, or to satisfy the whim of some -influential land owner. - -By the same Act was introduced a form of statute labour, which has -deservedly met with little favour and much condemnation; but has -undergone little change for the better from 1793 to the present time. -Men possessing little or no qualifications for the position are -appointed pathmasters to act as foremen over their friends and -neighbours. Annually they turn out in full force, do a good deal of -visiting and some work, and frequently leave the road they were supposed -to repair in a worse condition than they found it. - -To overcome the accumulation of snow in the roads a very simple remedy -was provided as follows: "In case any highways are obstructed by snow at -any time the overseers are hereby ordered to direct as many of the -householders on the road as may be necessary to drive through the -highway." So long as the present system of statute labour remains in -force and gangs of unskilled workmen persist in annoying the travelling -public by rendering the highways practically impassable, this section -might, with appropriate modifications, be re-enacted to-day. - - - - - *CHAPTER VII* - - *DOCTORS, DOMESTIC REMEDIES, AND FUNERALS* - - -Our forefathers were subject to the same physical ailments as ourselves, -but they do not appear to have suffered to the same extent from disease -as we do in our day. The surgeon was rarely called upon to exercise his -calling, and then only when amputations were felt to be necessary, or -some mutilated member needed mending. Fashionable operations were -unknown. The vicious tendencies of the _bacteria_ in the human body -were not then discovered, or, if they had, war had not yet been declared -upon them. Men went about their daily occupations, too busy to bother -with the microbes that the modern scientists tell us are gnawing at our -vitals. Their greatest fear was from epidemics like smallpox, which -occasionally swept through a neighbourhood, leaving a trail of sorrow in -its wake. Of licensed practitioners there were but few; and they were, -for the most part, attached to the military posts. Occasionally, if the -roads were passable, and they felt in the humour and saw a prospective -fee of respectable proportions, they might be induced to visit a patient -in the neighbouring townships. In this, as in all other matters, the -settlers did their best to serve themselves. - -In no community of this or any other age have there ever been lacking -the services of skilled specialists in any line very long, before some -unqualified individual volunteered to supply the lack. It was not long -before the quack doctor with his vile decoctions appeared among the -pioneers. Strenuous efforts were made to legislate him out of -existence, but he managed to evade the statutory prohibitions and has -even survived to the present day. - -During the first few decades of the Loyalist settlements it was not so -much a question of whether the quack _could_ practise in the -townships,[#] but the question more to the point was whether the -educated and skilled physician _would_ practise. The settlers had -become so expert in treating most of their complaints, that they rarely -deemed it necessary to secure the services of the medical practitioner; -and, when the real physician did take up his abode among them, he not -uncommonly engaged in some other calling as well and practised his -profession as a side-line. - - -[#] The first statute providing for the licensing of practitioners in -physics and surgery throughout the province was passed in 1795. Up to -that time the quacks had it pretty much their own way. The Act was -found unworkable and was repealed in 1806; a new and more effective Act -was passed in 1815. - - -The mother or grandmother, as a rule, was the doctor, nurse, and -apothecary for the whole family. In the month of September, or perhaps -October, when the phase of the moon was supposed to be favourable for -the purpose, she organized an expedition to the woods in search of a -supply of herbs to replenish her medicine chest. In some cases she dug -in the ground for roots, in others the bark, leaves, or stems were -sought, and in others still the fruit or seeds possessed the necessary -medicinal properties. When she had gathered in her stores, she tied -them up in bundles and hung them up in the attic, or stowed them away in -some convenient nook until required. Her collection contained specifics -for nearly every ache and pain. - -It may be that in those days there was not the mad rush for excitement -and wealth, and the average citizen kept better hours, ate more plain -and wholesome food, had some respect for the different organs of his -body, and did not make such ridiculous demands upon them as are made by -some of the high livers of to-day. It may be, too, that mother's simple -remedies went a long way to correct the excesses and indulgences of the -weak and careless and to restore the health of the sickly. In any event -the mortality among the pioneers does not appear to have been any -greater than it is to-day. It may not be out of place to enumerate some -of the uses to which some of the common herbs were put, as they possess -the same, if any, medicinal properties to-day. - -For coughs and colds, a syrup was made from the roots of the spignet, -another name for spike-nard. The tuber of the blood-root was dried and -then grated into a fine powder; this was snuffed up the nostrils as a -cure for polypus. Catnip has lost little of its popularity as a -medicine for children. There are few, if any, of us who have not -protested vehemently against having our mouths pried open to receive a -spoonful of tea made from the leaves of this common weed; the first -symptoms of a stomach-ache were sufficient to set the vile decoction -brewing and almost any affection of the throat called for a dose of the -same liquid. - -The word "tansy" is derived indirectly from a Greek word meaning -"immortality", because the yellow blossoms, when dried, lose very little -of their original shape and colour. It is doubtful if the name had -anything to do with the prescribing of tansy-tea as a tonic. It was -extensively used for this purpose, and I can readily conceive a patient, -after taking a dose, being quite ready to eat the first thing in sight -to overcome the disagreeable taste left in his mouth by the medicine. -Hop-tea for indigestion and cherry bark tea for regulating the blood -were remedies widely known and extensively used. - -Reference has already been made to the danger of children falling into -the tub of hot water used in scrubbing the unpainted floor. This and -the open fire-place were sources of great anxiety to the mother of a -young family. The frequency of severe scalds and burns from these -causes created a demand for a soothing and healing salve. A favourite -prescription was black alder, lard, resin, and beeswax. - -Smartweed steeped in vinegar was applied to bruises and swellings where -there was no abrasion; it gave instant relief from pain and reduced the -swelling. For use upon dumb animals, particularly the legs of horses, -wormwood was substituted for smartweed. - -For lame feet and other troubles requiring a soothing poultice, the -leaves of the plantain were used. The stems and ribs were first -removed, the leaves allowed to wilt and were then crushed by rolling -them between the hands. - -A healing ointment for abrasions and open sores was made from the leaves -of the ordinary garden bean. These were cut up, mixed with lard, and -heated over a slow fire. While still hot, the liquid lard, which had -absorbed some of the juice of the leaves, was poured off and allowed to -cool, when it was ready to be applied to the affected part. - -Even the roots of the burdock, a most persistent and troublesome weed -about most country homes, were put to an useful purpose. These were -preserved by being dried, and when required were steeped and the tea -thus produced was administered as a cure for indigestion and to regulate -the blood. - -The mandrake, mandragora, or may-apple, has attracted much attention -from the days of King Solomon to the present day. It has figured in -literature in many capacities, all the way from a death-dealing agent to -the main ingredient of a love potion. From its roots our forefathers -made a tea which they used as a gargle for sore throat. - -The roots of the nerve-vine were chewed to quiet the nerves; hence the -name. The roots of elecampane were utilized for man and beast; when -steeped they produced a soothing and healing lotion for open wounds, and -made into a syrup, were administered to children suffering from -whooping-cough. Spearmint tea was given to "break up" a cold; and an -infusion of mullein was administered to give relief in the more advanced -stages of the same complaint. The more bitter the medicine, the more -frequently was it prescribed. Thus wormwood tea was regarded as a -general tonic to be given in almost all cases where other remedies -failed. - -It was not at all uncommon for a plain and simple farmer, with no -pretension to a knowledge of medicine or surgery, to acquire a -reputation as a specialist in some particular branch of the profession. -Perhaps in some emergency he would set a broken limb, with results so -satisfactory that his services would be requisitioned in the next case -of a similar character. His patients so successfully treated would -proclaim his fame abroad, and with the little experience thus acquired -he would, in the eyes of his neighbours, become an expert in this -operation. Another may accidentally have had thrust upon him the -distinction of being able to reduce a dislocated joint. - -[Illustration: SPINNING FLAX] - -Dentists there were none, and extraction was the only reliable treatment -for troublesome teeth. Some one in the locality would own one of those -instruments of torture, a turn-key. If a molar had been demanding too -much attention from its owner, and a hot fomentation had failed to -overcome the pain, the man with the turn-key was paid a visit. -Anaesthetics were unknown, and sterilization was not practised by the -unprofessional. The victim was seated in a kitchen chair and grasped -the rungs on either side. The operator loosened the gum from the unruly -tooth with the blade of his pocket-knife, the hook of the turn-key was -inserted, and with grim determination the two men faced each other. The -one clung doggedly to the chair, the other twisted the key. I will draw -a curtain over the further details of the operation. Brute strength in -the end prevailed. - -Such services were, as a rule, rendered gratuitously, and while we would -not care in our day to be at the mercy of such amateur practitioners, -yet they were a great benefit to the neighbourhood in which they -resided, where it was frequently a choice of such aid as they could -render or none at all. - -Of an entirely different class were the "fakirs", who, with little or no -knowledge of the diseases they treated and the remedies they prescribed, -preyed upon the helplessness of their patients. With such the two great -specifics were opium and mercury--in all cases of doubt a dose of -calomel was administered. Bleeding, as a remedial measure, was a very -common practice, and it was not considered at all extraordinary to -relieve a patient of a quart or two of blood at a time. - -The educational qualifications of the quack may be inferred from the -following advertisement, which was posted up in a public place in 1817: - - -"Richmond, Oct. 17, 1817. - -"ADVERTISEMENT:--This is to certify that I, Solomon Albert, is Good to -cure any sore in word Complaint or any Pains, Rheumatick Pains or any -Complaint what so ever the Subscriber doctors with yerbs and Roots. Any -Person wishing to employ him will find him at Dick Bells. - -"Solomon Albert." - - -Mr. Albert's parents misjudged the possibilities of their hopeful -offspring when they bestowed upon him his Christian name. He must have -been quite exhausted after his literary effort in composing that -advertisement. - -In due season the need for doctors and medicine was no more, and the -grim reaper claimed his harvest. The undertaker had not yet risen to -the dignity of a separate calling, and the plumed hearse was unknown. -Simplicity and economy were the main features of the last sad rites; the -nearest carpenter was furnished with a rough estimate of the proportions -of the deceased, and, with plane and saw, he soon shaped a coffin out of -basswood boards. This was stained on the outside or covered with a cheap -cloth, and, with plain iron handles as its only adornment, it was ready -for the corpse. It was not until well on into the nineteenth century -that rough outer boxes were brought into general use. - -The funeral service was held at the residence of the deceased, after -which a silent procession was formed and accompanied the remains to the -grave, and in the winter season the silence was intensified by removing -the bells from the horses and sleighs. The general regret over the loss -of the deceased was measured by the length of the funeral procession. - -[Illustration: THE PIONEER STORE] - -In some neighbourhoods there were public graveyards, as a rule in the -rear of the church; but in many instances a plot was selected on the -homestead, generally a sandy knoll, where a grave could be easily dug -and there would be little likelihood of a pool of water gathering in the -bottom. In such a lonely spot were laid the remains of many of our -ancestors, with a wooden slab at the head of the grave. Upon this was -painted a brief epitaph, with a favourite quotation from Holy Writ. In -time the lettering yielded to the ravages of the weather, the paint was -washed away, the board rotted, and the fence surrounding the -reservation, if such there was, was broken down by the cattle. A -careless posterity neglected either to remove the remains or to renew -the wooden marker by a more enduring monument, until sentiment ceased to -play its part in the respect for the memory of the dead. The farm was -sold with no reservation, and the plough and harrow soon removed the -only visible trace of the last resting-place of those who, in their -time, played important parts in shaping the destiny of Upper Canada. - - - - - T. H. BEST PRINTING CO. LIMITED, TORONTO - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PIONEER LIFE AMONG THE LOYALISTS -IN UPPER CANADA *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45662 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything -for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may -use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative -works, reports, performances and research. They may be modified and -printed and given away - you may do practically _anything_ with public -domain eBooks. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, -especially commercial redistribution. - - - -The Full Project Gutenberg License - - -_Please read this before you distribute or use this work._ - -To protect the Project Gutenberg(tm) mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or -any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg(tm) License available with this file or online at -http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use & Redistributing Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic works - - -*1.A.* By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the -terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all -copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works in your possession. If -you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -*1.B.* "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things -that you can do with most Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works even -without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph -1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -*1.C.* The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of -Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works. Nearly all the individual works -in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you -from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating -derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project -Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the -Project Gutenberg(tm) mission of promoting free access to electronic -works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg(tm) works in compliance with -the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg(tm) name -associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this -agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full -Project Gutenberg(tm) License when you share it without charge with -others. - - -*1.D.* The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg(tm) work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -*1.E.* Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -*1.E.1.* The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg(tm) License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg(tm) work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with - almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away - or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License - included with this eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org - -*1.E.2.* If an individual Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic work is -derived from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating -that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can -be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying -any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a -work with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on -the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs -1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -*1.E.3.* If an individual Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic work is -posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and -distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and -any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg(tm) License for all works posted -with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of -this work. - -*1.E.4.* Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project -Gutenberg(tm) License terms from this work, or any files containing a -part of this work or any other work associated with Project -Gutenberg(tm). - -*1.E.5.* Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg(tm) License. - -*1.E.6.* You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg(tm) work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg(tm) web site -(http://www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or -expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a -means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include -the full Project Gutenberg(tm) License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -*1.E.7.* Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg(tm) works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -*1.E.8.* You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works -provided that - - - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg(tm) works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - - - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg(tm) - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) - works. - - - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - - - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg(tm) works. - - -*1.E.9.* If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3. below. - -*1.F.* - -*1.F.1.* Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg(tm) collection. -Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works, and the -medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Defects," such as, but -not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription -errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a -defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer -codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. - -*1.F.2.* LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg(tm) trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. -YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, -BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN -PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND -ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR -ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES -EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. - -*1.F.3.* LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -*1.F.4.* Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -*1.F.5.* Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -*1.F.6.* INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg(tm) -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg(tm) work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg(tm) - - -Project Gutenberg(tm) is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg(tm)'s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg(tm) collection will remain -freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and -permanent future for Project Gutenberg(tm) and future generations. To -learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and -how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the -Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org . - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state -of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue -Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification number is -64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf . Contributions to the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the -full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. -S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official page -at http://www.pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - - -Project Gutenberg(tm) depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where -we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any -statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside -the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways -including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, -please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic -works. - - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg(tm) -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg(tm) eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg(tm) eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. unless -a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks -in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's eBook -number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others. - -Corrected _editions_ of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. -_Versions_ based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving -new filenames and etext numbers. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg(tm), -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |