diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 01:13:29 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 01:13:29 -0800 |
| commit | a05e9731d4e423b35a5ffdd706b1f8d8f6b1b602 (patch) | |
| tree | 069c667e071b7025524e60aaea8baee16a8fcb40 /old/54554-h/54554-h.htm | |
| parent | d4393f3a123587181ff9840fa22f13249031525f (diff) | |
Diffstat (limited to 'old/54554-h/54554-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54554-h/54554-h.htm | 31447 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 31447 deletions
diff --git a/old/54554-h/54554-h.htm b/old/54554-h/54554-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 8332531..0000000 --- a/old/54554-h/54554-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,31447 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of History of the Settlement of Upper Canada, by Wm. Canniff</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; } - h3 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: large; } - h4 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.0em; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .fss { font-size: 75%; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .xlarge { font-size: x-large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - .xsmall { font-size: x-small; } - .xxsmall { font-size: xx-small; } - .lg-container-b { text-align: center; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-b { clear: both; } } - .lg-container-l { text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-l { clear: both; } } - .lg-container-r { text-align: right; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-r { clear: both; } } - .linegroup { display: inline-block; text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .linegroup { display: block; margin-left: 1.5em; } } - .linegroup .group { margin: 1em auto; } - .linegroup .line { text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em; } - div.linegroup > :first-child { margin-top: 0; } - .linegroup .in10 { padding-left: 8.0em; } - .linegroup .in16 { padding-left: 11.0em; } - .linegroup .in18 { padding-left: 12.0em; } - .linegroup .in2 { padding-left: 4.0em; } - .linegroup .in22 { padding-left: 14.0em; } - .linegroup .in26 { padding-left: 16.0em; } - .linegroup .in4 { padding-left: 5.0em; } - .linegroup .in52 { padding-left: 29.0em; } - .ol_1 li {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; } - ol.ol_1 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 2.78%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: decimal; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; } } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .table0 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; - width: 100%; } - .table1 { margin: auto; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c1 { text-align: left; margin: 1em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c001 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } - .c002 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c003 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c004 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c005 { margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c006 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c007 { font-size: 90%; } - .c008 { text-align: center; } - .c009 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em; - padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; } - .c010 { vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; } - .c011 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 2.78%; text-indent: -2.78%; - margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c012 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 2.78%; text-indent: -2.78%; - margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c013 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 2.78%; text-indent: -2.78%; - margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c014 { page-break-before: auto; margin-top: 2em; } - .c015 { margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c016 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 0.8em; - margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; } - .c017 { font-size: 90%; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c018 { font-size: 90%; text-align: right; } - .c019 { text-align: right; } - .c020 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: 90%; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c021 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: 90%; } - .c022 { vertical-align: top; text-align: right; padding-right: 1em; } - .c023 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding-right: 1em; } - .c024 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; } - .c025 { vertical-align: top; text-align: center; padding-right: 1em; } - .c026 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 2em; } - .c027 { vertical-align: top; text-align: center; } - .c028 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em; - padding-left: 1em; } - div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; - border:1px solid silver; margin:2em 10% 0 10%; } - .covernote { visibility: hidden; display: none; } - div.tnotes p { text-align:left; } - @media handheld { .covernote { visibility: visible; display: block;} } - img {max-width: 100%; height:auto; } - .overunder {display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; - font-size: 75%; } - .ph1 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; - margin: .67em auto; } - </style> - </head> - <body> -<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 54554 ***</div> - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber's Note:</strong></p> - -<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>HISTORY</span><br /> <span class='xxsmall'>OF THE</span><br /> Settlement of Upper Canada,<br /> <span class='xsmall'>(ONTARIO,)</span><br /> <span class='small'>WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO</span><br /> <span class='xlarge'>THE BAY QUINTÉ.</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxsmall'>BY</span></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='large'>WM. CANNIFF, M.D., M.R.C.S.E.,</span></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='xsmall'>PROFESSOR OF SURGERY UNIVERSITY VICTORIA COLLEGE, AUTHOR OF THE “PRINCIPLES OF SURGERY.”</span></div> - <div class='c003'>TORONTO:</div> - <div><span class='small'>DUDLEY & BURNS, PRINTERS, VICTORIA HALL.</span></div> - <div>1869.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>TO</div> - <div class='c002'>THE HONORABLE</div> - <div class='c002'>SIR JOHN ALEXANDER MACDONALD, K.C.B., D.C.L., M.P.,</div> - <div class='c002'>PREMIER OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA,</div> - <div class='c002'>THIS VOLUME IS BY PERMISSION RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,</div> - <div class='c002'>AS</div> - <div class='c002'>A RECOGNITION OF HIS ABILITIES AS A CANADIAN STATESMAN, AND AS A TRIBUTE TO A LONG STANDING INHABITANT OF BAY QUINTÉ, WHO HAS GIVEN HIS TALENTS AND ENERGIES TO LAY A SURE FOUNDATION FOR “A GREAT NORTHERN NATION.”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>BY HIS RESPECTFUL ADMIRER,</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in18'>WILLIAM CANNIFF.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span> - <h2 class='c004'>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>In the year 1861 a meeting was convened at the Education -Office, Toronto, with the view of establishing an Historical Society -for Upper Canada. The writer, as an Upper Canadian by birth, -and deeply interested in his country with respect to the past as well -as the future, was present. The result of that meeting was the -appointment of a Committee to frame a Constitution and By-Laws, -and take the necessary steps to organize the proposed Society, and -to report three weeks thereafter.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Committee consisted of the Hon. Mr. Merritt, Rev. Dr. -Ryerson, Col. Jarvis, Mr. DeGrassi, Mr. Merritt, J. J. Hodgins, Dr. -Canniff and Mr. Coventry. For reasons unknown to the writer, -this Committee never even met. The following year the writer -received a printed circular respecting an “Historical Society of -Upper Canada” which had been established at St. Catharines, of -which Col. John Clarke, of Port Dalhousie, was President; Hon. -Wm. H. Merritt, Vice-President, and George Coventry, of Cobourg, -Secretary.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div>“HONORARY MEMBERS.”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Chief Justice Sir John Beverley Robinson, Bart.,</div> - <div class='line'>Colonel Jarvis, <em>Toronto</em>,</div> - <div class='line'>Doctor Canniff, <em>Toronto</em>,</div> - <div class='line'>Henry Eccles, Esq., Q.C.,</div> - <div class='line'>William H. Kittson, Esq., <em>Hamilton</em>,</div> - <div class='line'>Henry Ruttan, Esq., <em>Cobourg</em>,</div> - <div class='line'>The Venerable Lord Bishop of Toronto,</div> - <div class='line'>Alfio DeGrassi, Esq., <em>Toronto</em>,</div> - <div class='line'>J. P. Merritt, <em>St. Catharines</em>,</div> - <div class='line'>Thomas C. Keefer, Esq., <em>Yorkville</em>,</div> - <div class='line'>Hon. George S. Boulton, <em>Cobourg</em>,</div> - <div class='line'>David, Burn, Esq., <em>Cobourg</em>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>At the request of this Society the writer undertook to prepare -a Paper upon the Settlement of the Bay Quinté. Having been -induced to take up his abode for a time at Belleville, near which he -was born, the writer availed himself of every opportunity he could -<span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span>create while engaged in his professional duties, during a period of -five years, to collect facts pertaining to the subject. After some -months of labor, he was advised by friends, in whose judgment he -had confidence, to write a History of the Bay Quinté, for publication.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Acting upon this advice, he continued, with increased energy, -to collect and elaborate material. In carrying out this object, he -not only visited different sections of the country and many individuals, -but consulted the libraries at Toronto and Ottawa, as well as -availed himself of the private libraries of kind friends, especially -Canniff Haight, Esq., of Picton. As the writer proceeded in his -work, he found the subject assuming more extended proportions -than he had anticipated. He found that, to write an account of -the Settlement of the Bay Quinté, was to pen a history of the -settlement of the Province. Finally, he has been induced to designate -the work “A History of the Settlement of Upper Canada.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The labor, time and thought which has been given to the -subject need not to be dwelt upon. Every effort has been made, -consistent with professional duties, upon which the writer’s family -is dependent, to sift a mass of promiscuous material which has -come under investigation, so that grains of truth alone might fill -the measure which this volume represents.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Various sources of information have been duly indicated in -the text; but there are a large number of individuals, from whom -information has been obtained, whose names could not be recalled.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This work has been one of love as well as labor; yet time and -again the writer would have relinquished it had it not been for the -words of encouragement, volunteered by his friends.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The writer has explained the cause of his writing this volume. -He now presents it to the reader—​to Canadians—​to the world. -He loves his country so well, that he regrets an abler pen had not -undertaken the task, that justice might be more fully done to the -worthy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Fault may be found because of repeated and earnest protests -against the attitude assumed by the United States: the comments -<span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span>made in respect to their history: the contrast drawn upon the -subject of <span class='sc'>Liberty</span> and <span class='sc'>Freedom</span>. The writer offers no excuse. -He has endeavored to adhere to truth. It is true these pages have -been written during a period of great irritation to Canadians, from -the hostile and aggressive spirit which the United States have displayed -towards us; but a record has been made which, it is trusted, -will stand the test of the closest examination.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As to the work, apart from its historical character, no remark -is offered, except that the writer is perfectly conscious of errors -and imperfections. Time has not been allowed to polish; and -while the pages have been going through the press, other necessary -duties have prevented that close and undivided attention which the -work demanded. But subscribers to the volume were urgent in -their requests to have the work without further delays. The reader -is referred to a page of <em>Errata</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A concluding chapter it has been found necessary to omit, in -consequence of the size already attained. In this it was intended -to discuss the future prospects of the Dominion. The writer has -unbounded faith in the Confederation scheme. Before this scheme -was initiated, the writer, in a lecture delivered to a Toronto -audience, uttered these words. Pointing out the elements -which constitute the fabric of a great nation, he remarked that he -“loved to contemplate the future, when all the British American -Provinces would be consolidated into a grand whole; when, from -the summit of the Rocky Mountains, would be seen—​to the East -along the magnificent lakes and river to the Atlantic, and down -the western slopes to the Pacific—​the ceaseless industry of the -Canadian beaver, and the evergreen Maple Leaf overshadowing the -peaceful homes of Canada.” The prospects now are far brighter -than when those words were spoken; and notwithstanding the -obstacles—​an unpatriotic company of Englishmen, the unscrupulous -designs of covetous Americans, and the apathy of the British Government—​the -belief is broad and strong that the dream of the -future will be realized. There is life in the tree whose seed was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>planted eighty years ago, and as it has in the past continued to -grow, so it will in the future.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In concluding these prefatory remarks, we desire to tender our -thanks to all who have assisted us directly or indirectly, by supplying -information, and by encouraging words. Particularly we -thank those gentlemen who gave their names as subscribers, some -of them voluntarily, years ago, before the work was fairly commenced; -also the Hon. Lewis Wallbridge, for procuring for us, -when Speaker, copies of manuscript in the Parliamentary Library, -at Ottawa.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Finally, we express our obligations to the Publishers and -Printers.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Toronto, 27th March, 1869.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>[<em>Copy Right secured.</em>]</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary='CONTENTS.'> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>A SKETCH OF FRANCO-CANADIAN HISTORY.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER I.</th></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c009'></th> - <th class='c010'>PAGE</th> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Antiquarianism—​Records of the Early Nations—​Tradition—​The Press—​The Eastern World—​The Western World—​Importance of History—​Columbus—​Colonization—​Canada—​America—​Cartier—​French Canadian writers—​Cartier’s first visit—​Huguenots—​Cartier’s second visit—​Jean Francois—​Sir George E. Cartier—​Establishment of the Fur Trade—​Champlain—​Discovery of Lake Ontario—​Bay of Quinté—​Quebec founded—​First fighting with Indians—​First taking of Quebec by the British—​Returned to France—​The Recollets and Jesuits—​Death of Champlain—​Foundation of Montreal—​Emigration from France—​The Carignan Regiment—​DeCourcelle—​Proposal to found a Fort at Lake Ontario—​Frontenac—​Fort at Cataraqui—​La Salle—​Fort at Niagara—​First vessel upon the Lakes—​Its fate—​Death of La Salle, the first settler of Upper Canada—​Founder of Louisiana—​Discoverer of the mouth of the Mississippi</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER II.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Cataraqui Fort strengthened—​Kente Indians seized and carried captive to France—​Massacre of Lachine—​Commencing struggle between New England and New France—​Siege of Quebec by Sir Wm. Phipps—​Destruction of Fort Cataraqui—​Its re-erection—​Treaty of Ryswick—​Death of Frontenac—​Iroquois in England—​Another attempt to capture Quebec—​Decline of French power—​Population of Canada and of New England—​Continuation of the contest for the fur trade—​Taking of Fort Louisburg—​Col. Washington, dishonorable conduct—​Inconsistency of Dr. Franklin—​Commencement of seven years’ war—​Close of first year—​Montcalm—​His presentiment—​Taking of Fort Oswego—​Of Fort William Henry—​Fearful massacre—​The state of Canada—​Wolfe appears—​Taking of Frontenac—​Duquesne—​Apathy of France—​The Spring of 1759—​Reduced state of Canada—​Overthrow of French power in America—​The result—​Union of elements—​The capture of Quebec—​Wolfe—​Death of Montcalm—​Fort Niagara—​Johnson—​Effort to retake Quebec—​Wreck of the French army—​Capitulation at Montreal—​Population—​The first British Governor of Canada—​The Canadians as British subjects—​The result of French enterprise—​Rebellion</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_15'>15</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION I.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE REBELLION OF 1776—​THE THIRTEEN COLONIES.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER III.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>First American rebellion—​Independence—​Traitors made heroes—​Loyalists driven away to found another colony—​The responsibility of rebelling—​Treatment of the Loyalists—​The several colonies—​The first Englishman in America—​Receives £10—​English colonization—​Virginia—​Convicts—​Extent of Virginia—​First Governor—​Virginians not willing to rebel—​Quota supplied to the rebel army—​New York—​Hudson—​The Dutch—​New Netherlands—​Price of New Amsterdam (New York)—​First Legislative Assembly—​Not quick to rebel—​Quota of rebel troops—​Gave many settlers to Upper Canada—​New Jersey—​Its settlement—​A battle ground—​Gave rebel troops; also loyal troops—​Furnished settlers to Upper Canada—​Massachusetts—​Captain Smith—​New England Puritans—​The “Mayflower”—​First Governor—​Cruel treatment of Indians—​Massachusetts takes the lead in rebelling—​Troops—​Loyalists—​New Hampshire—​Troops—​Delaware—​Settlement—​Quota of rebel troops—​Connecticut—​Education—​Troops—​Roman Catholics—​Toleration—​Rhode Island—​Providence—​Inconsistency of the Puritans—​Roger Williams—​North Carolina—​Inhabitants—​South Carolina—​Many Loyalists—​Pennsylvania—​William Penn—​Conduct toward Indians—​The people opposed to rebellion—​Georgia—​Oglethorpe—​Policy of New England—​New England</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_32'>32</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>American writers—​Sabine—​Loyalists had no time to waste—​Independence not sought at first—​Adams—​Franklin—​Jay—​Jefferson—​Washington—​Madison—​The British Government—​Ingratitude of the Colonists—​Taxation—​Smugglers—​Crown officers—​Persistence—​Superciliousness Contest between Old England and New England</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_41'>41</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER V.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The signers of the Declaration of Independence—​Their nativity—​Injustice of American writers for 80 years—​Cast back mis-statements—​The Whigs had been U. E. Loyalists—​Hancock—​Office-seekers—​Malcontents stir up strife—​What the fathers of the Republic fought for—​Rebel committees—​Black mail—​Otis, John Adams, Warren, Washington, Henry, Franklin—​What caused them to rebel—​What the American revolutionary heroes actually were—​Cruelty, during and after the war—​No Freedom—​The political mistake of the rebels in alienating the loyalists—​The Consequence—​Motives of the loyalists—​False charges—​Conscientious Conservatives—​Rebellion not warranted—​Attachment to the old flag—​Loyalists driven away—​<i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Suppressio veri</span></i>—​Want of noble spirit towards the South—​Effects—​Comparison between loyalists and rebels—​Education—​Religion—​The neutral—​The professions</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_46'>46</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Republicanism—​The lesson of the first rebellion—​The late civil war—​The Loyalists; their losses and hardships—​Ignored by Americans—​Unrecorded—​The world kept in ignorance—​American glory—​Englishmen—​Question of Colonial treatment—​The reason why Great Britain failed to subdue the rebellion—​Character of the rebel bravery—​The great result—​Liberty in England and United States contrasted—​Slavery—​The result to U. E. Loyalists—​Burgoyne—​Mobocracy—​Treatment from “Sons of Liberty”—​Old men, women and children—​Instances of cruelty—​Brutality—​Rapacity—​Torture—​The lower classes—​“Swamp Law”—​Fiendish cruelty—​Worse than Butler’s Rangers—​Seward and the Fenians—​Infamous falsification—​Close of the war—​Recognition of independence by Great Britain—​Crushed hopes of the Loyalists—​In New York—​Their conduct—​Evacuation day—​The position of the Loyalists—​Confiscation—​“Attainting”—​Seizing Estates—​Paine—​Commissioners at Paris—​British Ministry—​Loyalists’ petition—​King’s speech—​Division of claimants—​Six classes—​The number—​Tardy justice—​Noble conduct of South Carolina—​Impostors—​Loyalists in Lower Canada—​Proclamation—​The soldiers’ families—​Journeyings—​Meeting of families</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_52'>52</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A spirit of strife—​The French war—​British American troops—​Former comrades opposed—​Number of U. E. Loyalists in the field—​General Burgoyne—​Defeat—​First reverse of British arms—​The campaign—​Colonel St. Leger—​Fort Stanwix—​Colonel Baume—​Battle of Bennington—​General Herkimer—​Gates—​Schuyler—​Braemar Heights—​Saratoga—​Surrender—​The result upon the people—​Sir John Johnson—​Sir William—​Sketch—​Indian Chief—​Laced coat—​Indian’s dream—​It comes to pass—​Sir William dreams—​It also comes to pass—​Too hard a dream—​Sir John—​Attempt to arrest—​Escape—​Starving—​Royal greens—​Johnson’s losses—​Living in Canada—​Death—​Principal Corps of Royalists—​King’s Rangers—​Queen’s Rangers—​Major Rogers—​Simcoe—​The Rangers in Upper Canada—​Disbanded—​The Hessians</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_63'>63</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Indian names—​The Five Tribes—​The Sixth—​Confederation—​Government—​Subdivisions—​Origin—​Hendrick—​Death—​Brant—​Birth—​Education—​Married—​Teaching—​Christianity—​Brant elected Chief—​Commissioned a British Captain—​Visits England—​Returns—​Leads his warriors to battle—​Efforts of Rebels to seduce Brant to their cause—​Attempted treachery of the Rebel Herkimer—​Border warfare—​Wyoming—​Attempt to blacken the character of Brant—​His noble conduct—​Untruthful American History—​The inhabitants of Wyoming—​The Rebels first to blame—​Cherry Valley—​Van Schaick—​Bloody orders—​Terrible conduct of the Rebels, Helpless Indian families—​Further deeds of blood and rapine by the rebel Sullivan—​A month of horrible work—​Attributes of cruelty more conspicuous in the Rebels than in the Indians—​The New Englander—​Conduct toward the Indians—​Inconsistent—​The “down trodden”—​The Mohawks—​Indian agriculture—​Broken faith with the Indians—​Noble conduct of Brant—​After the war—​His family—​Death—​Miss Molly—​Indian usage—​The character of the Mohawk—​The six Indians as Canadians—​Fidelity to the British—​Receiving land—​Bay Quinté—​Grand River—​Settling—​Captain Isaac, Captain John—​At present—​Mohawk Counsel</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_71'>71</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Individuals—​Anderson—​Bethune—​Burwell—​Butler—​Canliff—​Claus—​Coffin—​Doune—​Jarvis—​Jones—​McDonald—​McGill—​McGilles—​Merrit—​Munday—​Peters—​Robinson—​Singleton—​Ross—​McNab—​Allen—​Allison—​Ashley—​Bell—​Burritt—​Casey—​Carscallion—​Church—​Clark—​Crawford—​Dame—​Daly—​Diamond</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_85'>85</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER X.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Ferguson—​Frazer—​Gerollamy—​Goldsmith—​Harrison—​Hudgins—​Hicks—​Howell—​Hover—​Hogle—​Ham—​Herkimer—​Holt—​Jones—​Johnson—​Ketcheson—​Loyst—​Myers—​McArthur—​Miller—​Mordens—​McDonald—​McDonnell—​McDonell—​Ostrom—​Peterson</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_100'>100</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Rogers’ family—​Ryerson—​Redner—​Sherwood—​Taylor—​Van Dusen—​Williamsburgh—​Wright—​Wilkins—​Young—​Officers who settled in Niagara District</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION II.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>TRAVELING IN EARLY TIMES—​ORIGINAL ROUTES.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Indian paths—​Portages—​Original French routes—​Mer de Canada—​Original names of St. Lawrence—​Ontario—​Huron—​Route by Bay Quinté—​Old French maps—​Original English routes—​Four ways from Atlantic to the Lakes—​Mississippi—​Potomac—​Hudson—​Indian name of Erie—​From New York to Ontario—​The Hudson River—​Mohawk—​Wood creek—​Oneida Lake—​Oswego River—​The carrying places—​West Canada Creek—​Black River—​Oswegotchie—​The navigation—​Military highway—​Lower Canada—​An historic route—​The paths followed by the Loyalists—​Indian paths north of Lake Ontario—​Crossing the Lake—​From Cape Vincent to the Bay Quinté—​From Oswego by Duck Islands—​East Lake—​Picton Bay—​Coasting Ontario—​Two ways to Huron—​By Bay Quinté and Trent; by Don River—​Lake Simcoe—​Point Traverse—​Loyalists—​Travelling by the St. Lawrence—​First road—​Long remembered event</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_129'>129</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Indians traveled by foot or by canoe—​Secreting canoes—​Primeval scenes—​Hunting expeditions—​War path—​In 1812—​Brock—​A night at Myers’ Creek—​Important arrival—​The North West Company—​Their canoes—​Route—​Grand Portage—​The Voyageurs—​The Batteaux—​Size—​Ascending the rapids—​Lachine—​A dry dock—​Loyalists by batteaux—​Durham boats—​Difficulties—​In 1788, time from Lachine to Fredericksburgh—​Waiting for batteaux—​Extracts from a journal, traveling in 1811—​From Kingston to Montreal—​The expenses—​The Schenectady boats—​Trade between Albany and Cataraqui—​The Durham boat—​Duncan—​Description of flat-bottomed boat by “Murray”—​Statement of Finkle—​Trading—​Batteaux in 1812—​Rate of traveling—​The change in fifty years—​Time from Albany to Bay Quinté—​Instances—​Loyalists traveling in winter—​Route—​Willsbury wilderness—​Tarrying at Cornwall—​The “French Train”—​Traveling along north shore of Ontario—​Indian path—​Horseback—​Individual owners of batteaux—​Around Bay Quinté—​The Last regular batteaux—​In 1819—​“Lines” from magazine</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The first Vessel—​The French—​La Salle—​The Griffon—​Vessels in 1770—​During the Rebellion—​Building at Carleton Island—​Captain Andrews—​The Ontario—​Col. Burton—​Loss of the Ontario—​The Sheehans—​Hills—​Givins’—​Murney’s Point—​Schooner ‘Speedy’—​Mohawk—​Mississauga—​Duke of Kent—​Capt. Bouchette—​Paxton—​McKenzie—​Richardson—​Earle Steele—​Fortiche—​The Governor Simcoe—​Sloop ‘Elizabeth’—​First vessel built at York—​Collins’ Report upon Navigating the Lakes—​Navy in Upper Canada, 1795—​Rochfoucault—​Capt. Bouchette—​Officers’ Pay—​York, the centre of the Naval Force—​Gun Boats—​The Loss of the “Speedy”—​Reckoner—​Dr. Strachan—​Solicitor-Gen. Gray—​Canada took the lead in building Vessels—​First Canadian Merchant Vessel—​The York—​A Schooner on runners round the Falls—​Sending Coals to Newcastle—​Upon Bay Quinté—​The Outskirts of Civilization—​“The Prince Edward” built of Red Cedar—​In 1812—​Schooner “Mary Ann”—​1817—​Capt. Matthews</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_147'>147</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION III.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE LOYALISTS AS PIONEERS—​THE ORIGINAL SURVEY.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Major Gen. Holland—​Surveying on Atlantic Coast—​An adherent of the Crown—​Removal to Montreal—​Death—​Major Holland—​Information from “Maple Leaves”—​Holland Farm—​Taché—​First Canadian Poem—​Head Quarters of Gen. Montgomery—​Hospitality—​Duke of Kent—​Spencer Grange—​Holland Tree—​Graves—​Epitaphs—​Surveyor Washington—​County Surveyor—​Surveyors after the War—​First Survey in Upper Canada—​Commenced in 1781—​The Mode pursued—​Information in Crown Lands Department—​The Nine Townships upon the St. Lawrence—​At the close of the War—​Non-Professional Surveyors—​Thomas Sherwood—​Assisting to Settle—​Surveying around the Bay Quinté—​Bongard—​Deputy-Surveyor Collins—​First Survey at Frontenac—​Town Reserve—​Size of Township—​Mistakes—​Kotte—​Tuffy—​Capt. Grass—​Capt. Murney—​Surveying in Winter—​Planting Posts—​Result—​Litigation—​Losing Land—​A Newspaper Letter—​Magistrates—​Landholders—​Their Sons’ Lawyers—​Alleged Filching—​Speculators at Seat of Government—​Grave Charges—​Width of Lots—​Mode of Surveying—​Number of Concessions—​Cross Roads—​Surveyors Orders—​Numbering the Lots—​Surveying around the Bay—​The ten Townships—​Their Lands—​The Surveying Party—​A Singer—​Statement of Gourlay</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_154'>154</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The term Concession—​First Concession of Land in Canada—​The Carignan Regiment—​Seigniories—​Disproportion of the sexes—​Females sent from France—​Their appearance—​Settling them—​Marriage allowance—​The last seigniory—​New Longeuil—​Seigniory at Frontenac—​Grants to refugees—​Officers and men—​Scale of granting—​Free of expense—​Squatting—​Disbanded soldiers—​Remote regions—​A wise and beneficent policy—​Impostors—​Very young officers—​Wholesale granting of land—​Republicans coming over—​Covetous—​False pretensions—​Government had to discriminate—​Rules and regulations—​Family lands—​Bounty—​Certificates—​Selling claims—​Rear concessions—​Transfer of location ticket—​Land board—​Tardiness in obtaining titles to real estate—​Transfer by bond—​Jobbing—​Sir Wm. Pullency—​Washington—​Giving lands to favorites—​Reserves—​Evil results—​The Family Compact—​Extract from Playter—​Extract from Lord Durham—​From Gourlay—​Recompense to Loyalists—​Rations—​Mode of drawing land—​Land agent—​Broken front—​Traitor Arnold—​Tyendinaga</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_164'>164</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Lines—​Western Settlement, 1783—​Population—​Settlement upon St. Lawrence and Bay—​Number, 1784—​Proclamation to Loyalists—​Society disturbed—​Two kinds of Loyalists—​St. Lawrence and Bay favorable for settlement—​Government provisions—​State of the Loyalists—​Serving out rations—​Clothes—​Utensils for clearing and fencing—​The axe—​Furniture—​Attacking a last enemy—​Tents—​Waiting for their lots—​“Bees”—​Size of dwellings—​Mode of building—​Exchanging work—​Bedsteads—​Clearing—​Fireing trees—​Ignorance of pioneer life—​Disposing of the wood—​No beast of burden—​Logging—​Determination—​All settlers on a common ground—​Additional refugees—​Advance—​Simcoe’s proclamation, 1792—​Conditions of grants—​The response—​Later settlers—​Questionable Loyalists—​Yankees longing for Canada—​Loyalty in 1812</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_181'>181</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION IV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE FIRST YEARS OF UPPER CANADA.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Father Picquet—​Provision of Forts in Upper Canada just before conquest—​Frontenac—​Milk—​Brandy—​Toronto—​The several forts—​Detroit—​British garrisons—​Grasping rebels—​Efforts to starve out Loyalists in Canada—​Worse treated than the Acadians—​Efforts to secure Fur Trade—​The frontier forts—​Americans’ conduct to Indians—​Result—​Conduct of British Government—​Rations for three years—​Grinding by hand—​“Hominy blocks”—​“Plumping mill”—​The women—​Soldier farmers—​The Hessians—​Suffering—​The “Scarce Year”—​Charge against the Commissariat officers—​Famine—​Cry for bread—​Instances of suffering—​Starving children—​No salt—​Fish—​Game—​Eating young grain—​Begging bran—​A common sorrow—​Providential escapes—​Eating buds and leaves—​Deaths—​Primitive fishing—​Catching salmon—​Going 125 miles to mill—​Disconsolate families—​1789—​Partial relief—​First beef slaughtered in Upper Canada—​First log barn—​A “Bee,” what they ate and drank—​Tea introduced—​Statements of Sheriff Sherwood—​Roger Bates—​John Parrott—​Col. Clark—​Squirrel swimming Niagara—​Maple sugar—​How it was made—​Women assisting—​Made dishes of food—​Pumpkin loaf—​Extract from Rochefoucault—​1795—​Quality of grain raised—​Quinté Bay—​Cultivation—​Corn exported—​The grain dealers—​Price of flour—​Pork—​Profits of the merchants</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_191'>191</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Kingston Mills—​Action of Government—​The Millwright—​Situation of the first Mill—​Why Selected—​The Machinery—​Put up by Loyalists—​No Toll—​Only Mill for three years—​Going to Mill, 1784—​The Napanee Mill—​Commenced 1785—​Robert Clarke—​An old Book—​“Appenea” Falls—​Price of certain articles—​What Rum cost, and was used for—​The Mill opened 1787—​Sergt.-Major Clarke in charge—​Indian Corn—​Small Toll—​Surveyor Collins in charge—​Becomes the property of R. Cartwright, 1792—​Rebuilt—​Origin of Napanee—​Price of Butter, 1788—​Mills at Four Mile Creek, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Grand River—​Mills on the St. Lawrence—​The Stone Mills—​Van Alstine—​Lake of the Mountain—​1796—​Natural Beauty, <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">versus</span></i> Utility—​The Mill—​Van Alstine’s Death—​Wind Mill—​Myer’s Mill—​Mill at Consecon</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_206'>206</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Clothing—​Domestic and Farming Implements—​Style of Dress eighty years ago—​Clothing of the Refuges—​Disbanded Soldiers—​No Fresh Supply—​Indian Garments of Skin—​Deerskin Pants—​Petticoats—​Bed Coverings—​Cultivating Flax—​Sheep—​Home-made Clothes—​Rude Implements—​Fulling—​French Mode—​Lindsay Woolsey—​The Spinning-wheel—​Young men Selecting Wives—​Bees—​Marriage Portion—​Every Farmer his own Tanner and Shoemaker—​Fashions—​How odd hours were spent—​Home-made Shoes—​What Blankets were made of—​Primitive Bedstead—​Nakedness—​Bridal Apparel—​No Saddles—​Kingston and Newark—​Little Money—​Bartering—​Merchants from Albany—​Unable to buy—​Credit with Merchants—​The Results—​Itinerant Mechanics—​Americans—​Become Canadians—​An old Stone-mason—​Wooden Dishes—​Making Spoons—​Other Hardships—​Indians Friendly—​Effects of Alcohol upon the Mississaugas—​Groundless Panic—​Drunken Indians—​Women, defending Themselves—​An erroneous Statement about Indian Massacre in “Dominion Monthly Magazine”—​Statement of an Old Settler, Sherwood—​Wild Beasts—​Few Fire-arms—​Narrow Escapes—​Depredations at Night—​Destroying Stock—​An Act of Parliament—​“A traveller’s statement”—​The Day of Small Things—​Settlers Contented—​The Extent of their Ambition—​Reward of Industry—​Population in 1808—​Importations—​Money—​The Youth</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_211'>211</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Sweat of the brow—​No beast of burden—​No stock—​Except by a few—​Horses and oxen—​From Lower Canada—​York State—​Late comers, brought some—​No fodder—​First stock in Adolphustown—​Incidents—​Cock and hens—​“Tipler”—​Cattle driving—​First cow in Thurlow—​First house in Marysburgh—​The first oxen—​No market for butter and cheese—​Sheep—​Rev. Mr. Stuart, as an Agriculturist—​Horses at Napanee—​An offer for a yoke of steers</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_220'>220</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Old channels of trade, and travel—​Art and science—​New channels—​The wilderness—​Loyalists Travelling on foot, from Kingston to York—​Formation of roads—​Act of parliament—​1793—​Its provisions—​Crooked roads—​Foot-path—​Bridle-path—​King’s highway from Lower Canada—​When surveyed—​Road from Kingston westward—​Its course—​Simcoe’s military road—​Dundas street—​Asa Danforth—​Contract with government—​Road from Kingston to Ancaster—​Danforth road—​1799—​Misunderstandings—​Danforth’s pamphlets—​Slow improvement—​Cause—​Extract from Gourlay—​Thomas Markland’s report—​Ferries—​1796—​Acts of parliament—​Statute labor—​Money grants—​Commissioners—​Midland district—​Distribution—​The Cataraqui Bridge Company—​The petitioners—​An act—​The provisions—​The plan of building—​The bridge—​Toll—​Completing the bridge—​Improvements of roads—​McAdam—​Declines a knighthood</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_224'>224</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Ode to Canada—​Early events—​First English child in America, 1587—​In New England—​First French child, 1621—​First in Upper Canada, 1783—​In Prince Edward—​Adolphustown—​Ameliasburgh—​North of the Rideau—​Indian marriage ceremony—​Difficulty among first settlers to get clergymen—​First marriage in America, 1608—​First in New England, 1621—​First in Canada, 1621—​Marriageable folks—​No one to tie the matrimonial knot—​Only one clergyman—​Officers marrying—​Magistrates empowered—​Legislation, 1793—​Its provision—​Making valid certain marriages—​Further Legislation, 1798—​In 1818—​1821—​1831—​Clergymen of all denominations permitted to marry—​Methodist ministers—​Marriage license, 1814—​Five persons appointed to issue—​A noticeable matter—​Statements of Bates—​Mode of courting in the woods—​Newcastle wedding expeditions—​Weapons of defence—​Ladies’ dresses—​The lover’s “rig”—​A wedding ring—​Paying the magistrate—​A good corn basket—​Going to weddings—​“Bitters”—​Old folks stay at home—​The dance, several nights—​Marriage outfit—​Frontier life—​Morals in Upper Canada—​Absence of irregularities—​Exceptional instances—​Unable to get married, Peter and Polly—​A singular witness—​Rev. Mr. Stuart—​Langhorn—​McDowell—​How to adorn the bride—​What she wore—​A wedding in 1808—​On horseback—​The guests—​The wedding—​The banquet—​The game of forfeits—​The night—​Second day wedding—​The young folks on horseback—​Terpischorean—​An elopement by canoe—​The Squire—​The chase—​The lovers successful—​The Squires who married</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_232'>232</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXIV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Burying places—​How selected—​Family burying place—​For the neighborhood—​The Dutch—​Upon the Hudson—​Bay Quinté—​A sacred spot to the Loyalists—​Ashes to ashes—​Primitive mode of burial—​The coffin—​At the grave—​The father’s remarks—​Return to labor—​French Burying-place at Frontenac—​Its site—​U. E. Loyalists’ burying place at Kingston—​The “U. E. burying-ground,” Adolphustown—​Worthy sires of Canada’s sons—​Decay—​Neglect of illustrious dead—​Repair wanted—​Oldest burying-ground in Prince Edward—​Ross Place—​At East Lake—​Upon the Rose farm—​“The Dutch burying-ground”—​Second growth trees—​In Sophiasburgh—​Cronk farm—​In Sidney—​Rude tomb stones—​Burial-place of Captain Myers—​Reflections—​Dust to dust—​In Thurlow—​“Taylor burying-ground”—​The first person buried—​Lieut. Ferguson—​An aged female—​Her work done—​Wheels stand still</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_243'>243</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION V.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE EARLY CLERGYMEN AND CHURCHES.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>French missionaries—​First in 1615—​Recollets—​With Champlain—​Jesuits, in 1625—​Valuable records—​Bishopric of Quebec, 1674—​First Bishop of Canada, Laval—​Rivalry—​Power of Jesuits—​Number of missionaries—​Their “relations”—​First mission field; Bay Quinté region—​“Antient mission”—​How founded—​First missionaries—​Kleus, Abbe D’Urfé—​La Salle to build a church—​The ornaments and sacred vessels—​The site of the “Chappel” uncertain—​Bald Bluff, Carrying Place—​Silver crosses—​Mission at Georgian Bay—​The “Christian Islands”—​Chapel at Michilmicinac, 1679—​The natives attracted—​Subjects of the French King—​Francois Picquet—​La Presentation—​<em>Soegasti</em>—​The most important mission—​The object—​Six Nations—​The missionary’s living—​“Disagreeable expostulations”—​Putting stomach in order—​Trout—​Picquet’s mode of teaching Indians—​The same afterwards adopted by Rev. W. Case—​Picquet’s success—​Picquet on a voyage—​At Fort Toronto—​Mississaugas’ request—​Picquet’s reply—​A slander—​At Niagara, Oswego—​At Frontenac—​Grand reception—​Return to La Presentation—​Picquet in the last French war—​Returns to France—​By Mississippi—​“Apostles of Peace”—​Unseemly strife—​Last of the Jesuits in Canada</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_249'>249</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXVI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>First church in New York, 1633—​First Dominie, Rev. Everardus Bogardus—​The Dutch, Huguenots, Pilgrims—​Transporting ministers and churches—​First Rector of New York, Wm. Vesey—​Henry Barclay, 1746—​First Catholic Bishop in America, 1789—​Episcopalian Bishop, 1796—​Moral state of Pioneers in Canada—​Religion—​No ministers—​No striking immorality—​Feared God and honored their King—​The Fathers of Upper Canada—​Religious views—​A hundred years ago—​“Carousing and Dancing”—​Rev. Dr. John Ogilvie—​First Protestant clergyman in Canada—​Chaplain, 1759, at Niagara—​A Missionary Successor of Dr. Barclay, New York—​Death, 1774—​Rev. John Doughty—​A Graduate ordained—​At Peekskill—​Schenectady—​A Loyalist—​A Prisoner—​To Canada—​Chaplain—​To England—​Returns—​Missionary Resigns—​Rev Dr. John Stuart—​First clergyman to settle—​His memoir—​The “Father of the U. C. Church”—​Mission work—​The five nations—​The Dutch—​Rev. Mr. Freeman—​Translator—​Rev. Mr. Andrews—​Rev. Mr. Spencer Woodbridge, Howley—​New England missionaries—​Rev. Dr. Whelock—​The Indian converts—​The London society—​Rev. Mr. Inglis—​John Stuart selected missionary—​A native of Pennsylvania—​Irish descent—​A graduate, Phil. Coll.—​Joins Church of England—​To England—​Ordination—​Holy Orders, 1770—​Enters upon his work</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_255'>255</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXVII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>At Fort Hunter—​Mr. Stuart’s first sermon, Christmas—​Officiates in Indian tongue—​Translates—​The rebellion—​Prayers for the King—​The Johnsons—​Rebels attack his house—​Plunder—​Indignity—​Church desecrated—​Used as a stable—​A barrel of rum—​Arrested—​Ordered to come before rebel commissioners—​On Parole—​Limits—​Idle two years—​To Albany—​Phil—​Determines to remove to Canada—​Not secure—​Exchanging—​Security—​Real estate forfeited—​Route—​Negroes—​The journey, three weeks—​At St. John’s—​Charge of Public School—​Chaplain—​At the close of the war—​Three Protestant Parishes—​Determines to settle at Cataraqui—​Chaplain to Garrison—​Missionary—​Bishop of Virginia, Dr. Griffith—​Visits Mr. Stuart—​Invitation to Virginia declined—​“Rivetted prejudices,” satisfied—​“The only refuge clergymen”—​Path of duty—​Visits the settlements, 1784—​Mohawks, Grand river—​Reception of their old pastor—​First church—​Mohawks, Bay of Quinté—​Remains in Montreal a year—​Assistant—​Removes to Cataraqui, 1785—​His land—​Number of houses in Kingston—​A short cut to Lake Huron—​Fortunate in land—​5000 settlers—​Poor and happy—​Industrious—​Around his Parish, 1788—​Two hundred miles long—​By batteau—​Brant—​New Oswego—​Mohawk village church, steeple, and bell—​First in Upper Canada—​Plate—​Organ—​Furniture—​Returns—​At Niagara—​Old parishioners—​Tempted to move—​Comfortable, not rich—​Declines a judgeship—​New Mecklenburgh—​Appointed Chaplain to first House of Assembly—​Mohawk Mission—​At Marysburgh—​Degree of D.D.—​Prosperity—​Happy—​Decline of life—​His duties—​Illness, Death, 1811—​His appearance—​“The little gentleman”—​His manners—​Honorable title—​His children—​Rev. O’Kill Stuart</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_260'>260</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXVIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Missionary—​Chaplain at Niagara—​Pastors to the settlers—​Chaplain to Legislature—​Visits Grand river—​Officiates—​A land speculator—​Receives a pension, £50—​1823—​Rev. Mr. Pollard—​At Amherstburgh—​Mr. Langhorn—​A missionary—​Little education—​Useful—​Odd—​On Bay Quinté in Ernesttown—​Builds a church—​At Adolphustown—​Preaches at Hagerman’s—​Another church—​A diligent pastor—​Pioneer preacher around the bay—​Christening—​Marrying—​Particular—​His appointments—​Clerk’s Fees—​Generosity—​Present to bride—​Faithful to sick calls—​Frozen feet—​No stockings—​Shoe buckles—​Dress—​Books—​Peculiarities—​Fond of the water—​Charitable—​War of 1812—​Determined to leave Canada—​Thinks it doomed—​Singular notice—​Returns to Europe—​His library—​Present to Kingston—​Twenty years in Canada—​Extract from Gazette—​No one immediately to take his place—​Rev. John Bethune—​Died 1815—​Native of Scotland—​U. E. Loyalists—​Lost Property—​Chaplain to 84th Regiment—​A Presbyterian—​Second Legal Clergymen in Upper Canada—​Settled at Cornwall—​Children—​The Baptists—​Wyner—​Turner—​Holts Wiem—​Baptists upon river Moira—​First Chapel—​How built—​Places of preaching—​Hayden’s Corners—​At East Lake—​The Lutherans—​Rev. Schwerdfeger—​Lutheran settlers—​County Dundas—​First church east of Kingston—​Rev. Mr. Myers lived in Marysburgh—​Marriage—​His log church—​Removes to St. Lawrence—​Resigns—​To Philadelphia—​Mr. Weant—​Lives in Ernesttown—​Removes to Matilda—​Not supported—​Secretly joins the English church—​Re-ordained—​His society ignorant—​Suspicious—​Preaching in shirt sleeves—​Mr. Myers’ return, by sleigh—​Locking church door—​The thirty-nine articles—​Compromise—​Mr. Myers continues three years a Lutheran—​He secedes—​The end of both Seceders—​Rev. I. L. Senderling—​Rev. Herman Hayunga—​Rev. Mr. Shorts—​Last Lutheran minister at Ernesttown, McCarty—​Married</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_267'>267</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXIX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Bishop Strachan—​A teacher—​A preacher—​A student—​Holy Orders—​A Presbyterian—​Becomes an Episcopalian—​A supporter of the “Family compact”—​Sincere—​His opinion of the people—​Ignorant—​Unprepared for self-government—​Strachan’s religious chart—​He was deceived—​The Methodists—​Anomalous connection—​A fillibustering people—​Republicanism egotistical—​Loyalty of the Methodists—​American ministers—​Dr. Strachan’s position—​His birth place—​His education—​A.M., 1793—​Studying Theology—​Comes to Canada—​A student of Dr. Stuart’s—​Ordained Deacon—​A missionary at Cornwall—​Rector at York—​Archdeacon—​Bishop of Toronto—​Coadjutor—​Death—​A public burial—​Rev. Mr. McDowell—​First Presbyterian at Bay Quinté—​Invited by Van Alstine—​On his way—​At Brockville—​Settles in a second town—​His circuit—​A worthy minister—​Fulfilling his mission—​Traveling on foot—​To York—​Marrying the people—​His death—​His descendants—​Places of preaching—​A Calvinist—​Invites controversy—​Mr. Coate accepts the challenge—​The disputation—​Excitement—​The result—​Rev. Mr. Smart—​Called by Mr. McDowell—​Pres. clergyman at Brockville—​Fifty years—​An earnest Christian—​A desire to write—​“Observer”—​A pioneer—​A cause of regret—​Not extreme—​Mr. Smart’s views on politics—​The masses uneducated—​The “Family Compact”—​Rise of responsible government—​The Bidwells—​Credit to Dr. Strachan—​Brock’s funeral sermon—​Foundation of Kingston gaol—​Maitland—​Demonstration—​Sherwood’s statement</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_273'>273</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Quakers—​Among the Settlers—​From Penn—​Duchess County—​First Meeting-house—​David Sand—​Elijah Hick—​Visiting Canada—​James Noxen—​A first settler—​Their mode of worship—​In Sophiasburg—​The meeting-house—​Joseph Leavens—​Hicksites—​Traveling—​Death, aged 92—​Extract, Picton Sun—​The first preaching places—​First English church—​In private houses—​At Sandwich—​The Indian church at the bay—​Ernesttown—​First Methodist church—​Preaching at Niagara—​First church in Kingston—​At Waterloo—​At Niagara—​Churches at Kingston, 1817—​In Hallowell—​Thurlow—​Methodist meeting-houses, 1816—​At Montreal—​Building chapels in olden times—​Occupying the frame—​The old Methodist chapels—​In Hallowell township—​In the fifth town—​St. Lawrence—​First English Church, Belleville—​Mr. Campbell—​First time in the pulpit—​How he got out—​The old church superseded—​Church, front of Sidney—​Rev. John Cochrane—​Rev. Mr. Grier—​First Presbyterian Church in Belleville—​Rev. Mr. Ketcham—​First Methodist Church in Belleville—​Healey, Puffer—​The site of the church—​A second one</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_279'>279</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The first Methodist Preachers—​The army—​Capt. Webb—​Tuffey—​George Neal—​Lyons—​School-teacher—​Exhorter—​McCarty—​Persecution—​Bigotry—​Vagabonds—​McCarty arrested—​Trial—​At Kingston—​Banished—​“A martyr”—​Doubtful—​Losee, first Methodist missionary, 1790—​A minister—​A loyalist—​Where he first preached—​“A curiosity”—​Earnest pioneer Methodist—​Class-meetings—​Suitable for all classes—​Losee’s class-meetings—​Determines to build a meeting-house—​Built in Adolphustown—​Its size—​The subscribers—​Members, amount—​Embury—​Those who subscribed for first church in New York—​Same names—​The centenary of Methodism—​New York Methodists driven away—​American Methodist forgetful—​Embury and Heck refugees—​Ashgrove—​No credit given to British officers—​Embury’s brother—​The rigging loft, N. Y.—​Barbara Heck—​Settling in Augusta—​First Methodist Church in America—​Subscribers—​“Lost Chapters”—​The Author’s silence—​What is acknowledged—​“Severe threats”—​Mr. Mann—​To Nova Scotia—​Mr. Wakely “admires piety”—​Not “loyalty”—​Second chapel, N. Y.—​Adolphustown subscribers—​Conrad VanDusen—​Eliz. Roblin—​Huff—​Ruttan—​The second Methodist chapel—​The subscribers—​Commenced May, 1795—​Carpenter’s wages—​Members Cataraqui Circuit—​Going to Conference—​Returns—​Darias Dunham—​Physician—​First quarterly meeting—​Anecdotes—​Bringing a “dish cloth”—​“Clean up”—​The new made squire—​Asses—​Unclean spirits—​Losee discontinues preaching—​Cause—​Disappointment—​Return to New York—​Dunham useful—​Settles—​Preachers travelling—​Saddle-bags—​Methodism among loyalists—​Camp-meetings—​Where first held in Canada—​Worshipping in the woods—​Breaking up—​Killing the Devil—​First Canadian preacher—​Journey from New York</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_285'>285</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXIa.<a id='xx'></a></th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Henry Ryan—​Ryanites—​He comes to Canada—​His associate, Case—​At Kingston—​A singer—​Preaching in the market-place—​Their treatment—​In office—​His circuit—​1000 miles—​What he received—​Elder—​Superseded—​Probable cause—​A British subject—​During the war of 1812—​President of Conference—​“High-minded”—​Useful—​Acceptable to the people—​Desired independence by the Canadians—​How he was treated—​His labors—​Brave—​Witty—​“Fatherless children”—​“Impudent scoundrel”—​Muscular—​“Methodists’ bull”—​“Magistrate’s goat”—​Ryan seeks separation—​Breckenridge—​Conduct of the American Conference—​Ryan’s agitation—​Effect upon the Bishops—​First Canada Conference—​At Hallowell—​Desire for independence—​Reasons, cogent—​Fruit of Ryan’s doings—​The way the Conference treated Ryan—​Withdraws—​No faith in the United States Conference—​Ryan sincere—​“Canadian Wesleyans”—​The motives of the United States Conference questionable—​The wrong done Ryan—​Second Canada Conference—​Case, first Superintendent—​Visit of Bishop Asbury—​Account by Henry Bœhm—​Asbury an Englishman—​During the rebellion—​A Bishop—​His journey to Canada—​Crossing the St. Lawrence—​Traveling in Canada—​An upset—​“A decent people”—​His opinion of the country—​The Bishop ill—​At Kingston—​Bœhm at Embury’s—​A field meeting—​Riding all night—​Crossing to Sackett’s harbor—​Nearly wrecked</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_295'>295</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>McDonnell—​First R. Catholic Bishop—​A “Memorandum”—​Birth-place—​in Spain—​A priest—​In Scotland—​Glengary Fencibles—​Ireland, 1798—​To Canada—​Bishop—​Death in Scotland—​Body removed to Canada—​Funeral obsequies—​Buried at Kingston—​Had influence—​Member of Canadian Legislative Council—​Pastoral visitations, 1806—​A loyal man—​A pioneer in his church—​The Bishop’s Address, 1836—​Refuting Mal-charges—​Number of the R. C. clergy in 1804—​From Lake Superior to Lower Canada—​Traveling horseback—​Sometimes on foot—​Hardships—​Not a politician—​Expending private means—​Faithful services—​Acknowledged—​Roman Catholic U. E. Loyalists—​First church in Ernesttown—​McDonnell at Belleville—​Rev. M. Brennan—​First church in Belleville—​What we have aimed at—​The advantages to the English Church—​The Reserves—​In Lower Canada—​Dr. Mountain—​Number of English clergymen, 1793—​A Bishop—​Monopoly initiated—​Intolerance and exclusion swept away—​An early habit at Divine Service</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_303'>303</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>First Sabbath teaching—​Hannah Bell, 1769—​School established, 1781—​Raikes—​Wesley—​First in United States—​First in Canada—​Cattrick—​Moon—​Common in 1824—​First in Belleville—​Turnbull—​Cooper—​Marshall—​Prizes, who won them—​Mr. Turnbull’s death—​Intemperance—​First temperance societies—​Change of custom—​Rum—​Increasing intemperance—​The tastes of the pioneers—​Temperance, not teetotalism—​First society in Canada—​Drinks at raisings and bees—​Society at Hallowell</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_308'>308</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXIV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Six Nations—​Faithful English Allies—​Society for Propagation of Gospel—​First missionary to Iroquois—​John Thomas, first convert—​Visit of Chiefs to England—​Their names—​Their portraits—​Attention to them—​Asking for instructor—​Queen Anne—​Communion Service—​During the Rebellion—​Burying the plate—​Recovered—​Division of the articles—​Sacrilege of the Rebels—​Re-printing Prayer Book—​Mr. Stuart, missionary—​The women and children—​At Lachine—​Attachment to Mr. Stuart—​Touching instance—​Mr. Stuart’s Indian sister—​Church at Tyendinaga—​School teacher to the Mohawk—​John Bininger—​First teacher—​The Bininger family—​The Moravian Society—​Count Zinzendorf—​Moravian church at New York—​First minister, Abraham Bininger—​Friend of Embury—​An old account book—​John Bininger journeying to Canada—​Living at Bay Quinté—​Removes to Mohawk village—​Missionary spirit—​Abraham Bininger’s letters—​The directions—​Children pleasing parents—​“Galloping thoughts”—​Christianity—​Canadian Moravian missionaries—​Moravian loyalists—​What was sent from New York—​“Best Treasure”—​The “Dear Flock”—​David Zieshager at the Thames—​J. Bininger acceptable to Mohawk—​Abraham Bininger desires to visit Canada—​Death of Mrs. Bininger—​“Tender mother”—​Bininger and Wesley—​“Garitson”—​“Losee”—​“Dunon”—​Reconciled to Methodists—​Pitying Losee—​Losee leaving Canada—​Ceases to be teacher—​Appointing a successor—​William Bell—​The salary—​The Mohawks don’t attend school—​An improvement—​The cattle may not go in School-house—​The school discontinued</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_312'>312</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The first Church at Tyendinaga grows old—​A Council—​Ask for assistance—​Gov. Bagot—​Laying first stone of new Church—​The Inscription—​The Ceremony—​The new Church—​Their Singing—​The surrounding Scenery—​John Hall’s Tomb—​Pagan Indians—​Red Jacket—​His Speech—​Reflection upon Christians—​Indians had nothing to do with murdering the Saviour</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_319'>319</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXVI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Mississauga Indians—​Father Picquet’s opinion—​Remnant of a large tribe—​Their land—​Sold to Government—​Rev. Wm. Case—​John Sunday—​A drunkard—​Peter Jones—​Baptising Indians—​At a camp-meeting—​Their department—​Extract from Playter—​William Beaver—​Conversions—​Jacob Peter—​Severe upon white Christians—​Their worship—​The Father of Canadian missions—​Scheme to teach Indians—​Grape Island—​Leasing Islands—​The parties—​“Dated at Belleville”—​Constructing a village—​The lumber—​How obtained—​Encamping on Grape Island—​The method of instruction—​The number—​Agriculture—​Their singing—​School house—​The teacher—​Instructions of women—​Miss Barnes—​Property of Indians—​Cost of improvements—​A visit to Government—​Asking for land—​“Big Island”—​Other favors—​Peter Jacobs at New York—​Extracts from Playter—​Number of Indian converts, 1829—​River Credit Indians—​Indians removed to Alnwick</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_323'>323</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION VI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>EARLY EDUCATION IN UPPER CANADA.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXVII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Education among the Loyalists—​Effect of the war—​No opportunity for Education—​A few Educated—​At Bath—​A common belief—​What was requisite for farming—​Learning at home—​The school teachers—​Their qualifications—​Rev. Mr. Stuart as a teacher—​Academy at Kingston—​First Canadian D.D.—​Mr. Clark, Teacher, 1786—​Donevan—​Garrison Schools—​Cockerell—​Myers—​Blaney—​Michael—​Atkins—​Kingston, 1795—​Lyons—​Mrs. Cranahan—​In Adolphustown—​Morden—​Faulkiner—​The school books—​Evening schools—​McDougall—​O’Reiley—​McCormick—​Flogging—​Salisbury—​James—​Potter—​Wright—​Watkins—​Gibson—​Smith—​Whelan—​Articles of Agreement—​Recollections—​Boarding round—​American teachers—​School books—​The letter Z</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_329'>329</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Mr. Stuart’s school—​Simcoe—​State Church and College—​Grammar schools—​Hon. R. Hamilton—​Chalmers—​Strachan—​Comes to Canada—​Educational history—​Arrival at Kingston—​The pupils—​Fees—​Removes to Cornwall—​Pupils follow—​Strachan, a Canadian—​Marries—​Interview with Bishop Strachan—​His disappointment—​A stranger—​What he forsook—​300 pupils—​Their success—​Stay at Cornwall—​Appointments at York—​A lecturer—​At Kingston—​Member of Legislative Council—​Politician—​Clergy Reserves—​Founds King’s College—​The thirty-nine articles—​Monopoly swept away—​Voluntaryism—​Founds Trinity College—​Bishop Strachan in 1866—​What he had accomplished—​Those he tutored—​Setting up a high standard—​“Reckoner”—​Sincerity—​Legislation, 1797—​Address to the King—​Grammar Schools—​Grant, 1798—​Board of Education—​Endowment of King’s College—​Its constitution—​Changes—​Upper Canada College—​Endowment—​“A spirit of improvement”—​Gourlay—​The second academy—​At Ernesttown—​The trustees—​Bidwell—​Charges—​Contradicted—​Rival school—​Bidwell’s son—​Conspicuous character—​Bidwell’s death—​Son removes to Toronto—​Academy building, a barrack—​Literary spirit of Bath—​Never revived—​York</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_334'>334</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXXIX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Extract from Cooper—​Educational institutions—​Kingston—​Queen’s College—​Own’s Real Estate—​Regiopolis College—​Roman Catholic—​Grammar School—​Attendance—​School houses—​Library—​Separate School—​Private Schools—​The Quaker School—​William Penn—​Upon the Hudson—​Near Bloomfield—​Origin of school—​Gurnay—​His offer—​Management of school—​The teaching—​Mrs. Crombie’s school—​Picton ladies’ Academy—​McMullen, proprietor—​Teachers—​Gentlemen’s department—​Popular—​The art of printing—​In America—​Book publishing—​First in America—​Books among the loyalists—​Few—​Passed around—​Ferguson’s books—​The Bible—​Libraries at Kingston and Bath—​Legislation—​In Lower Canada—​Reading room at Hallowell—​Reserves for education—​Upper Canada in respect to education—​Praiseworthy—​Common School system bill introduced 1841—​Amended, 1846—​Dr. Ryerson’s system—​Unsurpassed</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_341'>341</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XL.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>First Newspapers, 1457—​Year, 66—​English Newspapers—​In America—​In Canada—​‘Gazette’—​Founder—​Papers in 1753—​Quebec ‘Herald’—​Montreal ‘Gazette’—​‘Le Temps’—​Quebec ‘Mercury’—​Canadian ‘Courant’—​‘Royal Gazette’—​First in Newfoundland—​‘U. C. Gazette’—​First paper—​Subscribers—​Upper Canada ‘Guardian’—​Wilcox—​Mr. Thorpe—​Opposition—​Libel—​Elected to Parliament—​York Jail—​Leader—​In 1812—​Deserted—​York ‘Gazette’—​Kingston ‘Gazette’—​Only Paper—​News sixty years ago—​In Midland District—​Rev. Mr. Miles—​Pioneer of Journalism—​His Birthplace—​Learns the printing business—​Mower—​Montreal ‘Gazette’—​Kendall—​Partnership—​To Kingston in 1810—​The printing office—​Kingston ‘Gazette’—​Mr. Miles sells out—​The concern purchased—​Mr. Miles asked to be Editor—​Their kindness—​Gratitude—​Second Volume—​Extract from ‘Gazette’—​The Price—​Kingston ‘Chronicle’—​Upper Canada ‘Herald’—​‘Canadian Watchman’—​Mr. Miles at Prescott—​Returns to Kingston—​Enters the Ministry—​Loyal Subject—​In 1812—​On Duty—​Archdeacon Stuart—​Col. Cartwright—​Contributors to ‘Gazette’—​Our Thanks—​A Watch—​Faithfulness—​“A Good Chance”—​Subscribers at York—​Kingston ‘Spectator’—​‘Patriot’—​‘Argus’—​‘Commercial Advertizer’—​‘British Whig’—​‘Chronicle’ and ‘News’—​First Daily in Upper Canada—​Paper Boxes—​Brockville ‘Recorder’—​A Reform paper—​McLeod—​Grenville ‘Gazette’—​Prescott ‘Telegraph’—​‘Christian Guardian’—​Reform Journals</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_350'>350</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>First paper between Kingston and York—​Hallowell “Free Press”—​The Editor—​“Recluse”—​Fruitless efforts—​Proprietor—​Wooden press—​Of iron—​“Free Press,” independent—​The “Traveller”—​Press removed to Cobourg—​“Prince Edward Gazette”—​“Picton Gazette”—​“Picton Sun”—​“Picton Times”—​“New Nation”—​“Cobourg Star”—​“Anglo-Canadian” at Belleville—​The Editor—​Price—​The “Phœnix”—​Slicer—​“Canadian Wesleyan”—​“Hastings Times”—​The “Reformer”—​The “Intelligencer”—​George Benjamin—​The “Victoria Chronicle”—​“Hastings Chronicle”—​Extract from Playter—​“Colonial Advocate”—​“Upper Canada Herald”—​“Barker’s Magazine”—​“Victoria Magazine”—​Joseph Wilson—​Mrs. Moodie—​Sheriff Moodie—​Pioneer in Canadian literature—​Extract from Morgan—​“Literary Garland”—​“Roughing it in the Bush”—​“Eclectic Magazine”—​“Wilson’s Experiment”—​“Wilson’s Canada Casket”—​The “Bee” at Napanee—​“Emporium”—​The “Standard”—​The “Reformer”—​“North American”—​“Ledger”—​“Weekly Express”—​“Christian Casket”—​“Trenton Advocate”—​“British Ensign”—​The “Canadian Gem”—​“Maple Leaf”—​Papers in 1853—​Canadian papers superior to American—​Death at Boston—​Berczy—​Canadian idioms—​Accent—​Good English—​Superstition—​Home education—​Fireside stories—​Traditions</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_358'>358</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION VII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE TERRITORY OF UPPER CANADA—​THE BAY QUINTÉ.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Indians—​Their origin—​Pre-historic Canada—​Indian relics—​Original inhabitants—​Les Iroquois du nord—​Original names—​Peninsula of Upper Canada—​Champlain exploring—​Ascends the Ottawa—​His route to Lake Nippissing—​To Lake Huron—​French river—​The country—​Georgian Bay—​Lake Simcoe—​Down the Trent—​A grand trip—​Bay Quinté and Lake Ontario discovered—​War demonstration—​Wintering at the Bay—​A contrast—​Roundabout way—​Erroneous impressions</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_366'>366</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Name—​Letter, “Daily News”—​“Omega” Lines—​The writer—​Conjectures—​Five Bays—​Indian origin—​Kentes—​Villages—​<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Les Couis</span></i>—​Modes of spelling—​Canty—​The occupants, 1783—​Mississaugas—​Origin—​With the Iroquois—​The <em>Souter</em>—​Mississaugas, dark—​At Kingston—​Bay Quinté—​Land bought—​Reserves—​Claim upon the islands—​Wappoose Island—​Indian agent—​Indians hunting—​Up the Sagonaska—​Making sugar—​Peaceable—​To Kingston for presents</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_374'>374</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLIV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Appearance—​Mouth of Bay—​Length—​The Peninsula of Prince Edward—​Width of Bay—​Long Reach—​Course of Bay—​The High Shore—​Division of bay—​Eastern, central, western—​Taking a trip—​Through the Reach—​A picture—​A quiet spot—​Lake on the mountain—​A description—​Montreal Gazette—​Beautiful view—​Rhine, Hudson—​Contrast—​Classic ground—​A sketch—​Birth place of celebrated Canadians—​Hagerman—​A leading spirit—​Sir J. A. McDonald—​Reflections—​A log house—​Relics of the past—​Lesson of life—​In the lower bay—​Reminiscences—​The front—​Cradle of the province—​Shore of Marysburgh—​In the Western Bay—​Cuthbertson—​Up the bay—​A battle ground—​Devil’s Hill—​In the depths—​Prosperity—​Geological supposition—​Head of bay—​The past</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_383'>383</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The “Big Bay”—​Musketoe Bay—​Mohawk Bay—​Hay Bay—​“Eastern Bay”—​Site of Ancient Kentes—​The name—​Old Families—​An Accident, 1819—​Eighteen Drowned—​Extract from Playter—​Searching for the Bodies—​Burying the dead—​Picton Bay—​Appearance—​The “Grand Bay”—​Upper Gap—​Lower Gap—​Kingston Bay—​A Picture—​Recollections—​A Contract—​Ship Yards—​Extract from Cooper—​Inland Lakes</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_395'>395</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLVa.<a id='xxiv'></a></th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Islands—​Possessed by Indians—​The “Thousand Islands”—​Carleton Island—​History of Island—​During the rebellion—​Wolfe Island—​The name—​Howe Island—​Old name—​County of Ontario—​Garden Island—​Horseshoe Island—​Sir Jeffry Amherst—​The size—​Indian name—​“Tontine”—​Johnson’s Island—​The Island won—​Present owner—​First settler—​The three brothers—​Small Islands—​Hare Island—​Nut Island—​Wappoose Island—​Indian rendezvous—​Captain John’s Island—​Bartering—​Hunger Island—​Big Island—​First settlers—​Huff’s Island—​Paul Huff—​Grape Island—​Hog Island—​Smaller Islands—​Mississauga Island—​A tradition—​The carrying place—​Its course—​Original survey—​History—​American prisoners—​Col. Wilkins</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_402'>402</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION VIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE FIRST TEN TOWNSHIPS IN THE MIDLAND DISTRICT.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLVI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The French—​Their policy—​Trading posts—​Cahiaque—​Variations—​Name of river—​Foundation of Fort Frontenac—​A change—​Site of old fort—​La Salle’s petition—​A Seigniory—​Governors visiting—​War Expedition—​Fort destroyed—​Rebuilt—​Colonial wars—​Taking of Fort Oswego—​Frontenac taken—​End of French domination</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_410'>410</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLVII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Cooper’s Essay—​Loyalists naming places—​King’s Town—​Queen’s Town—​Niagara—​Spanish names—​Cataraqui from 1759 to 1783—​Desolation—​The rebellion—​Station, Carleton Island—​Settling—​Refugees at New York—​Michael Grass—​Prisoner at Cataraqui—​From New York to Canada—​Captain Grass takes possession of first township—​First landholders—​A letter by Captain Grass—​Changes—​Surveying forts and harbors—​Report to Lord Dorchester—​Kingston, <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">versus</span></i> Carleton Island—​The defenses—​Troops—​King’s township—​First settlers—​“Plan of township No. 1”—​First owners of town lots—​Names—​Settlers upon the front—​First inhabitants of Kingston—​A naval and military station—​The Commodore—​Living of old—​Kingston in <em>last century</em>—​New fortifications</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_419'>419</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLVIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The situation of Kingston—​Under military influence—​Monopolist—​Early history of legislation—​In 1810—​Gourlay’s statement—​Police—​Modern Kingston—​Lord Sydenham—​Seat of government—​Perambulating—​Surrounding country—​Provisions—​An appeal for Kingston as capital—​Barriefield—​Pittsburgh—​Building of small crafts—​Famous—​Roads—​Waterloo—​Cemetery—​Portsmouth—​Kingston Mill—​Little Cataraqui—​Collinsby—​Quantity of land—​Early and influential inhabitants—​Post masters—​“Honorable men”—​Deacon, Macaulay, Cartwright, Markland, Cummings, Smiths, Kerby—​Allen McLean, first lawyer—​A gardener—​Sheriff McLean—​“Chrys” Hagerman—​Customs—​Sampson, shooting a smuggler—​Hagerman, M.P.P.—​Removes to Toronto</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_430'>430</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XLIX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The second town—​Ernest’s town—​King George—​His children—​Settlers of Ernesttown—​Disbanded soldiers—​Johnson’s regiment—​Major Rogers’ corps—​The “Roll”—​Number—​By whom enlisted—​An old book—​Township surveyed—​Settling—​Traveling—​Living in tents—​A change—​Officers—​Names—​Occupants of lots—​Mill Creek—​The descendants—​Quality of land—​Village—​The settlers in 1811—​The main road—​Incorporation of Bath—​Trading—​Fairfield—​The library—​Bath by Gourlay—​Bath of the present—​Bath <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">versus</span></i> Napanee—​In 1812—​American Fleet—​Wonderful achievement—​Safe distance from shore—​Third township—​Fredericksburgh—​After Duke of Sussex—​Surveyed by Kotte—​A promise to the disbanded soldiers—​Johnson—​Fredericksburgh additional—​A dispute—​Quantity of land—​Extract from Mrs. Moodie—​Reserve for village—​Second surveys</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_439'>439</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER L.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The fourth township—​Adolphustown—​After Duke of Cambridge—​Quantity of Land—​Survey—​Major VanAlstine—​Refugees—​From New York—​Time—​Voyage—​Their Fare—​Names—​Arrived—​Hagerman’s Point—​In Tents—​First Settler—​Town Plot—​Death—​The Burial—​A Relic—​Commissary—​Dispute of Surveyors—​The Settlers—​All things in common—​An aged man—​Golden rule—​Old map—​Names—​Islands—​The township—​Price of land—​First “town meeting”—​Minutes—​The Officers Record—​Inhabitants, 1794—​Up to 1824—​First Magistrates—​Centre of Canada—​Court Held in Barn—​In Methodist Chapel—​“A Den of Thieves”—​Court House erected—​Adolphustown Canadians—​Members of Parliament—​The Courts—​Where first held—​Hagerman—​Travelers tarrying at Adolphustown</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_448'>448</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Marysburgh—​Origin—​Once part of a Seigniory—​Survey—​Hessians—​Old map—​The lots—​Officers of the 84th Regt.—​Original landowners—​Indian Point—​McDonnell’s Cove—​Grog Bay—​“Accommodating Bay”—​“Gammon Point”—​Black River—​“Long Point”—​Reserves—​Course pursued by the Surveyor—​Number of Hessians—​Their sufferings—​Dark tales—​Discontented—​Returning to Hesse—​A suitable location—​Not U. E. Loyalists—​Received land gratis—​Family land—​Their habits—​Capt. McDonnell—​Squire Wright—​Sergt. Harrison—​The Smith’s—​Grant to Major VanAlstine—​Beautiful Scenery—​Smith’s bay—​“The Rock”—​Over a precipice</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_458'>458</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Sixth township—​Name—​Survey—​Convenient for settlement—​First settlers—​A remote township—​What was paid for lots—​“Late Loyalists”—​Going to Mill—​Geological formation—​Along the fronts—​High shore—​Grassy Point—​Its history—​Marsh front—​Central place—​Stickney’s Hill—​Foster’s Hill—​Northport—​Trade—​James Cotter—​Gores—​Demerestville—​The name—​“Sodom”—​First records—​Township meetings—​The Laws of the township—​Divided into parishes—​Town clerk—​Officers—​The poor—​The committee—​Inhabitants, 1824—​Fish Lake—​Seventh Township—​The name—​Survey by Kotte—​At the Carrying Place—​Surveyor’s assistant—​No early records—​First settlers</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_465'>465</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Prince Edward—​The name—​Rich land—​Size of peninsula—​Shape—​Small Lakes—​Sand hills—​The Ducks—​Gibson’s rock—​The past—​First settler—​Col. Young—​Prospecting—​Discovery of East Lake—​West Lake—​Moving in—​Settlers in 1800—​East Lake—​Capt. Richardson—​“Prince Edward Division Bill”—​Office seekers—​Township of Hallowell—​The name—​Formation of Township—​First records 1798—​The officers—​The laws—​Magistrates—​Picton—​Its origin—​Hallowell village—​Dr. Austin—​Gen. Picton—​His monument—​Naming the villages—​A contest—​The Court house—​An offer—​Enterprise—​Proposed steamboat—​Churches—​Rev. Mr. Macaulay—​Rev. Mr. Fraser—​Rev. Mr. Lalor</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_476'>476</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LIV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Eighth Township—​Sidney—​Name—​Survey—​Settlement, 1787—​Letter from Ferguson—​Trading—​Barter—​Potatoes—​Building—​Cows—​No salt to spare—​First settlers—​Myers—​Re-surveying—​James Farley—​Town Clerk at first meeting—​William Ketcheson—​Gilbert’s Cove—​Coming to the front—​River Trent—​Old names—​Ferry—​Bridge—​Trenton—​Its settlement—​Squire Bleeker</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_485'>485</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Ninth town—​Thurlow—​Name—​When surveyed—​Front—​Indian burying ground—​Owner of first lots—​Chisholm—​Singleton—​Myers—​Ferguson—​Indian traders—​To Kingston in batteau—​Singleton’s death—​Ferguson’s death—​Distress of the families—​Settled, 1789—​Ascending the Moira—​Taking possession of land—​Fifth concession—​John Taylor—​Founder of Belleville—​Myers buying land—​Settlers upon the front—​Municipal record—​Town officers—​1798—​Succeeding years—​Canifton, its founder—​Settling—​The diet—​Building mill—​Road—​River Moira—​Origin of name—​Earl Moira—​Indian name—​Indian offering—​“Cabojunk”—​Myers’ saw-mill—​Place not attractive—​First bridge—​The flouring-mill—​Belleville—​Indian village—​Myers’ Creek—​Formation of village—​First Inn—​Permanent bridge—​Bridge Street—​In 1800—​Growth—​A second mill—​McNabb’s—​Sad death—​Captain McIntosh—​Petrie—​Inhabitants, 1809—​Dr. Spareham—​Naming of Belleville—​Bella Gore—​By Gore in council—​Petition—​Extract from Kingston Gazette—​Surveying reserve—​Wilmot—​Mistakes—​Granting of lots—​Conditions—​Board of Police—​Extent of Belleville—​Muddy streets—​Inhabitants in 1824—​Court-house—​First Court, Quarter Sessions—​Belleville in 1836</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_489'>489</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LVI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Tenth township—​Richmond—​Origin—​Quantity of land—​Shores of Mohawk Bay—​Village on south shore—​Original land holders—​Names—​Napanee—​The falls—​The mill—​Salmon River—​Indian name—​Source of Napanee River—​Its course—​Colebrook—​Simcoe Falls—​Name—​Clarke’s Mills—​Newburgh—​Academy—​The settlers—​“Clarkville”—​No records</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_503'>503</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION IX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE EARLY GOVERNMENT OF UPPER CANADA.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LVII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Military rule—​Imperial Act, 1774—​French Canada—​Refugees—​Military Government in Upper Canada—​New Districts—​Lunenburgh—​Mecklenburgh—​Nassau—​Hesse—​The Judges—​Duncan—​Cartwright—​Hamilton—​Robertson—​Court in Mecklenburgh—​Civil Law—​Judge Duncan—​Judge Cartwright—​Punishment inflicted—​First execution—​New Constitution of Quebec—​1791, Quebec Bill passed—​Inhabitants of Upper Canada</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_505'>505</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LVIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Simcoe—​His arrival in Canada—​Up the St. Lawrence—​An old house—​“Old Breeches’ River”—​Simcoe’s attendants—​The old veterans—​“Good old cause”—​“Content”—​Toasting—​Old officers—​Executive Council of Upper Canada—​First entry—​Simcoe inducted to office—​Religious ceremony—​“The proceedings”—​Those present—​Oath of office—​Organization of Legislative Council—​Assembly—​Issuing writs for elections—​Members of Council—​Simcoe’s difficulty—​At Kingston—​Division of Province—​The Governor’s officers—​Rochfoucault upon Simcoe—​Simcoe’s surroundings—​His wife—​Opening Parliament in 1795—​Those present—​Retinue—​Dress—​The nineteen counties—​Simcoe’s designs—​Visit of the Queen’s father—​At Kingston—​Niagara—​A war dance</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_509'>509</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LIX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>General Hunter—​Peter Russell—​Francis Gore, 1806—​Alex. Grant—​Brock—​1812—​United States declare war—​Prompt action—​Parliament—​Proclamation—​The issue—​Second proclamation—​General Hull—​His proclamation—​Bombast and impertinence—​The Indians—​Proclamation answered—​Hull a prisoner—​Michigan conquered—​To Niagara—​At Queenston heights—​“Push on York Volunteers”—​Death of Brock—​McDonnell—​War of 1812, the Americans—​Extract from Merritt—​What Canadians did—​Brock’s monument—​General Sheaffe—​General Drummond—​Invading the States—​What Canada will do—​Lord Sydenham—​A tribute by Dr. Ryerson—​Union of the Provinces</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_517'>517</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Kingston—​First capital—​First act of government—​Niagara—​Selecting the capital—​Niagara in 1788—​Carrying place—​Landing place—​Newark—​In 1795—​Mr. Hamilton—​The inhabitants—​Little York—​The Don—​The Harbor—​Survey—​De la Trenche—​London—​Inhabitants of the Don—​Yonge street, a military road—​Governor at York—​Castle Frank—​York in 1798—​The Baldwins—​In 1806—​Buffalo—​York, 1813—​Taken by the Americans—​The Combatants—​Toronto—​“Muddy York”—​A monument required</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_526'>526</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Parliament—​Simcoe’s Proclamation—​Nineteen counties formed—​Names and boundaries—​First elections—​Names of members—​Officers of the House—​A Quaker member—​Chaplain—​Meeting of Parliament—​The Throne, a camp stool—​Address—​To both houses—​Closing address—​Acts passed—​Simcoe’s confidential letters—​A contrast—​A blending—​2nd Session—​The Acts—​Quarter Sessions—​3rd, 4th, 5th Sessions—​New division of Province—​1798—​Modes of punishment—​Burning the hand—​Whipping—​Salaries of officers—​Revenue first year—​The members of Parliament—​Education—​Offering for Parliament—​A “Junius”—​Early administration of justice—​“Heaven-born lawyers”—​First magistrates</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_533'>533</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION X.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE EARLY MILITIA OF UPPER CANADA.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Militia Act, 1792—​Simcoe—​No faith in the Americans—​His views—​Military Roads—​Division of Districts—​Military purposes—​The officers—​Legislation—​The expenses—​Repeated Legislation—​Aggressive spirit—​The Enrolment—​Hastings Battalion—​“Something brewing”—​List of Officers—​Col. Ferguson—​Col. Bell—​Leeds Militia—​Officers’ clothing—​The Midland District—​Prince Edward—​Training Places</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_544'>544</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>In 1812, around Bay Quinté—​The declaration of war—​The news at Kingston—​The call to arms—​Hastings—​Events at Kingston—​In 1813—​Attack upon Sacket’s Harbor—​Oswego—​American fleet before Kingston—​Royal George—​Kingston prepared—​Chrysler’s farm—​A “Postscript”—​Along the St. Lawrence—​Ribaldry—​The Commissary—​Capt. Wilkins—​Quakers—​Rate of pay—​American prisoners—​The Wounded—​Surgeons, Dougal, Meacham—​Jonathan Phillips—​Militiamen’s reward—​Militia orders—​Parliamentary grants</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_551'>551</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXIV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Six Nations in 1812—​American animus—​“Manifest Destiny”—​Mohawk Indians—​A right to defend their homes—​Inconsistency—​American savages—​Extract from Playter—​Brock’s proclamation—​Indian character, conduct, eloquence—​Deserters in 1812—​Few of them—​Court-martials—​The attempts at conquest by the Americans—​The numbers—​Result of war—​Canadians saved the country—​And can do so—​Fraternal kindness</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_564'>564</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION XI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>ADVANCE OF CIVILIZATION.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXV.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Canada’s first step in civilization—​Slavery in America—​By whom introduced—​False charge—​Slavery in Canada—​History—​Imperial Acts—​Legislation in Canada—​The several clauses—​In Lower Canada—​Justice Osgood—​Slavery at the Rebellion—​Among the U. E. Loyalists—​Those who held slaves—​Descendants of the slaves—​“A British slave”—​“For sale”—​“Indian slave”—​Upper Canada’s Record—​Compared with the States—​Liberty—​Why the United States abolished slavery—​Honor to whom honor is due</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_569'>569</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXVI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Returns to the Pioneer—​Bay Region—​Garden of Canada—​Clogs—​False views of settlers—​Result—​New blood—​Good example—​Anecdote—​The “Family Compact”—​Partiality—​Origin of the <em>Compact</em>—​Their conduct—​The evil they did—​A proposed Canadian Aristocracy—​What it would have led to—​What may come—​“Peter Funks”</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_580'>580</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXVII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Agriculture—​Natural Products—​Rice—​Ginseng—​Orchards—​Plows—​Reaping—​Flax—​Legislation—​Agricultural Society organized by Simcoe—​A Snuff Box—​Fogies—​Silver—​Want of help—​Midland District taking the lead—​Societies—​Legislative help—​Prince Edward—​Pearl Ashes—​Factories—​Tanneries—​Breweries, Carding Machines—​Paper—​Lumber—​First vehicles—​Sleighs—​Waggons—​Home-made—​Roads—​First Public Conveyances—​Stages—​Fare—​Building Greater—​Sawing Mills introduced by the Dutch—​First Brick Building—​Myers’ House—​Its past history—​Furniture from Albany—​Currency—​Paper Money—​Banks—​First Merchants—​Barter—​Pedlars—​On the Bay</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_587'>587</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXVIII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Steam vessels—​Crossing the Atlantic in 1791—​First Steam Vessel—​Hudson—​The second on the St. Lawrence—​First across the Atlantic—​In Upper Canada—​<em>Frontenac</em>—​Built in Ernesttown—​The Builders—​Finkle’s Point—​Cost of Vessel—​Dimensions—​Launched—​First Trip—​Captain McKenzie—​‘<em>Walk-in-the-Water</em>’—​<em>Queen Charlotte</em>—​How Built—​Upon Bay Quinté—​Capt. Dennis—​First year—​Death of Dennis—​Henry Gilderslieve—​What he did—​Other Steamboats—​Canals—​First in Upper Canada—​Welland Canal—​Desjardin—​Rideau—​Its object—​Col. By—​A proposed Canal—​Railroads—​The first in the world—​Proposed Railway from Kingston to Toronto, 1846—​In Prince Edward District—​Increase of Population—​Extract from Dr. Lillie—​Comparison with the United States—​Favorable to Canada—​False Cries—​The French—​Midland District, 1818</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_599'>599</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>DIVISION XII.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS—​THE FATHERS OF UPPER CANADA.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXIX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Definition—​A division—​Their principles—​Our position—​Ancestry—​Dutch—​Puritans—​Huguenots—​New Rochelle—​English writers—​Talbot—​Falsehoods—​Canadian and English ancestry—​Howison—​Maligner—​Gourlay’s reply—​Palatines—​Old names</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_616'>616</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Character—​Hospitality—​At home—​Fireside—​Visitors—​Bees—​Raisings—​Easter Eggs—​Dancing—​Hovington House—​Caste—​Drinks—​Horse-racing—​Boxing—​Amusements—​La Crosse—​Duels—​Patriotism—​Annexation—​Freedom—​Egotism—​The Loyalists—​Instances—​Longevity—​Climate of Canada—​A quotation—​Long lived—​The children—​The present race—​A nationality—​Comparison—​“U. E. Loyalist”—​Their Privileges—​Order of Council—​Dissatisfaction</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_624'>624</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>CHAPTER LXXI.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Notice of a Few—​Booth—​Brock—​Burritt—​Cotter—​Cartwright—​Conger—​Cole—​Dempsey—​Detlor—​Fraser—​Finkle—​Fisher—​Fairfield—​Grass—​Gamble—​Hagerman—​Johnson’s—​“Bill” Johnson—​Macaulay—​The Captive, Christian Moore—​Parliament—​Morden—​Roblins—​Simon—​Van Alstine—​Wallbridge—​Chrysler—​White—​Wilkins—​Stewart—​Wilson—​Metcalf—​Jayne—​McIntosh—​Bird—​Gerow—​Vankleek—​Perry—​Sir William Johnson’s children</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_642'>642</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c008' colspan='2'>APPENDIX.</th></tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Roll of the 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Regiment</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_667'>667</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Governors of Canada</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_670'>670</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td colspan='2'> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Indian Goods</td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_671'>671</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_xxxii'>xxxii</span> - <h2 class='c004'>ERRATA.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Page <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, 12th line from top, instead of “1859,” read “1759.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>, 4th line from bottom, instead of “are equally,” read “were equally.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>, 16th line from bottom, instead of “removed to the town,” read “to -the fifth town.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, instead of “Hodgins,” read “Hudgins.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, 16th line from top, instead of “1859,” read “1809.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>, 4th line, 2nd paragraph, instead of “South,” read “North.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, heading of page should be “Voyaging.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_192'>192</a>, bottom line, instead of “dispersed,” read “dispossessed.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>, 19th line, “gloomy,” read “glowing.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>, 19th line, “glowing a picture,” should have “of” following.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>, instead of “Wesleyanism,” read “Wesleyans.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_371'>371</a>, 14th line, instead of “1815,” read “1615.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_437'>437</a>, 10th line from bottom, instead of “Lawer,” read “Lawyer.”</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_585'>585</a>, 15th line, after “Governor,” read <em>they were generally</em>.</p> - -<p class='c012'>Page <a href='#Page_596'>596</a>, 3rd line, after “often,” read <em>inferior</em>.</p> - -<div class='ph1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>HISTORY</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='small'>OF</span></div> - <div class='c002'>THE SETTLEMENT OF UPPER CANADA,</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='xlarge'>WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE BAY OF QUINTÉ.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span> - <h2 class='c004'>INTRODUCTION.</h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER I.</span><br /> A SKETCH OF FRANCO-CANADIAN HISTORY.</h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Antiquarianism—​Records of the Early Nations—​Tradition—​The -Press—​The Eastern World—​The Western World—​Importance of History—​Columbus—​Colonization—​Canada—​America—​Cartier—​French -Canadian -writers—​Cartier’s first visit—​Huguenots—​Cartier’s second visit—​Jean -Francois—​Sir George E. Cartier—​Establishment of the Fur Trade—​Champlain—​Discovery -of Lake Ontario—​Bay of Quinté—​Quebec founded—​First -fighting with Indians—​First taking of Quebec by the British—​Returned to -France—​The Recollets and Jesuits—​Death of Champlain—​Foundation of -Montreal—​Emigration from France—​The Carignan Regiment—​DeCourcelle—​Proposal -to found a Fort at Lake Ontario—​Frontenac—​Fort at Cataraqui—​La -Salle—​Fort at Niagara—​First vessel upon the Lakes—​Its fate—​Death -of La Salle, the first settler of Upper Canada—​Founder of Louisiana—​Discoverer -of the mouth of the Mississippi.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There exists, as one characteristic of the nineteenth century, -an earnest desire on the part of many to recall, and, in mind, to live -over the days and years that are past; and many there are who -occupy more or less of their time in collecting the scattered relics -of bygone days—​in searching among the faded records of departed -years, to eagerly catch the golden sands of facts which cling to -legendary tales, and to interpret the hieroglyphics which the footsteps -of time have well-nigh worn away. To this fact many a -museum can bear ample testimony. The antiquarian enjoys intense -satisfaction in his labors of research, and when he is rewarded by -the discovery of something new, he is but stimulated to renewed -exertion. In the old world rich fields have been, and are now being -explored; and in the new laborers are not wanting.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>Since the days when man first trod the virgin soil of this -globe, he has ever been accustomed to preserve the more important -events of his life, and, by tradition, to hand them down to his children’s -children; and likewise has it been with communities and -nations. Every people who are known to have occupied a place -upon the earth, have left some indication of their origin, and the -part they played in the world’s great drama. In recent days, facts -pertaining to nations and particular individuals are preserved in all -their amplitude, through the agency of the Press. But in former -centuries, only a few symbols, perhaps rudely cut in solid stone, -commemorated events of the most important kind. The historians -of Eastern nations have had to look far back into the misty past, -to learn the facts of their birth and infant days; while the dark -days of barbarism hang as a thick veil to obstruct the view. The -middle ages, like a destructive flood, swept away, to a great extent, -the records previously in existence. But out of the <em>debris</em> has been -exhumed many a precious relic; and the stone and the marble thus -obtained, have supplied valuable material on which to base trustworthy -history.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In recording the events which belong to the Western world—​this -broad American continent—​the historian has far less of toil -and research to undergo. It is true the native Indian, who once -proudly ruled the vast extent of the new world, has a history yet -undeveloped. An impenetrable cloud obscures the facts appertaining -to his advent upon this continent. The nature of his origin is -buried in the ocean of pre-historic time. But in reference to the -occupation of America by Europeans, the subjugation and gradual -extermination of the Indian, the life of the pioneer, the struggles -for political independence, the rapid growth and development of -nations; all these results, embraced within the space of a few -centuries, are freely accessible to the American historian.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The importance of history cannot be questioned; the light it -affords is always valuable, and, if studied aright, will supply the -student with material by which he may qualify himself for any -position in public life. In the following chapters it is intended to -draw attention more particularly to the new world, and to examine -a few pages in the history of North America.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the absence of any data upon which to base statements -relating to the aborigines, we may say the history of the new -world begins with the memorable and enterprising adventures of -Christopher Columbus, in 1492; although there is evidence that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>America had been previously visited by the people of Northern -Europe, about the year 1000. The steady flow of emigrants which -commenced a century later, from the old world to the new, of bold, -energetic people, is a spectacle of grand import.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Almost every nation of Europe has contributed to the colonization -of America. All, however, were not at first actuated by the -same motives in braving the perils of the deep—​then far greater -than at the present day—​and the dangers of the wilderness. The -Spaniards were searching for the precious gold. The English -desired to acquire territory; the Dutch sought to extend their -commerce; and the French, it is said, were, at first, intent only on -converting the pagan Indians to Christianity.—​(Garneau.) Space -will not permit to trace the course of events in connection with -the first settlements in America; the history of the several colonies, -the bloody Indian wars, the contentions between the different -colonizing people, the rebellions of the colonies and their achievement -of independence. We shall mainly confine ourselves to those -events which led to, and accompanied the settlement of Upper -Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Canada, the coast of which was first discovered by John Cabot, -in 1497, is an honorable name, far more so than America. It has -been a cause of complaint with some that the United States should -appropriate to their exclusive use the name of America. But it is -quite right they should enjoy it. It is after a superficial impostor, -Amerigo Vespucci, who availed himself of the discoveries of -Columbus, to vaunt himself into renown.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The word Canada is most probably derived from an Iroquois -word, signifying Cabin. It has been stated on the authority of a -Castilian tradition, that the word was of Spanish origin. The -Spaniards, looking after gold, ascended the St. Lawrence, but failing -to find the precious metal, exclaimed “<span lang="es" xml:lang="es">Aca nada</span>,” (Here is nothing.) -The natives hearing the land thus called, when Europeans again -visited them, upon being asked the name of their country, replied -“Canada,” in imitation of the Spaniards. Again, Father Hennepin -asserts that the Spaniards, upon leaving the land, gave it the appellation -“El Cape di nada,” (Cape nothing,) which in time became -changed into Canada. But Charlevoix, in his “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Histoire de la Nouvelle -France</span>,” says that Canada is derived from the Iroquois word -“Kannata,” pronounced Canada, which signifies “love of cabins.” -Duponcion, in the “Transactions of the Philosophical Society of -Philadelphia,” founds his belief of the Indian origin of the name -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>Canada, on the fact that, in the translation of the Gospel by St. -Matthew into the Mohawk tongue, by Brant, the word Canada is -always made to signify a village. Taking the whole matter into -consideration, there appears the best of reasons to conclude that -Canada, a name now properly bestowed upon the Dominion, is of -Indian origin, and signifies the country of a people who are -accustomed to live in villages or permanent cabins, instead of in -tents and constantly changing from one place to another.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The history of French Canada is one of unusual interest—​from -the time Jacques Cartier, in 1534, with two vessels of less than 60 -tons burden each, and 122 men in all, entered for the first time the -Gulf of St. Lawrence—​up to the present day. It was not until the -first decade of the 17th century, nearly a hundred years after -Cartier first landed, that successful colonization by the French -was accomplished. Nevertheless, Canada has as early a place -among the colonies of America as New Netherlands or Virginia, -which are the oldest States of the neighboring Union. Virginia -was planted in 1608; New Netherlands (now New York,) was not -settled until 1614. Prior to that, in 1609, Hudson had ascended -the river now bearing his name, as far as the present site of -Albany; but at the same time the intrepid Champlain was traversing -the wilds of the more northern part of the territory to the -south of Lake Ontario.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Although the history of New France is one of great interest, -yet, in this local history, space can only be allowed to glance at -the course of events in connection therewith. But French Canada -is not in danger of suffering for want of historians to pen the -events of her life. Already enthusiastic countrymen have done -justice to the patriotism, valor and ability of the Franco-Canadian -race. And, at the present time, earnest workers are in the field, -searching among the records of the past, stowed away in Paris, -with the view of making known all that can be learned of their -sires. We find no fault with the intense love they bear to their -language, their laws, their religion, their institutions generally. -Such is characteristic of a high-spirited race; and, as common -Canadians we rejoice to have so devoted a people to lay with us the -foundation of our northern Dominion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It has already been said that Jacques Cartier first landed in -Canada in 1534. At this time the pent up millions of Europe, -lying in a state of semi-bondage, were prepared to strike off the -chains which had hitherto bound them, both in mind and body, to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>the select ones, who claimed that prerogative, as of Divine origin, -and to avail themselves of the vast territory which Columbus had -recovered from oblivion. Then was the future pregnant with events -of the most startling nature—​events fraught with interests of the -most colossal magnitude. While America was to open up a new -field for active labor, wherein all might pluck wealth, the art of -printing, so soon to be in active operation, was to emancipate the -mind, and cast broadly the seeds of universal liberty. Already -was being broken the fallow ground, in the rich soil of which was -to germinate the great truths of science.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In May, 1535, Cartier set out on his second voyage to the New -World, in “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">La Grande Hermion</span>,” a vessel of 110 tons, accompanied -by two other vessels of smaller size, with 110 men altogether. -Reaching Labrador in July, he on St. Laurence Day entered St. -John’s River; and thus arose the name of St. Lawrence, afterward -applied to the mighty river now bearing that name. Guided by -two natives, Cartier ascended the St. Lawrence as far as the Isle -d’Orleans, where he was received by the Indians in a friendly -spirit. Cartier having determined to stay the winter, moored his -vessels in the St. Charles River, with the Indian village of Stadaconé -upon the heights above him. The same autumn he ascended -with a small party to visit Hochelaga, now Montreal. Here he -found a considerable village of fifty wooden dwellings, each fifty paces -long, and twelve and fifteen broad. This village was fortified. An -aged and withered chief accorded Cartier a distinguished reception; -after which Cartier ascended to the top of the mountain, to which -he gave the name Mont Real, or Royal Mount, a name subsequently -given to the village which has become the commercial capital of -the Dominion, and which is destined to rival even New York.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Cartier’s stay in Canada during the winter was attended with -much distress, and the loss by death of twenty-six of his men; -while most of the rest were almost dying, being, it is related, saved -by the medical skill of the natives. In the Spring he returned -to France, carrying with him several Indians. It was five years -later before another visit was made to Canada, owing to the civil -and religious wars existing in France. It was the cruel laws -enacted and put in force at this time in France that expatriated -so many noble Huguenots who were dispersed throughout Great -Britain, Ireland, and afterward America, the blood of whom yet -flows in the veins of many of the descendants of the loyal refugees -from the rebelling States of America. In the Summer of 1541 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>Cartier again set sail for the St. Lawrence. He was to have been -accompanied by one Jean Francois de la Roque, a brave and faithful -servant of the king, to whom had been conceded the privilege of -raising a body of volunteers to form a permanent settlement upon -the St. Lawrence. But unforeseen difficulties prevented his sailing -until the following year. In the meantime Cartier, to whom had -been given command, with five ships, had, after a tedious passage, -reached Canada, and ascended to Quebec. The intending colonizers -immediately went ashore and commenced the work of clearing the -land for cultivation. The winter was passed in safety, but in the -spring, tired of waiting for the Governor, who ought to have followed -him the year before, and discovering signs of hostility on -the part of the savages, he determined to return to France. So he -embarked all the men and set sail. Before he had reached the -Atlantic, however, he met la Roque, with some two hundred more -colonists, who desired Cartier to return, but he continued his course -to France. Jean Francois landed safely at Quebec. In the autumn -he sent home two vessels for provisions for the following year, -while he prepared to undergo the severity of the coming winter, -a season that brought severe trials, with the death of fifty of his -men. The following year he set out with seventy men to seek -fresh discoveries up the river, but he was unsuccessful. France, -again immersed in war, paid no attention to the request for succor -in the New World, but ordered Cartier to bring back the Governor, -whose presence as a soldier was desired. With him returned all -the colonists. Thus the attempt to establish a settlement upon the -St. Lawrence failed, not, however, through any want of courage, -or ability on the part of Cartier, the founder of Canada. The name -thus immortalized and which disappeared from the history of -Canada for many years, again occupies a place. And, Sir George -Etienne Cartier, of to-day, although not a lineal descendant of the -first Cartier, holds a position of distinction; and, as one who -has assisted in effecting the Confederation of the provinces, his -name will ever stand identified, as his great predecessor and namesake, -with the history of our Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1549, Jean Francois a second time, set out for Canada with -his brother, and others, but they all perished on the way. This -disaster prevented any further immediate attempt at settlement in -Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The commencement of the seventeenth century found France -again in a state suitable to encourage colonial enterprize, and she, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>in common with other European nations was directing her attention -to the yet unexplored New World. At this time one Pont-Gravé, -a merchant of St. Malo, conceived the idea of establishing a fur -trade between Canada and France; and to this end he connected -himself with one Chauvin, a person of some influence at court, -who succeeded in obtaining the appointment of governor to Canada, -with a monopoly of the peltry traffic. These two adventurers, with -a few men, set out for Canada, but arrived in a state of destitution. -Chauvin died, while the others were preserved alive by the kindness -of the natives. Chauvin was succeeded by De Chastes, -Governor of Dieppe; and Captain Samuel Champlain, who had -distinguished himself as a naval officer, was appointed to command -an expedition about to proceed to the New World.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The name of Champlain is indelibly fixed upon the pages of -Canadian history. It was he who traversed trackless forests, -ascended the most rapid rivers, discovered the Lake of Ontario, -by way of Bay Quinté, and gave his name to another lake. It was -in 1603 that Champlain set out upon his voyage. He had but three -small vessels, it is said, of no more than twelve or fifteen tons -burden. He ascended as far as Sault St. Louis, and made careful -observations. He prepared a chart, with which he returned to -France. The king was well pleased with his report, and De Chaste -having died, Governor de Monts succeeded him, to whom was -granted, exclusively, the fur trade in Canada. But their operations -were confined, at first, to Acadia, now Nova Scotia. In 1607 De -Monts abandoned Acadia and directed his attention to Canada. -Obtaining from the king a renewal of his privileges, he appointed -Champlain his lieutenant, whom he despatched with two vessels. -The party arrived at Stadaconé, on the 3rd of July. The party -commenced clearing land where the lower town of Quebec now -stands, and erected cabins in which to live. Having determined -to make this the head-quarters of his establishment, he proceeded -to build a fort. Thus was founded the ancient capital of Canada -upon the Gibraltar of America. The powers granted to Champlain -were ample, whereby he was enabled to maintain order and enforce -law. During the well nigh one hundred years that had passed -away since Cartier attempted to colonize, great changes, it would -seem, had taken place among the Indians. Altogether different -tribes occupied the Laurentian valley; and the former Indian -villages of Stadoconé, and Hochelaga had been entirely destroyed, -Champlain found the Indians of this place, the Algonquins, at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>enmity with other tribes to the west, the Iroquois. The Algonquins -were glad to form an alliance with him against their long standing -enemy. It suited the purpose of Champlain to thus ally himself; -but the policy may well be questioned; at all events it inaugurated -a long course of warfare between the French and the Iroquois, -which only terminated when Canada became a British dependency. -He, no doubt, was ignorant of the great power and superiority of -the confederated five nations which formed the Iroquois people. -The first encounter between Champlain and the Indians took place -the 29th of July, 1609, by the lake which now bears his name, -which had been known by the Indians as Lake Corlar. The -Iroquois, who had never before seen the use of fire-arms, were -naturally overwhelmed with surprise at this new mode of warfare, -by which three of their chiefs were suddenly stricken to the earth; -and they beat a hasty retreat, leaving their camp to the pillage of -the enemy. The following year Champlain again set out with his -Indian allies, and a second time drove them from the well contested -field by the use of fire-arms. It was on this occasion he first met -the Hurons, which were to become such fast allies, until almost -exterminated. But the time came when the Iroquois, supplied -with arms and trained to their use, by the Dutch, became better -able to cope with the French. In 1612 Count de Soissons succeeded -De Monts. Champlain, who was again engaged in war, was at the -same time endeavoring to advance the peltry traffic, a trade that -had many vicissitudes, owing to the changing opinions at home, -and the uncertain support of merchants. He commenced the -erection of a fort at Montreal, and formed an alliance with the -Huron Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1615, the Iroquois were collected near the foot of -Lake Ontario, a body of water as yet unseen by Europeans. At -the request of the Indians, it has been said Champlain set out to -attack them, after having ascended the Ottawa. The course -taken by him, and the disastrous result are given in connection -with the discovery of the Bay Quinté. The year 1628 saw -Canada, as well as the colony of Florida, pass under the power of -the “Company of the Hundred Partners.” The same year saw -Quebec in a state of great distress, the inhabitants almost starving, -and a fleet of British war vessels at the entrance of the St. Lawrence -demanding the surrender of the fort. War was then existing -between England and France, arising out of the intestine war of -France, between the Huguenots and the Catholics, which had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>resulted in the subjugation of the former, many of whom had -sought refuge in England and entered her service. Two of the -vessels now threatening French Canada were commanded by -Huguenots, one Captain Michel; the other David Kertk. The -latter demanded the surrender of Quebec, but Champlain concealed -the great straits to which he was reduced and bravely withstood the -famine and cold through the long winter, in the hopes of relief in -the spring, which was destined never to reach him. Instead of -relief, the spring brought three vessels of war, commanded by -Kertk’s two brothers, Louis and Thomas. The demand to surrender -could no longer be refused, and upon the 29th July, 1618, -the English took possession of Quebec. Louis Kertk became -Governor, while Champlain accompanied Thomas Kertk to Europe. -Quebec remained in British possession until the treaty of St-German-en-Laye, -signed 29th March 1632, by which England -renounced all claims upon New France.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Quebec was governed by Louis Kertk during the three years -it was in possession of England, and he returned it to the French, -it was alleged, a heap of ruins. On the ensuing year, the “Hundred -Partners” resumed their sway, and Champlain was re-appointed -Governor, who came with much pomp and took possession -of Fort St. Louis with the beating of drums. Hereafter emigration -from France was accelerated. Even some of the higher classes -sought in Canada, repose from the troubles incident to religious -and domestic war, although Catholics. The Jesuits were now -superseding the order of Recollets, and were earnestly seeking to -convert the Hurons; and at the same to secure their trusty allegiance. -For two years prosperity continued to smile upon the province, -and in 1635 the Jesuits laid the foundation stone of the -College of Quebec. But the same year took from New France its -chief and its greatest friend. Champlain died on Christmas day -in Quebec, after “thirty years of untiring efforts to establish and -extend the French possessions in America.” This great discoverer, -and founder of Quebec left no children, his wife remained in -Canada four years, when she returned to France.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Following the death of Champlain was the terrible onslaught -by the Iroquois upon the Hurons, whom they entirely destroyed as -a nation, leaving but a remnant under the protection of the French. -In 1642 M. de Maisonneuve laid the foundation of Montreal, the -village consisting of a few buildings with wooden palisades, was -then called “Ville-Marie.” Maisonneuve gathered here the converted -Indians to teach them the art of civilization.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>The successor to Champlain was M. de Chateaufort: but we -cannot continue to even sketch the history of the several Governors, -and the successive steps in Canadian development only so far as -they bear upon our subject.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1663 the population along the St. Lawrence numbered to -between 2,000 and 2,500. In 1665 the number was increased by -emigration, and by the arrival of the Carignan regiment, a veteran -body of men who became permanent settlers, and who aided much in -controlling the Indians and maintaining the power of the French. -The same year live stock was introduced, and horses for the first -time were seen in Canada. About this time commenced, in earnest, -the struggle between England and France for the supremacy of the -fur trade. The viceroy, M. de Tracy, began to erect regular forts -upon the Richeleu. In 1671 there was a rendezvous of Indian Chiefs -at Sault St. Marie, and through the influence of Father Allouez, the -several tribes consented to become subjects of France. In the same -year M. de Courcelles, now Governor, in pursuance of the attempt to -govern the fur trade, conceived the idea of planting a fort at the -foot of Lake Ontario. But he left before the work had commenced, -and was succeeded by Louis de Buade, <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Conte de</span></i> Frontenac, after -whom the fort, subsequently erected, was called.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As the founder of the first settlement in Upper Canada, whose -name is now so familiar, as belonging to a County, we may make -space to say of Frontenac, that he was a gentleman of good birth, -and had gained great distinction, having attained to the rank of -Brigadier-General. He was somewhat proud and haughty, but -condescending to his inferiors. His instructions from his master, the -King, on coming to the Canada, were to secure the aggrandizement -of France. Emigration in large numbers from France having been -forbidden, he was to seek the increase of numbers in New France -by stimulating early marriages. And to this day, the rate of -increase by birth, among the French, is considerably greater than -with the Anglo-Saxon.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was to foster agriculture, the raising of stock, to increase the -fishing operations, and the trade abroad; and he was instructed to -take measures to construct a highway between Canada and Acadia, a -plan which is only now about to be accomplished in the Intercolonial -Railroad. Frontenac, likewise received very explicit instructions as -to his procedure towards the Jesuits and Recollects; and he was -charged “to administer justice with the strictest impartiality.” The -Colony being at peace, Frontenac’s principal difficulty was in dealing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>with the Church, and he found it necessary to take high-handed steps -to bring the Clergy into subjection to the State. There had been for -years a struggle with respect to the liquor traffic among the Indians; -the Bishops being opposed to it, while the Governor favored it for -the purpose of furthering the trade in furs. The dissentions between -parties became so great, and representations to the home authorities -became so frequent and vexatious that Frontenac and the Intendant -were both recalled in 1682. But during the incumbency of Frontenac, -explorations had continued in the west, and the fort at Cataraqui -had been fully established; and the Mississippi had been discovered -by Pére Marquette and M. Joliet, in 1673. That same year Frontenac -set out 29th of June, from Montreal, with an expedition for Cataraqui, -arriving there 12th July. There was at this time one Robert Cavalier -de la Salle, a native of Rouen, who had come to Canada when a young -man, full of a project for securing a road by a northwestern passage -to China. He was a man of ability and energy, but without means. -But he managed to obtain the favorable notice of Governor Frontenac, -who regarded him as a man after his own heart.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the time of de Courcelles he opened a trading post near Montreal, -now Lachine, so called from La Salle’s belief that a pathway to -China would be found thence across the Continent by the waters of -the Ottawa or Upper Lakes. The discovery of the Mississippi caused -no little sensation in Canada; and La Salle lost no time in asking permission -and assistance to continue the western explorations, declaring -his belief that the upper waters of the Mississippi would, if followed -to their source, lead to the Pacific Ocean. He consequently submitted -a petition for a certain grant of land at Cataraqui to the king, Louis -X. (See under history of Kingston.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thus it seems that La Salle, a name greatly distinguished in -connection with the discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi, stands -connected very intimately with the foundation of Kingston. For -him a Seigniory was here erected, and from this point he went forth -on his eventful voyage. He was a man of much energy and lost no -time in setting out. His boats laden with goods, and likewise with -material for constructing a brigantine, and a fort, set sail for the -Niagara River. The first steps La Salle prepared to take was to erect -a second fort at Niagara, and then to build his vessel upon the waters -of Lake Erie.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The construction of the defensive work of the fort, however, -suited not the views of the Indians, so he satisfied himself with a -palisaded storehouse. In the winter the vessel was commenced, six -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>miles above the Falls. By the middle of summer it was ready to be -launched, which was done with a salute of cannon, and the chanting -of a <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Te deum</span>, amid great rejoicing. There was also great demonstration -among the Indians, who designated the French “Otkou,” or -“men of a contriving mind.” The vessel was named <em>Griffon</em>, and on -the 7th August, 1679, with seven guns, and small arms, and loaded -with goods she entered Lake Erie. A few day’s sail and Detroit, or -the strait was reached; and on the 23rd August, she was cutting -the waters of Lake Huron. In five days Michilmicinac was gained; -then the voyageur proceeded to the western shore of Michigan, where -he cast anchor. The wonder of the Aborigines, as they witnessed -this mounted craft, and heard the thunder tones of the cannon, may -be conceived. But this first vessel upon the western lakes, which had -at first so prosperous a voyage, was doomed to early destruction. -Men of enterprise and success invariably have to encounter enemies -born of incapacity and jealousy, who in the absence of the victim, -may sow the seeds of evil. La Salle had not a few of such enemies, -it would seem, to encounter. After his departure his creditors had -seized his possessions, and he, as soon as he heard of it, loaded the -<em>Griffon</em> with peltries and despatched her for Niagara. But the <em>Griffon</em> -never reached Detroit, the waters of Lake Huron swallowed her up, -and all on board. La Salle proceeded with thirty men to the -lower end of Lake Michigan, and laid the foundation of another fort. -He then continued westward to the Illinois River, and formed still -another fort. But this chain of forts thus established by La Salle, -was not destined to accomplish the great end aimed at. Among the -opponents of La Salle, were not only those jealous of his success, but -likewise rival merchants, who were ill pleased to see the fur trade -monopolized by one; and then, there was the growing trade by the -English. These many obstacles and the loss of his vessel with its -cargo, and of a second one, in the Gulph of St. Lawrence, about this -time, valued at £22,000, had the effect of seriously crippling him; -yet his was a nature not easily overcome. Leaving Father Hennepin -to explore the Illinois River and the Upper Mississippi, he set out -March 2nd, 1680, for Montreal, accompanied by four whites and an -Indian guide.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Two years later and the indomitable La Salle, nothing daunted, -who had compounded with his creditors, and suffered repeated disappointments, -is found traversing the forest, for the Mississippi, to descend -that stream to its mouth. He reached the Mississippi, 6th February, -1682. Descending the stream he stopped at the mouth of the Ohio -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>to erect a fort. He then continued his easy course down the Father -of rivers, and reached its mouth on the 5th April, and took formal -possession of the territory in the name of the king, calling the place -after him, Louisiana. The glory thus won by La Salle, was not to -be crowned with the success, financially, that ought to have followed. -At this juncture Governor Frontenac, seemingly the only friend La -Salle had, was called home to be followed by M. de la Barre. A continuation -of the persecutions and misrepresentations of his conduct, -led to the sequestration of Fort Frontenac, as well as Fort St. Louis, -and in the following year he was called upon to defend himself at -court, which he was able to do. The result was an order to reinstate -the founder of Louisiana on his return, in Fort Frontenac, and to repair -all damages which his property had sustained in that locality.</p> - -<p class='c000'>La Salle was graciously received by the king on account of his -discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi, and was commissioned to -begin a colonization of Louisiana. The same unfortunate luck continued -to attend him. He sailed July 24th, 1684, from La Rochelle -with two ships of war and two other vessels, having some 500 persons -in all. The fleet was commanded by M. de Beaujeu. Between the -commander and La Salle, a misunderstanding arose which ended in -decided aversion. One of the ships was captured by the Spaniards, -and the others overpassed the mouth of the Mississippi by many -leagues. The commander instead of assisting to carry out La Salle’s -object, did all he could to thwart him. One of the vessels was run -upon the reefs and lost. Finally Beaujeu left La Salle with his people -upon a desert shore without provision, and put out to sea. Although -120 leagues distant from the Mississippi, in Texas, La Salle set some -of his people to cultivate the land, and began to construct a fort. But -the craftsmen were deficient. The seed sown did not grow, the -savages became troublesome, and one evil after another rapidly succeeded -until his men were mostly all dead. As a last resort La Salle -determined to set out for Canada to proceed to France. It was early -spring and the indomitable discoverer found but slow progress; at -last some of those accompanying him, mutinied together and resorted -to force, during which La Salle was mortally wounded. Thus perished -the discoverer of the mouth of the Mississippi, the founder of -Louisiana, as well as the first land owner of Upper Canada. It is -worthy of note here how great was the territory of France in America -at this time. It was a vast region, embracing within its limits the -Hudson’s Bay territory, Acadia, Canada, a great part of Maine, portions -of the States of Vermont and New York, with the whole of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>valley of the Mississippi. And a great portion of this ought, to-day, -to form part of Canada, some of which would, were it not for the -indifference, or stupidity of English commissioners, and the contemptible -trickery of Americans, such as the act of concealing the fact -of the existence of a certain map by Daniel Webster, which would -prove adverse to his pretentions.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It has been deemed appropriate to follow La Salle in his steps, -not alone because he was the first settler in Upper Canada, who held -land property; but because we learn of the way in which the French, -originally struggling to gain a footing in the Lower St. Lawrence, -gradually extended westward, carrying in one hand the Cross, and -with the other, planting forts for the purpose of trade, and erecting -such defences as the uncertain character of the natives rendered necessary. -We learn how it came, that fort after fort, whose ruins may -yet be traced across the continent, were planted along a route which -commenced at the mouth of the mighty St. Lawrence, extended along -the western lakes, and then turning southward terminated at the -mouth of the majestic Mississippi.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span><span class='xlarge'>INTRODUCTION.</span></div> - <div class='c002'>(CONTINUED.)</div> - </div> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER II.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Cataraqui fort strengthened—​Kente Indians seized and carried captive -to France—​Massacre of Lachine—​Commencing struggle between New -England and New France—​Siege of Quebec by Sir Wm. Phipps—​Destruction -of Fort Cataraqui—​Its re-erection—​Treaty of Ryswick—​Death of Frontenac—​Iroquois -in England—​Another attempt to capture Quebec—​Decline -of French power—​Population of Canada and of New England—​Continuation -of the contest for the fur trade—​Taking of Fort Louisburg—​Col. Washington, -dishonorable conduct—​Inconsistency of Dr. Franklin—​Commencement of -seven years’ war—​Close of first year—​Montcalm—​His presentiment—​Taking -of Fort Oswego—​Of Fort William Henry—​Fearful massacre—​The state of -Canada—​Wolfe appears—​Taking of Frontenac—​Duquesne—​Apathy of -France—​The spring of 1759—​Reduced state of Canada—​The overthrow of -French power in America—​The result—​Union of elements—​The capture of -Quebec—​Wolfe—​Death of Montcalm—​Fort Niagara—​Johnson—​Effort to retake -Quebec—​Wreck of the French army—​Capitulation at Montreal—​Population—​The -first British Governor of Canada—​The Canadians as British -subjects—​The result of French enterprise—​Rebellion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In 1685 Marquis DeNonville became Governor, and brought -with him to Canada 600 regular troops. The Iroquois had become -allies of the English, with whom they preferred to trade. DeNonville -ascended to Cataraqui with two thousand men. Arrived at -Cataraqui, he tried, by gentle means at first, to obtain certain -terms from them, but the Iroquois were insolent, being supported -by the English traders. DeNonville wrote to Paris for more -troops, and, in the mean time, proceeded to accumulate stores -at Cataraqui, and to strengthen the fort at Niagara. The King sent -to Canada, in 1687, 800 soldiers, to assist in subduing the Iroquois. -DeNonville becoming bold, and in his increased strength, pursued -a course of trickery which has been branded by all writers as anti-Christian, -and more savage than anything pertaining to the savages -(so-called) of America. Pére Lamberville, a missionary among -the Iroquois, caused a certain number of chiefs to congregate at Fort -Frontenac, to confer with the governor, and when they were within -the precincts of the fort they were seized and carried captive in -chains, even to France, and there sent to the galleys. Draper says -that these were Indians of the tribes called Ganneyouses and Kentes, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>and that about 40 or 50 men, and 80 women and children were -seized, who were forwarded to France. The attitude of the Indians -under such trying circumstances, towards the missionary among -them, stands out in prominent contrast to the vile conduct of the -French governor. The missionary, summoned by the chief, was -thus addressed: “We have every right to treat thee as our foe, but -we have not the inclination to do so. We know thy nature too -well; thine heart has had no share in causing the wrong that has -been done to us. We are not so unjust as to punish thee for a crime -that thou abhorrest as much as we.” Then the aged chief informed -him that the young men of the tribe might not feel so lenient, and -that he must leave, at the same time causing him to be conducted -by a safe path from their midst.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For a time DeNonville somewhat curbed the Iroquois; but in -the end he failed completely to hold the ground which had previously -been acquired. For four years he continued to govern; -matters continually growing worse, until, in the spring of 1689, -1,400 Iroquois made an onslaught on the island of Montreal. -The inhabitants, in the depth of sleep, knew nothing of their -danger, until the fearful whoop and the bloody tomahawk and -scalping knife were already at work. The butchery was most -fearful; the cruelties to women and children most revolting. -Besides those instantly killed, 200 were burnt alive, and others -died under prolonged torture. This was called the massacre -of Lachine. The governor was paralyzed, and no step was taken -to redress the great evil.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was under such circumstances that he was recalled, and -superseded by De Frontenac, who had again been requested to become -governor. Frontenac landed at Quebec on the 18th October, -1689, and was received with every demonstration of joy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Frontenac entered upon his duties shortly before the renewal -of hostilities between England and France. All of Protestant -Europe, indeed, were enlisted in the war which had, to a great -extent, arisen from the cruel course pursued by France towards the -Huguenots. Frontenac, whose master foresaw the war, which was -declared in the following year, brought with him full instructions -to prepare for a vigorous warfare all along the frontier of New -France, even to the Hudson Bay territory. By this time the English -settlements upon the Atlantic coast had attained to no inconsiderable -strength, and were already engaging in trade by water, -as well as with the Indians in peltries; and already it had become -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>a question of conquest by New England or by New France. The -present juncture seemed one favorable for bold measures on the -part of the Anglo-Americans. They had rapidly advanced in material -strength, while the French had rather declined, owing to the -want of immigration and to the frequent destructive incursions of -the Iroquois. The declaration of war between England and France, -in June, 1689, saw the colonists prepared to contest the ground for -supremacy, and monopoly of the fur trade. The French, notwithstanding -their limited numerical strength, hesitated not to enter -the field, and made up their want of numbers by superior and determined -bravery. Before De Frontenac had arrived, everything -was going on badly with the Canadians. M. DeNonville had, before -his departure, instructed Senor de Valreuve, commandant at -Cataraqui, to blow up the fort, which had been accordingly done; -and the country abandoned to the Indians, who now ranged the -country, to the very entrance of Montreal. But Frontenac determined -to take bold and active measures to carry the war into the -enemies’ country, notwithstanding the odds against the French. -Organized plans of attack, at different points, were arranged, one -of which, in its carrying out, was quite as cruel and barbarous as -the Lachine massacre, which it was intended, as afterwards stated, -it should revenge. A party of French and Indians were led in the -direction of Albany. On their way, one night, about eleven o’clock, -they attacked the sleeping town of Schenectady, and put the defenceless -inhabitants to the sword. Those acts cannot be justified -in Europeans, and show the fearful spirit of barbarity which reigned -in those early days of America. The effect produced by the bands -of raiders that swept over the British colonies along the frontier, -and here and there, into the very interior, was salutary to the -French interests, and the spring saw the French flag much more -respected by the Indians than it had lately been: yet the Iroquois -earnestly and boldly strove to carry death to the door of every Canadian -hamlet. The energetic measures adopted by Frontenac -frustrated all their attempts; yet it was unsafe for the husbandman -to go to the field, so that famine began to appear. The spring of -1691 saw, however, instead of a repeated invasion of New England, -extensive preparations in the latter country to invade Canada. Sir -William Phipps was preparing to sail from Boston, with a squadron, -to capture Quebec, and General Winthrop, with forces from -Connecticut and New York, was mustering his militia, to invade -by land. The latter marched to, and encamped upon, the banks of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>Lake George, where he waited for the appearance of Phipps, by the -St. Lawrence; but, in the meantime, disease attacked his troops, -and he was obliged to retrace his steps to Albany. Scarcely had -Winthrop departed when the fleet under Phipps entered the waters -of the St. Lawrence, and ascended, to invest the City of Quebec, -appearing in sight on the 16th of October. Phipps demanded a -surrender; but Frontenac, although with an inferior garrison and -but few troops, gave a spirited refusal; and ultimately, before the -close of the month, Phipps found it expedient to retire. Thus terminated -the first siege of Quebec.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The ensuing four years presented one continuous scene of border -warfare. While hostilities in Europe were exhausting the -resources of France, Canada, under Frontenac, was more than -holding its own. The British Americans vainly tried again to besiege -Quebec, making an attack by land; but each attempt was attended -with disaster. Frontenac, recognizing the importance of -Cataraqui as a place of defence, sent 700 men to re-erect the fort. -In this he was opposed by the Intendant, M. de Champigny, and -even by the home government; but he had the work completed in -1695, before orders came to abstain from erecting it. Frontenac -had submitted a report giving the reasons why the fort should -exist, namely: in time of peace for trade, and to repair hatchets -and arms; and in time of war to afford a place of retreat, and to -give succor and provisions; also a place to organize expeditions -against the Iroquois, and to receive the sick and wounded on returning -from expeditions. On the other hand, De Champigny reported -that the trade would not be much in time of peace, as the -Iroquois would prefer to deal with the English, who would give -more; that the Indian should carry the beaver skin to the French, -not the French go for it; that the fort was out of the direct course -of trade, some thirty or forty leagues; that the force necessary to -carry provisions would at any time be capable of proceeding against -the enemy. It would be better to take a more southerly course -from Montreal into the enemy’s country, while Cataraqui is situated -upon the opposite side of the lake; that it was an unfit place for -sick and wounded, being “very unhealthy, eighty-seven having -died there in one year, out of the hundred who composed the garrison.” -“The swamp poisons the garrison,” which is so situated -that it affords no protection except to the men within it, who might -as well be in a prison. He counselled that the fort should be -abandoned, as it was useless and expensive. Frontenac, however, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>having erected the fort, garrisoned it with 48 soldiers. The expense -of re-establishing the fort and supplying the necessary provisions -cost some £700. At this juncture the French had entertained the -idea of calling in the outposts along the western lakes and upon -the Mississippi, but it was represented that to do so was to open -the way for the exclusive trade of the Indians with the English. -But Frontenac advised no such measures. He, by his determined -bravery, succeeded in bringing the Iroquois to respect the French -name, and he often carried fire and death into their very country. -When the war terminated, the old boundaries of the Provinces had -been fully re-established, and honors were conferred upon the governor -by his royal master. In 1697 the war terminated by the -treaty of Ryswick, signed September 11, by which the French -were to restore all places taken from the British in America; and -it was stipulated that a commission should be appointed to determine -the respective boundaries of the Provinces.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1698, on the 28th November, Count de Frontenac -died, aged 77, much beloved by the Canadians, after having raised -New France from a low condition to a high state of material advancement. -But against him was too truly said that he encouraged -the dreadful traffic of liquor among the Indians, in order that -advantageous trading, in which the governor allowed himself to -meddle, might be carried on.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On 26th May, 1703, M. de Calliére, who had been the successor -of Frontenac, died, and the governor of Montreal, who was the -Marquis de Vaudreuil, was nominated as successor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This appointment, made at the instance of the colonists, was -conferred with hesitancy, the reason being that his Countess was a -native-born Canadian! Not only in that day but in later days, and -under other circumstances, we have seen the belief obtaining that -natives of Canada must, from the nature of their birth-place, lack -those qualifications for distinguished positions with which those -from home are supposed to be so eminently endowed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The British Colonists by this time began to entertain desires -to conquer Canada, and steps were taken to accomplish the taking -of Quebec. Among those who took an active part, by raising provincial -troops, and in visiting England to obtain assistance, was -General Nicholson, whose descendants to this day live in the vicinity -of the Bay Quinté, and in the Lower Provinces. In 1710 -he visited England, in company with five Iroquois chiefs, who were -presented to Queen Anne, and who received distinguished attention, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>being conveyed to the palace in royal coaches. It was following -this that the Queen presented those interesting pieces of Communion -plate to the five nations, part of which may be seen at Tyendinagua, -and part at the Grand River. A futile attempt was made -by Nicholson, with a fleet under Admiral Walker, in 1711, to take -Quebec. The whole enterprise not only failed but was attended -with great disaster. General Nicholson, with his army at Lake -Champlain, had to give up his desire to capture Montreal and -Quebec.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On March 30, 1713, was signed the treaty of Utrecht. In this -treaty abridgement of French territory in America was effected. -Acadia, Hudson’s Bay territory and Newfoundland were ceded to -Britain. French power was on the decline both in America, and -Europe. Vainly the French tried to regain what they had lost in -Newfoundland and Acadia, by founding an establishment at Cape -Breton, and in the foundation of the historic fort of Louisburg.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1714 Governor Vaudreuil went to France, where he -remained until September, 1716. He then returned to Canada, and -set about improving the state of affairs generally. Quebec, at the -present day such an impregnable fortress, was not, in any respect, -regularly fortified before the beginning of this century. To the -natural strength of the place was first added artificial aid, in 1702. -To this again were added, in 1712, other defences, and in 1720, by -the approval of the home government, the fortification was systematically -proceeded with. At this time the colony was divided -into three distinct governments, those of Quebec, Three Rivers, -and Montreal; and the whole was subdivided into eighty-two -parishes. The whole population was estimated at 25,000; whilst -at the same time the British colonies had 60,000 males able to bear -arms. The governor, aware of this, already began to fear a successful -invasion of Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>M. de Vaudreuil died October 10, 1725, having been governor -twenty-one years. He was succeeded by the Marquis de Beauharnois, -who arrived at Quebec in 1726. The contest for the supremacy -of the fur trade continued. The British seeing the advantage -of the line of forts held by the French determined to erect a fort -also, and selected the mouth of the Oswego for its site. As an offset -to this aggression on the part of the British, against which the -French vainly protested, the French fort at the mouth of the Niagara -was erected, with defences; and orders were given that a -stone fort should replace the one originally constructed of wood, at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>Cataraqui. In 1731, Fort Frederick was also erected, at Crown -Point, on Lake Champlain. This year, Varrennes, Sieur de la Vérendrye, -urged by the governor, set about to discover a route to the -Pacific ocean; but he only reached the foot of the Rocky Mountains, -being the first white man to discover them. About this time -the fort at Toronto (Lake) is, for the first time, referred to. For -more than a decade the strife for the peltry traffic continued to be -waged, yet without any actual warfare. It was seen by all that -peace could not continue, and New England and New France were -all the time anticipating the conflict. In 1745 war broke out in -Europe, and immediately extended to America. It will be remembered -that the French were dispossessed of Acadia, but had subsequently -erected a fort upon Cape Breton, Louisburg. From this -naval stronghold they were able to send privateers and men-of-war. -The English, in the meantime, seeing this evil, and that this was a -protection to the only entrance to French territory, determined to -possess it promptly, if it were possible. To carry out this project, -which originated with Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, 4,000 -militia, levied in Mass., New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut, -under Colonel Pepperel, sailed from Boston in March. The attack -upon this strong fort was so well planned and carried out, that full -success was the result. Admiral Warren arrived with ships to give -assistance, and captured a French ship of 64 guns, with 560 soldiers -and supplies. Already the Anglo-Americans were beginning to -display the energy (derived from an energetic race) which was to -overturn British domination in the Atlantic States. But in the first -place it was necessary that England should extinguish French -power. The brilliant nature of the attack and taking of Fort Louisburg -was recognized by the granting of baronetcies to Governor -Shirley and Colonel Pepperel. This success hastened the determination -to conquer Canada—​a desire already existing in the hearts -of the Anglo-Americans; and Governor Shirley applied to the -British government for regulars and a fleet for that purpose. -Meanwhile, a fleet, with several thousand troops, sailed from -France, with a view of re-taking Cape Breton and Acadia; but tempest -and disease destroyed the force, until it was no longer able to -invade.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From the year 1745 border warfare continually blazed along -the frontier. The French, with their savage allies, carried the -scalping-knife and the torch into the British settlements, captured -Fort Massachusetts and Fort Bridgman, and gained other victories, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>and the luckless settlers had to seek safety in the more largely-settled -parts of the country.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Again came temporary peace to the colonists. In 1748, upon -the 7th of October, the treaty was signed at Aix-la-Chapelles, by -the terms of which Cape Breton reverted to the French. This -treaty was, however, but a lull in the struggle in America, which -was destined to end in conquest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The French continued to strengthen their outposts. Detroit -was garrisoned, and forts of stone were built at Green Bay, Toronto, -and La Présentation. In 1756, Fort Duquesne, at Pittsburgh, was -established. It was in this year that Washington first came before -the public as an actor. He led a considerable force to the west, -with the view of destroying Fort Duquesne, and encountered a -small body of French. The man who subsequently became a hero -by concurring events, as well as by his own energy, did not, on this -occasion—​if we may credit history—​act a very honorable part. Informed -of the camping ground of the enemy, he marched all night, -to attack them in the morning. Junonville, the commander, when -aware of the proximity of Washington, made known to him by a -trumpeter that he had a letter to deliver, and when Junonville had -begun to read his letter firing was suddenly re-commenced. The -painters of Washington’s character have tried to cover this stain; but -unbiassed recorders think he was by no means blameless. But Washington’s -humiliation rapidly followed this unmanly procedure. The -main force of the French, hearing of the massacre by Washington, -advanced to revenge it; and, attacking him in his own chosen position, -succeeded, after ten hours’ fighting with muskets alone, against -cannon, in driving Washington from his position, and compelled him -to make an inglorious retreat.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the beginning of 1755, England sent out additional soldiers -and means of war, and appointed General Braddock, who had distinguished -himself as a soldier, to act as military chief.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this time, “Dr. Franklin estimated the whole English provincials -at a total of 1,200,000; whilst the whole number of people in -Canada, Cape Breton, Louisiana, &c., was under 80,000 souls.”—​(<cite>Garneau.</cite>) -At the same time France was weak, by the presence of -an indolent King, who allowed himself and kingdom to be governed -by a courtesan, Madame de Pompadour. Religious dissensions and -stagnation of trade, all contributed to place France in but a poor position -to engage in war. Great Britain, on the contrary, was in all -respects prosperous. At such a favorable time it was that the Anglo-Americans -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>urged the mother country to carry on, with the utmost -rigor, a war for the subjugation of Canada. Franklin, as astute a -politician as clever in science, was their principal mouthpiece. He -who, twenty-five years thereafter, repaired to Paris, to arouse the -public feeling of France and entire Europe against Britain; the same -who came to Canada to revolutionize it in 1776, was, in 1754, the -greatest promoter of the coming invasion of the French possessions -in North America. “There need never be permanent repose expected -for our thirteen colonies,” urged he, “so long as the French are masters -of Canada.” Thus was inaugurated what is known as the seven -years’ war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The respective combatants marshalled their forces for the conflict. -The French, nothing daunted, took energetic measures to -repel the foe, and strike blows here and there, as opportunity afforded. -A force was sent to take Fort Oswego from the English, while Johnson, -a name to be mentioned hereafter, was despatched to attack Fort -Frederick. The first great battle was fought in the Ohio valley, by -General Braddock. Here the French gained a signal victory, with -but a few men, and utterly put to rout their enemy. At Fort Edward, -the French, under General Dieskau, were less successful -in an encounter with Johnson, the French commander being taken -prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The close of the first year saw Forts Frederick, Niagara and -Duquesne, still in the hands of the French, while bands of savages -and Canadians traversed the British settlements, massacring and -burning all before them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The ensuing year witnessed more elaborate arrangements to continue -the war. France sent to Canada soldiers, provisions, war -material and money; and, also, the Marquis de Montcalm was selected -to take charge of the army. Montcalm had seen service, and with -him came other officers likewise experienced.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Proceeding to Montreal, he conferred with the Governor, and it -was determined to form two principal camps, one at Ticonderoga, -the other at Frontenac, and a battalion was despatched to Niagara.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The British, at the same time, made extensive preparations, both -in the colonies and at home, and the Earl of London was appointed -generalissimo.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is a remarkable fact that Montcalm had from the first a fatal -presentiment as to the issue of the war; yet he, all the same, took -every step that prudence and energy directed, to secure the success -of his army. There was also a coolness between him and the Governor, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>who manifested a determination and energy worthy of him. It -was determined that fresh attempts should be made to possess Fort -Oswego, and General Montcalm arrived at Frontenac for that purpose -on the 29th of July. Upon the 11th August they reached -Oswego and invested the Fort, which was obliged to surrender on the -14th, the commander, Colonel Mercer, having been killed. The Fort -was razed to the ground. The Canadians then withdrew to their -homes carrying the prisoners of war, and the guns of the Fort, and -provisions with them. This was the principal event of this year. The -winter saw the Canadians suffer from famine and small-pox. During -the winter 1757–8, there was continued hostility, and in the following -year Montcalm succeeded in taking Fort William Henry, after a siege -of four days. Colonel Munroe commanded the Fort, and he trusted for -support to General Webb, who failed to afford it, but instead sent a -message to Munroe to retire, which note fell into the hands of Montcalm. -Munroe on the morning of the 9th, displayed his flag of truce. -The events of this capitulation have ever been held in remembrance, -because of the fearful massacre which the Indians made of the English, -who had surrendered, and who marched out without their arms, -in full confidence in the integrity of the victorious besiegers. Stern -history has cast no little blame upon Montcalm, for at least remissness -of duty; and the pen of historic fiction has found it a fruitful theme -with which to weave a story, and record thrilling events.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The ensuing winter was one of great privation to the Canadians, -the harvest had failed; and everything began to look dark indeed for -the devoted French; yet four years of war had given all the advantage -to their arms. The continued ill-success of the British, caused them -to raise increased numbers of men, so that by numerical force they -might overwhelm the French. In the spring of 1758, 80,000 British -combatants were ready to march. While such was the condition and -war-like spirit which obtained upon the British side, a far different -state of affairs existed with the French. Success had so far attended -the gallant feats undertaken by them. All along the lengthened -border the foe had been defeated, or had gained but scant victory. -Again, the Iroquois nation, impressed with the success thus obtained -by the French, and gratified to have the Fort of Oswego, always -unpleasant to them, destroyed, seemed inclined to take sides with -them, certainly did not favor the English. But, when so much has -been said the extent of French power in America has been stated. -Canada was no longer receiving support from France. The colonists -had been weakened by continual warfare and repeated crop-failures.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>But undeterred by the dark clouds that continued to thicken, -the Canadians buckled on their armor to fight till the very last. -Says Montcalm to the Minister at home, “We shall fight and we shall -bury ourselves, if need be, under the ruins of the colony.” Again the -tide of war ebbed and flowed with fearful power. Carillon was made -red with British blood, as vain endeavors were made to capture that -French strong hold. Against Louisburg, Cape Breton, Carillon, Lake -Champlain, and Duquesne in the Ohio Valley, the English arrayed -their fleets and armies. In the attack now made upon Louisburg, for -the first time appears the name of Wolfe, who distinguished himself -by scaling a rock, with a hundred men, which had hitherto been -regarded unaccessible. After a spirited defence, the French surrendered -the Fort, a perfect wreck, July 26. About this time Cape -Breton passed into British hands, and thus was opened to the English, -the Fort of Quebec.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the mean time the attack upon Fort Carillon by General -Abercromby, with a strong army, had proved a complete failure. -The French, although few, desperately met the repeated assaults -made during half a day, and Abercromby, cut up and ashamed, was -forced to relinquish the matter. This battle was fought July 8th, -in which 3,600 men struggled successfully for six hours against -15,000 picked soldiers. (<cite>Garneau.</cite>) De Lévis, who had been in command -at Fort Frontenac, was called by Montcalm to take part in -the defence of Carillon. This left Fort Frontenac comparatively -weak, and Abercromby, having learned the fact, despatched Colonel -Bradstreet, who had taken an active part in the battle, to capture -the Fort. Bradstreet set out with 3,000 men, 11 guns and mortars. -The invading force reached its destination August 25. The Fort -had been left with 70 men under the command of M. de Noyan, -notwithstanding, the Fort was bravely defended for a time. “The -victors captured many cannons, quantities of small arms, boats of -provisions and nine newly armed barques,—​part of the trophies -brought from Oswego when captured. After loading his barges to the -waters-edge, Bradstreet released his prisoners on parole, burnt the -Fort, also seven of the barks, and returned to his country.” -(<cite>Garneau.</cite>) This was a severe blow to the struggling Canadians. -The Governor had ordered the farmers from the field, and all the -savages he could command, to march to the assistance of Fort -Frontenac; but when the party reached Fort Présentation, (Ogdensburg), -it was learned that Frontenac was already destroyed. To -add to the misfortune of the French, the same autumn, General -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>Forbes, notwithstanding a part of his force had been previously -defeated, secured the destruction of Fort Duquesne on the Ohio. -This closed the engagements for the year 1748, and everything -looked for the French, most discouraging. The winter was -spent by the English in preparing for a still more determined continuation -of the war; while the French wasted their energies in -domestic dissention. The Governor M. de Vaudreuil and Montcalm -ceased not to quarrel, and to charge each other with incompetency, -and even crimes. At the same time the means of the country was -absorbed by unpatriotic merchants, who availed themselves of the -circumstances of the country to amass fortunes by illegal traffic in -furs with the Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Government at home, although informed by Montcalm that -Canada would be conquered if help were not sent, took no step to -assist the devoted Colonists, who, although disheartened were not -disposed to surrender allegiance to their native country, even -when all but forsaken. The spring of 1759 beheld them standing -to their arms with calm determination, awaiting the onset of the -foe. The British as in previous years prepared to invade Canada -simultaneously at three different points. There was no fortress in -the Lower St. Lawrence to obstruct their advance by water, so -Quebec was the point at which, to the east, the attack would be made. -A corps of 10,000 men commanded by General Wolfe, who we have -seen, distinguished himself at the taking of Louisburg, prepared to -ascend the St. Lawrence to invest the capital. Another force -12,000 strong under General Amherst, a name we shall have to -speak of hereafter, was to pass by Lake Champlain to descend the -Richeleu and to join Wolfe at Quebec. And a third force, under -General Prideaux, with savages under Sir William Johnson, were -to possess Fort Niagara, and then descend to the capture of Montreal. -Opposed to the numerous and well appointed armies of invasion, -there was, according to Garneau, all in all of Frenchmen, between -the ages of 16 and 60, capable of bearing arms, but a little over -15,000. In the early spring, one M. de Corbiere, ascended with -the view of rebuilding Fort Frontenac. 300 men were also sent to -repair and defend Niagara. But it soon was deemed expedient to -recall them and to concentrate their forces. Every man from even -the more remote parts, presented himself to the nearest place of -rendezvous. In the latter part of May, word came that the enemies’ -ships were coming.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>The events connected with the overthrow of French supremacy -in Canada cannot fail to impress the student of Canadian history.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The capture of Quebec, and, as an inevitable result, the conquest -of Canada are events of great interest; but the space cannot -be allowed here to more than refer to the thrilling scenes of valor -displayed by the victors and the vanquished. As Canadians of -British origin we recognize the event as one not to be deplored, however -Franco-Canadians may regard the question. The conquest of -Canada, was to add a new element to that of the British American -which was destined to grow, and to act no mean part in respect to -British interests in America, and we believe, ultimately to completely -amalgamate with a portion of the older elements, and thus to beget -a race, under Confederation, none the less noble, none the less -stable, and none the less glorious, than that race (a prototype of -this)—​the Original Anglo-Saxon derived from the Norman, who -came to England with William the Conqueror, as well as the Saxon -elements.</p> - -<p class='c000'>More than a hundred years have passed away since the fall of -Quebec. The centenary anniversary of the event has been celebrated -with an amount of enthusiasm which probably Quebec never -witnessed before. Since the American Revolution, when the -French Canadians fought by the side of the American Loyalist to -defend Quebec, the former have ceased to be a conquered people—​Sequestrated -from France, they have escaped all the horrors which -have since swept over that people, while they have retained their -language, religion, and laws. A hundred years has eradicated or -rather changed all the feelings which burned so fervently in the -French Canadian heart, except their love of Canada; and they -have joined heartily with the Anglo-Saxon to erect a joint monument -which commemorates at once the heroism of Wolfe, and the -gallantry of Montcalm.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Although the forces invading under Wolfe, exceeded in number -those who defended the citadel, yet, the greatest heroism was -displayed in its taking. The British fleet of “20 ships of the line -with frigates and smaller war vessels,” and transports, reached the -Isle of Orleans, June 25, where the land force disembarked and -proceeded deliberately to invest the stronghold, finding a more -difficult task than had been expected. Repeated attempts and -assaults were made with the result of showing Wolfe how strong -was the position his youthful ardor would fain secure. Not alone -was he baffled thus, but a severe illness prostrated him to death’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>door, whose portals were so soon to be opened to him, by another -means. In his moments of discouragement he had written home -in a spirit not calculated to afford hope. The plan which resulted -in success, it is said was suggested by his three faithful Generals, -Monkton, Townshend and Murray.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The night before the 13th of September, 1759, the day upon -which Wolfe was to win imperishable laurels, and to lay down his -life, he felt a presentiment that his end was near, and carefully arranged -all his worldly affairs. On the evening of the 12th he invited -Captain John Davis (afterwards Admiral, Earl St. Vincent), of the -<em>Porcupine</em> sloop of war, to spend an hour or two on board the <em>Sutherland</em>. -“Wolfe, in the course of their conversation, said that he knew -he should not survive the morrow; and when they were about to -separate, he took from his bosom the picture of Louther and delivered -it into the hands of his friend, whom he requested, should his foreboding -be fulfilled, to restore the pledge to the lady on his arrival in -England.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Having previously made disposition of his forces to prepare -the way for the final attack, and, as well in some instances, to -deceive the enemy as to his intentions, Wolfe finally, at one o’clock, -upon the morning of the 13th September, set out in flat bottomed -boats to make his landing at Fuller’s Cove, thereafter to be called -after himself. The night was dark, and other circumstances being -favorable the landing was safely effected, the heights ascended, and -at the break of day Montcalm learned with the utmost astonishment -that the enemy was upon the heights of Abraham in battle -array. Montcalm hastened to drive away the venturesome foe, but -this was not to be accomplished; a few hours brought a realization -of his early presentiment. After a spirited struggle the French -were to be seen running, the announcement of which made Wolfe -die happy; and, Montcalm was wounded unto death. He died on -the 14th. The defeat of Montcalm secured the capture of Quebec, -yet it was not until the 18th September that the city surrendered, -and French writers would make it appear that even then it were -not necessary.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The command of the French army after the death of Montcalm -devolved upon Gen. de Lévis, who had been absent up the St. Lawrence. -He returned to Montreal only in time to hear of Montcalm’s -defeat. He hastened to the rescue of the beleaguered city, -but he reached the vicinity, not until Quebec had passed into the -hands of the British.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>During the time these exciting scenes had been transpiring at -Quebec, Gen. Amherst had been confronting Boulamaque, upon -the shores of Lake Champlain; whom he had compelled to return, -and to destroy Fort Frederick and to retire to Isle Aux Nois. In the -west, at Niagara Gen. Prideaux and Sir Wm. Johnson had been -successful in taking the Fort from Pouchot. By this, Lake -Ontario with its northern shore, as well as the region of the Bay of -Quinté came into the possession of the British.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The expedition to capture Fort Niagara, taken at the urgent -request of the Governor of New York, was under the command of -General Prideaux. The attacking party landed at Four Mile Creek -almost four miles east of the Fort, on the 6th July, 1759. Fort -Niagara was garrisoned by 486 men according to Pouchot, the -French commander, but according to English statements 600. -General Prideaux forces numbered, according to Capt. de Lancy, -1,200, and 1,000 Indians, as said by Sir William Johnson. Pouchot -discovered their approach the following day. He despatched -couriers to Presque Isle, to Fort Machault, at the mouth of French -Creek, Pa., and to the commander of the Fort at the “Carrying -Place” for assistance. Reinforcements were sent, numbering about -600 French, and 100 Indians. They resembled when passing down -the rapids, “a floating island, so black was the river with batteaux -and canoes.” They landed a few miles above the falls and proceeded -to Lewiston and thence to relieve Pouchot. In the mean -time the siege had been pressed with vigor. Prideaux, the English -General, had been killed and the command had devolved on Sir -W. Johnson. The English learned of the approach of the reinforcements, -and Captain James de Lancy was despatched to a position -in ambuscade above the present site of Youngstown. The French -discovering the English in ambush, made an impetuous attack upon -them, but the English withstood the assault, and eventually turned -the tide against the enemy, who were put to flight, 200 being -killed, and 100 taken prisoners. Pouchot learned of the disaster -about two o’clock; and, two hours after Sir W. Johnson demanded a -surrender. That same evening, or on the following morning he complied; -but he has stated that he would not have done so had it not -been for the mutiny of the Germans who formed a part of the -garrison. On the 26th the garrison left the fort to be transported -to New York. Thus was the power of the French broken in the -west, and the English became masters of the key to the Northwest.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>The following spring Gen. de Lévis determined to make an -effort to retake Quebec, and upon the 28th of April, the plains of -Abraham were again red with blood, and the British, under Gen. -Murray, were compelled to seek safety within the walls of the city, -where they were besieged until the 9th, when a British frigate -arrived and gave succor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the 14th July Gen. Murray, with a large sailing force, -commenced the ascent of the St. Lawrence. At the same time -Gen. Amherst, with a considerable force was commencing a descent -from Oswego. The two were thus advancing toward Montreal, -each subduing on the way such forts and garrisons as were deemed -of sufficient importance. By the first of September, the city of the -Royal Mountain, containing the wreck of the French army was -encompassed on either hand. The Governor, upon the night of the -6th, held a council of war, at which it was determined to capitulate. -The celebrated act was signed on the 8th September, 1760, and the -same day the English took possession of the city. Thus Canada -passed into the possession of the British. The terms of capitulation -were more favorable to the French than they had any reason -to expect, and those terms have ever been fulfilled.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Governor, Gen. de Lévis, the officers, and a large number -of men, women and children returned to France. At the time of -the taking of Montreal, there remained at Detroit some three or -four hundred families. This Fort and others around the lakes yet -held by the French were surrendered to Major Rogers, a person -again to be spoken of. The population according to the Governor, -left of French origin, was 70,000.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Canadians who did not return to France repaired to their -homes and renewed their peaceful avocations.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first British Governor, Sir Jeffry Amherst, entered upon -his functions 1763.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have now very cursorily indeed, noticed the history of the -French Canadians up to the time they became British subjects. -We have seen they did not willingly become such; yet scarcely -fifteen years were to pass away before their loyalty to the British -flag was to be tested; not indeed to decide whether they should -again become a part of France, rather than remain British, but -whether their condition as British subjects was so intolerable that -they should seek other protection of a foreign origin.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We shall see that although promises were held out of great -political advantage they preferred to remain as they were. There -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>remained in the hearts of the Canadian French, not so much a dislike -to England as a detestation to the New Englander. Hence it -was that when the rebel banner was unfurled in 1776, with the -declaration of American Independence upon it, no Canadian rallied -around it. Although commissioners from the rebel congress visited -them with honied words and fair promises, they received no friendly -welcome. The Canadians regarded their old enemies as enemies -still, and they turned their backs upon the revolting provinces and -their faces toward old England for protection. The commissioners -to the Canadians, composed of Dr. Benj. Franklin, Samuel Chase and -Charles Carrol, with his brother, a Jesuit Priest were appointed to -this mission, on the 15th February, 1776. The same Franklin -who now offered the French “freedom,” had urged upon the -British in 1753 the expediency of reducing Canada!!</p> - -<p class='c000'>For a century and a half France endeavored in vain to erect -a power in America; but shall we say that it was all in vain?</p> - -<p class='c000'>The monument although broken, so far as France is concerned -yet stands a lasting memorial of French energy, of religious fervor, -stern determination, and indomitable valor. And, when the wave of -revolution passed over the thirteen British Colonies, the column was -conspicuous enough to be seen by refugees; the protection Canada -offered was sufficient for the homeless families of U. E. Loyalists. -Canada was a sacred spot, although French. It constituted a -nucleus, around which collected those who preferred order to -rebellion. Those who had fought as opponents at Duquesne, at -Niagara, at Frontenac, at Tyconderoga, and upon the Plains of -Abraham, were joined together. The heel, which had assisted to -crush the Canadian French, now sought and found a resting place -among those who had been overcome. Thus was to be laid the -foundation of the Dominion of Canada, whose future is to be great. -Stretching from seaboard to seaboard, it is destined to become, ere -it has reached the present age of the United States, the Russia of -America, with the purest principles of government the world has -ever known.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We now approach the period of time when another element of -discord was to appear among the races which inhabited America. -Bloody Indian wars had in the past swept back and forth across -the woody land. Rival colonizers had resorted to strife, to extend -territorial power. European weapons had been transported to -wage wars of extermination. Conquest and subjugation of Indians -and rivals had been witnessed; but now Rebellion, a term that has -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>received fresh significance in the late civil war in the United -States, was to be initiated. The British blood and money which had -been lavishly spent for the Anglo-Americans, had only prepared -those colonists to seek other advantages. The Indians held in subjection, -the French conquered, the mother country itself must now -be coerced to give full rein to the spoiled and wayward offspring.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION I.<br /> <span class='large'>THE REBELLION OF 1776—​THE THIRTEEN COLONIES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER III.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​First American Rebellion—​Independence—​Traitors made Heroes—​Loyalists -driven away to found another Colony—​The responsibility of -rebelling—​Treatment of the Loyalists—​The several Colonies—​The first -Englishman in America—​Receives £10—​English Colonization—​Virginia—​Convicts—​Extent -of Virginia—​First Governor—​Virginians not willing to -rebel—​Quota supplied to the rebel army—​New York—​Hudson—​The Dutch—​New -Netherlands—​Price of New Amsterdam (New York)—​First Legislative -Assembly—​Not quick to rebel—​Quota of rebel troops—​Gave many -settlers to Upper Canada—​New Jersey—​Its settlement—​A battle ground—​Gave -rebel troops; also loyal troops—​Furnished settlers to Upper Canada—​Massachusetts—​Captain -Smith—​New England Puritans—​The “Mayflower”—​First -Governor—​Cruel treatment of Indians—​Massachusetts takes the lead -in rebelling—​Troops—​Loyalists—​New Hampshire—​Troops—​Delaware—​Settlement—​Quota -of rebel troops—​Connecticut—​Education—​Troops—​Roman -Catholics—​Toleration—​Rhode Island—​Providence—​Inconsistency -of the Puritans—​Roger Williams—​North Carolina—​Inhabitants—​South -Carolina—​Many loyalists—​Pennsylvania—​William Penn—​Conduct toward -Indians—​The people opposed to rebellion—​Georgia—​Oglethorpe—​Policy of -England—​New England.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the introductory chapters a brief sketch has been given of the -settlement of America. We now approach the important events -which belong to the first great American rebellion, which culminated -in the Declaration of Independence by the thirteen British American -Colonies, and terminated in the recognition of their independence by -the parent State. The rebellion had resulted in a revolution, and -traitors were made heroes!</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>It forms a part of the present undertaking to record some of the -facts relative to the steps by which the now powerful United States -were, as a whole, ushered into the arena of nations, and by which a -large class of Americans, true to their British allegiance, were compelled -to leave their native country to found another colony in the -northern wilderness. To be justified in rebelling against the constituted -authorities there must be the most cogent reasons; to take up -arms against the State—​to initiate a civil war, is assuming the most -fearful consequences.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To present even a brief account of the circumstances which led -to the settlement of Upper Canada, it becomes necessary to dwell for -a time upon the great rebellion of 1776, the result of which was adverse -to those Americans who adhered to the old flag under which -they had been born, had come to the new world, and had prospered; -a rebellion which was attended and followed by persecution and violence, -imprisonment and confiscation, banishment, and, too often, -death; which caused a stream of refugee loyalists to set in toward the -wilderness of Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the time of the rebellion of the English colonists in America, -they consisted of thirteen provinces. Massachusetts, with her colony -of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, -New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North -Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. It may be well to briefly -notice these several states, and the part each took in the war for Independence.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first Englishman to set foot upon the continent of America -was John Cabot, who discovered Newfoundland, and probably the -adjacent mainland, June 4, 1497. The event is noticed in the Privy -Purse expenditure thus: “1497, Aug. 10—​To hym that found the -new Isle, £10,” which seems to have been a grant for his services.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>VIRGINIA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>In the year 1578, Sir H. Gilbert endeavoured to establish a settlement -at the mouth of the Roanoke. Failing in his undertaking, -his half brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, made a similar effort the following -year, which likewise failed. It was Sir Walter Raleigh who gave -the name to Virginia, in honor of Elizabeth, the virgin Queen. A -third and successful effort was made to colonize in 1607–8, at Jamestown. -This dates the commencement of English colonization of -America. Some time later, America was looked upon as a country -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>quite beyond the pale of civilization, even as Botany Bay was at a -still later period; and in the year 1621, the British Government -transported to Virginia 100 convicts. But notwithstanding, “Virginia,” -to use the words of Morse’s Geography, “the birth-place of -Washington, has given six Presidents to the Union.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The colony of Virginia was originally indefinite in its boundary; -and, judging from old maps, it would seem to have included all of -North America. But a map dated 1614 shows the more northern -part as New England. The first Governor of Virginia entered upon -his duties in 1619.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This State was by no means quick to sever the connection with -the mother country. Many of her sons stood up for the crown, and -very many families became refugees. Washington said of Virginia, -in a letter, that “the people of Virginia will come reluctantly into the -idea of independence.” But in time, by the specious representations -of Washington and others, the State produced a certain number of -rebels. The quota demanded by the rebel congress was 48,522. She -supplied, in 1776, 6,181; and afterwards 20,491.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>NEW YORK.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>In the year 1609 Hendrick Hudson, an Englishman, in the -employ of Holland, first explored the great river running through -New York State, which now bears his name. He, on behalf of the -Dutch took possession of the country. Settlement first took place -in 1614, and by 1620, a considerable colony was planted. The -island of Manhatten, where now stands New York City, was honestly -purchased of the Indians for twenty-four dollars. The village thus -founded was called New Amsterdam, and the colony was designated -New Netherlands.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Having been taken by the English in 1674, the name of the -territory was changed to New York, after James, Duke of York, -brother to Charles II. The first Legislative Assembly for this -Province, met in New York, 17th October, 1683, just one hundred -years before Upper Canada began to be settled.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The State of New York was not among the foremost in rebelling. -The Dutch element which prevailed, was not given to change. -Some of the most exciting events and battles of the war were -enacted in this State. Right royally did the people take up arms -against the rebels and drive Washington from Manhatten. Battalions -and regiments were repeatedly raised and organized in this -State. The valleys of the Mohawk and Hudson became historic -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>grounds. Here was witnessed the ignoble failure of Burgoyne’s -Campaign, which was the commencement of the decline of British -power; and the City of New York was the last ground of the States -occupied by British troops, until the war of 1813. New York -furnished troops for the rebel cause, in 1775, 2,075; in 1776, 3,629; -and subsequently 12,077.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of all the States, New York gave the largest number of -pioneers to Upper Canada.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>NEW JERSEY.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>New Jersey was settled in 1620 by the Dutch and Swedes. -Having been taken by the English, it was given by Charles II. to -the Duke of York. Retaken by the Dutch in 1673, it was bought -by Wm. Penn and his friends. At one time it was divided into -East Jersey and West Jersey, East Jersey belonging to Penn. -In 1702 the two Jersies were united under one government, and -received the name of <em>New Jersey</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the grounds of this State were fought some of the most -decisive battles of the war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of the Rebel troops Jersey supplied in 1676, 3,193. The quota -required afterwards was 11,396—​of which she granted 7,534. But -Jersey also gave a large number of Royal troops.</p> - -<p class='c000'>New Jersey furnished a good many settlers to Upper Canada, -of whom one of the most distinguished is the Ryerson family. -Many of the settlers along the bay retain interesting traditions of -their Jersey ancestry.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>MASSACHUSETTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The territory of this State was originally discovered by the -Cabots in 1497, and visited by Capt. John Smith in 1614, by whom it -was said to have been named New England. It consisted of the present -States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, -and Massachusetts. In 1620, upon 22nd December, the -Puritan Fathers landed upon the Plymouth Rock, some 30 miles -from Boston, and planted the first of the New England States. -The “Mayflower,” by which they had traversed the Atlantic was -only 180 tons burden. She sailed from Southampton with 102 -emigrants. Half of this number died from cold and hardship the -first year. They selected for their first Elder one John Carner, -who as chief officer had great control. He has consequently been -called the first Governor of New England. The territory had been -granted by James I. to the “Plymouth Company.” Although the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>Puritans had left their homes because they did not enjoy their -rights, they forgot the Golden Rule in their forest homes. They -failed to remember that the Indian had rights. The untutored -native thought he had a right to the soil, and as the Puritans, -unlike Penn, were unwilling to recognize his rights, but undertook -to appropriate the territory, there ensued bloody Indian wars. -The Puritan revenged himself, and the native retaliated. So, for -many years border massacres were common and terrible.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Massachusetts with the other New England States, took the -lead in rebellion, and by great pains succeeded in indoctrinating -the midland and Southern States. The first blood of the rebellion -was shed in this State, at Lexington and Bunker Hill. The State -supplied troops in 1775, 16,444; in 1776, 13,372. The quota subsequently -required was 52,728, of which 38,091 was furnished.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But Massachusetts had not a few true-hearted loyalists of whom -a considerable number became settlers in Upper Canada. At the -evacuation of Boston “1,100 retreated in a body with the Royal army. -Altogether there left Massachusetts at least 2,000 United Empire -Loyalists.” The Colony of Maine also had a good many adherents -of the crown—​(<cite>Sabine.</cite>)</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>NEW HAMPSHIRE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This Province was first colonized by emigrants from Hampshire, -England, in 1623. Subsequently it was peopled by English -from other parts, and by Scotch.</p> - -<p class='c000'>New Hampshire supplied in 1775, 2,824 troops; in 1776, 3,012. -Her quota was 10,194. Granted 6,653. We are at the same time -assured by Sabine that New Hampshire had many and powerful -opponents of rebellion.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>DELAWARE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Delaware was originally settled by Swedes and Finlanders in -1627. Became a part of New Netherlands in 1655, and in 1664 fell -to the English. It was included in the grant of Wm. Penn in 1682. -In 1701 it was erected into a colony for legislative purposes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>She supplied rebel troops in 1776, 609. Her quota fixed was -3,974. Supplied 1,778.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>CONNECTICUT.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Connecticut was first occupied by emigrants in 1631. The -Charter was granted by Charles II., which continued in existence -until 1818, when it was superseded by the existing constitution. -Connecticut “has uniformly been a nursery of educated men of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>every class” for the Union. And, it may be added, a number found -their way to Upper Canada, as school teachers, subsequent to the -Revolution. And there was a certain number of the people of Connecticut -among the Loyalists. Sabine says a good many.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This State furnished for the rebel war in 1775, 4,507; in 1776, -6,390. The quota fixed was 28,336, of which was given 21,142.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>MARYLAND.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Maryland was granted to the second Lord Baltimore, a Roman -Catholic, by Queen Mary, in 1632 or 4. He colonized the Province -with a company of Co-religionists of the higher class of English -gentry. It was named after the English Queen, Henrietta Maria. -“In 1649, it was made, as has been well said, ‘a land of sanctuary,’ -by the toleration of all religious denominations, but the Puritans, -expelled from Virginia, made great trouble in the Colony.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The State supplied troops in 1776, 637. Quota fixed by congress -26,608, of which she supplied 13,275.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>RHODE ISLAND.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Massachusetts, planted by Puritans, who came to secure liberty -of conscience, would not allow certain individuals in their midst to -enjoy like religious liberty, and hence the foundation of Rhode -Island. Providence, its original name, was thus significantly called, -because here the Baptists, under Roger Williams (oppressed by the -Puritans of Plymouth), found a <em>providential</em> asylum. This was in -1636. In how short a time (16 years) had the oppressed learned to -act oppressively!</p> - -<p class='c000'>A charter was granted to Roger Williams in 1642. The government -continued to exist under this charter until 1842, a period of 200 -years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Rhode Island gave troops to the number of 1,193 in 1775, and -798 in 1776. Quota demanded, 5,694; furnished 3,917.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>NORTH CAROLINA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This colony was planted in 1653 by the older colony of Virginia. -The colony at first included both North and South Carolina, which -continued until 1693, when the south part was erected into a separate -colony, under the name of South Carolina. The inhabitants of North -Carolina consisted, in part, of refugees from England at the overthrow -of the Stuarts. These mainly remained loyal to the crown, and were -destined to again become refugees. At the commencement of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>rebellion the people of this colony were about equally divided between -the adherents of the crown, and the rebels. The loyalists were a -devoted band. At the same time, the rebels—​at least some of them—​took -extreme steps. They formally demanded a separation from -Great Britain in May, 1775, fourteen months before the 4th July -declaration of 1776. The State provided, in 1776, 1,134 rebel troops. -The quota asked for was 23,994, but only 6,129 was granted.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SOUTH CAROLINA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>South Carolina was first settled in 1670.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The great body of the people were emigrants from Switzerland, -Germany, France, Great Britain, and the northern colonies of America, -and their descendants, and were opposed to a separation from the -mother country;” yet South Carolina furnished troops for the rebellion, -in 1776, to the number of 2,069. Subsequently she gave 4,348; -although her quota, as fixed by Congress, was 16,932.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In this colony were many who could not see the justice of a -rebellion. Yankee descendants may say they “bowed their necks to -the yoke of colonial vassalage,” but it was a wise spirit of conservatism -which is expressed in the desire to “look before you leap.” -“Persons who had refused to enlist under the whig banner, flocked to -the royal standard by hundreds.” “Sir Henry Clinton informed the -British Government that the whole State had submitted to the royal -arms.” This general attachment to the British crown made the rebels -vindictive and bloodthirsty, and they sought to drive away the loyal -and peaceable by a vengeful shedding of blood. Consequently, the -tories retaliated, and Chief Justice Marshall said, “the whigs seem -determined to extirpate the tories, and the tories the whigs; some -thousands have fallen in this way in this quarter.” “Being almost -equally divided, reciprocal injuries had gradually sharpened their -resentment against each other, and had armed neighbour against -neighbour, until it became a war of extermination.” Now, it is submitted -that rebellion can hardly be justified when the people are so -equally divided. Sabine remarks that “after the fall of Charleston, -and until the peace, the tories were in the ascendant.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>PENNSYLVANIA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This splendid colony was granted to William Penn, the Quaker -and philanthropist, who was the son of Sir William Penn, an eminent -English admiral. Sir William held a claim against the British -government for £16,000; and, some time after his death, his son -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>having his attention directed to the new world, obtained, in lieu -of that amount, the grant of land now forming this State. The -charter was granted by Charles II. in 1681. Penn sought the new -world to escape the persecutions inflicted upon him at home. This -he had brought upon himself, by freely expressing his decided sectarian -views, and by writings, disseminating the teachings of George -Fox, also by attacking the Established Church. He was repeatedly -imprisoned in the Tower, and even in Newgate for six months. Penn, -on procuring the grant of land, determined to make it “a home for -his co-religionists, where they might preach and practice their convictions -in unmolested peace.” To the territory he gave the name of -Sylvania; but afterwards King Charles insisted that Penn should be -prefixed, making it Pennsylvania. Penn sailed from England, with -several friends, in August, 1682. On reaching America he found -that some Swedes and Finns had settled along the banks of the Delaware. -Although Penn had a charter by which he could possess the -land, yet, as an European, he did not forget the original and rightful -owners of the soil. Penn’s conduct in this respect stands out in striking -contrast to the course pursued by the Puritans. It was on the -30th November, 1682, that William Penn held his famous interview -with the Indian tribes, when he effected a straightforward treaty -with them, never to be broken or disturbed, so that he secured perpetual -peace and respect. By this humane course with the Indians, -and by encouraging emigration of all classes, securing to them the -fullest liberty of conscience by a wise constitution, he succeeded, -with his co-religionists, in building up a most flourishing colony. -Subsequently the population was enlarged by numerous accessions -from Scotland and Germany.</p> - -<hr class='c016' /> - -<p class='c000'>The government of Pennsylvania was proprietary, and continued -such until the revolution swept away the charter, and made the children -of William Penn outcasts from the land they and their fathers -had made fertile. At the time of the revolution, John Penn, son of -Richard Penn, who was the grandson of William Penn, was the Governor -of the colony. He, with the masses of the people in the middle -States, was opposed to the rebellion. It is said there were thousands -of loyalists in this State who desired and offered to serve the crown, -but whose services were lost through bungling by those in office. -Yet the State gave troops to the rebel cause; 400 in 1775, and in the -following year 5,519. The quota allotted was 40,416; granted, -19,689.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span> - <h4 class='c014'>GEORGIA.</h4> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>This was the last of the thirteen colonies established. The -founder was Oglethorpe, who effected a settlement in 1773, and who -lived to see the colony a State. The colonists landed at Charleston in -January, 1733.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the rebellion broke out, this colony was “justly regarded -as highly loyal.” She refused to send delegates to the first rebel -congress; “and that she was represented in the second was owing to -the zeal of a native of Connecticut, Dr. Seymour Hall. It required -time and labour to organize a party of ‘liberty men’ to complete the -Confederacy.” The number of troops supplied in 1775 was 350; the -quota was fixed at 3,974, and there was supplied 2,328.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The history of England between the periods when Virginia and -Georgia, the oldest and youngest of the colonies that rebelled, were -founded, was one of turmoil and strife, of religious contentions and -civil war; and the colonists cast off during this hundred years carried -with them, across the Atlantic, heartfelt bitterness, and many of -them no little passion for evil. Notwithstanding, we have seen that -the Southern States, with Pennsylvania and New York, did not seek -to divide their connection with the parent State. It was generally -admitted that the policy of England towards them “had been mild—​perhaps -liberal.” But, as we have seen, New England, with a few -malcontents in other states—​envious office-seekers, managed to disseminate -the principles of rebellion—​principles that New England has -quite forgotten in her treatment of the South.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>NEW ENGLAND.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Of the aforementioned colonies, they all had received and had -secured to them by charter, from an indulgent mother country, governments -of the most liberal nature. Civil and religious liberty were -fully enjoyed. Says Mr. Sabine: “Virtually, republican charters; -subject only to the appointment of a governor on the part of the -Crown. Every colony was, practically, a State within itself; and it -is a suggestive fact that the very earliest assertion of legislative superiority -on the part of the mother country only operated negatively, -by forbidding every colony to make laws repugnant to those of -England.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Certain of the British colonies were, together, called “New -England,” and since the Independence they are known as the New -England States. They consist of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine, which was then a -colony of Massachusetts. This region was granted by James I. to -the Plymouth Company in 1606. It was called North Virginia, but -it was changed some years later, before it was actually settled. It -was the people of these States to whom the term “Yankee” was originally -applied; and now, in the United States, this epithet is used -solely in reference to these States; but in Canada and England the -word is applied very generally to all Americans. The origin of the -word Yankee is probably traceable to the Indian appellation “<em>Yengee</em>,” -for English, or <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Anglais</span></i>, after the French.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER IV.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​American Writers—​Sabine—​Loyalists had no time to waste—​Independence -not sought at first—​Adams—​Franklin—​Jay—​Jefferson—​Washington—​Madison—​The -British Government—​Ingratitude of the Colonists—​Taxation—​Smugglers—​Crown -Officers—​Persistence—​Superciliousness—​Contest -between Old England and New England.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It is most refreshing to one who has been accustomed to see -American school books, and even religious American tracts thickly -strewn with the most fulsome self-praise, and wordy accounts of British -tyranny, and of American purity and valor; to read the speeches, -and listen to 4th of July orators, who, with distorted history and -hifalutin panegyrics, have not ceased to wrap their country in a -blazing sheet of glory. After suffering all this, <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">ad nauseam</span></i>, it is most -agreeable to read the writings of one American author upon the -subject of their Independence, who can do some justice to the -Loyalists. Reference is made to Lorenzo Sabine, the author of -“Royalists of the American Revolution.” Considering the -prejudices which exist throughout the United States against every -thing British, and the overweening vanity of the people in respect -to the success which crowned their efforts to dismember the British -Empire; it is a matter for grateful recognition that a native of -New England should take up his pen to write redeeming words on -behalf of the Loyalists whom they had been taught to stigmatize, -to be read by his fellow countrymen. Living upon the borders, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>beyond which he could see the settled refugees working out their -destiny, under adverse circumstances, and laying the foundation of a -nation, he took up his pen, while the Upper Canadians were yet -struggling with the forest, and without time to gather up the records -of their wrongs, their losses, their persecutions, and more than all, -the malicious charges against them; and hurl them back at their -traducers. On behalf of those who will accept the writer as a -representative of the United Empire Loyalists, he thanks Lorenzo -Sabine, for what he has said. He has said nothing but the substantial -truth in our favor, and in saying that, he has said very much. In -his prefatory remarks, after referring to their deficiency of knowledge -of the “Tories” he says, “The reason is obvious. Men who, -like the Loyalists, separate themselves from their friends and -kindred, who are driven from their homes, who surrender the hopes -and expectations of life, and who become outlaws, wanderers, and -exiles,—​such men leave few memorials behind them. Their papers -are scattered and lost, and their very names pass from human -recollections.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Before considering the question, whether the American colonies -were justified in taking an extreme step; it is most necessary to -state that, at the first there were but an insignificant number of the -colonists who held the belief that armed rebellion was demanded. -Even among those who, with no mild-toned language denounced the -mother country for enacting laws oppressive to the commerce and -industry of the Americans, no one was found to advocate separation; -on the contrary to use the words of Sabine “The denial that independence -was the final object, was constant and general.” To obtain -concessions and preserve the connection with England, was affirmed -everywhere; and John Adams, years after the peace, went further -than this, for he said ‘<em>There was not a moment during the Revolution, -when I would not have given everything I possessed for a restoration to -the state of things before the contest began, provided we could have had a -sufficient security for its continuance</em>.’ Again, Franklin’s testimony, -a few days before the affair at Lexington, was, that he had “more -than once travelled from one end of the continent to the other, and -kept a variety of company, eating, drinking, and conversing with -them freely, and never <em>had heard in any conversation from any person -drunk or sober, the least expression of a wish for separation, or a hint -that such a thing would be advantageous to America</em>.” Mr. Jay is -quite as explicit. “During the course of my life and until the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>second petition of Congress in 1775, <em>I never did hear an American of -any class, of any description, express a wish for the independence of the -colonies</em>. It has always, and still is, my opinion and belief, that our -country was prompted and impelled to independence by <em>necessity</em>, -and not by <em>choice</em>.” Says Mr. Jefferson, “What, eastward of New -York, might have been the dispositions toward England before the -commencement of hostilities, I know not, but <em>before that</em> I never -heard a whisper of a disposition to separate from Great Britain, <em>and -after that</em>, <em>its possibility</em> was contemplated with affliction by all.” -Washington, in 1774, sustained these declarations, and, in the -“Fairfax County Resolves” it was complained, that “<em>malevolent -falsehoods</em>” were propagated by the ministry to prejudice the mind -of the king; <em>particularly</em> that there is an intention in the American -colonies to <em>set up for independent States</em>; and Washington expressed -a wish that the “dispute might be left to posterity to determine.” -Mr. Madison was not in public life until May, 1776, but he says, -“It has always been my impression, that a <em>re-establishment of the -colonial relations</em> to the <em>parent country</em>, <em>as they were previous to the -controversy</em>, was the real object of <em>every</em> class of the people, till the -despair of obtaining it.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The testimony of these Fathers of the Republic, cannot be -impeached; and, we must, therefore, seek for the cause of the -rebellion in some other place. We have seen how the British -colonies were planted. In connection with them, two leading -influences may be discovered constantly at work, one of a personal -nature; the other referring to the State. Individuals would not -sever the ties of home-ship and brave the wide ocean, to expose -themselves to the varied dangers of the wilderness, did they not -have good reason to expect due returns. The Government would -not afford ships and means to send her sons to distant shores, unless -the colony would become serviceable to the parent State. The -British Government had enabled many a hardy son to lay the -foundation for substantial wealth. More than all, the colonies of -America had been assisted to put under their feet their French -rival. For their benefit the Crown expected, and undertook to -enforce some tribute. But the colonists would not recognize the -right of the Crown to tax them for their labor. For all the British -Government had done for the colonies, for all the money spent, -she required that the colonists should be taxed. Laws were -enacted, and officers and revenue collectors appointed to enforce the -laws. It was required that these colonies should not trade, without -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>certain restrictions, with foreign nations; but the merchants -of Massachusetts, having tasted the sweets of unrestricted trade, -were unwilling to pay revenue to the Crown, although trading -under the protection of the British flag. And so it came that when -royal collectors of customs were sent out; when men of war -coasted the shores of Massachusetts to prevent smuggling, by -Hancock and others, there was no disposition to submit to Imperial -taxation. For years the law relating to revenue had been a dead -letter almost, the smugglers having used hush money. But at last -Government determined to put down illicit trade. It is true the -colonies did not object without a special plea, which was “no taxation -without representation.” But the real points at issue were, -whether contraband commerce should continue and increase, or -the Crown receive the dues demanded by law. “Nine-tenths -probably, of all the tea, wine, fruit, sugar, and molasses, consumed -in the colonies were smuggled. To put this down was the determined -purpose of the ministry. The commanders of the ships of -war on the American station were accordingly commissioned as -officers of the customs; and, to quicken their zeal, they were to -share in the proceeds of the confiscations; the courts to decide -upon the lawfulness of seizures, were to be composed of a single -judge, without a jury, whose emoluments were to be derived from -his own condemnations; the Governors of the colonies and the -military officers were to be rewarded for their activity by swearing -also, either in the property condemned, or in the penalties -annexed to the interdicted trade.” And was not the Crown correct -in enforcing laws intended for the public weal? Had hostile fleets -approached Boston harbour to invade, instead of smuggling crafts, -freighted with luxuries, would not the colonist have called loudly -for Imperial help to protect? But if the Government had the best -of rights to enforce the laws, it certainly displayed much want of -judgment in the mode adopted to carry out its demands. The -foregoing, from Sabine, recalls to us at once the cause why resistance -was strenuously made. The mode of paying their Crown -officers was well calculated to kindle feelings of the most determined -opposition on the part of the illicit traders, such as John -Hancock, John Langdon, Samuel Adams, William Whipple, George -Clymer, Stephen Hopkins, Francis Louis, Philip Livingston, -Eldridge Gerry, Joseph Hewes, George Taylor, Roger Sherman, -Button Gurnett, and Robert Morris, all signers of the declaration -of independence,—​all smugglers!</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>And thus it came about. The Crown was determined to exact -taxes, and ignorant of the feelings of the colonists; and the -colonists, grown rich by unrestricted trade—​by smuggling, entered -into a contract, which was only to end in dismemberment of the -British Empire. Side issues were raised, cries of oppression -shouted, the love of liberty invoked and epithets bandied; but -they were only for effect, to inflame the public mind, of which there -was much wavering. Of course, there were other things which -assisted to ripen rebellion, at least were so represented, that they -added to the growing discontent. Colonies, when they have -become developed by age, and powerful by local circumstances, -will naturally lose the interest which animates the subject at home. -It is in the nature of things that the love of country should gradually -change from the old home to the new. The inhabitants of the -colonies were in many cases but descendants of European nations, -who could not be expected to retain the warmest attachment to -the parent country. The tide of war had changed the allegiance -of many a one. The heterogeneous whole could not be called -English, and hence it was more easy to cast aside the noble feeling -called patriotism. Then there were jealousies of the Crown officers, -and everything undertaken by the home government, having the -appearance of change, was promptly suspected as being intended -to degrade them. The exclusiveness of the regular army and -superciliousness to the provincial troops, during the French war, -caused many a sting, and the thought of insult to the provincial -officer remained to rankle and fester in the mind of many a military -aspirant. The proposal to introduce Episcopal Bishops, to -give precedence to the Established Church, had its effect upon -many, yet many of the non-conformists were equally loyal.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The contest was originally between New England and Old -England. While the Middle and Southern States were for peace, -or moderate measures, the north sedulously worked to stir up strife -by disseminating specious statements and spreading abroad partisan -sentiments. Massachusetts took the lead. Founded by Puritans, -(who, themselves were the most intolerant bigots and became the -greatest persecutors America has seen,) these States possessed the -proper elements with which to kindle discontent.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thus we have learned that independence was not the primary -object of revolt, and we have seen that the leaders in rebellion -were principally New Englanders, and were actuated mainly by -mercenary motives, unbounded selfishness and bigotry.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER V.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The signers of the Declaration of Independence—​Their nativity—​Injustice -of American writers for 80 years—​Cast back mis-statements—​The -whigs had been U. E. Loyalists—​Hancock—​Office-seekers—​Malcontents stir -up strife—​What the fathers of the Republic fought for—​Rebel committees—​Black -mail—​Otis, John Adams, Warren, Washington, Henry, Franklin—​What -caused them to rebel—​What the American revolutionary heroes actually -were—​Cruelty, during and after the war—​No freedom—​The political -mistake of the rebels in alienating the loyalists—​The consequence—​Motives -of the loyalists—​False charges—​Conscientious conservatives—​Rebellion not -warranted—​Attachment to the old flag—​Loyalists driven away—​<i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Suppressio -veri</span></i>—​Want of noble spirit towards the South—​Effects—​Comparison between -loyalists and rebels—​Education—​Religion—​The neutral—​The professions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence -nine were born in Massachusetts, seven in Virginia, six in Maryland, -five in Connecticut, four in New Jersey, four in Pennsylvania, -four in South Carolina, three in New York, three in Delaware, two -in Rhode Island, one in Maine, three in Ireland, two in England, -two in Scotland, and one in Wales. Of these twenty-one were -attornies; ten merchants; four physicians; three farmers; one -clergyman; one printer; and ten men of fortune.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE MOTIVES.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>But let us more carefully consider the motives in connection -with the rebellion of ‘76. So assiduously have our fathers, the U. -E. Loyalists, been branded by most American writers as altogether -base, that it becomes us to cast back the mis-statements—​to tear -away the specious covering of the American revolutionary heroes, -and throw the sunlight of truth upon their character, and dispel -the false, foul stigma, which the utterances of eighty years have -essayed to fasten upon the noble band of Loyalists.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Up to 1776, the whigs as well as the tories were United Empire -Loyalists; and it was only when the king’s forces required -taxes; when the colonists were requested no longer to smuggle; -when they could not dispossess the tories of the power and emoluments -of office—​it was only then that the Declaration of Independence -was signed by those more particularly interested. John -Hancock, whose name stands first upon the document, in such bold -characters, had been a successful smuggler, whereby he had -acquired his millions, and no wonder he staked his thousands on -the issue. Evidence is not wanting to show that many of the -leaders of the rebellion, had they been holders of office, would have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>been as true to the British Crown as were those whom they envied. -Every man who took part on the rebel side has been written a -hero; but it is asking too much to request us to believe that all the -holders of office were base, and lost to the feelings of natural independence -and patriotism; more especially when a large proportion -of them were, admittedly, educated and religious men; while, on -the contrary, the rebels alone were actuated by patriotism and the -nobler feelings of manhood. Apart from the merits or demerits of -their cause, it must be admitted that the circumstances of the -times force upon us the thought that a comparatively few needy -office-seekers, or lookers-after other favors from the Crown, not -being able to obtain the loaves and fishes, began to stir up strife. -A few, possessed of sufficient education, by the aid of the wealthy -contraband traders, were enabled, by popular sensational speeches -and inflammatory pamphlets, to arouse the feelings of the uneducated; -and, finally, to create such a current of political hatred to -the Crown that it could not be stayed, and which swept away the -ties that naturally attached them to Great Britain.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We may easily imagine the surprise which many experienced -in after days, when the war had ended and their independence was -acknowledged, to find themselves heroes, and their names commemorated -as fathers of their country; whereas they had fought -only for money or plunder, or smuggled goods, or because they -had not office. In not a few cases it is such whose names have -served for the high-sounding fourth of July orators; for the buncombe -speechifier and the flippant editor, to base their eulogistic -memoriams. Undoubtedly there are a few entitled to the place -they occupy in the temple of fame; but the vast majority seem to -have been actuated by mercenary motives. We have authenticated -cases where prominent individuals took sides with the rebels because -they were disappointed in obtaining office; and innumerable -instances where wealthy persons were arrested, ostensibly on suspicion, -and compelled to pay large fines, and then set at liberty. -No feudal tyrant of Europe in the olden times enforced black mail -from the traveller with less compunction than rebel “committees” -exacted money from wealthy individuals who desired simply to -remain neutral.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It has been said that Otis, a name revered by the Americans, -actually avowed that he “would set Massachusetts in a flame, -though he should perish in the fire.” For what? Not because he -wanted liberty, but because his father was not appointed to a vacant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>judgeship! It is alleged that John Adams was at a loss which -side to take, and finally became a rebel because he was refused a -commission in the peace! It is said that Joseph Warren was a -broken-down man, and sought, amid the turmoil of civic strife, to -better his condition. And the immortal Washington, it is related, -and has never been successfully contradicted, was soured against -the mother county because he was not retained in the British army -in reward for his services in the French war. Again, Richard -Henry was disappointed in not receiving the office of stamp distributor, -which he solicited. Franklin was vexed because of opposition -to his great land projects and plans of settlement on the Ohio. -Indeed it is averred that mostly all the prominent whigs who sided -with the rebels were young men, with nothing to lose and everything -to gain by political changes and civil war. Thus it will be -seen that the so-called American revolutionary heroes have not altogether -clean hands, however much they may have been washed -by their descendants. The clothing placed upon them may conceal -the dirt and dross and blood, but they are indelibly there.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is not alone the motives which constituted the mainsprings -of the rebels’ action that we place in the balance, but their conduct -towards those who differed from them. Individual instances of -cruelty we shall have occasion to introduce; but it may here be -said that it was the tories who acted as the conservators of peace -against a mobocracy, and consequently were made to suffer great -afflictions. It was because of this they were forced away to live -and die as aliens to the land of their birth. The tories were Americans -as well as the whigs; and when at last Great Britain ceased -to try to coerce the colonies, and their independence was secured, -then a nobler spirit should have obtained among the conquerors, -and no one, because he had conscientiously been a conservative, -should have been treated with opprobrium. It always becomes the -victorious to be generous; and we, with all respect to many American -friends, submit that, had patriotism alone actuated the revolutionary -party, the American loyalists would have been invited to -join with the whigs in erecting a mighty nation. Had <em>freedom</em>, -indeed, been the watchword then, as it has flauntingly been since, -it would have been conceded that the tory had a right to his opinion -as well as the whig to his. Do the Americans descant upon the -wisdom and far-seeing policy of those who signed the Declaration -of Independence and framed the constitution of the Union? Monroe, -we doubt not, had a different opinion when he begot the doctrine -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>“America for the Americans.” Had the U. E. Loyalists been -treated honorably; had they been allowed but their rights; had -they not been driven away; then the name <em>British American</em> would -forever have passed away; and instead of a belt of British provinces -on their north, to constitute a ceaseless cause of misunderstanding -with England, the star-spangled banner would, doubtless, long ago, -have peacefully floated over all our land. Looking at the subject -from this (an American) stand-point, we see that a shortsighted -policy—​a vindictive feeling, a covetous desire for the property of -the tories—​controlled the movements of the hour; and when the -terms of peace were signed the birthright of the American tory was -signed away, and he became forever an alien. But, as we shall see, -he, in consequence, became the founder of a Province which, like a -rock, has resisted, and ever will resist, the northward extension -of the United States.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>MOTIVES OF THE LOYALISTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Whatever may have been the incentives to rebellion, yielded -to by those who revolted, there cannot rest upon the mind of the -honest reader of unbiassed history a doubt as to the motives of the -loyalists. The home-spun eulogists of the United States revolutionary -soldiers have never ceased to dwell upon the principles which -fired the breasts of the patriots, and nerved their arms to deeds of -daring and successful warfare; all the time observing silence respecting -the bravery of those who, from the same walks of life, -engaged in the strife as the determined antagonists to rebellion. -They have again and again charged upon the “king’s men” that it -was because they were servants of the Crown and feeders at the -government stall that loyalty was assumed and fought for. But -facts, when allowed to stand out uncovered by the cant of -liberatists, declare, in words that may not be gainsayed, that there -were a vast number who held no appointment under the Crown, yet -who, from first to last, were true—​naturally true—​to their king and -country. The great mass were essentially conservatives, called -“tories.” They held the opinion that to rebel was not only unnecessary -but wrong. They believed that the evils of which the -colonists had just reason to complain were not so great as to justify -the extreme step taken by the signers of the Declaration of Independence; -that any injustice existing was but temporary and would, -when properly and calmly represented to the home government, be -remedied; that to convulse the colonies in war was an unjustifiably -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>harsh procedure; and, entertaining such a belief, it is submitted -that they were noble indeed in standing up for peace—​for more -moderate measures. Moreover, not unlikely, many were impressed -with the view that the disaffected were laboring under an erroneous -idea of oppression; that the training incident to pioneer life, -the previous wars with the French Canadians, the constant contentions -with the Indians, had begotten false views of their rights, and -made them too quick to discover supposed wrongs. Candidly impressed -with such thoughts, they could not be otherwise than true -to the natural instincts of their heart, and refuse to take part, or -acquiesce in throwing overboard the government of England, and -so become aliens to the flag under which they were born and had -lived, and for which they had fought. Not many may cast aside -their feelings of nationality; not many can forget the land of their -birth; not a large number will bury the associations of a life-time -without the most potent causes. And, doubtless, the Anglo-American -who faithfully adhered to the old flag possessed all the ardor of -a lofty patriotism. But the American writer has forgotten all this. -In the broad sunlight of national success he has not discovered the -sacred longings of the U. E. Loyalists for the Union Jack. Looking -at the events of ‘76 by the lurid glare of civil war, his eyes are -blinded to the fact that a noble band, possessing equal rights with -the rebels, loved England, notwithstanding all her faults, and for -that love sacrificed their all of worldly goods. The citizens of the -United States would prefer to have it said in history that the U. E. -Loyalists, in every instance, voluntarily left their homes during the -war, or at its close. The loyalists are thereby, no doubt, made to -appear more devotedly attached to the British Crown. But it is -right to have it distinctly stated that American writers mostly -make themselves guilty of <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">suppressio veri</span></i>. The latest instance of -this is seen in a report to the Hon. Hugh McCullough, Secretary of -the Treasury, prepared by E. H. Derby, Commissioner of the Treasury -Department, dated January 1st, 1866, who, in remarking upon -the British Colonial policy from 1776 down to 1830, takes occasion -to say that, “at first there was little fellowship between the United -States and the Provincialists, many of whom were descended from -the loyalists who <em>followed</em> the British troops from our shores.” The -fact is, however, that many of them were driven away. The tories -were not loyal without sense; and when the fortune of war had turned -against them, they would, in great numbers, have made the best of -their changed condition, and have lived to become true citizens of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>new-born nation. But this was not to be. The loyalists were to be -made feel that they were outcasts. It is the same ignoble and unstatesmanlike -course which is now being pursued toward the subdued -South. They must needs be made to know they are rebels. It is a -shortsighted policy, even as the former was. The former led to the -establishment of a nation to their north, which will stand, even after -the Union lies in fragments; the latter fosters a feeling of alienation, -which will speak upon the first opportunity, in the thunder tones of -war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>If a comparison is instituted between the rebels of 1776, and those -who were conservators of peace, the contrast is found to be very -great. It is charged against the loyalists that all office-holders were -tories; but is this more worthy of remark than the fact that many -became rebels because they could not obtain office. Nay, the latter -is infinitely more heinous in its nature. If we look at the two parties, -with respect to education and, it may be added, religion, it is -found that the great bulk of the educated and refined, the religious -classes, especially the clergy, the leading lawyers, the most prominent -medical men, were all loyalists. It was not because they were office-holders, -it was because they possessed a moral and elevated mind, -educated to a correct standard. Then, again, there was a large class -of citizens who loved retirement, and who begged to be allowed to -remain neutral, but who were actually compelled to take sides with -the rebels or be driven away.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The peaceably inclined, who looked for guidance to their spiritual -instructors, generally beheld them, if not actually advocating the -interests of the crown, at least setting an example against rebellion, -and they were thus strengthened in their feelings of loyalty, or determination -to remain neutral. The flame of patriotism was kept aglow -in many a heart by the earnest prayer of the gospel minister. Says -Sabine: “From what has now been said it is evident that a very considerable -proportion of the professional and editorial intelligence and -talents of the thirteen colonies was arrayed against the popular movement.” -Again: “a large number of the clergy were United Empire -Loyalists.” Also, “the giants of the law were nearly all loyalists.” -The physicians were mostly tories, but were, as a general thing, not -molested. “A few were banished; others became surgeons in the -army.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER VI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Republicanism—​The lesson of the first rebellion—​The late civil war—​The -Loyalists; their losses and hardships—​Ignored by Americans—​Unrecorded—​The -world kept in ignorance—​American glory—​Englishmen—​Question -of Colonial treatment—​The reason why Great Britain -failed to subdue the rebellion—​Character of the rebel bravery—​The -great result—​Liberty in England and United States contrasted—​Slavery—​The -result to U. E. Loyalists—​Burgoyne—​Mobocracy—​Treatment from -“Sons of Liberty”—​Old men, women and children—​Instances of cruelty—​Brutality—​Rapacity—​Torture—​The -lower classes—​“Swamp Law”—​Fiendish -cruelty—​Worse than Butler’s Rangers—​Seward and the Fenians—​Infamous -falsification—​Close of the war—​Recognition of independence by Great -Britain—​Crushed hopes of the Loyalists—​In New York—​Their conduct—​Evacuation -day—​The position of the Loyalists—​Confiscation—​“Attainting”—​Seizing -estates—​Paine—​Commissioners at Paris—​British Ministry—​Loyalists’ -petition—​King’s speech—​Division of claimants—​Six classes—​The -number—​Tardy justice—​Noble conduct of South Carolina—​Impostors—​Loyalists -in Lower Canada—​Proclamation—​The soldiers’ families—​Journeyings—​Meeting -of families.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE RESULT.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Almost a hundred years have passed away since the war-cloud -arose which swept away thirteen of Britain’s colonies upon the uncertain -and tempest-tossed ocean of Republicanism. That storm is long -since stilled, as well as the hearts of those who took part therein.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the statesman and politician may, with advantage, study -the lesson then read, and which has been but lately annotated by the -United States civil war, by the determined subjection of eight millions -of Southerners, who desired freedom to establish a new government, -let it be our humble occupation to record some of the immediate -individual results of that great tempest, of which American writers, -with but few exceptions, have never spoken fairly. Writers among -them are not wanting to give lively pen pictures of their revolutionary -heroes; not only forgetting the sufferings of the loyalists—​the devoted -ones, who gave up all—​property, homes, friends, all the associations -of a birth-place, rather than bow the knee to Baal; but who have -wilfully misrepresented them; have charged them with crimes, at -once atrocious and unfounded. The sufferings, the losses, the hardships, -incident to pioneer life, with the noble purposes and undeviating -loyalty of the British American tories, have never been fully -related—​never engaged the pen of the faithful historian. American -writers, on the contrary, have recorded in glowing colors the deeds -and actions of the “fathers of the Republic.” To this no objection; -can be made; but may we not charge those historians with uncharitableness, -with unnecessary neglect of the claims of the loyalists to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>pure motives, with ignoring their brave deeds, their devoted sufferings, -and with unduly ascribing to the “king’s men” motives base -and cruel. But the sufferings of the U. E. Loyalists are unrecorded. -The world has rarely been told that they were persecuted, their homes -pillaged, their persons maltreated, their valuables seized, their houses -made desolate, their real estate taken from them, without legal proceedings. -The world has been so flooded with the writings of Americans, -describing their own excellencies and eulogizing their own -cause, that no space has been found to do simple justice to the noble -ones who preferred British rule to the uncertain and untried. -Indeed, so strongly and for so long a time has the current been flowing -to swell the ocean of American glory, that hardly a voice or pen -is found doing service for the unfortunate loyalists, who chose to -endure a little rather than rush into the vortex of rebellious strife. -Even Englishmen have so long listened to one-sided statements, that -no one of them can be found to say a word for the old tory party of -America. Hence it is that the U. E. Loyalists are very imperfectly -known; their history unwritten, their tales of sorrow unattended to, -their noble doings unsung. Had there been a hand to guide a describing -pen,—​to picture the doings, the sufferings, the self-denying -heroism of the loyal party; to recount the motives underlying all -they did; and had there been ears as willing to listen, and eyes to -read, and hearts to receive the facts as those of a contrary nature have -obtained, then a far different impression would have been made, and -fixed upon the world.</p> - -<p class='c000'>That the British Government was right or wise in its treatment -of the American colonies we now have every reason to doubt. At the -same time, that England might have subdued that rebellion, had she -put forth her undivided strength, there is but little reason to question. -Had she not been engaged in a formidable war with France; or even -with that, had her statesmen acquired a correct knowledge of America -as to topography, and as to the feelings and wishes of the people and -their just complaints; or had able generals been entrusted with the -command of the armies, instead of incompetent favorites; or had a -little diplomacy been practiced, and the ringleaders of the whig faction—​often -hungry agitators—​been conciliated by office; in either -event the rebellion might have been nipped in the bud, or easily overcome. -The American Republic owes its independence to the circumstances -in which Great Britain was then placed, and the incapacity of -a few of the British Generals, rather than to superior bravery, extraordinary -military talent, or any high-toned longing for liberty. No -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>doubt many of the rebelling party were brave; but it was often the -bravery of the guerilla, or the desperate adventurer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of the great result—​the recognition of the independence of the -rebelling provinces by the mother country—​we design not to speak -at length. It will always remain a question, whether it would not -have been better for the States themselves, and the world at large, if -they had remained a part of the British Empire. That the evils of -which they complained would, in due time, have been removed, upon -proper representation, there is no substantial reason to doubt. That -the principles of true freedom would have advanced and spread quite -as rapidly, and that, to-day, liberty, in the broadest sense, would have -reigned in the world fully as triumphant, the whole history of England -and the United States sufficiently attest. It was many long years -after Britain had struck off the chains of slavery before the United -States reached the same point; and then only because it became a -“military necessity.” Looking at the two nations to-day, and judging -by the utterances of the two respective people, whether enunciated in -the halls of legislature, by the head of the nation, by the bar, in the -pulpit, by the press, or from the platform; or if we be guided by the -public deeds of each, it is submitted that the more genuine ring of -the metal sounds from beneath the wide-spreading banner of old -England.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The effect of the successful rebellion, to which it is intended to -refer, has reference to the United Empire Loyalists of America. And -first, the effect upon them during the war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The defeat of Burgoyne was the first event which immediately -led to severe disaster of the loyalists. This general, with more assurance -than foresight, and perhaps more courage than military skill, -succeeded, not only in leading his army to destruction, but in placing -the friendly inhabitants on his route in such a position that no mercy -was subsequently extended to them by the ruthless rebels. When he -surrendered, instead of securing for them immunity from any harm, -he entirely neglected their interests; notwithstanding they had supplied -his troops with provision. The relentless conduct of the rebels -in arms and the whig government was bloodthirsty and vindictive. -Their hate towards those who would not take sides with them, -whether in arms for the Crown or not, was barbarous. Persons suspected -of sympathy with the tories were subjects of continued molestation. -Mobocracy reigned. Vagabond bodies of men were sent -abroad to range the country, to lay waste and destroy the property of -the loyalists, imprison the suspected, and seize the goods of the unprotected. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>Tarring and feathering was of common occurrence. -Massachusetts especially gained a name for cruelty far exceeding any -which has been applied to the Indians, with all their barbarism. -There was a villainous band who called themselves the “Sons of Liberty,” -who carried fire and sword—​not against an open enemy in the -light of day, but to peaceful firesides in the darkness of night. Their -victims were the old men, the women and children, and the defenceless. -Old men and children were driven to the woods for shelter, or -placed in a closed room, and, with chimney stopped, smoked to suffocation. -Females were subject to insult and the most fiendish treatment. -Dwellings were fired at night, and their occupants left houseless, -and exposed to the inclemency of the weather.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Suspected persons were arrested and put to terrible torture, such -as attaching a rope to the neck and hauling the individual through -the water till insensible; or suspending him to a tree till life was almost -gone. This was frequently done with the object of extracting -information as to the whereabouts of a father or a brother, or as to -the place where money and valuables were concealed. The tales of -cruelty the writer has heard related concerning the treatment the -loyal party were exposed to, would harrow up the soul of any one -possessing feelings of pity and commiseration.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The loyalists who immediately suffered, that is, while the war -was in progress, were many. Military forts were established here -and there, to which many fled precipitately from the several States.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is a matter of extreme astonishment how men who set -up the standard of revolt under the sacred name of liberty, -could so far ignore the principles of liberty in the treatment of -innocent old men, women and children, as we find stated by honest -witnesses. The darkest tales of savage dealing come to us from -our fathers. Families, whose sole offence consisted in being unwilling -to rebel, and in being desirous to remain faithfully neutral, -were the objects of the rapacious prey of a brutal soldiery. Their -substance when not available for the rebel horde, was scattered to -the winds. Devouring fire was cast into peaceful homes. How -gross the hypocrisy, how base the motives that actuated very many -of the adventurers in rebellion. The most hellish means were -adopted at times, to force away persons of property, that the so-called -“Sons of Liberty” might enjoy their substance and homes. -Attending these scenes of desolation and refined cruelty, their -imprisonments and torture, were incidents of thrilling interest, of -fearful suffering, of hairbreadth escapes, of forlorn rescues.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>The lower classes of those who rebelled were men of bold and -lawless nature: whether we pass along the shores of New England, -among the fishermen, or travel thorough the woods of Maine and -New Hampshire, and become acquainted with woodmen of the -forest, or as they were called “Loggers and Sawyers.” The spirit -that animated the merchants of Boston and Salem, in their extended -operations of smuggling, lived, also, in the reckless fishermen and -woodmen; and for years before the rebellion really commenced they -had been resisting, even by physical force, the revenue officers, -who were often expelled from the woods by what was called -“swamp law.” Men with such nature, finding that their lawlessness -had become popular, and that steps were being taken to resist -the government on a general plan, were not slow to act their part. -One result of the rebellion was a determined and systematic course -of retaliation upon those who had recognized the majesty of the -law. A continued and uncompromising persecution was entered -upon toward them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>No history can parallel the deeds of atrocity enacted by the -villainous “Liberty men.” Said an old lady, on the verge of the grave, -and with voice tremulous in remembrance of fiendish acts she had -witnessed, “The Rebels, on one occasion entered a house and -stripped it of everything, even the bed on which lay a woman on -the point of confinement. But a single sheet was left to cover the -woman upon a winter’s night, who, before morning became a -mother.” In 1776, there arrived at Fort George, in a starving -state, Mrs. Nellis, Mrs. Secord, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Buck and Mrs. -Bonnar, with thirty-one children, whom the circumstances of the -rebellion had driven away. Talk about the cruelty of Indians and of -Tory oppression. The unprincipled rebels did well to try to hide -their ignominious deeds behind the fabrications respecting the -doings of Butler’s Rangers, and the noble-minded Brant. May we -not cease to wonder that the descendants of the rebels in the year -1866, endeavour to hound on a pack of thieves and murderers to -possess themselves of the homes our fathers sought out for us. The -self-applauding writers of the revolutionary war, found it convenient -to forget the doings of the “Sons of Liberty” and of Sullivan, while -they laid to the charge of Butler’s Rangers and the Indians, acts of -inhumanity (which we are informed on good authority are unfounded, -Butler having never abused woman or child.) In the same manner, -Secretary Seward found it desirable to falsify dates, by saying the -Fenians invaded Canada on the 6th of June, that it might appear he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>had vindicated promptly their neutrality laws; whereas they actually -crossed, and engaged in battle, on the morning of the 2nd. -But as time will fully bring out the facts connected with the first -American rebellion, and place them face to face with one-sided -history, so will faithful history record the whole truth of the -infamous invasion of our country by a band of American citizens -with United States arms in their hands. Those deeds of blood, -enacted by men under the hypocritical cry of liberty have not been -forgotten by the United Empire Loyalists, but have been handed -down to us, to place on record against the cruel actors.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Hostilities ceased 19th April, 1783, and on the 20th September, -the independence of the United States was acknowledged.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The recognition of independence by Great Britain, was the -death knell to the cherished hopes of the loyalists. Many had -escaped into the provinces, and many were in the army, and not a -few were in England. Although the majority of them had been -driven away, a few still remained in those places, yet held by the -British forces, as New York. “When the news of peace became -known, the city presented a scene of distress not easily described. -Adherents to the Crown, who were in the army, tore the lapels -from their coats and stamped them under their feet, and exclaimed -that they were ruined; others cried out they had sacrificed everything -to prove their loyalty, and were now left to shift for themselves, -without the friendship of their king or country. Previous to -the evacuation, and in September, upwards of 12,000 men, women, -and children, embarked at the city, at Long and Staten Islands, for -Nova Scotia and the Bahamas,” and for Canada. “Some of these -victims to civil war tried to make merry at their doom, by saying -they were bound to a lovely country, where there are nine months -winter and three months cold weather every year, while others, in -their desperation tore down their houses, and had they not been -prevented, would have carried off the bricks of which they were -built.” The British had possessed New York since 15th September, -1776, and on the 25th November, 1783, yielded it up to the -Americans. This is “Evacuation day.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>When Cornwallis surrendered he vainly tried to obtain a -promise of protection for the Loyal Americans, who, in part, formed -his army. Failing in this, he sent an armed vessel away with a -large number.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this time beside the many who had become refugees, there -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>were some loyalists scattered through the States. Many of these -remained in the now Independent States, and many of them -would have returned, to become faithful citizens under the new order -of things, had they been allowed so to do. But the young Republic -knew not how to be magnanimous to those whom the fortunes of -war had left in great distress—​whom they had conquered, and the -United Empire Loyalists were made aliens from their native -homes. Their property must be confiscated, and many being large -land owners, rich prizes were thus secured. While the conflict -continued to rage there was some excuse, but when war had ceased, -and everything had been accomplished that the most craving rebel -could wish, it was a ruthless, an ungenerous, nay, a base proceeding -on the part of the revolutionists, to force away their very -brethren, often related by the ties of consanguinity. But it was a -spirit as unprincipled as this, which instigated the rebellion, and -which characterized the vast majority of those who fought -under the sacred name of liberty, and such was the spirit of the -conquerors.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The successful rebels determined to possess themselves of the -lands and property of the loyalists, even in violation of treaty. The -action of Congress was sufficiently high-handed and wanting in -generosity; but the proceedings of the State Legislatures, with a -few exceptions, were execrable—​characterized by ignoble and -vindictive passion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Legislatures of each state took early steps to punish the -adherents of Britain, to dispossess them of their property, and to -banish them. Massachusetts took the lead in dealing severely -against the loyalists. A rebel magistrates’ warrant was sufficient -to banish one. Hundreds of Massachusetts Loyalists were prohibited -from returning on penalty of imprisonment and even death. -And the other States were active in “attainting” and confiscating, -often without the form of trial. Each State carried on its function -as a government, and trials ought to have been granted, in common -justice to every one. But the Whigs were intolerant, hot-headed, -malevolent, unforgiving. It has been said that “if it be conceded -that rebellion against England was right, then every step necessary -to success was justifiable.” If we grant all this there remains the -fact that after success had crowned rebellion, persecution and confiscation -continued. New York, on the 12th May, 1784, passed “An -act for the speedy sale of the confiscated and forfeited estates -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>within the States.” The powers consisted in the appointment of -“commissioners of forfeitures.” Among those who lost their land -was one Davoe. He had 300 acres near New York, twenty miles, -which was confiscated and given to the notorious Tom Paine, the -infidel, whose extreme liberal views expressed in his work, “Common -Sense,” made him the friend of Washington, and revolutionists -generally. Paine, after taking part in the French Revolutions, -came, in 1802, to his place in New York, where he enjoyed the -loyalists’ confiscated property until his death, 8th June, 1809.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the terms of peace signed at Paris, there was no security -effected for the losses sustained by the American Loyalists.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As Burgoyne at his inglorious surrender at Saratoga, thought -not of the innocent inhabitants of the Mohawk and Hudson, who -had identified themselves with the loyal cause, and supplied his -troops with provisions, and left them to the merciless “Sons -of Liberty,” to be despoiled of their all, and exposed to fearful -cruelty, so at the last, when the British Government relinquished -the attempt to subdue rebellion, the American Loyalists were of -remote consideration. We can gather now but the outlines of this -great wrong done unto noble men. The particulars are buried in -the wreck of fortune, and of happiness, respecting all worldly -matters. The after life of the loyalists was of too earnest a nature -to allow time to place on record the sufferings, and the wanderings -of the disinherited. The lost cause did not stimulate men to draw -upon imagination, such as may be found in gaudy-hued descriptions -of American revolutionary heroes, male and female. But there is -sufficient of facts recorded, and engraven by the iron pen of -extreme anguish upon hearts, that were of flesh, to stamp the -persecutors with infamy, and mark the refugees, that clustered -around the border forts, and found homes at Sorel, Lachine, and -Montreal, with the highest attributes of patriotism and love of -country.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The conduct of the ministry, and the commissioners at Paris is -open to the severest censure. They left the claims of the loyalists -to be decided by the American Congress. We may allow them -the credit of having held the belief, that this body would be -actuated by a feeling of justice and right, but the error was a -grave one, the wrong grievous and hard to be endured. In pursuing -this course, the British ministry did not escape condemnation -by members of Parliament, and a feeling of sympathy was evoked -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>that led to a tardy dispensing of justice. Lord North said “that -never were the honor, the principles, the policy of a nation, so -grossly abused as in the desertion of those men, who are now -exposed to every punishment that desertion and poverty can -inflict, because they were not rebels.” Mr. Sheridan “execrated -the treatment of those unfortunate men, who, without the least -notice taken of their civil and religious rights, were handed over -as subjects to a power that would not fail to take vengeance on -them for their zeal and attachment to the religion and government -of the mother country,” “and he called it a crime to deliver them -over to confiscation, tyranny, resentment and oppression.” Lord -Loughborough said that “in ancient nor modern history had there -been so shameful a desertion of men who had sacrificed all to their -duty and to their reliance upon British faith.” Others, in terms -of equal severity, denounced the ministry in Parliament for their -neglect. The ministry admitted it all, but excused themselves by -the plea that “a part must be wounded, that the whole of the -empire may not perish”—​that they “had but the alternative, -either to accept the terms proposed, or continue the war.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“A number of loyalists in England, came to the United States -to claim restitution of their estates, but their applications were -unheeded,” except to imprison, and banish them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The treaty of peace signed, without any provision for the -suffering loyalists, they at once took steps to petition the Imperial -Parliament for justice. “They organized an agency, and appointed -a Committee, composed of one delegate, or agent from each of the -thirteen States, to enlighten the British public.” “At the opening -of Parliament the King, in his speech from the throne, alluded to -the ‘American sufferers’ and trusted generous attention would be -shewn to them.” An act was consequently passed creating a -“Board of Commissioners” to examine the claims preferred. The -claimants were divided into six classes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>First Class.</em>—​Those who had rendered service to Great -Britain.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>Second Class.</em>—​Those who had borne arms for Great Britain.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>Third Class.</em>—​Uniform Loyalists.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>Fourth Class.</em>—​Loyal British subjects residents in Great -Britain.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>Fifth Class.</em>—​Loyalists who had taken oaths to the American -States, but afterward joined the British.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>“<em>Sixth Class.</em>—​Loyalists who had borne arms for the American -States, and afterwards joined the British navy or army.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The claimants had to state in writing, and specifically the -nature of their losses. Great and unnecessary caution was observed -by the Board. The rigid rules of examinations caused much dissatisfaction -and gave the Board the name of “Inquisition.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The 26th of March, 1784, was the latest period for presenting -claims, which was allowed, and on or before that day, the number -of claimants was two thousand and sixty-three. A “second report -which was made in December of the same year, shows that one -hundred and twenty-eight additional cases had been disposed of.” -In May and July 1865, one hundred and twenty-two cases more -were disposed of. In April 1786, one hundred and forty more -were attended to. The commissioners proceeded with their investigations -during the years 1786 and 1787. “Meantime” and to -her honor be it said “South Carolina had restored the estates of -several of her loyalists.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Years passed away before the commissioners had decided upon -all the claims, and great and loud was the complaint made by the -claimants. The press was invoked to secure a more prompt concession -of justice, pamphlets were published on their behalf, and -one printed in 1788, five years after the peace, contained the -following: “It is well that this delay of justice has produced the -most melancholy and shocking events. A number of the sufferers -have been driven by it into insanity, and become their own -destroyers, leaving behind them their helpless widows and orphans -to subsist upon the cold charity of strangers. Others have been -sent to cultivate a wilderness for their subsistence, without having -the means, and compelled through want, to throw themselves on -the mercy of the American States, and the charity of their former -friends, to support the life which might have been made comfortable -by the money long since due from the British Government, and -many others, with their families are barely subsisting upon a -temporary allowance from government, a mere pittance when -compared with the sum due them.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The total number of claimants was 5,072, of whom 924 withdrew -or failed to make good the claim. The sum of money allowed -was £3,294,452. We have seen there was, in addition, given to the -widows and orphans, between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There is no doubt that a certain number of the claimants were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>impostors, while many asked remuneration above what their losses -had actually been, and this caused the commissioners to examine -more closely the claims proffered. But it is submitted that they -ought, in dealing with the money already granted by a considerate -Parliament, to have leaned on the side of clemency.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the close of the contest there were a large number of -Refugees in Lower Canada, especially at Fort St. John, about -twenty-nine miles from Montreal. In the main these were American -born, and principally from the New England States; yet there -were representatives from England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany. -Besides the Refugees, there were several Provincial Corps, which -were no longer to be retained in the service, but to be disbanded. -Of these there was the 84th, often called Johnson’s regiment, this -was 800 strong, mostly Dutch, from the Mohawk, and Hudson, -descendants of the old stock. This regiment consisted of two corps, -one under Major Jessup, stationed at St. John’s, and the other -under Rogers, a part of which at least, was stationed at Fort -Oswego. Jessup’s corps became the first pioneers upon the St. Lawrence, -and Rogers among the first along the Bay of Quinté. Both -settled in 1784. There were other troops stationed at St. John’s, -and likewise not a few who had discharged irregular, but important -duties, as scouts, and in other ways.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It has been generally estimated that at the close of the struggle, -and as a result, there were distributed of American Loyalists upon -the shores of Canada, about 10,000. At the first, most of these -were in Lower Canada, but there were likewise a few at the -frontier forts upon the Upper waters, and a few detached squatters. -Then, “there was not a single tree cut from the (present) Lower -Province line to Kingston, 150 miles; and at Kingston there were -but a few surrounding huts; and from thence all around Lake -Ontario and Lake Erie, with the exception of a few Indian huts on -some desolate spot of hunting ground, all was a dense wilderness.” -(Ex Sheriff Sherwood.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>“A proclamation was issued,” says Croil in his history of -Dundas, “that all who wished to continue their allegiance to Britain, -should peaceably rendezvous at certain points on the frontiers. -These were, Sackets Harbour, Carleton Island, Oswego and Niagara, -on the Upper Canada confines; and Isle Aux Nois, on the borders -of Lower Canada. Jessup’s Corps was stationed at Isle Aux -Nois, and late in the autumn of 1783, the soldiers were joined by -their wives and little ones, who had wandered the weary way on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>foot, to Whitehall, through swamps and forest,—​beset with difficulties, -dangers, and privations innumerable. The soldiers met -them there with boats, and conveyed them the rest of their journey -by water, through Lake Champlain. Imagination fails us when -we attempt to form an idea of the emotions that filled their hearts, -as families, that had formerly lived happily together, surrounded -with peace and plenty, and had been separated by the rude hand -of war, now met each other’s embrace, in circumstances of abject -poverty. A boisterous passage was before them, in open boats, -exposed to the rigors of the season—​a dreary prospect of the -coming winter, to be spent in pent up barracks, and a certainty -should they be spared, of undergoing a lifetime of such hardships, -toil and privation, as are inseparable from the settlement of a new -country.” As soon as the journey was accomplished, the soldiers -and their families, were embarked in boats, sent down to Richelieu -to Sorel, thence to Montreal, and on to Cornwall, by the laborious -and tedious route of the St. Lawrence. (See settlement of Ernest -town.)</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER VII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​A spirit of strife—​The French war—​British American Troops—​Former -comrades opposed—​Number of U. E. Loyalists in the field—​General -Burgoyne—​Defeat—​First reverse of British arms—​The campaign—​Colonel -St. Leger—​Fort Stanwix—​Colonel Baume—​Battle of Bennington—​General -Herkimer—​Gates—​Schuyler—​Braemar Heights—​Saratoga—​Surrender—​The -result upon the people—​Sir John Johnson—​Sir William—​Sketch—​Indian -Chief—​Laced coat—​Indian’s dream—​It comes to pass—​Sir William -dreams—​It also comes to pass—​Too hard a dream—​Sir John—​Attempt to -arrest—​Escape—​Starving—​Royal Greens—​Johnson’s losses—​Living in -Canada—​Death—​Principal Corps of Royalists—​King’s Rangers—​Queen’s -Rangers—​Major Rogers—​Simcoe—​The Rangers in Upper Canada—​Disbanded—​The -Hessians.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The seven years’ war between Canada and New England, in -which a large number of the Colonists were engaged, had created -not a few officers of military worth and talent, while a spirit of -strife and contention had been engendered among the people generally. -The Colonial war, carried on with so much determination, -was stimulated, not so much by the English nation at home as by -New Englanders. It was they who were chiefly interested in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>overthrow of French power in Canada. While money and men had -been freely granted by the Imperial Government, the several colonies -had also freely contributed. They “furnished in that war quite -twenty-eight thousand men, in more than one of the campaigns, -and every year to the extent of their ability.” “On the ocean, full -twelve thousand seamen were enlisted in the Royal Navy and in -the Colonial Privateers.” In this manner had been formed a taste -for military life, which waited to be gratified, or sought for food. -When, therefore, the unsavory acts of England wounded the Colonial -vanity, and demagogues traversed the country to embitter the -feelings of the mass against the king, the hot-headed were not slow -to advise an appeal to arms. At the same time, the loyal in heart, -the conservators of Imperial interest, viewing with wonder and -alarm the manifestation of fratricidal war—​of rebellion, felt it their -duty to take up arms against the unprincipled (and often dishonest) -agitators, and endeavor to crush out the spirit of revolt. And thus -it came, that very many who had fought side by side at Ticonderoga, -Crown Point, Duquesne, Niagara, Oswego, Frontenac, Montreal, -and around Quebec, under a common flag, were now to be -arrayed in hostile bands. Not state against state, nor yet merely -neighbor against neighbor, but brother against brother, and father -against son! Civil war, of all wars, is the most terrible: in addition -to the horrors of the battle-field, there is an upheaving of the -very foundation of society. All the feelings of brotherhood, of -Christian love, are paralyzed, and the demon of destruction and -cruelty is successfully invoked.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Behold, then, the British Americans divided into two parties; -each buckling on the armor to protect from the other, and sharpening -the weapons of warfare to encounter his kindred foe. The -contest of 1776-‘83 is most generally looked upon as one between -the English and Americans; but in reality it was, at first—​so far -as fighting went—​between the conservative and rebel Americans. -In an address to the king, presented by the loyalists in 1779, it is -stated that the number of native Americans in his service exceeded -those enlisted by Congress. Another address, in 1782, says that -“there are more men in his Majesty’s provincial regiments than -there is in the continental service.” Sabine says that “there were -25,000, at the lowest computation.” If such be the case, the question -may well be asked, how came it that the rebels succeeded? -Looking at the matter from our distant stand-point, through the -light of events we find recorded, there seems but one conclusion at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>which we may arrive, namely, that the disaster to the British arms -was due—​altogether due—​to the incapacity of certain of the generals -to whom was intrusted the Imperial interests in America.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE COMBATANTS—​BURGOYNE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The most notable instance of mistaken generalship was that of -Burgoyne. His campaign in the summer of 1777, and the final -overthrow of his army and surrender at Saratoga, will engage our -particular attention; inasmuch as it was the first decided reverse -to the British arms, and by giving courage to the rebels, assisted -much to further their cause. Thereby their faith was strengthened, -and the number of rebels increased from no inconsiderable class, -who waited to join the strongest party. Again, the scene of this -campaign was close to the borders of Canada, and there followed a -speedy escape of the first refugees from the Mohawk valley and -the Upper Hudson to the friendly shores of the St. Lawrence.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A year had elapsed since the Declaration of Independence, -and England had sent troops to America, with the view of assisting -the forces there to subdue the malcontents. In the early part of -July, Burgoyne set out from Lower Canada with about 8,500 soldiers, -500 Indians, and 150 Canadians, intending to traverse the country -to Albany, possessing himself of all rebel strongholds on the way, -and thence descend along the river Hudson, to New York, to -form a junction with General Howe, that city having been captured -from the rebels the 15th September previous. Passing by way of -Lake Champlain, he encountered the enemy on the 6th July, and -captured Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, with 128 cannon, -several armed vessels, a quantity of baggage, ammunition and provisions. -“This easy conquest inflamed his imagination.” The first -step towards the defeat of his army was the unsuccessful attempt -of Colonel St. Leger, with 800 men, who ascended the St. Lawrence -to Oswego, and thence up the river, to take Fort Stanwix (Rome), -intending to descend the Mohawk and join Burgoyne with his main -force, as he entered the head of the valley of the Hudson. Colonel -St. Leger arrived at Fort Stanwix on the 3rd August, 1777. For a -time he was the winner; but for some reason, it is said that the -Indians suddenly left him, and his troops, seized with a panic, fled. -In the meantime, General Burgoyne was pursuing his way, having -driven General Schuyler from Lake St. George to the mouth of the -Mohawk river.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Burgoyne, flushed with this renewed success, after his late capture -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, vainly supposed he -could advance steadily down the Hudson. He sent a body of men, -500 strong, under Colonel Baume, into the interior, eastward, with -the view of encouraging the inhabitants to continued loyalty, and -of arresting the machinations of the rebels. Near Bennington the -rebels had an important post, with magazines, and a large force -under General Stark. Baume, ignorant of their strength, rushed -headlong against the enemy. Nothing daunted, he led on his 500 -brave men. For two hours he contended with the unequal foe, -when his troops were almost annihilated, and he fell from his horse, -mortally wounded. But few escaped to tell the tale. Meanwhile, -Burgoyne, apprised of the danger surrounding Baume, had sent -assistance under Colonel Breynan. Unfortunately, they had not -much ammunition, and, after fighting until all was exhausted, they -had to flee. These three reverses paved the way for the final overthrow -of Burgoyne. He was still marching forward, bent on reaching -Albany, to accomplish the object of the campaign—​a juncture -with the army of General Howe. But now in his rear, to the west, -instead of Colonel St. Leger descending the Mohawk, was General -Herkimer, who had dispersed St. Leger’s force; and to the east -was General Stark, flushed with his victories over Baume and -Breynan. Burgoyne met Gates at last on Braemar heights, and -again, and for the last time, led his troops on to victory, although -the contest was well sustained. General Schuyler had intrenched -his forces at the mouth of the Mohawk, and Burgoyne, having -waited until his provision was exhausted, at last resolved to make -an assault. It was bravely made, but without success; and before -night-fall the army was retreating. Night, instead of enabling -them to regain their spirits and renew their ardor, only brought -the intelligence of the defeats previously sustained at Stanwix and -Bennington. This was the 7th October. Flight now was the only -possible chance for safety. The tents were left standing; his sick -and wounded forsaken. But the enemy now surrounded him; the -places he had taken were already re-taken; and upon the 10th of -the month he found himself helpless upon the fields of Saratoga, -where he surrendered. The whole of the men were sent to Boston -and other places south, there to languish in prison.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thus it came that the inhabitants in this section of the country -came under the power of the rebels, and those who had adhered to -the loyal side were mercilessly driven away at the point of the -bayonet. The writer has heard too many accounts of the extreme -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>cruelty practised at this time to doubt that such took place, or -question the fiendish nature of the acts practised by the successful -rebels against, not foes in arms, but the helpless. Many thus driven -away (and these were the first refugees who entered Canada) suffered -great hardships all through the winter. Most of the men -entered the ranks subsequently, while not a few, from their knowledge -of the country, undertook the trying and venturesome -engagement of spies. The families gathered around the forts upon -the borders had to live upon the fare supplied by the commissariat -of the army. A large number were collected at Mishish; and the -story goes that a Frenchman, whose duty it was to deal out the -supplies, did so with much of bad conduct and cruel treatment.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SIR JOHN JOHNSON.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Among the officers who served with General Burgoyne was -Sir John Johnson, who had been the first to suffer persecution, the -first to become a refugee, and who became a principal pioneer in -Upper Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“His father, Sir William Johnson, was a native of Ireland, of -whom it was said, in 1755, that he had long resided upon the Mohawk -river, in the western part of New York, where he had acquired -a considerable estate, and was universally beloved, not only by the -inhabitants but also by the neighboring Indians, whose language -he had learned and whose affections he had gained, by his humanity -and affability. This led to his appointment as agent for Indian -affairs, on the part of Great Britain, and he was said to be ‘the -soul of all their transactions with the savages.’”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of Sir William’s talents and shrewdness in dealing with the likewise -shrewd Indian, the following is found in Sabine: “Allen relates -that on his receiving from England some finely-laced clothes, the Mohawk -chief became possessed with the desire of equalling the baronet -in the splendor of his apparel, and, with a demure face, pretended to -have dreamed that Sir William had presented him with a suit of the -decorated garments. As the solemn hint could not be mistaken or -avoided, the Indian monarch was gratified, and went away, highly -pleased with the success of his device. But alas for Hendrick’s -shortsighted sagacity! In a few days Sir William, in turn, had a -dream, to the effect that the chief had given him several thousand -acres of land. ‘The land is yours,’ said Hendrick, ‘but now, Sir -William, I never dream with you again, you dream too hard for -me.’”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>At the breaking out of the revolutionary war, Sir John, who had -succeeded to his father’s title, appears, also, to have inherited his influence -with the Indians, and to have exerted that influence to the -utmost in favor of the Royal cause. By this means he rendered -himself particularly obnoxious to the continentals, as the Americans -were then called. Accordingly, in 1776, Colonel Dayton, with part -of his regiment, was sent to arrest him, and thus put it out of his -power to do further mischief. Receiving timely notice of this from -his tory friends at Albany, he hastily assembled a large number of -his tenants and others, and made preparations for a retreat, which he -successfully accomplished.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Avoiding the route by Lake Champlain, from fear of falling -into the hands of the enemy, who were supposed to be assembled in -that direction, he struck deep into the woods, by way of the head -waters of the Hudson, and descended the Raquette river, to its confluence -with the St. Lawrence, and thence crossed over to Canada. -Their provision failed soon after they had left their homes. Weary -and foot-sore, numbers of them sank by the way, and had to be left -behind, but were shortly afterwards relieved by a party of Indians, -who were sent from Caughnawaga in search of them. After nineteen -days of hardship, which have had few parallels in our history, they -reached Montreal. So hasty was their flight, that the family papers -were buried in the garden, and nothing taken with them but such -articles as were of prime necessity.” Soon after his arrival at Montreal -he was “commissioned a colonel, and raised two battalions of -loyalists, who bore the designation of the Royal Greens. From the -time of organizing this corps, he became one of the most active, and -one of the bitterest foes that the whigs encountered during the contest. -So true is it, as was said by the wise man of Israel, that ‘a -brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their -contentions are like the bars of a castle.’ Sir John was in several -regular and fairly conducted battles. He invested Fort Stanwix in -1777, and defeated the brave General Herkimer; and in 1780 was -defeated himself by General Van Rensselaer, at Fox’s Mills.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The result of his adherence to the Crown was, that his extensive -family estates upon the Mohawk were confiscated; but at the close of -the war he received large grants of land in various parts of Canada, -beside a considerable sum of money. He continued to be Superintendent -of Indian affairs, and resided in Montreal until his death, in -1822.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span> - <h4 class='c014'>THE LOYAL COMBATANTS.</h4> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The following are the principal corps and regiments of loyalists -who took part in the war against the rebels, and who were mainly -Americans:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The King’s Rangers; the Royal Fencible Americans; the -Queen’s Rangers; the New York Volunteers; the King’s American -regiment; the Prince of Wales’ American Volunteers; the Maryland -Loyalists; De Lancey’s Battalions; the Second American regiment; -the King’s Rangers, Carolina; the South Carolina Royalists; the -North Carolina Highland Regiment; the King’s American Dragoons; -the Loyal American Regiment; the American Legion; the New -Jersey Volunteers; the British Legion; the Loyal Foresters; the -Orange Rangers; the Pennsylvania Loyalists; the Guides and Pioneers; -the North Carolina Volunteers; the Georgia Loyalists; the -West Chester Volunteers. These corps were all commanded by colonels -or lieutenant-colonels; and as De Lancey’s battalions and the -New Jersey Volunteers consisted each of three battalions, there were -twenty-eight. To these, the Loyal New Englanders, the Associated -Loyalists and Wentworth’s Volunteers, remain to be added. Still -further, Colonel Archibald Hamilton, of New York, commanded at -one period seventeen companies of loyal Militia.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the officers and more prominent men of the corps, -who settled in Canada, we have succeeded in collecting the following -account.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE QUEEN’S RANGERS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This corps acted a very conspicuous part during the war. It -was raised by Major Robert Rogers, of New Hampshire, son of James -Rogers. He had served during the French war, with distinction, as -commander of Rogers’ Rangers, and was, “in 1776, appointed -Governor of Michilimackinac. During the early part of the rebellion -he was in the revolting states, probably acting as a spy, and was -in correspondence with the rebel Congress, and with Washington himself. -He was imprisoned at New York, but was released on parole, -which, it is said, he broke (like General Scott in 1812), and accepted -the commission of colonel in the British army, and proceeded to raise -the corps mentioned.” About 1777 “he went to England, and Simcoe -succeeded him as commander of the Queen’s Rangers.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sabine, speaking of John Brown Lawrence, says he was imprisoned -in the Burlington gaol, New Jersey, and that “Lieut.-Colonel -John G. Simcoe, commander of the Queen’s Rangers, was a fellow-prisoner, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>and when exchanged said, at parting, ‘I shall never forget -your kindness.’ He did not: and when appointed Lieutenant-Governor -of Upper Canada, he invited Mr. Lawrence to settle there,” and, -through the Governor, he acquired a large tract of land.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Queen’s Rangers were disbanded in 1802, having been associated -with the events of the first government of Upper Canada, their -colonel (Simcoe) having been the first Governor. A detachment of -this regiment were stationed upon the banks of the Don, before there -was a single white inhabitant where now stands Toronto.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>FERGUSON’S RANGERS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This corps formed a part of Burgoyne’s army at the time of surrendering, -and, “with other provincial prisoners, retired to Canada, -by permission of Gates.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE HESSIANS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The British Government, during the course of the war, procured -some foreign troops from one of the German Principalities upon the -Rhine, mostly from Hesse-Hamburg. This foreign legion was under -the command of General Baron de Reidesel, of their own country. -It would seem from the testimony of their descendants in Marysburgh, -that the British Government employed the men from the Government -of the principality, and that the men did not voluntarily enter the -service, but were impressed. These Hessians were drilled before -leaving their country. They were composed of infantry, artillery, -and a rifle company, “Green Yongers.” They were embarked for -Canada, by way of Portsmouth, and reached Quebec in time to -join the British army, and meet the enemy at Stillwater. Conrad -Bongard, of Marysburgh, informs us that his father was one of the -company under General Reidesel. He was in the artillery, and -accompanied Burgoyne in his eventful campaign; was at the battle -of Tyconderoga; and, with the rest of the Hessian troops, was taken -prisoner at Saratoga. They were taken down to Virginia, and there -retained as prisoners of war for nearly two years. Being released on -parole, many of them, with their General, were conveyed back to -Germany; but some of them, having the alternative, preferred to -remain in America, to share with the loyalists in grants of land. (See -Marysburgh, where the Hessians settled). Conrad Bongard became -the servant of Surveyor Holland, and was with him as he proceeded -up the St. Lawrence, to survey. Bongard married a widow Carr, -whose husband had been in the 24th regiment of Royal Fusileers, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>had died while the prisoners were retained in Virginia. He eventually -settled in the fifth township, where he died, January, 1840, aged 89. -His wife, Susan, died February, 1846, aged 98. Both were members -of the Lutheran church. Mrs. B. was a native of Philadelphia.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The wife of the General, Baroness de Reidesel, has left an interesting -record of the battles prior to Burgoyne’s surrender.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER VIII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Indian Names—​The Five Tribes—​The Sixth—​Confederation—​Government—​Subdivisions—​Origin—​Hendrick—​Death—​Brant—​Birth—​Education—​Married—​Teaching—​Christianity—​Brant -elected Chief—​Commissioned -a British Captain—​Visits England—​Returns—​Leads his warriors -to battle—​Efforts of Rebels to seduce Brant to their cause—​Attempted -treachery of the Rebel Herchimer—​Border warfare—​Wyoming—​Attempt to -blacken the character of Brant—​His noble conduct—​Untruthful American -History—​The inhabitants of Wyoming—​The Rebels first to blame—​Cherry -Valley—​Van Schaick—​Bloody orders—​Terrible conduct of the Rebels, -Helpless Indian families—​Further deeds of blood and rapine by the rebel -Sullivan—​A month of horrible work—​Attributes of cruelty more conspicuous -in the Rebels than in the Indians—​The New Englander—​Conduct -toward the Indians—​Inconsistent—​The “down trodden”—​The Mohawks—​Indian -agriculture—​Broken faith with the Indians—​Noble conduct of -Brant—​After the war—​His family—​Death—​Miss Molly—​Indian usage—​The -character of the Mohawk—​The six Indians as Canadians—​Fidelity to -the British—​Receiving land—​Bay Quinté—​Grand River—​Settling—​Captain -Isaac, Captain John—​At present—​Mohawk Counsel.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE SIX NATIONS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This once powerful Confederacy styled themselves Kan-ye-a-ke; -also, they sometimes called themselves <em>Aganuschioni</em> or <em>Agnanuschioni</em>, -which signifies <em>united</em> people. The French designated them Iroquois, -from a peculiar sound of their speech. The English knew them -as the <em>Five Nations</em>, and <em>Six Nations</em>, more generally by the latter -term. The original five tribes that formed the Confederacy, -were the Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, Onondagas, and Senecas. -Subsequently in 1712, the Tuscaroras came from the south, North -Carolina, and made the sixth nation. But according to some -authority, there were six nations before the Tuscaroras joined them. -However, we learn from several sources, that up to 1712, the English, -in speaking of them, referred to only five nations. The Oneidas -seem, at one time, to have been omitted, and the Aucguagas -inserted in their stead. The oldest members of the confederation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>were the Mohawks, Onondagas, and Senecas. The union of those -three tribes took place prior to the occupation of America by the -Europeans. The time at which the confederation of the five -nations was formed is uncertain, but it is supposed to have been in -the early part of the sixteenth century. The league binding -them together was rather of a democratic nature.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Each tribe was represented in the great council of the nation -by one principal sachem, with a number of associates.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They were always deliberate in their councils, considerate in -their decisions, never infringing upon the rights of a minority, -and dignified in their utterances. They were noted, not only as -warriors, but as well for their agriculture, their laws, and their -oratorical ability.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Each tribe was subdivided into classes, and each of these had a -device or “totem,” namely, the tortoise, the bear, the wolf, the -beaver, the deer, the falcon, the plover, and the crane.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They were for hundreds of years the terror of the various -Indian tribes peopling North America, and most of the time could -at will, roam the wide expanse between the Hudson Bay and the -Carolinas. Other tribes, too weak to oppose them, were from time -to time completely exterminated. Of these was the Erie tribe, -which had entirely disappeared by the year 1653. Of those -who stubbornly resisted the Six Nations, were the Hurons, the -Adirondacks, of the north, the Delawares, the Cherokees, and the -Mohicans.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Smith, an historian of New York, says that in 1756 “Our Indians -universally concur in the claim of all the lands not sold to the -English, from the mouth of Sorel River, on the south side of Lakes -Erie and Ontario, on both sides of the Ohio, till it falls into the -Mississippi; and on the north side of those lakes, that whole -territory between the Outaouais River, and the Lake Huron, and -even beyond the straits between that and Lake Erie.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“When the Dutch began the settlement of New York, all the -Indians on Long Island, and the northern shore of the Sound, on the -banks of the Connecticut, Hudson, Delaware, and Susquehanna -rivers, were in subjection to the Five Nations,” and in 1756, “a little -tribe, settled at the Sugar-loaf Mountain, in Orange County, made -a yearly payment of about £20 to the Mohawks.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the traditions of this people is one that they had a -supernatural origin from the heart of a mountain, that they then -migrated to the west, where they lived for a time by the sea shore. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>Then, in time returned to the country of the lakes. A country -now passed into the hands of the white man, who paid no just -price. But the names of many places yet indicate the history of -the ancient owners of the soil.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the Mohawks, in the beginning of the eighteenth -century, was a chief known as Old King Hendrick, or Soi-euga-rah-ta, -renowned for eloquence, bravery, and integrity. He was -intimate with Sir William Johnson, and it was between them -that the amusing contention of dreams occurred, that has been -narrated.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1755, a battle was fought at Lake George, between the -French, under Baron Dieskau, and the English, under Johnson, -resulting in the defeat of the French. The French and English -were supported by their respective allies. At this engagement Old -King Hendrick, then seventy years old, but still full of energy and -courage, was killed. Strangely enough it was at this battle that -Brant, then only thirteen years old, first took part with his tribe -in the contest. The mantle of Soieugarahta fell upon the youthful -Thayendinagea.</p> - -<p class='c000'><em>Thayendinagea</em>, or <em>Joseph Brant</em>, was born upon the banks of -the Ohio, in the year 1742, while his tribe was on a visit to that -region. According to Stone, his biographer, he was the son of -“Tehowaghwengaraghkwin a full-blooded Mohawk, of the Wolf -tribe.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the battle at Lake George, Brant continued with his -people under Johnson till the close of that bloody war. At its -close, about 1760, Brant, with several other young Indians, was -placed by Johnson at Moor School, Lebanon, Connecticut. After -acquiring some knowledge of the rudiments of literature, he left -the school to engage in active warfare with the Pontiacs and -Ottawas. In 1765, we find him married and settled in his own -house at the Mohawk Valley. It is said he was not married, except -in the Indian mode, until the winter of 1779, when at Niagara, -seeing a Miss Moore, a captive, married, he was also thus married by -Colonel John Butler, to a half-breed, the daughter of Colonel Croghan, -by an Indian woman. Here he spent a quiet and peaceful life -for some years, acting as interpreter in negotiations between his -people and the whites, and lending his aid to the efforts of the -missionaries who were engaged in the work of teaching and -converting the Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>“Those who visited his house, spoke in high terms of his -kindness and hospitality.” Sir William Johnson died in 1774, and -was succeeded by his son-in-law, Colonel George Johnson, as -Indian agent, who appointed Brant his Secretary. The same year -Johnson had to flee from the Mohawk, westward, to escape being -captured by a band of rebels. He was accompanied by Brant and -the principal warriors of the tribe. The rebels vainly tried to win -the Indians to their side; but excepting a few Senecas, they preferred -their long tried friends. The regular successor of Old King -Hendrick, was “little Abraham.” It is said he was well disposed to -the Americans, probably through jealousy of Brant. At all events, -Brant, by universal consent became the principal chief. He proceeded -with the other chiefs, and a large body of Indian warriors -to Montreal, where he was commissioned as a captain in the British -army. “In the fall of 1775, he sailed for England to hold personal -conference with the officers of government. He was an object of -much curiosity at London, and attracted the attention of persons -of high rank and great celebrity.” Brant returned to America in -the spring following, landed near New York, and made his way -through his enemy’s country to Canada. He placed himself at the -head of his warriors, and led them on to many a victory. The -first of which was at the battle of “the Cedars.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>But the rebels did not cease endeavoring to seduce Brant to -their cause. In June, 1777, General Herkimer of the rebel militia -approached Brant’s head-quarters with a large force, ostensibly to -treat on terms of equality. Brant had reason to suspect treachery, -and consequently would not, for some time, meet Herkimer. -After a week, however, he arranged to see General Herkimer, but -every precaution was taken against treachery, and it appears that -not without cause. Brant and Herkimer were old, and had been -intimate friends. Brant took with him a guard of about forty warriors. -It would seem that Herkimer’s intention was to try and -persuade Brant to come over to the rebels, and failing in this to -have Brant assassinated as he was retiring. Says an American -writer, Brownell, “We are sorry to record an instance of such -unpardonable treachery as Herkimer is said to have planned at -this juncture. One of his men, Joseph Waggoner, affirmed that -the General privately exhorted him to arrange matters so that -Brant and his three principal associates might be assassinated.” -Well does it become the Americans to talk about savage barbarity. -Brant thwarted the intentions of his old friend by keeping his forty -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>warriors within call. During all of the repeated attempts to get -the Mohawks they never swerved, but reminded the rebels of their -old treaties with England, and the ill-treatment their people had -sustained at the hands of the colonists.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The head-quarters of Brant was at Oghkwaga, Owego, upon -the Susquehanna. During the summer of 1777 while Burgoyne was -advancing, the Mohawks under Brant rendered important service. -In the attempt to capture Fort Stanwix, they took a prominent part. -In the summer of 1778 the Indians, with Butler’s Rangers were -engaged principally in border warfare. It was during this season -that the affair at Wyoming took place, which event has been so -extravagantly made use of to blacken the character of the Indians -and vilify the “tories.” That Brant was not inhuman, but that he -was noble, let recent American writers testify. Brownell says: -“many an instance is recorded of his interference, even in the heat of -conflict, to stay the hand uplifted against the feeble and helpless.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was in the latter part of June that a descent was planned upon -the settlements of Wyoming. Of this event, again we will let -Brownell speak:—​“It has been a commonly received opinion that -Brant was the Chief under whom the Indian portion of the army -was mustered, but it is now believed that he had as little share in -this campaign as in many other scenes of blood long coupled with -his name. There was no proof that he was present at any of the -scenes that we are about to relate.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“No portion of the whole history of the revolution has been so -distorted in the narration as that connected with the laying waste of -the valley of Wyoming. No two accounts seem to agree, and historians -have striven to out-do each other in the violence of their expressions -of indignation, at cruelties and horrors which existed only in -their imaginations, or which came to them embellished with all -the exaggeration incident to reports arising amid scenes of excitement -and bloodshed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Wyoming had, for many years, been the scene of the bitterest -hostility between the settlers under the Connecticut grant, and -those from Pennsylvania. Although these warlike operations were -upon a small scale, they were conducted with great vindictiveness -and treachery. Blood was frequently shed, and as either party -obtained the ascendency, small favor was shown to their opponents, -who were generally driven from their homes in hopeless destitution. -We cannot go into a history of these early transactions, and -only mention them as explanatory of the feelings of savage -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>animosity which were exhibited between neighbors, and even members -of the same family, who had espoused opposite interests in the -revolutionary contest.” Such, be it noted, was the character of the -inhabitants of Wyoming valley, who have been so long held up as -innocent victims of Indian barbarity. By the above, we learn that -prior to this, there had been contentions between the loyalists and -rebels. The party who entered Wyoming to attack the Fort, were -under Colonel John Butler, and were composed of some 300 -British regulars and refugees, and 500 Indians. Now, it -would seem that the depredation which was committed after Colonel -Zebulon Butler, the rebel leader, had been defeated, and the -Fort had capitulated, was to a great extent due to retaliatory steps -taken by the loyalists who previously had been forced away, and -had seen their homes committed to the flames. Such was the border -warfare of those days. It was not Indian savagery, it was a -species of fighting introduced by the “Sons of Liberty.” And if -we condemn such mode of fighting, let our condemnation rest first, -and mainly upon those who initiated it. Not upon the Indians, for -they were led by white men—​not upon Brant, for he was not there—​not -so much upon the loyalists, for they had been driven away -from their homes; but let it be upon those who introduced it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The rebels were not slow to seek retribution for their losses at -Wyoming. Aided by a party of Oneidas who lent themselves to -the rebels, “Colonel Wm. Butler with a Pennsylvania regiment, -entered the towns of Unadilla and Oghkwaga, and burned and -destroyed the buildings, together with large stores of provisions -intended for winter use.” In turn, Walter Butler led a party of -700, a large number being Indians under Brant, to attack a fort at -Cherry Valley which was “garrisoned by troops under Colonel -Ichabod Alden.” It will be seen that the Indians and loyalists -did not enter an unprotected place to burn and destroy. They -attacked a garrison of troops. But the Indians exasperated by the -cruel procedure at Oghkwaga, became ungovernable, and about fifty -men, women and children fell by the tomahawk. This was the -retaliation which the Indian had been taught to regard as justifiable -for the wrongs which had been inflicted upon his own tribe—​his -little ones; yet be it remembered, and later American writers -admit it, that the commanders, Butler and Brant, did all they could -to restrain the terrible doings of the exasperated men. “Specific -instances are reported in which the Mohawk Chief interfered, and -successfully, to avert the murderous tomahawk.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>And now begins the bloody revenge which the rebels determined -to inflict upon the Indians, without respect to tribes. In -April, 1779, Colonel Van Schaick was despatched with a sufficient -force for the purpose, with instructions “to lay waste the whole of -their towns, to destroy all their cattle and property.” “The -Colonel obeyed his orders to the letter, and left nothing but blackened -ruins behind him.” It was merely a march of destruction, for -the Indians were not there to oppose their steps. The villages -and property that were destroyed belonged to the Onondagas, -although they had not taken a decided stand with the loyalist -party. It was enough that they were Indians, and would not join -the rebels. But this was merely a prelude to what was preparing, -in pursuance of a resolution of the rebel congress. The infamous -duty of commanding this army of destruction, town destroyers the -Indians called them, was entrusted to General Sullivan, whose -nature was adequate to the requirements of the command.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the 22nd August, 1779, five thousand men were concentrated -at Tioga, upon the Susquehanna. The men were prepared -for their uncivilized duty by promises of the territory over which -they were about to sow blood and fire. The Indians had no adequate -force to oppose their march westward over the Six Nations -territory. Brant with his warriors, with the Butlers and Johnsons -made a gallant resistance upon the banks of the Chemung, near -the present town of Elmira. But, after suffering considerable loss, -the vastly superior force compelled them to flee, and there -remained nothing to arrest the devastating rebel army, and during -the whole month of September they continued the work of despoliation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It has been the custom of almost all American historians to -give the Indians attributes of the most debasing character. At -peace, unworthy the advantages of civilization; at war, treacherous -and ferociously cruel. For this persistent and ungenerous procedure -it is impossible to conceive any cause, unless to supply an -excuse for the steady course of double-dealing the Americans have -pursued toward the original owners of the soil, and provide a covering -for the oft-repeated treachery practised toward the credulous -Indian by the over-reaching New Englander. To the Mohawk -Nation particularly, since they proved true allies of the British, -have American writers found it agreeable to bestow a character -noted for blood and rapine. Nothing can be more untrue than the -character thus gratuitously portrayed, nothing more at variance -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>with the essential nature of the Indian, when free from European -intrigues, and the cursed fire-water. The aboriginal races of -North America are not by nature, blood-thirsty above Europeans. -That they are honest, just and true, capable of distinguishing -between right and wrong, with a due appreciation of well-kept -faith, is well attested by the conduct which has ever been observed -by them toward, not alone the Pennsylvanians, but every man -found to be a Quaker. No instance can be found recorded throughout -the long bloody wars of the Indians, where a hair of the head -of a single man, woman or child of that denomination was injured -by the Indian; and thus because the upright Penn never defrauded -them. The Americans, while British colonists, with the exception -alluded to, made themselves obnoxious to almost all Indian tribes. -They never secured that hearty and faithful alliance that the -French did. There seemed to be something in the air, especially -of the New England States, which in a few generations blinded -the eye, by which the golden rule is to be observed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Americans, who have ever set themselves up as the champions, -<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">par excellence</span></i>, of liberty, to whom the “down-trodden of the -old world” could look for sympathy, if not direct support, have -signally failed to observe those lofty principles at home toward -the natives of the soil, while they continued for eighty years to -keep in chains the sable sons of Africa. They have found it convenient -and plausible to prate about the political “tyranny of -European despots;” but no nation of northern Europe has shown -such disregard for the rights of their people as the United States -have exhibited toward the original owners of the soil. Avarice has -quite outgrown every principle of liberty that germinated ere -they came to America. The frontier men, the land-jobber, the -New England merchant, as well as the Southern Planter, have -alike ignored true liberty in defrauding the Indian, in sending out -slavers, and in cruel treatment of the slave. Then can we wonder -that the noble-minded Indian, naturally true to his faith, should, -when cheated, wronged,—​cruelly wronged, with the ferocity -natural to his race, visit the faithless with terrible retribution?</p> - -<p class='c000'>The unbiassed records of the past, speak in tones that cannot -be hushed, of the more noble conduct of the natives, than of those -who have sought to exterminate them. The Mohawks, although -brave warriors, fought not for the mere love of it. They even at -times strove to mediate between the French and New Englanders.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To the Mohawks, the American writer has especially bestowed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>a name bloody and ignoble. And all because they listened not to -their wily attempts to seduce them to join the rebels, but preferred -to ally themselves with the British. No doubt the Indian -had long before discriminated between the rule of British officers, -and the selfish policy of local governments. And hence, we find, in -every scrap of paper relating to the Mohawks, unfounded accounts -of savage doings. But taking, as true, the darkest pages written -by the Americans against the Six Nations, they present no parallel -to the deeds of brutal vengeance enacted by the American army -under Sullivan, when he traversed the fruitful country, so long the -home of the Iroquois. Says an American writer: “When the army -reached the Genesee Valley, all were surprised at the cultivation -exhibited, by wide fields of corn, gardens well stocked, their cattle, -houses, and other buildings, showing good design, with mechanical -skill, and every kind of vegetable that could be conceived. Beautiful -as was the scene in the eyes of the army, a few days changed -it to utter desolation; neither house, nor garden, grain, fruit tree, -or vegetable, was left unscathed.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Says Stone: “Forty Indian towns were destroyed. Corn -gathered and ungathered, to the amount of 160,000 bushels, shared -the same fate; their fruit trees were cut down; and the Indians -were hunted like wild beasts, till neither house, nor fruit tree, nor -field of corn, nor inhabitant, remained in the whole country.” -And the poor Indian women, and children, and old men, were thus -left at the approaching winter to seek support at the British -garrisons. Truly the rebels of ‘76 were brave and civilized!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thirteen years after, one of the chiefs said to Washington, -“Even to this day, when the name of the town-destroyer is heard, -our women look behind them and turn pale, and our children cling -close to the necks of their mother; our sachems and our warriors -are men, who cannot be afraid, but their hearts are grieved with -the fears of our women and children.” Thus the brave Sullivan, -with his thousand rebels, made war against old men, women and -children, who were living in their rightful homes. This was -fighting for liberty!</p> - -<p class='c000'>The blood of the Indian, as well as the slave, has risen up to -reproach the American, and it required much of fresh blood to -wash away the stains remaining from their deeds of cruelty and -rapine, inflicted during their revolutionary war, under the name of -liberty. The soldiers of Sullivan were stimulated in their evil -work by promises of the land they were sent to despoil; and the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>close of the war saw them return to claim their promises, while the -rightful owner was driven away. A certain portion of the Six -Nations having received pledges from the United States Government -for their welfare, remained to become subjects of the new -nation. But excepting Washington himself, and General Schuyler, -not one heeded their promises made to the Indian. The most -unjust proceedings were begun and ruthlessly carried on by individuals, -by companies, by legislators, by speculators, to steal every -inch of land that belonged by all that is right, to the Senecas. -How unlike the benignant and faithful conduct of the British -Government in Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Brant continued during the war to harass the enemy in every -possible way, and in the following year, August, planned a terrible, -but just retaliation for the work of Sullivan’s horde. It was now -the turn of the rebels to have their houses, provisions and crops, -despoiled. But all the while “no barbarities were permitted upon -the persons of defenceless women and children, but a large number -of them were borne away into captivity.” Again, in October, -Johnson and Brant, with Corn Planter, a distinguished Seneca -chief, invaded the Mohawk Valley. In this foray, the same conduct -was observed toward women and children. On one occasion, -Brant sent an Indian runner with an infant, that had been unintentionally -carried from its mother with some captives, to restore it. -Still, again the following year, the Indians under Brant, and -the Royalists under Major Ross, were found over-running their -old homes along the Mohawk and Schoharie. On this their last -expedition, they were met by the rebels in force under Colonel -Willet, with some Oneida warriors, and defeated them. Colonel -Walter N. Butler, whom the rebels have so often tried to malign, -was shot and scalped by an Oneida Indian, under the command of -the rebel Willet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We learn by the foregoing that the Iroquois were not only brave -as warriors, but they had attained to a much higher position in -the scale of being than other tribes inhabiting America. They -were not ignorant of agriculture, nor indifferent to the blessings -derived therefrom. The rich uplands of the country lying to the -north of the Alleghenies, were made to contribute to their wants, as -did the denizen of the forest. They were equally at home, whether -upon the war path, the trail of the deer, or in the tilling of land. -The plow of the Anglo-Saxon has not in seventy years completely -effaced the evidences of their agricultural skill. And not less were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>their sachems noted for wisdom in council, and for eloquence. Not -only corn, but beans and other cereals were cultivated, particularly -by the Six Nations. Fruits and edibles, introduced by the Europeans, -were propagated by the natives, and when the rebel -Sullivan, in accordance with orders from Washington, swept over -their country, large orchards of excellent fruit, as well as fields of -grain, were met with and ruthlessly destroyed, as were the -women and children, with their peaceful homes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to Rochefoucault, Brant’s manners were half -European; he was accompanied by two negro servants, and -was, “in appearance, like an Englishman.” Brant visited England -in December 1785, and was treated with great consideration.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the close of the war, Brant settled at Wellington Square, -upon land conferred by the Crown, where he lived after the English -mode. He died here 24th November, 1807. His wife, who never -took to civilized life, after her husband’s death, removed to the -Grand River, and lived in her wigwam. Some of her children -remained in the “commodious dwelling,” and others accompanied -her to the life of the wigwam. According to Weld, Brant had at -one time thirty or forty negro slaves, which he kept in the greatest -subjection. He also says that Brant’s half pay as a captain, and -his presents yearly received, amounted to £500.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His last days were made unhappy by a debased son, who, -after threatening his father’s life, was at last killed by him, in self -defence, by a short sword which Brant wore at his side. Respecting -another of his sons, the Kingston <cite>Herald</cite>, September 5th, 1832, says:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“It is with unfeigned sorrow that we announce the death of <span class='sc'>Captain -John Brant</span>, Chief of the Six Nations Indians. He died of Cholera, at Brantford, -on the 27th ult., after an illness of only six hours. Mr. Brant was the son -of the celebrated Indian Chief, whose memory was unjustly assailed by Campbell -the Poet, and for the vindication of which the subject of this notice some years -ago purposely visited England. Possessing the education, feelings, and manners -of a gentleman, he was beloved by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, -and his death cannot fail to be deeply and very generally regretted.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have spoken of the intimacy that existed between the -Mohawks and Sir William Johnson, the Colonial Agent of England. -This, be it remembered, was more than a hundred years ago, and -great changes have taken place in the opinion of many with -regard to certain irregularities of society. We cannot excuse -the conduct of Sir William, when he had lost his European wife, in -taking the sister of Brant, Miss Molly, without the form of matrimonial -alliance; but we must concede every allowance for the -times in which he lived. But while grave doubt may rest upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>the moral principle displayed by him, we see no just reason to -reflect in any way upon the Indian female. Miss Molly took up -her abode with Sir William, and lived with him as a faithful spouse -until he died. However, this must not be regarded as indicating -depravity on the part of the simple-minded native. It must be -remembered that the Indian’s mode of marrying consists of but -little more than the young squaw leaving the father’s wigwam, -and repairing to that of her future husband, and there is no reason -to doubt that Miss Molly was ever other than a virtuous woman. -And this belief is corroborated by the fact that four daughters, the -issue of this alliance, were most respectably married.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of the Six Nations, this tribe always stood foremost as brave -and uncompromising adherents to the British Government, notwithstanding -the utmost endeavors of the rebels to win them to -their side. It becomes, consequently a duty, and a pleasing duty -to refer more particularly to this race, a remnant of which yet -lives upon the shore of the bay. Among the Mohawks are, however, -remnants of some of the other tribes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The tribe is so-called, after the river, upon whose banks they -so long lived. They did not formerly acknowledge the title, but -called themselves by a name which interpreted, means “just such -a people as we ought to be.” This name is not known, unless it -may be Agniers, a name sometimes applied by the French.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This tribe was the oldest and most important of the Six -Nations, and supplied the bravest warriors, and one of its chiefs -was usually in command of the united warriors of all the tribes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It must not be forgotten that the Mohawks, who came to -Canada, and other tribes of the Six Nations, were to all intents, -United Empire Loyalists. At the close of the struggle, we have -seen elsewhere, that the commissioners at Paris, in their unseemly -haste to contract terms of peace, forgot how much was due to the -loyalists of America, and urged no special terms to ameliorate -the condition of the many who had fought and lost all for the -maintenance of British power. Likewise did they forget the -aboriginal natives who had equally suffered. The fact that these -Indians were not even referred to, gave Brant a just cause of complaint, -which he duly set forth in a memorial to the Imperial -Government. But, as the British Government and nation subsequently -strove to relieve the suffering condition of the refugees, -so did they afford to the loyal sons of the forest every possible -facility to make themselves comfortable. Indeed, the British -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>officers in command, at the first, gave a pledge that all that they -lost should be restored. The promise thus given by Sir Guy -Carleton, was ratified by his successor, General Haldimand, in -1779, Captain General and Commander-in-Chief in Canada, and -confirmed by Patent, under the Great Seal, January 14, 1793, -issued by Governor Simcoe.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the close of the war, a portion of the Mohawks were -temporarily residing on the American side of Niagara River, in the -vicinity of the old landing place above the Fort. The Senecas, who -seem to have been at this time more closely allied than other tribes -to the Mohawks, offered to them a tract of land within the territory -of the United States. But the Mohawks would not live in the United -States. They declared they would “sink or swim with England.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Brant proceeded to Montreal to confer with Sir John -Johnson, General Superintendent of Indian affairs. “The tract -upon which the chief had fixed his attention, was situated upon the -Bay de Quinté.” General Haldimand, in accordance with this -wish, purchased a tract of land upon the bay from the Mississaugas, -and conveyed it to the Mohawks. Subsequently, when Brant -returned to Niagara, the Senecas expressed their desire that their -old and intimate friends, the Mohawks, should live nearer to them -than upon the Bay de Quinté. Brant convened a council of the -tribe to consider the matter, the result was, that he went a second -time to Quebec to solicit a tract of land less remote from the -Senecas. Haldimand granted this request, and the land, six miles -square, upon the Grand River was accordingly purchased from the -Mississaugas, and given to them, forty miles off from the Senecas. -The above facts are taken from Brant’s MS. and History. We may -infer from this fact, that the party who did come to the bay under -Captain John, felt less attachment to the Senecas than the other -portion of the tribe. The quantity of land on the bay originally -granted was 92,700 acres; but a portion has been surrendered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the early part of the rebellion, the Mohawk families fled -from their valley with precipitation. They mostly went to Lachine, -where they remained three years. They then ascended the river -in their canoes, and probably stayed a winter at Cataraqui, the -winter of 1783–4. The whole tribe was under Brant. Second in -command was Captain John, a cousin of Brant, and his senior in -years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the spring, a portion of the tribe entered the Bay Quinté, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>and passed up to the present township of Tyendinaga. The majority, -led by Brant, passed up along the south shore of Lake Ontario to -Niagara.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE MOHAWKS AS CANADIANS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Descendants of the bravest of all the brave Indian warriors of -America, we find them peaceable and in most respects imbibing the -spirit of the day. Ever since the party settled on the bay, -they have manifested no turbulent spirit, none of those wild -attributes natural to the wild-woods Indian, toward their white -neighbors. Among themselves there has been one occasion of -disturbance. This arose from the quarrelsome nature of one -Captain Isaac Hill. This Chief, with his people, formed a part of -Brant’s company that settled on the Grand River. After a few -years, having disagreed with his nation, and become exceedingly -disagreeable from his officious and selfish conduct, he removed to -the bay, and united himself with Captain John’s party, which -received him. But he failed to live peaceably with them. -Eventually the disagreement resulted in a serious hostile -engagement between the two branches, who fought with tomahawks -and knives. But one person was killed, a chief of Captain John’s -party, Powles Claus, who was stabbed in the abdomen. But -subsequently Captain Isaac Hill became a worthy inhabitant. His -house still standing, then considered large, was frequently open to -the more festive, across the Bay in Sophiasburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Out of the six hundred Indians, now living upon the Reserve, -there is only one with pure Indian blood. His name is David -Smart. It has been elsewhere stated, that the custom prevailed -among the Mohawk nation, to maintain the number of the -tribe, by taking captive a sufficient number to fill the vacancies -caused by death of their people. The result was, that these -captives marrying with Indians, they gradually underwent a change, -and the original appearance of the Mohawk has lost its characteristic -features. The circumstances of the Indians during the -revolutionary war, and subsequently in settling in Canada, led to -frequent unions between the white men of different nationalities -and the Indian women. Therefore, at the present day there -remains but little more than a trace of the primal Indian who -lorded it, a hundred years ago, over no inconsiderable portion of the -North American Continent.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When visiting the Indians, on our way, we met some eight or -ten sleighs laden with them, returning from a funeral. We were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>much struck with the appearance of solid, farmer-like comfort -which their horses and conveyances exhibited, as well as they -themselves did in their half Canadian dress.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While drunkenness has prevailed among the older Indians, it -is pleasing to know that the younger ones are far more regular in -their habits. For this, much credit is due to the Christian oversight -of their former and present pastors. They have 1800 acres of -land. They number 630, and are increasing yearly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The seal of the Mohawk Counsel may be seen with the Rev. -Mr. Anderson. The armorial bearings consist of the wolf, the -bear and the turtle. These animals, in the order here given, -indicate, not tribes, nor families exactly, but rank. The wolf is -the highest class, the bear next in rank, and the turtle the lowest -grade.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER IX.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Individuals—​Anderson—​Bethune—​Burwell—​Butler—​Canliff—​Claus—​Coffin—​Doune—​Jarvis—​Jones—​McDonald—​McGill—​McGilles—​Merrit—​Munday—​Peters—​Robinson—​Singleton—​Ross—​McNab—​Allen—​Allison—​Ashley—​Bell—​Burritt—​Casey—​Carscallion—​Church—​Clark—​Crawford—​Dame—​Daly—​Diamond.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>INDIVIDUAL COMBATANTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The immediately following notices of the combatants who settled -in Upper Canada are extracted from Sabine.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“At the beginning of the revolution, Samuel Anderson, of New -York, went to Canada. He soon entered the service of the Crown, -and was a captain under Sir John Johnson. In 1783 he settled near -Cornwall, in Upper Canada, and received half-pay. He held several -civil offices: those of Magistrate, Judge of a district court, and associate -Justice of the Court of King’s Bench, were among them. He -continued to reside upon his estate near Cornwall, in Upper Canada, -until his decease in 1836, at the age of one hundred and one. His -property in New York was abandoned and lost.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Joseph Anderson, lieutenant in the King’s regiment, New York. -At the peace he retired to Canada. He died near Cornwall, Canada -West, in 1853, aged ninety. He drew half pay for a period of about -seventy years. One of the last survivors of the United Empire -Loyalists.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>“John Bethune, of North Carolina, chaplain in the Loyal Militia. -Taken prisoner in the battle at Cross Creek in 1776. Confined in -Halifax gaol, but ordered finally to Philadelphia. After his release, -his continued loyalty reduced him to great distress. He was appointed -chaplain to the 84th regiment, and restored to comfort. At the peace -he settled in Upper Canada, and died at Williamstown in that colony, -in 1815, in his sixty-fifth year.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“James Burwell, of New Jersey, born at Rockaway, January 18, -1754. Our loyalist enlisted in his Majesty’s service in the year 1776, -at the age of twenty-two, and served seven years, and was present at -the battle of Yorktown, when Lord Cornwallis surrendered, and was -there slightly wounded.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Came to Upper Canada in the year 1796, too late to obtain the -King’s bounty of family land, but was placed on the United Empire -list, and received two hundred acres for himself and each of his children. -He removed to the Talbot settlement in the year 1810. He -died in the County of Elgin, Canada, July, 1853, aged ninety-nine -years and five months.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John Butler, of Tyron, now Montgomery county, New York. -Before the war, Colonel Butler was in close official connection with -Sir William, Sir John, and Colonel Guy Johnson, and followed their -political fortunes. At the breaking out of hostilities he commanded -a regiment of New York Militia, and entered at once into the military -service of the Crown. During the war his wife was taken -prisoner, and exchanged for the wife of the whig colonel, Campbell. -Colonel John Butler was richly rewarded for his services. Succeeding -(in part) to the agency of Indian affairs, long held by the Johnsons, -he enjoyed, about the year 1796, a salary of £500 stg. per annum, -and a pension, as a military officer, of £200 more. Previously, he -had received a grant of 500 acres of land, and a similar provision for -his children. His home, after the war, was in Upper Canada. He -was attainted during the contest, and his property confiscated. He -lived, before the revolution, in the present town of Mohawk.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Joseph Canliff, in 1781 a lieutenant in the first battalion New -Jersey Volunteers.” This person is probably of the same lineage as -the writer of this work, great confusion often existing with regard to -the spelling of names in the early days of America.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Daniel Claus. He married a daughter of Sir William Johnson, -and served for a considerable time in the Indian Department of -Canada, under his brother-in-law, Colonel Guy Johnson.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>“William Claus, Deputy Superintendent General of Indian affairs, -was his son.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Coffin—​There were several of this name who took part in the -war against the rebellion. Of these, the following are connected -with Canadian history:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Sir Thomas Aston Coffin, baronet, of Boston, son of William -Coffin. He graduated at Harvard University in 1772. At one period -of the rebellion he was private secretary to Sir Guy Carleton. In -1804 he was Secretary and Comptroller of Lower Canada.” Afterwards -Commissary General in the British army.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Nathaniel Coffin, of Boston. After the revolution he settled in -Upper Canada.” Served in the war of 1812. “For a number of -years was Adjutant-General of the Militia of Upper Canada. Died at -Toronto in 1846, aged 80.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John Coffin: was Assistant Commissary General in the British -army, and died at Quebec in 1837, aged 78.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Doane, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Of this family there -were five brothers, namely: Moses, Joseph, Israel, Abraham, Mahlon. -They were men of fine figures and address, elegant horsemen, great -runners and leapers, and excellent at stratagems and escapes. Their -father was respectable, and possessed a good estate. The sons themselves, -prior to the war, were men of reputation, and proposed to -remain neutral: but, harassed personally, their property sold by the -whigs because they would not submit to the exactions of the time, -the above-mentioned determined to wage a predatory warfare upon -their persecutors, and to live in the open air, as they best could do. -This plan they executed, to the terror of the country around, acting -as spies to the royal army, and robbing and plundering continually; -yet they spared the weak, the poor and the peaceful. They aimed at -public property and at public men. Generally, their expeditions were -on horseback. Sometimes the five went together, at others separately, -with accomplices. Whoever of them was apprehended broke jail; -whoever of them was assailed escaped. In a word, such was their -course, that a reward of £300 was offered for the head of each.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Ultimately, three were slain. Moses, after a desperate fight, was -shot by his captor; and Abraham and Mahlon were hung at Philadelphia.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Joseph, before the revolution, taught school. During the war, -while on a marauding expedition, he was shot through the cheeks, -fell from his horse, and was taken prisoner. He was committed to -jail to await his trial, but escaped to New Jersey. A reward of $800 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>was offered for his apprehension, but without success. He resumed -his former employment in New Jersey, and lived there, under an -assumed name, nearly a year, but finally fled to Canada. Several -years after the peace he returned to Pennsylvania, ‘a poor, degraded, -broken-down old man,’ to claim a legacy of about £40, which he was -allowed to recover, and to depart. In his youth he was distinguished -for great physical activity.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The only separate mention of Israel is, that “in February, 1783, -he was in jail; that he appealed to the Council of Pennsylvania to be -released, on account of his own sufferings and the destitute condition -of his family, and that his petition was dismissed.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Stephen Jarvis, in 1782 was a lieutenant of cavalry in the South -Carolina Royalists. He was in New Brunswick after the revolution, -but went to Upper Canada, and died at Toronto, at the residence of -the Rev. Dr. Phillips, 1840, aged eighty-four. During his service in -the revolution he was in several actions.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“William Jarvis, an officer of cavalry in the Queen’s Rangers. -Wounded at the siege of Yorktown. At the peace he settled in Upper -Canada, and became Secretary of that Province. He died at York in -1817. His widow, Hannah, a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Peters, of -Hebron, Connecticut, died at Queenston, Upper Canada, 1845, aged -eighty-three.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“David Jones was a captain in the royal service, and is supposed -to ‘have married the beautiful and good Jane McCrea, whose cruel -death, in 1777, by the Indians, is universally known and lamented.’ -According to Lossing, he lived in Canada to an old age, having never -married. Jane McCrea was the daughter of the Rev. James McCrea, -of New Jersey, loyalist.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Jonathan Jones, of New York, brother of Jane McCrea’s lover. -Late in 1776 he assisted in raising a company in Canada, and joined -the British, in garrison, at Crown Point. Later in the war he was a -captain, and served under General Frazer.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>McDonald—​There were a good many of this name who took -part as combatants, of whom several settled in Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Alexander McDonald was a major in a North Carolina regiment. -“His wife was the celebrated Flora McDonald, who was so true and -so devoted to the unfortunate Prince Charles Edward, the last Stuart, -who sought the throne of England. They had emigrated to North -Carolina, and when the rebellion broke out, he, with two sons, took -up arms for the Crown.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Those who settled in Canada were “Donald McDonald, of New -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>York. He served under Sir John Johnson for seven years, and died -at the Wolfe Island, Upper Canada, in 1839, aged 97.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Allan McDonald, of Tryon, New York,” was associated with -Sir John Johnson in 1776. “He died at Three Rivers, Lower Canada, -in 1822, quite aged.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John McGill.—​In 1782 he was an officer of infantry in the -Queen’s Rangers, and, at the close of the war, went to New Brunswick. -He removed to Upper Canada, and became a person of note. -He died at Toronto, in 1834, at the age of eighty-three. At the time -of his decease he was a member of the Legislative Council of the -Colony.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Donald McGillis resided, at the beginning of the revolution, on -the Mohawk river, New York. Embracing the royal side in the contest, -he formed one of a ‘determined band of young men’ who -attacked a whig post and, in the face of a superior force, cut down -the flag-staff, and tore in strips the stars and stripes attached to it. -Subsequently, he joined a grenadier company, called the Royal -Yorkers, and performed efficient service throughout the war. He -settled in Canada at the peace; and, entering the British service -again in 1812, was commissioned as a captain in the Colonial corps, -by Sir Isaac Brock. He died at River Raisin, Canada, in 1844, aged -eighty years.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Thomas Merrit, of New York, in 1782 was cornet of cavalry in -the Queen’s Rangers. He settled in Upper Canada, and held the -offices of Sheriff of the District of Niagara and Surveyor of the -King’s Forests. He received half pay as a retired military officer. -He died at St. Catharines, May, 1842, aged eighty-two.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Nathaniel Munday, in 1782 was an officer in the Queen’s -Rangers. He was in New Brunswick after the revolution, and -received half pay; but left that colony and, it is believed, went to -Canada.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John Peters, of Hebron, Connecticut; born in 1740. A most -devoted loyalist. He went to Canada finally, and raised a corps, -called the Queen’s Loyal Rangers, of which Lord Dorchester gave -him command, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Christopher Robinson, of Virginia, kinsman of Beverley. Entered -William and Mary College with his cousin Robert; escaped -with him to New York, and received a commission in the Loyal -American regiment. Served at the South, and was wounded. At the -peace he went to Nova Scotia, and received a grant of land at Wilmot. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>He soon removed to Canada, where Governor Simcoe gave him the -appointment of Deputy Surveyor-General of Crown Lands. His -salary, half pay, and an estate of two thousand acres, placed him in -circumstances of comfort. He was the father of several children, -some of whom were educated in the mother-country. He died in -Canada. His widow, Esther, daughter of Rev. John Sayre, of New -Brunswick, died in 1827. His son, Beverley Robinson, who was born -in 1791, was appointed Attorney-General of Upper Canada in 1818; -Chief Justice in 1829; created a Baronet in 1854; and died in 1863.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Singleton—​A lieutenant in the ‘Royal Greens,’ was wounded -in 1777, during the investment of Fort Stanwix.” Probably Captain -Singleton, who settled in Thurlow, Upper Canada, was the same person.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Finley Ross, of New York, was a follower of Sir John Johnson -to Canada in 1776. After the revolution he served in Europe, and -was at Minden and Jena. He settled at Charlotteburgh, Upper Canada, -where he died, in 1830, aged ninety.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Allan McNab, a Lieutenant of cavalry in the Queen’s Rangers, -under Colonel Simcoe. During the war he received thirteen -wounds. He accompanied his commander to Upper Canada, then -a dense, unpeopled wilderness, where he settled. He was appointed -Sergeant-at-arms of the House of Assembly of that Province, -and held the office many years. His son, the late Sir Allan -McNab, was a gentleman who filled many important offices in Upper -Canada.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Hamilton <cite>Spectator</cite>, speaking of the death of Sir A. N. McNab, -says: “The Hon. Colonel Sir Allan Napier McNab, Bart., M.L.C., -A. D. C., was born at Niagara in the year 1798, of Scotch extraction,”—​his -grandfather, Major Robert McNab, of the 22nd regiment, -or Black Watch, was Royal Forester in Scotland, and resided -on a small property called Dundurn, at the head of Loch Earn. -His father entered the army in her Majesty’s 7th regiment, and -was subsequently promoted to a dragoon regiment. He was -attached to the staff of General Simcoe during the revolutionary -war; after its close he accompanied General Simcoe to this country. -When the Americans attacked Toronto, Sir Allan, then a boy at -school, was one of a number of boys selected as able to carry a -musket; and after the authorities surrendered the city, he retreated -with the army to Kingston, when through the instrumentality of -Sir Roger Sheaffe, a friend of his father’s, he was rated as mid-shipman -on board Sir James Yeo’s ship, and accompanied the expeditions -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>to Sackett’s Harbor, Genesee, and other places on the American -side of the lake. Finding promotions rather slow, he left the -navy and joined the 100th regiment under Colonel Murray, and -was with them when they re-occupied the Niagara frontier. He -crossed with the advanced guard at the storming and taking of Fort -Niagara. For his conduct in this affair he was honored with an -ensigncy in the 49th regiment. He was with General Ryall at -Erie, and crossed the river with him when Black Rock and Buffalo -were burned, in retaliation for the destruction of Niagara, a few -months previous. After the termination of this campaign, Sir -Allan joined his regiment in Montreal, and shortly after marched -with them to the attack of Plattsburgh. On the morning of the -attack he had the honor of commanding the advanced guard at the -Saranac Bridge. At the reduction of the army in 1816 or 1817, -he was placed on half-pay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is impossible at this time to give anything like a history of -the disbanded soldiers who settled on the shores of the Bay and the -St. Lawrence. There could not be allowed the space necessary to -do justice to the character of each. But even if such were possible -we are wanting in the essential matter of information. We propose, -however, to insert the names of every one known to have -been a loyal combatant, whether an officer or private, with such -statements relative to his history as we possess. We shall not confine -ourselves to this particular region of the Province, but include -those who settled at Niagara, and in Lower Canada. And while -we may not supply a complete account of any one, it is trusted -that the instalment will not be unacceptable to the descendants of -those to whom we refer. We shall arrange them alphabetically -without reference to rank or station.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Joseph Allen, formerly Captain Allen of New Jersey, -held a commission in the British Army at New York for some -time during the war. He owned extensive mill property, and was -regarded as a very wealthy person. All his possessions were confiscated, -and he in 1783, found his way, among other refugees, first -to Sorel, where he stayed a winter, and finally to Upper Canada. -His family consisted of two sons, John and Jonathan, and three -daughters, Rachel, Ursula, and Elizabeth. Captain Allen was one -of the first settlers in Adolphustown, and his descendants still live -in the township, among whom are Parker Allen, Esq., J. D. Watson, -Esq., and David McWherter, Esq. Captain Allen had extensive -grants of land in Adolphustown, and in Marysburgh, and elsewhere; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>as well as his children. Jonathan Allen, succeeded his -father upon the homestead, and was for many years an acceptable -Justice of the Peace. His brother, Joseph Allen, moved to Marysburgh, -and was a Captain of militia during the war of 1812. Captain -Allen brought with him several slaves, “who followed his fortunes -with peculiar attachment, even after their liberation.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen that the rebellion led to the divisions of families. -It was so with the Allison family of Haverstraw, New York. -There were seven brothers; two sided with the rebels. One Benjamin, -being a boy, was at home, while the other four took part -with loyalists. One settled in New Brunswick, probably the -Edward Allison Sabine speaks of, who had been captain in De -Lancey’s third battalion, and who received half-pay, and after -whom <em>Mount Allison</em> is called.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph Allison was living at Haverstraw, New York. He was -for a time engaged in the navy yard at New York. At one time -he and another entered the rebel camp, and after remaining a few -days availed themselves of a dark night and carried off five excellent -horses belonging to a troop of cavalry. They were pursued -and barely escaped. Allison took these horses in return for the -loss of his house and other property which the rebels had ruthlessly -burned. He was at the battle of White Plains, and had narrow -escapes, his comrade beside him was shot down, and his canteen -belt cut in two by a ball. As he could not carry the canteen, h$1 $2 -took time to empty that vessel of the rum which it contained.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His neighbors at Haverstraw were exceedingly vindictive -against him. After several years, he visited there to see his aged -mother, when a mob attempted to tar and feather him, and he had -to hide in the woods all night. Allison came to Canada with Van -Alstine, and drew lot 17, in Adolphustown. A strong, healthy and -vigorous man, he contributed no little to the early settlement. -Died upon his farm, aged eighty-eight. His wife’s name was Mary -Richmond, of a well-known Quaker family. His descendants still -occupy the old homestead, a most worthy family. Benjamin Allison, -the youngest, came to Adolphustown in 1795.</p> - -<p class='c000'>William Ashley, sen., was born in the city of London, England, -in the year 1749, and joined the army at an early age.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the American Revolutionary war, he came out under -General Howe, serving in all his campaigns until the close of the -struggle. He had two brothers also in the army with him, one of -whom returned to England, and the other settled somewhere in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>United States, the exact locality not now being known. General -J. M. Ashley, Republican member of Congress from Ohio, is, so -far as can be ascertained, a descendant of this brother.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the termination of the war, William Ashley came to -Canada, and first settled in the township of Loborough, county of -Frontenac, where he married Margaret Buck, the daughter of a -U. E. L., and one of the first settlers in this part of Canada. He -resided here until about 1790, when he removed to Kingston, -where he followed the employment of a butcher, and was the first -butcher in Kingston, a fact he often mentioned in his old age. He -built a house of red cedar logs, cut from the spot, which continued -to stand until 1858, when it was taken down and a small brick -building, the “Victoria Hotel,” built on the site. When removed -the logs were found in a perfectly sound condition, they having -been covered with clapboards many years ago, which preserved -them from the weather.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This house stood on Brock street, near the corner of Bagot -street. At the time of its erection there were scarcely twenty -residences in the place, and that part of the city now lying west of -the City Hall was then covered with a dense forest of pine, cedar -and ash. William Ashley lived to see this pass away and a flourishing -city spring up. He died in 1835, leaving a family of ten -children—​Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, William, John, James, -Thomas, Henry, Adam and George: all of whom are now dead -excepting Thomas, who resides near Toronto.</p> - -<p class='c000'>James also died in 1835, and Henry, who was the first gaoler -in Picton, died in 1836, at the early age of thirty-one.</p> - -<p class='c000'>William Ashley, Jun., married Ann Gerollamy, daughter -of an officer in the British army, serving through the -Revolutionary War, and acting as Orderly in the war of 1812. -He left Kingston in 1830, and resided until 1842 near the mouth of -Black River, in the township of Marysburgh, and then returned, -and continued to reside there, teaching, and filling various offices -until his death, August 16, 1867.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>British Whig</cite> newspaper when recording his death, -remarked, “Mr. Ashley was one of our oldest citizens, and has -lived to witness many changes in his native place. He was born -on the very spot where the <cite>British Whig</cite> office now stands.” The -last sentence is a mistake, he was not born in the city, but in the -township of Loborough; although the building containing the -<cite>British Whig</cite> office still belongs to the ‘Ashley property’ on Bagot -Street.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>John Ashley was gaoler in Kingston for a number of years -when the gaol stood near the site of the present Post Office, and -filled public situations from the time he was nineteen years of age -until his death in 1858. He was a prominent member of the -County Council for nearly twenty years, and was Colonel of the -militia at the time of his death.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Adam and George Ashley both died in 1847.</p> - -<p class='c000'>William Bell—​We shall have occasion to speak of William -Bell in different places in these pages. He was born August 12, -1758, in County of Tyrone, Ireland.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the time of the Revolutionary War he was a sergeant in -the 53rd regiment of the line. Some time after the close of the -war, he succeeded in procuring his discharge from the service, at -Lachine, and came to Cataraqui, sometime in 1789. He was on -intimate terms with John Ferguson, and, we believe, related by -marriage. It was at Ferguson’s solicitation that Bell came to the -Bay. We have before us an old account book, by which we learn -that Ferguson and Bell commenced trading on the front of Sidney -in the latter part of 1789. They remained here in business until -1792. Subsequently Bell became school teacher to the Mohawks, -and seems to have done business there in the way of trading, in -1799. In 1803 we find him settled in Thurlow. Ferguson, who -was living at Kingston, had been appointed Colonel of the Hastings -Militia, and Bell was selected by him to assist in organizing -the body. He was commissioned captain in December 1798, Major -in August 1800; and in 1809 Lieutenant-Colonel. Colonel Bell -was well known as a public man in Thurlow. He was appointed -to several offices—​Magistrate, Coroner, and finally Colonel of the -Hastings Battalion. As magistrate he took an active part in the -doings of Thurlow and Belleville for many years. He was also an -active person in connection with the agricultural societies, until a -few years before his death, 1833. The papers left by Colonel Bell -have been of great service to us. His wife’s name was Rachel -Hare, who died 1853, aged eighty-one.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Colonel Stephen Burritt took part in the war against the -rebels, being seven years in the army, in Roger’s Rangers. He -settled upon the Rideau, the 9th of April, 1793. In the same year -was born Colonel E. Burritt, who was the first child born of white -parents north of the Rideau. This interesting fact was given to the -writer by Colonel E. Burritt in 1867. Colonel Burritt is a cousin -of the celebrated Learned Blacksmith.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Willet Casey was born in Rhode Island. His father was killed -in battle during the war. At the close of the war he settled near -Lake Champlain, upon what he supposed to be British territory, -but finding such was not the case, and although he had made considerable -clearing, he removed again. Turning his steps toward -Upper Canada with his aged mother and wife, he reached in due -time, the 4th township. The family, upon arriving, found shelter -in a blacksmith’s shop until a log hut could be built. Three months -afterwards the old mother died. Willet Casey had a brother in a -company of horsemen, who fought for the British. He remained in -the States and went South. It is probably the descendants of this -Casey, who took an active part in the late civil war in the United -States.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The writer has seen the fine, erect old couple that came to -Canada, when on the verge of eighty, and two nobler specimens of -nature’s nobility could not be imagined.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Luke Carscallian was an Irishman by birth, and had served in the -British army; he had retired and emigrated to the American colonies -prior to the rebellion. He desired to remain neutral, and take no -part in the contest. The rebels, however, said to him that inasmuch -as he was acquainted with military tactics he must come and -assist them, or be regarded as a King’s man. His reply was that -he had fought for the king, and he would do it again, consequently -an order was issued to arrest him; but when they came to take him he -had secreted himself. The escape was a hurried one, and all his possessions -were at the mercy of the rebels—​land to the amount of 12,000 -acres. They, disappointed in not catching him, took his young -and tender son, and threatened to hang him if he would not reveal -his father’s place of concealment. The brave little fellow replied, -hang away! and the cruel men under the name of liberty carried -out their threat, and three times was he suspended until almost -dead, yet he would not tell, and then when taken down one of the -monsters actually kicked him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Oliver Church was Lieutenant in the 84th regiment. He settled -with the many other half-pay officers, on the front of Fredericksburgh, -three miles west of Bath. He had three sons, and three -daughters, who settled upon the Bay, but are now dead except one -daughter. Lieutenant Church died in 1812, and his wife some -years later. They were both very old when they died.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A grand-child of the old veteran, Mrs. H. of Belleville informs -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>us that she has often heard about her grandfather having to crush -grain by hand, and spending a week going to the Kingston mill.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Clark, late of the Township of Ernest town, in -the County of Addington, was born March 15, 1744 on Quaker -Hill, Duchess County, Province of New York. He learned -the trade of carpenter and millwright, of a Mr. Woolly. He left -his family and joined the British standard in the revolutionary -war, was in General Burgoyne’s army, and was requested by -the General that he and other Provincial volunteers, should leave -the army and go to Canada, which place, he reached after some -weeks of great suffering and privation. The day after he left -(October 17, 1777,) General Burgoyne capitulated, and surrendered -his arms to the American Generals Gates and Arnold. Robert -Clark subsequently served two years in his Majesty’s Provincial -Regiment, called the Loyal Rangers, commanded by Major Edward -Jessup, and in Captain Sabastian Jones’ company, and was discharged -on the 24th December, 1783. He owned two farms in -Duchess County, one of 100, the other of 150 acres, both of which -were confiscated. He was employed by the government in 1782–3 -to erect the Kingston mills, (then Cataraqui) preparatory to the -settlement of the loyalists in that section of Upper Canada, at -which time his family, consisting of his wife and three sons, arrived -at Sorel in Lower Canada, where they all were afflicted with the -small pox, and being entirely among strangers they were compelled -to endure more than the usual amount of suffering incident -to that disease, their natural protector being at a distance, and in -the employ of the government, could not leave to administer to -their necessity. In 1784, his family joined him at the mills, after -having been separated by the vicissitudes of war for a space of -seven years. In 1785 he removed with his family to lot No. 74, -1st concession Ernest town, in which year he was again employed -by government to erect the Napanee mills. He was appointed -Justice of the Peace for the district of Mecklenburgh, in July 1788, -and a captain in the militia in 1809, and died 17th December, 1823.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John C. Clark was married to Rachel Storer, and had a family -of ten sons and three daughters.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Crawford, of the Rogers corps, settled on lot No. 1 of -Fredericksburgh. Became a magistrate, and lived to be an old -man, was also colonel of militia.</p> - -<p class='c000'>George Dame was the son of Theophilus Dame, evidently a -veteran soldier, from the copy of his will now before us. He gave -<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>to his “son, George Dame, the one-half of my (his) real estate in -Dover, England, to hold to him forever,” also his wearing apparel, -books, gold watch, gilt-headed cane, horses, sleigh and harness, -and one hundred dollars. He bequeathed to his grandson, John -Frederick Dame, his camp bedstead, and curtains and valence for -carriage of camp bedstead, and his silver-mounted hanger. To his -grandson Augustus Dame, his fusee, gorget, and small seal skin -trunk. To another grandson he left his double-barrelled pistol. -By reference to these items we learn that Theophilus Dame must -have been a British officer of some standing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His son, George Dame, followed in the footsteps of his father -in pursuing the profession of arms. We have before us a document, -dated 1765, which declares that “Ensign George Dame of -the 8th or King’s Own Regiment of foot, was admitted burgess of -the Burgh of Dumfries, with liberty to him to exercise and enjoy -the whole immunities and privileges thereof, &c.” For some reason -this commission in the 8th regiment was relinquished; but ten -years later we find he has a commission from General Carleton, -Major-General and Commander-in-chief of His Majesty’s forces in -the Province of Quebec, and upon the frontier thereof, appointing -him “Ensign in the Royal Regiment of Highland Emigrants commanded -by Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Allan McLean.” -“Given under my hand and seal at the Castle of Saint Lewis, in -the city of Quebec, 21st of November, 1775.” In 1779 he received -a commission from Frederick Haldimand, Captain-General and -Governor-in-Chief, &c., appointing him “Captain in a corps of -Rangers raised to serve with the Indians during the rebellion, -whereof John Butler, Esq., is Major Commandant”.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the close of the war, Captain Dame lived at Three Rivers, -Lower Canada, where we find him acting as Returning Officer in -1792, Mured Clarke being Lieutenant Governor. He died at Three -Rivers, April 16th, 1807.</p> - -<p class='c000'>An official paper before us sets forth that “Guy, Lord Dorchester, -authorizes Frederick Dame, ‘by beat of drum or otherwise,’ -forthwith to raise from amongst the inhabitants of Upper and Lower -Canada, as many able-bodied men as will assist the completing of a -company, to be commanded by Captain Richard Wilkinson. This -company to be mainly provincial, and for the service of Canada, and -to serve for the space of three years, or during the war. This order -shall continue in force for twelve months.” Dated at the Castle of St. -Lewis, Quebec, 21st June, 1796. This is signed “<span class='sc'>Dorchester</span>.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>The same year, bearing date the 17th December, is a commission -from Robert Prescott, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor, appointing Frederick -Dame ensign to the second battalion Royal Canadian Volunteers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1802 John Frederick Dame received his commission -as Surveyor of Lands in Upper and Lower Canada, from Robert Shore -Milnes, Lieutenant-Governor, upon the certificate of Joseph Bouchette, -Esq., Deputy Surveyor-General. Up to this time it would seem he -had been living at Three Rivers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Allan Dame, a son of the aforementioned, is now residing in -Marysburgh, not far from McDonald’s Cove. He is now in the neighborhood -of sixty: this is his native place. He is a fine specimen of -an English Canadian farmer; and well he may be, being a descendant -of a worthy stock, of English growth. He is married to the granddaughter -of Colonel McDonald.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Daly—​P. K. Daly, Esq., of Thurlow, has kindly furnished us -with the following interesting account:</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Peter Daly, my grandfather, was the son of Capt. Daly, -of an Irish regiment, that was stationed in New York for some years -before the outbreak of the old revolutionary war, but was called home -to Ireland before the commencement of hostilities; and finally fell a -victim to that cruel code of honor which obliged a man to fight a -duel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the earnest solicitation of a bachelor friend, of the name of -Vroman, he had been induced to leave his son Peter behind. -Vroman resided upon the banks of the Mohawk, where the city of -Amsterdam now stands. He was a man of considerable wealth, all of -which he promised to bestow upon his son, Peter Daly; a promise he -would, in all probability, have kept, had circumstances permitted; -but he was prevented by the stern realities of the times—​those stern -realities that tried men’s souls, and called upon every man to declare -himself. The subject of this sketch could not dishonor the blood -that flowed in his veins, and, although but 16 years of age, he clung -firmly to the old flag that, for “a thousand years had braved the battle -and the breeze.” He joined a company, and followed the destiny -of his flag along the shores of Lake Champlain, where, in one night, -he assisted in scaling three forts. He assisted in taking Fort Tyconderoga, -and gradually fought or worked his way into Canada. The -war closing, he, in company with other loyalists, came up the Bay of -Quinté, and subsequently married and settled in the second concession -of Ernest town, in the vicinity of the village of Bath, where, by cultivating -his farm, and by industry, he secured a comfortable living.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>He was remarked through life for his strictly honorable dealing, -and his adherence to “the old flag.” In religion he was a firm Presbyterian. -From his old protector, Vroman, he never heard anything -definite. He cared but little for the land that had driven him into -exile, to dwell among the wild beasts of the unbroken forest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is supposed that Vroman, in his declining years, gave his property -to some other favorite. Be that as it may, Peter Daly saw none -of it, but came into this country naked, as it were; carved out of the -forest his own fortune, and left a numerous and respected family. -There are now only two of his sons living, Thomas and Charles, who -live on the old farm, near Bath. His eldest daughter, Mrs. Aikens, -is still living, in Sidney. My father, Philip, was the eldest. He died -at Oak Shade, in Ernest town, in 1861, in the 71st year of his age. -David, the next son, lived and died at Waterloo, near Kingston; and -Lewis lived and died at Storrington. The first wife of Asal Rockwell, -of Ernest town was a daughter of his. Jacob Shibly, Esq., ex M.P.P., -married another daughter; and the late Joshua Boatte another. -Their descendants are numerous.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Diamond was born in Albany, with several brothers. An -elder brother was drafted, but he tried to escape from a service that -was distasteful to him; was concealed for some time, and upon a sick -bed. The visits of the doctor led to suspicion, and the house was -visited by rebels. Although he had been placed in a bed, and the -clothes so arranged that, as was thought, his presence would not be -detected, his breathing betrayed him. They at once required his -father to give a bond for $1,200, that his son should not be removed -while sick. He got well, and, some time after, again sought to escape, -but was caught, and handcuffed to another. Being removed from one -place to another, the two prisoners managed to knock their guard on -the head, and ran for life through the woods, united together. One -would sometimes run on one side of a sapling, and the other on the -opposite side. At night they managed to rub their handcuffs off, and -finally escaped to Canada. Of the other brothers, two were carried off -by the rebels, and never more heard of. John was taken to the rebel -army when old enough to do service; but he also escaped to Canada, -and enlisted in Rogers’ Battalion, with which he did service until the -close of the war, when he settled with the company at Fredericksburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Diamond married Miss Loyst, a native of Philadelphia, -whose ancestors were German. She acted no inferior part, for a -woman, during the exciting times of the rebellion. They married -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>in Lower Canada. They spent their first summer in Upper Canada, in -clearing a little spot of land, and in the fall got a little grain in the -ground. They slept, during the summer, under a tree, but erected -a small hut before winter set in.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER X.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Ferguson—​Frazer—​Gerollemy—​Goldsmith—​Harrison—​Hudgins—​Hicks—​Howell—​Hover—​Hogle—​Ham—​Herkimer—​Holt—​Jones—​Johnson—​Ketcheson—​Loyst—​Myers—​McArthur—​Miller—​Mordens—​McDonald—​McDonnell—​McDonell—​Ostrom—​Peterson.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>INDIVIDUAL COMBATANTS—​CONTINUED.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Among the early and influential settlers upon the bay, was -John Ferguson. It has been our good fortune to come into possession -of a good many public and private letters penned by his -hand, and invaluable information has thus been obtained. The -following letter will inform the reader of the part he took in the -service during the war. It is addressed to Mr. Augustus Jones.</p> - -<div class='c018'><span class='sc'>Kingston</span>, 22nd July, 1792.</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Dear Sir.</span>—​</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Inclosed is my old application for the land on the carrying -place, which I send agreeable to your desire. I need not attempt -to explain it better, as you know so well what I want. I wish, if -consistent, that land, 200 acres, Mrs. Ferguson is entitled to, -might be joined to it. if I cannot get a grant of the carrying -place, will you be so good as to let me know what terms it may be -had on. I have it in my power to settle the place immediately, -had I any security for it. I am certain Mr. Hamilton will interest -himself for me, but I am loth to apply to him at present, as in all -probability he has too much business to think of besides. Should -it be asked how and where I served, I will mention the particulars. -The 24th June, 1774, I was appointed, and acted as barrack-master -until 24th March, 1778, when I was ordered to Carleton -Island, being also commissary at the post. Thirteenth -April, 1782, I was appointed barrack-master of Ontario, where I -remained until ordered to Cataraqui in September, 1783, and acted -as barrack-master for both posts, until 24th June, 1785, when I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>was obliged to relinquish it, having more business in the commissary’s -department than I could well manage, with the other -appointment, occasioned by the increase of loyalists settling in -this neighborhood. Twenty-fifth February, 1778, my father then -being commissary of Oswegotchie, delivered the stores to me, as -he was unable to do the duty himself. He died 13th March, -following, when I was appointed his successor.</p> - -<p class='c017'>The 13th April, I was ordered to Carleton Island to assist Mr. -McLean in the transport business. In November, 1778, I was again -sent to Oswegotchie, where I remained commissary of the post until -24th June, 1782, when I was sent to Ontario to take charge there, -from thence I was sent to this place, 24th September, 1783, where I -remained until a reformation took place in the commissary department, -and I was on the 24th June, 1787, served like a great many -others, sent about my business without any provision, after having -spent my best days in His Majesty’s service.</p> - -<p class='c017'>You see I was eleven years barrack-master, and nine years a -commissary, I was also six years in the Commissary General’s -office at Montreal (a clerk,) during which time my father was -permitted to do my duty as barrack-master. I will write you again -by next opportunity.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Your very humble servant,</div> - <div class='line in16'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>John Ferguson</span>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>Ensign Frazer, of the 84th regiment settled at the point -of Ernest town. Had three sons. His widow married Colonel -Thompson.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Cornwall <cite>Freeholder</cite>, notices the death of Mr. Frazer, of -St. Andrew’s, C. W., the discoverer of Frazer river, and of Mrs. -Frazer, who departed this life a few hours afterwards. Mr. Frazer -was one of the few survivors of the find old “Northwesters,” and -his name, as the first explorer of the golden stream which bears it, -will be remembered with honor long after most of the provincial -cotemporaries are forgotten. The <cite>Freeholder</cite> says: “Mr. Frazer -was the youngest son of Mr. Simon Frazer, who emigrated to the -State of New York, in 1773. He purchased land near Bennington; -but upon the breaking out of the revolutionary war, he attached -himself to the royal cause, and served as captain, at the battle of -Bennington; where he was captured by the rebels. He died in -Albany jail, about thirteen months afterwards, his end being -hastened by the rigorous nature of the imprisonment. He was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>married to Isabella Grant, daughter of Daldregan, and had issue, -four sons and five daughters. The widow, with her children, came -to Canada after the peace of 1783. Simon Frazer, the elder, the -father of the object of this notice, was the second son of William -Frazer, the third of Kilbockie, who, by his wife, Margaret, daughter -of John McDonell, of Ardnabie, had nine sons:—​1st. William, the -fourth of Kilbockie; 2nd. Simon, who came to America, as we have -seen; 3rd. John, who was captain in Wolf’s army, shared in the -honors of the capture of Quebec, and was subsequently, for many -years, Chief Justice of the Montreal district; 4th. Archibald, who -was Lieutenant in Frazer’s regiment, under General Wolfe, was -afterwards captain of the Glengarry Fencibles, and served in Ireland -during the rebellion in ‘98; 5th. Peter, a doctor of medicine, who -died in Spain; 6th. Alexander, who served as captain in General -Caird’s army, and died in India; 7th. Donald, a Lieutenant in the -army, who was killed in battle in Germany; 8th. James, also a -Lieutenant in the army, and one of the sufferers in the Black Hole -of Calcutta, in 1756; 9th. Roderick, who died at sea.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. J. B. Ashley, a native of Marysburgh, to whom much -valuable information we possess is due, says: “My great grandfather, -James Gerollamy, was but seventeen years of age when he -joined General Clinton’s army in 1779, and remained in the service -until the virtual close of the war in 1782, when he came from New -York to Quebec, and thence to Bath, where he settled, on what was -until lately known, as the “Hichcock Farm.”” He afterwards -removed to the fifth town, and settled on lot No. 11, 1st concession, lake -side. He received from government certain farming implements, -the same as before mentioned. A part of them coming into the -hands of my father, Augustus Ashley, of Marysburgh. The -hatchet, I have often used when a young lad in my childish -employments. It is now lost. The share and coulter belonging to -the plough, remain among a collection of old iron in my father’s -woodshed until the present day. James Gerollamy, married Ann -Dulmage, the daughter of Thomas Dulmage, who came with him -to Canada and settled near him at Bath, in the second town, and -subsequently moved to lot No. “D,” at the head of South Bay, in -the township of Marysburgh, where he died. The graves of himself -and wife being still under a large maple tree, close to the site of -his house.</p> - -<p class='c000'>James Gerollamy, and his two sons, James and John, served -through the war of 1812, under General Provost, Brock and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>Drummond. The old man holding the rank of Orderly, and his -son James that of Lieutenant. The latter received a grant of -1000 acres of land for services as a “spy,” he was one of the -number who planned the successful attempts upon Oswego, Black -Rock and Buffalo, and at the battle of Niagara, generally known -as “Lundy’s Lane.” He fought in the company or regiment -known as “Grenadiers,” which, in their manœuvering were -compelled to run and wallow over a field of corn with mud ankle -deep.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The whole family were remarkable for large size, being over six -feet in height, of great strength, and healthy, with robust constitutions. -The old gentleman was acknowledged the surest marksman in this -section of the country, and his “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">fusil</span>,” was his constant companion. -He died about ten years ago, aged about ninety-five years, being -in full possession of his faculties until the last. I can well remember -seeing him sauntering through the garden, bent with his -weight of years, and leaning on his staff.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thomas Goldsmith, a native of Ulster Co., Montgomery town, -New York. He was engaged as a spy, and discharged important -and successful duties, in carrying information from Gen. Burgoyne to -Lord Cornwallis, and returning with despatches. He frequently passed -the guards of the Continental army, and often was subjected to a -close search, but succeeded in eluding detection. Goldsmith owned -one thousand acres of land, on which was a flouring mill with two -run of stones. Also, a sailing vessel launched, but not entirely -finished, for the West India trade. The boat was sacrificed. The -produce of his farm was paid for in Continental bills. The malleable -iron of his mill was taken to make a chain to put across the -Hudson to stop boats. His neighbors, the rebels, catching him one -day from home, covered him and his horse and saddle, with a coat of -tar and feathers. After the close of the war, he was compelled to part -with his land to get away. It was sold for a mere trifle. He came -into Canada in 1786, bringing with him some cattle, most of which -died for want of something to eat. He was accompanied by David -Conger, and reached Kingston, June 24. Settled at first in the -fourth township; but soon after removed to Holliwell, where he -received a grant of 400 acres of land, 1st. con., lot 9. Here he -lived and died, aged ninety.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sergeant Harrison was a native of Ireland, and served for -many years in the fifty-third regiment. For some time during the -revolutionary war, he was in the Quartermaster’s store, and post -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>office. He was altogether twenty-eight years in the service. At -the close of the war, he settled in Marysburgh, with the first band, -not connected with the Hessians, and was probably under Wright -in the commissary department for the settlement. He settled on -lot nine, east of the Rock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>William Hudgins was born on a small island, known as Ginn’s -Island, lying about three and a half miles from the Virginia shore, -in Chesapeake bay, where his father, Lewis Hudgins, had a farm -of two hundred acres. He joined the Royal army with his younger -brother Lewis, in 1778, serving in the regiment known as the -Queen’s Rangers, under Lord Cornwallis; where he held the rank -of sergeant, and his brother that of corporal. At the battle of -Yorktown, he was wounded and taken prisoner, and his brother was -killed. After his exchange he came to New Brunswick, and settled -about thirty miles above Frederickton, on the St. John’s river, -where he lived until 1809, when he removed to Canada. First -settling in Adolphustown, near what is known now as Cole’s Point. -He joined the incorporated militia during the war of 1812, serving -under Colonel McGill, and Colonel Shaw. He received the right -to considerable land; but after the capture of York, now Toronto, -by the Americans in 1813, and the consequent destruction of property, -the documents pertaining to the same were burnt, and he -could not, as a consequence, get his grant. Immediately after the -war of 1812, he removed to Marysburg, where he remained until -his death.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The above information is received from Mr. William Hudgins, -son of the above mentioned William Hudgins, who is now an old -man, he having served with his father in the war of 1812.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“It would have done you good to have heard the old gentleman, -with his silver locks flowing in the wind, whitened with the frosts -of four-score winters, as he descanted upon scenes and incidents in -connection with the war, through which he served, and to have -witnessed his eye twinkle with pride, when he referred to the -loyalty of his honored parent.”—​(<cite>Ashley.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Edward Hicks, who settled in Marysburgh, was placed in -prison with his father. His father was taken out and hanged -before his window upon an apple tree, (a piece of refined cruelty -worthy a rebel cause). This aroused Edward to a state of desperation, -who with manacled hands, paced his cell. To carry out -his intention, he feigned illness, and frequently required the guard -to accompany him to the outer yard. At night fall he went out -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>accompanied by the guard. Watching the opportunity, he drew -up his hands and struck a furious blow upon the head of the -soldier with his handcuffs, which laid the man prostrate. Edward -darted away to a stream which ran near by, and across which was -a mill-dam and a slide. He rushed under this slide, and before a -cry was raised, he concealed himself under the sheet of water. He -could hear the din and tumult, as search was everywhere made -through the night. Cold, wet, benumbed, hungry and handcuffed, -he remained in his hiding place until the following night, thirty-six -hours, when he crept out and escaped to the woods. After nine -days of fasting he reached the British army. Edward Hicks did -not forget the death of his father. He “fought the rebels in nine -battles afterward, and still owes them grudge.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph, Joshua and Edward, belonged to Butler’s Rangers, and -saw no little service. They were from Philadelphia, and left considerable -property. They had granted them a large tract of land -west of Niagara, where sprung up Hicks’ settlement. Joseph Hicks -afterwards settled on lot six, Marysburgh, west of the Rock.—​(<cite>Ashley.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Edward Hicks is represented as having been a very powerful -man, often performing remarkable feats of strength, such as lifting -barrels of flour and pork to his shoulders, and such like.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He went to Boston in 1778, in the character of a spy, and was -detected by the Americans, and taken prisoner. He represented -himself as a young man searching for his mother, who had -removed to that section of the country; but it is supposed that his -captors considered him as rather too smart looking a young man -to be lost in any enterprise, he being of fine build, standing good -six feet, and possessing an intelligent countenance, and at his trial, -condemned him as a spy to be dealt with accordingly.—​(<cite>Ashley.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Howell, a son of Richard Howell, from Wales, was born -in New Jersey in 1753. When 24 years old he took up his residence -at Johnstown, on the Mohawk river. At the commencement of hostilities, -in 1776, he joined Sir John Johnson’s 2nd battalion, and was -raised to the position of serjeant-major. His name appears as such -upon the battalion roll, now before the writer. He remained in the -army during the war, doing duty at St. Johns, Coteau du lac, and at -many other places. When his company was disbanded at Oswego, -in 1782, he came immediately to Kingston, and thence to Fredericksburgh, -where he settled upon his lot of 200 acres. By adhering to -the loyal cause, Sergeant Howell suffered serious loss in real estate. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>The pleasant town of Rome now stands upon the land which was his. -His valuable property was not yielded up to the rapacious rebels -without a legal effort to recover possession. The case was in court -for many years, and Sergeant Howell spent $1,400 in vain efforts to -recover. No doubt it was pre-judged before he spent his money. -An event in Howell’s life during the war is not without a touching -interest. Before joining the regiment, he had courted and won the -heart of a fair lady at Johnstown. While stationed at Coteau du lac -he obtained permission during the winter, when hostilities were suspended, -to go to Johnstown to obtain his bride. Guided by seven -Indians, he set out to traverse a pathless wilderness, on snowshoes. -The wedding trip had its perils, and almost a fatal termination. On -their return they lost their way in the interminable woods, and soon -found themselves destitute of food. For days they were without -anything to eat. One day they shot a squirrel, which, divided among -them, was hardly a taste to each. The thongs of their shoes were -roasted and eaten, to allay the pangs of hunger. At last they succeeded -in shooting a deer, which had well nigh proved the death of -some, from over-eating. Two of the men were left behind, but they -subsequently came in.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sergeant Howell’s loss as a loyalist was great; but, so far as -could be, it was made good by Government. He drew 1,200 acres of -land as an officer, and the same quantity for his family. At an early -date after his arrival at the Bay he was appointed Commissioner in -the Peace; and subsequently he was made Colonel of the Prince -Edward Militia.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Soon after settling in Fredericksburgh he built a windmill, probably -the first mill built by an individual in the Province. He afterwards -sold it to one Russell. The remains still mark the spot.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He finally settled in Sophiasburgh, while it was yet considered -by the infant colony as the backwoods of the settlement. He was a -man of liberal education for the times, and was conversant with the -Dutch and French languages, and understood the Indian dialect. -From his former connection with the Johnson settlement upon the -Mohawk, and his close contiguity to the Mohawk Indians upon the -Bay, he held a high place in their regard. He often visited them; -and their chiefs as often paid him state visits. They often called -upon him to settle their disputes, which he never failed to do by his -sternness and kindness combined. His presence was sufficient to inspire -awe amongst them when disposed to be troublesome, which was -increased by his long sword which he would hang to his side.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>Henry Hover was quite a boy when the rebellion was progressing, -being about sixteen when the Declaration of Independence was signed. -Living along the Hudson, near New York, he went out one day for -the cows, when he was caught by some rebels and carried to Lancaster -jail. After being in prison for some time he was released, and -permitted to go to New York. He some time after, by some means, -enlisted in Butler’s Rangers, and set out, with four others (one his -brother), to traverse the wide country on foot, from New York to -Fort Niagara, the head-quarters of the company. Lying one night -under the trees, they were suddenly attacked by a scouting party of -rebels, by being fired upon. One was killed, and the rest taken prisoners. -Henry Hover remained in prison, in chains, until the close of -the war, nearly two years. The hardships and cruelties he endured -were, indeed, terrible. When he was taken prisoner he had on a pair -of linen trowsers; no others were ever given him; and when he was -released these were hanging in shreds upon him. They had nothing -to lie upon but the cold brick floor, two persons being chained -together. Years after, a stranger called one day at Hover’s in Adolphustown. -Hover not being at home, the man wrote his name, “Greenway,” -the man to whom Henry had been chained for many a weary -day and month in prison. Hover being released at the close of the -war, reported himself at Niagara, and was discharged with the rest -of his company. He received all his back pay, while in jail, and a -grant of land at St. Davids; but his father, Casper Hover, a refugee, -had settled in Adolphustown, having come in Major Van Alstine’s -corps. Henry wished to see his parents, from whom he had been so -long separated, and sought a chance to go down from the Niagara -frontier. He entered on board an old “hulk,” an old French vessel -coming down the lake, and so got to Kingston, which place he reached -soon after Van Alstine’s company had settled in the fourth Township. -Henry set out from Kingston on foot, along the bay, through the -woods. In time he arrived at the third township. He was misdirected -across to Hay Bay. Following its shores, he met Holland’s -surveying party, who told him that he was astray, and put him on the -correct track. Henry Hover determined to remain at the bay, -and was included among the original settlers under Van Alstine, -drawing land like the rest, being the only one who did not belong to -that company. He sleeps from his warfare—​from his long life of -well-spent industry, in the “old U. E. burying ground,” at the front, -in Adolphustown.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among those who fought the unequal battle of Bennington was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>Captain Hogle, who was shot dead. He was a native of Vermont. -He left a widow and three sons, who were yet young. They were -under the necessity of leaving their valuable possessions and removing -to Canada. They buried plate in the garden, which was never -regained. At the expiration of the war they settled in Ernest town.</p> - -<p class='c000'>David Hartman—​was present at the battle of Bennington, and -was shot through the chest. Notwithstanding, he lived for many -years. He settled in Ernest town.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Ham, the founder of the Ham family of Canada, so well -and so favorably known in different sections of the Province. He was -born near Albany. His father was a native of Germany, although of -English parentage. John Ham was a soldier during the war, and in -one of several engagements, was wounded in the leg. The ball, lodging -in the calf, was cut out, and, at the request of the suffering but -brave hero, was shot back at the foe. He was one of the company -who settled in Ernest town. He had a family of ten children, eight -of them being sons, namely: John, Henry, Peter, George, Jacob, -Philip, Benjamin, and Richard, all of whom lived and died in Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The name of Herkimer is engraved upon the history of America, -both in the United States and in Canada. “Colonel Hanjost Herkimer, -or John Joost, was a son of Johan Jost Herkimer, one of the -Palatines of the German Flats, New York, and a brother of the -rebel general, Nicholas Herkimer. His property was confiscated. -He went to Canada, and died there before 1787.”—​(<cite>Sabine.</cite>) -Prior to the war he had occupied several public offices. He served -as an officer in Butler’s Rangers. We find his name inserted for -lot 24 of Kingston, on which now stands part of the city. His son -Nicholas settled upon the Point now bearing the family name. He -married a Purdy, and had several children. His end was a sad one, -being murdered by a blacksmith, named Rogers, who escaped. A -daughter was married to Captain Sadlier, another to an officer in -the army, and a third to Mr. Wartman.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The old family place in New York State is yet indicated by the -name of Herkimer County.</p> - -<p class='c000'>William Johnson Holt was ensign in Ferguson’s Rangers. This -corps formed part of the army of Burgoyne at the time of his surrender, -and, with other provincial prisoners, retired to Canada, by -permission of Gates. The subject of this notice settled in Montreal, -where he held the lucrative office of Inspector of Pot and Pearl -Ashes, and received half pay for nearly fifty years. He died at -Montreal, in 1826. By his first wife (Ruah Stevens, of Pittsfield, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>Massachusetts), he was the father of a large family of sons and -daughters; by his second wife (Elizabeth Cuyler) he left no issue. -His sixth son, Charles Adolphus, alone has surviving male children, -of whom the eldest, Charles Gates Holt, is (1864) a distinguished -counsellor-at-law, and a gentleman of the highest respectability, at -Quebec. In February, 1864, he was appointed one of “Her Majesty’s -Counsel, learned in the law,” and thus entitled to wear the “silk -robe.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John Jones, of Maine, captain in Rogers’ Rangers. Being of -a dark complexion, he was called ‘Mahogany Jones.’ Prior to the -war he lived at or near Pownalborough, and was Surveyor of the -Plymouth Company. As the troubles increased, the whigs accused -him of secreting tea, and broke open his store. Next, they fastened -him to a long rope, and dragged him through the water until he -was nearly drowned. Finally, to put an end to his exertions against -the popular cause, he was committed to jail in Boston. He escaped, -went to Quebec in 1780, and received a commission in the Rangers. -In Maine, again, before the peace, he annoyed his personal foes -repeatedly. Among his feats was the capture of his ‘old enemy,’ -General Charles Cushing, of Pownalborough. Jones, immediately -after the peace, was at the Bay of Fundy, and interested in lands -granted on that island to loyalists. In 1784 he resumed his business -as surveyor, on the river St. Croix.—​At length, ‘his toryism -forgotten,’ he removed to the Kennebec. He died at Augusta, -Maine.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain William Johnson, of the King’s Royal regiment, afterwards -colonel of the Militia of Addington. Besides the celebrated -Sir John Johnson’s family, there were a large number of combatants -and loyalists of this name, and mostly all of them were conspicuous -for their gallant deeds in arms. Captain William Johnson settled -some miles west of Kingston, on the front. Left one child, a daughter, -who married McCoy. They removed to Toronto. It is said by Mr. -Finkle that the first militia mustered in Upper Canada was by Col. -William Johnson, at Finkle’s tavern.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The name of Johnson has become somewhat famous in Canadian -history. James Johnson, an Irishman, was a soldier in Rogers’ -Battalion. He came to Upper Canada with the first settlers of -Ernest town, and was captain of the cattle-drivers that came at that -time, or a year later. He got his location ticket at Carleton Island. -He had a family of seven sons and six daughters. Six of the sons’ -names were: Daniel, James, William, Matthew, Jacob, Andrew. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>The last-mentioned supplies us with the above information. He is -now upwards of one hundred years of age.—​(See U. E. Loyalists).</p> - -<p class='c000'>William Ketcheson, of Sidney, who was born September, 1782, -at Bedford, New York, says that his father, William Ketcheson, was -a native of England, and came to America with his grandfather, his -father being dead. They settled in South Carolina, and lived there -until the rebellion broke out. William Ketcheson, sen., was then -about seventeen years of age, and entered the British service as a -dragoon, under Lord Cornwallis. He served during the war; took -part in many engagements, and was wounded in the thigh. Shortly -before the close of hostilities he was married to Mary Bull, daughter -of John Bull, a loyalist. After the peace he went to Nova Scotia, -and engaged in fishing for a while; lived in a shanty at a rock-bound -place, called Portoon. A fire ran over the place, burning up mostly -everything, and almost our informant, who was then only about 18 -months old. He and his mother were put on board a boat and -taken to New York. The father remained to settle his affairs at -Nova Scotia, and then came on into Canada, alone, in 1786. He -worked a farm on shares, in the third township, belonging to John -Miller. Raked in the grain; went for his family, and then subsequently -worked Spence’s farm on shares for many years. Finally -moved to Sidney, in 1800, and settled in the fifth concession.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John Waltermeyer a tory partisan leader. He was noted -for enterprise and daring, but not for cruelty or ferocity. In 1781, -at the head of a band of Tories, Indians, and Canadians, he -attempted to carry off General Schuyler, whose abode at that time -was in the suburbs of Albany. The party entered the dwelling, -commenced packing up the plate, and a search for the General. -But that gentleman opened a window, and, as if speaking to an -armed force of his own, called out,—​“Come on, my brave fellows; -surround the house, and secure the villains who are plundering.” -The happy stratagem caused Waltermeyer and his followers to -betake themselves to flight.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The foregoing statement is taken from Sabine; we shall now -give information derived from Captain Myer’s descendants, and -others who knew him well. It is without doubt correct.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Myer’s father and brother identified themselves with -the rebel party, and we have heard it stated that he was at first, a -rebel also, but not receiving promotion as he expected, forsook the -cause, and upon the offer of a captaincy in the British forces allied -himself to them. That this was the pure invention of his enemies -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>is sufficiently plain. At the beginning of the rebellion Captain -Myers, with his father, was a farmer in the vicinity of Albany, -and could have had no reason for promotion. As to the captaincy, -we find that he did not receive it until 1782, when the war had -virtually closed, as the following shows:</p> - -<p class='c000'>Frederick Haldimand, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief -of the Province of Quebec and territories depending thereon, -&c., &c., &c. General and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s -forces in said Province and territories thereof, &c., &c., &c.</p> - -<p class='c017'>TO JOHN WALTER MYERS, ESQ.:</p> - -<p class='c017'><em>By Virtue</em> of the power and authority in me vested, I do hereby -constitute, appoint you to be <em>captain</em> in the corps of Loyal Rangers -whereof Edward Jessup, Esq., is Major-Commandant. You are -therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of -<em>captain</em> by exercising and well disciplining both the inferior officers -and soldiers of the corps, and I do hereby command them to obey -you as their <em>captain</em>, and you are to observe and follow such orders -and directions as you shall from time to time receive from me your -Major, Major-Commandant, or any other of your superior officers, -according to the rules and discipline of war. In pursuance of the -trust hereby reposed in you. <em>Given</em> under my hand and seal at -Arms, at the Castle of <em>St. Louis, at Quebec</em>, this thirtieth day of -May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and in the -twenty-second year of the reign of our Sovereign, Lord George -the Third, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, -King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth.</p> - -<div class='c018'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>Fred. Haldimand</span>.</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>By His Excellency’s Command,</div> - <div class='line in22'><span class='sc'>R. Mathews</span>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>It is true that during the war he made the attempt to take -General Schuyler a prisoner. He went with ten men to Albany for -the purpose of seizing the General, and carrying him away captive. -On entering the yard at night, they looked through the -window and saw the object of the expedition, but when they had -entered the house he could no where be found, although search was -made from cellar to garret. But in the garret were a number of -puncheons turned up side down. Some of them were examined, -but not all. After the war had closed, the Governor called on -Myers and told him that had he turned over the other puncheons -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>he would have found him. A faithful female slave had -placed him there. The men with Myers had instruction to touch -none of the Governor’s property, after leaving the place, however, -he found one of the men in possession of a silver cup. This was -sent back to the Governor afterward.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the war, Myers on one occasion, perhaps when he was -returning from his attempt to take Schuyler, was nearly starved to -death. He had with him a favorite dog, which became sick for -want of food. He carried the dog for days, not knowing but he -would have to kill him for food. But they all got safely out of it, -and he retained the dog for many a day, and on one occasion he -showed him to Schuyler. After the war Captain Myers enjoyed a -pension of 5s. 6d. a day. He lived in Lower Canada two years. A -certificate of Masonry informs us that he was in Quebec in 1780. -He frequently carried despatches to New York, in the first years of -the war; upon one occasion he was in a friend’s house when the -rebels came up, he jumped out of the back window and ran to the -woods, he was seen, and persons on horseback came rapidly to the -woods, and tied their horses, to pursue him on foot, which they -hastily did; Myers had, however, hidden himself close by, and -when they had fairly entered the woods in pursuit of him, he -jumped up and deliberately selected the best horse, upon which he -mounted, and so made an easy escape to New York.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He came up the bay at an early date, and it would seem -squatted on the front of the ninth town before it was surveyed. -He then moved up to Sidney where he lived until 1790, when he -returned to the Moira River.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Myers was a bold man, with limited education, but -honest, and, like many others of the Dutch Loyalists, given to great -hospitality. He was a pioneer in mill building, in trading, and in -sailing batteaux and schooners, up and down the bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Charles McArthur, a native of Scotland, came to America -before the rebellion, and settled upon the Mohawk Diver. Took -part in the war, in Burgoyne’s army. Lived for some time at Oswegotchie, -when he removed to head of the bay. There were living -then west of the Trent River only the following families: Peter -Huffman, Donald McDonell, John Bleeker, Esq., and John -McArthur. A daughter of Charles McArthur still lives at Belleville, -having been born at Oswegotchie, now aged 78, (Mrs. -Maybee.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ensign Miller, of Jessup’s corps, was a native of Duchess -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>County. He had a brother an ensign, who lived and died at Montreal. -Settled in Fredericksburgh, adjacent Adolphustown; drew in -all 2,000 acres of land, in different places. Died 1805, aged forty-seven. -Another brother came to the Province the year after the -U. E. list had closed. He was the father of Rev. Gilbert Miller of -Picton, and died at the age of ninety. Mr. G. Miller informs us -that two great uncles, named Ogden, were with the British troops -at the taking of Fort Frontenac.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All of this name (Ogden) are supposed to be related. They were, -it is thought, of Welsh origin. One of that name settled upon the -Delaware River previous to the rebellion. It is not quite certain -whether this first Ogden died by the banks of the Delaware, or as is -thought came to the Bay Quinté. He had three sons, one of whom -died before their removal, leaving four sons. They, with their -uncles, came at a very early date to Hamilton, but the four nephews -removed to the Bay Quinté about 1790. Their names were James, -John, Joseph and Richard. The numerous body living around the -bay of this name, have all sprung from these four brothers. (Marshal -R. Morden.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. James Morden was a private in His Majesty’s Provincial -Regiment, King’s Royal of New York, Sir J. Johnson Commander. -Discharged 1785 at Montreal, at the age of twenty, having served -three years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Colonel McDonald, as he was subsequently called, as an officer -of militia, served under Sir John Johnson. He was one of the first -settlers of the fifth township at the Bay Quinté. He landed first -in the cove bearing his name, near Mount Pleasant, 1784. We -have stood upon the spot where he first set foot upon the land, and -pitched his tent. This cove is marked upon some of the old maps -as Grog Bay, but in reality, Grog Bay was a small inlet from the -cove. Colonel McDonald lived to be eighty-five years old. He -drew large quantities of land, besides receiving many other favors -from government. He left but one offspring, a daughter, who -married a native of France named Prinyea, whose descendants are -worthy inhabitants of the place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We find the following newspaper record: “Died on the 3rd -October, 1815, Sergeant Alexander McDonald, in his 78th year. -This worthy veteran enlisted in 1757 in the 78th or Frazer’s regiment, -in which he served at the taking of Louisburg and Quebec. -In 1763 he was drafted into the 60th, and served in the active campaigns -during the American war, under the late General Provost, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>in Carolina and Georgia. In 1799 he was drafted from the 60th -into the 41st regiment, in which he served till August 1811, when -he was discharged, after a faithful service of fifty-five years.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Canadian <cite>Courant</cite> spoke of J. McDonnell, as follows:—​“The -subject of this memoir was born in Glengary, in the Highlands -of Scotland, about the year 1750. His father was principal -tacksman on the estate. The spirit of emigration prevailed very -much in Scotland, and particularly in the Highlands, a little before -the commencement of the American war. The father of Mr. R. -McDonnell partaking of the feelings of his clan, and anticipating -many advantages in this new world, accompanied a considerable -emigration from Glengary estate, of which he was one of the principal -leaders. Mr. R. McDonnell landed at New York with his -father, and a number of the same name, in 1773, but the disputes -between Great Britain and the colonies having assumed a -very serious appearance, it was thought prudent to send him into -Canada. Being designed for commerce, he was placed in a counting -house, but the war breaking out, the spirit of his ancestors burst -forth with an ardor which could not be restrained. He joined the -Royal Standard, and was immediately appointed to an ensigncy, in -the 84th regiment. In this subordinate situation he did not fail to -distinguish himself by his bravery and good conduct, and on one -singular and trying occasion he exhibited the greatest intrepidity -and coolness. He was advanced to the command of a company in -Butler’s Rangers. Many of your readers still remember that the -services required by this regiment were of the most arduous kind. -They were sent out on scouting parties, and employed in picking -up intelligence, and in harassing the back settlements of the -enemy. As their marches lay through pathless forests, they were -frequently reduced to the greatest necessities, nor had they even, -while on service, any of those comforts which are so common in -regular camps. In the many expeditions and contests in which -this regiment was engaged, during the war, Captain McDonnell -bore a distinguished part, but the great hardships which he had to -surmount, undermined a constitution naturally excellent, and -entailed upon him a severe rheumatism which embittered the -remaining part of his life.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During some time he acted as Pay-master of the regiment, -and by his own care and attention he found himself at the end of -the war in the possession of a small independence. This he considered -equally the property of his father, brothers and sisters as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>his own, and proved by his generosity that his filial love and -brotherly affection were equal to his other virtues. In 1794 when -it was thought proper to levy a regiment in this country to remedy -the great desertion which attended regiments from Europe, he -raised a company.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In 1795 he was promoted to the majority, and the regiment -having been divided into two battalions, he became Lieutenant-Colonel -of the 2nd, in 1796.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“He commanded at Niagara during the building of Fort George, -and in 1802 he again retired on half-pay, the Royal Canadian Regiments -having been most injudiciously reduced during the continuance -of the ephemeral peace of Amiens. While at Fort George -he married Miss Yates, a lady from the States, whose amiable and -obliging manners gained the esteem of all who had the honor of -her acquaintance. By this lady, in whom the Colonel enjoyed all -that has to be wished in a companion and friend, he has a son, a -promising boy, who, it is to be hoped, will inherit the virtues of -his father. The Colonel’s active benevolence was known to all, -and experienced by many of his friends.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“There was something so generous, so noble in his manner of -doing a kindness of this sort, as to give it a double value.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In 1807 he was appointed Pay-master to the 10th Royal Veteran -Battalion, a situation certainly far below his merits—​but his circumstances, -which, owing to his generous disposition, were by no -means affluent, induced him to accept it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“He had been exceedingly infirm for many years, and perhaps -the severe climate at Quebec was too much for his weak constitution. -Certain it is that this city has been fatal to several respectable -characters from the Upper Province. He caught a severe -cold in the beginning of November, 1809, accompanied with a -violent cough and expectoration; he was not, indeed, thought -dangerously ill, till within a short time of his death, but his feeble -constitution could not support the cough, and he expired on the -twenty-first.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Such are the scanty materials which I have been able to collect -respecting the life of a most excellent officer and honorable man, -who became dearer to his friends and acquaintances the longer he -was known to them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“He was rather below the middle size, of a fair complexion, and -in his youth, uncommonly strong and active. For some time past -his appearance was totally altered; insomuch that those who had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>not seen him for many years, could not recognize a single feature -of the swift and intrepid captain of the Rangers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“An acute disease made it frequently painful for him to move a -limb, even for days and weeks together, but though his body suffered, -his mind was active and benevolent, and his anxiety to -promote the interests of his friends ceased only with his life.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among those who took part in the unequal engagement at -Bennington, was Alexander Nicholson, a Scotchman, who came to -America shortly before the war broke out. He enlisted as a -private under Burgoyne; but before the close of the war, received -a commission. He was one of a company which was all but annihilated -at Bennington. He stood by his Colonel when that -officer was shot from his horse. Vainly trying to get him re-horsed, -that officer told him it was no use, that he had better flee. The -day being evidently lost, he proceeded to escape as best he could. -With his arm wounded, he managed to escape through a field of -corn to the woods. Coming to a river, he was arrested by an -Indian upon the opposite bank, who, mistaking him for a rebel, fired -at him. The Indian being undeceived, he forded the river. -Making good his escape, he, with many others, wandered for days, -or rather for nights, hiding by day, as scouts were ranging the -woods to hunt out the tories. There were, however, friends who -assisted to conceal them, as well as to furnish them with food. -He often spoke of his sufferings at that fearful time; lying upon the -cold ground without covering, and sleeping, to wake with the hair -frozen to the bare ground. Subsequently Nicholson was attached -to Rogers corps. He settled in Fredericksburgh, at the close of -hostilities, and subsequently removed in 1809, to the township of -Thurlow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ostrom was engaged to carry despatches through the enemy’s -line. On one occasion he had the despatch in a silver bullet, which -he put in his mouth. Having reason to believe he would be diligently -examined, he took it from his mouth as he would a quid of -tobacco, threw it in the fire and thus escaped.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nicholas Peterson, with his three sons, Nicholas, Paul and -Christopher, were living near New York, and took a part in the -war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They assisted in fighting one of the most remarkable battles -of the revolution. It took place on the west side of the North River, -opposite the city of New York, when seventy-five British Militiamen -resisted an attack made by 5,500 rebels, for several hours. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>The British had a Block House, made of logs, with a hollow excavation -behind, and in this hollow they loaded their guns, and -would then step forward and discharge them at the enemy. Only -three of the British were slain; the rebels lost many. These -Petersons lost everything of any importance, when they left New -York. Some of their valuables they buried to preserve them from -the enemy, and the rest they left to their use.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nicholas and Paul settled on lots No. 12 and 13, in the first -concession of Adolphustown, south of Hay bay.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XI.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Rogers’ family—​Ryerson—​Redner—​Sherwood—​Taylor—​Van Dusen—​Williamsburgh—​Wright—​Wilkins—​Young—​Officers -who settled in -Niagara District.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Under Queen’s Rangers will be found some account of Major -Rogers, derived from Sabine. We here give further information, procured -from Robert D. Rogers, Esq., and Dr. Armstrong, of Rochester, -New York, who is a native of Fredericksburgh, and who, for many -years, practised his profession in Picton and Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert D. Rogers, of Ashburnham, writes: “My grandfather, -James Rogers, settled first in Vermont, and had several large tracts -of land there; he, and his brothers were officers in the Queen’s -Rangers, of which his brother Robert was the chief officer; they -were employed in the wars of the French and Indians, until the -taking of Quebec by the British, after which the said Robert Rogers -was ordered by General Amherst to proceed westward and take -possession of all the forts and places held by the French, as far -west as Detroit and Michilimackinac, which he did in the fall of -1760; and he afterwards went to England, where he published a -journal kept by him during the French and Indian wars, and up to -1761, which was published in London 1765. He also wrote another -book, giving a description of all the North American Colonies. -My grandfather continued to reside in Vermont, until the time of -the revolution, when he joined the British army, and after peace -was proclaimed, settled near the East Lake in Prince Edward. -I have heard that he was buried in Fredericksburgh, but do not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>know the place. My father represented Prince Edward in the first -Parliament of Upper Canada, of which he was a member for twenty-six -years.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>From Dr. Armstrong, we learn that “Major Rogers was born -in Londonderry, New Hampshire, about the year 1728.” His wife -was the daughter of the Rev. David McGregor, pastor of the Presbyterian -church, Londonderry, of which his father, the Rev. James -McGregor, formerly of Londonderry, Ireland, was the founder, -April 12, 1719. Major Rogers was the father of three sons and -three daughters. He removed with his family to Vermont, -where he had become the proprietor of a large tract of land. -Here he lived until the breaking out of the rebellion, (see Queen’s -Rangers.) After the conclusion of the war, Major Rogers, abandoning -his property in Vermont, much of which had been destroyed, -his herds of cattle driven off and appropriated to their own use by -his neighbors, removed with his family to Canada and settled in -Fredericksburgh. That he had been there previously and explored -the country, and that he had taken with him a corps of soldiers, is -altogether probable, for I well remember to have seen in my -earliest boyhood, evidences of previous military strife, such as -numerous broken guns, swords, and other worn-out weapons. At -Fredericksburg, Major Rogers erected, as he had done before at -Londonderry, Vermont, the first frame house in the township. -How long he remained here I am unable to say, but probably -several years. My own birth-place, August 29, 1789, was in a -little village one or two miles below his residence, and as I was -one of his legatees, he probably remained there for some time after -that event. I find no record of his death, but it probably took -place about the year 1792. He was buried in Fredericksburgh, as -were his widow and eldest daughter (my mother), 1793. His -eldest son James, returned to Vermont and recovered a considerable -portion of the land in Londonderry. He afterward, in -1819, removed with his family to Haldimand, where he died several -years ago. His second son, David McGregor, familiarly known also -as “Major Rogers,” remained in Canada up to the time of his -death, about 1823. While quite a young man, he was elected a -member of the first Parliament of Upper Canada. He then resided -at Little Lake in the township of Hallowell. He afterwards -removed to Cramahe, where I found him in 1803, engaged as a -merchant, holding the office of clerk of the Peace, clerk of the -District Court, and Registrar of Deeds, besides being a member of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>Parliament, and carrying on a farm. His name is pretty closely -identified with the early history of Upper Canada. He was a man -of great energy of character and sound judgment, was highly -respected and esteemed, and died greatly lamented. After remaining -in Fredericksburgh several years, the family of the late Major -(James) Rogers removed to the “Little Lake,” so called. This -was the scene of my earliest recollections. In the same neighborhood -had resided Mr. Peters, and his family. He was a native of -New England, remained loyal to the Crown, became an officer in -the Queen’s Rangers, and was among the early refugees to Canada. -He afterwards became sheriff of Newcastle, having removed from -the Little Lake, first to the Carrying Place, and afterwards to -Cramahe, about the year 1804, where he died many years ago.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph Ryerson, of New Jersey, one of the five hundred and -fifty volunteers who went to Charleston, South Carolina. For his -good conduct in bearing despatches one hundred and ninety-six -miles into the interior, he was promoted to a Lieutenancy in the -Prince of Wales’ Volunteers. Subsequently he was engaged in six -battles, and once wounded. At the peace he went to New Brunswick, -thence to Canada, where he settled and became a Colonel in -the militia. In the war of 1812, he and his three sons were in arms -against the United States. He died near Victoria, Upper Canada, -in 1854, aged ninety-four, one of the last of the “old United -Empire Loyalists.”—​(<cite>Sabine.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of Captain Ryerson’s old comrades, Peter Redner, of the -bay, says, he was “a man of daring intrepidity, and a great favorite -in his company.” He often related an instance when Captain -Ryerson, commanding a scouting party, for which peculiar service -he was eminently fitted, ventured to crawl up to a tent of American -officers, and discovering one standing in the door who saw him, he -walked boldly up, thus lessening suspicion, and drawing his bayonet -immediately ran him through the body, and escaped before his -companions had sufficiently recovered from the shock to give -pursuit. He represented Captain Ryerson as being one of the -most determined men he ever knew, with the service of his -country uppermost in his mind, he often exposed himself to great -danger to accomplish his desires.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Samuel Ryerson, of New Jersey, brother of Joseph, joined the -Royal Standard, and received a commission as captain in the Third -Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers; went to New Brunswick at -the peace, thence to Canada, where he settled.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>Peter Redner, a native of New Jersey, was connected with the -service for some time. He was in the same division as Captain -Ryerson, and during his subsequent life was always delighted to tell -of the incidents in connection with the several campaigns through -which he passed, especially such as related to “his friend Ryerson,” -to whom he was much attached.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the close of the war he went to Nova Scotia, where he -drew land; but not liking the place, he disposed of his land and -came to Canada. He purchased lot ninety-four in Ameliasburgh -for a small consideration, from William Fox, a United Empire -Loyalist, of Pennsylvania, who had drawn it.—​(<cite>Ashley.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Walter Ross—​He arrived, an emigrant from Scotland, at Quebec, -the night before the fall of Montgomery. He, with others -from the ship, immediately took up arms, and assisted to repulse -the enemy in a most distinguished manner. He subsequently lived -with Major Frazer, and became so great a favorite that the Major -assisted him to an ensigncy. After the close of the war he -married Miss Williams, of Ernest town, and settled in Marysburgh, -on the lake shore.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Ruttans were descendants of the Huguenots. Says -Sheriff Ruttan: “My grandfather emigrated to America about the -time of Sir William Johnson, Bart., in 1734, and settled at a town -called New Rochelle, in Westchester county, New York. This -town, or tract of land, was purchased in 1689, expressly for a -Huguenot settlement, by Jacob Leister, Commissioner of the Admiralty, -under Governor Dongan of New York. It soon increased, -and in 1700 had a vast number of militia officers, loyal to the backbone. -To this settlement my grandfather repaired soon after his -arrival. My father and uncle Peter were born here about 1757, -and 1759. Both entered the army in the 3rd battalion of Jersey -volunteers, one as Lieutenant, the other as Captain. This was -about the year 1778. In the year 1778, my uncle Peter accompanied -Brant from New York to Western Canada, on a tour of -observation, being a great favorite, so much so that he named his -son Joseph Brant Ruttan, as a token of his friendship. As a further -token of his esteem, Brant, at parting, presented him with a handsome -brace of pistols, which he valued highly. At his decease, -they came into my possession. My father and uncle had grants of -1200 acres of land each, at Adolphustown, in the Midland District; -this was in 1783 or 1784.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sheriff Ruttan, when a child, met with a slight accident which -probably turned the current of his life from one of comparative -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>obscurity to notoriety. Henry Ruttan went out with his brother -one spring morning to tap trees for sugar making. Accidentally -two of Henry’s fingers were severed from his hand by an untoward -stroke of the sharp axe. This loss led his father to send him -to school, as he could not perform manual labor. Respecting his -education, the reader is referred to the division on “Early Education.” -With the education obtained in Adolphustown, he went to -Kingston and was apprenticed with John Kerby, a successful merchant. -By industry as well as talent, Henry advanced to be a -partner, and was entrusted to open a store in the “new township” -near Grafton, in Newcastle. Subsequently, he distinguished himself -as a soldier, in 1812, then as a member of Parliament, as -Speaker, and for a long time as Sheriff. Latterly his name is -associated with inventions for ventilation of buildings and cars.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Schermerhorn was among the first settlers upon the -bay Quinté. Respecting the nature of his services during the war we -have no record, nor have we learned in what regiment he served; -but most probably in Johnson’s. The writer has in his possession a -portion of an epaulet which belonged to this officer. He drew -large quantities of land in the western part of the Province, as -well as a lot in Fredericksburgh. He died in 1788 when on a visit -to Montreal to procure his half-pay. His widow and eldest son -died soon after. His youngest son, John, settled on lot 95, 9th -concession Ameliasburg.—​(<cite>J. B. Ashley.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Colonel Spencer” was an officer in Roger’s Battalion, settled -on lot 9, 1st concession Fredericksburgh additional. He died -shortly after the commencement of the war of 1812, having been -Colonel of the militia, and active in preparing to meet the foe. He -was buried, with military honors, upon his own farm.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His brother Augustus was an ensign, and settled at East Lake, -on half-pay. His wife, Sarah Conger, lived to be ninety-four years -old.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the former part of last century there were born three -brothers, Seth, Thomas, and Adiel Sherwood, in old Stratford, in -the Province of Connecticut. The three brothers removed, 1743, -to New York State, five miles north of Fort Edward, within a -short distance of the spot where Burgoyne surrendered. At the -commencement of the rebellion, Seth and Adiel identified themselves -with the rebel party, becoming officers in the army, while -Thomas adhered to his Sovereign. It was probably after the defeat -of Burgoyne, when he proceeded to St. John, Lower Canada, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>was subsequently employed by the British Government on secret -service in the revolting State. His knowledge of the country -enabled him to bring from the territory of the enemy not a few who -were desirous of serving in the British army. In 1779 his family -removed to St. Johns, and he received an appointment as subaltern -in Major Jessup’s corps.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the close of the war, Thomas Sherwood came with his corps -to the St. Lawrence, and became the first actual settler in the -county of Leeds. He was well known as an active public man, -“he was ever ready to give assistance and instructions to the new -comers.” He also assisted in the first survey of that part. He was -among the first magistrates. He lived on his farm forty-two years, -and died, aged 81, in peace.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Adiel Sherwood, from whom we receive the foregoing facts, was -the son of Thomas, and was born at the homestead in New York -State, 16th May, 1779, shortly before the family left for Canada. -He says: “I remained with the family at St. Johns until May, -1784, when we came in the very first brigade of batteaux to the -Upper Province, where my father pitched his tent, about three -miles below Brockville, so that I may say I saw the first tree cut, -and the first hill of corn and potatoes planted by an actual settler.” -Mr. Adiel Sherwood at an early date, 1796, was appointed an ensign -in the first regiment of Leeds Militia. He was promoted from -time to time until he became Colonel. He was commissioned a -Magistrate, Clerk of the Peace, Commissioner of Land Board, and -finally Sheriff for the district of Johnstown. He was connected -with the militia fifty years, when he retired on full rank. Was -Treasurer of the District twenty-five years, and Sheriff thirty-five. -Mr. Sherwood still lives, an active, genial, and Christian-minded -gentleman, and we take this occasion to express our feelings of -gratitude for his assistance and sympathy in this our undertaking.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There were a good many of the name of Taylor among the -loyalists residing at Boston, New York, and New Jersey. They -were all in the higher walks of life, and some filled high public -stations. One family, consisting at the time of the rebellion, of a -mother and three sons, has a tragic and deeply interesting history. -For many of the particulars I am indebted to Sheriff George -Taylor, of Belleville, a descendant of the youngest of the -brothers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sheriff Taylor’s father was earned John, and was born upon -the banks of the Hudson, of Scotch parents. He was fourteen -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>years old when the rebellion broke out. His two brothers were -officers in the British army, and were employed in the hazardous -duties of spies. The only knowledge he has of his uncles, is that -they were both caught at different times, one upon one side of the -Hudson and the other the opposite side; both were convicted and -executed by hanging, one upon the limb of an apple tree, the -other of an oak. John Taylor was at home with his mother upon the -farm, at Kinderhook. But one day he was carried off while from -the house, by a press gang, to Burgoyne’s army. He continued -in the army for seven years, until the end of the war, when he -was discharged. During this time he was in numerous engagements, -and received three wounds at least, one a sabre wound, and -a ball wound in the arm. It is stated on good authority, (Petrie) -that he once carried a despatch from Quebec to Nova Scotia, following -the Bay of Fundy. His mother in the meantime was -ignorant of his whereabouts, and held the belief that he was dead, -or carried off by the Indians. At the expiration of the war he -went to New Brunswick by some means, subsequently he undertook -to walk on snowshoes, with three others, from St. Johns to -Sorel, which he accomplished, while the three others died on the -way; he saved his life by killing and eating his dog. He procured -his discharge at Sorel. In 1783 he came up the St. Lawrence to Cataraqui, -and thence walked up the bay as far as the mouth of the -Moria River, accompanied by one William McMullen. Ascending -the Moria he chose the land, where is now the 4th concession of -Thurlow, the “Holstead farm.” He lived here a few months, but -the Indians drove him away, declaring the river belonged to them. -He then bought lot No. 5, at the front, of Captain Singleton, property -which yet bears his name. John Taylor married the daughter -of a U. E. Loyalist by the name of Russell.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Two or three years after he came to Thurlow, he visited his old -home at Kinderhook, to see his mother, who knew not he was alive. -She accompanied him back to Canada, although hard on ninety years -old. She did not live long in her new home.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Two intimate comrades of John Taylor in the army, were -Merritt and Soles, father of D. B. Soles, formerly of Belleville.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the brothers of John Taylor, the following appeared -in the Hastings <cite>Chronicle</cite> of Belleville, 13th November, 1861.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>A Spy of the Revolution.</span>—​In the year 1776, when -Governor Clinton resided in Albany, there came a stranger to his -house one cold wintry morning, soon after the family had breakfasted. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>He was welcomed by the household, and hospitably entertained. A -breakfast was ordered, and the Governor, with his wife and daughter -employed in knitting, was sitting before the fire, and entered into -conversation with him about the affairs of the country, which naturally -led to the enquiry of what was his occupation. The caution -and hesitancy with which the stranger spoke, aroused the keen-sighted -Clinton. He communicated his suspicion to his wife and daughter, -who closely watched his every word and action. Unconscious of -this, but finding that he had fallen among enemies, the stranger was -seen to take something from his pocket and swallow it. Meantime -Madam Clinton, with the ready tact of a woman of those troublesome -times, went quietly into the kitchen, and ordered hot coffee to be -immediately made, and added to it a strong dose of tartar emetic. -The stranger, delighted with the smoking beverage, partook freely -of it, and Mrs. Clinton soon had the satisfaction of seeing it produce -the desired result. From scripture out of his own mouth was he -condemned. A silver bullet appeared, which upon examination was -unscrewed and found to contain an important despatch from -Burgoyne. He was tried, condemned and executed, and the bullet -is still preserved in the family.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The foregoing article we clip from the Boston <cite>Free Flag</cite> of the -2nd November, 1861; this, there is reason to infer, is a special reference -to a relative of one of the oldest families in this part of Canada. -John Taylor in his life time, well known to the first inhabitants of -Belleville, had two brothers employed upon secret service for the -British Government during the American revolutionary war; their -names were Neil and Daniel. At different times they were each -apprehended and suffered the severe penalty of the law. A tradition -of the Taylor family of this place, agrees in all particulars with -the above article, and points to one of the Taylor brothers as the -person therein alluded to.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sabine says that “Daniel Taylor in 1777, was dispatched by Sir -Henry Clinton to Burgoyne, with intelligence of the capture of Fort -Montgomery, and was taken on his way by the whigs as a spy. -Finding himself in danger, he turned aside, took a small silver ball -or bullet from his pocket and swallowed it. The act was seen, and -General George Clinton, into whose hands he had fallen, ordered a -severe dose of emetic tartar to be administered, which caused him -to discharge the bullet. On being unscrewed, the silver bullet was -found to contain a letter from the one British General to the other, -which ran as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span><span class='sc'>Fort Montgomery</span>, October 2, 1777.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'><i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Nous voici</span></i>—​and nothing between us but Gates. I sincerely hope -this little success of ours may facilitate your operations. In answer -to your letter of 28th of September, by C. C., I shall only say, I -cannot presume to order, or even advise, for reasons obvious. I -heartily wish you success.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Faithfully yours,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c019'><span class='sc'>H. Clinton</span>.</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>To General Burgoyne.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>Taylor was tried, convicted, and executed, shortly after his -detection.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Conrad VanDusen was a native of Duchess County, N. Y., -born 23rd April, 1751. His father was Robert VanDusen. At the -commencement of the rebellion he was in business as a tailor, in New -York City. He served during the whole of the war, seven years, in -Butler’s Rangers. During this time, his wife, who was also from -Duchess County, formerly a Miss Coon, carried on the tailoring -business in New York, and succeeded in saving fifty-three -guineas. On leaving for Canada with VanAlstine, they brought -with them two large boxes of clothing. They also had some -jewelry.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the war VanDusen was sometimes employed upon secret -service, and upon one occasion was caught, and condemned to be -hanged. Upon leaving the room in which he had been tried, he -managed to convey to a woman present, whose earnest demeanor -led him to believe she was friendly, a gold ring, a keep-sake of his -wife. By some means VanDusen escaped, having concealed himself -in a swamp under water, with his face only above water, and in after -years he was surprised and rejoiced to receive by letter the identical -ring, which had been sent to him by the woman into whose hands he -had so adroitly placed it. She had directed the letter to Cataraqui.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The close of the war found VanDusen at New York, and he -joined VanAlstine’s band of refugees, and settled in Adolphustown. -Subsequently he removed to Marysburgh, lot No. 9, where he died, -aged seventy-six years and seven months. He lies buried in the -U. E. burying ground, Adolphustown.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Frederick Frank Williamsburgh, at the time of the war lived -upon the Susquehanna, and owned a thousand acres of land. He -was a sickly man. His family consisted of a son eleven years old, -and three daughters. One day he went some distance to a mill, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>taking his children with him, and leaving his wife and mother at -home. That day the rebels made a raid, and he was taken prisoner -from his children on the road; and coming to his barn, it, with all -his grain was burned up. His wife and old mother sought safety in -the woods, and the house was stripped of everything. The children -arriving home without their father, found no mother, or grandmother, -only the smoking ruins of the barn and the dismantled house. -Frightened almost to death, and expecting to be killed before morning, -they lay down on the floor. About midnight came a knock at -the door; after a time they summoned sufficient courage to ask who -was there, when it was found to be neighbor who had been hunted -in the woods for three days and who was almost starved. He was -admitted, and having slept for a short time, he proceeded to prepare -a raft upon the river; upon this he placed some flour he had concealed -in the woods, and the children, with himself, and floated -down the river. But the morning brought the enemy, and they were -taken. The children were conveyed to a place where they found their -mother; but the father having been thrown into a prison, in three -months his weak constitution succumbed to the cruelty of his prison -house.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The family found their way to Lower Canada, after a time, living -upon the rations dealt out from day to day from the commissariat -department. They, after a time, went to Montreal, and one son, -when twelve year old, enlisted. For a time he acted as tailor to the -regiment, but subsequently became a favorite with the Colonel and -was promoted. The descendants of this William Williamsburgh now -live in Belleville.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sergeant Daniel Wright was born in the city of London, 1741. -He was sergeant in the 74th regiment. Sergeant Wright was present -at the battle before Quebec, when Montgomery was killed. He -settled in Marysburgh in 1784. He was commissary officer for the -fifth township, and was subsequently appointed magistrate and then -registrar, which office he held for upwards of thirty years. Was Lieut. -Colonel in the Prince Edward Militia. “Old Squire Wright” was a -man of education and gentlemanly deportment, strictly religious, and -noted for his urbanity; he obtained the soubriquet of “Squire civil.” -It is said he was never known to smile. Unlike other retired officers, -it is said, he did not seek to acquire extensive tracts of land. Died -April, 1828, aged eighty-seven.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following is from the Kingston <cite>Chronicle</cite>: “Died at the Carrying -Place, 27th February, 1836, Robert Wilkins, Esq., in the ninety-fourth -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>year of his age. He entered the army at the early age of -seventeen, in the 17th Light Dragoons, then commanded by the late -Colonel Hale. Soon after he joined the regiment it was ordered to -Scotland. There it did not long remain; the “Whiteboy” conspiracy -had been formed in Ireland. From Ireland he sailed with -the same distinguished regiment for the British American Colonies, -then raising the standard of revolt, landed at Boston, and a few days -after bore a conspicuous part in the battle of Bunker’s Hill, on which -occasion he had two horses shot under him. He was present at -most of the engagements in the northern colonies. At the battle of -White Plains, he was one of the forlorn hope, where he received a -severe contusion on the breast, and lost the thumb of his right hand. -After recovering from his wounds, he retired from the army, and -entered into mercantile pursuits in the city of New York. There he -carried on a prosperous business until peace was concluded; but -when that city was evacuated by the British troops (in 1783) he was -too strongly attached to his king to remain behind. He then accompanied -them to Shelburne, Nova Scotia. In the improvements of -that luckless place, he expended a large sum of money, but finding -that the place would not succeed, he left, and in 1789, returned to -his native country, from which, three years after, he was induced to -follow Governor Simcoe to this colony, just after it had received its -constitution, and became a distinct government. From that time he -remained in Upper Canada, and most of the time at this place. Of -Christian doctrine and Christian duty, he had a much deeper sense -than was obvious to occasional visitors. His hospitality was proverbial, -and never under his roof was the poor refused food or shelter. -His remains were followed to the church, and thence to the house -appointed for all living, by not less than 300 of his friends and -neighbors.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>For an account of the son of the above, see notices of U. E. -Loyalists.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Col. H. Young—​His father was a native of Nottingham, England, -and came to New York when eighteen years old, and settled at -Jamaica, Long Island. He was a gunsmith by trade. Subsequently -he removed to Husack, northern New York. He had four sons, -George, Henry, William, John, and two daughters. His second son -Henry, was born at Jamaica, 10th March, 1737. At the age of eighteen -he joined the British army, as a volunteer. He was present at the -battle of Tyconderoga, under General Abercrombie. He was also -with the army under General Amherst, which went from Albany -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>to Montreal, to join the army from Quebec, under General Murray. -Continued in the army until 1761, when he returned home, married -a Miss Campman, and lived in peace until the rebellion broke out. -He again joined the British army as a private, and was at the -battle of Bennington, but he so distinguished himself that he was -promoted to an ensigncy in the King’s Royal Regiment, of New -York. During the war he took part in seventeen battles, but -escaped with one wound in the hand. In the year 1780, he was -sent with Major Ross to Carleton Island. For three years he was -at this place, or Oswego. In 1783 he was discharged on half pay, -and received grants of land—​3,000 acres, with the privilege of -selecting the place. Immediately after his release he set out, -sometime during the summer or autumn of 1783, to prospect for -land. In a small canoe, he, with a brother officer, named, it is said, -McCarty, proceeded up the bay Quinté, and into Picton bay to its -head, thence to East Lake. Having decided to take land here, he left -his son during the winter. In the following spring 1784, he brought -his family from St. Johns, where they had been staying. (See -settlement of Prince Edward). Colonel Young died at East Lake. -3rd December, 1820, aged eighty-three years and nine months.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Daniel Young was in the Engineer Department during the -latter part of the revolutionary war. He died at East Lake, 30th -September, 1850, aged eighty-five.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Henry Young was Lieutenant of Militia in the war of 1812. -Went to Kingston on duty, where he died, latter part of December, -1812.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the first settlers of the Upper Province, especially upon -the St. Lawrence, and who took part in the war, may be mentioned, -Captain Thomas Frazer, Captain William Frazer, Lieutenant -Solomon Snider, Lieutenant Gideon Adams, Captain Simon -Covelle, Captain Drummond, Ensign Dulmage, Ensign Sampson, -Lieutenant Farrand, Captain Amberson, Lieutenant McLean, -Lieutenant James Campbell, Lieutenant Alexander Campbell, -Sergeant Benoni Wiltsie, Ensign E. Bolton, Captain Justus Sherwood, -Captain John Jones, Lieutenant James Breakenridge, of -Roger’s corps.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Colonel Clarke, of Dalhousie, gives a “list of half pay officers -who settled in the Niagara District after the rebellion of the -colonies:”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Colonel John Butler, originator of Butler’s Rangers, an Irishman, -a connection of Lord Osmore; Captain Andrew Brant, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>Butler’s Rangers; Captain B. Fry, Captain P. Hare, Captain Thos. -Butler, Captain Aaron Brant, Captain P. Paulding, Captain John -Ball, Captain P. Ball, Captain P. Ten Brock, Lieutenant R. -Clench, Lieutenant Wm. Brant, Lieutenant Wm. Tweeny, -Lieut. Jocal Swoos, Lieut. James Clements, Lieut. D. Swoos, all of -Butler’s Rangers; Captain James Brant, Indian Department; -Captain H. Nelles, Captain James Young, Captain Robert Nelles, -Captain Joseph Dockater, Captain C. Ryman, Lieut. J. Clement, -Lieut. W. B. Shuhm, Lieut. A. Chrysler, Lieut. S. Secord, Lieut. -F. Stevens, Surgeon R. Kerr, Commodore T. Merritt, father of the -late Hon. W. H. Merritt, all of the Indian Department.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION II.<br /> <span class='large'>TRAVELING IN EARLY TIMES—​ORIGINAL ROUTES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Indian paths—​Portages—​Original French routes—​Mer de Canada—​Original -names of St. Lawrence—​Ontario—​Huron—​Route by Bay Quinté—​Old -French maps—​Original English routes—​Four ways from Atlantic to -the Lakes—​Mississippi—​Potomac—​Hudson—​Indian name of Erie—​From -New York to Ontario—​The Hudson River—​Mohawk—​Wood creek—​Oneida -Lake—​Oswego River—​The carrying places—​West Canada Creek—​Black -River—​Oswegotchie—​The navigation—​Military highway—​Lower Canada—​An -historic route—​The paths followed by the Loyalists—​Indian paths north -of Lake Ontario—​Crossing the Lake—​From Cape Vincent to the Bay -Quinté—​From Oswego by Duck Islands—​East Lake—​Picton Bay—​Coasting -Ontario—​Two ways to Huron—​By Bay Quinté and Trent; by Don River—​Lake -Simcoe—​Point Traverse—​Loyalists—​Traveling by the St. Lawrence—​First -road—​Long remembered event.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Although the European found the American continent a vast -unbroken wilderness, yet the native Indians had well defined -routes of travel. Mainly, the long journeys made by them in their -hunting excursions, and when upon the war path, were by water -up and down rivers, and along the shores of lakes. And at certain -places around rapids, and from one body of water to another, their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>frequent journeyings created a well marked path. These portages -or carrying places may even yet, in many places be traced, and -are still known by such appellations. The arrival of the European -in America was followed by his penetrating, step by step, to the -further recesses of the north and west. The opening of the fur -trade with the Indians led to increased travel along some of the -original paths, and probably to the opening of new ones. While -the French by the waters of the Lower St. Lawrence, found it convenient -to ascend by the great streams, the English had to traverse -the high lands which separate the sources of the rivers which -empty into the Atlantic, from those which rise to flow to the lakes -and rivers of fresh water to the north.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The original routes of travel taken by the French were up -the St. Lawrence, at first called the “Grand River of Canada,” -while the gulf is marked Galpo di Canada O’S Larenzo. The -water of the Atlantic, south of the Chesapeake River to Newfoundland -and the gulf, was known as the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Mer de Canada</span></i>. From the seaboard -the traveler sometimes, having ascended to the mouth of -the Sorel River, turned west to lake Champlain, and thence into -the western part of the present New York State, or continuing up -the St. Lawrence to its confluence with the Ottawa, or as it was -sometimes called Grand River, selected one or the other of these majestic -streams, by which to continue the journey westward. Following -the Ottawa, the way led to the north as far as Lake Nippissing, -and thence westward to the Georgian Bay. Sometimes the voyager -would continue to ascend the St. Lawrence to Lake Ontario, a portion -of the St. Lawrence sometimes called Cataraqui River, or the Iroquois -River, that is to say, the river which leads to Cataraqui, or the -Iroquois country. Lake Ontario was called by Champlain, Lake -St. Louis, and subsequently for a time it was known as Lake Frontenac. -According to a map observed in the French Imperial Library -the Indian name of Ontario was Skaniadono, 1688.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From Lake Ontario to Lake Huron, at first named Mer Douce, -and, then after the Huron Indians, who were expelled from that -region by the Iroquois in 1650, a very common route was up the -Bay Quinté, the River Trent, Lake Simcoe, and to Georgian Bay. -That this was a not unfrequent way is well exhibited by the old -French maps, which, prepared to indicate the principal waterways -to the traveler, had the waters of the Bay and Trent, even to its -source, made broad, so that the observer might imagine that the -bay and the river were one continuous bay of navigable waters. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>As this route was adjacent to the territory of the Iroquois nation, it -was only when the French were at peace with them that this -course was taken, until the establishment of the fort at Cataraqui. -Again, the French occasionally followed the south shore of Lake -Ontario to the Niagara River and ascended it to Lake Erie, and -thus approached the far west.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the French with comparative ease, reached the vast -inland seas, the English by more difficult channels sought the -advantages, which intercourse with the lake Indians afforded. An -early writer of American history, Isaac Weld, says: “There are -four principal channels for trade between the ocean and the lakes. -One by the Mississippi to Lake Erie, a second by the Potomac and -French Creek to Lake Erie. (Lake Erie was at first called Okswego, -and the territory to the south of Lake Erie was sometimes -called Ontario Nous.) A third by the Hudson, and a fourth by the -St. Lawrence.” A later writer says: “It is worthy of notice, that -a person may go from Quebec to New Orleans by water all the -way except about a mile from the source of Illinois River.” The last -mentioned route we have seen belonged to the French, and was the -best to follow, as well as the most direct to Europe. Of the other -three, we have only to speak of that by the Hudson.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The distance from New York to Lake Ontario is laid down as -being 500 miles. From New York Bay to Albany, the Hudson is -navigable, 180 miles. Ten miles north of Albany the river divides -into two branches. The western branch is the Mohawk and leads -to Rome, formerly Fort Stanwix. A branch of the Mohawk, Wood -Creek, leads toward Oneida Lake, which was reached by a portage. -A branch of Wood Creek was called Canada Creek, and led -toward Lake Champlain. From Oneida Lake, the larger lake, -Ontario, is reached by the Oswego River. Weld probably refers -to this route when he says that the distance over which boats had -to be hauled by land, (perhaps, from New York to Ontario) was -altogether thirty miles. This was no doubt the most speedy route -by which to reach Upper Canada from the Hudson. Frequent -reference is made to it, in the accounts of journeying, by the U. E. -Loyalists, which have come under notice. It was by far the most -commonly traveled way, taken by those who came into Canada -after the close of the war. And, it is stated, 1796, that the chief -part of the trade between New York and the lake is by this way. -But sometimes, the traveler up the Mohawk, instead of turning into -Vilcrik, or Wood Creek, would continue to ascend the Mohawk, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>which turned more toward the east; and then into a branch sometimes -called, 1756, West Canada Creek, by which he was brought -contiguous to the head waters of the Black River, which empties -into the lake at Sacket’s Harbor. But the Black River was sometimes -reached by ascending the Hudson, above the mouth of the -Mohawk, away eastward to the Mohegan mountains, where the -Hudson rises. Crossing these mountains he would strike the -Moose River, which is a tributary to the Black River. Occasionally, -instead of Moose River, the Oswegotchie was reached, and followed -to its mouth at La Présentation, the present town of Ogdensburgh -That this route was well known, is shown from the statement -of Weld, that, “It is said that both the Hudson and Oswegotchie -River are capable of being made navigable for light batteaux -to where they approach within a short distance, about four miles.” -All of these branches of the Hudson are interrupted by falls.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Still another way was now and then taken, after having -crossed the Mohegans, namely, by Long Lake which feeds Racket -River, that empties into the St. Lawrence, at St. Regis, opposite Cornwall. -Again, numerous accounts have been furnished the writer, in -which the traveler followed the military highway to Lower Canada, -by Whitehall, Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga, Plattsburgh, -and then turning northward proceeded to Cornwall. But this -way was the common one to Lower Canada, and by the Sorel. This -historic route was no doubt long used by the Indians, before the -European trod it, and Champlain at an early period penetrated to -the lake, to which his name is forever attached. Along this road -passed many a military expedition; and during the wars between -the colonies of France and England, here ebbed and flowed the -tide of strife. The rebellion of 1776 witnessed Burgoyne with his -army sweep by here westward to meet his disastrous fate; and -thereafter set in the stream of refugees and loyalists, which ceased -not to flow for many a year, along this path.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the great majority of the loyalists who came to Canada, -followed one or other of the routes above mentioned, there were -some who came around by the Atlantic, and up the St. Lawrence. -There were at least two companies, one under the leadership of -Captain Grass, and one under Captain Van Alstine, who sailed from -New York in ships under the protection of a war vessel, shortly -before the evacuation by the British forces in 1783.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Directing our attention to the territory north of Lake Ontario, -and the Upper St. Lawrence, we find some interesting facts relative -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>to the original Indian paths; sometimes, followed on hunting and -fishing expeditions, and sometimes in pursuit of an enemy. There -is evidence that the Mohawks, upon the southern shore of Lake -Ontario, were accustomed to pass across the waters, to the northern -shores by different routes. Thus, one was from Cape Vincent to -Wolfe Island, and thence along its shore to the west end, and then -either to Cataraqui, or up the Bay Quinté, or perhaps across to Amherst -Island, where, it seems, generally resided a Chief of considerable -importance. A second route, followed by them, in their frail bark -canoes, was from a point of land somewhat east of Oswego, called -in later days Henderson’s Point, taking in their way Stony Island, -the Jallup Islands, and stretching across to Yorkshire Island, and -Duck Island, then to the Drake Islands, and finally to Point -Traverse. Following the shore around this point, Wappoose Island -was also reached; or, on the contrary, proceeding along the shore -westward they reached East Lake. From the northernmost point -of this lake they directed their steps, with canoes on their heads, -across the carrying place to the head of Picton Bay, a distance of -a little over four miles. It is interesting to notice that upon the -old maps, by the early French navigators, the above mentioned -islands are specified as “<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">au des Couis</span></i>;” while at the same time the -Bay of Quinté bears the name of <em>Couis</em>, showing unmistakably that -the Mohawk Indians passed by this way to the head waters of -the bay and to the Trent River. Herriot designates one of these -islands, Isle de Quinté. Two maps in the Imperial library of Paris, -give these islands, above mentioned, the name of Middle Islands, -and the waters east of them are named Cataraqui Bay. It is -not at all unlikely that Champlain, when he first saw Lake -Ontario, emerged from the water of East lake. Again, instead of -entering the Bay Quinté with a view of passing up the River Moira, -or Trent, they would continue along the south shore of Prince -Edward, past West Lake and Consecon Lake, and proceed westward, -sometimes to the river at Port Hope, sometimes further west, even -to the Don, and ascend some one of the rivers to the head waters -of the Trent or Lake Simcoe. The early maps indicate Indian -villages along at several points. Owing to the dangerous coast -along the south shore of Prince Edward, sometimes they chose the -longer and more tedious route through the Bay Quinté to its head. -That here was a common carrying place is well attested by the statements -of many. Indeed, at this point upon the shores of the lake -was an Indian village of importance. An old graveyard here, upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>being plowed, has yielded rich and important relics, showing that -the Indians were Christianized, and that valuable French gifts had -been bestowed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It would seem from a letter of DeNonville, that there were two -ways to reach Lake Huron from Lake Ontario: one by the Bay -Quinté and the Trent; the other by the way of the Don River and -Lake Simcoe, called by him “Lake Taranto.” In the selection of -routes they were guided by Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The route by the Trent and the Bay Quinté was for many a day -regarded as the most direct, and the best route to Lake Huron, even -since the settlement by Europeans. Its supposed importance was -sufficient to lead to the attempt to construct a canal with locks, to -make it navigable. Gourlay says, sometime after the war of 1812, -that “in course of time it may become an object of importance to -connect Rice Lake by a canal with Lake Ontario direct, instead of -following the present canoe route by its natural outlet into the Bay -Quinté.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Marquis DeNonville, in 1685, moved on the Five Nations -with his little army in canoes, in two divisions. On the 23rd June, -one-half proceeded on the south side from the fort Cataraqui, and -the other on the north side of the lake, and met near Oswego. -Now, there can be no doubt, that the latter party crossed the bay -to Indian Point, passed along its southern shore, then across the bay -by Wappoose Island, and then around, or crossing Point Traverse -struck far into the lake, by the islands which constituted the guides -of this early Indian route. It may be that this was so commonly -traveled that the old name of Point Traverse was thus derived.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have indicated the several routes followed by the Indians, -the French, the English, and finally by the Refugees, so far as -relate to the territory now comprising Upper Canada, that is by -which it was originally reached and settled. Beside, there were -some who found their way by land from the head waters of the -Susquehanna to Lake Erie and Niagara. But the vast majority of -pioneers of Upper Canada entered by the channels aforesaid.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For many years, the only road from Lower Canada was by the -St. Lawrence, ascending wearily up the dangerous rapids in canoes -and batteaux; and it will be found that the lots in the first townships -were surveyed narrow in order to secure a water frontage to -as many as possible, because there was no other means of transit -than by water. But those who settled in the second concessions, a -year or two later, were obliged to tread the length of the long front -<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>lots, in order to reach the water. At the same time the communication -with Lower Canada, up and down the rapids, was -attended with many hazards and inconveniences. It consequently -became a matter of no little importance to have a road through -the settlements to Montreal, which might be traveled by horse, -a King’s highway from the eastern Provincial line. It was, -however, some years after the first settlement before this was -secured. The original survey for a road was made by one -Ponair, assisted by one Kilborne. “The opening” Sherwood -says, “of this road from Lower Canada to Brockville and thence to -Cataraqui, a distance of 145 miles, was an event long remembered -by the pioneers. At the end of each mile was planted a red cedar -post with a mark upon it indicating the number of miles from the -Provincial line.”—​(See First Years of Upper Canada—​Construction -of Roads).</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XIII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Indians traveled by foot or by canoe—​Secreting canoes—​Primeval -scenes—​Hunting expeditions—​War path—​In 1812—​Brock—​A night at -Myers’ Creek—​Important arrival—​The North West Company—​Their canoes—​Route—​Grand -Portage—​The Voyageurs—​The Batteaux—​Size—​Ascending -the rapids—​Lachine—​A dry dock—​Loyalists by batteaux—​Durham boats—​Difficulties—​In -1788, time from Lachine to Fredericksburgh—​Waiting for -batteaux—​Extracts from a journal, travelling in 1811—​From Kingston to -Montreal—​The expenses—​The Schenectady boats—​Trade between Albany -and Cataraqui—​The Durham boat—​Duncan—​Description of flat-bottomed -boat by “Murray”—​Statement of Finkle—​Trading—​Batteaux in 1812—​Rate -of traveling—​The change in fifty years—​Time from Albany to Bay Quinté—​Instances—​Loyalists -traveling in winter—​Route—​Willsbury wilderness—​Tarrying -at Cornwall—​The “French Train”—​Traveling along north -shore of Ontario—​Indian path—​Horseback—​Individual owners of batteaux—​Around -Bay Quinté—​The last regular batteaux—​In 1819—​“Lines” from -magazine.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>TRAVELING BY CANOE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Having pointed out the several general routes by which the aborigines -and the first Europeans in America, were wont to traverse the -country from the seaboard to the far west, and indicated more particularly -the smaller paths of the Indians around the Bay Quinté and -Lake Ontario, we purpose glancing at the means by which they made -their way through the wilderness.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>The Native had but two modes of transporting himself from place -to place; namely, by foot and by the canoe. He was trained to make -long expeditions upon the war-path, or after prey. When his course -lay along a water way, he employed his birch canoe. This being -light, he could easily ascend rapids, and when necessary, lift it from -the water, and placing it, bottom upward, upon his head, carry it -around the falls, or over a portage with the greatest facility. When -upon the chase, or about to attack a foe, the canoe was so carefully -secreted, that the passing traveler would never detect its whereabouts. -The French and English at the first followed this Indian mode of -traveling. From the graphic descriptions which are given to us by -the early writers of this Indian mode of traveling in America, ere -the sound of the axe had broken upon the clear northern air, and -while nature presented an unbroken garment of green, it is not difficult -to imagine that scenes of Indian canoe traveling were in the -extreme picturesque. It is not necessary to go beyond the Bay -Quinté, to find a place where all the natural beauty was combined with -the rude usages of the aboriginal inhabitant, to create a picture of -rare interest and attraction. In those primeval times there was no -regular passage made between one part of the country and another. -The Indian in his light canoe glided along here and there, as his -fancy led him, or the probability of obtaining fish or game dictated. -At certain seasons of the year there was a general movement, as they -started off on their hunting expeditions; and at other times the -warriors alone set out, when only intent upon surprising the hated -foe. On these occasions one canoe would silently and swiftly follow -in the wake of the other, until the place of debarkation was reached. -For a long time the birch canoe was the only mode of traveling, and -when the French came with their batteaux, the canoe continued for -a long time the principal means of transit. Even so late as the war -of 1812, canoes were employed, and many of the gallant ones who -fought and conquered the conceited and unscrupulous Yankee -invader, found their way to the front by the swift birch bark. -Company after company of Red Coats were to be seen plying the -trim paddle as the canoe sped on its way. We have it on good -authority that Major General Brock, at the reception of the intelligence, -that the United States had declared war against Great Britain, -set out from Lower Canada in a birch canoe, and with a companion -and their boatman, journeyed all the way to York, followed by a -regiment of soldiers. Incidents of this passage are yet related by -the living. He reached Belleville, or as it was then called -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>Myers’ Creek, late one night, after having been traveling for some -time without rest. With his companion, he went ashore and sought -a place to sleep. They entered the public house of Captain Mc—​—​, -and after examining a room, decided to sleep there the night. But -the host, hearing an unusual noise, rushed into the room demanding -who was there. The General’s companion, with the quickness, and -in language somewhat characteristic of the army of that time, told -him he would kick him to h—​ll in a minute. Captain Mc—​—​ somewhat -disconcerted at the threat and tone of authority walked out, -and meeting the boatman, ask him who the parties were. Upon -being informed, he rushed away in a state of great alarm, not daring -to shew himself again to the General. The house is still standing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following notice is from the Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite>.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>York</span>, April 29, 1815.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“On Sunday evening last arrived in this town from Burlington, -in a birch canoe, Lieutenant General Sir George Murray Knight,” -&c., &c.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>BATTEAUX—​SCHENECTADY BOATS—​DURHAM BOATS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Gourley, speaking of Lachine, says that “from Lachine the -canoes employed by the North West Company in the fur trade take -their departure. Of all the numerous contrivances for transporting -heavy burthens by water, these vessels are perhaps the most extraordinary: -scarcely anything can be conceived so inadequate from the -slightness of their construction, to the purpose they are applied to, -and to contend against the impetuous torrent of the many rapids that -must be passed through in the course of a voyage. They seldom -exceed thirty feet in length, and six in breadth, diminishing to a sharp -point at each end, without distinction of head or stern; the frame is -composed of small pieces of some very light wood; it is then covered -with the bark of the birch tree, cut into convenient slips, that are -rarely more than the eighth of an inch in thickness; these are sewed -together with threads made from the twisted fibres of the roots of a -particular tree, and strengthened where necessary by narrow strips of -the same materials applied on the inside; the joints in the fragile -planking are made water-tight, by being covered with a species of -gum that adheres very firmly, and becomes perfectly hard. No ironwork -of any description, not even nails, are employed in building -these slender vessels, which, when complete, weigh only about five -hundred weight each. On being prepared for the voyage, they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>receive their lading, that for the convenience of carrying across the -portages is made up in packages of about three-quarters of a hundred -weight each, and amounts altogether to five tons, or a little more, -including provisions, and other necessaries for the men, of whom from -eight to ten are employed to each canoe; they usually set out in -brigades like the batteaux, and in the course of a summer, upwards -of fifty of these vessels are thus dispatched. They proceed up the -Grand, or Ottawa River, so far as the south-west branch, by which, -and a chain of small lakes, they reach Lake Nippissing; through it, -and down the French River into Lake Huron; along its northern -coast, up the narrows of St. Mary, into Lake Superior, and then, by -its northern side, to the Grand Portage, a distance of about 1,100 -miles from the place of departure. The difficulties encountered in -this voyage are not easily conceived; the great number of rapids in -the rivers, the different portages from lake to lake, which vary from -a few yards to three miles or more in length, where the canoes must -be unladen, and with their contents carried to the next water, -occasion a succession of labors and fatigues of which but a poor -estimation can be formed by judging it from the ordinary occupations -of other laboring classes. From the Grand Portage, that is -nine miles across, a continuation of the same toils takes place in bark -canoes of an inferior size, through the chain of lakes and streams -that run from the height of land westward to the Lake of the Woods, -Lake Winnipeg, and onwards to more distant establishments of the -company in the remote regions of the north-west country. The men -are robust, hardy, and resolute, capable of enduring great extremes -of fatigues and privation for a long time, with a patience almost -inexhaustible. In the large lakes they are frequently daring enough -to cross the deep bays, often a distance of several leagues, in their -canoes, to avoid lengthening the route by coasting them; yet, notwithstanding -all the risks and hardships attending their employment, -they prefer it to every other, and are very seldom induced to relinquish -it in favor of any more settled occupation. The few dollars -they receive as the compensation for so many privations and dangers, -are in general, dissipated with a most careless indifference to future -wants, and when at an end, they very contentedly renew the same -series of toils to obtain a fresh supply.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The batteaux,” says Ex-Sheriff Sherwood, “by which the -refugees emigrated, were principally built at Lachine, nine miles -from Montreal. They were calculated to carry four or five families, -with about two tons weight. Twelve boats constituted a brigade, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>and each brigade had a conductor, with five men in each boat, one of -which steered. The duty of the conductor was to give directions for -the safe management of the boats, to keep them together; and when -they came to a rapid they left a portion of the boats with one man -in charge. The boats ascending were doubly manned, and drawn by -a rope fastened at the bow of the boat, leaving four men in the boat -with setting poles, thus the men walked along the side of the river, -sometimes in the water, or on the edge of the bank, as circumstances -occurred. If the tops of trees or brush were in the way they would -have to stop and cut them away. Having reached the head of the -rapid the boats were left with a man, and the others went back for -others,” and so they continued until all the rapids were mounted. -Lachine was the starting place, a place of some twenty dwelling -houses. Here Mr. Grant had a dry dock for batteaux.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was by these batteaux, that the refugees, and their families, -as well as the soldiers and their families passed from the shores of -Lake Champlain, from Sorel, and the St. Lawrence, where they had -temporally lived, to the Upper Province. It was also by these, or -the Skenectady, or the Durham boat, that the pioneers made their -transit from Oswego.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thus it will be seen that to gain the northern shore of the St. -Lawrence and Lake Ontario, was a task of no easy nature, and the -steps by which they came were taken literally inch by inch, and were -attended with labor hard and venturesome. Records are not wanting -of the severe hardships endured by families on their way to their -wooded lands. Supplied with limited comforts, perhaps only the -actual necessaries of life, they advanced slowly by day along dangerous -rapids, and at night rested under the blue sky. But our fathers -and mothers were made of stern stuff, and all was borne with a noble -heroism.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This toilsome mode of traveling continued for many a year. -John Ferguson, writing in 1788, from Fredericksburgh to a friend -in Lower Canada, Lachine, says of his journey, “after a most tedious -and fatiguing journey I arrived here—​nineteen days on the way—​horrid -roads—​sometimes for whole days up to the waist in water or -mire.” But the average time required to ascend the rapids with a -brigade was from ten to twelve days, and three or four to descend.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One can hardly conceive of the toilsome hours formerly spent in -passing from Kingston, or the seventh and eighth townships of the bay -to Montreal, and back. Before setting out, the traveler would make -elaborate preparations for a journey of several weeks. There was no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>regular traffic, and only an occasional batteaux, laden with simple -articles of merchandise, would start for the head waters of the bay. -Individuals would often wait, sometimes a long time, for these opportunities, -and then would work their passage, by taking a hand at the -oars. Even up to the present century, it was the custom.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following is a most interesting instance of batteaux traveling -which has been placed in our hands by the Rev. Mr. Miles. It gives -one an excellent idea of traveling at the beginning of the present -century. “I left Kingston on the 6th of April, 1811, but as the -traveling <em>then</em> was not as it is <em>now</em>, I did not arrive in Montreal till -the 15th. I will just copy verbatim, the journal I kept on my passage. -Durham boats were scarce on the Canada side at that time, -but it was thought if I could get to the American shore, I would find -one on its way to Montreal. Well, I found a man in Kingston, just -from Grindstone Island, who had brought up some shingles and tar -to sell, and he told me if I could get to Briton’s Point, several miles -down the river from Cape Vincent, and to which place he would take -me, that he thought I would find a Durham boat there, and the -following is my journal on that route.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Grindstone Island, April 11th, 1811.—​Left Kingston yesterday, -April 6th, at 3 p.m., in an open skiff, with R. Watson, a clerk in -Dr. Jonas Abbott’s store, and two hands belonging to the skiff—​head -wind—​rowed hard till about eight in the evening, when having -blistered both hands, and being very much fatigued, we drew our skiff -on shore, and camped on the shore of Long Island, about five miles -above Grindstone Island—​wind strong from the north—​very cold -and without victuals or fire—​feet wet—​slept some, walked some, and -by daybreak was somewhat chilled. Strong head wind. Stuck close -to our dear lodgings till about eight, when the wind abated, and we -stuck to our oars till about eleven o’clock, when we made Grindstone -Island, weary, and very hungry—​eat a hearty dish of “sapon” and -milk—​rested about an hour—​set off for Briton’s tavern on the -American shore, where we arrived about 4 p.m., the water being -entirely calm. Had not been on shore ten minutes, as good luck -would have it, before we engaged a passage for Cornwall in a Durham -boat, and a breeze coming up directly from the south, our American -boats immediately hoisted sail and proceeded about thirty miles, -when the wind changed, and we put into a bay on Grenadier Island, -about nine in the evening—​eat some supper at a house owned -by Mr. Baxter—​spread a sail upon the floor, and seven boatmen and -four passengers camped down before the fire. In the morning I felt -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>my bones as though they had been lying on the soft side of a hard -rough floor. April 8, head wind still. Wished myself either at -Kingston or Montreal. April 9, still a head wind. Must take it as -it comes. Reading and writing the order of the day. At 7 p.m., -hoisted sail. At one a.m., arrived at a house on the Canada shore, -and slept on the floor till daylight. April 10, left for Ogdensburg, -where we arrived at 3 p.m. Found an old acquaintance and passed -the afternoon quite agreeably. April 11, had a good night’s rest. -Still a head wind. Found the printing office and composed types the -greater part of the day. April 12, still a head wind. April 13, left -Ogdensburg and arrived at Cornwall. April 14, left Cornwall and -arrived at M’Gee’s, Lake St. Francis. April 15, left M’Gee’s and -arrived at Montreal about 8 p.m. Traveling expenses from Kingston -to Montreal $9.75.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>With the later coming refugees was introduced another kind -of flat bottomed boat. It was generally small and rigged with an -ungainly sail. It was generally built at the Town of Schenectady, -and hence the name. Schenectady is a German word, and means -<em>pine barren</em>. Families about to come to Canada would build one or -more to meet their requirements. There was never a large number -of this particular kind of boat. Those that were to be seen, were -upon the bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>With the opening up of trade between Albany and Upper Canada, -was introduced still another kind of vessel, which was adapted -to the use of merchants, engaged in the carrying trade. One of the -earliest traffickers from the Mohawk River to the lakes by the Durham -boats was Duncan, of Augusta, who was, as will be seen, one -of the first Legislative Councillors of Upper Canada. He finally removed -to Schenectady. It is said that he introduced the trade -between the Mohawk and Buffalo which led to the construction of -the Erie Canal.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A writer, speaking of the boats used by the Canadians, says, -the largest boats used by the Canadian boatmen is called the Durham -boat, “used here and in the rapids of the Mohawk. It is long, -shallow, and nearly flat bottomed. The chief instrument of steerage -is a pole ten feet long, shod with iron, and crossed at short intervals -with small bars of wood like the feet of a ladder; the men place -themselves at the bow, two on each side, thrust their poles into the -channel, and grasping successively the wooden bars, work their -way toward the stern, thus pushing on the vessel in that direction.” -(Murray).</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>Mr. Finkle remarks that “the first mode of conveyance for -travelers from Montreal to Kingston, after the settlement of Upper -Canada, was by Canadian batteaux laden with merchandize (at this -time there was no separate conveyance).” The return cargo consisted -of barrels of flour, peas, potash, north-west packs of furs, -&c.; the men and conductors employed in this business were Lower -Canadians. This mode of conveyance continued without interruption -until 1809, when the Durham boats came from the Mohawk -River and embarked in the carrying trade only between Montreal -and Kingston. Being of commodious size, far above the batteaux, -they materially interfered with them and lessened the trade by the -batteaux. The men who managed the Durham boats came with -them from the Mohawk River, these boats were entirely manned by -men from that country.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The flat bottomed boat continued in use until some time after -the war of 1812. Until the canal along the St. Lawrence was -constructed it was the only way by which merchandize could be -transported to the Upper Province through the rapids of the St. -Lawrence. After the establishment of York as the capital of Upper -Canada, there sprung up naturally, a trade between Kingston and -the “muddy” capital, and regular batteaux communication was, after -a little, established. Once a week the solitary boat left Kingston, -and slowly made its way by oars, up the bay to the Carrying Place -over which it was hauled by Asa Weller, a tavern keeper, upon low -wheels or trucks drawn by oxen, and then continued its way along -the shore of Ontario, to its destination. These boats carried not only -merchandize but passengers. Beside the regular batteaux there were -occasionally others, owned by small merchants and pedlars. It was -by the flat bottomed boat and canoe that many of the troops -ascended to the head of the lake in 1812, and by which many of -the 1000 prisoners taken at Detroit were conveyed to Quebec. The -rate of speed of the batteaux or Durham boat, as well as the -Skenectady boat, can be approximated from the statement of “A -traveller,” writing in 1835. He says, “the line of boats which start -from Albany to Skenectady, on their way to Upper Canada, go two-and-a-half -miles an hour, taking in stoppages—​charging one-and-a-half -cents per mile, including board.” This mode of traveling is -preferred by large families and prudent settlers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The conveniences of traveling then, as well as the time required, -are so widely different from what we are accustomed to in this day, -that we have to pause and wonder at the change which even fifty -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>and sixty years have wrought. Even after Upper Canada had become -somewhat settled, it was a momentous matter for a family to -set out from the Hudson for Cataraqui, or the Bay Quinté, as they -generally called the settlement in those days. For instance, Mr. -Lambert, of Sophiasburgh, who came in 1802, was six weeks on the -way between Albany and the bay, coming by the Mohawk and -Oswego Rivers, and crossing from “Gravelly Point” to “Isle -Tanti.” We will give another instance:—​Nicholas L., came from -New Jersey with seven sons and two daughters. It took a month -to come. Having reached Schenectady they waited to build a -batteaux. This completed, they stored away provisions to last them -until Cataraqui was reached. They also brought with them iron -kettles, with which to make maple sugar, and “a churn full of -honey.” Mr. L., being a fanning mill maker, he brought also a -quantity of wire gauze. At Oswego, the fort there being still held -by the British, they were strictly questioned as to the use intended -to be made of the kettles and gauze. Satisfaction being given on -this point, the family continued their tedious journey along the -shore toward Kingston. Barely escaping being wrecked off Stony -Island, they at last reached the north shore. Three days more of -weary rowing up the bay, and Hay Bay was reached, where they -settled.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The loyalists not alone came in summer, by batteaux or the -Schenectady boat; but likewise in winter. They generally followed, -as near as possible, some one of the routes taken in summer. To -undertake to traverse a wilderness with no road, and guided only by -rivers and creeks, or blazed trees, was no common thing. Several -families would sometimes join together to form a train of sleighs. -They would carry with them their bedding, clothes, and the necessary -provisions. We have received interesting accounts of winter -journeyings from Albany along the Hudson, across to the Black -River country, and to the St. Lawrence. Sometimes the train would -follow the “military road” along by Champlain, St. George, and -as far as Plattsburgh, and then turn north to the St. Lawrence, by -what was then called the Willsbury wilderness, and “Chataguee” -woods. At the beginning of the present century there was but one -tavern through all that vast forest, and this of the poorest character. -Indeed it is said that while provision might be procured for the -horses, none could be had for man. Those who thus entered Canada -in winter found it necessary to stay at Cornwall until spring. Two -or more of the men would walk along the St. Lawrence to the bay -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>Quinté, and, at the opening of navigation, having borrowed a batteaux -descend to Cornwall for the women, children, and articles brought -with them. Often, indeed generally unacquainted with the use of -the boat, the passage up and down the river was tedious and toilsome. -While the families and sleighs were transported in the -batteaux the horses were taken along the shore by the larger boys, -if such there were among them. The “French train” was occasionally -employed in their winter travels. It consisted of a long -rude sleigh with several horses driven tandem style, this allowed -the passage among the trees to be made more easily.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Many very interesting reminiscences are known of traveling -along the bay by the pioneers. A few are adduced.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>TRAVELING TO YORK AND QUEENSTON.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Travelers from Montreal to the west would come by a -batteaux, or Durham boat, to Kingston. Those who had business -further west, says Finkle, “were conveyed to Henry Finkle’s in -Ernest town, where they commonly stopped a few days. Thence -they made their journey on horse back. A white man conducted -them to the River Trent, where resided Colonel Bleecker who was -at the head, and had control of all the Mississauga Indians, and -commanded the entire country from the Trent to Toronto. At -this place the traveler was furnished with a fresh horse and an -Indian guide to conduct him through an unsettled country, the road -being little better than a common Indian path, with all its windings. -The road continued in this state until about the year 1798. Sometimes -the traveler continued his way around the head of the lake on -horse back to Queenston, where resided Judge Hamilton.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the time the surveyors were laying out the townships -of the bay, batteaux occasionally passed up and down, supplying -the staff with their requirements, or perhaps with some one looking -for a good tract of land.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1790 a batteaux was owned by Mr. Lambert, of the eighth -township, and Mr. Ferguson, writing from Kingston to Mr. Bell, -wished him to borrow it, to come to Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the first to use batteaux as a mode of traffic, was Captain -Myers. He sailed one up and down the bay to carry, not only -his own freight, but for the accommodation of others. He frequently -went to Kingston, and now and then to Montreal, the -mode pursued, was to charge for freight down, and then give the -passenger a free passage back. This was followed for many years, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>with great profit. The Captain was accustomed to make the -journey as pleasant as possible to the passengers. He always kept -his grog in his “caboose,” and would deal it out to all. There was -no doubt much of jollity and pleasant yarn-spinning, during the -long passages upon the tranquil waters of the bay. Captain Myers -subsequently owned a schooner.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>A letter written 11th November, 1790, by John Ferguson, to -Wm. Bell, of Sidney, says, “As I suppose Mr. Lounsbury’s boat is -idle, I would be glad that you would endeavour to borrow or hire it -and Sherrard’s son and come down to the third township.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>When persons had gone down the bay, and were expected to -return upon a certain night, there would often be a fire kindled on -the shore to guide them homeward. In dark nights this was really -necessary. Many were the expedients resorted to make short cuts. -The feat of swimming horses over the bay was now and then -resorted to by the Wallbridges after they settled in Ameliasburgh. -Wishing to go to Kingston, they would go down to the point where -the bay is narrow, and swim the horses across to Ox Point, and then -ride to Kingston by a bridle path. It would now and then happen at -a late period, that a traveler passing to his place of settlement would -have a lumber waggon. This would be ferried across the bay by -placing it across two log canoes. Referring to swimming the bay by -a horse, a colored man, yet living within the neighbourhood of -Belleville, remembers when a boy, to have been put upon a horse, -and then to have obeyed orders to swim him across the bay. This -occurred near Belleville.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Long after steamboats were started on the bay, the batteaux -continued to ply between Belleville and Montreal. The last to sail -these was Fanning and John Covert. In 1830, Fanning arrived at -Montreal from Belleville so early as to present his bills of laden -upon the first of April. The following business notice cannot fail -to be interesting:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The subscribers having established a line of Durham Boats -from this place, propose forwarding from the different ports of the -lake to that of Montreal, on the following terms, viz.:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“From York, Niagara, Queenston, and the head of the lake, for -each barrel of Flour delivered at the Port of Montreal, 5s. and 6d.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“From Kingston, to the Port of Montreal, for each barrel of -Flour, 4s. and 6d.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“From York, Niagara, Queenston, and the head of the lake, for -each barrel of Potash delivered at the Port of Montreal, 12s. and 6d.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>“From Kingston to the Port of Montreal, for each barrel of -Potash, 10s.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“From York, Niagara, Queenston, and the head of the lake, for -each barrel of Pork delivered at the Port of Montreal, 8s. and 3d.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“From Kingston to the Port of Montreal, for each barrel of -Pork, 6s. and 9d.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Merchandize will be transported by the same means from -Lachine to Kingston, at the rate of 5s. per cwt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“An elegant Passage Boat will also leave Kingston every tenth -day for Montreal, which will be fitted up in the most commodious -manner and prevent any delay to passengers leaving the upper part -of the lake in the Steam Boat <em>Frontenac</em>, it having been built for the -purpose of leaving this place immediately after her arrival.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“These arrangements will take effect at the opening of the navigation, -and be continued during the season.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Thomas Markland.</span></div> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Peter Smith.</span></div> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Lawrence Herkimer.</span></div> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>John Kerby.</span></div> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>William Mitchell.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>“Kingston, February, 1819.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the Canadian Batteaux, the following is from the -Boston <cite>Weekly Magazine</cite> of an old date.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Lines written while at anchor in Kingston Harbour, Lake -Ontario, on hearing from several Canadian boats entering from the -St. Lawrence—​their usual songs.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hark! o’er the lakes unruffled wave,</div> - <div class='line in2'>A distant solemn chant is sped;</div> - <div class='line'>Is it some requiem at the grave?</div> - <div class='line in2'>Some last kind honor to the dead?</div> - <div class='line'>‘Tis silent all—​again begin;</div> - <div class='line in2'>It is the wearied boatman’s lay,</div> - <div class='line'>That hails alike the rising sun,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And his last soft departing ray.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Forth from yon island’s dusky side,</div> - <div class='line in2'>The train of batteaux now appear,</div> - <div class='line'>And onward as they slowly glide,</div> - <div class='line in2'>More loud their chorus greets the ear.</div> - <div class='line'>But, ah! the charm that distance gave,</div> - <div class='line in2'>When first in solemn sounds their song</div> - <div class='line'>Crept slowly o’er the limpid wave,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Is lost in notes full loud and strong.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Row, brothers row, with songs of joy,</div> - <div class='line in2'>For now in view a port appears;</div> - <div class='line'>No rapids here our course annoy,</div> - <div class='line in2'>No hidden rocks excite our fears,</div> - <div class='line'>Be this sweet night to slumber given,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And when the morning lights the wave</div> - <div class='line'>We’ll give our matin songs to heav’n,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Our course to bless, our lives to save.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XIV.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The first Vessel—​The French—​La Salle—​The Griffon—​Vessels in -1770—​During the Rebellion—​Building at Carleton Island—​Captain Andrews—​The -Ontario—​Col. Burton—​Loss of the Ontario—​The Sheehans—​Hills—​Givins’—​Murney’s -Point—​Schooner ‘Speedy’—​Mohawk—​Mississauga—​Duke -of Kent—​Capt. Bouchette—​Paxton—​McKenzie—​Richardson—​Earle -Steele—​Fortiche—​The Governor Simcoe—​Sloop ‘Elizabeth’—​First vessel -built at York—​Collins’ Report upon Navigating the Lakes—​Navy in Upper -Canada, 1795—​Rochfoucault—​Capt. Bouchette—​Officers’ Pay—​York, the -centre of the Naval Force—​Gun Boats—​The Loss of the “Speedy”—​Reckoner—​Dr. -Strachan—​Solicitor-Gen. Gray—​Canada took the lead in building -Vessels—​First Canadian Merchant Vessel—​The York—​A Schooner on runners -around the Falls—​Sending Coals to Newcastle—​Upon Bay Quinté—​The -Outskirts of Civilization—​“The Prince Edward” built of Red Cedar—​in -1812—​Schooner “Mary Ann”—​1817—​Capt. Matthews.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST SAILING VESSELS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The first vessels, with sails, which navigated the waters of the -lakes, were built by the French, to pursue their discoveries, and to -carry on the fur trade. The first sailing vessel launched upon the -Lakes, was built by LaSalle. He, with Father Hennepin and Chevalier -de Tonti, set sail from Cataraqui, on the 18th November, -1678, for the mouth of the Niagara river, having on board his bark -goods, and material for building a brigantine on Lake Erie. During -the winter the vessel was commenced, six miles above the Falls, -and was launched by the middle of summer, amid great display and -ceremony. The vessel was named “Griffon,” according to Garneau; -but Father Hennepin says “Cataraqui.” “She was a kind of brigantine, -not unlike a Dutch galliot, with a broad elevated bow and -stern, very flat in the bottom; she looked much larger than she -really was. She was of sixty tons burden. With the aid of tow-lines -and sails the Niagara river was, with difficulty, ascended; and -on the 7th August, 1679, the first vessel that ever sat upon the -lakes, entered Lake Erie.” The end of this vessel was a sad one. -(See Introduction).</p> - -<p class='c000'>We are indebted to the <cite>Detroit Tribune</cite> for the following interesting -statements:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In 1766 four vessels plied upon Lake Erie. These were the -“Gladwin,” “Lady Charlotte,” “Victory,” and “Boston.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The two latter laid up in the fall near Navy Island, above -Niagara Falls, and one of them was burned accidentally, November -30, of the same year. A vessel called the “Brunswick,” owned and -commanded by Captain Alexander Grant, made her appearance on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>the lakes during the year 1767, and was lost some time during the -season following. Captain Grant was the Commodore of the lakes -for two or three years. In 1769 Sterling and Porteous built a vessel -at Detroit, called the “Enterprise,” Richard Cornwall, of New York, -being the carpenter. The boatmen, who went from Schenectady -with the rigging and stores for this vessel to Detroit, were to have -each £20, and ten gallons of rum. They were seventy days on -Lake Erie, and two of the number perished from hunger, and their -bodies were kept to decoy eagles and ravens. They returned to -New York in February, 1760, by way of Pittsburgh, then called Fort -Pitt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In May, 1770, a vessel of seventy tons burthen was launched -at Niagara, called the “Charity.” The same year the Duke of -Gloucester, Secretary Townsend, Samuel Tutchet, Henry Baxter, -and four others, formed a company for mining copper on Lake -Superior. In December they built at Point Aux Pins, a barge, and -laid the keel for a sloop of forty tons burthen. Of the success of -this enterprise we are not informed. Subsequent to the above -period very little was accomplished in the construction of craft for -lake navigation, and the few that came into commission were used -solely as traders, as were in fact, all those previously named. A -short time after, 1770, batteaux from Montreal and Quebec, employed -by the Hudson’s Bay Fur Company, made their annual tours westward, -gathering large quantities of furs, and returning homeward -in the fall. It has been stated that the first vessel built on Lake -Ontario was in 1749, but this, we have reason to believe, is not -correct.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the Revolutionary War, the British Government built -at Carleton Island, a few vessels to carry troops and provisions from -place to place along the Lake, from Carleton Island to Niagara. -The first Commissioner at the Dock Yard was Commodore James -Andrews, Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. The “Ontario,” a war -vessel of considerable importance, carrying 22 guns, was built at -Carleton Island. This vessel was commanded by Capt. Andrews. -Some time between 1780 and 1783, as the “Ontario” was proceeding -from Niagara to Oswego with a detachment of the King’s Own -regiment, commanded by Colonel Burton, with other officers, a -storm arose at night, and the vessel was lost with all on board. Col. -John Clark, in his memoirs, whose father belonged to the 8th regiment, -says this event happened in 1780 or ‘81, in which belief he is -supported by Mr. Sheehan, a descendant of Capt. Andrews: but other -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>authority has it that the event took place in 1783. At all events, -the occurrence produced a melancholy effect, which long remained -in the minds of those acquainted with the circumstances. Captain -Andrews left a widow, a son, and two daughters. The son returned -to Scotland, the daughters married and settled in Canada. The -Sheehans, Hills, and Givins are descendants of Captain Andrews’ -daughters, whose husbands had been in the army.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the settlement of Kingston, the Government built vessels at -Murney’s Point, and at Navy Point. Among the first built here was -the Schooner “Speedy,” and also the “Mohawk” and “Mississauga,” -and “Duke of Kent.” Among the first commanders of vessels, -most of whom were of the Royal Navy, were Capt. Bouchette, Capt. -Paxton, Capt. McKenzie, Capt. Richardson, Capt. Earle, Capt. -Steele and Capt. Fortiche.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The first vessel built for trade upon Lake Ontario,” that is -after Upper Canada was settled, “may have been the ‘Governor -Simcoe,’ for the North West Company; after she was worn out and -laid up, Judge Cartwright, who was agent for the Company at -Kingston, built another for that Company, and one for himself, both -built at the same time, side by side, on Mississauga Point, at the -mouth of Cataraqui Creek. Both were launched on the same day; -the one for the Company named “Governor Simcoe,” and the other -“Sloop Elizabeth.” These were built during my stay with Judge -Cartwright, in 1808.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The first, and only vessel for many years, built at York, was a -small schooner about forty-five tons. Built by two brothers named -Kendrick.”—​(<cite>Finkle.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>The survey made by Deputy Surveyor-General Collins, at the -request of Lord Dorchester, in 1788, included an examination of -the lakes and harbors from Kingston to Michilmicinac. In reference -to the lakes and vessels, the Surveyor says:—​“Vessels sailing -on these waters being seldom for any length of time out of sight of -land, the navigation must be considered chiefly as pilotage, to which -the use of good natural charts is essential and therefore much -wanted. Gales of wind, or squalls, rise suddenly upon the lakes, -and from the confined state of the waters, or want of sea-room, (as -it is called), vessels may in some degree be considered as upon a lee -shore, and this seems to point out the necessity for their being built -on such a construction as will best enable them to work to windward. -Schooners should, perhaps, have the preference, as being rather -safer than sloops, they should be from 80 to 100 tons burthen on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>Lake Ontario, and 50 tons burthen on Lakes Erie and Huron; but -if not intended to communicate between these two lakes, they may -then be the same size as on Lake Ontario; and if this system is -approved there can be no necessity to deviate from it unless an -enemy should build vessels of greater magnitude or force; but -as the intent of bringing any such forward, at least the building of -them can never remain a secret, there may be always time to counteract -such a design by preparing to meet them at least on equal -terms. It does not seem advisable, nor do I know any reason to -continue the practice of building vessels flat bottomed, or to have -very little draft of water, they are always unsafe, and many of the -accidents which have happened on the lakes, have perhaps, in some -degree been owing to that construction. On the contrary, if they -are built on proper principles for burthen as well as sailing they -will be safer, and will find sufficient depth of water proportioned -to any tonnage which can be requisite for them upon these lakes.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the navy in Upper Canada, Rochfoucault writes -in 1795: “The Royal Navy is not very formidable in this place; -six vessels compose the whole naval force, two of which are small -gun-boats, which we saw at Niagara, and which are stationed at -York.” Two small schooners of twelve guns, viz., the “Onondaga,” -in which we took our passage, and the “Mohawk,” which is just -finished; a small yacht of eighty tons, mounting six guns as the -two schooners, which has lately been taken into dock to be repaired, -form the rest of it. All these vessels are built of timber fresh cut -down, and not seasoned, and for this reason last never longer than -six or eight years. To preserve them, even to this time, requires a -thorough repair; they must be heaved down and caulked, which -costs at least from one thousand, to one thousand two hundred -guineas. This is an enormous price, and yet it is not so high as on -Lake Erie, whither all sorts of naval stores must be sent from -Kingston, and where the price of labor is still higher. The timbers -of the Mississauga, which was built three years ago, are almost all -rotten. It is so easy to make provision for ship-timber for many -years to come, as this would require merely the felling of it, and -that too at no great distance from the place where it is to be used, -that it is difficult to account for this precaution not having been -adopted. Two gun-boats, which are destined by Governor Simcoe -to serve only in time of war, are at present on the stocks; but the -carpenters who work at them are but eight in number. The extent -of the dilapidations and embezzlements, committed at so great a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>distance from the mother country, may be easily conceived. In -the course of last winter a judicial enquiry into a charge of this -nature was instituted at Kingston. The Commissioner of the navy -and the principal ship-wright, it was asserted, had clearly colluded -against the King’s interest; but interest and protection are as -powerful in the new world as in the old: for both the Commissioner -and ship-wright continue in their places.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Captain Bouchette commands the naval force on Lake Ontario, -and is at the head of all the marine establishments, yet without the -least power in money matters. This gentleman possesses the confidence -both of Lord Dorchester and Governor Simcoe; he is a -Canadian by birth, but entered the British service when Canada -fell into the power of England.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“While Arnold and Montgomery were besieging Quebec, Lord -Dorchester, disguised as a Canadian, stole on board his ship into -that city, on which occasion he displayed much activity, intrepidity, -and courage. It is not at all a matter of surprise that Lord Dorchester -should bear in mind this eminent service. By all accounts -he is altogether incorruptible, and an officer who treats his inferiors -with great mildness and justice.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In regard to the pay of the Royal Marine force on Lake Ontario, -a captain has ten shillings a day, a lieutenant six, and a second lieutenant -three shillings and sixpence. The seamen’s wages are eight -dollars per month. The masters of merchantmen have twenty-five -dollars, and the sailors from nine to ten dollars a month.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Commander Bouchette is among those, who most strenuously -oppose the project of moving to York, the central point of the force -on the lake; but his family reside at Kingston, and his lands are -situated near that place. Such reasons are frequently of sufficient -weight to determine political opinions.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Again, says the same writer, “Governor Simcoe intends to make -York the centre of the naval force on Lake Ontario. Only four gunboats -are at present on this lake, two of which are constantly employed -in transporting merchandise; the other two, which alone are fit to -carry troops and guns, and have oars and sails, are lying under -shelter until an occasion occurs to convert them to their intended -purpose. It is the Governor’s intention to build ten smaller gunboats -on Lake Ontario, and ten on Lake Erie. The ship carpenters, -who construct them, reside in the United States, and return home -every winter.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“On the 7th October, 1807, Mr. Justice Cochrane, Mr. Gray, the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>Solicitor General, and Mr. Agnus McDonald, embarked at York, -with several other passengers in the <em>Speedy</em>, a government schooner, -commanded by Captain Paxton, for the purpose of going to Newcastle -where the Assizes were to be held on the 10th. The vessel was seen -a few miles from her destined port on the evening of the 8th. The -wind commenced to blow, and the schooner was never heard of more. -There were pieces picked up on the opposite shore. Mr. Cochrane -was young in years, but not in piety.” The above is extracted from -the Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite>, written by “Reckoner,” which was the name -under which Dr. Strachan contributed to that paper. Colonel Clark, -of Dalhousie, says “I recollect the loss of the <em>Speedy</em>,” and he -remarks of Solicitor General Gray, that he was “a noble character, -noted for his sympathy on behalf of abolishing slavery.” He says -that there were upwards of twenty passengers; among them he -mentions Jacob Herkimer, a merchant of York.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It will be seen that Canada took the lead in building the early -vessels upon the lakes. The first American ship that navigated Lake -Erie, was purchased from the British in 1796. She was called the -<em>Detroit</em>. The first vessel built by the Americans, for the lakes, was -constructed in 1797. The first Canadian merchant vessel built upon -Lake Ontario, was by Francis Crooks, brother of the Hon. James -Crooks. It was built to the east of the present United States fort, at -the mouth of the Niagara river, in 1792, and was called the “York.” -She was wrecked at Genesee river. In 1800 a schooner of about 75 -or 100 tons, was brought to Clifton, and during the winter of 1801 she -crossed by the portage road on immense runners to Queenston, where -she again found her native element in the Niagara river. She was, -in 1804, lost in bringing a cargo to Niagara, with all on board.—​(<cite>Clark.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is a curious fact that in the American war of 1812, the British -“Admiralty sent out the frame work, blocks, &c., of the Psyche frigate, -which could have been procured on the spot in the tenth of the -time and a twentieth part of the expense. At the same time there -was furnished to each ship of war on Lake Ontario, a full supply of -water casks, with an apparatus for distilling sea water,” forgetting the -fact that the waters of the lake were of the purest quality.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Directing our attention to the waters of the bay Quinté, it is found -that until after 1812, but few sailing vessels entered the upper waters, -although found east of Picton Bay. Strange as it may appear at the -present day, there was a time when the head of Picton Bay, or Hay -Bay, was regarded as the head of the bay, and the very outskirts of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>civilization, while going up the Long Reach, to the Mohawk tract was -looked upon like going to the Red River at the present day. The -settlers above were too few, and their requirements too limited for a -sailing vessel to ascend, unless occasionally to the Napanee mills. -But as time passed, sloops and schooners, as well as batteaux found -employment along the western townships.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the first year of the present century, there was built in the -township of Marysburgh, a short distance west of the Stone mills, a -schooner of some celebrity. It was built by Captain Murney, father of -the late Hon. Edward Murney, of Belleville. Captain Murney came to -Kingston in 1797, at the solicitation of Mr. Joseph Forsyth. It was -constructed for himself, and was made altogether of red cedar, a kind -of wood formerly very plentiful along the bay, and which possesses a -most agreeable odor, and is extremely durable. The vessel was -named the <em>Prince Edward</em>. John Clark, of Dalhousie, says of this -vessel, that he was on board the following year of her building, and -that she was a “staunch good ship, with an able captain.” Her size -was sufficient to allow 700 barrels of flour to be stowed beneath her -hatches. She ran upon Lake Ontario for many years, and made for -her owner a small fortune. She was in good condition in 1812, and -was employed by government as an armed vessel. A schooner called -<em>Prince Edward</em>, probably the same, Captain Young, was the first -vessel to land at the pier when erected at Wellington.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite>, April 12, 1817, says: “On Thursday, -20th inst. at three o’clock p.m., arrived at Ernesttown, in the Bay of -Quinté, the schooner <em>Mary Ann</em>, Captain J. Mosier, in twenty hours -from York, and at this port yesterday afternoon with fourteen passengers, -of whom eleven were members of the Provincial Parliament. -This is the seventh voyage this vessel has made this season, to the -great credit of her master. The <em>Mary Ann</em> sailed again in about -half an hour for the Bay Quinté.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the early vessels upon the bay was commanded by -Matthews, father of the rebel of 1836, who was executed.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION III.<br /> <span class='large'>THE LOYALISTS AS PIONEERS—​THE ORIGINAL SURVEY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XV.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Major Gen. Holland—​Surveying on Atlantic Coast—​An adherent of -the Crown—​Removal to Montreal—​Death—​Major Holland—​Information -from “Maple Leaves”—​Holland Farm—​Taché—​First Canadian Poem—​Head -Quarters of Gen. Montgomery—​Hospitality—​Duke of Kent—​Spencer -Grange—​Holland Tree—​Graves—​Epitaphs—​Surveyor Washington—​County -Surveyor—​Surveyors after the War—​First Survey in Upper Canada—​Commenced -in 1781—​The Mode pursued—​Information in Crown Lands -Department—​The Nine Townships upon the St. Lawrence—​At the close of -the War—​Non-Professional Surveyors—​Thomas Sherwood—​Assisting to -Settle—​Surveying around the Bay Quinté—​Bongard—​Deputy-Surveyor -Collins—​First Survey at Frontenac—​Town Reserve—​Size of Township—​Mistakes—​Kotte—​Tuffy—​Capt. -Grass—​Capt. Murney—​Surveying in Winter—​Planting -Posts—​Result—​Litigation—​Losing Land—​A Newspaper Letter—​Magistrates—​Landholders—​Their -Sons’ Lawyers—​Alleged Filching—​Speculators -at Seat of Government—​Grave Charges—​Width of Lots—​Mode of -Surveying—​Number of Concessions—​Cross Roads—​Surveyors Orders—​Numbering -the Lots—​Surveying around the Bay—​The ten Townships—​Their -Lands—​The Surveying Party—​A Singer—​Statement of Gourlay.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST SURVEYS IN UPPER CANADA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Among those who distinguished themselves at Louisburg and -on the Plains of Abraham under General Wolfe, was Major Samuel -Holland. Sabine says, he was “Surveyor-General of the Colonies -north of Virginia.” In 1773 he announced his intention to make -Perth Amboy, near Jersey, his head-quarters, and wrote to a gentleman -there to inquire for houses to accommodate himself and his -assistants. He then completed the surveys as far west as Boston. -Proposed in 1774 to get round Cape Cod, and to New London, and -said it would be at best six years before he should be able to finish -his labors. In 1775, he wrote Lord Dartmouth that he was ready -to run the line between Massachusetts and New York. By a communication -laid before the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts in -July, 1775, it appears that he had loaned to Alex. Shepard, Jun., -who was also a surveyor, a plan or survey of Maine, which Shepard -disliked to return, fearing that it might be used in a manner prejudicial -to the Whig cause, as Holland was an adherent of the -Crown, and then in New Jersey. Congress recommended to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>Shepard to retain Holland’s plan. Major Holland went to Lower -Canada, where he resumed his duties of Surveyor-General, in which -capacity he served nearly fifty years. He died in 1801, and at the -time of his decease he was a member of the Executive and Legislative -Councils.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was under Surveyor Holland that the first surveys were made -upon the banks of the St. Lawrence and the Bay of Quinté. Major -Holland was a gentleman of education, and known for his social and -amiable qualities. We are indebted to the author of “Maple -Leaves,” J. M. LeMoine, Esq., for information respecting Surveyor -Holland. Extending from the brow of St. Foy heights along St. -Louis Road at Quebec, was a piece of land of 200 acres which was -known as the Holland Farm. This farm had belonged to a rich -merchant of Quebec, Mon. Jean Taché, who wrote the first Canadian -Poem, “Tableau de la Mer.” He was the ancestor of the late -Sir E. Taché. About the year 1740 he built upon an eminence a -high peaked structure, which, during the seige of Quebec, was the -head quarters of Gen. Montgomery. This place was bought by -Gen. Holland in 1780, who lived there in affluence for many years, -subsequent to the close of the war, 1783. The <em>elite</em> of Quebec were -wont to resort here to enjoy his hospitality, and in 1791, he entertained -Edward, afterward Duke of Kent, the father of our Queen. -This place is now known as Spencer Grange; but the old building -has long since been removed to be replaced by the present well-known -mansion. From the St. Foy Road may be seen a fir tree -known as the Holland Tree. Under that tree are several graves, -which some years ago were inclosed with a substantial stone wall, -with an iron gate. But now only the foundation remains. Two of -the graves had neat marble slabs, with the names of Samuel Holland -senior, and Samuel Holland, junior. “Here rest Major Surveyor -Holland, and his son, who was killed in a duel at Montreal, by Major -Ward of the 60th Regiment,” by a shot from one of a brace of -pistols presented to Major Holland by Gen. Wolfe. This farm is -now in possession of the military authorities.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the time of the rebellion the land of the thirteen Colonies -was, in many cases, still unsurveyed, or so imperfectly laid out that -frequent demands were made for the professional surveyor. In the -very nature of things pertaining to the settlement of America, there -was a general demand for surveyors. The country was constantly -being opened up. Some of the most prominent men of the day had -been surveyors. Gen. Washington commenced life as a country -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>surveyor. In the war, both on the rebel and British sides, were to -be found professional surveyors engaged in fighting. Consequently -when the war terminated, there was no lack of surveyors to carry -on the work of surveying the wilderness of Upper Canada. We -have seen that Major Holland held the position of Surveyor-General, -and there was duly appointed a certain number of deputies and -assistants.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Even while the war was in progress, steps seem to have been -taken to furnish the refugee Loyalists with new homes, upon the -land still lying in a state of nature. The land in Lower Canada being -in the main held by the French Canadians, it was deemed expedient -to lay out along the shores of the upper waters a range of lots for their -use. In pursuance of this, the first survey of land was made by order -of Gen. Clarke, Acting Governor, or Military Commander, in 1781. -Naturally the survey would commence at the extreme western point -of French settlement. This was on the north bank of Lake St. -Francis, at the cove west of Pointe au Bodet, in the limit between -the Township of Lancaster, and the seigniory of New Longueil.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have reason to believe that the surveyor at first laid out -only a single range of lots fronting upon the river. In the first -place a front line was established. This seems to have been done -along the breadth of several proposed townships. In doing this it -was desirable to have as little broken front as possible, while at the -same time the frontage of each lot remained unbroken by coves of -the river or bay. We are informed by the Crown Land Department -that in some townships there could, in recent days, be found no -posts to indicate the front line, while the side lines in the second -concession were sufficiently marked.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The original surveyor along the St. Lawrence evidently did not -extend his operations above Elizabethtown, which was called the -ninth township, being the ninth laid out from New Longueil. This -is apparent from the fact that while Elizabethtown was settled in -1781, the next township above, that of Yonge, was not settled until -two years later. The quality of the land thence to Kingston was -not such as would prove useful to the poor settler, and therefore was -allowed for a time to remain unsurveyed. Hence it came that Cataraqui -was the commencement of a second series of townships distinguished -by numbers only. These two distinct ranges of townships, -one upon the St. Lawrence numbering nine, and one upon the -Bay numbering ten, were, when necessary, distinguished apart by -the designation, the “first,” “second,” or “third” Township “upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>the St. Lawrence,” or “upon the Bay of Quinté,” as the case might -be.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is impossible to say how far the work of surveying had progressed -from Lake St. Francis westward, before the close of the -war; it is very probable, however, that only a base line had been -run, and some temporary mark placed to indicate the corners of -each township. Such, indeed, is shown to be the case by the statement -of Sheriff Sherwood, who says that his father Thomas Sherwood, -who had been a subaltern in the 84th Reg., and who actually located -on the first lot in the first concession of Elizabethtown, “was often -called upon to run the side lines of the lots” for the settlers as they -came one after another, and “to shew them their land.” Mr. Sherwood -was not a professional surveyor, but “he had the instruments -and practically knew well how to use them, and he was ever ready -to give his assistance and instructions to the new comers.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SURVEYING AROUND BAY QUINTÉ.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>In the year 1783, Major Holland, Surveyor-General of Canada, -received instructions from Sir Frederick Haldimand, Governor of -the Province of Quebec, to proceed on duty to Western Canada. -Prior to this, we have observed, there had been commenced a range -of lots laid out at the easternmost limits of what now forms Canada -West, to the extent of nine townships. Yet evidence is wanting -that this range had been completed at the period stated. Holland -set out with a sufficient staff of assistants and <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">attachés</span>, to simultaneously -lay out several of the proposed townships along the St. -Lawrence, and the Bay of Quinté. The party passed up the St. -Lawrence, ascending the rapids in a brigade of batteaux manned by -French boatmen. Surveyor Holland had, as his personal attendant, -—​—​ Bongard, who had been in the artillery under General Reidezel, -of the Foreign Legion. From the son of this person, now living -in Marysburgh, valuable information has been obtained, much of -which has been substantiated by legal documents, published in connection -with the law report of the trial respecting the Murney estate -and the town of Kingston. Mr. Bongard says that Holland, as he -passed up, detailed a deputy to each of the townships, stopping first -at Oswegotchie, opposite Prescott, and that he passed up as far as -the fourth township upon Bay Quinté, where he pitched his tent, -and where he continued to hold his head-quarters, receiving the -reports of the various Deputy-Surveyors as they were from time -to time brought in. While it seems most probable that Holland -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>came to the Upper Province in 1783, it is possible that he remained -in Lower Canada until the spring of 1784, having deputed Surveyor -Collins to commence a survey westward from the fort at Frontenac; -or perhaps he visited that place with Collins whom he left -to carry on the work during this first year.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Whether Surveyor-General Holland visited Fort Frontenac in -the year 1783, or not, it was Deputy-Surveyor John Collins who -made the first survey of the first township, and of the original town -plot of Kingston. According to the sworn testimony of Gilbert -Orser, who assisted Collins, in the year 1783, as well as others, the -township was surveyed first, and the town plot afterward; although -it appears that Holland’s instructions were, first “to lay out proper -reservations for the town and fort, and then to proceed and lay out -the township, six miles square.” The lots were to contain each -200 acres, to be 25 in number, each range. Mr. Collins placed a -monument, it is averred, “at the south-east angle of lot 25, from -which a line was run northerly the whole depth of the Township, -six miles, where another stone monument was placed, making a -line of blazed trees throughout.” From this, it would seem, he continued -to survey the township, leaving the land for the town, which -he, no doubt, thought extensive enough, to be laid out into town -lots, and leaving 40 feet of land, which was to form a road between -the town and township. Respecting this line and lot 25, there has -been a great deal of litigation. As nearly as the facts can be -gathered, the following statement may be regarded as correct:</p> - -<p class='c000'>After Collins had completed the survey of the township, and -had even made his returns, to the effect that it contained 25 lots, of -200 acres, he was importuned, or ‘induced by the Commanding -Officer at Fort Frontenac,’ to make lot 25 contain only 100 acres, -that more ground might thereby be had for the proposed town. -More than this, it seems that there was some mistake in the said -eastern side line, so as to subsequently limit lot 25 to even less -than 100 acres. And, Capt. Michael Grass, when he took possession -of this lot, in 1784, found that this line was inaccurately run. -Deputy-Surveyor Kotte was requested to examine it; and finding -there was an error, made representations to Government, who sent -persons to correct it. One Deputy-Surveyor Tuffy was directed to -re-survey the line, and he gave more land to lot 25. However, -there was yet some error, which was a source of great trouble. -Capt. Michael Grass sold this lot to Capt. Murney, who, subsequently -finding it did not contain the amount of land which the patent -assumed, applied legally for his rights.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>The surveying party, among whom were some of those who -subsequently settled in the township, and who must have belonged -to Capt. Grass’ company of refugees, returned to Sorel, where they -spent the winter. At least this is the testimony of one of the -grand-children of Capt. Grass. But if the surveying party did, -this winter of 1783–4, retire from their work to Lower Canada, it -appears unlikely they did the following winter. Indeed there are -indications that surveying went on during the winter. In laying -out the Townships, special attention was given to make the lots -front squarely upon the Bay. In the winter the base line could be -more closely run by the water edge upon the ice, than in summer, -through the woods. We are informed, at the Crown Lands Department, -that in some townships no posts or other marks had at first -been found in the re-survey, although such were to be found in the -2nd concession. The inference was, that the posts planted in -winter by the water, had, in the spring or summer been washed -away, in the course of time. This, as may be supposed, led in time -to great confusion, and no little litigation. For many years there -was much trouble to establish the land marks all along the front; -and cases are not wanting where it has been charged that fraudulent -removals of posts were made. The straightforward settler, -while engaged in his daily and yearly round of toil, thought not of -the side lines of his farm, fully believing that a survey had been -definitely fixed by marks that could not be altered, and too often -when plenty and comfort had come, he was startled to find some -one claiming some of his cleared or uncleared land. Although conscious -that such and such were the boundaries of the land granted -to him, it was not so easy to prove that such was the case. The -annoyances of these direct and indirect attempts to disinherit, -may easily be imagined. In this connection, the following letter -may be given as exemplifying the feelings, if not the facts—​perhaps -both—​which belonged to those days. It appeared in the -Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite> in 1816, over the signature “A.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—​The situation of the old settlers in the Province of -Upper Canada, is truly deplorable. These people settled in the -wilds of Canada, then the Province of Quebec, under the surveys -made by the acting Surveyor-General. Landmarks being established -for the guidance of their improvements: no deeds were given -them until the Parliament of Great Britain altered the Quebec bill, -arranged a new constitution, similar to that they had lost during -the rebellion, in the Province of New York, from whence they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>chiefly came to settle at Frontenac, now Kingston. After cultivating -the country agreeably to those surveys for twenty years or -more, deeds are issued to cover those lots, drawn and cultivated as -above mentioned. The Surveyor-General, David William Smith, -Speaker of the House of Assembly, knowing that these deeds were -filled up by guess, the survey never having been made complete, -wisely provided an Act of the Legislature to prevent the -deeds from moving the old land-marks. This Act provides that -when thirty freeholders apply to the Magistrates in session they -shall make an assessment and collect the money to enable the -Surveyor-General to erect monuments, in order to preserve their -ancient land-marks and boundaries. What is the reason that this -Act has not been complied with? Are the Magistrates all landholders -and their sons Lawyers?</p> - -<p class='c000'>“An order from the Governor has lain in the Surveyor-General’s -office ever since the year 1801 for monuments to be erected -in the Township of Kingston, agreeable to the intention of that Act. -Why will not the Magistrates do their duty? The consequence -is, that the licensed Surveyor, John Ryder, is running new lines every -day, and moving the land-marks of the old settlers. People who -have come into the country from the States, marry into a family, -and obtain a lot of wild land, get John Ryder to move the land-marks, -and instead of a wild lot, take by force a fine house and -barn and orchard, and a well cultured farm, and turn the old Tory, -(as he is called) out of his house, and all his labor for thirty years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“These old settlers have suffered all that men could suffer; first -in a seven years’ rebellion in the revolutionized colonies; then came -to a remote wilderness, some hundred miles from any inhabitant—​not -a road, not a cow, or an ox, or a horse to assist them; no bread -during the winter, they wintered first at Cataraqui. A little pease -and pork was all they could get until the ice gave way in the spring -of 1785.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The King, as an acknowledgment and mark of his approbation -for the loyalty and sufferings of his faithful subjects, ordered lands -to be granted them free from expense, and marked each man’s -name with the letters U. E., with a grant annexed to each child as -it became of age, of two hundred acres of the waste lands of the -crown.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Now these children cannot get these lands agreeably to the -intention of Government. They must sell their right to a set of -speculators that hover round the seat of Government, or never get -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>located. Or if they should have the fortune to get a location -ticket, it is situated on rocks, and lakes, and barren lands, where -they are worth nothing at all; the good lots being marked by the -Surveyors, and located by those U. E. rights they have so purchased.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Now, Sir, <em>was</em> I a scholar, I might draw you a much better -description of this wickedness. But I have lived to see thirteen -colonies, now States of America, severed from the British empire by -the mal-administration of justice in the civil government of those -colonies; the people’s minds were soured to that degree that a few -designing men overthrew the Government.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“After the conquest of Canada, the king ordered a thousand -acres of land to be granted to each man. The land was granted; but -the people to whom it was granted were deprived by a set of speculators, -from ever getting a foot, unless they became tenants to those -who, in a manner, had robbed them of their rights.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the lots were generally made twenty chains in width, a -few of the first townships were but nineteen, and consequently of -greater depth to make the 200 acres, and the concessions were proportionally -wider.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The base line being established, a second one, parallel thereto, was -made at a distance generally of a mile and a quarter, allowance being -made in addition, for a road. It is more than likely that in many -townships the second line, or concession, was not immediately run out. -The settlers could not easily traverse even a mile of woods, and for a -time accommodation was made only at the front. But within a year, -in most townships, the second row of lots had been surveyed and -partially occupied. At the front line was always an allowance for a -road of sixty feet, as well as at the second line for one of forty feet. -The range of lots between the front and the second lines as well as between -the second and third, and so on, was called a Concession, a term -derived from the French, having reference to their mode of conferring -land in the Lower Province, and peculiar to this country. Each concession -was divided into lots of 200 acres each, the dividing lines being at -right angles with the concession lines, and a quarter of a mile distant -from each other. At intervals of two or three miles, a strip of forty -feet between two lots was left, for a cross road. In Ameliasburgh it -seems that this was neglected. The number of concessions depended -on circumstances. Along the St. Lawrence, they numbered to even -fifteen or sixteen. Along the bay they were seven and eight. Adolphustown -has only four. The irregular course of the Bay Quinté, and the -fronting of the townships upon its waters, gave rise to great irregularity -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>in the interior lots, and produced a large number of Gores. -This may be noticed more especially in Sophiasburgh, and indeed -throughout all of Prince Edward district.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the provision made for cross roads, Alex. Aitkins, -who was Deputy Surveyor of Midland district for many years, says -under date, 1797, in respect to the township of Sophiasburgh, “Mr. -Kotte’s orders 1785, were from Deputy Surveyor General, Mr. Collins, -who was then at Kingston, to lay off cross roads between every six -lots as he had done in the eastern part of the province, from township -number one, now Charlotteburgh, to township number eight -Elizabethtown, and, of no doubt, they would be found at the waters’ -edge on the Bay Quinté.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>By looking at the township maps of the bay, it will be seen that -the lots of the first three townships, are numbered from west to east, -while as we have seen, the townships were numbered from east to west. -It is inferred from this fact that the surveyor conducted his survey along -the front, planting posts to mark the division of lots, and leaving -allowance for roads, but did not complete the concessions until the -breadth of the townships had been determined, when it was done -from west to east, the lots being numbered accordingly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The surveyor continued to chain the front, upon the north shore of -the bay, until he reached the turn in the bay at the western point of -Adolphustown. This portion of territory was divided into four townships.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The surveyor then crossed the bay and proceeded from the -Upper Gap, to lay out lots in an irregular manner upon the water, along -the bay and the lake to, and around Smith’s Bay, and along Black -Creek; also upon the east shore of Picton Bay. This constituted the -fifth township. Following the bay shore of Prince Edward peninsula -from Picton Bay, along the High Shore and around Green Point, another, -the sixth township, was laid out; the lots always fronting on the -bay. Still following the bay, the seventh township was created, the -western boundary of which brought the surveyor to the head of the -bay, or Carrying Place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Turning eastward along the north shore of the bay, the eighth -township was laid out. Likewise, the ninth township, which brought -the surveyor to a tract of land which had been reserved for, and given -to the faithful Mohawk Indians. Passing by the present township of -Tyendinaga, still another township was laid out fronting upon the -Mohawk Bay, and Napanee River. This constituted the tenth township, -Richmond. Thus the surveyors had made a complete circuit of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>the bay. These townships were, for many a day, designated by the -numeral prefix; even yet may be found gray haired individuals who -speak of them in no other way. Subsequently, however, these townships -had given to them respectively, the royal names of Kingston, -Ernest town, Fredericksburgh, Adolphustown, Marysburgh, Ameliasburgh, -Sophiasburgh; and the noble ones of Sidney, Thurlow, -and Richmond.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There would at the present time, be nothing so interesting to the -settlers of the bay, than to read a diary of the events connected with -the original survey. Surveying the wilderness is weary work at any -time; but when the persons who take part in striking the lines -and fixing the boundaries, have constantly in mind that when their -survey is completed, they cannot return to civilization and the comforts -of a home, but that they have to remain to become citizens of -the forest, they must experience many a heart pang. Yet -there seems to have been a lightheartedness with most of them. The -camp fire at night witnessed many pleasant hours of jovial pass-time. -Singing, storytelling, wiled away agreeably many an hour. Accompanying -Collins’ surveying party, was one Purdy, who gained no -little renown as a capital singer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We will close our remarks upon the original survey by giving -the statement of Gourlay. He says that “such was the haste to get -land surveyed and given away, that ignorant and careless men were -employed to measure it out, and such a mess did they make of their -land measuring, that one of the present surveyors informed me that -in running new lines over a great extent of the province, he found -spare room for a whole township in the midst of those laid out at an -early period. It may readily be conceived, upon consideration of -this fact, what blundering has been committed, and what mistakes -stand for correction.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XVI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The term Concession—​First Concession of Land in Canada—​The -Carignan Regiment—​Seigniories—​Disproportion of the sexes—​Females -sent from France—​Their appearance—​Settling them—​Marriage allowance—​The -last seigniory—​New Longeuil—​Seigniory at Frontenac—​Grants to -Refugees—​Officers and men—​Scale of granting—​Free of expense—​Squatting—​Disbanded -soldiers—​Remote regions—​A wise and beneficent policy—​Impostors—​Very -young officers—​Wholesale granting of land—​Republicans -coming over—​Covetous—​False pretensions—​Government had to discriminate—​Rules -and regulations—​Family lands—​Bounty—​Certificates—​Selling -claims—​Rear concessions—​Transfer of location ticket—​Land board—​Tardiness -in obtaining titles to real estate—​Transfer by bond—​Jobbing—​Sir -Wm. Pullency—​Washington—​Giving lands to favorites—​Reserves—​Evil -results—​The Family Compact—​Extract from Playter—​Extract from Lord -Durham—​From Gourlay—​Recompense to Loyalists—​Rations—​Mode of -drawing land—​Land Agent—​Broken front—​Traitor Arnold—​Tyendinaga.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>CONCESSION OF LANDS TO THE FRENCH.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>It has been stated that the term concession, as well as the system -of granting land to disbanded soldiers, was derived from the French. -The first concession of lands to soldiers took place in 1665, to the -Carignan Regiment, a name derived from a Prince of the house of -Savoy, which came to New France with the first Viceroy. It was a -distinguished corps in the French Infantry, having won renown on -many a bloody field, and carried death to many an Iroquois Indian. -The Indians having sought peace from the French, leave was granted -to this regiment to permanently settle in the New World. Titles to -land was conferred according to rank, and as well, sums of money to -assist in the clearing of land. “The officers, who were mostly -noblesse obtained seigniories with their late soldiers for vassals.” The -settlement of this body of men increased the disproportion between -the males and females in Canada. The home government considerately -took steps to remedy this abnormal state of things and despatched -“several hundred from old France.” They “consisted of tall, short, -fair, brown, fat and lean.” These females were offered to such of -the men as had means to support a wife. In a few days they were -all disposed of. The Governor-General then distributed to the newly -married ones “oxen, cows, hogs, fowls, salted beef,” as well as -money.—​(<cite>Smith.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>The original grants of land by the French Government under -the feudal system, was into seigniories. These were subdivided into -parishes, “whose extents were exactly defined by De Vandreuil and -Bigon, September 1721.” For these grants of seignioral tenure, certain -acts of fealty were to be performed, pursuant to the custom of Paris. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>After the British supremacy, grants of land were still made by government -in Lower Canada. The last seigniory was conferred by the -French in April, 1734, to Chevalier de Longeuil, and is known as -New Longeuil. It constitutes the western boundary of the Lower -Province.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>CONCESSION OF LANDS TO THE LOYALISTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>We have elsewhere seen that the first person, other than the natives, -to possess land in Upper Canada, was De la Salle, the discoverer of -the Mississippi River, to whom was granted a seigniory at Cataraqui, -of four leagues, including the fort, and the islands in front of the -four leagues of territory. Wolfe, Gage and Amherst Islands.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the close of the war in 1783, it was determined by government -to confer grants of land to the refugee loyalists in Canada, on -the same scale to officers and men as had been done after the conquest -of Canada, 1763, with the exception that all loyalists under the rank of -subaltern were to receive 200 acres. The grants to the disbanded -soldiers and loyalists, were to be made free of every expense.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In some of the townships, the settlers were squatting along the -St. Lawrence and Bay Quinté, until late in the summer and fall of 1784, -waiting to know the location of their lots. This might easily be, as -although the forest had been surveyed, the lots had not been numbered. -So, although the refugee soldier had his location ticket for a certain -lot, it was often a long tedious time before he could know its precise -situation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The front part of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth townships -upon the bay were definitely disposed of to disbanded soldiers -and refugees, formed into companies. But the lands, then considered -more remote, as along the north shore of Hay Bay, in the third and -fourth towns; in some parts of the fifth; and more particularly along -the shores of the western extremity of the bay, were at the service of -any one who might venture to settle. It was considered quite in the -remote part of the earth. Even the head of Picton Bay was considered -a place which would hardly be settled. The result was, that many of the -choice lots were taken up in the eighth and ninth towns, before they -were surveyed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The policy pursued by the British Government, in recognizing the -services of those who served in the British army against the rebels, -and in recompensing the losses sustained by those who adhered to the -British Crown in America, was most wise and beneficent. There -were a few deserving ones in suffering circumstances, who failed to get -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>the bounty so wisely granted. This sometimes was the result of the -individual’s own neglect, in not advancing his claims; sometimes the -fault of an agent who, too intent in getting for himself, forget those -entrusted to his care. While a small number thus remained without -justice, there were on the other hand, a large number who succeeded -unworthily in obtaining grants. It is no cause for wonder, that out of -the large number who composed the U. E. Loyalists, there would be -found a certain number who would not hesitate to so represent, or misrepresent -their case, that an undue reward would be accorded. Finding -the government on the giving hand, they scrupled not to take advantage -of its parental kindness. In later days we have seen the United -States, when in the throes of a great civil war, bleeding at every point -of the body politic, by the unprincipled contractors and others, who -the most loudly proclaimed their patriotism. In 1783, when a rebellion -had proved successful, and so had become a revolution, and the -nation, from which a branch had been struck off, was most anxious to -repay those who had preferred loyalty to personal aggrandizement, -we may not wonder that there were some willing to take all they -could get.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is also related that certain officers of the regiments were in -the habit of putting each of their children, however young, upon the -strength of the regiment, with the view of securing him land, and -hence arose an expression the “Major won’t take his pap,” and -“half pay officers never die,” as the officer placed on half pay -when a year old, would long enjoy it. But it will be often found -that this mode was adopted by those in authority, as the most convenient -to confer favors upon the chief officers, although a very -ridiculous one.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For many a year no strict rules for discrimination, were -observed in the granting of lands in Canada, and the petitions -which literally crowded upon the government, were, in the main, -promptly complied with. The time came, however, when more -care had to be observed, for not a few of those who had actually -rebelled, or had sympathized with the rebels, finding less advantages -from republicanism than had been promised, and with chagrin, -learning that those, whose homesteads and lands they had assisted -to confiscate, had wrought out new homes upon land, conferred by a -government more liberal, and of a nobler mind than the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">parvenu</span></i> -government, which had erected a new flag upon American soil, -looked now with longing, covetous eyes toward the northern country, -which those they had persecuted, had converted from a wilderness -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>to comfortable homes. The trials of the first settlement had been -overcome. The occasional visit of a Canadian pioneer to his old -home in the States, where he told the pleasing tale of success, notwithstanding -their cruelty, caused some to envy their hard earned -comforts, and even led some who had been the worst of rebels, to -set out for Canada with a view of asserting their loyalty and, thereby -of procuring lands. Not a few of such unworthy ones succeeded for -a time in procuring lands. It therefore became necessary, on the -part of the government, to exact the most searching examination of -parties petitioning for land. No reference is here made to those -who came into the province in response to the invitation proclaimed -by Governor Simcoe; but to those who entered under false colors, -prior to the time of Upper Canada being set apart from Lower -Canada.</p> - -<p class='c012'><em>Extracts from the Rules and Regulations for the conduct of the Land -Office Department, dated Council Chamber, 17th February, 1789, -for the guidance of the Land Boards.</em></p> - -<p class='c000'>“4th. The safety and propriety of admitting the petitioner to -become an inhabitant of this Province being well ascertained to the -satisfaction of the Board, they shall administer to every such person -the oaths of fidelity and allegiance directed by law; after which the -Board shall give every such petitioner a certificate to the Surveyor -General or any person authorized to act as an Agent or Deputy -Surveyor for the district within the trust of that Board, expressing -the ground of the petitioner’s admission, and such Agent or Deputy -Surveyor shall, within two days after the presentment of the certificate, -assign the petitioner a single lot of about two hundred acres, -describing the same with due certainty and accuracy under his -signature. But the said certificate shall, nevertheless, have no -effect if the petitioner shall not enter upon the location, and begin -the improvement and cultivation thereof within one year from the -date of such assignment, or if the petitioner shall have had lands -assigned to him before that time in any other part of the Province.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“7th. The respective Boards shall, on petition from the Loyalists -already settled in the Upper Districts for the allotment of lands -under the instructions to the Deputy Surveyor General of the 2nd -of June, 1787, or under prior or other orders for assigning portions -to their families, examine into the grounds of such requests and -claims, and being well satisfied of the justice thereof, they shall -grant certificates for such further qualities of lands as the said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>instructions and orders may warrant to the acting Surveyors of -their Districts respectively, to be by them made effectual in the -manner before mentioned, but to be void, nevertheless, if prior to -the passing the grant in form, it shall appear to the Government -that such additional locations have been obtained by fraud, and that -of these the Boards transmit to the office of the Governor’s Secretary, -and to each others, like reports and lists as hereinbefore, as -to the other locations directed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“8th. And to prevent individuals from monopolizing such spots -as contain mines, minerals, fossils, and conveniences for mills, and -other similar advantages of a common and public nature, to the -prejudice of the general interest of the settler, the Surveyor-General -and his Agents or Deputy Surveyors in the different districts, -shall confine themselves in the location to be made by them upon -certificates of the respective Boards, to such lands only as are fit -for the common purpose of husbandry; and they shall reserve all -other spots aforementioned, together with all such as may be fit -and useful for ports and harbours, or works of defence, or such as -contain valuable timber for ships, building or other purposes, conveniently -situated for water carriage, in the hands of the Crown, -and they shall, without delay, give all particular information to the -Governor or Commander-in-Chief for the time being, of all such -spots as are hereinbefore directed to be reserved to the Crown, that -order may be taken respecting the same. And the more effectually -to prevent abuses and to put individuals on their guard in this respect, -any certificate of location given contrary to the true intent -and meaning of this regulation is hereby declared to be null and -void, and a special order of the Governor and Council made necessary -to pledge the faith of Government for granting of any such -spots as are directed to be reserved.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>FAMILY LANDS AND ADDITIONAL BOUNTY.</h4> - -<p class='c020'>“Certificate of the Board appointed by His Excellency the Governor, -for the District of —​—​, in the Province of Quebec, under -the rules and regulations for the conduct of the Land Office -Department.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Dated, Council Chamber, Quebec, 17th February, 1789.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The bearer —​—​, having on the —​—​ day of —​—​, preferred -to the Board a Petition addressed to His Excellency the -Governor in Council, for a grant of —​—​ acres of land in the Township -of —​—​ in the District of —​—​. We have examined into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>his character and pretentions, and find that he has received —​—​ -acres of land in the Township of —​—​, in the District of —​—​, -and that he settled on and has improved the same, and that he is -entitled to a further assignment of —​—​ acres, —​—​ in conformity to -the seventh articles of the rules and regulations aforementioned.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Given at the Board at this —​—​ day of —​—​, one thousand -seven hundred and —​—​.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“To —​—​</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Acting Surveyor for the District of —​—​.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>CERTIFICATE OF THE ACTING SURVEYOR.</h4> - -<p class='c020'>“I assign to the bearer —​—​ the lot No. —​—​ in the Township -of —​—​, in the District of —​—​, containing —​—​ acres, —​—​ chains, -which lands he is hereby authorized to occupy and improve, -and having improved the same, he shall receive the same grant -thereof, to him and his heirs or devisee in due form on such terms -as it shall please His Majesty to ordain, and all persons are desired -to take notice that this assignment and all others of a similar nature -are not transferable, by purchase, donation or otherwise, on any -pretence whatever, except by an act under the signature of the -Board for the District in which the lands are situated, which is to -be endorsed upon this Certificate.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Given at —​—​, this —​—​ day of —​—​, one thousand -seven hundred and —​—​.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“To —​—​</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Acting Surveyor for the District of —​—​.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>But there were many a one who drew land, and never even -saw it. It was quickly, thoughtlessly sometimes, sold for little or -nothing. Sometimes for a quart of rum. The right jolly old soldier -would take no thought of the morrow. A few did not retain -their lands, because they were of little value for agricultural purposes; -but the majority because they were situated in that remote -region in the 4th or 5th concession of the third town, or away up -in the 2nd concession of sixth town, or a long way up in the -eighth town. Rear concessions of even the first and second -townships were looked upon doubtingly, as to whether the land was -worth having. Often the land would not be looked after. It not -unfrequently was the case that settlers upon the front who had drawn -land also in the rear townships, disposed of the latter, not from any -indifference as to its future value, but to obtain the immediate -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>necessaries of life, as articles of clothing, or stock, or perhaps food, -or seed grain, and now and then in later days to pay taxes. The -certificates of the children, entitling them to land when of age, were -often disposed of. Even officers found it convenient, or necessary -to sell rear land to new comers, for ready money.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thus it came to pass that a good many never took possession of -the land which a prudent Government had granted them. The -statement has been made that persons holding prominent positions -at the time, and possessed of prudent forethought, as to the value -which would in the future attach to certain lots, stood ready not -only to accept offers to sell, but to induce the ignorant and careless -to dispose of their claims. Consequently when patents were issued, -several persons became patentees of large tracts of land, which had -been drawn by individual Loyalists, whose names never appeared -in the Crown Land Office. The transfer of a certificate or -“location ticket,” consisted in the seller writing his name -upon the back of the ticket. Occasionally a ticket would -exchange hands several times, so that at last when it was presented -to obtain the deed, it was difficult to determine who was the owner. -The power to thus transfer the certificates, was allowed for several -years. But in time Government discovered the abuses which had -arisen out of it, and decided that all patents should, thenceforward, -be in the name of the person who originally drew the land. Not -unfrequently these certificates were lost. The losers, upon claiming -land, could not establish their rights; but Government, to meet -this misfortune, created a Land Board for each Township, whose -duty it was to examine and determine the claims of all who presented -them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following extract of a letter will explain itself:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<em>For the Kingston Gazette, June 1st, 1816.</em>”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“It has long been a subject of deep regret in the minds of -judicious persons, that the inhabitants of this Province should be -so neglectful as they are in securing their titles of real estate. -When the country was first settled, the grants of land from the -crown, on account of the existing state of the Province, could not -be immediately issued. The settlers, however, drew their lots and -went into possession of them, receiving only tickets, or certificates, -as the evidence of their right to them. In the meantime, exchanges -and sales were made by transfers of the possession with bonds for -conveyances when the deeds should be obtained from the Crown -Office.</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>“This practice of transferring land by way of bond, being thus -introduced, was continued by force of usage, after the cause of its -introduction was removed. In too many instances it is still continued, -although, by the death of the parties, and the consequent -descent of estates to heirs under age, and other intervening privations, -many disappointments, failures, and defects of title, are -already experienced; and the evil consequences are becoming still -more serious, as lands rise in value, become more settled and -divided among assignees, devisees, &c. In a few years this custom, -more prevalent perhaps in this Province, than elsewhere, will prove -a fruitful source of litigation, unless the practice should be discontinued.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In connection with free grants of land, and a certain degree of -indifference as to the value, there must necessarily arise more or -less speculation or land-jobbing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sir William Pullency has been called the first land-jobber in -Canada. In 1791, he bought up 1,500,000, at one shilling per acre, -and soon after sold 700,000 at an average of eight shillings per acre. -But land-jobbing is not peculiar to Canada, nor has its practice -militated against the public character of eminent men, either here -or abroad. General Washington was not only a Surveyor, but an -extensive land-jobber, and thereby increased immensely his private -fortune.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen elsewhere, that a few private individuals were -wont to buy the location tickets of all who desired to part with -them, or whom they could induce to sell. In this way a few individuals -came to own large quantities of land, even from the first. -Afterward, there was often conferred by the authorities, quantities -of land upon those connected with influential persons, or upon -favorites. Subsequently the mode of reserving Crown and Clergy -lands increased the evil. And it was an evil, a serious drawback; -not alone that, but favorites procured land without any particular -claim or right. The land thus held in reserve, being distributed -among the settled lots in the several townships, was waste land, and -a barrier to advancement. Each settler had to clear a road across -his lot; but the Government lots, and those held by non-residents, -remained without any road across them, except such paths as the -absolute requirements of the settlers had caused them to make. In -this way, the interests of the inhabitants were much retarded, and -the welfare of the Province seriously damaged. The existence of -the Family Compact prevented the removal of this evil, for many -<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>a year, while favorites enjoyed choice advantages. In 1817, -“The House of Assembly in Upper Canada took into consideration -the state of the Province, and among other topics, the injury arising -from the reserve lands of the Crown and the Clergy.” In laying -out the townships in later years, “The Government reserved in -the first concession, the 5th, 15th, and 20th lots; and the Clergy -the 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 22nd. In the second concession, the Crown -reserved the 4th, 11th, 21st, and 23rd; and the Clergy, the 2nd, -9th, and 16th. And thus in every two concessions, the Crown -would have three lots in one, and four in the other, or seven in all; -and the Clergy the same; or 14 lots reserved in every 48, or nearly -one-third of the land in each concession, and in each township. The -object of the reservation was to increase the value of such land by -the improvements of the settlers around it. The object was selfish, -as the reserve lands injured all those who did them good. It was -difficulty enough to clear up the forests; but to leave so many lots -in this forest state, was a difficulty added by the Crown. To have -one-third of a concession uncleared and uncultivated, was an injury -to the two-thirds cleared and cultivated. Large patches of forest, -interspersed with cultivated land, obstructs the water courses, the -air, and the light; nurtured wild animals and vermin destructive to -crops and domestic creatures around a farm house; and especially, -are injurious to roads running through them, by preventing the -wind and the sun from drying the moisture. Besides, no taxes -were paid by these wild lots for any public improvements; only from -cultivated lands. The Assembly, however, were cut short in their -work of complaint, by being suddenly prorogued by the Governor, -whose Council was entirely against such an investigation. -Here was the beginning of the Clergy Reserve agitation in the -Provincial Parliament, which continued for many years.”—​(<cite>Playter.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>In this connection, the following extract from a report of Lord -Durham, will be found interesting:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“By official returns which accompany this report, it appears -that, out of about 17,000,000 acres comprised within the surveyed -districts of Upper Canada, less than 1,600,000 acres are yet unappropriated, -and this amount includes 450,000 acres the reserve for -roads, leaving less than 1,200,000 acres open to grant, and of this remnant -500,000 acres are required to satisfy claims for grants founded -on pledges by the Government. In the opinion of Mr. Radenhurst, -the really acting Surveyor-General, the remaining 700,000 consist -<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>for the most, part of land inferior in position or quality. It may -almost be said, therefore, that the whole of the public lands in -Upper Canada have been alienated by the Government. In Lower -Canada, out of 6,169,963 acres in the surveyed townships, nearly -4,000,000 acres have been granted or sold; and there are unsatisfied -but indisputable claims for grants to the amount of about 500,000. -In Nova Scotia nearly 6,000,000 acres of land have been granted, -and in the opinion of the Surveyor-General, only about one-eighth -of the land which remains to the Crown, or 300,000 acres is available -for the purposes of settlement. The whole of Prince Edward’s -Island, about 1,400,000 acres, was alienated in one day. In New -Brunswick 4,400,000 acres have been granted or sold, leaving to -the Crown about 11,000,000, of which 5,500,000 are considered fit -for immediate settlement.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Of the lands granted in Upper and Lower Canada, upwards -of 3,000,000 acres consist of ‘Clergy Reserves,’ being for the most -part lots of 200 acres each, scattered at regular intervals over the -whole face of the townships, and remaining, with few exceptions, -entirely wild to this day. The evils produced by the system of reserving -land for the Clergy have become notorious, even in this -country; and a common opinion I believe prevails here, not only -that the system has been abandoned, but that measures of remedy -have been adopted. This opinion is incorrect in both points. In -respect of every new township in both Provinces reserves are still -made for the Clergy, just as before; and the Act of the Imperial -Parliament which permits the sale of the Clergy Reserves, applies -to only one-fourth of the quantity The select committee of the -House of Commons on the civil government of Canada reported -in 1828, that “these reserved lands, as they are at present distributed -over the country, retard more than any other circumstance -the growth of the colony, lying as they do in detached portions of -each township, and intervening between the occupations of actual -settlers, who have no means of cutting roads through the woods and -morasses, which thus separate them from their neighbours. This -description is perfectly applicable to the present state of things. -In no perceptible degree has the evil been remedied.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The system of Clergy Reserves was established by the act of -1791, commonly called the Constitutional Act, which directed that, -in respect of all grants made by the Crown, a quantity equal to -one-seventh of the land so granted should be reserved for the clergy. -A quantity equal to one-seventh of all grants would be one-eighth -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>of each township, or of all the public land. Instead of this proportion, -the practice has been, ever since the act passed, and in the -clearest violation of its provisions, to set apart for the clergy in -Upper Canada a seventh of all the land, which is a quantity equal -to a sixth of the land granted. There have been appropriated for -this purpose 300,000 acres, which legally, it is manifest, belong to -the public. And of the amount for which Clergy Reserves have -been sold in that Province, namely, £317,000 (of which about -£100,000 have been already received and invested in the English -funds,) the sum of about £45,000 should belong to the public.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In Lower Canada, the same violation of the law has taken -place, with this difference—​that upon every sale of Crown and -Clergy Reserves, a fresh reserve for the Clergy has been made, -equal to one-fifth of such reserves. The result has been the appropriation -for the clergy of 673,567 acres, instead of 446,000, being -an excess of 227,559 acres, or half as much again as they ought to -have received. The Lower Canada fund already produced by sales -amounts to £50,000, of which, therefore, a third, or about £16,000, -belong to the public. If, without any reform of this abuse, the -whole of the unsold Clergy Reserves in both Provinces should fetch -the average price at which such lands have hitherto sold, the public -would be wronged to the amount of about £280,000; and the reform -of this abuse will produce a certain and almost immediate gain to -the public of £60,000. In referring, for further explanation of this -subject, to a paper in the appendix which has been drawn up by -Mr. Hanson, a member of the commission of inquiry which I -appointed for the colonies. I am desirous of stating my own conviction -that the clergy have had no part in this great misappropriation -of the public property, but that it has arisen entirely from heedless -misconception, or some other error, of the civil government of -both Provinces.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The great objection to reserves for the clergy is, that those -for whom the land is set apart never have attempted, and never -could successfully attempt, to cultivate or settle the property, and -that, by special appropriation, so much land is withheld from -settlers, and kept in a state of waste, to the serious injury of all -settlers in its neighborhood. But it would be a great mistake to -suppose that this is the only practice by which such injury has -been, and still is, inflicted on actual settlers. In the two Canadas, -especially, the practice of rewarding, or attempting to reward, -public services by grants of public land, has produced, and is still -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>producing, a degree of injury to actual settlers which it is difficult -to conceive without having witnessed it. The very principle of -such grants is bad, inasmuch as, under any circumstances, they -must lead to an amount of appropriation beyond the wants of the -community, and greatly beyond the proprietor’s means of cultivation -and settlement. In both the Canadas, not only has this principle -been pursued with reckless profusion, but the local executive -governments have managed, by violating or evading the instructions -which they received from the Secretary of State, to add incalculably -to the mischiefs that would have arisen at all events.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In Upper Canada, 3,200,000 acres have been granted to “U. -E. Loyalists,” being refugees from the United States, who settled -in the province before 1787, and their children; 730,000 acres to -Militia men; 450,000 acres to discharged Soldiers and Sailors; 225,000 -acres to Magistrates and Barristers; 136,000 acres to Executive -Councillors, and their families; 50,000 acres to five Legislative -Councillors, and their families; 36,900 acres to Clergymen, as -private property; 264,000 to persons contracting to make surveys; -92,526 acres to officers of the Army and Navy; 500,000 acres for -the endowment of schools; 48,520 acres to Colonel Talbot; 12,000 -acres to heirs of General Brock, and 12,000 acres to Dr. Mountain, -a former Bishop of Quebec; making altogether, with the Clergy -Reserves, nearly half of all the surveyed land in the province. In -Lower Canada, exclusively of grants to refugee loyalists, as to the -amount of which the Crown Lands’ Department could furnish me -with no information, 450,000 acres having been granted to Militiamen, -to Executive Councillors 72,000 acres, to Governor Milne, -about 48,000 acres, to Mr. Cushing and another, upwards of 100,000 -acres (as a reward for giving information in a case of high treason), -to officers and soldiers 200,000 acres, and to “leaders of townships” -1,457,209 acres, making altogether, with the Clergy Reserves, -rather more than half of the surveyed lands originally at the -disposal of the Crown.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In Upper Canada, a very small proportion (perhaps less than -a tenth) of all the land thus granted, has been even occupied by -settlers, much less reclaimed and cultivated. In Lower Canada, with -the exception of a few townships bordering on the American frontier, -which have been comparatively well settled, in despite of the proprietors, -by American squatters, it may be said that nineteen-twentieths -of these grants are still unsettled, and in a perfectly wild -state.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>“No other result could have been expected in the case of those -classes of grantees whose station would preclude them from settling in -the wilderness, and whose means would enable them to avoid exertion -for giving immediate value to their grants; and unfortunately, the -land which was intended for persons of a poorer order, who might be -expected to improve it by their labor, has, for the most part, fallen -into the hands of land-jobbers of the class just mentioned, who have -never thought of settling in person, and who retain the land in its -present wild state, speculating upon its acquiring a value at some -distant day, when the demand for land shall have increased through -the increase of population.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In Upper Canada,” says Mr. Bolton, himself a great speculator -and holder of wild land, “the plan of granting large tracts of land to -gentlemen who have neither the muscular strength to go into the -wilderness, nor perhaps, the pecuniary means to improve their grants, -has been the means of a large part of the country remaining in a state -of wilderness. The system of granting land to the children of U. E. -Loyalists has not been productive of the benefits expected from it. -A very small proportion of the land granted to them has been -occupied or improved. A great proportion of such grants were to -unmarried females, who very readily disposed of them for a small consideration, -frequently from £2 to £5 for a grant of 200 acres. The -grants made to young men were also frequently sold for a very small -consideration; they generally had parents with whom they lived, and -were therefore not disposed to move to their grants of lands, but -preferred remaining with their families. I do not think one-tenth of -the lands granted to U. E. Loyalists has been occupied by the persons -to whom they were granted, and in a great proportion of cases not -occupied at all.” Mr. Randenhurst says, “the general price of these -grants was from a gallon of rum up to perhaps £6, so that while -millions of acres were granted in this way, the settlement of the -Province was not advanced, nor the advantage of the grantee secured -in the manner that we may suppose to have been contemplated by -government.” He also mentions amongst extensive purchasers of -these grants, Mr. Hamilton, a member of the Legislative Council, who -bought about 100,000 acres. Chief Justices Emslie and Powell, and -Solicitor General Gray, who purchased from 20,800 to 50,000 acres; -and states that several members of the Executive and Legislative -Councils, as well as of the House of Assembly, were “very large -purchasers.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>“In Lower Canada, the grants to “Leaders and Associates” -were made by an evasion of instructions which deserve a particular -description.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“By instructions to the Local Executive immediately after the -passing of the Constitutional Act, it was directed that “because -great inconveniences had theretofore arisen in many of the colonies in -America, from the granting excessive quantities of land to particular -persons who have never cultivated or settled the same, and have -thereby prevented others more industrious, from improving such -lands; in order, therefore, to prevent the like inconveniences in future, -no farm-lot should be granted to any person being master or mistress -of a family in any township to be laid out which should contain more -than 200 acres.” The instructions then invest the governor with a -discretionary power to grant additional quantities in certain cases, not -exceeding 1,000 acres. According to these instructions 200 acres -should have been the general amount, 1,200 the maximum, in special -cases to be granted to any individual. The greater part, however, -of the land (1,457,200 acres) was granted, in fact, to individuals at -the rate of from 10,000 to 50,000 to each person. The evasion of -the regulations was managed as follows: A petition, signed by from -10 to 40 or 50 persons, was presented to the Executive Council, -praying for a grant of 1,200 acres to each person, and promising to -settle the land so applied for. Such petitions were, I am informed, -always granted, the Council being perfectly aware that, under a previous -agreement between the applicants (of which the form was -prepared by the then Attorney General, and sold publicly by the law -stationers of Quebec), five-sixths of the land was to be conveyed to -one of them, termed leader, by whose means the grant was obtained. -In most cases the leader obtained the most of the land which had been -nominally applied for by fifty persons.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon this subject we further give as worthy of attention, although -we will not endorse all that is said, the remarks made by Mr. Robert -Gourlay in his “Statistical Account.” He says, “when we look -back into the history of old countries, and observe how landed property -was first established; how it was seized upon, pulled about, -given away, and divided in all sorts of ways, shapes, and quantities; -how it was bequeathed, burdened, entailed, and leased in a -hundred forms; when we consider how dark were the days of -antiquity,—​how grossly ignorant and savage were our remote forefathers, -we cannot be so much surprised at finding ourselves heirs -to confusion; and, that, in these old countries, entanglement continues -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>to be the order of the day. But when civilized men were -quietly and peaceably to enter into the occupancy of a new region, -where all could be adjusted by the square and compass; and when -order, from the beginning, could have prevented for ever all possibility -of doubt, and dispute, and disturbance; how deplorable is -it to know, that in less than a life-time, even the simplest affairs -should get into confusion! and so it is already in Upper Canada, -to a lamentable degree. Boundaries of land are doubtful and disputed: -deeds have been mislaid, lost, unfounded, forged: they have -been passed again and again in review before commissioners: they -have been blotted and blurred: they have got into the repositories -of attornies and pettifogging lawyers; while courts of justice are -every day adding doubt to doubt, delay to delay, and confusion to -confusion; with costs, charges, cheating.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Things are not yet beyond the reach of amendment, even in the -old settlements. In the new, what a glorious task it is to devise -plans for lasting peace and prosperity!—​to arrange in such a way, -as to bar out a world of turmoil in times to come!</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The present very unprofitable and comfortless condition of -Upper Canada must be traced back to the first operations of Simcoe. -With all his honesty, and energy, and zeal for settling the Province, -he had really no sound views on the subject, and he was infinitely -too lavish in disposing of the land—​infinitely too much hurried in all -his proceedings. In giving away land to individuals, no doubt, he -thought he would give these individuals an interest in the improvement -of the country,—​an inducement to settle in it, and draw to it -settlers; but he did not consider the character and condition of -most of his favorites; many of them officers in the army, whose -habits did not accord with business, and less still with solitude and -the wilderness; whose hearts were in England, and whose wishes -were intent on retirement thither. Most of them did retire from -Upper Canada, and considering, as was really the case, their land -grants of little value, forgot and neglected them. This was attended -with many bad consequences. Their lands became bars to improvement; -as owners they were not known; could not be heard -of; could not be applied to, or consulted with, about any measure -for public advantage. Their promises under the Governor’s hand, -their land board certificates, their deeds, were flung about and -neglected. But mischief greater than all this, arose, is, and will -be, from the badness of surveys. Such was the haste to get land -given away, that ignorant and careless men were employed to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>measure it out, and such a mess did they make of their land-measuring, -that one of the present surveyors informed me, that in running -new lines over a great extent of the Province, he found spare room -for a whole township in the midst of those laid out at an early -period. It may readily be conceived, upon consideration of this -fact, what blundering has been committed, and what mistakes stand -for correction. Boundary lines in the wilderness are marked by -blazing, as it is called, that is, chopping off with an axe, a little -bark from such trees as stand nearest to the line. Careless surveyors -can readily be supposed to depart wide of the truth with -this blazing: their measuring chains cannot run very straight, and -their compass needles, where these are called in aid, may be greatly -diverted from the right direction by ferruginous substances in the -neighbourhood, as spoken of. In short, numerous mistakes and -errors of survey have been made and discovered: much dispute has -arisen therefrom; and I have been told infinite mischief is still in -store. It occurred to me, while in Canada, and it was one of the -objects which, had a commission come home, I meant to have -pressed on the notice of government, that a complete new survey -and map of the Province should be executed; and at the same time -a book, after the manner of Doomsday-book, written out and published, -setting forth all the original grants, and describing briefly -but surely all property both public and private. I would yet most -seriously recommend such to be set about. It might be expensive -now, but would assuredly save, in time to come, a pound for every -penny of its cost.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen elsewhere that, in the terms of peace made at Paris -when hostilities ceased, justice was not done to the American Loyalists. -But subsequently, when their claims became known to the -British public, there was uttered no uncertain sound, upon the floor -of Parliament, respecting the duty resting upon England towards the -devoted but distressed loyalists who had laid all upon the altar of -patriotism; and to the honor of England be said, every step was now -taken to provide some recompense for the United Empire Loyalists. -It is true, the old homes with their comforts and associations could -not be restored; the wilderness was to be their home, a quiet conscience -their comfort, and their associations those of the pioneer for -many a day. But, what could be done, was done by the Crown to -render their circumstances tolerable. Extensive grants of land -were granted, not alone to the disbanded soldier according to rank, -but to every one who had become a refugee. Three years supply -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>of rations were allowed to all, as well as clothing; and certain implements -were furnished with which to clear the land and prepare it -for agriculture. The scale of granting lands was, to a field officer -5000 acres, captain 3000, subaltern 2000, private 200. The loyalists -were ranked, with the disbanded soldiers, according to their losses, -and services rendered, having taken the usual oath of allegiance; -and all obtained their grants free of every expense. In 1798, complaints -having been made to the Imperial Government respecting -the profuse manner of granting lands, royal instructions were given -to Gen. Hunter to limit the allowance to a quantity from 200 to -1,200. The grants of land when large, were not to be in blocks; but -few secured more than 200 acres upon the front townships. The -original mode of granting lands, at least to the soldiers, was by lot. -The process was simple. The number of each lot, to be granted in -each concession, was written on a separate piece of paper, and all -were placed in a hat and well shaken, when each one to receive -land, drew a piece of paper from the hat. The number upon the paper -was the number of his lot. He then received a printed location -ticket. In drawing lots, no one felt any particular anxiety. They -were yet unacquainted with the country, they had not seen the -land, and one number was as likely to prove as valuable as another.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It would seem that the Surveyor acted as Land Agent. Having -surveyed the lots, he prepared the ballot, and arranged the time -and place for the settlers to draw. It was no doubt this original -mode of drawing by lottery, which gave the provincial term <em>drawing</em> -land. We have the testimony of Ex-Sheriff Sherwood, that the -Surveyor discharged this office. He recollects “Esquire Collins;” -he was at his father’s house, and his father assisted in the matter of -drawing with those who had assembled for the purpose. The Surveyor -had a plan by him, and as each drew his lot, his name was -written immediately upon the map. Many of the plans, with names -upon them, may be seen in the Crown Land Department. Some of -the settlers upon the front acquired much more land than others by -reason of the “broken front.” It often happened that the base line, -running from one cove of the Bay to another, left between it and -the water a large strip of land. This “broken front” belonged -to the adjacent 200 acres, so that often the fortunate party possessed -even 50 or 100 acres extra.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the noted individuals to whom land was granted in -Upper Canada, was Arnold the Traitor. 18,000 acres was given -him, and £10,000.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>The tract of land now constituting the Township of Tyendinaga, -having been purchased from the Mississaugas, was deeded to -the Mohawks. The deed bears the date of 1804. The land is -granted to “the chiefs, warriors, people, women of the Six Nations.” -The chief, at the time they settled, was Capt. John Deserontyon.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XVII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Lines—​Western Settlement, 1783—​Population—​Settlement upon St. -Lawrence and Bay—​Number, 1784—​Proclamation to Loyalists—​Society disturbed—​Two -kinds of Loyalists—​St. Lawrence and Bay favorable for Settlement—​Government -Provisions—​State of the Loyalists—​Serving out Rations—​Clothes—​Utensils -for clearing and farming—​The Axe—​Furniture—​Attacking -a last enemy—​Tents—​Waiting for their Lots—​“Bees”—​Size of -dwellings—​Mode of building—​Exchanging work—​Bedsteads—​Clearing—​Fireing -trees—​Ignorance of Pioneer Life—​Disposing of the Wood—​No beast -of burden—​Logging—​Determination—​All Settlers on a common ground—​Additional -Refugees—​Advance—​Simcoe’s Proclamation, 1792—​Conditions of -Grants—​The Response—​Later Settlers—​Questionable Loyalists—​Yankees -longing for Canada—​Loyalty in 1812.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE SETTLEMENT OF UPPER CANADA.</h4> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div>“CANADA.”</div> - <div class='c002'>BY ALEXANDER M’LACHLAN.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Land of mighty lake and forest!</div> - <div class='line'>Where the winter’s locks are hoarest;</div> - <div class='line'>Where the summer’s leaf is greenest;</div> - <div class='line'>And the winter’s bite the keenest;</div> - <div class='line'>Where the autumn’s leaf is searest.</div> - <div class='line'>And her parting smile the dearest;</div> - <div class='line'>Where the tempest rushes forth,</div> - <div class='line'>From his caverns of the north,</div> - <div class='line'>With the lightnings of his wrath.</div> - <div class='line'>Sweeping forests from his path;</div> - <div class='line'>Where the cataract stupendous</div> - <div class='line'>Lifteth up her voice tremendous;</div> - <div class='line'>Where uncultivated nature</div> - <div class='line'>Rears her pines of giant stature;</div> - <div class='line'>Sows her jagged hemlocks o’er,</div> - <div class='line'>Thick as bristles on the boar;</div> - <div class='line'>Plants the stately elm and oak</div> - <div class='line'>Firmly in the iron rock;</div> - <div class='line'>Where the crane her course is steering,</div> - <div class='line'>And the eagle is careering,</div> - <div class='line'>Where the gentle deer are bounding,</div> - <div class='line'>And the woodman’s axe resounding;</div> - <div class='line'>Land of mighty lake and river,</div> - <div class='line'>To our hearts thou’rt dear forever!</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>Thou art not a land of story;</div> - <div class='line'>Thou art not a land of glory;</div> - <div class='line'>No tradition, tale, nor song,</div> - <div class='line'>To thine ancient woods belong;</div> - <div class='line'>No long line of bards and sages</div> - <div class='line'>Looking to us down the ages;</div> - <div class='line'>No old heroes sweeping by,</div> - <div class='line'>In their warlike panoply;</div> - <div class='line'>Yet heroic deeds are done,</div> - <div class='line'>Where no battle’s lost or won—​</div> - <div class='line'>In the cottage, in the woods,</div> - <div class='line'>In the lonely solitudes—​</div> - <div class='line'>Pledges of affection given,</div> - <div class='line'>That will be redeemed in heaven.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>In 1783, when a regular survey and settlement of Western -Canada commenced, the inhabitants of the Lower Province extended -westward, only a few miles above Coteau du lac, upon the St. -Lawrence, at Lake St. Francis; but not a house was built within -several miles of the division line of the two Provinces, which is -above Montreal, about 40 miles, on the north shore. On the south -side there was the Fort of Oswegotchie. Besides the squatters -around the military posts at Carleton Island, Oswego, and Niagara, -there were a few inhabitants at Detroit and Sandwich, of French -origin, where a settlement had sprung up in 1750.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The entire population of all Canada at this time, has been estimated -at 120,000, including both the French and English. Although -refugees had squatted here and there upon the frontier, near -to the several military posts, it was not until 1784 that the land, -now surveyed into lots, was actually bestowed upon the Loyalists; -yet it was mainly disbanded soldiers that received their “location -tickets” in the year 1784. The grants were made to the corps -under Jessup, upon the St. Lawrence, and under Rogers upon the Bay; -and to Butler’s Rangers at Niagara, at the same time, or very nearly. -During the same season, a settlement was made upon the Niagara -frontier and at Amherstburgh, by the Loyalists who had found -refuge at the contiguous Forts. It is supposed that the number -who became settlers this year, 1784, in Upper Canada was about -10,000. Thus the Province of Upper Canada was planted; thus the -Refugees and disbanded soldiers found themselves pioneers in the -wilds of Canada. Was it for this they had adhered to the Crown—​had -taken up arms—​had sacrificed their all?</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the close of hostilities, a proclamation was issued to the -Loyalists, to rendezvous at Sacket’s Harbour, or Carleton Island, -Oswego, Niagara, and <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Isle aux Mois</span>, the principal military posts -upon the frontier.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>The tempest of war which had swept across the American -Continent, severing thirteen Colonies from the parent trunk, had -roughly disturbed the elements of society. It resulted that the -cessation of hostilities left a turbulent ocean, which required time -to compose itself. There were Loyalists who would not live under -a flag alien to Britain. There were those whose circumstances -would have induced them to abide the evil that had overtaken them -in the dismemberment of the British Empire; but the fierce passions -of the successful rebels rendered a peaceful or safe existence -of the Loyalists among them impossible. Driven they were, away -from their old homes. There were those who had been double -minded, or without choice, ready to go with the successful party. -Such wandered here and there looking for the best opportunity to -secure self aggrandisement. It is of the first two classes we speak.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Forced by cruel circumstances, to become pioneers in a wilderness, -there could not be found in America, a more favourable place -whereupon to settle than along the banks of the St. Lawrence, and -around the irregular shores of Bay Quinté, with its many indentations. -They had to convert the wood-covered land into homes. -The trees had to be felled, and the land prepared for grain, and the -fruit of the soil to be obtained for sustenance within three years, -when Government provisions would be discontinued. It can readily -be understood that a water communication to and from the central -points of settlement, as well as access to fishing waters, was most -desirable. The smooth waters of the upper St. Lawrence and the -Bay Quinté constituted a highway of the most valuable kind, -for the only mode of travel was by the canoe, or flat-bottomed -batteau, which was supplied by the Government in limited numbers; -and in winter by rudely constructed hand-sleighs, along the -icy shores.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST SETTLERS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The settlers of Upper Canada, up to 1790, may be divided into -those who were forced away from the States by persecution, during -and after the war; the disbanded troops; and a nobler class, who -left the States, being unwilling to live under other than British -rule.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To what extent were these pioneers fitted and prepared to -enter upon the truly formidable work of creating homes, and to -secure the necessaries of life for their families. But few of them -possessed ought of worldly goods, nearly all were depending upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>the bounty of Government. In the first place, they were supplied -with rations; which consisted of flour, pork, and a limited -quantity of beef, a very little butter, and as little salt. We find in -Rev. Mr. Carroll’s “Past and Present” that “their mode of serving -out rations was rather peculiar.” “Their plan was, to prevent the -appearance of partiality, for the one who acted as Commissary, -either to turn his back, take one of the articles, and say, ‘who will -have this?’ or else the provisions were weighed, or assorted, and -put into heaps, when the Commissary went around with a hat, and -received into it something which he would again recognize, as a -button, a knife, &c.; after which he took the articles out of the hat, -as they came uppermost, and placed one on each of the piles in rotation. -Every person then claimed the parcel on which he found -the article which he had thrown into the hat.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>They were also supplied with “clothes for three years, or until -they were able to provide these articles for themselves. They consisted -of coarse cloth for trowsers and Indian blankets for coats, and -of shoes; beside, each received a quantity of seed grain to sow -upon the newly cleared land, with certain implements of husbandry. -To each was allotted an axe, a hoe, and a spade; a plough, and one -cow, were allotted to two families; a whip and cross-cut saw to -every fourth family; and, even boats were provided for their use, -and placed at convenient points;” and “that nothing might seem -to be wanting, on the part of the Government, even portable corn -mills, consisting of steel plates, turned by hand like a coffee-mill, -were distributed among the settlers.” We have learned they were -also supplied with nails, hand-saws and other materials for building. -To every five families were given a “set of tools,” such as chisels -and augers, of various sizes, and drawing-knives; also pick-axes, -and sickles for reaping. But, unfortunately, many of these implements -were of inferior quality. The axe, with which the burden -of the work was to be done, was unlike the light implement now -in use, it was but a short-handled ship axe, intended for quite a -different use than chopping trees and clearing land. Notwithstanding, -these various implements, thoughtfully provided by Government, -how greatly must they have come short in meeting -the varied wants of the settler, in his isolated clearing, far -separated from places whereat things necessary could be procured. -However, the old soldier, with his camp experience, was enabled by -the aid of his tools, to make homely and rude articles of domestic -use. And, in farming, he constructed a rough, but serviceable plow, -and harrow, and made handles for his scythe.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>Thus provisioned and clothed, and thus armed with implements -of industry, the old soldiers advanced to the attack of a last enemy, -the wild woods. Unlike any previous warfare, was this lifetime -struggle. With location ticket in hand, they filed into the batteaux -to ascend the rapids. A certain number of batteaux joined together, -generally about twenty or twenty-five, formed a brigade, which was -placed under the command of a suitable officer; if not one who had -in previous days, led them against the foe. It is quite impossible -to conceive of the emotions which found a place in the breasts of -the old veterans as they journeyed along wearily from day to day, -each one bringing them nearer to the spot on which the tent was -to be pitched for the last time. Eagerly, no doubt, they scanned -the thickly wooded shores as they passed along. Curiously -they examined the small settlement, clustering around Cataraqui. -And, it cannot be doubted, when they entered the -waters of the lovely Bay Quinté, the beauty of the scene created a -feeling of joy and reconciliation to their lot, in being thus cast upon -a spot so rich in natural beauty. These disbanded soldiers, at least -each family, had a canvass tent capable of accommodating, in a -certain way, from eight to ten persons. These were pitched upon -the shore, at first in groups, until each person had learned the situation -of his lot, when he immediately removed thereto. But there were -by no means enough tents to give cover to all, and many had only -the friendly trees for protection. The first steps taken were to clear -a small space of trees, and erect a place of habitation. We have -seen what were the implements he had to work with—​the materials -he must use to subdue the forest tree standing before him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Here, at the very threshold of Upper Canadian history, was -initiated the “institution” of “bees.” “Each with his axe on his -shoulder, turned out to help the other,” in erecting a log shanty. -Small and unpretending indeed, were these humble tenements first -built along the shores of the bay. The size of each depended upon -the number to occupy it. None were larger than twenty by fifteen -feet; and an old man tells me that his father, who was a carpenter, -built one fifteen feet long and ten feet broad, with a slanting roof -seven or eight feet in height. The back-woodsman’s shanty, which -may yet be seen in the outskirts of our country, is the counterpart -of those which were first built; but perhaps many of our readers -may never have seen one. “Round logs,” (generally of basswood,) -“roughly notched together at the corners, and piled one above -another, to the height of seven or eight feet, constituted the walls. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>Openings for a door, and one small window” (always beside the -door) “designed for four lights of glass, 7 × 9, were cut out,” (Government -had supplied them with a little glass and putty); “the -spaces between the logs were chinked with small splinters, and -carefully plastered outside and inside, with clay for mortar. Smooth -straight poles were laid lengthways of the building, on the walls, -to serve as supports of the roof. This was composed ‘of strips of -elm bark, four feet in length, by two or three feet in width, in layers, -overlapping each other, and fastened to the poles by withs.’” -(The roof was some times of black oak, or swamp oak, bark,) “with a -sufficient slope to the back, this formed a roof which was proof against -wind and weather. An ample hearth, made of flat stones, was then -laid out, and a fire back of field stone or small boulders, rudely built, -was carried up as high as the walls. Above this the chimney was -formed of round poles, notched together and plastered with mud. -The floor was of the same materials as the walls, only that the logs -were split in two, and flattened so as to make a tolerably even surface. -As no boards were to be had to make a door, until they could -be sawn out by the whip saw, a blanket suspended from the inside -for some time took its place. By and by four little pains of glass, -were stuck into a rough sash, and then the shanty was complete.”—​(<cite>Croil.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Furniture for the house was made by the old soldier; this was -generally of the roughest kind. They had the fashion of exchanging -work, as well as of having bees. Some of them had been mechanics -in other days. A carpenter was a valuable acquisition, and while -others would assist him to do his heavy work, he would in return do -those little nicer jobs by which the household comforts would be -increased. No chests of drawers were required; benches were made -of split basswood, upon which to sit, and tables were manufactured in -the same style. The bedstead was constructed at the end of the -cabin, by taking poles of suitable size and inserting the ends between -the logs which formed the walls on either side. These would be -placed, before the cracks were filled in and plastered.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>CLEARING THE LAND.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>A log hut constructed, wherein to live; and such plain rough articles -of furniture as were really necessary provided, the next thing was -to clear the land, thickly covered with large trees and tangled brush. -Many a swing of the unhandy axe had to be made ere the trees -could be felled, and disposed of; and the ground made ready for the -grain or root.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>A few years later, and the settler would, in the dry summer season, -fire the woods, so as to kill the trees. By the next year they would have -become dry, so that by setting fire again they would burn down. In -this way much labor was saved. But sometimes the fire would prove -unmanageable and threaten to destroy the little house and log barn, -as well as crops. Another mode of destroying the large trees, was to -girdle them—​that is, to cut through the bark all around the tree, -whereby it was killed, so that the following year it would likewise -burn down.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A portion of the disbanded troops, as well as other loyalists, had -been bred to agricultural pursuits; and some of them, at least those -who had not been very long in arms, could the more readily adapt -themselves to their new circumstances, and resume their early occupation. -The axe of the woodsman was soon swung as vigorously -along the shores of the well wooded river and bay, as it had been in -the forests years before, in the backwoods of New England.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is no ordinary undertaking for one to enter the primeval forest, -to cut down the tough grained trees, whose boughs have long met the -first beams of the rising sun, and swayed in the tempest wind; to -clear away the thick underbrush, which impedes the step at every -turn; to clear out a tangled cedar swamp, no matter how hardy may -be the axeman—​how well accustomed to the use of the implement. -With the best mode of proceeding, with an axe of excellent make, -and keen edge; and, combined with which, let every other circumstance -be favorable; yet, it requires a determined will, an iron -frame and supple muscle, to undertake and carry out the successful -clearing of a farm. But, the refugees and disbanded soldiers, who -formed the pioneers of Upper Canada, enjoyed not even ordinary -advantages. Many of the old soldiers had not the slightest knowledge -of the duties of pioneer life, while others had but an imperfect -idea. Some scarcely knew how to fell a tree. Hardy and determined -they were; but they possessed not the implements requisite to -clear off the solid trees. We have seen that the axe furnished by -government was large and clumsy, and could be swung only with difficulty -and great labor, being nothing more than the ship axe then in use. -Slow and wearisome indeed, must have been the progress made by the -unaccustomed woodsman in the work of clearing, and of preparing -the logs for his hut, while he had, as on-lookers, too often a feeble -wife and hungry children.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The ordinary course of clearing land is pretty well known. At -the present day the autumn and winter is the usual time, when the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>wood is cut in sleigh lengths for home use, or made into cord wood -for the market. The brush is piled up into huge heaps, and in the -following season, when sufficiently dry, is burned up. Now, wood, -except in the remote parts, is very valuable, and for those who can -part with it, it brings a good income. But then, when the land was -everywhere covered with wood, the only thought was how to get rid of -it. The great green trees, after being cut down, had to lie until they -had dried, or be cut into pieces and removed. Time was necessary -for the first. To accomplish the second, involved labor with the -unwieldy axe; and there were at first, no beast of burden to haul the -heavy logs. The arm of the pioneer was the only motor power, and -the trees had to be cut in short lengths, that they might be carried. -To overcome the more heavy work connected with this, the settlers -would have logging bees from place to place, and by united strength -subdue the otherwise obstinate forces. Mainly, the trees were burned; -the limbs and smaller portion first, and subsequently the large trunk. -The fire would consume all that was flammable, leaving great black -logs all over the ground. Then came “logging,” that is, piling these -black and half burned pieces into heaps, where, after a longer time -of drying, they might be consumed. A second, perhaps a third time -the pieces would have to be collected into “log heaps,” until finally -burned to ashes. It was by such means, that slowly the forest along the -St. Lawrence, and surrounding the Bay Quinté, as well in the adjacent -townships melted away before the daily work of the aggressive settler. -Although deprived of all those comforts, which most of them had enjoyed -in early life in the Hudson, and Mohawk valleys, and fruitful fields -of Pennsylvania, they toiled on determined to conquer—​to make new -homes; and, for their children at least, to secure comforts. They rose -early, and toiled on all day, whether long or short, until night cast -its solemn pall over their rude quiet homes. The small clearing of a -few acres gradually widened, the sound of the axe was heard ringing -all the day, and the crash of the falling tree sent the startled wild -beast to the deeper recesses of the wild wood. The toilers were not -all from the same social rank, but now in the main, all found a common -level; the land allotted to the half pay officers was as thickly -covered with wood. A few possessed limited means, and were able -to engage a help, to do some of the work, but in a short time it was -the same with all; men of education, and who held high positions, -rightly held the belief that it was an honor to be a refugee farmer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the close of the war a considerable number of the refugees -found safety in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. But a certain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>number, not finding such prospects as they had hoped, resolved to try -Canada. Consequently, for five or six years after the peace, this class -continued slowly to flow, to swell the number of inhabitants of Upper -Canada. Some of them tarried, or remained in Lower Canada; but -the majority ascended the Bay Quinté, and settled the new townships -at the head of the bay; not a few would remain for a year or two in -the townships already settled, working farms on shares, or living out, -until the future home was selected. A good many of the first settlers -in the sixth, seventh, and eight townships, had previously lived for a -while in the fourth township.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The advance of the settlements was along the bay, from Kingston -township and Ernest town, westward along both sides. When -the settlers in the first, second, third and fourth townships, -had, to a certain extent overcome the pioneers’ first difficulties, those -in the sixth, seventh, eight and ninth, were yet undergoing mostly all -the same hardships and trials. Far removed from Kingston, they -could, with difficulty, procure necessities, and consequently endured -greater privation, and experienced severer hardships; but in time these -settlers also overcome, and ended their days in comparative comfort.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Gen. Simcoe, after he became the first Governor of Upper -Canada in 1792, held the opinion that there remained in the States -a large number of Loyalists, and conceived the idea of affording -them an inducement to again come under British rule, as they were -British in heart. He, by proclamation, invited them to free grants -of the rich land of Upper Canada, in the following words:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>A Proclamation</span>, to such as are desirous to settle on lands of -the Crown, in the Province of <span class='sc'>Upper Canada, By His Excellency -John Graves Simcoe, Esquire</span>, Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief -of the said Province, and Colonel commanding His -Majesty’s Forces, &c., &c. Be it known to all concerned that His -Majesty, both by his royal commission and instructions to the Governor, -and in his absence, to the Lieutenant-Governor of the said -Province of Upper Canada, gives authority or command to grant -the lands of the Crown in the same by patent under the great seal -thereof. I do accordingly make known the terms of grant and settlement -to be:” &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Without introducing the somewhat lengthy terms given under -the heads, it is sufficient to say that they were most liberal; in the -meanwhile reserving what was necessary to maintain the rights -previously granted to Loyalist settlers. No lot was to be granted -of more than 200 acres, except such as the Governor might otherwise -<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>desire, but no one was to receive a quantity exceeding 1000 acres. -Every one had to make it appear that he, or she was in a condition -to cultivate and improve the land, and “beside taking the usual -oaths, subscribe a declaration, viz: I, A. B. do promise and declare -that I will maintain and defend to the utmost of my power, the -authority of the king in his parliament as the supreme legislature -of this province.” These grants were free excepting the fees of -office, “in passing the patent and recording the same.” The -proclamation was dated 7th February, 1792, Thomas Talbot, acting -Secretary.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was obligatory on settlers to clear five acres of land, to build a -house, and to open a road across the front of his land, a quarter of a -mile.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Whether Simcoe was right in his opinion, that many loyalists -remained in the States, ready to avail themselves of a judicious -opportunity of becoming citizens of British territory, may be questioned; -that there were some, cannot be doubted. Not a few responded -to his invitation, and entered the new province. The -recall of Simcoe led to the abrogation of the terms specified in -the aforementioned proclamation, and some of the new comers were -doomed to disappointment. As may naturally be supposed, these later -comers were not altogether regarded with favor by the first settlers, -who now regarded themselves as lords of the soil. The old staunch -loyalists were disposed to look upon them as Yankees, who came only -to get the land. And it seems that such was often the case. We -have the impartial statement of Rochefoucault, that there were some -who “falsely profess an attachment to the British monarch, and -curse the Government of the Union for the mere purpose of getting -possession of lands.” Even at this early day, they set about taking -possession of Canada! Indeed, it was a cause of grievance in Walford -township, Johnstown district, that persons from the States -entered the country, petitioned for land, took the necessary oaths—​perjured -themselves, and having obtained possession of the land resold -it, pocketed the money, and left to build up the glorious Union.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But, while so much has to be said of some Americans, who took -land in Canada for mercenary motives, and committed fraud, it is -pleasing to say likewise, that a large number of settlers from the -States, who came in between 1794 and 1812, became worthy and -loyal subjects of the Crown. How far all of them were at first -Britons in heart, may be questioned. But the fact that the first -settlers regarded them with doubtful eye, and often charged them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>with being Yankees, led many, for very peace-sake, to display their -loyalty. But at last, when the war of 1812 broke out, they exhibited -unmistakeable attachment to the British Crown. To their honor be -it said, they were as active in defending their homes as any class. -The number who deserted from Canada, was quite insignificant. As -would be expected, the war of 1812 arrested the stream of emigration -from the States. The Government of Canada thereafter discountenanced -it, and instead, made some efforts to draw British European -emigrants.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION IV.<br /> <span class='large'>THE FIRST YEARS OF UPPER CANADA.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XVIII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Father Picquet—​Provision of Forts in Upper Canada just before Conquest—​Frontenac—​Milk—​Brandy—​Toronto—​The -Several Forts—​Detroit—​British -Garrisons—​Grasping Rebels—​Efforts to Starve out Loyalists in -Canada—​Worse Treated than the Acadians—​Efforts to Secure Fur Trade—​The -Frontier Forts—​Americans Conduct to Indians—​Result—​Conduct of -British Government—​Rations for Three Years—​Grinding by Hand—​“Hominy -Blocks”—​“Plumping Mill”—​The Women—​Soldier Farmers—​The Hessians—​Suffering—​The -“Scarce Year”—​Charge against the Commissariat Officers—​Famine—​Cry -for Bread—​Instances of Suffering—​Starving Children—​No -Salt—​Fish—​Game—​Eating Young Grain—​Begging Bran—​A Common Sorrow—​Providential -Escapes—​Eating Buds and Leaves—​Deaths—​Primitive -Fishing—​Catching Salmon—​Going 125 miles to mill—​Disconsolate Families—​1789—​Partial -Relief—​First Beef Slaughtered in Upper Canada—​First -Log Barn—​A Bee, what they Ate and Drank—​Tea Introduced—​Statements -of Sheriff Sherwood—​Roger Bates—​John Parrott—​Col. Clark—​Squirrelly -Swimming Niagara—​Maple Sugar—​How it was made—​Women assisting—​Made -Dishes of Food—​Pumpkin Loaf—​Extract from Rochefoucault—​1795—​Quality -of Grain Raised—​Quinté Bay—​Cultivation—​Corn Exported—​The -Grain Dealers—​Price of Flour—​Pork—​Profits of the Merchants.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>MODE OF PROCURING FOOD.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>We have seen with what spirit and determination the loyalists -engaged in the duties pertaining to pioneer life; how they became -domiciled in the wilderness and adapted themselves to their new -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>and trying situation. Thus, was laid the foundation of the Province -of Upper Canada, now Ontario. Upon this foundation was to be -erected the superstructure. Let us proceed to examine the circumstances -of the first years of Upper Canadian life. And first -with respect to <em>food</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Father Picquet visited the Bay and Lake Ontario, from <cite>La -Présentation</cite>—​Ogdensburgh, the year of the Conquest. He speaks -of his visit to Fort Frontenac, and remarks, “The bread and milk -there, were bad; they had not even brandy there to staunch a -wound.” By which we learn that the French garrison had a cow, -although she gave indifferent milk; and that even brandy for medicinal -purposes could not be had. The missionary proceeded to Fort -Toronto which was situated upon Lake Simcoe, no doubt ascending -by the bay Quinté and Trent. Here he found “good bread and -good wine” and “everything requisite for trade” with the Indians. -The cession of Canada to the British by the French had been followed -by a withdrawal of troops from many of the forts, around -which had clustered a few hamlets, specks of civilization in a vast -wilderness, and in most places things had lapsed into their primal -state. And, when rebellion broke out in the Colonies of Britain, there -were but a few posts whereat were stationed any soldiers, or where -clustered the white settlers. There were a few French living at -Detroit, and at Michilmicinac, and to the north-east of Lake Huron. -We have seen that during the war, refugees found safety at the -several military posts. The military rations were served out to -these loyal men in the same proportion as to the soldiers, and when -the war closed the garrisons continued to dispense the necessaries -of life to the settlers upon the north shores of the lake, and St. -Lawrence.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For ten years, after the terms of peace was signed between -England and the Independent States, the forts of Oswego, Niagara, -Detroit, and Michilmicinac, with the garrison on Carleton Island, -remained in the possession of the British troops. To this the -grasping Americans warmly took exceptions. Although it would -have been next to impossible to supply these places with provisions -for troops of their own, they nevertheless wished to dispossess the -Royal troops; we learn that the object was to starve out the refugees -who had found shelter upon the borders, and who would be depending -for years to these forts, for the very necessaries of life. In this, -their cruelty exceeded that practised towards the Acadians. Having -driven away the loyalists and dispossessed them at home, they would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>have followed them to their new wilderness home, there to cut off their -supplies and leave them to perish. They wished to obtain possession -of the forts not only to glut their vengeful feeling against the -tories, but to secure the traffic carried on with the Indians. Dreams -of aggrandizement floated through their avaricious minds. It was -regarded an excellent stroke of policy to turn the current of the -fur trade from the St. Lawrence, and starve out by degrees the -refugees, and the French who would have none of <em>their</em> “Liberty.” -Hence their desire to get possession of the frontier forts. But it -was destined that this valuable traffic should never come into the -hands of the United States; or rather it should be said, the Americans -had determined to pursue a course which would completely -alienate the Indian tribes from them. Under such circumstances -no possession of the forts could have turned the trade from its -natural channel by the St. Lawrence, across the continent to New -York.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The British Government never desired to stint the loyal refugees -and the disbanded soldiers. At the close of hostilities it was -determined that both alike, with their families, should receive while -traveling, and for a period of three years, such rations as are allowed -daily to the private soldier. And the Commissariat Department -was instructed to make the necessary provision to have transported -to each township by batteau, what should be requisite. <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Dépôts</span> -were established, in addition to the different garrisons, in each township, -to which some prominent and trusted refugee of their number, -generally a half pay officer, was appointed as Commissary, and at -which ample provisions of the specified kind, as well as certain -implements, it was ordered should be stored, to be dealt out with -regularity and fairness to each family, according to the number of -children. In some of the townships two batteaux were provided to -bring the provisions from Montreal. Besides the food thus -obtained, they were often enabled to freely supply themselves with -game of different kinds. The greatest trouble of all was to get the -grain supplied to them, ground into flour. According to Carroll and -Croil, the townships upon the St. Lawrence, were supplied with steel -mills for grinding grain; but no word of such indifferent convenience -for the settlers of the Bay, has by us been received; the settlers -had to get the grain crushed as best they could. Various modes were -adopted to do this; but in all cases the work was done by hand. -Sometimes the grain was crushed with an axe upon a flat stone. -Many prepared a wooden mortar, by cutting a block, of suitable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>length, about four feet, out of the trunk of a large tree, oak or -maple. Sometimes it was the stump of a tree. In this a cavity -was formed, generally by heating a piece of iron, and placing it upon -the end. In some quarters, a cannon ball from the Garrison was -used. By placing this, red hot, upon the wood, a hollow of sufficient -depth could be made. These mortars, sometimes called “Hominy -Blocks” and sometimes “Plumping Mill,” varied in size; sometimes -holding only a few quarts, sometimes a bushel, or even more. -The pestle or pounder, was made of the hardest wood, six or eight -feet long, and eight inches in diameter at the bottom end; the top -sufficiently small to be spanned by the hand. The pestle was sometimes -called the stamper; and the stump or block, with the pestle, -was called the stump-mortar. Generally, it was by the unaided -hand that the grinding was done; but after a time a sweep pole was -arranged, similar to a well pole, and a hard weighty substance being -attached to the pole, much less strength was required to crush the -grain; at the same time a larger quantity could be at once done. -The work was generally done by two men. The grain thus pounded -was generally Indian Corn, and occasionally wild rice. To crush -wheat required much more labor, and a small mortar. The bran -was separated from the flour by a horse-hair sieve, one of which -generally served a whole community, as they were possessed only by -a few. This rude method continued for many years, especially in -those townships remote from the flouring mills. Frequently, an -individual would possess a large mortar, that would be used by a -whole neighborhood. Mr. Diamond, of Belleville, a native of -Fredericksburg, remembers when a boy, to have accompanied his -father “to mill.” The mill was one of these larger mortars which -would contain a bushel of grain when being ground, but which -would hold, even measure, two bushels. The grain was crushed by -a sweep with a weight attached, of ten or twelve pounds.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But grinding grain in this rude manner, was very frequently -done by the women; and was but one of the difficulties attending -the production of meal. It was a hard task to prepare for use the -corn supplied by Government; but when that supply was cut off, and -the settler had but his own raising, it became much worse. Elsewhere -we have seen the difficult process by which seed was planted, -and the fruit of the soil reaped, and then thrashed. It had been -thought by the Government that three years would suffice to give -the settler ample time to reap sufficient grain for their sustenance. -In most cases, industry and a right application of labor, enabled the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>farmer to accomplish what was expected of him. But the habits -which some of the soldiers had acquired during the war, were highly -detrimental to regular industry. When the three years’ supplies -were discontinued, many found themselves unprepared to meet the -requirements of their new condition. It is said that some of them -entertained the belief that “Old George,” as they familiarly called -the King, would continue to feed them, for an indefinite period of -time, upon the bread of idleness. The Hessians, who had settled in -the fifth township, who had no idea of pioneer life, were great sufferers, -and it is stated that some actually died of starvation. Again, -there was a considerable class who had not had time to prepare the -land, and reap the fruit of the soil, prior to the supplies being stopped; -or who could not procure seed grain. These were likewise -placed in the most distressing circumstances. The fearful suffering -experienced in consequence will be mentioned under the head of -the “Scarce Year.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Notwithstanding, that Government supplied the settlers with -provisions for three years, and also with spring wheat, peas, corn, -and potatoes for seed, and took steps to furnish them, first with one -mill at Kingston, and then a second one at Napanee, at the expiration -of the three years, there were many unprepared. The mills were -almost deserted, and the hearts of the people were faint because -there was no grain to grind, and famine began to rest upon the -struggling settlers, especially along the Bay Quinté. It has already -been said that with some of the disbanded soldiers, there was some -degree of negligence, or, a want of due exertion to obtain home-raised -grain before the Government supplies were discontinued; also, -that there was a certain number, who came with their families two -or three years after the first settlement, who were not entitled to get -Government rations, and who had not had time to clear the land. -Many of these brought provisions with them, but the long distances -traveled by them through a wilderness, allowed no large quantity -of stores to be transported. And within a few months, or a year -their store of food was exhausted. But the greatest evil of all -it is averred, was the failure on the part of the Commissary Department -to bring up from Lower Canada, the supplies which were -required by those yet in the service, and who rightly looked to that -source for the bread of life. And, it has been alleged that some -who had charge of military stores forgot this public duty, in their -anxiety to secure abundant supplies for their own families. And a -spirit of cupidity has been laid to the charge of one or two for -retaining for private use the bread for which so many were famishing. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>At this remote period it is impossible to arrive at positive -conclusions relative to the matter. We can only examine the circumstances, -and judge whether such a thing was likely. Of course -the Commissary officers, whose duty it had been to distribute food -in the several townships, would not be likely to disburse with a -hand so liberal, that they should themselves become destitute; yet -the fact that such had food, while others had none, would naturally -create an erroneous impression. But the famine was not limited -to the Bay region; although, being remote from Montreal, it was -here the distress was most grievously felt. Throughout Lower -Canada the pinch of famine was keenly experienced. Even there, in -places, corn-meal was meted out by the spoonful, wheat flour was unknown, -while millet seed was ground for a substitute. Still more, the -opinion is given, that the accusation against certain parties is contrary -to the spirit which pervaded the refugee settlers at that time. -That they had laid up stores, and looked indifferently upon the -general suffering, is contrary to the known character of the parties -accused. In after days, as at the present time, there were aroused -petty jealousies, as one individual exceeded another in prosperity. -Family jars sometimes rise to feuds, and false surmises grow into -untruthful legends.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The period of famine is even yet remembered by a few, whose -memory reaches back to the immediately succeeding years, and the -descendants of the sufferers, speak of that time with peculiar feelings, -imbibed from their parents; and many are the touching stories even -yet related of this sad first page in the history of Upper Canada, -when from Lower Canada to the outskirts of the settlement was -heard the cry for <em>bread! bread! bread!</em></p> - -<p class='c000'>The year of the famine is spoken of sometimes as the “scarce -year,” sometimes as the “hungry year,” or the “hard summer.” -The extreme distress seems to have commenced in the year 1787. -With some, it lasted a part of a year, with others a year, and with -others upwards of a year. The height of the distress was during -the spring and early summer of 1788. But plenty to all, did not -come till the summer of 1789. The writer has in his possession -accounts of many instances of extreme suffering, during the famine, -and for years after, through the ten townships. A few will here -be given, as briefly as may be possible.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One, who settled in the Sixth Township, (who was subsequently -a Member of Parliament for twenty years,) with wife and children, -endured great suffering. Their flour being exhausted he sent -<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>money to Quebec for some more flour, but his money was sent back; -there was none to be had. The wife tried as an experiment to -make bread out of some wheat bran, which was bought at a dollar -a bushel. She failed to make bread, but it was eaten as a stir-about. -Upon this, with Indian Cabbage, or “Cale,” “a plant with a large -leaf,” also wild potatoes or ground-nuts, the family lived for many -a week. In the spring they procured some potatoes to plant, but -the potatoe eye alone was planted, the other portion being reserved -for food. One of the daughters, in her extreme hunger digged up -for days, some of the potatoe rind and ate it. One day, her father -caught her at it, and seized hold of her arm to punish her, for forgetting -the requirements of the future, but he found her arms so -emaciated that his heart melted in pity for the starving child. -Others used to eat a plant called butternut, and another pig-weed. -Children would steal out at night with stolen potatoes, and roast -them at the burning log heap, and consider them a great treat. -One individual has left the record that she used to allay the pangs -of hunger by eating a little salt. But the majority of the settlers -had no salt, and game and fish, when it could be caught, was eaten -without that condiment. Even at a later date, salt was a scarce -and dear article as the following will show: “Sydney, 20th November, -1792—​Received from Mr. John Ferguson, one barrel of salt, -for which I am to pay nine dollars.” (Signed), John German. -Often when fish or game was caught, it was forthwith roasted, -without waiting to go home to have it dressed. As spring advanced, -and the buds of the trees began to swell, they were gathered and -eaten. Roots were digged out of the ground; the bark of certain -trees were stripped off and consumed as food. One family lived -for a fortnight on beech leaves. Everything that was supposed to -be capable of alleviating the pangs of hunger, whether it yielded -nutriment or not, was unhesitatingly used; and in the fifth township -some were killed by eating poisonous roots. Beef bones were, in -one neighbourhood, not only boiled again and again, but actually -carried from house to house, to give a little taste to boiled bran, -until there remained no taste in the boiling water. In the fourth -township, upon the sunny side of a hill, was an early field of grain, -and to this they came, from far and near, to eat the milk-like heads of -grain, so soon as they had sufficiently grown, which were boiled and -eaten. The daughter of the man who owned the field, and gladly -gave to all, still remains with us; then, she was in the freshness of -girlhood; now, she is in the autumn of a green old age, nearly a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>hundred. She remembers to have seen them cutting the young succulent -grain, to use her own words “as thick as stumps.” This young -grain was a common dish, all along the Bay, until it became ripe. -One family lived several months solely on boiled oats. One day, a -man came to the door of a house in Adolphustown, with a bag, and -a piece of “calamink,” to exchange for flour. But the flour was low, -and the future doubtful, and none could be spared. The man -turned away with tears of anguish rolling down his face. The kind -woman gave him a few pounds of flour; he begged to be allowed to -add some bran lying on the floor, which was permitted, and he -went his way.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There were, scattered through the settlements, a few who never -were entirely out of provisions, but who had procured some from Lower -Canada, or Oswego. Many of these, even at the risk of future want, -would give away, day after day, to those who came to their door, -often a long distance, seeking for the very bread of life. A piece of -bread was often the only thing to give; but thus, many a life was -saved. These poor unfortunates, would offer various articles in -exchange for flour or food. Even their lands—​all they had, were -offered for a few pounds of flour. But, with a few execrable exceptions, -the last loaf was divided; and when flour was sold, it was at a fair -valuation. A common sorrow knit them together in fraternal relationship. -The names of some are handed down, who employed others -to work all day for their board, and would give nothing for their -famishing ones at home. One of them also, sold eight bushels of -potatoes for a valuable cow. In some instances, families living -remotely, forsook their houses and sought for food at Kingston. One -family in Thurlow, set out for Kingston, following the bay shore on -foot. Their only food was bran, which, being mixed with water, was -cooked by the way, by heating flat stones and baking thereupon. As -before stated, the settlers of the fifth township suffered fearfully, and -it is stated, that some of them actually died. Mr. Parrott says, that -he has heard it stated that persons starved to death. And the extraordinary -statement is found in the M.S. of the late Mr. Merritt, that -one old couple, too old to help themselves, and left alone, were preserved -providentially from starvation, by pigeons, which would -occasionally come and allow themselves to be caught. The fact is -stated by others, that pigeons were at times, during the first years -of settling, very plentiful, and were always exceedingly tame. Another -person remarks, that although there was generally plenty of pigeons, -wild fowl, fish and partridge, yet, they seemed to keep away when -most wanted.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>One family, four in number, subsisted on the small quantity -of milk given by a young cow, with leeks, buds of trees, and often -leaves were added to the milk. A barrel of bran served a good -purpose for baking a kind of cake, which made a change on special -occasions. At one time, Reed, of Thurlow, offered a three year old -horse for 50 lbs of flour. This family would, at one time actually -have starved to death, had not a deer been miraculously shot. They -often carried grain, a little, it is true, to the Napanee mills, following -the river, and bay shores. And when they had no grain, articles -of domestic use were taken to exchange for flour and meal. -A woman used to carry a bushel and a half of wheat ten miles to the -Napanee mills, and then carry the flour back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ex-Sheriff Ruttan says of his father’s family, with whom his -uncle lived, “We had the luxury of a cow which the family -brought with them, and had it not been for this domestic boon, all -would have perished in the year of scarcity. The crops had failed -the year before, and the winter that followed, was most inclement and -severe. The snow was unusually deep, so that the deer became an -easy prey to their rapacious enemies, the wolves, who fattened on -their destruction, whilst men were perishing for want. Five individuals, -in different places, were found dead, and one poor woman also, -with a live infant at her breast; which was cared for and protected.” -“Two negroes were sent to Albany for corn, who brought four -bushels. This, with the milk of the cow dealt out day by day in -limited quantity, kept them alive till harvest.” “The soldiers’ rations -were reduced to one biscuit a day.” Referring to other days after the -famine he says: “Fish was plentiful”—​the “fishing tackle was on a -primitive plan; something similar to the Indians, who fixed the bait on -part of the back bone of the pike, which would catch these finny tribe -quite as expeditiously as the best Limerick hook; but our supply was -from spearing by torchlight, which has been practiced by the Indian -from time immemorial; from whom we obtained a vast deal of practical -knowledge.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Roger Bates, near Cobourg, speaking of the first years of Upper -Canada, says that his grandfather’s family, living in Prince Edward -for a while, “adopted many ingenious contrivances of the Indians -for procuring food. Not the least simple and handy was a crotched -pole, with which they secured salmon in any quantity, the creeks -being full of them.” He removed to the township of Clarke, -where he was the first white settler, and for six months saw no -white person. “For a long time he had to go to Kingston, 125 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>miles, with his wheat to be ground. They had no other conveyance -than batteaux; the journey would sometimes occupy five or six -weeks. Of an evening they put in at some creek, and obtained -their salmon with ease, using a forked stick, which passed over -the fish’s back and held it fast. Sometimes they were so long gone -for grist, in consequence of bad weather, that the women would -collect together and have a good cry, thinking the batteaux had -foundered. If their food ran short, they had a dog that would, -when told, hunt a deer and drive it into the water, so that the -young boys could shoot it.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The summer of 1789 brought relief to most of the settlers,—​the -heaviest of the weight of woe was removed. But, for nearly a -decade, they enjoyed but few comforts, and were often without the -necessaries of life. The days of the toiling pioneers were numbering -up rapidly, yet the wants of all were not relieved. Those whose -industry had enabled them to sow a quantity of grain reaped a -goodly reward. The soil was very fruitful, and subsequently for -two and three years, repeated crops were raised from a single sowing. -But flour alone, although necessary to sustain life, could hardly -satisfy the cravings of hunger with those who had been accustomed -to a different mode of living. It was a long way to Montreal or -Albany, from which to transport by hand, everything required, even -when it could be had, and the settler had something to exchange -for such articles; beside the journey of several weeks. Game, -occasionally to be had, was not available at all seasons, nor at all -times; although running wild, ammunition was scarce, and some -had none. We have stated that Government gave to every five -families a musket and forty-eight rounds of ammunition, with some -powder and shot, also some twine to make fishing nets. Beef, -mutton, &c., were unknown for many a day. Strangely enough, a -circumstantial account of the first beef slaughtered along the Bay, -probably in Upper Canada, is supplied by one who, now in her 90th -year, bears a distinct recollection of the event. It was at Adolphustown. -A few settlers had imported oxen, to use in clearing the -land. One of a yoke, was killed by the falling of a tree. The -remaining animal, now useless, was purchased by a farmer upon the -Front, who converted it into beef. With the hospitality characteristic -of the times, the neighbors were invited to a grand entertainment; -and the neighborhood, be it remembered, extended for thirty -or forty miles. A treat it was, this taste of an article of diet, long -unknown.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>The same person tells of the occasion when the first log barn -was raised in Adolphustown, it was during the scarce period. The -“bee” which was called, had to be entertained, in some way. But -there were no provisions. The old lady, then a girl, saw her mother -for weeks previous carefully putting away the eggs, which a few hens -had contributed to their comfort; upon the morning of the barn raising, -they were brought forth and found to amount to a pailful, well -heaped. The most of the better-to-do settlers always had rum, which -was a far different article from that sold now-a-days. With rum and -eggs well beaten, and mixed with all the milk that could be kept -sweet from the last few milkings, this, which was both food and drink -was distributed to the members of the bee, during the time of -raising the barn.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Tea, now considered an indispensable luxury by every family, -was quite beyond the reach of all, for a long time; because of its -scarcity and high price. Persons are yet living who remember -when tea was first brought into family use. Various substitutes -for tea were used, among these were hemlock and sassafras; there -was also a plant gathered called by them the tea plant.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sheriff Sherwood, in his most valuable memoirs, specially prepared -for the writer, remarks, “Many incidents and occurrences -took place during the early settlement which would, perhaps, at a -future day be thought incredible. I recollect seeing pigeons -flying in such numbers that they almost darkened the sky, and so -low often as to be knocked down with poles; I saw, where a near -neighbor killed thirty at one shot; I almost saw the shot, and saw -the pigeons after they were shot.” Ducks were so thick that when -rising from a marsh “they made a noise like the roar of heavy -thunder.” “While many difficulties were encountered, yet we realized -many advantages, we were always supplied with venison, -partridge, and pigeon, and fish in abundance, no taxes to pay and -plenty of wood at our doors. Although deprived of many kinds of -fruit, we had the natural production of the country, strawberries, -raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, and lots of red plums, and -cranberries in the various marshes all about the country, and I can -assure you that pumpkin and cranberries make an excellent substitute -for apple pie.” Mr. Sherwood refers to their dog “Tipler,” -which was invaluable, in various ways, in assisting to procure the -food. He also speaks of “Providential” assistance. “After -the first year we raised wheat and Indian corn sufficient for -the year’s supply for the family; but then we had no grist mill -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>to grind it; we made out to get on with the Indian corn very -well by pounding it in the mortar, and made what we called samp, -which made coarse bread, and what the Dutch called sup-pawn; but -let me tell you how we made our mortar. We cut a log off a large -tree, say two-and-a half feet through and about six feet long, which -we planted firm in the ground, about four feet deep, then carefully -burnt the centre of the top and scraped it out clean, which gave us -a large mortar. We generally selected an iron-wood tree, from six -to eight inches through, took the bark off clean, made the handle to -it of suitable length, this was our pestle; and many a time have I -pounded with it till the sweat ran down merrily. But this pounding -would not do for the wheat, and the Government seeing the -difficulty, built a mill back of Kingston, where the inhabitants, for -fifteen miles below Brockville had to get their grinding done. In -our neighborhood they got on very well in summer, by joining two -wooden canoes together. Three persons would unite, to carry each -a grist in their canoes, and would perform the journey in about a -week. But in winter this could not be done. After a few years, -however, when some had obtained horses, then a kind Providence -furnished a road on the ice for some years until a road was -made passable for sleighs by land. And it has not been practicable, -indeed I may say possible, for horses with loaded sleighs to go on the -ice from Brockville to Kingston, fifty years past.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Roger Bates says that “the woods were filled with deer, bears, -wolves, martins, squirrels, and rabbits.” No doubt, at first, before -fire-arms were feared by them, they were plentiful and very tame. -Even wild geese, it would seem, were often easily shot. But powder -and shot were expensive, and unless good execution could be made, -the charge was reserved. Mr. Sherwood gives a trustworthy account -of the shooting of thirty pigeons at one shot; and another account -is furnished, of Jacob Parliament, of Sophiasburgh, who killed and -wounded at a single shot, four wild geese and five ducks. These wild -fowl not only afforded luxurious and nutritious diet, but their -feathers were saved, and in time pillows and even beds were thus -made. Mr. John Parrott, of Ernest Town, descendant of Col. Jas. -Parrott, says, “there were bears, wolves, and deer in great abundance, -and there were lynx, wild cats, beavers and foxes in every -directions; also martins, minks and weasels beyond calculation.” In -this connection, we may record a fact related by Col. Clark, respecting -the migration of squirrels in the early part of the present century -across the Niagara river, from the States. He says, “an -<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>immense immigration of squirrels took place, and so numerous were -they that the people stood with sticks to destroy them, as they -landed on the British shore, which by many was considered a -breach of good faith on the part of John Bull, who is always ready -to grant an asylum to fugitives of whatever nation they may -belong to.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>MAPLE SUGAR.</h4> - -<div class='lg-container-b c021'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Soon the blue-birds and the bees</div> - <div class='line in2'>O’er the stubble will be winging;</div> - <div class='line'>So ‘tis time to tap the trees</div> - <div class='line in2'>And to set the axe a-ringing;</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Time to set the hut to rights,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Where the girls and boys together</div> - <div class='line'>Tend the furnace fire o’nights</div> - <div class='line in2'>In the rough and rainy weather;</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Time to hew and shape the trough,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And to punch the spile so hollow.</div> - <div class='line'>For the snow is thawing off</div> - <div class='line in2'>And the sugar-thaw must follow.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Oh, the gladdest time of year</div> - <div class='line in2'>Is the merry sugar-making,</div> - <div class='line'>When the swallows first appear</div> - <div class='line in2'>And the sleepy buds are waking!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>In the great wilderness were to be had, a few comforts and -luxuries. Sugar is not only a luxury, but is really a necessary -article of food. The properties of the sap of the maple was understood -by the Indians, and the French soon availed themselves of the -means of making sugar. To the present day, the French Canadians -make it in considerable quantities. At first, the settlers of -Upper Canada did not generally engage in making it; but, after a -time a larger number did. The maple, the monarch of the Canadian -forest, whose leaf is the emblem of our country, was a kind -benefactor. In the spring, in the first days of genial sunshine, -active operations for sugar making were commenced. Through the -deep snow, the farmer and his sons would trudge, from tree to tree, -to tap them upon their sunny side. The “spile” would be inserted -to conduct the precious fluid into the trough of bass-wood, which -had been fashioned during the long winter evenings. A boiling -place would be arranged, with a long pole for a crane, upon which -would be strung the largest kettles that could be procured. At -night, the sap would be gathered from the troughs, a toilsome job, -and put into barrels. In the morning a curling smoke would rise -from amidst the thick woods, and the dry wood would crackle -<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>cheerily under the row of kettles, all the sunny spring day; and -night would show a rich dark syrup, collected in one smaller kettle, -for the more careful work of being converted into sugar. Frequently -the fire would be attended by the women; and the men -would come to gather the sap in the evening. In this way many a -family would be provided with abundant sugar, at all events it had -to serve them for the year, as they felt unable to purchase from -the merchant. In another place, we have related how a few made -a considerable quantity of sugar and sold it all, to pay for a farm, -doing without themselves.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The absence of various articles of food, led the thoughtful housewife -to invent new made dishes. The nature of these would depend -in part upon the articles of food most abundant, and upon the habits -peculiar to their ancestry, whether English, Dutch or some other. -The great desire was, to make a common article as tasty as possible. -And at harvest time, as well as at bees, the faithful wife would -endeavour to prepare something extra to regale the tired ones. -There was, for instance, the “pumpkin loaf,” a common dish. It -consisted of pumpkin and corn meal made into a small loaf, and -eaten with butter. Another dish which seems to have been derived -from the Dutch, was Pot Pie, which was always, and is even yet in -many places, made to feed the hands at bees and raisings, and even -was generally made to grace the board on a wedding occasion. -We cannot give the space, if we felt prepared to speak, of the -several made dishes commonly in use among the older Canadians of -Upper Canada. Many of them are truly excellent in taste and -nutritious in quality. They are often similar to, or very like the -dishes in the New England and Midland States.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This subject will be concluded by giving a few extracts from -Rochefoucault who wrote of what he saw and learned in Canada in -1795, and who may be regarded as quite correct.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He says, “It is asserted” (by Simcoe) “that all Canada, produces -not the necessary corn for the consumption of its inhabitants, -the troops are supplied with flour from London, and with salt meat -from Ireland.” But Simcoe then thought that Canada was capable -not alone of feeding her inhabitants, but of becoming the granary -of England, and receiving commodities in Exchange. Speaking of -Forty Mile Creek, he says: “Before it empties itself into the lake, -it turns a grist mill and two saw mills, which belong to a Mr. Green, -a loyalist of Jersey, who, six or seven years ago, settled in this -part of Upper Canada.” “Land newly cleared yields here, the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>first year, twenty bushels of corn. They plough the land after it -has produced three or four crops, but not very deep. The price of -flour is twenty-two shillings per hundred weight, that of wheat from -seven to eight shillings per bushel. Laborers are scarce, and are -paid at the rate of six shillings a day. Wheat is generally sown -throughout all Upper Canada, but other sorts of grain are also cultivated.” -“Mr Green grinds the corn for all the military posts in -Upper Canada.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Approaching Kingston by water he remarks that “on the left -is Quinté Bay, the banks of which are said to be cultivated up to a -considerable extent. The eye dwells with pleasure once more on -cultivated ground. The country looks pleasant. The houses lie -closer than in any of the new settled parts of Upper Canada which -we have hitherto traversed. The variegated verdure of the cornfields -embellishes and enriches the prospect, charms the eye, and -enchants the mind.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“This district not only produces the corn requisite for its own -consumption, but also exports yearly about 3 or 4000 bushels. -This grain, which, in winter, is conveyed down the river on sledges, -is bought by the merchants, who engage, on the arrival of the ships -from Europe, to pay its amount in such merchandise as the sellers -may require. The merchants buy this grain for government, which -pays for it in ready money, according to the market price at -Montreal. The agent of government causes part to be ground into -flour, which he sends to the different ports in Upper Canada, where -it is wanted; and the surplus he sends to England. The price of -flour in Kingston is at present (12th July, 1795) six dollars per -barrel. The district of Kingston supplied, last year, the other parts -of Canada with large quantities of pease, the culture of which, -introduced but two years ago, proves very productive and successful. -In the course of last year, 1000 barrels of salt pork, of 208 pounds -each, were sent from Kingston to Quebec; its price was eighteen -dollars per barrel. The whole trade is carried on by merchants, -whose profits are the more considerable, as they fix the price of the -provisions which they receive from Europe, and sell without the -least competition.” Indeed, the profits of the dealers must have -been immense. They sold to the military authorities at a rate -which would remunerate them when the provisions came from -England; and when the farmers of Canada began to raise grain to -sell, they bought it, or exchanged merchandise for it, upon which -they fixed the price, and continued to sell the flour at the same -price to the military authorities.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XIX.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Kingston Mills—​Action of Government—​The Millwright—​Situation -of the first Mill—​Why Selected—​The Machinery—​Put up by Loyalists—​No -Toll—​Only Mill for three years—​Going to Mill, 1784—​The Napanee Mill—​Commenced -1785—​Robert Clarke—​An old Book—​“Appenea” Falls—​Price -of certain articles—​What Rum cost, and was used for—​The Mill opened -1787—​Sergt.-Major Clarke in charge—​Indian Corn—​Small Toll—​Surveyor -Collins in charge—​Becomes the Property of R. Cartwright, 1792—​Rebuilt—​Origin -of Napanee—​Price of Butter, 1788—​Mills at Four Mile Creek, Niagara -Falls, Fort Erie, and Grand River—​Mills on the St. Lawrence—​The Stone -Mills—​Van Alstine—​Lake of the Mountain—​1796—​Natural Beauty, <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">versus</span></i> -Utility—​The Mill—​Van Alstine’s Death—​Wind Mill—​Myer’s Mill—​Mill at -Consecon.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST FLOURING MILLS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Government was not an indifferent spectator of the difficulty -spoken of as to the grinding of grain—​the procuring of flour, and -at an early day, ordered means to meet the requirements of the -pioneers. We have the certain statement of John C. Clark, of -Ernest town, now dead, written ten years ago, that his father, -Robert Clark, who was a millwright, “was employed by Government, -in 1782–3, to erect the Kingston Mills preparatory to the -settlement of the Loyalists in that section of Upper Canada.” The -place selected for erecting the mill, was upon the Cataraqui River, -seven miles north of the Fort, now the entrance of the Rideau Canal, -where are situated the first locks of that artificial water way. -When in a state of nature, the place must have been strikingly -beautiful; it is so at the present time, when the achievements of -art give variety of attraction. This situation, selected for the first -flouring mill, was central to the population strung along the banks -of the St. Lawrence, and Bay Quinté. Everything required for -the construction of the mill, was furnished by Government, such as -the mill stones, and the machinery. The rougher work, the walls -of the building, was done by men detailed for the purpose, from the -company of soldiers. The structure consisted of logs, or timber -roughly squared, and was erected, as well as the mill house, by the -combined efforts of the soldier settlers, collected for the purpose. -All the settlers had their grists ground without paying toll. The -original building was standing as late as 1836.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For nearly three years, the Cataraqui Mill was the only one in -Central Canada. The settlers came from Cornwall in the east, and -the most remote settlement up the Bay. At the present day, when -railroads and swiftly running steamers assist so materially to annihilate -space as it were, and bring distant places into close relationship, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>it would be regarded a matter of no little trouble and inconvenience, -to carry grain from Cornwall on the one hand, and Sidney -on the other, to Kingston, and wait to have it ground into flour; -but how infinitely greater the difficulty, when a trackless woods -covered the intervening spaces, when the only mode of carrying -anything was upon the back, or in a canoe, or batteaux, or upon a -raft, in summer; and upon a hand-sleigh in winter, drawn through -deep snow, following the windings of the shore along many a dismal -mile.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The increasing population around the Bay, caused the authorities -to seek a proper site for a second mill. The Napanee River, -with its natural falls, offered an advantageous place upon which to -erect a second mill for the settlers, upon the Bay. We have been -fortunate, through the kindness of Mr. P. Clark, of Collinsby, in -being permitted to examine an account book kept by Robert Clark, -the millwright, of both the Kingston and Napanee mills. By this, -we learn that in the year 1785, Robert Clark, who had completed -the Kingston Mill, removed to the second township, and, according -to instructions received from Government, proceeded to construct a -mill upon the Napanee River, at the site of the natural falls. In -the absence of the full particulars relating to the building of the -Napanee Mills, the following cannot fail to be of interest. In the -account book aforementioned, the following references to the building -of the mill, are found recorded:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“An accompt of articles bought for the use of the works, November -8.” “To 4 Augers of different size, from Mr. Phillips, carpenters -at Catariqui, 13s, 8d. To 3 quires of Writing Paper, 5s. -December 6, To 20 lbs. of Nails, £1; December 22, To 6 Whip -Saw Files, 3s. 9d.” Omitting some items, and coming to March 23, -1786, we find “For Raising the Saw Mill,” “2 gallons and 3 pints -of Rum, 17s. 6d.” “April 20th, To 1 quart of Rum, 2s.” On the -“25th May, To 4 gallons and 1 quart of Rum, for Raising the Grist -Mill, at 7s. 6d.” The “26th, To 1 quart of Rum for the People -at work in the water at the Dam.” By this we learn the day upon -which the Napanee mill was erected. On the 20th July, Government -is again charged with “3 pints of Rum for raising the -fender-post,” &c. On the 27th, a pint was again required, but -for what special purpose is not mentioned. In December, 1786, we -find “To making Bolt Cloth 15s.” “To Clearing one acre and -three-quarters of Land for a mill, at seven dollars per acre, £3.” -And we find that the iron or smith work for the mill was done -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>by David Palmer and Conly. From the fact that the bolting cloth -was not made until December, 1786, we may infer that the mill -did not commence operations until the beginning of 1787. The -mill was a great boon to the inhabitants around the Bay Quinté, -not only because they had a shorter distance to travel, but the -amount of work pressing upon the Kingston mill, made it very -uncertain as to the time one would have to wait, to get his gristing -done. Consequently many came from the Lower Bay, and the -dwellers upon the South Bay in Marysburg, who followed the -shores around Indian Point and up the Bay Quinté. To those living -in Thurlow, Sidney, and at the Carrying Place, the mill was a great -blessing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The father of the late Col. John Clark, of Port Dalhousie, who -had been Sergeant Major in the 8th Regiment, and who had, from -1777, been clerk and naval storekeeper at Carleton Island, removed -to within three miles of Napanee, the same year the mill was built, -to take charge of the works, in addition to his other duties. John -Clark, who was then a small boy, says in his memoirs; the grain -principally brought to be ground, was Indian corn; but as the -clearances increased, wheat became more plentiful. He also speaks -of the great industry which characterized the settlers. “A small -toll was exacted to pay for the daily expenses of the mill, but this -was a mere trifle, considering the advantages the settlers derived -from loss of time in proceeding to Kingston.” From this we infer -that no toll was demanded at the Kingston mill. “When my -father,” continues Col. Clark, “was ordered to Niagara, the mill -was delivered up to surveyor Collins, under whose directions it -was continued in operation for many years, and then the mill site -became the property of the Hon. R. Cartwright of Kingston.” But, -we find the statement elsewhere made that the land was originally -granted to Captain McDonald of Marysburg, who sold it to Cartwright.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Clark, in his account book, says, “Commenced work for -Mr. Cartwright at the Napanee mills, the 28th August, 1792.” This -was probably the time when Cartwright became the owner. In the -same year, reference is made to timber, for the “new mill,” by which -we learn that Mr. Cartwright found it desirable to rebuild. The -iron work for the new mill came to £14.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By the book, from which we have made extracts, we see that -the name is spelled in different ways, the first being Appenea. For -many years the name was spelled Apanee. It has been said that it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>was an Indian name, signifying flour, and was given by the -Mississaugas, from the existence of the flouring mill. Napanee may -signify flour, in the Indian language, but the inference drawn -cannot be correct, as we find the name Appenea Falls given to the -place in 1785, before the mill was commenced.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Cartwright having rebuilt the mill put in one run of stone at -first, shortly after two, and then three. Robert Clark was the -millwright, and one Profect was in charge of the works. The mill -seems to have been constructed with some care, and Gourlay says, -in 1817, that the Napanee mill is the best in the Province. The old -account book from which we have gleaned, gives the price at which -certain articles were vended. Thus, we learn that in June, 1787, -and July 1788, butter sold at Napanee for 1s. per pound.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Some time after the erection of the Kingston and Napanee -mills, others were erected in other parts of the Province; one -at Four Mile Creek, one at the Niagara Falls, one at Fort Erie, -another at the Mohawk Village, Grand River; and still later, -one at Twelve Mile Creek. “In the year 1788, the first grist -mill in Dundas was built by Messrs. Coons and Shaver in Matilda. -It contained but one run of stone, and had a saw mill attached. It -stood about a mile above the present village of Iroquois. It could -grind 100 bushels of wheat per day, and turned out good flour. -Soon after, another mill was built on a much larger scale, by John -Munroe, also in Matilda, which had three run of stone.” There was -also a gang of saws. The machinery was driven by the St. Lawrence -waters. At a still later period VanAlstine’s mill was erected, -at the Lake on the Mountain.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The events connected with Captain, afterwards Major VanAlstine, -as a settler, are recorded in the settlement of Adolphustown. -Directly opposite the rich and sloping land on the north shore, on -which he settled, is a high prominent hill, which stands boldly up -against the bay. This “mountain” is famous on account of the -lake upon its summit, a particular account of which is given elsewhere. -It is referred to here in a practical sense. While, upon the -hill-top is the work of nature, presented in a striking manner; at -its feet is the work of man, which, particularly in the past, was of -no little consequence to the well-being of the settlers of the Bay. -About the year 1796, the third flouring mill of the bay was erected -at this place by VanAlstine, to whom had been granted a large tract -of land. The surplus waters of the lake, in primeval days, made -their escape over the cliff, falling into the bay, and forming, it must -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>have been at times, a beautiful cascade. But, if Captain VanAlstine -had a taste for the beautiful in nature, he also had a just appreciation -of the wants of the people, and he proceeded to utilize the -falling water. A canal was cut down the mountain side, to form a -channel for the water to descend, and at the bottom was erected a -mill, the machinery of which was to be propelled by the descending -stream. From that day to this the work of grinding has been -carried on. However beautiful the lake above, and delightful the -prospect, they cannot exceed in interest the foundation of this mill. -Imagination would almost give words to the sound of the mill, -which so peacefully clicks the daily round of work. The down-rushing -waters by the artificial channel would seem to utter reminiscences -of the past—​regrets that they may no longer tumble headlong -over the hill-side to form a lovely cascade; but the water-witch has -been driven away by the spirit of utilitarianism. This conspicuous -hill has often been the point of hope, the goal to which the farmer -turned his little bark, containing, it is true, but a few bushels of -grain, yet so precious, and about which the hungry ones in the little -log house, thought so frequently, with bodies long accustomed to -suffer for the want of enough to eat. And, often this mountain -stood up as a guide to the settler, as he trudged along wearily -through the thick snow with a bag or two of grain upon a hand-sleigh. -Although not the very first mill, it dates back to the last -century.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite> of the 16th April, 1811, contains an -advertisement, signed by the executors of the deceased Major VanAlstine’s -will, namely, George W. Myers, Cornelius VanAlstine, -and Thomas Dorland, in which it is stated that the mill contains -two run of stone, one superfine and two common bolts.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A windmill was built at a somewhat early period, by Sergeant -Howell, nearly opposite the Upper Gap, in Fredericksburgh. It -was sold to one Russell, who was an Engineer in Kingston, in the -war of 1812. The windmill was never much used, if at all.</p> - -<p class='c000'>About the beginning of the century, 1802, Capt. Myers built a -flouring mill upon the Moira. (See Thurlow.) It seems to have -been a good mill, for persons came a long distance to get grinding -done. For instance: Isaiah Tubs, who lived at West Lake, would -come, carrying a bag of grain upon his back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1804, Mr. Wilkins says, a gristing mill was built at -Consecon, to the south of the Carrying Place. Consecon is an Indian -name, from Con-Cou, a pickerel.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XX.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Clothing—​Domestic and Farming Implements—​Style of Dress -eighty years ago—​Clothing of the Refugees—​Disbanded Soldiers—​No Fresh -Supply—​Indian Garments of Skin—​Deerskin Pants—​Petticoats—​Bed Coverings—​Cultivating -Flax—​Sheep—​Home-made Clothes—​Rude Implements—​Fulling—​French -Mode—​Lindsay Woolsey—​The Spinning-wheel—​Industry—​Young -men Selecting Wives—​Bees—​Marriage Portion—​Every Farmer his own -Tanner and Shoemaker—​Fashions—​How odd hours were spent—​Home-made -Shoes—​What Blankets were made of—​Primitive Bedstead—​Nakedness—​Bridal -Apparel—​No Saddles—​Kingston and Newark—​Little Money—​Bartering—​Merchants -from Albany—​Unable to buy—​Credit with Merchants—​The Results—​Itinerant -Mechanics—​Americans—​Become Canadians—​An old Stone-mason—​Wooden -Dishes—​Making Spoons—​Other Hardships—​Indians Friendly—​Effects -of Alcohol upon the Mississaugas—​Groundless Panic—​Drunken Indians—​Women, -defending Themselves—​An erroneous Statement about Indian -Massacre in “Dominion Monthly Magazine”—​Statement of an Old Settler, -Sherwood—​Wild Beasts—​Few Fire-arms—​Narrow Escapes—​Depredations at -Night—​Destroying Stock—​An Act of Parliament—​“A Traveller’s” Statement—​The -Day of Small Things—​Settlers Contented—​The Extent of their -Ambition—​Reward of Industry—​Population in 1808—​Importations—​Money—​The -Youth.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>CLOTHING—​FURNITURE—​DOMESTIC AND FARMING IMPLEMENTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The style of clothing worn by the refugees and disbanded -soldiers was such as prevailed eighty years ago in England. A -certain difference, no doubt, existed between the English and the -Colonists, yet mainly the style was the same. Among the first -settlers upon the bay were those who had fetched with them, and -wore, at least occasionally, garments of fashionable cut and appointments. -Tight knee-breeches and silver buckles would decorate the -bodies of some, who had in other days mixed in the fashionable -throng, perhaps luxuriated in the gay city of New York, where -the presence of British soldiers always gave life and gaiety. Indeed -some of the inhabitants had been commissioned officers in the -regular army. Dr. Dougall, who had been in the navy, and who -had settled in the sixth Township, is remembered as a wearer of -“tights” and silver buckles. Also, Major VanAlstine wore this -elegant attire, and the M’Leans, of Kingston. Those who left their -homes hurriedly during the course of the war, and fled to Lower -Canada and the several British Forts, brought only what was upon -their backs. Those who came more leisurely might have a little -more; but the distance to travel on foot would deter from undertaking -to bring more than supplies of food. The disbanded soldiers -had no more than what belongs to a soldier’s kit, and no doubt the -close of the war left many of them with well worn garments. A -few years of exposure to the wear and tear of pioneer life would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>quite destroy the best supplied wardrobe, however carefully husbanded, -or ingeniously mended by the anxious wife. To replace -the clothing was far from an easy matter to the settlers, many of -whom had no money, certainly no time for a long journey to Montreal -or Albany. After a few years, Kingston became a place of -trade, but the supply of clothing was scant and dear, placing it -beyond the reach of mostly all. The result was that the vast -majority of the inhabitants had to look to the production of their -lands wherewith to cover the nakedness of their families. Those -living up the bay continued to want for clothing for a longer time, -being unable to exchange with the merchants of Kingston, until -peddlers began to visit the more remote settlers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The faded garments, patched until the original material could -no longer be distinguished, ultimately succumbed to the effects of -time and labor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Indians, who as a general thing were friendly and kind, -when they visited the settlement, gave to the settlers the idea of -manufacturing garments out of deer skin. They, now and then -exchanged skins for articles the settlers could part with, and taught -them how to prepare the fresh pelt so as to make it pliable. The -process consisted in removing the hair and then working the hide -by hand with the brains of some animal, until it was soft and white. -Trowsers made of this material were not only comfortable for -winter, but very durable. A gentleman who recently died in -Sophiasburgh at an advanced age, remembered to have worn a pair -for twelve years, being repaired occasionally, and at the end they -were sold for two dollars and-a-half. Petticoats for women were -often made of the same material. Roger Bates says “My grandmother -made all sorts of useful dresses with these skins, which -were most comfortable for a country life, and for going through -the bush, could not be torn by the branches.” Also, moccasins were -procured from the buckskin, and some had enough deer-skin to -make covering for beds. But deer-skin was not sufficiently abundant -to give covering to all, such as it was; and, certain clothing was -required, for which it was unfit. Thus left to their own resources, -the settlers commenced at an early period to cultivate flax, and as -soon as possible to procure sheep. For many years almost every -family made their various garments, for both sexes, of the coarse -linen made from the flax, and cloth from wool raised at home and -carded by hand. Preparing the flax for weaving, as well as spinning -were done by hand, with inferior implements rudely made. But -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>in later years, occasionally spinning wheels and looms were brought -in by settlers. There were no fulling mills to complete the fabric. -Even the mode adopted then, in Lower Canada, was not practised, -which was as follows: A meeting of young folks, similar to a bee, -was held from house to house, at which both sexes took part. The -cloth to be fulled was placed in large tubs, and bare-legged youths -would step in and with much amusement dance the fulling done. -In Upper Canada, both high and low were glad to be able to don -the home-made linen, and the linsey-woolsey petticoat.</p> - -<hr class='c016' /> - -<p class='c000'>“The growth of flax was much attended to as soon as lands were -cleared and put in order.” “Then spinning-wheels were all the go, -and home-made linen, the pride of all families, manufactured substantial -articles that would last a lifetime.” The young men of industry -would look for the spinning-wheel and loom before selecting a wife. -“A young farmer would often be astonished to find on his marriage -that his fair partner had got a good supply of linen for her marriage -portion. I have known as much as sixty yards spun and manufactured -at one bee or gathering.”—​<em>Clark</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the skins of sheep, and of calves and beef become available, -every farmer became his own tanner, and dressed his leather; -and then his own shoemaker. Fashions did not change, except as -the continued practice of making for an increasing family, gave the -maker ability to make something more like a boot than a moccasin. -Rainy days, and the nights, were spent in doing such kind of work, -not by candle light, but by the hearth fire. It was at the same -time that an axe-helve, a wooden plow, a reaping cradle, a wooden -fork, &c., were made. But many a child, whose grand-children are -now occupying positions of wealth and influence, stayed in the log -cabin the winter through, because he had nothing with which to -protect his feet from the snow. The writer’s father was not a shoemaker -by trade; but he remembers when a boy to have worn shoes -made by him. They were not conspicuous for their beauty, but it -was thought by the wearer they would last forever; within his -recollection there was not a shoemaker in Thurlow.</p> - -<hr class='c016' /> - -<p class='c000'>Much ingenuity was displayed in making clothes and blankets. -What was called the “Kearsy” blanket was made at an early date; -the writer has seen the first one said to have been manufactured in -Upper Canada, certainly the first on the Bay Quinté. It is yet in -use and belongs to one, nearly one hundred years of age, who is the -daughter of the maker, whom we remember to have seen when a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>boy, who, although then in the sear and yellow leaf, was as tall and -erect as if untold hardships had not crowned her life. Within fifteen -miles of Belleville, across the Bay, was a log cabin, the occupants of -which had for their first blanket, one made out of hair, picked out -of the tanner’s vat, and a hemp-like weed growing in the yard. The -hair was first cleaned by whipping it; then it was carded and -worked up with the hemp, and then spun. It was afterward doubled -and twisted, and finally woven into a blanket. The individual whose -wife did this, and whose descendants are among the most wealthy -farmers, bought his farm for a horse. For many a day, they had no -furniture, not even a chair, and the bedstead was made out of two -poles, driven between the logs of the shanty; and basswood bark was -twisted so as to bind them substantially together. Clean straw upon -this, was really the only thing they had in the house. And so it was -with very many, the exceptions being, some half pay officers, who -had brought a table, or a chest of drawers. In 1790, the brother of -an individual, holding an important post in Kingston, was near the -head of the bay, staying at a house in a state of nakedness; in which -condition his brother writes, “he must remain until I am able to go -up.” “I have agreed to put him to trial with a carpenter to learn -the trade,” he must therefore have been a large boy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was not until the close of the last century, that wearing articles, -other than those made out of flax and wool, were to be obtained. -A calico dress was a decided luxury. The petticoat, and short gown -of linen, was more common. A long chintz dress to go to meeting, -was the height of many a damsel’s ambition, or a grogran dress and -short petticoat. As years passed away, and a grown up daughter was -about to be married, efforts would be made to array the bride in -fitting costume. Often a dress, worn by the mother in other days, -amid other scenes, which had been laid carefully away, was brought -forth to light, and made by suitable alterations to do renewed service, -although the white had assumed a yellow cast, and had lost its lustre.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As late as 1816, a farmer owning land in Sidney, and who died rich, -made in winter a journey to Kingston with flour, wearing nothing -on his feet, but a pair of shoes, and who had his trowsers strapped -down to keep his ankles warm. Leg boots took too much leather. -It was many years before a bridle and saddle were known, and then, -but a few possessed such a convenience. Bare-back, or on a deer skin -was the primitive mode.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the erection of Upper Canada into a separate province, -both Kingston and Newark, where there were always troops, and where -<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>articles of clothing were to be purchased from a few, who had gone -into the mercantile business, exhibited a degree of comfort and even -gaiety in dress.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the first there was but little money in circulation. But few -of the refugees, or disbanded soldiers had any when they entered the -wilderness. The government were constantly paying a certain sum -to the troops at Kingston and Newark, and likewise to the retired -half pay officers. The few who could command money, were placed -in a position of greater comfort, as soon as articles of provisions -and merchandise, were brought to the new settlement. Mainly, -however, trading was carried on by exchanging one commodity -for another. Probably the first articles for trade, was the ticket -for grants of land in the back concessions, often parted with so -cheaply. The settlers required clothing, grain for sowing, and stock; -these wants in time, led to trade, two kinds of which were introduced. -One carried on by merchants established at Kingston, the other by -pedlars, Yankee pedlars, who would come from Albany with their pack -in a canoe or small batteau, and who plied their calling along the bay -shore from clearing to clearing. Both the merchant at Kingston, who -waited for his customers to come to him, and the pedlar who sought -customers, asked for their wares, only grain or any other produce. -But wheat was desired above all others. It was an event of no little -interest to the back woodsman’s family, when the pedlar’s canoe or -batteau came along, and halted before the log house, by the shore. -And, even when their circumstances would not permit them to buy, it -was a luxury to have a look at the things, which were so temptingly -displayed. The toil-worn farmer, with well patched trowsers, would -turn with an inward sigh from the piece of cloth, which although so -much wanted, could not be got. The wife looked longingly at those -little things, which would just suit baby. The grown up daughters -gazed wistfully, but hopelessly at the bright calico prints, more valuable, -in their eyes than the choicest silks are to their descendants to day. -But a calico dress was a thing not enjoyed, but by few, until it was -bought for the wedding dress. Frequently some articles of family use -was exchanged for goods, which were deemed of more use. The trade -of merchants at Kingston steadily increased; but not a cash business. -A credit system was initiated and carried on. Goods would be -purchased with an engagement to pay in wheat or potatoes, or something -else, at a certain time. Here and there along the bay were -Indian fur traders. They, also, began to exchange with the settlers. -While this was a great convenience, and gave immediate comfort to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>many a family, it, at the same time, led to serious results with many. -Disappointed in the return of crops, or in some other way, the payment -could not be made. Promissory notes were given at interest; -and, after a few years, suing and seizing of stock was the result. -Sometimes even the farm went to satisfy the creditor. Unfortunately, -there are too many such cases in the records of the settlers of the bay. -Not alone did pedlars come from the States, to pick up the fruit of -the industry, of those they had driven away; but there were itinerant -Yankee mechanics who would occasionally come along, looking for a -job. Carpenters, Masons, &c., after a few years, found much to do. -We would not speak disparagingly of these Americans, because they -served a good turn in erecting buildings, as houses, barns, &c. They -also introduced many valuable articles of husbandry and domestic use. -And finally, many of them forsook their republican government, and -permanently settled under the King, and became the best of subjects. -Even in the first decade of the present century, mechanics would go up -and down the bay seeking work. For instance, there was one -Travers, a stone mason, who found employment along the bay, and -even up the lake. Of this we are informed by one of his apprentices -who is now upwards of eighty years old. (We make place in our -Review to state that John W. Maybee, referred to, aged 88, died -7th February, 1869.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>A hundred things enter into the list of what constitutes home -comforts. But spare, indeed, were the articles to be found upon the -kitchen shelves. Plain enough, was the spread table, at which the -family gathered morning, noon, and night. Many had but one or -two dishes, often of wood, rudely made out of basswood; and spoons -of the same material. Knives and forks in many families were -unknown. A few families had brought a very limited number of -articles for eating, relics of other days, but these were exceedingly -scarce. The wooden spoon was the most common table -article with which to carry food to the mouth. By and by the -pedlar brought pewter spoons, and once in a while the settler procured -pewter and moulds and made spoons for himself.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>VARIOUS HARDSHIPS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Apart from the suffering arising from want of food, and clothing -to wear, and furniture to make the house comfortable, there were -others of more or less magnitude. It would naturally be expected -that one of the first dangers in entering a wilderness, would be from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>the Indians, whose territory was being occupied. But in the main -this evil was not added to their other distress. The considerate and -just policy pursued by the British Government, left the Indians -no cause of complaint, and they did not at any time assume -an hostile attitude toward the infant colony. But that curse of -the human race,—​baneful curse to the Indians, alcohol, came with -the white man; and, too often, the unscrupulous trader, and merchant -would, not only sell the fire water to them, but rely upon its intoxicating -qualities, to consummate more excellent bargains for furs. -The evil thus inflicted upon the Indian, returned in some cases, upon -innocent pioneers. The Indians under the influence of liquor are particularly -savage and ungovernable; prone to exhibit their wild nature. -Thirsting for the liquor, they would sometimes enter dwellings, when -they knew the men were absent, and endeavour to intimidate the women -to give them rum. A few instances of alarm and actual danger, come -to us, among the bay settlers. At one time particularly, there arose -a wide spread alarm, (long remembered as the “Indian alarms,”) that -the Indians were, upon some fixed night, when the men were away to -Kingston mills, going to massacre the settlers. This arose from some -remarks, let fall by a half drunken Indian. A few of the settlers, did -actually leave their homes, and sought protection in a more thickly settled -locality, while active steps were taken to defend their homes against -the Indians. Mrs. Dempsey, of seventh township, gathered up what -she could, and with her children crossed in a canoe to the eighth township. -On another occasion, when her husband was absent, several half -drunken Indians came to the house, and one stepping up to where she -sat, trembling with fear, and with her little ones nestling close to her, -drew his knife, and cutting a piece from the palm of his hand, held -the bleeding wound before her face, crying out “look, look, Indian -no fraid.” Then he brandished his knife in the most menacing manner. -She hearing the sound of a passing team, got up and slowly -walked backwards to the door, looking the savage bravely in the eye -all the time. Her husband had opportunely arrived, in time to save -his family, which he did by a free use of the horse-whip. On another -occasion, Mrs. D. saved her life and the children from drunken -Indians, by rushing up a ladder with them, into the garret, which -could only be reached by a small opening through the ceiling, and -then hauling the ladder up. The Indians endeavoured to assist each -other up, and through the entrance, but she having a knife succeeded -by cutting their fingers, when they attempted to get up, in keeping -them back. These hostile attempts were exceptions, and always the -result of intoxication.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>Since writing the above, an article has been published in the -<cite>Dominion Monthly Magazine</cite>, in which it is stated that a family of -settlers were massacred by the Indians upon the banks of the St. -Lawrence in 1795. This statement is at variance with facts known -to us, and with the testimony of one who cannot be mistaken. His -statement is as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Brockville</span>, 13th April, 1868.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>My Dear Sir</span>,—​</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>I am in receipt of your note of this date, adverting to the -statement of the massacre of a family in Upper Canada, by the -Indians in 1795. I noticed the same statement in some paper I have -lately read, and at the time I thought it to be a mistake in the date, -or an entire fabrication. I am not aware of the least hostility shewn -by the Indians to any of the U. E. Loyalists since 1784, eleven years -previous to date stated, and I do not believe a syllable of it.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c007'> - <div>Yours truly,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c018'><span class='sc'>Adiel Sherwood</span>.</div> - -<p class='c000'>Although the native Indians did not, as a general thing, alarm -the settler, there were wild beasts that did. For years the wolf, and -the bear, and other ferocious animals were a source of terror and -suffering. These animals, unaccustomed to the sight of man, were at -first exceedingly tame. The settlers had but few fire-arms, and -ammunition was very scarce; and the beasts knew no terror of them. -They would even by day, come to the very door of the cabin, ready to -seize the little child, or the scanty stock of poultry, pigs, or sheep, or -calves, or salted provisions which had been left exposed, government -stores, &c. And at night they made the most hideous and incessant -howls, until morning. Many instances of their rapacity in robbing -the scanty yard of the settlers, and of hair breadth escapes of individuals -from wolves and bears, are mentioned. The destruction of stock -by the wolf especially, caused the government of Canada, at an early -date, (1793,) to legislate, with a view of gradually exterminating them; -and an act was passed, granting a premium of four dollars to every -one who should bring a wolf’s head to the proper officer; and two -dollars for a bear’s. It was withdrawn with regard to bears, in 1796. -“A traveller,” writing in 1835, remarks that in Kingston, resided a -person who privately bred wolves to obtain the reward. But whether -such an enterprising citizen did actually live in the good old town the -writer saith not. Instances of narrow escapes from the wild beasts -are still remembered; for instance, Lewis Daly, of Ernest town, was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>suddenly attacked by a bear within a mile of home. He sprung up -a small tree, which bending over, he was in momentary danger of -being reached. His cries brought help.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In those early days, the settler, looked not for great things; -schooled by the hardships of civil war, and inured to want, and half -starvation, they asked not for riches. Enough to eat, and to be -warmly clad, and housed from the winter’s cold, was the great point -to which they stretched their longing hopes. Plenty in the future for -the little ones, and for themselves, when they had grown old, was the -single purpose of their toilsome life. A descendant of a first -settler upon the front of Sidney, tells of his grandmother whom he -had heard say, that her great ambition at first, was to raise vegetables, -onions and other useful articles in her garden bed; to have poultry -then, about her. After years she got the fowls; but a mink, in a -single night killed them all. Then, again, they had got a breeding -sow, and one morning a bear walked out of the woods, and with one -hug destroyed all their hopes of future porkers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Gradually, as years passed away, comforts began to reward the -patient and industrious pioneers; acre after acre was brought under -cultivation. The log house received an addition, a little stock was -procured, and the future brightened up before them, and by the year -1808, the settlements in Upper Canada were increasing in number, -and spreading in every direction. “The frontier of the country was -fast filling up. Persons were taking up land several miles from the -water’s edge. Some had ventured to take up land in the second tier -of townships, in the midst of the wilderness, and many miles from -any habitation. The population was now increased to about 70,000 -souls. The importations was chiefly liquors and groceries, which by -the St. Lawrence and the United States, brought a revenue of nearly -£7,000. The bulk of the inhabitants manufactured and wore their -own clothing. The way of trade was mostly by barter, as gold and -silver were scarce, and there were no banks to issue paper currency. -Intemperance was very prevalent, and schools were scarce. The -youth were too fond of foolish amusements.”—​(<cite>Playter.</cite>)</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Sweat of the Brow—​No Beast of Burden—​No Stock—​Except by a -Few—​Horses and Oxen—​From Lower Canada—​York State—​Later comers, -brought some—​No Fodder—​First Stock in Adolphustown—​Incidents—​Cock -and Hen—​“Tipler”—​Cattle Driving—​First Cow in Thurlow—​First House in -Marysburgh—​The First Oxen—​No Market for Butter and Cheese—​Sheep—​Rev. -Mr. Stuart, as an Agriculturist—​Horses at Napanee—​An offer for a Yoke -of Steers.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>INTRODUCTION OF STOCK AND BEASTS OF BURDEN.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>We have seen that the refugees and disbanded soldiers who -entered Canada, brought but a limited number of implements, and -those of an imperfect nature. The most of them had no means of -lessening labor, no beasts of burden. All the work had to be done -by the sturdy arm, and by the sweat of the brow. For years, -mostly all alike thus labored, and for many years the increasing -number continued to toil, being unable to procure beasts of burden, -or any stock. The distance to go for them was too far, and the way -too difficult to be undertaken easily. But, a greater difficulty, an -insurmountable reason was that they had not the means to purchase, -until years of struggling had extracted from the ground, covered -with stumps, produce to exchange for the much required help, in -the form of beasts of burden. Some of the half-pay officers, and -other persons, favored by those holding some situations in the government, -were enabled to get beasts of burden at first, or within a -year or two. There were a few old soldiers who had a little money, -received at being discharged; and again, some sold their location -tickets of a portion of their land, and thereby were enabled to -make purchase of cows or oxen.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For beasts of burden, they, as a general thing, preferred oxen -in preference to horses, to work among the stumps with. Both -oxen and horses were brought from Lower Canada and York State. -The later comers, especially, fetched with them horses, oxen and -cows from the latter place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A few of the very first settlers, perhaps, brought one or more -cows. We find it stated that the disbanded soldiers had a cow -allotted to every two families; these must have been procured at -Lower Canada, perhaps a few by way of Oswego, where were -stationed some troops. Sheriff Ruttan, speaking of the famine, -says: “We had the luxury of a cow which the family brought with -them.” Thomas Goldsmith came in 1786, and drove a lot -of cattle to the Bay: but he could not get enough for them to eat -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>and they, starved to death, excepting one heifer and a yoke of oxen. -The Petersons, who settled in the Fourth Town in 1785, and cleared -a small lot of land, went “the following year to Montreal and -brought up some horses and three cows, which comprised the principal -stock then in the Township.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>After a few years, when the settlers had become somewhat -established, steps were taken more generally, to procure stock, so -necessary to give ordinary comfort to their families; while those -who now entered the country brought cows with them. Although -the cows and oxen were procured occasionally from Lower Canada; -the most of them were obtained from the States; but the horses -were in the main at first, brought from Lower Canada. Many incidents -attending the long and devious journey through the wilderness, -are still told. Thomas Goldsmith, before mentioned, who settled in -Prince Edward, came into Canada by way of the Mohawk, Wood -Creek, Oneida Lake, and Oswego river, thence to Cataraqui. He -undertook to drive some cattle through the woods to Cape Vincent, -piloted by a friendly Indian, to swim them across the St. Lawrence. -In this journey he suffered almost every privation—​hunger, fatigue, -exposure. Resting one night in the ordinary manner, with his -head slightly raised, upon the root of a tree, with no other covering -than the tree’s branches, and sleeping very soundly, after a day’s -walking, he became benumbed from exposure, and knew not of the -rapidly descending rain, which had actually covered his body when -he awoke. Yet this man lived to be ninety years old. Driving -cattle through the woods was no easy matter, and dogs were often -employed for that purpose. Ex-Sheriff Sherwood, in his valuable -memorandum, relates an incident which throws light upon those -primitive days. After remarking how well he recollects the -pleasure, he and an elder brother experienced from a present made -them of a cock and hen, no common luxuries then, and with what -care they watched over them, he says: “let me tell you the tragic -story of our little ‘Tipler,’ she had become famed for driving -cattle, and we thought much of her. Two persons, one named -Urehart, from the Bay Quinté, and the other Booth, started to go -through the woods to Fort Stanwix for cattle, and prevailed upon -my father to let them take poor little ‘Tipler.’ We saw them safe -across the river; but, sad to say, neither the men nor Tipler were -ever heard of after.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Ferguson, writing from Sidney, in July 1791, says that -he cannot get horses for the farm until winter.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>In the summer of 1787, Elisha Miller and Col. Richey brought -from Saratoga County several cattle and horses. They were driven -by way of Black River, and swam the St. Lawrence at Gananoque.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Reeds, who settled in Thurlow, in 1789, had a cow, which -afforded the principal means of sustenance. This, with basswood -leaves and other greens, constituted their food for many a day.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Harrison, now living in Marysburgh, tells of the first -horse “below the rock.” It was brought, and owned by Colonel -McDonald. This, and another were the only ones for many years. -Afterward, oxen were brought in, as well as cows, by drovers from -Lower Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Rochfoucault says, 1795: “The cattle are not subject to contagious -distempers; they are numerous, without being remarkably -fine. The finest oxen are procured from Connecticut, at the price -of seventy or eighty dollars a yoke. Cows are brought, either from -the State of New York, and these are the finest; or from Lower -Canada; the former costs twenty, and the latter fifteen dollars. -These are small in size, but, in the opinion of the farmers, better -milch cows, and are, for this reason, preferred. There are no fine -bulls in the country; and the generality of farmers are not sensible -of the advantages to be derived from cattle of a fine breed. In the -summer, the cattle are turned into the woods; in winter, that is, six -months together, they are fed on dry fodder. There is no ready -market at which a farmer can sell that part of his cheese and butter -which is not wanted for the use of the family. Of cheese and -butter, therefore, no more is made than the family need for their -own consumption.” “Sheep are more numerous here than in any -part of the United States, which we have hitherto traversed. They -are either procured from Lower Canada or the State of New York, -and cost three dollars a head. They thrive in this country, but are -high-legged, and of a very indifferent shape. Coarse wool, when -cleaned, costs two shillings a pound.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The above information was derived, the writer says, from Mr. -Stuart, the Curate of Kingston, “who cultivates, himself, seventy -acres of land, a part of 2,000 acres which had been granted him as -a Loyalist. Without being a very skilful farmer, he is perfectly -acquainted with the details of agriculture.” These statements refer -no doubt, to the settlements of the Bay. There is reference to -horses, by Col. Clarke, whose father, living at the Napanee Mills in -1788, had two favorite horses, Jolly and Bonny.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In an old account book, now before us, for which we are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>indebted to Mr. P. C. Clarke, of Collinsby, and which belonged to -his grandfather, Robert Clarke, who built the Napanee Mills, we -find the following entry.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Appenea Falls, 23rd November, 1785.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“Acct. of work for Adam Bower with his horses. Dec. 3, To -day’s work, do., &c. He continued to work for sixty-two days -with his horses.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following supplies valuable information:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Appanne Mills, 3rd Aug. 1788.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“Messrs. Collins and Frobisher, Dr.” &c. (They must have been -agents for the Government).</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Aug. 21st. To David Bradshaw, one day with his oxen, 6s. -June 11. To Samuel Browson, Jun’r., 2 days work with two -yoke of oxen, at 10s. March 28th. To 11½ days, Adam Arehart, -with a span of horses, at 6s.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“1789. Oct. 1. To Asa Richard; 9 days work with a pair of -horses and a woman, at 9s.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>There is a memorandum in Robert Clarke’s book, as follows: -“Mr. Joseph Crane got at Canada” (it will be remembered that the -first settlers spoke of the Lower Province as Canada) “a bay horse -six years old. A brown mare four years old. Second Township, -13th March, 1787.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Dempsey’s drove in, 100 miles, some cattle in 1789 to -Ameliasburgh. He was offered 200 acres of land for a yoke of -four-year-old steers, which offer he refused. At another time he -was offered 100 acres for a cow.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXII.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Old Channels of Trade, and Travel—​Art and Science—​New Channels—​The -Wilderness—​Loyalists Traveling on Foot, from Kingston to York—​Formation -of Roads—​Act of Parliament—​1793—​Its Provisions—​Crooked -Roads—​Foot-path—​Bridle-path—​King’s Highway from Lower Canada—​When -Surveyed—​Road from Kingston Westward—​Its Course—​Simcoe’s -Military Road—​Dundas Street—​Asa Danforth—​Contract with Government—​Road -from Kingston to Ancaster—​Danforth Road—​1799—​Misunderstandings—​Danforth’s -Pamphlets—​Slow Improvement—​Cause—​Extract from -Gourlay—​Thomas Markland’s Report—​Ferries—​1796—​Acts of Parliament—​Statute -Labor—​Money Grants—​Commissioners—​Midland District—​Distribution—​The -Cataraqui Bridge Company—​The Petitioners—​An Act—​The -Provisions—​The Plan of Building—​The Bridge—​Toll—​Completing the -Bridge—​Improvement of Roads—​McAdam—​Declines a Knighthood.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS THROUGH THE WILDERNESS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The channels followed by the Europeans, as they penetrated -the unknown wilderness of America, were those indicated by the -Indians, who had themselves for centuries followed them, in their -pursuit after the chase, or when upon the war path. The great -routes mentioned elsewhere, are the natural ones, and no other -could have been pursued. It was only when art and science followed -emigration to the new world that new channels were opened -up, and the canal and railroad superseded the old devious ways -along the windings of rivers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Prior to the visiting of Europeans, the Indian paths were more -or less trodden as the requirements of food and the existence of -prey led the hunter here or there, or the war cry led them to the -deadly encounter. But when the Europeans initiated trade by -giving for furs the attractive trinkets, and such articles as contributed -to the Indian taste of comfort and grandeur, then there were -more regular and frequent travelings from the sea-board to the far -west.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The occupation of Western Canada found the country in its -primeval state; a vast wilderness, and no roads. The only way -of traveling from one clearing to another was by the canoe and -batteau, or by foot through the trackless woods, guided by the -banks of the bay, or a river, or the blazing of the trees. For -a long time not even a bridle-path existed, had there been horses -to ride upon. Even at a late date, journeys were made on foot -from Kingston to York along the lake shore. The formation of -roads was a very slow process. In the year 1793, an act was passed -“to Regulate the Laying out, Amending, and Keeping in Repair, -the Public Highways and Roads.” The roads were to be not less -<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>than thirty feet, nor more than sixty wide. Each settler was under -obligation to clear a road across his lot; but there was the reserve -lands for the Clergy and Crown, which were not provided with -roads. Any one traveling the older settled districts will be struck -with the devious character of the highways. The configuration of -the Bay Quinté, and the mode of laying out the lots to secure a -frontage upon the water, tended to cause this irregularity. The -settlements being apart, when a communication took place between -them the shortest cut would be taken, so far as hill, and marsh, and -creek would permit. The consequences were that many of the -roads were angular with the lots, or running zigzag. In later -years, some of these roads were closed up, but many remain to -mark an original foot-path. The banks of the bay and of creeks -and rivers were naturally followed, as sure guides, or perhaps as an -Indian path. And thus sometimes the road was made not direct, -but roundabout. In the survey of the concessions, provision was -made for roads between the concessions, and cross-roads were to be -left between every fifth and sixth lots.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Many of the main roads were at first marked by the blazing of -the trees, when made through the woods, after a while a foot-path -could be seen, and then boughs were trimmed off, that one might -ride on horseback; and in time the sleigh was driven, and finally a -waggon road was made.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Government was slack in giving funds to open up the country, -and the legislation, for many years, in reference to the subject, -seemed as if it was intended to do as little as possible, forgetting -the fact that “the first improvement of any country should be -the making of good roads.” But it soon became important to -have a mail road between Montreal and Kingston, and between -Kingston and York, and then by way of Dundas to the Thames, and -to Niagara. Says Mr. A. Sheerwood, “I recollect when the King’s -highway was established from the Provincial line to Kingston, the -line was run by a surveyor named Ponair, with a surveyor under -his direction by the name of Joseph Kilborne. The distance from -the Provincial line to my father’s farm, three miles below Brockville, -was ninety-five miles, and from Brockville to the fort, this -side of Kingston, fifty miles; at the end of each mile was planted a -red cedar post, marked on it the number of miles from the Provincial -line; this line of road was made some years after the first -settlement, but I have forgotten the year.” The original mail road -between Kingston and York did not altogether follow the present -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>line. At first, from Kingston, the road followed the bay shore to -Bath, and continued along the shore to Adolphustown to Dorland’s -Point, where was established a ferry to communicate with Marysburg -at the Lake of the Mountain; thence the road followed the -shore to the head of Picton Bay, and soon to Bloomfold, Wellington, -Consecon, by the Carrying Place, and continued to closely follow the -lake shore. Subsequently this great highway was called the York -Road when going towards York, and the Kingston Road when -going towards Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Gen. Simcoe intended to have a grand military road from one -end of the Province to the other. This he lined out and gave it -the name of Dundas Street. But he left the Province before his -intentions were carried out, and but a small portion was then constructed; -while settlers had located here and there along the proposed -road, and had cleared land and built with the full expectation -that the great thoroughfare would shortly be opened up. But -years passed away, before this was done. Piece after piece was -here and there made passable, until at last the road was made -through the length of the Province.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The late Mr. Finkle of Ernest Town writes: “An American -gentleman came into Canada, 1798, by the name of Asa Danforth, -and made a contract with the Upper Canada Government, to open -a road from Kingston through to Ancaster, at the head of Lake -Ontario, which road he completed. Danforth’s home was at my -father’s (Henry Finkle), before and after the contract was taken. -The work commenced in 1798, and was finished in three years -time.” This road passed through Prince Edward by Wellington. -Danforth “became dissatisfied with the government when the settlement -took place, and left Canada with a bitter feeling, so much so, -that he, some time after, sent to my father a package of pamphlets, -he had published to shew the injustice of the government transaction. -He desired they should be circulated through the country -along the road. However, the pamphlets were not distributed, and -the fact never became generally known.” For many years the main -road was called the Danforth Road.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As time advanced, the road between York and Kingston was -gradually improved. The great hindrance to road making is sufficiently -indicated by the following, taken from Gourlay. It is the -expression of a meeting of yeomen, held at the village of Waterloo, -Kingston, February 2, 1818, Major John Everett in the chair. -Among other things it is asserted that what retards the progress is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>that “great quantities of land in the fronts and public situations, -that remain unimproved, by being given very injudiciously to -persons who do not want to settle on them, and what is most shameful -and injurious, no law is made to compel them to make or work -any public road; but this is to be done by industrious people, who -settle around. Such lands remain like a putrid carcass, an injury -and a nuisance to all around: at the same time, to the owners, this -land increases in value, without their being made to contribute -towards it, at other men’s expense. Our worthies, a few years ago, -passed an act, that required a poor man to work three days upon -the public roads, and these over-gorged landowners but twelve -days, and others, with twenty times as much property, doing no -more. It would excite surprise at Governor Gore’s signing such a -bill, if it was not known that the Parliament voted him £3,000, to -buy a piece of plate.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Says Thomas Markland, in a General Report of Midland -District:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The same cause which has surrounded Little York with a -desert, creates gloom and desolation about Kingston, otherwise most -beautifully situated; I mean the seizure and monopoly of the land -by people in office and favour. On the east side, particularly, you -may travel miles together without passing a human dwelling; the -roads are accordingly most abominable to the very gates of this, -the largest town in the Province; and its market is often supplied -with vegetables from the United States, where property is less -hampered, and the exertions of cultivators more free, accordingly.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1797, Parliament passed an Act, which was the first “for the -regulation of ferries.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1794, an Act was passed “to make further provisions -respecting Highways and Roads.” An Act was passed, 1798, -respecting “Statute duties on Highways and Roads.” In 1804 an -Act was passed “granting £1,000 for repairing, laying out new -roads, and building bridges in the several districts.” Again, in -1808 £1,600 was granted for the same purpose; and again the same -sum in the following year. In 1811, £3,450 was granted. In 1812, -an Act was passed “to prevent damage to travelers on the highways -of the Province.” All persons meeting sleighs or waggons to turn -out to the right, and give half the way. Two or more bells to be -attached to every sleigh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1812, it was found that “many roads were unnecessarily -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>laid out;” to remedy this, every one had to be confirmed by Justices -of the Peace, and if this were not done, the party who applied for -the survey should pay for the same.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1814, £6,000 was granted for Highways and Bridges; and -the year following, “£20,500 to be appropriated,” and Commissioners -were appointed on the road, to receive £25 each. Again, -the year after, £21,000 was granted.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1819, Parliament passed an “Act repealing and amending -certain portions of previous Acts,” by which a more elaborate provision -was made to secure statute labor. This was again amended -in 1824. In 1826 was enacted to grant £1,200 for making and -repairing roads and bridges—​Item: “In aid of the Society for -improving the Public Roads,” in a part of Ernesttown and Kingston. -In 1830, £13,650 was granted “for the improvement of Roads and -Bridges,” of which the Midland District received £1,900, to be -expended as follows, by contract after public notice: “On the -Montreal road, between the Town of Kingston, and the limits of -the County of Frontenac, the sum of fifty pounds. Joseph Franklin, -Elijah Beach, and James Atkinson to be Commissioners for expending -the same: On the road leading from the Town of Kingston, to -the Village of Waterloo, the sum of fifty pounds; and that Samuel -Askroyd, Horace Yeomans, and Benjamin Olcott, be Commissioners -for expending the same. On the leading road from Kingston to the -Village of Bath, the sum of one hundred pounds, and that Henry -Lasher, Joseph Amy, and Prentiss J. Fitch, be Commissioners for -expending the same. On the road leading from the Village of -Waterloo to the Napanee Mills, the sum of three hundred and fifty -pounds; and that the Treasurer and Trustees of the Kingston and -Earnesttown Road Society be Commissioners for expending the -same. On the road leading from Loughborough to Waterloo, the -sum of fifty pounds; and that Samuel Aykroyd, John Campbell, -and Henry Wood be Commissioners for expending the same. On -the road leading from the fifth Concession of Portland to the third -concession of the Township of Kingston, fifty pounds; and that -Jacob Shibly, Byron Spike, and Thomas Sigsworth, be Commissioners -for expending the same. On the road leading from Bath to the -Township of Camden, the sum of fifty pounds; and that Ebenezer -Perry, Benjamin Clarke, and John Perry, be Commissioners for -expending the same. On the road leading from Wessel’s Ferry, in -Sophiasburg, to Demorest’s Mill, the sum of one hundred pounds; -and that Abraham VanBlaricum, Daniel B. Way, and Guilliam -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>Demorest, be Commissioners for expending the same. On the road -between the widow M’Cready’s and the north-east of Chrysler’s Creek -Bridge, in the seventh concession of Thurlow, the sum of twenty-five -pounds. On the road in the township of Huntington, leading -to the township of Madoc, and surveyed by W. Ketcheson, in one-thousand -eight hundred and twenty-eight, seventy-five pounds, and -that Jacob Jowngs, of Thurlow, Garret Garritson, of Huntingdon, -and James O’Hara, of Madoc, be Commissioners for expending the -same. On the road leading from the Napanee Mills to Belleville, -the sum of eight hundred pounds, and that Allan McPherson, John -Turnbull, William Post, David B. Soles, and John Mabee, of Thurlow, -be Commissioners for expending the same. On the road leading -from VanAlstine’s ferry to the Carrying Place, the sum of two -hundred pounds, and that Simeon Washburn, Esquire, Charles Biggar, -Esquire, and Jesse Henderson, be Commissioners for expending the -same.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the same session, “there being reason to believe there -would not be enough means on hand to meet the grant,” an Act -was passed to raise by loan £8000. The year after another Act -was passed to raise by debenture the sum of £40,000 more to be -appropriated to the several districts. The Midland district to -receive £2,200. Among the specifications, were “in the Indian -woods” £200 for the bridge at the mouth of the little Cataraqui, -£50 “to assist in erecting new bridge across Marsh Creek, near -William Brickman’s, in Ameliasburgh,” £20. “To erect a bridge -across East Creek, at the east end of East Lake, £50.” “On the -road leading from Belleville to the Marmora Iron Works, £250.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>On March, 25, 1828, there was passed an Act respecting “a -road between Ernesttown and the Gore of Fredericksburgh.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Preamble says, “whereas, in consequence of a dispute -having arisen between the Justices of the Peace of Ernesttown and -Fredericksburgh, respecting the right of either party to take -charge” of the road, and to which party the right of repairing it -belongs, “in consequence of which dispute, the aforesaid road -though much traveled from necessity, is dangerous and difficult to -travel, on account of being left, in a great measure, for a long time -past, without being mended,” &c. It was enacted that the two -townships should equally take charge and keep in repair the said -road, certain portions being allotted to each.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1827 an act was passed to incorporate “The Cataraqui -Bridge Company.” Up to this time the communication between -<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>Kingston and the opposite point of Frederick, was only by boat. -The Act, or some portions of it cannot but be interesting: “Whereas -John H. Glover, John Marks, John Macaulay, John Kerby, -Christopher Alexander Hagerman, Michael Sproatt, John P. Hawkins, -Robert Moore, Charles Jones, Stephen Yarwood, Augustus -Barber, George Calls, Richard Williams, James B. Forsyth, George -McBeath, Adam Krieu, John S. Cartwright, Robert D. Cartwright, -Alexander Anderson, George O’Kill Stuart, Laughlin Currin, -Donald McPherson, James Jackalls, the younger, Francis Archibald -Harper, John Cumming, James Sampson, Elizabeth Herchmer, -Catharine Markland, Anne Macaulay, John Jenkins, and Edward -Forsyth, have petitioned to be incorporated,” &c. (This furnishes -us with the names of the more prominent persons at that time -interested in Kingston). “And whereas, they have represented, -by their agents, that they have made arrangements with His -Majesty’s Government, in case the object above recited be carried -into effect, for the passage of Military and Naval stores, and of the -officers and men belonging and attached to the various Military -and Naval departments, for a certain consideration to be annually -paid by the Government, and that for the purpose of this incorporation, -they have subscribed stock to the amount of £6000.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Act of Incorporation provided that “the said Company are -authorized and empowered, at their own cost and charges, to erect -and build a good and substantial bridge over the great river Cataraqui, -near the town of Kingston, from the present scow landing -on the military reserve, opposite to the north-east end of the continuation -of Front Street to the opposite shore on Point Frederick, -at the present scow landing on the Military Reserve, adjoining the -western addition of the Township of Pittsburgh, with convenient -access thereto at both ends of the bridge, to and from the adjacent -highways, at present in use; that the said bridge shall be at least -twenty-five feet wide, and of sufficient strength for artillery carriages,” -&c., &c.; they shall also be at liberty to build tollhouses, -and toll-bars; Provided always, that there be a draw-bridge -not less than eighteen feet, in some part, for the passage of all -vessels, which bridge shall be opened at all hours required without -exacting toll, and a space for rafts between the piers, forty feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The amount of toll to be demanded from man and beast, and -vehicle, was fully specified in the Act.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Company was to be managed by five Directors, Stockholders -to hold office for one year from each last Monday in January. -The bridge was to be completed within three years.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>It was provided that no ferry should be allowed, nor other -barge.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The final clause enacted that after fifty years his Majesty -might assume the possession of the bridge, upon paying to the -Company the full value thereof, to be ascertained by three arbitrators.</p> - -<p class='c000'>March 20, 1829, an Act was passed extending the time for -completing the bridge, two years from the passing of the Act.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen how the roads throughout Canada, were gradually -constructed. As time advanced steps were taken, sometimes however -very tardily, to place public thoroughfares in a more passable -condition. We believe the road from Kingston to Napanee, was -the first to be macadamized, which for many long years was the -exception in an execrable road, stretching between Kingston and -York. The originator of macadamized roads was John Loudoun -McAdam. He was born in Scotland in 1756; emigrated to New -York when a lad, and remained in that City throughout the Revolution. -Under the protection of the British troops, he accumulated -a considerable fortune, as agent for the sale of prizes. At the -close of the war he returned to his native land, with the loss of -nearly all his property. His system of making roads is too well -known to require description. The British Government gave him -£10,000, and tendered the honor of knighthood, which he declined, -but which was conferred on his son, James Nicholl McAdam. He -died at Moffat, County of Dumfries, in 1836, aged eighty years.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXIII.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Ode to Canada—​Early events—​First English child in America, 1587—​In -New England—​First French child, 1621—​First in Upper Canada, 1783—​In -Prince Edward—​Adolphustown—​Ameliasburgh—​North of the Rideau—​Indian -marriage ceremony—​Difficulty among first settlers to get clergymen—​First -marriage in America, 1608—​First in New England, 1621—​First -in Canada, 1620—​Marriageable folks—​No one to tie the matrimonial knot—​Only -one clergyman—​Officers marrying—​Magistrates empowered—​Legislation, -1793—​Its provision—​Making valid certain marriages—​Further legislation, -1798—​In 1818—​1821—​1831—​Clergymen of all denominations permitted -to marry—​Methodist ministers—​Marriage license, 1814—​Five persons appointed -to issue—​A noticeable matter—​Statements of Bates—​Mode of courting -in the woods—​Newcastle wedding expeditions—​Weapons of defence—​Ladies’ -dresses—​The lover’s “rig”—​A wedding ring—​Paying the magistrate—​A -good corn basket—​Going to weddings—​“Bitters”—​Old folks stay at -home—​The dance, several nights—​Marriage outfit—​Frontier life—​Morals in -Upper Canada—​Absence of irregularities—​Exceptional instances—​Unable to -get married, Peter and Polly—​A singular witness—​Rev. Mr. Stuart—​Langhorn—​McDowell—​How -to adorn the bride—​What she wore—​A wedding in -1808—​On horseback—​The guests—​The wedding—​The banquet—​The game -of forfeits—​The night—​Second day wedding—​The young folks on horseback—​Terpischorean—​An -elopement by Canoe—​The Squire—​The chase—​The -lovers successful—​The Squires who married.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>“ODE TO CANADA.”</h4> - -<div class='lg-container-b c021'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Canada faithful! Canada fair!</div> - <div class='line'>Canada, beautiful, blooming and rare!</div> - <div class='line'>Canada, happiest land of the earth!</div> - <div class='line'>Hail to thee, Canada! land of my birth!</div> - <div class='line'>Land of fair freedom, where bought not and sold,</div> - <div class='line'>Are sinews and sorrows, for silver and gold!</div> - <div class='line'>Land of broad lakes, sweet valleys and plains!</div> - <div class='line'>Land where justice for rich and poor reigns!</div> - <div class='line'>Land of tall forests, famed rivers and rills!</div> - <div class='line'>Land of fair meadows, bold mountains and hills!</div> - <div class='line'>Land where a man is a man, though he toil!</div> - <div class='line'>Land where the tiller is lord of the soil!</div> - <div class='line'>Land where a people are happy and free—​</div> - <div class='line'>Where is the land that is like unto thee?</div> - <div class='line'>Thou hast for the stranger that seeketh thy shore</div> - <div class='line'>A smile, and a cheer, and a welcome in store;</div> - <div class='line'>The needy, relief; and the weary repose;</div> - <div class='line'>A home for thy friends; and a grave for thy foes.</div> - <div class='line'>Thy nobles are those whose riches in store</div> - <div class='line'>Is the wealth of the soul, and the heart’s hidden lore;</div> - <div class='line'>They cringe to no master, they bow to no lord</div> - <div class='line'>Save Heaven’s, each night and each morning adored.</div> - <div class='line'>Land of swift rivers, sweet-gliding along!</div> - <div class='line'>Land of my pride, and land of my song!</div> - <div class='line'>Canada, prosperous! Canada, true!</div> - <div class='line'>Canada loyal, and virtuous, too!</div> - <div class='line'>Canada, happiest land of the earth!</div> - <div class='line'>Hail thee, forever, sweet land of my birth!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span> - <h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST NATIVES OF UPPER CANADA.</h4> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>We turn from the sad pictures which have been truthfully, if -imperfectly done, which represent the darker side of the pioneer -life of the refugees, to others more pleasing. In those primitive -times, events which now seem trivial to a general public, were of -general interest, and the recollection cherished by a whole community. -In the absence of those stirring events which characterize the present, -incidents of comparative unimportance, became household words, -and recollections. Hence, it comes that posterity may, in some -instances, know who were first married in certain places in America, -of the first birth, and who first died.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The first child born of English parents in America, was a -daughter of Mrs. Dore, of Virginia, October 18, 1587.” “There -is now standing in Marshalfield, Cape Cod, a portion of a house -built by Perigrine White, the first male child born of English parents -in New England.” According to the testimony of the registrar -of Quebec, the first white child born in Canada, was upon the 24th -October, 1621, which was christened the same day by the name of -Eustache, being the son of Abraham and Margaret L’Anglois; -Abraham was a Scotchman, named Martin Abraham. He was king’s -pilot, and married to Eustache. The plains of Abraham derive their -name from him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the obituary notice of Rev. Mr. Pringle, a Methodist preacher, -it is stated that he was born in Prince Edward, in 1780, but this must -be a mistake. There is sufficient proof that the first settlement at -Smith’s Bay commenced in 1784, when the first part of Prince -Edward became settled. Perhaps, indeed, very likely, the first -children born of European parents, was the late Colonel John -Clark, of Dalahousie, and an elder brother and sister. His father, an -Englishman, came to Quebec, attached to the 8th regiment in 1768. -From a sergeant-major, he was appointed in 1776, clerk and naval -store keeper at Carleton Island. Here, Sarah and William Clark -were born during the progress of the war. Col. Clark says, “I was -born at Frontenac, now Kingston, in 1783, and was baptized by the -Rev. Mr. Stuart.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Rev. Mr. Pringle, before alluded to, was the first, or among -the first-born in Prince Edward.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A son of Thomas Dorland, claimed to be the first white child -born in the fourth township; but the honor was disputed by Daniel -Peterson. Mrs. Wm. Ketcheson, now living in Sidney, daughter of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>Elizabeth Roblin, of Adolphustown, was born there in 1784. She -must have been one of the very first, as the first settlers came that -same year. On the 16th January 1785, Henry VanDusen was born -in Adolphustown, being one of the first natives.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the 26th April, 1868, was buried Mrs. Bush, she was the -first female born in Ameliasburgh. Mr. Bleeker, yet living at Trenton, -was the first male child born in Ameliasburgh. Mrs. Covert, -was also one of the first persons born in Ameliasburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first person said to have been born in Toronto, was Mr. J. -Cameron, of Yonge Street, in 1798.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first child born of white parents north of the Rideau, was -Colonel E. Burritt, Burritt’s Rapids, a relative of Elihu Burritt.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>MARRYING IN EARLY TIMES.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The native Indians of America practiced no important ceremony -in connection with marrying. Certain steps had to be taken by the -one who might desire to have a certain female as his partner, and -those proceedings were always strictly attended to. But the final -ceremony consisted in little more than the affianced one, leaving the -wigwam of her father and repairing to that of her future lord and -master. In many cases the first settlers of America experienced some -difficulty in obtaining the services of a Christian minister to solemnize -matrimony. In French Canada there was not this difficulty, as from -the first the zealous missionary was ever beside the discoverer as he -pressed on his way.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first Christian marriage solemnized in America, took place -in Virginia in 1608, between John Loyden and Ann Burras. The -first marriage in New England was celebrated the 12th May, 1621, -at Plymouth, between Edward Waislow and Susannah White. The -first marriage in the colony of French Canada, was between Guillaume -Couillard and Guillmet Hebert, July 1620. This is found in the first -parish register, which was commenced this year, 1620.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the pioneers of Upper Canada, were persons of every -class as to age, from the tender infant at the breast, to the gray-headed -man. There were young men and young women, as well as the aged, -and as hopes and desires exist to-day in the breast of the young, so -did they then. As the gentle influence of love animates at the present -time, so it did then. But there was a serious drawback; the -consummation of courtship could not easily be realized. Throughout -the vast length of the settlements there were but few clergymen to -celebrate matrimony, and many sighing swains had to wait months, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>and even years of wearisome time to have performed the matrimonial -ceremony. At the first, when a chaplain was attached to a regiment, -he was called upon, but when the settlers commenced to clear, there -was no chaplain connected with the regiment. Indeed, Mr. Stuart, of -Kingston, was the only clergyman in all Upper Canada for a few -years. But the duties of the chaplain were frequently attended to by an -officer, especially at Niagara, and many of the first marriages in the -young colony were performed by a colonel, an adjutant, or a surgeon. -Subsequently, magistrates were appointed, who were commissioned -to tie the nuptial knot.</p> - -<hr class='c016' /> - -<p class='c000'>In the second session of the first Parliament, 1793, was passed -“<em>An Act to confirm and make valid certain marriages heretofore contracted -in the country now comprised within the Province of Canada, -and to provide for the future solemnization of marriage within the -same.</em>”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Whereas many marriages have been contracted in this Province -at a time when it was impossible to observe the forms prescribed by -law for the solemnization thereof, by reason that there was no Protestant -parson or minister duly ordained, residing in any part of the -said Province, nor any consecrated Protestant church or chapel -within the same, and whereas the parties having contracted such -marriages, and their issue may therefore be subjected to various -disabilities, in order to quiet the minds of such persons and to provide -for the future solemnization of marriage within this Province, -be it enacted and declared by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by -and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and -Assembly of the Province of Upper Canada, that the marriage and -marriages of all persons, not being under any canonical disqualification -to contract matrimony, that have been publicly contracted before -any magistrate or commanding officer of a post, or adjutant, or surgeon -of a regiment, acting as chaplain, or any other person in any -public office or employment, before the passing of this Act, shall be -confirmed and considered to all intents and purposes as good and -valid in law, and that the parties who have contracted such marriages, -and the issue thereof, may become severally entitled to all -the rights and benefits, and subject to all the obligations arising -from marriage and consanguinity, in as full and ample a manner as -if the said marriages had respectively been solemnized according -to law.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“And be it further enacted, that in order to enable those persons -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>who may be desirous of preserving the testimony of such marriage, -and of the birth of their children, it shall and may be lawful, at any -time, within three years from the passing of this Act, for any magistrate -of the district where any such parties as may have contracted -matrimony as aforesaid, shall reside, at the request of either of said -parties, to administer to each an oath that they were married on a -certain day, and that there is now living issue of the marriage.” This -attestation to be subscribed to by the parties and certified by the -magistrate. The Clerk of the Peace recorded these certificates in a -register for the purpose, which thereafter was considered sufficient -evidence of such matters.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was further enacted, “That until there shall be five parsons -or ministers of the Church of England, doing duty in their respective -parishes in any one district,” persons “desirous of intermarrying -with each other, and neither of them living within the distance of -eighteen miles of any minister of the Church of England, may -apply to any neighbouring Justice of the Peace,” who should affix -in some public place, a notice, for which he should receive one -shilling, and no more. The purport of the notice was that A. B. -and C. D. were desirous of getting married, and there being no -parson within eighteen miles, if any person knew any just reason -why they should not be married, should give notice thereof to such -magistrate. After which a form of the Church of England was to -be followed, but should a minister reside within eighteen miles of -either parties the marriage was null and void.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is related that these notices of marriage were often attached -to trees by the road side, and as it was considered desirable in those -days to keep intending marriages secret, not unfrequently the intending -parties would watch and remove the notice which had -been put up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1798, an Act was passed to extend the provisions -of the first Act, which provided that “it shall be lawful for the -minister of any congregation or religious community of persons, -professing to be members of the Church of Scotland, or Lutherans, -or Calvinists” to marry according to the rights of such church, and it -was necessary that one of the persons to be married should have been -a member of the particular church six months before the marriage. -The clergyman must have been regularly ordained, and was to -appear before six magistrates at quarter sessions, with at least -seven members of his congregation, to prove his office, or take the -oath of allegiance. And then, if the dignitaries thought it expedient, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>they might grant him a certificate that he was a settled -minister, and therefore could marry, having published the intended -marriage upon three Sundays previous.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In November, 1818, a brief act was passed to make valid the -marriages of those who may have neglected to preserve the testimony -of their marriage.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1821, an act was passed “for the more certain punishment -of persons illegally solemnizing marriage, by which it was -provided, that if persons, legally qualified to marry, should do so -without the publication of banns, unless license be first had, should be -guilty of a misdemeanor.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was no further legislation until 1831, when provision was -again made to confirm marriages contracted “before any justice of -the peace, magistrate, or commanding officer of a post, or minister -and clergyman, in a manner similar to the previous acts.” It was at -this time enacted that it should be lawful for ministers of the church -of Scotland, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, -Independants, Methodists, Menonists, Tunkers, or Moravians, to -solemnize matrimony, after having obtained certificates from the -quarter sessions. According to the act of 1798, only the church of -Scotland, Lutherans, and Calvinists, beside the English church, were -permitted to marry persons. So it will be seen by this act of 1831, -important concessions were made to different denominations. This -act was by the Methodists, especially regarded as a deserved recognition -of the constantly increasing number of that denomination. It -certainly, at this time, seems remarkably strange, that so obvious a -right, was for so long a time withheld, not alone from them, but other -denominations. But the effort was strong, and long continued to -build up the church of England to the exclusion of all others.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The restriction upon the Methodist ministers was to them greater -from the fact, that for a long time they were members of a Conference -existing, where all denominations were alike endowed with the power -to perform the marriage ceremony. And it is recorded, that in a few -instances, the ministers stationed in Canada, either forgot the illegality -of marrying, or felt indisposed to submit to the unjust law, and -did actually marry some persons. Elder Ryan was one, and was -consequently banished; but was shortly pardoned by government, -because of his known loyalty. His son-in-law, Rev. S. B. Smith, was -another; but he defended himself at the trial and got free. Another -was the Rev. Mr. Sawyer, who at once, being accused, fled the -country for a time.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>It appears that on the 31st May, 1814, government appointed -five persons to issue marriage licenses. One at Queenston, one at -York, one at Kingston, one at Williamsburgh, and one at Cornwall. -John Cumming was appointed for Kingston. Prior to this, licenses -had been occasionally issued, probably, however, only by application -to government. Marrying by license was so noticeable an event, that -it was considered elegant to state in the marriage notice, “married -by license.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to a letter in our possession, sometimes the issuer of -license would be without any, when he would give a certificate to the -applicant, by which the party could get married, and subsequently he -would furnish him with the license.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Having given the legal and legislative facts relative to marrying -in early times, it may not be inappropriate to adduce some items of -a social nature.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Roger Bates, of Newcastle, in his memoir at the parliament -library, speaks thus pleasantly and graphically in referring to his -father’s courtship and marriage, which took place at the commencement -of the present century. “The mode of courting in those days -was a good deal of the Indian fashion. The buxom daughter would -run through the trees and bushes, and pretend to get away from the -lover; but somehow or other he managed to catch her, gave her a kiss, -and they soon got married, I rather think by a magistrate. Time -was too valuable to make a fuss about such matters.” Whether this -mode of courting was practiced elsewhere, than in Newcastle, it -may be doubted. Speaking of the weddings, and the journey to -get the knot tied, he says, “they generally furnished themselves -with tomahawks and implements to defend themselves, and to -camp out if required. The ladies had no white dresses to spoil, or -fancy bonnets. With deer skin petticoats, home-spun gowns, and -perhaps squirrel skin bonnet, they looked charming in the eyes of -their lovers, who were rigged out in similar materials.” Again, -about the wedding ring, which could not then be procured, he says, -“I have heard my mother say, that uncle Ferguson, a magistrate, -rather than disappoint a happy couple, who had walked twenty -miles, made search throughout the house, and luckily found a pair -of old English skates, to which was attached a ring, with this he -proceeded with the ceremony, and fixing the ring on the young -woman’s finger, reminded her, that though a homely substitute, she -must continue to wear it, otherwise the ceremony would be dissolved. -That curious token was greatly cherished, and is still -among the family relics.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>Mr. Sheriff Sherwood, speaking of his father, one of the first -magistrates appointed by Simcoe, says “he probably joined more -individuals together in the happy bonds of matrimony, than any -other person ever has, in the county of Leeds. I have often heard -him mention the circumstance of a young man asking him to marry -him, but who said, I cannot get the money to pay you, but I will -make you a good wheat fan, which he readily accepted, as it was an -article much used at that time. At another time an old man came -on the same errand, and said to him, I cannot get the money to pay -you, but I will make you a good corn basket, with oak splints, and -so tight that I will warrant it to hold water, and the old man -punctually fulfilled his promise.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have some interesting information from an old lady who -settled in Ameliasburgh, and who still lives. Getting married at -the beginning of the present century was a great event. The -Carrying Place was the usual place of resort. They placed in a -lumber waggon, a number of chairs, and each gallant was supposed -to support his partner upon his knee, and thus economise room. -“Bitters” were indulged in, but no fighting allowed. If one began -that, he was put out. Keeping good natured was a point of duty -insisted upon. No old persons went to the wedding, but they joined -in the dance, when the youngsters got back. A wedding without -a dance was considered an insipid affair; and it was generally kept -up two or three successive nights at different places. Francis -Weese’s was a half-way house between McMan’s corners, (Rednerville), -and the Carrying Place. Weese was a distinguished player -upon the fiddle, and the wedding parties often stayed with him the -first night.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“A yoke of steers, a cow, three or four sheep, with a bed, table, -two dozen chairs, was regarded a very decent setting out for the -bride. And if the groom was heir to 50 or 100 acres of land, with -a little cleared, he was thought to have the worldly “gear,” to -constitute a first-rate match.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The history of frontier life; of the advance body of pioneers -in the far west, frequently exhibits great irregularity in morals; -a non-observance of God’s commandments. But the record of the -first settlers of Upper Canada is remarkably bright. When it is -recollected that they were but scattered settlements in a wilderness; -far away from civilized life; excluded from the world, and removed -from the influence of the salutary power of public opinions, it is a -matter of wonder, that great and frequent violation of God’s law, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>with regard to marrying did not take place. But such was not the -case, as a general thing; the holy bonds of matrimony, were -employed to bind man and woman together, whether through the -officer, the magistrate or the clergyman. For years there was but -few clergymen to marry, and also but few magistrates, and there -were secluded settlements where the clergyman or magistrate -came not, and from which the inhabitants could not go, perhaps for -many miles to get married. But a few, and they are very -few instances, are recorded where parties deviated from the righteous -way. Upon the shore of the bay, in a remote locality, about -the year 1796, lived two individuals, whom we will call respectively -Peter and Polly. They were living in the same family, she as a -“help,” and he as a hired man upon the farm. This couple had -desired to enter the bonds of matrimony; but the ministers and -squires lived some distance off, and they could not get away to be -married, so they had to wait for the coming of one who would marry -them; they had to wait, it would seem for several years, in the -mean time they consoled themselves with genuine, and no doubt -honest love. At last it came to pass that a Squire visited that -neighbourhood, and stopped at the house where they lived.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The family bethought them of the wishes of Peter and Polly; -and that now was the time to have the legal knot tied. So Polly -was called from the kitchen just as she was, and Peter from the -field besmeared with sweat, and clean dirt, and the two were made -one. Among the witnesses of the interesting ceremony, was a -bright eyed boy who trotted unceremoniously from the bride to the -groom, calling them respectively “mozzer” and “fadder.” The -time came when this same boy was the owner of the land whereon -he had been born. This fact, from excellent authority, stands out -as an exception to a general rule, although there is not about it -that flagrant violation of moral principle which is too often seen -at the present day, under other circumstances which afford no -excuse.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Rev. Mr. Stuart, living at Kingston, was not often called -upon to marry, by persons outside of that village, and persons -rarely found time to go all the way to him. When Mr. Langhorn -came and opened a church at Adolphustown, and Bath, a more -central place was supplied, and he consequently was often employed. -But Mr. McDowell was the one who most frequently was required -to marry. Being a minister of the church of Scotland, he enjoyed -the privilege of marrying, and unlike Langhorn, he would marry -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>them at their homes. So when making his rounds through the -country, on his preaching excursions, he was frequently called upon -to officiate in this capacity.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the region of the Bay, were some who had in previous -days, lived in comfort, and<a id='t241'></a> had not wanted all that belonged to the well-to-do -inhabitants along the Hudson, and at New York. In some -cases, these families brought with them the fine clothes that had -adorned their bodies in former times. Not only was it difficult for -them, in many cases, to get some one to perform the marriage ceremony; -but to the female, especially, it was a grave matter how to -adorn the bride with that apparel which becomes the event. In -those cases where rich clothes, which had been used by parents, -were stored away, they were brought forth, and by a little alteration, -made to do service; but by and by these relics of better days -were beyond their power to renovate, and like others, they had, if -married at all, to wear the garb mentioned by Roger Bates, or -some other plain article; a calico print, bought of a pedlar, or a -calamink, or linsey-woolsey petticoat, or a woolen drugget, were -no common luxuries in the wilderness home. An old lady who is -still living, tells us that she was married in 1807, and wore the last-mentioned; -and was thought very extravagant indeed. A venerable -lady, a native of the Bay, and now well-nigh eighty, remembers -to have attended a wedding about the year 1708, up the river -Moira. She was living with her uncle, Col. C. The wedding was -one of some importance, as both parties were well-to-do. There -was but a path along the banks of the river, and they went on -horse back. At that time riding on horseback was a common -practice, not a single person merely, but in couples. It was no -unusual thing to see man and wife riding along together, also -brother and sister, and as well lovers. The guests to this wedding -all came on horse back, generally in pairs. They assembled early -in the forenoon, and the happy pair were soon united. The bride’s -dress was unusually grand, being of lawn; the two bridesmaids -graced the occasion by being dressed in muslin. She bears a distinct -recollection of the entertainment. The banquet was crowned -with a majestic chicken pie, in a pan capable of holding some -twelve quarts; by roast goose, and with pies and cakes of all sorts, -in abundance. The bride’s father was the deacon of a church, and -did not allow dancing, but the afternoon and evening were spent in -joyous mirth and jovial “plays” in connection with which forfeits -were lost and redeemed. But, however much these plays may have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>degenerated in recent days, they were then conducted with purity -of thought, and innocence of soul. The party did not break up the -first day. Half of the company repaired to the house of the groom’s -father, where beds were arranged for them. In the morning they -went back to the scene of the wedding, upon the banks of the river, -which at this point is particularly attractive. After breakfast, the -young people, with the newly married pair, set out for the front, to -the mouth of the river. They formed a joyous, and it must have -been a picturesque cavalcade. Each gentleman selected his fair -partner, and having mounted his horse, she was duly seated behind -him. And thus they set out for their destination. Pleasant, -indeed, must have been the ride; striking the scene, as they -wended their way along the running water, and the bright autumn -sun shone upon them through the variegated leaves which clothed -the thickly standing trees. This night was spent at Myers’ Creek, -in following the notes of the fiddle with the nimble feet. This -terminated the wedding party. This is adduced as an illustration -of marrying in early times. Another will be briefly given: it was -a case of elopement, and occurred many years before the wedding -above mentioned. A certain Squire had been for many years in the -enjoyment of wedded bliss. His wife was the daughter of Capt. -—​—​, a half-pay officer, an honest but wayward Dutchman. The -Squire’s wife died, and, in due time, he sought the hand of another -daughter of the Captain. But this the latter would not listen to; -he was determined they should not marry; because she was his -late wife’s sister. The worthy Squire could not see the force of the -objection, and the lady in question was likewise blinded by love. -They resolved to run away, or rather to paddle away, in a convenient -canoe. Clandestinely they set out upon the head waters of the -bay, intending to go to Kingston to obtain the services of a clergyman. -But the Captain learned the fact of their departure and -started in pursuit with his batteau and oarsmen. According to -one account, the flying would-be groomsman, who was paddling his -own canoe, saw the angry parent coming, and made haste to quicken -his speed, but finding that they would be overtaken, they landed -upon an island in the bay, and hauled up the canoe; and concealed -it, with themselves, in a cavity upon the island; and, after the -Captain had passed, returned homeward and procured the services -of a Squire to marry them. But, according to another statement, -the lovers set out while the Captain was absent at Montreal, and -arrived at Kingston, unfortunately, as he was returning home. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>Seeing the Squire, he had his suspicions aroused, and began to look -about for his daughter. She had, however, concealed herself by -throwing an Indian blanket about her person, and over her head, -and by sitting down among some squaws. The statement goes, -that it was well the Captain did not find her, as he would, as soon -as not, have shot the Squire. The end of it was, they were married, -to live a long and happy domestic life. Although there may be a -little doubt as to the details of this early elopement on the bay, -there is no doubt that it took place in some such manner as described.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the Squires upon the Bay, the following were the most -frequently called upon to marry: Young, of the Carrying Place; -Bleeker, of the Trent; Lazier, of Sophiasburgh. The magistrates -residing nearer Kingston and Adolphustown had less of this to do, -as clergymen could there be more easily obtained.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXIV.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Burying Places—​How Selected—​Family Burying Places—​For the -Neighbourhood—​The Dutch—​Upon the Hudson—​Bay Quinté—​A Sacred -Spot to the Loyalists—​Ashes to Ashes—​Primitive Mode of Burial—​The -Coffin—​At the Grave—​The Father’s Remarks—​Return to Labor—​French -Burying-place at Frontenac—​Its Site—​U. E. Loyalists’ Burying-place at -Kingston—​The “U. E. Burying Ground,” Adolphustown—​Worthy Sires of -Canada’s Sons—​Decay—​Neglect of Illustrious dead—​Repair Wanted—​Oldest -Burying Ground in Prince Edward—​Ross Place—​At East Lake—​Upon the -Rose Farm—​“The Dutch Burying Ground”—​Second Growth Trees—​In -Sophiasburgh—​Cronk Farm—​In Sidney—​Rude Tomb Stones—​Burial-place -of Capt. Myers—​Reflections—​Dust to Dust—​In Thurlow—​“Taylor Burying -Ground”—​The First Person Buried—​Lieut. Ferguson—​An Aged Female—​Her -Work Done—​Wheels Stand Still.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE EARLY BURYING PLACES UPON THE BAY QUINTÉ.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>“<em>Your fathers, where are they?</em>”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Burying places in all the new settlements were, as a general -thing, selected by the family to which death might first come. -This was true of every part of America. Ere the forest had fallen -before the hand of the axeman, or while the roots and stumps of -the trees yet thickly encumbered the ground, before the scythe had -been used to cut the first products of the soil, the great reaper -death passed by, and one and another of the number were cut -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>down. Some suitable place, under the circumstances, was selected -for the grave, and quietly the body was laid away. In time, a -neighbour would lose a member of the family, and the body would -be brought and laid beside the first buried. And so on, until a -certain circle would be found burying in a common place. But -sometimes families would prefer to have a private burial ground, -some conspicuous spot being selected upon the farm, where the -ashes of the family might be gathered together, as one after -another passed away. The Dutch are particularly attached to this -custom. This may be seen even yet in those old sections of New -York State, where the Dutch originally settled, especially at -Hoboken, opposite New York City. Sacred spots were appropriated -by each family upon the farm, in which the family was buried. The -descendants of these Dutch who became such loyal subjects, and -suffering refugees who settled around the bay, followed the same -practice. These spots may be seen along the Hudson, and the Bay -Quinté, which may be regarded as the Hudson of Canada, and are -indicated by the drooping willow, or the locust or cypress. Some -from whom reliable information has been received, state that the -spot selected on the Bay Quinté was often that, where the family -had first landed—​where they had rested on the bare earth, beneath -the trees, until a hut could be erected. This spot was chosen by the -refugee himself as a suitable place to take his last rest. Indeed, -the devotion of the settler to the land where he had wrought out -his living, and secured a comfortable home, was sometimes of an -exalted character. One instance by way of illustration:—​There -came to the shores of Hay Bay an heroic woman, a little rough -perhaps, but one whose soul had been bitterly tried during the conflict -between her king and the rebels. Her husband had been on -many a battle-field, and she had assisted on many an occasion to -give comfort to the British troops. The log hut was duly erected, -and day after day they went forth together to subdue the wilderness. -In the sear and yellow leaf, when competence had been -secured and could be bequeathed to their children, when the first -log tenement had fallen to decay, she caused her children to promise -that her body should be laid upon the spot where that old hut had -stood.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The mode of burial was often simple and touching, often there -was no clergyman of any denomination; no one to read a prayer -over the dead for the benefit of the living. Frequently, in the hush -of suspended work, through the quiet shades of the trees whose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>boughs sighed a requiem, like as if angels whispered peace to the -sad and tearful mourners who silently, or with suppressed sobs, -followed the coffin of the plainest kind, often of rough construction, -which contained the remains of a loved one to the grave, in some -spot selected. The rude coffin being placed in the grave, those -present would uncover, and the father, in sad tones, would make a -few remarks respecting the departed, offer a few thoughts which -the occasion suggested, and then the coffin was hidden out of sight. -The men would return to their labors, and the women to their -duties.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We learn, on excellent authority, that the burial place for -the French, at Fort Frontenac, was where the barracks now stand -near the bridge. But not unlikely the French, when one died away -from the fort at any distance, committed the dead to the earth in -Indian burial places. The first burial place for the U. E. Loyalists -in Kingston, was situated where St. Paul’s Church now stands, on -Queen Street, which was formerly called Grove Street.</p> - -<p class='c000'>No township is more rich in historic matters, pertaining to -the U. E. Loyalists than Adolphustown. Here settled a worthy -band of refugees whose lineage can be traced back to noble names -in France, Germany and Holland. Here was the birth-place of -many of Canada’s more prominent and worthy sons, and here -repose the ashes of a large number of the devoted pioneers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As the steamboat enters to the wharf at Adolphustown, the -observer may notice a short distance to the west, upon the summit -of a ridge, a small enclosure in which are a number of second -growth trees, maple and oak. He may even see indistinctly a few -marble tombstones. If he walks to the spot he will find that the -fence is rough, broken, and falling down. Casting his eye over -the ground he sees the traces of numerous graves, with a few -marble head-stones, and a long iron enclosure within which are -buried the dead of the Casey family; with a marble slab to the -head of each. The ground generally is covered with the <em>debris</em> of -what once formed enclosures of individual graves or family plots. -When visited by the writer, one grave, that of Hannah Vandusen, -had growing out of its bosom a large poplar tree, while the wooden -fence around was falling and resting against the tree. The writer -gazed on these evidences, not alone of decay but neglect, with -great regret, and with a sigh. For here, without any mark of -their grave, lie many who were not only noble U. E. Loyalists, -but who were men of distinction, and the fathers of men well -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>known in Canadian History. Mr. Joseph B. Allison, accompanied -us, and pointed out the several spots where he had seen buried -these illustrious dead.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the north-west corner of the ground, with no trace even of a -grave to mark the spot, lies the old Major who commanded the -company. Mr. Allison was present, although a little boy at his burial. -The event is fixed upon his mind by the fact the militia turned out -and buried him with military honors. We stood on the spot overgrown -with thorn trees, and felt a pang that his name was thus -forgotten, and his name almost unknown. Close by is a neat -marble headstone to a grave, upon which is the following: -“<em>Henry Hover, departed this life, August 23rd, 1842, aged 79 years, 5 -months and 17 days.</em>” Noble man! Imprisonment with chains for -nearly two years, with many hardships during, and after the war, -did not make his life short, and we were thankful he had left descendants -who forgot not to mark his resting-place. For account of -this person see under “Royal Combatants.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The entrance gate to the ground is at the east side. To the -right on entering, a short distance off, is an oak tree. Between the -gate and tree was laid the body of Nicholas Hagerman. Sad to say, -nothing indicates the resting-place of the earliest lawyer of the Province, -and the father of Judge Hagerman. (See distinguished Loyalists). -In the middle of the ground rests the dead of the Casey -family. The two old couple whom we remember to have seen when -a boy in their green old age, lie here. “Willet Casey died aged 86. -Jane, his wife, aged 93.” We would say to all here buried, <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Requiescat -in pace</span></i>. But the very crumblings of the enclosures which were put -around the graves by sorrowing friends when they died cry out against -the neglected state of the ground. The efforts which have repeatedly -been made to put the place in repair ought to be repeated, and -a stone wall at least made to effectually inclose the sacred dust.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The oldest burying place, we believe, in Prince Edward, is some -distance from Indian Point, upon the Lake Shore, and east of the Rock, -commonly known as Ross’s Burying Ground. In this spot are -buried some of the first and most distinguished of the first settlers -of Marysburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Another old burying place in Prince Edward is at East Lake, -at the commencement of the Carrying Place. Here may be found -the graves of some eighteen persons who made the first settlement of -East Lake. The lot upon which it is situated belonged to Mr. -Dyse. It is no longer used, but is partially in a ploughed field, and -partially covered by a second growth of trees.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>Upon the road along the south shore of Marysburg, a short -distance west of the Rock, upon the Rose farm, are to be seen the -lingering remains of the first church of this township. It was -erected at an early date, and was twenty-four feet square. Here -Weant was wont to preach to his flock of Lutherans, and here at -times Langhorn from Bath also held forth. The situation is -pleasant, upon the brow of a comparatively steep hill, overlooking -a pleasant low-land, with the shining Ontario, and Long Point -stretching away into its waters; while to the right is the well -sheltered Wappoose Island. But another object attracts our attention. -Almost immediately fronting us upon a sand-hill close by the -water’s edge is to be seen “the old Dutch burying ground.” It is -about half-a-mile from the road, and we will descend the hill and -take the road through the fields along the fence, the way by which -so many have passed to their long home. The old graveyard is -overshadowed by good sized second growth pines, whose waving -tops sigh not unharmoniously over the ashes of the old Hessian and -Dutch settlers. The adjacent shore washed by the ever throbbing -lake gives forth to day the gentlest sounds. These old burying -places remind one that Canada is ever growing old. Here lie, not -alone the early pioneers, but their grand-children; and over the spot -cleared are now good sized second growth trees. The head boards -are fallen in decay, the fence around the plots have crumbled in -the dust.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The oldest burying place in Sophiasburgh is upon the Cronk -farm east of Northport.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nearly midway between Belleville and Trenton is situated -the oldest burying ground of Sidney. It is pleasantly located -upon an eminence by the bay shore, and affords a fine view of the -bay, and opposite shore. The visitor will be struck with the -irregularity of the graves in the place primarily used, as if the -graves had been dug among the stumps. Some of them are almost -north and south. At the ends of mostly all are placed stones, rough -they are, but lasting, and have, in a large number of cases, more -permanently indicated the position of the graves. Upon some of -these rough stones are rudely cut the initials of the occupant of the -grave. In a great number of cases tablets painted on wood have -been placed to commemorate the individual deceased. But these are -totally obliterated, and the wood is falling to decay. Probably the -temporary mark of affectionate sorrowing was as lasting as the life -of the bereaved. We lingered among the graves here, and they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>are numerous. We see the name Myers. And we know that old -Capt. Myers was buried here, after an eventful life. Around him -also repose his old acquaintances and friends—​and enemies. They -are gone with the primeval woods that covered the slopes by the -Bay Quinté—​gone with the hopes and aspirations, and prospects, -and realizations that crowned their trying and eventful life—​gone -so that their ashes can no longer be gathered, like the old batteau -which transported them thither—​gone like their old log houses -whose very foundations have been plowed up—​gone like their -rude implements of agriculture—​gone by the slow and wearisome -steps of time which marks the pioneer’s life.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is gratifying to see that while the ground has been extended, -a new fence has been built, and elegant tombstones, 1868.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first place set apart in which to bury the dead, in the township -of Thurlow was the “Taylor Burying Ground.” It is situated -in Belleville, at the east of the mouth of the Moira, in view of the -bay. The first person committed to the earth here was Lieut. Ferguson, -who had been associated with Capt. Singleton. The -second individual is supposed to have been the mother of John -Taylor. She had been brought to the place by her son, her only -son, two having been executed by the rebels during the war, when -almost ninety years of age. But her stay on earth had almost -ended; not long after, she was one day engaged in spinning flax, and -suddenly ceased her work, and told them to put away the wheel, -as she would spin no more. A few minutes after she ceased to -live, and the weary wheels of life stood still. For many years this -ground was the repository of the dead, about the mouth of Myers’ -Creek.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION V.<br /> <span class='large'>THE EARLY CLERGYMEN AND CHURCHES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXV.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​French Missionaries—​First in 1615—​Recollets—​With Champlain—​Jesuits, - in 1625—​Valuable records—​Bishopric of Quebec, 1674—​First - Bishop of Canada, Laval—​Rivalry—​Power of Jesuits—​Number of Missionaries—​Their - “Relations”—​First mission field; Bay Quinté region—​“Antient - mission”—​How founded—​First missionaries—​Kleus, abbe D’Urfé—​La - Salle, to build a church—​The ornaments and sacred vessels—​The site of the - “Chappel,” uncertain—​Bald Bluff, Carrying Place—​Silver crosses—​Mission - at Georgian Bay—​The “Christian Islands”—​Chapel at Michilmicinac, 1679—​The - natives attracted—​Subjects of the French King—​Francois Picquet—​La - Presentation—​<em>Soegasti</em>—​The most important mission—​The object—​Six - Nations—​The Missionary’s living—​“Disagreeable expostulations”—​Putting - stomach in order—​Trout—​Picquet’s mode of teaching Indians—​The same - afterward adopted by Rev. W. Case—​Picquet’s success—​Picquet on a voyage—​At - Fort Toronto—​Mississaugas request—​Picquet’s reply—​A slander—​At - Niagara, Oswego—​At Frontenac—​Grand reception—​Return to La Presentation—​Picquet - in the last French war—​Returns to France—​By Mississippi—​“Apostles - of Peace”—​Unseemly strife—​Last of the Jesuits in Canada.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST FRENCH MISSIONARIES.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>In introducing this subject, we propose first to glance at the -original French Missionaries, and then at the first Protestant -Missionaries and clergymen, who labored in the Atlantic Provinces.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first missionaries of Christianity to America, came to -Canada in the year 1615. They were four in number, and belonged -to the order of Recollets, or Franciscans, of Spanish origin, a sect -who attended to the spiritual wants of the people without accepting -any remuneration. Four of these devoted men attended Champlain -on his second visit to Canada in 1615. Three years later the Pope -accorded the charge of missions in Canada to the Recollets of Paris. -In 1625 members of the society of Jesus likewise entered the mission -of America. Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuit society in -1521. These two orders of Roman Catholics, especially the Jesuits, -contributed much to the advancement of French interests in Canada, -and by their learning assisted greatly to elevate the people. Side -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>by side they traversed the vast wilderness of America, with the -intrepid explorers, and by their close observations, committed to -paper, they have left most valuable records of the country in its -primeval state; and the different tribes of savages that held possession -of the country.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Canada was “constituted an apostolic vicariate,” by the Pope, in -1657; and became an episcopal see, named the Bishopric of Quebec, -about 1673. The first bishop of Canada was Francis de Laval, of the -distinguished house of Montmorency. The rivalry which existed -between the Jesuits and the Recollets, led to the withdrawal from -the country of the latter. But they returned again about 1669. -They were welcomed by the people, who preferred their self-supporting -principles to the Jesuits, under Laval, who required sustentation -from them, which was exacted by a system of tithes. The -Jesuits became a very powerful ecclesiastical body, and commanded -even sufficient political influence to secure the recall of the Governor, -who was obnoxious to them, in 1665. Yet the people did not like -them, in their usurpation of temporal power. The second bishop -of Canada was M. de Saint Vallier, who was elevated to that position -in 1688.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Between the years 1635–1647, Canada was visited by eighteen -Jesuit missionaries.” It was due to these missionaries, who -remained with, and adapted themselves to the Indian tribes, that -Canada held such a position among the Aborigines. The relations -of these missionaries are of thrilling interest, and deserve the -attention of all who desire to become a student of history.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When there were no more than sixty inhabitants at Quebec, in -1620, the Recollets had begun to erect a convent and chapel upon -the banks of the St. Charles River.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Bay Quinté region may be regarded as the earliest mission -field in America. Of the four Missionaries who came with Champlain -from France, in 1615, one at least accompanied him in his -journey up the Ottawa, across to Georgian Bay, and down the -Trent to the Bay. This was in July, and Champlain was under the -necessity of remaining in this region until the following spring, -in the meantime visiting several of the tribes all along the north -shore of Lake Ontario. During this period the zealous Recollet -earnestly labored to lay the foundation of Christianity among the -natives, and planted the “antient mission” spoken of by father -Picquet, 1751. We have positive statements to this effect. Probably -when Champlain returned to Montreal, in the spring of 1616, he was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>not accompanied by the missionary; who stayed to establish the -work he had commenced. We find it stated that the earliest missionaries -to this region were M. Dolliere de Kleus, and Abbé -D’Urfé, priests of the Saint Sulpice Seminary. Picquet remarks -that the ancient mission at the Bay Quinté was established by -Kleus and D’Urfé.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In June, 1571, DeCourcelles, as we have seen, visited Lake -Ontario, coming directly up the St. Lawrence. On this occasion, it -is recorded, he sent messages from Cataraqui “to a few missionaries -residing among the Indians.” Two years later, when Frontenac -came, with a view of establishing a fort, we find it stated -that as he approached Cataraqui, he was met by a canoe with the -“Abbé D’Urfé, and the Captains of the Five Nations.” The following -year, 1674, LaSalle, in his petition for the grant of Fort -Frontenac, and adjacent lands, proposed “to build a church when -there will be 100 persons, meanwhile to entertain one or two of the -Recollet Friars to perform divine service, and administer the sacraments -there.” In the reply to this petition by the King, it was -stipulated that LaSalle should “cause a church to be erected within -six years of his grant.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>When Bradstreet, nearly a hundred years later, in 1751, captured -Fort Frontenac, the Commandant, M. de Moyan, obtained the -promise from Bradstreet, to “permit the ornaments and sacred -vessels of the chappel to be removed in the luggage of the Chaplain.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>By the foregoing, we learn the interesting fact, that for 150 -years before the capture of Canada by the English, and nearly 170 -before Upper Canada was first settled, there existed at the Bay -Quinté an active mission of Roman Catholic Christianity. The exact -location of the “chappel” cannot be fixed; but there is every reason -to suppose that it was upon the shores of the Bay, at some distance -westward from Cataraqui, inasmuch as reference is made to the -chapel as quite apart from the Fort, at Cataraqui.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From the nature of the relics found in the Indian burying -ground, near the Carrying Place, at Bald Bluff, by Weller’s Bay, it -might even have been situated there. Silver crosses, and other -evidences of Roman Catholic Christianity, have been found in this -place. Father Picquet remarks that the land was not good, but the -quarter is beautiful.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There seems every probability that not many years after the -establishment of the mission by the Bay Quinté, another was established -in the neighborhood of Lake Huron, or Georgian Bay. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>Upon the river Wye, some six miles north of Penetanguishene, -Pe-na-tang-que shine, so called by the Indians upon first seeing the -sand banks, meaning “see the sand is falling,” was established a -French fort, at an early date, the foundation of which may yet be -seen. It appears likely that at this point, at the Christian Islands, -(a significant name,) situated between the Manitoulin Islands and -the mainland; and also at Michilmicinac, were commenced missionary -labors by the Recollets and others. We find it stated that -in 1679 there was a chapel at Michilmicinac, which may refer -to the Christian Islands. Here LaSalle, on his way westward, -stopped and attended mass, with the celebrated Recollet, Pére -Hennepin.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The natives were strongly attached to these French missionaries. -Presents of porcelaine beads to make wampum, with a kind -demeanor, soon won many of them to become Roman Catholics; and -the cross was set up in their midst. And the time came when they -were willing to acknowledge themselves under the protection of, -and subject to the French King.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the present site of Ogdensburgh, in the year 1748, “Francis -Picquet, Doctor of the Sarbonne, King’s Missionary, and Prefect -Apostolic to Canada,” began to found the mission of <em>La Presentation</em>. -By the river Oswegotchie, then called by the Indians <em>Soegasti</em>, he -succeeded in planting a mission, which became the most important -in all Canada. The object was to convert the Six Nations to Roman -Catholic Christianity, and thereby to win them from their connection -with the English. M. Picquet was a devoted man. “He received at -that time neither allowance nor presents. From the King he had -but one half pound of pork a day, which made the savages say, -when they brought him a buck and some partridges, “We doubt -not, Father, but that there have been disagreeable expostulations -in your stomach, because you had nothing but pork to eat. Here -is something to put your affairs in order.” They sometimes brought -him trout weighing eighty pounds.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1749, when French interests were declining in the new world, -and when every effort to secure the alliance of the Iroquois was -devised, Governor de Veudreuil sent the Rev. Abbe Picquet of the -missionary house at La Presentation, he being well and favorably -known among the Five Nations. The object was to draw within the -bounds of La Presentation many of the families, where they should -not only be taught the Catholic religion, but also the elements of -husbandry. It was somewhat the same idea as that which led the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>Rev. William Case, in later days, to domesticate the Mississaugas on -the Grape Island. L’Abbe Picquet was successful in his mission, -and in 1751, he had 396 heads of families living at the place. -Among these were the most distinguished and influential families -of the Iroquois. The settlement was divided into three villages, -and much taste and skill were displayed in the planning. Great -attractiveness characterized the place up to the conquest of Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the month of June, 1751, Father Picquet set out upon a -voyage up to Fort Frontenac, and thence up the Bay Quinté, and -the River Trent to Fort Toronto, and so on around Lake Ontario. -He embarked in a King’s canoe, accompanied by one bark, in which -were five trusty savages. The memoir of this trip is curious and -edifying.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Proceeding to Fort Toronto, by way of the Trent, then an important -trading post with the Indians, he found Mississaugas there -who flocked around him; they spoke first of the happiness their -young people, the women and children, would feel, if the King -would be as good to them as to the Iroquois, for whom he procured -missionaries. They complained that instead of building a church, -they had constructed only a canteen for them. Abbe Picquet did -not allow them to finish, and answered them, that they had been -treated according to their fancy; that they had never evinced the -least zeal for religion; that their conduct was much opposed to it;—​that -the Iroquois, on the contrary, had manifested their love for -Christianity, but as he had no order to attract them to his mission, -he avoided a more lengthy explanation,” (Paris Doc). This conduct -on the part of Abbe Picquet must be regarded as heartless in -the extreme. Such language ought not to come from the lips of a -missionary. It shows that the Iroquois, because of his relationship -with the English, had souls of far more importance than the Mississauga, -whose character for peace rendered him of minor importance. -The reflection upon the character was uncharitable; and, -judging by the light supplied by later days, it was untrue—​shamefully -untrue. That the Mississauga Indians acquired a taste for -the brandy vended to them by the French trader was certainly a -fact; but that did not indicate an unwillingness on their part, to -become Christians. Missionaries, of the present century, have -succeeded in raising the Mississauga, not alone from paganism, but -from a degrading love of spirituous liquors acquired of the French, -to a distinguished place among converted Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Abbe Picquet went from Fort Toronto, probably by the River -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>Don, and thence across the lake, to Fort Niagara, to negotiate with -the Senecas. Passing along the south shore, he visited the English -fort at the mouth of the River Oswego, called <em>Choueguen</em>. He also -visited the River Gascouchogou, (Genesee) and returned to Frontenac, -where a grand reception awaited him. “The Nippissings and -Algonquins who were going to war, drew up in a line of their own -accord above Fort Frontenac, where three standards were hoisted. -They fired several volleys of musketry, and cheered incessantly. -They were answered in the same style from all the little crafts of -bark. M. de Verchere, and M. de la Valtrie, caused the guns -of the fort to be discharged at the same time, and the Indians, -transported with joy at the honors paid them, also kept up a continual -fire with shouts and exclamations which made every one -rejoice. The commandants and officers received our missionary at -the landing. No sooner had he landed than all the Algonquins and -Nippissings of the lake came to embrace him. Finally, when he -returned to <em>La Presentation</em>, he was received with that affection, -that tenderness, which children would experience in recovering a -father whom they had lost.” Three years later war was, for the -last time, in progress between the French and English in America. -Father Picquet contributed much to stay the downfall of French -domination. He distinguished himself in all the principal engagements, -and by his presence animated the Indian converts to battle -for the French King. At last, finding all was lost, he retired on -the 8th May, 1760. He ascended the Bay Quinté and Trent by -Fort Toronto, and passed on to Michilmicinac, and thence to the -Mississippi; and then to New Orleans, where he stayed twenty-two -months. Died 15th July, 1781, called the “Apostle of the Iroquois.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the French domination in Canada, the dissentions -between the Recollets and Jesuits were almost incessant. Now -the one was sustained and patronized by the governor regnant, now -the other, and many were the struggles between Church and -State. The closing days of French rule witnessed scenes of unseemly -strife between the clergy and the governors. The last of -the Jesuits in Canada, Father Casat, died in 1800, and the whole of -their valuable possessions came to the government.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXVI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​First Church in New York, 1633—​First Dominie, Rev. Everardus -Bogardus—​The Dutch, Huguenots, Pilgrims—​Transporting ministers and -churches—​First Rector of New York, Wm. Vesey—​Henry Barclay, 1746—​First -Catholic Bishop in America, 1789—​Episcopalian Bishop, 1796—​Moral -state of Pioneers in Canada—​Religion—​No ministers—​No striking immorality—​Feared -God and honored their King—​The Fathers of Upper Canada—​Religious -views—​A hundred years ago—​“Carousing and Dancing”—​Rev. -Dr. John Ogilvie—​First Protestant Clergyman in Canada—​Chaplain 1759, at -Niagara—​A Missionary—​Successor of Dr. Barclay, New York—​Death, 1774—​Rev. -John Doughty—​A Graduate Ordained—​At Peekskill—​Schenectady—​A -Loyalist—​A Prisoner—​To Canada—​Chaplain—​To England—​Returns—​Missionary—​Resigns—​Rev. -Dr. John Stuart—​First Clergyman to settle—​His -Memoir—​The “Father of the U. C. Church”—​Mission Work—​The Five -Nations—​The Dutch—​Rev. Mr. Freeman—​Translator—​Rev. Mr. Andrews—​Rev. -Mr. Spencer Woodbridge, Howley—​New England Missionaries—​Rev. -Dr. Whelock—​The Indian Converts—​The London Society—​Rev. Mr. Inglis—​John -Stuart selected missionary—​A Native of Pennsylvania—​Irish descent—​A -Graduate, Phil. Coll.—​Joins Church of England—​To England—​Ordination—​Holy -Orders 1770—​Enters upon his work.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST PROTESTANT CLERGYMAN IN AMERICA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>According to the Rev. J. B. Wakley, “The Reformed Dutch -Church was the first organized in New Amsterdam, (New York). -This year, 1633, the first church edifice was erected on this island, -(Manhatten). It was built on what is called Broad Street. It was -a small frail wooden building. The name of the first Dominie is preserved, -the Rev. Everardus Bogardus. He came over from Holland -with the celebrated Wanter Van Twiller. The Dutch and the Huguenots, -as well as the Pilgrims, brought the church, the school-master, -and their Bibles with them. They erected a dwelling for the Rev. -Mr. Bogardus to reside in. This was the first parsonage built on -the island, if not in America. This first minister in New Amsterdam -met with a sad end. After spending some years in the new world, -in returning to his native land, he, with eighty-one others, was lost -off the coast of Wales. The Bogarts are probably descended from -this pioneer minister, he having left children behind him in America, -or some near connection. The first Rector of the Church of England -in New York, was the Rev. William Vesey, pastor of Trinity Church. -The Rev. Dr. Henry Barclay was the second Rector, who had previously -been catechist for ten years to the Mohawk Indians. He -became Rector October 22, 1746.” He was the father of the late -Thomas Barclay, Consul-General of His British Majesty in the -United States, and grandfather of Mr. Anthony Barclay, late British -<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>Consul at New York, who was under the necessity of returning home -during the Russian war, in consequence of the jealousy and partiality -of the American Government.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We find it stated that Dr. Carroll, of Maryland, was the first -Catholic Bishop in America, 1789.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dr. Seabury, Bishop of Connecticut, was the first Episcopalian -Bishop of that State, he died in 1796.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The circumstances of the settlers in Upper Canada were not -such as would conduce to a growth of religion and morality. Apart -from the effect upon them resulting from a civil war, and being driven -away from home—​isolated in a wilderness, far removed from civilization; -there were circumstances inimical to the observance of religious -duties. The earnest contest for life, the daily struggle for food, -and more especially, the absence of ministers of the gospel, all -combined to create a feeling of indifference, if not a looseness of -morals. In a few instances, there was on the part of the settlers, -a departure from that strict virtue, which obtains at the present -time, and in which they had been trained. But on the whole, there -was a close adherence, and a severe determination to serve the God -of their fathers. From many a log cabin ascended the faithful prayer -of the followers of Luther; of the conscientious Episcopalian, and the -zealous Methodist and Baptist. Yet, for years, to some the word of -life was not preached; and then but rarely by the devoted missionary -as he traveled his tedious round of the wilderness. After ten years, -the average of inhabitants to the square miles, was only seven. This -paucity of inhabitants, prevented regular religious sermons by clergymen, -as it did the formation of well taught schools. This absence of -educational and religious advantages, it might be expected, would -naturally lead to a demoralized state of society, but such was not the -case with the settlers of the ten townships. This sparseness of population, -arose in part, it must be mentioned, from the system pursued -by government, of reserving tracts of land, of granting to the clergy, -and to non-resident owners, all of which remained to embarrass the -separated settlers, and prevent advance of civilization, by begetting -ignorance and indifference to religion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When it is remembered how great had been the trials of the -refugees during the continuation of the war; when we call to mind -the school of training belonging to a camp life; and still more, when -it is taken into consideration to how great an extent the settlers were -removed from the salutary influences of civilized life, it at once strikes -the thoughtful mind as surprising, that the early colonist did not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>relapse into a state of non-religion and gross immorality. But it is a -remarkable fact that the loyalists who planted Upper Canada, not -only honored their King, but feared God, and in a very eminent -degree fulfilled the later commandment to love one another. Certainly -there were exceptions. Even yet are remembered the names -of a few who availed themselves of their neighbors’ necessities to -acquire property; and the story still floats down the stream of time, -that there were those who had plenty and to spare of government -stores, while the people were enduring the distress of the “Hungry -Year.” But even these reports lack confirmation, and even if true, -are the more conspicuous by their singularity. There is no intention -or desire to clothe the founders of Upper Canada with a character to -which they are not entitled, to suppress in any respect facts that -would tend to derogate the standing of the loyalists. This is unnecessary -to place them upon an elevated ground, but were it not, it -would be contrary to the writer’s feelings, and unfair to the reader. -There will be occasion to allude to a few instances, where gross evils -manifested themselves, yet after all, they are but the dark corners -which only serve to bring out the more glowing colors of the picture -presented. In arriving at a just estimate of their state of morals, it -is necessary to take into consideration, that many of the views held -by truly religious men a hundred years ago, differed widely from -those held by many to day. Reference is made to certain kinds of -amusements then unhesitatingly indulged in, which to-day are looked -upon as inimical to sound Christianity. One of these is the habit of -using intoxicating liquors. It was also charged against them, that -they were “wofully addicted to carousing and dancing.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>REV. JOHN OGILVIE, D.D.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This divine was probably the first Protestant clergyman that -ever officiated in Canada. He did so in the capacity of chaplain to a -British Regiment in an expedition to Fort Niagara, in 1759, when -that French stronghold was surrendered. Dr. Ogilvie, was a native -of New York, and a graduate of Yale college. He was employed by -the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, as a -missionary with success. In 1765 he succeeded the Rev. Dr. Barclay, -as Rector of Trinity Church, New York. He died in 1774. “A -portrait of him is still preserved in the vestry office of Trinity Church.” -The next Protestant clergyman we believe, was the Rev. John -Doughty.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“An Episcopal minister. He graduated at King’s College, New -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>York, in 1770. He was ordained in England for the church at Peekskill, -but was soon transferred to Schenectady. In 1775, political -troubles put an end to divine service, and he suffered much at the -hands of the popular party. In 1777, he obtained leave to depart to -Canada, (after having been twice a prisoner,) where he became chaplain -of the “King’s Royal Regiment,” of New York. In 1781 he -went to England; but returned to Canada in 1784, and officiated as -missionary at Sorel. He resigned his connection with the society for -the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts, in 1803.”—​(<cite>Sabine.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first clergyman to settle in Canada, and one of the refugee -pioneers at the first settlement of Kingston, was the Rev. John -Stuart. We are fortunate in having before us a transcript of the -memoir of this distinguished person.</p> - -<p class='c012'>“<em>Memoirs of the Rev. John Stuart, D.D., father of the Upper Canada -Church. He opened the first academy at Cataraqui—​Kingston 1786. -The last missionary to the Mohawks.</em>”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The conversion and civilization of the American Indians, -engaged the attention of Europeans at an early date.” The Jesuits -first gave attention to the Mohawks, 1642, a few years later, Father -Joynes laid down his life on the Mohawk River. The first colonizers, -the Dutch did not give the subject much attention. “The government -of New York, did not make any effort to Christianize the five -nations, further than to pay, for some time a small salary to the clergyman, -at Albany, to attend to the wants of such Indians, as might -apply to him.” The Rev. Mr. Freeman, translated into the Mohawk -language, the Church of England Prayer Book, with some passages -of the Old and New Testament. “In 1712 Mr. Andrews was sent as -a missionary to the Mohawk, by the society, for propagating the -gospel, and a church was built at the mouth of the Schoharie creek, -but that missionary soon abandoned the place. As he was the first, so -he was the last that resided among them for a great many years. -After that the only ministration was at Albany. In 1748, the Rev. -Mr. Spencer, Mr. Woodbridge and Howly, were sent successively by -the people of New England,” to this field of labor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The French war soon interrupted this, and not until 1761, was -anything more done, when the Rev. Dr. Wheelock, directed his attention -to that quarter, with missionaries, and schoolmasters. The testimony -mainly of all these mentioned, who labored among the Indians, -is to the effect that, although they were quick to learn, and would for -a time live a Christian life, they mostly all lapsed into their former -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>savage state. “The necessity of having missionaries of the Church of -England, resident among the Mohawks, was again brought before -the society for promoting of the gospel, a few years before the revolution, -both by Sir William Johnson, and the Rev. Mr. Inglis, of -New York, the last of whom also laid the subject before the government -of England, in the form of a memorial. In 1770 the society -again consented to ordain a missionary for the exclusive service of the -Mohawks. John Stuart, who was selected for this purpose, was born -at Harrisburgh, in Pennsylvania, in 1730. The family mansion in -which he was born was still standing in 1836.” His father, an Irishman, -came to America in 1730. John Stuart had two brothers who -sided with the Americans. When he “graduated at the college of -Philadelphia, he made up his mind to join the communion of the -Church of England.” His father being a Presbyterian, this was -extremely distasteful to him. But his father finally consenting, he -proceeded to England for ordination, and received Holy Orders in -1770, and was appointed missionary to the Mohawks at Fort -Hunter.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXVII.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​At Fort Hunter—​Mr. Stuart’s first sermon, Christmas—​Officiates in -Indian tongue—​Translates—​The Rebellion—​Prayers for the King—​The -Johnsons—​Rebels attack his house—​Plunder—​Indignity—​Church desecrated—​Used -as a stable—​A barrel of rum—​Arrested—​Ordered to come before -Rebel Commissioners—​On Parole—​Limits—​Idle two years—​To Albany—​Phil—​Determines -to remove to Canada—​Not secure—​Exchanging—​Security—​Real -estate forfeited—​Route—​Negroes—​The journey, three weeks—​At -St. John’s—​Charge of Public School—​Chaplain—​At the close of the war—​Three -Protestant Parishes—​Determines to settle at Cataraqui—​Chaplain -to Garrison—​Missionary—​Bishop of Virginia, Dr. Griffith—​Visits Mr. Stuart—​Invitation -to Virginia Declined—​“Rivetted prejudices,” satisfied—​“The -only refugee clergyman”—​Path of duty—​Visits the settlement, 1784—​Mohawks, -Grand River—​Reception of their old Pastor—​First Church—​Mohawks, -Bay of Quinté—​Remains in Montreal a year—​Assistant—​Removes -to Cataraqui, 1785—​His land—​Number of houses in Kingston—​A short cut -to Lake Huron—​Fortunate in land—​5000 settlers—​Poor and Happy—​Industrious—​Around -his Parish, 1788—​Two hundred miles long—​By Batteau—​Brant—​New -Oswego—​Mohawk Village church, steeple, and bell—​First in -Upper Canada—​Plate—​Organ—​Furniture—​Returns—​At Niagara—​Old Parishioners—​Tempted -to move—​Comfortable not rich—​Declines a Judgeship—​New -Mecklenburgh—​Appointed Chaplain to first House of Assembly—​Mohawk -Mission—​At Marysburgh—​Degree of D.D.—​Prosperity—​Happy—​Decline -of life—​His duties—​Illness, Death, 1811—​His appearance—​“The -little gentleman”—​His manners—​Honorable title—​His children—​Rev. -O’Kill Stuart.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>MEMOIRS OF DR. STUART CONTINUED—​“FATHER OF THE UPPER CANADA CHURCH.”</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Mr. Stuart immediately returned to America and proceeded to -his mission, preaching his first sermon to the Mohawks on Christmas -of the same year, 1770. He preached regularly every Sunday -after the service had been read in Indian. In the afternoon he -officiated in the Mohawk chapel to the whites, mostly Dutch. “In -1774 he was able to read the liturgy, baptize and marry in the -Indian tongue, and converse tolerably well with them. He subsequently, -assisted by Brant, translated parts of the Bible. After -the commencement of the rebellion, until 1777, Mr. Stuart did not -experience any inconvenience,” although in other places the clergy -had been shamefully abused; he remained at Fort Hunter even -after the Declaration of Independence, and constantly performed -divine service without omitting prayers for the king. Mr. Stuart’s -connection with the Johnson family, and his relations to the Indians -rendered him particularly noxious to the Whigs. Although they -had not proof of his being active in aiding the British, everything -was done to make his home unbearable. “His house was attacked, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>his property plundered and every indignity offered his person. -His church was also plundered and turned into a tavern, and in -ridicule and contempt, a barrel of rum was placed in the reading -desk. The church was afterwards used as a stable, July, 1778. -He was ordered by the Board to detect conspiracies, to leave his -home and repair forthwith with his family to Connecticut until his -exchange could be procured.” He was to leave within four days -after receiving the orders, or be committed to close confinement. -“Mr. Stuart appeared before the Commissioners two days after -receiving the above order, and declared his readiness to convince -them that he had not corresponded with the enemy, and that he was -ready and willing to enter into any engagement for the faithful -performance of such duties as may be enjoined him.” The Board -took his parole, by which he was obligated to abstain from doing -anything against the Congress of the United States, or for the -British, and not to leave the limits of Schenectady without permission -of the Board. Soon after he writes there are only three -families of my congregation, the rest having joined the King’s forces, -nor had he preached for two years. In the Spring of 1780, the -Indians appeared in the county infuriated because of the conduct of -General Sullivan the previous year. Mr. Stuart had to abandon his -house and move to Albany. So imminent was the danger that the -fleeing family could see the houses about in flames, and hear the -report of arms. At Albany, Mr. Stuart received much civility from -General Schuyler, and obtained permission to visit Philadelphia. -Having returned, he made up his mind to emigrate to Canada, and -communicated his resolution as follows: “I arrived here eight days -from the time I parted with you (at Philadelphia) and found my -family well, and after being sufficiently affrighted, the enemy having -been within twenty miles of this place, and within one mile of my -house in the country, considering the present state of affairs in this -part of the Province, I am fully persuaded that I cannot possibly -live here secure, either in regard to ourselves or property during the -ensuing season; this place is likely to be a frontier, and will probably -be burnt if the enemy can effect it. For these and other -weighty reasons, materially weighed, I have resolved, with the approbation -and consent of Mrs. Stuart, to emigrate to Canada, and having -made an application for an exchange, which I have reason to believe -will be granted.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Stuart applied by letter to Governor Clinton, to be exchanged, -March 30, 1781. His application received prompt attention, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>and he was the same day allowed permission on certain conditions, -which are stated by Mr. Stuart in a letter to Rev. Mr. White, of -Philadelphia. The letter is dated Schenectady, April 17, 1781. -“Being considered as a prisoner of war, and having forfeited my -real estate, I have given £400 security to return in exchange for -myself, one prisoner out of four nominated by the Governor, viz.: -one Colonel, two Captains, and one Lieutenant, either of which will -be accepted in my stead; or if neither of the prisoners aforesaid can -be obtained, I am to return as a prisoner of war to Albany, when -required. My personal property I am permitted to sell or carry with -me, and I am to proceed under the protection of a public flag, as -soon as it will be safe and convenient for women and children to -travel that course. We are to proceed from here to Fort Arin in -waggons, and from thence in Batteaux.” The danger of the journey -was adverted to, and the probability of obtaining a chaplaincy in -Sir William Johnson’s 2nd Battalion of Royal Yorkers, which is -nearly complete on the establishment. “My negroes being personal -property, I take with me, one of which being a young man, and -capable of bearing arms. I have given £100 security to send back a -white person in his stead.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Mr. Stewart set out with his family, consisting of his wife -and three small children, on his long and tedious journey, on the -19th of Sept., 1781, and arrived at St. Johns on the 9th of the following -month, thus accomplishing the journey in three weeks, -which is now done in twelve or fifteen hours. As there was no -opening in Montreal, he took charge of a public school, which, with -his commission as Chaplain, gave him support.” In a letter to Dr. -White, dated Montreal, October 14, 1783, he says: “I have no reason -hitherto to dislike my change of climate; but, as reduction must -take place soon, my emoluments will be much diminished, neither -have I any flattering prospect of an eligible situation in the way of -my profession, as there are only three protestant Parishes in this -Province, the Pastors of which are Frenchmen, and as likely to -live as I am.” Soon after, Mr. Stuart determined to settle at Cataraqui, -where was a garrison, and to which a good many loyalists had -already proceeded. He was promised the chaplaincy to the garrison, -with a salary of one thousand dollars a year, and he writes, “I -can preserve the Indian mission in its neighborhood, which, with -other advantages, will afford a comfortable subsistence, although I -wish it laid in Maryland.” After the acknowledged independence of -the United States, and the separation of the Episcopalian Church -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>of America from the mother Church, Dr. Griffith, the Bishop elect -of Virginia, invited Mr. Stuart to settle in his diocese; but Mr. -Stuart declined. He writes, “The time has been when the chance -of obtaining a settlement in that part of Virginia would have -gratified my utmost desire; but, at my time of life, and with such -rivetted principles in favor of a Government totally different, ‘it -is impossible.’” Though Mr. Stuart did visit Philadelphia in -1786, he never seems to have repented his removal to Canada. Yet -the isolation in which he sometimes found himself, would sometimes -naturally call up memories that could not fail to be painful. “I -am,” he writes, “the only Refugee Clergyman in this Province, -&c.” As a relief from such thoughts, he turned to the active duties -of his calling. “I shall not regret,” said he, “the disappointment and -chagrin I have hitherto met with, if it pleases God to make me the -instrument of spreading the knowledge of His Gospel amongst the -heathen, and reclaiming only one lost sheep of the house of Israel.” -In this spirit he set out on the second of June, 1784, to visit the new -settlements on the St. Lawrence, Bay Quinté, and Niagara Falls, -where he arrived on the 18th of the same month. Already, 3,500 -Loyalists had left Montreal that season for Upper Canada. His -reception by the Mohawks, ninety miles from the Falls, was very -affectionate, even the windows of the church in which he officiated -were crowded with those who were anxious to behold again their -old Pastor, from whom they had been so long separated. This -church was the first built in Upper Canada, and it must have been -commenced immediately after the Mohawks settled on the Grand -River. He officiated also at Cataraqui, where he found a garrison -of three companies, about thirty good houses, and some 1,500 souls -who intended to settle higher up. He next proceeded to the Bay -of Quinté, where some more Mohawks had settled, and were busy -building houses and laying the foundation of their new village, -named Tyendinaga. Though Mr. Stuart had now received from -the Society, whose missionary he continued to be, discretionary -powers to settle in any part of Canada, he remained in Montreal -another year, as assistant to the Rev. Dr. DeLisle, Episcopal Clergyman -of that town. He finally removed to Cataraqui, in August, -1785. His share of the public land was situated partly in Cataraqui, -and partly at a place, which, in memory of the dear old place -on the Mohawk River, was now called New Johnstown. Sometime -in 1785, Mr. Stuart says, “I have two hundred acres within half a -mile of the garrison, a beautiful situation. The town increases fast; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>there are already about fifty houses built in it, and some of them -very elegant. It is now the port of transport from Canada to -Niagara. We have now, just at the door, a ship, a scow, and a -sloop, beside a number of small crafts; and if the communication -lately discovered from this place by water, to Lake Huron and -Michilmackinac proves as safe, and short as we are made to believe, -this will shortly be a place of considerable trade.” Reference here -must be made to the route up the Bay and River Trent. “I have -been fortunate in my locations of land, having 1,400 acres at different -places, in good situations, and of an excellent quality, three -farms of which I am improving, and have sowed this fall with thirty -bushels in them. The number of souls to westward of us is more -than 5,000, and we gain, daily, new recruits from the States. We -are a poor, happy people, industrious beyond example. Our gracious -King gives us land gratis, and furnishes provisions, clothing, and -farming utensils, &c., until next September, after which the generality -of the people will be able to live without his bounty.” The -above must have been written in 1785, as in May, 1786, he opened -an academy. In the summer of 1788, he went round his Parish, -which was then above 200 miles long. He thus describes his voyage -on this occasion. “I embarked in a batteau with six Indians, commanded -by Capt. Brant, and coasted along the north shore of Lake -Ontario, about 200 miles from the head of the lake; we went -twenty-five miles by land, to New Oswego, the new Mohawk village -on the Grand River; these people were my former charge, and the -Society still styles me their Mohawk Vill. Missionary. I found -them conveniently situated on a beautiful river, where the soil is -equal in fertility to any I ever saw. Their village contains about -700 souls, and consists of a great number of good houses, with an -elegant church in the centre; it has a handsome steeple and bell, -and is well finished within.” By this we learn, that not only was -the first Protestant Church built at the Grand River, but as well -here was the first steeple to contain a bell, which was the first to be -heard in Upper Canada. Brant, when in England, collected money -for all this. With the above, they had the service of plate, preserved -from the rebels on the Mohawk; crimson furniture for the -pulpit, and “the Psalmody was accompanied by an organ.” “This -place was uninhabited four years ago.” “I returned by the route -of Niagara, and visited that settlement. They had, as yet, no -clergyman, and I<a id='t264'></a> preached to a very large audience. The increase of -population there was immense, and indeed I was so well pleased -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>with that country, where I found many of my old Parishioners, -that I was strongly tempted to remove my family to it. You may -suppose it cost me a struggle to refuse the unanimous and pressing -invitation of a large settlement, with the additional argument of a -subscription, and other emoluments, amounting to near £300, York -currency, per annum more than I have here. But, on mature reflection, -I have determined to remain here. You will suppose me to -be very rich, or very disinterested; but, I assure you, neither was -the case. I have a comfortable house, a good farm here, and an -excellent school for my children, in a very healthy climate, and all -these I could not have expected had I removed to Niagara. But, -that you may be convinced that I do not intend to die rich, I have -also declined an honorable and lucrative appointment. Our new -settlements have been divided into four districts, of which this place -is the capital of one, called New Mecklenburgh, and Courts of Justice -are to be immediately opened. I had a commission sent me, as first -Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. But, for reasons which -readily occur to you, I returned it to Lord Dorchester, who left -this place a few days ago.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1789, Mr. Stuart was appointed Bishop’s Commissionary for -the settlements from Point au Boudette to the western limits of the -Province, being the district now constituting Canada West. Though -this appointment added nothing to his emoluments, it increased -considerably his duties. At the meeting of the first Session of -Parliament in 1792, he was named Chaplain to the Upper House of -Assembly, an appointment which required for a time his presence -at Niagara. He occasionally visited and officiated for the Mohawk -Village, at the Bay of Quinté. But, notwithstanding the laudable -exertions of the society, and the partial indulgence of the British -Government to this tribe, no flattering accounts can be given either -of their religious improvements, or approach to civilization; on his -return he usually stopped at Col. McDonnell’s, Marysburgh, and -preached in his house. In the year 1799, the degree of D.D. was conferred -on Mr. Stuart, by the University of Pennsylvania, his Alma -Mater, a complement he appreciated from his native state. About -the same time he received the appointment of Chaplain to the -Garrison of Kingston. “He had secured about 4000 acres of valuable -land to which he occasionally made additions.” In his prosperity -and wealth he exclaimed: “How mysterious are the ways -of Providence! How short-sighted we are! Some years ago I -thought it a great hardship to be banished into the wilderness, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>would have imagined myself completely happy, could I have exchanged -it for a place in the City of Philadelphia,—​now the best -wish we can form for our dearest friends is to have them removed -to us.” It must be remarked that the above is taken from letters -written to a friend in Philadelphia, and no doubt, being private and -social in their nature, there is often a coloring favorable to the -States which emanated from no love to that country. “The remainder -of Dr. Stuart’s life seems to have passed in the routine of -his duties, interrupted however by attacks of illness, to which the -increase of years, and the fatigue attendant on a mission in so new -a country, could not fail to subject him.” Dr. Stuart departed this -life on the 15th of August, 1811, in the seventy-first year of his -age, and was buried at Kingston, where he lives (says one of his -cotemporaries) in the heart of his friends. “He was about six feet -four inches in height, and from this circumstance, was known among -his New York friends as “the little gentleman.” His manners were -quiet and conciliating, and his character, such as led him rather to -win more by kindness and persuasion, than to awe and alarm them -by the terrors of authority. His sermons were composed in plain -and nervous language, were recommended by the affectionate -manner of his delivery, and not unfrequently found a way to the -conscience of those who had long been insensible to any real religious -convictions. The honorable title of Father of the Upper -Canada Church, has been fitly bestowed on him, and he deserves -the name not more by his age and the length of his services, than -by the kind and paternal advice and encouragement, which he was -ever ready to give those younger than he on their first entrance on -the mission.” “By his wife, Jane O’Kill, of Philadelphia, who -was born in 1752, he had five sons and three daughters.” All of -his sons subsequently occupied distinguished positions. His eldest -son George O’Kill, graduated at Cambridge, England, in 1801, -entered Holy Orders, and was appointed missionary at York, now -Toronto, from whence he returned on his father’s death to Kingston, -where he became Archdeacon. He died in 1862, at the age of -eighty-six.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXVIII.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​A Missionary—​Chaplain at Niagara—​Pastor to the Settlers—​Chaplain -to Legislature—​Visits Grand River—​Officiates—​A Land Speculator—​Receives -a pension, £50—​1823—​Rev. Mr. Pollard—​At Amherstburgh—​Mr. -Langhorn—​A Missionary—​Little Education—​Useful—​Odd—​On Bay Quinté -In Ernesttown—​Builds a Church—​At Adolphustown—​Preaches at Hagerman’s—​Another -Church—​A Diligent Pastor—​Pioneer Preacher around the -Bay—​Christening—​Marrying—​Particular—​His Appointments—​Clerk’s Fees—​Generosity—​Present -to Bride—​Faithful to Sick Calls—​Frozen Feet—​No -Stockings—​Shoe Buckles—​Dress—​Books—​Peculiarities—​Fond of the Water—​Charitable—​War -of 1812—​Determined to leave Canada—​Thinks it doomed—​Singular -Notice—​Returns to Europe—​His Library—​Present to Kingston—​Twenty -Years in Canada—​Extract from Gazette—​No One Immediately to -take His Place—​Rev. John Bethune—​Died 1815—​Native of Scotland—​U. -E. Loyalists—​Lost Property—​Chaplain to 84th Regiment—​A Presbyterian—​Second -Legal Clergyman in Upper Canada—​Settled at Cornwall—​Children—​The -Baptists—​Wyner—​Turner—​Holts Wiem—​Baptists upon -River Moira—​First Chapel—​How Built—​Places of Preaching—​Hayden’s -Corners—​At East Lake—​The Lutherans—​Rev. Schwerdfeger—​Lutheran -Settlers—​County Dundas—​First Church East of Kingston—​Rev. Mr. Myers -lived in Marysburgh—​Marriage—​His Log Church—​Removes to St. Lawrence—​Resigns—​To -Philadelphia—​Mr. Weant—​Lives in Ernesttown—​Removes -to Matilda—​Not Supported—​Secretly Joins the English Church—​Re-ordained—​His -Society Ignorant—​Suspicion—​Preaching in Shirt Sleeves—​Mr. -Myers Returns, by Sleigh—​Locking Church Door—​The Thirty-nine -Articles—​Compromise—​Mr. Myers continues Three Years a Lutheran—​He -Secedes—​The End of both Seceders—​Rev. I. L. Senderling—​Rev. Herman -Hayunga—​Rev. Mr. Shorts—​Last Lutheran Minister at Ernesttown, McCarty—​Married.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST EPISCOPALIANS, CONTINUED—​PRESBYTERIANS, BAPTISTS, AND LUTHERANS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The Rev. Robert Addison came as a missionary from the -Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in 1790. He -probably discharged the duties of chaplain to the troops stationed at -Niagara, and also was Clergyman, and officiated as such, to the -settlers. When the government was formed at Niagara, in 1792, -Mr. Addison, was appointed Chaplain. He occasionally visited -the Grand River Indians, officiating through an interpreter, and -baptizing and marrying. Col. Clark says, Mr. Addison was a land -speculator. In 1823, an act was passed by Parliament, granting -Mr. Addison a pension of £50 per annum during life, for service -rendered as Chaplain to the House of Assembly for thirty years. -Another Episcopalian Clergyman, who came to Canada about the -same time, was the Rev. Mr. Pollard, whose station was at Amherstburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A fourth Church of England Clergyman, and one with whom -<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>we must become more familiar, was the Rev. Mr. Langhorn. According -to the statement made to us by the late Bishop Strachan, -Mr. Langhorn was sent to Canada as a missionary by a Society in -London, called “The Bees,” or some such name. He was a Welshman -by birth, possessed of but little education or talent, yet a -truthful, zealous, and useful man. Odd in his manner, he nevertheless -worked faithfully among the settlers from Kingston to -Hay Bay. Upon arriving he took up his abode in Ernesttown, -living at Hoyts, the present site of Bath. Here he was instrumental -in having, before long time, erected an English Church. -Soon after coming he visited Adolphustown, and preached at Mr. -Hagerman’s, where Mr. Stuart had previously occasionally held -service. Steps were at once taken to build a church also at -Adolphustown, and Mr. Langhorn came to hold service regularly -every second Sabbath. Mr. Langhorn was a diligent pastor in his -rounds among his flock, over an extensive tract with great regularity, -and once in a great while he went as far as the Carrying Place, -where it is said he preached the first of all the pioneer ministers. -He likewise occasionally visited Prince Edward, and preached at -Smith’s Bay, and at Congers, Picton Bay. He was very careful to -have all the children christened before they were eight days old, and -never failed to question the larger in the catechism. Marriage he -would never perform but in the church, and always before -eleven in the morning. If the parties to be joined failed to reach -the church by the appointed time, he would leave; and would -refuse to marry them, no matter how far they had come, generally -on foot, or by canoe. Sometimes they were from the remote -townships, yet were sent away unmarried. After performing the -marriage ceremony, he would insist on receiving, it is said, three -coppers for his clerk. For himself he would take nothing, unless -it was to present it to the bride immediately. Seemingly he did -not care for money; and he would go in all kinds of weather when -wanted to officiate, or administer to the wants of the sick. One -person tells us that he remembers his coming to his father’s in -winter, and that his feet were frozen. No wonder, as Mr. Langhorn -never wore stockings nor gloves in the coldest weather. But his -shoe buckles were broad and bright; and a broad rimmed hat turned -up at the sides covered his head. Upon his back he generally carried -in a bag some books for reading. We have referred to his peculiarities; -many extraordinary eccentricities are related of him, -both as a man and clergyman. He was very fond of the water, both -<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>in summer and winter. “In summer,” (Playter says,) “he would, -at times swim from a cove on the main shore to a cove in the -opposite island, three miles apart, and in winter, he would cut -a hole in the ice, and another at some distance, and would dive -down at one hole, and come up the other. He had some eccentricities, -but he seemed to be a good and charitable man.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Langhorn, when the war of 1812 commenced, acquired the -belief, it is said, that Canada would be conquered by the United -States, and so determined to escape. The following somewhat -singular “Notice” appeared in the Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite>:—​“Notice—​To -all whom it may concern,—​That the Rev. J. Langhorn, of -Ernesttown, intends returning to Europe this summer, if he can -find a convenient opportunity; and all who have any objections to -make, are requested to acquaint him with them, and they will much -oblige their humble servant,—​J. Langhorn,—​Earnesttown, March, -1813.” The Rev. gentleman did go home, and some say that he was -again coming to Canada, and was shipwrecked. Before leaving -Canada, he made a valuable present to Kingston, as the following -notice will show:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The Rev. Mr. Langhorn, of Ernesttown, who is about returning -to England, his native country, has presented a valuable collection -of books to the Social Library, established in this village. The -directors have expressed to him the thanks of the proprietors for -his liberal donation. Many of the volumes are very elegant, and, -it is to be hoped, will, for many years, remain a memorial of his -liberality and disposition to promote the diffusion of useful knowledge -among a people, with whom he has lived as an Episcopal -Missionary more than twenty years. During that period his acts -of charity have been frequent and numerous, and not confined to -members of his own church; but extended to indigent and meritorious -persons of all denominations. Many who have shared in his -bounty, will have reason to recollect him with gratitude, and to -regret his removal from the country.”—​(<cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>).</p> - -<p class='c000'>After his departure, the churches where he had preached were -vacant for many a day; and, at last, the one in Adolphustown went -to decay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There died, at Williamstown, U. C., 23rd September, 1815, the -Rev. John Bethune, in his 65th year. He was a native of Scotland. -Came to America before the rebellion, and was possessed of property, -all of which he lost, and was thereby reduced to great distress -for the time being. The foundation was then laid for the disease of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>which he died. During the rebellion, he was appointed Chaplain -to the 80th Regiment. At the close of the war he settled in Canada. -He left a widow and numerous family.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ex-Sheriff Sherwood, of Brockville, says that “the Rev. Mr. -Bethune, a Presbyterian Clergyman, was the second legalized Clergyman -in the country. He settled at an early period at Cornwall. -He was father of the Rev. John Bethune, now Dean of Montreal, -(1866).”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>BAPTISTS—​WYNER, TURNER, HOLTS, WIEM.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The first Ministers of this sect were Elders Wyner and Turner, -a brother of Gideon Turner, one of the first settlers of Thurlow. -One, Elder Holts, also preached around the Bay, but a love of brandy -hindered him. Yet he was an attractive preacher. This was probably -about 1794.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A considerable number of Baptists settled up the river Moira, -in Thurlow. The first chapel built here was for that denomination, -in the fifth concession. Its size was thirty feet square. But, prior -to the building of this, a dozen or so would meet for worship at the -house of Mr. Ross. The chapel was mainly built by each member -going to the place and working at the building, from time to time, -until it was completed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Turner traveled through different sections, preaching -wherever he found his fellow communionists. He occasionally -preached at Capt. McIntosh’s, at Myer’s Creek, and now and then -at the head of the Bay. The Baptists were, probably, the first to -preach at Sidney, and Thurlow. Myer’s Creek was not a central -place at which to collect the scattered settlers until it became a -village. Before that, the preaching place of the Baptists, and afterwards -of the Presbyterians and Methodists, was up at Gilbert’s -house, in Sidney, or at Col. Bell’s, in Thurlow. When the village -grew, services were held at Capt. McIntosh’s and Mr. Mitz’s, at the -mouth of the river, by different denominations, and still later, in a -small school house. Preaching also was held up the river, at Reed’s -and Hayden’s Corners.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first Baptist Minister that preached at East Lake, Hallowell, -was the Rev. Joseph Wiem. Not unlikely, he and Elder -Wyner are the same.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE LUTHERANS—​SCHWERDFEGER, MYERS, WEANT.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Among the early ministers of religion who attended to the -spiritual interests of the pioneers, were several of the Lutheran -<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>Church. Of this denomination, there was a considerable number -in the County of Dundas, chiefly Dutch. There were also a community -of them in Ernesttown, and another in Marysburgh. The -first church built in Upper Canada, east of Kingston, perhaps the -next after the one built at Tyendinaga, was erected by the Lutherans. -It was put up in 1790, named Zion’s Church, and a Mr. -Schwerdfeger, who resided near Albany, was invited to be their -Pastor. This invitation was gladly accepted, as he and his family -had suffered severe persecution from the victorious rebels. He died -in 1803.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At an early period, indeed it would seem probable before Mr. -Schwerdfeger came to Canada, although the time cannot be positively -fixed, the Rev. Mr. Myers, from Philadelphia, lived in Marysburgh -and preached to the Lutheran Germans of that Township. -He married a daughter of Mr. Henry Smith, one of the first settlers -there, where stood his log church, about twenty-four feet square, -upon the brow of a hill overlooking a lovely landscape. Mr. Myers -removed to the St. Lawrence, and “in 1804 became Pastor of the -Lutheran churches there.” (History of Dundas). He resigned -in 1807, not being supported, and removed to Pennsylvania.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The second Lutheran clergyman to preach upon the Bay, was -the Rev. Mr. Weant. He lived a short distance below Bath, and -went every four weeks to preach at Smith’s Bay; and, in the meantime, -preached to the Lutherans of Ernesttown, where he built a -log church, the first there. In 1808, he received a call from -the Lutherans of Matilda, “which he accepted, and for some time -preached acceptably, residing in the parsonage.” He, too, seems to -have been inadequately supported by the people, and yielding to -inducements, too tempting for most men to resist, he, in 1811, -secretly joined the Church of England, and was re-ordained by -Bishop Mountain, in Quebec. Upon his return, he pretended still -to be a Lutheran minister, and preached, as usual, in German exclusively. -Suspicions, however, soon arose that all was not right, for -he began to use the English Book of Common Prayer, and occasionally -to wear the surplice, practices which gave such offence to his -former friends, that they declared they would no longer go to hear -a man who proclaimed to them in his shirt sleeves. A few were -persuaded by him to join the Church of England. The majority -remained faithful. In 1814, the Lutherans again invited the Rev. -Mr. Myers; upon his consenting to come, they sent two sleighs, in -the winter, to Pennsylvania, and brought him and his family to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>Dundas. But Mr. Weant would not give up the parsonage and -glebe, and put a padlock on the church door, and forbade any one -to enter, unless acknowledging the thirty-nine articles of the Church -of England. A compromise resulted, and the Lutherans were permitted -to use the building once in two weeks. For three years, -Mr. Myers continued his ministrations as a Lutheran, in the meantime -being in straitened circumstances. In 1817, strangely -enough, Mr. Myers also forsook the Lutheran Church, and conformed -to the Church of England. (Hist. of Dundas.) The end of -Mr. Weant and Mr. Myers, according to accounts, was not, in either -case satisfactory. The latter died suddenly from a fall, it is said, -while he was intoxicated, and the former was addicted to the same -habit of intemperance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The successor of Mr. Myers was the Rev. <span class='sc'>I. L. Senderling</span>. He -came in 1825, and stayed only a short time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1826, Rev. <span class='sc'>Herman Hayuniga</span> became the Pastor; and succeeded, -after many years, in restoring to the church its former -prosperity, notwithstanding much that opposed him. He had a new -church erected. His successor was the Rev. Dendrick Shorts.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite> contains a notice of perhaps the last -Lutheran Minister at Ernest town. “Married. In Ernesttown, -29th Jan, 1816, the Rev. Wm. McCarty, Minister of the Lutheran -congregation, to Miss Clarissa Fralick.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXIX.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Bishop Strachan—​A teacher—​A preacher—​A student—​Holy Orders—​A -Presbyterian—​Becomes an Episcopalian—​A supporter of the “Family -compact”—​Sincere—​His opinion of the people—​Ignorant—​Unprepared for -self-government—​Strachan’s religious chart—​He was deceived—​The Methodist—​Anomalous -connection—​A fillibustering people—​Republicanism egotistical—​Loyalty -of Methodists—​American ministers—​Dr. Strachan’s position—​His -birth place—​His education—​A. M., 1793—​Studying Theology—​Comes -to Canada—​A student of Dr. Stuarts—​Ordained Deacon—​A missionary -at Cornwall—​Rector at York—​Archdeacon—​Bishop of Toronto—​Coadjutor—​Death—​A -public burial—​Rev. Mr. McDowell—​First Presbyterian at -Bay Quinté—​Invited by VanAlstine—​On his way—​At Brockville—​Settles -in second town—​His circuit—​A worthy minister—​Fulfilling his mission—​Traveling -on foot—​To York—​Marrying the people—​His death—​His descendants—​Places -of Preaching—​A Calvinist—​Invites controversy—​Mr. Coate -accepts the challenge—​The disputation—​Excitement—​The result—​Rev. Mr. -Smart—​Called by Mr. McDowell—​Pres. clergyman at Brockville—​Fifty -years—​An earnest Christian—​A desire to write—​“Observer”—​A pioneer—​A -cause of regret—​Not extreme—​Mr. Smart’s views on politics—​The masses -uneducated—​The “Family Compact”—​Rise of responsible government—​The -Bidwells—​Credit to Dr. Strachan—​Brock’s funeral sermon—​Foundation -of Kingston gaol—​Maitland—​Demonstration—​Sherwood’s -statement.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>BISHOP STRACHAN—​REV. MR. MCDOWELL AND REV. MR. SMART.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Having elsewhere spoken of this distinguished man as the first -teacher of Higher Education in Upper Canada, it is intended to give -him a proper place among the first who preached the Gospel. Dr. -Strachan, who had studied Divinity at Kingston, under the guidance -of Mr. Stuart, took Holy Orders while engaged in teaching at Cornwall. -Although he had been brought up in the Presbyterian faith, he -deliberately connected himself with the Church of England, as the -church of his choice.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From the first, Dr. Strachan took a decided stand in favor of the -exclusive power claimed by the government and the “Family Compact.” -This step was no doubt, deemed by him the very best to -secure the interest of the rising country, believing as he did, that the -people generally were unfitted by want of education to perform the -duties of legislation and self-government. His devotion to the -government, led doubtless, in some instances, to errors of judgment, -and on a few occasions placed him in a false position. Yet he was -always seemingly conscientious. The course pursued by him, in preparing, -and sending to the Imperial Government a religious chart, -which subsequent investigation proved to be incorrect, had, at the -time, an unfortunate effect. But it is submitted, that it has never -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>been shewn, that Dr. Strachan was otherwise than deceived when -preparing the document. He made statements of a derogatory -nature with respect to the Methodist body; but can it be shewn that -there was no reason whatever for his statements. The history of the -Methodists of Canada, exhibits a loyalty above suspicion. But was -there no ground on which to place doubts respecting the propriety of -any body of Canadians receiving religious instruction from men who -were subjects of another country—​a country which was ever threatening -the province, and who had basely invaded an unoffending -people—​a country that constantly encouraged her citizens to penetrate -the territory of contiguous powers with the view of possessing -it. While there is sufficient proof that the Methodist ministers who -came into the country were actuated by the very highest motives, it -cannot be denied that any one taught in the school of republicanism, -will carry with him wherever he goes, whether among the courtly of -Europe, the contented and happy Canadians, or the blood-thirsty -Mexicans, his belief in the immaculate principles of republicanism. -He cannot, even if he would, refrain from descanting upon the superiority -of his government over all others. The proclamation of Gen. -Hull, at Detroit, and of others, shews that the belief was entertained -in the States, that many Canadians were favorable to the Americans. -Whence could have arisen this belief? Not certainly from the old -U. E. Loyalists, who had been driven away from their native country? -Not surely by the English, Irish, or Scotch? Dr. Strachan, with the -government, could not close their eyes to these facts, and was it -unnatural to infer that American-sent Methodists had something to do -with it?</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bishop Strachan was a man of education, and as such, he must -be judged in reference to his opinion that Methodists were unqualified -to teach religious truth, from their imperfect or deficient -education. We say, not that much book learning is absolutely -essential to a successful expounding of the plan of salvation, although -it is always most desirable. But having taken our pen to do justice -to all of whom we have to speak, we desire to place the reader so -far as we can upon the stand of view occupied by the distinguished -Divine and Scholar.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dr. Strachan was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, 12th April, 1778. -He was educated at the Grammar School, and at King’s College, at -that city, where he took the degree of M. A., in 1793. He then -removed to the neighborhood of St. Andrews, and studied Theology, -as a Presbyterian. As stated elsewhere, he came to America in 1799, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>reaching Canada the last day of the year. Disappointed in his expectations -respecting an appointment to establish a college, he became a -school teacher in Kingston, and at the same time a student of Divinity, -under the guidance and friendship of Dr. Stuart. He prosecuted his -Theological studies during the three years he was in Kingston, and -in 1803, was ordained Deacon, by Dr. Mountain, the first Protestant -Bishop of Quebec. The following year he was admitted to Holy -Orders, and went as a missionary to Cornwall. Here he continued -nine years, attending diligently to his duties as a minister, all over -his widening parish; and also conducted a Grammar School. In 1812 -he received the appointment of Rector at York, the capital, and in -1825 he was made Archdeacon. Enjoying political appointments with -these ecclesiastical, he finally, in 1839, was elevated to be the first -Bishop of Toronto. Dr. Strachan discharged the duties of his high -office with acceptability. In 1866 Archdeacon Bethune was appointed -as Coadjutor Bishop, the venerable prelate beginning to feel that his -time was almost done. He died 1st November, 1867, having attained -to his ninetieth year, and was accorded a public funeral. No higher -marks of esteem and veneration could have been exhibited than were -displayed by all classes at the death of this Canadian Divine.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The most of the settlers from the Hudson, not Lutherans, were -Presbyterians, or of the Dutch Reformed Church. Mr. McDowell -was the first Presbyterian minister to visit the Bay. He came about -1800, perhaps before; when yet there were but few clergymen in -the province. We have seen it stated that he was sent for by -Major VanAlstine, who was a Presbyterian. On his way he tarried -a day in the neighborhood of Brockville. Adiel Sherwood was then -teaching school, in connection with which he was holding a public -exhibition. Mr. McDowell attended, and here first took a part as a -minister, by offering his first public prayer in the country. He proceeded -to Kingston, and settled in the second township. But his -circuit of travel and places of preaching extended from Brockville -to the head of Bay Quinté. The name of this worthy individual is too -little known by the inhabitants of the bay. No man contributed more -than he to fulfill the Divine mission “go preach;” and at a time when -great spiritual want was felt he came to the hardy settlers. The spirit -of Christianity was by him aroused to no little extent, especially among -those, who in their early days had been accustomed to sit under the -teachings of Presbyterianism. He traveled far and near, in all kinds -of weather, and at all seasons, sometimes in the canoe or batteau, and -sometimes on foot. On one occasion he walked all the way from Bay -<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>Quinté to York, following the lake shore, and swimming the rivers that -could not be otherwise forded. He probably married more persons -while in the ministerial work than all the rest in the ten townships -around the bay. This arose from his being the only minister legally -qualified to solemnize matrimony, beside the clergymen of the English -Church, Mr. Stuart, of Kingston, and Langhorn, of Fredericksburgh. -Persons wishing to be married repaired to him from all the region of -the bay, or availed themselves of his stated ministerial tours. The -writer’s parents, then living in Adolphustown, were among those -married by him, the certificate of which now lies before him. Mr. A. -Sherwood thus speaks of him, “He lived to labor many years in -the service of his Master, and after an honorable and good old age -he died highly esteemed by his friends and much respected by all who -knew him.” Mr. McDowell had at least two sons and a daughter. -The last is Mrs. Carpenter, now living at Demorestville. One of his -sons removed to New York and there established a Magdalene Asylum. -Mr. McDowell, used to pass around the bay twice or three -times a year. He was one of the first, to preach at the extreme -head of the bay, the Carrying Place, and for that purpose occupied -a barn. Another of his preaching places was in Sophiasburgh, -on the marsh front. He preached here four times a year. He -was a rigid Calvinist, and preaching one Sabbath at the beginning -of the present century in the Court House at Adolphustown, he -offered to argue with any one publicly the question of Calvinism. -The Methodist minister of the bay, the Rev. Samuel Coate, was urged -by his society to accept the challenge, and after a good deal of hesitation -did so. So a day was appointed for the discussion. The -meeting took place at a convenient place, three miles from Bath, in -the Presbyterian church. The excitement was great; the inhabitants -coming even from Sidney and Thurlow. Mr. McDowell spoke first, -and occupied half a day. Then followed Mr. Coate. After he had -spoken two hours Mr. McDowell and his friends left; why, it is not -said. Mr. Coate continued speaking until night. We have the statement -of the Methodists, that Mr. Coate had the best of it, but we -never learned the belief of the other party. Mr. Coate’s sermon was -published by request, and thereafter, it is said Presbyterianism -waned in the locality.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Rev. Mr. Smart</span>,—​This truly pious man, and evangelical minister, -came to Canada in 1811. He never actually lived within the precincts -of the Bay; but he was called to the wilderness of Upper -Canada by the Rev. Mr. McDowell, at least he was chiefly instrumental -<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>in bringing him out, even before his student days were ended. -For upwards of fifty years he discharged the duties of Presbyterian -clergyman at Brockville, the first clergyman of any denomination -within fifty miles. We shall ever remember the kind genial person -with whom we spent a few pleasant hours in the evening of his -eventful life, a life spent earnestly in the service of his Master, -and for the welfare of his family, for, to use his own words, “In his -day it was no easy matter to live and rear a family.” This he said -not complainingly, but because it hindered him from indulging a -desire he once felt to do something with his pen—​to record, as he -was desired to do, the events connected with his early life in Upper -Canada, and his cotemporaries. At first he did contribute to the -<cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, over the cognomen “Observer.” But other things -pressed upon him, and when repose came he fancied the fire of his -early days, for scribbling, had too far sunk. This is much to be -regretted, for as a close observer and upright man, and living in -eventful times of Canadian history, he was pre-eminently qualified to -treat the subject. Mr. Smart was always distinguished for moderate -and well-considered views upon Religion, Political Government and -Education. He lived when the battle commenced between the -“Family Compact” and the people. While he firmly set his face -against the extreme stand taken by the Rev. Mr. Strachan, he never -identified himself with the party that opposed that worker for, and -with the Government. On this point, Mr. Smart makes judicious -remarks. In speaking of the rise and first days of the Province, he -says, “it was necessary the Government in Council should create -laws, and govern the people, inasmuch as the vast majority of the -inhabitants were unlettered, and unfit to occupy places which required -judgment and discrimination.” There were but few of the U. E. -Loyalists who possessed a complete education. He was personally -acquainted with many, especially along the St. Lawrence, and Bay of -Quinté, and by no means were all educated, or men of judgment; -even the half-pay officers, many of them, had but a limited education. -Many of them were placed on the list of officers, not because they -had seen service, but as the most certain way of compensating them -for losses sustained in the Rebellion. And there were few, if any, -of them fitted by education for office, or to serve in Parliament. -Such being the case, the Governor and his advisers were at the first -necessarily impelled to rule the country. Having once enjoyed the -exclusive power, they became unwilling to share it with the representatives -of the people. But the time came when the mass, having -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>acquired some idea of Responsible Government, were no longer to -be kept in obscurity, and thence arose the war between the Tory and -the Radical. In all the contentions arising therefrom, Mr. Smart -held an intermediate position with the Bidwells and others. In -speaking of all this, Mr. Smart is particularly anxious to give credit to -Dr. Strachan for his honesty of purpose, saying that the Colony is -much indebted to him in many ways.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Smart was called upon to preach the funeral sermon of -Canada’s great hero, General Brock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He also delivered an address on the occasion of laying the foundation -stone of the gaol in Kingston, in presence of the Governor, -Peregrine Maitland, who was down from York, on which occasion -there was great demonstration of Free Masons, and the farmers of -the Bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Sherwood thus speaks of Mr. Smart: “On his arrival, he for -some little time made his home at my house, he was then 23 years -old, he has now (1866) entered his 78th year, has retired from a -public charge, and is now residing quietly, and I trust comfortably, -at Gananoque; and I feel quite sure, all that know him throughout -the whole Province, will join with me, in wishing him long life and -happiness, both here and hereafter.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXX.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The Quakers—​Among the Settlers—​From Penn.—​Duchess County—​First -Meeting-house—​David Sand—​Elijah Hick—​Visiting Canada—​James -Noxen—​A first settler—​Their mode of worship—​In Sophiasburgh—​The -meeting-house—​Joseph Leavens—​Hicksites—​Traveling—​Death, aged 92—​Extract, -Picton Sun—​The first preaching places—​First English church—​In -private houses—​At Sandwich—​The Indian church at the bay—​Ernesttown—​First -Methodist church—​Preaching at Niagara—​First church in -Kingston—​At Waterloo—​At Niagara—​Churches at Kingston, 1817—​In -Hollowell—​Thurlow—​Methodist meeting-houses, 1816—​At Montreal—​Building -chapels in olden times—​Occupying the frame—​The old Methodist -chapels—​In Hollowell township—​In the fifth town—​St. Lawrence—​First -English Church, Belleville—​Mr. Campbell—​First time in the pulpit—​How -he got out—​The old church superseded—​Church, front of Sidney—​Rev. John -Cochrane—​Rev. Mr. Grier—​First Presbyterian Church in Belleville—​Rev. -Mr. Ketcham—​First Methodist Church in Belleville—​Healey, Puffer—​The -site of the church—​A second one.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE EARLY CLERGYMEN AND CHURCHES OF UPPER CANADA.—​THE QUAKERS.—​NOXEN, LEAVENS, HICKS, SAND.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Among the early settlers of the Bay were a goodly number of -the Society of Friends. Some of them were natives of Pennsylvania; -but the majority were from the Nine Partners, Duchess -County, New York, where had existed an extensive community of -the followers of Fox. The first meeting-house built by the Quakers -in Canada was in Adolphustown upon the south shore of Hay Bay, -toward the close of last century.</p> - -<p class='c000'>About 1790, two Quaker preachers of some note visited Canada, -they were David Sand and Elijah Hick. By appointment they -held service in Adolphustown; it is uncertain whether this was -before or after the building of the meeting-house. The first and -principal preacher among the Quakers was James Noxen, one of -the first settlers of Adolphustown, under whom the Society was -organized. He subsequently in 1814 removed to Sophiasburgh, -where he died in 1842.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The worship of the Quakers consists in essentially spiritual -meditation and earnest examination of the inmost soul, a quiet -holding of the balance, to weigh the actions and motives of everyday -life. To the proper discharge of these duties no place can be -too quiet, too far removed from the busy haunts of men.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The sixth township, or Sophiasburg had among its settlers a -good many of this sect, which at first had meetings at Jacob Cronk’s, -until the year 1825, when they erected a meeting-house upon the -northern front of the township.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>Two miles below the village of Northport, is situated a Friends’ -meeting-house. Here twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, -congregate few, or many of the adherents of this persuasion, to -commune with their God. The meeting-house, reposing upon the -very verge of the shore, and half shadowed by beautiful maples and -evergreens, is a fit place in which to submit oneself to strict self-examination. -There is nothing here to disturb the supreme quietude -of the place, unless, the gentle ripples of the water, or the -more restless murmuring of the wave.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Joseph Leavens</span> “was an early settler of Canada, an emigrant -from New York,” he was for many years an esteemed preacher of -the Hicksite branch of Quakers, and was accustomed to travel from -place to place, to talk to his co-religionists. He had a place for -preaching in a loft of his brother’s store in Belleville. He was one -of the first Quaker preachers in Canada and travelled through all -the townships at the Bay, and to East Lake.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Died in the township of Hallowell, about the 24th of May, -1844, the venerable Joseph Leavens, in the 92nd year of his age. -He was amongst the early settlers of the Canadian forest, and -emigrated from New York State, and probably was a native of -Nine Partners District. He had long been a Preacher in the -Religious Society of Friends, and though not possessed of more than -one talent, yet it is believed that, as he occupied that to his Maker’s -glory, his reward will be as certain as though he had received ten -talents. He was a diligent reader in the sacred volume. He was -much beloved both by his neighbours and friends, and it is desired -that his gospel labours may be profitably remembered by them and -his relatives.”—​(<cite>Picton Sun.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>In speaking of the individual clergymen who first came to -the Province we have referred to many of the first preaching -places and churches: but there remains to be added some further -remarks.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen that the first church erected in Western Canada -was at the Mohawk settlement, Grand River, which was built the -first year of their habitation in that place—​1785–6. Strange that -the natives of the wood, should take the lead in erecting places of -worship. It was several years later before even log meeting-houses -were put up by the loyalists. For many years the pioneer -clergymen or preachers officiated in private houses. Now the service -would be at the house of one, to which a considerable number -<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>could come from a circuit of ten or fifteen miles, then it would be at -the place of some settler whose larger log house afforded a more -commodious place of worship.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A church was built at an early date at Sandwich, but the year, -we know not. The first church erected upon the Bay, the Rev. -Mr. Smart thinks, was at the Mohawk village, Tyendinaga. At an -early period a log church was built in Ernesttown by the Lutherans -and another on South Bay; one also for Mr. Langhorn to -preach in, and then another in Adolphustown. The first Methodist -church was built in Adolphustown in 1792, and a second one a -month later in Ernesttown.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Rev. Mr. Addison, went to Niagara in 1792. When -Governor Simcoe lived in Navy Hall, the Council Chamber a -building near the barracks it was said, was used alternately by the -English Church, and Church of Rome.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first English Church was erected in Kingston in 1793, and -up to 1810 it was the only one. A Methodist church was built at -a very early date at Waterloo; it was never finished, but used for -many years. The first at Niagara, was in 1802.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In November 28, 1817, there were in Kingston, “four -churches or meeting-houses, viz: 1 Episcopalian, 1 Roman Catholic -and 2 Methodists; there were 4 professional preachers, viz: 1 -Episcopalian, 1 Presbyterian and 2 Methodists. This enumeration -does not include a chaplain to the army, and one to the royal navy.” -In Ernesttown there was one resident professional preacher, a -Methodist.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In Sophiasburgh there were no churches; but the Quakers, -Methodists and Presbyterians had meetings at private houses.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In Hollowell, says Eben. Washburne, “we have one Methodist, -and one Quaker meeting-house; preparations are making also for -a Presbyterian meeting-house. The former is attended by a circuit -preacher every two weeks; the latter by a Quaker every Sabbath.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In Thurlow, “the Gospel is dispensed almost every Sabbath of -the year, in different parts of the township, by itinerant preachers -of the Methodist and Baptist sects.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1816, there were eleven Methodist meeting-houses in -Canada. These were all of wood excepting one in Montreal, built -in 1806, which was of stone. “The mode of building chapels in -the olden times was by joint labor, and almost without the aid of -money. The first step was for scores of willing hands on a -given day, to resort to the woods, and then fell the trees, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>square the timber; others, with oxen and horses, drawing the -hewed pieces and rafters to the appointed place. A second step -was to call all hands to frame the building, selecting the best genius -of the carpenter’s calling for superintendent. A third step was a -“bee” to raise the building; and the work for the first year was -done. The next year, the frame would be enclosed, with windows -and doors, and a rough floor laid loose. As soon as the meeting -house was thus advanced, it was immediately used for preaching, -prayer meetings and quarterly meetings. Some of the early -chapels would be finished inside; others, would be used for years -in their rough, cold, and unfinished state. The people were poor, -had little or no money, but loved the Gospel, and did what they -could.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The oldest of the eleven chapels is the Adolphustown, on the -south shore of the Hay Bay, and on the old Bay of Quinté circuit.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The next for age is the chapel in the fourth concession of -Ernesttown. It was not erected here at first, but on the front of -the township, lot No. 27, and close to the Bay of Quinté. After -some years, (some of the principal Methodists moving to the fourth -concession), the frame was taken down, drawn to the present site, -and put up again. It stands on the public road, leading from -Napanee to Kingston, and near the village of Odessa. A roughcast -school-house, now stands on the old site, east of Bath. Some -challenge the antiquity of the Ernesttown, with the Adolphustown -chapel; but both were commenced at about the same time, by -William Losee; the latter was first erected. As the traveler -passes, he may look on this old and useful meeting-house, still used -for public worship, and see a specimen of the architecture of the -pious people settled in the woods of Ernesttown seventy years ago.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“About nine miles from Odessa toward Kingston is the village of -Waterloo, and on the top of a sand-hill, formerly covered with lofty -pines, is a well proportioned and good looking Wesleyan stone -church. It is on the site of an ancient frame meeting-house, decayed, -and gone, which bore an antiquity nearly as great as the other two -chapels. The meeting-house in the Township of Kingston was an -unfinished building, a mere outside, with rough planks for seats.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Two miles from the Town of Picton, and in the first concession -of the Township of Hollowell, is still to be seen one of the oldest -Methodist chapels in Upper Canada. The ground and the lumber -were the gift of Steven Conger. The first work was done in June, -1809. An account book, now existing, shows the receipts and payments -<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>for the building. Some paid subscriptions in money, some -in wheat, some in teaming and work; and one person paid one -pound “by way of a turn.” The first trustees were named Conger, -Valleau, Vanblaricum, Dougal, German, Benson, Wilson, and Vandusen. -They are all dead, but children of some of them are still -living in the vicinity. The building is square, with pavilion roof, -of heavy frame timber, yet sound, having a school-house on one -side, and a mill on the other. Here is a burying ground attached, -in which lie many of the subscribers to, and first worshippers in, -the chapel. It is still used as a place of worship, and for a Sabbath -school. These four chapels were all in the old Bay of Quinté -circuit.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In the fifth township east of Kingston is another relic of the -times of old, called the Elizabethtown chapel. It is now within the -boundaries of the village of Lyn, about eight miles from Brockville, -and near the river St. Lawrence. A chapel particularly remarkable -for the assembling of the Genesse conference in 1817, and -the great revival of religion which there commenced.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first English Church erected west of Adolphustown, was -at Belleville. It was commenced in 1819, and finished the next -year. The Rev. Mr. Campbell was the first clergyman, and came -to the place some little time before the building was completed. -An anecdote has been related to us by one who saw the occurrence, -which will serve to illustrate the character of those days. -Mr. Campbell one day entered the church, when near its completion, -and walked up a ladder and entered the pulpit; immediately -one of the workmen, named Smith, removed the ladder, leaving the -Rev. gentleman a prisoner; nor would they release him until he -had sent a messenger to his home for a certain beverage. This -church when erected was an ornament to the place, and is well -remembered by many, having been taken down in 1858, the present -handsome structure being completed. Mr. Campbell continued in -charge until his death in 1835. During this time he caused to be -erected a church at the front of Sidney, midway between Belleville -and the Trent, and he held services there every second Sabbath, in -the afternoon, for a time; but the congregation was never large. -Methodism seemed to take more hold of the feelings of the people. -Mr. Campbell’s successor was the Rev. John Cochrane, who was -pastor for three years, when the present incumbent, the Rev. John -Grier, who had been at the Carrying Place for some years, took -charge.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>The first Presbyterian clergyman of Belleville, was Mr. -Ketcham, under him the first church was built.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first Methodist church to be built in the western part of -the Bay country was at Belleville. It was probably about the -beginning of this century that the itinerant Methodist began to -visit the head of the Bay Quinté. They were accustomed to preach -in private houses, and barns, here and there along the front, and -up the Moira River, and at Napanee.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Healy and Puffer were accustomed to preach at Col. Bell’s, -Thurlow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Belleville was laid out into lots in 1816; Mr. Ross applied to -government for one, as the society was disqualified from holding -landed property until 1828. The land was accordingly granted to -him, and recorded, January 7, 1819. A frame building was immediately -commenced 50 by 30 feet. Before it was inclosed, service -was held within the frame. The building was never completed. -The pulpit was of rough boards, and the seats were of similar -material, placed upon blocks. In 1831, a second chapel was commenced, -and the old one removed.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The first Methodist Preachers—​The army—​Capt. Webb—​Tuffey—​George -Neal—​Lyons—​School-teacher—​Exhorter—​McCarty—​Persecution—​Bigotry—​Vagabonds—​McCarty -arrested—​Trial—​At Kingston—​Banished—​“A -martyr”—​Doubtful—​Losee, first Methodist missionary, 1790—​A minister—​A -loyalist—​Where he first preached—​“A curiosity”—​Earnest pioneer -Methodist—​Class-meetings—​Suitable for all classes—​Losee’s class-meetings—​Determines -to build a meeting-house—​Built in Adolphustown—​Its size—​The -subscribers—​Members, amount—​Embury—​Those who subscribed for -first church in New York—​Same names—​The centenary of Methodism—​New -York Methodists driven away—​American Methodist forgetful—​Embury -and Heck refugees—​Ashgrove—​No credit given to British -officers—​Embury’s brother—​The rigging loft, N. Y.—​Barbara Heck—​Settling -in Augusta—​First Methodist Church in America—​Subscribers—​“Lost -Chapters”—​The Author’s silence—​What is acknowledged—​“Severe -threats”—​Mr. Mann—​To Nova Scotia—​Mr. Wakely “admires piety”—​not -“loyalty”—​Second chapel, N. Y.—​Adolphustown subscribers—​Conrad -VanDusen—​Eliz. Roblin—​Huff—​Ruttan—​The second Methodist chapel—​The -subscribers—​Commenced May, 1792—​Carpenters’ wages—​Members, -Cataraqui Circuit—​Going to Conference—​Returns—​Darias Dunham—​Physician—​First -quarterly meeting—​Anecdotes—​Bringing a “dish cloth”—​“Clean -up”—​The new made squire—​Asses—​Unclean spirits—​Losee discontinues -preaching—​Cause—​Disappointment—​Return to New York—​Dunham -useful—​Settles—​Preachers traveling—​Saddle-bags—​Methodism among the -loyalists—​Camp-meetings—​Where first held, in Canada—​Worshipping in -the woods—​Breaking up—​Killing the Devil—​First Canadian preacher—​Journey -from New York.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST WESLEYAN METHODISTS IN CANADA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The first Methodist Preachers both in Lower and Upper Canada -were connected with the British Army; also, the second one in -America, who was Capt. Webb. “In 1780, a Methodist Local -Preacher, named Tuffey, a Commissary of the 44th, came with his -regiment to Quebec. He commenced preaching soon after his arrival, -and continued to do so at suitable times, while he remained,” or -until his regiment was disbanded in 1783. The second Methodist -Preacher in Canada was George Neal, an Irishman. During the -war he was Major of a cavalry regiment. He “crossed the Niagara -river at Queenston on the 7th October, 1786, to take possession -of an officer’s portion of land, and soon began to preach to the -new settlers on the Niagara river—​his labours were not in vain.”—​(Playter).</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In 1788 a pious young man, called Lyons, an exhorter in -the Methodist Episcopal Church, came to Canada, and engaged in -teaching school in Adolphustown.” He collected the people -together on the Sabbath, and conducted religious services. “In -the same year came James McCarty, an Irishman, to Ernesttown.” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>He was a follower of Whitfield, but acted with the Methodist, holding -religious meetings. His preaching caused severe persecution -against him on the part of certain loyalists, who held the doctrine -that none could be true subjects who adhered not to the Church of -England; but to oppose the Church was to oppose the King. -Advantage was taken of this loyalty to try to prevent the introduction -of any other religious denominations. A law had been -enacted by the Governor in Council, that persons wandering about -the country might be banished as vagabonds. McCarty was arrested -on a charge of vagabondism in Adolphustown, and brought before -a magistrate at VanDusen’s tavern, at the front, who remanded -him to Kingston. According to Playter, he was preaching at -Robert Perry’s when arrested; our informant is the Rev. C. VanDusen, -at whose father’s he was first arraigned. After being -released on bail, he was finally tried before Judge C., and was sentenced -to be banished, tradition says, upon an island in the St. -Lawrence. At all events he was placed in a batteau and taken -away by French boatmen. McCarty has obtained the name of -<em>martyr</em>, but it is the belief of unbiassed persons that he was not left -upon the island, but was conveyed to Montreal.</p> - -<p class='c000'>William Losee was the first regular preacher of the Methodist -denomination in Canada. He first visited the country in 1790, -preached a few sermons along the Bay of Quinté and St. Lawrence, -and returned with a petition from the settlers to the Conference, to -send him as a preacher. In February, 1791 he again came, as an -appointed minister from the Methodist Episcopal Church of the -United States. “Losee was a loyalist, and knew some of the -settlers in Adolphustown, before they left the United States. He -desired to see them and preach to them the glad tidings of salvation. -Had he been on the revolutionary side, the warm loyalists -would not have received him—​rather would have driven him from -the country.”—​(Playter). One of the first places at which he -preached, was at the house of John Carscallian, in Fredericksburgh. -The tavern of Conrad VanDusen, in Adolphustown, was another, -and at Paul Huff’s, on Hay Bay, another. “A Methodist Preacher -was a curiosity in those days, and all were anxious to see the phenomenon; -some would even ask how he looked, or what he was -like! A peculiarity in Losee, too, was, that he had but one arm -to use, the other being withered.” A true pioneer Methodist, he -set earnestly to work to form class-meetings and organize societies, -and during the summer his circuit embraced the settlements in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>the Township of Kingston, Ernesttown, Fredericksburgh, Marysburgh, -and even Sophiasburgh. Class-meetings form the corner -stone of Wesleyan Methodism. But little understood, often -entirely misunderstood by others than Methodists, they are generally -regarded as the abode of cant or of priestly control. No greater -error could exist. Rightly conducted they are invaluable as a -means of training the religious mind, and establishing it upon the -Rock of Ages. It has been said that they are only suitable for the -uneducated; not so, they are alike beneficial to the peasant and the -noble, the clown and the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">littérateur</span></i>. Losee, in accordance with the -principles of Methodism, at once set to work to create classes, and -on the Sabbath of February 20, 1792, in the 3rd concession of Adolphustown, -at Paul Huff’s house, he established the first regular -class-meeting in Canada. The second class was formed on the -following Sabbath, in Ernesttown, four miles from Bath.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A third class was formed in March, at Samuel Detlor’s, three -miles from Napanee. The following year the congregation had so -increased, which met at Paul Huff’s house, that a determination -was formed to erect a meeting house. A paper was drawn up, in -which was set forth the great blessing of God in sending a minister -to their wilderness home, that a “Meeting-house or Church” is -requisite. Then follows an agreement of the subscribers to build -a Church, under the direction of Losee; to be thirty-six feet by -thirty feet, two stories high, with a gallery. “Said house to be -built on the north-west corner of Paul Huff’s land, lot No. 18, third -concession, Fourth Town;” and promising to pay the sums of -money annexed to their respective names. This interesting document, -with the names of subscribers, and the subscription of each, is -to be found in Playter’s History of Methodism, a work that ought to be -in the hands of every Canadian, no matter what his creed, because -of the fund of general knowledge upon Canada it contains. The -total number of subscribers was twenty-two; the amount subscribed -was £108. Among the names are those familiar to every inhabitant -of the Bay, some known throughout Canada. To one, especially, -reference must be made, Andrew Embury, a name of historic -interest in connection with Methodism in America. It is a remarkable -fact, that this and other names are to be found among those -who planted Methodism in New York. The celebration of the -centenary of Methodism in America, in 1866, was marked by frequent -and glowing accounts of those who introduced Methodism -into America. Too much credit, too much honor could not be given -<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>to the Emburys, the Hecks and others, which was quite correct. -But no reference was made in the United States, nor in Canada for -that matter, to the dark days of the infant Society in New York, -when the cruel rebellion interrupted the meetings in that place; -and where persecution followed the retirement of the British forces, -1783. It is a page of history in connection with that body, which -American writers of Methodism endeavor to wipe out, when the -very founders of the Church in America were made to flee from -their homes; and had all their property sacrificed. The names of -Embury and Heck; of whom so much was said, were among the -refugees from rebel oppression. No word has been said of the -cause of the removal of these persons to the wilderness of Canada. -Barbara Heck, who enjoys the everlasting honor of causing Philip -Embury to begin Preaching, was driven away from her Methodist -home. Philip Embury was not likewise treated, because death had -sealed his eyes a year before the declaration of independence, ere -the demon of rebellion was evoked by the spirit of radicalism, and -unhallowed desire for neighbor’s goods; otherwise his bones, the -resting place of which they have given so glowing a picture of, would -likewise be sleeping in our midst, in the quiet shades of the Canadian -forest, as do those of Paul Heck, who died in 1788; and of his -wife, Barbara, who died in 1804. The remains of Philip Embury, -instead of being urned, as they were, in 1822, in Ash Grove, Washington -County, New York, after lying buried for fifty-seven years -in the old burying ground of Abraham Beninger, should have -found a burying place on Canadian soil, where rests his widow, the -place to which his brother and the Hecks were driven. We have -listened to some of the American orators, and read more of their -speeches, and could not help noticing that they forgot to mention -that their impetuous rebellion drove away from them the founders of -Methodism; they forgot to give any credit to Capt. Webb, who was -the second Methodist preacher in America; forsooth, because he -was a British officer, and it would be unpleasant to associate such -with centenary orations in this their day of Anglophobia.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the north shore of Hay Bay, in Fredericksburgh, settled -David Embury, brother of Philip, who officiated as a Methodist Minister -in New York, in a Rigging Loft, on William St., about 1766. To do -this he was urged by Barbara Heck, wife of Paul Heck, both of whom -were among the first to settle on the St. Lawrence, in Augusta, in 1785. -The first Methodist Church erected in America, was in 1768, on John -Street, New York. Among the 250 subscribers, was the name of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>David Embury, the same who settled on Hay Bay; he gave £2. -Also, the name of Paul Heck, who contributed £3 5s. Twenty-four -years later, and among the twenty-two subscribers to build the first -Methodist meeting-house in Canada, again appears the name of -Embury—​Andrew, son of David Embury. The author of the “Lost -Chapters of Methodism,” gives interesting accounts of the formation -of the Methodist Society in New York; but he is remarkably -silent in this instance, as others are, about the treatment they -received from the Americans; not a word to make it known that -they were driven into the wilds of Nova Scotia and Canada by a -relentless people. Yet, at the conclusion, he acknowledges this -much: he says, “At the conclusion of the Revolutionary war, -severe threats having been thrown out against the Loyalists who -had taken refuge within the British lines, Mr. Mann thought it his -duty to embark, with a considerable number of the Society, for the -wilds of Nova Scotia.” Mr. Mann was a class leader, and local -preacher, and, during the war, at the request of the Trustees, kept -the chapel in John Street open, after the regular preacher had left. -“We see what became of a part of the Society, in John Street. -Some of them had been so loyal to their sovereign, they were afraid -they would suffer if they remained.” Of course they were, and -had they not sufficient reason from the “threats” which had been -“thrown out.” Mr. Wakely, the author, continues, “We can -admire their piety without endorsing their loyalty.” How kind. -The second Methodist Church of New York was built on the land -of DeLancy, who had his immense property confiscated.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of the subscribers to the chapel in Adolphustown, Conrad Van -Dusen gave the largest amount, £15. He had been a Tavern -keeper on the front, and was one of the first fruits of Losee’s -missionary labors. “He lived a little east of the Court House. Of -him many pleasing and amusing anecdotes are told; though a -tavern-keeper, as well as a merchant, he opened his house for the -Gospel, and when that Gospel entered his heart, he deliberately -took his axe and cut down his sign posts.”—​(<cite>Playter.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>The second largest contributor, was Elizabeth Roblin, who gave -£12. She was the widow of Philip Roblin, who died 1788. They -had been among the first settlers of Adolphustown. (See U. E. -Loyalists.) Mrs. Roblin afterwards became the wife of John -Canniff, the founder of Canifton, and her remains now rest on the -hill in the old family burying ground, in that village. She was the -grand-parent of John P. Roblin, of Picton, “a man who has served -<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>his country in several Parliaments of Upper Canada. Her daughter -Nancy, born in 1781, is the mother of a large branch of the -Ketcheson family in the County of Hastings.”—​(<cite>Playter.</cite>) She, -with her husband, still live in the fifth concession of Sidney, yet -hale and hearty, in the autumn of their genial, though toilsome, -life. “The subscription of the widow was liberal; indeed, the -Roblins of the Bay of Quinté have always been a hospitable and -liberal minded people.” Paul Huff and William Ruttan, each gave -£10. The others gave smaller sums; but, considering the date, it -is noteworthy that so much was contributed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The same month, it is said, Losee undertook to build a second -Church in Ernesttown, a short distance below Bath. The principal -persons who aided in building this meeting-house were James -Parrot, John Lake, Robert Clarke, Jacob Miller, and others. There -is evidence in the account book of Robert Clarke, who was a carpenter, -that the chapel was commenced May, 1792. He credits -himself with then working twelve and a-half days; and with -working in October twelve and a-half days, at five shillings and -six-pence per day, which shows carpenter’s wages at that time. But -like a good hearted man, seeing the building fund not too full, he -reduced his wages to two shillings and nine-pence per day. His -payment to the chapel was £10. James Parrot received the subscriptions. -The two buildings were to be of the same size and form. -As soon as these two chapels were inclosed, the congregations sat -on boards to hear the preaching. They were the first Methodist -Churches in Canada. At the end of the year Mr. Losee had -165 members enrolled in the “Cataraqui Circuit.” He set out -on his long journey to attend conference at Albany. Mr. Losee -returned the following year, accompanied by Rev. Darius Dunham. -The latter took charge of the Bay of Quinté district—​the “Cataraqui -Circuit,” while Losee went to the St. Lawrence to organize a -new society—​this was called the “Oswegotchie” circuit.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On Saturday, September 15, the first “Quarterly” meeting -was held, in Mr. Parrot’s barn, 1st Con., Ernesttown, to which many -of the settlers came from the six townships. Darius Dunham was -a Physician by profession. “He was a man of strong mind, -zealous, firm in his opinions.” “He labored well on the Cataraqui -Circuit, and was in high repute by the people.”—​(<cite>Playter.</cite>)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Many anecdotes are told of Dunham. On account of his quick -and blunt way of speaking and rebuking evil doings, he acquired -the name of “Scolding Dunham.” Withal, he was witty, and he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>loved, it would seem, next to Godliness, cleanliness, so he would, if -at a house, where it were not observed, according to his idea (and as -there was only the one room, he could see the whole process of -preparing for the table,) he would tell the housewife that the next -time he came he would “bring a dish-cloth along,” or perhaps, he -would bluntly tell the woman to “clean up.” Carroll relates the -following story, yet often told and laughed at by the old settlers of -the Bay. “His reply to the newly appointed magistrate’s bantering -remarks, is widely reported. A new-made ‘Squire’ rallied -Dunham before some company, about riding so fine a horse, and told -him he was very unlike his humble Master, who was content to -ride an ass. The preacher responded with his usual imperturbable -gravity, and in his usual heavy and measured tones, that he agreed -with him perfectly, and that he would most assuredly imitate his -Master in that particular, but for the difficulty of finding the animal -required—​the Government having made up all the asses into magistrates.” -A person of the author’s acquaintance, informed him -that he saw an infidel, who was a fallen Lutheran clergyman, endeavoring, -one night while Dunham was preaching, to turn the whole -into ridicule. The preacher affected not to notice him, but went on -exalting the excellency of Christianity, and showing the formidable -opposition it had confronted and overcome; when, all at once, he -turned to where the scoffer sat, and fixing his eyes upon him, the -old gentleman continued: “Shall Christianity and her votaries, -after having passed through fire and water,” &c.—​“after all this, -I say, shall the servants of God, at this time of day, allow themselves -to be frightened by the <em>braying of an ass</em>.” In those days it -was believed, by some at least, that unclean spirits and devils might -be cast out by the power of God through the faithful Christian, and -Dunham had the credit of having, on several occasions, cast out -devils.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Losee remained a preacher only two years, when he -became mentally unfit, having encountered a disappointment of a -crushing nature. The uncertainty of the cause of his discontinuing -to preach, has been dispelled by Playter, in the -most touching language, “He was the subject of that soft, yet -powerful passion of our nature, which some account our weakness, -and others our greatest happiness. Piety and beauty were seen -connected in female form then as well as now, in this land of woods -and water, snows and burning heat. In the family of one of his -hearers, and in the vicinity of Napanee river, was a maid, of no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>little moral and personal attraction. Soon his (Losee’s) attention -was attracted; soon the seed of love was planted in his bosom, and -soon it germinated and bore outward fruit. In the interim of -suspense, as to whether he should gain the person, another preacher -came on the circuit, visits the same dwelling, is attracted by the -same fair object, and finds in his heart the same passion. The two -seek the same person. One is absent on the St. Lawrence; the -other frequents the blest habitation, never out of mind. One, too, -is deformed, the other a person of desirable appearance. Jealousy -crept in with love. But, at last, the preference was made, and -disappointment, like a thunderbolt, overset the mental balance of -the first itinerant minister in Canada.” He subsequently removed -to New York, where he continued to live for many years, and -recovered his mental health. He had purchased lots in Kingston, -which he returned to sell in 1816; at this time he was perfectly -sound in mind, and was a good man. He visited Adolphustown, -and other places, preaching here and there, and finally returned to -New York.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Dunham proved a useful man, especially among the settlers -of Marysburgh. He ultimately in the year 1800, retired from the -ministry and settled near Napanee, having married into the Detlor -family. But he continued to act as a local preacher.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The early preachers often traveled from place to place on -horseback after a bridle-path had been made, with saddle-bags, -containing oats in one part, and a few articles of wearing -apparel in another, perhaps a religious book; thus the zealous -preacher would travel mile after mile through interminable forests. -Indeed there are plenty to-day who have done likewise.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There is one fact connected with the early Methodist preachers, -which requires a passing notice.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The settlers were all intensely loyal; yet when the Yankee -Methodist preacher came in their midst he was gladly received; it -is true Losee the first who came was a loyalist; but many who -followed were Americans and republicans. Although the Lutheran, -Presbyterian, and English churchmen had preceded the Methodists -into Canada, neither seemed to obtain that hold upon the hearts of -the plain U. E. Loyalists, that the Methodists did. The people -of every denomination as well as those belonging to none, flocked -to hear them, and many stayed to become followers. These -Americans were always regarded with suspicion by government, -and serious doubts were entertained whether those who became -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>Methodists were loyal. But the war of 1812, exhibited in a thrilling -manner the old fire of attachment to their sovereign the King. -There seemed to be an adaptability between the Methodist mode of -worship and the plain old settlers, and for years there were many -who left the church of their fathers, and joined the more demonstrative -society of Wesleyans. Not only was this mode of -ordinary worship followed by the Methodist congenial, but -especially the camp meeting engaged their hearty attention. This -mode of worshipping in the woods was first known in Kentucky in -1801, and was initiated by two brothers named McGee, one of whom -was a Methodist, the other a Presbyterian. There are many who -regard the holding of camp-meetings as very questionable, even in -the past. Whatever may be said about the necessity of such -meetings at the present day, they were it is thought, highly appropriate -in the infant days of the country. At the first, and for many -long years, there were but few churches of any size. Then, the -inhabitants had been buried as it were in the primeval forests, left -to meditate in its deep recesses, far away from the busy haunts of -men. No doubt the solemn repose, and silent grandeur awoke in -their minds feelings of awe, and of veneration, just the same as -one will feel when gazing along the naves of some old grand -cathedral, with its representations of trees and flowers. It is not -difficult to understand that the mind, trained by habit to meditation -in the woods, with its waving boughs telling of other times, and of -a mysterious future, would naturally find worshipping in the woods, -congenial to the soul,—​find it a fit place for the higher contemplation -and worship of the great God. The first camp-meeting held in -Canada was in 1805, on the south shore of Hay Bay, near the chapel. -The meeting was attended by some from the distant townships, -who went down in batteaux. This was a great event to the settlers. -Its announcement, says Dr. Bangs, “beforehand excited great interest -far and near. Whole families prepared for a pilgrimage to the -ground, processions of waggons, and foot passengers wended along -the highways.” The ministers present were Case, Ryan, Pickett, -Keeler, Madden and Bangs. The meeting commenced on the 27th -of September; the whole was characterized by deep religious -feeling as well as decided demonstration, and the joy and -comfort of believing, which ought always to be present with the -Christian, was generally experienced, while there was an absence -of that outside exhibition, too often seen in later years, around the -camps. We quote from Carroll respecting the ending of this meeting. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>The account is from Dr. Bangs, “The time was at hand at last for -the conclusion of the meeting. The last night was the most -awfully impressive and yet most delightful scene my eyes ever -beheld. There was not a cloud in the sky. The stars studded the -firmament, and the glory of God filled the camp. All the neighbouring -forest seemed vocal with the echo of hymns. Turn our -attention which way we would, we heard the voice of prayer and -praise. I will not attempt to describe the parting scene, for it was -indescribable. The preachers, about to disperse to their distant -fields of labor, hung upon each other’s necks, weeping and yet -rejoicing. Christians from remote settlements, who had here -formed holy friendships, which they expected would survive in -heaven, parted probably to meet no more on earth. As the hosts -marched off in different directions the songs of victory rolled along -the highways.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Apropos of Methodist camp-meetings, Carroll tells an anecdote -characteristic of the times, and as well of the honest Dutch. One -of these old settlers was speaking of a recent camp-meeting from -which he had just come said, “It was a poor, tet tull time, and no -goot was tone, till tat pig Petty (the Rev. Elias Pattie) come; but -mit his pig fist, he did kill te tuval so tet as a nit, and ten te work -proke out.” The Methodists of that day were fond of the demonstrative.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1806, a native of Prince Edward district entered -the Methodist ministry. He was the first native Canadian preacher -of any denomination, his name was Andrew Pringle.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The same year Thomas Whitehead was sent by the New York -Conference. He was six weeks on the road through the woods -with his wife and six children, “and during most of the time they -subsisted on boiled wheat.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXIa.</span><a id='t295'></a></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Henry Ryan—​Ryanites—​He comes to Canada—​His associate, Case—​At -Kingston—​A Singer—​Preaching in the Market-place—​Their treatment—​In -office—​His circuit—​1000 miles—​What he received—​Elder—​Superseded—​Probable -cause—​A British subject—​During the war of 1812—​President -of Conference—​“High-minded”—​Useful—​Acceptable to the people—​Desired -independence by the Canadians—​How he was treated—​His labors—​Brave—​Witty—​“Fatherless -children”—​“Impudent scoundrel”—​Muscular—​“Methodists’ -Bull”—​“Magistrate’s Goat”—​Ryan seeks separation—​Breakenridge—​Conduct -of the American Conference—​Ryan’s agitation—​Effect -upon the Bishops—​First Canada Conference—​At Hollowell—​Desire -for independence—​Reasons, cogent—​Fruit of Ryan’s doings—​The way the -Conference treated Ryan—​Withdraws—​No faith in the United States Conference—​Ryan -sincere—​“Canadian Wesleyans”—​The motives of the United -States Conference questionable—​The wrong done Ryan—​Second Canada -Conference—​Case, first Superintendent—​Visit of Bishop Asbury—​Account -by Henry Bœhm—​Asbury an Englishman—​During the rebellion—​A Bishop—​His -journey to Canada—​Crossing the St. Lawrence—​Traveling in Canada—​An -upset—​“A decent people”—​His opinion of the country—​The Bishop ill—​At -Kingston—​Bœhm at Embury’s—​A field meeting—​Riding all night—​Crossing -to Sackett’s harbor—​Nearly wrecked.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SOME ACCOUNT OF HENRY RYAN.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>A sketch of the early ministers who preached around the Bay -Quinté, would be incomplete without a somewhat extended notice -of Elder Ryan, after whom was called, a certain number of non-contented -Methodists, <em>Ryanites</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Henry Ryan, an Irishman, “of a bold energetic nature, with a -powerful voice,” commenced preaching in 1800. He was for five -years stationed in the States. In the year 1805, he, with the Rev. -Wm. Case, was appointed to the Bay Quinté circuit. It was they -who arranged and conducted the first camp meeting. Carroll, writing -of that period, says, “there was no society (of Methodists) then -in the Town of Kingston, and its inhabitants were very irreligious. -The market house was the only chapel of the Methodists, Case and -his colleague (Ryan) made a bold push to arouse the people. Sometimes -they went together, Ryan was a powerful singer too. They -would ride into the town, put their horses at an inn, lock arms, and -go singing down the streets a stirring ode, beginning with ‘Come -let us march to Zion’s hill.’ By the time they had reached the -market-place, they usually had collected a large assembly. When -together, Ryan usually preached, and Case exhorted. Ryan’s stentorian -voice resounded through the town, and was heard across the -adjacent waters. They suffered no particular opposition excepting -a little annoyance from some of the baser sort, who sometimes tried -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>to trip them off the butcher’s block, which constituted their rostrum; -set fire to their hair, and then blew out their candle if it were in -the night season.” Proof was subsequently given that this preaching -was not without effect.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Ryan continued ten years at the Bay Quinté, and then three -years in the west at Long Point and Niagara. In 1810, he was -presiding Elder. His duties, as such, was to visit every part of -the Province, from Detroit to Cornwall. “Allowing for his returns -home, he traveled about 1000 miles each quarter in the year, or -4000 miles a year. And what was the worldly gain? The presiding -Elder was allowed $80 for himself, $60 for his wife, and -what provisions he would need for his family. His entire allowance -might have been £60 a year. Such was the remuneration, -and such the labors, of the presiding Elder” of the Methodists fifty-three -years ago—​(Playter).</p> - -<p class='c000'>Henry Ryan continued a presiding Elder, for many years, in -the whole of Upper Canada, a few years in Lower Canada, and then -when the Bay of Quinté district was set apart by division, he was -appointed Elder to it. But in 1834, for some reason, Mr. Ryan -was superseded in office. The reason of this can only be guessed. -He was an Irishman by birth, and although sent to Canada by an -American body, he seems to have been more a British subject, a -Canadian, than American. During the war of 1812, he remained -in Canada attending to his duties, with three other faithful men, -Rhodes, Whitehead, and Pringle. More than that, as presiding -Elder, he assumed the oversight of the preachers at the close of the -first year. Others had been stationed in Canada who were British -subjects, but they ceased before the war had closed, to discharge -their duties. The Americans feared to come, or, having come, were -warned off by proclamation. Those who continued in the ministerial -field met under the presidency of Ryan. In the year of the -commencement of the war, the conference was to have met at -Niagara, in Upper Canada; but war was declared by the United -States a month previous, and instead of venturing into the country -where their fellow countrymen were about to carry the midnight -torch, they turned aside to another place to hold their conference. -“None of the brethren laboring on the Canada side went over. It -is probable, although we are not certain, that they met at the place -appointed, where some sort of deliberations would take place.” -The Rev. John Ryerson says Mr. Ryan “held a conference, and -held three conferences during the war, the principal business of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>which was employing preachers, and appointing them to their -different fields of labor.” The Rev. Ezra Adams says, “the second -conference was held at Matilda,” and “in 1814, it was held at -the Bay of Quinté, at Second or Fourth Town”—​Carroll. Mr. -Ryan was impulsive and authoritative, at least the ministers -thought so, and the rule of “Harry Ryan” was called “high-handed.” -The end of it all was that, although he was useful and liked by the -people, his ministerial brethren in Canada did not like him, and -the conference seemed glad to supersede one, who no doubt already -manifested his desire that the Canadian Methodists should become -independent of the Americans. In view of the political state of -affairs, the objection felt by the government to have American -preachers giving religious instruction to Canadians,—​in view of -the course pursued by Ryan during the war of 1812—​in view of his -whole career up to this time, the belief is forced upon the mind -that it was not only when Ryan had been superseded that he began -to agitate for a separation. His labors during the war were severe -and continuous, says a preacher of the times, “He used to travel -from Montreal to Sandwich, to accomplish which he kept two horses -in the Niagara district, and one for the upper part of the Province, -and another for the lower. As his income was very small, he eked -out the sum necessary to support his family by peddling a manufacture -of his own in his extensive journeys, and by hauling with -his double team in winter time, on his return from Lower Canada, -loads of Government stores or general merchandise. Mr. Ryan, by -his loyalty, gained the confidence and admiration of all friends of -British supremacy, and by his abundant and heroic labors, the -affections of the God-fearing part of the community.” Much more -might be said in the same vein, but probably enough has been said -to establish his claim to the sympathy of every Bay of Quinté inhabitant, -where he so long labored and where most of his subsequent -followers lived. It may be added that he was brave and witty, and -had a ready answer for every bantering remark. Some wicked -fellows are said to have asked him if he had heard the news? What -news? Why, that the devil is dead. Then said he, looking around -on the company, he has left a great many fatherless children. On -another occasion, on entering a public house, a low fellow, knowing -him to be, from his costume, a minister, remarked aloud, placing -his hand in his pocket, “There comes a Methodist preacher; I -must take care of my money.” Ryan promptly said, “You are an -impudent scoundrel.” “Take care,” said the man, “I cannot -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>swallow that.” “Then chew it till you can,” was the fearless reply.—​(Carroll). -At camp meetings, when it came to pass that individuals -came to create disturbance, and when there was no police to -take care of rowdies, Mr. Ryan has been known to display his -muscular power by actually throwing the guilty individuals over -the enclosure to the camp ground.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Ryan preached occasionally at Vandusens’ tavern in Adolphustown. -After one of his thundering sermons, a neighboring -squire who was a daily visitor at the tavern, and who had recently -attempted to cut his own throat, wrote upon the wall of the bar-room, -“Elder Ryan, the Methodist bull, preaches hell and damnation -till the pulpit is full;” whereupon some one wrote below it, “Bryan -C—​—​d, the magistrate goat, barely escaped hell and damnation by -cutting his throat.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Ryan, upon his return from the General Conference in -1844, commenced an agitation for independence of the Canadian -Methodists, and from Port Hope Creek to the Ottawa, he continued -to urge the necessity of such an end.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“While not much liked by the preachers, Ryan was very popular -among the people,” especially along the Bay Quinté. Captain Breakenridge, -a local preacher, living on the St. Lawrence, joined him, in -holding conventions, and in procuring largely signed petitions, praying -for separation. Ryan and Breakenridge, went to the General -Conference, bearing these petitions, and were not received. But -these petitions were the commencement of the separation, which it -was quite time should take place for the well being of both parties. -Concessions were made—​a Canada conference was formed through -the instrumentality of Elder Ryan; but under the superintendency -of the United States conference. This did not satisfy Ryan, and his -followers in the Bay Quinté circuit. Meetings were held at which it -was resolved they would “<em>break off</em>” from the American Church -without permission. For four months Ryan energetically appealed -to the people. To allay this the Bishop had to come and say to the -Canadians, that if they wished independence, the next general conference, -which would meet in 1828, would no doubt grant it. The -following year the first Canada conference was held at the village of -Hollowell, (Picton). It was opened on the 25th August. There -were thirty preachers present, and they continued in session five -days. The agitation initiated by Ryan, had done its work, “a general -desire existed, that the Canada body should become an independent -body, not later than the general conference of 1828,” and a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>memorial was prepared to be submitted to that body. After requesting -to be set apart an independent body, the following reason, with -others was given. “The state of society requires it. The first -settlers having claimed the protection of His Britannic Majesty in the -revolutionary war, were driven from their former possessions to -endure great hardships in a remote wilderness. Time, however, and -a friendly intercourse, had worn down their asperity and prejudice, -when the late unhappy war revived their former feelings; affording -what they considered, new and grievous occasion for disgust against -their invading neighbors. The prejudices thus excited would probably -subside if their ministry were to become residents in this country, -as would be the case in the event of becoming a separate body.” -The fact that government regarded with dislike the connection was -adverted to, also that they were not allowed to solemnize matrimony. -Such was the fruit of Elder Ryan’s proceedings, and to him belongs -great credit, however much his motives may have been impugned. -It has been acknowledged that he was disliked by the preachers, and -this dislike was manifested this year by sending him as a missionary -to the Indians. No wonder he was dissatisfied. Not because he was -placed in a humble position, after acting nearly a quarter of a century -as presiding Elder; but because of the animus of those who did it. -And moreover, he entertained the belief that the general conference -did not intend to give independence. The next year Ryan was placed -among the superannuated ministers, and thus remained two years; the -next year 1827, he withdrew, and resumed the agitation for independence. -He had no faith in the United States conference, the cry was -raised, Loyal Methodism against Republican Methodism. In this -Ryan was countenanced by Government and the English Church, and -Playter says, Dr. Strachan sent him £50 to carry on the work of -separation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The whole previous life of Ryan, leads us to believe that he -was sincere and honest in his movements and statements, but -it is said he was greatly mistaken. The people generally said, wait -till we see what the general conference does. The preachers have -said they will give us independence, pause till we see. The result -of the conference was as had been promised; while already -Ryan had separated, and, with a limited number of followers, mostly -along the bay and St. Lawrence, had formed a new body with -the name of <em>Canadian Wesleyan Methodist Church</em>. But it will always -remain a question whether the general conference would have conceded -the independence had it not been well known that Ryan would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>take almost all if they were not made free. It is not an unknown -thing for a person who has worked for some public good to be robbed -of the credit in a surreptitious manner. Ryan was deceived, and his -kind, though impulsive nature resented the wrong done him. Though -his name has been placed under a shadow by those who were indebted -to him, yet his memory is even yet green and sweet in the hearts of -some of the old settlers. Well might Elder Ryan, select as his text -at the time, “I have raised up children and they have rebelled.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The general conference assembled at Pittsburgh, 1st May, 1828. -The memorial from the Canada conference was duly considered, and -whatever may have been the reasons, they granted in the most kindly -spirit, the decided request of the Canadian Methodists. Ryan, it is -said when he heard of it, “looked astonished, trembled and could -scarcely utter a word.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The second Canada conference met at Ernesttown, the 2nd -October, 1828, in Switzer’s chapel. “Bishop Hedding came for the -last time, and presided over the conference. No United States Bishop, -no Bishop at all, has ever presided since.” This year, Andrew Pringle, -the first native Methodist preacher, was placed on the superannuated -list. After due deliberation the conference resolved to organize into -an independent body, and adopted the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal -Church, as the basis of their own. The Rev. Wm. Case was -appointed General Superintendent until the next conference.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is not possible, nor would it be proper to give a connected -history of Methodism, or any other religious denomination. But the -aim of the writer is to supply facts relative to those who have lived -and acted a part in connection with the early history of the bay, with -such other facts as will throw light upon the matter. With this -object in view, we will here introduce, in conclusion, a brief notice of -the visit of Bishop Asbury to Canada in 1811. The account is from -the pen of the Rev. Henry Bœhm, with remarks by Mr. Carroll. -Reading this account, it called to our mind the account given to us -by Father Bœhm, in 1854, while sojourning at Staten Island, New -York, where we had the great pleasure of frequently meeting him -and of enjoying the hospitality of his genial family. Mr. Bœhm -was the traveling companion of Bishop Asbury when he visited -Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bishop Asbury, the cotemporary of the Wesleys, being one whom -Wesley ordained to preach, he came to America in 1771, as a missionary, -being 25 years old. Of all the English preachers in the -revolting colonies, he alone remained during the revolutionary war, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>and was under the necessity of concealing himself in Delaware. -Created a Bishop by Dr. Coke, in 1785, he continued for many years -in the oversight of the Methodist Church in America and in Canada. -But although Methodism was planted in Canada in 1792, it was not -until the year mentioned that a Bishop found his way to the remote -settlements of Canada. Bishop Asbury, however, had for years a -desire to see Canada. Two years before he came he wrote, “I shall -see Canada before I die,” says Bœhm.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“We had a severe time on our journey. We crossed Lake -Champlain, and Mr. Asbury preached in a bar-room in Plattsburgh. -The roads through the woods, over rocks, down gulleys, over -stumps, and through the mud, were indescribable. They were -enough to jolt a hale bishop to death, let alone a poor, infirm old -man, near the grave. On entering the village (of St. Regis) -as Mr. Asbury was leading his horse across a bridge made of -poles, the animal got his foot between them, and sunk into the -mud and water. Away went the saddle-bags; the books and -clothes were wet, and the horse was fast. We got a pole under -him to pry him out; at the same time the horse made a leap, and -came out safe and sound. We crossed the St. Lawrence in romantic -style. We hired four Indians to paddle us over. They lashed -three canoes together, and put our horses in them, their fore feet -in one canoe, their hind feet in another. It was a singular load; -three canoes, three passengers, the bishop, Smith and myself, -three horses and four Indians. They were to take us over for three -dollars. It was nearly three miles across to where we landed”—​“did -not reach the other side till late in the evening.” The -Indians claimed another dollar, because three could not be easily -divided between four, this was “cheerfully paid.” “We arrived -in Canada on July 1st, 1811, landing at Cornwall, and about midnight -reached the hospitable house of Evan Roise, who hailed the -bishop’s arrival with joy, and gave him and his companions a -welcome worthy of patriarchal times.” “We found it warm in -Canada, and the Bishop suffered greatly. Here Henry Ryan, -Presiding Elder of Upper Canada, met us. The next day Bishop -Asbury preached, the day after the Bishop preached again and -there was a love-feast, and the Lord’s Supper.” Proceeding up -the River St. Lawrence, arrived at the eastern line of Matilda, -the Bishop rode in Brother Glassford’s close carriage, which he -called a ‘calash,’ and he inquired how they would get out if it -upset. He had hardly asked the question before over went the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>carriage, and the venerable Bishop was upset, but fortunately no -bones were broken; the saplings alongside the road broke the fall. -On Friday the Bishop preached in Matilda chapel, in what was -called the German settlement. I followed, preaching in German. -The Bishop was delighted with the people, he wrote, “here is a -decent loving people. I called upon Father Dulmage, and Brother -Heck.” We tarried over night with David Breackenridge. He -married and baptised a great many people, and attended many -funerals. In 1804 he preached the funeral sermon of Mrs. Heck, -who died suddenly, and it is said she claimed to be the person who -stirred Philip Embury to preach the Gospel. On Saturday we -rode twelve miles before breakfast to Father Boyce’s, where we -attended Quarterly Meeting. Bishop Asbury preached a thrilling -sermon. “The Bishop greatly admired the country through which -we rode. He says ‘Our ride has brought us through one of the -finest countries I have seen. The timber is of noble size; the -cattle are well shaped, and well looking; the crops are abundant -on a most fruitful soil. Surely this is a land that God, the Lord -hath blessed.’” (Such was the testimony of one who had traveled -all over the United States, concerning a country eighty years -younger than the older States of the Union. Such the testimony -respecting the pioneers of the country who twenty-five years previous -came thereto into an unbroken wilderness—​respecting the -men the Americans had driven away and stigmatized by the application -of the most degrading names). “On Monday we proceeded -to Gananoque Falls, to Colonel Stone’s. Father Asbury was very -lame from inflammatory rheumatism. “He suffered like a martyr. -On Tuesday we visited Brother Elias Dulmage, a very kind family, -and Bishop Asbury preached in the first Town Church” (Kingston -Church). E. Dulmage, one of the Palatines, lived afterward a long -time as jail-keeper.”—​(Carroll). The Bishop was so poorly he -could not proceed on his journey, and was obliged to lie up and -rest. He remained at Brother Dulmage’s, where he found a very -kind home, and I went with Henry Ryan to his Quarterly Meeting, -in Fourth or Adolphustown, Bay of Quinté. On Friday we rode -to Brother John Embury, Hay Bay. He was a nephew of Philip -Embury, the Apostle of American Methodism. On the Lord’s day -we had a glorious love-feast, and at the Lord’s Supper He was -made known to us in the breaking of bread. In a beautiful grove, -under the shade of trees planted by God’s own hand, I preached -to two thousand people, John Reynold’s, afterward Bishop Reynolds, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>of Belleville, and Henry Ryan exhorted. (Exhorting after -sermon was a common practice among the Methodists in those -days). Mr. Bœhm had to return to Kingston the same night, in -order that the Bishop might get to the Conference to be held in -the States immediately. To do so they rode all night—​35 miles. -“To our great joy we found Father Asbury better”—​“he had sent -around and got a congregation to whom he preached in the chapel. -He also met the Society and baptized two children. We were in -Canada just a fortnight. The Bishop was treated everywhere as -the angel of the churches. The Bishop preached six times in -Canada, besides numerous lectures which he delivered to societies.” -The Bishop and Mr. Bœhm set out on the Monday for Sackett’s -Harbour, in a small sail boat. There was a heavy storm, and they -were nearly wrecked. On the water all night without a cabin. -Spent a fearful night, and reached Sackett’s Harbour the next -afternoon.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​McDonnell—​First R. Catholic Bishop—​A “Memorandum”—​Birthplace—​In -Spain—​A Priest—​In Scotland—​Glengary Fencibles—​Ireland, -1798—​To Canada—​Bishop—​Death in Scotland—​Body removed to Canada—​Funeral -obsequies—​Buried at Kingston—​Had influence—​Member of Canadian -Legislative Council—​Pastoral visitations, 1806—​A loyal man—​A -Pioneer in his Church—​The Bishop’s Address, 1836—​Refuting mal-charges—​Number -of the R. C. Clergy in 1804—​From Lake Superior to Lower -Canada—​Traveling horseback—​Sometimes on foot—​Hardships—​Not a -Politician—​Expending private means—​Faithful services—​Acknowledged—​Roman -Catholic U. E. Loyalists—​First Church in Ernesttown—​McDonnell -at Belleville—​Rev. M. Brennan—​First Church in Belleville—​What we have -aimed at—​The advantages to the English Church—​The Reserves—​In Lower -Canada—​Dr. Mountain—​Number of English Clergymen, 1793—​A Bishop—​Monopoly -initiated—​Intolerance and Exclusion swept away—​An early habit -at Divine service.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE ROMAN CATHOLICS—​BISHOP MCDONNELL.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>We are much indebted to J. P. McDonnell, Esq., of Belleville, -for a “Memorandum of his grand-parent, the Rev. Alex McDonnell, -first Bishop of Upper Canada.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“He was born in the year 1760, in Glengary, in Scotland, -educated for the Priesthood at Valladolid College, in the Kingdom -of Spain; for, at this time no person professing the Roman Catholic -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>faith could be allowed to be educated in any part of the British -empire. He was ordained Priest before the year 1790. Then -came back to Scotland, his native country, and officiated as a -Priest in Badenoch, a small district in North Scotland, also in -the city of Glasgow; afterwards joined, in 1798, the Glengary -Fencibles, then for duty in Ireland, under the command of Lord -McDonnell, of Glengary, who was Colonel of said Fencible Regiment. -He came to Canada in the year 1804; was consecrated first -Bishop of Upper Canada in the year 1822, titled as the Bishop of -Kingston.” He died in Dumfriesshire, a County bordering on -England and Scotland, in the year 1840. His body was laid in St. -Mary’s Church, Edinborough, until removed to Canada, in 1862. -His remains was taken from the cars at the station at Lancaster, -and carried to St. Raphael’s Cathedral; in which Church he had -spent some of his most useful days, administering the consolations -of his religion to his numerous co-religionists throughout the Province -of Upper Canada. His remains were escorted by thousands -of people, of all denominations, from St. Raphael’s Church to St. -Andrew’s Church, and thence to Cornwall depot, in order to convey -his remains to Kingston, the head of his See; where his remains -now lie in the vaults of the Cathedral of that ancient city, in which -he, as Bishop, officiated for years, a favorite of both Protestants -and Catholics. I may here remark, that no other man, either -clergyman or lay, ever had more influence with the Government, -either Imperial or Colonial than Bishop McDonnell. In fact he -established the Catholic Church in Western Canada. All the lands -that the church now possesses were procured by his exertions. The -Bishop was a member of the Legislative Council for years in connection -with the Venerable Bishop Strachan, of Toronto. About -the year 1806, he passed on his way from Toronto, then York, to -Kingston; celebrated mass at his relation’s, Col. Archibald Chisholm, -whose descendants are now living on Lot. Nos. 8 and 9, 1st Con., -Thurlow, adjoining the Town of Belleville—​carried his vestments -on his back most of the way from Toronto to Kingston; and he -took passage in a birch canoe from his friend’s, Col. Chisholm, to -another relation, Col. McDonnell, (McDonald’s Cove,) on his way -to Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Although his religion was then proscribed by the British Government, -and he was compelled to go to a foreign country to be -educated, no more loyal man to the British Crown lived; no other -man ever conduced more to the upholding of British supremacy in -North America than he, and helped to consolidate the same.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>We are also indebted to Mr. McDonnell for other valuable documents -concerning the Bishop, who may be regarded the father of his -Church in Upper Canada. At least, he was the pioneer of that -denomination in the Bay region. To a great extent, his history is -the early history of his Church. The worthy prelate will speak for -himself, when at the advanced age of seventy-four, and he spoke -under circumstances which precluded the possibility of any statement -accidentally creeping in, which could not be fully substantiated.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Referring to an address of the House of Assembly, 1836, in -which his character had been aspersed, and his motives assailed, he, -in a letter to Sir Francis Bond Head, asks “the liberty of making -some remarks on a few passages” thereof, and, among other things, -says, “As to the charges brought against myself, I feel very little -affected by them, having the consolation to think that fifty years -spent in the faithful discharge of my duty to God and to my country, -have established my character upon a foundation too solid to be -shaken by the malicious calumnies of two notorious slanderers.” -To the charge that he had neglected his spiritual functions to -devote his time and talents to politics, he, by plain declaration, -refutes their “malicious charge,” stating the following facts, which -relate to the country from the year he entered it, 1804. He says, -“There were then but two Catholic clergymen in the whole of -Upper Canada. One of these clergymen soon deserted his post; and -the other resided in the Township of Sandwich, in the Western -District, and never went beyond the limits of his mission; so that -upon entering upon my pastoral duties, I had the whole of the Province -beside in charge, and without any assistance for the space of -ten years. During that period, I had to travel over the country, -from Lake Superior to the Province line of Lower Canada, to the -discharge of my pastoral functions, carrying the sacred vestments -sometimes on horseback, sometimes on my back, and sometimes in -Indian birch canoes, living with savages—​without any other shelter -or comfort, but what their fires and their fares, and the branches of -the trees afforded; crossing the great lakes and rivers, and even -descending the rapids of the St. Lawrence in their dangerous and -wretched crafts. Nor were the hardships and privations which I -endured among the new settlers and emigrants less than what I -had to encounter among the savages themselves, in their miserable -shanties; exposed on all sides to the weather, and destitute of every -comfort. In this way I have been spending my time and my health -<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>year after year, since I have been in Upper Canada, and not -clinging to a seat in the Legislative Council and devoting my time -to political strife, as my accusers are pleased to assert. The erection -of five and thirty Churches and Chapels, great and small, -although many of them are in an unfinished state, built by my -exertion; and the zealous services of two and twenty clergymen, -the major part of whom have been educated at my own expense, -afford a substantial proof that I have not neglected my spiritual -functions, or the care of the souls under my charge; and if that be -not sufficient, I can produce satisfactory documents to prove that I -have expended, since I have been in this Province, no less than -thirteen thousand pounds, of my own private means, beside what I -received from other quarters, in building Churches, Chapels, Presbyteries, -and School-houses, in rearing young men for the Church, -and in promoting general education. With a full knowledge of -those facts, established beyond the possibility of a contradiction, -my accusers can have but little regard for the truth, when they tax -me with neglecting my spiritual functions and the care of souls. -The framers of the address to His Excellency knew perfectly well -that I never had, or enjoyed, a situation, or place of profit or -emolument, except the salary which my sovereign was pleased to -bestow upon me, in reward of forty-two years faithful services to -my country, having been instrumental in getting two corps of my -flock raised and embodied in defence of their country in critical -times, viz., the first Glengary Fencible Regiment, was raised by -my influence, as a Catholic corps, during the Irish rebellion, whose -dangers and fatigues I shared in that distracted country, and contributed -in no small degree to repress the rapacity of the soldiers, -and bring back the deluded people to a sense of their duty to their -sovereign and submission to the laws. Ample and honorable testimonials -of their services and my conduct may be found in the Government -office of Toronto. The second Glengary Fencible Regiment -raised in the Province, when the Government of the United States of -America invaded, and expected to make a conquest of Canada, was -planned by me, and partly raised by my influence. My zeal in the -service of my country, and my exertions in the defence of this -Province, were acknowledged by his late Majesty, through Lord -Bathurst, then Secretary of State for the Colonies. My salary was -then increased, and a seat was assigned for me in the Legislative -Council, as a distinguished mark of my sovereign’s favor, an honor -I should consider it a disgrace to resign, although I can hardly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>expect ever to sit in the Council, nor do I believe that Lord Glenelg, -who knows something of me, would expect that I should show so -much imbecility in my latter days, as to relinquish a mark of honor -conferred upon me by my sovereign, to gratify the vindictive -malice of a few unprincipled radicals. So far, however, from -repining at the cruel and continued persecutions of my enemies, I -pray God to give me patience to suffer, for justice sake, and to -forgive them their unjust and unmerited conduct towards me. I -have the honor to be Sir,—​Your most obedient and very humble -servant,—​(Signed)—​Alex. McDonnell. To T. Joseph, Esq., Sec’y -to His Excellency, Sir Francis Bond Head, &c., &c., &c.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>There were a number of Roman Catholics among the U. E. -Loyalists. Among them were the Chisholms on the front of -Thurlow, to whose house Mr. McDonnell came to preach as he made -his annual round. I am told by an old settler, that a very old -Roman Catholic Church existed in Ernesttown west, a short distance -from Bath. Probably Mr. McDonnell travelled all around the Bay, -visiting members of his Church. There were several in Marysburgh. -He was the first to preach in Belleville, when it had become -a village. But the Rev Michael Brennan, who still lives, and is -highly respected by all classes, was the first priest located in Belleville; -he arrived in 1829. The frame of a building which had been -erected for a Freemason’s Lodge, was moved to the lot which had -been received from Government, and was converted into a Church. -The present Church was commenced in 1837, and completed in -1839.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have now adverted to the several early clergymen of the -different denominations in the young colony of Upper Canada, and -have dwelt upon those facts, and related those events, which appertain -to the work we have in hand. We have essayed to simply -write the truth, without reference to the interests of any denomination, -either by false, or high coloring, or suppression of facts.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From what we have recorded, it is plain that the Church of -England stood the best chance of becoming the religion of Upper -Canada. The seventh part of the lands were reserved for the clergy, -and it was determined to erect an Ecclesiastical establishment in -the Province. In Lower Canada the Roman Catholics had been -secured by Act of Imperial Parliament. In Upper Canada it was -resolved that the English Church should occupy a similar position. -The Rev. Dr. Jehoshaphat Mountain was sent out from England in -1793, having been consecrated the first Bishop of Quebec, to take -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>charge of the English establishment in all Canada. There were -then in both Canadas five clergymen of the church. The monopoly -thus instituted continued for many years, and other denominations -could not even hold land upon which to build a place of worship. -But time swept all intolerance and exclusiveness away. In the -year 1828, was passed “An act for the Relief of Religious Societies” -of the Province, by which it was authorized “That whenever any -religious congregation or society of Presbyterians, Lutherans, -Calvinists, Methodists, Congregationalists, Independents, Anabaptists, -Quakers, Menonists, Tunkers, or Moravians, shall have an -occasion to take a conveyance of land, it shall be lawful for them to -appoint trustees,” which body should hold perpetual succession, &c. -But it was also enacted that no one Society should hold more than -five acres.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This subject will be concluded by the following, the writer of -which we fail to remember. It is within our own recollection when -this habit still existed:</p> - -<p class='c000'>An early writer, a visitor to the Province of Canada, speaking -about religious denominations says, “The worshipping assemblies -appear grave and devout, except that in some of them it is customary -for certain persons to go out and come in frequently in time -of service, to the disturbance of others, and the interruption of that -silence and solemnity, which are enjoyed by politeness, no less -than a sense of religion. This indecorous practice prevails among -several denominations.”</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXIII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​First Sabbath teaching—​Hannah Bell, 1769—​School established, 1781—​Raikes—​Wesley—​First -in United States—​First in Canada—​Cattrick, Moon—​Common -in 1824—​First in Belleville—​Turnbull—​Cooper—​Marshall—​Prizes, -who won them—​Mr. Turnbull’s death—​Intemperance—​First Temperance -Societies—​Change of custom—​Rum—​Increasing intemperance—​The tastes -of the Pioneers—​Temperance, not teetotalism—​First Society in Canada—​Drinks -at Raising and Bees—​Society at Hollowell.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SABBATH SCHOOLS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The earliest attempt known to teach children upon the Sabbath -was in 1769, made by a young lady, a Methodist, by the name of -Hannah Bell, in England, who was instrumental in training many -children in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. In 1781, while -<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>another Methodist young woman (afterward the wife of the celebrated -lay preacher, Samuel Bradburn) was conversing in Gloucester -with Robert Raikes, a benevolent citizen of that town, and publisher -of the <cite>Gloucester Journal</cite>, he pointed to groups of neglected children -in the street, and asked: “What can we do for them?” She -answered: “Let us teach them to read and take them to church!” -“He immediately proceeded to try the suggestion, and the philanthropist -and his female friend attended the first company of -Sunday-scholars to the church, exposed to the comments and -laughter of the populace as they passed along the street with their -ragged procession. Such was the origin of our present Sunday-school, -an institution which has perhaps done more for the church -and the social improvement of Protestant communities, than any -other agency of modern times, the pulpit excepted. Raikes, and -his humble assistant, conducted the experiment without ostentation. -Not till November 3, 1783, did he refer to it in his public journal. -In 1784, he published in that paper an account of his plan. This -sketch immediately arrested the attention of Wesley, who inserted -the entire article in the January number of the <cite>American Magazine</cite> -for 1785, and exhorted his people to adopt the new institution.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1786, they were begun in the United States by the Methodist -Bishop, Francis Asbury, in Virginia. In 1790, the Methodist conference -“resolved on establishing Sunday-schools for poor children, -white and black,” since which time they have been in operation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first notice found of a Sabbath-school in Upper Canada, is -in June, 1817, when a Rev. Mr. Cattrick proposed at Kingston to -organize one. A communication from Wm. Moon, in the <cite>Gazette</cite>, -expresses great pleasure thereat, and Mr. Moon offers for the purpose -his school-room, and likewise his services. In 1824, Sunday-schools -were common in the old settlements, and were valued and -encouraged by all classes of people. Not only did private benevolence -contribute to the schools, but the Upper Canada Parliament -granted £150, for the “use and encouragement of Sunday-schools,” -and of indigent and remote settlements, in the purchase of -books and tracts—​(Playter). A Sabbath-school was established -in Belleville about 1826, by John Turnbull, Dr. Marshall, and -Dr. Cooper who taught in the school. Some religious society -granted books and tracts to schools. Four prizes were granted for -good attendance and behaviour, consisting of two Bibles and two -Testaments. They were awarded, the first to J. H. Meacham, who -is now Postmaster of Belleville; the second to his sister, Anna -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>Meacham, the third to Matilda McNabb, the fourth to Albert Taylor. -While these pages are going through the press, we receive the sad -intelligence that John Turnbull, Esq., last living of the three mentioned, -has passed away at the beginning of this new year, 1869, -after a life of well-merited respect, and honor. The writer feels he -has lost a friend.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Intemperance.</span>—​Total abstinence or teetotalism was unknown -when Upper Canada was first settled. The first temperance -society ever organized was at Moreau, Saratoga, County, New -York, in 1808.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To taste and drink a glass of wine or grog, was not regarded -as a sin by any one of that day. To the soldiers and sailors grog -was dealt out as regularly every day as rations. Rum was the -liquor more generally used, being imported from Jamaica, and infinitely -purer than the rum sold to-day. It has to be recorded that -at a comparatively early date, breweries and distilleries were -erected, first in one township then in another, so that after a few -years the native liquor was much cheaper than rum, and then followed -the natural result—​namely, increasing intemperance. It is -not difficult to understand that the old soldier would like his regular -glass of grog. In the long and tedious journeys made by boat, when -food perhaps was very limited in quantity, the conveniently carried -bottle would take its place, and extraordinary labor and severe -exposure would be endured by the agency of unnatural stimulus. -The absence of teetotal principles, the customs of the day; want -of food; frequent and severe trials and exposures, would lead -even the best of men to partake of spirituous liquors. As we see it -to-day, so it was then, abuse arose from moderate use, and those -who had no control over the appetite, or who loved to forget the -bitterness of the day by inebriation, would avail themselves of the -opportunity to indulge to excess. The mind naturally craves a -stimulant. If this desire be not fed by legitimate food, it is too -likely to appropriate the unnatural. The excitement of war had -passed away; but had left in its wake the seeds of longing in the -breast of the old soldier. The educated man shut out from the -world, had but little to satisfy the usually active mind. With some, -the remembrance of old scenes—​of old homesteads, and their belongings, -were forgotten in the stupefying cup. When all these facts -are considered, is there not abundant reason to wonder that intemperance -did not prevail more extensively. But it is a question -after all, whether the loyalists became more addicted to the cup -<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>after they settled, than when at the old homes. Those who have -charged the old settlers with the vice of drinking, have forgotten to -look at them in comparison with other countries at that day, instead -of the light set up at a later period.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But while the pioneers preserved themselves from unusual indulgence, -it is to be regretted that their children too often forsook the -path of soberness, and in losing their right minds, lost the old farm -made valuable by their fathers’ toil. It was often a repetition of -what occasionally occurred when the soldiers were disbanded. -They would often sell a location ticket, or two or three acres of -land for a quart of rum; the sons would sell the fruit of a father’s -hard work of a life time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the first temperance societies formed in Canada was in -Adolphustown, on the 4th January, 1830. On this occasion the -Rev. Job Deacon, of the Church of England, delivered an address, -after which a respectable majority and three out of five magistrates -present, adopted resolutions condemning the use of ardent spirits, -and unitedly determining not to use or furnish drink for raisings, -bees, and harvest work. At the same meeting a temperance -society was formed and a constitution adopted under the title of -“The Adolphustown Union Sabbath School Temperance Society.” -They pledged themselves not to use ardent spirits for one year.</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to the Hollowell <cite>Free Press</cite>, a temperance society -was formed at Hollowell, in 1829; for it is announced that the -“Second Anniversary” will be held 3rd June, 1831. It is announced -April 12, 1831, that a temperance meeting will be held in the -Methodist Chapel, when addresses will be delivered by Dr. A. -Austin. The officers elected for the ensuing year are Asa Worden, -Esq., M.P.P., President; Dr. Austin, Vice President; P. V. Elmore, -Secretary and Treasurer.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXIV.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The Six Nations—​Faithful English Allies—​Society for the Propagation -of Gospel—​First missionary to Iroquois—​John Thomas, first convert—​Visit -of Chiefs to England—​Their names—​Their portraits—​Attention to -them—​Asking for instructor—​Queen Anne—​Communion Service—​During -the Rebellion—​Burying the Plate—​Recovered—​Division of the articles—​Sacrilege -of the Rebels—​Re-printing Prayer Book—​Mr. Stuart, missionary—​The -women and children—​At Lachine—​Attachment to Mr. Stuart—​Touching -instance—​Mr. Stuart’s Indian sister—​Church at Tyendinaga—​School -teacher to the Mohawk—​John Bininger—​First teacher—​The Bininger -family—​The Moravian Society—​Count Zinzendorf—​Moravian church at New -York—​First minister, Abraham Bininger—​Friend of Embury—​An old -account book—​John Bininger journeying to Canada—​Living at Bay Quinté—​Removes -to Mohawk village—​Missionary spirit—​Abraham Bininger’s -letters—​The directions—​Children pleasing parents—​“Galloping -thoughts”—​Christianity—​Canadian Moravian missionaries—​Moravian -loyalists—​What was sent from New York—​“Best Treasure”—​The “Dear -Flock”—​David Zieshager at the Thames—​J. Bininger acceptable to Mohawk—​Abraham -Bininger desires to visit Canada—​Death of Mrs. Bininger—​“Tender -mother”—​Bininger and Wesley—​“Garitson”—​“Losee”—​“Dunon”—​Reconciled -to Methodists—​Pitying Losee—​Losee leaving Canada—​Ceases -to be teacher—​Appointing a successor—​William Bell—​The salary—​The -Mohawks don’t attend school—​An improvement—​The cattle may not go in -school-house—​The school discontinued.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE SIX NATIONS—​CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>From the first occupation of New York by the English, the -Six Nations had almost always been their faithful allies. This -devotion did not remain unnoticed. Returns were made not only -of a temporal nature, but in respect to things spiritual. So early -as 1702 the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign -Parts, the next year after its organization, sent a Missionary -(Rev. Mr. Andrews) to the Mohawk Valley. Under his direction -in 1714, the Church of England Common Prayers was translated -into their tongue. The first convert to Christianity was christened -John Thomas, who died in 1727, aged 119.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is said the English in their determination to secure the -alliance of the Iroquois against the French prevailed upon certain -chiefs to visit the Court of Queen Anne, in 1710, thinking that -the greatness and splendour of England, would firmly fix their -attachment.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There were four of them who crossed the water, and who -were treated with distinction. Their names were “<em>Te Yee Neen -Ho Ga Prow</em>, and <em>Sa Ga Yean Qua Proh Ton</em>, of the Maquas; -<em>Elow Oh Roam</em>, and <em>Oh Nee Yeath Ton No Prow</em>, of the River -Sachem.” Portraits were taken of these four kings and placed in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>the British Museum. When presented to the Queen they made an -elaborate speech, in which they spoke of their desire to see their -“great Queen;” the long tedious French war in which they had -taken a part; they urged the necessity of reducing Canada, and -closed by expressing a wish that their “great Queen will be pleased -to send over some person to instruct” them in a knowledge of the -Saviour. Consequently the Queen caused to be sent to the Mohawk -church just erected among them, a valuable sacramental service of -plate, and a communion cloth. This royal gift was ever held in -the most fervent esteem by the tribe. The part taken by the -noble Iroquois during the cruel rebellion of 1776–83 is elsewhere -detailed; but in this connection is to be noticed an incident of a -touching nature. The rebel commander of a blood-thirsty gang, -stimulated by promises of the land which they were sent to despoil, -came upon the tribe at an unexpected moment. The valuable—​the -costly—​the revered gift from the Queen was in danger of being -seized by the lawless horde which was approaching. Not forgetting -them—​not unmindful of things sacred, some of the chief -members of the tribe decided to conceal them by burying them in -the earth, which was accordingly done, the plate being wrapped -in the communion cloth. These doubly valuable articles remained -buried until the close of the war, when they were recovered. The -plate had suffered no injury, but the cloth had been almost -destroyed by the damp earth. These precious relics were divided -between those who settled upon the Grand River, and the smaller -branch that remained at the Bay. They are to this day used on -sacramental occasions. Upon each of the articles, sacred to -memory, and sacredly employed, is cut the following words:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The Gift of Her Majesty Queen Anne by the Grace of God of -Great Britain, France and Ireland, of Her Plantations in North -America, Queen of Her Indian Chappel of the Mohawk.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the lawless rebels came into their settlement, they -destroyed the translated Prayer book. The Mohawks, apprehensive -that it would be lost, asked the Governor (Haldimand) to have an -edition published. This was granted by printing a limited number -in 1780 at Quebec. In 1787 a third edition was published in London, -a copy of which before us, supplies these facts. In connection -with it there is also a translation of the Gospel according to St. Mark -by Brant. It is stated in the Preface that a translation of some -other parts of the New Testament may soon be expected from -Brant. But such never appeared.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>The missionary employed at the commencement of the rebellion, -by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign -Parts, was the Rev. John Stuart. In 1770, he was appointed to -the Mission at Fort Hunter. He soon prepared a Mohawk translation -of the Gospel by Mark, an exposition of the Church catechism, -and a compendious History of the Bible. He was undisturbed in -his labors, until after the Declaration of Independence, though -“he constantly performed divine service without omitting prayers -for the King.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The women and children of the Indians when hurried away from -their homes repaired to Lachine, where they mostly remained until -the end of the war. The particulars of the history of their missionary -is elsewhere given. There was a sincere attachment -between him and the tribe, an instance of which is supplied by the -conduct of a sister of Captain Johns. Mrs. Stuart had an infant -child which was deprived of its natural food. The Indian woman -weaned her own child that she might thereby be able to supply the -missionary’s child with food. This child was Charles O’Kill Stuart. -When he became the Venerable Archdeacon, he did not forget the -act of motherly kindness bestowed upon him. The faithful breast -upon which he had nestled, had long since closed its heaving by -death; but the daughter whom she had put away from the breast -still lived. Dr. Stuart visited the Indian woods every year, and -invariably went to see his sister, as he called her.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Early steps were taken to have built a church in which they -might worship. The Rev. John Stuart had his home in Kingston, -yet he often visited the Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first church was erected on Grand River by Brant in -1786, and as nearly as we can learn the plain wooden building at -the settlement upon the Bay was, at the same time, or shortly after -erected.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, -not only employed the Rev. Mr. Stuart, as a missionary, to labor -with the Mohawks, but likewise set apart a sum of £30, as a salary -to a teacher to instruct the children of the Indians upon Bay -Quinté. Mr. Stuart lived at Kingston, however, and could but -visit the Indian village occasionally. But a catechist was employed -by him to supply spiritual instruction. Mr. Stuart also had the -appointing of a school teacher. The precise time when this school -was opened, it is impossible to determine. The first reference we -find to it is in a letter, (one of many kindly entrusted to us by Mrs. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>Bininger of Belleville) written by John Bininger, then living in -Adolphustown, to his father, the Rev. Abraham Bininger of Camden, -New York, Moravian missionary. The letter is dated 18th September, -1792, and says, “being at Kingston, I heard as it were accidentally, -that the Rev. Mr. John Stuart wanted, on behalf of the society in -England, to hire a teacher for the Mohawks up this bay, accordingly, -I made an offer of my services.” This may have been the commencement -of the school. Mr. Stuart, not long after, accepted the offer, -and John Bininger says he gave his employers notice that he should -leave them. We learn that he was at that time, or had been a short -time before, engaged as a book-keeper in Kingston. He was detained -for two months before his employers would release him, immediately -after which he removed to the Mohawk village.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Before proceeding with the record of the Mohawk school, we -shall ask the reader to listen to a few of the facts in the history of -the Bininger family.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Moravian Society was founded by Count Zinzendorf. He -visited New York in 1741, and seven years later, 1748, a Moravian -Church was established in New York. The first or principal Moravian -minister was Abraham Bininger, a native of Switzerland, from -the same town where the immortal William Tell lived.—​(Wakeley.) -He was the intimate friend of Embury and the other early Methodists -in America.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of the sons of the Rev. A. Bininger we have only to notice -John. Before us is an old account book in which is found the following -memorandum: “1791, May 30th, Moved from Camden in Salem, -Washington County; June 2nd, Arrived at St. John’s, Canada; June -8th, Arrived at Lachine for Kingston; 24th, arrived at Kingston, -Upper Canada; July 2nd, Arrived at John Carscallian’s, Fredricksburgh, -Bay Kanty; October 2nd, Moved from Fredricksburgh to -Adolphustown, 1792; November 13th, Moved from Adolphustown -to Mohawk Village.” A letter written by John Bininger to his -father, is in a fine distinct hand, and indicates both learning and piety, -and that he was actuated, in taking the situation of teacher to the -Mohawks, by a missionary spirit. His father wrote to him from -time to time; the letters are dated at Camden, and usually refer to -family affairs; but each has a large portion devoted to Christian -advice, simply and touchingly, and sometimes quaintly given. They -are signed Abraham and Martha. The first letter is addressed to -“Caterockqua,” and the request is made upon the corner of the -letter to “please forward this with care and speed,” “also to the care -<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>of Mr. John Carscallian, or Lieutenant Carscallian.” The rest of the -letters are addressed to Adolphustown, and the Mohawk Village, -“Bay Quinté.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In one letter he says “Remember children never please parents -more than when they are willing to be guided by them; self-guiding -is always the beginning of temptation, and next comes a fall that we -must smart for it; we are to work out our own salvation (not with -high galloping thoughts) but with fear and trembling.” In this -way every letter beams with pure and simple Christianity. After -his children’s personal well-being, he is concerned about the Moravian -missionaries in Canada, and also a considerable number of Moravian -Loyalists who had settled upon the Bay Quinté, after whom he frequently -inquires. In one letter he says “remember me to all my -friends, in particular to old Mr. Carscallian and wife.” One letter -says, “We send you with Mr. McCabe a lag. cheese, weight five pounds -and three-quarters, about half-a-pint of apple seed, from Urana’s -saving. I also send you part of my best treasure, the <cite>Daily Word -and Doctrinal Texts</cite>, for the year 1792. The collection of choice -hymns and sixteen discourses of my very dear friend, Count Zinzendorf.” -He says, “I would heartily beg to make Inquiry and friendship -with the brethren among the Indians. They are settled in the -British lines, I don’t know the name of the place.” Again he expresses -a wish that he should inquire for the brethren’s settlement, -and “make a correspondence with them,” to think it his “duty to -assist them in the furtherance of the Gospel, both on account of -yourself and on account of your old father. If you can get any -intelligence pray let me know, I am often concerned in my mind for -the dear flock that believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. I think if any -gentleman in your parts can give information, it is the Reverend Mr. -Stuart, a minister of the Church of England, he is a gentleman that -I have great esteem for, I know he will give you all the intelligence -he possibly can.” Subsequently, 1794, he wishes his son to correspond -with the brethren at the river La Trenche (the Thames). As a -result of this request, we see a letter received from David Zeisherger, -dated at River Thames, 20th July, 1794, eighty miles from Detroit.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Bininger was acceptable to the Mohawks of the Bay, -as an instructor. His father writes 5th January, 1794, “It was a -real satisfaction to me to see Mr. Hekenalder in New York, and -more so when I heard the good character of the Indians of your place -living among them.” Writing February 23rd, he says, “was I able -to undergo the hardships, I would certainly join with you and tell -<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>the poor Indians of God their Saviour, that would be the highest and -happiest employ for me.” In August, he says “I would have ventured -the hardships of the journey, but mother and Isaac wont approve of -it, they think I am too old and feeble. I know that if I was with -you I should have more contentment than I have here.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The last communication we have is dated February, 1804, in -which the good old Moravian says to his children, John and Phœbe, -that their “dear tender mother went happy to our dear Saviour;” at -the funeral was so many, he wondered how so many could collect.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Rev. Abraham Bininger was intimate with Wesley, whom -he accompanied to Virginia. He also was familiar with Philip -Embury, and Mr. “Garitson” who baptized his grand-child. The -first two Methodist preachers in Canada were well known to him. -Several letters, back and forth, are “per favor of Losee.” In one -letter he says, “Don forget to remember my love and regards to Mr. -Dunon (Dunham) and Mr. Loese.” The postscript of another letter -says, “Isaac intends to send a young heifer, two pound of tea, a -gammon, and a pise of smokt beef. Mother sends her love to Dunon -and Mr. Loese.” A letter dated April 12th, 1792, says John Switzers’ -son “was baptized by Mr. Garitson. Mr. Garitson is well approved -of in these parts. I heartily wish, as much as I love him, that he -were in your parts. I am of late more reconciled to the Methodists -than I was before, I see they really are a blessing to many poor -souls.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Writing 2nd August, 1794, he says “I heartily pity Mr. Losee -for withdrawing his hand, he is now to be treated with patience and -tenderness. I have sent last part of a discourse which I translated -from the brethren’s writing. I did it chiefly on account of Mr. Losee, -if you think proper send him a copy with a tender greet from me.” -John Bininger, writing January 12, 1795, remarks, Mr. Losee is just -setting out for the States.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. John Bininger ceased to be teacher to the Mohawks sometime -in the latter part of 1795, or first part of 1796.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There are several letters before us, written by Mr. Stuart, in -reference to the appointment of a successor to Mr. Bininger, the -first one is directed to “Mr. William Bell, at the head of the Bay of -Quinté,” and dated at Kingston, September 26, 1796. He says “I -received your letter respecting the Mohawk school; I can give you -no positive answer at present: because I have agreed, conditionally -with a school-master at Montreal, that is, if he comes up, he is to -have the school; I expect daily to hear from him, although I do -<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>not think he will accept of the employment. Some time ago Mr. -Ferguson mentioned you as one who would probably undertake -that charge. I told Captain John that if the person from Montreal -disappointed me I would talk with you on the subject. The salary -is £30 sterling, with a house to live in, and some other advantages -which depend wholly on the pleasure of the Mohawks—​but the -teacher must be a man, and not a woman, however well qualified.” -The teacher from Montreal did not come, and Mr. Bell was appointed. -The following seems to have been a copy of Mr. Bell’s -first call for payment, the half-yearly instalment.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Mohawk Village, Bay of Quinté, July 5, 1797—​Exchange for -£15 sterling.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sir,—​At thirty days sight of this first of exchange, please to -pay to Mr. Robert McCauley, or order, the sum of fifteen pounds -sterling, being half-year’s salary, from the 15th day of November, -1796, to the 15th day of May, 1797, due from the Society, without -further advice, from, Sir, &c., (Signed), William Bell, school-master -to the Mohawks. To Calvert Chapman, Esq., Treasurer to the -Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts—​Duke -Street, Westminster.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Mohawks, it seems, did not appreciate the advantages -which the establishment of a school among them was intended to -afford, and Mr. Stuart is found writing as follows: “Kingston, -August 18, 1799—​Sir,—​Unless the Mohawks will send such a number -of their children to school as will justify me in continuing a -school-master, in duty to myself, as acting for the Society, I shall -be under the necessity of discontinuing the payment of your salary -after the expiration of the present year. This information I think -proper to give you, that you may govern yourself accordingly. I -am, Sir,” &c., (Signed), John Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But writing again, March 16, 1800, Mr. Stuart says, “I am happy -to hear that the school is now furnished with a dozen or more -scholars, and it is expected you will be very strict in your discipline, -and see that prayers are read night and morning; that the -children are taught the Lord’s Prayer, and the Commandments—​that -children may not be sent home even if their parents do not -send wood at the stated times; that the cattle may not be allowed -to go into the school, but that it be kept clean, and the wood belonging -to it may not be used unless in school hours.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Writing again, September 11, 1801, Mr. Stuart says, “I have -waited with patience to see whether the Mohawks would send their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>children more regularly to school, but if the accounts I receive are -true, the money is expended to no purpose. I am told that there -has not been a scholar in school since last spring. And, as I never -found that the fault was on your side, I cannot, in conscience, allow -the salary of the Society to be paid for nothing. Therefore, unless -Capt. John and the chief men of the village will promise that the -school shall be furnished with at least six scholars, I must dismiss -you from their service—​as soon as you receive this notification. I -hope you will see the reasonableness of this determination of mine, -and you may show this letter to Capt. John and the Mohawks, by -which they will see that the continuance or discontinuance of the -school depends wholly on themselves.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The final letter upon the subject is dated “Kingston, 26th -August, 1802,” and says, “I have not yet received any letter from -the Society; but, for the reasons I mentioned to you, I think it -will be expedient to let the Mohawk school cease, at least for some -time. I therefore notify you that after your present quarter is -ended you will not expect a continuance of the salary.” (Signed), -“John Stuart.” “To William Bell, school-master to the Mohawks, -Bay of Quinté.”</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXV.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The first Church at Tyendinaga grows old—​A Council—​Ask for -Assistance—​Gov. Bagot—​Laying first stone of new Church—​The Inscription—​The -Ceremony—​The new Church—​Their Singing—​The surrounding -Scenery—​John Hall’s Tomb—​Pagan Indians—​Red Jacket—​His Speech—​Reflection -upon Christians—​Indians had nothing to do with murdering the -Saviour.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>BUILDING A NEW CHURCH.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Their original edifice of wood, having served its purpose, and -being in a state of decay; it was deemed necessary to have erected -a new and more substantial building. They, consequently, held a -Council, at which the Chief made the following speech, after hearing -all the ways and means discussed—​“If we attempt to build this -church by ourselves, it will never be done. Let us, therefore, ask -our father, the Governor, to build it for us, and it will be done at -once.” Reference here was made, not to the necessary funds, for -they were to be derived from the sale of Indian lands; but to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>experience requisite to carry out the project. Sir Charles Bagot, -the Governor, was accordingly petitioned. “The first stone was -laid by S. P. Jarvis, Esq., Chief Superintendent of Indians in -Canada; and the Archdeacon of Kingston, the truly venerable G. -O. Stuart, conducted the usual service; which was preceded by a -procession of the Indians, who, singing a hymn, led the way from -the wharf.” “The following inscription was placed in this stone:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>TO</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='sc'>The Glory of God Our Saviour</span></div> - <div class='c002'>THE REMNANT OF THE TRIBE OF KAN-YE-AKE-HAKA,</div> - <div class='c002'>IN TOKEN OF THEIR PRESERVATION BY THE DIVINE MERCY</div> - <div class='c002'>THROUGH JESUS CHRIST,</div> - <div class='c002'>In the sixth year of Our Mother Queen Victoria: Sir Charles Theophilus Metcalf, G.C.B., being Governor General of British North America;</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='sc'>The Right Rev. J. Strachan, D.D., and LL.D.</span>, Being Bishop of Toronto:</div> - <div class='c002'>AND</div> - <div>THE REV. SALTERN GIVINS, BEING IN THE THIRTEENTH YEAR OF HIS INCUMBENCY.</div> - <div class='c002'>The old wooden fabric having answered its end,</div> - <div class='c002'>THIS CORNER STONE OF</div> - <div class='c002'>CHRIST’S CHURCH TYENDINAGA,</div> - <div class='c002'>WAS LAID</div> - <div class='c002'>In the presence of the Venerable George O’Kill Stuart, LL.D., Archdeacon of Kingston;</div> - <div>By Samuel Peter Jarvis, Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Canada, assisted by various Members of the Church,</div> - <div class='c002'>ON TUESDAY MAY <span class='fss'>30TH</span>, A. D., 1843.</div> - <div class='c002'>&c., &c., &c.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>A hymn was sung by the Indians, and Indian children of the -school. The Rev. Wm. Macauley, of Picton, delivered an address, -which was followed by a prayer from the Rev. Mr. Deacon.”—​(<em>Sir -Richard Henry Bonnycastle.</em>)</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>This edifice, with four lancet windows on each side, presents -to the eye a very pleasing appearance upon approaching it. While -the interior may not altogether appear so attractive, it is sufficiently -interesting. There is the elevated desk, and the more elevated -pulpit; and upon the wall, over the altar, are the ten commandments, -in the Mohawk tongue. Here is grandly united the Mother -Church, and the devoted piety of the once great Mohawk nation. -Opposite the altar is a gallery, across the end of the building, in -which is an organ. Therefrom proceeds, Sunday after Sunday, -rich notes of tuneful melody, blending with the stout voices of the -singers. From this church ascends, have we not reason to believe -the adoration of hearts warmed into spiritual life by the pure -principles of Christianity.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The view from the church upon the surrounding scenery is very -pleasant, and, in the quietness of a summer day, one may linger -gazing and meditating upon the past history of the race whose -dead slumber hard by. The visitor’s attention will be directed to a -flat tomb, of blue stone, inclosed by a low stone wall, overgrown -with shrubs. Upon the face of the tomb are the words:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“This tomb, erected to the memory of John Hall, Ochechusleah, -by the Mohawks, in grateful remembrance of his Christian labors -amongst them. During thirty years, he served as a Mohawk -Catechist, in this settlement, under the Society for Propagating the -Gospel, adorning the doctrine of God, his Saviour, and enjoying the -respect of all who knew him. He died, generally regretted, June, -1848, aged 60 years.” This stone also covers the remains of “Eloner, -the exemplary wife of the Catechist, who died in the Lord, May 7, -1840, aged 50.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the Mohawks always manifested a desire to learn the -truth, as taught by Christians, there were some of the Six Nations -who believed not, and steadfastly turned their backs upon the missionaries -of the Cross. Among these stood prominent the Seneca chief -Sagnoaha, or Red Jacket, one well known as an eloquent Sachem -in all the Councils of his people. A Seneca council was held at -Buffalo Creek, in May, 1811, when Red Jacket answered the desire -of a missionary that they should become Christians, as follows:—​</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Brother!—​We listened to the talk you delivered to us from the -council of black coats in New York. We have fully considered your -talk, and the offers you have made us. We now return our answer, -which we wish you also to understand. In making up our minds -we have looked back to remember what has been done in our days, -and what our fathers have told us was done in old times.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>“Brother!—​Great numbers of black coats have been among -the Indians. With sweet voices and smiling faces, they offered to -teach them the religion of the white people. Our brethren in the -East listened to them. They turn from the religion of their fathers, -and look up the religion of the white people. What good has it -done? Are they more friendly, one to another, than we are? No, -Brother! They are a divided people; we are united. They quarrel -about religion; we live in love and friendship. Besides, they drink -strong waters, and they have learned how to cheat and how to -practice all the other vices of the white people, without imitating -their virtues. Brother!—​If you wish us well, keep away; don’t -disturb us. Brother!—​We do not worship the Great Spirit as -the white people do, but we believe that the forms of worship are -indifferent to the Great Spirit. It is the homage of sincere hearts -that pleases him, and we worship him in that manner.” “Brother! -For these reasons we cannot receive your offers. We have other -things to do, and beg you will make your minds easy, without -troubling us, lest our heads should be too much loaded, and by and -by burst.” At another time, he is reported to have said to one -conversing with him upon the subject of Christianity, that the -Indians were not responsible for the death of Christ. “Brother,” -said he “if you white people murdered the Saviour, make it up -yourselves. We had nothing to do with it. If he had come among -us, we should have treated him better.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXVI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Mississauga Indians—​Father Picquet’s opinion—​Remnant of a large -tribe—​Their Land—​Sold to Government—​Rev. Wm. Case—​John Sunday—​A -drunkard—​Peter Jones—​Baptising Indians—​At a camp-meeting—​Their -department—​Extract from Playter—​William Beaver—​Conversions—​Jacob -Peter—​Severe upon white Christians—​Their worship—​The Father of Canadian -missions—​Scheme to teach Indians—​Grape Island—​Leasing islands—​The -parties—​“Dated at Belleville”—​Constructing a village—​The lumber—​How -obtained—​Encamping on Grape Island—​The method of instruction—​The -number—​Agriculture—​Their singing—​School house—​The teacher—​Instructions -of women—​Miss Barnes—​Property of Indians—​Cost of improvements—​A -visit to Government—​Asking for land—​“Big Island”—​Other -favors—​Peter Jacobs at New York—​Extracts from Playter—​Number of -Indian converts, 1829—​River Credit Indians—​Indians removed to Alnwick.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE MISSISSAUGA INDIANS—​THEIR CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>We have learned that the French missionary, Father Picquet -did not entertain a very high opinion, at least he professed not to, -of the moral character of the Mississaugas, and their susceptibility -to the influence of Christian religion. We will now see what was -accomplished by the agency of the Rev. William Case. We refer -to that branch at present called the Mississaugas of Alnwick, -and formerly known as the Mississaugas of the Bay of Quinté. -They were the remnant of the powerful tribe, which ceded a large -tract in the Johnstown, Midland and Newcastle districts to the -Government. This block contained 2,748,000 acres, and was -surrendered in 1822, for an annuity of £642 10s.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1825 the Rev. William Case visited the Bay. Among the -first to come under the influence of religion, from the preaching of -the Methodists was John Sunday. The writer has conversed with -many, who remember Sunday as a very filthy drunkard. Peter -Jones and John Crane, Mohawks who had been converted to -Methodism at the Grand River, visited Belleville. Peter Jones -with simple eloquence, soon reached the hearts of the Mississaugas. -The writer’s father has heard Peter Jones preach to them in Indian -near the banks of the Moira, just by No. 1 school-house in Belleville. -In the spring of 1826 Case baptized 22 Indian converts, -while 50 more seemed under the influence of religion. In June, a -camp-meeting was held in Adolphustown, the Mississaugas attended. -Special accommodation was afforded them. Their arrival is thus -graphically given by Playter, and it supplies an excellent idea of -Indian character in connection with religion.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>A message came that the Mississauga fleet was in sight. A -few repaired to the shore to welcome and conduct the Indians to -the ground. The bark canoes contained men, women and children, -with cooking utensils, blankets, guns, spears, provisions, and bark -for covering their wigwams. The men took each a canoe reversed -on his head, or the guns and spears; each squaw a bundle of -blankets or bark. The men marched first, the women in the rear, -and in file they moved to the encampment, headed by two preachers. -The congregation seeing the Indians passing through the gate, and -so equipped, was astonished. Reflecting on the former condition -and the present state of these natives of the woods, gratitude and -joy filled every bosom. God was praised for the salvation of the -heathen. After the natives had laid down the burdens, they all -silently prayed for the blessing of the Great Spirit, to the surprise -and increased delight of the pious whites. The Indians next built -their camp, in the oblong form, with poles, canoes, and bark. The -adults numbered 41, of whom 28 had given evidence of a converted -state, and the children were 17: in all 58. The natives had private -meetings by themselves, and the whites by themselves; but in -preaching time, the Indians sat on the right of the preaching -stand. At the close of each sermon, William Beaver, an Indian -exhorter, translated the main points for the Indians, the other -Indian exhorters, Sunday, Moses, and Jacob Peter spoke to their -people on different occasions. Beaver’s first exhortation was on -Friday, and produced a great effect on the natives.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On Sunday Beaver spoke to his people with great fluency. -Upon being asked what he had been saying, “I tell ‘em,” said he, -“they must all turn away from sin; that the Great Spirit will give -‘em new eyes to see, new ears to hear good things; new heart to -understand, and sing, and pray; all new! I tell ‘em squaws, they -must wash ‘em blankets clean, must cook ‘em victuals clean, like -white women; they must live in peace, worship God, and love one -another. Then,” with a natural motion of the hand and arm, as -if to level an uneven surface, he added, “The Good Spirit make the -ground all smooth before you.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“On Monday, the Lord’s supper was given to the Indians and -the whites, of the Indians 21 were also baptized, with ten of their -children. The whole number of the baptized in this tribe was now -43, 21 children. As yet these Indians knew but one hymn, “O for -a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer’s praise,” and one -tune. This hymn they sung, over and over, as if always new, and -always good.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>It has been the custom, of not alone the United States, but -some in our midst, to regard the Indians as altogether degraded -below the whites in intelligence, in natural honesty, and in appreciation -of right and wrong. At the camp-meeting above referred -to, there was a convert by name of Jacob Peter. He is described -as “a sprightly youth of 18 years.” At some subsequent date during -the same year, the Indians held a prayer-meeting at the village of -Demorestville. Mr. Demorest being present with other white -inhabitants, to witness the Indian’s devotion, requested Jacob to -speak a little to them in English; which he thus did:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“You white people have the Gospel a great many years. You -have the Bible too: suppose you read sometimes—​but you very -wicked. Suppose some very good people: but great many wicked. -You get drunk—​you tell lies—​you break the Sabbath.” Then pointing -to his brethren, he added, “But these Indians, they hear the -word only a little while—​they can’t read the Bible—​but they become -good right away. They no more get drunk—​no more tell -lies—​they keep the Sabbath day. To us Indians, seems very -strange that you have missionary so many years, and you so many -rogues yet. The Indians have missionary only a little while, and -we all turn Christians.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The whites little expected so bold a reproof from a youth -belonging to a race which is generally despised.”—​(Playter).</p> - -<p class='c000'>Camp-meetings were peculiarly calculated to impress the -Indians with solemn thoughts. These children of the forest deemed -the shade of trees a fit and true place in which to worship the true -God, just as seemed to the first settlers who had for so long a time -had their homes within the quiet glades. And no more inconsiderate -step could have been taken than that pursued by Governor -Maitland, who, at the instigation of others, forbade the converted -Indians at the River Credit to attend camp-meetings. The conversion -of the Mississaugas at Belleville, and the Credit, soon became -known to the other branches of the tribe scattered throughout -Canada, and in time the whole nation was under the influence of -Methodist teaching. Their change of life was as well marked as it -has been lasting.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Rev. William Case, “The father of Canadian Missions,” -determined to permanently settle the tribe, to teach them the -quiet pursuits of agriculture, and their children the rudiments of -education, as well as of Christian knowledge. To this end the plan -was adopted, of leasing two islands, situated in Big Bay, which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>belonged to the tribe, and establish thereupon the converted Indians. -The parties to whom the tribe granted the lease for 999 years, for -the nominal sum of five shillings, were “John Reynolds, Benjamin -Ketcheson, Penuel G. Selden, James Bickford, and William Ross.” -The Chiefs, Warriors, and Indians conferring the lease, and who -signed the indenture, were “John Sunday, William Beaver, John -Simpson, Nelson Snake, Mitchell Snake, Jacob Musguashcum, -Joseph Skunk, Paul Yawaseeng, Jacob Nawgnashcum, John Salt, -Isaac Skunk, William Ross, Patto Skunk, Jacob Sheepegang, James -Snake.” It was “signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of -Tobias Bleaker, and Peter Jones.” Dated Belleville, 16th October, -1826. The islands thus leased were Huff’s Island, then known as -“Logrim’s,” containing about fifty acres, and Grape Island with -eleven acres.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Steps were promptly taken to carry out the object aimed at by -the projectors, and arrangements were made to construct a village -upon Grape Island. The lumber for the buildings was obtained -by cutting hemlock saw logs upon the rear part of Tyendinaga, by -the river Moira, under the direction of Surveyor Emerson, which -were floated down to Jonas Canniff’s saw mill, and there sawed -into suitable pieces. These were again floated down in small rafts -to the island. During the ensuing winter, the buildings not being -as yet erected, a large number encamped upon Grape Island, while -the rest went hunting, as usual. Instructions commenced immediately. -Preachers visited them from time to time, and two interpreters. -William Beaver and Jacob Peter taught them the Lord’s -Prayer and Ten Commandments. In January the hunting party -returned, and “a meeting, lasting several days, was held in the -chapel in Belleville, to instruct them also.” “The tribe mustered -about 130 souls, and the Society embraced every adult, about ninety -persons.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>A branch of the tribe living in the rear of Kingston, forty in -number, came in May, the following Spring, and joined those at the -island, and became converts. In this month the buildings were -commenced, and some land ploughed and planted. The condition -of the people was every day improving. As many as 130 would -assemble for worship. Their voices were melodious, and delightful -was the singing. A school and meeting-house was built in July, -30 feet by 25 feet. William Smith was the first school-teacher, -having thirty scholars in the day school, and fifty in the Sabbath -school. The farming operations were under the superintendence -<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>of R. Phelps. The girls and women were instructed in knitting, -sewing, making straw hats, and other work, by Miss E. Barnes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The public property of the Indians comprised a yoke of oxen, -three cows, a set of farming tools, and material for houses, as -lumber, nails and glass,—​contributions of the benevolent. The -improvements of the year were expected to cost £250, to be met -by benevolence in the United States and Canada. In October, the -meeting-house was seated, in connection with which was a room -provided for a study and bed for the teacher. The bodies of eleven -log houses were put up; eight had shingled roofs, and they were -enclosed before winter.”—​(Playter).</p> - -<p class='c000'>Soon after, a deputation from Grape Island visited York, with -a deputation from Rice Lake, and the Credit Indians, to seek an -audience with the Government. A council was held with the -Government officers on the 30th January, 1828. The speeches were -interpreted by Peter Jones. John Sunday, after referring to their -conversion, and having settled by the Bay Quinté, said, “that when -they considered the future welfare of their children, they found -that the island they claimed would not afford them sufficient wood -and pasture for any length of time, and that they had now come to -ask their great father, the governor, for a piece of land lying near -them.” “He then proceeded to ask the Government in what situation -Big Island was considered; whether or not it belonged to the -Indians? and, if it did, they asked their father to make those -who had settled on it without their consent, pay them a proper -rent, as they had hitherto turned them off with two bushels of -potatoes for 200 acres of land. In the last place, he asked permission -of their great father to cut some timber on the King’s land -for their buildings.”—​(Peter Jones).</p> - -<p class='c000'>In April of this year, Mr. Case, with John Sunday and Peter -Jacobs, attended the anniversary of the Missionary Society in New -York. The manifestation of Christianity displayed by these sons -of the forest touched the hearts of the people present, and led to a -considerable augmentation of the contributions previously supplied -by private individuals. They visited other parts of the United -States, and returned to the bay, May 12, “accompanied by two -pious ladies, Miss Barnes, and Miss Hubbard.” “The ladies came -with the benevolent design of assisting the Indians in religion, industry, -and education.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In the tour Mr. Case received many presents of useful articles -for the Indians; and among the rest ticking for straw beds. This -<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>was divided among twenty families, and made the first beds they ever -slept upon.” Among the conversions of this year, was an Indian -woman, practising witchcraft, as the people believe, and a Roman -Catholic.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The people were not only persevering in religious duties, but -made progress in industry. Mr. Case collected the Indians together -one evening, to show what they had manufactured in two weeks. -They exhibited 172 axe handles, 6 scoop shovels, 57 ladles, 4 trays, -44 broom-handles, 415 brooms. “The Indians were highly commended -for their industry, and some rewards were bestowed to stimulate -greater diligence.”—​(Playter).</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to the Annual Report of the Missionary Society of -the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States, there were -“two hundred and twenty natives under the Christian instruction of -one missionary, one hundred and twenty of whom are regular communicants, -and fifty children are taught in the schools.” Lorenzo -Dow visited Grape Island, and writing July 29, 1829, says, “viewing -the neatness and uniformity of the village—​the conduct of the children -even in the streets—​and not a drunkard to be found in their -borders. Surely what a lesson for the whites!”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The other communities of the Mississaugas that came under the -religious teaching of the Methodists are the River Credit Indians, -the Rice Lake Indians, and those at Schoogog, Simcoe, and the -Thames River.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the Indians from the Bay Quinté, and from Kingston, left -Grape Island, they removed to Alnwick. A Report on Indian Affairs, -of 1858, says, “they have now a block of land of 2000 acres divided -into 25 acre farms.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION VI<br /> <span class='large'>EARLY EDUCATION IN UPPER CANADA.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXVII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Education among the Loyalists—​Effect of the War—​No opportunity -for Education—​A few Educated—​At Bath—​A common belief—​What was -requisite for farming—​Learning at home—​The School Teachers—​Their -qualifications—​Rev. Mr. Stuart as a Teacher—​Academy at Kingston—​First -Canadian D.D.—​Mr. Clark, Teacher, 1786—​Donevan—​Garrison Schools—​Cockerell—​Myers—​Blaney—​Michael—​Atkins—​Kingston, -1795—​Lyons—​Mrs. -Cranahan—​In Adolphustown—​Morden—​Faulkiner—​The School Books—​Evening -Schools—​McDougall—​O’Reiley—​McCormick—​Flogging—​Salisbury—​James—​Potter—​Wright—​Watkins—​Gibson—​Smith—​Whelan—​Articles -of Agreement—​Recollections—​Boarding round—​American Teachers—​School -Books—​The Letter Z.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The majority of the refugees possessed but limited education. -There were a very small number whose education was even -excellent; but the greater portion of Loyalists from the revolting -Colonies, had not enjoyed opportunities for even a common education. -The state of society, for many years, precluded the teaching -of youth. During the civil war, the chances for learning had been -exceedingly slender. Apart from this, there did not exist, a hundred -years ago, the same desire to acquire learning which now -prevails. The disbanded soldiers and refugees, even some of the -half-pay officers, were void of education, which, even in the back -woods, is a source of pure enjoyment. There was, however, an -English seminary at Quebec, and at Montreal, at which a few were -educated during the war; for instance, Clark, who was a naval -store-keeper at Carleton Island, had his children there at school. -At the village of Kingston, there were a certain number of educated -persons; but around the Bay there was not much to boast of. As -their habitations were sparse, it was difficult for a sufficient number -to unite to form good schools. Among the old, sturdy farmers, who -themselves had no learning, and who had got along without much, -if any learning, and had no books to read, there obtained a belief that -it was not only unnecessary, but likely to have a bad effect upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>the young, disqualifying them for the plain duties of husbandry. If -one could read, sign his own name, and cast interest, it was looked -upon as quite sufficient for a farmer. But gradually there sprung -up an increased desire to acquire education, and a willingness to -supply the means therefor. In most places, the children were -gladly sent to school. And, moreover, in some cases, elder persons, -without learning, married to one possessed of it, would spend their -long winter evenings in learning from a willing partner, by the -flickering fire light. Says Ex-Sheriff Ruttan, then living at Adolphustown, -“As there were no schools at that period, what knowledge I -acquired was from my mother, who would, of an evening, relate -events of the American rebellion, and the happy lives people once -led under British laws and protection previous to the outbreak.” -“In a few years, as the neighborhood improved, school teaching -was introduced by a few individuals, whose individual infirmities -prevented them from hard manual labor.” We find it stated that -the first school teachers were discharged soldiers, and generally -Irish.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Rev. John Stuart, subsequently. D.D., (See first clergyman) -was the first teacher in Upper Canada. So early as 1785, the year -he settled at Cataraqui, as he called the place, he says, in a letter -written to an old friend in the States, “The greatest inconvenience -I feel here, is there being no school for our boys; but, we are now -applying to the Legislature for assistance to erect an academy and -have reason to expect success; If I succeed in this, I shall die here -contented.” “In May, 1786, he opened an academy at Kingston;” -writing in 1788, he remarks, “I have an excellent school for my -children,” that is the children of Kingston.—​(Memoirs of Dr. -Stuart). The degree of D.D., which was conferred upon Mr. -Stuart, in 1799, by his Alma Mater, at the University of Pennsylvania, -was the first University degree of any kind conferred upon -a Canadian, probably to any one of the present Dominion of Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the Rev. Mr. Stuart was engaged with the first school in -Kingston, Mr. Clarke was likewise employed in teaching upon the -shores of the Bay, probably in Ernesttown or Fredericksburgh. -“We learn from Major Clark, now residing in Edwardsburgh, that -his father taught the first regular school in Dundas. He arrived -with his family in Montreal, in the year 1786, and proceeded to the -Bay Quinté. He remained two years at the Bay, employed in -teaching. In 1788, he came to Matilda, at the instance of Captain -Frazer, who, at his own expense, purchased a farm for him, at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>cost of one hundred dollars. A few of the neighbors assisted in -the erection of a school house, in which Mr. Clark taught for several -years. He was a native of Perthshire, Scotland.”—​(<cite>History of -Dundas</cite>).</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the first teachers at Kingston, was one Donevan.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As a general thing, all the British garrisons had, what was -called, a garrison school, and many of the children at first derived -the rudiments of education from these; that is, those living convenient -to the forts. The teachers of these army schools, no doubt, -were of questionable fitness, probably possessing but a minimum -of knowledge, next to actual ignorance. However, there may -have been exceptions. Possibly, where a chaplain was attached to a -garrison, he taught, or superintended.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Col. Clark, of Dalhousie, says, “The first rudiments of my -humble education I acquired at the garrison school, at Old Fort, -Niagara. When we came to the British side of the river, I went -to various schools. The best among them was a Richard Cockerell, -an Englishman, from the United States, who left the country during -the rebellion.” He also speaks of D’Anovan of Kingston, as a -teacher, and likewise Myers, Blaney, Mr. Michael, Irish, and -another, a Scotchman. This was before 1800.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A memorandum by Robert Clark, of Napanee, says, “My boys -commenced going to school to Mr. Daniel Allen Atkins, 18th -January, 1791.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Rochefoucault says, in 1795, speaking of Kingston, “In this -district are some schools, but they are few in number. The children -are instructed in reading and writing, and pay each a dollar a month. -One of the masters, superior to the rest, in point of knowledge, -taught Latin; but he has left the school, without being succeeded -by another instructor of the same learning.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In the year 1788, a pious young man, called Lyons, an -exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, came to Canada, and -engaged in teaching a school in Adolphustown,” “upon Hay Bay -or fourth concession.”—​(<cite>Playter.</cite>) Ex-Sheriff Ruttan tells us, that -“At seven years of age, (1799), he was one of those who patronized -Mrs. Cranahan, who opened a Sylvan Seminary for the young idea, -(in Adolphustown); from thence, I went to Jonathan Clark’s, and -then tried Thomas Morden, lastly William Faulkiner, a relative of -the Hagermans. You may suppose that these graduations to Parnassus, -was carried into effect, because a large amount of knowledge -could be obtained. Not so; for Dilworth’s Spelling Book, and the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>New Testament, were the only books possessed by these academies. -About five miles distant, was another teacher, whose name I forget; -after his day’s work was done in the bush, but particularly in the -winter, he was ready to receive his pupils. This evening school -was for those in search of knowledge. My two elder brothers -availed themselves of this opportunity, and always went on snow -shoes, which they deposited at the door.” It looks very much as if -courting may have been intimately associated with these nightly -researches for knowledge. Mr. Ruttan adds, “And exciting -occasions sometimes happened by moonlight, when the girls joined -the cavalcade.” At this school as well, the only books were -Dilworth, and the Testament; unless it were the girl’s “looks.” -“Those primeval days I remember with great pleasure.” “At -fourteen, (1806), my education was finished.” We learn that at an -early period there was one McDougall, who taught school in a log -house upon the south shore of Hay Bay. Says Mr. Henry VanDusen, -one of the first natives of Upper Canada, “The first who -exercised the prerogative of the school room in Adolphustown were -the two sons of Edward O’Reily, and McCormick, both of whom -are well remembered by all who were favored with their instruction—​from -the unmerciful floggings received.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>About the year 1803, one Salisbury taught school on the High -Shore, Sophiasburgh. The first teacher upon the Marsh Front, -near Grassy Point, was John James. At the mouth of Myers’ -Creek, in 1807 or 8, James Potter taught school; but, prior to that, -a man by the name of Leslie taught. About this time, there was -also a Rev. Mr. Wright, a Presbyterian, who taught school near Mrs. -Simpson’s. He preached occasionally. In 1810, in a little frame -school house, near the present market, (Belleville,) taught one John -Watkins. One of the first school masters up the Moira, fifth concession -of Thurlow, was one Gibson. Mrs. Perry, born in Ernesttown, -remembers her first, and her principal school-teacher. His -name was Smith, and he taught in the second concession of Ernesttown -in 1806. He had a large school, the children coming from -all the neighborhood, including the best families.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the war of 1812, Mr. Whelan taught at Kingston, in -the public school. The school house stood near the block house. -It is stated, January, 1817, that he had been a teacher for ten years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Before us, is a document, dated at Hollowell, Oct. 28, 1819. It -is—​“Articles of agreement between R—​—​ L—​—​, of the -one part, and we, the undersigned, of the other part: that is to say: -<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>that R—​—​ L—​—​ doth engage to keep a regular school, for the -term of seven months from the first day of November next, at the -rate of two pounds ten shillings per month; and he further doth -agree to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic; to keep regular -hours, keep good order in school, as far as his abilities will allow, -see that the children go orderly from school to their respective -homes. And we, the undersigned, doth agree to pay R—​—​ L—​—​ -the sum above named of ten dollars per month for the time above -mentioned; and further, doth agree to find a comfortable house for -the school, and supply the same with wood fitted for the fire. And -further, to wash, mend, lodge, and victual him for the time of -keeping said school. School to be under charge and inspection of -the following trustees: William Clark, Peter Leavens, and Daniel -Leavens.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>To which is subjoined, quaintly, in Mr. L.’s hand writing:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“It is to be understood that the said R—​—​ L—​—​ has performed -his business rightly till he is discharged,—​(Signed) R—​—​ L—​—​.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Below are the names of the subscribers, and the number of -scholars each will send.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The practice already referred to, of setting apart for school teachers -such members of the family as were physically incapable of doing -hard manual labor, without any regard to their natural or acquired -capabilities, was of Yankee origin, and continued in many places -for many years. The writer had, among his early teachers, one -who boarded round from family to family, whose sole qualification -to teach consisted in his lameness. This prostitution of a noble -calling, had the effect of preventing men of education for a long -time, from engaging in the duties of this profession.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In different places, young men would engage for three or four -months, in winter, to teach school; but, with the return of spring, -they would return to the labor of the field and woods. After a -while, young women could be found who would teach in the concession -school house all the summer, to which the younger children -would go.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Some of the first school teachers were from the old country, and -some from the American States. The latter would naturally desire -to have used American school books, and, as they were the most -conveniently procured, they were introduced, and continued to be -in use for many years. At least, by some schools, Dr. Noah Webster’s -spelling book was among the first to be used; and the writer -commenced his rudimentary education in that book. It followed, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>from the presence of American teachers and school books, that -peculiarities of American spelling and pronunciation were taught -to the children of Canada. For instance, take the letter Z. This -letter of the English alphabet is, according to original authority -pronounced <em>zed</em>; but Webster taught that it had not a compound -sound, and should be pronounced <em>ze</em>. This matter was brought -before the public, by a letter over the signature of “Harris,” which -appeared in the <cite>Kingston Herald</cite>, in 1846. After adducing abundance -of authority, he concludes that “the instructor of youth, who, -when engaged in teaching the elements of the English language, -direct them to call that letter <em>ze</em>, instead of <em>zed</em>, are teaching them -error.”</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Mr. Stuart’s school—​Simcoe—​State Church and College—​Grammar -Schools—​Hon. R. Hamilton—​Chalmers—​Strachan—​Comes to Canada—​Educational -history—​Arrival at Kingston—​The pupils—​Fees—​Removes to -Cornwall—​Pupils follow—​Strachan, a Canadian—​Marries—​Interview with -Bishop Strachan—​His disappointment—​A stranger—​What he forsook—​300 -pupils—​Their success—​Stay at Cornwall—​Appointments at York—​A lecturer—​At -Kingston—​Member of Legislative Council—​Politician—​Clergy -Reserves—​Founds King’s College—​The thirty-nine articles—​Monopoly -swept away—​Voluntaryism—​Founds Trinity College—​Bishop Strachan in -1866—​What he had accomplished—​Those he tutored—​Setting up a high -standard—​“Reckoner”—​Sincerity—​Legislation, 1797—​Address to the King—​Grammar -Schools—​Grant, 1798—​Board of Education—​Endowment Of -King’s College—​Its constitution—​Changes—​Upper Canada College—​Endowment—​“A -spirit of improvement”—​Gourlay—​The second academy—​At -Ernesttown—​The trustees—​Bidwell—​Charges—​Contradicted—​Rival school—​Bidwell’s -son—​Conspicuous character—​Bidwell’s death—​Son removes -to Toronto—​Academy building, a barrack—​Literary spirit of Bath—​Never -revived—​York.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>HIGHER EDUCATION—​FOUNDATION OF UNIVERSITIES—​STRACHAN—​BIDWELL.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Up to the time that Upper Canada was set apart from the Province -of Quebec, as a distinct Province, and even until 1799, when Dr. -Strachan came to Kingston, the Rev. Mr. Stuart continued to be the -only teacher who imparted anything like a solid education. But his -scholars consisted mainly of boys not far advanced. No doubt many -of them, however, received from him the elements of a sound, and -even classical education.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>Governor Simcoe, soon after assuming office, impressed with the -importance of higher education, even for an infant colony, took early -steps to procure from the mother-country a competent person to place -at the head of a College he had determined to establish in connection -with a State Church. His scheme of education to further that -object, was to establish a system of grammar schools, and a University -as the head.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Hon. Robert Hamilton, of Queenston, had at this time a -brother living in Scotland, and it was through him that an offer was -made first to the celebrated Dr. Chalmers. But not desiring to come, -although he had not yet attained to his greatness, he mentioned the -name of his friend Strachan, to whom the offer was then made. Mr. -Strachan decided to come. Thus it was the veteran school-teacher, -the divine, the founder of Universities, who but recently passed away, -was led to Canada to become the occupant of one of the most conspicuous -places in the Province of Upper Canada. So intimately is -the name of Dr. Strachan associated with the history of education, as -well as with the Episcopalian Church, that it becomes necessary to -supply here a somewhat lengthened account of his educational history. -He arrived at Kingston the last day of the year, 1799, having sailed -from Greenock the latter part of August, and having been over four -months on the way. But when Strachan arrived, Simcoe had been -recalled, and his scheme was at least, in abeyance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Col. Clark says that “a school was established at Kingston, 1800, -by the Hon. R. Cartwright for his sons, having Mr. Strachan for -teacher, who had the privilege of taking ten additional scholars at -£10 each per annum.” Among these ten were the late Chief Justice -Robinson, Chief Justice Macaulay, the Hon. George Markland, Bishop -Bethune, the successor of Dr. Strachan; the Rev. W. Macaulay, Picton; -Captain England, Royal Engineers; Justice McLean, Col. John Clark, -and the two sons of Hamilton, James and Samuel. These, with four -sons of Richard Cartwright, formed Mr. Strachan’s first school for the -higher branches of education.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Strachan continued to teach in Kingston for three years, -when he removed his school to Cornwall.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All of his pupils at Kingston, except John Clark, of Niagara, -followed him to that place, and continued for years under his instruction.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The high standard of education now set up by Mr. Strachan had -a beneficial effect. He trained here for usefulness and distinction, -some of the first men of the Province. In addition to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>those mentioned as distinguished pupils, was Christopher Hagarman. -Here Mr. Strachan, it may be said, became a thorough -Canadian, and began to identify himself with the higher interests of -the country. He shortly after married a lady of Cornwall, Miss -Woods, who lived to within a few years of the Bishop’s death.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dr. Strachan, in conversation with the writer, referred to the -time of his coming to Canada with no little feeling. He evidently -felt the disappointment arising from the departure of Governor -Simcoe very keenly, which left him quite to his own resources in the -new country, far from his home which he had forsaken, in view of -certain promises of advancement, congenial to his taste. He was, to -use his own words, “a lonely stranger in a foreign land, without -resources or a single acquaintance.” But in coming to speak of his -pupils, of which there had been about 300, and whose course in life -he had been permitted to see; whose success he had been proud to -note, he spoke of them with all the kindness and regard of a parent. -He dwelt upon the character and high position to which so many had -attained, especially the late Chief Justice Robinson. Speaking of -himself, he said his “early life was of too busy a nature to allow him -to keep a journal.” And we find it stated that he had to support a -mother and two sisters.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Strachan continued at Cornwall nine years, teaching, when -he removed to York. The Government recognised his ability, and -to increase the sphere of his usefulness, and to establish a Provincial -College, he was requested to remove to the capital of Upper Canada, -and had offered to him every advantage, pecuniary and otherwise. -In these early efforts to establish higher education, says the Rev. Mr. -Smart, whose testimony is important, too much praise cannot be -given to Dr. Strachan.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Although Mr. Strachan had removed to Cornwall, Kingston -was occasionally favored by his presence as a public lecturer, as -the following notice which appeared in the <cite>Gazette</cite>, December, 1810, -will show:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Mr. Strachan’s annual course of popular lectures on Natural -Philosophy, will commence on the second Monday in January, the -course consisting of thirty-six lectures, to be completed in two -months. Tickets of admission, four guineas; students taught at -any of the District Schools of Upper Canada, entitled to tickets for -one guinea. This money to be appropriated to the purchase of -scientific books, for the use of those who attend the lectures.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1818 Dr. Strachan was appointed a member of the Legislative -<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>Council, and also of the Executive Council. In these positions -he was a consistent worker to secure the establishment of a -State Church; and for the twenty-two years he took part in the -politics of Upper Canada he ceased not to work for the cause, and -the preservation of the Clergy Reserves. Dr. Strachan never -forgot the original purpose which brought him to Canada, the -foundation of Grammar Schools and a University. In 1827, after -using the influence which his political position allowed him to -secure this object, he procured a royal charter for a University -which he named King’s College after his <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Alma Mater</span></i>. This institution -was intended for the exclusive benefit of those who would -subscribe to the Thirty-nine Articles. For nearly twenty years -this University continued under the control of the Church of England. -But the spirit which obtained in the public mind of Canada -was hostile to this monopoly, and the time came when the University -he had founded became more truly a national one. Although -at this time an old man, when it might have been supposed he -would yield to the adverse influence which had overcome his college, -he never thought of resting satisfied, but, in direct opposition -to the principle against voluntaryism, for which his life had been -so far spent, he set about laying the foundation of another University, -and the Trinity College of Toronto is a second monument to -his untiring energy and success; a monument which renders another -unnecessary to commemorate him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We penned the following remarks in 1866: This widely -known worthy still animates the church he has been mainly instrumental -in erecting to a high and ever influential position in Canada, -and whose untiring energies, guided by a brilliant intellect and a noble -purpose, has made him the parent of higher education in the Province. -The result of his doings—​the traces of his vigorous mind, the -repletion of his noble life may be seen, not alone upon the page of -Episcopalian Church History; but in all the departments of Provincial -life—​in the halls of learning, in the recorded charges from the -Bench, by the mouth of those he educated; in the speeches of many -of Canada’s earliest and foremost statesmen. For it was he tutored -the mind of a McLean, a Hagerman, a Robinson, of the Sherwoods, -Jones, besides a large number of others who have acted a conspicuous -part in the history of the country. While the trees of the -forest yet overshadowed the muddy soil where Toronto now proudly -rears her graceful spires and domes, and while the wild duck found -a safe resting place in the bay, now thickly dotted with crafts of every -<span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>size, Dr. Strachan by pen, and by word of mouth, was setting up a -high standard of learning; and by worthy means, was stimulating the -minds of the future men of Canada to attain that high mark. Read -the easy flowing words that appeared in the Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite>, over -“Reckoner,” and it will strike one that if he took the <cite>Spectator</cite> as a -model, he abundantly succeeded in imitating the immortal Addison. -His school at Cornwall was pre-eminently good, “he had the welfare -of those committed to him at heart, (says the Rev. Mr. Smart,) as -well as the youth of the country generally.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Five years after the erection of Upper Canada into a distinct -Province, 1797, steps were taken by the two Houses of Parliament -to establish schools for the higher branches of learning. A joint -address was presented to His Majesty, Geo. III., asking that he -“would be graciously pleased to direct his Government in this Province, -to appropriate a certain portion of the waste lands of the -Crown, as a fund for the establishment and support of a respectable -Grammar School in each District thereof; and also a College, or -University, for the instruction of youth in the different branches of -liberal knowledge.” The Imperial Government replied, enquiring -in what manner, and to what extent, “a portion of the Crown lands -might be appropriated and rendered productive towards the formation -of a fund for the above purposes.” The Executive Council of Canada -recommended “that an appropriation of 500,000 acres, or ten townships, -after deducting the Crown and Clergy sevenths, would be a -sufficient fund for the establishment and maintenance of the royal -foundation of four Grammar Schools and one University.” It was -also suggested, that the Grammar Schools be established at Cornwall, -Kingston, Newark (Niagara), and Sandwich, and the University -at York. It is not known what action was taken on this -recommendation.—​(Lillie). But, in 1798, “a grant was made of -549,000 acres of land in different parts of the Province, to carry out -the design of the Grammar Schools and University.” “Of the -above land endowment, 190,573 acres were, up to the year 1826, -assigned to (or disposed of by) a public body, known as the Board -of Education, the proceeds having been applied to the support of -Common and Grammar Schools.” The residue of the grant, -amounting to 358,427 acres, appears to have been regarded as -properly constituting that portion of the royal gift which had been -intended for the support of the contemplated University.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Through the influence and exertion of Dr. Strachan, the -University of King’s College was established by Royal Charter of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>Incorporation, 15th March, 1827, with an endowment of “225,000 -acres of crown land, and £1,000 for sixteen years.” The Council or -Governors were to consist of the Chancellor, President, and seven -Professors or Graduates of the institution. All were to be members -of the Church of England. This exclusive feature of the College -continued to exist until 1843, when the charter was modified -whereby parties were eligible to hold office by a declaration of -their “belief in the authenticity and Divine incorporation of the -Old and New Testaments, and in the doctrine of the Trinity.” -Various changes were made by Legislative enactment until the -present institution became established, in 1853, when the faculties -of Law and Medicine were abolished, the name changed from King’s -College to University College, and the University and College -made two distinct institutions.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Royal Grammar School was merged into Upper Canada -College in 1829, and this institution was opened the following year. -“In the years 1832, 1834, and 1835, it received endowments of -land, amounting, in all, to 63,268 acres, irrespective of two valuable -blocks in York—​on one of which the present College buildings -stand.” “The College further received an allowance from Government -of £200 sterling, in 1830; £500 in 1831; and £1,000 sterling -per annum since.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>ACADEMY AT ERNESTTOWN—​BIDWELL.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>While to Dr. Strachan belongs the honor of establishing the -first school whereat a liberal education might be obtained the -efforts and labors of others must not be forgotten. Shortly after -the commencement of the present century, there arose, perhaps as -a result of the teaching of Strachan, a greater desire for advanced -learning. Says a writer in 1811, “A spirit of improvement is -evidently spreading, the value of education, as well as the want of -it, is felt. Gentlemen of competent means appear to be sensible of -the importance of giving their children academical learning, and -ambitious to do it without sending them abroad for the purpose. -Among other indications of progress in literary ambition, I -cannot forbear referring to the academy lately erected in Ernesttown, -by the subscription of public-spirited inhabitants of that, -and the neighbouring townships, who appear to be convinced that -the cultivation of liberal arts and sciences is naturally connected -with an improvement of manners and morals, and a general melioration -of the state of society.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>The academy above referred to was the second school of importance -established in Upper Canada. It was also situated upon the -shores of the Bay of Quinté. The following is from the <cite>Kingston -Gazette</cite>:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>Ernesttown Academy.</span>—​The subscribers hereby inform the -friends of learning that an Academical School, under the superintendence -of an experienced preceptor, is opened in Ernesttown, -near the church, for the instruction of youth in English reading, -speaking, grammar and composition, the learned languages, penmanship, -arithmetic, geography, and other branches of Liberal -Education. Scholars attending from a distance may be boarded in -good families on reasonable terms, and for fifteen shillings a year -can have the use of a valuable library. School Trustees: Robert -McDowel, Benjamin Fairfield, William Fairfield, Solomon Johns, -William Wilcox, Samuel Neilson, George Baker.—​Ernesttown, 11th -March, 1811.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The person selected for teacher was Mr. Barnabas Bidwell, who -had a few years previously come to Canada from the State of -Massachusetts, where he had been, according to a writer in the -<cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, Attorney-General of that State. The same -writer made charges of a serious nature against Mr. Bidwell, as to -the cause of his leaving his country; but one of the above committee -vindicated Mr. Bidwell’s character; by asserting that -although Mr. B. had been “unfortunate in business, and became -embarrassed, he was honest, and had left property to pay his debts -when he left—​that he had been a tutor at the first college in -America—​that he avoided politics and devoted himself to literary -pursuits.” It was about the commencement of the present century, -when Mr Bidwell came to Bath to live.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Probably the academy at Bath was regarded somewhat as a -rival to the school existing at Cornwall.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Barnabas Bidwell remained at Bath about eight years when he -removed to Kingston, with his son, Marshal Bidwell, who became a -lawyer, and a very conspicuous character in Canada. B. Bidwell -died at Kingston, July 26, 1833, aged 70. His son removed to -York in 1830, where he practised his profession until the eventful -year of 1837.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The academy, at the commencement of the war of 1812, was -in a prosperous state, but very soon all was changed,—​the school -was broken up, and the building converted into a barrack. The -close of the war unfortunately saw no return of the old state of things, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>the teacher was gone, and the students scattered, “having resorted -to other places of education, many of them out of the province. -The building is now, (1822), occupied as a house of public worship, -and a common school. It is to be hoped, however, that the taste -for literary improvement may be revived, and this seminary be -re-established.” But these hopes were never realized. The literary -glory of Bath had departed. The capital of York was now to -become a centre to which would gravitate the more learned, and -where would be established the seats of learning. The limited, -though earnest rivalry which had existed between Kingston and -Bath, was to be on a more important scale, between the ancient -capital, Kingston, and the more promising one of York.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXIX.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Extract from Cooper—​Educational institutions—​Kingston—​Queen’s -College—​Own’s Real Estate—​Regiopolis College—​Roman Catholic—​Grammar -School—​Attendance—​School houses—​Library—​Separate Schools—​Private -Schools—​The Quaker School—​William Penn—​Upon the Hudson—​Near -Bloomfield—​Origin of school—​Gurnay—​His offer—​Management of -school—​The teaching—​Mrs. Crombie’s schools—​Picton Ladies’ Academy—​McMullen, -proprietor—​Teachers—​Gentlemen’s department—​Popular—​The -art of printing—​In America—​Book publishing—​First in America—​Books -among the loyalists—​Few—​Passed around—​Ferguson’s books—​The Bible—​Libraries -at Kingston and Bath—​Legislation—​In Lower Canada—​Reading -room at Hallowell—​Reserves for Education—​Upper Canada in respect to -education—​Praiseworthy—​Common School System Bill introduced 1841—​Amended, -1846—​Dr. Ryerson’s system—​Unsurpassed.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>HIGHER EDUCATION, CONTINUED.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The subjoined statement we extract from Cooper, which was -written in 1856. We have no doubt the last twelve years has been -attended with a steady increase in the importance of the Educational -institutions of Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>Educational Institutions.</span>—​There are in Kingston two -colleges, Queen’s College and Regiopolis; the County Grammar -School, 11 Common Schools, 2 separate R. C. Schools, one School -connected with the Nunnery, or Sisters of Charity, with numerous -good private schools for boys, private schools for girls, infant -schools and other minor educational establishments, such as evening -schools, classes for teaching continental languages, &c., in all -between 20 and 30.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>“<span class='sc'>Queen’s College.</span>—​Queen’s College is an educational institution -of very considerable importance, and from it have issued -graduates in arts, divinity and medicine, of no despicable attainments. -It was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1842, and is -under the management of a Board of Trustees and Senate. It has -a Principal and four Professors in Arts and Divinity, besides six -Medical Professors. It confers Scholarships of the aggregate value -of £200, the highest being worth £12 10s. It numbers during the -present year, 47 medical students, 30 in Arts, 10 in Divinity, connected -with it is a Preparatory School, where great pains are -taken to prepare pupils for matriculation at the college. A good -library, containing some 3,000 volumes belongs to the College. A -series of meteorological observations are taken by the graduates, -with the able supervision of the Rev. Professor James Williamson, -under whose assiduous attention this branch of knowledge, so much -neglected in Canada has been carefully fostered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“This institution owns valuable real estate, and is aided by an -annual grant from the Legislature of £750, and £250 to the -medical branch.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>Regiopolis College</span> is a Roman Catholic Seminary of learning; -it has three Professorships, the duties of which are discharged -by Roman Catholic clergymen. Beyond its own walls, and its -own community, it is little known as an educational institution.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>The County Grammar School</span> is supported as those in other -counties, that is, by a grant from Government of £100 per annum, -and the tuition fees of pupils. It possessed formerly a small endowment; -this for the present has been consumed in creating a fund -for the liquidation of some debt on the school-house, a plain substantial -building in a healthy and elevated part of the town; it is -under the control of a Board of Trustees, appointed by the County -Council, and is managed by a head-master and under-master. It -is one of the three Grammar Schools first established in the Province, -and created by Royal Charter—​the other two being at -Cornwall and Niagara.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>The Common Schools</span> are, as in other places, under the -management of the department of education, and the local control -of a Board of Trustees, and local Superintendent. There is a great -want of proper and sufficient school-houses, a want which it is -anticipated will soon be supplied, the Board having in contemplation, -the immediate erection of proper buildings. The free school -system has been adopted here; the difficulties usually attendant on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>its establishment have not been altogether escaped—​the public -seeming loth to tax themselves to any extent, for the purpose of -general education. A marked increase in the attendance at the -city schools has taken place during the last two years, and there -are now taught as large a number of children in the common schools -of Kingston as in any other Canadian city, in proportion to its -population: the standard of education may or may not be as high -as in Toronto, Hamilton or Brockville, but if it is more elementary, -it is not less sound. In free public schools, such as now established, -it is perhaps as well not to aim at a higher standard than is here -attained to. When good school-houses are erected, it will doubtlessly -be found necessary to adopt the Central School system, on -the model of that so successfully carried out in Hamilton, Perth -and St. Catharines, and perhaps elsewhere. When such is the case -the present schools will rank high as primary schools, whilst the -central schools will have to compete with other similar institutions -in the province, and will not likely be behind them in character -and value; these changes are in contemplation, and will before -long be carried into effect. The people of Kingston do not fail to -appreciate the benefits of sound education of its inhabitants in -elevating the position of a city. A public library, containing some -2,000 volumes, has been established in connection with the city -schools.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>The Roman Catholic Separate Schools</span> are under the -management of a separate Board of Trustees; they are supported -as are the Common Schools, by a Legislative grant, proportionate -to the average attendance of pupils, and by a rate settled by the -Board, collected from all rate-payers; in the case of the Separate -Schools, from the parents of pupils and supporters of the schools, -who are exempt from all other taxation for school purposes. The -rate in their case is usually very low. The wealthier supporters -of the schools, with a praiseworthy zeal, voluntarily contribute -largely to the required fund. Among the private schools are many -excellent academies for both boys and girls, which afford both -ornamental acquirements and substantial, classical and commercial -education.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Quaker Schools.</span>—​The noted and good William Penn founded -a school for the children of the Friends at an early date. Subsequently -a Quaker Boarding School was established upon the banks -of the Hudson, near Poughkeepsie.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Toward the latter part of 1841, a school for the children of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>the Quaker denomination, was opened near the pleasant village of -Bloomfield, about 4 miles from Picton. The origin of the school -we believe, was pretty much as follows: An English gentleman, -John Joseph Gurney, brother to Elizabeth Fry, a member of the -Quaker Society, and we believe a minister, was travelling in Canada, -and discovering the wants of that denomination, with respect to -education, offered to bestow a certain sum, (£500), on condition -that another specified sum were raised, a suitable place bought, and -buildings prepared. His offer being accepted, and at this juncture, -Mr. Armstrong being desirous of selling his farm of 100 acres, -with a good brick house just completed, the present site of the -school was procured. In addition to the means thus obtained there -was also a limited sum held by the society, it is said a bequest, for -educational purposes. Additional buildings were erected, and the -school duly opened. The first teachers were Americans. The -school was managed by a committee chosen annually by the -Society, until the latter part of 1865, when it was leased to Mr. -W. Valentine, to whom we are partially indebted for the foregoing -facts. The school continues under the supervision of a managing -committee, appointed by the Society. Its capacity does not extend -further than to receive 30 pupils of each sex, who are taught the -usual branches of a good English education, and sometimes the -rudiments of the classics and the modern languages.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1836, Mrs. Crombie and her sister Miss Bradshaw opened a -“Female Academy” in Picton, which promised to give “substantial -and ornamental accomplishments.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Picton Ladies’ Academy was opened in December, 1847, by -the Rev. D. McMullen, as sole proprietor. It was continued by him -until May, 1851, when Miss Creighton rented the premises and took -charge of the school. It continued under her management nine months, -when it finally was closed. The first teachers were the late Mrs. N. -F. English, and Miss Eliza Austin. Afterwards Miss M. E. Adams -was preceptress, and Miss Ployle was teacher.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A male department was established by Mr. McMullen, with the -hope of having it connected with the Grammar School. But this was -not done. The principal of the school was C. M. C. Cameron, now -Dr. Cameron of Port Hope, and a graduate of Victoria College. He -was assisted by Mr. Samuel W. Harding; the school existed but one -year. Both of these schools were well attended, and were deservedly -popular. When closed it was generally regarded as a public loss, by -those most capable of judging.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span> - <h4 class='c014'>UPPER CANADA ACADEMY—​VICTORIA COLLEGE.</h4> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>We have accorded to Dr. Strachan a prominent and foremost -position in connection with the subject of higher education. We -considered it a duty as well as a pleasure, to thus honor one whose -praise was in all the land when he ceased to live. But the fountain -of education opened by him did not flow, shall we say, was not -intended to flow to the masses. Dr. Strachan’s educational establishment -was rather created for a select circle, for an expected -Canadian aristocracy. It remained for others to originate a stream -of learning that should water the whole land, and come within the -reach of every Canadian family—​that should give intellectual life -to the whole of the country, irrespective of creed or origin. To the -Wesleyan Methodists belongs the greater honor of establishing an -institution of higher learning, whose doors were opened to all, and -within which any one might obtain learning without hindrance, no -matter what his belief. While religious oversight was to be -extended, no peculiar dogma was to be enforced, no sectarian -principle was to be inculcated.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the month of August, 1830, when the Wesleyan Conference -met upon the Bay Quinté, the Rev. Wm. Case, being General Superintendent, -and Rev. James (now Dr.) Richardson, Secretary, and -while Cobourg was yet embraced within the Bay Quinté District, -the following Resolution was adopted by that body:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“That a Committee of nine be chosen by ballot, consisting of -three from each District, to fix the location of the Seminary, -according to some general instructions to be given them by the -Conference.” The committee consisted of “J. Ryerson, T. Whitehead, -S. Belton, David Wright, J. Beatty, Wm. Ryerson, Thos. -Madden, Wm. Brown, James Richardson.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following Constitution for the Upper Canada Academy, -was adopted:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“1. That nine Trustees be appointed, three of whom shall go -into office annually.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“2. That a Board of Visitors, consisting of five, be chosen -annually by the Conference. That these two bodies should jointly -form a Board to appoint the Principal and Teachers, and govern, -and generally superintend the institution.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Conference, in the Pastoral Address, asked for the liberal -support of the members, in the establishment of the proposed -Academy. A general agent was appointed, and active steps taken -<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>to carry out the object. It is noteworthy, that the call thus made to -the farmers, many of whom were yet struggling for the necessaries -of life, was promptly and nobly responded to. Agents continued -to be appointed from year to year, and in the Conference address of -1835, it is said, “We are happy to be able to say that the buildings -for the Upper Canada Academy are nearly completed. We trust -the Institution will soon be open for the reception of pupils.” There -had been delay “for want of funds.” Arrangements were making -to accommodate one hundred and seventy pupils, with board and -lodging. In 1836, it is found stated, that “the Conference and the -friends of general education, and of Wesleyan Methodists in Canada, -have at length, by their unremitting efforts, succeeded in preparing -the Upper Canada Academy for the reception of pupils, and we -expect, in a few days to see it in operation.” In 1837, we find that -Matthew Ritchey, A. M., was the Principal of the U. C. Academy. -If we mistake not, the Rev. Egerton Ryerson had previously been -named to fill the office. At all events, we have every reason to -believe that this distinguished Canadian educationist was chiefly -instrumental in securing the foundation of an abiding institution, -probably, indeed, was the originator of the scheme. He not only -stimulated others to work; but obtained from Government a grant, -so often begrudged. He also, as a representative to the British -Conference, was the means of procuring a donation of one hundred -pounds’ worth of books, beside other contributions. In 1840, the -Rev. Mr. Ritchey ceased to be Principal. During his time of service, -it is stated, the Academy increasingly progressed in efficiency and -in increase of pupils. Mr. Ritchey’s successor, in 1841, was the Rev. -Jesse Hurlburt, A. B. Daniel C. VanNorman was Professor of -Mathematics, a post to which he had been appointed a year -previous.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The year 1842 saw the Upper Canada Academy changed into -the Victoria College, by Provincial Legislative enactment, possessing -the usual powers and privileges of a University. The Rev. -Egerton Ryerson was made Principal; Jesse Hurlburt, A. M., and -D. C. VanNorman, Professors; and James Spencer, English Teacher. -Dr. Ryerson continued Principal until 1845. In 1845, Alexander -MacNab, A. M., was appointed Acting Principal, and in 1847 he -became Principal, and held the position until 1850.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1851, the Rev. S. S. Nelles, A. M., was elected to the office -which he now continues to hold with so much credit and dignity, -having been instrumental in materially advancing the reputation -of the previously well known College.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span> - <h4 class='c014'>BOOKS, LIBRARIES—​PRINTING.</h4> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The art of printing was not old when the colonies of France and -Great Britain were planted in America. The discovery of this art, -with the avenue which the discovery of America, opened for the pent -up millions of Europe, wrought out the most striking changes which -ever marked the history of the human race. It struck the final blow -to the spirit of feudalism, while America supplied an asylum for -those who found not full freedom of conscience and an opportunity -to rise in the scale of human existence.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Book publishing being once introduced into England, rapidly -became of vast magnitude, and thus everywhere scattered the food -essential for the human mind. It was in the year 1639 that printing -was introduced into America; but it was sixty-two years before it -became of any account, during which time the business was mostly -in Philadelphia. Altogether there were but four presses in the -country. The first book printed in America was made in 1640. It -was a reprint of the Psalm Book, and afterwards passed through -many editions, while it was reprinted in England in eighteen editions, -and twenty-two in Scotland, being seventy in all.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Whatever may have been the state of education in the British -Colonies, and the general desire to read books at the time of the rebellion, -it is quite certain that the hasty manner in which many left -their homes, the long distance to travel, and necessity of carrying -quantities of provision which took all the strength of the refugees, -precluded the possibility of carrying many, or any books to the -wilderness of Canada. Even after the peace the long distance to -come, and the frequent impoverished condition of the settler, allowed -not the desire, if such existed, to fetch books for instruction and -mental enjoyment. However, there were some brought by them, -but mostly by the officers recently out from the old country. During -the first ten years the books among the settlers were very few; but -these few were circulated from one township to another—​from -one person to another, who had the desire to, and could, read. We -have in our possession, a letter from John Ferguson to Mr. Bell, who -was then, 1789, at Kingston, in which the latter is requested to tell -Mr. Markland, that he, Mr. Ferguson, had sent him from the Eighth -Township, by the bearer, the History of France. The same person -writing from Fredericksburgh in 1791, desires to have sent from -Sidney to him, “some books, viz.: five volumes of the History of -England, by Horn, and the two volumes of Andrew’s History of -France.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>But while few, or no books of a secular nature, were brought by -the settler, a large number, true to their conscience, carried a copy of -the Bible, even many of the disbanded soldiers had one, especially the -Lutherans. These were often in the German, or Dutch language. -Some of these venerable and sacred relics we have seen; one in -German, which belonged to Bongard of Marysburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For many years Kingston took the lead in everything that pertains -to education. The history of the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite> shows that, -not only did the leading men of the place give the patronage necessary -to establish and maintain a newspaper, independent of Government -support, and give interest to the columns of the paper by contributions; -but there is evidence of early and successful efforts to -form a public library. Reference is made to the Social library -established in this village (Kingston) in 1813, when the Rev. Mr. -Langhorn presented to it a valuable collection of books, (see the -first clergyman). This library had probably been in existence for -some years. Another library was established at Bath prior to this -time. Gourlay says, in 1811, “books are procured in considerable -numbers, social libraries are introduced in various places.” And, no -doubt, the High School at Cornwall, under Mr. Strachan, had attached -to it a select library.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite> announces, August 1, 1815, that “A small -circulating library” has been opened at the <cite>Gazette</cite> office, “on the -most reasonable terms.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1816, an act was passed “to appropriate a sum of money for -providing a library for the use of the Legislative Council and House -of Assembly of this Province.” The sum granted was £800 to purchase -books and maps.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the growth of Upper Canada was attended by a corresponding -increase of private and public libraries, Lower Canada, there -is reason to believe, was maintaining the character it had acquired -under its original rulers, for educational privileges and individual -efforts to create centres of learning.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We find the statement “that the library of F. Fleming, Esq., -Montreal, comprising 12,000 volumes, sold by auction, September 8, -1833, was the largest ever offered for sale on the American continent.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the <cite>Hallowell Free Press</cite>, 15th February, 1831, is the following: -“Library notice.”—​“A meeting of the inhabitants of the -village of Hallowell is requested to-morrow evening, at Strikers’ Inn, -at seven o’clock, to take into consideration the propriety of establishing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>a Reading-room in the village.” The next issue of the -Journal says, “we are glad to see our friends have established a -reading-room.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“At an early period of British dominion in America, blocks of -wild land were set apart, to make provision, by a future day, for -public institutions. Since the revolution, the United States have -followed out, in part, this practice, by allotting lands for schools, and -in Canada, whole townships have been appropriated for the same -purpose.” While this forethought respecting schools indicated a -proper desire to secure educational interests, it must be observed -that the reserves, like those of the Crown and Clergy, very materially -prevented the opening up of the country by settlers, and kept apart -the settlers, over a wide field, and thus preventing advancement in -civilization.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Looking back at the history of legislation, relative to education, -one is struck with the fact that much, very much, was done by the -young colony of Upper Canada. The establishment of the Common -Schools especially, which first took place 1816, has been regarded as -most wise, and the grants of money most praiseworthy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The present Common School system of Upper Canada was introduced -in 1841. The Bill was brought forward by the Hon. S. B. -Harrison. The fundamental principle, being the allotment of money -to each county, on condition of its raising an equal amount by local -assessment. This act was amended and improved in 1843, by the -Hon. Francis Hincks, and in 1846, by the Hon. W. H. Draper. In -1849, the Hon. J. H. Cameron introduced an act, establishing schools -in cities and towns. In the year following, these two acts were incorporated -into one, with further improvements.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Common School system, as we find it to day, is, in a great -measure, the production of Dr. Ryerson’s long continued and intelligent -labor. Borrowing the machinery from the State of New York, -and the mode of support from Massachusetts, taking the Irish national -school-books for instruction, and making use of the Normal School -system of Germany, he has, by the addition of what was necessary, -built up a system of Common School education in the Province of -Ontario, that cannot be surpassed, if equalled, in the whole world.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XL.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​First Newspapers, 1457—​Year 66—​English Newspapers—​In America—​In -Canada—​‘Gazette’—​Founder—​Papers in 1753—​Quebec ‘Herald’—​Montreal -‘Gazette’—​‘Le Temps’—​Quebec ‘Mercury’—​Canadien ‘Courant’—​‘Royal -Gazette’—​First in Newfoundland—​‘U. C. Gazette’—​First Paper—​Subscribers—​Upper -Canada ‘Guardian’—​Wilcox—​Mr. Thorpe—​Opposition—​Libel—​Elected -to Parliament—​York Jail—​Leader—​In 1812—​Deserted—​York -‘Gazette’—​Kingston ‘Gazette’—​Only Paper—​News -sixty years ago—​In Midland District—​Rev. Mr. Miles—​Pioneer of Journalism—​His -Birthplace—​Learns the Printing Business—​Mower—​Montreal -‘Gazette’—​Kendall—​Partnership—​To Kingston in 1810—​The Printing -Office—​Kingston ‘Gazette’—​Mr. Miles sells out—​The concern purchased—​Mr. -Miles asked to be Editor—​Their kindness—​Gratitude—​Second Volume—​Extract -from ‘Gazette’—​The Price—​Kingston ‘Chronicle’—​Upper Canada -‘Herald’—​‘Canadian Watchman’—​Mr. Miles at Prescott—​Returns to Kingston—​Enters -the Ministry—​Loyal Subject—​In 1812—​On Duty—​Archdeacon -Stuart—​Col. Cartwright—​Contributors to ‘Gazette’—​Our Thanks—​A Watch—​Faithfulness—​“A -Good Chance”—​Subscribers at York—​Kingston -‘Spectator’—​‘Patriot’—​‘Argus’—​‘Commercial Advertizer’—​‘British -Whig’—​‘Chronicle’ and ‘News’—​First Daily in Upper Canada—​Paper -Boxes—​Brockville ‘Recorder’—​A Reform paper—​McLeod—​Grenville -‘Gazette’—​Prescott ‘Telegraph’—​‘Christian Guardian’—​Reform Journals.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST NEWSPAPERS IN THE WORLD.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The first newspaper published in the world, says Galignani, -bears the name of Neuremberg, 1457. But according to Tacitus, -newspapers, under the name of <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">diurna</span></i>, circulated among the -Romans so early as the year 66. The first English newspaper was -issued in 1622, and the first French in 1631. The first in America -was the <cite>Newsletter</cite>, published at Boston, 1704. It was discontinued -in 1776. The first published in New York, was by Wm. Bradford, -in 1773. In 1775, there were but thirty-seven in the British colonies. -By 1801, there were in the United States 203, and in 1810, -358. The first newspaper in Canada was the Quebec <cite>Gazette</cite>, first -issued in 1776. Although now upwards of a hundred years old, it -continues to live an active and useful life. The founder of it, Mr. -Brown, brought his press from Philadelphia in 1763. By his heirs -it was sold to Mr. Nelson, who left the establishment by his will to -his brother, the late Hon. John Wilson, long the experienced and -able editor of the paper. There were, in 1763, not more than -twenty newspapers in the breadth and length of the then American -colonies; and the Quebec <cite>Gazette</cite> is the oldest in the British North -American Provinces. For nearly thirty years it remained without -a competitor; but about 1788 the Quebec <cite>Herald</cite> was started, which -had but a brief existence. About the same time, the old Montreal -<span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span><cite>Gazette</cite> was established by one Mesplet, and was published in -French; but was soon discontinued until 1794. About the same -date <cite><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Le Temps</span></cite> newspaper was published at Quebec, in French -and English, and was of short life. The Quebec <cite>Mercury</cite>, published -in English, by Thomas Cary, commenced its career in 1804, and the -<cite>Canadien</cite> followed it in 1806; but was stopped by the seizure of the -press by the Government, in 1810. The <cite>Canadien Courant</cite> was -founded at Montreal about 1808. The <cite>Royal Gazette</cite> and <cite>Newfoundland -Advertiser</cite>, the first newspaper in Newfoundland, appeared in -1707. The <cite>Upper Canada Gazette</cite> or <cite>American Oracle</cite>, the first paper -in Upper Canada, was established by Governor Simcoe, in 1793. It -was first published on the 18th April, by Gideon Tiffany. Naturally -its circulation was limited, as the population was sparse, and communication -difficult. It was supported mainly by Government. -Rochefoucault says, in 1795 it was “not taken by a single person -in Kingston. But the Quebec <cite>Gazette</cite> was by two.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The second journal published in Upper Canada, was the <cite>Upper -Canada Guardian</cite>, in opposition to Government, at York, by Mr. -Joseph Wilcox, an Irishman, in 1807, whose history is not of the -most satisfactory nature. He had been a Sheriff in the Home District; -but was displaced for voting at an election for one Thorpe. -Mr. Thorpe had been sent out from England as one of the Justices -of the King’s Bench. Notwithstanding this position, he became a -candidate for member of Parliament; but, being opposed by the -Government, he was defeated. Subsequently he was recalled by -the Secretary of State, at the request of Governor Gore. Wilcox, -having lost his office, commenced publishing the <cite>Guardian</cite>, and was -very bitter in his opposition to the Government. He was prosecuted -for libel, but was acquitted, and becoming popular, was -elected to Parliament. Having used language considered unbecoming -or seditious, he was arrested, and confined in York jail, a -miserable log building, “in a filthy cell fit for a pig.” Subsequently, -he became the leader of the opposition, and had a majority -in the House; for a time becoming more and more an object of -Ministerial dislike. At the commencement of the war of 1812, he -gave up his paper, and shouldered his musket. He fought at -Queenston against the Americans; but afterward deserted, taking -with him a body of Canadian militia, and became a Colonel in the -American army. He was killed, finally, at Fort Erie, by a musket -ball, when planting a guard during the seige.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Miles remarks that “When he came to Kingston, in 1810, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>there was but one paper published in York, by the Government, -called the <cite>York Gazette</cite>, printed by Cameron and Bennet; and one -at Newark, by Joseph Wilcox.” These were the only papers then -printed in Upper Canada; but the one at Newark was discontinued -in 1812, and the other was destroyed when York was taken by the -Americans, in April, 1813. The Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite> was the only -paper then printed in Upper Canada, till 1816, when the Government -<cite>Gazette</cite> was again commenced. The Rev. Mr. Carroll says -of the <cite>York Gazette</cite>, the number “for November 13, 1801, now lies -before the writer, a coarse, flimsy, two-leaved paper, of octavo size; -department of news is pretty large, but “news much older than -their ale.” On this, November 13, they have, wonderful to say! -New York dates so late as October the 23rd; Charleston, of October -the 1st; Philadelphia and Boston, of October the 19th; and a -greater exploit still, Halifax dates of Oct. 19, &c.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We are indebted to the Rev. Stephen Miles, of Camden East, -for the facts relating to the establishment of the first newspaper in -the Midland District, indeed the first between Montreal and York, -at Kingston. Mr. Miles is not only the sole pioneer of journalism -in Upper Canada, now living, but he is the faithful <em>parent of the -fourth estate in the province</em>, and probably the oldest journalist now -living in America or Europe. The history of such an one cannot -but be interesting, while it is especially appropriate to the work -upon our hands. Mr. Miles, although a native of Vermont, is of -English and Welsh extraction. Born October 19, 1789, he was -brought up on the farm until 1805, when he was placed as an -apprentice to the printing business, at Windsor, Ver., in the office -of Nahum Mower. In the spring of 1807, Mr. Mower moved his -printing materials to Montreal, Lower Canada, to which place Mr. -Miles accompanied him. “At that time there was only one -printing establishment in Montreal, under the management of Mr. -Edward Edwards, who was also the Postmaster there; the paper -printed was the <cite>Montreal Gazette</cite>, of small demy-size, two columns -on a page, one in French the other in English. Mr. Mower commenced -printing the <cite>Canadian Courant</cite>, in Montreal, about the -middle of May, 1807. Mr. Mower, says Mr. Miles, giving me three -months of my time, my apprenticeship expired on the 19th July, -1810.” Not long after “I made arrangements in connection with -an excellent young man Charles Kendall, who had worked as a -journeyman, to go to Kingston, Upper Canada, and commence -publishing a paper.” Accordingly having purchased our material -<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>from Mr. Mower, we left Montreal 1st September, 1810, in the old -fashioned Canadian batteau (17 in number) and arrived at a wharf -in Kingston just the west side of where the barracks now are, on -the morning of the 13th. We took an excellent breakfast at a -tavern opposite, and at once set about to procure a suitable room -for a printing office. Upon the 25th September, the first number -of the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, was published under the names of “Mower -and Kendall,” Mr. Miles not being of age. At this time there were -five papers in Lower Canada. The following March, Mr. Miles -sold out his share to Mr. Kendall, who finished the first volume. -At the close of the year, Mr. Kendall wishing to retire, disposed of -the office and contents “to the late Hon. Richard Cartwright, the -Hon. Allen McLean, Thomas Markland, Esq., Lawrence Herchimer, -Esq., Peter Smith, Esq., and John Kerby, Esq.” These gentlemen -saw the necessity of having a public journal in Kingston, and -became the proprietors. They immediately wrote to secure the -services of Mr. Miles, to conduct the office, and even desired him to -take it off their hands. Mr. Miles promptly came “expecting that -the proprietors would wish to be publishers as well, and that I -should attend only to the mechanical part, but it was their unanimous -wish that I should take the whole concern off their hands, -continue to print the paper, and do the best I could with it.” Mr. -Miles speaks feelingly of the kindness of these gentlemen who -would accept no other terms than that he should take possession -and pay them when convenient, “and by God’s blessing all were -promptly paid.” These kind friends, says Mr. Miles, “have all -passed into the spirit world, and the prayer of my heart is, that -God may greatly bless their posterity.” “After some unavoidable -delay, the second volume of the Gazette was commenced by me, -and printed and published in my name, till December 31, 1818.” -Before proceeding with Mr. Miles’ history, as a journalist, we will -copy from the volumes which he has kindly placed at our service, -such items as are appropriate.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>Kingston</span>, Tuesday, November 19, 1811.—​The establishment -of the Kingston Gazette, being now in the possession of the subscriber, -he takes the earliest opportunity of re-commencing its -publication, as he intends that it shall be conducted in the same -impartial manner as heretofore practiced by his predecessors, he -confidently expects and solicits the patronage and support of its -former patrons, and of the public in general. He will not intrude -upon the patience of his readers by making a multiplicity of promises, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>but will merely observe that he asks the patronage of the -public no longer than he shall be deserving of it. Former correspondents -of the Gazette, and gentlemen of science generally, are -respectfully invited to favor us with their communications.—​(Signed)—​S. -Miles.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Printed and published by Stephen Miles, a few doors east of -Walker’s hotel. Price fifteen shillings per annum, five shillings in -advance, five shillings in six months, and five shillings at the end -of year. Exclusive of postage.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the beginning of 1819, John Alexander Pringle, and John -Macaulay, Esquires, to whom Mr. Miles had sold his printing establishment, -commenced publishing the <cite>Kingston Chronicle</cite>, Mr. Miles -having charge of the mechanical part for nearly three years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In February or March, 1819, the <cite>Upper Canada Herald</cite>, owned -and edited by Hugh C. Thompson, Esq., was first issued. In 1822 -Mr. Miles took charge of the work of printing of this Journal, and -continued in charge until the spring of 1828.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the 15th of May, the same year, Mr. Miles commenced -printing on his own account the “<cite>Kingston Gazette and Religious -Advocate</cite>,” in quarto form, which he continued till August 6, 1830. -Again, Mr. M. took charge of printing for Ezra S. Ely, who commenced -August 13, the <cite>Canadian Watchman</cite>, and continued it for -one year. In December 1831, Mr. Miles moved to Prescott; and -on the 3rd June, 1832, commenced printing the first paper in that -place, and continued till April 1833. In July he disposed of his -establishment and returned to Kingston, and engaged as printer of -the <cite>Kingston Chronicle</cite>, which was now published by McFarlane & -Co., with whom he remained till December, 1835. This ended Mr. -Miles’ career as a printer and publisher; and he then entered upon -the calling of a Wesleyan minister.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Miles although a native of the States was a truly loyal -subject, and proved himself such during the war of 1812. The -Gazette of May 5, 1813, says “our attendance at <em>military</em> duty prevented -the publishing of the Gazette yesterday.” This was the -time when Kingston was threatened by the Americans, and every -man turned out as a volunteer. Mr. Miles tells of the occasion, -that he saw, among those shouldering the musket in the market -place, the late Arch Deacon Stuart. Mr. Miles belonged to Captain -Markland’s company. “Col. Cartwright seeing him, called him -and desired him to go to his office and he would be sent for when -wanted.” The principal contributors to the Gazette were Col. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>Cartwright, who wrote a good deal, sometimes over Falkiner, -Barnabas Bidwell, Christopher Hagerman, generally Poetry, while -a student with McLean, Solomon John, who kept a book store; and -particularly Rev. Mr. Strachan, over <cite>Reckoner</cite>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We cannot leave Mr. Miles without expressing here our sincere -thanks and regard for the interest, trouble, and encouragement he -has favored us with, nor can we forgo recording the following. -Says he, “the only watch I ever owned I purchased in Montreal, -on the 1st January 1810, price $20. It has travelled with me in all -my journeyings from that day to the present time, and still keeps -good time. It was made at Liverpool.” A faithful man and a -faithful watch; both for time, one for eternity.</p> - -<p class='c000'>About the year 1816 the <cite>Gazette</cite> had the following, under the -caption of “<em>A good chance</em>:”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“A sober, honest, persevering man, would find it to his advantage -to undertake the circulation of the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, weekly, -on the following route: say, to start from Kingston every Wednesday -morning, go through the village of Ernesttown, from thence -to Adolphustown, and cross either at Vanalstines or Baker’s Ferry, -and so on through Hallowell, &c., to the Carrying place; cross the -River Trent, and return to Kingston by the York post road. The -advantages to be derived from an undertaking of this kind, exclusive -of the papers, we are persuaded would be many; and any -honest, persevering man, who could produce good recommendations -as to his sobriety, &c., and will give security for punctual -payment once a quarter, will make a good bargain by applying to -the publisher of the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>. There is not a doubt but -that four or five hundred papers might be distributed on this route -to great advantage.” We learn from another source, that at an -early period there was one Shubal Huff, who went around the Bay -every fortnight, carrying the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite> with other papers, -pamphlets, &c., and also tea and sugar.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following indicates the character of the times when the -<cite>Gazette</cite> was established. It is a notice from the <cite>Gazette</cite>:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Subscribers to the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, in the neighbourhood of -York, will please apply at the store of Q. St. George, where their -papers will be delivered once a fortnight. Payments made to him -in grain, &c., will be acceptable. He will also receive subscriptions.” -(Signed), Mower & Kendall.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In addition to the papers already mentioned, there was the -<cite>Kingston Spectator</cite>, issued about 1830, and lasting three or four years. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>The <cite>Patriot</cite> was commenced in 1829, by T. Dalton. Subsequently -there was the <cite>Argus</cite>, <cite>Commercial Advertiser</cite>, and <cite>Churchman</cite>. The -<cite>British Whig</cite> was started in 1832, by Dr. Barker, and is still published. -<cite>The Chronicle and News</cite> began in 1830, is also still published. -The <cite>British Whig</cite> was the first Daily published in Upper Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For many years the subscribers to the <cite>Gazette</cite> and other papers -were indebted to footmen who traveled through the more thickly -settled parts of the settlement, which were generally along the -front. But after a time there were scattered along in the second -or more remote concessions, subscribers to whom the footman could -not go. These individuals would often place boxes upon the path -followed by the carrier, into which could be dropped the paper, -and letters as well. These boxes were attached to a tree and made -water-tight, and the owner would go for his paper at his convenience.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the first newspapers in Upper Canada, east of Kingston, -was the <cite>Recorder</cite>. Says Adiel Sherwood, Esq., in a letter to -the writer, it was “the first and only paper of note, of early date -in this district. It was first got up in 1820 by one Beach, who -continued but a short time when he sold out to William Buel, Esq., -and about 1848 Mr. Buel sold out to the present proprietor and -editor, D. Wylie, Esq. It was got up as Reform paper, and has -ever continued as such.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following is extracted from an American paper:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In 1818, D. McLeod, a retired soldier,” who had fought at -Badajoz, and other places in the campaign under Wellington, and -at Queenston, Upper Canada, Chrysler’s Farm, Lundy’s Lane, and -then under General Picton, at Waterloo, “purchased a farm in -Augusta, a few miles back of Prescott, moved on it, and commenced -the business of farming; not succeeding well in his new avocation, -he removed to Prescott and opened a classical school, at which the -late Preston King received his rudimentary Greek lessons, and -subsequently accepted the appointment of Clerk of the new court -of Commissioners, for the collection of debts. He purchased a -printing establishment and commenced the publication of a paper -at Prescott, called the <cite>Grenville Gazette</cite>, taking a decided stand -against the “Tory Compact” administration, and continued a zealous -advocate of reform until the insurrection broke out in December, -1837, when he was forced to leave the country, when his -press, type, and the various paraphernalia of the printing office -were seized by the Tories. A mob of Tories visited his house, after -<span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>he left the place, at midnight, to the terror of his unprotected -family, seized, and carried off his books, letters, and other papers, -and his elegant sword, as the trophies of their midnight raid. He -was chosen by the insurgents as their major-general, and acted in -that capacity during the continuance of the insurrection. At this -time large rewards were offered for his arrest on each side of the -line, on the Canadian side, for his rebellion against that government; -on the United States side for an alleged violation of the -Neutrality Laws,” in being supposed the leader of the party of -men who captured and burned the Canadian Steamer, “Sir Robert -Peel,” Well’s Island.</p> - -<p class='c000'>McLeod settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and is yet alive, being -upwards of eighty-four years of age. The Cleveland <cite>Herald</cite>, from -which we learn the above, records the celebration of “General D. -McLeod’s fiftieth anniversary of his marriage.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Prescott Telegraph</cite>, “The first number” said an exchange -“published by Messrs. Merrell & Miles, (1831) is now lying before -us. From the appearance of the first number, and the known -ability of the proprietors, we anticipate that the <cite>Telegraph</cite> will be -a valuable acquisition to the best of newspapers in this Province, -and also to the principles of reform.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Christian Guardian</cite> was established in the year 1829. Rev. E. -Ryerson being the Editor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following were so-called “Reform” papers: The <cite>Colonial -Advocate</cite>, by McKenzie, The <cite>Canadian Watchman</cite>, The <cite>Brockville -Recorder</cite>, and The <cite>Hamilton Free Press</cite>, &c.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​First paper between Kingston and York—​Hallowell Free Press—​The -Editor—​“Recluse”—​Fruitless efforts—​Proprietor—​Wooden press—​Of Iron—​Free -Press, Independent—​The Traveller—​Press removed to Cobourg—​Prince -Edward Gazette—​Picton Gazette—​Picton Sun—​Picton Times—​New -Nation—​Cobourg Star—​Anglo-Canadian at Belleville—​The Editor—​Price—​The -Phœnix—​Slicer—​Canadian Wesleyan—​Hastings Times—​The Reformer—​The -Intelligencer—​George Benjamin—​The Victoria Chronicle—​Hastings -Chronicle—​Extract from Playter—​Colonial Advocate—​Upper Canada Herald—​Barker’s -Magazine—​Victoria Magazine—​Joseph Wilson—​Mrs. Moodie—​Sheriff -Moodie—​Pioneer in Canadian literature—​Extract from Morgan—​Literary -Garland—​“Roughing it in the bush”—​Eclectic Magazine—​Wilson’s -experiment—​Wilson’s Canada Casket—​The Bee at Napanee—​Emporium—​The -Standard—​The Reformer—​North America—​Ledger—​Weekly Express—​Christian -Casket—​Trenton Advocate—​British Ensign—​The Canadian -Gem—​Maple Leaf—​Papers in 1853—​Canadian papers superior to Americans—​Death -at Boston—​Berczy—​Canadian idioms—​Accent—​Good English—​Superstition—​Home -education—​Fireside stories—​Traditions.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>NEWSPAPERS—​CONTINUED.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The first newspaper published between Kingston and York, was -the <cite>Hallowell Free Press</cite>, of demy size, the first number of which was -issued 28th December, 1830, by Joseph Wilson, Esq., now of Belleville; -W. A. Welles, Esq., editor, a gentleman from Utica, New -York. Attempts had been made at Cobourg, Port Hope, as well as -at Hallowell, prior to this, to establish papers, prospectus having been -acknowledged by the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>. A letter in the first number -of the <cite>Free Press</cite>, signed “Recluse,” says, “a number of attempts -have been made to publish a journal in this county, proposals circulated, -subscriptions obtained to a considerable amount, and the expectations -of the public wrought up to the highest degree, yet every -attempt hitherto made, has proved abortive, except the present; -repeated imposition has, no doubt, had a tendency to create in the -public mind, a spirit of indifference and apathy respecting newspapers.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Wilson had his press of wood, made by one Scripture, of -Colborne. Although a very indifferent affair, it was used for a year, -when Mr. Wilson procured an iron press from New York. Probably one -of the first iron printing presses in the Province. The <cite>Free Press</cite> was -continued for five years. Mr. Welles was editor for a short time only. -This journal was evidently intended for the public weal. No one -can read the first issues of the paper without being convinced that the -proprietor was intent upon rendering service to the public. He -allied himself to no party: the contending political aspirants of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>day, had equal access to the columns of the <cite>Press</cite>, and could thereby -challenge unbiased attention. “<cite>The Traveller, or Prince Edward -Gazette</cite>,” published every Friday, by Cecil Mortimer, Editor and -Proprietor, “John Silver, Printer,” 12s. 6d., per annum, in -advance. Commenced April, 1836, and continued about four years, -when the printing press was removed to Cobourg. In 1840, -the <cite>Prince Edward Gazette</cite> appeared, J. Dornan, Publisher. It -was continued under this name by Rev. Mr. Playter. In 1847, -and in 1849, Mr. Thomas Donnelly became Editor and Proprietor, -changing the name to the <cite>Picton Gazette</cite>, which name it still -bears. Mr. Donnelly was succeeded as editor in 1853, by Maurice -Moore, and he again by S. M. Conger, in 1856, who still continues to -publish this old and popular journal. The <cite>Picton Sun</cite>, established in -1841, by Mr. J. Douglas, who was succeeded in 1845, by J. McDonald, -and he again in 1849, by Mr. Striker, who removed it to Cobourg in -1853. The following year Dr. Gillespie and R. Boyle commenced the -<cite>Picton Times</cite>, which still continues to be published by Mr. Boyle. -The <cite>North American</cite> removed from Newburgh in 1861, published by -McMullen Brothers. The <cite>New Nation</cite> succeeded it in 1865.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Anglo Canadian</cite> was established in Belleville in February, -1831. It was “printed and published by Alexander T. W. Williamson, -Editor, and W. A. Welles. Printed at four dollars per annum, payable -in advance.” A copy of this paper is before us, and is very respectable -as to size and quality, and is readable. This was the -first journal published in Belleville. The <cite>Phœnix</cite> arose from the ashes -of the <cite>Anglo-Canadian</cite>. It was first issued in the early part of July, -1831, “published every Tuesday by T. Slicer, Editor and Proprietor, -at his office, Water Street, Belleville, U. C., 20s. per annum—​if -sent by mail, 22s. 6d., payable half-yearly.” A few copies before us -resemble, in appearance, its predecessor, the <cite>Anglo-Canadian</cite>. In -one of the early copies is a prospectus of the <cite>Canadian Wesleyan</cite>, the -subscribers to the announcement are “H. Ryan,” and “J. Jackson,” -dated Hamilton, August, 1831.—​(See first clergyman, H. Ryan).</p> - -<p class='c000'>The last number of the <cite>Phœnix</cite> issued July 3, 1832, and which -was “published by William A. Welles, for the Proprietors,” says, -“As the present number completes the year, it is intended to give -the paper a new name; which, though less classical, may be considered -more appropriate.” The name selected was the “<cite>Hastings -Times</cite>,” No. 17, of the <cite>Times</cite> now before us, was published by Rollin -C. Benedict, every Saturday.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The <cite>Reformer</cite>” of Cobourg, published every Friday, J. Radcliff, -Editor, was first issued, June, 1832.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>“The <cite>Intelligencer</cite>, of Belleville,” was founded by George Benjamin, -in September, 1834, who continued its editor until 1848, when -McKenzie Bowell, Esq., now M. P., succeeded him, who remains the -proprietor. Mr. Benjamin was an Englishman, born 1799, and died -1864. He was a gentleman of more than ordinary ability, a consistent -politician, and a true friend. He held the highest municipal -offices, and was Member of Parliament from 1856 to 1863. He had -talent to adorn any position.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Victoria Chronicle</cite> was founded in 1841, by S. M. Washburn -and Sutton, who had removed from Brockville. Sutton remained -partner for two years. In 1849 the establishment was purchased -from Washburn by E. Miles, Esq., who, with T. R. Mason, Esq., continues -proprietor. The name was changed many years ago from -<cite>Victoria</cite> to <cite>Hastings Chronicle</cite>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A Magazine of <em>cheap miscellany</em> was issued monthly, by Seth -Washburn, &c., Belleville, 1847 & 8.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Playter, writing of the year 1824, says, “books, periodicals, and -newspapers were scantily supplied to, and not much desired by the -people as yet, the country was not old enough to give much encouragement -and support to literature. Still, in the Methodist connection, -the <cite>Magazine</cite>, (Methodist) was tolerably well circulated, no less -than seventy subscribers were among the friends on the Bay of Quinté -circuit at once. Newspapers were on the increase; nineteen were -now published in Canada, and six of them twice a week. Quebec -printed four, (of which one was French); Stanstead one, Brockville -one, Kingston two, York two, Niagara one, Queenston one.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Colonial Advocate</cite> was issued in the latter part of 1824, by -William Lyon McKenzie.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have a copy of the <cite>Upper Canada Herald</cite> before us, dated June -27, 1832, vol. xiv. which gives us the period at which it was started.</p> - -<p class='c000'><cite>Barker’s Canadian Magazine</cite>, published at Kingston, by Edward -John Barker, M. D., commenced May, 1846.</p> - -<p class='c000'>—​—​The <cite>Victoria Magazine</cite>, a monthly periodical, was issued first in -September, 1841, by Joseph Wilson, of Belleville, formerly of the -Hallowell <cite>Free Press</cite>. Like many a one subsequently commenced, -the <cite>Magazine</cite> had but a brief existence. It continued just one year.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The editors were Sheriff Moodie, and his accomplished wife, -whose writings have gained for her a European reputation -of no ordinary standing. Mrs. Moodie may be regarded as the -pioneer of Canadian literature, and, as a long standing inhabitant -of the Bay, she claims a brief notice in these pages, to give which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>affords the writer but a meagre opportunity to express his own -high estimation of, and gratitude to a personal friend, whose kind -words of encouragement has so frequently been a stimulus to action, -when his energies flagged in this undertaking.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Morgan, in his <cite><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Bibliotheca Canadensis</span></cite>, a most useful compilation, -says: Mrs. Moodie is “well known in Canada and Great Britain -for her works, and as an extensive contributor to the periodical -literature of both countries. Born at Bungay, County of Suffolk, -England, sixth December, 1803. She is a member of the talented -Strickland family, of Beydon Hall, in the above County; four of -her sisters, Elizabeth, Agnes, (the best known), Jane, and Mrs. -Trail, have each contributed to the literature of the day. -Both Mrs. Moodie and her sisters were educated by their father, -who is represented to have been a gentleman of education, refined -taste, and some wealth. Mrs. M. was only in her thirteenth year, -when her father died. As early as her fifteenth year, she began to -write for the press generally, for annuals and for periodicals, contributing -short poems and tales for children. About 1820, she -produced her first work of any pretension—​a juvenile tale, which -was well received by the public and the press. In the following -year she married Mr. Moodie, a half-pay officer from the 21st -Fusileers, and, in 1832, emigrated with her husband, to Canada. -They bought a farm near Port Hope, which, however, they only -held for a short time, removing to the back woods, ten miles north -of Peterborough, where they settled. There they remained for a -period of eight years, experiencing all the trials, mishaps and -troubles incident to early settlers, and which are so graphically -narrated and depicted by Mrs. M. in her “<cite>Roughing it in the Bush</cite>.” In -1839, Mr. Moodie was appointed Sheriff of Hastings, (an office from -which he retired a few years since,) and, with his wife, took up his -residence at Belleville, where they have since lived. During the -existence of the <cite>Literary Garland</cite>, (Montreal), Mrs. M. was the -principal contributor of fiction to its pages. For some years she -edited the <cite>Victoria Magazine</cite>, (Belleville). Her contributions to -these and other annuals, magazines, and newspapers, would fill -many volumes.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The work for which Mrs. Moodie became more especially -famous, was “<cite>Roughing it in the Bush</cite>;” but other volumes are exceedingly -interesting, as “<cite>Flora Lindsay</cite>,” “<cite>Mark Hurdlestone</cite>,” “<cite>Geoffry -Moreton</cite>,” or the “<cite>Faithless Guardian</cite>,” and “<cite>Life in the Clearings</cite>.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John Wedderburn Dunbar Moodie, formerly Lieutenant in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>the 21st Reg. of Fusileers,” saw action in Holland, where he was -wounded; he was a writer for the <cite>United Service Journal</cite>, <cite>Literary -Garland</cite>, (Montreal), and author of “<cite>Ten Years in Africa</cite>,” and “<cite>Scenes -and Adventures as a Soldier and Settler, during half a Century</cite>.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Victoria Magazine</cite> was succeeded by the <cite>Eclectic Magazine</cite>, -Joseph Wilson being Editor and Proprietor. This monthly was -also continued only one year. Mr. Wilson now commenced a “family -paper called <cite>Wilson’s Experiment</cite>,” and soon after, in connection with -it, <cite>Wilson’s Canada Casket</cite>. These were issued alternately every -two weeks, and were continued for two years. They had a large -circulation, as Mr. Wilson avers, at the last about 6,000. The -subscribers were not only in Canada, but in the Lower Provinces. -The journals were discontinued, not because they did not pay; but -in consequence of embarrassment from other causes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Bee</cite> was the first newspaper published in Napanee, in 1851, -by the Rev. G. D. Greenleaf, Editor and Proprietor. It was a small -sheet, and semi-political, at one dollar per year. It was printed on -a press of the owner’s own construction, and continued two years, -when it was succeeded by the <cite>Emporium</cite>, published by the -same person, at the same office. It was somewhat larger than -the <cite>Bee</cite>, and was two dollars a year. Its existence extended but -little over a year.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <cite>Standard</cite> was the third journal established at Napanee, -1853, by a joint-stock company. It was in the interest of the Conservatives. -Its first editor was Dr. McLean, formerly of Kingston. -Subsequently, the paper came under the management of Alexander -Campbell, Esq., and continued for a few years. It then passed into -the hands of Mr. A. Henry. It is still published by Henry and -Brother.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The next paper, after the <cite>Standard</cite>, to be issued was the -<cite>Reformer</cite>, by Carman and Dunham. There have subsequently been -published the <cite>North American</cite>, <cite>The Ledger</cite>, and the <cite>Weekly Express</cite>. -Besides the above, there was published, in 1854, continuing for -two years, <cite>The Christian Casket</cite>, by E. A Dunham.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Trenton first possessed a newspaper in 1854. It was published -and edited by Alexander Begg, and its name was the <cite>Trenton Advocate</cite>. -The first number was issued March 4, 1854. About a -year, afterward, the paper changed owners, and took the name of -<cite>British Ensign</cite>. It was continued about two years longer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have before us several copies of <cite>The Canadian Gem</cite> and -<cite>Family Visitor</cite>, published at Cobourg; and edited by Joseph H. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>Leonard, 1848. It is very readable, and exhibits no little enterprise. -Also, we have <cite>The Maple Leaf</cite>; published at Montreal by -R. W. Loy, 1853. Mr. Loy died not long after its issue. This also -contains many interesting articles of a local and general nature.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1853, 158 papers are mentioned in the <cite>Canada Directory</cite>, of -which, 114 are issued in Upper Canada. At the present time the -number has much increased. Respecting the newspapers of Canada, -Mr. Buckingham, who visited Canada in 1840, says that they are -generally superior to those of the Provincial towns of the United -States.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following cannot fail to be of interest:</p> - -<p class='c000'>A Boston paper says, “Died—​In the early part of the year -1813, Wm. Berczy, Esq., aged 68; a distinguished inhabitant of the -Province of Upper Canada, and highly respected for his literary -acquirements. In the decease of this gentleman, society must -sustain an irreparable loss, and the republic of letters will have -cause to mourn the death of a man, eminent for genius and talent.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Canadian Idioms.</span>—​The loyalist settlers of Upper Canada were -mainly of American birth, and those speaking English, differed in no -respect in their mode of speech from those who remained in the States. -Even to this day there is some resemblance between native Upper -Canadians and the Americans of the Midland States; though there is -not, to any extent, a likeness to the Yankee of, the New England -States. While the Yankee, and to some extent, the whole of the -American people have steadily diverged from the pure English, -both with respect to accent and idiom, as well as in the meaning -attached to certain words; in Canada this tendency has been -arrested by the presence of English gentlemen, often half-pay -officers, and their families, by the officers of the Army and Navy, -and as well by the school teachers, high and low, which were often -from the old country. The accent of Canadians, and their idioms -to-day, are to a certain extent peculiar, <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">sui generis</span></i>, which peculiarity -is constantly increasing, even as the British American is assuming -in appearance a distinct characteristic. Taking all classes of Canadians, -it may be said that for a people far removed from the source -of pure English, that is the Court, they have a very correct mode -of speaking, the criticisms of English travelers to the contrary, -notwithstanding. As education becomes more diffused among the -masses there will ensue a very decided improvement in the mode -of speaking among Canadians. Listening to the children at any -school, composed of the children of Englishmen, Scotchmen, Irishmen, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>Americans, and even of Germans, it is impossible to detect -any marked difference in their accent, or way of expressing themselves.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Superstition.</span>—​Although a few of the settlers had books to -read, many had none. And as there were no school teachers very -many children grew up without being able to read, or at most very -little, and entirely unable to write, unless it might be their name. -The writer has been struck with the difference between the composition -and penmanship of many of the settlers and that of their immediate -children, the former being good, the latter bad; while the parent -could write a bold signature, and express himself in writing a letter, -intelligibly, the offspring either could do nothing of the kind, or else -made a very poor attempt. The result of this was, that the mind, -starved for want of mental food of a wholesome nature, did not -become inactive, but sought other kinds of pabulum. They derived -a certain amount of information from the legendary tales told and -retold of former days of happiness and plenty. Excluded from the -world of literature, and secluded in a forest of eternal silence, -except the tones uttered by the voice of nature, sometimes whispering -in the gentle murmurs of the sighing wind, and sometimes -thundering forth in the loudest voice,—​shut up with nature they -listened to her words, and not educated to understand her meaning, -they undertook to interpret her speech, and oftentimes superstition -of the deepest kind took possession of their minds. This prevailed -perhaps more especially among the Dutch. Belief in ghosts, or -“spooks” was a common thing, and before the bright and flickering -light of many a hearth fire, during the winter nights, were -told “stories” which lost nothing in their relating. And along -the Bay were many old houses, once the homes of the settler -which it was declared, was occasionally visited by the spirit of the -builder, who returned to discharge some duty which rested heavily -upon him in the spirit world, or who desired to reveal the place of -concealment of some hoarded gold which had been so safely buried -in some cranny nook.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A company of neighbours spending the evening would take -their turn in telling of what they had seen or dreamed, or heard -told; and at last when the bright sparkling fire had sunk into subdued -embers, the consciousness of having to go home through the -woods, or past a grave yard, would arouse the talkers. Shuddering -at the thought, with imagination heightened by the conversation, -they would set out on their path. It was at such times that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>the spirit of some recently departed one would be seen hovering -over the grave, or floating away at the approach of footsteps. Strange -voices came from the midst of the darkness, and unnatural lights -flashed in the eyes of the midnight traveler. Should no sound or -sight present themselves on the way, there was still a chance to experience -much in dreams, when revelations of the gravest import -would be made, which only had to be repeated three nights in succession -to obtain the status of absolute certainty.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The traditions and recitals made known to the children were -sometimes, not alone exaggerated, but untrue. The old soldier, or -loyalist in his great hatred to the rebels, would sometimes unduly -blacken the character of the fathers of the American Republic; -for instance, the writer has heard it several times, told as a -fact, that Washington was the illegitimate son of King George.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By some means a belief obtained, that at a place called Devil’s -Hill, at the Indian Woods, was concealed in the earth, a quantity of -money, and parties used to actually go and dig for it. There was -a huge rock here which was supposed to cover the precious metal, -and a “bee” was formed, on one occasion to overturn it, but they -found nothing to reward them for their pains.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION VII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE TERRITORY OF UPPER CANADA—​THE BAY QUINTÉ.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLII.</span><a id='t366'></a></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The Indians—​Their origin—​Pre-historic Canada—​Indian relics—​Original -inhabitants—​Les Iroquois du nord—​Original names—​Peninsula of -Upper Canada—​Champlain exploring—​Ascends the Ottawa—​His route to -Lake Nippissing—​To Lake Huron—​French River—​The country—​Georgian -Bay—​Lake Simcoe—​Down the Trent—​A grand trip—​Bay Quinté, and Lake -Ontario discovered—​War demonstration—​Wintering at the Bay—​A contrast—​Roundabout -way—​Erroneous impressions.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>CHAMPLAIN’S DISCOVERY OF THE BAY QUINTÉ, AND LAKE ONTARIO.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>In this work but brief reference can be made to the general -history of the Indians. Perhaps it is hardly necessary to explain -that the term Indian, applied to the aborigines of America, took its -origin from the fact, that when the New World was discovered it -was supposed to be a part of the Indias (East Indias), the riches of -which had led the intrepid navigator to seek a more direct route -thereto. And consequently the natives were called Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It does not lie within the scope of this work to speak of the -several theories which have been given with respect to the origin -of the natives, nor to advance any particular view. It is sufficient -to remark that the character of the various tribes, their features, -their traditions, and customs, all indicate most unmistakably that -Asia was the original birthplace of the aborigines of America. Of -course, reference is made only to those Indians whose representatives -occupied the continent when discovered by Columbus, and not -to those who had in some long past day held possession, who have -left here and there indications of their rude character, and primitive -mode of life, and who were swept away by the more powerful -and warlike invaders—​the predecessors of the aborigines of whom -we now write.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In our researches we have collected a good many Indian relics, -of the origin of which we have no record, and can only guess, -while science strives to explain. We offer no views of our own, but -give the following upon</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span> - <h4 class='c014'>PRE-HISTORIC CANADA.</h4> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>From the Manchester <cite>Guardian</cite>. “At a meeting of the Manchester -Anthropological society, on Monday, Mr. Plant made a communication -upon some curious relics which he exhibited, of a race of pre-historic -men, for which he was indebted to Mr. J. S. Wilson, of -Perrytown, Canada West. These objects were obtained from the -soil of the lands which have been cleared of the forests and -brought into cultivation. It is only in the spring, when the snow -has disappeared, that these objects are found, the winter snow acting -like a riddle to the soil, and bringing to the surface the pebbles -and broken pieces of pottery, flint, weapons, &c. The most interesting -features connected with these relics is, that the localities -where they are so frequently found are situated on the high level -ground of ancient terraces, or beach lines, which may be traced at -about 600 ft. above the sea level, all around the great Canadian -lakes, or, in fact, all around the high lands of the River St. Lawrence -basin. There are three terraces at descending levels to the -present shores of the great lakes. The highest terrace is the most -ancient, and the evidences connected with this terrace all seem to -point to the conclusion that it belongs to an age very remote, when -the area now occupied by the great fresh-water lakes was filled by -an inland bay, connected by a wide strait with the Atlantic, and -was subject to the action of glacier ice from the land, as well as -flows of icebergs from the current flowing from the north-east. The -high terraces are, therefore, of marine origin, and the pre-historic -objects found in them are indicative of a race of men whose habits -were consistent with the physical features of the land and sea; a -race of hardy fishers, living upon the whale, the walrus, the shark, -and marine sources of food, together with the reindeer and Arctic -animals. Since this remote time, the whole of the land about the -lakes has risen from 600 to 1,000 feet above the sea, slowly and -evenly through a great length of time, pausing twice sufficiently -long to form two lower terraces; and at present is forming a -fourth on the shore lines of the lakes. The pre-historic objects -consist of great quantities of earthenware of rude make, quartz -arrow heads, black stone adzes and hatchets<a id='t367'></a>, sharp splinters of bone -worked to a point, teeth drilled and bone needles, and bowls and -stems of smoking pipes about six inches long. These last are -singular and most interesting objects, and are solely confined to the -North American continent, proving that the habit of smoking some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>narcotic plant has been indulged in by mankind from the most -remote ages to which the geologist assigns the relics of pre-historic -man, the age which immediately succeeded the glacial period.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>All around the bay, as well as in other parts of Canada, may be -found here and there indications of an extinct people whose sepulchral -remains can be traced. Along the western portion particularly, -are faint traces of mounds or tumuli which have been found -to contain not only human remains; but objects of curiosity. For -a more particular account of these the reader is referred to an interesting -paper in the <cite>Canadian Journal</cite> for September 1860, by T. C. -Wallbridge, Esq., of Belleville.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE ABORIGINES OF UPPER CANADA.</h4> - -<div class='lg-container-b c021'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Dark as the frost-nipped leaves that strew the ground,</div> - <div class='line'>The Indian hunter here his shelter found;</div> - <div class='line'>Here cut his bow, and shaped his arrows true,</div> - <div class='line'>Here built his wigwam and his bark canoe,</div> - <div class='line'>Speared the quick salmon leaping up the fall,</div> - <div class='line'>And slew the deer without the rifle ball;</div> - <div class='line'>Here his young squaw her cradling tree would choose,</div> - <div class='line'>Singing her chant to hush her swart pappoose;</div> - <div class='line'>Here stain her quills, and string her trinkets rude,</div> - <div class='line'>And weave her warrior’s wampum in the wood.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in52'><span class='sc'>Brainard.</span>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>For many long years, perhaps centuries, before the white man -saw the pleasant shores of the Bay, the Indian war-whoop was often -heard, and the war dance performed along its borders. We know -but little of those primal days. We cannot estimate the cruelties -of barbaric warfare, natural to the aborigines, which have been -enacted. We cannot count up the number of Indian braves who -have moved upon its wood-begirded waters, as conquerors, or as -captives, nor the woman and children carried away from their -kindred—​nor yet the total of the bleeding scalps which have hung -at the girdle of the returning warriors, as they pursued the devious -trail.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Early French travelers, generally Jesuits, have marked -roughly the territory, which embraces in its area, the land extending -from the Ottawa westward to Lake Huron, and from the St. -Lawrence and Lake Ontario, northward to the French River, and -Lake Nippissing. This was named the country of <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Les Iroquois du -Nord</span></i>, and, according to a map in the Imperial French Library, the -land north of Bay Quinté, was called in 1656, <em>Tout-hatar</em>, and the -land west to Lake Huron, was named <em>Conchradum</em>. There were, -at the same time indicated at the eastern borders, the “antient -<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>Hurons” and the “Outtawas” at the west, occupying the peninsula -of Upper Canada, the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Neutre Nation de truite</span></i>, and at the mouth of -the French river, <em>Mississagues</em>. It would seem at first, that the inhabitants -were a branch of the Iroquois, or Six Nation Indians. -But it may be that they had given to them the name Iroquois from -their peculiar mode of expression, like the Indian to the south of -the lake;—​although not immediately connected. According to a -map, examined by the writer, in the Imperial library at Paris, all -the land between the Ottawa and Lake Huron was the Algonquins. -A map by Champlain calls the land north of the Bay Quinté, <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Lien -force cerfs</span></i>. The northern Iroquois was divided into several tribes, -each of which had a distinct name, and lived in considerable communities, -here and there. The old maps are marked with sites of -Indian villages, where, no doubt, they lived a greater portion of -their time; probably the families remained most of the time, and -also the males, except when away up the rivers to the north, upon -hunting expeditions. Among these tribes and villages was the -<em>Kentes</em>. Their village was situated at the east of Hay Bay, according -to some maps; according to others, it was placed upon the south -shore of Prince Edward, west of West Lake. Another tribe mentioned -is <em>Gaungouts</em>. And along the north shore of the Mohawk -Bay near Napanee, is marked an Indian village called <em>Gaunaroute</em>. -Upon another map the village here is called <em>Gameydocs</em>. Just above -the Carrying Place, near the harbour of Presqu Isle, is another -village called <em>Ganaroske</em>, and a second one designated <em>Gonetoust</em>. -Some of the maps here alluded to, bear date as late as 1703, while -others are much earlier.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The waters of the bay and the lake adjacent, were looked upon -as valuable for fishing, and the land as abundant in game. McMullen, -in his History of Canada, speaks thus of the bay region. Referring -to the year 1692, he states, “the Aborigines and French ravaged the -frontiers of Massachusetts, and revenged upon its helpless borderers -the injuries suffered by the Canadians; detachments of troops swept -the favorite hunting grounds of the Iroquois along the beautiful Bay -of Quinté; and an expedition from Montreal did considerable injury -to the Mohawks in their own country.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The peninsula of Upper Canada was called, in 1686, <em>Saquinan</em>—​(Paris -documents). The “Neutre Nation” was exterminated by -the Iroquois prior to 1650.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is an interesting fact that Champlain arrived at Lake -Ontario, or “fresh water sea,” as he called it, being the first European -<span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>to gaze upon its broad blue waters, by the way of the Bay of -Quintè. This was in 1615. Prior to that he had penetrated by -way of Sorel river, and the lake which has been named after him, -and explored some part of the territory to the south of Ontario lake; -but probably was not north of the Mohigan mountains, at least he -did not then discover Lake Ontario. His principal object at -this time was to create terror of the French arms, on behalf of the -Six Nation Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was after a return from France, with a commission granting -him extensive powers in the peltry traffic, that Champlain, with the -view of protecting that trade, erected a fort on the site of Montreal. -This done he directed his attention to the country lying unexplored -to the north. Aware of Hudson’s discovery in the north, of the -bay now bearing his name, he was led to hope that by following -the river Ottawa, of which the Hurons gave him some information, -to its upper waters, he would be brought into close proximity -if not actually to the bay, explored by Hudson. He accordingly -set out accompanied by one or more of the four Recollet missionaries -he had brought with him from France, and a considerable -force of Hurons, with the view of ascending the Ottawa to its -source. How far he penetrated into that rugged region, or how -long a time he expended, does not appear. But it would seem that -failing in his attempted discovery, he retraced his steps down the -Upper Ottawa, until he reached the mouth of the Mattawan river, -which empties into the Ottawa, and rises in the high lands to the -west, approaching Lake Nippissing. As nearly as can be learned, -Champlain was here joined by more warriors, who persuaded him -to follow them and assist in a proposed attack upon the -Iroquois nation to the south of Lake Ontario. His course was up -the Mattawan river, through <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">la petite rivière</span></i> to <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">lac du Toulon</span></i>. -Thence across to Trout Lake, Upper Trout Lake, and traversing -the high lands, from which the waters flow in opposite directions; -some into the valley of the Ottawa, and others towards the west, -he descended the river <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">La Vase</span></i> into Lake Nippissing. Crossing -this lake, he descended the French river into the Georgian Bay. -In passing it may be observed that all the names, some of which -are in French, and some in English, have a special meaning, and were -applied, at least some of them, by the Indians. The Ottawa is so -called not from the fact that the territory through which it runs was -the home of the Ottawa tribe, but, because it was by its waters -that they came to visit the French. The Ottawa river, that is, the -river by which the Ottawas came. On the other hand the French -<span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>river, which discharges into the Georgian Bay, was so called by -the Indians, because it was the river by which the French came -to their western domain. The length of French river is about 61 -miles, and is a chain of lakes, connected by short rapids. Lake -Nippissing is 69 feet above Lake Huron.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is now 253 years since this voyage of discovery was made -by Champlain, guided by the Indians. The appearance then presented -to the intrepid navigator must have been exceedingly wild -and beautiful, as he passed along the unknown way. Now swiftly -gliding in the birch canoe upon the glassy waters of a lake, now -dancing down the rapids, among rugged rocks, and green-clad islands; -and anon, threading the devious path of a <em>portage</em>, beneath the lofty -arches of the wilderness, making the first European footprints upon -the virgin soil.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Deputy Surveyor-General Collins, writing to Lord Dorchester, -by his command, in 1788, speaking of the French river says: “The -entrance is composed of a considerable number of small islands -and channels,” the westernmost is the best navigable—​about 250 -feet wide, and has from two to three fathoms depth of water. It is -narrower a little way up, and at about half a league from the entrance -becomes exceedingly intricate, on account of the small -islands and channels, which are here so numerous in every direction, -and so much resembling each other in appearance, as to make it -extremely difficult without a guide to find the true navigable channel, -which, although deep in some places, is so narrow there is scarce room -for two canoes to pass each other. The bank in these situations, is a -steep rock, almost perpendicular, and there are very strong currents -or rapids. The term Souters, sometimes given to the Missisauga -Indians by the French, means to jump up and down, in reference to -their living upon this river, and being expert in navigating its channels. -“The country adjoining to, and near this, (river) is a rocky desert, -nothing growing but small scrubby bushes and pine trees not thirty -feet high—​the same dreary prospect continues, I am informed, all the -way up to Lake Nippissing, which is recorded twenty-five leagues.” -He states that the coast from the mouth of the river eastward is -dangerous, for even canoes, although they may find shelter among the -islands which lie along most of the coast. It is equally rocky and -barren. Such was the nature of the way by which Champlain was -led.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He now directed his course southward along the wild and irregular -shore of the Georgian Bay, through the myriad islands that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>give beauty to that coast. Arrived at the mouth of the Severn river, -he ascended that devious stream, and entered Sparrow Lake. Thence -he crossed to Lake <em>Couchiching</em>, which, at its southern extremity -approaches to Lake Simcoe. Crossing the portage to this Lake, he -ascended the River Talbot, in a north-east direction, and by frequent -portages reached Balsam Lake. Then, through Cameron Lake, past -Fenelon Falls, and into Sturgeon Lake. So on, by Pigeon Lake, -Buck Hare Lake, Deer Lake, into Salmon Trout Lake. Turning -south, by Clear Lake, he descended the Otanabee, or <em>Pamoduscoteong</em>, -past the present site of Peterborough, and entered Rice Lake. Again -turning east, he entered the head waters of the River Trent. Around -by Heely’s Falls, down by Campbellford, then, by Chisholm’s Rapids, -he arrived at the head of the Bay of Quinté, sometime in July, 1615.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Champlain took this route from the Ottawa, which had long -before been traveled by the Indians, at the request of the Indian -warriors who accompanied him, to make an attack upon their bitter -enemy the Iroquois.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the present day it would be a grand trip to make, by the -way pursued by Champlain, when he visited the Bay region. But -how wonderfully magnificent must it all have been to the bold, but -educated French explorer of the primeval forest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Champlain crossed the Lake to a point not far from Oswego. -Whether he passed through the upper, or lower gap to the opposite -side of the Lake, and coasted the south shore; or whether he ascended -Picton Bay and crossed the Indian Carrying-place to East Lake, and -thence into Ontario, may be questioned. But in order to make an -unexpected attack upon the enemy, he had need to conceal his -advance; hence it is reasonable to suppose he would take the nearer -route by Picton Bay, although it would involve the crossing of the -portage. This could scarcely be regarded as a serious difficulty, as -he had already passed many in the devious route by the Ottawa.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Strange enough, that a European should discover Lake Ontario -by entering the head waters of the Trent River, and sailing -through the Bay of Quinté. Strange enough that a warlike demonstration -should be made by this route, against a foe living upon the -south shore of the Lake.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Champlain, notwithstanding his caution, found his Indian foes -prepared to receive him, having well entrenched themselves, and he -suffered a serious defeat, being glad to secure a safe retreat in the -Bay of Quinté region, probably Prince Edward, after having himself -received two wounds.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>Failing in his efforts to obtain a guide to conduct him down -the St. Lawrence, to his fort at Montreal, Champlain was compelled -to spend the winter months, which were by this time approaching, in -the vicinity of the Bay of Quinté. Probably six or nine months were -passed by him upon the northern shores. He did not remain all the -time at the Bay, as it is stated he visited the neighbouring Indian -nations, especially the neutral nation which occupied the peninsula -between Lakes Erie and Huron, and the head of Ontario. We can -readily imagine the wide difference between a long winter thus spent -in 1615–16, mid the wild scenes of aboriginal life by the ice-locked -waters, and one spent in this latter part of the 19th century, with -the highly cultivated land, and advanced civilization. Then, the trees -of the forest, in one unbroken denseness, was the sole home of the -savage, and wild beast, and waved in solemn mournfulness over the -wintry landscape; while few other than nature’s sounds disturbed the -stillness of the wilderness. Now, the dark forest has disappeared and -human habitations of comfort and luxury thickly stud the land. The -wild beasts, as well as the original owners of the territory, have -almost disappeared. The snow of the ice-covered bays and streams -no longer remain unbroken by human foot. Sleigh roads thickly -intersect the surface, and joyous shouts of the skater break upon the -light pure air, while the gingle of sleigh bells indicate the overflowing -stream of travelers. The strings of telegraphs sigh in the wind, -instead of the tall trees’ bough. The iron horse snorts along through -the snow hills, instead of the beast from his lair. Towns and cities -rest in peaceful security, where there were thick jungles of cedar and -furs.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was by this roundabout way that the Bay of Quinté was discovered; -and it was fifty years later when DeCourcelles, pursuing -the Iroquois from the Lower St. Lawrence ascended for the first time -the river, direct from Montreal to Lake Ontario. But during this -time missionaries had been at work among the Indians, upon the -northern shores of the Lake—​(See early Missionaries).</p> - -<p class='c000'>The impressions made upon the minds of these first explorers, -respecting the Bay, seem to have been very erroneous; at least they -have left maps not only rude, but incorrect. Thus, we find upon an -old map intended to represent Lake Ontario and the Bay, with the -country north of the Lake, the Bay is made to extend northward, at -right angles with the Lake, for some distance, and then, turning westward -somewhat, its extremity is brought very near to another bay, -which empties into Georgian Bay.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLIII.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Name—​Letter, Daily News—​“Omega” Lines—​The writer—​Conjectures—​Five -Bays—​Indian origin—​Kentes—​Villages—​<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Les Couis</span></i>—​Modes of -spelling—​Canty—​The occupants, 1783—​Mississaugas—​Origin—​With the -Iroquois—​The <em>Souter</em>—​Mississaugas, dark—​At Kingston—​Bay Quinté—​Land -bought—​Reserves—​Claim upon the islands—​Wappoose Island—​Indian -agent—​Indians hunting—​Up the Sagonaska—​Making sugar—​Peaceable—​To -Kingston for presents.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE NAME OF BAY QUINTÉ—​THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF UPPER CANADA IN 1783.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>There appeared in the “Daily News” of Kingston, October 20, -1856, the following letter and verses:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>,—​I send you a few lines in connection with what I believe -to be an historical fact, though not generally known, even in the -vicinity of the bay. When the French first took possession of -Canada, or shortly after, they established posts at Frontenac, -Niagara and Detroit.</p> - -<p class='c017'>In the fall following their establishment, the men under Col. -Quinté, who commanded at Niagara, were driven out by the Indians, -and pursued and harassed several days, when following the lake -shore to the west of the bay, they took the south shore of the bay -and got to the reach. The snow was falling and ice making on -the bay, without sufficient strength to carry them; when, nearly -starved and exhausted, they started back two or three miles to what -is known as Stickney’s Hill, where (an extremely cold night coming -on) they nearly all perished, including Quinté himself. Only -two of the party (the ice having become strong) reached Frontenac. -Hence the name of the bay.”—​(Signed,)—​“Omega.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>This note was accompanied with the following lines:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>QUINTÉ.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>On the Bay of Quinté gliding,</div> - <div class='line'>O’er its smooth and tranquil breast,</div> - <div class='line'>Whilst the sun is fast declining</div> - <div class='line'>To its waters in the west;</div> - <div class='line'>“And the gorgeous leaves of autumn,</div> - <div class='line'>In their varied gold and green,</div> - <div class='line'>Adds fresh glory to such beauty</div> - <div class='line'>As the eye hath seldom seen.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>Yet this Bay had once its terrors,</div> - <div class='line'>Ere the red men were subdued,</div> - <div class='line'>And the scene that’s now so lovely,</div> - <div class='line'>Was terrific, wild and rude,</div> - <div class='line'>When the gallant Quinté flying</div> - <div class='line'>From the savage of the west,</div> - <div class='line'>On the cheerless hills lay dying,</div> - <div class='line'>With fierce cold and hunger pressed:</div> - <div class='line'>And his bones were left unburied,</div> - <div class='line'>But his name won’t pass away,</div> - <div class='line'>While there’s beauty on thy hill-side,</div> - <div class='line'>Or thy waters gently play.”</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in26'>“<span class='sc'>Steamer Bay of Quinté.</span>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. T. C. Wallbridge, to whom we are indebted for the foregoing, -informs us that upon the day this was written, a learned -judge (Robinson) now dead, was a passenger from Belleville to -Kingston, and the inference was that <em>he</em> penned the lines, which -must have been based upon what he considered facts. The same -tradition has been received also, from other sources, and many -living upon the bay, regard it as true. But it becomes our duty -to question the matter. In the first place unfortunately, for the -plausibility of the statement, the name of no such French officer -can be found.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The nearest approach to the name of Quinté, held by any -Frenchman known, was that of Prince de Conti. This person was -a particular friend of Cavalier de la Salle, to whom was ceded the -Seignory of Cataraqui. “Chevalier de Tonti, went with him, proposing -to share his fortunes,” in western explorations. Now La -Salle, named one of the islands near Cataraqui, (Amherst,) after -this officer, and even yet may be found living, persons who call -that island, “Isle Tanta.” Well, it might reasonably be supposed -that La Salle would wish to do honor to his friend the Prince -de Conti, and therefore named the bay after him. From Conti, it -might gradually change to Canta, or Quinté. Now, however -probable this may seem, it cannot be regarded as the origin of the -name.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Again, it has been supposed to be derived from the Latin -<span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Quintanus</span>, or <span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Quinta</span>,—​the <em>fifth</em> place,—​having reference to five -bays, namely, the Lower Bay, Picton Bay, Hay Bay, the Reach, -and Upper Bay; or, as some aver, it refers to five Indian stations, -formerly existing in the vicinity of the bay. But, however much -may be advanced in support of the plausibility of these theories, we -think a more certain origin is perfectly intelligible.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The word Quinté, as at present spelled and pronounced, when -<span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>rightly done, is undoubtedly a French one, being one of the few -remaining memorials of French possession; but its origin can be -distinctly traced to an Indian source.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen elsewhere that the country lying north of Lake -Ontario was called the “Country of the Northern Iroquois.” To -the south of the lake was the Iroquois country proper. Among -the several nations which composed the Iroquois Confederation, was -the Seneques, or commonly called Seneca. Wentworth Greenhalgh -in the “London Documents,” writing of a journey in May, 1677, -from Albany to the Indians, westward, says “the Seneques have -four towns, viz: Canagora, Tiotohalton, Canoenada,” (how like -Canada), “and Keint-he—​which contained about 24 houses, and -was well furnished with corn.” In connection with this -we find a statement made in the documentary History -of New York, that some of the tribes belonging to the -Iroquois proper, separated from them, and removed to the -north of the lake. Now the Indian term, “Keint-he,” be it -remembered, was written by an English explorer, and of course was -spelled in accordance with the pronunciations of the Indians. -Every one knows that the letters of the alphabet have a -different sound in the French language. If therefore, a French -writer were to write the English term Keint-he, it is not unlikely -he would spell it Kanta or Kente. Examining the old French -maps, made by some of the early travelers through Canada, but -bearing date subsequent to 1677, we find marked with distinctness, -an Indian village, sometimes in one place, sometimes another, -by the name of Kente. This may be seen on quite a number of -different maps, which we have examined in various libraries in -Canada, and in the Imperial Library in Paris. It is not always -spelled Kente, sometimes it is Kante, and upon one it is Kenti, and -upon a map in the Imperial Library, Paris, it is Kento. This -Indian village has its location upon most of the maps, at the eastern -extremity of Hay Bay; but upon a few it is placed at the south -shore of the peninsula of Prince Edward; upon one map it is put -at South Bay; while in another Wappoose island, is called Isle de -Quinté. Hence it is inferred, that a branch of the Seneca tribe -separated from the main body, and removed to the north of the -lake, and settled probably first at South Bay, and afterward, or at -certain seasons visited at Hay Bay, to which, in time they gave their -name—​that of Kente, according to the pronunciation of the French. -It was an easy matter to convert Kente into Quinté. In other -<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>words, we find that <em>K</em> and <em>Qu</em> are used indifferently among early -writers of New France; for instance, Quebec is spelled by early -writers, Kebec. The origin of the word Quinté seems to be in -this way perfectly clear.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Indian village of Kente was situated at the eastern extremity -of Hay Bay, and it seems plain that this was regarded as -the head of the bay by the French, and the waters leading to the -village, was designated the Bay Kente, or the Bay to the Kentes. -The waters above the entrance to Hay Bay were looked upon rather -as the mouth of the River Trent; and as quite another bay, to -which was given a different name. This was a water way from -Lake Ontario to Lake Huron. Travelers passing along would at -times receive imperfect ideas respecting the names of the several -bays and lakes. Again, the early French explorers, and the Jesuits, -in their maps would frequently give the names, derived from the -Indians, in Latin, while later French travelers gave the names in -French. The consequence was that several different names were -at times bestowed upon the waters stretching between Lakes Huron -and Ontario.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the old French maps, and perhaps, it may have been prepared -before the Kentes had settled upon its shores, gives to the -bay the name “Bayedes Couis,” while several islands between the -south shore of Lake Ontario, and the north, are called “<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">au des -Couis</span></i>,” as if indicating a line of travel. There is one larger island, -called <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Les Couis</span></i>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The waters west of the Long Reach are, in several maps which -have been examined, named <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Lac St. Lion</span></i>, and <em>Lionel</em>. But whether -this name was limited to the uppers waters of the bay, or applied -to the Trent, with Rice Lake, is doubtful, inasmuch as the maps -represent the River Trent as being very wide and seemingly navigable -up to almost the river’s source. Again, the name of <em>Quinto</em> -and <em>Quintio</em> are found upon a few maps, and are applied to Rice -Lake. A map in the Imperial library, dated 1777, gives to -Rice Lake, Quinto, and close by is the village of <em>Tonnaonto</em>; and -the Bay Quinté proper, is called Lake <em>Tento</em>. Another map names -it <em>Kentsio</em>. There is also a map which gives to Simcoe Lake, the -name of <em>Œntarion</em> Lake, instead of Lake Taronto. From these varieties -of names, we discover an indistinct connection between the -words Kente and Toronto. Their origin and meaning it is impossible -to trace. Perhaps they were names used only for a short time. It -is worthy of remark, that upon an ancient map examined in the -Imperial library, we find Lake Erie called <em>Lac. Conty</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>The word Quinté is in one or two places spelled Quintee, and also -Quintie. The most common mode of pronunciation was that used by -the loyalists. They spelled it generally Canty, or Kenty. Such they -heard it called by the French and Indians when they came here; -and, unacquainted with the French mode of spelling, they naturally -rendered it according to the English idea; and we have found it in -letters written, by the first settlers, mostly always spelled “Canty,” -or “Cante,” and occasionally “Canta.” The last of these approaches -the nearest to the correct way of pronouncing the name; and it is -a cause for regret that some years ago there arose the belief that -it ought to be called “Quinty.” We would request the inhabitants -of the bay, to return to the old fashioned, and correct pronunciation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The settlement upon the bay was sometimes identified with -Cataraqui; being known by the refugees, as well as by those who -stayed in the States, only by that name. Indeed, it may be said -that all of Upper Canada was, for a few years, designated by that -name; the settlements at Detroit and upon the Niagara, contiguous -to the fort, being regarded as merely military stations. For many -years the name Canada, was limited to the lower Provinces. After -a few years the settlement along the bay came to be generally -called, both by the settlers, and those who knew them abroad as -that of the Bay “Canty.” The writer has in his possession a letter -dated from one of the townships upon the bay, in which reference -is made to Canada as a place quite distant and distinct from the -British settlements.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Ferguson, in a letter dated at Sidney, 23rd July, 1791, to -a person at Kingston, says, “I’ll send you a memorandum of what -you’ll want from Canada,” and he further speaks about taking an -Indian to Canada. By this we learn that the new townships were -regarded as quite apart from Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Before proceeding to speak of the appearance of the bay, a -space must be given to speak more particularly of those Aborigines -who occupied the territory of the bay, and Upper Canada generally, -at the time of the revolutionary war, and from whom the -British Government purchased the land to bestow upon the U. E. -Loyalists, namely, the Mississaugas.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The meaning of the word Mississauga has reference to “many -outlets,” or a place of settlement by the “fork of a stream.” The -first notice we have found of this name is upon a map in the Imperial -library, dated 1620. It is applied to a lake,—​<em>L’Missauga</em>, or -<span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span><em>Buade</em>. The location is not far from the source of the Mississippi -River, and there is a small stream represented as running from this -lake to empty into the Mississippi, the lake is doubtless the Itasca -Lake in Minnesota. The Indians, then inhabiting that region, was -the “Eastern Sioux.” There is no doubt some identity as to origin and -meaning, between Mississippi and Mississauga. It will be remembered, -we have in the north of Upper Canada a River Mississippi as -well as River Mississauga. The Mississauga Indians first came into -notice about the middle of last century, some time before the rebellion. -They were then living east of the Georgian Bay upon the lake -and the river, both of which have derived names from this tribe. -Capt. Anderson thinks they took the name from living by this -river, which has <em>many outlets</em>. It may be regarded as a question -whether the river gave a name to the tribe, or the tribe a name to -the river.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Mississaugas have been more generally regarded as a -branch of the Otchipewas. Father Charlevoix says, they are a -branch of the Algonquins.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Towards the end of the seventeenth century, the Iroquois had -quite overrun the territory formerly designated by the French “the -country of the Northern Iroquois,” and now constituting Upper -Canada. As the Six Nations retired to their territory upon the -south of Lake Ontario, the Chippewas, or Otchwas and the Mississaugas -descended to the north shore of Ontario, the St. Lawrence, -and around Bay Quinté. The exact time at which these tribes obtained -possession of the land around the Bay, and its Islands, and -other parts of Canada, is uncertain. But, long before the settlement -of Upper Canada, they were the acknowledged owners of the -soil, and Great Britain purchased from them the right of ownership. -The first record we have of surrender of land, was by the -Chippewas, in 1781, to Gov. St. Clair. The Mississaugas seem to -have been a neutral nation, at least, they never appear to have -taken any part in the wars between the French and English. But -we find that at a great assembly of chiefs and warriors, at Albany, -in August 17, 1746, the chief speaker of the Six Nations, informed -the English Commissioners that they had taken the Mississaugas -as a seventh nation. There certainly seems to have been a very -friendly relationship between the Iroquois and Mississaugas.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Mississaugas were divided into several tribes, or rather, -were divided into several villages, which were scattered all along -the St. Lawrence, from the river Gananoque to the Bay Quinté, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>Lake Ontario. Thus, we find it recorded that “They were dispersed -along Lake Ontario, South of Frontenac.” This means Prince -Edward particularly; but they were as well settled in little villages -at different points. Charlevoix speaks of the Mississaugas as having -a village at Niagara and upon Lake St. Clair; most likely at the -mouth of the Thames. They likewise had villages along the upper -waters of the Trent, and at the Don. Their armorial bearing, or -“totem” was the crane, crow, muskrat, and beaver. The Kentes -and Ganneyouses, two tribes of the Mississaugas, although taking -no part in the wars against the French, had practised upon them a -base act of treachery. In 1687, M. de Nonville, who was then -Governor of Canada, being at Frontenac, invited these two tribes -to the fort to hold a conference, and while there, seized forty or fifty -men, with eighty women and children, who were sent prisoners to -France.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The French called the Mississauga, while living in the west, -the <em>Souter</em>, or Jumpers, because of the numerous rapids in the river -Mississauga down which their canoes were wont to <em>jump</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Mississaugas are of a darker hue than any other tribe in -the northern part of America.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The uncertainty that attaches to the Mississaugas as to origin, -and the fact that they were not given to warfare; but seemed to be -at peace with all native tribes, causes us to think that possibly they -may have sprung from the dispersed “Neutral Nation.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the time of the settlement of Upper Canada, the Mississaugas -seem to have been the principal, if not the sole aboriginal -occupants of the land. There are a great many “Mississauga -Points” along the Bay, even at the present day, and there was a -greater number at the first, all of which indicated the site of an -Indian Village. At Cataraqui, just by the old fort, and Tete du -Pont, was a Mississauga point, so called from its being the site of an -Indian village. For years after the refugees entered, the Indians -continued to dwell here, at least during certain periods of the year. -The ground whereon a portion of the railway is laid, used to be the -scene of many an Indian dance, to the tune of other music than -the screaming of the iron horse, although no less inharmonious. -Peter Grass was wont to tell of these scenes, whereat fearful orgies -were witnessed by the lurid glare of their rude torches. “At the -time of the peace, in 1783, the Mississaugas ceded to the Crown -large tracts of land in the Johnstown, Midland and Newcastle -Districts.”—​(Report).</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>The whole of the land contiguous to the Bay was purchased -from the “Mississaugas of the Bay Quinté.” The Indians, in -relinquishing their claims to the land, had guaranteed to them -certain stipulated payments yearly, in presents. We find it stated -that “every man received two blankets, cloth for one coat and one -pair of trowsers, two shirts, several small articles, besides a gun, -ammunition, kettles, and other things.”—​(Playter).</p> - -<p class='c000'>“They claim, however, to have retained the following reserves.” -<em>Mississauga Point</em>, six miles below Belleville, about 1,200 acres; -<em>Grassy Point</em>—​in Sophiasburgh—​about 600 acres; <em>Cape Vesey</em>, in -Marysburgh, six miles east of Wappoose Island, 450 acres; <em>Bald -Head</em>, at Weller’s Bay, Ameliasburgh, 100 acres. “They also claim -the islands eastward from Presqu Isle to Gananoque, Nicholsons’ -Island, in Lake Ontario, 250 acres, near West Lake, Wellington; -Weir’s or Tubb’s Island, McDonald’s Island, and Sugar Island, in all -about 1,000 acres. The islands from Trenton to Kingston, and -thence to Gananoque. Also, Green’s Island, Timber Island, False -Ducks, with others in Lake Ontario.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Commissioners considered that the Indians had claims to -compensation for their lands. As for the islands, the following -extract from a letter from Sir John Johnson to the Military Secretary, -dated Lachine, 9th October, 1797, will show their right to the -Islands. “No islands were ceded to the Crown but Grenadier -Island and the Islands between it and Kingston; two of which -were granted to me, with the lands at Gananoque, by the Governor -and Council, together with the Island of Tontine above Kingston, -at the entrance of Lake Ontario.” This was Amherst Island.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The portion of the Mississaugas to which the land belonged, -were those subsequently known as the Bay Quinté, and the Kingston -Indians. The same that lived for a time at Grape Island, and -who now reside at Alnwick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The acceptance of the surrender of the Indians in 1856, by -the Government, is an acknowledgment that these islands had never -been ceded by them.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We thus learn that the Indian claims made to the islands and -reserves in Prince Edward, were allowed by the Government. But -the Indians claimed also that the treaty of cession, as they understood -it when made, did “not include, a portion of land bounded on -the north by a line which marks where the waters flow into the -Ottawa River, and thence to the south, some thirty miles, to the -head waters of some streams which flow towards the Lake, with a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span>length of some sixty miles.” But this claim was not considered as -tenable.</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to the testimony of the first settlers, Wappoose -Island, at the opening of Smith’s Bay, was the abode of the Indian -Chief; at least, he came here yearly to receive the rates from the -settlers who had squatted upon it. The Indians went from this to -Kingston, to get their presents, which they obtained from one -Lyons, who it is said, was the first Indian agent there. He lived a -quarter of a mile from the Market Place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From the several villages, placed by the water board, the Mississaugas -were accustomed to ascend up the rivers to the interior -of the country for game. Of the different rivers, the <em>Sagonaska</em>, -(Moira), was, perhaps, more generally selected. Stoco Lake was a -favorite hunting and fishing region, so named after a famous Mississauga -Chief, Stougeong. They had a lot reserved at the -mouth of the river, and also lot number four, in the second concession -of Thurlow,—​altogether 428 acres, which was sold in 1816, for -£107. They generally ascended about the last of March, and -returned the latter part of December. The writer can remember to -have seen their birch canoes, well laden, passing up and down the -river. Before the settlement of Belleville, they had their encampment -on the plains by the river’s mouth, but in later years they -selected grounds some way up the stream. At first the trading -post, kept by Chisholm, east of the river on the bay, was a point of -attraction to them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Indians would make sugar in the spring, and bring it to -the settlers in small basswood bags, which they would exchange for -different articles.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Mississaugas being a race of naturally peaceful disposition, -the settlers never had any reason to fear them, even had the Canadian -Government, like the American, forgot to recognize the rights -of the natives, and owners of the soil. When under the influence -of liquor they might assume a mock heroic character to intimidate -women and children, in order to get something; but no attempt was -ever made to disturb the settlers along the Bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Every year the Indians would go to Kingston to receive their -presents, annually given by Government; sometimes there would -be a hundred canoes.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLIV.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Appearance—​Mouth of Bay—​Length—​The Peninsula of Prince -Edward—​Width of Bay—​Long Reach—​Course of Bay—​The High Shore—​Division -of bay—​Eastern, central, western—​Taking a trip—​Through the -Reach—​A picture—​A quiet spot—​Lake on the mountain—​A description—​Montreal -Gazette—​Beautiful view—​Rhine, Hudson—​Contrast—​Classic -ground—​A sketch—​Birth place of celebrated Canadians—​Hagerman—​A -leading spirit—​Sir J. A. McDonald—​Reflections—​A log house—​Relics of -the past—​Lesson of life—​In the lower bay—​Reminiscences—​The front—​Cradle -of the province—​Shore of Marysburgh—​In the Western Bay—​Cuthbertson—​Up -the bay—​A battle ground—​Devil’s Hill—​Stickney’s Hill—​In -the depths—​Prosperity—​Geological supposition—​Head of bay—​The -past.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>BAY QUINTÉ CONTINUED—​ITS APPEARANCE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Perhaps there is no sheet of water in Upper Canada possessed -of greater natural beauty than this arm of Lake Ontario. At the -eastern extremity of Ontario, where it merges into the St. Lawrence, -with its 1692 islands, on the northern shore, is found the -entrance to the Bay Quinté. In the early days of the settlement -the name was limited to the waters west of Indian Point, at the -extremity of Prince Edward Peninsula. At the present time the -Bay Quinté is understood to include the sound between Amherst -Island, and Wolfe Island, upon the south, and the mainland to the -north. Our history is intended specially to embrace the events -connected with the settlement of this region.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The bay, commencing where the St. Lawrence begins its -mighty flow, extends in an irregular manner inland to a distance -of some 70 miles, its western extremity approaching to within a -short distance of the lake; and thus creating a lengthy peninsula, -varying in breadth, the greatest being about 25 miles; but with -a neck so narrow, that the peninsula is almost an island. The -width of the bay varies, averaging about a mile; but in some -places it is two miles. Not only is the bay irregular in its direction; -but there are many indentations, some several miles in -length, which increase the irregularity, and add beauty and variety -to the scenery.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The course of the bay from the lower gap, is at first, for some -35 miles almost due west. It then makes a turn toward the north, -tending a little to the east; while to the south is an indentation -forming the Picton Bay. This portion of the bay is called the -Long Reach, and in its length, presents some of the most striking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>beauties of the whole bay. Extending to the south of the Reach is -a lengthy indentation five or six miles long, forming Hay Bay. -At the northern extremity of the Long Reach, is another small -bay into which the Napanee River empties, called the Mohawk -Bay. Here the main body of water makes another turn, and again, -stretches almost directly westward, to the head of the bay. At a -distance of eight miles from Mohawk Bay there is a material widening -of the water. This portion is called Big Bay. The width -does not appear so great in consequence of the existence of islands, -one of which, the Big Island, stretches along the south shore even -the whole length of Big Bay. At the western limits of the wide -part, the bay is very narrow by reason of two opposite points, -Mississauga and Ox Points, approaching to within a half mile of -each other. It is the opinion of geologists, that the channel -between these two points is of comparatively recent formation, -caused by a sinking of the land, and that the old channel was -through the marsh which divides Mississauga point from the -peninsula.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The High Shore, which forms so prominent a feature in the -scenery of the bay, and the highest summit of which is at the Lake -on the Mountain, is a remarkable formation. Commencing in -Marysburgh, near the East Lake by the shore of Lake Ontario, it -follows the course of Smith’s Bay eastward, down the shore to what -is called “the Rock,” thence across the peninsula to the bay and -so follows the course of the bay upward, around Picton Bay, and -thence along the eastern front of Sophiasburgh to a point opposite -Hay Bay. Here the hill leaves the bay shore and takes a westerly -course, and stretches away toward the lake, to the south of the -Carrying Place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Bay of Quinté may be divided into three portions—​an -eastern, a western, and a central portion. The eastern and western -portions, we have seen, run east and west. The middle portion, connecting -these two together, is a reach of some twelve miles and -mostly north and south, from Picton Bay to Mohawk Bay. -Undoubtedly the “Long Reach” possesses the most attractive -scenery, from the waters themselves, along the whole sheet, from -Kingston to the Carrying Place. To obtain some idea of the -scenery here presented, the reader is invited to accompany the -writer, in imagination, upon the steamer from Mill point, Tyendinaga, -or the Indian Woods, to Kingston. It is upon a bright -morning in September. Leaving the wharf at Mill Point, our boat -<span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>makes a graceful sweep and turns here prow down the bay toward -the Reach. The power of the sun is beginning to be felt, and -the mist which has rested upon the waters is gradually rising. -After leaving the wharf a few minutes, an angle is reached from -which we can look up through the Big Bay almost to Belleville, -and, at the same time down the Reach, into Picton Bay. This -morning, on glancing upwards, a lovely view presents itself. The -water is like glass, from which the mist, here and there, is rising -like a sheet of the purest snow. Resting in the glassy bed are -several schooners, whose white sails and rigging are perfectly -mirrored by the unrippled surface of the water. Turning our gaze -down through the Reach, even a more beautiful sight is before us. -From this stand point we seem to be looking through, as it were, a -telescope, at the distant shores of Picton Bay. The sun’s rays have -not yet reached the deep and narrow channel, so that a thick -covering of white mist hides the water, excepting here and there, -where its lovely blue may be seen, as it reflects the azure sky. -A vessel with snowy sails, seems to be resting against the high -shore, while its hull is half enshrouded in the fog. To the right, -over a point of low land, may be seen the top mast of another -vessel, which, in an indentation of the bay, is as if left upon -the dry land by a retiring flood. It has always seemed -to the writer that this is the most delightful and picturesque spot -upon the bay, and he has endeavored, in but an imperfect way, to -draw to it the attention of tourists, who may desire to see the more -enchanting scenes connected with the bay. Proceeding on our -way down the Reach, the steamer stops at Roblin’s wharf upon -the right. Here, in a little dell, leading into a peaceful valley -pleasantly wooded, which leads up to the high shore, is situated Mr. -Roblin’s buildings. For a quiet place in which to live during the -summer, where one may forget the cold artificial world, it -is unequalled. To the right is the bold high shore, which -protects from the northern wind. Spread out before, is a beautiful -landscape. There, is another view of Adolphustown, with its many -points, and corresponding indentations, the home of peace and -plenty. There, is the entrance to Hay Bay, and more directly -opposite, the elevated shore, well crowned with trees, still clothed -in green.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We now continue our voyage close to the precipitous rocks which -form the shore, and presently we approach the mouth of Picton -Bay. Here again is obtained a varied and delightful prospect, ere -we leave this “Grand Bay,” as it was at first called.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span>Issuing again from Picton Bay, our steamer glides along in -the shadow of the eastern shore, and approaches the Stone Mills, at -the foot of the lake on the mountain. The captain will wait until -we have ascended, and viewed the lake, and the magnificent prospect -spread out around. But the brief time allowed to accomplish -the ascent affords no adequate chance to take in the exceeding -loveliness, and call to mind the historic events connected with the -country within view. So we shall detain the tourist for a days’ -inspection of the scene.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Lake of the Mountain is a curiosity of no mean order. -The following, taken from the Montreal <cite>Gazette</cite>, published in the -summer of 1834, is worthy the place we give it:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The Lake of the Mountain is one of the most remarkable -objects in the District of Prince Edward. This singular body of -water is about five miles distant from Hallowell, (Picton). It is -situated on the top of a lofty eminence, about one hundred and -sixty feet above the level of the Bay of Quinté. The manner in -which it is bounded is rather singular. In one direction it is only -separated from the waters of the Bay below by a ledge of limestone -rock, about eighty feet high, and by a precipitous embankment, -which extends half way around it. In every other direction it is -skirted by a ridge which rises to the height of 40 feet above the level of -its surface. This Lake is about five miles in circumference. Its waters -are at present applied to propel only a grist mill and a fulling -machine. An artificial canal has been cut, along which the water -is conveyed to the edge of the embankment, from whence it is -conducted by a wooden raceway to the mills, which are situated -near the margin of the bay below. The original outlet of the lake -is at a few paces distance from the raceway. At this place the -surplus waters formerly escaped through an orifice in the precipice -I formerly mentioned, and after dashing over the rocks below, -ultimately found their passage into the Bay.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“When I first heard of this lake, the most incredible stories -were related to me concerning it. The gentleman who first directed -my attention to it, absolutely told me that it was supplied by a -subterraneous passage from Lake Erie, that there was no inlet in -the neighborhood, capable of affording it a supply, and lastly, that -it was unfathomable, or that its bottom was lower than that of the -adjoining part of the Bay of Quinté. Such information as this, -communicated by a well-informed Barrister, did not fail to excite -my curiosity, and I accordingly set out to examine it with feelings -of considerable anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“What led to the absurd idea that this lake was supplied from -Lake Erie, I am at a loss to understand. It contains no springs, -and the banks of that part especially from which it is viewed by -strangers, being all so low that no inlet is visible, it might, perhaps, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span>have been thought impossible to account for its source by any -other means. The absurdity of the notion is, however, so glaring, -that I would not spend a single moment in exposing it, had it not -taken strong hold of the imagination of a great proportion of intelligent -people residing in this part of the country.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“If the Lake of the Mountain were supplied from Lake Erie, -its waters should experience a corresponding rise and fall with -those of Lake Erie. This, however, they do not, for last year the -waters of Lake Erie were higher than usual, while those of the -Lake of the Mountain were very low. Again, this year, the waters -of Lake Erie were lower than usual, while those of the Lake of the -Mountain are very high.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Further, if the Lake of the Mountain were supplied from -Lake Erie, it should be altogether uninfluenced by any state of the -weather in its neighborhood. This, however, is not the case, for in -wet weather it becomes high, and in dry weather it becomes low. -When I first visited this lake, its waters were nearly upon a level -with its banks, and when I saw it some months afterwards, they -were seven or eight feet above them. This was after a continuance -of dry weather.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“From all this it is evident that Lake Erie does not furnish the -supply of the Lake of the Mountain, and that it must be looked for -in some other quarter. Being determined to discover from whence -this supply was derived, I proceeded along the east side of the -lake for about a mile, upon the top of the eminence which separates -it from the Bay of Quinté. I then entered the woods and began -imperceptibly to ascend, until I found, by again coming in site of -the lake, that I had reached an elevation of about forty feet above -it. Continuing to proceed for two or three miles, I descended, in -the same imperceptible manner, to the place from which I first set -out. In the course of this journey, I crossed no less than five different -water-courses, four of which were dry at the period of my first -visit, but all of which I have since seen pouring out very considerable -quantities of water. The fifth is a beautiful stream flowing into the -lake over successive ledges of limestone rock, underneath the rich -foliage of the trees by which it is overarched. This stream affords -the chief supply to the lake, and judging from the appearance of -its channel, it must be sometimes upwards of a foot deep. In the -spring and fall, when the greatest quantities of water are discharged -by it, I have distinctly heard the noise which it makes at a distance -of two miles, and on the opposite side of the lake, as it dashes over -the rocks. The whole of these rivulets proceed from two extensive -swamps. That from which the largest arises is situated to the -south west of the lake, and is about three or four miles in circumference.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The depth of the lake next claimed my attention. Having procured -a sufficient length of line, I pushed out upon its waters in a -small scow. For a considerable distance we distinctly perceive the -bottom, which consists of dissolved, or rather corroded lime, so loose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span>and light that with little or no exertion one may push the whole -length of his oar into it. Continuing to look downwards upon the -beautiful white bottom as we sail along, we start instinctively upon -finding that we all at once lose sight of it, and that we gaze into a -deep, dark, frightful abyss, which is formed by the sudden appearance -of a precipitous ridge, running right across the lake. Nothing -can exceed the amazement—​terror, I had almost called it—​which -some people express on finding themselves surrounded by lofty, dark -woods, and floating upon the surface of water as black as ink, over -an abyss which they have been told is quite unfathomable.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“After having sailed over the lake in every different direction, -and taken an immense number of soundings, I found its greatest -depth to be only ninety-one feet. The bay below I found to be eighty-two -feet. Now as the lake is about one hundred and sixty feet above -the level of the bay, it follows that the bottom of the lake is one -hundred and fifty-one feet higher than that of the bay.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Thus, then, it appears that the Lake of the Mountain does not -derive its supply from Lake Erie, that its source is to be found in its -immediate neighbourhood, that it is not unfathomable, and that its -bottom is not lower than that of the Bay of Quinté.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The Lake of the Mountain is however, an object of sufficient -interest, without adding to its wonders those of a subterraneous -communication with Lake Erie, and an unfathomable depth. There -is, for instance, the very singular manner in which it is separated -from the Bay of Quinté, by a wall of solid rock, and the extraordinary -form of its basin. The fine views, too, with which the mountain -abounds, ought to be sufficient to attract the attention of all -those whose minds are capable of enjoying the various forms in -which beauty may be contemplated.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Nothing can surpass the savage grandeur of the scene we look -upon from the summit of the limestone rock I have so often mentioned, -nor can a lovelier prospect be anywhere found than that which -breaks upon the view, on first reaching the top of the mountain. To -the north and west, we behold the Bay of Quinté, stretching far away -into the land, and dividing itself into many beautiful inlets. There -are too, the promising settlements and clearances all along the coast, -which can never fail to raise and exhilarate the spirits of every one -who wishes well to the destinies of his species. There is, however, -one view at this lake, which, above all<a id='t388'></a> others, I have most delighted -to enjoy. It is from the woods, upon the most elevated part of the -eminence which bounds the lake to the south. From this we behold -the deep dark waters of the lake beneath our feet, the bay of an -hundred arms, with its smiling coast, and far away we gaze upon -forest rising behind forest, until we are lost in the interminable—​the -dreamy distance.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“I have visited this place when the surrounding woods shone in -all the gorgeousness of summer sunshine. I have viewed it again by -the pale moonlight, when the splendour and magnificence of the scene -surpassed even what it exhibited when viewed by the broad light of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_389'>389</span>day. The lake below, and the distant bay, appeared like sheets of -molten silver, and every object was softened down by the mellow -light under which they were viewed. At first the sky was perfectly -cloudless, but, in the course of the evening, the scene gradually underwent -a change. On the one hand, the moon shone out with a degree -of splendour which no one can have any idea of, save they who have -beheld her chaste countenance peering above a Canadian forest. On -the other hand the thin, fleecy-looking clouds rapidly chased each -other up towards the zenith. As the evening advanced, gleams of -purple lightning at intervals streamed forth. At length one large -cloud which seemed to be the nucleus of the whole, shot from around -its margin successive flashes of pure white lightning, unaccompanied -by the slightest noise of thunder. As I gazed on the brilliant spectacle -before me, it seemed instantly to assume the shape and form of -the bust of some gigantic being. The longer I looked at it, the -brighter did the lightning blaze around it, and the more forcibly was -I impressed with the resemblance. It might have seemed to a superstitious -or highly imaginative mind, as if the great Spirit of nature -had deigned to reveal himself, amid the grandeur and sublimity of a -scene so congenial to his character.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We would supplement this just tribute of praise, and interesting -statement; and we venture to say, after having viewed many lovely -spots in the old and new worlds, that we know of no lovelier -panoramic view than that to be obtained from the Lake of the -Mountain, not even excepting the far-famed Hudson, and the classic -Rhine. Of course we except the rich relics of the old feudal days, -which so picturesquely adorn the mountain tops along the swift -running Rhine. But even here we are not destitute of historic -reminiscences. True, we have no embattled towers, resting on -rugged summits; no castle keeps, with mysterious dungeons, upon -whose walls may be traced the letters laboriously cut by long retained -captives; no crumbling walls and half-filled moats; no magnificent -ruins of graceful architecture. We possess no Tintern -Abbey by the quiet waters, to tell of the olden time; no gloomy -cloisters where comfortable monks did dwell; nor romantic cathedral -whose antique windows admitted but dim religious light. Still, -there is something to be said of the past, in connection with our -country. From our position here we may examine the classic -ground of Upper Canada, and trace the course of settlement followed -by our fathers, the pioneers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At our feet is the bay, and seemingly so near, that one could -toss a stone into the clear blue water; and across, at the distance -of a mile, though apparently much nearer, lies the low rich land of -Adolphustown. To the right stretches, in almost a straight line, the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_390'>390</span>waters of the bay, along which may be seen the well settled shores -even to Ernesttown, and over which we get a view of the Upper Gap, -where the waters of the bay co-mingle with the more boisterous flood -of Ontario. Upon this bright autumn day the view is almost enchanting. -The surface of the waters of the several indentions, -especially Hay Bay, as well as the main channel, have imparted to -them the bright blue of the sky, while the fields of rich green and -gold give variety to the scene. This rich landscape spread out -before us is really the classic ground of Upper Canada. Within -the compass of our view was for several years the western limit of -the settlement. We can see, where landed the refugee loyalists to -take possession of the land. Along that green and golden sloping -shore has slowly passed the batteaux laden with the settlers and -their limited household effects; there also has gone the Skenectady -boat with its ungainly soil, and toiling rowers. There, upon the -rich land of Fredericksburgh and Adolphustown, lived and died -many of the fathers of Canada. In the old homesteads, which there -gradually arose, were born, and spent their boyhood days, a host -of sons, who, moving further west up the bay and lake, planted the -townships. From that spot sprang many of Canada’s earliest public -men, who passed their younger days among these natural beauties -which belong to the bay. Under our eye is the birth-place of Judge -Hagerman, Sheriff Ruttan, and others, who have left a name upon -the pages of Canadian history. There, upon the front of Adolphustown -stands the old Court House, where were held the first Courts -of Law of Upper Canada; there flourished the earliest lawyer of -the Province, Judge Hagerman’s father, and there pleaded McLean -of Kingston, in his robes and powdered wig. And, there yet stands -the house where lived the little boy, who, now a man, is the leading -spirit in our enlarged Canada. Upon this hill, and up and down its -slopes, often played this, the foremost man in British America, Sir -John A. McDonald. Those four townships, Kingston, Ernesttown, -Fredericksburgh, and Adolphustown, were the early homes of those -who faithfully served their country. How many thoughts are -suggested as the student of history looks abroad on this the first -inhabited land of Western Canada. Many of the present inhabitants -here never heard of the noble ones, who have struggled, and -whose bones now decay in yon “U. E. burying ground,” just across -the water.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Descending the mountain, we will continue our voyage toward -Kingston. The next stopping place is Adolphustown, the history -<span class='pageno' id='Page_391'>391</span>of which is given elsewhere. We have to cross the water, and as -we approach the landing, we may see the splendid farm where -lived the leader of the original settlers, Major VanAlstine. The -village of Adolphustown, once one of the most important places in -Upper Canada, is now a quiet but pleasant spot, especially during the -summer days.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Proceeding on our way, we may observe, just west of Coles’ -Point, where settled the very first person in Adolphustown, a -small log house. It is much larger than those which sparsely -dotted the bay shore seventy years ago. But it reminds one, of the -first domiciles here erected. Divided into two, one part having been -first built, and the other, when a growing family made it desirable, -and means possible. This old log house close by the shore is a -lingering specimen of an almost extinct feature of the bay. See here -and there those tall poplar trees, brought in by the early settlers from -the Hudson valley, and planted in front of the dwelling; many of -them are yielding to the tooth of time. These trees generally mark -the spot where the settler erected his second home after years of -labor had prospered him. In many places they stand erect, but with -age stricken limbs, as faithful sentinels over the ashes of the old -homestead. Ashes indeed! For the crumbling chimney alone indicates -where was once the abode of the pioneer—​of life’s cares and -hopes, of doubt and expectation—​of all the ins and outs belonging to -the home of the pioneer. We have read to us the lesson of life; -there, are the graves of the brave old veterans and pioneers, and there, -the dust of their earthly dwellings. Ashes to ashes! Dust to dust!</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the lower bay particularly have come to pass many events -of varied import, and fraught with thrilling interest. Here, in times -anterior to the French rule in Canada, did the native tribes come to -hold their councils, to make treaties, form alliances, or declare war. -Here, at the mouth of the Cataraqui; or along the shores toward -the little Cataraqui, the French first fixed their place of meeting, -and trade with the Indians who lived afar off in the west. Over -these waters have Champlain, the French Recollets, the first discoverers, -La Salle, Father Hennepin, Chevalier de Tonti, La Barre, -Denonville, Conte de Frontenac and others, passed time after time. -Over the waters here floated the English under Bradstreet, upon -the 25th August, 1750, who, at the break of day were to besiege Fort -Frontenac, and to capture it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The close of the war in 1783, brought the disbanded soldiers -and many a refugee. Along the shores passed the whole of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_392'>392</span>Mohawk Indians on their way to their lands. Here the Nation -separated, a small party under Captain John, passing up the Bay of -Quinté, while the majority passed up the south shore of the lake to -the Grand River. For years after might have been seen day after -day, batteaux, singly, or in brigades, and at a later date Skenectady -boats, freighted with families old and young, and with a few precious -household effects, slowly and laboriously pulling their way to -their place of destined settlement. In the war of 1812, the American -fleet ventured in at the upper gap and passed along at a safe -distance from the field artillery that occupied the shore at Herchimer’s -Point. They were essaying to capture the Royal George; -but this attempt was as vain as that to overrun our province. -Into these waters entered the vessel of war, bearing the officers of -Hull’s army from Detroit, which they boastingly had declared -would conquer Canada. From these waters issued some of the first -sailing vessels of Lake Ontario. Here was likewise built the first -steamboats upon the lake and bay, the <em>Frontenac</em> and <em>Charlotte</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the shores of these pleasant waters was commenced the -survey of the ten townships around the bay. Here was the starting -point of settlement. Here, for many a year, was the central -point of Upper Canada. Along from Cataraqui up to Collin’s Bay -was the great front of the infant settlement. Going up the bay, -even to Adolphustown, was regarded for several years as going -far into the backwoods.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Along the north shore of the bay to Adolphustown, were enacted -those scenes which constituted the very first events of Upper Canadian -history. The front of Kingston township may, indeed be called -the birth place, and the front of Adolphustown the cradle, of the province. -Every farm along this shore has its history, which if written -in the noble spirit that animated the British American Loyalists, -would command the attention of the world. These quiet old homesteads -now reposing upon the gentle slopes in peace and plenty, -tell not of the hardships of the old soldiers and refugees, who, with -ticket in hand entered to commence the earnest work of clearing. -Mainly, in the third and fourth townships, the officers settled by -the bay, while the rank and file took up lots in the second and rear -concessions. The first four townships are indeed, the classic ground -of Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nor is the south shore of the bay, Marysburgh, devoid of -interest in an historic sense. Reserving for another place a full -account of the first settlement by the Hessians, we can but glance -<span class='pageno' id='Page_393'>393</span>at the fact that a band of men without any knowledge of the English -language, and unacquainted with the first principles of pioneer -life, constituted the first settlers. There, in McDonald’s Cove -landed he, after whom the name is given; and there, amid the -woods and upon the bright waters, he passed his days.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We commenced our trip and observations at Mill Point, and -proceeded down the bay. Let us return, and starting from the same -place proceed to the head of the bay, the Carrying Place. This part -of the bay possesses less of that picturesque beauty than is found in -the part over which we have passed; yet there is much to engage -the attention of the tourist.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mill Point, although a name suggestive of enterprise and of -the existence of mills; cannot be regarded with approbation, and it -is to be hoped that some appropriate name, commemorating some -past event or person, connected with the place, will be bestowed -upon it. It was for many years known as “Culbertson’s wharf.” -The proper name, however, was Cuthbertson. It was from the son -of a Scotch fur trader who became connected with the Mohawks. -He lived at Kingston for many years, leaving when he died a -natural son and daughter, by a daughter of Captain John. After -his death, she and the two children removed to the Mohawk village. -It was this son who first built the wharf here, and hence the -original name.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Continuing our way up the bay, leaving to the east the pleasant -inlet stretching up to Napanee, the first thing to attract our -attention is the Parsonage and Indian Church, embowered in the -beautiful forest trees. The Parsonage first strikes our view, where -resides the amiable and worthy clergyman Mr. Anderson. In front -of it is a solitary poplar with the branches partially decayed. It -marks the spot upon which the tribe first landed, when they came -to the place in 1784. Here they first spread their tents. Somewhat -to the east of this stood the first English Church, the foundation -of which can yet be traced. Near by sleeps the remains of -Captain John, the leader of the tribe, and likewise many other -warriors.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A half mile to the west of the Church, is an eminence, which -tradition points to as the battle ground between the ancient Mississaugas -and the Hurons. Further westward is Devil’s Hill, so called -because a drunken Indian declared he there had seen, one night, his -Satanic Majesty, and chased him all night. Then comes Eagle -Hill, once the abode of this Imperial bird. To the south, first lies -<span class='pageno' id='Page_394'>394</span>the low island, known as Captain John’s, bought by Cuthbertson who -built the wharf, from the Mississaugas. Then comes the north -front of Sophiasburg, rich in agricultural beauty. The first eminence -by the shore is Stickney’s Hill, once the burying place of Indians, -but erroneously supposed to be the spot where a Col. Quinté, with -his army, perished from hunger and cold. In the depths of the -waters over which our boat now glides, it has been recorded, have -been seen cannon and ammunition, and other warlike material, -which Col. Quinté vainly endeavored to take across on his way to -Fort Frontenac. But the truth is, if such material have been seen, -they were the contents of a military sleigh which, while passing up -through here in the winter of 1812–13, heavily laden, broke through -the thin ice. We now enter Northport, at the eastern side of Big -Bay; and the land, on every hand, tells of comfort and thrift, and -quiet peace. Next, the wider portion of the Bay, which has -received the name of Big Bay, is passed over. To the left is Big -Island, and Grape Island, where the Rev. Mr. Case endeavoured to -civilize and Christianize a community of Mississaugas. We now pass -through the Narrows, and the spires of Belleville Churches may be -seen in the distance. From Big Bay to the Carrying Place, there is -great uniformity in the appearance of the land on either side, -excepting upon the south shore at about seven miles from the head -of the Bay. Here, where is the Village of Rednersville, is a somewhat -remarkable hill, which, commencing at this point, extends up -along the Bay toward the end. It is separated from the western -extremity of the High Shore by a valley, through which, at one -time, the waters of Ontario flowed; and, when this hill was an -island. The rock of this hill consists of shaly limestone, similar to -that which forms the bed of the Moira. We now approach the end -of our voyage, and, as the steamer enters the port at Trenton, we -can see the basin which forms the end of the bay, in which rests -one Island known as Indian Island. Taking the Bay Quinté in its -whole extent, the events of the past belonging to this quiet sheet of -water, are of no ordinary interest. The tourist of to-day, while he -admires the beauty as he passes along, sees no trace of the past. -The placid water, no more reflects the trim and light canoe of birch, -no longer the clumsy, but staunch batteau, or Durham boat, nor the -Skenectady boat. No more is heard the oar of the Canadian voyageur, -keeping time by tuneful voices.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_395'>395</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLV.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The “Big Bay”—​Musketoe Bay—​Mohawk Bay—​Hay Bay—​“Eastern -Bay”—​Site of Ancient Kentes—​The Name—​Old Families—​An Accident, -1819—​Eighteen Drowned—​Extract from Playter—​Searching for the Bodies—​Burying -the Dead—​Picton Bay—​Appearance—​The “Grand Bay”—​Upper -Gap—​Lower Gap—​Kingston Bay—​A Picture—​Recollections—​A Contrast—​Ship -Yards—​Extract from Cooper—​Inland Lakes.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE SEVERAL BAYS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>In looking at the main channel, we have mentioned several -indentations, which have, from their size, received distinct names. -We will now examine these more particularly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>About twenty miles from the Carrying Place, and eight miles -east of Belleville, is <em>Big Bay</em>, meaning, originally the big part of -the Bay. As before stated, its size does not appear so well marked -as it otherwise would, from the existence of a large island which -lies in the south part of the Bay, and which is, seemingly a part of -the main land. To the north is a small bay, where the Salmon -River empties. Between Mississauga point, which forms the -western boundary of Big Bay, and Huff’s Island, is another inlet -from Big Bay, which is called by the inhabitants <em>Musketoe Bay</em>, or -sometimes, erroneously, “Miscouter” Bay. It is, mainly, but a -marsh, in which the Muskrat finds a home, the wild duck a safe -retreat, and where myriads of musketoe may, in their season, be -found. This last mentioned fact explains the origin of the name. -It is stated that, before the adjacent land was cleared, the swarms -of insects was so thick as to actually cloud the air.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the junction of the western and middle portions of the Bay -is the <em>Mohawk Bay</em>. This name is derived from the residence here -of the Mohawk Indians, who came in 1784, and consequently is of -no older date than the settlement of Upper Canada. The original -name was <em>Ganeious</em>. The Bay is about five miles in length, and a -mile wide at its mouth; it gradually lessens until it forms the -mouth of the Napanee river. In summer the scenery along this -Bay is very agreeable, and in some places really beautiful. The -second flouring mill having been built in 1785, Mohawk Bay and -the Napanee River were well known by early settlers, and along -these shores, now well cultivated fields, there have passed many a -time the batteau laden with grain, or the canoe with a bag of gristing; -or along the shore trudged the pioneer with a bushel of corn -on his back, or in winter hauled it upon a hand sleigh.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_396'>396</span><span class='sc'>Hay Bay.</span>—​From the entrance of Mohawk Bay southward, -along the reach about seven miles, is another inlet. This is -<em>Hay Bay</em>, and, by far, the largest of the several Bays. By -looking at the map, it will be seen that this indentation -is somewhat divided into two almost equal portions by a narrow -channel; and that the eastern part is considerably broader than the -western. This narrow channel was originally called, according to -an old map of Fredericksburg, dated 1784, the “Long Reach,” and -the east end, the “Eastern Bay.” This was then regarded as the -real end of the Bay Quinté. The “North Channel,” leading to the -Mohawk settlement, was but little known, and not taken into consideration. -It must be remembered that the names originally given -to the several portions of the Bay were such as the circumstances -of the settlers would be likely to suggest. The soldiers who settled -on the front of the third township soon learned that in the rear -was a Bay, by which they could reach the back concessions. Some -crossed the peninsula, while others reached their lots by making a -circuit of the Fourth Town shore. The distance to them as they -toiled in the batteaux, seemed a long stretch, and hence it was -called the “Long Reach,” while the wider portion, at the end of the -Bay was named Eastern Bay, or the most eastern bay. Here, as -we have seen, dwelt the ancient Kentes. The name of Hay Bay -must have been given to this sheet of water about 1786. In -the absence of any certain knowledge of the origin of the name, -we have concluded that it was so called, out of respect to his -memory, after Lieut.-Governor Hay, who died at Detroit, 29th -August, 1785, “after twenty-nine years service.” This was the year -previous to the time of the first settlers locating here. The name -was, most likely, given by the Surveyor, who, in accordance with -the custom, named everything after some influential or prominent -person, or friend. While advancing this theory of the origin of the -name, we must not omit to mention, that when the country was -opened up there was, growing in some places upon the bay shore, -wild hay. This may possibly have given rise to the name; or -the name may have been taken from Chief Justice Hay. Hay -Bay, although possessing no particular features of beauty, has -a charm peculiarly its own, as being the original Kente Bay. -It is not wanting in historic interest. Along its shores, now -so fertile, for long years existed abundant game; a fact well -known to all the neighboring tribes. Although no settler -took up land here until 1786, there were among them individuals -<span class='pageno' id='Page_397'>397</span>who took no unimportant part in the war against rebellion. -Upon the south shore lived and died some families who acted -more than ordinarily venturesome parts during the contest, as the -Huycks, Miss Loyst, who married a Diamond, and whose two -brothers were with Sir John Johnson at Hungry Bay. Here settled -three Embury’s, David on the north shore, who was brother of -Philip Embury, the first Methodist Preacher in America. On the -south side lived Andrew, and John Embury, and the first family of -the Bogarts of Canada, descendants of the first Moravian minister, -to America. Also, here lived Judge Fisher, Squire Beegle, -James Knox, the first Quaker Preacher in Canada. Upon the -north bank, while the colony was yet in its infant days, was committed, -probably, the first act of suicide in the country. An event -even yet remembered by some. And, more than all, it was upon -these waters where occurred an accident, which filled the whole -Bay country with horror; and awakened emotions of the keenest -sympathy, which produced an impression throughout the whole -Province, exceeded only by the loss of the schooner “Speedy,” with -all on board.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The accident on Hay Bay took place on a Sunday morning, -20th August, 1819. On the south shore of the bay, in the Methodist -meeting-house, was this day a Quarterly Meeting. Quarterly meetings, -in the early days of the country, were always largely attended, -persons coming from a considerable distance. On this occasion there -were present many from the adjacent townships. Not a few came -from the banks of the Napanee. Those living to the north of the bay -had to cross to the place of meeting by boat. It was a bright sunny -Sabbath morning, and already had many crossed and were joining in -the religious services, when there put off from the north shore, a -short distance from Casey’s Point, a boat load, consisting of eighteen -young men and women, most of whom lived along the bay. They -were all dressed in good and modest apparel as befitted the day, and -the house and worship of God. Buoyant with the cheerfulness of -youth, and the emotions of piety, they sang as they stepped into the -boat, and as they made progress to the other shore. The boat being -rather leaky, and so many, pressing it too near the water’s edge, the -water came in and increased fast, and they had no vessel to bail with. -Unhappily, the young men did not think of bailing with their clean -hats, or did not like to do so, until it was too late. The boat filled -and sank, when near the other shore, and these eighteen young men -and women, crying and shrieking, went down into the deep water. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_398'>398</span>At the time of crossing, there was a prayer meeting proceeding -in the chapel. One of<a id='t398'></a> those present was now engaged in prayer, -and had just uttered the petition that “it might be a day long to be -remembered,” when a shriek was heard, another, and another. The -prayer was stopped, and some ran up to the pulpit to look out, and -saw the youths struggling in the water. All ran to the shore, and -some plunged in to render assistance. Eight were taken to the shore. -Ten bodies were yet in the water. A seine was prepared, and so the -bodies of these unhappy youths, a few hours ago so blythe and cheerful -were brought dripping to the land. One was not recovered till the -next morning. Two young men were drowned, and eight young -women. Two were of the German family, two Detlors, one Bogart, -one Roblin, one McCoy, one Clark, one Madden, and one Cole. The -grief of the families, so suddenly bereaved, gathered together on the -shore, gazing at the loved bodies, may be better imagined than -described. The grief, too, was shared by the large congregation -assembled, and by the minister. No public worship was attended -to, but preparations for the solemn funeral.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Monday was a day of mourning. News of the disaster soon -spread far, and a great congregation was assembled. Nine coffins -were laid in order outside the chapel. One of the corpses was buried -in another graveyard. Mr. Puffer took for the text, Job xix. 25–27, -“I know that my Redeemer liveth,” &c. He stood at the door and -tried to preach to those within and without, but was so affected by -the catastrophe, the weeping congregation, and the coffined dead -before him, that he confessed he could not do justice to the subject, -or the occasion. But he offered consolation from the gospel to the -stricken families mourning. Next, the coffins of the youthful dead -were opened, that friends and neighbours, and young acquaintances, -might take a last look and farewell. Six of the graves were in rotation, -and the coffins were placed in the same manner. The others -were near departed friends in other parts of the ground. After the -reading of the burial service, the graves, one after another, received -the dead, and then were closed up again, until the day when “the -trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible.”—​(Playter).</p> - -<p class='c000'>The writer has often heard his father relate the touching circumstances -here told. He was then at home, his father being a resident -of the south shore, and was an eye witness of the scene. His father’s -steelyards were used, the hooks being attached to a pole, to grapple -for the bodies.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_399'>399</span><span class='sc'>Picton Bay.</span>—​Where the eastern portion of the Bay Quinté and -the Long Reach unite, the waters are comparatively wide. This was at -the first called the <em>Grand Bay</em>. The south side of the Grand Bay forms -the mouth of Picton Bay, which stretches southward some five miles, -and which has at its head the town of Picton, after which the bay has -been named.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The view presented upon passing up this indentation of the Bay, -and as well in returning, and looking up the long reach, is one of the -most attractive perhaps in all Canada. As the tourist approaches -the head of the Bay he will be struck with the extraordinary beauty. -To the left are two picturesque buildings, one the Ontario College. -Rising up majestically at the very head of the Bay, is an almost precipitous -mountain, whose gray sides, and wood-crowned summit, -gives a grand, though sombre appearance. Nothing seems to be -wanting but the crumbling walls of an old castle to make the picture -complete.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the refugees first came to the Bay, the inlet, now called -Picton Bay, was regarded with some degree of aversion. The high -barren-looking shores, covered with dwarf firs and cedars, offered -no inducements to the settler. During the first two or three years -a party of three or four ascended to the head of the Bay, but observing -the thick cedars and firs on either hand, and withal suffering -much from the musketoes, they returned and reported that no -man could ever inhabit it, that it was fit only for the musketoe. -But before many years the Congers, the Johnsons, Washburns and -Steeles, had taken up their abode here.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen that this Bay constituted a part of an Indian -route from the west to the south shores of Ontario.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To the east of “Grand Bay,” the peninsula of Adolphustown -is indented by two bays.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Between the extremity of Prince Edward Peninsula and -Amherst Island, where Lake Ontario joins the Bay, at a point which -formerly was regarded as the mouth of the Bay of Quinté, is a -space nearly a mile. This is called the <em>Upper Gap</em>. Between the -eastern end of Amherst and Grape Island is the <em>Lower Gap</em> which -is something more than a mile wide. Directly to the north of the -east end of Amherst Island, upon the coast of Ernesttown is an -indentation where empties a small stream, this is called <em>Collins’ -Bay</em>, after Deputy Surveyor Collins.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The only remaining bay of which we shall specially speak, is -the Kingston Bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_400'>400</span>Perhaps no piece of water can be found in Western Canada -possessed of more natural beauty than the Bay of Kingston, during -the season of navigation by water. Whether one enters it from -the Great Lake with its rough swell, or the quiet waters of Quinté, -or the bright St. Lawrence, whose waters are beautiful with a -thousand isles; or whether he gazes from the curving shore at the -City’s front; or from the Cataraqui Bridge; or instead, takes his -stand at the point of Frederick or Fort Henry, there is spread out -the same pleasing view; one upon which the eye can long gaze -with admiration. Encircled by a border of green clad islands, with -the massive city upon one side, the waters of the harbour are peaceful -and secure. The former beauties such as Champlain and Frontenac -looked upon, have passed away. There is less of the natural -beauty entering now into the view, but art has taken the place. -The barracks at the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Tête du Pont</span></i>, the buildings at Navy Yard, the -strong fort, the warlike martello towers, and the city of solid stone, -give a different, but yet a pleasing picture. Kingston Bay affords -a safe place for boating in summer, and in winter, its coating of -ice is the theatre of attraction for the joyous skater.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the events which have come to pass by the Bay of -Kingston in the early history of the country, the reader is -referred to the history of Kingston. We will only add that the -“ship-yards and marine railways at Kingston, Garden Island, and -Portsmouth, have launched on the inland seas the greatest in number -and largest of tonnage of Canadian vessels in Canada West; Kingston -being second only to Quebec in the extent of its ship-building.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Here in 1814 was built the three decked ship of war “<em>Saint -Lawrence</em>,” at a cost of £500,000. The chief cause of this enormous -cost was the expense of transportation of stores and equipments -from Montreal. In 1853, the aggregate tonnage of the vessels -built at the ship-yard in Kingston alone, apart from those built at -Portsmouth and Garden Island, amounted to 2,500 tons; the -cost of these vessels was £26,000, of which £14,000 was paid for -labor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We will here introduce an interesting notice of the several -lakes lying north of the Bay in the adjacent townships, from -Cooper. “Through the whole tract of country lying north of the -Township of Kingston, and in these and the neighbouring counties, -are a multitude of lakes of various sizes, from that of a mere pond -up to that of a lake twenty miles in extent. The water of these -lakes is extremely pure and clear, and they are furnished with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_401'>401</span>abundance of fish; they are mostly connected by streams of water, -and are navigable, and the streams are capable of floating canoes or -small boats. Through these lakes and streams are annually floated -immense quantities of lumber and timber, and in the absence of -the roads now in course of construction, they have been the highway -to the city from many a fine farm on their banks. Around -them, in some places, the land is much broken, rocky and waste, -but between such broken and rough tracts are lands of great richness -and fertility, and of the first quality. The scenery throughout -this tract of country, and in the neighbourhood of these lakes and -rivers is extremely picturesque, and in many places even grand, -varied with rock, valley, streamlets and wood. When as the -country gets older, localities are sought not only with regard to -their flat unvaried richness of soil, but with some consideration of -their beauty of location and scenic charms; there is little doubt -that many a romantic glen here will have its accompanying cottage, -hamlet or mansion, and that many a pretty homestead will -be empowered among these woods and water-falls; even now, many -a good farm is being brought under cultivation in these parts. If -any surpass the rest in picturesque beauty, we should incline to -give the palm to Buck Lake and its vicinity. The neighbourhood -of these lakes abound in deer.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_402'>402</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLVa.</span><a id='t402'></a></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Islands—​Possessed by Indians—​The “Thousand Islands”—​Carleton -Island—​History of Island—​During the rebellion—​Wolfe Island—​The name—​Howe -Island—​Old name—​County of Ontario—​Garden Island—​Horseshoe -Island—​Sir Jeffry Amherst—​The size—​Indian name—​“Tontine”—​Johnson’s -Island—​The Island won—​Present owner—​First settler—​The three -brothers—​Small Islands—​Hare Island—​Nut Island—​Wappoose Island—​Indian -rendezvous—​Captain John’s Island—​Bartering—​Hunger Island—​Big -Island—​First settlers—​Huff’s Island—​Paul Huff—​Grape Island—​Hog -Island—​Smaller Islands—​Mississauga Island—​A tradition—​The Carrying -Place—​Its course—​Original survey—​History—​American prisoners—​Col. -Wilkins.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE ISLANDS OF BAY QUINTÉ.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The reader who has kindly followed us thus far in examining the -bay, and its several coves, or indentations, is invited to accompany -us once more along its course, and note the several islands which -stud its bosom. They are not numerous; but the numerous points -all along, as well as the turns in the bay recompense any lack -arising from the absence of islands.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the Mississauga Indians ceded the land along the bay to -the British Government, they reserved certain points of land, and -mostly all the islands between the head of the bay and Gananoque. -Those excepted were Grenadier Island, and the small islands -between it and Kingston, and Amherst Island.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The islands of the St. Lawrence are famed almost the world -over, they are called the “Thousand Islands.” But Howison says, -that the commissioners appointed to fix the limits between Canada -and the United States, counted the islands of the St. Lawrence and -found there were 1692. The islands below Gananoque belonged to -the Iroquois.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Carleton Island.</span>—​The first island is Carleton Island, called -by the French the island of Chevreux, Goat’s Island; situated -between the American shore of the St. Lawrence, and Wolf Island. -It was a military and naval station during the American rebellion, -at which government vessels were built for navigating the lake, -and possessed fortifications. Its name is derived from Guy Carleton, -Esq., “his Majesty’s Captain-General and Governor-in-chief, and over -his Majesty’s province of Quebec, afterward Lord Dorchester.” This -military post, as we have seen, afforded a retreat for the refugees, -who fled from the Mohawk valley. Says the Rev. William -Mcaulay, “Jay’s treaty of peace, as it was called, in 1783, found -Carleton Island occupied by the 84th Regiment, a body of Highlanders -<span class='pageno' id='Page_403'>403</span>levied in the Carolinas, and subsequently adopted into the -line.” Upon the erection of the northern line of the United States, -Carleton Island came within the boundary of the State of New -York. But it continued in common with other military posts, in -possession of the British, until 1796. Indeed, according to the -gentleman whose words we have quoted above, it remained in -possession of the British until 1812, when the Americans crossed -and seized a sergeant’s guard stationed there. It would seem that -parties entering Canada were required to procure a passport here. -A copy of one, extracted from the history of Dundas, is as follows, -directed “To whom concerned.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Permit the boat going from this to pass to Kingston with their -provisions, family, clothing, bedding, household furniture, and farming -utensils, they having cleared out at this post, as appears by their -names in the margin. (John Loucks, two men, two women, three -children).”—​Signed “C. McDonell, P. O.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the refugees here during the war was Mr. Mcaulay. -In 1776, Sergeant Major Clark, of the 8th, or King’s Own Regiment, -was appointed clerk and naval store keeper at Carleton -Island, where he remained till 1790. This was father of the late -Colonel Clark, of Dalhousie. For further particulars of Carleton -Island the reader is referred to the history of Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Wolfe Island.</span>—​This is a considerable island, 25 miles long, -stretching along near the American shore, directly opposite Kingston. -It contains 28,129 acres of good land. The name is found often -spelled wolf, leading us to infer that it is derived from the presence -of that animal upon the island at some time. But it is no doubt after -General Wolfe, who fell at Quebec. The original Indian name, as -given in the document conferring a seigniory at Cataraqui upon La -Salle, including this and Amherst Island, was <em>Ganounkouesnot</em>. -The French called it the <em>Grande Island</em>, and Simcoe in his proclamation -1792, directed it to be called Wolfe Island. Mr. Detlor says -that “it would seem the greater part of Wolfe Island was granted -to the heirs of Sir William Johnson, the clergy and Crown reserves -excepted.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We observe a notice in the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, that Wolfe Island, -with Pittsburgh, was conjoined to Kingston for municipal purposes -in 1812.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Howe Island.</span>—​Is situated in the St. Lawrence, somewhat -below Kingston, it is a large, long island in front of the township of -Pittsburgh, and one part of it is almost conjoined to the mainland. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_404'>404</span>It is a township by itself, and contains about 8000 acres. It was -called by the French, Isle Cauchois; but was named by Simcoe, or -his advisers, Howe Island.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When Upper Canada was erected into a province, it was -divided into nineteen counties; the seventh of these consisted of -Howe Island, Wolfe Island, Amherst Island, Gage Island, with all -the other islands between the mouth of the Gananoque and the -point of Marysburgh. They constituted the county of Ontario.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Garden Island.</span>—​Upon the north of Wolfe Island, in Kingston -Bay, is <em>Garden Island</em>, containing some sixty-three acres. Near -the western extremity of Wolfe Island, is another small island, -which received the name of <em>Horseshoe Island</em>, and separated from -the large island by a narrow channel, which was named Batteau -Channel, is <em>Gage Island</em>, after Brig. General Gage, which was also -sometimes called <em>Simcoe Island</em>. The name given to it by the -French was <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Isle aux Foret</span></i>. It contains some 2164 acres of rich -land.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Amherst Island.</span>—​So called after “Sir Jeffrey Amherst, -of the honourable and military order of Bath, Colonel -of the Third and Sixteenth Regiments of Infantry, Lieutenant-General -in the Army, and Commander-in-Chief of all His Majesty’s -Troops and Forces in North America.” This beautiful island, -stretching along opposite, and about a mile and a half from Ernesttown, -being some twelve miles in length, causes an extension of -the Bay Quinté to a corresponding distance. It contains about -14,015 acres of very rich land. The channel separating it from -Gage and Wolfe Islands, forms the Lower Gap, and that which flows -above, between it and Marysburg, is the Upper Gap.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the time of LaSalle, the Indian name of this island was -<em>Kaouenesgo</em>. It formed a part of his Seigniory, and he, some -time after his arrival to build Fort Frontenac, 1678, named the -island <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Isle de Tonti</span></i>, after a brave French officer, with one arm, who -accompanied him. This name, modified to “Isle Tanta,” clung to -the island until recent years. Sir John Johnson, to whom it was -granted, with other land, at the close of the war, 1783, in a letter -to the Military Secretary, calls it the “Island of Tontine.” This -may have been a fancy name of the owner, as we find no other -reference to it. The present name was bestowed in 1792, after -Gen. Amherst, who acted so conspicuous a part in the wars. Upon -some old maps the Island is designated “Sir John Johnson’s Island.” -We find an indefinite statement that the island was claimed by the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_405'>405</span>Mohawks, and that they ceded their rights to Col. Crawford, who -accompanied Sir John, and who, in turn, transferred it to Johnson. -But, as he and Brant were on the most intimate terms, they could, -no doubt, arrange any difference between themselves.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We do not see that there can be any objection to record a -statement which has been told for many long years by the inhabitants -of the Bay, that the Island was subsequently won by an aristocratic -gambler, Lady B—​—​, in England, at a game of cards, who -afterwards disposed of it to the present owner, Lord Mountcashel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Some of the farm lots have been, we believe, disposed of, but -the island is mostly held by tenants, under lease from the Earl. -The oldest settler upon the island was Lieutenant McGinnis, of -Johnston’s Regiment. He lived here in some comfort, having -several slaves to do the work.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Off the east end of Amherst Island, in the Bay, are three -small islands, called the <em>Three Brothers</em>, “famous for black bass -fishing, and for deep rolling sea.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Leaving the waters of the Lower Bay, and directing our course -westward, we find the Bay comparatively free of Islands. Here -and there, all along its course, may be seen small islands, close to -the shore. These received names, as a general thing, after the -person who owned the adjacent land. There are, however, a few -more islands which need special notice.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon an old plan of Fredericksburgh, dated 1784, is to be seen -in Hay Bay, three islands; one near the north shore, at its eastern -extremity, is called <em>Hare Island</em>. To the south, at the eastern shore, -are the other two; the north one is called <em>Nut Island</em>; the more -southern one is <em>Wappoose Island</em>. This island, from its name, must -have been the place of residence of the principal chief of some -Indian tribe, probably the Kente Indians. Here, must have been -a place of considerable importance to the Indian—​a rendezvous, -whereat they met, and whereat the chief held his simple, but -dignified court.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Opposite the Mohawk Church, in the Indian Village, just -off Grassy Point, of Sophiasburg, is a low island, containing -fourteen acres. This island originally belonged to the -Mississaugas, as did most of the islands in the Bay, until a comparatively -recent date. John Cuthbertson, a grandson of Capt. John, -purchased the island from John Sunday, and other Mississauga -chiefs. The price paid was a cow and a yoke of steers. A quit -claim deed was received by Mr. Cuthbertson, which is yet to be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_406'>406</span>seen. This bargain led to some trouble with the Government, -who held that the Mississaugas had no right to sell their land except -to Government. However, finally, the receipt held by Cuthbertson -was allowed to be a legal document. This Island is known as -Capt. John’s Island.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There are three small islands in Mohawk Bay, the largest of -which is called Hunger Island. It is situated a short distance from -the mouth, near the north shore, and contains about seven acres -of land.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Along the north shore of Sophiasburg is <em>Big Island</em>. As its -name implies, it is an island of considerable size, containing -over 3,000 acres of excellent land. The channel separating this -long narrow island from the mainland, especially at its east end is -very narrow, and is spanned by a short bridge, and may even be -forded. Long grass abundantly grows all though the channel, -which, in summer, covers the water, and seems to form the island -and mainland into one. Here, is the constant abode of the muskrat, -and at certain seasons the resort of the wild fowl.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is said that Samuel Peck and Samuel Shaw were the first -settlers on this island. The older inhabitants along the bay remember -when this island was thickly covered with wood of the most -heavy description. It was for many years, at the beginning of the -present century, the scene of lumbering operations. Winter after -winter, large quantities were cut down, and in the spring, rafted and -conveyed to Montreal.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The writer has heard it stated, this island was originally, when -no longer owned by the Indians, bestowed on one Hall, and that early -maps designate it Hall’s Island.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Huff’s island is situated to the west of Big Island, and forms a -part of Ameliasburgh, from which it is separated by a marsh, and -to which, at one point it is connected by a low neck of land. To -the north is Mississauga Point. The island obtains its name from -the first settler, Solomon Huff, who settled there in 1825. Solomon -Huff was the son of Paul Huff, one of the original settlers of Adolphustown, -who came from Long Island, New York, with Van -Alstine. The writer has conversed with the wife of Solomon -Huff when in her 91st year, who retained a vivid recollection of -the time of their settling, from the fact that when crossing the -ice to the island they broke through with their furniture. At the -time of their settlement their nearest neighbours were on one hand -at Demorestville and on the other at Walbridge’s, on the north -shore of Mississauga Point.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_407'>407</span>Immediately to the east of Huff’s Island, is Grape Island. It -received the name it bears from the great quantities of wild grapes -that at one time grew spontaneously upon it. This island, now -barren and treeless, was at one time, the home of domesticated -Indians. Even yet, may be seen, the traces of the wooden cabins, -where the Mississaugas lived under the paternal care of the Rev. Mr. -Case.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Continuing westward from Big Bay, there are to be seen several -small islands close to the shore, the names accorded them are not -beautiful, but probably have in their origin something significant. -Thus, there is one called Hog Island, and opposite Belleville is another -known as Cow Island. An island west of the mouth of the Moira, is -yet called Zwick’s Island, after the person who once owned the -adjoining land. This island was, at one time, an Indian burying -ground.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We next come to the island upon which are extensive sawing -mills, commonly called Baker’s Island. It was formerly called Myers’ -Island, after Captain Myers, who lived adjacent thereto. He, for -several years, paid rent to the Indians for it. Telegraph Island is -about four miles above Belleville; and “Nigger” Island nine miles.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The last island we have to notice, belonging to the bay, is Indian -Island, situated at the extremity of Bay Quinté, west of the mouth of -the Trent River. Upon a map, to be seen in the Crown Land’s -Department, this is designated Mississauga Island. It has also been -called Fighting Island. There is a tradition respecting this island, to -which the existence of human bones found there, seems to give some -degree of plausibility. It is even now related, that at an early date, -a company of Mohawks, who had crossed from the south side of the -lake, were encamped upon this island. A band of Mississaugas, -learning the fact, approached the island cautiously at night, took -away their boats so they could not escape, and then suddenly, -with superior numbers, fell upon the Mohawks, and killed and -scalped them all. But the bones found there may have been placed -there for burial.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE CARRYING PLACE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The distance between the head of bay Quinté, and the waters -of Lake Ontario, at the narrow part of the isthmus is about a mile -and three-quarters. By this narrow neck of land the peninsula of -Prince Edward is saved from being an island. This was called in -the first proclamation of Simcoe, “the isthmus of the Presqù isle de -<span class='pageno' id='Page_408'>408</span>Quinté.” It is from this source that the harbour on the lake west -of the isthmus has received the name Presqù isle.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have elsewhere spoken of the fact that a Carrying Place -had existed here from time immemorial. From the Indian villages, -which at times were located, now along the lake shores of the -peninsula, and now upon the bay, the Indians started forth, perhaps -to ascend the Trent, or the Moira, or to pass down the waters of the -bay, or perhaps to coast along the shore of the lake, westward to -the mouth of some river. And, when the French had possession of -the country they found this a well marked Indian path. The -French had not occasion to cross it, as they either ascended the -Ottawa, the Trent, or if desirous of going to the head of Lake -Ontario, they passed along its south shore. But in the early years -of Upper Canada, this portage was frequently crossed by those passing -back and forth from the lower parts of Canada to the west. -This was the case particularly after the forts of Oswego and -Niagara were handed over to the United States in 1796.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The original Indian Carrying Place can yet be traced. Its -course is indicated by a road which leads from water to water. The -street is consequently somewhat crooked, and is in some places -wider than in others. When the land was originally surveyed, this -path was made the base line of a row of lots on either side. The -surveyor being ill and entrusting the matter to an assistant; the -Indian path was faithfully followed. While this irregular dividing -line between Ameliasburgh and Murray may appear unseemly, it -cannot be regretted that the old path is thus indubitably known. -Upon the Murray side of the road the fence is comparatively -straight, but upon the opposite side it is very devious. This -pretty nearly marks the old Indian path. While used as a -Carrying Place for batteaux, which were transported upon low -wheels, the road was no doubt, to a certain extent, straightened; yet -mainly the old route remained.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The old days, when Weller used to haul the batteaux from -water to water, have left no memorial; and even more recent days -when the first steamboats invariably came to this place, have left -but little to mark their history. Here is the remains of the wharf -and frame store house where once was life and enterprise; but now -all is in decay, and rural solitude prevails. But there is beauty -here, as well as interest. All along the street between the head of -the bay and Weller’s Bay of the lake are buildings, consisting of -private residences, and churches. The tourist will find abundant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_409'>409</span>food for thought at the Carrying Place; whether he contemplates -the far remote past ere the Indian was disturbed in his native abode; -or the days when the French Recollet Missionaries followed the -footsteps of those whom they sought to convert; or the time when -the pioneer surveyor and settler first trod the path; or whether he -reflects upon the many human beings who have come and gone on -their way of life, now going one way now another; or thought of the -trader intent on pressing his business into the very outskirts of the -settlements; of the soldiers—​regulars, and militia, who pressed -onward for the conflict, to drive off the invading foe; or of the -thousand prisoners carried captive through the province, which -they had boastingly came to conquer. If the writer were there -again, he would ponder, in addition to all this, upon the sad, yet -natural occurence, that, of all those who had come and gone, the -one who imparted much information to him, who came to the -Carrying Place long years ago, is now gone the way of all the -earth. The history of the place is inseparably associated with the -life of the Hon. Col. Wilkins, whose loss was expressed by the -presence of many as he was carried to his grave.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_410'>410</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION VIII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE FIRST TEN TOWNSHIPS IN THE MIDLAND DISTRICT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLVI.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The French—​Their policy—​Trading posts—​Cahiaque—​Variations—​Name -of River—​Foundation of Fort Frontenac—​A change—​Site of old fort—​La -Salle’s petition—​A Seigniory—​Governors visiting—​War Expedition—​Fort -destroyed—​Rebuilt—​Colonial Wars—​Taking of Fort Oswego—​Frontenac -taken—​End of French domination.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>HISTORY OF THE FRENCH OCCUPATION.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>It was the policy of the French, to penetrate, as far as possible, -into the interior of the country, and, by all possible means, secure the -peltry traffic with the Indians. The Recollets and the Jesuits, while -seeking to convert the Pagan Indian, endeavoured as well, to win him -to the interest of their country. As soon as practicable, trading posts -were established at convenient points, at which to buy furs of the -Indians. Not sure, even at the first, of the continued friendliness -of the natives, and subsequently exposed to tribes, who assumed a -hostile attitude, they proceeded to fortify their trading depots against -sudden attacks; not alone to secure this, but to maintain a constant -menace to those who might venture to assume such attitude. It was -in carrying out these designs, that M. de Courcelles, in 1670, ascended -the St. Lawrence, direct to Lake Ontario, from the mouth of the -Ottawa, being the first European to do so. Two years later, he convened -a meeting at the head of the St. Lawrence, of Indian chiefs -of the region round about, when, concealing his ulterior object, he -gained permission to erect a fort; but being immediately thereafter -recalled to France, it was left for his successor, Conte de Frontenac, -to establish the fort.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first name which is found applied to the place, where the -fort was founded, is <em>Cahiaque</em>, or <em>Cadaroque</em>. It is an Indian name, -and most probably signifies “the strongest fort in the country.” This -<span class='pageno' id='Page_411'>411</span>is inferred from the following fact:—​When certain of the chiefs of -the Mohawks, were in London, in 1710, desirous of doing honor to -their host, where they stayed, at King Street, Covent Garden, they -called him <em>Cadaroque</em>, meaning “the most powerful man in London.” -Or, possibly, in using the word, in connection with Frontenac, they -may have referred to the strong expedition which accompanied him. -For many years the fort was known by this name, or one derived -from it. It must be remembered that this word, with many others -spoken by the Indians, was written by the French according to the -particular idea of the person hearing the pronunciation. Hence it -is that we find this word changed frequently as into the following. -Beside the two already mentioned are found Catarcoui, Catarcouy, or -Cataraccouy, Catarakvy, Catarakouy, Catarasky, Cataracto, Cataracouy, -Cadaraque, Cadarachqui, Kadaraghke, Kadaraghkie, Kodakagkie, -Cadarochque, Cadaacarochqua, Catarocoui, Cuadaraghque, Crederoqua, -Cataraqui.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the fort, or place of the fort, was thus known mostly by -the Indians, it was, according to Charlevoix, called by the French, the -fort of Lake St, Louis, the name then applied to Lake Ontario. -Subsequently, the fort was spoken of as the one built by Frontenac; -and ultimately, it came to be permanently designated <em>Fort Frontenac</em>. -After the conquest, and at the time of the revolution, the place was -known in the rebel colonies, as Cataraqui; and, in speaking of going -to Upper Canada, they would say to Cataraqui. The river between -Ontario and Montreal, was sometimes called Cariqui, or Iroquois.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following account of the foundation of the fort, is extracted -from Draper’s Brochure. He says “the expedition was a vast one -for those days, 120 canoes, 2 batteaux, and 400 men.” He then -quotes from a journal of Frontenac’s voyage, describing the entrance -into the river Cataraqui;—​“12th, broke up camp very early in the -morning, and having proceeded till ten o’clock, halted three hours to -rest and eat. On approaching the first opening of the lake, the Count -wished to proceed with more order than had been already done, and -in line of battle. He accordingly arranged the whole fleet in this -wise:—​</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Four squadrons, composing the vanguard, went in front and -in one line. The two batteaux followed next. After these came -Count de Frontenac at the head of all the canoes, of his guards, of his -staff, and of the volunteers attached to his person; having on his -right, the squadron from Three Rivers, and on his left, those of the -Hurons and Algonquins.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_412'>412</span>“Two other squadrons formed a third line, and composed the -rear guard.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“This order of sailing had not been adhered to for more than -half a league, when an Iroquois canoe was perceived coming with the -Abbe D’Ursé, who, having met the Indians above the River Katarakoui, -(Cataraqui) and having notified them of the Count’s arrival, -they were now advancing with the captains of the Five Nations.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“They saluted the admiral, and paid their respects to him with -evidence of much joy and confidence, testifying to him the obligation -they were under to him for sparing them the trouble of going further, -and for receiving their submissions at the River Katarakoui, which -is a very suitable place to camp, as they were about signifying to -him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“After Count Frontenac had replied to their civilities, they proceeded -him as guides, and conducted him as guides, and conducted -him into a bay, about a cannon shot from the entrance, which forms -one of the most beautiful and agreeable harbors in the world, capable -of holding a hundred of the largest ships, with sufficient water at the -mouth, and in the harbor, with mud bottom, and so sheltered from -every wind, that a cable is scarcely necessary for mooring.” “On -the 13th of July, 1673, the fort was commenced, and on the 19th, it -was finished, and De Frontenac left on the 27th for Montreal, having -laid the foundation of the future City of Kingston.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>How different was the appearance then from that presented -to-day. No clearing, as yet, broke the woody shores. At this -conference between Frontenac and the Iroquois chiefs, the charms -of nature only were displayed. Where now stands the city of -Kingston, was then a dense forest. The gently curving shore, -which now forms the front of the city, with its line of piers, was -undisturbed, except by the birch canoe. The quiet Bay, within the -Point, then more prominent than now, stretching up with its low -sand banks, and begirt with marshes, was then the safe abode of -the wild fowl and muskrat. Across the inlet of the bay, and where -now is the Navy Yard, the land was thickly covered with the -greenest foliage; as well as was the higher and more beautifully -wooded peninsula of Point Henry. And still beyond, to the south, the -third point, stretching out almost to the rugged little island, called -Cadar Island, increased the variety of the picture; and the two indentations -where now is Navy Bay, and the “Dead Man’s” Bay, at one -time called Hamilton’s Cove, added thereto. Then, turning toward -the south, there reposed the magnificently green, long island, now -<span class='pageno' id='Page_413'>413</span>Wolfe Island, with Gage Island in its front; and still extending the -view around the Bay, was to be seen the islands, now called Simcoe -and Amherst, all richly clothed with the garments of nature. One -would wish to look upon a faithful picture of this primeval appearance -of Kingston Bay, before even the French had planted a post -or cleft a tree. However beautiful Kingston of to-day may be -regarded, with its graceful architecture, as displayed in its public -and private edifices; however grand the strong fortifications, which -silently utter words of warning to the passing stranger whose -nation covets our territory, while pretending to depreciate it; -however striking the combination which composes the picture of -Kingston and its harbor of to-day, they cannot exceed, as a whole, -in attractiveness, the prospect seen by Frontenac, of wood and -water so remarkably associated, and charmingly blended, ere the -hand of man had marred it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was immediately after this conference, between Frontenac -and the chiefs, when he concealed the true designs he entertained, -that the erection of the first fort was proceeded with. Its site was -upon the point of land by the entrance of the bay, near the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Tete -du Pont</span></i>, and commanded the entrance to Cataraqui Creek. It -seems, from the testimony of early settlers of Kingston, that the -fort was separated from Kingston by a deep trench, so that the -point was converted into an island, upon which was built the -original village of Cataraqui. In later years, this ditch has been -obliterated by the filling in of material, and, in like manner, a portion -of the bay, immediately north of the point has disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the following year, LaSalle, who has been particularly -referred to in the introductory chapter, presented the following -petition to King Louis XIV.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The proposer, aware of the importance to the Colony of -Canada, of the establishment of Fort Frontenac, of which he was -some time in command, and desiring to employ his means and his -life in the King’s service, and for the augmentation of the country, -offers to support it, at his expense, and reimburse its cost, on the -following conditions, to wit:—​That His Majesty be pleased to grant -in Seigniory, to the proposer, the said fort, four leagues of country -along the border of Lake Frontenac, the two islands in front, named -Ganounkouesnot and Kaouenesgo, and the interjacent islets, with -the same rights and privileges obtained hitherto by those who hold -lands in the country in Seigniory, with the right of fishing in -Lake Frontenac and the adjoining rivers, to facilitate the support of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_414'>414</span>the people of said Fort, together with the command of said place -and of said lake, under the orders and authority of His Majesty’s -Governor, Lieutenant-General in the country; on which condition, -the proposer will be bound:—​1st. To maintain the said Fort; to -place it in a better state of defence; to keep a garrison there, at -least as numerous as that of Montreal, and as many as fifteen to -twenty laborers, during the two first years, to clear and till the land; -to provide it with necessary arms, artillery and ammunition, and -that so long as the proposer will command there, in His Majesty’s -name, and until some other persons be authorized to settle above -the Long Sault of the River St. Lawrence, through which people -pass to the said Fort, without being charged with similar expense, -or to contribute to that which the proposer will be obliged to incur -for the preservation of the said Fort.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“2nd. To repay Count de Frontenac, His Majesty’s Governor -and Lieutenant-General in Canada, the expense he incurred for the -establishment of said Fort, amounting to the sum of 12,000 to -13,000 livres, as proved by the statements thereof prepared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“3rd. To make grants of land to all those willing to settle -there, in the manner usual in said country; to allow them the -trade (<cite><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">la traite</span></cite>) when their settlements will be in the condition -required by the Edicts and Regulations of the Sovereign Council of -said country. 4th. To grant them land for villages and tillage; to -teach them trades, and induce them to lead lives more conformable -to ours, as the proposer had begun to do with success, when he -commanded there. 5th. To build a Church, when there will be -100 persons; meanwhile, to entertain one or two Recollet Friars, to -perform Divine service, and administer the sacraments there. -6th. His Majesty, accepting these proposals, is very humbly supplicated -to grant to the proposer letters of noblesse, in consideration -of the voyages and discoveries which he made in the country at his -expense, during the seven years he continually lived there, the -services he rendered in the country, and those he will continue to -render; and all the other letters necessary to serve him as titles -possessory to said Seigniory.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the succeeding year this petition was granted, and a decree -to that effect was issued by the King on the 13th May, 1675, and a -Patent of Nobility issued to La Salle; and Fort Frontenac, with four -leagues of the adjacent country, was created a Seigniory of Canada, -and LaSalle its first Seignior.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the decree making the grant, it is specified that LaSalle -<span class='pageno' id='Page_415'>415</span>shall “induce the Indians to repair thither, give them settlements, -and form villages there in society with the French, to whom he -shall give part of said land to be cleared, all which shall be cleared -and improved within the time and space of twenty years. * * -His Majesty wills that appeals from the Judges (to be appointed by -La Salle), be to the Lieutenant-General of Quebec.” But, the -subsequent chequered career and early death of La Salle, probably -prevented the carrying out of these intentions.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When La Salle set out on his western exploring expedition, -he “left Sieur de la Forest in charge of the fort.” As before stated, -La Salle had many enemies, and among them the Governor, M. de -la Barre, “who actually sequestered Fort Frontenac and took possession -of it, pretending that La Salle had abandoned it. This was -in 1682.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The history of the French occupation of Cataraqui is marked -by occasional visits of the French Governor, and the presence of -large and small bodies of armed forces. In 1684 M. de la Barre, -the successor of Frontenac, tarried at Cataraqui two weeks with -his convoy, which was composed of 130 regular soldiers, 700 armed -Canadians, 200 savages, and a mixed body of several hundred from -the west. It must have been a picturesque sight, the encampment -of this army. The veterans from France in their uniform attire, -the Canadians in their various hued garments, and the Algonquins -and Ottawas in their wild garb of paint and feathers formed the -components of a picture truly striking. A year or two later and -De Nonville, another Governor, was likewise found encamped here -with an army of 2000. At this time the original fort of wood was -at its greatest pitch of renown and glory. Here was kept -stored within the palisaded walls, arms, ammunition, and provision, -beside furs. It was while enjoying this considerable power -that De Nonville committed the act of treachery toward the -Ganneyouses and Kentes Indians. But this act was followed by -an attack by the Indians, and the fort was in a state of siege -for the space of a month; “but was not taken.” Two years -later, however, finding it difficult to maintain this out-post so -far from Montreal, De Nonville ordered De Valrenne, the commander, -to blow up the fort, which was accordingly done, and -“three barks on the lake were scattered,” and “property to the -extent of 20,000 crowns,” was sacrificed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The fort thus destroyed was rebuilt by the orders of Frontenac, -and in 1695 he sent 700 workmen for the purpose. (For the circumstances -<span class='pageno' id='Page_416'>416</span>and the opposition respecting this, see Introductory.) -The fort being completed it was garrisoned with 48 soldiers. “The -expense of re-victualling and re-establishing the fort, cost 12,000 -livres, or between £600 and £700.”—​(Draper).</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the situation of the fort, a manuscript published -in 1838, under the direction of the Literary and Historical Society -of Quebec, says, “it was situated <em>at the bottom of a bay</em>, which a -little river flowing into Lake Ontario forms, close to the junction -of Lake Ontario and the River St. Lawrence. It consisted of four -stone curtains, 120 feet each, defended by four square bastions. -The walls were defended by neither ditches nor palisades. There -was no terrace to sustain it on the inside. A wooden gallery was -built all round for communicating from one bastion to another. -The platforms of these bastions were mounted on wooden piles, and -the curtains were pierced for loopholes.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Father Charlevoix, writing in 1720, says of Fort Frontenac, -“that it is a square with four bastions built of stone, and the ground -it occupies is a quarter of a league in compass; its situation has -something very pleasant; the sides of the river present every way -a landscape well varied, and it is the same at the entrance of Lake -Ontario.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Fort Frontenac now fully re-established on a stronger basis, -continued for many years to be an important post, with respect to -trading, and likewise offensive and defensive operations against the -Indians, and also the English. Here was deposited vast stores of -provision, and materials of a war-like nature for the use of other -forts.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the first years of the 18th century, rivalry and jealousy -between the French and English Colonists, assumed a more -determined form. Already was gathering the fierce elements of -Colonial war, which were to culminate in the siege of Quebec, and -spend its fury upon the Plains of Abraham. We have seen that -the two powers tried zealously, and often by unscrupulous means -to secure the alliance and aid of the savages, whose love of war -and desire to engage in the bloody attack, with the allurements of -promised presents, led them too often to scenes of blood and rapine. -The regions about Cataraqui were often the place of sudden attack -and cruel torture. The fort was an object of dread to the Iroquois, -of jealousy to the English, and with the view of breaking the -chain of forts, of which this was so important a one, the English -set about erecting one at Oswego.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_417'>417</span>In 1754 the eventful seven years war began, and one of the -first events was the sending of a force of 4000 men and 12 guns by -the French Governor, to attack Fort Oswego. But when the force -reached Cataraqui, it was found necessary to recall a portion of -them to Lower Canada, and defer the attack. One battalion was -ordered to Niagara, while one or two battalions were encamped -under the walls of Frontenac. The total force of Canadians and -savages in arms west of Cataraqui at this time was 1000. The following -year, it is found stated that, on “June 26, 1756, English -vessels were seen across the Bay of Quinté, coming toward Frontenac. -The French gave chase, and captured a sloop.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>July 29, 1757, witnessed the arrival at the fort of a considerable -body, and for days armed men continued to rendezvous here. -The woods around the fort were alive with soldiers. The attack -upon Fort Oswego, contemplated three years previous, was now -about to be made. On the evening of the 4th August, the party, -of no small dimensions set out for the attack. It consisted of 80 -batteaux laden with artillery luggage and provision, and canoes to -carry the force of 3100 men. They started at night, when the -shades of darkness were gathering, and stealthily directed their -way, one boat after another, for the opposite shore. At the -approach of morning they came to a stop, where the thick woods -met the southern shore of the lake. The bushes were parted, and -without noise, the batteaux were, one by one, withdrawn from the -water and carefully covered with leaves, so that unless one passed -directly by the way, no indications could be observed of their -existence. By the dawn of day there was not a ripple upon the -waters from the party, and the woods were hushed, except by the -denizens of the forest. All the day long the party lay concealed. -After night had fallen, re-embarkation took place, slowly and -calmly beneath the mild summer’s sky. For five days and nights -the same course was pursued, by which time they had reached the -neighbourhood of Fort Oswego, where reposed the English garrison, -unconscious of danger. The attack was so unexpected, and -carried on with so much spirit, that the garrison had to succumb -before reinforcements could be obtained, and the French returned -to Fort Frontenac laden with spoils.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But the time was approaching when the glory of Fort Frontenac -should depart. At this time the building itself was beginning -to decay. Sixty years had told upon the walls, and a writer of -1758 says they “were not good.” However, had the fortifications -<span class='pageno' id='Page_418'>418</span>been never so strong, the course of events would have all the same -witnessed the final fall of this stronghold. “In this year, the commandant -at Fort Frontenac was a Monsieur de Noyan, King’s -Lieutenant for Three Rivers. He was an old man, but brave as a -lion.” We have seen that de Lévis having withdrawn, the fort was -left with but a few men, Garneau says seventy; but Warburton, -one hundred and twenty Frenchmen and forty Indians. Even with -this number it was but an easy success for Bradstreet, with his -three thousand men and eleven guns, to possess himself of a fort -weakened by age. Having descended the Oswego River, Colonel -Bradstreet crossed to the Upper Gap and approached Cataraqui -along the shore, observing great caution, and landed about a mile -to the west of the fort, August 25, in the evening. During the -following night he cautiously approached the place of attack, and -upon the ground where now stands the market buildings, he -erected a battery. So silently was this done, and with such despatch, -that before the morning of 27th August, 1758, he had it all -completed. The morning light revealed to the French how -imminent was their danger. Dismayed, but not discouraged, the -intrepid commander ordered every man to his post; but a few -shots from the English guns showed to him how futile was resistance. -Having signified his intention to surrender, which was -about seven o’clock in the morning, he became, with his garrison, -prisoner of war. The conquerors found in “the fort sixty pieces -of cannon, sixteen mortars, an immense supply of provisions, stores -and ammunitions, with all the shipping on the lake,” also, “several -vessels richly laden with furs, to the value, it is said of 70,000 <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">louis -d’ors</span>.” There was also a large quantity of merchandise intended for -the western forts, beside some of the booty which had been brought -thither after the capture of Oswego. Colonel Bradstreet had no -intention of holding the fort; but to destroy, which he accordingly -did, with the vessels.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was a feeble attempt to restore the fort in the fall, and -“a small detachment of troops and Canadians, under the command -of the Chevalier Benoit, was sent to Frontenac partly to protect -merchandize and ammunition passing up and down, and partly to -rebuild the fort; and subsequently the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Sieur de Cresse</span></i>, an assistant -engineer, with Captain Laforce, a sailor, were sent there to construct -two new schooners, to endeavor to maintain the supremacy -on the lakes.” But the following year the presence of Wolfe before -Quebec, and Amherst at Carillon, rendered the restoration of Frontenac -<span class='pageno' id='Page_419'>419</span>an impossibility. The glory of Fort Frontenac had forever -departed. But the spirit of bravery again appeared, in later days, -in a people of another language, though, nevertheless Canadians. In -1812–13 the Americans approached Kingston, but the hostile and -determined attitude assumed by the militia and troops deterred -them from attempting to touch the soil here, and when they did -attempt, both above and below, great indeed was the repulse and -discomfiture.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLVII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Cooper’s Essay—​Loyalists naming places—​King’s Town—​Queen’s -Town—​Niagara—​Spanish names—​Cataraqui from 1759 to 1783—​Desolation—​The -rebellion—​Station, Carleton Island—​Settling—​Refugees at New York—​Michael -Grass—​Prisoner at Cataraqui—​From New York to Canada—​Captain -Grass takes possession of first township—​First landholders—​A letter -by Captain Grass—​Changes—​Surveying forts and harbors—​Report to Lord -Dorchester—​Kingston, <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">versus</span></i> Carleton Island—​The defenses—​Troops—​King’s -township—​First settlers—​“Plan of township No. 1”—​First owners -of town lots—​Names—​Settlers upon the front—​First inhabitants of Kingston—​A -naval and military station—​The Commodore—​Living of old—​Kingston -in <em>last century</em>—​New fortifications.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SETTLEMENT AT CATARAQUI BY THE LOYALISTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>It would be impossible to write of Kingston without traveling -the ground already taken by writers, especially in an admirable -essay written by C. W. Cooper, Barrister-at-law, being a prize -essay published in 1856. We shall accept very many of the statements -therein contained except we find trustworthy grounds for -controverting them. Much, however, of the subject matter we had -laboriously collected before this pamphlet was placed in our hands -by our friend M. Sweetnam, Esq., P. O. Inspector.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The practice of naming places, rivers, &c., after royal personages -and those occupying prominent places in the public service, -naturally arose from the intense loyalty which reigned in the -bosoms of all who had forsaken their old homes to settle under the -old flag in the wilderness. The pre-eminence of Kingston is indicated -by the name, which seems to have been given it at a very -early date, as surveyor Collins uses that name in 1788. This, the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_420'>420</span>first township surveyed and settled, was named <em>King’s</em> township. -Afterwards the town and township came to be called Kingston. -In this connection reference may be made to <em>Queenstown</em> at the -head of navigation upon the Niagara River. Trade with the west -along Lake Erie was carried on, and boats were accustomed to pass -up and down on their way to and from Montreal. These boats had -to be carried around the Falls of Niagara. Already many of -Butler’s Rangers and persons connected with the Indian department, -began to settle upon the Canadian side of the Niagara. -There was very shortly a collection of houses at the point of landing, -and the commencement of the portage, and nothing was more -natural than this, the second village formed by the United Empire -Loyalists, should receive the name of Queenstown, not unlikely the -name was bestowed by the Hon. R. Hamilton.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As we proceed, it will be observed how general was the habit -to give names derived from Great Britain and Englishmen. The -most notable exception to this is to be found in connection with -those places that received names during the time of Sir Peregrine -Maitland, who had a fancy for bestowing Spanish names.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the time which elapsed between the evacuation of -Frontenac, the year after the destruction of the fort, in the autumn -of 1759, until the commencement of the American rebellion, and -until its close, ruin and desolation prevailed at Cataraqui. It is -found intimated, but not on the best authority, that there continued -to live at this place a certain number of French families and half-breed -Indians. That such was the case is quite possible, though, as -yet, no positive proof is to be found. But, at the most there was a -few log huts around the ruins of the fort, and upon the cleared -ground adjacent thereto, or perhaps upon the site of the ancient -chapel of the Recollets. No doubt the Indians frequently encamped -in this vicinity, perhaps had a permanent village. The words of -Captain Grass, penned twenty-seven years later, may probably be -accepted as correct, that “scarse the vestige of a human habitation -could be found in the whole extent of the Bay of Quinté.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The rebellion led to the establishment of a military post at the -Island of Chevereux, or Goat Island, subsequently named Carleton -Island. This position was found more convenient than the site of -old Fort of Frontenac. After the defeat of General Burgoyne, at -Saratoga, in 1778, there were many refugees who sought protection -at the several military posts along the northern frontier of New -York, that of Carleton Island among the rest. Indeed, it is probable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_421'>421</span>that to this place a large number escaped, as being more safe -than Oswego or Niagara. A communication was with some regularity -kept up between this place and Montreal, and also the Fort -of Niagara. By the army boats, refugees may have passed to -Montreal; but it would seem that a considerable number remained -domiciled at Carleton Island, eating the food supplied by government. -Of course, able bodied men would be at once enrolled into -the companies, to do military service; yet there would remain a -certain number of males, besides the women, who were incapacitated -for military life. During the continuation of the war, there is every -reason to believe that individuals, perhaps families, would cross to -the old fort at Cataraqui, to stay for a while, or even take up their -abode.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It may have been, that there were here some advantages in cultivating -the cleared land, which did not exist at Carleton Island. In -the absence of active duty, not unlikely the soldiers and officers -would pass over to fish or hunt, or perhaps to examine the land as to -quality, and facilities for settlement. Bongard says his father, who -was with Holland, said that a small village existed at Cataraqui. -But it was not until the close of the war 1783, that a systematic -settlement commenced. That settlers existed, during this year, at -Cataraqui, there is no doubt. It was sometimes referred to in Lower -Canada as Seignory, No. 1. Col. John Clark, whose father was in -the Commissariat Department during the war, says, that he was born -at Cataraqui, in 1783, and was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Stuart. The -family must then have been living on the mainland, as he speaks of -another brother as being born on Carleton Island. The probability is -that at this date, there were a few families living in the vicinity of -the fort.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the close of the war, it was a question of considerable importance, -what can be done to ameliorate the condition of the -loyalists? While the commissioners, who completed the terms of -peace at Paris, chose to sink the interests and welfare of the -loyalists in their unseemly haste to complete the treaty, the officers -commanding in America, everywhere felt the deepest sympathy, -and keenest compassion for the refugees. Among these was the -officer commanding at New York. At this juncture of affairs, when -they were undecided, whether to embark for Nova Scotia, or Lower -Canada, it came to the ears of the General, that one Michael Grass, -of New York, had been a prisoner of the French, before the conquest -at Cataraqui. He caused that person to appear before him, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_422'>422</span>and to report as to the character of the country, and the probabilities -of its being a suitable place for refugees to seek homes. Mr. -Grass having rendered a favorable report, the result was that he -was commissioned Captain, and placed at the head of a band of -loyalists, staying at New York. They were dispatched in King’s -ships, under the care of a man-of-war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Robert Everett Grass, of Sidney, the grandson of Captain -Grass, says, that the party of refugees set sail from New York in a -fleet of seven vessels, and after a long voyage of nine weeks, during -which they encountered a severe gale, lasting eight days, and -nearly wrecking them, they reached Sorel. This was probably in -the early part of 1783. The men of the party ascended the St. -Lawrence in batteaux, and landed at the mouth of Little Cataraqui -Creek, thence proceeding westward, prospecting as far as Collin’s -Bay. Crossing to the west side of this little bay, Captain Grass -attempted to drive a stake in the ground, with the intention of -fixing a tent, or commencing a survey, whereupon he found it rocky. -Remarking that he had come too far to settle upon a rock, he returned -to the east of the cove, and took possession of the first -township of the Bay Quinté. There seems some reason to believe -that, when Grass arrived in Canada, and explained to the Government -his mission, that Surveyor General Holland, directed Deputy -Surveyor Collins to proceed with Captain Grass to Cataraqui, so -that he might be guided by him. If such was the case, the base -line along the front of the first township, must have been run -before Captain Grass crossed to the west of Collins Bay, and rejected -the land lying to the west thereof. Captain Grass, as well -as the surveying party, returned to Sorel for the winter, and, in -the spring, they returned, accompanied by all of the families, under -Captain Grass. It was the summer of 1784 that the first township -was occupied. There was some dissatisfaction at the preference -accorded to Captain Grass by those who had been in Canada. His -superior claim was however acknowledged. At the same time, -there appears to have been some compromise, from the fact, that -while Captain Grass himself obtained the first lot adjoining to the -reserve for the town, the second one, which was by number, lot 24 -was granted to the Rev. Mr. Stuart, and the next to Mr. Herkimer, -neither of whom had any connection with Captain Grass’ company.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following extract of a letter written by Captain Grass, at -a subsequent period, reveals to us the appearance the place presented -to him, at the time of his settling. The old gentleman had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_423'>423</span>some grievance to make known to the public, respecting a road, -and he commences his communication thus:—​</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Seven and twenty years, Mr. Printer, have rolled away since -my eyes, for the second time, beheld the shores of Cataraqui. In -that space of time, how many changes have taken place in the -little circle in which fate had destined me to move! How many -of the seats of my old associates are now vacant! How few of -these alas! to mourn with me the loss of the companions of our -sufferings, or to rejoice with me at the prosperous condition of this -our land of refuge! Yet will I not repine; they are gone, I trust, -to a better land, where He who causeth the wilderness to smile and -blossom as the rose, hath assigned to them a distinguished place, -as a reward for their humble imitation of his labors. Yes! seven -and twenty years ago, scarce the vestige of a human habitation -could be found in the whole extent of the Bay of Quinté. Not a -settler had dared to penetrate the vast forests that skirted its -shores. Even on this spot, now covered with stately edifices, were -to be seen only the bark-thatched wigwam of the savage, or the -newly erected tent of the hardy loyalists. Then, when the ear -heard me, it blessed me for being strong in my attachment to my -sovereign, and high in the confidence of my fellow-subjects, I led -the loyal band, I pointed out to them the site of their future metropolis, -and gained for persecuted principles, a sanctuary—​for myself -and followers a home.” “Kingston, 7 Dec. 1811.” (Signed) “G.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the 29th May, 1788, Lord Dorchester, the Governor of -Canada, issued instructions to John Collins, Surveyor, to make a -survey of “forts, harbours, &c., from Carleton Island to Michilmacinac.” -His report was found among the “Simcoe papers.” -The report, dated Quebec, 6th Dec., 1788, says:—​</p> - -<p class='c000'>My Lord—​“In obedience to your Lordship’s instructions, -wherein is specified, that doubts being entertained whether Carleton -Island or Kingston” (and this shows how early the royal name -had been given to the first township) “is the most eligible station -for the King’s ships of war to protect the navigation of Lake -Ontario, and the upper part of the river St. Lawrence, I am to -make this particularly an object of my attention, and report how -far it may be necessary to occupy either, or both, and what works -I judge advisable for that purpose.” “With respect to Kingston, -and what is there called the harbour, and where the town is laid -out, is not the best, situation on this side for vessels, as it lies rather -open to the lake, and has not very good anchorage near the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_424'>424</span>entrance, so that they are obliged to run a good way up for shelter; -the most eligible situation is to the east.” After referring to the -more frequent directions of the wind, he concludes, that to get into -the lake, it is as easy from Kingston as from Carleton Island, but -that the latter affords the best shelter. “Having brought forward -all the material information and observations I have been able to -make and procure, and having duly weighed the several properties, -both of Kingston and Carleton Island, relative to naval purposes -only,” he concludes, “that the preference rather leans on the side -of Carleton Island. If the object was that of trade only, or regarded -merely by the transport of goods to Niagara, I do not see that -Carleton Island has any material advantage over Kingston; but, as -a station for the King’s ships of war, I am induced to think that -Carleton Island is the best,” as it possessed many natural advantages. -Respecting Kingston, a fort and out-works could be constructed -to protect the harbour; but an enemy might advance in -the rear, and bombard the fort and the navy. “In regard to the -present condition of the works at this post, the whole is so far in -ruins as to be altogether defenceless, and incapable of being repaired, -the ditch which is in the rock, has never been sufficiently -excavated, the other works have been completed, but it strikes me -they were never capable of any serious defence, as well as from the -bastions, as well as the oblique manner in which their faces are -seen from the other works, but the whole could only be considered -as a temporary matter. The green logs with which the fort was -built, could not be expected to last long: the ground is favorable -for a fort of greater capacity and strength, but it is probable that -such a system may have been originally adopted for the works, at -the place it might have been thought adequate to its importance, -to the number of troops designed for its defence, and the strength -it was likely an enemy would be able to bring against it; and there -ideas would again be brought into consideration, if this post should -be established, or any new system adopted. Without, therefore, -going, in this place, into a detail of particular works, I will remark, -that as the ground in front widens and extends somewhat over the -extremities of the work, particularly on the right, precaution should -be taken to strengthen those points towards the field, to contract, -in some degree, the advantage an enemy attacking might have in -the extent of his flanks. The barracks, although partly dismantled, -and in a very bad condition, may be still repaired.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>From the foregoing, it may be inferred that the troops had all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_425'>425</span>been withdrawn from the head of the St. Lawrence, and that only a -Commissariat Department remained at Carlton Island. Probably, -it was only when Canada was erected into a distinct Province, that -regular troops again were stationed here, and then, it having been -ascertained that Carleton Island would belong to the United States, -Kingston superseded it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Although the “King’s Township” was mainly settled by the -band of Loyalists who came by way of the St. Lawrence, from -New York, there were several others who received grants of land -here, a few of whom, no doubt, reached Kingston at as early a -date as 1783, and, as we have seen, they may have visited the -place, previous to that date. Among these, was Col. Hanjost, or -John Joost, or Joseph Herkimer, who had been compelled to forsake -his home at the German Flats, where his father lived. Looking at -“A Plan of Township No. 1,” (now Kingston), “in the District of -Mecklenburgh, surveyed in 1783, with the proprietor’s names on -the lots,” in the Crown Lands Department, the following may be -observed. Just by the grounds of the Fort, the water is called -Cataraqui Harbor. Across the mouth of the Bay, and between -Points Frederick and Henry, is Haldimand Cove. Beyond Point -Henry, is Hamilton Cove. Passing up the river, the first lot has -upon it the name of Joseph and Mary Brant. This lot was not -numbered, however. (Capt. Brant came to the place in 1785, and -remained living there for a time). Still proceeding along the west -shore of the river, lot No. 1, has the name of Neil McLean; No. 2, -Henry Wales; No. 3, James Clark; No. 4, Capt. Crawford; No. 5, -Lieut. Brown; No. 6, Sovereign; No. 7, at first was granted to -Lawrence; this name is superseded by the name of Braton. To the -west of the road, is a block of land, of 700 acres, for “Capt. James -McDonnell;” but this name is erased, and Robert Macaulay written -instead. Probably Macaulay became the purchaser. To the east -of the road, is another block of land, for John Macaulay. The -island in the mouth of the river, called “Isle Aux Pére,” was -granted to Neil McLean, “by order of General Haldimand.” -Turning to the south of the Fort, the first lot has the name of Capt. -Grass; the second from the Fort, Rev. Mr. Stuart; the third has the -names upon it of Lawrence Herkimer, Sam. Hilton, Capt. Jost -Hartman; the fourth, Francis Lozion, Rockland, James Brown, -John Moshier; fifth, Lieut. Ellerbeck; sixth, John Stuart, Lieut. -Gallary, Lieut. Mower, Charles Pauder; seventh, Capt. McGarrow; -eighth, Lieutenant Atkinson; ninth, Robert Vanalstine; tenth, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_426'>426</span>Richard Moorman; eleventh, R. Gider: this lot lies on the “Petite -Cataraqui;” twelfth, Lieut. Kotte, Surveyor, and afterward John -Stuart; thirteenth, Capt. Grass, also Capt. Everett; fourteenth, Grass; -fifteenth, Capt. Harkman; sixteenth Nicholas Herkimer. This -brings us to Collins’ Bay, or, as the original name appears “Ponegeg.” -Continuing westward, among others, are to be seen the names of -Purdy, Capt. Wm. Johnson, Wm. Fairfield, Senr., Daniel Rose, -Matthias Rose, Robert Clark, James Clark, Sen., Sergt. John Taylor, -Capt. J. W. Myers, who has two lots; (these two last became the -first settlers in Sidney and Thurlow); Lieut. James Robins, Sergt. -Williams, Lieut. Best, Lieut. John Durenbury, and then there was -a lot (No. 18) for the “King’s saw mill,” subsequently Booth’s -Mills. Of the foregoing, it is uncertain how many became settlers. -But the most of them seem to have obtained these front lots, irrespective -of Captain Grass.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of the other early settlers, the following are, doubtless, the -principal ones. For their names, I am partially indebted to Mr. G. -H. Detlor, himself the descendant of an Irish Palatine. “Wm. -MacAulay, Thomas Markland, John Kirby, John Cummings, Peter -Smith, England, John Ferguson, Lyons, Pousett, McDonnell, -Boyman, Cook, Taylor, Smyth, DeNyke, Murney, Cuthbertson, -Alcott. The Rev. John Stuart, Hon. Richard Cartwright, Allen -McLean.” These did not probably come the first year, but within -the first two or three years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is said that John Fralick or Freeligh, who had held a commission -in the army, was one of the first settlers in Kingston, and -built the fourth house erected. Other names given, as among the -first inhabitants of the village of Kingston, are John Forsyth, -Joseph Forsyth, Anderson, Punbee, Merrill, Stoughton, Gray, -Hix, Cassady, Ashley, Burley, Stower, Donald McDonald, James -Richardson, Patrick Smith, John Steel, Ebenezer Washburn. -Early settlers on the front of the Township, beside those before -given, were Holmes, Day, Ferris, several Wartmans, and Graham.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Before proceeding with the history of Kingston, it is desirable -to notice more particularly some events connected with the occupancy -of Kingston, as a Naval and Military station. We have seen -that Surveyor Collins gave the preference for Carleton Island. But -Lord Dorchester decided that Kingston was the most desirable place -for purposes of defense, and it is a striking fact that the views held -by him have been, to a certain extent, reiterated by Gen. Michel, -in 1867. Both seemed to hold the opinion that Canada, west of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_427'>427</span>Kingston, was untenable against an invading foe. When Simcoe -assumed the Government of the newly formed Upper Province, it -was the declared desire of Lord Dorchester, that he should select -Kingston as the capital, and make it a well fortified town. Already -steps had been taken to establish a naval as well as a military -station. Haldimand’s Cove, between Point Frederick and Point -Henry, had been selected for the Naval depot, and here was a -Dock Yard and Stores, which were continued for many years. These -were commenced about 1789, and the same year barracks were built -by soldiers, upon the ruins of the old fort, which was the commencement -of the Military Station, and the head-quarters of -the troops in Upper Canada, and the residence of the Commander-in-Chief; -also a staff of the Ordinance and Engineer Departments -was kept up. Cooper, writing 1856, says: “Of late years, -a general reduction has been made,—​a small garrison only is -now kept, and the Artillery is wholly withdrawn.” (This was at -the time of the Crimean war). The establishment was, some dozen -years ago, greatly reduced, and is now wholly abandoned. In years -past, however, the officers and crew of Her Majesty’s ship Niagara, -were regularly piped to quarters in a handsome stone building in -the Dock Yard, which was manned, and the crew disciplined in complete -man-o’-war fashion. In these bygone days, Kingston was the -residence of the Commodore in charge of the Naval Department, -who lived in a style which would have quite outshone that of some -of our economical Governors. Those connected with this and -other departments, followed the worthy Commodore’s example, and -as the population was not then great, the influence of that example -rendered the town, if not a very prosperous, certainly a very gay, -and seemingly happy one. Times have certainly changed since -then, as far as the expenditure of Imperial money is concerned.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After Kingston had been selected as a military station, it -naturally grew more rapidly. The presence of the soldiers and of -seamen, and their expenditure of money, had the effect of starting -into quicker life, the infant town; but when Simcoe, in 1792, -passed it by, and sought his gubernatorial residence at Newark, it -received a material check in its growth. Being the largest collection -of houses in Upper Canada, Kingston had claims, irrespective -of the existence of the two arms of the service. During the first -decade in the history of Upper Canada, Kingston did not rise above -a small village, although it was honoured, sometimes, with the -appellation of “city.” Rochefoucault says, 1795, that Kingston -<span class='pageno' id='Page_428'>428</span>“consists of about 120 or 30 houses. The ground in the immediate -vicinity of the city, rises with a gentle swell, and forms, from the -lake onwards, as it were, an amphitheatre of lands, cleared, but not -yet cultivated. None of the buildings are distinguished by a more -handsome appearance from the rest. The only structure, more -conspicuous than the others, and in front of which the English flag -is hoisted, is the barracks, a stone building surrounded with palisades. -All the houses stand on the northern bank of the bay, -which stretches a mile further into the country. On the southern -bank are the buildings belonging to the naval force, the wharfs, -and the habitations of all the persons, who belong to that department. -The King’s ships lie at anchor near those buildings, and -consequently have a harbour and road separate from the port for -merchantmen.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Kingston, considered as a town, is much inferior to Newark; -the number of houses is nearly equal in both. Kingston may contain -a few more buildings, but they are neither so large nor so good -as at Newark. Many of them are log houses, and those which -consist of joiners’ work, are badly constructed and painted. But -few new houses are built. No town-hall, no court-house, and no -prison have hitherto been constructed. The houses of two or three -merchants are conveniently situated for loading and unloading -ships; but, in point of constructure, these are not better than the -rest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Kingston seems better fitted for a trading town than Newark, -were it only for this reason, that the ships, which arrive at the latter -place, and are freighted for Lake Erie, pass by the former, to sail -again up the river as far as Queen’s Town, where the portage -begins.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Cooper remarks that “Fort Frontenac existed for several years -after the conquest, the remains of the tower in the interior being -removed in 1827. The present barracks were built, the officers’ -quarters in 1821, the men’s stone barracks in 1827, and the frame -barracks in 1837. At the commencement of the war in 1812, Point -Henry, the site of the present extensive military works, was -covered with trees; in the following year a rude fort of logs and -embankment was thrown up. A year or two after its erection two -large and substantial stone towers were added to the defences, they -were lofty, square towers, rounded at the corners. These remained -until 1826 or 1828. Stone magazines, ordnance offices, and armoury -were built outside the fort during the years 1816, ‘17 and ‘18. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_429'>429</span>Extensive stone barracks, roofed with tin, were built between 1818 -and 1820; one of these within the fort was 230 feet in length; -another building which stood where the advanced battery has -since been built, was 80 feet in length, and formed the officers’ -quarters.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“These barracks stood until 1841, when they were pulled down -and the material sold. Two large houses in Brock Street, and one -in Barrack Street, were built from the stone, which, it may be -remarked in passing, is not the ordinary blue limestone in general -use, but a much whiter material, apparently not so durable. The -erection of the present fort was commenced in 1832, several previous -years having been spent in the quarrying and preparing -material. It was first occupied in 1836. On Point Frederick the -first works were a breastwork of logs and earth, with traversing -platforms for guns; within the breastwork was a block house. -These works were built during or just after the war; this block -house was burnt in the year 1820. There were also built, about the -same time, a block house surrounded with a strong stockade on the -hill on Princess Street, on the lot formerly owned by the late Mr. -Jacob Ritter; a small redan on Ordnance Street; a battery at Mississauga -Point; a block house near the present Marine Railway; one -on Stuart’s or Murney’s Point; another at Snake Island; one which -stood until recently, near the present new court house, with those -now standing, one of them on the hill to the east of the city, and -the other at the west end of Wellington Street. These block -houses, excepting, of course, that on Snake Island, were all connected -by a strong stake fence, or stockade; portions of which still -exist, and formed a chain of defences surrounding, what was then, -the whole city.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>From the first, it will be seen that the village of Kingston was -to a great extent indebted to the public service for its prosperity. -Isaac Wild, writing in 1796, says that from 60 to 100 men are -quartered in the barracks.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_430'>430</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLVIII.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The situation of Kingston—​Under military influence—​Monopolist—​Early -history of legislation—​In 1810—​Gourlay’s statement—​Police—​Modern -Kingston—​Lord Sydenham—​Seat of government—​Perambulating—​Surrounding -country—​Provisions—​An appeal for Kingston as capital—​Barriefield—​Pittsburgh—​Building -of small crafts—​Famous—​Roads—​Waterloo—​Cemetery—​Portsmouth—​Kingston -Mill—​Little Cataraqui—​Collinsby—​Quantity -of land—​Early and influential inhabitants—​Post -masters—​“Honorable men”—​Deacon, Macaulay, Cartwright, Markland, -Cummings, Smiths, Kerby—​Allen McLean, first lawyer—​A gardener—​Sheriff -McLean—​“Chrys” Hagerman—​Customs—​Sampson, shooting a -smuggler—​Hagerman, M.P.P.—​Removes to Toronto.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST TOWNSHIP—​EVENTS IN ITS EARLY HISTORY.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>It must be admitted, the place did not possess from its geographical -situation the requisites for becoming a great city, although its -situation at the head of the St. Lawrence, would always secure for -it a certain degree of importance. There are evils incident to places, -depending upon the military and naval bodies, and these can be -seen in connection with the history of Kingston. Anything which -drew away for a time, to any extent, either arm of the service, had -a damaging effect upon the prosperity, and stagnation resulted in -business.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Early Kingston must be regarded as a town growing up in the -back woods, with a population governed and influenced more or -less by the society of officers and soldiers, and while the former -gave dignity and tone to the higher classes, the lower portion of -society was correspondingly and for evil, affected by the presence -of the soldiers, with the numerous groggeries, and low houses of -entertainments, which particularly in former days, were found to -exist in connection with military establishments.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the first years of Canada, speculation was common with -a certain class. Land claims could be purchased for a mere song. -The holder of a “location ticket,” would often part with his title for -a few quarts of rum, while many other holders were glad to sell for -a few pounds of ready money, or certain articles of stock. It came -that in time, a certain number of monopolists, living at Kingston, -held land in the rear concessions and neighboring townships. The -Imperial money in Kingston was often spent without contributing -to the improvement of the adjacent country. But the -time came when the encircling settlers compelled a more generous -course of conduct.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_431'>431</span>But, much obscurity rests upon the history of the first seven or -ten years of the village of Kingston. The effort has been made to -gather up the fragments pertaining thereto, and arrange them so -as to form a connected whole.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Cooper says that “the town was laid out in 1793, being then -confined to what is now the eastern portion in the vicinity of the -<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Tête du Pont</span></i> barracks, and what was then known as the Cataraqui -Common, lots 25, 24, 23, on which is situated the chief part of the -city, were then farm lots of 200 acres each, and uncleared.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to the census roll in the office of the clerk of the -peace 1794, the population of Cataraqui village was 345. It would -seem that the appearance of the village was not very pleasing. -But the surroundings had a certain wild beauty. The first buildings -were of the most inferior kind. Kingston now so beautiful in its -fine buildings and well appointed streets, had in its first days but -the humblest of log tenements, with the rude Indian wigwam -for a neighbor. Instead of fair broad streets, and a well ordered -park, there was the Indian foot path, and the thick tangled wood, -with the stately pine.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1793 an act was passed “to fix the times and places of holding -the courts of quarter sessions, within the several districts,” -according to which it was provided that the courts of the midland -district should be held in Kingston, in April and October of each -year. This added somewhat to the dignity of the place. Then in -1801, there was created an act to empower commissioners of the -peace, to establish a market at Kingston, where might be exposed -for sale “butchers’ meat, butter, eggs, poultry, fish, and vegetables.” -It was further enacted that all “rules and regulations shall be -published by causing a copy of them to be affixed in the most public -place in every township in the district, and at the doors of the -church and court house of the said town of Kingston, &c.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1810, Kingston was yet a small place. Mr. Miles who -moved there at the time says there was not a sidewalk or pavement, -and he for a time boarded in one of several log houses close by the -market place, “where was no lack of mud in the spring and fall, -and it was no uncommon thing for waggons to be pried out by fence -rails just north of the market place. Pine trees of the forest yet -waved almost over the market place. A thick wood covered Point -Henry, and the ground, where now is erected St. Andrew’s -Church and parsonage. The limit of the town on the north was -at Store Street, now Princess, the last house being on the north -<span class='pageno' id='Page_432'>432</span>east side, Alcott’s old store, and on the west side where Mr. Meadows -now resides. The road, for it was then such only after passing, -Alcott’s turned to the right, and went a zigzag course northwards, -till it reached the second concession, now Waterloo road. -This was a distance of five miles from the foot of Store Street.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>A resident writing to the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, December 26, 1815, -among other things, says that the town of Kingston, “possessing so -many advantages, it is time that its inhabitants should adopt some -plan of improving and embellishing of it. The streets require very -great repairs, as in the rainy seasons it scarcely possible to move -about without being in mud to the ankles; from the breadth, they -will admit of very wide footpaths on both sides, which ought to -be paved, at least in every part of the town where the buildings -are connected. Lamps are required to light the streets in the dark -of the moon. Trees should be planted on each side. The streets -should be kept free of lumber of every kind, and piles of wood. A -fire engine, with a certain number of buckets, with a company of -firemen should exist. But first the legislature must form a code of -laws, forming a complete police. To meet expense, government -might lay a rate upon every inhabitant householder in proportion -to value of property in house.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Another correspondent under the signature of Citizen, says, -“January 27, 1816, that he approves of “A Residents” remarks, and -in addition, he suggests that the lower classes follow the example -of the liberal spirit manifested among heads of society in the previous -summer in contributing to the turnpiking of the streets, and -paving the footpaths before their own doors. They ought to -imitate, though faintly, that noble and generous example.” Besides -this, among other things, Citizen speaks against persons who work -at their trades on Sunday, instead of going to church. “Luther,” -another correspondent says, there is the noise of hammers and axes -from sunrise to sunset, on Sundays.</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, August 14, 1829, the census -taken that year shewed the population of the town to be 3528, but -this did not include the military. The number of inhabitants in -1836 was 6000.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the present time, 1867, Kingston is said to cover an area of -2930 acres, while Toronto boasts of 5885 acres.</p> - -<p class='c000'>R. Gourlay says, in 1816, that Kingston “is now progressing -rapidly in population and buildings, as well as in business. From -1811 to 1816 the number of dwellings increased from 130 to 300; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_433'>433</span>but it is estimated that 100 more will have been erected at the -close of this year.” Much of this prosperity was doubtless due to -the war, causing so many troops to be stationed there; at the same -time business and general growth of the City received an impetus -which the close of the war failed entirely to arrest. This year a -bill passed Parliament “to regulate the police, within the town of -Kingston.” More ample provision was made in 1824.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1821, a writer says, Kingston was the largest town in Upper -Canada, containing about 5000 inhabitants including the military. -“The people live in good style, but are not very hospitable; they -are mostly in the mercantile business.” The number of inhabitants -is probably over estimated, as in 1824 it is stated on good authority, -that the population amounts to 2336. “The buildings are of such -an inferior description as scarcely to be worthy of notice.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>MODERN KINGSTON.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The events chronicled in this work are mainly those which -came to pass prior to 1830, and the history of the first township -here recorded must mainly be limited to those early days. It will -not, however, be inappropriate to glance, and it will be a mere -glance at the Kingston of modern days. The greatest event in -connection with Kingston, was the selection by Lord Sydenham, -when the Upper and Lower Provinces were united in 1840, into -one, for the capital of United Canada. Its claim to that honor as -the most central city cannot be questioned. It may fairly be questioned -on the other hand whether it was a wise and judicious policy, -which caused Kingston to be forsaken, and the perambulatory -system to be substituted. Had the Seat of Government permanently -rested at Kingston, much expense to the country would have -been saved, and at the same time a great deal of heart bitterness -stirred up by political agitators, likewise prevented. But the -hopes of Kingston as the capital were shortlived, and with the -death of Lord Sydenham, in 1842, resulting from an accident, who -had been mainly the cause of Kingston becoming the capital, the -brightest prospects of the oldest town in Upper Canada, were -buried.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1845 Government was removed to Montreal. The motives -according to Cooper, which had much to do in determining the -removal were not such as are supposed to actuate statesmen. -After rebutting the charge which it seems had been made, that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_434'>434</span>there was “no surrounding country calculated to furnish marketable -produce to a large non-producing population,” and referring -to the undoubted facts that the townships along the Bay of Quinté -were far more than adequate to meet all the gastronomists wants, he -concludes. “It may seem a small consideration when treating of -so important a branch of the subject, to take into account these -circumstances, but there is no ignoring the fact that the absence -of some of these minor luxuries had a serious effect on the minds, -and perhaps digestion of some of the officials of Her Majesty’s -Provincial Government, and some people at a distance are persuaded -that Kingston is a city built on a rock, surrounded with -barren and stoney wilds, out of which a bare existence is wrung -by the occupants, and but a scanty supply afforded to the City, and -in deference to those thus unenlightened, facts are dwelt on which -may seem trivial to those in the least acquainted with the neighborhood. -Since 1845, when the Government was removed to -Montreal, this City has greatly increased in the number of well -built and commodious houses, which, with a well regulated and -well supplied market, tempting the most fastidious, would prevent -even the temporary inconveniences which in that year were felt. -If any families had to adopt double-bedded rooms, and to import -their own celery in those days, we can now assure them ‘<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">nous -avous changes tout cela</span></i>.’ In short we claim for a City central, indeed -almost in the very centre of the Province to be governed, -proverbially healthy, substantially built, strongly fortified, well -lighted, thoroughly drained, pleasantly situated, abundantly supplied, -easy of access, the focus of a net-work of good roads, the outlet -of the produce of several rich countries, provided with a good -harbour, and enjoying many other advantages, a pre-eminence -among all Canadian Cities, as the permanent Seat of the Government -of the Province.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The existence of the Seat of Government at Kingston, although -of short duration, had a beneficial effect; many handsome buildings -were erected besides those used for the several Public Departments. -“The Municipal Legislature of the City was encouraged -to make improvements in streets, drainage, sidewalks, and otherwise, -and to erect the present handsome and expensive edifice, the -City Hall and Market House, though not so useful as it would have -been had the Government remained here. The whole building is -occupied, and produces a revenue exceeding in amount the interest -on its cost. On the whole it may fairly be considered that the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_435'>435</span>City was improved by the temporary location of the Government -here.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Barriefield.</span>—​The Cataraqui Bridge, which spans the great -Cataraqui River, connects Kingston with the Township of Pittsburgh, -the origin of which name is sufficiently well indicated. Close by, is the -village of Barriefield, “named after Commodore Barrie, who was head -of the Naval Department for many years.” “It forms a sort of suburb -to the city, and though not a place of much increase, has been long -settled. It has an elevated ground, and from it the visitor obtains -a very favorable and pleasing view of Kingston, with its harbors, -forts and towers. At Barriefield, are built the best small crafts, -skiffs, and pleasure boats in use throughout the Province. They -are sent hence to all parts, and their character and build are well -known to the aquatic sportsman, and amateur mariner. Not only -in the Province, but abroad, these boats are sought after, and in use, -some of them being now afloat on the Lake of Geneva. The Kingston, -Pittsburgh, and Gananoque, and the Kingston and Phillipsville -Macadamized Roads run through this township, opening up -the township beyond, and affording to the settler a ready access to -a never-failing market. Within this township, are upwards of -thirty-eight miles of thoroughly macadamized roads, besides good -country roads to and between the concessions. That part of Pittsburgh -where Barriefield stands, and for about two miles eastward, -was formerly part of the township of Kingston. When the site of -the Town of Kingston was first selected, the spot where this village -is situated was suggested, but was overruled in favor of the present -locality of Kingston, which certainly offered greater advantages -for the site of a city.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Kingston Township contains, not only the city of that name, -but various villages; “one of the nearest to that city is that of -<em>Waterloo</em>, a very pretty and neat little hamlet, about three miles -from town. It contains about 300 inhabitants, and has its Town -Hall, Church, Stores, Inns, &c.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In the neighborhood of this village, is the <em>Cataraqui Cemetery</em>, -laid out on a rising ground crowned by a grove of small pine trees. -Much care and skill in landscape gardening has been displayed in -rendering the ground picturesque and pleasing; a fine and extended -view of the surrounding country, and a pretty glimpse of the Bay -is obtained from the Cemetery grounds. This spot is not excelled -in beauty and appropriateness, by anything in the Province, and is -compared by travelers, who view it, to Greenwood Cemetery, in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_436'>436</span>Brooklyn, N. Y. It covers some sixty-five acres of land, and when -ornamented by such numerous and elegant monuments, as the living -have erected to mark their respect to the beloved dead in older -places of sepulture, will be unsurpassed by the oldest and most -beautiful cemeteries known.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>Portsmouth</em> is another village, about equidistant from -Kingston with Waterloo, lying westward on the Lake shore; it was -at one time, a very bustling spot, and much enterprise was evinced -in ship-building. It suffered, for a time, from the withdrawal of -the Seat of Government, and the construction of the St. Lawrence -canals, but has now recovered its former prosperity, which promises -to continue. The ship-building business has revived, and is carried -on with energy and success. In its neighborhood are several -handsome houses and villa-residences: the surrounding country -offering very inviting spots for building. It contains about 350 -inhabitants, and a large amount of rateable property, and has an -exceedingly neat unique little Church, in old English style, with a -belfry.” Portsmouth is now united to Kingston, by the erection of -buildings between them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Within the Township of Kingston, about five miles from the -city, is the old “Kingston Mill.” It is situated upon the Rideau -Canal. The traveler, as he passes along by train, over a tubular -bridge, will be struck by the beauty and grandeur of the scene. -(For particulars, see “Early Years of Upper Canada.”)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Little Cataraqui is a stream of small dimensions, confined to the -township. In addition to the Little Cataraqui stream, there is running -across the township, the Collins Creek, so named after Surveyor -Collins. Not far from its source, in the north east part of the -township, is a small, pleasant lake, of the same name, while, at its -mouth, is Collins’ Bay. This is a beautiful inlet of the Bay Quinté, -and forms a good harbour. The place is known as Collinsby, and is -situated about five miles west of Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The quantity of land in the township, is about 47,906. The -soil is principally clay upon a limestone foundation; but still there -is much of it capable of bearing good crops, to the careful and -scientific farmer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thomas Deacon, father of the present Post Master, was Post -Master from 1800 to 1836, when his duties in the Commissariat -Department obliged him to resign that office. The Hon. John -Macauley occupied the post from 1813 to 1836, when he resigned, -and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Robert Deacon.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_437'>437</span>We will supplement the reference we have made to the leading -men of Kingston, by giving extracts from a communication we -have, at the last moment received, written by one who, now well -advanced in life, spent his earlier years of manhood in Kingston, -when the first inhabitants were in the afternoon of their life.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Hon. R. Cartwright, the pioneer merchant, and Judge of -Mecklenburgh, seems to have stood next in importance and influence -to the Rev. Mr. Stuart. “Among the prominent merchants were -Thomas Markland, John Cummings, Peter Smith, John Kirby, and -John Macaulay.” They were “all honorable men,” and “members -of the English Church,” and of undeviating loyalty. Mr. Markland -left a son. John Cummings left no issue. He was a man of -“great energy; a magistrate, and filled other offices under the -Government.” Peter Smith was “highly respected, upright in all -his dealings, and free from any moral or political reproach.” “A -fine specimen of an English gentleman.” He “carried with him -evidence that he was no stranger to good dinners, and understood -the qualities of good wine.” He died at an advanced age, 1825, -leaving a son and two daughters.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John Kirby was another fine specimen of an Englishman. -He loved good wine and good dinners. Extremely affable, always -in good humor, universally respected. His highest ambition, in the -evening of his days, seemed to be the enjoyment of domestic tranquility, -and a quiet home, made happy to him by a wife of rare -sense, intelligent, and possessed of many amiable accomplishments.” -The Hon. John Macaulay had a well disciplined mind, possessed -great energy of character, and was decided in his political opinions -no doubt, from conscientious motives. In his business transactions -“he was scrupulously exact.” “Extremely temperate in his habits. -Was one of those who passed through life without exposing themselves -to the obloquy of their political opponents.” Allen McLean, -Esq., the first Lawyer of Kingston; created such by an order in -Council. His “abilities were moderate,” and “his original education -defective.” “A man of considerable taste, modest, dignified -in his deportment. For many years, was the only legal adviser in -the place. He was a faithful representative in Parliament for many -years. Was liberal in his political opinions.” “As proof of his -good taste, he was proprietor of one of the best gardens in the -Province. It covered one acre of ground, and contained many -choice fruit trees, such as apples, plums, pears, peach, &c.,—​all -tastefully arranged, kept in prime order, and defended from the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_438'>438</span>wind by a high wall. He took an honest pride in showing his -garden to his friends who called upon him, and was not stinted in -distributing its luscious products.” Mr. McLean left one daughter, -who became the wife of John McLean, Esq., Sheriff of the Midland -District. Christopher Hagerman resided for many years in Kingston. -Was, for many years, Custom House Officer, and while so, -one of his students (Mr. Samson, afterwards of Belleville) detected -a man, by the name of Lyons, in the act of carrying smuggled -goods, and ordered him to stop. On his refusing to do so, Mr. S. -discharged his pistol, which took effect, the ball passing through -the chest. Lyons rushed to his house, a few doors off, and fell -exhausted from loss of blood. Mr. Samson, frightened at what -he had done, hastened to summon two doctors, Drs. Armstrong and -Sampson. This occurred before daylight, on the morning of the -26th June, 1824. The life of Lyons was despaired of for many days; -but, eventually, he grew better, and gained a moderate degree of -health. It is creditable to Mr. Hagerman, that he cheerfully paid -the medical attendants. Mr. Hagerman represented Kingston in -Parliament several years. He removed to Toronto, a few years -previous to the rebellion of 1836.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_439'>439</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XLIX.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The second town—​Ernest’s town—​King George—​His children—​Settlers -of Ernesttown—​Disbanded soldiers—​Johnson’s regiment—​Major -Rogers’ corps—​The “Roll”—​Number—​By whom enlisted—​An old book—​Township -surveyed—​Settling—​Traveling—​Living in tents—​A change—​Officers—​Names—​Occupants -of lots—​Mill Creek—​The descendants—​Quantity -of land—​Village—​The settlers in 1811—​The main road—​Incorporation of -Bath—​Trading—​Fairfield—​The library—​Bath by Gourlay—​Bath of the -present—​Bath <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">versus</span></i> Napanee—​In 1812—​American Fleet—​Wonderful -achievement—​Safe distance from shore—​Third township—​Fredericksburgh—​After -Duke of Sussex—​Surveyed by Kotte—​A promise to the disbanded -soldiers—​Johnson—​Fredericksburgh additional—​A dispute—​Quantity of -land—​Extract from Mrs. Moodie—​Reserve for village—​Second surveys.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE SECOND TOWNSHIP—​ERNESTTOWN—​BATH.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The first township was named after His Majesty, the King’s -Town, and all of the other townships, both upon the St. Lawrence -and Bay Quinté, received names after distinguished loyalty, or -some distinguished nobleman, or general of Great Britain, then -occupying a prominent position. King George the Third, who died -in 1820, aged eighty-two, having reigned sixty years, had a family -of fifteen children, whose names were George, Frederick, William -Henry, Charlotte Augusta Matilda, Edward, Sophia Augusta, -Elizabeth, Ernest Augustus, Augustus Frederick, Adolphus Frederick, -Mary, Sophia, Octavius, Alfred, Amelia. These royal names -were appropriated to the townships, towns, districts, &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ernesttown was so named after Ernest Augustus, the eighth -child of the King.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first township, we have seen, was chiefly granted to Captain -Grass and the band of loyalists who came from New York under his -guidance, notwithstanding some objection from Sir John Johnson, -and the officers of his regiment. The second township, however, -and also the third, were allotted to the 2nd battalion of the 84th -regiment, commonly called Sir John Johnson’s regiment, also the -King’s New York Royal Rangers. The regiment was generally -designated, by the rebels, as the Royal Greens. This body of -men took a conspicuous part in the war—​took a noble part, -although those who feared them, and were unequal to meet -them in successful combat, endeavoured to malign them. The -history of this regiment is referred to elsewhere, and as well -that of the distinguished founder. The writer has in his possession -the “roll of the 2nd battalion of the King’s Royal Rangers, New -<span class='pageno' id='Page_440'>440</span>York,” containing the names of the parties by whom each of the -soldiers was enlisted, which will be found in the appendix.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By this it is learned that the whole number of the company -was 477. That Sir John Johnson enlisted 88, Major Ross 47, Captain -Leahe 17, Guminall 38, Munrow 29, Anderson 1, Lieutenant -Halbert 1, Captain McKay 95, Morrison 30, Singleton 1, Major -Gray 2, Captain Crawford 2, John McDonell 2, Lieutenant Langan -30, Langhn 2, Lieutenant Wair 1, French 1, C. McAlpine 1, -Ensign Thompson 1, Lieutenant McKay 2, Sergeant Howell 2, -Tipple 1, Ensign Smith 3, and 69 by whom, it is not stated, -they were enlisted. This roll was afterwards a precious document, -when it became necessary to prove that one was truly a -U. E. Loyalist. The book in which this roll is found, seems to -have been an account book kept by the Adjutant, Fraser, and is -dated at Oswego, 28th November, 1782. Subsequently, it was -used as an account book by “Captain Crawford’s company.” -We believe it was after his death that the book came into the -possession of Mr. Sills. It is an interesting relic of the past, -and ought to find a lodgement in some museum.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Many of these disbanded soldiers were from the Mohawk valley -and Upper Hudson. The majority were from the old Johnston -district, and not a few of Dutch origin. These honest and industrious -settlers are represented to-day by wealthy and valuable -citizens, whose names unmistakably indicate the stock from which -they have descended.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This township was surveyed probably in 1784. It may be that -a base line was run in the fall of 1783. By looking at the map of -this township, it will be seen that the lots are marked, like those -of Kingston, from west to east, showing that the base line was run -along the whole length, and then subsequently the survey completed -from the west.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the early spring of 1784, came the soldier settlers; the 1st -battalion, commonly called Jessup’s Corps, settled on the St. -Lawrence, in Edwardsburgh and Augusta, while the second, or -Rogers’ Corps, passed up to the Bay of Quinté. Respecting this -regiment, the following will prove appropriate, from the pen of the -historian of the County of Dundas. “At the close of the war, this -regiment was stationed at the Isle aux Noix, a fortified frontier -post at the northern extremity of Lake Champlain, which has -been mentioned as an important fortress during the old French war. -Here they passed a whole year, and were employed in adding to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_441'>441</span>the already extensive fortifications of that island. While they -remained there thus employed, two Government surveyors, named -Steichmann and Tewit, were actively engaged surveying the -County of Dundas, for their future occupation. Late in the autumn -of 1783, the soldiers were joined by their wives and little ones, who -had wandered the weary way afoot, to Whitehall, through swamps -and forest, beset with difficulties, dangers, and privations, innumerable. -The soldiers from Isle aux Noix met them there, with boats, -and conveyed them the rest of their journey by water, through Lake -Champlain. Imagination fails us when we attempt to form an idea -of the emotions that filled their hearts, as families, that had formerly -lived happily together, surrounded with peace and plenty, and had -been separated by the rude hand of war, now met in each others -embrace, in circumstances of abject poverty. A boisterous passage -was before them in open boats, exposed to the rigors of the season—​a -dreary prospect of a coming winter, to be spent in pent -up barracks, and a certainty, should they be spared, of undergoing -a life-time of such hardship, toil, and privation, as are inseparable -from the settlement of a new country. As soon as the -journey was accomplished, the soldiers and their families, were -embarked in boats, sent down the Richelieu to Sorel, thence to -Montreal, and on to Cornwall, by the laborious and tedious route of -the St. Lawrence. The difficulty of dragging their boats up the -rapids of this river was very great; to us it is really quite inconceivable. -Arrived at Cornwall, they found there the Government -Land Agent, and forthwith proceeded to draw by lottery the lands -that had been granted to them. On the 20th of June, 1784, the -first settlers landed in the County of Dundas.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Not unlikely some of the 2nd battalion were stationed at -Carleton Island and Oswego, up to the time that settlement took -place. We learn that Captain Crawford’s company at least -was at the latter place in 1782. However, it seems clear that -most of the battalion was in Lower Canada, and came up with -the first battalion. The survey was not yet completed, and they -pitched their tents along the shore, waiting until the work of drawing -lots was accomplished. In the meantime, they passed their -days as best they could; not knowing where their lot would be cast, -they could not proceed with the clearing of land. The writer has -been told by one who, passing up during this summer, saw the -tents spread along the shore, upon whose brink the primeval forest -yet stood in all its native beauty. Now, had they been stationed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_442'>442</span>at Carleton Island or Oswego, it is not likely they would have thus -come before they could enter upon their work of settling.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The camp tents in use by these disbanded veterans were the -same they had occupied in their campaigning. How great the -change to them. The alarm of the coming foe, the thought of -approaching battle, the cannon’s roar, the rattle of small arms, no -longer disturbed their dreams, nor sounded upon their ears. The -battle cloud had passed away, leaving but a wreck of their worldly -goods, and there was a great calm—​the calm of the desert wilderness, -unbroken even by the sound of the pioneer’s axe—​the calm of a conscience -quieted by the thought that all had been sacrificed in a -righteous cause. They had met and conquered many a foe; but the -fate of war had driven them to the desert wild, to encounter new -fears, to fight the battle of the pioneer. How they succeeded; how -glorious the victory, is written, not merely by our own feeble hand -elsewhere—​it is indelibly inscribed upon the pages of the townships, -by the tillers of the soil.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In this township as well as elsewhere, the officers seem to have -had the choice of lots upon the front, while the rank and file took -possession of the rear lots. Among the officers who settled on the -front of Ernesttown and Fredericksburgh, may be found the names -of Lieut. Church, Lieut. Spencer, Capts. Crawford and Thompson, -Ensign Fraser, Capt. Howard. According to John Collins Clark, -son of Robert Clark, the first lots were taken up in the following -order, commencing at the easternmost lot, No. 42:</p> - -<p class='c000'>Lot 42 was first occupied by David Purdy; Joshua Booth, Esq., -married to a daughter of David Fraser, lived on Lot 40 or 41; Mr. -Nicholas Lake, Lot 39, but soon left it; Lot 38 was settled by Capt. -Wm. Johnson; William Fairfield, sen., Lot 37. He had twelve -children, all of whom lived to marry. Daniel Rose commenced a -settlement on Lot 30, but in a few years left, and removed to the -third concession. Matthias Rose, sen., settled on Lot 35, he died in -his 90th year. Lot 34 and east half of 33, were settled by Robert -Clark, Esq. His wife was a Ketcham, they had five sons and a -daughter; he died at the age of 80 years. His eldest son, Matthias, -had twelve sons. West half of Lot 33 was occupied by John Longwell. -The east half of Lot 32 was first owned by John Sayer; the -west half by Simon Swarts. Lot 31 was school land, first occupied -by Michael Phipps and William Sole. East half of Lot 29, owned -by a German named Gedd, west half occupied by Daniel Fraser, Esq., -though not the first settler on that lot. Sebastian Hogle, John Lake, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_443'>443</span>and John Caldwell settled Lots 27 and 28, but soon removed back -into the concessions. James Parrot, Esq., a half-pay officer, settled -Lot 26; he afterward sold this lot to Adam Stanring, from the -Mohawk River. The next settlers, continuing westward, were -Jacob Miller, Frederick Baker, Wigant (Lutheran clergyman), John -Mabee, Joseph Huff, a waggon maker, Adam Peat, a tailor, Nicholas -Amey, Simon Snider, David Williams, generally called Sergeant -Williams, a blacksmith, Joseph Losee, Lieut. John Dusenbury. -Lieut. Best soon left, and Dusenbury died. Lot 19, has latterly -been partially laid out into village lots, and a number of buildings -erected. Lot 18 was a Government mill lot. It was -leased for some years by Joshua Booth. From the number of mills -subsequently erected on the stream, that empties here, it obtained -the name of “Mill Creek.” Lot 17, settled by William Cottier -which was afterward owned by A. D. Foward. There were several -occupants of the next lot; and the next was settled by Brisco, and -the next by Richard Robins. Then came one by John George. Lot 11, -now a part of Bath, was owned by George McGinnis, a half-pay officer, -who sold to Fairfield. No. 10, on which is situated most of the village -of Bath, was occupied by John Davy. No. 9 was owned by -James Johnson, father of the celebrated “Bill” Johnson, the traitor -of 1812. The next was settled by Jeptha Hamley, Esq. Westward -lived Matthias Rose, William Rose, Wilcox, Shibley, then Finkle, -Brisco, Huffman, Pruyn, Williams, Church, &c. As a general thing, -the sons of the first settlers, settled in the rear concessions. At the -present time, says Clark, there are not more than 10 or 12 of the -farms on the front owned by the descendants of the original settlers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The township of Ernesttown contains 68,644 acres, all of which -is excellent land with the least exception, so that the pioneers were -not the losers in having this township allotted to them instead of -Kingston. However, at that time the distance from Carleton Island -and Cataraqui seemed considerable. The land being good, and the -settlers industrious, as a general thing, the time was not long, when -the township became the best cultivated, and most wealthy, not -alone around the Bay of Quinté but in the whole of Western Canada. -The richness of the soil, and lying more immediately at the mouth of -the Bay, contributed to its prosperity, and a village before many years -sprung up, which for a time rivalled even Kingston itself, in respect -to rapid increase of inhabitants, the establishment of trade, building -of ships, and from the presence of gentlemen of refinement and education, -and in the foundation of a library and a seminary of higher -education.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_444'>444</span>Gourlay says, in 1811, that “the settlers are most of them practical -husbandmen. Their farms are well fenced, well tilled, and -accommodated with barns.” There are now above 2,300 inhabitants, a -greater number than are found in any other township in the Province. -They have three houses of public worship, one Episcopalian, -one Presbyterian, and one Methodist. In 1817, Ernesttown had -“one parochial academy in the village, and thirteen common schools -over the township.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In some of the townships first surveyed, a plot was reserved at -the front, and subsequently laid out into town lots. Such was the -case in Ernesttown, seemingly. At all events a village sprung up at -an early period, on the front of the tenth lot. It was for a long time -known as the Village of Ernesttown; but in time, after the war of -1812, it acquired the name of Bath, probably after the beautiful English -town of that name. The distance of Bath from Kingston is -about eighteen miles, and the road leading thereto was one of the -first constructed in Upper Canada, and the country there was regarded -as the very centre of civilization in the Province. For a long time -the main road between Kingston and York passed by Bath, even -after it was no longer solely by the way of Prince Edward and the -Carrying Place. A branch of the main road passed from this place -to Napanee, and thence to Thurlow and Sidney. Bath was regarded -as a city in embryo. Its progress was onward, until the war of 1812. -Gourlay says of it in 1811, that “it promises to be a place of considerable -business.” But the war dealt a serious blow to the place, -from which it never recovered fully. The <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, of 1816, -remarks, to the effect, that the village is emerging from its depression, -and that it ought to be made a post town, and a port of entry. In -the summer of this year Samuel Purdy started a public conveyance -between Kingston and Bath. The following year the Steamer <em>Frontenac</em> -and <em>Charlotte</em> were commenced here. In 1818 a bill was introduced -into Parliament “to constitute the town of Bath—​to provide -for laying out and surveying town lots and streets, and a market-place -therein, and regulating the police thereof.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first person to engage in the trading business at Bath was -Benjamin Fairfield.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thus wrote Gourlay, of Bath, in 1811: “From the lake shore -the ground ascends about seventy rods, and thence slopes off in -a gentle northern descent. The ascent is divided into regular squares -by five streets, laid parallel with the shore; one of them being the -lower branch of the main road, and all of them crossed at right angles -<span class='pageno' id='Page_445'>445</span>by streets running northerly. One of these cross streets is continued -through the concession, and forms that branch of the main road -which passes round the Bay of Quinté. On the east side of this -street, at the most elevated point, stands the church, and on the opposite -side is the academy, overlooking the village, and commanding a -variegated prospect of the harbour, the sound, the adjacent island, -the outlets into the open lake, and the shores stretching eastward and -westward, with a fine landscape view of the country all around. -The situation is healthy and delightful, not surpassed perhaps in -natural advantages by any in America. The village is increasing in -buildings, accommodations, inhabitants, and business, and seems calculated -to be the central point of a populous and productive tract of -country around it.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>A stranger visiting Bath to-day, having read of its early and -enterprising days, will not unlikely feel a pang of disappointment. -We are sorry to say that the place presents a tumbling-down appearance. -A large brick building, built in 1809, to accommodate what -was then the largest Free Mason lodge in the province, has a large -rent in it, as if an enemy’s cannon ball had penetrated and shattered -it. Prominently situated it attracts great attention. The quietness -of the place reminds one of Goldsmith’s deserted village. Within -our own recollection, ship building was carried on here; but now -nothing indicates the place of busy enterprise; there is nothing -but the plain unbroken beach, where was constructed the first -steamboats built in Upper Canada. The literary spirit that led to -the establishment of a library here at an early date, we fear has -departed—​gone with the spirit of those who nobly conceived the -project—​gone as lawyers Macaulay, Fairfield, and Ridwell, who -here entered upon promising careers of professional usefulness. -The glory of Bath has not ceased to depart; year after year it -has lost some element of importance to its existence. The rich -country around for many years poured into this charming village -its ever increasing supplies. The merchants of Bath exchanged -goods for the produce, and became rich; but now, Napanee, affording -a greater variety of the necessaries and luxuries for family -use, draws a large majority of the well-to-do yeomen, who there -spend their money. Occasionally, a grain buyer may be able -to offer a little higher price here, yet the farmer takes his -money to spend in Napanee. Times, indeed, have changed since -the denizens of Bath regarded their village as a rival of Kingston; -when enterprise sought here a larger field in which to drive business, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_446'>446</span>and men of education adorned society, and gave refinement -and superior advantages to its people. Then Napanee was in the -backwoods—​a place regarded as we do now the settlements upon -the Hastings’ Road; and those who lived there were removed from -the centre of civilization. But now the iron horse speeds along by -the old York Road; and Bath of Canada, like its great namesake at -home, although still beautiful, is interesting, mainly from its past -associations.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was the citizens of Bath who first saw the American fleet in -1813 approaching the shore. The early morning sun saw the -inhabitants very shortly aroused to action. The old veterans, who -for so many years had used the plow and the axe, anxiously enquired -for their old weapons of warfare. Mrs. Perry tells us that she -distinctly remembers that the word came to her father’s while they -were at breakfast, that the enemy was entering Bath. Her father, -then fifty-eight, forsook his breakfast and sought his gun. But -before he and his sons reached the village, the fleet had passed on -toward Kingston. Three of his sons, hurried on to Kingston. -In like manner, all along the front, arose the men of seventy-six, -with their sons; and their arms flashed in the morning sunlight. -The enemy had won at Bath a great victory. They had stolen in -at the early dawn, when no foe was there, and actually had -succeeded in taking and burning the schooner <em>Benjamin Davy</em>.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE THIRD TOWNSHIP—​FREDERICKSBURGH.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The early settlers sometimes called it the “Township of Frederick.” -It was called after Augustus Frederick, the Duke of Sussex, -ninth child of the king.</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to the original plan of this township, preserved in -the Crown Lands’ Department, it was “surveyed in 1784 by James -Pearly Lewis Kotte, Henry Holland, and Samuel Tuffe.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The limits of the second township having been defined, the third -was also planned. Having fixed the base line, which formed a slight -angle with that of the second town, over the width of twenty-five -lots, it was at first, the intention to limit the township to this extent -of frontage; and the lots were consequently completed and numbered -from west to east, as had been done with the first two townships. -But it turned out that this would not meet the requirements of Sir -John Johnson’s disbanded soldiers, to whom the promise had been -made that they should be located in a township by themselves. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_447'>447</span>result was, that the wishes of this corps’ were gratified, and the township -was enlarged to the extent of thirteen additional lots, which the -map will show are numbered from east to west, and which indicate -that the lots were completely surveyed before they were numbered. -That portion of the third town included in the portion first numbered, -received the name of “Fredericksburgh Original,” and that subsequently -added, was called “Fredericksburgh Additional.” The original -intention of the surveyor, was to have the latter portion form a -part of the fourth township, which would have effected a more equal -division of the land; but the disbanded soldiers did not wish to pass -under the control of other officers, such as held command of the settlers -of the fourth township. Indeed, as will be more particularly pointed -out in connection with that township, Adolphustown had well nigh -been entirely consumed by the renewed arrivals of Rogers’ men. -There need be no wonder that the old soldiers should thus desire to -remain side by side under a common commander, in the wilderness -field, to fight the stern battle of pioneer life, and to convert the wilderness -into homesteads. The fact that numbers of each battalion -were unwilling to settle, except under their own officers, reveals the -spirit of the times: it tells us how much the settlement partook of a -military character, and the feeling of attachment which existed between -the officers and men, as well as among the rank and file. It -would not do that the same lots should be occupied as a part of the -fourth town under Captain VanAlstine; they must be severed from -that township, and united to Fredericksburgh, under the jurisdiction -of their old major.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Fredericksburgh contains 40,215 acres of the very best quality -of land. The following is taken from Cooper’s Essay, by the pen of -the talented Mrs. Moodie. “We approach Fredericksburgh: this -too is a pretty place, on the north side of the bay; beautiful orchards -and meadows skirt the water, and fine bass-wood and willow-trees -grow beside, or bend over the waves. The green smooth meadows, -out of which the black stumps rotted long ago, show noble groups of -hickory and butternut, and, sleek fat cows are reposing beneath them, -or standing midleg in the small creek, that wanders through them, to -pour its fairy tribute into the broad bay.” In 1811, the township -had “a large population, and many excellent farms, an Episcopal -Church (subsequently burnt), and a Lutheran Meeting-house.”—​(Gourlay).</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was also a “reserve” for a village in this township at the -front, which, however, never grew into a village.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_448'>448</span>In 1798, an act was passed, the object of which was to ascertain, -and establish the boundary lines between the townships by which -irregularities might be removed. In 1826, a special act was obtained -“to make provision for a survey of the first, second, and third, concessions -of Fredericksburgh, original, and the whole of Fredericksburgh, -additional.” It was enacted that the eastern boundary line of -the said township, otherwise known as the line between lots number -twenty-five, and the Gore, in the said second and third concessions, -shall be, and the same is hereby declared to be, the course or courses -of the respective division or side lines of lots or parcels lying in the -aforesaid tract of land; and all surveyors shall be, and are hereby, -required to run all such division or side lines of any of such lots or -parcels of land, which they may be called upon to survey, to correspond -with, and be parallel to, the aforesaid eastern boundary line.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER L.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The Fourth Township—​Adolphustown—​After Duke of Cambridge—​Quantity -of Land—​Survey—​Major VanAlstine—​Refugees—​From New -York—​Time—​Voyage—​Their Fare—​Names—​Arrived—​Hagerman’s Point—​In -Tents—​First Settler—​Town Plot—​Death—​The Burial—​A Relic—​Commissary—​Dispute -of Surveyors—​The Settlers—​All things in common—​An -Aged Man—​Golden Rule—​Old Map—​Names—​Islands—​The Township—​Price -of Land—​First “Town Meeting”—​Minutes—​The Officers Record—​Inhabitants, -1794—​Up to 1824—​First Magistrates—​Centre of Canada—​Court -Held in Barn—​In Methodist Chapel—​“A Den of Thieves”—​Court House -erected—​Adolphustown Canadians—​Members of Parliament—​The Courts—​Where -first held—​Hagerman—​Travelers tarrying at Adolphustown.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SETTLEMENT OF ADOLPHUSTOWN.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The Fourth Township westward from Fort Frontenac, was, -some time after its survey and settlement, named Adolphustown, -after Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, the tenth son of King George -III. The Township contains about 11,459 acres, and was surveyed -in 1784, by Surveyor-General Holland.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1783, a party of Loyalists sailed from the port of -New York. They were under the command of Capt. VanAlstine, -with a fleet of seven sail, and protected by the Brig “Hope,” of -forty guns. Some of this band had served in the army, in an -irregular way, more had been in New York as refugees. VanAlstine -<span class='pageno' id='Page_449'>449</span>although commissioned to lead this company, it would seem, had -not been in the service—​was not a military man, but a prominent -Loyalist of the Knickerbockers. But these refugees, in setting out -for the unknown wilderness, were provided with camp tents and -provision, to be continued for three years, and with such implements -as were given to the disbanded soldiers, as well as a batteau -to every four families, after arriving at their place of destination. -The company were mostly from the Counties of Rockland, Orange, -and Ulster, on the east side of the Hudson, and Westchester, -Duchess, and Columbia, on the west.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They sailed from New York on the 8th Sept. 1783, and arrived -at Quebec, 8th Oct. Many were undecided whether to remain in -the Lower Provinces, or go on to Canada. The events of this -voyage; this departure from old homes, to penetrate the unknown -north, are even yet held in remembrance by their descendants. -Thus, it is told, that after leaving New York a few days, a shark -was observed following the vessel, which created no little consternation. -It continued to follow for many days, until a child had died -and been consigned to the deep, after which it was no longer seen. -The Government rations with which they were supplied, consisted, -as the story has been told the writer, of “pork and peas for breakfast; -peas and pork for dinner; and for supper, one or the other.” -The party proceeded from Quebec thence to Sorel, where they -spent the winter. They inhabited their linen tents, which afforded -but little protection from the intense cold. While staying there, it -was determined to grant them a township on the Bay Quinté. The -first Township had been granted to Capt. Grass, the second and -third were to be possessed by Johnson’s Second Battalion; so VanAlstine’s -corps were to have the next township. Surveyor Holland -was engaged in completing the survey, and even then, had his tent -pitched on the shore of the fourth township. The party left Sorel -21st May, 1784, in a brigade of batteaux, and reached the fourth -township on the 16th June. The names of some of those who -composed this party, were: VanAlstine, Ruttan, Huycks, Velleau, -Maybee, Coles, Sherman, Ballis, three families of Petersons, Loyce, -VanSkiver, Philip and Thomas Dorland, Cornelius VanHorn, -VanDusen, Hagerman, father of the late Judge Hagerman, Angel -Huff, Richard Beagle, John and Stephen Roblin, Fitzgerald, Michael -Stout, Capt. Joseph Allan, Hover, Owen Ferguson, John Baker, -Wm. Baker, German, Geo. Rutter, James Noxen, John Casey, Benj. -Clapp, Geo. Rutledge, David Barker, Owen Roblin.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_450'>450</span>It is a curious fact, fully attested by the Allison’s, the Hover’s -and others, that as the batteaux slowly wended their way along the -shore, having passed the mark which indicated the boundary of the -Third Township, several of the passengers, gazing upon the woods, -expressed a wish to possess certain places, according to the fancy of -each; and, strangely enough, the Cole’s, the Hover’s, the Allison’s, -the Ruttan’s, and others, did actually come respectively into -possession, by lot, in accordance with their previously expressed -wish.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The company had reached the land whereon they were to -work out their future existence. The writer has driven upon the -ice along the Bay, following, it must have been, almost the way -taken by this party, as they landed. They passed along the present -Adolphustown wharf, westward nearly half a mile, and rounded a -point known as Hagerman’s Point. Here a small, but deep stream -empties itself, having coursed along a small valley, with sloping -sides, in a westerly direction. They ascended this creek for nearly -a quarter of a mile; and proceeded to land upon its south side. -Between the creek and the bay is a pleasant eminence; it was upon -its slopes the settlers, under VanAlstine, pitched their tents. The -boats were hauled up; and among the trees, the white tents were -duly ranged. Thus housed, and thus far removed from the busy -haunts of men, this community continued to live for many days. -Steps were taken at an early day to draw lots for land. As so -much of the township was washed by the waters of the bay, there -was not the same anxiety among the settlers with respect to the -decision of the ballot. Every one drew his number, with one -exception, and this was a notable one, as indicating the noble feeling -of brotherhood which lived in the breasts of the noble band of -refugees. The exception was not in favor of the person in command, -or a particular friend. Mr. Cole had expressed a liking for -the first lot, now known as Cole’s Point, and he, having a large -family and consequently more anxious to get on his land, and get -settled for the winter, and the land ready for the next summer, was -immediately, by universal consent, put in possession of the lot; and -he even that year raised some potatoes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In addition to the 200 acres granted to each of the company, -there was a town plot, consisting of 300 acres, regularly laid out into -town lots of one acre each, and one of these was granted to each of -the settlers. This plot thus surveyed, it was believed in time would -become the site of a town.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_451'>451</span>While they were yet living in their tents one of their number -died, a child it is said by some. The dead was buried close by, -under a tree. When others came to die, they also were buried here, -and thus was formed the “U. E. Loyalist burying ground.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The second person buried in this place, while it was yet a woods, -was Casper Hover. Shortlived was his career as a pioneer. But a -few months had passed, and he had barely taken possession of his -land when, one day engaged in clearing off the land, he was struck -by a falling limb and killed. A blow so sudden was felt not alone -by his own family, but by all the settlers. Imagination cannot call -up the heart-stirring scene of this burial in the woods by his comrades. -As there was yet no roads nor path, not unlikely the body -was conveyed by batteau from Hover’s farm to the burying ground. -The coffin must have been made of rough green boards, split out -of logs, or perhaps made with a whip saw. There was no minister -to discharge any rights belonging to the dead, or improve the events -for the spiritual welfare of the living.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Casper Hover had for his wife Barbara Monk, a relative of -Barbara Heck, well known for her connection with early Methodism -in the new world. There remains now in possession of Joseph -Allison, of Adolphustown, whose wife was a Hover, a pewter platter -which belonged to Barbara Monk. It is a relic of no ordinary -interest. Barbara Monk was a descendant of the Palatines, and this -platter was carried by her ancestors when they were forced to leave the -Palatinate. They took it with them to Ireland, thence to New York, -and finally it was brought by Barbara to Adolphustown, with VanAlstine’s -company. The writer has had the satisfaction of examining -this relic of former days. It is a round dish, of solid -metal, 16 inches broad, and weighing over five pounds. It bears no -signs of wearing out. This article of household usefulness is, or was -in the past, regarded as a township one, and was famous for its associations -with innumerable pot pies. For many a year when there -was a bee, or a raising, or a wedding, the pewter platter was engaged -to do service.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The stores of provisions for the settlers in this township, were -placed under the care of VanAlstine himself; but it would appear, -from the statements of some, that Philip Dorland gave his assistance, -and to some extent, was responsible, acting under the instructions of -a committee, for the distribution to the families. Also, one Emery, -was connected with the department.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It would seem that Surveyor General Holland, who surveyed the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_452'>452</span>fourth town, and Deputy Surveyor Collins, who surveyed third town, -had some trouble with respect to “Fredericksburgh additional.” The -number of lots composing the third township at first, was not enough -to supply the whole of the battalion; having been promised lots in the -same township. When it was seen that all could not be accommodated -in the lots of third township, it was determined to take a certain number -from the fourth township. To this Surveyor Holland consented, -probably with the concurrence of Major VanAlstine. But more of -Rogers’ company continued to come; and Collins wished to absorb the -whole of the fourth town, to accommodate them. In this he was, no -doubt, supported by officers of the battalion; Sir John Johnson -among the rest. But Holland, in the interest of the company, which -had already settled in the fourth town, under VanAlstine, objected. -The statement comes to us that Holland and Collins had well nigh -fought a duel in connection with the matter. As Collins was a deputy -under Holland, there must have been some strong influence supporting -the former, which was probably through Sir John Johnson. But -Holland, having completed the survey of the side lines as he desired, -started precipitately to Quebec with his report. Collins hearing of -this, started after. Whatever may have been the contest at head -quarters, Holland’s report of the fourth township was received, and -the third township was limited to its present size.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Joseph Allison, says, respecting the settlement, that “what -was one’s business was everybody’s business, they were all dependent -on each other.” Each concession was considered a neighbourhood, -each being about four miles in length. After the trees were felled -and the brush burnt, then came on the logging bees, and every man -had to give an account of himself, if he should be missing when notified. -There were no aristocrats, from Major VanAlstine down to the -humblest individual. Each had to do what he could. They were -perfectly organized in this branch of business, being divided into -companies or squads of six; and each squad had to take a regular -“through” of about six or seven rods wide, piling all the timber in -their respective “throughs.” These logging bees were always -attended with much strife, all striving to be ahead; and as they were -always used to their rations of rum, they must, on these occasions, -have all they wanted. Then, in the evening, they must have their -dance. It was considered the privilege and duty of all the women -in the neighbourhood to attend and assist in cooking, as many of the -settlers were bachelors. Indeed, if there was a wedding, in one of the -concessions, all had a right to attend, belonging to the neighbourhood. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_453'>453</span>These pioneers of Adolphustown were a wonderfully hardy set of -men, possessed of great physical powers, although inured to hardships -of a very pressing kind. They lived to a great age; very few -of them died under eighty, and two of them lived to be over a hundred. -John Fitzgerald was the oldest man that came with VanAlstine, -he died in 1806, aged 101; Daniel Cole was 106, when he -died. The leading men of the settlement were VanAlstine, Captain -Peter Ruttan, Michael Stout, the Dorlands, and Nicholas Hagerman. -If any dispute or grievance arose, it would be left to some one to -settle, but they all, with very few exceptions, tried to do as they -would wish to be done by.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Joseph Allison was a whip-sawyer by trade, and assisted to saw -the first boards that were used in the buildings. He drew lot 17.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Examining an old map in the Crown Lands Department, certain -names are found written upon the Islands and Points of Adolplustown. -The southern extremity has upon it the name of Lieutenant Michael -Vandervoort. The adjacent island has Lieutenant Samuel Tuffee, and -P. V. Dorland. Proceeding around the point to the north, the first -indentation of the bay is named Bass Cove. The next point is for -John Speers, and Humphrey Waters—​called on the map “Speers and -Waters lot, 150 acres.” The next cove is called Perch Cove, and the -next point is for Lieutenant Samuel Deane, 100 acres. Then comes -Little Cove. The bay off these points is called “Grand Bay,” northward -to where Hay Bay commences, it is called “The Forks,” while -Hay Bay is designated “East Bay,” and up toward the Mohawk -Bay it has the name of “the North Channel;” Casey’s Point on the -north shore of Hay Bay is called Green Point, and the land there is -allotted to Philip and Owen Roblin.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Beside those mentioned, as forming a part of VanAlstine’s company, -there were, among the first settlers of Adolplustown, and probably -of VanAlstine’s party: Angel, William and John Huff, Thomas -Casey; and at a later period came “Billy” Monroe, John Roblin, John -and James Canniff, Philip Flagler, Carnahan, Robert Short, Fisher, -and Captain Allan.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In some respects Major VanAlstine’s company were better off -than the soldier pioneers. Although they had to come a long distance -by ship, and ascend the St. Lawrence in small boats, which precluded -the possibility of bringing to the country many articles for family -use; yet they could fetch with them some things to contribute to -family comfort, beside clothing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The township being almost surrounded by water, and having -<span class='pageno' id='Page_454'>454</span>many indentations of the bay, there was thereby afforded the most -advantageous place for the settlers, whose only mode of traveling -was by boat. Every concession has communication with the bay. -The township is the smallest in the Province, containing but 11,459 -acres. The land at first, it is said, could be had for “one shilling an -acre,” and half of lot 15, of 100 acres, was sold for a “half joe”—​£8.00. -In contrast to this, in 1817, there was “no land in the township -which could be procured for less than £4 an acre,” and few -would sell at that price. Although so well provided with a water way -for travel, good roads were early constructed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following are the minutes of the first “Town meeting” held -in Adolphustown, on the 6th of March, 1793, for which we are indebted -to Mr. J. B. Allison.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The following persons were chosen to officiate in their respective -offices, the ensuing year, and also the regulations of the same.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Ruben Bedell, Township Clerk; Paul Huff, and Philip Dorland, -Overseers of the Poor; Joseph Allison, and Garit Benson, Constables; -Willet Casey, Paul Huff, and John Huyck, Pound Keepers; Abraham -Maybee, and Peter Rutland, Fence Viewers.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The height of fence to be 4 feet 8 inches. Water fence voted -to be no fence. Hogs running at large to have yokes on 18 by 24 -inches. No pigs to run until three months old. No stallion to run. -Any person putting fire to any bush or stubble, that does not his -endeavour to hinder it from doing damage, shall forfeit the sum of -forty shillings.”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>Philip Dorland</span>, T. C.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c016' /> - -<p class='c000'>It is most likely that Philip Dorland was merely secretary for -the meeting.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ruben Bedell was successively elected town clerk for three years, -when, in 1795, Archibald Campbell was appointed, who served for -four years. In 1800, Daniel Haight was appointed. In 1801, -William Robins filled the office, and continued to fill it for three -years, when in 1804, Ruben Bedell was again elected. The following -year Bryan Crawford was appointed; the next Daniel Haight, who -continued four years; John Stickney then filled the office three -years, and Daniel Haight was again appointed, 1813.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There is in the Township Records, a Return of the inhabitants -for 1794, March, with the names of each family, and the number -of members in each. They are as follows: Ruben Bedell, 5; Paul -Huff, 6; Solomon Huff, 10; William Griffis, 5; Caspar VanDusen, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_455'>455</span>6; Nicholas Peterson, 8; Nicholas Peterson, Sen., 3; Isaac Bern, 1; -Thomas Jones, 4; Alexander Fisher, 10; James McMasters, 8; -James Stephenson, 1; Russel Pitman, 7; Joseph Clapp, 4; George -Brooks, 6; John Halcom, 3; Martin Sherman, 3; Joseph Cornell, 5; -Peter Valleau, 5; William Clark, 6; Joseph Clark, 1; Albert -Cornell, 8; Peter Delrya, 4; John Huyck, 6; Alexander Campbell, -5; Buryer Huyck, 2; Albert Benson, 4; Gilbert Bogart, 2; -Abraham Bogart, 3; Christopher German, 5; William Casey, 6; -Edward Barker, 3; David Kelly, 4; Battin Harris, 8; John Canniff, -13; Nathaniel Solmes, 10; Peter Wanamaker, 4; Garret Benson, 1; -William Mara, 4; John Roblin, 3; John Elms, 3; John Wood, 2; -Peter Ruttan, Jun’r., 3; Owen Roblin, Jun’r., 2; Owen Roblin, -Sen’r., 8; Benjamin Clapp, 8; George Rutter, 7; Jacob Bullern, 6; -Cornelius VanHorn, 6; Robert Jones, 5; Paul Trumper, 8; William -Hanah, 4; Michael Slate, 4; Peter Ruttan, Sen., 5; Denis Oscilage, -1; Joseph Carahan, 8; Thomas Dorland, 6; Philip Dorland, 9; -Willet Casey, 8; Peter VanAlstine, 3; John VanCott, 7; David -Brown, 3; Peter Sword, 2; William Brock, 5; Nicholas Hagerman, -8; Cornelius Stouter, 3; Abraham Maybee, 7; Henry Tice, 3; -Thomas Wanamakers, 1; William Button, 5; Joseph Allison, 2; -John Fitzgerald, 2; Matthew Steel, 5; Conrad Vandusen, 5; Henry -Hover, 3; Arion Ferguson, 2; Henry Redner, 4; Andrew Huffman, -4; Daniel Cole, 11; Henry Davis, 5; James Noxen, 1.—​Total 402.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The total number of inhabitants in 1800, was 524, and in 1812, -575. The returns are given, yearly, up to 1822, when the number -was only 571. It is observable that the number fluctuates from -year to year. This was due to the fact that families would come to -the township, from the States, remain a few years working a farm -on shares, and then would move up the Bay, to another township.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Major VanAlstine, as the military commander, was the chief -officer. But there lives no account of dissensions and litigations, for -many a year. When the Government appointed Magistrates, probably -not until after Upper Canada was erected into a separate -Province, VanAlstine was the first to receive the commission. There -were, likewise, appointed at the same time, or soon after, several -others, viz., Thomas Dorland, Nicholas Hagerman, Ruttan, Sloat, -and Fisher, afterwards Judge. It is said the Magistrates did not -always agree. Ruttan and VanAlstine had dissentions; and VanAlstine -claimed certain power, by virtue of his command over the -corps who peopled the township. Whereupon Ruttan, at the next -meeting, donned his suit of clothes, which he had worn as an -<span class='pageno' id='Page_456'>456</span>officer of the Regular Army, and declared no one was his superior, -and, it is said, gained his point.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The time came, when Adolphustown was almost the Centre of -Canada. It is true, Kingston was the great point to which the -military and naval forces centred, and the circumstances of such -gave that place a status which it could not otherwise have obtained. -But Adolphustown was really the centre of the settlements in the -central part of Canada—​the Midland District. So it came that the -court was alternately held at the Fourth Town and Kingston, being -twice a year in each place. The first court in this township, was -held in the barn of Paul Huff, which served the purpose very well -in summer. The next occasion was in winter, and some building -had to be procured. Application was made for the Methodist -Chapel. Some objection was made, on the ground that a “house of -prayer” should not be made a “den of thieves,” referring to the -criminals, not to the lawyers. But the Chapel was readily granted -for the second court held in Adolphustown. It is said that a proposition -was made, in due form, that if the inhabitants of the Fourth -Town would build a Court House, the court should be held there -twice a year. The offer was accepted, and a subscription set on -foot, which resulted in the erection of a Court House. When the -court ceased to be held, in accordance with the agreement, the -Court House reverted to the Township.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The building of the Court House was followed by the growth -of a village, and among its population were those whose names -became household words in every Canadian home. It continued a -place of importance for many a year; and, even when the court -ceased to be held, the village, by virtue of its situation, and the -standing of the township, continued for a long time of no little -repute.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Adolphustown contributed, during the first years of Upper -Canada, a good many worthy individuals to the welfare of the -country, indeed Adolphustown look the lead for many years in political, -as well as more general matters relating to the country. The -general elections, at one time, resulted in the election of four -natives of this township to Parliament, viz: two Hagermans, Sam’l -Casey, and Paul Peterson. Says Joseph B. Allison, of Adolphustown, -“Our township, though, perhaps, the smallest in the Province, (if -it were consolidated, it would not be more than three miles and a -half square,) has furnished as many statesmen and judicial officers -as any of the larger townships. From the humble abodes of Adolphustown, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_457'>457</span>have gone to the Legislative Halls of Canada, Thomas -Dorland, John Roblin, Christopher A. Hagerman, Paul Peterson, -Dr. W. Dorland, Willet Casey, Henry Ruttan, Samuel Casey, Dan’l -Hagerman, David Roblin, John P. Roblin, who represented the -County of Prince for many years. The Hon. John A. McDonald -although not born here, spent his juvenile years, and attended the -common schools in Adolphustown. Now, we challenge any township -in the Province, that has not a city or town connected with it, -to turn out eleven members of Parliament, all of them U. E. -Loyalists.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Roblin, who settled in the third concession, was elected three -times to Parliament, in 1808, 1811, and 1812. At first, he sat for -two years; but, when sent the second time, he was expelled, because -he was a <em>local</em> Methodist Preacher. His constituents re-elected him, -and again he was expelled, to be a third time elected; but he died -before the Parliament again met, on the last day of February, 1813, -aged 44.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was in the year 1793, in the second Session of Parliament, -that an Act was passed “to fix the time and place for holding the -Courts of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace.” The Act provided -“that the Courts of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the -Midland district of this Province, shall commence and be holden in -Adolphustown, on the second Tuesday in the month of July, and on -the second Tuesday in the month of January; and in Kingston, on -the second Tuesday in the month of April, and on the second Tuesday -in the month of October.” The other places were Michilmackinac, -Newark, New Johnstown, and Cornwall. In this second year of -Upper Canada, no mention is made of Toronto, nor yet of York. -Where now stands the splendid Osgoode Hall, with its chaste and -beautiful decorations; and, indeed, now exists the whole of Toronto, -with its unrivalled University building, its Colleges, its handsome -Churches and elegant mansions was then a tangled forest, and, except -an Indian path along the Don, marking a portage to Lake Simcoe -and Fort Toronto, there was no indication of human existence. -Moreover, about this time, upon the shores of Adolphustown was -born Christopher Hagerman, who was destined to adorn the bar and -grace the bench; who saw arise the Courts of Law, the organization -of the Law Society, and assisted to establish them at Toronto, where -he spent his latter days, and where now his ashes repose.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among those who first came to Adolphustown are some who -had seen service in an irregular way, as well as the refugees. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_458'>458</span>names of some of them will be found among the loyal combatants -and loyalists.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For several years, the families that came from the States would -stop at the Fourth Township, where they would “work out,” or take a -farm on shares, or perhaps rent a farm, until they could find a suitable -place on which to permanently settle, in the back townships, -such as Sophiasburgh, Ameliasburgh, Sidney and Thurlow. The -ordinary terms for working a farm on shares was for the owner -to furnish team, seed, &c., and take one-half of the produce when -gathered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Conrad VanDusen kept the first tavern west of Kingston, and -at his house travelers up and down the Bay would stop. Also, new -comers to the Bay would here first tarry, until decided where to -settle.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LI.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Marysburgh—​Origin—​Once part of a Seigniory—​Survey—​Hessians—​Old -map—​The lots—​Officers of 84th Regt.—​Original landowners—​Indian -Point—​McDonnell’s Cove—​Grog Bay—​“Accommodating Bay”—​“Gammon -Point”—​Black River—​“Long Point”—​Reserves—​Course pursued by the -Surveyor—​Number of Hessians—​Their sufferings—​Dark tales—​Discontented—​Returning -to Hesse—​A suitable location—​Not U. E. Loyalists—​Received -land gratis—​Family land—​Their habits—​Capt. McDonnell—​Squire Wright—​Sergt. -Harrison—​The Smith’s—​Grant to Major VanAlstine—​Beautiful -Scenery—​Smith’s bay—​“The Rock”—​Over a precipice.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIFTH TOWNSHIP—​MARYSBURGH.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This township is so called after Mary, Duchess of Gloucester, -eleventh child of the King.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is more than likely that the extremity of Prince Edward -Peninsula was frequently visited during the French occupancy of -Frontenac. Indeed, it is quite probable that the Seigniory granted -to La Salle included a portion of the present township of Marysburgh. -And no doubt, the beautiful bay, long time called South -Bay, that is the body of water lying between Indian Point and -Long Point, with Wappoose Island, was often visited during the -American rebellion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The original surveyor, Mr. Collins, having been instructed to -lay out a fifth township on the shores of the Bay, recognized the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_459'>459</span>south shore as a desirable place upon which to settle disbanded -troops. The forked peninsula, with the coves, and the Black River, -supplied valuable facilities for the intending pioneer. The surveying -was commenced in 1784, and finished in ‘85 or ‘86. Referring -to the loyal combatants, it will be seen that the Foreign -Legion composed of Hessians, and a few Irish and Scotch, had -offered, to such of them as desired to remain in Canada, grants of -land. It was the Fifth Township in which the Government determined -they should be located. Having been staying in Lower -Canada for a time, they ascended in batteaux in 1785, and, we -believe, under the care of Archibald McDonnell, proceeded to -occupy the township; while the surveying was still going on along -the bay. Great pains had been taken to secure a frontage upon -the water either of the Bay Quinté, the South Bay, or Black -River. By referring to the oldest map of the township in the -Crown Lands Department, it is found that while most of the land -was allotted to the Hessians, a considerable portion was taken up -by commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the 84th Regt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By looking at the map of Marysburgh, it will be seen that -great irregularity exists in the formation of the lots, and it will be -observed that great care has been taken to secure a frontage upon -the water to as many lots as possible. This was, as elsewhere -shown, to procure a water communication to the central points of -the settlement; and as well facilities for fishing, to the settlers. By -maps preserved in the Crown Land Department, it may be seen -to whom was originally granted certain parts of the township, from -the names written thereupon. The names of places are, as well, -very suggestive. It would seem that Collins, as well as others, -engaged in laying out the townships, did not forget to make -claim to eligible lots, here and there, for himself. To these he was -doubtless entitled, and acted no unjust part.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the extremity of what is now called Indian Point, but formerly -designated Point Pleasant, was a considerable tract of land -which was not laid out into lots, but which has marked upon it, as -the original owner, Surveyor John Collins. Subsequently, Collins -conveyed it to Alexander Aitkins, a lawyer. Proceeding up the -Bay of Quinté, we come to a small cove, known now as McDonnell’s -Cove; but maps exist upon which this is called Grog Bay. In the -absence of fact, it may not be well to relate the traditionary origin -of this name. It is sufficient to say that it most likely arose from -the habit, then far more common than now, of visiting this place to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_460'>460</span>fish, and drink grog. Adjacent to this bay was a large block of land -granted to Archibald McDonnell. Upon the south shore of Point -Pleasant the water, now Smith’s Bay, is marked “Accommodating -Bay.” When we remember the great necessity for each settler to -have access to the water, and the constant course pursued by the -surveyor to secure it; we have no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion -that this name arose from the increased facilities this indentation -of the lake supplied, in this respect. The point of land stretching -out between “Accommodating Bay” and Prince Edward Bay, -and Black River, a name due to the dark color of its water, which -is north of the furthermost point of the peninsula, is called “Gammon -Point.” This name was given, most likely from the fancied -resemblance it bore to a ham; the term gammon being the word -commonly used by the old settlers for ham. Looking at the hill -from the south-west, it does bear such a resemblance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The lots were surveyed with their front upon the north shore of -the Black River, and, then returning to the water, and continuing -towards the extremity of Prince Edward’s Bay, the lots were made -to front upon the water, making them angular with the others. At -the very end of the Bay, they are changed again, so as to have a front -at right angles with the others. There are four of these lots. The -surveyor had now reached the rock of “Long Point,” as it is called, -at the present day. Here we find, again, that the lots front to -the north, upon Prince Edward’s Bay. The surveyor next proceeded -to survey the base line as far as Bluff Point, and then returning, -formed fifteen lots, which brought him to the rear of those -laid out at the head of the Bay. He then crossed over to the Lake -Shore, and commenced to survey westward. The point was then -named “Point Traverse,” from the fact, we fancy, that the surveyor -crossed here to continue his survey without laying out the extremity -of Long Point, which offered no inducements for the settlers. -Upon Point Traverse, was set apart a block of land, containing -2,500 acres, which is marked “Military Lands.” Probably, with -some idea of erecting here some military post. These were afterwards -conveyed to “Capt. Joseph Allen.” Upon the same map, -in the Crown Lands Department, we learn that a block of land -near Black River, was originally granted to James Brock, Esq. -To the west of the fifteen lots laid out at the neck of Point Traverse, -and fronting upon the Lake, was a reserve for the Clergy. This -seems to have been the extent of the first survey in this section.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Returning to the Bay of Quinté, we find that at this time lots -<span class='pageno' id='Page_461'>461</span>were laid out along the shore westward, to within about two miles -of the Lake on the Mountain. The land thence not being attractive, -it was not then surveyed. Subsequently when laid out, the lots were -placed at a slight angle with those to the east, in order to front -upon the Bay. Sixteen lots brings us to the entrance of Picton Bay. -Again a change is found to take place, so that the lots may front -upon the east shore of this bay. Six lots reach to the head of -the bay, which appears to have been the termination for a time. -But subsequently, the survey was continued, being slightly altered, -that the base line might follow the old Indian Carrying Place. -There were nine lots in this row. Turning to East Lake and West -Lake, it will be seen that the lots were arranged to front on either -side, as well as at the ends. The time at which these lots mentioned -were surveyed, is somewhat uncertain, but probably before 1786.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is impossible to state the exact number of Hessians who -settled in Marysburgh; but judging from accounts, and the names -taken from the Grantee’s list, it is surmised there were about forty. -Unacquainted with the English language<a id='t461'></a>, and unaccustomed to the -profound solitude of the forest, and the flittings of the dark-skinned -Indian, often in a state of semi-nudity, it is no reason for wonder, if -the Hessians felt otherwise than contented in their wilderness home. -Although upon the borders of a lovely bay, rich in valuable fish, -they were ignorant of the mode of catching them; and, when the -Government supplies, which were continued to them, as to the -other settlers for three years, was withdrawn; although this valuable -article of diet was at their very door, they were exposed to -the terrors of actual starvation. Even during the time that rations -were to be given them, it is related they were often in want. A -dark tale of cupidity, and heartless carelessness on the part of officials, -to whom were entrusted the duty of furnishing the necessary stores, -has been told. How much of truth there may be in this report, it -is now impossible to say. When we remember the circumstances -of the times; the settlers scattered along hundreds of miles of uncleared -land, that the stores had to be transported from Montreal, and -Lachine by batteaux, and that, necessarily, many persons became -responsible for the transit, as well as the distribution, we need not -be surprised if there was now and then carelessness and neglect; and -now and then reprehensible appropriation of stores, which were -intended by a paternal Government for the mouths of the -hungry. Many of the Hessian settlers would gladly have escaped -from all the terrors which encompassed them; but it was now too -<span class='pageno' id='Page_462'>462</span>late. As a general thing, they had not the means of removing. -But there were a few who managed to extricate themselves, and -who returned to the old country. One John Crogle went to Kingston, -mortgaged his farm for £6 to Rev. Mr. Stuart, and took his -departure for the fatherland; another mortgaged his lot to -Captain Allan and left, leaving his wife; and never returned.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Probably no place in the country afforded a better location for -these foreigners who were entirely ignorant of the rugged duties of -pioneer life, and had but an imperfect conception of agricultural -pursuits, and moreover, were quite unable to speak the English -language. It has been said, indeed, that the Government exercised -a thoughtful regard in placing them, where a means of existence -was at their very door, by the catching of fish, beside what the soil -might bring forth. But the fact that they were of a different -nationality—​essentially a different people from the loyalist settlers, -militated against them. Many of the latter were Dutch, and could -speak little or no English; but the former could understand Dutch -no more than they could English, German was their native tongue. -The Hessians were not U. E. Loyalists, and they were often made -to feel this by not receiving for themselves and family the -same allowance of land, and by the behaviour manifested toward -them by the loyalists. The writer recollects the tone of disparagement -toward the “fifth towners,” by an old inhabitant of the fourth -town. These things combined to delay prosperity to the township, -as a general thing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They received land gratis; but subsequently when the title -deed was given, a sum of £5 was demanded, being the amount of -expense incurred at the time of their enrolment into the service. -This was protested against upon the floor of the Parliament, but -without avail. The quantity of land each should receive was to -depend upon the number of children. Beside the allotment to -each, at the time of settling, he was to receive an additional fifty -acres at the time each child attained the age of twenty-one. This -took the name of “Family Lands.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Although prosperity did not come to the township of Marysburgh -as quickly as to the first four townships, yet the time eventually -arrived when it partook of the general spirit of advancement. From -several sources we have the statement that the old soldiers were for -many years given to somewhat irregular habits; and that an important -instrument in effecting a reformation among them, was the Rev. -Darius Dunham, the first Methodist preacher to visit them.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_463'>463</span>Beside those of the foreign legion who settled in this township, -were several officers, and non-commissioned officers of the 84th regiment, -and a few who had been in the regular army. The most important -of these was Captain Archibald McDonnell, who arrived at -the township in 1784, and landed in the cove, which now bears his -name, and there on the shore pitched his tent, until he had erected a -log cabin.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then, there was “Squire” Wright, who was supreme in authority -in the township for many a day, even before he was appointed -magistrate. He was the Commissary Officer, and the old soldiers -were wont to come to him, to settle any differences that might -arise among them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sergeant Harrison was an early settler, he has a son still living -now in his 88th year; yet hale as a man of sixty-eight. He was born -in St. John’s, Lower Canada, and was five years old when he came -with the family to the place, an elder brother having preceded and -erected a hut. He tells us that the Hessians were to have three -years’ provisions, but for some reason only received two years. He -remembers when blazed trees alone marked the way, from one -house to another; and then the bridle path, which in time was -widened into a road. The first horse brought to the township is -well remembered, it was owned by Colonel McDonnell. This one, -with another, were the only ones, for many a year, in the place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the first settlers were William Carson, Daniel McIntosh, -and Henry Smith, a German, who had several sons: John, William, -Benjamin, Charles, Barnit, and Ernest. Smith’s Bay is so called -after Charles.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Major VanAlstine had granted to him a large block of land in -this township. The original grant is now before us, and gives the -information that the quantity was 437 acres, consisting of lots -number five and six in the first concession. The document is dated -“4th June, 1796,” signed “J. G., S.” (John Greaves, Simcoe). “Peter -Russell, Auditor General. Registered, 17th June, William Jarvis, -Registrar.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>This lot of land included the high hill, with the lake at its -summit, so well known to excursionists. The Major at once proceeded -to erect a mill here, which proved a great convenience to -the inhabitants of the township. The lake was for a time called -VanAlstine’s Lake. In 1811, Major VanAlstine having died, the -land, with 30 acres cleared, and a dwelling-house, and another for -the miller, and out-houses are found offered for sale by the executors.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_464'>464</span>We cannot leave the township of Marysburgh without commending -the beautiful scenery to those who may not have visited -it, especially the interior, and the shores of South Bay. A trip by -carriage from Picton across the rugged hill, which seems to encircle -in an irregular manner, the whole township, to the Black Creek, -whose dark and narrow waters, inclosed by muddy banks, contrast so -markedly with the bright blue of the bay into which it empties, hard -by Gammon Point, is one that will well repay any one making it. -The irregularity of the roads makes the drive none the less interesting. -Approaching the bay, there is spread out a view whose beauty we -have never seen surpassed, and rarely equalled either in the new -world or the old. Having obtained a close view of Prince Edward -Bay, and observed the far-stretching Point Traverse with the three -prominent Bluffs; and still further away to the south, the Ducks, -and Timber Islands, the tourist should follow us closely as may be -the changing shore, that forms the head of Smith’s Bay, to the north -side, where another delightful prospect will lay before him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>About six miles east of Wappoose Island, is a bold point standing -out into the Lake. It presents a bold and precipitous front of about -100 feet in height. It is now commonly designated the “Rock.” -Formerly, it was called “Cape Vesey Rock.” Here was a reserve -for the Mississauga Indians, of about 450 acres. This was not surrendered -by the Indians until 1835, although some time prior, a -settler by the name of Stevenson, had been in occupation. Some -years ago, there was overhanging the brow a mass of rock, which -one day fell, with a thundering crash. And the old inhabitants tell -of a deer and an Indian huntsman, whose bodies were found lying -at the foot of the rock both having approached the brink with -such speed that, to turn aside was impossible, and both bounded -over the perpendicular rock to meet a common doom.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_465'>465</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LII.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Sixth township—​Name—​Survey—​Convenient for settlement—​First -settlers—​A remote township—​What was paid for lots—​“Late Loyalists”—​Going -to Mill—​Geological formation—​Along the fronts—​High shore—​Grassy -Point—​Its history—​Marsh front—​Central place—​Stickney’s Hill—​Foster’s -Hill—​Northport—​Trade—​James Cotter—​Gores—​Demerestville—​The -name—​“Sodom”—​First records—​Township meetings—​The Laws of -the township—​Divided into parishes—​Town clerk—​Officers—​The poor—​The -committee—​Inhabitants, 1824—​Fish Lake—​Seventh township—​The -name—​Survey by Kotte—​At the Carrying Place—​Surveyor’s assistant—​No -early records—​First settlers.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SIXTH TOWNSHIP—​SOPHIASBURGH, NORTHPORT, DEMERESTVILLE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This township is named after Sophia, the twelfth child of King -George III. In the year 1785, Deputy Surveyor General Collins, -who was then at Kingston, instructed his assistant Louis Kotte, to -lay out a sixth township, commencing at the southern extremity of -South (Picton) Bay, and proceeding northward along the west -coast of the Bay Quinté, the lots to front upon the bay. These -were measured along the high shore to Green Point, forty-four lots. -Following the bay, which at Green Point turns westward, a row of -lots were laid out to the head of the bay, sixty-four lots of which -were to form the northern front of the sixth township. By referring -to the map it will be observed that this township was also a -convenient place for a new settlement, having two sides of a -triangle upon the bay. The comparatively straight high shore; and -the equally even coast upon the north, enabled the surveyor to -obtain a uniformity which had been impossible in the fifth township, -although securing an extensive frontage for the settlers. -About 1788, probably, the first settlers of this township took up their -land at the head of Picton Bay, sometimes called Hallowell Bay. -They were two Congers, Peterson, Spencer, Henry Johnson; and at -a later date came Barker and Vandusen.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting this township generally, Mr. Price, who has kindly -exerted himself to procure facts, observes, “I find there is some -difficulty in getting information.” “The first settlers are all dead, -with one or two exceptions, and many of the farms on the north -shore were bought from the U. E. Loyalists who never lived on -them.” The occupation of the township generally, may be regarded -as a later settlement. This rich, and now, long settled place, was -once considered as a remote settlement, as Rawdon, Huntington, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_466'>466</span>and Hungerford, were thirty years later. All, or nearly all, who -took up land here and became the pioneers, had at first lived in one -of the townships upon the lower part of the bay, most of them in -Adolphustown. Guilliam Demerest, John Parcels, and Roblin, -were among these. Some of the settlers drew land here; but -many purchased, and lots, now worth the highest price, were procured -for a very small sum, or for a horse, or cow, or a certain -quantity of grain. Some of the settlers had formerly lived in the -Lower Province, or in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Also, -there was continually coming in, those who felt no longer at home -under the new form of government in the States, or who were glad -to escape persecution. These were not in time to secure land, and -were often called the “Late Loyalists”. Then, again, a few years -later, when the bitterness of spirit, which had led the rebels to -commit such serious acts of cruelty to the loyalists, had subsided, -and a degree of intercourse had commenced between the two; it -came to pass that many, who had not taken an active part on either -side in the contest, and who had friends in Canada, emigrated to -the shores of the bay, or, as they called Canada then, Cataraqui. -For instance, the Cronks and Ways, who were among the first -settlers upon the Marsh front, as the north shore was called, were -but the precursors of several others of the same name, who entered -about the beginning of the present century. Some of these were, -no doubt, influenced by the proclamation issued by Simcoe. -Nathaniel Solmes was one of the older settlers. He came from -Duchess County in 1792, lived in Adolphustown two years, then -settled on lot No. 10, 1st concession.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the first settlers upon the north front was John -Parcels. He was of Captain VanAlstine’s company, and settled -in that township, where he continued to live until 1809, when -he removed to lot No. 24, where Northport now stands. -His wile having died in 1787, he married Mrs. Parliament. -Their first-born, named Richard, was the first, or one of the -first white children born in Sophiasburgh. Mrs. Parcel’s son, -George Parliament, says, in a memorandum, “I recollect having -to go to Napanee Mills, in company with my brother Jacob, a distance -of nearly twenty miles, to get our grinding done, we had our -wheat on a hand-sleigh, as the roads were not passable by any other -mode of conveyance.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The land was often purchased at a very low price; for instance, -lot No. 16, in the 1st concession, was purchased for a horse, harness, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_467'>467</span>and gig. A farm belonging to Matthew Cronk, was bought for a -half barrel of salmon. The Foster-place, where Benjamin Way, -used to live, was sold for an old horse. This is one of the best -farms in Prince Edward, now, perhaps valued at seven or eight -thousand dollars. In 1793, Nicholas Lazier paid $25 to Tobias -Ryckman, for 200 acres.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The geological formation of Sophiasburgh and Ameliasburgh, -is not without interest. That the mountain about Picton, and the -high shore at one time formed the shore of the bay, or perhaps, -what is more likely, stood up as an island in a lake, with much -broader boundaries than Lake Ontario now has, there is but little -doubt. It will not be possible to discuss such points to a great -extent, at the same time, it will be well to make a few observations -as we proceed. It has been seen that this township has two long -fronts upon the bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>These join at what is known as Grassy Point. Commencing -at the head of Picton Bay, the reader is invited to follow the course -of the bay, and to observe the points of interest which may be -found. No one can travel by the road on the summit of the high -shore, without been deeply impressed with the beauty of the -scenery. From this height, is an extended view of the bay, stretching -down toward Kingston, with the rugged shore of Marysburgh on -the right, and the lower and more attractive lands of Adolphustown, -and Fredericksburgh on the immediate left, while beyond the -Reach, lies the placid waters of Hay Bay. About fifteen miles from -Picton, the high shore recedes from the bay, and turns to the west, -stretching away almost to the waters of Ontario. From this part -of the coast, to Grassy Point, a distance of over nine miles, the land is -low; but the road is a pleasant one, until it turns to cross to the -north shore. Continuing along the south shore, although walking -in silence, and quite removed from human habitation, we are treading -upon ground, which, in the past, was a place of note. The -following notice respecting Grassy Point supplies information.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“On Wednesday, the 27th of June, at the Court House, will be -sold by auction to the highest bidder, that beautiful property, consisting -of 343 acres of excellent land, of which a large portion is -cleared, situated in one of the finest parts of the Bay of Quinté, -being the residue of a reserve for military purposes, and afterwards -granted to Sir John Harvey, on which there is a Ferry crossing to -the Six Nation Tract. In the neighborhood, there is an extensive -settlement of respectable farmers. The premises and the vicinity -<span class='pageno' id='Page_468'>468</span>abound with game, and the bay with fish of every description -peculiar to Lake Ontario. It is particularly suitable for grazing, -and is within 40 miles of Kingston, which is a never failing ready -money market.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sir John Harvey was afterward, for his services in the war of -1812, appointed Governor of Nova Scotia. The land was sold to -Samuel Cluse, Civil Engineer, the person who surveyed the Welland -and Rideau Canals. He died at Ottawa some years ago, and left -this property to his daughter, Anna, now Mrs. Paul Peterson, who -resides upon the place. The agent who advertised the land for Sir -John, as ‘excellent land,’ was scarcely correct. Much of the land -is rocky, with but few inches of soil. Clumps of scraggy trees -exist with patches of plain. But along the shores are pleasant -nooks, in which agreeable fishing may be found. The Point is -divided into two, by a small bay. The more eastern of the two -points is known as Grassy Point, and the other Green Point. The -intervening cove has been known as Louis Cove, from a Frenchman -of that name who long lived here. The land to the East of the -cross roads, between lots two and three, is useless, almost, for agricultural -purposes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Grassy Point, from its geographical position, naturally became -a place at which the early settlers, in passing up and down the Bay, -made a rest. At that time, but few trees were growing, the Point -being a green plain. Most likely, it had been the site of an Indian -village. The first settler here, who came at an early date, was -Haunce Trumpour. His house was well known to the pioneers; -and the navigator, wearily toiling in the batteau, gladly welcomed -the appearance of his hospitable roof. Passing around the extreme -northerly point, off which is Capt. John’s Island, we are upon the -north shore, or marsh front, of Sophiasburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Grassy Point was not only a convenient place for resting, to -those passing along; but it likewise was regarded as the most central -point at which to hold township meetings. And here, the whole -militia, which comprised mostly all the male population of Prince -Edward, even from the extreme point of Marysburgh, were wont -to meet, to have their annual trainings. At these times, John -Trumpour’s house became one of no little importance. The training -took place here so late as 1802.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Proceeding on our way westward, the land becomes very much -better. At the northern termination of the cross-road before mentioned, -is a ferry, which has long existed. The first settler here, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_469'>469</span>who established the ferry, was Richard Davenport. It originated -from the necessity of the settlers of the Sixth Township, having to -go to Napanee to mill. Many a bushel of grain has been backed -from this township to Napanee mills, and the flour carried back. -Mr. Paul Peterson now lives here.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Proceeding on our course. As the land improves, it is no longer -level, but becomes uneven, and, on lot eight, is found a considerable -eminence, known as Stickney’s Hill, which stands closely against -the Bay. This hill has attracted no little attention, on account of -the large number of human bones which the plow has, year after -year, turned to the surface. Various stories have gained currency -relative to the origin of the bones; the most notable of which is, -that here perished Col. Quinté, with a number of men. (Respecting -this, see History of Bay). The most likely explanation is, that -here, for years, the Indians living on Grassy Point buried their -dead. Upon this hill, in the burying ground of the Solmes family, -reposes the remains of Dr. Stickney, after whom the place is named, -and who was the first physician to practice in this township. Since -we visited this spot, but a few short months ago, another pioneer -has found here a resting place. A faithful Canadian, an exemplary -citizen, Richard Solmes, having lived to see the wilderness truly -blossom as the rose, full of years, has passed to the grave, followed -by a whole community of people, and mourned by a highly esteemed -family.</p> - -<p class='c000'>West of Stickney’s Hill, the land gradually rises; and a few -miles gradually brings us to a higher eminence, called now, Foster’s -Hill, which is noticeable for many miles up and down the Bay. It -was once, no doubt, an island in the midst of a great lake. Being -covered with wood, adds, in summer, very much to the beauty and -interest of the scenery. At the summit of this prominent hill is a -table land of rock covered with but little soil. But very soon the -soil increases in depth, and away, on every hand, stretches a fertile -land. Near the foot of the hill, and upon the shore, where the land -is pressed out into the bay, almost to form a point, is situated the -Friends’ Meeting House. No one acquainted with the mode of -worship practiced by this exceedingly conscientious denomination, -can help being impressed with the truly suitable locality for deep -spiritual communing. Two miles further westward, at the commencement -of the channel, between the mainland and the Big -Island, brings us to the pleasant village of <em>Northport</em>, so called from -its situation, upon the north shore of the township. The situation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_470'>470</span>is charming, and here may be seen the very essence of rural happiness. -The village, consisting of some 200 inhabitants, has two -stores, but no place where intoxicating liquors are sold. The trade -is confined to the inhabitants of the township, with an occasional -customer from the Mohawks, across the Bay. The view, looking -westward, through Big Bay and the Narrows, along the shore of -Thurlow, to Belleville, is, upon a lovely summer night, very pleasant -to the gaze.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The village of Northport was built partly on the property -originally owned by James Morden and Isaac Demill; James -Morden having built first here in 1791. The first merchant to commence -business here was Orton Hancock, in 1819. The first wharf -built here was in 1829; but prior to that Jacob Cronk had constructed -one on his farm, lot twenty-one, probably in the second -year the Charlotte run.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In addition to the names already given, of the first settlers of -Sophiasburgh, we may mention the following: three families of -Ostrom’s, the Short’s, Brown, the Cole’s, Barse, Abbott, Cronks, -La Zier, Spencer, Basker, Peck, De Mill, Fox, Spragg, Goslin, -Trippen, Mowers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>James Cotter was an early settler, became the first Justice of -the Peace, and, in 1813, was elected to Parliament, and served four -years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The township having been surveyed so that the lots might front -upon both sides, there resulted a certain number of Gores, designated -respectively by the letters B C D and G. The first of these -Gores settled was by Philip Roblin, who was one of the first settlers -of the township.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Demerestville.</span>—​This village, which is situated upon lots 38 -and 39, of the marsh front, is named after the original settler, -Guillame Demerest. The old settlers called him “Demeray”. He -was a native of Duchess County, N. Y., and was a boy during the -rebellion. He was often engaged in carrying provision to the British -army. He continued to live in Duchess County, until 1790, when -he came to Canada. He failed to prove his right as a U. E. Loyalist, -and consequently “lost a fine grant of land”. He died at Consecon, -1848, aged seventy-nine. The village sprung up from the mills, -which were here erected. It was, for many a day, called Sodom. -This name, it is stated, arose from the fact that when Mr. Demerest’s -first wife was on her death-bed, a ball was given in the place, at -which the inhabitants generally attended, and created some little -<span class='pageno' id='Page_471'>471</span>noise, whereupon she said they were “as bad as the inhabitants of -Sodom.” The village of Demerestville was incorporated in 1828.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We copy the following from the first record of the township of -Sophiasburg, by which it will be seen that their mode of procedure -was unlike that observed by other townships. All of the townships -were acting by virtue of a common law, but seem to have given -the law a widely varying interpretation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Passed, at Sophiasburg, at a regular town meeting, held on -the 3 day of March, 1800.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“For the better ascertaining astrays, and knowing and describing -horses and neat cattle, sheep or swine. Be it understood by -this town meeting, that every inhabitant and householder shall, -within six weeks from the passing of this Act, have their mark -and brands recorded, according to law by the Town Clark.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that -any astrays, horses, neat cattle, sheep or swine, that shall be found -on any open or improved lands from the twentieth of November to -the first of April yearly, and every year the owner or owners of -such improvement or cleared lands shall give in their natural mark, -or artificial marks, and describe their age, as near as possible, to -the Town Clark, who is hereby ordered to record the same in a -book, to be kept for that purpose; for which such informer shall -receive one shilling for each horse or neat cattle; and sixpence for -each sheep or swine. Provided always, and be it so understood, -that such astrays above mentioned, is not one of his near neighbors, -which shall be left to the Town Clark to decide; and the Clark shall -send word to the owner or owners, if he knows them, by the mark -or brands; and, if unknown to the Town Clark, he is hereby ordered -to advertise them in three different places in this township; for -which he shall be entitled to receive from the owner, or owners, as -followeth, viz: For sending word, or writing, or recording, or -informing any way, one shilling and threepence; if advertised, one -shilling and six-pence, for each horse or neat cattle; and for each -sheep or swine, six-pence per head. And be it further enacted by -the authority aforesaid, that if any inhabitant or householder who -shall leave any astrays, as above mentioned, on his or her cleared -lands for eight days, from the 20th day of November to the first of -April, and neglect to give notice thereof, as by the above Act mentioned, -shall loose the reward for finding, or feeding such astrays, -and pay the owner one shilling for each horse or neat cattle; and -six-pence for each sheep or swine. And be it further enacted, by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_472'>472</span>the authority, that if no owner or owners shall appear by the first -Monday in April, to prove their property, then, and in that case, -the Town Clark shall advertise for sale, all such astrays, in three -townships, viz., Ameliasburg, Sophiasburg, and Hallowell, for the -space of twenty days, describing the marks and brands, color and -age, as near as possible; and if no owner or owners shall appear and -prove their property, then the Town Clark shall proceed to the -sale of such astrays, by appointing the day of sale, to the highest -bidder; and, after deducting the expenses, to be adjudged by persons -hereafter appointed by each parish, in this town, and the overplus -shall be delivered into the hands of a Treasurer, hereafter to be -appointed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“And be it observed—​That all well regulated townships is -divided into parishes. Be it enacted, by the majority of votes, that -this town shall be divided into parishes, and described as followeth, -that is to say: That from lot No. 45, west of Green Point to lot -No. 19, shall be a parish by the name of St. John’s, and by the -authority aforesaid, that including No. 19, to No. 6, in the Crown -Lands, west of Green Point, shall be a parish by the name of St. -Matthew. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, -That including the tenants on the Crown Lands, and including -lot No. 28, shall be a parish by the name of St. Giles; and from -Nicholas Wessel’s, to Hallowell, shall be a parish by the name of -Mount Pleasant.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Whereas, all the fines and forfeitures that may incur within -our limits, shall be appropriated to charitable uses; we, the inhabitants -of Sophiasburg, in our town meetings, on the 3d day of March, -1800, do think it necessary to appoint our Treasurer, in this town, -out of the most respectable of its inhabitants, to be Treasurer to -this town, to receive all forfeitures and other sums of money that is, -or shall be, ordered to be appropriated to charitable uses; which -Treasurer is hereby ordered to serve in that connection during good -behaviour, or till he shall wish a successor. And be it enacted by -the authority aforesaid, that we do appoint and nominate Peter -Valleu, who is appointed Treasurer, who is to keep a book and -receive all the moneys coming into his hands, and enter by who -received, and for what fined; and when a successor is appointed, he -shall give up all the monies he has belonging to said town, with the -book and receipts, to the successor, and deliver the same on oath, if -required; and that each parish shall nominate one good and -respectable inhabitant, who together with the Overseer of the Poor, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_473'>473</span>shall be inspectors to inquire and see that all the fines and forfeitures -of this town is regularly received and delivered to said -Treasurer. And if any person who comes and proves of any astrays -that had been within one year and a day, then the Treasurer and -those Parish Inspectors, and the Overseers of the Poor, shall refund -such moneys as was delivered to the Treasurer, deducting two -shillings on the pound for its fees of said Treasurer. And be it -enacted by the authority aforesaid, that when there is any money in -the hands of the Treasurer, and a necessity to lay it out on the -same charitable use—​this body corporate shall have the sole -management and disposing of, who is to receipt to the Treasurer -for the same end, have recorded in his book, and the use they had -applied the same and the Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor, and the -Parish Inspector may hold meetings and adjourn the same when -and as often as they or the major part of them shall choose so to do -and shall be a body corporate to sue and be sued on anything that -may appertain to their several offices.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We find no further record until the year 1820, which is as -follows: “An Act passed at a town meeting, held at Sophiasburg, -3rd January, 1820, for the relief of the poor in the township of -Sophiasburg.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Report of the Committee on the subject.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“We, the Committee appointed, who have the care of the poor -of the said township, have agreed to report that one half-penny on -the pound, of each man’s rateable property, be paid for the present -year, and it is seen of the Committee that when any person is -agreed with to keep any of the poor, that they endeavour to get -them to take produce in payment for defraying said poor. Signed -on behalf of the Committee,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>JAMES NOXEN, <em>Chairman</em>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>Sophiasburg, 3rd January, 1820.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Passed at a regular town meeting, held at Sophiasburg, 1st -January, 1821.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The report of the Committee to the care of the poor for the -present year is, that one farthing on the pound, of each man’s rateable -property, will be sufficient for the present year.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“By order of the Committee.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>(Signed) JAMES NOXEN, <em>Chairman</em>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>The following year, a somewhat similar report is found, signed -by Tobias Ryckman, Chairman.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_474'>474</span>It is not until the year 1822 that any record is found of the -appointment of officers, that is, the Township Constables, Assessors, -Collectors, &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“At a regular town meeting, held at Sophiasburg, at the house -of John Goslins, on the first January, 1822, the following officers -were chosen and elected”: “Town Clark, John Shorts; Lewis -Ketchum, David Birdett, Sylvenus Doxy, Constables; Thomas D. -Apleby, John Shorts, Assessors; Sylvenus Day, Collector,” &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Shorts was successively elected until 1826, when Thomas -D. Appleby was appointed. We find a note appended to the report -of this year as follows: “Our laws at present be as they will. We -have them long, and keep them still.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The next year, 1827, the town meeting was held at the inn of -John Goslin, and John Smith was elected Town Clerk. A note says -“Farmers Town Laws, as heretofore—​Hogs not to run at large in -Demerest Vill.” John Smith was Town Clerk until 1832. This -year S. W. Randell was elected.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is found stated that in 1824 there were 1796 inhabitants, and -in 1825, there were 1793.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In some respects, it would be found interesting to notice the -township to a later period; but we have already devoted as much -space to this town as we had intended.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Within this township is Fish Lake, situated a short distance -east of Demerestville, it was so named from the countless numbers -of fish which inhabited its waters when discovered, which was in -the year of the famine, or “scarce year.” The food thus supplied -saved, it is said, many from suffering and death.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>AMELIASBURGH.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This township took its name from the fifteenth child, and -seventh daughter of the King. She died in November, 1811, aged -27 years. Upon the oldest chart of this township, to be found in -the Crown Lands Department, is the following note: “The front of -this township is a continuation of Lieut. Kotte’s survey from Green -Point to the head of the Bay of Quinté, whose orders were in 1785, -to have cross roads between every six lots.” This note was most -probably, made in consequence of there being an absence of three -cross roads, when the settlement of the county made them necessary.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Coming to the Carrying Place, or portage, from the head of -Bay Quinté to Weller’s Bay, it will be seen that a row of lots somewhat -<span class='pageno' id='Page_475'>475</span>smaller in size, is formed on either side of the road. But -while the road seems to have a straight course upon the map, by -visiting the place, one will observe that the course is not altogether -direct. We have it from one, who, no doubt knew, that the surveyor’s -assistant, a mulatto by the name of Smith, was told to lay -out a double row of lots; both to front upon the Indian path, which -instructions were literally carried out, whereas it was intended -they should be straight. The lots upon the west side of the road -extended to the small marshy creek. This row of lots, numbering -twelve, originally forming a part of Ameliasburgh, now belong to -Murray, the Carrying Place being the dividing line between the -two townships.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have been unable to find any early record of Ameliasburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>According to information furnished us by Mr. Ashley and -others, the first family that settled in this township was George -Angel Weese, with three sons, John, Henry and Francis, natives of -Duchess County; they came here in 1787. The second settler was -Thomas Dempsey, who came in 1789. (See U. E. Loyalists). -Among the other settlers were Bonters, Sagers, Bleekers and -Coverts.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The names of other early settlers of Ameliasburgh are mentioned -elsewhere, and are among the first patentees. Among them -was Elijah Wallbridge, a native of Duchess County. He came to -Canada in 1804, and purchased on Mississauga Point, of one Smith, -1200 acres of land, all of which, we believe, is still retained in the -family. Two years later his family came by French train in -winter.</p> - -<p class='c000'>William Anderson, sen., who is still living, aged 88 years, a -native of Ireland, emigrated to America with his parents in -1793. He came to Canada in 1803. In 1806 he settled on Mississauga -Point, having married Miss Polly Way, a descendant of the -U. E. Loyalists.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_476'>476</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LIII.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Prince Edward—​The name—​Rich land—​Size of peninsula—​Shape—​Small -Lakes—​Sand hills—​The Ducks—​Gibson’s rock—​The past—​First -settler—​Col. Young—​Prospecting—​Discovery of East Lake—​West Lake—​Moving -in—​Settlers in 1800—​East Lake—​Capt. Richardson—​“Prince Edward -Division Bill”—​Office seekers—​Township of Hallowell—​The -name—​Formation of Township—​First Records 1798—​The officers—​The -laws—​Magistrates—​Picton—​Its origin—​Hallowell village—​Dr. Austin—​Gen. -Picton—​His monument—​Naming the villages—​A contest—​The Court-house—​An -offer—​Enterprise—​Proposed steamboat—​Churches—​Rev. Mr. -Macaulay—​Rev. Mr. Fraser—​Rev. Mr. Lalor.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>PENINSULA OF PRINCE EDWARD.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The name of this district is derived from Prince Edward, Duke -of Kent, the father of our Queen, who visited Canada at an early -date (see under Early Government).</p> - -<p class='c000'>The peninsula is a rich and beautiful tract of land stretching -away from the main land, to be washed on the one hand by the -quiet waters of the bay, and on the other by the more turbulent -waves of Ontario. It is some seventy miles in length, and varying -in breadth from two to twenty miles. The neck of land, or isthmus -which separates the head waters of the bay from Lake Ontario, is -something less than a mile-and-a-half across. It is known as the -Carrying place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Prince Edward district is irregular in outline, on both the lake -and bay sides. Along the lake coast there are numerous bays extending -inward, two or three being of considerable size. The -larger ones are Weller’s bay, Consecon Lake, West Lake, and -East Lake. In places, the shore is rendered exceedingly picturesque, -by the presence of irregular and beautifully white sand-hills. They -have been gradually formed by well washed sand which the waves -have carried shoreward, so that the wind might, in the lapse of time, -deposit it heap upon heap. The mariners regard this coast with justifiable -concern, at the extreme southerly portion, off Long Point, -in the vicinity of the Ducks, where many a vessel has come to -grief.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The geological formation of the peninsula is of considerable -interest; and the observant student of this interesting science, may -trace many steps which indicates the geological history.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a valley, upon the second concession road of Ameliasburgh, -may be seen a huge mass of rock, known as Gibson’s rock, whose history -<span class='pageno' id='Page_477'>477</span>carries us back, far into the remote past, when the continent of America -was covered by a vast ocean, and when massive icebergs, cast loose -from their native place in the frozen north, carried with their icy -scales huge rocks from the north land coast. Then, carried southward -by wind or tide, and reaching water of a milder temperature, -the ice became melted, and the rocks were deposited in the depths -of the ocean. When the continent of America was upheaved, and -the waters departed to their present limits, this huge body of stone, -unlike the stone forming the geological bed of this region, was -found fast fixed to the soil, ever to form a part of it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the whole of Upper Canada, there is not, perhaps, any -section so full of historic interest, excepting Frontenac, as Prince -Edward. We have seen that the forked peninsula was well known -by the Aborigines, and that they were accustomed to cross from -the south side of the lake to Point Traverse. It was always a -favorite hunting and fishing ground, where abundant supplies were -obtained. And, not unlikely, some portion of Indian Point belonged -to the Seigniory, granted to La Salle. Moreover, the two points -stretching far into the lake, became early locations for the refugees -and disbanded soldiers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the history of Marysburgh, reference has been made to the -early settlement of the point east of Picton Bay, which commenced -in 1784. But it appears by the statement of John C. Young, that -his grandfather, Colonel Henry Young, made the first settlement in -the summer, or fall of 1783. For an account of this half-pay officer, -the reader is referred to the Royal combatants of the rebellion of -1776.</p> - -<p class='c000'>With a brother officer, Young left Cataraqui, or, Carleton Island, -in a canoe, and ascended what was then called (perhaps first by -these parties), the South Bay, now Picton Bay. They landed at -the commencement of the Indian Carrying Place, subsequently, for -some time known as Hovington’s Landing, after the individual -who here built a convenient house. They left their canoe here, -and set out southward. We have been told that they intended to -seek the bay now known as Smith’s Bay; but, according to his -descendant it would seem they had no particular point in view, -desiring only to examine the land. Following, no doubt, the old -Indian path, they came out at the north corner of East Lake, a -point afterward called the Indian Landing, which name it still -retains. Following the east shore of this lake to the south corner, -they were surprised to hear the roaring of Lake Ontario, having -<span class='pageno' id='Page_478'>478</span>thought they were following the shore of an inland lake. They -crossed the strip of land covered with cedar, spruce, and balsam, -and taking off their shoes, waded from the beautiful sand-beach -across the outlet of the lake to the opposite point, and proceeded -along the west side to the north corner of the lake, to where David -McDonald now lives, having entirely walked around East Lake. -They here constructed a hut, of cedar bushes, in which to stay the -night. The following morning they set out in a north-west direction, -and came to West Lake, following the east side, they reached -the sand-beach. Traversing this, they arrived at the point where -Wellington now stands. Here they stayed the night. The next -day they continued on around the north side of West Lake through -the woods, and the same evening regained their canoe. They -observed plenty of deer and other game, and fish, the former of -which Ensign Young’s wife subsequently assisted him to hunt. -The succeeding day they returned to Carleton Island. Mr. Young, -from this rich land over which he walked, selected the west side -of East Lake for his future abode. His eldest son Daniel, who had -belonged to the Engineers, was at Carleton Island, having been -with his father during his stay at Fort Oswego. His second son, -Henry, was at St. John’s with the rest of the family. He sent a -message for him to come up. This must have been in July or -August. In September, the father and two sons, having procured -a large canoe, loaded it with provisions, and other necessaries, -and ascended to the Indian Carrying Place, Hovington’s Landing. -They carried their provisions across, and constructed another boat -with which they conveyed their things to the point selected for -settling, about three miles. Here they proceeded to build a log -shanty. Sometime after, the father left, leaving behind his two -sons, to winter alone in this out-of-the-way place. They were the -first settlers in Prince Edward County. Mr. Young descended to -St. John’s, where his family still remained, and stayed the winter.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the spring he came up the St. Lawrence with his family as -far as Fredericksburgh, where he left his daughters while he went -to see how his sons fared, and had passed the winter. He found -them all well; and remained the summer with them, during which -they built a more commodious log house. In October, he returned -to Fredericksburgh for his daughters, who accompanied him to the -wilderness home. These four daughters, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine -and Sarah, subsequently married Henry Zuveldt, Jonathan Ferguson, -William Dyre, and John Miller. They all lived to be upwards -of eighty years.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_479'>479</span>On the first day of January 1800, the settlement at East -Lake, in the township of Hallowell, consisted of the following -families, in the following order, commencing at Silas Hills, at -the head of East Lake, near the place now known as the Cherry -Valley, and proceeding around the north side of lake, viz:—​“Colonel -John Peters and family, half-pay officer; Major Rogers -and family, do; David Friar, Mr. Friar, U. E. L.; Roswell -Ferguson, do; Elisha Miller, do; Blasdall Tailor; Caleb Elsworth, -Lieut. Heny Young, half-pay officer; Henry Young, Jun., U.E.L.; -Augustus Spencer, half-pay officer; George Wait, U. E. L.; -Benjamin Wait, do; William Dyre, do; George Elsworth.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>List of settlers on the south side of the lake.</em>—​Henry Zuveldt, -(Zufelt) U. E. L.; Johnathan Ferguson, Sen., U. E. L.; Johnathan -Ferguson, Jun., do; Anthony Badgley, do; John Miller, do; -Farnton Ferguson, do; William Blakely, do; Sampson Striker, do; -Barret Dyer, do; Daniel Baldwin, John Ogden, U. E. L.; Richard -Ogden, do; Solomon Spafford, Joseph McCartney, Joseph Lane, -William Ensley, Col. Owen Richards, U. E. L.; James Clapp, do; -Charles Ferguson.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“At this time there were no settlers in the second concessions -neither side of the lake.”—​(Rev. G. Miller.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>East Lake is about five miles long and one and a half wide. It -was for a time called Little Lake. West Lake is about fifteen -miles in circumference.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Prince Edward was one of the original nineteen counties of -Upper Canada, established by the proclamation of Simcoe in 1792. -By this proclamation, we learn that the Peninsula was called by -the French “Presque isle de Quinté.” Originally it was divided into -the three townships of Marysburgh, Sophiasburgh, and Ameliasburgh. -Subsequently the townships of Hallowell and Hillier, were -formed, and in later days the township of Athol.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1831, an act was passed to erect the county into a district, -“so soon as the Governor shall be satisfied that a good and sufficient -gaol and court house has been erected therein, when a proclamation -should announce the formation of the new district.” The -act specified that the “gaol and court house should be erected in -the village of Picton, upon a certain block of land, containing two -and a half acres, granted, or intended to be granted and conveyed -to Asa Worden, Simeon Washburn, and James Dougal, Esquires, -agreeably to a resolution adopted at a public meeting in May, 1826,” -unless a majority of Justices of the Peace of the Midland District -should declare the site ineligible.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_480'>480</span>We find the following respecting the division of Prince Edward. -“Pro. Parliament,” “Prince Edward division bill.” Mr. Roblin -moved the adoption of the Preamble in a few remarks, stating its -(the Peninsula) geographical position, the population being 10,000, -the remoteness of the inhabitants from the location of the District -Court House and Gaol, at Kingston, the earnest desire of the people -for separation. Mr. Samson moved, as an amendment, that the -village should have a member when it contained 1,000 souls. The -debate upon the bill, resulted in one of those fierce encounters that -was then not unfrequent between William Lyon McKenzie, and the -Solicitor General, afterwards Chief Justice Robinson.</p> - -<p class='c000'>If we may credit the <cite>Free Press</cite>, there were plenty of applicants -for office in the newly erected district, there being no less than -sixteen seeking the office of Sheriff.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>HALLOWELL.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>We find in Sabine, that “Benjamin Hallowell, of Boston, -Commissioner of the Customs in 1774, while passing through Cambridge -in his chaise, was pursued toward Boston by about one -hundred and sixty men on horseback, at full gallop. In July, 1776, -he sailed for England. While at Halifax, he said, in a letter, “If -I can be of the least service to either army or navy, I will stay in -America until this rebellion is subdued.” It appears from another -letter that he frequently tendered himself to the Commander-in-Chief -without success. In the autumn of 1796, Mr. Hallowell came -to Boston. He was accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Elmsley, -and by her husband, who had just been appointed Chief Justice of -Upper Canada. He died at York, Upper Canada, in 1799, aged -seventy-five, and was the last survivor of the Board of Commissioners. -The British Government granted him lands in Manchester, -and two other towns in Nova Scotia, <em>and a township in Upper -Canada, which bears his name</em>. He was a large proprietor of lands on -the Kennebec, Maine, prior to the revolution; but proscribed and -banished in 1778, and included in the Conspiracy Act a year later, -his entire estate was confiscated. His country residence at -Jamaica Plain, was used as a hospital by the Whig Army during -the seige of Boston; and his pleasure grounds were converted into -a place of burial for the soldiers who died.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We are unable to learn whether any part of the township of -Hallowell was granted to Benjamin Hallowell, or not, but, it is not -at all unlikely, that at first he did hold some portion of the land. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_481'>481</span>At all events, there seems every reason to believe that the name -was derived from him. On July 3, 1797, an act was passed, whereby -it was provided “that a township shall be struck off from the -southern-most parts of the townships of Marysburgh and Sophiasburgh.” -The reason set forth was, that “the inhabitants of the -townships experience many difficulties from the uncommon length -of the said townships.” The Governor was by proclamation, “to -declare the name of such township before the first day of August -next.” Mr. Hallowell’s brother-in-law, Mr. Elmsley, had recently -been appointed Chief Justice, and doubtless the distinguished -position Mr. Hallowell had held, led to the naming of the new -township to commemorate his loyalty.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Surveyor Gen. William Smith, was the person employed to lay -out the new township.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first record of this township is as follows: “The annual -meeting of the inhabitants of the township of Hallowell, held on -Monday, the fifth day of March, 1798, held by virtue of an act of -the legislature of the Province of Upper Canada, before Augustus -Spencer, and John Stinson, Jun., two of his Majesty’s Justices of the -Peace, the following persons were chosen town officers for the -ensuing year:” Bazel Ferguson, Town Clerk; Caleb Elsworth, -and Peter D. Conger, Assessors; James Blakely, and Thomas -Goldsmith, Town or Church Wardens; Benjamin Wail, John -Miller, Owen Richards, Henry Zufelt, Ichabod Boweman, Aaron -White, Carey Spencer and George Baker, Overseers of Highways -and Fence Viewers; Daniel Young, and Isaac Bedal, Pound -Keepers; Samson Striker, Henry Johnson, Samuel Williams, and -Isaac Garret, Constables.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the first township meeting, “it was enacted that no fence is -to be lawful in the township under the height of four feet eight -inches high, sufficiently made.” Horses, horned cattle, hogs, sheep, -were to be permitted to run at large with certain exceptions. “It -is enacted that if any freeholder shall suffer any Canadian thistle -to go to seed on his farm, he shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty -shillings.” A law was also passed, that if any one set fire to any -rubbish or brush, whereby his neighbors property was endangered, -without previously making two of his neighbors acquainted, he -should pay a fine of forty shillings, to be expended for the benefit -of the highways. Bazel Ferguson, who seems to have discharged -his duty as Town Clerk, recording the proceedings in a neat legible -hand, was successfully elected to that office for ten years. In 1810, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_482'>482</span>James R. Armstrong was appointed, and again the following year. -The next following, Arra Ferguson was elected, who continued in -office three years, when Simeon Washburn received the appointment, -and remained in office two years, when Arra Ferguson was -again selected, and continued for three years. Robert Scott was -Town Clerk two years, and then again followed Arra Ferguson for -eight years. William Barker then was appointed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The three Justices of the Peace, before whom the annual -meeting continued for many years to be held, were John Peters, -Augustus Spencer, and John Stinson, doubtless the first magistrates -in the township. In the year 1815, we notice as “present” at the -annual meeting, Stephen Conger, Barret Dyer, Ebenezer Washburn, -Justices of the Peace.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The town meeting was held in the year 1801, “at the house of -Richardson and Elsworth,” “near Hallowell Bridge;” likewise -the following year. In 1803 the meeting was held “at the house -of Thomas Richardson.” The following year 1805, it is “the house -of the late Thomas Richardson.” In 1806, the meeting was “at -the dwelling house of Thomas Eyre.” In 1807 it is “the Inn of -Thomas Eyre.” Here the annual meeting was successively held for -many years.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>HILLIER.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>In the year 1823 there was an act passed for the division of the -township of Ameliasburgh, in consequence of the inconvenience of -the inhabitants to meet on public occasions. The dividing line was -established between the fourth and fifth concessions. The act went -into force on the first of January, 1824. The Lieutenant-Governor -at that time was Sir Peregrine Maitland, who had for his secretary, -Major Hillier. There is no doubt the new township was called -after Major Hillier.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>PICTON.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>At the beginning of the present century the ground on which -the town of Picton now stands, was covered with a dense forest of -pine and hemlock, while in the low land existed a thick and tangled -cedar swamp. A bridge of very inferior construction was erected -across the creek about the time of the war of 1812, it was on the -road between Kingston and York, and was called for a long time -Hallowell Bridge. Thus we find in an advertisement, in the -<cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, 1815, that “Richard G. Clute sold goods and -groceries at Hallowell Bridge.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_483'>483</span>The first settlers of Picton are said to have been Ebenezer -Washburn, Henry Johnson, Abraham Barker, Harry Ferguson, -James Dougal, Cary Spencer, Congers, Peterson, Richard Hare, -Captain Richardson.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the early settlers of Picton were Dr. Armstrong, elsewhere -spoken of, and Dr. Andrew Austin. The latter was a native -of Vermont, and a doctor of medicine of the University of New -York. He came to Picton in 1822, having obtained his license to -practice in Canada. Remained practicing his profession, very much -respected, until his death in 1849.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Some time after the war of 1812, the Rev. William Macaulay, -bestowed the name of Picton upon a small collection of houses -situated at the south side of the stream which empties into the -head of Picton Bay, in the township of Marysburgh. The -name was given in memory of the celebrated British General -who had recently fallen upon the field of Waterloo. At a late -visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, we felt no little pleasure with a -touch of sadness in gazing upon the memorial which has been -erected to commemorate a nation’s appreciation of military worth. -We transcribe the following:—​</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Erected by the public expense, to Lieutenant-General Sir -Thomas Picton, K.C.B., who, after distinguishing himself in the -victories of Buzaco, Fuentes de Onor, Cindaet Rodrigo, Badajoz, Victoria, -the Pyrenees, Orthes, and Toulouse, terminated his long and -glorious military service in the ever memorable battle of Waterloo; -to the splendid success of which his genius and valour eminently -contributed,” &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Prior to the naming of this collection of buildings, the village -upon the west of the stream, upon the first lots in Sophiasburgh, -was known as Hallowell. The Rev. Mr. Macaulay with the enthusiastic -loyalty, characteristic of his family, desired that both places -should be known as one village, under the distinguished name of -Picton. The citizens of Hallowell Village, however, were opposed -to any other name than Hallowell, and we find in a map published -in 1836, the names of Picton and Hallowell respectively applied to -the two places. But when the whole was incorporated by Act of -Parliament, Mr. Macaulay had sufficient influence, we are informed, -to secure the name of Picton for the corporation; yet we have the -town of Hallowell spoken of in 1837. The growth of Picton was -not particularly rapid. At a meeting held at Eyre’s Inn, Feb. -14, 1818, over which Ebenezer Washburn, Esq., presided, it was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_484'>484</span>stated that there was in the township of Hallowell, which included -Picton, but two brick houses, one carding and fulling-mill, one -Methodist chapel, now known as the old chapel at Congers, one -Quaker meeting house; and that preparations were being made to -build a church, that is for the Episcopalians. Orchards, it was -stated were beginning to be planted.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There seems to have been no little antagonism between the -villages of Picton and Hallowell. While an effort was earnestly -made to make the east side, the heart of the community, the inhabitants -of Hallowell strove to fix the central point upon the west side. -When Prince Edward was erected into a district, in 1831, and it -became necessary to erect a jail and court house, it became a warm -question as to the site of the building. The Hallowell <cite>Free Press</cite> -became the channel of a sharp discussion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the Press of June 21, 1831, is a letter signed, “A farmer of -Sophiasburgh,” one paragraph of which says, “Among all these -advantages pointed out in the most striking colours, I have discerned -none so great as the $200 so liberally offered by Mr. Macaulay, -which $200 must otherwise be paid by the rateable inhabitants of -the county.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The year 1831 seems to have been an important one to the -inhabitants, not only of Picton, but the peninsula. Enterprise was -the order of the day, and improvements of a public character were -in various ways proposed. The <cite>Free Press</cite> of 5th July, says, under -the heading “Another Steamboat,” “We understand that a number -of the enterprising inhabitants of this village, have it in contemplation -to build a steamboat to ply between this place and -Prescott, to perform their trips in a week. A number of merchants -and capitalists have offered to take stock. We are of opinion that -a boat built and owned by the inhabitants of this county, would be -not only useful to the inhabitants of the Peninsula, but profitable to -the stockholders. We would suggest to them the propriety of -having the channel in the bay at the lower end of the village -cleared, so as to allow steamboats to pass up as far as the bridge.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The present English Church, standing on Church Street, was -the first built in Picton. It was erected by the Rev. Wm. Macaulay, -aided by a partial loan in 1825. Mr. Macaulay was the first minister; -he came to the parish after seven years of officiating at Cobourg, -and has remained as Rector ever since. The Roman Catholic -chapel, now standing on Church Street, was the first erected, in -1828 or 9, the land having been given for that purpose by Mr. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_485'>485</span>Macaulay. The new stone church was built in 1839. Rev. Mr. -Frazer was first minister, in 1828; Rev. Mr. Brennan, occasionally -from 1832 to 1836; the Rev. Mr. Lalor from 1836 to the present -time.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LIV.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Eighth Township—​Sidney—​Name—​Survey—​Settlement, 1787—​Letter -from Ferguson—​Trading—​Barter—​Potatoes—​Building—​Cows—​No salt -to spare—​First settlers—​Myers—​Re-surveying—​James Farley—​Town Clerk -at first meeting—​William Ketcheson—​Gilbert’s Cove—​Coming to the front -River Trent—​Old names—​Ferry—​Bridge—​Trenton—​Its settlement—​Squire -Bleeker.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE EIGHTH TOWNSHIP—​SIDNEY—​ITS SETTLEMENT.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>No Royal name being available for this township, the noble -one of <span class='sc'>Sidney</span> was conferred. The name is derived from Lord -Sidney, who, at the time of the Revolutionary War, was His -Majesty’s Secretary for the Colonial Department.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A map in the Crown Lands Department, has written upon it -“Sidney, in the District of Mecklenburgh, was surveyed in 1787, -by Louis Kotte.” This was probably written by Kotte himself. It -is most probable that the first lots only were then laid out. While -Kotte was the chief surveyor to whom was entrusted the duty, it is -gathered from different sources that he was not present to superintend -the work. Mr. William Ketcheson, of the fifth concession, who -came with his father to the place, in 1800, says that one McDonald -was the surveyor, and laid out the land as far back as the 5th concession, -when he died.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the townships fronting upon the two shores of the Bay -were being surveyed in the western portion, not a few were on the -look out for a good location. These parties consisted of all classes, -but it appears most likely that the majority of those who had the -first choice were individuals connected with the surveyors, and who -had influence with them. The officers, naturally, enjoyed greater -privileges, and some of them sought suitable spots with the view of -trading with the Indians, or streams of water to supply power for -sawing and flouring-mills.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As illustrative of those times we will make use of a letter -lying before us, written at that time.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_486'>486</span>In the year 1789, John Ferguson and Wm. Bell opened a store -in the Eighth Township. It appears with the view of trading with -the Indians, and such of the settlers as could pay for the goods -they might buy. A letter written by Ferguson, in 1790, from Kingston, -to his partner, says: “As to again taking up goods for trade, -had I money I would not think it worth while—​notwithstanding -all I said and begged of you, you nevertheless have let the white -people have almost everything we had. When do you think they -will pay for it?” By the foregoing we may learn the difficulties -attending mercantile pursuits, as well as the procuring of the common -necessaries of life. It was no doubt a matter of first importance -to Ferguson to see that the goods brought a return. It was -no hard-heartedness that caused him to find fault; for in the same -letter he says, “Forsyth is arrived, and I know not how I’ll pay -him.” On the other hand, Mr. Bell, with his little stock of goods -upon the Bay Shore, in the distant Eighth Township, is applied to -by the needy settlers for necessaries. They have no money; it is -an article almost unknown among them, but they want this -and that, and who could refuse? Ferguson afterward says, “You -must oblige every one to pay you in wheat, or otherwise I will -want bread before winter is over—​if they will not take 3s. 9d. for -wheat, make them pay in money immediately, or else send me -down their accounts, and I’ll summon every one of them. Let -your half bushel be examined before Squire Gilbert. Do not spare -a potatoe to any one soul. I hope to get a barrel of pork here, but -do not trust to that.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the same letter Mr. Ferguson says, “If convenient, I could -wish you’ld get cut and brought home, as many logs as would build -a house the width of the one we have, and 14 feet long. Let them -be small and handy—​we have plenty of small pine handy—​and it -soon can be put up when I get home. If Johnson will saw ten -logs about 14 feet long, for us, into inch boards, and find himself. -He shall have the loan of the saw from the time he finishes them -until the 15th day of April next.” “The cows must be sent up. I -do not know how the calf will be kept. I have bought two pairs of -ducks which I’ll take up, and also some fowls if I can get them.” -“Spare no salt to any one, as none is to be had here, but at a very dear -rate.” “The Indian prints goes up, which will spoil the trade this -season, as after this the Indians cannot want clothing until the -spring.” “Rum I must endeavour to take up, as without that -nothing can be had.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_487'>487</span>The late Mr. Bleeker, of Belleville, tells us that among the very -first settlers upon the front of Sidney, were Chrysler, Ostrom and -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The interesting history we give elsewhere, of Capt. Myers, -as a loyalist and pioneer, shows that he was one of the first inhabitants -of Sidney. A pioneer in the construction of mills upon the -River Moira, he had previously built in 1794 or ‘5, a sawing mill -upon a small uncertain stream which empties into the Bay a few -miles east of Trenton.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen that the survey took place in 1787. It is questionable, -however, whether more than the first concession was at -this time laid out. There is some reason to believe that Louis -Kotte did not attend very closely to his duties, but left the surveying -to an incompetent assistant. Probably he thought it did not -matter whether the side lines were correct or not, in a remote -township so far removed from civilization, as Sidney. At all events, -in later days, it was found necessary to re-survey the township, -which was done by Atkins.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first settlers, most likely, came in 1787, yet it may be that -one or two had previously squatted by the Bay Shore. We do not -find in the Crown Lands Department any map with the names of -grantees upon the different lots, such as exist in connection with -other townships.</p> - -<p class='c000'>No doubt that in Sidney, as in other places, many lots were -drawn, and subsequently disposed of before the patents were issued, -so that the original owner cannot be traced. By the close of last -century the township was pretty well settled. An early settler -who has recently passed away, and who leaves highly respectable -descendants, was James Farley. He came in 1799.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first township meeting was held the following year at -Gilbert’s Cove, and James Farley was chosen Town Clerk; but -Surveyor Smith was present and did the writing on that occasion. -Another early settler, the first one in the back concessions was -Wm. Ketcheson. Reference is made to him elsewhere. His son, -now almost 90 years of age, remembers full well the days of their -coming, and settling. The 400 acres of land was bought of Martin -Hambly, who lived by the Napanee River, at one dollar per acre, -in 1800. Gilbert’s Cove was the place of landing, which was for -many years a central spot. Here the batteaux unloaded their contents, -and the provision was stored. William Ketcheson, my informer, -says, “he used to come every Saturday during the season, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_488'>488</span>through the trackless woods, some seven-and-a-half miles, and -carry upon his back provisions of pork, peas and flour, sufficient to -serve three of them for a week.” After a while they would come to -the Front by the way of the River Moira. To do this they constructed -a scow which was kept near the present village of Smithville, -in which they crossed the river.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the western part of the township is the River Trent, which -empties into the Bay, somewhat to the west of the boundary line -between Sidney and Murray. This river possesses no little interest as -one of the original routes of Indian and French travelers; and as -the way by which Champlain entered the Bay, and discovered Lake -Ontario. The Indian name we find upon an old map was <em>Ganaraske</em>. -Upon many ancient maps the bay and river are very imperfectly -distinguished. It is named Quintio occasionally.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Trent being a stream of considerable size, it formed a -barrier to journeying up and down, from Kingston to York. A ferry -was established here about the beginning of the present century, -by the Bleekers, after which the main road between Kingston and -York gradually became fixed to the north of the Bay, instead of -by Prince Edward.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The construction of a bridge across the Trent, which took place -in 1834, was a great benefit. It was 750 feet long and 32 broad. It -was for many years “the best bridge in Upper Canada.” The -<cite>Hastings Times</cite>, of Belleville, has an advertisement for tenders by -the Commissioners, &c., C. Wilkins, Reuben White, and James G. -Bethune, dated River Trent, 9th March, 1833.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the mouth of the Trent there naturally sprung up a village. -Up to 1808 the site of the village was a dense cedar swamp. Two -years before A. H. Myers had removed from Belleville and -erected a mill about a mile from the mouth of the river, first a saw -mill, afterward a flouring mill. Excepting the mills, and a very -narrow road, the place was a perfect wilderness. The land upon -the west side, where the village stands, originally belonged to “old -Squire” Bleeker. The portion of land between the river and Sidney -was held by Dr. Strachan. The first lot in Sidney was owned by -Judge Smith.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Old Squire Bleeker was probably the very first settler between -the Trent and the Carrying Place. He was a trader with the -Indians, and was probably Indian Agent. At all events he was a -man of considerable authority among them.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_489'>489</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LV.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Ninth town—​Thurlow—​Name—​When surveyed—​Front—​Indian burying -ground—​Owner of first lots—​Chisholm—​Singleton—​Myers—​Ferguson—​Indian -traders—​To Kingston in batteau—​Singleton’s death—​Ferguson’s -death—​Distress of the families—​Settled, 1789—​Ascending the Moira—​Taking -possession of land—​Fifth concession—​John Taylor—​Founder of -Belleville—​Myers buying land—​Settlers upon the front—​Municipal record—​Town -officers—​1798—​Succeeding years—​Canifton, its founder—​Settling—​The -diet—​Building mill—​Road—​River Moira—​Origin of name—​Earl -Moira—​Indian name—​Indian offering—​“Cabojunk”—​Myers’ saw-mill—​Place -not attractive—​First bridge—​The flouring-mill—​Belleville—​Indian -village—​Myers’ Creek—​Formation of village—​First inn—​Permanent -Bridge Street—​In 1800—​Growth—​A second mill—​McNabb’s—​Sad death—​Captain -McIntosh—​Petrie—​Inhabitants, 1809—​Dr. Spareham—​Naming of -Belleville—​Bella Gore—​By Gore in council—​Petition—​Extract from Kingston -Gazette—​Surveying reserve—​Wilmot—​Mistakes—​Granting of lots—​Conditions—​Board -of Police—​Extent of Belleville—​Muddy streets—​Inhabitants -in 1824—​Court-house—​First Court, Quarter Sessions—​Belleville in -1836.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE NINTH TOWN—​THURLOW.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The oldest map in the Crown Lands Department, states that -this township was surveyed in 1787, by Louis Kotte; perhaps only -the front concession. By this map, we learn that at the mouth of -the river had been, probably on Zwick’s Island, an Indian burying -ground; and a lot is reserved for the Indians, for a burying ground. -The map informs us that lot No. 1, in both the first and second concessions, -was at first given to John Chisholm. Lot No. 2, in first -and second concession, to David Vanderheyden; No. 3, to Alexander -Chisholm; No. 4, the reserve for the “Indian burying ground;” -Nos. 5 and 6, to Captain John Singleton. These are the only names -which appear upon the map; but it is likely that lot No. 7, was -granted at first to Captain Myers. The late George Bleeker, Esq., -told the writer that Captain Myers having stayed in Lower Canada -three years, came and settled upon lot 7, where he built a hut and -lived for a year, before going to Sidney. This was probably in -1787, when the surveying was proceeding. Thus it was that -Captain Myers, who afterward gave a name to the river and place, -was the first squatter. About this time, Captain Singleton, who had -been a first settler in Ernesttown, came to Thurlow with a brother -officer, Lieutenant Ferguson, both having recently married and -settled upon lot No. 6. Their object in coming was to carry on a -fur trade with the Indians, who regularly descended the River -Sagonoska to barter, and subsequently to get their presents. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_490'>490</span>single log house which was first built, was shortly added to, by a -second compartment, into which was stored furs and goods for -barter. The life of these first settlers of Thurlow was a brief one, -and the termination a sad one. Both had just married, and with -their faithful servant, Johnson, and his wife, they hoped for a future -as bright as the wood and water which so beautifully surrounded -them. It mattered not to them that no human habitation existed -nearer than the Mohawk settlement, and the Napanee River. Many -trips with the batteau were necessary to obtain a complete outfit -for Indian trading, and ample provisions had to be laid up, with -stores of rum. These articles were procured at Kingston. Singleton -had rented his farm in the second town; but reserved a room, -where he might stop on his way up and down. In September, 1789, -Captain Singleton, his wife, child, some eight months old, with -Lieutenant Ferguson, his wife, and the servants, Johnson and wife, -set out for Kingston and Ernesttown in a batteau. The women -were to visit in Ernesttown, while the men proceeded to Kingston -to purchase flour and other articles. Not long after starting, Singleton -was taken ill. They stopped at Captain John’s, at the Mohawk -settlement, and Indian medicines were given him; but he continued -to grow worse, and when he reached his home, in Ernesttown, he -was dangerously ill. A doctor from Kingston was procured; but -Captain Singleton died nine days after, from what seems to have been -a malignant fever. His faithful servant, Johnson, contracted the -disease and also died. Thus, Lieutenant Ferguson was left with -three women and a child, away from home, which could only be -reached after much toil. Captain Singleton was spoken of as a -“pleasing gentleman, and beloved by all who knew him.” His infant -son grew to man’s estate, and became one of the first settlers of -Brighton, where his widow, now far advanced in years, and descendants -reside.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Lieutenant Ferguson went to Kingston, exchanged his load of -furs for a barrel of flour, then very dear, and other articles, and returned -with his charge to Thurlow. But Ferguson’s days were also -numbered; and, in three months’ time, he died, and there were left -in the depth of winter, alone, upon the front of Thurlow, three -widowed women, and an infant; with but little to eat, beside the -barrel of flour; which, before long, was to be the only article of food, -and used by cup-fulls to make spare cakes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Lieutenant Ferguson, the associate of the first settler in the -township, was at first a refugee from the Mohawk valley in New -<span class='pageno' id='Page_491'>491</span>York, and latterly served, probably in Johnson’s regiment. He had -lived a short time at Sorel before coming to Thurlow. His body -was buried upon a pleasant elevation, between their house and the -plains to the east of the river. The first one of the loyalists to -die in Thurlow, his body was the first to be interred in the “Taylor -burying ground.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the spring of 1789, a party of about fifty, reached the bay. -They were all refugee loyalists, and most of them had been since the -close of the war in the States, looking up their families, and arranging -to take them “to Cataraqui.” This party settled in Sidney and -Thurlow. Those who settled in Thurlow, finding no land available -at the front, prepared to ascend the river. Among them were John -Taylor, William Reed, with four sons, John, William, Samuel, and -Solomon; Richard Smith, Cavelry, Robert Wright, John Longwell, -Sherard, Zedie Thrasher, Asa Turner, Stephen and Laurence Badgley, -Solomon Hazleton, Archibald McKenzie, McMichael, William Cook, -and Russell Pitman. The party reached the mouth of the river late -in the day, and pitched their tent among some cedar shrubs upon the -east bank of the river, just by the site of the upper bridge. The -following day, they followed the bank of the river, searching for -indications of good land The surveyor had not yet laid out any but -the front lots; but the pioneers had been assured that any land they -should choose to occupy, would be granted them. When they -reached the point where now is the fifth concession, they felt that -they had reached their destination, and proceeded to take possession -of such land as struck their fancy. William Reed, and his four -sons, possessed themselves of 600 acres in a block, through which the -river wound its way. The land here was unmistakably good; and four -generations have now reaped the fruit of the soil, while two generations -lie buried there. But the first years of pioneer life with -those first settlers of the fifth concession, were years of great hardship -and want (see First years of Upper Canada). They all went to -Napanee at first to mill. Sometimes took articles to exchange for -flour.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Taylor settled in the fifth concession, where he remained a -year, when he came down to the mouth of the river. A sketch of -this old soldier is elsewhere given. Among the settlers who came in, a -few years later, were Richard Canniff, and Robert Thompson.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In some respects, the settlers of these townships, at the western -extremity of the bay, suffered in a peculiar manner. They were far -removed from Kingston, and from the necessaries of life to be procured -<span class='pageno' id='Page_492'>492</span>there. And they were settling after the period when Government -allowed provisions.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The name of Captain Myers must ever stand identified with the -early history of Thurlow. He cannot be regarded as the founder of -Belleville; yet he was the first to give a name to the village at the -mouth of the river. Captain Myers saw service during the revolutionary -war (see Royal Combatants). At the close of hostilities, -having tarried for a time at Lower Canada, he came to the bay, and -squatted at first upon the front of Thurlow. He first became a settler -upon the front of Sidney, a few miles east of the Trent River. Being -a man of enterprise, and with forethought, he did not content himself -with clearing a farm and cultivating its soil. He saw the wants of -the settlers, that they required sawed lumber, and greater conveniences -for grinding grain. Hence he is found, even before 1790, erecting a -sawing mill upon a small stream on his land in Sidney. The waterpower -was very inefficient, and he looked about for a more suitable -place. The waters of the Moira presented the inducements he sought. -A bargain was effected with John Taylor for the rear half of lot No. 5, -which embraced a portion of the stream, affording the desired mill-site. -It was, most probably, in the year 1790, that Captain Myers -came to Thurlow, and built his log hut upon the banks of the river, -a few rods above the present mill-dam. Within a year, the first dam -erected upon the river was finished, and a log saw mill built upon the -east bank.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The late Colonel Wilkins, of the Carrying Place, says, that when -he came to the bay, in 1792, Myers had his mill built, the one farthest -west, until they came to where is now Port Hope.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following are the names of those who settled upon the -front, as supplied by the late G. Bleeker, Esq. Commencing at lot -No. 1, the first settler was John Chisholm; No. 2, Coon Frederick; -No. 3, Crawford, the lot having been drawn by A. Chisholm. -Coming to No. 7, it was settled upon by A. Thompson, who sold -the right to Schofield; No. 8, by Arch. Chisholm; No. 9, by Samuel -Sherwood, who was an Indian trader. Then Fairman, William -Johnson, Edward Carscallion, J. Carscallion, Fairman, Biddell.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There is no record of the first municipal transaction. Most -likely, no record was kept. The following, however, takes us back -a long way:—​</p> - -<p class='c000'>“At the annual town meeting, for the township of Thurlow, -held the fifth day of March, 1798, whereat the following persons -were chosen town officers, viz., John McIntosh, Town Clerk, John -<span class='pageno' id='Page_493'>493</span>Chisholm and William Reid, Assessors; Joseph Walker, Collector; -Samuel B. Gilbert, John Reed, William Johnson, Path-masters; -John Cook and Daniel Lawrence, Town Wardens; John Taylor, -Pound-keeper; John Fairman, Constable.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>John McIntosh, remembered as Capt. McIntosh, was Town -Clerk for three years, and was succeeded by Jabez Davis. The -following year, the occupant was Caleb Benedict. The year succeeding, -Roswell Leavens was appointed, and continued to hold the -office for three years, when John Frederick was chosen, who held -the place two years, when John McIntosh was again selected; he -held it two years. Then John Thompson was appointed, who held -it one year. The next year it was Roswell Leavens; the next, -John Frederick; the next, R. Leavens, who continued uninterruptedly -in office for twelve years, up to the year 1826. During that -time very many changes are observed in the names of those holding -the other municipal offices in the Township. The Town Clerk, in -the year 1826, was Daniel Canniff, who held it two years; the -next was James McDonnell, who filled the post seven years. In -1835, D. B. Sole was appointed, who held it two years. The year -ensuing, Dr. Hayden was appointed. It would seem that during the -year following, Dr. H. escaped as a rebel, while his wife refused to -hand over the township records.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Canifton.</span>—​Up to the year 1806, the way from Myers’ mill up -the river to where stands Corby’s mill, a distance of four miles, -was unbroken by a single clearing. There was but a poor waggon -road, which had been cut by the two individuals who alone could -afford the comfort of a waggon. But in that year another settler -was added to Thurlow, and a third waggon to the community. John -Canniff, having bought some 800 acres of land from one McDougall, -and one Carle, in the third concession, commenced the work of -clearing upon the present site of the village of Canifton. John -Canniff was a U. E. Loyalist, and was born at Bedford, in the -County of Westchester, in the present State of New York, in the -year 1757. There is no reliable statement handed down as to the -part he took in the war against the rebellion. That he took an -active part is believed by those most capable of judging. The name -of Lieut. Candiff appears among the officers of a New Jersey regiment, -which is thought to have been one of the family. John -Canniff was a refugee at the close of the war in New Brunswick, -where he remained a few years. He then came to Canada, in 1788, -and first settled in Adolphustown, where he lived until his removal -<span class='pageno' id='Page_494'>494</span>to Thurlow. He had witnessed and experienced the suffering of -the year of the famine. And it is known that he actually saved one -family from death by starvation. Before bringing his family to -Thurlow, in 1807, he had cleared a considerable piece of land, on -the east side of the river, around the present site of the bridge; -built a mill-dam, a saw-mill, and a frame house, which stood a short -distance above the site of the Methodist Church. Although this -took place near the end of the first decade of the present century, -yet the settlement was attended by no little hardship. The necessaries -of life were not always to be had, and it is authentically -related, that for a time pea bread constituted the principle article -of diet, while a fish, now and then caught, was a great luxury.</p> - -<p class='c000'>About the year 1812, Canniff erected a flouring-mill, having for -mill-stones those made on the spot, out of hard granite; the man -who made them yet lives. These relics of the past may yet be -seen. But in two years he procured a pair of Burr stones from -the Trent.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 18—​, Mr. Canniff removed to the front of Thurlow, -and lived upon lot number eight, where he continued to dwell until -his death, 21st Feb., 1843. He was in his 87th year when -he died. His remains are buried near the front of the Episcopal -Church, in Belleville. He was a great uncle to the writer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Up to the year 1715, there was but one small house in Canifton, -beside that occupied by Mr. Canniff, this was occupied by a cooper, -named Ockerman.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For four years after John Canniff settled upon the river, there -was an unbroken wood between his place and Myers’ mill, while -but a rough road existed, which followed the river’s bank. In -the spring of 1811, James Canniff, the writer’s father, commenced -to clear land, midway between Myers’ mill and John Canniff’s. At -this time, the road remained almost impassable, for the half-dozen -waggons, owned in the township. Some years later, the road was -somewhat straightened and improved; but although now, and for a -long time, so great a thoroughfare, the road continued to be, for -many years, the most execrable.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>The River Moira.</span>—​This river is named after the Right Hon. -the Earl of <em>Moira</em>, afterward Marquis of <em>Hastings</em>, and previously, -when a soldier, serving in the American war, known as Lord -<em>Rawdon</em>. At his death the title became extinct. His body was -buried in his native town in Ireland. While in America, he formed -a strong attachment to Brant.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_495'>495</span>The Moira takes its rise in the township of Tudor, and in its -windings to the Bay Quinté, passes through the townships of Madoc, -Marmora, Rawdon, Huntingdon, Hungerford, Tyendinaga, and -Thurlow. It was well known, and yearly ascended by the Indians -for the excellent hunting which it afforded. They called it <em>Sagonasko</em>, -which name may be found on the first maps issued by the -surveyor. It was sometimes spelled <em>Saganashcocon</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Indians, when about to pass up on their hunting expeditions, -leaving many of the women and children in wigwams upon -the plains near its mouth, would make an offering to their pagan -god, of tobacco, which was dropped upon the east shore, near its -mouth, just below the site of the first bridge. A thank offering was -repeated upon their return.—​(B. Flint).</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the first mill dam was erected by Capt. Myers, the -obstruction was called by them <em>Cabojunk</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the land was surveyed, the Government reserved at the -mouth of the river 200 acres, ostensibly, for an Indian burying -ground. But the place of burying was upon Zwick’s Island, in the -Bay, near the river’s mouth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the old maps, this river is called Singleton’s River, after -Capt. Singleton.</p> - -<p class='c000'>About the year 1790, Capt. Myers settled upon the river, and -erected a dam and log saw mill. It consequently took the name of -Myers’ Creek, which it retained, until after the war of 1812, and -by some, to within the writer’s recollection, thirty years ago. The -writer remembers to have seen the Indians, in their birch canoes, -ascending and descending the river. The fact that the word Moira -has some resembling sound to that of Myers, has led some to -suppose that the latter name became gradually changed into the -former. But the fact is as stated above.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The appearance of the place, presented to the first adventurers -in pursuit of land on which to settle, was not attractive. It was a -barren plain with a cedar swamp covering the shores on either side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There were, however, on the east side, at the mouth, some tall -and good sized oaks, indicating deep soil, while the land around was -rock; this land, like the two islands upon which mills are built, -was rich, and had been made from the washings of the river’s sides -for centuries, and carried down from the back country.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first bridge upon the Moira, was a floating structure, and -was placed quite at the mouth of the river, with the view of -escaping the current; but it was soon carried off. The bridge was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_496'>496</span>built about 1800; prior to which time there had been a ferry for -foot passengers, when the stream was not fordable. At certain -seasons, crossings could take place almost anywhere. The first -spring freshet carried away the bridge. In the winter of 1802, -according to Mrs. Harris, who then lived in the place, a more substantial -structure was commenced; but again it was carried off by -ice breaking over Myers’ dam. Possibly, this may be the first one. -The first permanent bridge must have been completed in 1806 or 7.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The excellent water power was first employed by Capt. Myers, -and the second person to use it was the Reeds, at the place where -is now situated Corby’s mill. The benefit of a flouring mill to the -Reeds will be understood when it is known that they had previously, -to carry on their back the grist to the Napanee mills, a -distance of some forty miles, and thus occupying four days.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>BELLEVILLE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The early <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">voyageurs</span></i>, passing along in their birch canoes, -bound for the far west, by the way of the River Trent -to Lake Simcoe, were never attracted to the low, thick woods, -which bordered the river, called by the Indians <em>Sagonoska</em>. It -is true, there was generally an Indian village upon the plains -situated to the east of the river’s mouth. But the collection -of rude tents offered no special invitation. While the French, it -would seem, never ascended the river; the Indians of the Mississauga -tribe inhabited the region, and mostly always had a village -upon the bay shore. As we have seen, the Government, at the -time of surveying, reserved lot number four, which included the -river and the plains, for the Indians. About 1789 or 90, Captain -Myers, having purchased a part of lot number five, of John Taylor, -for $100, endeavored to obtain a lease of the Indian lot for a long -period of years; and he subsequently claimed the lot, averring that -it had been leased him for ninety-nine years. This claim of Capt. -Myers, it has been stated, led to the name which so long obtained, -Myers’ Creek. But the claim was never recognized by Government, -although there is some reason to think that the Indians did -actually bargain it away. The settlement upon the river, by Captain -Myers, very soon came to be known as Captain Myers’, and the -inhabitants up and down the bay, spoke of the settlement, as well as -of the river, as Myers’ Creek. But, at the same time, Myers’ mill -and house were quite remote from the first collection of houses at -the mouth of the river. Apart from the water privileges, there -<span class='pageno' id='Page_497'>497</span>was nothing to attract to the place, and, until the beginning of the -present century, there was not even a hut at the mouth of the river. -If public meetings were held, they were up the front, or back near -the fifth concession, afterward known as Hayden’s Corners.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The village began to form upon the east bank of the river, a -little distance below Dundas street, and, for many years, it did not -extend further north than that street. The first place of habitation -so far as can be learned, was a log house, built and occupied by -Asa Wallbridge, a trader, who was well known by the early settlers. -Then came John Simpson, in the year 1798, and constructed a log -hut, 20 × 12. This house, the first public house in Thurlow, was for -many years known from Kingston to York, as a place of public -entertainment. Within its rough walls rested many an important -traveler, and here, in later days, convened the men of dignity and -office, to discuss matters of great import concerning the village. -Here met, in jovial companionship, the inhabitants of the village at -night. Around this rude public house centered the crowd upon -training days, or when the race course was a point of attraction. -For many years, the heart of the village was at the corner of -Dundas street. At this place was the ferry, and afterwards the -first bridge.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Simpson, who was Sergt.-Major of the Militia when first -organized, died shortly after coming to Myers’ Creek; but his -widow, Margaret, continued the hostess for many years. She -endeavored to keep pace with the wants of the growing village, -and made one improvement after another, and finally had built the -frame structure now converted into the agreeable residence of the -Hon. Lewis Wallbridge. About the year 1800, a second inn was -opened in the village, the descendant of this is the present Railroad -House.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When it became necessary to build a bridge across the river, -about 1806–7, the question of site was one of no little consideration. -It seemed the most natural that it should be erected on Dundas -Street, which was the great mail road between Kingston and York; -and those living in the heart of the village could see no reason in -having it placed elsewhere. But a majority of those having a voice -in the matter, looked at the question in a more practical light; and -rightly thought a bridge would cost less where the river was the -narrowest, while it should not be too far for convenience. The -result was that it was built on the site of the present lower bridge, -and so gave to the street the name of Bridge Street.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_498'>498</span>Retracing our steps to the beginning of the present century, -we present the statement of Mr. William Ketcheson, who settled in -Sidney, and also of James Farley, both of whom say that there was -not then even a village at the mouth of the river, there being but -two or three shanties, among them Simpson’s tavern, at the rude -bar of which the sole drink was a home brewed beer, which, however, -possessed intoxicating properties. Another building was an -ash house, owned by Asa Wallbridge.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the first years of the present century, the place grew -to the importance of a village, whose inhabitants, with those of -the adjacent farmers, made up nearly a hundred persons. Important -additions had been made, and enterprise was at work. Two noble -and loyal Scotchmen had come to the place several years before, -and purchased lot number three, and had built a second mill dam -and mills. These were Simon and James McNabb. They subsequently -took an active part in everything relating to the village. -James McNabb became Collector of Customs, and the first Post-Master -and Registrar, and both were officers in the militia. The -melancholy death of James McNabb, is hardly yet forgotten. -During the rebellion of 1836, there was an alarm in Belleville, and -Capt. McNabb, while running through an unlighted hall, was fatally -wounded by a careless militiaman, who was trailing his musket -with bayonet fixed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Capt. McIntosh was an early settler in Belleville, as well as a -pioneer with sailing vessels. He built the first frame store house -at Belleville, which was taken down in 1867. The house he built -is still standing, a quaint edifice, at the lower extremity of front -street. Within its walls rested General Brock, when on his way -westward, at the commencement of the war of 1812; also General -Gore, after the close of the war. Capt. McIntosh met an untimely -death by drowning while attempting to swim from his schooner, -which was wind-bound off Ox Point, to the shore, 23rd Sept, 1815.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1809, Alexander Oliphant Petrie, came to live at -Myers’ Creek. He found the following persons living in Belleville -at that time. Commencing at the lowest part; there first lived -Capt. John McIntosh, who kept a store; John Johnson, a saddler; -Dr. Sparehan; John Thompson, who had been a soldier in the King’s -Rangers; Peter Holmes, a carpenter, who had also been in the -Rangers; Mrs. Margaret Simpson, inn-keeper; Roswell Leavens, a -blacksmith; John Simons; one Ames, a cooper; Hugh Cunningham, -store-keeper, at Mrs. Simpson’s; Simon McNabb, who lived -<span class='pageno' id='Page_499'>499</span>across the river; Ockerman, a cooper; Benj. Stone, a sawyer; Wm. -Maybee, and Abraham Stimers. In the neighborhood of the village -lived John Taylor; James Harris, a hatter, and Capt. Myers. The -only road was along the river, while foot paths led to the different -dwellings. Respecting Dr. Spareham, there is the following notice -in the Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite>: “Died, Friday 20th, 1813, Dr. Thomas -Spareham, at Kingston; aged about 88. He was one of the first -settlers in the country.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The McNabbs had a flouring-mill, and there was a small cloth -factory on the west side of the river, at Myers’ dam. Harris had a -small shop on the bank of the river; and just below the present -market, back from the river, stood a little frame school house, -where taught one John Watkins. About the year 1810, Mr. Everitt, -from Kingston, erected a fine building for a hotel, outside of the -village, near Coleman’s, formerly McNabb’s mills. This was near -the Victoria buildings.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The naming of Belleville took place in 1816. The circumstances -attending it were as follows: There met one evening at Mrs. -Simpson’s tavern, Captain McMichael, the two McNabbs, Wallbridge, -R. Leavens, and S. Nicholson. These gentlemen, at the -suggestion, it is said, of Captain McMichael, determined to invite -Lieutenant-Governor Gore, to name the newly surveyed town. -The request was complied with, by calling it after his wife -<em>Bella</em>. In reference to this, we find in the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, Aug. -24, 1816, the following: “The Lieutenant-Governor, in council, has -been pleased to give the new town (formerly known by the name -of “Myers’ Creek”) at the River Moira, the name of “<span class='sc'>Belleville</span>,” -by the request and petition of a great number of the inhabitants of -that town and the township of Thurlow.” In the issue of 7th -September, the <cite>Gazette</cite> remarks, “We mentioned in our paper of -the 24th ult., that the new town at the River Moira, was now called -“Belleville,” &c. We were under the impression, from the very -pleasant situation of that town that its name was derived from the -French; but we have since been informed that it has been given -the name of Bellville, in honor of lady Gore at the request of the -inhabitants.” We have it also, on the authority of Mr. Petrie, who -could not be ignorant of the facts, that the name is after Lady -Bella Gore. It will be observed that the name was originally -spelled Bellville, instead of Belleville, as at the present time. In -all letters and public documents where the town was mentioned, we -find it spelled Bellville for many years. The writer will now, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_500'>500</span>quote himself from another work. “The same year (1816) the -Government instructed surveyor Wilmot to lay out the 200 acres of -Indian reserve, lot number four, into town lots of half an acre each. -It cannot be recorded that Mr. Wilmot discharged his duty to his -credit or the advantage of the town. In the first place he made -the serious mistake (it has been questioned whether it was a mistake) -of placing the line between Sidney and Thurlow, upwards of -sixty feet to the east of that marked by the original survey. The -consequence was, that the line between lots numbers three and four -(at the front) instead of being mainly in the river, where it ought -to have been, was established where now is Front Street, and -thereby, a valuable strip of land belonging to the Reserve, was -added to private property on the western side of the river; while -the owner of lot number five, Mr. Taylor, was a loser to a corresponding -extent. Another mistake was the very few cross streets -laid out, the inconvenience of which is felt daily by many; although -some new ones have been opened latterly. A third error was the -respect he made to a hotel which stood a little to the east of where -now stands the Victoria buildings. This hotel had been erected on -the ground, where the street, in surveying, happened to come. -The result is the unseemly turn in its course at Pinnacle Street. -While the hotel gave a name to the street, the name commemorates -the cause of its ugliness. The town lots were disposed of by -Government to petitioners, true subjects of His Majesty, on a payment -of a fee of thirty dollars. No one could obtain more than a -single lot. Seven plots were reserved: one for a hospital, one -where stands the Catholic Church, the Grammar School, the English -Church, also, the Parsonage house, the old Market Square, and -the Jail.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The lots were granted to applicants upon presenting a petition -signed by two citizens, to Government. The grantee was obligated -to build, in a given time, a house, one story and a half high, and -18 × 30 feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Belleville is the oldest town in Upper Canada. At the time it -was named, where now stands Cobourg, were but three houses. -In 1816 the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite> says, “A Post Office is now established -in the new and flourishing town of Bellville, S. McNabb. Esq., -Post Master.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1834, a petition was submitted by the inhabitants -of Belleville to Parliament, the result of which was “An act to -establish a Board of Police in the town of Belleville, passed 6th -March, 1834.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_501'>501</span>It would seem that the act passed did not come into operation, -for in 1836, an act was passed repealing the former one. This -latter act was in many respects the same, but making further provisions. -The same year the town record begins. The boundaries -were, “commencing at the limits between lots number five and six, -in the first concession, so as a line at right angles will run on the -northerly side of Wonnacott’s bridge, thence south seventy-four -degrees, west to the limits between lots numbers two and three, -thence sixteen degrees east to the Bay of Quinté, thence easterly -following the winding of the bay to the limits between lots numbers -five and six aforesaid; thence north sixteen degrees, west to the -place of beginning, together with the island and the harbour.” -There were two wards, each of which elected two members of the -Board of Police, and the fourth selected a fifth. The body then -selected one of themselves for President. Those elected the first -year were, Wm. McCarty and Asa Yeomans, for first ward; Zenas -Dafoe, and Wm. Connor for second ward; Billa Flint was elected -the fifth member, and was also chosen President; Geo. Benjamin -to be clerk to the Board.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Up to this time there had been no sidewalks, and at the same -time there was no drainage. The consequence was, that in the -rainy season the streets were almost impassible, quite as bad as -those of Muddy York are said to have been. The first pavement -was laid in 1836, the stones of which were taken from the river.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is impossible to say definitely what was the number of -inhabitants at any one period. These were, however, in 1818, -according to Talbot, about 150; about 500 in 1824; 700 in 1829, -and in 1836 more than 1,000. But McMullen, writing in 1824, says -that between Kingston and York, there are two or three very small -villages, the largest of which is Belleville, containing about one -hundred and fifty inhabitants.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After this the town increased more rapidly in size and importance. -Steps were taken to have built a Court House and Jail, as -the nearest place of confinement of prisoners was at Kingston; and, -in 1838, just at the close of the rebellion, the present building was -finished.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first court of Quarter Sessions held at the Court House in -Belleville, was November, 1839, Benjamin Dougall presided; -Edmund Murney, Clerk of the Peace; J. W. D. Moodie, Sheriff. -The principal business of the court was to organize, and take the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_502'>502</span>oaths of office. The second court was held in March, 1840, in the -Court House; there were the same officers, except that W. H. -Ponton was Clerk of the Peace.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A writer in the <cite>Intelligencer</cite>, in 1836, says, Belleville is said to -contain about 1,800 inhabitants. There is an English and Scotch -Church, a Roman Catholic and Methodist Chapel, also a congregation -of Episcopal Methodists, and one of American Presbyterians; -25 merchants’ shops, 2 Apothecaries and Druggists’, 12 huxters’ and -grocery shops, 9 taverns, 3 breweries, 3 butchers’, 2 flouring mills, -4 saw, and 2 fulling and carding mills, 1 pail factory, 7 blacksmiths’ -shops, 3 tanneries, and mechanics of almost every description. In -Front Street there are a number of spacious brick, stone, and frame -buildings; being the most central part of the town for business. -The town has recently being called East and West Belleville; -separated by the river Moira. The latter has been laid out in town -lots by the present owners; and the streets and lines defined. On -Coleman Street there are already erected a handsome brick and -other stone and frame buildings; a Trip-Hammer Forge and Axe -manufactory carried on by Mr. Proctor, celebrated for making the -best axes in the province. A saw mill in operation and a flouring -mill for four run of stone now erecting, and another for six run in -contemplation of being built next summer by our enterprising -townsman, Mr. Flint. A cabinet-maker, blacksmith’s shop, and a -tavern, together with a variety of lots unsold, some of which are -calculated for hydraulic purposes; and for which there are abundance -of materials for stone buildings. The same street leads -to the extensive wharfs and store houses belonging to Mr. Billa -Flint.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_503'>503</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LVI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Tenth township—​Richmond—​Origin—​Quantity of land—​Shores of -Mohawk Bay—​Village on south shore—​Original land holders—​Names—​Napanee—​The -falls—​The mill—​Salmon River—​Indian name—​Source of -Napanee River—​Its course—​Colebrook—​Simcoe Falls—​Name—​Clarke’s -Mills—​Newburgh—​Academy—​The settlers—​“Clarkville”—​No records.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE TENTH TOWNSHIP—​RICHMOND.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>This township is called after the Duke of Richmond, and contains -about 50,000 acres.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At an early period, the shores of the Mohawk Bay were occupied -by settlers. At first, upon the Fredericksburgh side, and shortly -after upon the north shore. The facilities for erecting a flouring-mill -at the falls, upon the river which empties into the Mohawk Bay, -attracted the attention of Government so early as 1785, in which year -the first mill was erected. The existence of this mill caused something -of a village to spring up on the south shore. About the same -time, the land upon the north shore of the bay and river, was taken -up by the loyalists. We can find nothing to indicate the year in -which this township was originally surveyed; but it was most probably -done in the latter part of 1785, or in the spring of 1786, after -the front of Thurlow had been surveyed. Upon the old chart of this -township in the Crown Lands Department, may be seen the names of -certain officers, as claimants of land near the mouth of the river. The -names are in the main, now unknown, and it seems that the land passed -into other hands. The second and third concessions seem to have -been settled at a comparatively early date. We believe that some of -the first settlers on Mohawk Bay, were, Alexander Nicholson, Woodcock, -Peterson, Campbell, Richardson, Detlors.</p> - -<p class='c000'><em>Napanee</em>, a name given to the river, and to the town upon its -banks, is of Indian origin. Originally it was Appanee, which signifies, -in the Mississauga language, flour, or the river where they make -flour. This designation, it has been supposed, arose from the existence -of the flouring-mill, built here at an early date (see first days of -Upper Canada). The place was first visited by loyalists, in 1784. -The beauty of the scenery, the waters of the river, tumbling over the -rocks, down a distance of thirty feet, and sweeping down through a -muddy bed, and widening into Mohawk Bay, and the surrounding -hills clothed in nature’s rugged habiliments, would naturally attract -the settler. Then, when Government placed a mill, at which the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_504'>504</span>settlers could get their grain ground, a consideration of great importance, -the land in the vicinity would be eagerly sought, upon which to -settle. And, it can readily be inferred, that the more valuable lots in -the township of Richmond were, at an early date, appropriated and -settled upon.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Running across the back part of this township, from east to west, -and continuing across the township of Tyendinagua, is the Salmon -River. It takes its rise in Crow Lake, in the Township of Kenebec. -It empties into the Bay Quinté, at the border line between this township -and Thurlow. Near its mouth is the Village of Shannonville. -The Indian name of the Salmon River was <em>Gosippa</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Napanee River, of which we have spoken, takes its rise in -the townships of Hinchinbroke, Bedford, Loughborough, Portland, -which are thickly strewn with beautiful lakes and streams, all connected -so as to form a sort of net work. The Napanee then crosses -the front part of Camden, and pursues its way along, forming the -southern boundary of Richmond, to empty into the Mohawk Bay. -Along the course of the stream are several villages, all possessed of -more or less beauty. There is the village of Colebrook, having -upward of 300 inhabitants; Simcoe Falls comes next, beautiful and -picturesque, with some 250 of population. The village is named after -the Falls, which are some forty feet high. The name is derived from -Governor Simcoe, who at one time owned here 1000 acres of land. -Four miles further down the stream is the pleasant village of Clark’s -Mills, after a family name of which we have elsewhere spoken, as a -distinguished U. E. Loyalist. Continuing down the river we come -to Newburgh, a village picturesquely situated, and of considerable -importance. Beside its grist-mills, saw-mills, factories, machine -shop, foundry, and other machinery worked by the water; Newburgh -has a very respectable academy. Perhaps there is no stream in -Canada which possesses the same number of mill privileges as the -Napanee. There are numerous rapids and several falls along its -course, and the banks on either side are often strikingly beautiful. -The original settlers along the stream were mostly the children of -loyalists.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Napanee.</span>—​The settlement of Napanee is pretty fully given in the -chapter upon the first flouring-mills. We there have stated that -Sergeant Major Clark of the 84th regiment, was ordered to Napanee -to act as superintendent of the works in connection with the building -of the mill; second flouring-mill in Upper Canada. The mill was -situated upon the Fredericksburgh side of the river. Upon an early -map of the township, by P. V. Elmore, a village is marked here by -the name of Clark ville.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Napanee was incorporated in the year 1854.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We regret our inability to procure the township record of Richmond.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_505'>505</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION IX.<br /> <span class='large'>THE EARLY GOVERNMENT OF UPPER CANADA.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LVII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Military rule—​Imperial Act, 1774—​French Canada—​Refugees—​Military -Government in Upper Canada—​New Districts—​Lunenburgh—​Mecklenburgh—​Nassau—​Hesse—​The -Judges—​Duncan—​Cartwright—​Hamilton—​Robertson—​Court -in Mecklenburgh—​Civil Law—​Judge Duncan—​Judge -Cartwright—​Punishment inflicted—​First execution—​New Constitution -of Quebec—​1791, Quebec Bill passed—​Inhabitants of Upper Canada.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>UPPER CANADA FROM 1783 TO 1792—​THE GOVERNMENT, MILITARY AND CIVIL.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>For three years after the conquest the Province of Quebec was -governed by military laws, but in 1774, the British Government -introduced a Bill, conferring civil rights upon the Canadian French, -with a governing council of not more than 23, nor less than 17. -The laws, religion and language were secured to the Province, as -before the conquest, so that in most respects, excepting the presence -of an English Governor, Canada remained a French Colony. -The timely concessions of the British Government, and the natural -antipathy felt by the Canadians to the New Englanders, prevented -in a most positive way, any desire or intention, on the part of the -Canadians, to take sides with the revolting British Provinces. -When the loyalist refugees began to pick their way into Canada -they found themselves as it were in a foreign country. A colony -it is true, under the government of an English Governor, but nevertheless -consisting of a people entirely dissimilar to themselves. -While the war continued the presence of a large number of British -troops made the country seem less foreign in its character; but -the close of the war, and the disbanding of many of the companies, -and withdrawal of others, left the unhappy refugees in a -society to them altogether unnatural. It was under such circumstances -<span class='pageno' id='Page_506'>506</span>that steps were taken to survey land upon the upper waters, -to which the loyalists might go. The plan pursued by Government -was, not to extend the operation of the laws belonging to -Lower Canada, and therefore French and unnatural, to the settlements -in Upper Canada; but to marshal the pioneer in bands -under officers, with the necessary appointments, to secure order, -protect interests, and administer justice. The first settlers of Upper -Canada, then came in military order, by word of command, and -were directed to the point where each should find the land allotted -him, and meet his wilderness foe.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All alike were governed by military law, until 1788. Says the -historian of Dundas, “It was decided by Government that the first -settlers should live under <span class='sc'>Martial Law</span>, till such times as it should -be rescinded, and replaced by competent courts of justice. But by -martial law was meant only, that the English laws, having by the -settlement of this part of Canada, been introduced, should be its laws -for the present, and that these laws, which very few knew, should be -martially executed by the Captain in command, having the superintendence -of the particular locality.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the 24th July, 1788, Lord Dorchester issued a proclamation, -dated at the Castle of St. Louis, Quebec, forming a certain -number of new districts in the Province of Quebec. Upper Canada -was formed into four districts, viz.: <em>Lunenburgh</em>, which extended -from the borders of Lower Canada “to the River Gananoque, now -called Thames;” <em>Mecklenburgh</em>, which included the settlement from -Gananoque to the Trent River; <em>Nassau</em>, extending from the Trent to -Long Point on Lake Erie; <em>Hesse</em>, which embraced the remaining -parts of Western Canada, including Detroit. The division was based -upon the number of settlers rather than the extent of territory.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To each of these districts was appointed a Judge, a Sheriff, &c. -The Judge seems to have been clothed with almost absolute power. -He dispensed justice according to his own understanding or interpretation -of the law, and a Sheriff or Constable stood ready to carry -out the decision, which in his wisdom, he might arrive at. These -four courts of Common Pleas constituted it seems the whole machinery -of the law in Upper Canada, after the people ceased to be under -military jurisdiction. It may have been, however, probably was, -that appeal could be made against the Judge’s decision, to the -Governor and Council. There were no other magistrates, and no -lawyers in those primitive happy days.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of the four Judges appointed to the districts, positive knowledge -<span class='pageno' id='Page_507'>507</span>can be obtained but of three; these are Richard Duncan, Judge -of Lunenburgh, Richard Cartwright, Judge of Mecklenburgh, and -Robert Hamilton, Judge of Nassau. Not unlikely, William Robertson, -of Detroit, was Judge of Hesse. This opinion is ventured from -the fact that this gentleman was the most successful and prominent -man in that locality; the same as Duncan, Cartwright, and Hamilton -were in theirs.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the Judgeship of <em>Mecklenburgh</em>, the Rev. Mr. Stuart -writes, 1788, that “our new settlements have been lately divided -into four districts, of which this place (Kingston,) is the Capital of -one called <em>New</em> Mecklenburgh. I had a commission sent me as first -Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which I returned to Lord -Dorchester, who left a few days ago.” The office thus refused was -subsequently filled by Mr. Richard Cartwright. In a letter before us, -written by John Ferguson, dated 29th December, 1788, it is stated -that “our Courts are opened, but they have done nothing particular, -but I suppose will in a few days.” This was the commencement of -other than martial law at the Bay of Quinté. 1788 then, is the year -in which civil law began to be administered. This was considered a -boon by the British Americans, who objected quite as much to military -law, when the individual might not by education, be qualified to -dispense judgment and justice, as they did to the French laws of Lower -Canada. Indeed the loyalists of Lower Canada complained very -much that they had lost the protection of British laws. And probably -many were induced to ascend to Upper Canada where the -British law was in operation. At the same time Upper Canada -remained a part of the Province of Quebec.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Reference is made in the History of Dundas, to Judge Duncan, -of Lunenburgh as follows: “As a soldier he was generous and -humane.” The Court sat at Mariatown, of which he was the founder. -He “seemed to have monopolized every office. A storekeeper, -and holding a Captain’s rank, he dealt out law, dry goods -and groceries alternately.” The court room was at the place of -Richard Loucks, who kept a store and tavern, about a mile below -the present eastern limits of the County of Dundas. The name of -the Sheriff was Munro, probably John Munro, who was subsequently -called to the Legislative Council.</p> - -<p class='c000'>With respect to Judge Cartwright, the reader is referred to -individual U. E. Loyalists for a notice of his history. The fact that -he was selected as the Judge after the office was refused by Mr. -Stuart, shows that he was a man of influence, education and wealth, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_508'>508</span>and persons are now living who remember him as a “big man,” -along the Bay. From all that we can learn, it is most probable that -Judge Cartwright held his court at Finkle’s tavern, Ernesttown. It -is stated that he convicted the first man that was hanged in Canada. -The crime charged against him for which he was executed was -watch stealing. The article was found upon him, and although he -declared he had bought it of a pedlar, yet, as he could not prove it, -he was adjudged guilty of the crime, and sentenced to be hanged. -Dr. Connor, of Ernesttown, stood up in court and appealed against -the decision of the Judge, but he was hissed down, and the law took -its course. The man was hanged, and subsequently the pedlar from -whom the watch had been purchased came along and corroborated -the dying words of the unfortunate man.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The most common punishment inflicted upon those convicted of -high offences, was that of banishment for a certain number of years, -or for life, to the United States, “a sentence next to that of death, -felt to be the most severe that could be inflicted.” “Minor offences -were atoned for in the pillory. For a long time there stood one such -primitive instrument of punishment, at Richard Louck’s Inn, the -centre of law and Justice for the Lunenburgh District.” (History of -Dundas).</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first person executed at Niagara was in 1801, a woman by -name of Loudon, who was convicted of poisoning her husband, at -Grimsby.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The difference between the French and British in Canada, as -to religion, language and laws, was so great that, although efforts -were earnestly made to unite the two races, the divergence of views -continued to increase. And the result was, that a Bill was introduced -into the Imperial Parliament, by the Government, which duly became -law.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On Friday, 4th March, 1791 Mr. Chancellor Pitt moved, “that -His Majesty’s message concerning the New Constitution for Quebec -might be read. It was read accordingly.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>George R.</span>—​His Majesty thinks it proper to acquaint the Commons, -that it appears to His Majesty, that it would be for the benefit -of His Majesty’s subjects in the Province of Quebec, that the same -should be divided into separate provinces, to be called the Province -of Upper Canada and the Province of Lower Canada; and that it is -accordingly his Majesty’s intention so to divide the same, whenever -His Majesty shall be enabled by Act of Parliament to establish the -necessary regulations for the government of the said Provinces. His -<span class='pageno' id='Page_509'>509</span>Majesty therefore recommends this object to the consideration of -this House,” &c., &c. The discussion which arose in connection with -the passage of this Bill was of unusual interest, and produced -that historic scene between Burke and Fox, during which “tears -trickled down the cheeks” of the latter, as “he strove in vain to give -utterance to feelings that dignified and exalted his nature.” The -Bill passed its third reading on the 18th May.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this time there were distributed along the St. Lawrence, the -Bay of Quinté, Niagara frontier, Amherstburgh, with the French -settlement on the Thames, and the Indians at Grand River, about -20,000 souls, or double the number, who came at the first as refugees, -and disbanded soldiers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For a list of the Governors of Upper Canada see Appendix.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LVIII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Simcoe—​His arrival in Canada—​Up the St. Lawrence—​An old house—​“Old -Breeches’ River”—​Simcoe’s attendants—​The old veterans—​“Good -old cause”—​“Content”—​Toasting—​Old officers—​Executive Council of -Upper Canada—​First entry—​Simcoe inducted to office—​Religious ceremony—​“The -proceedings”—​Those present—​Oath of office—​Organization of Legislative -Council—​Assembly—​Issuing writs for elections—​Members of Council—​Simcoe’s -difficulty—​At Kingston—​Division of Province—​The Governor’s -officers—​Rochfoucault upon Simcoe—​Simcoe’s surroundings—​His wife—​Opening -Parliament in 1795—​Those present—​Retinue—​Dress—​The nineteen -counties—​Simcoe’s designs—​Visit of the Queen’s father—​At Kingston—​Niagara—​A -war dance.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>ORGANIZATION OF THE UPPER CANADA GOVERNMENT BY SIMCOE, 1792.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Colonel John Graves Simcoe, the pioneer Governor of Upper -Canada, and the Lieutenant-Governor under Lord Dorchester, entered -upon the duties of his office, July 8, 1792.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His arrival in Canada was signalled by much rejoicing, as he -passed along in a fleet of bark canoes from Lower Canada, by the St. -Lawrence. A writer, in 1846, relates some interesting facts respecting -this passage. He speaks of one house then remaining in -Johnstown, which remained in all its original proportions. “It -is built in the Dutch style, with sharp-pointed roof, and curious -gables.” This house was framed of oak of the finest growth; and, -considering that it has been drawn from lot to lot, until it has traveled -<span class='pageno' id='Page_510'>510</span>almost the entire extent of the bay, (at Johnston) within the last half -century, it certainly is a remarkable edifice. It is now a hostelrié, -as it has always been, and no sign of repentance can be yet seen in its -huge sign-board, exhibited at the top of a taper pine, on which some -cunning disciple of Michael Angelo, hath depicted a tolerably sized -square, and a pair of exquisitely expansive compass, striding classically, -in imitation of the Collosus of Rhodes, with the staring capitals -of “<em>Live and let live</em>—​St. John’s Hall—​<em>Peace and plenty to all mankind</em>”—​thrown -in as a sort of relief to the compass, and as a sweet -inducement to the weary and dust-begrimmed traveler to walk in, -and make himself as comfortable as the little peculiarities of the lazy-eyed -landlord, and the singular temperament of the land-lady, will -allow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“This house is Governor Simcoe’s house. In it John Graves -Simcoe, the first Governor of the U. E. Loyalists, himself a hearty, -brave old colonel, who fought in the cause of these men, held his -levee, on his first arrival in Upper Canada. Time hallows all. Young -Canada has her antiquities—​although she may be more prone to look -forward to the future with hope, than back on the past with regret. -Yet the house in which John Graves Simcoe reposed himself, and -cast his martial eye over the gracefully curving bay, the sparkling -river, and the dilapidated fortifications of the old French fort, built -during the French ascendancy; on the point and islands below, may -still be an object of interest to more than those who reside in the -vicinity, in a Province, which owes so much of its present prosperity -to the good commencement made by one possessed of his historic -heroism, humanity, and noble self-denial in the cause of an exiled race. -The house stood on a point of land formed by the bay, and a small -stream which passes from the north westward, called formerly by the -French, “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Riviere de la Vielle Culotte</span>,” which being translated, probably -means “Old Breeches’ River.” Governor Simcoe had, but a -short half-hour previously, taken his departure for Niagara, in one of -the large bark canoes with which the passage on the St. Lawrence, -and along the shore of the lakes, was then generally made. A brigade -of smaller canoes and boats followed him, conveying his suite, and a -few soldiers; and never since the year 1756, when Montcalm led his -army upward to the attack of Oswego, had the swelling bosom of the -wild forest river borne so glad a sight as on that sparkling morning.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The old piece of ordnance, obtained from the island fort below, -had ceased to belch forth its thunders from the clay bank; whereon, -fort want of trunnions it had been deposited. The gentry of the surrounding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_511'>511</span>country, collected together for the occasion, and looking -spruce, though weather-beaten, in their low-tasselled boots, their -queer old broad-skirted military coats, and looped <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chapeaux</span>, with -faded feathers fluttering in the wind, had retired to the inn, and were -toasting in parting goblets, the “good old cause for ever,” previously -to betaking themselves to their woodland path homeward, or embarking -in their canoes to reach their destinations by water, above or -below.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Now I am content—​content, I say, and can go home to reflect -on this proud day. Our Governor—​the man of all others—​has come -at last—​mine eye hath seen it—​drink to him gentlemen—​he will do -the rest for us,”—​cried Colonel Tom Fraser, his face flushed and fiery, -and his stout frame drawn up to its full height at the head of the -table.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“We do—​we do!” vociferated young Kingsmill, emptying his -glass, and stamping to express joy. “Bonhomme” Tom Fraser then -got on his legs, and shouted a brawny young soldier’s echo to the -toast of his relative.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The mild, placid countenance of Dr. Solomon Jones, was lighted -up by the occasion, and he arose also, and responded to the toast, -recounting some of the services performed by the newly appointed -Lieutenant-Governor in the late war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Elijah Bottum, a large portly person, having at his side -a formidable basket-hilted claymore, then addressed them in brief -military phrase, and gave one of the old war slogans. Major Jessup -followed in the same strain, and proposed a sentiment which was -received with vociferous cheers by the younger portion of the company. -Captain Dulmage, Captain Campbell, Pay-master Jones, Commissary -Jones, Captain Gid. Adams, Lieutenant Samuel Adams, -Ephraim Webster, Captain Markle, Captain Grant, and numerous -other captains and officers, managed to make themselves heard on -the joyful occasion, until finally the meeting broke up, and the company -separated not to meet again until the next fourth day of June, -in the following year.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first entry in the journals of the Executive Council of Upper -Canada, gives an account of the induction of Colonel Simcoe into the -gubernatorial office at Kingston. The event was made one of solemnity -and religious observance, the proceedings taking place on a -Sunday, in the old church of wood, which stood opposite the market-place. -We quote an extract from the proceedings of the Executive -Council.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_512'>512</span>Kingston, July 8, 1792.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>“His Excellency John Graves Simcoe, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor -of the Province of Upper Canada, colonel, commanding the forces in -the said Province, &c., &c., having appointed the Protestant church, -as a suitable place for the reading and publishing of his Majesty’s -commissions, he accordingly repaired thither, attended by the Hon. -William Osgoode, Chief Justice; the Hon. James Baby, the Hon. -Peter Russell, together with the Magistrates and principal inhabitants, -when the said commission appointing his Excellency (Grey) -Lord Dorchester, Captain-General and Governor-in-chief, &c., &c., of -Upper and Lower Canada, and also the commission appointing the -said John Graves Simcoe, Governor of the Province of Upper Canada, -were solemnly read and published.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The oaths of office were then administered to his Excellency. -According to the Royal instructions to Governor Simcoe, he was to -have five individuals to form the first Executive Council. The five -named were William Osgoode, William Robertson, James Baby, -Alexander Grant, and Peter Russell, Esqs. The next day, Monday, -Osgoode, Baby, and Russell were sworn into office, as Executive -Councillors. Robertson was not then in the Province; Grant was -sworn in a few days after.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the 17th of July, a meeting of the council was held at the -Government House, at Kingston, when the first steps were taken to -organize a Legislative Council, and assembly writs were issued, summoning -the gentlemen who were to form the first Legislative Council. -These were, in addition to those forming the Executive Council, -Richard Duncan, Robert Hamilton, Richard Cartwright, Junr., John -Munro, and we believe, Thomas Fraser. These constituted the -Legislative Council.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Two of the nine, it would seem, never took upon themselves -the duties of the high place thus allotted them. One was Richard -Duncan, who lived at Mariatown, County of Dundas. He was a -captain, and had, in 1788, been appointed Judge of the Lunenburgh -district. When Upper Canada became a separate province, Judge -Duncan, as well as Cartwright, Judge of Mecklenburgh, were appointed -Legislative Councillors. Duncan was a man of extensive -business, and highly respected; but “some transactions in connection -with banking business, were so imprudent,” that “he left the country -somewhat abruptly for the United States,” and “never dared to -return,” (Croil). This unfortunate affair, whatever its nature may -have been, probably occurred about the time of the above mentioned -<span class='pageno' id='Page_513'>513</span>appointment, as he shortly after removed to Schenectady, New York, -where he continued to live until his death. The other was Mr. -Robertson, a resident of Sandwich, where he had become a successful -merchant. He never took his seat in the council, the reason of -which does not appear.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is stated that, according to the despatches of Simcoe to the -Imperial Government, he found no little difficulty in obtaining suitable -persons to fill the offices of the Executive and Legislative Council, who -would absent themselves from home for the purpose.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Executive Council continued to hold meetings at Kingston -up to the 21st July, when Simcoe proceeded westward, and determined -to make the village at the mouth of Niagara River, his capital.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the same day that the Governor and Council issued summonses -to the gentlemen of the Legislative Council, the 16th July, -a proclamation was likewise issued, forming the Province into -Counties, and specifying the number of representatives to be elected -by the people to constitute the Legislative Assembly. And these -proclamations were speedily conveyed and posted in every settlement.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following were the officers connected with the Governor -while at Newark. “Military Sec. Major Littlehales; Provincial -Aide-de-Camp, Thomas Talbot; Solicitor General, Mr. Gray; Clerk -of Executive Council, Mr. Small; Civil Secretary, William Jarvis; -Receiver General, Peter Russell; Surveyor General, D. W. Smith; -Assistant Surveyor General, Thomas Ridout and William Chewitt.” -The Council Chamber was a building near to Butler’s barracks on -the hill, where the Episcopal and Catholic Churches assembled -occasionally, and alternately. The first meeting of the Executive -at Newark, was held on the 29th September. Ten days after this was -the opening of Parliament. Peter Clark was appointed Clerk of the -Legislative Council; John G. Law, Usher of the Black Rod. The -superintendent of the Indian department, was Colonel John Butler, -of Butler’s Rangers of the Revolutionary war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John White, the first Attorney-General of Upper Canada, -came to the country, accompanied by Thomas Ward, in 1792.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Duke de la Rochefoucault, Linancourt, a French nobleman, -traveling in America, in 1795, visited Governor Simcoe, and -remarks in his writings that “Upper Canada is a new country, or -rather a country yet to be formed. It was probably for this reason -General Simcoe accepted the government of it. He was fully aware -of the advantages which his native land might derive from such a -colony, if it attained perfection; and imagined that means might -<span class='pageno' id='Page_514'>514</span>be found adequate to this purpose. This hope was the only incitement -which could impel a man of independent fortune, to leave the -large and beautiful estates he possesses in England, and to bury -himself in a wilderness, among bears and savages. Ambition, at -least, appears not to have been his motive; as a man, in Gen. -Simcoe’s situation, is furnished with abundant means of distinguishing -himself by useful activity, without removing to a great distance -from his native country. But, whatever have been his motives, -his design has been attended with consequences highly beneficial. -The plan conceived by General Simcoe for peopling and improving -Upper Canada, seems, as far as he has communicated to us, extremely -wise and well arranged.” The same writer says, that Simcoe had -a hearty hatred against the United States, that he had been a zealous -promoter of the war, in which he took a very active part. “In his -private life Governor Simcoe is simple, plain, and obliging. He -inhabits a small miserable wooden house, which formerly was occupied -by the Commissaries. His guard consists of four soldiers, -who every morning come from the fort, and return thither in the -evening. He lives in a noble and hospitable manner, without -pride. Mrs. Simcoe is a lady of thirty-six years of age. She is -bashful, and speaks little, but she is a woman of sense, handsome -and amiable, and fulfils all the duties of a mother and wife with -the most scrupulous exactness. The performance of the latter she -carries so far as to act the part of Secretary to her husband. Her -talents for drawing, the practice of which she confines to maps and -plans, to enable her to be extremely useful to the Governor.” -“The Governor is colonel of a regiment of Queen’s Rangers, stationed -in the Province. His servants are privates of this regiment -which is stationed elsewhere.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“During our residence at Navy Hall, the Session of the Legislature -of Upper Canada was opened. (This was 1795). The Governor -had deferred it till that time, on account of the expected arrival -of a Chief Justice from England, and from a hope that he should -be able to acquaint the members with the particulars of the treaty -with the United States. But the harvest has now begun, which in -a higher degree than elsewhere engages, in Canada, the public -attention. Two members of the Legislative Council were present -instead of seven; no Chief Justice appeared who was to act as -Speaker; instead of sixteen members of the Assembly only five -attended. The law requires a greater number of members for -each House, to discuss and determine upon any business, but within -<span class='pageno' id='Page_515'>515</span>two days a year will have expired since the last Session. The -Governor has therefore thought it right to open the Session. The -whole retinue of the Governor consisted in a guard of fifty men of -the garrison of the fort. Dressed in silk, he entered the Hall with -his hat on his head, attended by the Adjutant and two Secretaries. -The two members of the Legislative Council gave, by their -Speaker, notice of it to the Assembly. Five members of the latter -having appeared at the bar, the Governor delivered a speech,” &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When Simcoe undertook the administration of the newly -established Province, a proclamation was issued which divided the -Province into nineteen counties. In the creation of this division, -Simcoe had a view to military organization. Rochefaucault -says, “The maxims of government professed by Gen. Simcoe are -very liberal and fair; he detests all arbitrary and military government, -without the walls of the fort; and desires liberty in its -utmost latitude, so far as is consistent with the constitution and -law of the land. He is, therefore, by no means ambitious of investing -all power and authority in his own hands; but consents to the -Lieutenants, whom he nominates for each county the right of -appointing the Justices of the Peace, and Officers of the Militia.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“A Justice of the Peace could assign, in the King’s name, -200 acres of land to every settler, whom he knew to be worthy, -and the surveyor of the district was to point out to the settler the -land allotted him.”—​(Rogers). Simcoe desired to populate the -Province as speedily as possible, no doubt he felt anxious the United -States should not get too far ahead. The schemes conceived by him -for the settlement, government, and defence of the Province, have -received the approval of most men capable of judging. But he -remained not to carry out the plan intended. In 1796, shortly after -the close of the first session of the second Parliament, he was -instructed by the Imperial authorities to repair to St. Domingo, to -assume the same duties; and the Hon. Peter Russell, President of -the Council, was delegated to discharge the duties belonging to the -office of Governor, and he enjoyed all the emoluments and perquisites -arising therefrom.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the occupancy of Simcoe, an event came to pass which -may be here appropriately referred to. It was a visit to Upper -Canada of the Duke of Kent, father of our much loved Queen. -Prince Edward was stationed at Quebec with his regiment, having -arrived a short time before the division of the Province of Quebec, -and consequently before Simcoe came. Desiring to see the Upper -<span class='pageno' id='Page_516'>516</span>Province, he set out in a <em>calash</em>, drawn by a French pony, accompanied -by his suite. At Montreal he took a batteau, manned with -Frenchmen, for Kingston. At Oswegotchie, “the royal party -was met by a pleasure barge from Kingston, manned by seamen -and military, accompanied by Peter Clark, of the Naval Department -at Kingston.” From thence they were speedily rowed to -Kingston, where the King’s schooner, the ‘Mohawk,’ Commodore -Bouchette, commander, was in waiting to receive him. The Prince -went on board, and after a tedious passage, safely reached Newark, -where he was received by the firing of guns. As soon as horses -and saddles could be mustered, the royal party wended their way -by a narrow river road on the high banks of the Niagara river to -the Falls. The only tavern, or place of accommodation, was a log -hut for travelers to refresh themselves. There, the party alighted, -and, after partaking of such refreshments as the house afforded, -followed an Indian path through the woods to the Table Rock. -There was a rude Indian ladder by which to descend to the rocks -below, 160 feet. This consisted of a long pine tree with the -branches cut off, leaving length enough at the trunk to place the -foot upon, and hold on by the hands, in ascending or descending. -(This Indian ladder continued in use several years later, when it -was superseded by a ladder furnished from money, given by a lady -from Boston to the guide). Our illustrious traveler availed himself -of this rude mode of descent. The Prince and party lunched at the -Hon. Mr. Hamilton’s on their way back. In the evening, the Prince -was amused by a war dance by the Mohawks, headed by Brant -himself. The next day, the Prince re-embarked, and proceeded to -Quebec. There is a tradition in Marysburgh that he stopped on his -way down in Smith’s Bay, to admire the beauty of that place.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_517'>517</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LIX.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​General Hunter—​Peter Russell—​Francis Gore, 1806—​Alex. Grant—​Brock—​1812—​United -States declare war—​Prompt action—​Parliament—​Proclamation—​The -issue—​Second proclamation—​General Hull—​His proclamation—​Bombast -and impertinence—​The Indians—​Proclamation answered—​Hull -a prisoner—​Michigan conquered—​To Niagara—​At Queenston heights—​“Push -on York Volunteers”—​Death of Brock—​McDonnell—​War of 1812, -the Americans—​Extract from Merritt—​What Canadians did—​Brock’s monument—​General -Sheaffe—​General Drummond—​Invading the States—​What -Canada will do—​Lord Sydenham—​A tribute by Dr. Ryerson—​Union of the -Provinces.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE GOVERNORS OF UPPER CANADA, FROM SIMCOE TO LORD SYDENHAM.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Lieutenant General Peter Hunter, who had been Colonel of the -24th Regiment stationed at Newark, was the second Governor for -Upper Canada; his accession to office was on the 17th August, 1799. -During the two previous years, Hon. Peter Russell had been President. -He continued to hold the position until his death, which -took place at Quebec, 21st August, 1865. His age was sixty-nine.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The third Governor of Upper Canada was His Excellency -Francis Gore, who assumed the gubernatorial functions on the 25th -August, 1806. In the interim between this period and the death -of Hunter, the Hon. Alexander Grant having been President. The -reign of Gore was one of ease. No conflicting parties as yet disturbed -the political arena of the Province. Year after year he convened -Parliament, which enacted laws for the growing requirements -of the colony, with a degree of harmony not subsequently present. -In 1811, he resigned, when <em>Sir Isaac Brock</em> became <em>President</em>, upon -the 30th September. Although but the President, and not a Lieutenant-Governor, -he requires some notice.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>General Brock.</span>—​In the year 1812, in June, the United States -declared war against Great Britain, ostensibly, on the question of -the right of England to take her seamen from American vessels to -which they had deserted; but, in reality, the object of the war was -to acquire Canada, and as England was engaged with an European -war, it was deemed a favorable opportunity by President Madison, -to subjugate the people whom they had once dispossessed of their -inheritance. The declaration of war was quickly made known to -General Brock, even sooner than the enemy thought possible, who -promptly took necessary steps to secure the defence of the Province, -against the dastardly intentions of the invader. On the 20th -<span class='pageno' id='Page_518'>518</span>June, he issued orders to Captain Roberts, at St. Joseph, which -issued in the capture of Fort Michilmacinac, with seventy men, -beside valuable cargoes of furs. On the 28th July, he met the -Parliament at York, which continued in session eight days, and -sent forth a proclamation to the people, with these concluding remarks: -“We are engaged in an awful and eventful contest. By -unanimity in our councils, and by vigor in our operations, we may -teach the enemy this lesson, that a country defended by freeman, -enthusiastically devoted to the cause of their King and constitution, -can never be conquered.” Remarkable words! How true the -sentiments. And so, animated by this belief, strong in the consciousness -of right, indignant at an unprincipled foe, he went on -his way showing to all an example of “vigor,” and displaying the -bravery which freemen alone know how to practice, until in the -hour of victory, death overtook him on Queenston Heights. The -address of General Brock was supplemented by one from the Legislative -Assembly, and no excuse need be offered for introducing it -here <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">in extenso</span></i>. It ought to be read by every Canadian, and the -truths it contains made known to the rising generation, that they -may know the history of the fathers of those who support Fenianism. -Know how unscrupulous the neighbours we have upon our -southern borders, have ever been.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Already have we the joy to remark, that the spirit of loyalty -has burst forth in all its ancient splendour. The militia in all -parts of the Province have volunteered their services with acclamation, -and displayed a degree of energy worthy the British name.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“They do not forget the blessings and privileges which they -enjoy under the protection and fostering care of the British Empire, -whose government is only felt in this country by acts of the purest -justice and most pleasing and efficacious benevolence. When men -are called upon to defend everything they call precious, their wives -and children, their friends and professions, they ought to be inspired -with the noblest resolutions, and they will not be easily frightened -by menaces, or conquered by force. And, beholding as we do, the -flame of patriotism, burning from the one end of the Canadas to the -other, we cannot but entertain the most pleasing anticipations. -Our enemies have indeed said that they can subdue this country -by proclamation; but it is our part to prove to them, that they are -sadly mistaken; that the population is determinedly hostile, and -that the few who might be otherwise inclined, will find it their -safety to be faithful. Innumerable attempts will be made, by falsehood, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_519'>519</span>to detach you from your allegiance, for our enemies, in imitation -of their European master, trust more to treachery than to force, -and they will, no doubt, make use of many of those lies, which -unfortunately, for the virtuous part of those States, and the peace and -happiness of the world, had too much success during the American -rebellion; they will tell you that they are come to give you freedom, -yes, the base slaves of the most contemptible faction that ever distracted -the affairs of any nation,—​the minions of the very sycophants -who lick the dust from the feet of Bounaparte, will tell you -that they are come to communicate the blessing of liberty to this -Province; but you have only to look at your situation to put such -hypocrites to confusion. Trusting more to treachery than open -hostility, our enemies have already spread their emmissaries through -the country to seduce our fellow-subjects from their allegiance, by -promises as false as the principles on which they are founded. A -law has therefore been enacted for the speedy detection of such -emmissaries, and for their condign punishment on conviction. -Remember when you go forth to the combat, that you fight, not -for yourselves alone, but for the whole world. You are defeating -the most formidable conspiracy against the civilization of man that -ever was contrived. Persevere as you have begun, in your strict -obedience to the laws, and your attention to military discipline; -deem no sacrifice too costly, which secures the enjoyment of our -happy constitution; follow, with your countrymen in Britain, the -paths of virtue, and like them, you shall triumph over all your unprincipled -foes.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>This address was followed by a second one from General -Brock, on the 22nd July, 1812, in which he reviewed an address -which had been issued by the American General, who had invited -the Canadians to seek voluntarily, the protection of his government; -also the threat to show no quarter if the Indians appeared -in the ranks; Brock eloquently defended their right to defend -their homes against an invading foe.</p> - -<p class='c000'>General Brock having prorogued Parliament, pushed on to the -scene of Hull’s invasion, where he had issued a proclamation to the -Canadians characterised by absurdity, falsehood, and Yankee brag. -Indeed, it seems quite impossible for any American General to -indite, an address or proclamation, without exposing himself to -ridicule. Having already collected an army at Detroit, General -Hull, the commanding officer, crossed over to Sandwich on the -Canadian side, and issued the following modest address to the</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_520'>520</span>“<span class='sc'>Inhabitants of Canada.</span>”—​“After thirty years of peace -and prosperity, the United States have been driven to arms. -The injuries and aggressions, the insults and indignities of Great -Britain, have once more left them no alternative but namely, -resistance or unconditional submission. The army under my -command has invaded your country, and the standard of Union -now waves over the territory of Canada. To the peaceable -and unoffending inhabitants it brings neither danger nor difficulty. -I come to find enemies, not to make them. I come to -protect, not to injure you. Separated by an immense ocean, and an -extensive wilderness, from Great Britain, you have no participation -in her councils, nor interest in her conduct. You have felt the -tyranny, you have seen her injustice, but I do not ask you to avenge -the one or redress the other. The United States are sufficiently -powerful to afford you every security consistent with their rights, -and your expectations. I tender you the invaluable blessings of -civil, political, and religious liberty, and their necessary result, -individual and general prosperity; that liberty which gave decision -to our councils, and energy to our conduct, in our struggle for independence, -and which conducted us safely and triumphantly -through the stormy period of the Revolution. That liberty which -has raised us to an elevated rank among nations of the world, and -which has afforded us a greater measure of peace and security, of -wealth and improvement, than ever fell to the lot of any people. -In the name of my country, and by the authority of my country, -and by the authority of my government, I promise protection to -your persons, property, and rights. Remain at your homes, pursue -your peaceful and customary avocations; raise not your hands -against your brethren; many of your fathers fought for the freedom -and independence we now enjoy. Being children, therefore, of the -same family with us, and heirs of the same heritage, the arrival of -my army of friends must be hailed by you with a cordial welcome. -You will be emancipated from tyranny and oppression, and restored -to the dignified station of free men. Had I any doubt of eventual -success, I might ask your assistance, but I do not. I come prepared -for every contingency, I have a force which will look down all -opposition—​and that force is but the vanguard of a much greater. -If contrary to your own interests, and the just expectation of my -country, you will be considered and treated as enemies, the horrors -and calamities of war will stalk before you. If the barbarous -and savage policy of Great Britain be pursued, and the savages are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_521'>521</span>let loose to murder our citizens, and butcher our women and children, -this war will be a war of extermination. The first stroke of -the tomahawk, the first attempt with the scalping knife, will be the -signal of one indiscriminate scene of desolation. No white man -found fighting by the side of an Indian, will be taken prisoner; -instant destruction will be his lot. If the dictates of reason, duty, -justice, and humanity, cannot prevent the employment of a force -which respects no right, and knows no wrongs, it will be prevented -by a severe and relentless system of retaliation. I doubt not your -courage and firmness; I will not doubt your attachment to liberty. -If you tender your services voluntarily, they will be accepted -readily. The United States offer you peace, liberty, and security. -Your choice lies between these and war, slavery, and destruction. -Choose then, but choose wisely; and may he who knows the justice -of our cause, and who holds in his hands the fate of nations, guide -you to a result the most compatible with your rights and interests, -your peace and prosperity.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>But it was not long till the same Gen. Hull was a prisoner -among them, and in his journey from Detroit to Quebec he had -abundant opportunity of seeing not only the loyalty of the Canadians, -but that they knew how to treat a conquered foe with consideration—​that -without crying it out they could grant every “protection” -to their ancient foe, notwithstanding the cruel treatment -they had sustained when made exiles.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the 18th July, with the intrepidity characteristic of the -British officer, Brock crossed the Detroit, advanced upon the town -with his brave militia and handful of regular troops, and demanded -of Gen. Hull the surrender of the place, following up the demand -with preparations to assault; but soon the white flag appeared, -and Gen. Hull, so brave in writing proclamations, with the whole -American army, became prisoners of war. They were conveyed -to Quebec in parties, some going by vessels of war from York to -Kingston, some in small boats along the shore and across the -Carrying Place, by the Bay of Quinté. Most of them were confined -in hulks in the St. Lawrence, at Quebec, where they remained -until exchanged. Gen. Brock after this brilliant conquest of -Detroit, which included the whole of Michigan, lost no time in -hastening to the Niagara frontier, where another army was threatening -to invade.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the 12th October the Americans were preparing to -cross from Lewiston to Queenston. Gen. Brock was at Fort George, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_522'>522</span>Niagara, and hearing the cannon’s sound, hurried to the field of -battle. He placed himself at the head of the troops, and triumphantly -led them up the heights of Queenston, against the enemy, -who had obtained a footing there; but with the deep river between -them and safety, the enemy rallied for a time in a struggle for life, -and Brock’s men, inferior in number, retired, until his reinforcements -had come, for which he would not previously wait. Then -again he essayed to lead them on, but his hour had come, and -while his cheering voice was ringing out “Push on York Volunteers,” -a musket ball struck him down. But the spirit of the brave -General was infused into every Canadian. As soon as Gen. Sheaffe -had arrived they advanced to conquer the polluters of Canadian -soil. Again the whole American army became prisoners of war, -and had the privilege of marching the length of the Province to -Quebec, and Gen. Scott among the rest, who was favored with a -passage down the Bay of Quinté.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Gen. Brock’s Aide-de-Camp, McDonnell also fell, mortally -wounded. Brock was buried in a bastion of Fort George, but -subsequently his remains found a resting place upon the heights -where he fell, and where now rises the monument to his memory. -This illustrious Chief was much beloved by the Canadians, and he -was held in great veneration. To him—​to the energetic and heroic -Brock is due to a great extent the subsequent success by which -the enemy, ever boasting, was kept at bay, so that when peace -was sought by the United States, after three years of war, because -England, no longer at war at home, was about to deal heavy blows, -there was not a foot of Canadian territory in the enemy’s possession.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of Gen. Brock the Hon. William H. Merrit, in 1853, speaks as -follows:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“It will be in the recollection of many now present, that in -the commencement of the war of 1812, only one regiment of British -troops, the 48th, was left to defend Upper Canada, from Kingston -to Michilimackinac, a distance of one thousand miles, and during -the whole campaign, only two companies of the 48th could be -spared on this frontier. Although this fact is one of the most -striking events connected with that war, it has never yet been -brought prominently before the public; yet it clearly proves that -the defence of Canada, then rested with its inhabitants. We find -that though they consisted principally of the old U. E. Loyalists -and their descendants, the native Indians who had been dispossessed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_523'>523</span>of their possessions in the United States, and their descendants, -together with residents from the United States—​emigration -from the Mother Country not having been commenced to any -extent,—​a population thus composed, not exceeding in Upper -Canada, at most 90,000, without troops, without munitions of war, -without resources, and without the least expectation of any timely -aid from the mother country, with a few troops, unable to contend -against a powerful nation, numbering about 8,000,000, with munitions -of war, and resources without limit, within a comparative short -distance from maritime cities, also numerous forces at command, -of which they were not slow of apprising us, in the proclamations -circulated from time to time,—​it was under those circumstances -that the character and ability of Sir Isaac Brock were brought to -light. Well knowing on whom he had to depend for the defence -of the country, he directed his personal attention to the clothing, -arms, equipment, mess, and personal comfort of the militia, and -took every opportunity of gaining the good will of the Indians.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The estimation in which General Brock was held by the people -of the Province, was duly evinced by Parliament in passing an act, -14th March, 1815, “to provide for the erection of a monument to -the memory of the late president, Major General Sir Isaac Brock.” -The value of his wisdom, his councils, his energy, his wise plans, -as well as his bravery, and the effects thereof, are fully set forth in -the preamble. It was resolved to grant £1,000 for the purpose -referred to, and erect the monument at Queenston Heights. -Thomas Dickson, Thomas Clark, and Robert Nichol, Esquires, were -appointed commissioners to carry out the act. In January, 1826, -an act was passed granting £600 more “to complete the monument -on a scale which appears to the commissioners worthy of the -object.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><em>Major General Sheaffe</em>, became President, 20th October, 1812, -and continued in office until January 19, 1813, when Major General -de Rottenburgh assumed the office, and remained until December -12, of the same year. At this date</p> - -<p class='c000'><em>Lieutenant General Sir Gordon Drummond</em> was inducted as -President. It was immediately after this that the infamous American -General McClure, set fire to Newark when unprotected, -burning 150 houses, and leaving 400 women and children homeless -in the middle of December. This act of villany was fully avenged -by General Drummond. Having occupied Fort George, a night -attack was made upon Fort Niagara, with brilliant success. Then, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_524'>524</span>the burning of Newark was remembered, and from Lewiston to -Buffalo the frontier was laid waste, including those two towns. In -this connection, we would remark, that in the event of another war -with the United States, it would be no doubt the policy of Canada -to make frequent disastrous raids into the States, wherever the -opportunity presented. The Americans may as well understand -that destruction of property will not be all on one side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>These brief sketches of the first Lieutenant-Governors of Upper -Canada, will be finished by alluding to one who devised the scheme -of uniting the two Canadas, who successfully accomplished that -noble design, and became the first Governor of United Canada. He -fixed the capital at Kingston, as the most central place suitable for -both Provinces, indeed, it is generally understood, that it was a -part of the plan when the union was made, that Kingston should -become the permanent seat of government. “It virtually formed -part of the contract between the respective provinces.” But with -the death of Lord Sydenham, also died the opportunity of Kingston -remaining the capital of Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Lord Sydenham died at Kingston, in September, 1841, and was -buried beneath St. George’s Church. Says Dr. Ryerson, in an -affecting letter communicated to the public at that time: “Unlike the -close of the session of legislature, which was ever held in either -Province of Canada, the termination of the late session will produce -throughout Canada the opposite feelings of grateful joy, and melancholy -grief. The same post which conveys to the people of Canada, -the tidings of the harmonious and happy conclusion of a session -unprecedented in the productiveness of comprehensive and valuable -measures for the general improvement and social and intellectual -elevation of the province, conveys to them the appalling announcement -that death has terminated the earthly career of the noble -mind which conceived those improvements and originated those -institutions which will form a golden era in the annals of Canadian -history, by laying the foundation of Canadian prosperity and greatness. -While blessings are multiplied us, the agent of those blessings -is removed from us, and our country is, at the same moment, -thrilled with joy and consternation—​and on the same day vocal -with thanksgiving and clothed in sackcloth; luminous with hope and -involved in mourning. Thus do the strokes of Providential chastisement -accompany the out-beamings of Providential munificence; -and the brightest picture of human life is shaded with disappointment, -suffering, and bereavement. It is in heaven only that death -is unknown, that pain is never felt, and tears are never shed.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_525'>525</span>“Lord Sydenham belongs essentially to Canada. His nobility -was fairly earned in her service; the ripest fruits of his experience -and acquirements are embodied in her institutions; his warmest -and latest sympathies are blended with her interests; his mortal -remains repose, by choice, among her dead; and his name is indelibly -inscribed in the affectionate esteem and grateful recollections -of her inhabitants.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“It is not easy to determine which is most worthy of admiration, -the comprehensiveness and grandeur of Lord Sydenham’s plans, -the skill with which he overcame the obstacles that opposed their -accomplishment, or the quenchless ardor and ceaseless industry -with which he pursued them. To lay the foundations of public -liberty, and at the same time to strengthen the prerogative; to -promote vast public improvements, and not increase the public -burdens; to promote a comprehensive system of education upon -Christian principles, without interfering with religious scruples; to -promote the influence and security of the government by teaching -the people to govern themselves; to destroy party faction by promoting -the general good; to invest a bankrupt country with both -credit and resources, are conceptions and achievements which render -Lord Sydenham the first benefactor of Canada, and place him in the -first rank of statesmen. His Lordship found a country divided, he -left it united; he found it prostrate and paralytic, he left it erect and -vigorous; he found it mantled with despair, he left it blooming -with hope. Lord Sydenham has done more in two years to -strengthen and consolidate British power in Canada by his matchless -industry, and truly liberal conservative policy, than have been -done during the ten previous years by the increase of a standing -army, and the erection of military fortifications. His Lordship has -solved the difficult problem, that a people may be colonists and yet -be free; and, in the solution of that problem, he has gained a -triumph less imposing, but not less sublime and scarcely less -important, than the victory of Waterloo; he has saved millions to -England, and secured the affections of Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In the way of accomplishing these splendid results, the most -formidable obstacles oppose themselves. At the foundation of these -lay the hitherto defective theory, and worse than defective system -of Colonial Government; a system destitute of the safety-valve of -responsibility, of the attributes of freedom, and of the essential -materials of executive power; a system which was despotic from -its weakness, and arbitrary from its pretences to representation; a -system inefficient in the hands of good men, and withering in the -hands of mistaken or bad men.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_526'>526</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LX.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Kingston—​First capital—​First act of government—​Niagara—​Selecting -the capital—​Niagara in 1788—​Carrying Place—​Landing Place—​Newark—​In -1795—​Mr. Hamilton—​The inhabitants—​Little York—​The Don—​The -Harbor—​Survey—​De la Trenche—​London—​Inhabitants of the Don—​Yonge -Street, a military road—​Governor at York—​Castle Frank—​York in 1798—​The -Baldwins—​In 1806—​Buffalo—​York, 1813—​Taken by the Americans—​The -Combatants—​Toronto—​“Muddy York”—​A monument required.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE CAPITALS OF UPPER CANADA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The site of the old Fort Frontenac, the first township to be -surveyed, and the place whereon to form the first village in Western -Canada, was in reality the first capital of Upper Canada. Here -the first Governor was inducted solemnly upon a Sabbath to his -office; here he formed his first cabinet, the Executive Council; -here he selected the gentlemen to form his first Legislative Council; -here he issued his proclamations forming the province into counties -and arranging the representation. Although the first Parliament -did not meet here, the first acts of government were here performed, -and public documents were dated at “the Government House, -Kingston, 1792.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have elsewhere spoken of Niagara River and the early -French Fort here erected, and its capture by the English. We -have learned that the place was garrisoned by troops during the -rebellion, and that many refugees here found a safe retreat.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Lord Dorchester desired Simcoe to make Kingston the capital -of the new province. But he was unwilling to do so until he had -informed himself of the advantages which other places might offer. -It seems that he became impressed with the belief that the seat of -government should be placed in the peninsula of Upper Canada, -and finally determined to fix it at the mouth of the River Niagara, -notwithstanding the recommendation of Dorchester, the wishes of -Bouchette, the Commodore of the Navy, and the urgent requests of -the Kingston merchants.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Collins in his report 1788, speaks of Navy Hall, near Niagara; -that the buildings of Navy Hall, are for the most part in exceeding -bad repair, and the wharf is in ruins. Of the Ranger’s Barracks one -pile has been so far dismantled as to be past re-establishing, one end -indeed, might perhaps, with some fitting up, be made to serve for -some time as a blacksmith’s shop to the Indian Department, which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_527'>527</span>they say is much wanted; the other pile is capable of being repaired, -and might also answer for a temporary accommodation, (at least in -part) this same department, their storehouses, &c., on the Niagara -side as already observed being in absolute ruin and not repairable; -the fitting up of this pile of buildings would cost about £35. The -storehouse at the landing place, which is of round log work, is -mostly rotten, and altogether in exceeding bad repair, and should -be rebuilt; the dwelling house is much out of repair. The ways, -wharf, cradle, and capstan, want some repair, which may be done -for about £20, all the picketing and small platforms in the angles -of Fort Schlosser, are rotten and in a tottering state, part of the -wharf has been washed away, and the remainder cannot last long. -The barracks and store houses are not in much better condition, -they have been kept standing by the temporary repairs which have -been annually performed, merely to keep the weather out.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“From Niagara to the landing place, below the Falls, is about -seven miles and a quarter, there is a tolerable good road, but the -merchandise, store, &c., are carried up the river in batteaux or -vessels, there being sufficient depth of water all the way up, and -also alongside the wharf to unload, beyond this place the current -becomes too strong to proceed any further by water without great -difficulty, boats, indeed, but not vessels, go about half a mile higher, -but no advantage can be obtained from it as the shore then -becomes impracticable, being a precipice of loose rock about three -times as high as where the present landing is. From the wharf at -the landing, goods are drawn up the side of the bank about fifty -feet high upon ways, on easy slope by a capstan fixed at the top; -from this place there is a waggon road of seven miles to Fort -Schlosser, a mile and a half above the Falls, where the goods are -again put into boats and carried up eighteen miles to Fort Erie, -from whence they are conveyed in vessels across Lake Erie to -Detroit.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“I think a better situation for a landing place might be chosen -below the present one, about half a mile distant by land, and three-quarters -by water. The bank of the river here is not half the -height of the other; the water is sufficiently deep at a short distance -from the shore for vessels to unload; and by raising a wharf -and lowering some of the bank for a road, the labor and delay of -hauling goods up by ways, as is the present practice, and would -be avoided; it would also be much more convenient and expeditious -for vessels to come up to, as the worst part of the navigation would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_528'>528</span>be avoided, which in passing round a point between this place and -the landing. The length of road to be made from this proposed -landing place, will be about half a mile, but it is mostly good ground -and will not require much expense. The real length of land carriage, -however, to Fort Schlosser, will not be increased, or at most -more than 100 or 150 yards.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The original British fort at Niagara was upon the east side of -the mouth of the Niagara River, upon the present site of the American -Fort. By a treaty entered into in 1794, Great Britain was to -vacate this fort, with others situated to the south of the lakes, -namely, Oswego, Detroit, Miami, and Michilmacinac, which was -done in 1796. Upon the west side of the river, upon a point known -as Mississauga Point, had sprung up a small village. This, it is -said, was the largest collection of houses after Kingston when -Governor Simcoe arrived, and here he decided to make his residence, -and the permanent capital of the new province. He lived -“in a small frame house, half a mile from the village.” To this -place he gave the name of <em>Newark</em>. There was up the river, at the -end of navigation, and at the commencement of the portage around -the falls to Lake Erie, a small village which had arisen from the -course of travel upwards to the western lakes. The boats which -left Kingston, on their way westward, were here unloaded. And -this place had taken the name of Queen’s Town, a name which it -retains to the present day. Rochefoucault says, in 1795, “The -different buildings, constructed three years ago, consist of a tolerable -inn, two or three good storehouses, some small horses, a blockhouse -of stone, covered with iron, and barracks. Mr. Hamilton, an -opulent merchant, who is concerned in the whole inland trade in -this part of America, possesses in Queen’s Town, a very fine house, -built in the English style; he has also a farm, a distillery, and a -tan-yard. The portage was formerly on the other side of the river; -but as this, by virtue of the treaty, falls under American Dominion, -government has removed it hither.” The same writer, speaking of -Newark says, “About a hundred houses, mostly very fine structures, -have already been erected, but the progress of building will probably -be arrested by the intended removal of the seat of government. -The majority of the inhabitants, especially the richest -of them, share in the administration; and consequently will -remove to whatever place the government may be transferred. -In point of size and elegance, the house of Colonel Smith, of the -5th Regiment, is much distinguished from the rest, being constructed, -embellished, and painted in the best style.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_529'>529</span><span class='sc'>York.</span>—​Governor Simcoe was thoroughly English; unlike Governor -Maitland, who gave foreign names in his time, he was intent upon -erecting another England in America. One new England had -alienated itself, and he determined another should arise in its place, -and hence he gave to his new capital the name of York. The present -New York had been named York, after James Duke of York, -brother to Charles the II. The term new being prefixed to distinguish -it from old York of England. To distinguish the new capital -of Canada from both of the others he designated it <em>Little York</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As soon as Simcoe learned that the Niagara fort was to be -delivered to the United States, he saw the necessity of removing -the capital, as it would never do to have it under the guns of a -foreign government. The extreme dislike with which he saw the -fort pass into the Republic’s hands no doubt led to the haste with -which he set about the removal of the Seat of Government. After -examining several points upon the upper lakes, and Lake Ontario, -he selected the present site of the City of Toronto, back of which -was a fort of the same name, or rather Taranto. Upon this spot, -which then had for inhabitants but two families of Mississauga -Indians, Governor Simcoe immediately quartered one division of -his old regiment, the Queen’s Rangers, which came the 1st July, -1793. The same summer Bouchette, of the Royal Navy, surveyed -the harbour or bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The harbour of Toronto was first examined, by Deputy -Surveyor Collins, in 1788, when he made a survey of all -of the waters of the Upper Lakes, and the several forts, by instructions -from Lord Dorchester. In his report he says, “The -breadth at the entrance is about half a mile, but the navigable -channel for vessels is only about 500 yards, having from three to -four fathoms water, the north of the main shore the whole length -of the harbour, is a clay bank from 12 to 20 feet high, and rising -gradually behind, apparently good land and fit for settlements. -The water is rather shallow near the shore. The shoalness of the -north shore as before remarked, is also disadvantageous as to creating -wharfs, quays, &c. In regard to this place as a military post, -I do not see any striking features to recommend it in that view, -but the best situation to occupy for the purpose of protecting the -settlement and harbour would, I conceive, be on the point A, near -the entrance thereof.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Subsequently however, Simcoe relinquished the intention of making -York the Capital, and determined to erect one at a central point -<span class='pageno' id='Page_530'>530</span>in the peninsula lying between Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron. -He selected a site upon the river De la Trenche, which he named -the Thames, and, to the intended Capital he gave the name of -London. He also gave the name to the town of Chatham, a place -intended by him, in carrying out his plan of forming a navy, for -a navy yard, which he intended to have communicate with a route -between Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. In the mean time he kept -troops to work, to cut a military road to the Thames, which he -called Dundas Street after the Home Minister. At the same time -he “intended York the centre of the naval force on Lake Ontario.” -In 1795 there had not been more than twelve houses built in York, -which stood on the bay near the Don. This year the land -was surveyed into lots. “The inhabitants” says Rochefoucault do -not possess the fairest character, to which Gourlay adds, in spite, -“Nor have they yet mended it.” The River Don was an old -Indian route to the waters of Simcoe Lake and the Huron. The -portage to a Lake, subsequently named after the Governor, was thirty -miles. The barracks, where Simcoe’s regiment was stationed, was -two miles from the Don, the present site of the old barracks. At -that time, in a circumference of 150 miles, the Mississauga Indians -were the only neighbours of York.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The desire of Simcoe to fix the capital at London was overruled -by Lord Dorchester, who, although a true friend of Canada, -seemed to oppose Simcoe. Having decided upon Toronto as the -capital, Simcoe proceeded to have constructed a military road from -the waters of Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe. This road is now -Yonge Street. From 1794 the Governor resided at York, part -of which time was in his camp tent, until his departure.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Governor Simcoe caused to be built at York, upon the Don -River, about three miles up, on a beautiful eminence, a somewhat -large frame building, which he named after his son, Castle Frank. -This building was standing in 1829.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By the kind favor of Mrs. Murney, relict of the late Hon. E. Murney, -of Belleville, and her most estimable parent, Mrs. Breckenridge, -sister of the late Hon. Robert Baldwin, we are able to give -some particular notice of the appearance of York at a later date. -Mrs. Breckenridge’s father, with his family of three sons and four -daughters, arrived from Ireland after innumerable delays and -losses, dangers, and escapes by sea and land, at York in 1798. -They found it composed of about a dozen houses, “a dreary dismal -place, not even possessing the characteristics of a village. There -<span class='pageno' id='Page_531'>531</span>was no church, school-house, nor in fact any of the ordinary signs -of civilization, being in fact a mere settlement. There was not -even a Methodist chapel, nor does she remember more than one -shop. There was no inn; and those travelers who had no friends -to go to, pitched a tent and lived in that so long as they remained. -My grandfather and his family had done so during their journey. -The Government House and the garrison lay about a mile from -York, with a thick wood between. After remaining a few days at -York, the family proceeded to take possession of a farm in the -township of Clarke. They traveled in an open batteau, when night -came pitching their tent on the shore of the lake.” The following -year Mrs. Breckenridge, then a young girl, accompanied her father -and sister to New York, whither the latter was going to be married -to Mr. Morgan, grandfather of Gen. Dix, the United States Minister -to France. She returned in 1806, and found many changes and -improvements—​“where cities now stand, there was then only -woods,” for instance, at Buffalo, where she passed a night, was a -solitary inn with a swinging sign. But York was mostly changed, -there was a church, a jail, a light-house building, and many nice -houses, and the woods between the garrison and town were fast -disappearing. Governor Gore was then there.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the 27th April, 1813, 2,700 Americans landed a little west -of Toronto. Two companies of the 8th, or King’s Own, with some -Indians, one company being the grenadiers, the other being the -3rd company, under Capt. J. H. Eustace, both being led by Capt. -McNeale, were sent to oppose the landing. The portable magazine -of the advance battery was accidentally blown up killing some -twenty of the grenadiers, Capt. McNeale, was also killed. This -accident led to Sir R. H. Sheaffe’s retreat, and the destruction of -the magazines. The total loss was 97, including two officers and -four non-commissioned officers. “The force engaged, including -the two companies of the 8th, consisted of one company of Newfoundland -Fencibles, one company of Glengarry Light Infantry, -a detachment of Royal Artillery, Militia, Volunteers, and Indians—​in -all about 600 men. Among the volunteers was the present -highly esteemed Chief Justice of Upper Canada, Sir J. B. Robinson, -and Sir Allan McNab.” The gallantry of these two gentlemen -was most conspicuous. The unequal contest continued for 4 hours. -The month following the remnant of the 8th was nearly annihilated -at the attack upon Sackett’s Harbour. The above facts and -eulogium upon two distinguished Canadians are derived from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_532'>532</span>Edward Hincks, who was Lieut., and who was present in charge -of a two gun battery, and “Another of the surviving officers of the -8th regiment,” published in London in 1860, upon the discovery of -human remains near the old fort at Toronto, which proved to be -some of the grenadiers who were killed by the explosion of their -magazine.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The name of York continued to belong to the capital till 1834, -when it received the more appropriate name of Toronto, an Indian -word we are told, which signifies “trees growing out of the water,” -referring to the low level shore, with the trees at the waters edge. -For many years before the name was changed; from the vast quantity -of mud which made the streets almost unpassable, the place -obtained the designation of “Muddy York.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1820 a Parliament House was built near the site of the present -County Jail, at the front of the present Parliament Street; -this building was burned down in 1824.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1830 an address was carried by the House, to be presented -to the Governor, “to remove the Seat of Government from York -to a place of security,” but no action was taken in the matter.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The wisdom in the choice of selecting this situation upon -which to found a capital for Upper Canada cannot be questioned. -The proof is found in the handsome and richly circumstanced City -of Toronto. Should not Toronto, now again the Capital of Ontario, -the seat of learning, of magnificent Universities, the home of refinement, -the abode of wealth, erect a monument to the memory of its -founder, the illustrious first Governor of the Colony?</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_533'>533</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Parliament—​Simcoe’s Proclamation—​Nineteen counties formed—​Names, -and boundaries—​First elections—​Names of members—​Officers of -the House—​A Quaker member—​Chaplain—​Meeting of Parliament—​The -Throne, a camp stool—​Address—​To both houses—​Closing address—​Acts -passed—​Simcoe’s confidential letters—​A contrast—​A blending—​2nd Session -The Acts—​Quarter Sessions—​3rd, 4th, 5th Sessions—​New division of Province—​1798—​Modes -of punishment—​Burning the hand—​Whipping—​Salaries -of officers—​Revenue first year—​The members of Parliament—​Education—​Offering -for Parliament—​A “Junius”—​Early administration of justice—​“Heaven-born -lawyers”—​First magistrates.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Upon the 16th July, 1792, Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe issued -a proclamation in the name of the King, having for its object the -organization of a Legislative Assembly composed of persons, to be -elected by the people, of which there should be sixteen, and dividing -the province into counties. It was as follows:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Know ye, that our trusty and well-beloved John Graves Simcoe, -Esquire, our Lieutenant-Governor of our Province of Upper Canada, -hath, and by this our proclamation doth, divide the said Province -of Upper Canada into counties, and hath and doth appoint and -declare the number of representatives of them, and each of them, -to be as hereinafter limited, named, declared, and appointed,” &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nineteen counties were formed, namely: “Glengary, Stormont, -Dundas, Grenville, Leeds, Frontenac, Ontario, Addington, Lenox, -Prince Edward, Hastings, Northumberland, Durham, York, Lincoln, -Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>For the purpose of representation in Parliament, the following -arrangements were made: Glengary was divided into two ridings, -each riding to send a representative to the Legislative Assembly; -Stormont, to send one member; likewise Dundas and Grenville each to -have a representative; Leeds and Frontenac together, to send one -representative; Ontario and Addington to send one representative; -Prince Edward, together with the late township of Adolphus, in the -County of Lenox, to send one member; Lenox (except Adolphustown) -with the Counties of Hastings and Northumberland, to elect one -member; Durham and York, and the first riding of Lincoln, to be -represented by one member; the second riding of Lincoln to have -one member; the third riding of Lincoln to have one member; the -fourth riding of Lincoln, and the County of Norfolk, to have one -<span class='pageno' id='Page_534'>534</span>member; Suffolk and Essex to have one member; the County of -Kent, which included all the west not Indian territories, to the -Hudson’s Bay, to have two members. The proclamation was dated -Government House, Kingston, 16th July, 1792, William Jarvis, Secretary.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The elections must have followed hard after the issuing of the -proclamation, as Parliament met on the 17th of September following. -They probably took place in August. Simcoe writing in November, -to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, speaks of the elections in -these words:—​“On my passage from Montreal to Kingston, I understood -that the general spirit of the country was against the election -of half-pay officers into the Assembly, and that the prejudice ran in -favour of men of a low order, who kept but one table, that is, who -dined in common with their servants.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The names of those first elected to Parliament were John McDonnell, -who was elected Speaker; Joshua Booth; Mr. Baby; Alexander -Campbell; Philip Dorland, (but being a Quaker, he would not -be sworn and did not take his seat, and Peter VanAlstine was elected -in his place); Jeremiah French; Ephraim Jones; William Mocomb; -Hugh McDonnell; Benjamin Pawling; Nathaniel Pettit; David William -Smith; Hazleton Spencer; Isaac Swazy; —​—​ Young; John -White—​16. Simcoe, in a despatch, spoke of the last mentioned:—​“It -was by good fortune that the temporary residence I made at -Kingston created sufficient influence to enable us to bring the Attorney -General White, into the House.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The oaths to the members were administered by the Governor’s -Civil Secretary, William Jarvis, Esq., who was also the first registrar -of the Province. McDonnell, the member for Glengary, was unanimously -elected to the speakers chair. Angus McDonnell was clerk to -the Assembly; George Law, Sergeant-at-arms. In the matter of -Philip Dorland, of Adolphustown, a Quaker, who refused to take the -oaths, a resolution was unanimously passed by the House, that he -was incompetent to sit and vote in Parliament unless he took the -necessary oath, and consequently a writ was issued for a new election.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Addison, was elected to the House of -Assembly, and he, on the day of prorogation, preached a sermon to -them before they were summoned to meet the Governor in the Legislative -Council Chambers. Mr. Addison continued a chaplain for -thirty years, and was then granted a yearly pension of £50.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This first Upper Canadian Parliament assembled at Newark, now -Niagara, on the 18th September, and was prorogued 15th October -<span class='pageno' id='Page_535'>535</span>following. The circumstances of this infant legislation were well -fitting the new-born colony. The Governor himself was a soldier by -profession. Most of the members elect had been inured to the life -of the camp, though subsequently to the settling of the wilderness, -and they could, with no ordinary interest, and with appropriate intelligence, -direct themselves to the work of legislation. The first -Parliament of Upper Canada met in no stately hall; the proceedings -must have borne some resemblance to a court-martial. The collective -wisdom of Upper Canada assembled in a camp-tent on the plains of -Niagara. On the 18th September, the Governor, with his Secretary, -and probably adjutant, took his seat, not upon the throne, but a campstool, -and delivered the following address:</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Honorable Gentlemen, &c.</span>—​I have summoned you together -under the authority of an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, -passed last year, which has established the British constitution, and -all the forms which secure and maintain it in this distant country.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The wisdom and beneficence of our most Gracious Sovereign and -the British Parliament, have been eminently proved, not only in importing -to us the same for government, but also in securing the -benefit, by the many provisions that guard this memorable act. So -that the blessing of your invaluable constitution, thus protected and -amplified, we may hope will be extended to the remotest posterity. -The great and momentous trusts and duties which have been committed -to the representatives of this Province, in a degree infinitely -beyond whatever, till this period, distinguished any other colony, have -originated from the British nation, upon a just consideration of the -energy and hazard with which its inhabitants have so conspicuously -supported and defended the British constitution.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“It is from the same patriotism, now called upon to exercise with -due deliberation and foresight, the offices of civil administration that -your fellow-subjects, of the British Empire, expect the foundation of -that mien of industry, and wealth of commerce and power, which may -last through all succeeding ages.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The natural advantages of the Province of Upper Canada are -inferior to none on this side of the Atlantic; there can be no separate -interest through its whole extent. The British form of government -has prepared the way for its speedy colonization; and, I trust, that -your fostering care will improve the favourable situation; and that -a numerous and agricultural people will speedily take possession -of the soil and climate, which, under the British laws, and the munificence -<span class='pageno' id='Page_536'>536</span>with which His Majesty has granted the lands of the -Crown, offer such manifest and peculiar encouragement.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The session was closed the 15th October. The Governor delivered -the closing speech.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>Honorable Gentleman, &c.</span>—​It is with very great satisfaction -that I have considered the acts which you have found it expedient -to frame, and to which, in consequence of the power delegated to -me, I have this day given my assent, that they shall become laws -of the Province of Upper Canada.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“As the division which His Majesty, in his wisdom, thought -proper to make of the late Province of Quebec, obviated all inconveniences, -and laid the foundation for an establishment of the -English laws in the Province, it is natural to presume, that you -would seize the first opportunity to impart that benefit to your -fellow-subjects; and by the act to establish trials by jury, and by -that which makes the English law the rule of decision, in all -matters of controversy, relative to property and civil rights, you -have fully justified the public expectation. Your other acts seem -calculated to promote the general welfare and commerce of the -Province, &c.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>Honorable Gentlemen, and Gentlemen.</span>—​I cannot dismiss -you without earnestly desiring you to promote, by precept and -example, among your respective counties, the regular habits of -piety and morality, the rarest foundations of all private and public -felicity; and, at this juncture, I particularly recommend to you to -explain, that this Province is singularly blest, not with a <em>mutilated -constitution</em>, but with a constitution which has stood the test of -experience, and is the very image and transcript of that of Great -Britain, by which she has long established and secured to her -subjects, as much freedom and happiness as is possible to be enjoyed, -under the subordination necessary to civilized society.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The modest and matter-of-fact Parliament passed eight Acts at -this the first session. Chapter I., An Act to Repeal certain parts -of an Act, passed in the fourteenth year of His Majesty’s Reign, -entitled, “An Act for making more sufficient provisions for the -Government for the Province of Quebec, in North America, and -to introduce the English Law as the rule of decision in all matters -of controversy relative to Property and Civil Rights.” Chapter II., -“An Act to establish Trials by Jury.” Chapter III., “An Act to -establish the Winchester Measure, and a Standard for other Weights -<span class='pageno' id='Page_537'>537</span>and Measures.” Chapter IV., “An Act to Abolish the Summary -Proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas in actions under Ten -Pounds Sterling.” Chapter V., “An Act to prevent Accidents by -Fire.” Chapter VI., “An Act for the more easy and speedy Recovery -of Small Debts.” Chapter VII., “An Act to Regulate the -Toll to be taken in Mills, not more than one-twelfth for Grinding -and Bolting.” Chapter VIII., “An Act for Building a Gaol and -Court-house in every District within the Province, and for altering -the names of the said Districts. The District of Lunenburgh to -be henceforth called the Eastern District; Mecklenburgh, the Midland -District; Nassau, the Home District; Hesse, the Western -District.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thus was the new-born colony, whose germ had been planted -in the wilderness eight years previous, ushered into life, and thus -the functions thereof were commenced.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Simcoe, it would seem, wrote frequent despatches to the Colonial -Secretary; and in one he gives his opinion of this first meeting -of the representative body of Upper Canada: “At this first meeting -they were active and zealous for particular measures, according -to the promises they had made, or the instructions they had -received. Many bills were accordingly framed, which required only -a little time to evince their impropriety or futility. Having offices -to create and salaries to bestow, they were rather too liberal of -their patronage, and pledged their credit to £174 annually to -different officers. The Legislative Council made no engagements, -but, of course, their expenses must be equal. The sum of £348 -was, therefore, the first item.” “Upon the whole, I have no reason -to be dissatisfied with the disposition and conduct of the Assembly, -considering that it is composed of persons of not any restrictive -method, and unacquainted with power. I hope that by treating -them with temper and moderation, they may become a beneficial -establishment to the Province.” McMullen says, by way of contrast, -that “the Upper Canadian Parliament, with its “home-spun” members, -took five weeks to do what had taken the Lower Canadian -Seigniors seven months to accomplish.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>How great the change wrought by seventy-five years! As -the log hut in the wilderness has been superseded by the elegant -mansion, handsome villa, with thriving towns and cities, so has -the tented capital of Newark been forgotten in surveying the magnificent -proportions of the buildings at Ottawa; and the camp -stool, and nature’s carpet of green, in the elegant halls. And -<span class='pageno' id='Page_538'>538</span>as the Legislature, whose infant days were passed within the -sound of the majestic Niagara, where its waters are precipitated -over a stupendous fall, and sweep on to fill a mighty lake, has, -after numerous mutations, and many uncertainties, found a safe -home upon the rugged cliffs overlooking the Ottawa, where still -may be heard the swelling sound of falling waters, as they rush -down the Chaudiere; so may the confederated Provinces forming -the New Dominion, after many changes, and frequent political -uncertainties—​hope alternating with fear, not alone meet in formal -union,—​not as incompatible elements of an unwise and unequal -connection, but as one people; even as the waters of the great -Ottawa, mighty in itself, meet and unite with the farther coming -St. Lawrence, and, commingling, form the grand stream of the Lower -Lawrence, upon whose bosom the proudest ships rest, and which is -a highway of trade, unsurpassed in the world.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <em>second session</em> of the parliament of Upper Canada, was -opened at Newark, 31st May, 1793; prorogued 9th July, following. -At this sessions were passed thirteen bills, most of which were -important and useful measures. The first was “for the better regulation -of the Militia;” the second, respecting the appointment of -town officers; the third, having respect to assessments and rates, -and payment of assembly-men; the fourth, about highways; the -fifth, concerning marriage; sixth, of courts of Quarter Sessions -within the several districts; the seventh, a most important one—​an -everlasting one of honor, “to prevent the further introduction -of slaves,” and to limit the time of servitude of those in slavery; -the eighth, respecting courts of Probate; ninth, to establish regulations -about duties between Upper and Lower Canada; tenth, for -paying salaries of officers of Legislative Council and Assembly; -eleventh, to encourage the destruction of wolves and bears; twelfth, -returning officers of the several counties; thirteenth, also about -officers, and taxing wine and spirituous liquors.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The places fixed for the holding of Quarter Sessions were Cornwall, -New Johnson, Kingston, Adolphustown, Newark, and -Michilmacinac. For the Midland District, it was enacted that -they should “commence and be holden in Adolphustown, on the -second Tuesday in the month of July, and on the second Tuesday -in the month of January; and in Kingston on the second Tuesday -in the month of April, and on the second Tuesday in the month of -October.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <em>third session</em> of the 1st parliament met at Newark, on the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_539'>539</span>2nd June, 1794, and prorogued 9th July following. At this session -there was a continuation of that wholesome legislation which had -characterized the two previous sessions. Twelve acts were -passed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The <em>fourth session</em> was at Newark, commencing 6th July, 1895, -when four acts were added. It was prorogued 10th August, -following.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A <em>fifth session</em> of first parliament met at Newark, 16th May, -1796, and was prorogued 3rd June following. Seven acts were -passed. This was the last meeting of parliament under the governorship -of Simcoe.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The second parliament opened at York, 16th May, 1797, under -the presidency of the Hon. Peter Russell. It was prorogued 3rd -July, following. Eighteen measures passed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Second session under Hon. P. Russell, met at York, 5th June, -1798, prorogued 5th July. Passed eight bills. Among these bills -was one “to ascertain and establish the boundary lines of the different -townships of the province.” Stone or other durable monuments -to be set up, to mark the corners of lots; and any person -wilfully defacing or removing such, to “be adjudged guilty of -felony, and to suffer death without the benefit of the clergy.” -Another important act, which the growing province demanded, -was “for the better division of the province,” into townships, -counties and districts. According to this, there were formed eight -districts, with twenty-three counties, and one hundred and fifty-eight -townships. The districts were the Eastern, Johnson, Midland, -Newcastle, Home, Niagara, London, and Western. The Midland -district, with which we have more particularly to do, “was composed -of four counties, with land in their rear to the northern limits -of the province.” The first county was Frontenac. In this we have -Kingston, as well as the townships Pittsburgh, Loughborough, -Portland, Hinchinbroke, Bedford, and Wolfe Island. The second -county, the incorporated counties of Lenox and Addington; consisted -of the townships of Ernesttown, Fredericksburgh, Adolphustown, -Richmond, Camden, Amherst Island, Sheffield. The third -county, Hastings; contained Sydney, Thurlow, Mohawk land, -Tyendinaga, Hungerford, Huntingdon, and Rawdon. The fourth, -Prince Edward, had Marysburgh, Hallowell, Sophiasburgh, and -Ameliasburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The third session met at Newark, 12th June, 1799, and was -prorogued 29th of the same month; five acts having been -passed.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_540'>540</span>The fourth session met at York, 2nd June, 1800, prorogued -4th July, under Lieutenant-General Hunter. Six acts were passed, -the first of which was “for the further introduction of the criminal -law of England, and for the more effectual punishment of certain -offenders.” The third clause is as follows: “That whereas the -punishment of burning in the hand, when any person is convicted -of felony within the benefit of clergy, is often disregarded and ineffectual, -and sometimes may fix a lasting mark of disgrace and -infamy on offenders, who might otherwise become good subjects -and profitable members of the community; be it therefore enacted -by the authority aforesaid, that from, and after the passing of this -act, when any person shall be lawfully convicted of any felony, -within the benefit of clergy, for which he or she is liable by law to -be burned or marked in the hand, it shall, and may be lawful for the -court before which any person so convicted, or any court holden for -the same place with the like authority, if such court shall think fit, -instead of such burning or marking, to impose upon such offender -such a moderate pecuniary fine as to the court in its discretion shall -seem meet; or otherwise it shall be lawful, instead of such burning -or marking, in any of the cases aforesaid, except in the case of manslaughter, -to order and judge, that such offender shall be once or -oftener, but not more than three times, either publicly or privately -whipped; such private whipping to be inflicted in the presence of -not less than two persons, besides the offender and the officer who -inflicts the same, and in case of female offenders, in the presence of -females only; and such fine or whipping so imposed or inflicted, -instead of such burning or marking, shall have the like effects and -consequences to the party on whom the same, or either shall be -imposed or inflicted, with respect to the discharge from the same -or other felonies, or any restitution to his or her estates, capacities, -and credits, as if he or she had been burned or marked as aforesaid.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1801 the salaries of the officers of the parliament stood -thus; per annum.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Clerk of Legislative Council, £145. Usher of the Black Rod, -£50. Master in Chancery, attending the Legislative Council, £50. -Chaplain of the Legislative Council, £50. Door-keeper of ditto £20. -Speaker of the House of Assembly, £200. Clerk of ditto, £125. -Sergeant-at-Arms, £50. Chaplain of the House of Assembly, £50. -Door-keeper of ditto, £20. Copying Clerks, £50. Total, £805.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first tax raised by statute in the province, was to pay the -members, who received $2 per day.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_541'>541</span>The revenue of the whole province the first year was £900.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Elsewhere the fact has been stated that many of the settlers -were devoid of a liberal education; while the stern duties of -pioneer life precluded the possibility of any mental culture whatever. -At the same time competent school teachers for the young -were not to be had. With a population made up of such material, -the question might be asked with becoming seriousness, “Where -are we to get our representative men to carry out responsible -government as accorded to the young province of Upper Canada?” -Many of the first Assembly men were not possessed of book learning, -and all along the list of those who have been M.P.P.’s, up to the -present, may be found very many who were limited in their education. -Yet, the first members convened in the tent, on the green -slopes of Niagara, discharged their duty with much decorum and -despatch.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It would be an interesting chapter to introduce some account -of the first members of Parliament, and the political contests in the -early days of Upper Canada. In the absence of complete information, -we give such items relating thereto as have come under -notice. We have already given the names of those elected to -the first Parliament.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the early members was James Wilson, of Prince -Edward, he was first elected in 1808, or 9, and remained a member -for some twenty-four years. Simeon Washburn, was also a member -for a time. Allen McLean, in a notice dated Kingston, 18th May, -1812, says “To the independent electors of the County of Frontenac. -Having had the honor of representing you at three successive Parliaments, -I again make you a tender of my services, and beg leave -to solicit your votes and interest at the ensuing election.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Amos Ansley, Esq., says, in an address, dated at Kingston, -May 20, 1812: “To the Electors of the County of Frontenac. -Having had the honor to represent this County in the first foundation -of its happy constitution, I again make you a tender of my -services, and beg leave to solicit your votes and interest, &c.” -James Cotter, of Sophiasburg, was elected to Parliament in 1813, -and served four years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A man of sterling integrity, and good common sense may -make a useful Member, if he be not egotistical. In recording -the early events of the Bay, we must not hesitate to mention -an incident which, at the time, created no little comment with -the public, but brought chagrin to an M. P. P. A member, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_542'>542</span>who shall be nameless, whose early advantages for education had -been extremely limited, but with any amount of self-confidence, -was, on one occasion, sarcastically, but humorously, brought to -task in the Kingston <cite>Herald</cite>, by an anonymous writer. The member -replied, and in so doing, “copied verbatim, nearly the whole of -the first part of Sir William Draper’s letter to Junius, dated Jan. -26, 1769, in defence of his friend Lord Granby, over his own signature. -Macaulay, a young lawyer of Bath, noticed the plagiarism, -and exposed the M. P. P.,” which we believe, resulted in the political -demise of that individual.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE EARLY ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>For two years, Upper Canada, after becoming a distinct Province, -was without any lawyers. But, in 1794, such a number of Acts were -found upon the statute books, that it was necessary to create some to -interpret, not mystify the law. It was provided that his “Majesty -should appoint not more than sixteen, whom he should deem, from -their probity, education, and condition of life, best qualified to receive -the license to practice law.” This appointment of lawyers by the -Executive, gave rise to an expression of derision in after days, of -“heaven-born lawyers.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first lawyer appointed in Johnson District, was Samuel -Sherwood, who had studied law two or three years with lawyer -Walker, of Montreal. Jacob Farand, was the first lawyer in the -Eastern District. Allen McLean, the first lawyer for Kingston, and -Mr. Hagerman, the first for the Bay Quinté.—​(See U. E. Loyalists). -James Clarke was appointed for Niagara District; also, William -Dickson, of Niagara, and Angus McDonald for Cornwall.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the formation of Upper Canada into a Province, a number -of magistrates were appointed to each District, to form a Court of -Quarter Sessions. The four gentlemen who had been the judges of -Lunenburgh, Mecklenburgh, Nassau, and Hesse, respectively, no -longer had so extensive a jurisdiction. We have no further information -of Robertson, in this respect, and Duncan left the Province. -But Cartwright and Hamilton continued to fill the same positions, -as chairmen of the Quarter Sessions, in their respective Districts. -After the death of Cartwright, in the Midland District, Colonel -Thompson was appointed to the office, and his successor was Alex. -Fisher, of Adolphustown. John Ferguson was also Judge of the -District Court.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_543'>543</span>Among the first appointments for magistrates, was Thomas -Sherwood, of Leeds. Also, Dr. Solomon Jones, who was afterward -Judge of the District Court.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Charles Stuart, Esq., was, for many years, Sheriff of the Midland -District; he died while yet young, in 1816. The first Sheriff of -Niagara District, was Alex. McDonnell; the next was Barrack-master -Clark, and afterwards Thomas Merritt was appointed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the first, probably the first, magistrates appointed in -Thurlow, were Col. Wm. Bell, Col. Hazelton, and James McNabb. -Most likely Bell had the commission before the others. Bell -generally held his Court of Requests at Mrs. Simpson’s Inn. On -19th April, 1822, it was held at the house of John Taylor.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_544'>544</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION X.<br /> <span class='large'>THE EARLY MILITIA OF UPPER CANADA.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Militia Act, 1792—​Simcoe—​No faith in the Americans—​His views—​Military -Roads—​Division of Districts—​Military purposes—​The officers—​Legislation—​The -expenses—​Repeated Legislation—​Aggressive spirit—​The -Enrolment—​Hastings Battalion—​“Something brewing”—​List of Officers—​Col. -Ferguson—​Col. Bell—​Leeds Militia—​Officers’ Clothing—​The Midland -District—​Prince Edward—​Training Places.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE MILITIA.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Any magisterial power that the military commanders of the -first settlers may have possessed was lost by the proclamation of -Lord Dorchester, in 1788, forming Upper Canada into districts, -and appointing to each a staff of civil officers. From this period -until 1792, after the meeting of the second session of the First -Parliament, the military organization was a dead matter, although -there must have been in force some law relating to such, inasmuch -as the first Act passed at this Session was “for the <em>better</em> regulation -of the Militia in this Province.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Governor Simcoe was a man of a military turn of mind. He -had taken an active part against the American rebels, and he continued -to entertain strong feelings of hostility to the American -cause, believing not in the integrity of their professed principles. -In many respects he was a well chosen person to take charge of a -people who had been under a military rule, and who shared his -antipathy to the republican people. Not only did Simcoe conceive -schemes of settling the forests, and improving it, but also for securing -the country against attack, likewise of drawing into the -country many who he believed remained in the States because -they could not help themselves, and to whom the Republican form -of government was exceedingly distasteful. Simcoe never felt any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_545'>545</span>doubt about his ability to defend the Province against the Americans, -and he even had vague ideas that he might concentrate a -force of sufficient strength upon Upper Canada soil, to enable him to -invade the States, with a good prospect of success. Imbued with -these views, and animated by such feelings and desires, he lost no -time in taking the necessary steps to organize and train the Militia, -and to establish a Naval force for the Lakes. The regular soldiers -under his immediate command were put at work to cut roads, one -from Lake Ontario to the Thames, which was called the Dundas -road, the other from Lake Ontario to the Lake Simcoe, which has -received the name of Yonge Street.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The four districts of Upper Canada were subdivided into -counties. This division was, according to Rochfoucault, who -visited Simcoe, and procured his information from him, “into -counties is purely military, and relates merely to the enlisting, -completing and assembling of the Militia. The counties are about -twelve in number. The Militia of each county are assembled and -commanded by a Lieutenant; they must be divided into regiments -and companies. They assemble once a year in each county, and -are inspected by the Captains of the different companies, at least -twice a year. Every male inhabitant is considered a militia man -from the age of sixteen to fifty. He is fined four dollars if he does -not enlist at the proper time; and officers, both commissioned and -non-commissioned, who do not join their regiments at the time the -militia is assembled, pay a fine, the former of eight dollars, and -the latter of two. An officer who, in case of insurrection, or an -attack, who should not repair to his assigned post, would be punished -with a pecuniary penalty of £50, and a petty officer with a -fine of £20. A militia man who sells either the whole, or a part -of his arms, ammunition or accoutrements, is fined £5, and in default -of payment, imprisoned for two months. The Quakers, Baptists, -and Tunkers, pay, in time of peace, twenty shillings a year; and -during a war of insurrection, five pounds sterling for their exemption -from military service. Out of these fines and ransoms the -Adjutant-General of the Militia receives his pay, and the remainder -is at the Governor’s disposal. This is nearly the substance of the -first act of the legislative body of Upper Canada, passed in 1793.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following year an additional Act passed, relative to the -Militia, the chief regulations of which tended to improve and define -more accurately the internal form of the regiments, battalions and -companies, and to render the assembling of detachments more easy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_546'>546</span>and expeditious. This Act determines, that, in time of war, the -obligation to carry arms in defence of the country shall not cease -before the age of sixty, and that, of consequence, Quakers and others -who enjoy exemption from military service, shall pay for their immunity -up to that age. It also obliges the militia to serve on board of -ships and vessels, to act as cavalry, and to extend their service beyond -the Province, on condition, however, that the same men be not -bound to serve more than six months successively. The exemptions -from military service are confined to the officers of justice, and other -public functionaries, whose number is very small. The whole militia -is estimated at nine thousand men. All the expenses of the civil and -military administration of Upper and Lower Canada are defrayed by -England. The expense, including money and presents to the -Indians, “amounts for Upper Canada to one hundred thousand -pounds.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In all the measures introduced by Simcoe and passed into law by -Parliament, can be discovered a military mind actively at work. The -arrangements by which he endeavored to settle the country—​to -secure it against invasion—​to keep alive a spirit of military ardor—​to -keep aglow the flame of patriotism, a love for the mother country, -were eminently judicious and commendable. There is no doubt that -the military spirit of Simcoe was pleasing to the old soldier-farmers, -and in them he found willing and zealous abettors of his military -schemes. Had it not been for the short-sighted policy of Lord -Dorchester, who, it is averred, became envious of his Lieutenant-Governor, -and tried to thwart the designs, and had he not succeeded -in having him re-called before time allowed for carrying out those -designs, there can be no doubt that Upper Canada would have -advanced more rapidly than she subsequently did advance, and -would have far surpassed any State in the Union.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1797, an act for still further regulation of the militia was -passed; but the nature of it does not appear in the statutes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was also passed an “Act for the better securing the province -against the King’s enemies.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1801, there was still further legislation, and again in 1808, -when there was “an act to explain, amend, and reduce to one act of -Parliament the several laws now in being for the raising and training -of the militia.” And a suitable salary was to be allowed to the Adjutant-General. -Legislation at this time was deemed necessary, because -of the aggressive spirit manifested by the United States. The game -of conquest was already begun by the selfish statesmen of America, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_547'>547</span>and even foul means were being adopted to subvert British power -on the continent. The year prior, Lower Canada had taken steps -under Mr. Dunn, to protect themselves against a wily enemy. -General Brock was earnestly engaged in perfecting the defences of -Quebec. In 1809 an act was passed respecting billeting Her -Majesty’s troops, and the Provincial Militia, and furnishing them -on the march, and impressing horses, carriages, oxen, boats, &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the enrolment of the militia in accordance with the -acts first and subsequently passed, comparatively little can be said -by the writer. The earliest, and indeed the only account of an -official nature to be obtained, refers to the organization of the -Hastings’ Militia. Through the kindness of Mr. Sager, of the front -of Thurlow, grandson of the late Colonel William Bell, we have had -placed in our possession, a portion of the papers left by Colonel -Bell, of an official and semi-official character. In a communication -dated at Kingston, 29th November, 1798, John Ferguson, of that -place, writes to Mr. William Bell, of the Mohawk village as follows: -“Having been appointed Lieutenant of the County of Hastings, and -being ordered to enrol the militia without delay, I must request -you will immediately proceed with the enclosed notices, and cause -them to be put up as directed. This is the beginning of your duty, -as I have recommended you to be Adjutant, as well as captain of a -company, and I have the satisfaction of telling you that the President -has assured me he will approve of my appointments.” In a -separate communication, Lieutenant Ferguson authorizes Captain -Bell “to give notice to the inhabitants of the county to attend a -meeting of Lieutenancy on Saturday, the 8th December next, at -ten o’clock, at the house occupied by David Harris, on lot 34, in -the first concession of Sidney, for the purpose of enrolment.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>It would seem that the second in command of the Hastings -battalion, was Major A. Chisholm.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ferguson, writing 22nd February, 1799, says, “It appears from -the President’s letter, that there is something brewing to the westward.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the 25th February, 1799, Ferguson writes to Adjutant Bell, -to require the officers commanding companies “to cause the volunteers -and drafts in their respective companies to assemble, with -such arms as they may have, at the house of Ferguson, on the point -of Sidney, lot 23, to be made acquainted with the purport of a letter -received from the Hon. Peter Russell, President.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Colonel Ferguson writing again on February 26, to Captain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_548'>548</span>Bell, informs him that the President has been pleased to approve -of the appointments made, and that he must meet him at Sidney, -5th of March, to receive his commission. On the 1st March, he -further writes thus, “there is some appearance of the militia being -embodied next spring, and that Captain Bell is appointed to take -command of the detachment should such an event take place.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a communication dated, 10th March, 1799, Colonel Ferguson -refers Captain Bell to an inclosure from President Russell, giving -directions as to teaching the volunteers and drafts, “who are to -assemble at Wallbridge’s every other Saturday,” for platoon -exercise, &c.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“List of officers of the Hastings Militia, as approved of by -His Honor, the President, with the dates of their commission.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“John Ferguson, Lieutenant of County; date of commission, -1798. The following officers were commissioned in December following:—​Major -Alexander Chisholm, Captain Wm. Bell, Captain -Samuel Sherwood, Captain George W. Myers, Captain Lieutenant -Matthias Marsh, Lieutenant Gilbert Harris, Lieutenant John Stuart, -Lieutenant John Chisholm, Lieutenant John Fairman, sen., Lieutenant -L. W. Myers, Ensigns David Simmons, Jacob W. Myers, -Alexander Chisholm, Robert Fairman, Samuel B. Gilbert, Adjutant -William Bell, Quarter-Master, John McIntosh.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the commencement of the war of 1812, John Ferguson, of -Kingston, was Colonel; William Bell, of Thurlow, Lieutenant-Colonel, -and Alexander Chisholm, Simon McNabb, S. B. Gilbert, -Jacob W. Myers, L. W. Myers, David Simmons, Gilbert Harris, -John McIntosh, were Captains of 1st Regiment Hastings Militia. -John Thompson who had been a soldier in the King’s Rangers, -was Major.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In May, 1810, a notice was posted in Hastings to “all persons -of the battalion having in their possession arms and accoutrements -belonging to Her Majesty, to bring them in good order on the 4th -of June, and they will be furnished with powder and ball to shoot -at a mark.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We are informed by Mr. Adiel Sherwood, that James Breakenridge, -who had been an officer in Rogers’ corps, was appointed -the first Lieutenant of the County of Leeds under Simcoe, with -authority to organize the body and appoint the officers. Mr. Sherwood -received his first commission as Ensign, from him, to the first -regiment of Leeds Militia in 1796. He was shortly after commissioned -a Lieutenant, which he remained until 1808, when he was -made Captain.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_549'>549</span><span class='sc'>Officers’ Clothing.</span>—​No sooner had the officers received their -commissions than the matter of military clothing came into consideration, -and steps were promptly taken to obtain suitable outfits, -in the way of scarlet coats, swords, and so forth. Reading the -letters which have come under notice, one is struck with the fact -of men putting themselves to trouble to procure costly uniform, -when very many of them could scarcely collect money enough to -meet their wants. At that time money was scarce and bartering -was the ordinary mode of proceedings between the farmer and -dealer. The merchants of Kingston did not find it necessary -to keep material for officers’ dress, and consequently it had to be -procured at Montreal. The officers without money and unknown, -in Montreal, could scarcely expect to get credit there. It was -under such circumstances that Colonel Ferguson, the Lieutenant of -the County of Hastings, undertook to assist the officers under him. -Concerted action on their part was necessary, that all the coats -might be alike, and moreover, they might expect to have them -supplied at a cheaper rate. The following will now become intelligible:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“We, the following officers of Militia of the County of Hastings, -having agreed to have uniform clothing, do empower John Ferguson, -Samuel Sherwood, Matthias Marsh, and John McIntosh, to agree -with any person to furnish the materials, and we will pay for it as -agreed upon by the above persons—​the uniform to be red coats with -blue facings; long yellow buttons and white lining with shoulder-straps—​the -Light Infantry to have short coats with wings. Thurlow, -7th October, 1800.” (Signed)—​John Ferguson, William Bell, -John Chisholm, Daniel Rose, John McIntosh, David Simmons, -John Fairman, Junr., Samuel Sherwood, Matthias Marsh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A few days later Colonel Ferguson supplies a memorandum to -Major Bell, recommending James Dawson, Kingston, as the person -to be employed to make the coats, the material, or at least the -cloth, to be bought at Mr. Cumming’s. Ferguson also suggests that -each person give his note of hand for the sum until paid, from -which it seems evident that he wished to be free from personal -responsibility. Three months later, and no steps had been taken -except by Ferguson, who, it appears, applied at Montreal for his coat. -He writes, “I have received my coat pattern from Montreal,” and -the cost of cloth and trimmings amounted to £4 7s. 7d., and “the -common price of making a regimental coat” was £1 3s. 4d., the -epaulets ready-made were £3 each. In another place, Colonel -<span class='pageno' id='Page_550'>550</span>Ferguson says, “if any of those gentlemen wish to have a coat -from Montreal, and will put into my hands sixteen bushels of -wheat, as a part payment, I will send for them, and they will surely -find their profit in it”.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following were among the first Militia officers connected -with the force in the Midland District.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thomas Dorland, one of the first settlers of Adolphustown, was -the first captain commissioned in the township. He commanded a -company in 1812, at Kingston. His company partook of the loyal -spirit which actuated the captain, who indignantly said of the -Americans, “they drove us from our homes once and now come -after us.” Captain Dorland was much liked, as an officer, by his -men.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Trumpour, who commanded a company of horse, was -generally estimated as a commander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Christopher Hagerman, a native of Adolphustown, arose by -promotion from an Ensign, to be Aide-de-Camp. The following is -from the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>:—​“Head Quarters, Upper Canada, York, -15th December, 1813. District General order. The Lieutenant-General -commanding and President, has been pleased to appoint -Christopher Hagerman, Esq., to be Provincial Aide-de-Camp to his -Honor, and to enter the Provincial Rank of Lieutenant Colonel on -Mr. Hagerman.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Major Spencer, who had been Colonel in Major Rogers’ regiment -during the Revolutionary war, died at the breaking out of -the war of 1812, and was buried in Fredericksburgh on his own -place with military honors, he was succeeded by Captain Thompson. -Crawford was Colonel of a regiment of Militia.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following were officers in Ernesttown: Lieutenant Colonel -James Parrot, Captain Joshua Booth, C. Fralick, Noris Briscoe, -Peter Daly, Robert Clark, Sheldon Hawley. Lieutenants: Davis -Hamby, Henry Day, John Richards, Daniel Fraser, Robert Worlet. -Ensigns: Isaac Fraser, David Lockwood, Daniel Simmons, Abraham -Amey, Solomon Johns, John Thorp, Senr.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Major Young, formerly ensign in Sir John Johnson’s regiment, -was an officer in the Prince Edward Militia for some time. He was -at Kingston in 1812, and died while on duty. Captain McDonnell of -Marysburgh, was also on duty at Kingston at that time. Captain -Young, of the Carrying Place, was likewise there, as well as his -Ensign, W. H. Wallbridge, who became Captain in 1831, Owen -Richards being the Colonel. Lieutenant Richard Howard, of Sophiasburgh, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_551'>551</span>died March 1, 1814. Dengin Conger held a commission in -the first battalion of the Prince Edward Militia during twenty-four -years, fourteen of which he was Captain. William Ketcheson, of -Sidney, was commissioned Ensign in 1804; Lieutenant in 1812: -Captain toward the close of the war, served nine months at Kingston. -Coleman, of Belleville, was Captain of Provincial Light Dragoons.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Militia of Adolphustown, Fredericksburgh, Ernesttown, and -probably of Kingston, were accustomed to meet on Finkle’s Place, -below the wind mill, before the war, 1812. Strange as it may now -seem, the place for training of the Prince Edward Militia was, for -many years, at Grassy Point, in the Sixth Town. All the way, not -only from the extreme point of Marysburgh, but from Amherst -Island, and from the western part of Ameliasburgh, the sparsely -settled inhabitants were wont to come, by anything but even roads, -to this point for their stated training. They met at this place until -the year 1800, after which they all met at Hallowell, Picton. Those -from Ameliasburgh required two days to reach the training place. -Some years later a second place was allowed.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXIII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​In 1812, around Bay Quinté—​The declaration of war—​The news at -Kingston—​The call to arms—​Hastings—​Events of Kingston—​In 1813—​Attack -upon Sacket’s Harbour—​Oswego—​American Fleet before Kingston—​Royal -George—​Kingston prepared—​Chrysler’s farm—​A “Postscript”—​Along -the St. Lawrence—​Ribaldry—​The Commissary—​Capt. Wilkins—​Quakers—​Rate -of pay—​American prisoners—​The wounded—​Surgeons, Dougal, Meacham—​Jonathan -Philips—​Militiamen’s reward—​Militia orders—​Parliamentary -grants.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE WAR OF 1812.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The call to arms was promptly and loyally responded to by -the inhabitants of the Midland District, including the militia of -Northumberland. The old veterans of former days, who had for -so many years been engaged in the peaceful occupation of farming, -were aroused to a high degree of indignation that their old enemies, -who had driven them away from old homes, should now threaten -them in their hard earned new ones. No wonder that these old -sturdy loyalists and their sons quickly obeyed the call to come in -defense of their homes. To a certain extent the Bay region was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_552'>552</span>free from immediate danger. Excepting at Kingston the inhabitants -were not alarmed by the trumpet blast. There was not here -enacted such stirring events as transpired at Detroit, upon the -Niagara frontier, and below upon the St. Lawrence. Nevertheless -there was diligent preparation made for any contingency that -might come with the tide of war. The several regiments of militia -called out, were taken to Kingston and prepared for service -whether it might be offensive or defensive. Kingston being a -naval station and having a dock-yard as well as a military depot; -and at the same time situated within a short distance of the enemies’ -territory, it was necessary that it should be well garrisoned, and -the surrounding country constantly watched. And here the raw -militia man was drilled for service, while they were ready to -defend the place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The news of the declaration of war reached Kingston by a private -letter to Mr. Forsyth, from the States, and an hour and a half -afterwards, says one who was there, a letter having been conveyed -to Col. Benson, the drum beat to arms, and couriers were on their -way with all haste to warn out the militia along the Bay and in -Northumberland. The belief was entertained that Kingston would -be a place of attack at once, and the flank companies were ordered -there immediately.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the 27th June, 1812, John Ferguson, Colonel commanding -1st regiment Hastings Militia, wrote from Kingston, to Lieut.-Colonel -William Bell, of Thurlow, “to cause the volunteers of the -battalion who already offered their services, to hold themselves in -readiness for actual service, and to apply to the Quartermaster for -such arms as are in his possession, to be used by the volunteers -until others were got from Kingston. Capt. John McIntosh to take -command, the other Captain will be J. W. Myers. Notice to be given -at once, be it night or day, to meet on the Plains—​and be drilled -by the Sergt.-Major.” Col. Bell received the letter at sunset on the -29th, by the hands of John Weaver. A postscript to the letter says -“War is declared by the United States against Great Britain.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The militia of Hastings were hurried to Kingston, but after a -few weeks when it was seen that Kingston would not be immediately -attacked, they were ordered home. The next year the Northumberland -Militia was ordered to York, and soon saw service.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In connection with Kingston were two events which may be -alluded to, one was a hostile demonstration against Sacket’s Harbour, -which had for its object principally the destruction of a man-of-war, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_553'>553</span>there building; the other was an attempt, on the part of the Americans, -to destroy the British frigate, Royal George, lying at -Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was in May, 1813, that Sir George Prevost and Sir James L. -Yeo, arrived at Kingston, where were Capt. Barclay Pring and -Furnis, preparing for service the few vessels stationed there; among -them one lately launched, the Sir George Prevost of 30 guns, greeted -them with a salute from the vessels. The American fleet was at the -head of the lake, bombarding Fort George. Under these circumstances -it was resolved to make an attack upon Sackets Harbour, -About 1000 men were embarked on board the Wolfe of 24 guns, -the Royal George of 24 guns, the Earl of Moira, of 18 guns, and four -armed schooners each carrying from 10 to 12 guns, with a number of -batteaux, so that no time might be lost in the debarkation. Two -gun-boats were placed in readiness as a landing escort. The boats -were under the direction of Capt. Mulcaster, of the Royal Navy, and -the landing under the immediate superintendence of Sir George -Prevost and Sir James Yeo. The following account is from A. O. -Petrie, Esq., of Belleville, who was present as a volunteer, being then -clerk to Capt. Gray, Assistant Quartermaster-General. So quickly -was the expedition arranged that Petrie had no knowledge of it until -about to start. By permission of Capt. Gray, Mr. Petrie formed one -of the party, who, although forgetting to procure a red coat, did not -forget his gun. “Was in a batteau with Capt. Gray the greater part -of the night, which was crowded with men. Capt. Gray told Petrie -that the object of the expedition was to burn the ship there building, -and told him he might have a hand in it, Petrie said he would be -there as soon as any one. They landed about four o’clock in the -morning, and Mr. Petrie carried Capt. Gray on his back to the shore -through the water. But before they had landed the Americans fired -upon them; they were soon relieved however, by the gun-boat. They -then advanced and was not far from the ship when the bugle sounded -the retreat. When he regained the boat he found that his friend -Capt. Gray had been killed.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>There is abundant evidence that the retreat was unnecessary, -that the enemy were fleeing; but one of those fearful mistakes -occurred by which the British and Canadian troops lost a victory -which had been won. This expedition exhibited the bravery of the -militia men in the fullest degree, and had the mind of Prevost remained -unclouded, due reward would have been secured. But the -precipitate retreat of the Americans was misunderstood by Prevost, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_554'>554</span>he thought it a trap set. Says a writer, “It was true that Fort -Tomkins was about to fall into British hands. Already the officers -in charge of Navy Point, agreeably to orders, and supposing the fort -to be lost, had set on fire the naval magazine, containing all the stores -captured at York. The hospital and barracks were illuminating the -lake by their grand conflagration, and the frigate on the stocks had -been set on fire only to be extinguished when Prevost’s mind became -unsettled as to the ulterior design of the enemy. In the very moment -of fully accomplishing the purpose of the expedition, he ordered a -retreat, and the troops reached Kingston in safety.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>But, the following year an expedition left Kingston on the 4th -May, which arrived at Oswego on the following day, and took the -fort; but the stores had been removed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>About five miles from Kingston lies what is called Herkimer’s -Point. It was thought a thing not improbable that the Americans -might land upon this point and endeavor to enter Kingston. Here -was a telegraph signal, and two cannon had been planted there; afterward -one, a very good one was removed, lest it should fall into the -hands of the enemy. From this point a fair view of the Upper Gap -was to be had. At last, one morning, the Yankee fleet composed of -some 14 sail, large and small, appeared off the Upper Gap. A shot -it is said was fired from the old windmill by some militia men there, -which was replied to. A schooner, the Simcoe was chased, but -escaped by running over a bar between some islands at Herkimer’s -Point. She received several shots, and subsequently sank when she -had reached Kingston. The inhabitants along the coast were ordered -into the interior with all their stock. The fleet passed along not far -from the shore, and the field artillery moved along at an equal pace, -and a firing was kept up between them. The writer’s father was -present on the occasion. He was Sergt. in Capt. Dorland’s Company -from Adolphustown, and was this morning on duty with his Company -at Herkimer’s Point. He was standing a short distance from -the shore. The brass artillery sent a ball through one of the enemy’s -vessels, he saw her haul off from the rest. The fleet fired back, and -he saw the first ball from them as it passed near him. The Governor’s -horse being held by a negro near by, while the Governor stood -a little off, squatted to the earth and the ball passed over his back, -the ball then struck the top rail of the fence, near by him, and went -bounding and plowing up the ground. All this he remembers distinctly. -The artillery and troops marched along opposite the fleet on -their way to Kingston, and were there paraded in a concealed spot -<span class='pageno' id='Page_555'>555</span>behind the jail. It was a general expectation that the enemy would -attempt to land, and he fully anticipated going into action. He -could see the balls flying over the buildings.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was a natural expectation that the enemy would endeavour -to possess themselves of Kingston with its garrison and naval depot, -and dock yard. Every necessary step was taken to frustrate any -designs that might be entertained by the Americans against the -place. In the Gazette of Oct. 9, 1813, is the following:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“By all accounts we understand that the Americans are on the -eve of attacking this place. It is our province to observe that their -intentions have become completely anticipated, and every necessary -preparation has been made to give them a warm reception. We -are happy to announce the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel Drummond, -with the first detachment of the 104th Regiment, from Burlington -Heights. This regiment the 49th, and the corps of the Voltigeurs, -may be expected here in the course of to-day or to-morrow. These -three gallant regiments, together with our brave militia, who are -pouring in from all quarters, and have already assembled in considerable -numbers, will be a sufficient reinforcement, and with our -present respectable garrison will be able to repel any force which -the enemy may bring against us. We are glad to observe that -every piece of artillery is most advantageously placed, and we must -really congratulate our fellow citizens on the formidable appearance -of every defensible portion in the vicinity of this town. It -has been the general rumor for a few days past that six or seven of -our small vessels have been taken on their way from the head of -the lake to this place and sent into Sackets; which rumor we fear -is too true.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The woods around Kingston, and upon Point Henry, were all -cut down to prevent a surprise. The enemy, however, did not -attack Kingston, but landed lower down the St. Lawrence. With -what result the following notice will show, <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, -Saturday, November, 13, 1813.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“POSTSCRIPT—​HIGHLY IMPORTANT.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The following important intelligence was received in town -this morning by express.”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Chryslers</span>, 11th November.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>The enemy attacked us this morning, suppose from 3 to 4,000 -men in number, and has been completely repulsed and defeated, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_556'>556</span>with a very considerable loss, a number of prisoners, and one -General taken by us; the loss of the enemy cannot be less than 4 or -5,000. Ours has been severe. The Americans were commanded by -Generals Lears and Boyd.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>William Morrison</span>,</div> - <div class='line in4'>Lieutenant Colonel 89th Regiment.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, Saturday, Nov. 20, 1813.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>We are assured on good authority, that the loss of the enemy -in the late action at Williamsburgh, exceeded 1,000 in killed, -wounded, prisoners and deserters; their flight was precipitate -during the remainder of the day and night after the action; on the -morning of the 12th they regained their own shore in the greatest -confusion, and in momentary expectation of being attacked. -Several officers of distinction were killed and wounded. Major -General Covender was dangerously wounded, and is since dead; -Lieutenant-Colonel Preston, noted for his ridiculous and insulting -proclamation at Fort Erie, inviting the inhabitants of Upper -Canada to place themselves under his protection, was dangerously -wounded. One six-pounder field piece was taken on the charge, -and about 120 prisoners, 350 or 400 stand of arms were collected on -and near the field of action.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The Militia of Cornwall and the neighbouring townships have -come forward in the most spirited and loyal manner, and are daily -joining the troops, shewing a spirit worthy of their ancestors, and -a noble example to their countrymen. We sincerely hope it will -be followed, and if the inhabitants of Upper Canada are true to -themselves, they can have no reason to fear all the efforts of the -enemy.” Thus ended the attack which had been made with the -usual boastful spirit. According to an American writer in the <cite>New -York Herald</cite>, at that time, the American Commander-in-Chief was -“a contemptible wretch,” guilty of “low ribaldry,” a drunkard, -having to take “two drinks of hot rum to enable him to go through -the operation of shaving,” and finally as given to singing</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“I am now a going to Canada,</div> - <div class='line'>And there I will get money—​</div> - <div class='line'>And there I’ll kiss the pretty squaws</div> - <div class='line'>They are as sweet as honey.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>Not alone did the Midland district supply its quota of men for -the incorporated militia; but the rich soil along the borders of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_557'>557</span>bay gave abundantly to the commissariat department. During the -first year of the war, there was a time when the troops at Kingston -had no more than a week’s provision. Under these circumstances -the Commandant enquired of Colonel Cartwright if he knew of any -one who could be depended upon to raise the required supplies -which were known to exist in the district. Cartwright informed -him that the required person could at once be obtained in -the person of Captain Robert Wilkins. Captain Wilkins, who had -raised a company in the beginning of the war, was accordingly sent -for, and instructed to prepare to undertake, as chief commissary, -the duty. He asked for written instructions and authority that he -might not be hindered in his work—​that Militia Colonels, and sub-officers -should yield to his demands for men to act as batteaux men, -or do any other required duty to impress conveyances, &c. He -was asked if he would be ready to set out in a day or two. The -reply was, I will start in half an hour. “The devil you will,” said -the Commandant, “so much the better,” and Captain Wilkins -quickly wrote his resignation as Captain to the company, settled -his hotel bill, and was on his way up the bay toward Picton. Arrived -there, he called upon Mr. Cummings, and desired him to act as -agent, which request was acceded to. He then pushed on to the -head of the bay, at the Carrying Place, and established an agency -there, afterwards his head-quarters. Proceeding to Myers’ Creek, -he procured as agent the services of Simon McNabb.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the vicinity of Picton, were a considerable number of -Quakers, who, although not wanting in loyalty, would, not only, -not take up arms, but conscientiously would not sell the produce of -their farms and take in payment government bills, or “shin plasters,” -then in circulation. Of course, they could, without scruples, sell -their grain to any one without asking questions, for gold or silver -but to take ephemeral paper born of war, and its circulation recognizing -a state of war, was another thing. They absolutely refused -to take it. Colonel Wilkins believing in their sincerity, at once -wrote to the Commandant at Kingston, for a certain sum of gold, -which was promptly forwarded. Thus the granaries of the rich -section of the county in Prince Edward were opened. But Wilkins -had not waited for the gold; on his own responsibility he had -bought the grain promising to pay them as they required, and -Mr. Cummings had been diligently carrying out his orders.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Commissary Wilkins had other difficulties to contend with. -In some sections there was a disposition to hold the produce -<span class='pageno' id='Page_558'>558</span>until prices were better, although pork, for instance, was fetching -$14 a barrel. They wished to get $20. The result of this was a -“half martial law,” by which provisions, wherever found, could be -taken at a fair valuation. But Colonel Wilkins says that this had -rarely to be done. By kind persuasion, showing the people that -their duty should lead them to be satisfied with a fair price, he -succeeded in getting all the supplies of provision he wanted.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The duties devolving upon him were numerous and onerous. -He had to supervise the batteaux carrying provisions up and down -the bay from a distance, and often would have to give orders for -3 or 400 men to be collected to propel the batteaux, or assist to -transport articles across the Carrying Place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The rate of pay given to an officer, acting as pilot, or conductor -to batteaux, was 10s. per day. Privates impressed to carry or assist -received 2s. 6d., with rations; but supplied themselves with blankets. -They were paid immediately their work was done, by Wilkins. -We have before us a requisition sent by Wilkins to Colonel Bell in -April, 1814, for 40 privates, and officer to manage the King’s -batteaux, as there was a quantity of provisions to be conveyed to -Queenston Heights.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Although the foe found no footing, and made no attempt to land -along the bay, the inhabitants had the opportunity of seeing not a -few of their would be conquerors, as they passed as prisoners of war -on their way to Quebec. Many of the 1000 taken at Detroit had to -march along the road the whole length of the Province. Some were -taken in batteaux, and others were conveyed in vessels down the lake -as far as Kingston. Many of those who walked went by the way of -the Prince Edward Peninsula, by Wellington and Picton, crossing the -bay at the Stone Mills, others went by way of Napanee, and thence to -Kingston. One way was as convenient as the other, as there was no -bridge across the River Trent. Persons are now living along the -routes who recollect the crest-fallen appearance of these prisoners; -the more so, because the people whom they had come to invade, and -dispossess, shewed them acts of kindness, and gave them food to eat. -One old lady, so old that she remembers the Revolutionary War in -1783, says she told them she had given the British troops all she had -to eat, as they passed up to conquer them, and she now as gladly -gave food to them. Those brought in batteaux were transported -across the Carrying Place into the bay. No doubt they appreciated -the beauty of the scenery along the route, and had their appetite -affected for the land they coveted.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_559'>559</span>On the morning of August 29, 1812, there arrived at Kingston, -His Majesty’s ships Royal George, Earl of Moira, and Prince Regent, -with 400 prisoners, and General Hull.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The most of the prisoners taken at the Niagara frontier were -carried in batteaux, and by the bay, Colonel Scott among the rest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At a later date, arrived the American prisoners, General Chandler -and Waider, captured at Stoney Creek. And again, “Arrived at this -place yesterday, March 1st, 1813, on their way to Quebec, whither -they will proceed to-day, Brigadier-General James Winchester, -Colonel William Lewis, and Major George Madison, attached to the -American army, captured by General Proctor on the River Rafine.” -We copy the following:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Quebec, November 2nd. On Friday and Saturday were escorted -by a detachment of Major Bell’s Cavalry, from their quarters, at -Bauport, to the new gaol, twenty-three American officers, and on the -latter day were also taken from the prison ships, and escorted by a -detachment of the 103rd regiment to the same prison, a like number -of non-commissioned officers, making in all forty-six conformable to -the General Orders of the 27th October.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>But other sights than prisoners of war were presented during the -conflict. Owing to the exposed state of the Province in the west, -after the taking of York, a large number of the wounded were removed -from the Niagara region to Kingston, sometimes by ships, -sometimes by batteau. Many of those wounded at Lundy’s Lane -were taken by schooner to York, and thence by batteau down the -lake shore, across the Carrying Place, and along the bay. Among -them was Sheriff Ruttan, who was left at his father’s house, to the -kind care of his family. In this connection it may be observed that -Surgeon Dougall, of Prince Edward Militia, served nine months at -Kingston, and Dr. Meacham, of Belleville, also served during the -most of the war.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We will here give an extract from an obituary notice taken from -the <cite>Hastings Chronicle</cite>.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>A Veteran of 1812.</span>—​Of the Provincial troops, the Glengary -regiment of Infantry took perhaps the most active part.” At the age -of fifteen, Jonathan Phillips enlisted in this corps, then being raised -throughout Canada. The urgent necessity for recruits inducing the -authorities to accept youths even of that tender age. The story will best -be told, as nearly as may be, in the veteran’s own words:—​“I was born -in Duchess County, State of New York, in the year 1796; my father -came from Devonshire, England, and my mother from Edinburgh, -Scotland. In 1809, my parents removed to Canada and settled in Fredericksburgh, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_560'>560</span>County of Lennox and Addington. In January, 1812, I -was working for Mr. Chapman, in Fredericksburgh, getting out -square pine, oak, and staves; whilst thus employed, Captain Judkins, -formerly of the 104th Regiment of the Line, asked me to enlist, and -I joined the Glengary’s, and in a few days after was sent to Kingston -with about twenty other recruits from Fredericksburgh, Richmond, -and Ernesttown. We remained in Kingston till navigation opened, -when the recruits assembled at that place, about 200 in all, descended -the St. Lawrence in batteaux to Three Rivers, where we received -uniforms, arms, and accoutrements, and commenced to learn our drill. -The corps now numbered about 800.</p> - -<p class='c017'>Towards autumn we were ordered to Quebec, in charge of about -1000 prisoners from General Hull’s army, captured in the west. We -remained at Quebec a month or six weeks. In October, 1812, we -were ordered to the west, (the season is recalled from the recollection -that as they marched from Quebec the farmers were busy cutting -wheat on the hillsides, and the snow was falling at the time). The -march was by the North Shore road to Montreal. Here we remained -all winter, expecting the Americans to attack that city. In the month -of March, before the sleighing was gone, the regiment was ordered -to Kingston, taking with them several pieces of cannon, which were -drawn by oxen. The men marched. The cattle that drew the cannon -and baggage, were slaughtered at Kingston for provisions. We -remained a month at Kingston, and then passed up the Bay of Quinté -to the Carrying Place in batteaux. The baggage and batteaux were -transported across the Isthmus into Lake Ontario, and we re-embarked -for York. On our arrival at York we were forwarded with all -despatch to Burlington Bay. We first met the Yankees at Stoney -Creek, and then pushed on towards Fort George. We halted at the -village of St Davids, and encamped at the cross-roads. The Yankees -held Fort George; when they discovered we were so near them they -retreated upon Black Creek. We followed them up, and had a battle -with them at Lundy’s Lane, on 25th July, 1813. In this affair I -was in the advance guard, or reconnoitering party. The enemy -retreated upon Fort Erie, and we pursued them and had several -skirmishes with them. They blew up the fort, and evacuated Canada. -In the fall of the year we marched back to York; there we embarked -in batteaux and came to the Carrying Place—​thence we -crossed into the Bay of Quinté, and thence to Kingston. From -Kingston we marched to Adolphustowm Court House, and were -billeted upon the farmers in that vicinity during the ensuing winter. -There were from eight to ten men in each house. Whilst here we -assembled every day at the Court House, at ten a.m., for drill—​we -were at least 800 strong.</p> - -<p class='c017'>On the 23rd March, 1814, all the three years’ men were paraded -at the Court House, paid off and discharged. Each man so discharged -drew 100 acres of land in Upper Canada, farming utensils, and a -year’s provisions. The provisions were distributed every three -months, at Robert Charles Wilkins’ store, at the Carrying Place.”</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='pageno' id='Page_561'>561</span>From the time of his discharge till his decease, Phillips resided -in the County of Hastings, pursuing the usual occupation of the first -settlers of this county. For many years he followed “lumbering” -in winter, and farming in the summer seasons, but being trustworthy, -intelligent, and of a kindly disposition, his services were frequently -sought after for various purposes. Several years ago, the farm which -he drew for his military service, and which, for many years, afforded -him a home and a support, he sold for the sum of $1,900, thus enjoying -in his old age the well earned reward of the loyalty and courage -of his youth. He died at his home, in the second concession, Rawdon, -on the 15th February, 1868.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE MILITIAMAN’S REWARD.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>General Brock, on his way to Detroit, assembled the Legislature, -and amongst other Acts, one was passed for the organization of a -battalion of “Incorporated Militia,” a body distinct from the Sedentary -Militia. It was an inducement held out for action; and to properly -fitted persons, to raise companies and regiments for service during -the war. According to Ruttan, any one enlisting five persons was -entitled to an Ensigncy; ten, a Lieutenancy; twenty, a Captaincy; -fifty, a Major; and forty a Lieutenant-Colonel. Subsequently, -in 1814 and 15, the Legislature “voted the supplies necessary -to fill up the incorporated regiments to 800 men. A service of -plate, and a pension of £20 per annum for the wounded, or for the -widows of the killed, as well as an address to His Majesty for an -allowance of 100 acres of land for each man, whether belonging to the -regiment of flank companies or the Sedentary Militia.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>No truly patriotic and brave man will seek, or demand a promise -of reward for defending, or fighting for the interests of his -country. He requires no more than what comes from a consciousness -of his duty done, and his country’s honor maintained; the -land of his birth, or choice, preserved from the desecration of an -invader’s foot. But when the deadly conflict has incapacitated the -brave one for the ordinary avocations of life, and he is left, perhaps, -with a family, unable to secure life’s comforts; or when the torch -of war—​of the unchristian men, such as President Madison, and -his cold-blooded servant, Colonel McClure, at Niagara,—​leaves the -homes of helpless women in ashes; or with wilful wantonness destroys -for the mere pleasure of gratifying a worse than heathenish disposition, -then the tried veteran has a right to be rewarded in a substantial -manner. The Government of Canada, as well as that of -Great Britain, has never been found remiss in affording suitable -rewards to those who were truly and knowingly worthy.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_562'>562</span>The smoke of war in 1815 had barely cleared away, after the -Americans had sought and obtained a peace, to them ignoble, ere -the Canadian Government took steps to secure a just reward to all -worthy men. And to this end the following general order appeared -in the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, 17th July, 1815, having reference to -settlers.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Military Secretary’s Office, Kingston.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“Each soldier to receive 100 acres of land; officers entitled in -the first instance to 200. To receive provisions for themselves and -families for one year, that is those who had last or, who might -require it on new land. Implements of husbandry, and tools to be -supplied in sufficient quantities, and other comforts according to -necessity to cultivate land. The land thus taken cannot be sold -until after three year’s cultivation. Supt. Alex. McDonnell, and -Angus McDonnell, of Glengary Fencibles, to take charge of the -settlers.” The same date was issued as follows:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Acting Military Secretary, William Gibson, issued a -notice at Kingston, 29th July, 1815, proclaiming that Boards to -examine claims for losses met with during the American war, -should meet during August and September, at Amherstburgh, Fort -George, York, Kingston, and Fort Wellington.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“All discharged soldiers, applying for lands are to give in -their names to Edward Jones, late of the 9th Regiment, now residing -in the old Barrack Square.” (Signed)—​<span class='sc'>F. P. Robinson</span>, <em>Secretary</em>, -July 31.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Again is found—​“Lieutenant Governor’s Office, York, Dec. 10, 1816.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor has been pleased to -appoint Surgeon Anthony Marshall, of Kingston, to examine and -grant certificates of disability to Militiamen disabled from wounds -received on service in defence of the Province during the late -war.” (Signed)—​<span class='sc'>Edward McMahon</span>, <em>Assistant Secretary</em>.</p> - -<p class='c017'>Among the Militia General Orders issued from the Adjutant -General’s office, appeared the following:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“His Excellency, Sir <span class='sc'>Frederick P. Robinson</span>, Major-General -Commanding, and Provincial Lieutenant-Governor of the Province -of Upper Canada, has great satisfaction in publishing to the Militia -of that Province, the following extract of a letter from Earl -Bathurst, one of His Majesty’s Secretaries of State; addressed to -His Excellency Sir Gordon Drummond, dated Downing-street, -13th June, 1815.</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='pageno' id='Page_563'>563</span>“I should have felt that I was acting unjustly towards you and -the officers and men under your command, if I had forborne bringing -under the notice of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, -the great meritorious exertions, so long and so successfully made -by them for the preservation of the Upper Province. I am commanded -to assure you, that His Royal Highness has contemplated -your efforts with the highest satisfaction, not more on account of -the skill and valor uniformly displayed by His Majesty’s Troops, -in presence of the enemy, than of the patience with which the -privations incident to the peculiar nature of the service were -supported and finally overcome.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“You will not fail to convey to the Troops under your Command, -the strongest expression of His Royal Highness’s approbation, -and to accept for yourself and the army under your orders, -that testimony which His Royal Highness is so anxious to bear, -to the great service which you have rendered to your country.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Nor is His Royal Highness insensible to the merits of the -inhabitants of Upper Canada, or to the great assistance which the -Militia of the Province afforded during the whole of the war. His -Royal Highness trusts that you will express to them in adequate -terms, the high sense which he entertains of their services, as -having mainly contributed to the immediate preservation of the -Province, and its future security.” <span class='sc'>N. Coffin</span>, <em>Adjutant General of -Militia</em>.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1815 the Legislature granted £6,000, stg. £5,883 6s. 8d. to -be applied as follows:—​To the officers, non-commissioned officers, -and privates of the incorporated militia, six months’ pay, £4,594 -15s. 2d. To the officers and non-commissioned officers of the line -attached to the incorporated militia, the well pay of their respective -ranks in the said corps, £1,000. To the officers and non-commissioned -officers, and privates of the incorporated militia artillery, -six months’ pay, £288 11s. 6d. To the speaker of the House of -Assembly, to purchase a sword to be presented to Colonel Robinson, -late of the incorporated militia, 100 guineas.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_564'>564</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXIV.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​The Six Nations in 1812—​American Animus—​“Manifest Destiny”—​Mohawk -Indians—​A right to defend their homes—​Inconsistency—​American -Savages—​Extract from Playter—​Brock’s proclamation—​Indian character, -conduct, eloquence—​Deserters in 1812—​Few of them—​Court-martials—​The -attempts at conquest by the Americans—​The numbers—​Result of war—​Canadians -saved the country—​And can do so—​Fraternal kindness.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE SIX NATIONS AS CANADIANS IN 1812.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Maintaining their wonted hostile attitude to the Mohawks, and -continuing to charge, upon the British and Canadian Governments, -an uncivilized procedure, the Americans have attempted to create -a belief that we waged not a warfare according to civilized ideas. -Civilization consists, in the minds of Americans, in just those views, -theories, beliefs, and proceedings, which belong to the Great United -States, and nothing can emanate from their government that is not -in strict accordance with civilization,—​their civilization. It so -happens that one of their beliefs is that destiny manifestly intends -that they shall possess all of North America. In 1812, a pretext -was formed under the question of the right to search American -vessels for deserters from British service, to declare war against -England. This was regarded by Madison and the Government at -Washington, a fitting opportunity to make the already cherished -attempt to obtain the British Provinces. It was not in accordance -with their ideas of liberty and civilization, to give the slightest -heed to the wishes of the loyalists whom they had, years before, -forced away, and who had already done much to convert the -wilderness into a noble Province; the British subjects who had -emigrated to America, and preferred the yet infant colony of -Canada, to the more advanced, but distasteful, United States. And -still more, the Mohawk Indians, whom they had so cruelly treated, -who had found homes under a benign and fatherly government, -were not only disregarded, but their very right to defend their -homes was denied by the very civilized government which longed -to get Canada. And hence we find attempts made to cast obloquy, -upon the Canadians, in connection with the war of 1812. The -people who strove, but vainly, to enlist the Mohawks in their -service in 1776, with wonderful inconsistency, in 1812, issue proclamations -that no quarter will be given to Indians, nor the Canadians -<span class='pageno' id='Page_565'>565</span>who were found fighting side by side. Yet, in the same war -they had all the Indians they could get to assist in their invasion -of a peaceful Province, who actually assisted in the hellish work of -plunder in the Niagara region. The Senecas took sides with them. -The Indians who had found a home in Canada, had a right to -defend their country, and willingly did they march to the field. -They rendered important service at Detroit when the immortal -Brock hurled back the braggart foe, took General Hull and his -army prisoners, and conquered the territory of Michigan. They -likewise did good service at Queenston Heights.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A few instances occurred where individual Indians did lapse -into the warfare nature had implanted into their breasts. But let it -be distinctly and emphatically stated that they were exceptions. -“But the savage conduct of the white United States troops, was -worse than the employment of savages. In civilized wars, or the -wars of Christian people with each other, (alas! that Christians -and war should be associated!) the usual rule is to harm only those -who aim to harm, and to pass by the peaceable and unarmed. Considering, -too, that the Canadian people were not enemies, but had -always friendly dispositions towards the United States, that the -war was merely for remote and abstract questions, that the British -Canadians never set the example, that marauding was not the rule -of the British officers and armies (as evinced before the world -in the wars with Bonaparte),—​the United States Government -selecting the province as a battle field, should have treated -the inhabitants without arms as mere spectators of the conflict. -Shame on President Madison, and his cabinet of Christian “(?)” -gentlemen, for ordering their General, McClure (under the name -and seal of John Armstrong, Secretary of War), to burn up the -Town of Niagara, and turn 400 women and children into the snow -and icy streets, on a December day of a rigid Canadian winter! -Had the cruelty been accomplished by a tribe of Indians, no -astonishment would have been felt; but for Christians thus to treat -Christians, and for people of the same ancestry, to show such -barbarity, shows that the bad passions of the human heart are the -same in the civilized as in the savage. The war might have been -carried on, so that friendship might soon be resumed; but the -dreadful aggravation, left in the bosoms of the Canadian settlers, -such hatred as remains to the present day. The writer has even -heard women say, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, that if the -Americans ever invaded Canada again, they would shoulder muskets -<span class='pageno' id='Page_566'>566</span>with their husbands. The democracy of the United States, like the -democracy of the French Revolution, proffered liberty with the -left hand, and scattered the fire-brands of savage war with the -right.”—​(Playtor.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>The invading general having issued a proclamation, declaring -that Canadians found fighting beside the Indians should have no -quarter. Major-General Brock, in an address, issued to the Canadians -at Fort George, July 22nd, 1812, referring to this matter, -says:—​</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Be not dismayed at the unjustifiable threat of the Commander -of the enemy’s forces to refuse quarter, should an Indian appear in -the ranks.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The brave bands of the Aborigines which inhabit this colony -were like His Majesty’s other subjects punished for their zeal and -fidelity, by the loss of their possessions in the late colonies, and rewarded -by His Majesty with lands of superior value in the Province. -The faith of the British Government has never yet been -violated by the Indians, who feel that the soil they inherit is to -them and their prosperity, protected from the base arts so frequently -devised to over-reach their simplicity.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“By what new principle are they to be prohibited from defending -their property? If their warfare from being different to that -of the white people, be more terrific than that of the enemy, let him -retrace his steps, they seek him not, and cannot expect to find -women and children in an invading army.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“But they are men, and have equal rights with all other men -to defend themselves and their property when invaded, more especially -when they find in the enemy’s camp a ferocious and mortal -foe, using the same warfare which the American commander affects -to reprobate.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“This inconsistent and unjustifiable threat of refusing quarter, -for such a cause as being found in arms with a brother sufferer, in -defense of invaded rights, must be exercised with the certain -assurance of retaliation, not only in the limited operations of war -in this part of the King’s dominion, but in every quarter of the -globe; for the national character of Britain is not less distinguished -for humanity than strict retributive justice, which will consider the -execution of this inhuman threat as deliberate murder, for which -every subject of the offending power must make expiation.”—​(Signed, -Isaac Brock.)</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_567'>567</span>In concluding this subject, we will quote the language of one -who rose to sublime eloquence in connection with another event.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Seeing the on-coming moment of the extinction among the -Americans—​vainly resisting the inevitable fate, but still lofty and -noble. Thus spoke a Seneca chief:—​“Who is it causes this river -to rise in the high mountains, and to empty itself in the ocean? -Who is it that causes to blow the loud winds of winter, and that -calms them again in summer? Who is it that rears up the shade -of those lofty forests, and blasts them with the quick lightning at -his pleasure? The same spirit, who gave you a country on the -other side of the waters, gave this land to us, and we will defend -it.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We would fail in our whole task did we not refer to one more -topic; that concerning Deserters. There were, during the time of -war, a few instances of desertion. There is every reason to believe, -that the wily Americans sent emissaries into the country with -the object of tampering with the Canadians. The following, while -having a local reference, will explain the steps taken by Government -to meet the requirements of the day in this respect:</p> - -<p class='c000'>President’s Office, Upper Canada, Kingston, 24th March, 1814.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His Honor the President has been pleased to appoint by commission, -bearing this date, the under-mentioned gentlemen to be -commissioners, for carrying into effect the provisions of an Act -passed in the last session of the Legislature of this Province, -entitled “An Act to empower His Majesty, for a limited time, to -secure and detain such persons as His Majesty shall suspect of -treasonable adherence to the enemy, in the several districts of -this Province respectively:—​For <em>Midland District</em>—​The Hon. K. -Cartwright, Alexander McDonell, Alexander Fisher, Thomas Dorland, -Timothy Thompson, Thomas Markland, Peter Smith, John -Cumming, James McNabb, Ebenezer Washburn, Robert C. Wilkins, -James Young, William Crawford.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In every war there will be some desertions, and during the -war of 1812, there were found a few, and a few indeed, who were -base enough to desert from the ranks of the Canadian Militia.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The several attempts at conquest of Canada were:—​</p> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>1st</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Hull</td> - <td class='c009'>at Sandwich</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>3,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>2nd</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. VanRansler</td> - <td class='c009'>at Wodworth</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>2,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>3rd</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Smyth</td> - <td class='c009'>at Fort Erie</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>3,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>4th</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Pike</td> - <td class='c009'>at York</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>2,500</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>5th</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Dearborne</td> - <td class='c009'>at Fort George</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>3,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>6th</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Winchester, for Montreal,</td> - <td class='c009'>at Chryslers Farm</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>3,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>7th</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Hampden</td> - <td class='c009'>at Chateauguay R.</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>8,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>8th</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Brown</td> - <td class='c009'>at Fort Erie</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>5,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>9th</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Brown</td> - <td class='c009'>at Lundy’s Lane</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>5,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>10th</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Izzard</td> - <td class='c009'>at Fort Erie</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>8,000</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>11th</td> - <td class='c023'>Invasion</td> - <td class='c009'>Gen. Wilkinson</td> - <td class='c009'>at Lacate Mills</td> - <td class='c022'>with</td> - <td class='c022'>2,500</td> - <td class='c024'>men.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'> </td> - <td class='c023'> </td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c022'> </td> - <td class='c022'>—​—​—​—​—​—​—​</td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'> </td> - <td class='c023'> </td> - <td class='c025'>Total number of men</td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c022'> </td> - <td class='c022'>45,000.</td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_568'>568</span>“The foregoing is an aggregate of the attempt to invade -Canada by the United States forces when they sued for peace; -and, when such was proclaimed, they did not find themselves in -possession of one inch of Canadian Territory.”—​(Clark.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>This glorious result was due, in a great measure, to the loyalty -and bravery of the Canadian Militia. The first year, the Militia -alone saved the Province.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The close of the war left no unpleasant remembrance. Called -to arms for the most noble purpose, that of defending their -homes, they discharged their duty bravely, but without unnecessary -violence. There were no acts of cruelty to be laid to their -charge. It was only the unprincipled foe that could be guilty -of deeds of barbaric darkness. It remained for the American -General Harrison to burn, contrary to the rules of civilized warfare, -a peaceful village, and for General McClure to apply the torch to -the building which protected the wounded men, women, and children, -from the piercing cold of a December night, an outrage only -equalled by their firing on a British flag of truce, under General -Ross, before the capital Washington. These acts of villany met a -just retribution. The former by destroying the frontier settlements -from Lewiston to Buffalo, the latter by the destruction of the -Capital. Canadians—​Britons can deal out just retribution, as well -as they can defend their homes. And the Americans ought to -know, and remember, that no acts of cowardly villany toward us -will for ever go unpunished. They incited rebellion among us in -1837–8. They have encouraged Fenianism, and assisted them as a -people to invade our territory, and kill our young men. For this -will come a day of judgment. It may not be this century, but it -will come. Let but one more attempt be made to secure a footing -on our soil, and the Americans will learn that Canadians can, and -will, retaliate. The hardy honest Canadian goaded to seek justice, -will play the raider also. Ours is a frontier, over which they may -come and do much mischief; but their’s is equally lengthy, and -exposed. A sheet of flame will burst along their frontier as well as -ours, the destruction will not be all one side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the Crimean war, the Canadians took great pleasure in -giving contributions for the relief of the soldiers, wives and children. -But this was only returning a like kindness displayed by England -at the time of the invasion and rapine in 1812. The wanton -destruction of Canadian homes brought much distress. By the -<cite>Kingston Gazette</cite> of 5th December, 1813, we see “that the total sum -subscribed in the City of London for the relief of the sufferers in -Canada (which has come to our knowledge), amounts to £10,419 -10s. 0d.” And the same year “The General Assembly of Nova -Scotia gave to the distressed of Upper Canada £2,500.” An act of -fraternal kindness that Canadians have been ready to return during -the last year.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_569'>569</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION XI.<br /> <span class='large'>ADVANCE OF CIVILIZATION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXV.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Canada’s first step in civilization—​Slavery in America—​By whom -introduced—​False charge—​Slavery in Canada—​History—​Imperial Acts—​Legislation -in Canada—​The several clauses—​In Lower Canada—​Justice -Osgood—​Slavery at the Rebellion—​Among the U. E. Loyalists—​Those who -held slaves—​Descendants of the slaves—​“A British slave”—​“For sale”—​“Indian -slave”—​Upper Canada’s Record—​Compared with the States—​Liberty—​Why -the United States abolished slavery—​Honor to whom honor -is due.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>SLAVERY.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>We devote a chapter to the subject of slavery, which may be -appropriately noticed under <em>advance of civilization</em>. There can be -no greater indication of a truly civilized people than a successful -attempt to emancipate those in bondage. In this respect Upper -Canada was very far in advance of the United States, and even of -England herself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Americans have not unfrequently essayed to fasten the -ignominy of this domestic institution upon the British nation, by -asserting that it was the English that first brought slaves to the -American continent. Supposing this to be true, it was the most -pitiable attempt at excuse for continuing the accursed thing, after -Britain had spent millions to abolish slavery in all her broad realm, -that can possibly be imagined. But it is all untrue that slaves -were first brought by the English. It was the Dutch, who found -sale for them in Virginia. This was in 1620. “Shortly after the -New England States adopted the ‘institution,’ the colonists and -merchants introducing and controlling the whole trade, Massachusetts -leading the way.” And with all the cry, for ever echoing -in the North against the South, because of slavery; it was the -Yankee owners of ships, sent out from Northern ports to engage in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_570'>570</span>the world-condemned crime of the slave trade, that kept alive the -worst feature of American slavery, until the celebrated military -necessity of Lincoln, emancipated the Southern slaves.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The present generation of Canadians are almost ignorant of -the fact that the “institution” of slavery once existed in Canada, -both Lower and Upper. The proud and pleasing appellation, which -Canada enjoyed for so many years, of a safe asylum for slaves, who -had effected their escape from the United States, is in most cases -alone known to have belonged to us. But the record of our young -country is so honorable upon the question of slavery, that the fact -that slaves did once breathe among us, casts no stigma upon the -maple leaf, no single stain upon her virgin garments. The fact -is, slavery could not live in Canada; much less grow. The leading -principles which guided the settlers of the country were of too -noble a nature to accept the monstrous system of human bondage -as an appendage of the Colony. They felt the truthfulness of the -words, not long before uttered by John Wesley, that slavery was -the “sum of all villainies,” and knew they would be villains of the -deepest dye to encourage it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The history of slavery from the time Joseph was sold by his -brothers into Egypt, by which it may be inferred that persons were -already held in bondage, up to the present, is of no little interest; -but it forms no part of our task to give even a sketch of it, except -in relation to its existence in Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1732, an Act was passed in the Imperial Parliament -“for the more easy recovery of debts in His Majesty’s plantations -and colonies in America,” by which “lands, houses, negroes, -and other hereditaments and real estate, shall be liable to be taken -by due process of law for any indebtedness.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Another Imperial Act having reference to slavery in Canada, -was passed so late as 1790. The Act is intituled “An Act for -encouraging new settlers in His Majesty’s colonies and plantations -in America.” Among other things it is provided that if any persons -shall come to the West India Islands or the Province of Quebec, -from United States, with the view of settling, it shall be lawful for -such, having obtained a license from the Governor, to import among -other things “any negroes” he may possess. Such was the law -in all Canada when Upper Canada was erected into a distinct Province.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first Session of Parliament in Upper Canada was naturally -and necessarily occupied in arranging the machinery requisite for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_571'>571</span>the government of the body public. The second Session witnessed -legislation to secure defence of the country by organizing a militia -body; and also upon two most important subjects having reference -to moral principles, viz.: concerning marriages, and</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>An Act to prevent the further introduction of slaves, and to limit -the term of contract for servitude within this Province.</em>”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Whereas it is unjust that a people who enjoy freedom by law, -should encourage the introduction of slaves, and whereas it is -highly expedient to abolish slavery in this Province, so far as the -same may gradually be done without violating private property; -be it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with -the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Assembly of -the Province of Upper Canada,” &c. It is enacted “that from and -after the passing of this Act, so much of a certain Act of the Parliament -of Great Britain, entitled “An Act for encouraging new -settlers,” &c., as may enable the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor -of this Province, heretofore parcel of His Majesty’s Province of -Quebec, to grant a license for importing into the same, any negro -or negroes, shall be, and the same is hereby repealed; and that -from and after the passing of this Act, it shall not be lawful for -the Governor to grant a license for the importation of any negro -or other person to be subjected to the condition of a slave, or to a -bounden involuntary service for life, in any part of this Province, -nor shall any negro, or other person who shall come, or be brought -into the Province after the passing of this Act, be subject to the -condition of a slave, or to such service as aforesaid, within this -Province, nor shall any voluntary contract of service or indentures -that may be entered into by any parties within this Province, -after the passing of this Act, be binding upon them or either of -them for a longer term than a term of nine years.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The second clause provided that the owners of slaves, at the -time within the Province, should be secured in their property and -contracts already made should not be affected. But in the third -clause it is declared that</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In order to prevent the continuation of slavery within this -Province, be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that immediately -from and after the passing of this Act, every child that shall -be born of a negro mother, or other woman subjected to such service -as aforesaid, shall abide and remain with the master or mistress -in whose service the mother shall be living at the time of such -child’s birth, (unless such mother and child shall leave such -<span class='pageno' id='Page_572'>572</span>service, by and with the consent of such master or mistress) and -such master or mistress shall, and is hereby required to give proper -nourishment and clothing to such child or children, and shall and -may put such child or children to work, when he, she, or they -shall be able so to do, and shall and may retain him or her in their -service until every such child shall have obtained the age of 25 -years, at which time shall be entitled to demand his or her -discharge from, and shall be discharged by such master or mistress, -from any further service. And to the end that the age of such -child or children may be more easily ascertained, the master or -mistress of the mother thereof, shall, and is hereby required, to -cause the day of the birth of every such child as shall be born of a -negro or other mother, subjected to the condition of a slave, in -their service, as aforesaid, to be registered within three months -after its birth, by the clerk of the parish, township or place wherein -such master or mistress reside, which clerk shall be authorized to -demand and receive the sum of one shilling for registering the -same. And in case any master or mistress shall refuse or neglect -to cause such register to be made within the time aforesaid, and -shall be convicted thereof, either on his or her confession, or by -the oath of one or more credible witnesses before any justice of the -peace, he or she shall for such offence forfeit and pay the sum of -£5 to the public stock of the district.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“And be it further enacted, that in case any master or mistress -shall detain any such child born in their service, after the passing of -this Act, under any pretence whatever, after such servant shall have -attained the age of 25 years, except by virtue of a contract of service -or indentures duly and voluntarily executed, after such discharge as -aforesaid, it shall be for such servant to apply for a discharge to any -justice of the peace,” and the party accused may be summoned to -show cause why the servant is not discharged. The master failing -to prove the servant under age, the justice is to discharge the same, -and it was “provided always that in case any issue shall be born of -such children during their infant servitude or after, such issue shall -be entitled to all the rights and privileges of free-born subjects.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“And be it further enacted, that whenever any master or -mistress shall liberate or release any person subject to the condition -of a slave from their service, they shall at the same time give -good and sufficient security to the church or town wardens of the -parish or township where they live, that the person so released by -them shall not become chargeable to the same, or any other parish -<span class='pageno' id='Page_573'>573</span>or township.” This act which reflects so much glory upon the -Upper Canadian Legislators, was passed July 9, 1793. We thought -our readers would prefer to see the act complete than any synopsis -we might prepare.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To Robert Gray, then Solicitor-General, is Upper Canada -primarily indebted for the above act. He was an earnest friend of -the African race. He was lost in the schooner <em>Speedy</em>, on Lake -Ontario.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Slavery in Lower Canada.</span>—​According to Garneau, in the -year 1689, it was proposed to introduce negroes to the colony of -France. But it was thought the climate would prove unsuitable. -That slavery was, not long after introduced, seems certain, and -that it “was legally recognized in Canada, is plain, from an -ordinance of intendant Hocquart, dated 1736, regulating the manner -of emancipating slaves in Canada.”—​(Bell.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>There are extant several royal declarations respecting slaves -in the colony, bearing dates, 1721, 1742, and 1745. At the Conquest -there were slaves in the province; and slavery “then increased for -an instant, only to disappear forever.” Slavery having continued -to exist in Canada until the first decade of the present century. -By a stipulation in the treaty of Montreal, the colonists were -“to be allowed to retain their slaves.” Says Bell in Garneau’s -history, “Sir L. H. Lafontaine in 1859, investigated this matter,” -(respecting the existence of slaves in French Canada), and from -the published reports of his enquiries, it appears that in 1799–1800, -the citizens of Montreal presented requisitions to Parliament, tending -to cause the Legislature to vindicate the rights of masters over -their slaves. The applicants invoked in favor of their demand, an -ordinance rendered by Jacques Roudat, 9th intendant, dated April -13, 1709, which edict was, they urged, in force when the definitive -treaty of peace was signed, and by consequence formed part and -parcel of the laws, usages, and customs, of Canada, recognized by -the Act of Quebec. The bills, on the subject, were introduced, in -1800, 1801, and 1803; but none of them passed. Since that time -no Local Legislation sanctioned this matter; and if the act of the -Imperial Parliament of 1797, had the effect of abolishing slavery -in the British plantations, these would, of course, include Canada. -“But,” says Bell, “the act in question could have no such effect. It -only enacted, that negroes could not be taken in execution as -chattels, for the debts of their masters, as had previously been the -case in His Majesty’s American Colonies.” It appears tolerably -<span class='pageno' id='Page_574'>574</span>certain from the foregoing, that slaves were introduced by the -French into Canada, about the beginning of the 18th century, and -that at least in 1709 it was a recognized institution, by virtue -of an edict issued by the intendant. And, when the country was -conquered by Great Britain, the colonists were “allowed to retain -their slaves.” In 1784, when Upper Canada was first settled, the -number of slaves in Lower Canada according to census was 304.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When Upper Canada, in 1793, took the lead in the whole of -Britain’s vast domain in legislating against slavery, Lower Canada -continued to regard it without disfavour; and, even in Montreal, -endeavoured to fix the chains of bondage more firmly upon the -negro. But what the Provincial Legislature did not, although presented -with the example set by Upper Canada, was done in a different -way by Chief Justice Osgood, who in 1803, at Montreal, declared -slavery inconsistent with the laws of the country, and gave freedom -to the persons in that condition. And when the British Act of -Emancipation was passed, in 1833, setting free the slaves in all parts -of the Empire, there was no slaves in Canada, Upper or Lower. -Thirty years previous had the evil been crushed in Lower Canada, -and forty years before Upper Canada had declared that it was -“highly expedient to abolish slavery,” and had enacted laws to -secure its abolition.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the time of the rebellion of 1776–83, slavery was -not limited to the Southern States.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There were a good many held by the old Knickerbocker -families, both amongst the loyalists and rebels. When the families -both of English and Dutch nationality, came as refugees to Canada, -there accompanied them a number of slaves. In many cases these -slaves came of their own accord, would not be separated from their -masters, with whom they always lived; upon whose land they had -been born. Indeed, the attachment between these faithful blacks -and their owners was frequently of the most enduring nature, and, -as we shall see, in some cases, although made free, they would not -leave their old places as domestics.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Rev. Mr. Stuart in his memoir, says, in speaking of his -removal to Canada; “My negroes, being personal property, I take -with me, one of which being a young man, and capable of bearing -arms, I have to give £100 security to send back a white prisoner in -his stead.” Capt. Joseph Allan brought with him from New Jersey, -after the war had ended, to Upper Canada, three slaves—​Tom, Sam -and Sal. The two men, some years after, ran away to Lower -<span class='pageno' id='Page_575'>575</span>Canada. Their owner pursued them to Montreal, and searched for -them for ten days; but failed to get them. He sold the female, -Sal, with her child, to Silas Hill. This boy was afterwards sold to -Abram Barker, who kept him until he became twenty-one, when -he became free. Freedom did not suit him, as he became a worthless -fellow. Major VanAlstine had slaves, whom he treated with -patriarchal kindness, and who lived in great comfort in the old-fashioned -Dutch cellar kitchen, in his home, in Fourth Town. The -Bogarts and John Huyck also had slaves. Capt. Myers had slaves; -one, Black Bet, would never leave him, but continued until his -death, under the care of her old master.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Cartwright, Herkimer, and Everitt, each was the owner of -slaves. And Powles Claus, of the Mohawk settlement, had two -slaves.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Col. Clark speaks, in his memoirs of his mother’s death, in 1789, -and of the funeral, when the negro Joe drove the favorite horses, Jolly -and Bonny, before the sleigh, painted black. Again, Col. C. says: -“After the Declaration of Independence, drovers used to come in -with droves of horses, cattle, sheep and negroes, for the use of the -troops, forts, and settlers in Canada, and my father purchased his -four negroes, three males and one female, named Sue.” In 1812, she -gladly returned to our family, having become old and decrepit. -She died in our house at Fifteen-mile Creek, in 1814.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sheriff Ruttan says, “My uncle brought two negro servants -with him, who were very faithful, hard working fellows.” During -the year of famine, they were sent from Adolphustown to Albany, -“for four bushels of Indian corn; a dreadful hazardous journey -through the forest, with no road, and the snow very deep. They -executed this mission, and returned in safety.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>These slaves were generally faithful, good natured, and occasionally -mischievous. It was the custom, in the first years of -Canada, to place the ovens in the yard upon stakes, and they could -be lifted off them. It is related that sometimes they would carry off -slyly, the oven when filled with good things.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Sheriff Sherwood says: “In answer to your letter of yesterday, -as regards slaves, I only recollect two or three which settled in the -District of Johnstown; one in particular, named Cæsar Congo, -owned by Captain Justus Sherwood, who came with his family in -the same brigade of boats that my father and family did, and located -about two miles above Prescott. They were the very first actual -settlers. Well I remember Cæsar Congo, then a stout, strong young -<span class='pageno' id='Page_576'>576</span>man, and who often took the late Justice Sherwood, of Toronto, and -myself on his back to assist us along, while the boats were drawn -up the rapids. Cæsar was sold to a half-pay officer named Bottom, -who settled about six miles above Prescott, who, after a year’s -service, gave Cæsar his freedom. Cæsar, soon after married suitably, -and by his industry obtained a snug little place in the town of -Brockville, where he lived many years, and died.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Daniel Jones, father of Sir Daniel Jones, of Brockville, had a -female slave, and there were a few others residing in the district of -which I have no personal knowledge.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Squire Bleeker, of the Trent, had a slave called Ham. -Abraham Cronk, of Sophiasburgh, bought a female slave from -Mrs. Simpson, of Myers’ Creek, for $300. After a time, she -returned to Mrs. Simpson, with whom she lived till her death. -This female had a daughter, who grew up to be an unusually -“smart girl.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nicholas Lazier had slaves. One, named Sal, was noted -for her attachment to Methodism, and would go long distances to -attend meetings. As a female slave, Black Betty was one of the -first congregation, to which the first Methodist preacher in America -preached at New York, so this woman was one of the first Methodists -at the Bay, and in Upper Canada. John Cronk and she were -the only Methodists in the Township for a long time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Pryne, who lived a short distance above Bath, had two slaves. -Col. Thompson also had some, and Lieut. McGinness, of Amherst -Isle, likewise possessed them. Capt. Trumpour, of Adolphustown, -had two negroes. Leavens, of Belleville, bought a female slave of -Wallbridge, for $100. A son of hers was purchased by Captain -McIntosh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Hon. Peter Russell, when Receiver-General, had a man -and his wife as slaves, with their son and two daughters.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Samuel Sherwood, writing to a person at Kingston, from -Thurlow, in Oct. 1793, says, “My negro boy, and Canadian boy -have absented themselves last night without leave. I send Jim -and two Indians in pursuit of them. I beg, if you can give any -assistance, you will do me that service. McLean’s black woman is -my boy’s mother, he may call to see her.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have before us the copy of an assignment made in 1824, -by Eli Keeler, of Haldimand, Newcastle, to William Bell, of Thurlow, -of a Mulatto boy, Tom, in which it is set forth, that the said -boy has time unexpired to serve as the child of a female slave, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_577'>577</span>namely, ten years, from the 29th Feb. 1824, according to the laws -of the Province; for the sum of $75. Probably, this was the last -slave in Canada whose service closed, 1835.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There are, at the present time, a good many of the descendants -of the early Canadian slaves. Some of them have done badly, others -again have made themselves respectable and happy. The Mink -family are descended from an old slave that belonged to William -Herkimer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When made free, they, in many instances, preferred to remain -in connection with their old masters, and even to this day, their -children manifest a predilection for the name of their father’s -master. In and about Belleville, may yet be found such as spoken -of. Most, or all of these are descendants of “Black Bess” who, at -different times, was in possession of the Wallbridge’s, Leaven’s, -and McLellan.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the <cite>Ottawa Citizen</cite> of 1867, appeared the following:</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>A British Slave.</span>—​An old negro appeared at the Court of -Assize yesterday, in a case of Morris vs. Hennerson. He is 101 -years of age, and was formerly a slave in Upper Canada, before the -abolition of slavery in the British possessions. He fought through -the American war in 1812, on the side of the British; was at the -battles of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane, and was wounded at Sacket’s -Harbour. He is in full possession of all his faculties. He was born -in New York State in 1766, and was the slave of a U. E. Loyalist, -who brought him to Canada. He was brought to this city to prove -the death of a person in 1803, and another in 1804.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It would seem odd enough at the present day to see the -following advertisements in a Canadian journal. This appeared in -the <cite>Gazette</cite>, Newark:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>For Sale.</span>—​A negro slave, 18 years of age, stout and healthy, -has had the small pox, and is capable of service, either in house or -out door. The terms will be made easy to the purchaser; and cash -or new lands received in payment. Enquire of the Printer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Niagara, November 28th, 1802.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>Indian Slave.</span>—​All persons are forbidden harboring, -employing, or concealing my Indian slave, called Sal, as I am -determined to prosecute any offender, to the utmost extremity of -the law; and persons who may suffer her to remain on their -premises for the space of half an hour, without my written consent, -will be taken as offending, and dealt with according to law.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>Charles Fields</span>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Niagara, August 28th, 1802.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_578'>578</span>“<span class='sc'>For Sale.</span>—​The negro man and woman, the property of Mrs. -(widow) Clement. They have been bred to the business of a farm; -will be sold on highly advantageous terms, for cash or lands. Apply -to Mrs. Clement. Niagara, January 9th, 1802.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have seen that the record of Upper Canada with respect to -the subject of human bondage is particularly bright and honorable. -This Province, in its very infancy, took the lead in severing the -fetters which a dark and penurious age had rivetted upon the bodies -of the African. This blackest curse of the world, which the power -of England assisted to create, and which her offspring, the United -States, continued to perpetuate for so many years, was put aside by -the young Province at the first; while, but a few years later, a -Canadian Judge, of Lower Canada, declared slavery to be inconsistent -with the laws of Canada. These are facts of which every -Canadian may well be proud. It was no “military necessity” which -caused the abolition of slavery in Canada. It was a question of -right, which the Canadian Parliament experienced no difficulty in -solving. How grand the spectacle! How noble the conduct, -setting an example to the world! In striking contrast, behold the -United States. Flaunting their flag of liberty before the gaze of -the world, they cried “All men are born free and equal, with the -right to pursue that course which will lead to happiness;” yet notwithstanding -these principles, enunciated with so much boldness, -and, year after year, proclaimed by wordy fourth of July orators; -they continued, not only to hold slaves, but made the bonds tighter -until oceans of blood had been shed, and the Union was almost -destroyed—​when it could not be saved with slavery, as Lincoln had -declared he would wish to save it; when it became necessary to -strike a blow, which the northern legions had been unable to deal -the Southern Confederacy, then, and not until then, were the slaves -declared to be free. Lincoln said he would save the Union with -slavery, if he could, failing this, then he would enlist the African -slave to assist in saving the Union, by giving them liberty. The -Southern blacks owe their liberty to-day, to the almost superhuman -courage of the people with whom they lived, who held them in -bondage, not, it is true, because their masters wished to liberate -them; but because they were unable to successfully combat the -perfect flood of men that was poured against their northern borders, -and which infested their sea-board with an unbroken circle of armed -vessels, shutting them out from all means of carrying on the unequal -combat. It was this heroic attitude that made it necessary for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_579'>579</span>Lincoln to issue the famous proclamation. Let the freedman thank -the exigency which made necessary the step which broke the back -of the Confederacy, and thereby gave efficiency to the proclamation. -It cannot be doubted that the great body of abolitionists were -from the commencement of the war, anxious to secure the abolition -of slavery; but they were impotent, their councils to the President -were unheeded, their desires disregarded. The great mass of the -Northerners had no sympathy with the poor slave, they only cared -for the Union; and many of them were even dissatisfied that -Lincoln should resort to the plan of freeing them in order to -save the Union. It is abundantly easy, now to declare that, from -the first the Washington Government was determined to abolish -slavery—​that, from the first, it was a war for, and against the life -of that institution; but reading the events of the war, carefully -scanning each page of its history, examining each line, studying -every word; looking with an unbiassed eye upon the whole -gigantic drama, it is submitted there is no reason for believing -that the <em>nation</em> desired to free the slave at all; but, always -excepting the Abolitionist, submitted to the necessity of setting the -negro free, rather than sacrifice the Union, or, rather than be conquered -by the South.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All honor then, to the U. E. Loyalists, in Parliament -assembled, at the young capital of Newark—​the representatives of -the devoted band of refugees, who had been made such by rebels, -who pretended to fight for “liberty,” who placed on record their -interpretation of the word Freedom; that it meant not liberty to a -certain class; but to all, irrespective of color. All honor to the -noble Judge, who had the probity and moral courage to enunciate -a doctrine that at once made every supposed slave in Lower Canada -conscious of being a free man. This noble beginning in the -Canadas was followed by events no less interesting. They became -the asylum of the slave, who were not only sought after by their -Southern masters, but who were chased to the very borders by -Northerners themselves.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_580'>580</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXVI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Returns to the Pioneer—​Bay Region—​Garden of Canada—​Clogs—​False -views of settlers—​Result—​New blood—​Good example—​Anecdote—​The -“Family Compact”—​Partiality—​Origin of the <em>Compact</em>—​Their conduct—​The -evil they did—​A proposed Canadian Aristocracy—​What it would have -led to—​What may come—​“Peter Funks.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE OBSTACLES TO ADVANCEMENT.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>In the section devoted to the first years of Upper Canada there -has much been said having reference to the growth and prosperity -of the Province, and advance of civilization, but something remains -to be told which requires particular notice, and without which our -sketch would not be complete.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The privations endured, and hardships overcome by the pioneers, -tended to make them careful and prudent, and no doubt led to the -more permanent prosperity of their children. As years wore away, -comforts began to reward their toil and patience. Acre after acre -was brought under cultivation; the log house received an addition, -not large, but so as to supply a second room, which a growing family -of boys and girls seriously demanded. Stock began to accumulate, -and the future brightened up before them. In considering the rate -and degree of advancement, it must be remembered that many of -the first settlers were disbanded soldiers, and understood as little -about agriculture as about clearing the land. “Though in most instances, -a man of intelligence, the U. E. Loyalist introduced but a -primitive system of agriculture; and the facilities of acquiring lands -in the western part of the Province, has in a measure prevented that -admixture among them of the more scientific and educated agriculturist -from the old countries, which has helped to improve other -parts of Canada. It has been only of late years, and since the general -establishment of agricultural societies, that the real capacities of the -Midland District has begun to be developed, and improvements introduced, -which have resulted in making, even in the neighbourhood of -Kingston, where the soil was looked upon as comparatively unproductive, -some of the best and handsomest farms that can be seen in -the Province.”—​(Cooper).</p> - -<p class='c000'>The region about the Bay because of its central position, received -the name of Midland District. This district embraced, and at the -beginning of the present century was regarded as the most important -<span class='pageno' id='Page_581'>581</span>and influential part of Canada. But times have changed. Upper -Canada has grown to be the largest and wealthiest province in British -America, and although improvements around the Bay have continued -to increase, yet westward the bulk of the immigrants have found a -home, so that this section no longer holds so important a position. -Nevertheless, as in former years, so now, the Bay country may be -regarded as the garden of Western Canada. Long since the wilderness -has become a fruitful field, and the fertile land has returned to -the toiler a full reward. To the tourist passing along the Bay the -appearance of the lands is exceedingly beautiful, especially in the -days of summer; in June when all things are clothed in the richest -green, and some weeks later when the golden hues of harvest have -gathered over the fields of grain. The substantial residences of the -farmers tell of prosperity and advancement. The old log house -around which clustered so many associations, made dear by the circumstances -of pioneer life, has been superseded by the more pretending -frame building, and this again has been removed to be -followed by elegant, and often stately edifices. The work of improvement -and of beautifying has gone on from year to year, and now the -inhabitants of the Bay are in most cases living in affluence. But -while we mark the advancement, it must not be forgotten that it -ought to have been greater. While we give all credit to the soldier -farmer, for achieving so much, it must be related that there were -certain landholders who were as clogs to the wheel of progress, who -displayed, not that enterprize, at an early day, which they ought to -have done. Had the greedy few who hoarded up land, and grasped -for more, and still more; who stood ready to buy up the land of -every unfortunate one compelled to sell—​had such made themselves -acquainted with the improvements in the agriculture of the day; had -they, instead of leaving the hard workers to make roads across their -lands, opened them up and provided a passible way; had they endeavored -to make their land productive, and by example to show the -struggling farmers a better way, and how to increase and advance; -then, instead of merely the prosperity which now exists, there would -have been great wealth. The broad acres are old enough, the landscape -charming enough, the ground productive enough, and had the -proper spirit been abroad among the class mentioned, those who -aspired to be landed aristocrats then, the Bay Quinté might have -presented, not alone a beauty rivaling that of the Hudson, but also -the palatial mansions which adorn its shores. No more suitable spot -in the wide world can be found for ornamental residences, and it is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_582'>582</span>to be hoped that many with capital and taste, will very shortly proceed -to set examples, for the wealthy farmers in some degree, to -imitate. It may be said it were better the farmers and their children -should have humble ideas, and the fact may be adduced that not a -few of the descendants of the first settlers have, by their excesses in -dress, and by trying to imitate the habits of the dwellers of towns -and cities, laid the foundation of their ruin, by getting into the books -of the merchant, and ultimately becoming helpless in his hands, so -that the fathers heritage passed away to the stranger. But it is forgotten -that such was principally the case with those who, suddenly -becoming well to do, thought, if they desired to associate with the -aristocracy, they must dress in finer clothing, and have clean hands; -that their daughters must cease spinning, and the wife no longer do -housework, that it was a disgrace to be seen working. It was -such feelings and views which creeping in, paved the way for the -downfall of many a one, who had begun to get on in the world; -whereas, had gentlemen by birth and education, and there were such -among the first settlers, given their time to actual improvement, had -shewn that they considered it honorable to work with their hands. -Had they carried their refinement into the more rural parts and -shewn that agriculture and gentility may go together, and that -education is as important for the agriculturist as for any other, -both in enabling him to till the soil with success, and in providing -him with those superior means of enjoyment which a wise Providence -desires us to possess, a most valuable service would have -been rendered. It was because the farmer thought he must dress -as they did in the city, in order to associate with them, and that -labor was not honorable, that ruin came to many a household, -and the names of the first owner of farms are not now there; who -laid low the forest in the infancy of the country. There is no forgetfulness -that those blamed had once been wealthy and occupied -high positions in the old colonies, and owned broad acres. It was -perhaps natural that such persons, exiled in the wilderness, and -struggling with the stern realities of their existence, should aim -to regain a position of similar power and affluence, and were determined -that, although they might not see the return of those independent -days, their children should; so they continued to bend -every energy to secure it. But alas! how rarely was the dream -realized! How few of the limited number who first ruled the -country—​how few of the Family Compact are now in the higher -circle of independence.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_583'>583</span>Respecting the more common settler, it was to be expected -that now and then one would fail to advance—​would fall behind in -the onward march of the country. The wonder is great that so -few of the old soldiers made shipwreck of the liberal grants bestowed -by a motherly government. “The sons of some of those -men who have hewn out a home in the primitive forest, have, in -some cases, through bad management or bad conduct, suffered -their possessions to pass to the stranger: the speculating merchant -has grasped their all under a mortgage, and indolence or dissipation -has completed the ruin.”—​(Cooper). “These evils, however, -are rapidly curing themselves or producing an equivalent or -greater amount of good—​the idle and shiftless sells out to the -practical and industrious farmer, who introduces among his neighbours -the latest improvements in agricultural skill, and implements -of husbandry; new systems of drainage, new stock, or improved -breeds occupy the attention and employ the capital of the father -of a family, whilst his wife and daughters, though well able to -compete with the gayest and grandest, readily forego, when necessary, -the imported and costly silks sported by the family of a less -enterprising neighbour, and set an example of neatness, taste and -appropriateness, in attire.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Cooper, in his essay, relates the following: He says, “The -ideas of enterprize and modern progress entertained by some, may -be illustrated by the following anecdote: When a new road was -proposed leading through some of the best portions of the counties -(of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington), opening up others, and -affording many and great advantages, the benefits of which in short -were apparent to all, and the only question involved was how to -raise the money, a very wealthy landholder, who had amassed his -thousands in the City of Kingston, and part of whose possessions -lay on the route, replied to an application to take stock, that the -effect of the road would be to enable people to steal his timber, -and he declined to subscribe! It is presumed that railroads and -electric telegraphs were not in fashion when this gentleman made -his money.” It was a feeling indulged by many similar to what -this person had, that from the first, assisted to retard the judicious -development of the young country.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Reference has been made to the “Family Compact.” In speaking -of Bishop Strachan, the statement is made that he was honest -in his convictions that Church and State would best serve the -interest of Canada, that in the uneducated state of the people, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_584'>584</span>Government should reside altogether or principally in the hands of -the Governor and Executive Council. But while the honesty of the -late Bishop is thus freely admitted, it must at the same time be -acknowledged that those in authority were not disinterested dispensers -of the good things which always exist in connection with a -Government; and which particularly were provided for the loyalist -settlers of Upper Canada by the British Government. For instance, -it is averred by McMullen, and sharply reiterated by Gourlay, that -“the provisions, clothing, and farming utensils, granted by the -British Government for the benefit of the poor loyalists, were in -many cases handed over to favorites, in others allowed to become -useless from negligence in the public stores.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was not alone provisions, clothing, and farming utensils that -were enjoyed by the favorites. Lands—​choice lands, were to be had -by them, by the choosing. Settlements in Upper Canada commenced -at several points, in each settlement were a few leading -men, half-pay officers, or those who had held important positions -during the Revolutionary war, with a good sprinkling of personal -friends and relatives. At the capital, those were in excess. These -leading men throughout the Province were in the most cases closely -united by consanguinity and marriage; and soon became even more -closely identified in interest—​forming a strong political body, which -derived its life-blood from the Executive. Its members surrounded -the gubernatorial throne, and had the ear of the Governor, they -formed his Councillors, and managed to become his friends; and as -such secured abundantly of the bounties. It was not enough that large -blocks of land should be held in reserve for the Crown, the Clergy, -and for the Indians, which last was right; but choice bits of land -were granted to members of this strong family, compacted together, -to help one another, and the land was left uncultivated, unimproved, -until the energies of the pioneers around had made it more -valuable.</p> - -<p class='c000'>With the departure of Simcoe commenced the manipulations -of this <em>family</em>. That Governor had invited by proclamation, persons -from the United States, who might wish to become Canadians, -and promised them grants of land. But he was re-called, and his -promises were not attended to, although many came to the Province -on their strength. Government ignored them, and it is stated, -with abundant show of plausibility, that the reason was; that the -growing family might have the more land to choose from, and to -leave for their children; and with some, that they might live in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_585'>585</span>England upon the rents derived from Canada, and so “men of -capital and enterprise, who had come into the Province furnished -with cattle and implements to commence the settlement of townships,” -were disappointed. Some of these persons, who desired to -live under the British flag, returned to the States to become truly -republicans, others remained to form an element in the party which -was in time to rise in opposition to the Family Compact. Such, in -brief was the origin of the <cite>Family Compact</cite>. They aspired not -alone, to possess the best tracts of land; but to fill every post of -honor and emolument, to hold the reins of Government exclusively, -and to constitute a select circle of nobility, to act the part of Lords -over vassals; and to this end desired to possess extensive lands -upon which, and around which should grow the belongings to -estated gentlemen. When eight schools were granted certain sums -of money, and the teachers were nominated by the Governor, they were generally -half-pay officers. For a long time they had everything pretty -much their own way. If any dissented from them, he was accused -of disloyalty. Did an honest farmer question their honesty, he was -pointed out as one to be suspected—​as seditious, and as one of the -King’s enemies, against whom it was thought necessary to legislate. -Nor did the House of Assembly, in any respect, for a long time, -interfere with the growth and prosperity of the Family Compact, -for, generally speaking, a member of the <em>family</em> managed to get -elected. The charge is not made that all of the members of the -early Parliaments were of the Compact; but they were more or less -under their influence.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A history of the Family Compact, would be a history of the -political life of Canada for many years, including the rebellion of -1837–8. The attempt has not been made to cast unnecessary -reproach upon the old tory party of Upper Canada. As one brought -up a conservative, the writer is free to admit all mistakes committed -by the party in early times—​to acknowledge that too much -exclusiveness existed among those, forming the leaders of the party, -and occasionally a disregard of justice. And it is freely admitted, -that great mistakes were made by them, mistakes from the effects -of which the country has not yet recovered. But then, they were -but mistakes, and who does not make them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It may, then, be said, that in some respects the Family -Compact retarded the advance of civilization. An aristocracy, -or nobility cannot thrive in a new country and will certainly -fail, and in its efforts to live be a drawback on improvements. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_586'>586</span>In the debate in the Imperial Parliament upon the constitution -of Canada, Mr. Pitt expresses his desire to have established -in Canada, an hereditary nobility. While never endorsing the -extreme views of Gourlay, it is thought he spake the truth when -he said that “nothing could have so exposed the absurdity, -as actual trial and consequent ridicule. By this day we should -have witnessed many a pleasant farce. We should have seen, perhaps, -the Duke of Ontario leading in a cart of hay, my Lord Erie -pitching, and Sir Peter Superior, making the rick; or perhaps, his -Grace might now have been figuring as a petty-fogging lawyer, his -Lordship as a pedlar, and, Sir Knight, as a poor parson, starving on -5,000 acres of Clergy Reserves.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>If we allowed ourselves to speak of the future of our country, -with respect to this question, we should hesitate to say that the -idea of Pitt cannot be carried out. The repulsiveness of Republicanism -is to Canadians so great that we almost entertain the belief -that our Dominion may ultimately develope into a <em>nation</em> with a -constitutional monarchy, with all its surroundings. It would -certainly be infinitely preferable to the “Model Republic.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In strong contrast to the Family Compact, yet likewise -obstructionists in the work of advancement, we now mention -another class.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have said that not a few came to Canada from the States -to trade with the Canadians, to do work, and that some took up -lands, and that of all these a good many became true subjects of the -realm, showing their attachment by taking up arms in 1812. But -while this fact is recognized, it cannot be forgotten, that Canada -was often, is even to-day, plagued with a certain class, styled oftentimes -speculators; but who are in reality of the Peter Funk order. -The class to whom reference is made, is recognized by the honest -Americans themselves. The <cite>New York Tribune</cite>, after the close of -the Southern war, in speaking of the South, says thus: “We hear -that many of the blacks, thoroughly distrusting their old masters, -place all confidence in the Yankees, who have recently come among -them, and will work for these on almost any terms. We regret -this; for while many of these Yankees will justify their confidence, -others will grossly abuse it. New England produces many of the -best specimens of the human race, and along with these, some of -the very meanest beings that ever stood on two legs—​cunning, -rapacious, hypocritical, ever ready to skin a flint with a borrowed -knife, and make (for others) soup out of the peelings. This class -<span class='pageno' id='Page_587'>587</span>soon became too well known at home—​“run out,” as the phrase is—​when -they wandered all over the earth, snuffling and swindling, -to the injury of the land that bore them and cast them out. Now -let it generally be presumed by the ignorant blacks of the South, -that a Yankee, because a Yankee, is necessarily their friend, and -this unclean brood will overspread the South like locusts, starting -schools and prayer-meetings at every cross-road, getting hold of -abandoned or confiscated plantations, and hiring laborers right and -left, cutting timber here, frying out tar and turpentine there, and -growing corn, cotton, rice, and sugar, which they will have sold -at the earliest day and run away with the proceeds, leaving the -negroes in rags and foodless, with winter just coming on.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is unnecessary to say, that civilization was never much -advanced by this class, many specimens of which, time after time, -have visited Canada.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXVII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Agriculture—​Natural Products—​Rice—​Ginseng—​Orchards—​Plows—​Reaping—​Flax—​Legislation—​Agricultural -Society organized by Simcoe—​A -Snuff Box—​Fogies—​Silver—​Want of help—​Midland District taking the -lead—​Societies—​Legislative help—​Prince Edward—​Pearl Ashes—​Factories—​Tanneries—​Breweries, -Carding Machines—​Paper—​Lumber—​First vehicles—​Sleighs—​Waggons—​Home-made—​Roads—​First -Public Conveyances—​Stages—​Fare—​Building Greater—​Sawing Mills introduced by the Dutch—​First -Brick Building—​Myers’ House—​Its past history—​Furniture from -Albany—​Currency—​Paper Money—​Banks—​First Merchants—​Barter—​Pedlars—​On the Bay.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>AGRICULTURAL MATTERS—​PRODUCTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>While the dense forest everywhere yet covered the earth, the -shores of the Bay yielded some natural productions. The wild -plum was plentiful in some places, a fruit which, although in its -natural state somewhat sour, has, under cultivation, much improved -in size as well as quality; and constitutes to this day a valuable -luxury; at the same time, it is exceedingly healthy. In some -places also, at the proper seasons, was the delicious cranberries. -These were often brought by the Indians, and exchanged for some -article of the settlers. In some parts of the Bay, there grew wild -rice, which was much prized by the Indians, and which was often -<span class='pageno' id='Page_588'>588</span>used by the settlers. It is spoken of as an excellent article of diet, -and when boiled with meat, very tasty as well. The grain is much -smaller than the imported article; not unfrequently, the Indians -would collect the grain and sell it to the settlers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1716, a Jesuit discovered in the forests of Canada, -the Ginseng plant, which grew also in China, where it was in much -demand because of certain supposed virtues to which, however, it -rightly has no claim. It is of the <em>genus Panax</em>. It “became a -means of enriching the colony for a time, by its exportation to -China. A pound weight of it worth two francs at Quebec, sold -at Canton for twenty-five francs. Its price ultimately rose to -eighty francs per pound. One year, there was sent thither, ginseng -yielding a return of 500,000 francs. The high price it obtained set -everybody at work to find it. The plant was not in proper condition -till August or September; but with purblind avidity, the -seekers gathered it in May. The fresh plants ought to have been -slowly dried in the shade; the gatherers, anxious to get returns, -dried them in ovens. They then became worthless in Chinese estimation; -and the trade in it ceased almost as suddenly as it began.”—​(Garneau.) -But, according to other authority, the trouble consisted -in the actual destruction of the plant, from gathering it too -early in the season, whereby the plant was killed, which seems a -more likely thing. Some of the settlers of the Bay had knowledge -of the value of the plant in Chinese estimation, as the following -letter will show. It is addressed to Mr. Wm. Bell, of Thurlow, who -was subsequently known as Col. Bell. “Fredericksburgh, 16th July, -1799. Sir—​I have taken the liberty of enclosing to you an advertisement, -as you will see—​Respecting Ginseng roots, having in -view to get all I can—​and, thinking the Indians would be likely to -collect considerable of a quantity, will thank you to acquaint them -of it, or any of the white people you may see; and set up the advertisement -in the most public place about you.—​And oblige, Your -very humble servant, Eben’r Washburn.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Another letter, dated Aug. 27, 1799, says “I have to acknowledge -the attention you have paid to mine of prior date, in respect -of Ginseng. I will thank you to keep the refusal of the 500 lbs. -you mention, if possible, and collect more if you can.” Mr. Washburn -says that he is about to set out for Montreal; and it was, most -likely, to see what market he could make of the article in question.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the first considerations, after the settler had attained -comparative comfort, at least secured what was requisite for life, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_589'>589</span>was the planting of fruit trees. No doubt, the thoughts often -reverted back to the old orchards which had been left behind, and -although the pioneer, in the afternoon of life, could not expect to -derive any personal return for planting orchards, he was anxious to -leave them to his children. This same spirit—​this regard for -offspring, constituted a marked feature in the U. E. Loyalists. The -earliest reference to apple trees we find, is in a letter, dated “Sydney, -22rd July, 1791,” from John Ferguson, to William Bell, Kingston, -requesting the latter to bring some to Sidney.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The implements of husbandry, like the utensils for household -use, were, for a considerable time, of the rudest description. Among -the articles granted by government, were but few to use in the tilling -of land and the reaping of crops. Here and there was one who -had come at a later date, who had fetched with them articles more -essential for farm use; but the great majority had not such things -as hoes, plows, pitch-forks, scythes, &c. Many of these were made -by the settlers, and were of the rudest order, although generally -strong enough, and therefore cumbersome enough. It was many -years before these home-made implements were substituted by -others made abroad. Gourlay informs us, writing, 1817, that most -of the farmers made their own plows and harrows. The iron of the -plow costing from nine to twelve dollars.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As the thickly covered ground, with stumps, materially interfered -with the sowing of grain; so with gathering the products. -For several years, they had only in use the sickle; but, in time, the -Yankee pedlar brought in the scythe, which ultimately took the -place of the sickle.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It has been observed, in connection with the “clothing” of the -early settlers, that they turned their attention to the growing of -flax, and that it was made to afford comfortable and durable habiliments -for both sexes. There was, as well, early attention given to -the cultivation of hemp, “in pursuance of two several addresses of -the House of Commons.” In 1804, £1,000 was granted, and Commissioners -appointed, to carry into effect the object thereof, cultivation -and exportation. The following year, £45 was granted for the -purchase of hemp seed. Another Act was passed in 1808, to -encourage its cultivation and exportation. Again, there was legislation -in 1810, and in 1812, when £1,000 was granted for the -purchase, sale and exportation of hemp, purchase of seed, and for -bounties. In 1822, it was enacted that £300 be appropriated to purchase -machinery for dressing hemp, that the machinery should be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_590'>590</span>imported free, the place for erection to be selected by the Governor, -£50 was to be applied annually to keep it in repair. But, notwithstanding -all this legislation, and substantial encouragement, the -cultivation of hemp did not succeed. The object seems to have -been to supply hemp for the British market, which derived it from -Russia. But labor being cheaper in that country than in Canada, -there was no chance for success. Gourlay says “This absurdity we -must not wholly rest on the shoulders of the simple Canadians. -They were simple indeed, to be voting away the public money; but -it was a patriotic measure, and blindness may be allowable in -matters so elevated and pure. No doubt they were spurred on by -our home ministers, who should have known better. The failure -produced more beneficial effects than would have waited on success.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Gov. Simcoe, who had the interest of the Province so much at -heart, gave his patronage to, if indeed he did not inspire the organization -of the first Agricultural Society, at Newark. Col. Clark, of -Dalhousie says “I have a perfect remembrance of the first Agricultural -Society patronized by Governor Simcoe, who subscribed his -ten guineas a year cheerfully. My father was a member, and the -monthly dinners were given by the members during the season, -with the great silver snuff-box ornamented with the horn of plenty -on its lid.” The Col. remarks that this snuff-box was the property -of the society, and was taken care of by the one who was next to -furnish the dinner; and goes on to lament that it is lost, hoping it -may be found, “that it may remain as an heir-loom to tell posterity -at what an early period the progress of Agriculture was followed -up and which has led to its present high state of perfection.” -Thus we see that in Niagara District, at the very commencement -of the Government of Upper Canada, attention was given, even by -the Governor, to agricultural matters. Although the settlers upon -the Niagara frontier, established agricultural societies at an earlier -date than any found in the Midland Districts, it may be presumed -that it was in a great measure due to the impetus given to the settlement -by the presence of the seat of Government, and the influence -exerted by the Governor. And, although steps may not have been -taken to secure their establishment along the Bay Quinté, yet, even -so early as the beginning of the last decade of the last century, individuals -were to be found who sought to introduce improvements in -agriculture, and everything that would advance the art. At the -same time it must be admitted that a vast number were content to -follow in the footsteps of their fathers so long as food and enough -<span class='pageno' id='Page_591'>591</span>were yielded by the soil. The land was plentiful, and productive. -The course of events was even as a steady stream. The old men -satisfied with the abundance of to-day, and drawing a contrast -between the present and the past, when starvation was at the door, -and in the cupboard, were quite content with the primitive system -of agriculture, which his soldier father had adopted. He saw no -other mode of tilling the soil, and with no reason sought not a -change, so no innovations by scientific agriculturalists disturbed the -quiet repose of many of the steady going plodders. Their sons -rarely went abroad to learn the ways of others; and often what did -come to their ears was regarded with great suspicion. They -wanted no new-fangled notions. Hence, the farms were not fully -cultivated for many a day, parts remaining in a waste state for -want of drain. But the establishment of agricultural associations -and the occasional coming of a new man upon an old farm gradually, -and frequently very gradually, dispelled the old man’s ideas.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The townships most contiguous to the town of Kingston, naturally -were the first to experience prosperity, and gradually the -adjacent townships also became productive, and means were created -to transport the produce to the market.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We are told by Mrs. P—​—​, daughter of John Ham, of Ernesttown, -now upwards of seventy, that she remembers one occasion, -about the beginning of the present century, that her father coming -from Kingston, after selling produce, had a bag of silver dollars, as -much as she could lift—​$900. By this we learn that his farm was -productive, his labor well directed, and that hard cash was paid for -his produce by the Kingston merchants. It shows, moreover, that -this was over and above the cost of what was required of merchandize -by him for his family using.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One serious drawback with the farmers often was the want of -assistants. If a farmer had not a son old enough to help, he was -in great trouble oftentimes to secure the necessary help. Frenchmen -were frequently employed, yet they could not be fully depended -upon to remain during the whole season. At harvest time, when -large wages would be offered, the hired man would often, without -hesitation, leave his employer to go to another who would give for -a while, larger wages. In the absence of men, the wife and -daughters took hold of the fork, cradle, and rake.</p> - -<p class='c000'>If we may credit the statements of writers who had passed -through Canada in the beginning of the present century, the Midland -District took the lead in agricultural and social progress. Mr. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_592'>592</span>Talbot, whose opinion of the Canadians, as to their intelligence, -education, morals, and religion, was anything but flattering, made -a pedestrian tour from the west to Montreal, in 1823. He -says of the inhabitants of Sidney, Thurlow, and Richmond, that -they possessed more wealth than any other people in the Province. -But Mr. Talbot passed only along the Kingston Road by Napanee, -and saw not the townships of the lower part of the bay, or he would -have seen even a more advanced state of prosperity and agricultural -wealth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first formation of agricultural societies was initiated by an -Act of Parliament, passed March 6, 1830. The object of this Act -was to give encouragement to organize associations in the several -districts, “For the purpose of importing live stock, grain, grass, -seeds, useful implements, or whatever else might conduce to the -improvement of agriculture.” It was enacted that each society, -having had subscribed to it £50, should, upon petitioning the -Governor, receive the sum of £100. This Act was to remain in -force four years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This Act was promptly responded to by the inhabitant of the -Midland District. So early as the 27th April following, a meeting -of the inhabitants of the district was held at the Court House, -Kingston, H. C. Thompson, Esq., Chairman, and H. Smyth, Esq., -Secretary, and “A form of a constitution for an Agricultural Society -was read and submitted to the meeting for approval.” The following -day, the adjourned meeting adopted a constitution for the Midland -District Agricultural Society. The officers were to be a President, -five Vice-Presidents, thirty Directors, a Treasurer, and a Secretary—​One -Vice-President, and six Directors to be elected from each of -the five counties in the district. John McCaulay, Esq., was elected -President; David J. Smith, Esq., Treasurer, and H. C. Thompson, -Esq., Secretary of the Society. It was “<em>Resolved</em>” by the Society, -“that Isaac Fraser, Esq., of Addington; Allan McPherson, Esq., of -Lennox; Asa Worden, Esq., of Prince Edward; and William Bell, -Esq., of Hastings, be requested to call meetings in their respective -counties,” and make returns as to whom had been elected for Vice-Presidents -and Directors. The Vice-President for the County of -Frontenac was John Marks, Esq.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the <cite>Hallowell Free Press</cite> of May 31, 1831, we find that the -“Annual Meeting of the Prince Edward Agricultural Association, -was held at Striker’s Inn, in Hallowell, on the 26th instant. The -following officers were chosen for the following year:—​Stephen Miles, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_593'>593</span>President; James Colter, William Cunningham, and Paul Clapp, Vice-Presidents; -S. P. McPherson, Secretary; B. Dougall, Assistant Secretary; -David Smith, Treasurer.” The Government having offered a -bounty of £100 to every society which could raise £50; the Prince -Edward Society raised the necessary amount. But judging from a -communication, which subsequently appeared in the <cite>Press</cite>, the townships -of Hallowell and Hillier, raised the most of the amount, £46; -Marysburgh, Sophiasburgh, and Ameliasburgh, paying only £4.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a General Report of Midland District, 1817, it is stated that -“the assess roll gives about 3,600 horses above two years; 100 -oxen above four years; 6,185 milch cows; 1,654 head of young cattle -above two years.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first great obstacle to agriculture in Upper Canada was the -thickly standing trees, many of which were large and hard in substance. -For the first years, with every one, destruction of the trees -was the only consideration, not even the ashes were thought of. But -after a time, their value for the manufacture of pot and pearl ashes -was recognized. In July, 1801, an Act was passed to appoint Inspectors -of flour, and pot and pearl ashes, in order to establish the -credit of those articles in foreign markets, the fee for examining to be -threepence per barrel of flour, and one shilling for every cask of pot -ash.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following appears in the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, April 19, 1817, -after stating that “a Pearl and Pot Barley Factory is to be established -in Ernesttown. It is said this is the first establishment of the kind we -recollect to have heard of in Upper Canada, we have seen some of the -barley, and think it equal to that imported. Such domestic manufactories -ought to be encouraged by the community.”</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>AGRICULTURE—​FACTORIES—​MERCHANTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The first Brewery and Distillery established in Upper Canada, -was built by John Finkle, of Ernesttown, on his own place. He -also kept, for many years the only tavern between Kingston and -York. Mr. Finkle also built the first Masonic Lodge of Upper -Canada, at his own expense, upon the town plot of Fredericksburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is stated in Gourlay, that in 1817, there was in Kingston -township “a machine for carding wool, at the rate of nine-pence -per pound.” In Ernesttown “there were two carding, and one -fulling machines. One barley hulling mill, together with a blast -furnace. Carding is nine-pence half-penny per pound, and fulling -six-pence per yard.” In Sophiasburgh there was one carding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_594'>594</span>machine. In Hallowell, there was one carding, and one fulling -machine. Thurlow had two carding machines, and two fulling mills. -In the whole Midland District, there were twenty-four grist-mills -and forty saw-mills.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Morden, who came to the bay about 1790, “was a man -well known in his day, being a manufacturer of general household -goods, as chairs, spinning-wheels, flax-dressers, weaver’s apparatus, -and other things. In the house of mostly every descendant of a -Quinté settler, may be found some of his work, especially those who -occupy the homesteads.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>As an indication of the desire of Government to encourage -home manufactures, we find that Parliament, in 1826, granted £125 -as a premium to the first “who should set up a manufactory of -paper,” and bring it into successful operation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The valuable timber that thickly covered the ground, was, at -the first, indiscriminately destroyed, scarcely thinking of saving -the ashes; but, in a few years, the majestic pine, oak, elm, and -other trees of the forest were sought after by the lumber merchant. -For many years, lumbering was carried on in the Bay Quinté, and -rafted to Montreal, and was a source of no little profit.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The wilderness was trackless, and of course some time elapsed -before vehicles of any kind could be used, except in winter, after -the bays and rivers had frozen. Rude sleighs, made by inferior -tools, were the first made. At first hand-sleighs; and then heavier -ones, to be used with oxen and horses. But as the beasts of burden -were scarce, there was but one here and there, who had occasion to -make a vehicle of any kind, except what could be hauled by hand. -The sleighs were often used in summer to haul in grain and hay -from the field. Some constructed a sort of waggon by sawing a -hard-wood tree, of suitable size across, making four pieces about a -foot in length. Holes having been bored through the centre of the -blocks, they constituted the wheels of the waggon. The axle-tree -of hard-wood was then fashioned to suit the wheels, and in this way -a rough, but serviceable vehicle was made, which proved of great -use, especially in hauling grain and hay to the place of stacking. -The account of one is given which would carry as much as 150 -sheaves.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As years elapsed, and roads were cut and made passable, -waggons were introduced. One of the first waggons brought into -the Province was, it is said, by Jacob Cronk, of Sophiasburgh. It -came from Duchess County, New York. The second one was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_595'>595</span>brought by James Way. Possibly this is not true, but at least they -were the first introduced into that township.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first public conveyance by land between Kingston and -Montreal, was made by Dickenson. He called on Judge Cartwright -to consult him about opening a line of stage travel. Consequently, -in 1808, a line was established. It ran all the year round, though -not so regularly in summer as in winter. “Lumber gentlemen -from Quebec traveled through by the stage.”—​(Finkle.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was not until the war of 1812, that a line of stages was commenced -between Kingston and York. By an advertisement in the -<cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>, it is learned that in June, 1817, “A stage was -commenced running from Kingston to York, leaving Kingston -every Monday morning at six o’clock, and York every Thursday -morning, same hour.” “Persons wishing for a passage will call at -Mr. David Brown’s Inn, Kingston, where the stage-books will be -kept. From twenty to twenty-eight pounds baggage will be allowed -to each passenger, over this they must be charged for. All baggage -sent by the stage will be forwarded with care, and delivered -with punctuality, and all favors acknowledged by the public’s -humble servant. (Signed), Samuel Purdy, Kingston, January 23, -1817. N.B. Stage fare, eighteen dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The same year, Lieutenant Hull, traveling in Canada, writes -that there is a stage waggon from Montreal to Prescott, which -carries the mail. From thence to Kingston the mail is carried on -horseback. The stage waggon, he remarks, is the roughest conveyance -on either side of the Atlantic.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first buildings were of logs, generally put up in their -natural rough state; now and then, as the Government mill at -Kingston, the logs were squared. There was only one way of -procuring sawed lumber, and that was by the whip saw. But few -of the settlers thought of spending the time and labor necessary to -obtain what was not strictly necessary. Houses, barns, saw-mills, -flouring-mills, even breweries and still-houses were all alike constructed -of logs. Indeed, many a one had no barn for years; stacking -his grain, and thrashing upon the ground, made smooth and hard. -When, however, sawing-mills began to spring up here and there, -sawed lumber became a more common article, and after several -years, individuals, better off than others, began to put up framed -buildings, both houses and barns, and so forth. Sawing-mills were -introduced originally into America by the Dutch, and it was their -descendants who introduced them into Canada. But it was slowly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_596'>596</span>done. It required no little capital to procure even the small amount -of machinery which was then used, and to have it brought so long -a distance. Then, millwrights were not plentiful, and often inferior -in skill. Indeed there was nothing at hand by which -to erect sawing-mills, until after many years. In the meantime, -the whip saw enabled them to construct something like a -door for the house and log barn; and rough sort of furniture was -made for the house. But toward the close of the last century, sawing-mills -became somewhat numerous. The demand for lumber -was foreseen, and those who had a water privilege set about to get -up a mill. Following the saw-mill came the grist-mill, which, -though more needed than the former, because of its greater expense, -was not built until a later period. It was about the first of -1800, that frame buildings began to appear in the first, second, and -third townships particularly, to take the place of the log hut. Mr. -George Finkle, of Ernesttown, says, his father Henry Finkle, who, -during the war, had learned the use of carpenter’s tools, in the Engineer -Department, built, with his whip saw and cross-cut saw, the first -frame house in the country. He also built the first school-house, and -a dwelling house for the teacher on his own premises. Likewise, the -first wharf along the bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We have made somewhat extensive enquiries, and believe we are -correct in stating that the oldest brick building in Upper Canada is -situated upon the brow of the hill at Belleville. We also entertain -the belief that it was the first, certainly one of the very first brick -buildings put up in the Province. It is known as Myers’ House, -having been built by Captain Myers about the year 1794. This quaint -edifice, upon which the tooth of time is eating so peacefully, standing -upon the brink of the hill was, when new, of most imposing appearance; -and, no doubt, stood up grandly, overlooking the winding river, and -the thickly set cedars at its base. The bricks were made in Sidney -<em>at the Myers Place</em>, five miles east of Trenton. Captain Myers -was a man of great hospitality, which was shared in by his estimable -spouse, whose short stature and genial face is remembered by some -yet living. They served visitors at the brick house always with an -excellent board. Here, many a distinguished traveler between Kingston -and York, Dr. Strachan among the number, found a welcome. -Not less so was it with the farmers round about, who came long -distances to get grists ground; all such were invited to the table and -supplied with a bed until the grist was ground. The furniture for -the house was procured at Albany.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_597'>597</span>In June, 1796, an Act was passed “for the better Regulation of -certain Coins current in the Province;” and it was enacted that the -British guinea, the Johannes of Portugal, the moidore of Portugal, -the American eagle, the British crown, the British shilling, the Spanish -milled dollar, the Spanish pistareen, the French crown, and several -other French pieces; the American dollar, should pass as legal tender -at certain specified value.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The punishment for tendering “a counterfeit, knowingly,” of any -of the gold or silver coins of Great Britain, Portugal, the United -States, Spain, or France, was to suffer one year’s imprisonment, and -be set in and upon the pillory for the space of one hour, in some conspicuous -place, and upon a second conviction, he should be adjudged -guilty of felony without benefit of clergy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first paper money issued in America, was by the Anglo-Americans -in 1689, to pay the troops under Sir William Phipps, when -he returned from the unsuccessful seige of Quebec. The value ranged -from ten pounds to two shillings.</p> - -<p class='c000'>During the war of 1812, in 1813, an Act was passed “to facilitate -the circulation within the Province, of Army Bills, issued by the -authority of the Lower Province.” It was to continue one year -unless peace was declared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first Legislation in Upper Canada, with respect to banks, -was in 1819, when the Bank of Kingston, or, as it was subsequently -called Pretended Bank of Upper Canada, was incorporated; but, -this was “forfeited by non-user,” although the institution was in -operation, under the title of “the President, Directors, and Company -of the Bank of Upper Canada.” Legislation was made in 1823, to -settle the affairs of the “pretended bank.” The commissioners were -George Herkimer, Markland, John Kirby, and John Macaulay. Repeated -Acts were necessary before the affairs of this company were -fully settled.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1819, was also passed an Act to “form the Company of the -Bank of Upper Canada.” It was reserved for the assent of His -Majesty, which was given and made known by proclamation in 1821. -Among the names of those who petitioned for the Act of Incorporation, -are those of Allan, Baldwin, Legge, Jackson, Ridout, Boulton, -Robinson, Macaulay, Cameron, and Anderson. This bank, the failure -of which so recently occurred, was, in its time, of great benefit to the -Province, and it deserved a better fate.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A necessary attendant of civilization is a sufficient supply of -such merchandize as is requisite to give comfort, and even luxuries. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_598'>598</span>The long distance of the first settlers of Upper Canada from the -marts of commerce, with a barrier of forest, and the swift rapids of -the St. Lawrence, kept out for many a day, many comforts, and all -luxuries. But in time, persons engaged in the mercantile business, -and articles of various kinds began to find their way into the wilderness-bound -colony. The first merchants of the Province were engaged in -the fur trade; but, as time passed away, they found customers among -the settlers, who bought their produce, and, in return, brought to them -goods.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the first, and the principal merchants of Upper Canada -were Duncan, of Matilda; Cartwright, of Kingston; Hamilton, of -Queenstown; and Robertson, of Sandwich. These gentlemen, we -have seen, occupied conspicuous positions, and amassed no little -wealth; unless we except Duncan, who removed. The Hon. -Robert Hamilton, it is said, died, leaving an estate worth £200,000.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Colonel Clarke, of Dalhousie, speaks of his brothers Peter and -James, who “turned merchants, having been supplied with an assortment -of goods from Montreal. In 1790, they went into the Indian -trade at Kingston, which had a great communication with the back -lakes.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>We also learn that Mr. Macaulay carried on business first at -Carleton Island, and afterward at Kingston, with no little profit. One -of the oldest settlers in Kingston was Joseph Forsyth. He became -one of the first merchants in Kingston, and for many years conducted -a lucrative business with the Indians and settlers. He “ever maintained -the character of an upright and reputable merchant.” He died -20th September, 1813, aged fifty-three.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A bartering trade commenced between the settlers in the township -of Kingston, and the nearer townships, and some persons at -Carleton Island; gradually the field of operation was transferred to -Kingston. Many of the loyalists, who were constantly arriving, procured -food and a few other things at these places.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1817, there were in the Township of Kingston sixty-seven -stores and shops, this includes the different denominations of shops -kept by mechanics. In the whole of Midland District there were -about eighty-eight merchants’ shops: twenty-four storehouses. Mr. -Gourlay says, at this time, that Kingston is the third place in the -Canadas, Quebec and Montreal being first.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When want no longer rested upon the inhabitants, they began to -look even for comforts and luxuries. They were supplied now and -then with articles, both those essential to living, and those which may -<span class='pageno' id='Page_599'>599</span>be called comforts and luxuries, by itinerant merchants. These -pedlars were generally from the States, and often managed to drive -bargains in which the settler received not a fair return for the grain or -other article he parted with. But some of the pedlars were honest, and -ultimately became settlers and good loyal subjects. One of the first, probably -the first, to visit the western extremity of the bay, was one Asa -Walbridge, an old bachelor, somewhat eccentric, and withal shrewd, -he not only turned an honest penny, but contributed very much to the -welfare and comfort of the settlers. His head-quarters, when ashore, -were at the mouth of Myers’ Creek, where he was the first to erect a -log house. It was he brought in many of the first fruit trees, which -have rendered many of the old farms more valuable. He brought in -the seeds from the States, and planted numbers here and there, -often from motives of kindness alone. We have been told that all -the old orchards in Prince Edward came from his planting. Some -of the merchants in Kingston entrusted goods to local storekeepers -by whom the settlers were also supplied with articles of different -kinds.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dr. Armstrong says, I ought not to omit the name of James -Cummings, Esq., merchant, of the Port of Hallowell, now Picton. -He was a man of sterling integrity, upright and just in all his dealings. -He was greatly respected and esteemed, and died in the midst -of his manhood, greatly lamented, about the year 1818. He was a -younger brother of the late John Cummings, of Kingston.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXVIII.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Steam vessels—​Crossing the Atlantic in 1791—​First Steam Vessel—​Hudson—​The -second on the St. Lawrence—​First across the Atlantic—​In -Upper Canada—​<em>Frontenac</em>—​Built in Ernesttown—​The Builders—​Finkle’s -Point—​Cost of Vessel—​Dimensions—​Launched—​First Trip—​Captain -McKenzie—​<em>Walk-in-the-Water</em>—​<em>Queen Charlotte</em>—​How Built—​Upon Bay -Quinté—​Capt. Dennis—​First year—​Death of Dennis—​Henry Gilderslieve—​What -he did—​Other Steamboats—​Canals—​First in Upper Canada—​Welland -Canal—​Desjardin—​Rideau—​Its object—​Col. By—​A proposed Canal—​Railroads—​The -first in the world—​Proposed Railway from Kingston to Toronto, -1846—​In Prince Edward District—​Increase of Population—​Extract from -Dr. Lillie—​Comparison with the United States—​Favorable to Canada—​False -Cries—​The French—​Midland District, 1818.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE FIRST STEAM VESSELS—​CANALS, RAILWAYS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>We have already, under “Traveling in early Times,” spoken -of the first vessels that floated upon the waters of the western -<span class='pageno' id='Page_600'>600</span>world, and we design now to speak of those which advancing civilization -brought, to a certain extent, to supersede the original boats -used by the Indians and first European colonisers. At the present -day Europe is brought into close relationship with us by the swiftly -running steamer, while the two continents hold daily intercourse by -means of the telegraph; yet, not a century ago, it required many -months for the slow-sailing ship to traverse the breadth of the -Atlantic. In 1789, mails with England was only twice a year. At -the time Simcoe came to Canada, in 1791, there were only those -merchant ships that made altogether eleven voyages in the year. -“A Traveler,” writes, that “regular packets across the Atlantic, -first sailed in 1764. The Liverpool Packet Line began running -in 1818.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The river Hudson, named after the navigator of that name, -who ascended this splendid stream, called, by the native Indians, -“The great River of Mountains,” in 1609, has the honor of being -the place whereon floated the first steamboat that existed in the -world. The boat was launched in the year 1807, being named -‘Clermont.’ It was of 150 tons burden. The engine was procured -from Birmingham. Robert Fulton, of New York, though not the -originator of steam power, was the first in America who directed it -to the propelling of boats. Fulton, the pioneer in boats by steam, -lived not long enough to see accomplished the grand end of propelling -boats thus across the Atlantic. He died in 1815. The second -steamboat built in America, was launched at Montreal, 3rd Nov., -1809, built by John Molson. It was called <em>Accommodation</em>, and plied -between Montreal and Quebec. At the first trip it carried ten -passengers from Montreal to Quebec, taking thirty-six hours. The -whole city of Quebec came out to see her enter the harbor. The -fare was eight dollars down, and nine up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is found stated that the first steamboat from America to -England, was in 1819; and the first steamboat built in Great Britain -was in 1812, by Henry Bell, of Glasgow. But the following is found -in the Portland <cite>Advertiser</cite>:—​“The first steamship which made the -voyage, under steam throughout, across the Atlantic, was the <em>Royal -William</em>, in 1833. This vessel was of 180 horse-power, and 1,000 -tons burden, and built at a place called Three Rivers, on the St. -Lawrence, in Canada. The voyage was made from Picton, Nova -Scotia to Cowes, Isle of Wight.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first steamboat on Lake Ontario, the <em>Frontenac</em>, was built -upon the shores of the Bay, at Finkle’s Point, Ernesttown, eighteen -<span class='pageno' id='Page_601'>601</span>miles from Kingston, and within the corporation of Bath. She was -commenced in October, 1815, and launched the following season. -The three years of war had caused many changes in Upper Canada. -On the whole, it may be said that the war materially benefitted the -Province. After peace, things did not relapse into their former -state. A spirit of enterprise was abroad, especially in the mercantile -community. The leading men of Kingston conceived the -idea of forming a company to build a steamboat, to ply on Lake -Ontario, and the navigable waters of the St. Lawrence. A company -was consequently formed, composed of individuals belonging to -Kingston, Niagara, Queenston, York, and Prescott. The shareholders -of Kingston were Joseph Forsyth, Yeomans, Marsh, Lawrence -Herkimer, John Kirby, Capt. Murney, William Mitchell, and, in -fact, all of the principal men except the Cartwright family. Advertisements -were issued for tenders to construct the boat. The -advertisement was responded to by two parties; a Scotchman, -by the name of Bruce, from Montreal, and Henry Teabout, from -Sacket’s Harbor. Bruce was several days at Kingston before the -other person arrived, and he supposed he would get the contract. -Mr. Finkle says Teabout came with a letter from Hooker and Crane -to Johns and Finkle, informing them who Teabout was, and asking -them to favor him with their influence in procuring the contract. -The letter was shown to Mr. Kirby, of Kingston, who was one of -the committee of the company. Mr. Kirby assured Finkle and -Johns, that notwithstanding the prejudice which existed on account -of the war, the tender of Teabout should receive every justice. No -other tender being made, the committee met and decided, by a small -majority, to accept Teabout’s. All those who voted for Bruce “were -either Scotch or of Scottish descent.” Teabout having received -the contract, at once, with Finkle, set about to find a place to build. -After two day’s examination of the coast, he selected Finkle’s -Point, in consequence of the gravelly nature of the shore, as thereby -would be obviated the delay which frequently followed rains, where -soils would not quickly dry. “The next consideration was to -advance £5,000 to go to New York and procure a ship carpenter -and other necessaries to commence operations. Accordingly, we -(Johns and Finkle) became security, with the understanding that -so soon as the boat should be so far advanced as to be considered -worth the security, our bond would be returned. So satisfactorily -did the work progress, that the bond was shortly handed to us by -the Treasurer, who was William Mitchell. Here I will digress a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_602'>602</span>short time. During the war of 1812, David Eckford, the Master -ship-builder, of New York, was sent to Sacket’s Harbour, to take -charge of the ship building at that place, and brought with him his -carpenters. Among them were three young men, Henry Teabout, -James Chapman and William Smith. The last was born on Staten -Island, the other two in New York. Teabout and Smith served -their time with Eckford. Chapman was a block turner. At the -close of the war, these three formed a co-partnership, and Teabout, -in contracting for building the <em>Frontenac</em>, was acting for the company. -Before building the steamboat, they had built for themselves -at Sacket’s Harbour, the <em>Kingston</em>, the only craft plying between -Sacket’s and Kingston, and a fine schooner for the Lake, called the -<em>Woolsley</em>. Chapman was in charge of the <em>Kingston</em>, and was doing a -more than ordinary profitable business. Bruce’s friends wished to -do something for him, and had him appointed, at a guinea a day, to -inspect the timber (of the Frontenac). His study was to delay the -building of the boat; there was a constant contest between him -and Teabout.”—​(Finkle). The contract price of the wood work was -£7,000. When the boat was almost ready for the machinery, the -contractor’s funds were expended. The engine cost £7,000. Before -the vessel was completed, the cost reached nearly the sum of -£20,000.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite> informs us that “On Saturday, the 7th -of September, 1816, the steamboat <em>Frontenac</em> was launched at the -village of Ernesttown. A numerous concourse of people assembled -on the occasion. But, in consequence of an approaching shower, a -part of the spectators withdrew before the launch actually took -place. The boat moved slowly from her place, and descended with -majestic sweep into her proper element. The length of her keel is -150 feet; her deck, 170 feet; (the tonnage was about 700). Her -proportions strike the eye very agreeably; and good judges have -pronounced this to be the best piece of naval architecture of the -kind yet produced in America. It reflects honor upon Messrs. -Trebout and Chapman, the contractors, and their workmen; and -also upon the proprietors, the greater part of whom are among the -most respectable merchants and other inhabitants of the County of -Frontenac, from which the name is derived. The machinery for -this valuable boat was imported from England, and is said to be of -an excellent structure. It is expected that she will be finished and -ready for use in a few weeks. Steam navigation having succeeded -to admiration in various rivers, the application of it to the waters of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_603'>603</span>the Lakes is an interesting experiment. Every friend to public -improvements must wish it all the success which is due to a spirit of -useful enterprise.” The <cite>Gazette</cite> adds: “A steamboat was lately -launched at Sacket’s Harbor. The opposite side of the Lake, which -not long ago vied with each other in the building of ships of war, -seem now to be equally emulous of commercial superiority.” -Gourlay says the boat at Sacket’s Harbor was on a smaller scale, -and less expensive. “She, the <em>Frontenac</em>, was estimated to cost -£14,000; before she commenced her watery walk, her cost exceeded -£20,000.”—​(Finkle). “The deck was 170 feet long and thirty-two -feet wide, draws only eight feet when loaded. Two paddle-wheels, -with about forty feet circumference; answers slowly to the helm.”—​(Howison).</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite>, of May 24, 1817, says, “Yesterday afternoon -the steamboat left Mr. Kirby’s wharf for the dock at Point -Frederick. We are sorry to hear, that through some accident, the -machinery of one of the wheels has been considerably damaged, -notwithstanding which, however, she moved with majestic grandeur -against a strong wind. We understand she has gone to the dock, -it being a more convenient place for putting in a suction pipe.” -The same paper, of May 31, 1817, further says, “The steamboat -<em>Frontenac</em>, after having completed the necessary work at the Naval -Yard, left this port yesterday morning, for the purpose of taking -in wood at the Bay Quinté. A fresh breeze was blowing into the -harbor, against which she proceeded swiftly and steadily, to the -admiration of a great number of spectators. We congratulate the -managers and proprietors of this elegant boat, upon the prospects -she affords of facilitating the navigation of Lake Ontario, by furnishing -an expeditious and <em>certain mode</em> of conveyance to its various -ports.” “June 7th, 1817. The <em>Frontenac</em> left this port on Thursday -(5th,) on her first trip for the head of the Lake.” She was commanded -by Capt. James McKenzie, of the Royal Navy, the first -trip she made, who continued in command until she was no longer -seaworthy. The Purser was A. G. Petrie, of Belleville, now far -advanced in years. The <em>Frontenac</em> made the trip up and down the -Lake and River, to Prescott, once a week. Whether she went -further west than York, at first, is uncertain. Capt. Jas. McKenzie -“came to Canada with the first division of the Royal Navy, sent -from England to serve on the Lakes during the war of 1812. At -the conclusion of the war, he returned to England, and was placed -on half pay; but his active habits led him to consider and study the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_604'>604</span>powers of the steam engine, and he soon became acquainted with -its complicated machinery. In 1816, he returned to Kingston, and -assisted in fitting up the <em>Frontenac</em>, which he commanded till she -was worn out. Since, he has commanded the <em>Alciope</em> on this Lake, -and at the time of his death, (27th August, 1832, aged 50), was -engaged in the construction of two other steamboats; one at the -head of the Lake, and one at Lake Simcoe; and was, on most -occasions, consulted respecting the management of steamboats, so -that he may justly be called the father of steam navigation in Upper -Canada—​his death may be considered a great loss to society and to -the country.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first steamboat built to ply on Lake Erie was “Walk-in-the-Water,” -built at Buffalo at the same time the “Frontenac” was -built, and commenced her watery walk about the same time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Respecting the <em>Kingston</em>, built at Sacket’s Harbor, we find -it stated she was intended to ply between Lewiston and Ogdensburgh, -but after a trial of a few months the undertaking was found to be -either unprofitable or too much for the powers of the vessel to -accomplish, and she afterwards employed ten days in making the -round trip of 600 miles. She was 100 feet long and 24 feet wide, -measuring 246 tons. The wheels were about 11 feet in diameter, -and the capacity of the engine 21 horse power.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Almost immediately after the <em>Frontenac</em> was launched a -second steamboat was commenced. The material which had been -collected while building the <em>Frontenac</em> had not all been used, and -went far in the construction of the “Queen Charlotte,” which was -destined to be the pioneer steamer upon the Bay Quinté and River -St. Lawrence, in its upper waters. She was built by shares of £50 -each. Johns and Finkle had nine shares. She was built, (Gilderslieve -being the principal shipwright,) launched, and commenced running -in the early part of 1818. The engine was furnished by Brothers -Wards of Montreal, being made at their foundry. She was not long -launched before she was ready to run. She made trips twice a week -from Wilkins’ wharf, at the Carrying Place, to Prescott. She was -commanded a few of the first trips by an old veteran captain named -Richardson, who lived then near Picton, and afterward to the close -of the season, by a young man named Mosier. Of the number of passengers -on the first trip we have no knowledge, but suppose them to -be few, for Belleville, then the largest place above Kingston, was a -mere hamlet—​Trent, Hallowell, Adolphustown and Bath were -the only stopping places from the head of the Bay to Kingston. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_605'>605</span>They were regulated in their course, the first summer by frequently -heaving the lead, an old man-of-war’s-man being on board for the -purpose. (Collins reported in 1788 that vessels drawing only from -eight to ten feet of water can go into the Bay Quinté). For two -seasons she was commanded by Capt. Dennis; Mr. Gilderslieve was -purser the second and third seasons; and the fourth commenced his -captaincy, which lasted as long as the boat was seaworthy, a period -of nearly twenty years; he was, at the building, a master shipwright, -and became a stockholder.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Says Mrs. Carroll, “of the fare from place to place I have no -knowledge, but from the head of the bay to Kingston, the first season -it was five dollars, meals included.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The good old Charlotte was a very acceptable improvement in -the navigation of the Bay. A few of the owners of sailing crafts, -perhaps, suffered for a time; but the settlers regarded her as an unmixed -blessing. During the first years she was so accommodating -as to stop any where to pick up a passenger from a small boat, or -let one off.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The old inhabitants of to-day speak of her with words of kindness. -But the <em>Queen Charlotte</em> has passed away. The last remembered -of her was her hull rotting away in the Cataraqui Bay above -the bridge.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The steamer did not prove remunerative to the stockholders -until Gilderslieve became the commander. Of the second Captain, -we produce the subjoined from a Toronto daily of 1867:</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Death of Mr. Dennis.</span>—​“We observe with much regret the -death of Joseph Dennis, Esq., of Weston, and with it the severance of -another link connecting us with the early history of this country. -Mr. Dennis was born in New Brunswick in 1789, his father, the -late John Dennis, having settled there after being driven out of the -United States as a U. E. Loyalist. The family removed to Canada -some three years later, Mr. John Dennis receiving a grant of land -for his services and losses as a Loyalist. This land was selected on -the Humber river, and on it he then settled and lived, till having -been appointed Superintendent of the dock-yard, he removed to -Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Our recently deceased friend, Mr. Joseph Dennis, was brought -up in the dock-yard to a thorough knowledge of ship-building, which -occupation, however, he soon exchanged for a more congenial -one—​that of sailing. Owning a vessel on the lake at the outbreak -<span class='pageno' id='Page_606'>606</span>of the American war of 1812, he placed himself and his vessel at the -disposal of the Government, and was attached to the Provincial -Marine. In one of the actions on Lake Ontario he lost his vessel, -was captured, and retained a prisoner in the hands of the enemy for -some fifteen months. He subsequently commanded, we believe, the -first steamer on the waters of Lake Ontario, the <em>Princess Charlotte</em>, -which plied, as regularly as could be expected from a steamer of fifty -years back, between the Bay of Quinté, Kingston, and Prescott. -For the last six and thirty years Mr. Dennis had retired from active -pursuits, retaining, till within the last year, remarkable vigour, which, -however, he taxed but little excepting to indulge his taste in fishing, -of which he was an enthusiastic disciple. A man of genial and -happy temperament, of unbending integrity, of simple tastes and -methodical habits, he was a type of man fast passing out of this -country.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The successor of the “Charlotte” was built by John G. Parker, -called the “Kingston” commanded for a time by John Grass. She -did not prove so serviceable as the “Charlotte.” Then followed the -“Sir James Kemp,” which was built also at Finkle’s Point.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A history of the first steamboats of the bay would be incomplete -without particular reference to one individual, whose name is -even yet associated with one of the steamboats which ply up and -down the Bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Henry Gilderslieve came into Canada about a month before -the Frontenac was launched, in August, 1816. He was the son of a -ship-builder, who owned yards on the Connecticut river, and built -vessels for the New York market. Being a skilful shipwright he -assisted to finish off the Frontenac, and then as master ship-builder, -assisted at the Charlotte. During this time Mr. Gilderslieve himself -built a packet named the Minerva. In building this vessel he brought -to his assistance the knowledge he had acquired in his father’s yard. -The result was, that when she was taken to Kingston to receive -her fittings out, Capt. Murney examined her inside and out, and -particularly her mould, which exceeded anything he had seen, and -declared her to be the best craft that ever floated in the harbour of -Kingston, which afterward she proved herself to be, when plying -two years as a packet between Toronto and Niagara.—​(Finkle).</p> - -<p class='c000'>At a later date Mr. Gilderslieve superintended the building of -the “Sir James Kemp,” at Finkle’s Point. This was the last built -there, after which Mr. Gilderslieve commenced building at Kingston. -Here were constructed the Barry, a lake boat, with two engines, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_607'>607</span>which in its third year of running collided with the schooner Kingston, -at night, and immediately sank, the passengers only being -saved; the <em>Prince of Wales</em>, the <em>New Era</em>, and the <em>Bay of Quinté</em>. -Thus it will be seen that Mr. Gilderslieve’s name is associated with -most of the steamers which have plowed the waters of the Bay, first -as a skilful shipwright, then commander and shareholder, and finally -as a successful proprietor of a ship-yard, and owner of vessels. Says -one who knew him long: “Of Mr. Gilderslieve’s business habits there -are numerous evidences, for years it seemed that everything he -touched turned to gold, hence the wealth he left behind him, and I -can say, that during the many years I knew him, I never heard a -want of honest integrity laid to his charge, he died in the fall of, I -think, 1851, of cholera, much lamented and greatly missed.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following we clip from a paper of 1842:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In 1821 the new steamboat <em>Prince Edward</em>, built at Garden -Island, and intended for the Bay of Quinté route, made her trial -trip to Bath and back last week in three hours. She is beautifully -finished, but being rather <em>crank</em> in the water, it will probably be -necessary to give her false sides.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The new steamboat <em>Prince of Wales</em>, built at the marine railway -by Mr. Shea, and intended for the Bay, was also tried last week, -and performed well. She has the engine of the <em>Sir James Kempt</em>.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Canals.</span>—​The mighty water way from the Atlantic to the head -water of the western lakes is interrupted in its course by numerous -rapids down rock-strewed channels, and by the Falls of Niagara. These -natural obstacles to navigation had to be overcome by artificial -means, before the water road could become a highway. This has -already been done for vessels of a certain tonnage, by constructing -the St. Lawrence Canals—​the Lachine Canal, Beauharnois, and -Cornwall, which were completed in 1847; and the Welland Canal, -across the Niagara District, to Lake Erie. The distance from this -Lake to Montreal, is 367 miles. The total fall in this way, is -564 feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the war of 1812, seeing the importance of inland navigation, -beyond the easy reach of an enemy, the country was -explored with the view of securing navigation between Montreal -and Kingston. It was proposed to open a “new route up the Ottawa -to the mouth of the Rideau, and up that river near to its head -waters, thence by a short portage to Kingston Mill river, and down -that stream to Kingston;” but the want of means for a time delayed -the work, although, at the time mentioned, advertisements were -made for estimates.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_608'>608</span>The Welland Canal Company was incorporated in 1824, by -Act of Parliament. The projector and the most earnest worker -securing this important work, was the late William Hamilton -Merritt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first canal cut in Canada, was that between Burlington -Bay and Lake Ontario. An Act to provide for this was passed in -March, 1813.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1826, the Desjardin Canal Company was incorporated by -Act of Parliament, in accordance with the petition of Peter -Desjardin, and others, to make a canal between Burlington Bay and -the village of “Coats’ Paradise.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“At Kingston is the outlet of that stupendous work, the -Rideau Canal, an immense military highway, connecting the Ottawa -and St. Lawrence Rivers. The locks on this canal are amongst the -grandest structures of the same nature in the world. The undertaking -was commenced and carried out by the Imperial Government -at an immense expenditure, chiefly for military purposes, as -affording a safe channel for the conveyance of stores, arms, &c., -when the frontiers might be exposed, and partly with a commercial -view of avoiding the rapids of the St. Lawrence, at that time considered -insurmountable, in the transit from the sea-board. This -canal cost upwards of £1,000,000 sterling. Its construction was -expected to have great influence on the welfare of Kingston, and -for some time such influence was doubtlessly beneficially felt, as -it was necessary to trans-ship at that port as well the products -of the west in their carriage to the seaboard, as the merchandize -for Western Canada in its transportation westward, and to forward -them by other crafts through the canal, or up the lake, thus creating -a large source of labor, outlay and gain, and employment to -numerous forwarders, agents, and workmen in the transhipment. -The improved navigation of the St. Lawrence, by the construction -of the St. Lawrence Canals, and the discovery of other and better -channels than were known, to a great extent abolished that source -of life and activity on the wharfs and in the harbours of the city.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The canal was intended for the passage of barges, both down -and up between Kingston and Bytown. Steamers, however, were -soon made available in guiding barges down the rapids, which came -with return cargoes up the canal. Now steam-tugs tow, through -the course afforded by the St. Lawrence Canals, both schooners and -barges up as well as down the stream, and where schooners are -used, no transhipment necessarily takes place at Kingston. Of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_609'>609</span>late, it has been found profitable to employ barges in the navigation -of the St. Lawrence, or it has been found profitable for -schooners to confine their trip to the open lake, which, with the -facilities for the transhipment of grain afforded by an extensive -steam elevator, has caused a renewed life in that branch of -business.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“This important work unites, as we have stated, the waters of -the St. Lawrence, with those of the Ottawa. It commences at -Kingston, and pursues a north-eastern direction through a chain of -lakes, with most of which it becomes identified in its course, until -it intersects Rideau River, continuing its route along the banks, -and sometimes in the bed of the river; it enters the Ottawa at -Bytown, (now the City of Ottawa) in north latitude 45° 23”—​Length -from Kingston to Bytown, including the navigable courses, -126 miles, with 46 locks, each 33 feet wide, and 134 long. Ascent -from Kingston to the Summit Pond by 15 locks, 162 feet. Descent -from the Summit Pond to the Ottawa by 32 locks, 283 feet; total -lockage, 455 feet, depression of the Ottawa below Lake Ontario, at -Kingston 141 feet; general course, north, north-east. It was commenced -in 1826, when the Duke of Wellington was in office, and it -is understood that that great General had a voice in the designing -of this mighty structure, which is not unworthy of his genius. -Sir James Carmichael Smith, of the Engineer’s Department, is said -to have originated the idea of its construction. It was carried out -under the superintendence of Colonel By, and the town at its junction -with the Ottawa, was named after him. That name has since -been changed, when Bytown was made a city. It was the only -testimonial to his energy and skill, which deserved from the Province -some better acknowledgment. This great work, together -with the extensive lands along its line of route, held by the Imperial -Government, have lately been transferred to the Province, and -there is no doubt that its resources and revenue will be made the -most of for the general benefit of the country. Already the local -trade along its course is fast increasing, with the improvements and -growth of the settlements in the neighborhood of the Ottawa. The -transport of iron ore from the same section of the country to Kingston, -also adds largely to it. “Along the courses of the stream are -valuable water privileges.”—​(Hooper.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>A vague story obtains, among some persons, that when the -treaty of peace between the United States and England took place -in 1815, the former agreed to pay £1,000,000, which the Duke of -Wellington applied to this purpose.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_610'>610</span>Below is given a document, the importance of which is unquestioned, -whether we consider the interests of those living along the -bay, or the welfare of the whole Province.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE MURRAY CANAL.</h4> - -<p class='c020'>“The Select Committee appointed to enquire into the expediency -of constructing a Canal to connect the head waters of the Bay -of Quinté with Lake Ontario, usually called the “Murray Canal,” -and also to enquire and report whether any money or lands are -applicable to that purpose, and if so, what may be the amount or -value thereof, beg leave to report:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That it appears a grant of land was made for the above purpose -as early as the year 1796, and that said grant, which was then -ascertained to contain some six thousand acres, was afterwards -repeatedly acknowledged and confirmed;</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That a reservation of sixty-four acres has been made between -Presqu’isle Harbour and Bay of Quinté, on which said Canal was -intended to be constructed;</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That the value of the original reservation of six thousand acres -was estimated by the Crown Lands Department, in 1839, at three -pounds per acre, or eighteen thousand pounds currency;</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That the construction of said Canal, in addition to the important -commercial advantages which would be bestowed on the inhabitants -of the counties adjacent to the Bay of Quinté, and the trade -and navigation of the country generally, would afford most important -facilities for the safe transport of men and munitions in time of -war;</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That your Committee obtained the evidence of Colonel McDougal, -Adjutant General of Militia, which is appended to this -Report;</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That besides providing an admirable harbour of some seventy -or eighty miles in length, capable of being made almost impregnable -against attack, the great natural facilities for ship-building and for -obtaining supplies of timber, would enable the Bay of Quinté to be -used to great advantage for the repair or construction of ships of -war;</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That on reference to the Journals of the Legislative Assembly -of 1845, Your Committee found the record of a letter dated 7th -January, 1840, signed by R. B. Sullivan, then Commissioner of -Crown Lands, which was furnished as a report on the whole question -of the Murray Canal, for the information of the House, in -reply to an Address to His Excellency, under date 17th January, -1845.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Your Committee have deemed it expedient to quote fully from -this Report for the information of Your Honorable House.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<em>1st. Extract.</em>—​The suggestion of constructing the Canal by a -grant of money instead of the appropriation of Crown Lands to that -object, was adopted by the Legislative in an Address of the 16th -<span class='pageno' id='Page_611'>611</span>February, 1838, to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, on the -subject, with the trust that in the estimation of amount to be granted -in lieu of the reservation, due regard may be had to the increased -value to which these lands may have attained. His Excellency, by -answer of 26th February, was pleased to concur with the Address.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<em>Extract No. 2.</em>—​I would respectfully recommend to His Excellency -to fix upon some specific sum which may be charged upon the -Crown Reserve, and made payable out of its first disposable proceeds -toward the completion of the Canal, and which, upon the cession of -the Crown Revenue to the Legislature, will be considered a payment -for which the faith of the Government is pledged and provided -for in any Bill which may be passed for the granting a civil -list in return for the cession of the Revenue.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That Your Committee examined a work, composed in the year -1826, by Major General Sir James Carmichael-Smyth, Baronet, -entitled, <cite>Precis of the Wars in Canada from 1755 to the Treaty of Ghent -in 1814</cite>, the said work having been published for the first time in -1862, by Sir James Carmichael, Baronet, son of the author. That -this work contains the following statements, which may fairly be -quoted in favor of the construction of this Canal.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“In the dedication of this work to His Grace the Duke of Wellington, -the author makes the following remarks:—​</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The events of these wars afford, in my opinion, a demonstration -as clear as that of any proposition in <em>Euclid</em>, of the impossibility -(under Divine Providence) of these Provinces ever being wrested -from under Her Majesty’s authority by the Government of the -United States, provided we avail ourselves of the military precautions -in our power to adopt, by establishing those communications -and occupying those points which posterity will one day learn -with, if possible, increased respect for Your Grace’s great name, were -principally suggested by Your Grace.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>At page <a href='#Page_202'>202</a> he writes as follows:—​</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Our Harbour and Naval Establishment at Kingston are very -good indeed, and infinitely beyond what the Americans possess at -Sacket’s Harbour. There cannot be a finer basin in the world than -the Bay of Quinté. When Rideau Canal is completed there will be -great facilities for forwarding stores to Kingston.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>At page <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>:—​</p> - -<p class='c017'>“In the event of the Americans having the temporary command -of the Lake (Ontario), York (now Toronto) would be useful -for the protection of small craft and coasting vessels sailing from -the Bay of Quinté with supplies for the Niagara Frontier.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>In a Report published by the Board of Trade of the City of -Montreal, for the year 1865, under the heading of “Improvement -of Inland Navigation,” Your Committee have found the following:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>An important cut-off.</span>—​It was long ago proposed to connect -Lake Ontario with the Western extremity of the Bay Quinté, -by a short Canal. The land required for such a purpose is reserved -<span class='pageno' id='Page_612'>612</span>by the Government. The distance to be cut through is less than -two miles; some additional dredging being, of course, required in -the Bay and Lake to perfect the communication. As no lockage is -requisite, the expense of the work would be small, while the advantage -would be great.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“When it is remembered that the stretch between Presqu’isle -Harbor and Kingston is the most hazardous on Lake Ontario, the -advantages to be derived from such a cut-off will be evident, especially -in the fall, when stormy weather is most prevalent. Had that -little Canal existed last year, a number of marine disasters might -have been avoided. Any one who examines the map may see at -once how important the Bay of Quinté would thus become in the -event of hostilities on the Lake.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“That under these circumstances Your Committee would recommend -that a Survey be made of the neck of land lying between -Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinté, and also of the Harbours of -Presqu’isle and Weller’s Bay, for the purpose of ascertaining the -cost and feasibility of said Canal, and that the Survey should be -commenced with the least possible delay.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Respectfully submitted, <span class='sc'>James L. Biggar</span>, <em>Chairman</em>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c016' /> -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Appendix.</span>—​<span class='sc'>Committee Room</span>, Tuesday, 24th July, 1866.</p> - -<p class='c017'>Colonel <span class='sc'>Macdougall</span> attended, and was examined as follows:</p> - -<p class='c017'>By the Hon. Mr. <em>Holton</em>:</p> - -<p class='c017'>Be pleased to state to the Committee your views of the importance, -in a military point of view, of connecting the waters of Lake -Ontario and the Bay of Quinté by a Canal, navigable for vessels of -the largest class in use on Lake Ontario?—​I am aware that the -Defense Commission sent to Canada in 1862, to report on the general -defenses of the Province, strongly recommend the formation of a -Naval Station in the Bay of Quinté. The natural features of that -bay render it, in my opinion, admirably adapted for such purpose. -In the event of the Naval Station being formed in the Bay of Quinté, -it would be of great importance to have a short and secure entrance -direct from Lake Ontario to the head waters of the bay. This is -especially the case in view of the fact that the stretch between -Presqu’isle Harbour and Kingston is the most dangerous and difficult -on the Lake. Judging by the map, and in ignorance of local -peculiarities, it appears to me that the best means of obtaining such -a short and secure communication as is above referred to, would be -by cutting a Canal between the head waters of the Bay Quinté and -Weller Bay. The mouth of the Canal would be covered and protected -by the perfectly land-locked harbour of Weller Bay, the -entrance to which, from Lake Ontario, is susceptible of being very -easily defended against a hostile flotilla. If the case is considered -of Canadian vessels running before a superior naval force of the -enemy from the general direction of Toronto, it is obvious that if -the first were obliged to weather the peninsula of Prince Edward, -in certain winds they would run serious risks of being driven ashore -<span class='pageno' id='Page_613'>613</span>or captured before they could make the entrance to the Bay of -Quinté, whereas the same vessels, with the same wind as would -expose them to destruction in the first supposed case, could enter -the harbour of Weller Bay under full sail, and reach the head of -Bay of Quinté without molestation. Even though it may not be -in contemplation to establish a regular Naval Station in the Bay of -Quinté, that bay would, in the case of war, afford an admirable harbour -of refuge, which would be made perfectly secure in a military, -or rather naval sense. Again, in case of war, the proposed Canal -would supply the means of far safer communication by water, without -the sacrifice of time between Kingston and Toronto, than could -be afforded by the open Lake.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the Hallowell <cite>Free Press</cite>, of February 1, 1831, is a communication -from “A country lad,” who says, “there are several new -roads required, but the one of most essential benefit to the inhabitants -would be that which would lead from Wellington Village, -Hillier, across the peninsula to Belleville. But, while improvements -of this description are in contemplation, it must not be forgotten that -the period is not far distant when the East Lake in Hallowell must -be cleared out, and a canal suitable for the passage of the Lake -Ontario steamboats, cut from thence to Hallowell Village. Such an -improvement as this, would, in our opinion, not only lessen the -distance from Kingston to York, and make the navigation less -dangerous, but would afford a safe and commodious harbour.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Railways.</span>—​At the present day Canada, in addition to the unsurpassed -water ways through her vast extent, has the greatest number -of miles of railway according to inhabitants in any part of the -world. In 1832, the Liverpool and Manchester Railroad was -completed, which was “the great precursor of all railroads.” -Fourteen years later, 1846, a movement was initiated at Kingston -to build a road from Wolfe Island, through Kingston to Toronto, -and a survey was ordered to be made. A part of the “Report of -the Preliminary Survey of Wolfe Island, Kingston and Toronto -Railroad,” is now before us, signed by James Cull and Thomas -Gore, Civil Engineers. In addition the engineering results of the -Preliminary Survey, they give in an appendix, the grounds upon -which they form their opinion as to the probable cost and revenue. -It would be interesting to give their statements in full did space -allow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<em>Another scheme.</em>—​The Picton <cite>Sun</cite> is advocating the building -of a railroad, running through the County of Prince Edward, and -terminating at Long Point, whence freight and passengers could -be shipped to the United States.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_614'>614</span> - <h4 class='c014'>THE INCREASE OF POPULATION.</h4> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>It is a common belief among the Americans, a belief which is -shared in by the few Annexationists living in Canada, that increase of -population, productiveness of the soil, and general advance of civilization, -are very much greater in the several States of the Union than -in Canada. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Upper Canada -especially, has quite outstripped, even the most prosperous of all -the original States of the Union. A comparison of the statistics of -the two countries shows this to be undoubtedly the case. The -following paragraph, taken from a valuable little work by Dr. Lillie, -affords some idea of the relative progress of the two countries.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He says, “The rate at which Canada West is growing, and has -been for the last twenty or thirty years, equals, if it does not more -than equal the growth of the very best of the Western States. It -will be seen from the United States census, that the three States of -Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois, contained in 1830, 1,126,851. In 1850, -they contained 355,000, a little over 320 per cent. in twenty years. -Canada West contained in 1830, 210,473, in 1749, it contained 791,000, -which is over 375 per cent. of the same period of twenty years. -So that increase in the three choice States was 55 per cent. less -than that of Canada West during the same time.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>And with respect to the products of the two countries, there is -found the same proportion in favor of Canada. So also with regard -to vessels, “in proportion to population the tonnage of Canada -more than equals that of the United States.” And if we look at -the various internal improvements as to canals, railroads, we find -that Canada stands pre-eminent in these things.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Yet, in the face of these facts we can find persons to say, and -so believe that Canada is behind the States in enterprise.</p> - -<p class='c000'>If we regard Lower Canada, it is found that the growth of -population is vastly greater than the States of Vermont and Maine, -lying along her border. Taking Canada as a whole, it is seen -“that as compared with the States, which in 1850 had a population -as great as her own, the decimal rate of increase was greater than -in any of those States, with one solitary exception.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“That in nine years to their ten, she lessened by two the number -of States which in 1850 had a population exceeding hers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“That she maintained a decimal rate of increase greater than -that of the whole United States, not including the Western States -and Territories, but including California and the other States and -Territories on the Pacific.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_615'>615</span>“That Upper Canada maintained a decimal rate of increase -greater by one-half than that of the whole United States and Territories—​more -than double that of all the United States, excluding -the Western States—​and only falling short of the increase in the -Western States and Territories by 7 per cent.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“That in nine years to their ten, she passed four States of the -Union, which in 1850, had a population exceeding hers, leaving at -the date of the last census only five States which exceeded her in -population.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The population of French Canada at the time of the revolution, -did not much exceed 70,000. Since that time the increase of population -in Lower Canada has been steady; not from immigration, so -much as from early marriages. In the year 1783, there were by -enumeration 113,000. In 1831, the French had increased 400,000. -As we have said this was due to their social habits.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The loyalists and soldiers that settled in Western Canada in -1783–4–5, were estimated at 10,000. It has been stated that when -Canada was divided into two Provinces in 1791, the inhabitants had -increased to 50,000; but this is doubted by some. It is said that -the number did not exceed 12,000. McMullen puts it at 20,000. -The increase of population up to the time of the war of 1812, was -by no means rapid, at that time they numbered about 70,000; -1822, 130,000; in 1837, 396,000. The number of inhabitants in -1852 was somewhere about 500,000.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Coming to the Midland Districts, the townships around the -bay, it is found that here advancement was greater than elsewhere -for many years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Gourlay sought information from the several townships -of the Province in 1817, in response it is stated, among other things, -that “the number of inhabited houses now is about 550; population -about 2,850. This enumeration includes the town of Kingston, -which contains 450 houses, and 2,250 souls. Thomas Markland -says, 26th November, 1818, “The reports from this district (Midland) -being few in proportion and several of these irregular, I cannot -give an exact estimate of the population, but the following will -not be far wrong:—​Kingston, Ernesttown, Adolphustown, and -Thurlow, contain 7,083. Fredericksburgh, Marysburgh, Hallowell, -Ameliasburgh, and Sidney, 5,340. Pittsburgh, with Wolfe Island, -Loborough, Portland, Camden, Richmond, and Rawdon, will not -average above 300 each, a total of 1,800. In Huntington, I heard -only of five settlers—​say 24. Total white population 14,855; -Indians 200. Total number of houses in Midland district was 900 -Thomas Markland. A report before me made in October 1826, by -John Portt, says the total number of white inhabitants of Tyendinagua -is 27.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_616'>616</span> - <h2 class='c004'>DIVISION XII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS—​THE FATHERS OF UPPER CANADA.</span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXIX.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Definition—​A division—​Their principles—​Our position—​Ancestry—​Dutch—​Puritans—​Huguenots—​New -Rochelle—​English writers—​Talbot—​Falsehoods—​Canadian -and English ancestry—​Howison—​Maligner—​Gourlay’s -reply—​Palatines—​Old names.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>ANCESTRY OF THE U. E. LOYALISTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Under this designation allusion is made to all who left, or were -compelled to leave, the revolting colonies, and Independent States, -and who sought a home in the wilderness of Canada. There is, however, -a class which will be specially referred to, who, in subsequent -years, were placed upon the “U. E. list,” and who, by virtue thereof, -secured important privileges to themselves and family.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The United Empire Loyalist, was one who advocated, or wished -to have maintained, the <em>unity of the British empire</em>, who felt as much -a Briton in the colony of America, as if he were in old England; who -desired to perpetuate British rule in America; not blindly believing -that no imperfections could exist in such rule, but desiring to seek -reform in a conservative spirit. This class, we have seen, became, as -the tide of rebellion gained strength and violence, exceedingly -obnoxious to those in rebellion against their King and country. It -will be convenient to divide them into three classes, viz., (1.) Those -who were forced to leave during the contest, many of whom took -part in the war; (2.) Those who were driven away after the war, -because they were known or suspected to have sympathy with -the loyalist party, and (3.) Those who would not remain in the Republic, -who voluntarily forsook the land of their birth or adoption, -and removed to a country which acknowledged the sovereignty of -the King of England. Many of this noble class relinquished comfortable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_617'>617</span>homes, rather than live under an alien flag; they preferred, above -all measure, to enter a wilderness and hew out a new home. They -would live anywhere, endure any toil, undergo any privation, so long -as they were in the King’s dominion, and the good old flag waved -over their head, and their families. It was oft declared that their -bones should lie on the King’s soil. These sentiments are taken, not -from the imagination, but from the accumulated testimony of those -who have supplied statements of family history. Elsewhere it has -been shewn how cruel were the persecutions made against the “tories,” -how relentless the spirit of vengefulness. All this, it may be said by -some, should be forgotten,—​buried in the past, with the whigs and -tories, both of whom committed errors and outrages. Under certain -circumstances this would be the proper course—​the course indicated by -the great Ruler; but, regarding the United States in the light derived -from the statesmen, orators, and the press, it cannot for a moment -be allowed. Until the descendants of those who successfully rebelled -in 1776, cease to vilify our fathers; until they can find other subject -matter for their fourth of July orations, than foul abuse of our -country; until they can produce school-books which are not stained -by unjust and dishonest representations; and books of a religious -nature which are not marred by unchristian, not to say untruthful, -statements respecting Britain and her colonies. Until the “Great -Republic” can rise above the petty course of perpetuating old feuds, -we cannot—​we whose fathers suffered, cannot be required to shut -our mouths, and thereby seemingly acquiesce in their uncharitable and -malignant charges against the U. E. Loyalists. Washington was a -rebel as much as Jefferson Davis, and history will accord to the -latter a character as honorable and distinguished as the former. -Washington succeeded against a power that put not forth the -gigantic efforts which the United States did to subjugate the States -over which Jefferson Davis presided. By the events of the civil -war in the United States, we, the descendants of those who occupied -the same relative position in the American Revolution, feel it right -to be guided.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The most of the loyalists were Americans by birth. Their -feelings of attachment to the realm, preponderated over the attachments -which bound them to the homes of their childhood and -maturer years. The great majority of those who settled Upper -Canada were from the Provinces of New York, Pennsylvania, and -the New England States. New York, originally a Dutch colony, -had many loyal sons. Indeed this state was dragged into the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_618'>618</span>rebellion. It follows that a goodly number of the settlers around -the bay were of Dutch extraction, and possessed all the honesty -and industry peculiar to that people. The U. E. list, and the larger -list of refugees, include a large number of names unmistakably -Dutch. But there came from this state as well, many a true son -of England, Ireland, and Scotland, with a sprinkling of the Huguenots, -and the Germans, the last of whom began to emigrate to -America in 1710. Many of the settlers of Upper Canada may -point with pride to their Dutch forefathers. Many Canadians have -an equal right also to boast of their Puritan fathers. They more -especially may point to the justice-loving ones who came to -America with honest William Penn, whose son was also a refugee -from the State his father founded, not by taking forceable possession, -but by <em>buying</em> the land from the Indians.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the devoted band of firm adherents to the British Crown -were not a few of the descendants of the Huguenots, whose fathers -had been expatriated by the King of France, because they were -Protestants, and who had found safe homes in England. So early -as 1686, a number of Huguenots found their way to America. And -from time to time, accessions were made to the number by emigration. -They mostly settled in Westchester County, New York, in -1689, where a tract of land was purchased for them by Jacob Leisler, -of the Admiralty, and there founded a town called New Rochelle, -after Rochelle in France, noted for the stand its inhabitants took -against Roman Catholicism. In 1700, New Rochelle had become -quite a place, and here was found, when the rebellion had commenced, -“a vast number of Militia officers loyal to the backbone.”—​(Ruttan).</p> - -<p class='c000'>The ancestry of the U. E. Loyalists has been called in question, -not by the rebels alone, but by British subjects. The few instances -constitute, fortunately, but exceptions to a general rule. Travelers -from Great Britain have repeatedly, perhaps we may say persistently, -displayed an astonishing amount of ignorance of the -people of Canada and its society. Allowance can be made for a -certain amount of egotism, but downright bias is unworthy a high-minded -writer. Incapable of examining any subject, except from -a stand point exclusively English, they have found no difficulty in -attributing the most unworthy and even scandalous causes to a state -of society to them unusual, and seemingly abnormal. Perhaps no -writer has so disgraced himself, in writing about Canada, as Talbot. -Certainly no one more ignobly essayed to injure Canadian reputation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_619'>619</span>in Great Britain than he. “Mr. Talbot has stated in his book -that most of the Canadians are descended from private soldiers or -settlers, or the illegitimate offspring of some gentlemen, or his -servant.” The writer had no scruples in publishing a falsehood. -Full well he knew how noble had been the conduct of the U. E. -Loyalists as a class; who relinquished property, homes,—​everything -for a cause dear to their heart. Private soldiers indeed! -They thought it no disgrace to enter the ranks to help to suppress -an unrighteous rebellion. And the descendants of the private -soldiers feel it an honor to claim them for sires. Mr. Talbot, we -are informed, came to Canada to speculate in lands; and his record -does not justify him in casting a stigma upon the fathers of Canada. -Could we accept a slanderous statement as true, yet the question -might be raised:—​Is not their origin as good as many of the great -houses of Great Britain would be found, were we enabled to trace -back their pedigree. Probably, at the present time, and perhaps -at no time, did more than a few read the pages of Mr. Talbot’s -production. But lest there might come a time when the false -statements should be reiterated, we felt it our duty to thus advert -to the subject.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Another writer, to whom it may be well to refer, is one Dr. -John Howison, who wrote <cite>Sketches of Upper Canada</cite>. His knowledge -of Canada was pretty much confined to the Niagara district. -Hear what the great (?) man said of the inhabitants. “They are -still the untutored incorrigible beings that they probably were, -when the ruffian remnant of a disbanded regiment, or the outlawed -refuse of some European nation, they sought refuge in the wilds of -Upper Canada, aware that they would neither find means of subsistence, -nor be countenanced in any civilized country. Their -original depravity has been confirmed and increased by the circumstances -in which they are now placed.” This is a pleasant picture -that the accomplished doctor draws of our forefathers. The very -flagrancy of the falsehood has rendered the above statement as -harmless as the doctor’s reputation is unknown. It is but too -common a story for a stupid Englishman, with no other ideas than -those derived from supreme egotism, to pass through our country, -and after merely glancing at the outside of everything, proceed to -give an account of the people of Canada. But this Howison was -either guilty of drawing his views from Yankee sources, or of giving -vent to some spiteful feeling. Robert Gourlay, who was no tory, -referring to the above statement, speaks in this way:—​“It is not true, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_620'>620</span>it is not fair, it is not discreet. The first settlers of Upper Canada, in -my opinion, were wrong headed men as to politics; but they were far -from being bad-hearted men, and anything but “the ruffian remnant -of a disbanded regiment.” They were soldiers who had done their -duty: who had regarded with reverence their oath of allegiance; -who had risked their lives a hundred times over in support of their -principles; who had sacrificed all which the world in general holds -dear, to maintain their loyalty and honor. They were anything -but the “outlawed refuse of some European nation.” They adhered -to the laws of Britain; and for the laws of Britain they bled. They -did not “seek refuge in the wilds of Upper Canada, aware they -would neither find means of subsistence, nor be countenanced in -any civilized country.” It is a libel on the British Government to -say they sought refuge, and a libel on common sense to say that -men, who resolved to earn their bread by labour, under the worst -circumstances in the world, could not find means of subsistence -anywhere else. The whole passage is untrue, is shameful, and Dr. -Howison should apologize for it in the public prints of this country. -These very farmers whom he scandalizes so cruelly, stood up for -British Government most noble during the late war, (1812), many -of them lost their all at that time (in Niagara District), and to -many of them the British Government is now deeply indebted. -The mass of first settlers in Upper Canada were true men, and to -this day there is a peculiar cast of goodness in their natures, which -distinguishes them from their neighbours in the United States. -There were among them ruffians of the very worst description. -His Majesty’s ministers needed spies, and horse stealers, and liars, -and perjured villains; and America furnished such characters, just -as England can furnish an Oliver and an Edward. Why should -a whole people be slandered because of a few? Dr. Howison wrote -in Canada only to trifle, and now we see the consummation, we see a -book very well written; very readable as a romance—​the tale of a -weak man; but as it affects men, worse than trifling—​scandalous. -To say all the ill he could of Canada, and no good of it is unfair—​is -deceitful—​after all, in his parting exclamations, he “spoke about -the happy shores of Canada.” The refined Dr. Howison, it would -seem, remembered “many civilities” from the Canadians; but -because he could not appreciate the nobility of nature when crowned -by the rough circumstances of pioneer life, he must needs write a -libel. No doubt his mind was influenced by Yankee tales of -Butlers’ Rangers, and perhaps his exquisite sensibility was wounded, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_621'>621</span>forsooth, because a Canadian would not touch his hat to him.” -Robert Gourlay was a friend to Canada, a friend to humanity; he -was not always right; but he was far more correct while in Canada -than those who persecuted him. He was a patient and close -observer, and made himself thoroughly acquainted with Canada, -and his statement in reply to Howison’s utterances are fully satisfying. -What was true of the settlers at Niagara, must remain true -of the whole class of U. E. Loyalists. Notwithstanding the many -adverse circumstances—​the earnest contest for life, the daily -struggle for food, their isolation from the influences of civilized life, -the absence of regular ministers of the gospel, notwithstanding all, -the old soldiers constituted a band of pioneers infinitely better than -those who form the outer belt of settlers, at the present day, in the -Western States.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As intimated, not a few of the U. E. Loyalists were descendants -of those who had likewise been driven, by persecution, from -their homes. There were not only the children of the noble old -Huguenots, but a good many German Irishmen, called Palatines. -They originally came from the Palatinate of the Rhine, once the -possession of the House of Palatine. The Palatines were Protestants, -and during the seventeenth century, were exposed to the most cruel -barbarities. They fled in thousands to the friendly camp of the -Duke of Marlborough, when commander of the allied armies. In -1709, Queen Anne sent a fleet to Rotterdam for the distressed Palatines, -and carried about 7,000 to England. Of these, 3,000 were -sent to New York, but finally found homes in Pennsylvania, among -the Quakers. The names of some of these are before us, and it -may be seen they are familiar ones, although some of them are -somewhat altered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Frantz Lucas, Deitrich Klein, Conrad Frederick, Ludwig, -Henrich Newkirk, Keiser, John Mortan, Casper Hartwig, Christoper -Warner, Hermanus Hoffman, Rudolph Neff, Schmidt, Schumacher, -Lenhard, John Peter Zenger, Philip Muller, Schaffer, Peter -Wagner, Straule, Henrich Man, Eberhard, Kremer, Franke Ross, -Peter Becker, Christian Meyer, Godfry Fidler, Weller, George -Mathias, Christo, Hagedom, Fink, John William Dill, Bernard, -Conradt, Bellinger.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Of those who remained, five hundred families removed to -Ireland, and settled, principally, in the County of Limerick.” -Among their names we find, Baker, Barham, Barrabier, Bennoser, -Bethel, Bowen, Bowman, Bovinezer, Brethower, Cole, Coach, Corneil, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_622'>622</span>Cronsberry, Dobe, Dulmage, Embury, Fizzle, Grunse, Grier, -Heck, Hoffman, Hifle, Heavener, Ozier, (probably Lazier of our -day), Lawrence, Lowes, Rhineheart, Rose, Rodenbucher, Ruckle, -Switzer, Sparling, Stack, St. John, St. Ledger, Strongle, Sleeper, -Shoemaker, Shier, Smeltzer, Shoultace, Shavewise, Tesby, (probably -Detlor of our day), Tettler, Urshelbaugh, Williams, and Young.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A certain number of the Palatines settled at the German Flats, -many of whom, being Loyalists, were obliged to leave; and become -pioneers in Canada. Likewise, were there many from other parts -of the State, and from Pennsylvania.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the early history of New York State, may be found many -names, generally Dutch-like, closely resembling those of the first -settlers of Western Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a letter, dated “Albany, 30 July, 1689,” we find the -names of Capt. Bleeker and D. Myers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At a convention at Albany, Oct. 24, 1669, was present, among -others, Gert Ryerse, Jan Jense Bleeker.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Proposals made to ye people, Albany, ye 5 day of November, -1689, by 40 inhabitants,” among which is Jacob Vanden Bogaert.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“At a meeting, at Albany, 28th March, 1690,” were present, -Gert Ryersen, John Pietersen, Hendrick Hedgeman, (Hagerman).</p> - -<p class='c000'>At a meeting in Albany, after the massacre of Schenectady, -February 9, 1690, to arrange for defending against the French -and Indians, and to bury the dead; there were, among 60 others -present, D. Wessels, Rector, J. Bleecker, Ald. Ryckman, Ens. -Bennet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the list of those killed at Schenectady, are several of the -Vroomans, Symon, Skemerhoorn. “Taken prisoners at Skinnechtady, -and carried to Canada ye 9th day of February, 16<span class='overunder'>89<br />90</span>.” “John -Wemp, sonne of Myndt & 2 negroes, and 26 others.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a list of officers in the Province of New York, 1693, members -of Council—​are found Phillips, Brock, Lawrence, Young, Marshall, -Shaw, Evetts, (probably Everit), Handcock, Dirck Wessels, Recorder -at Albany; Beekman, Howell, Barker, Platt, Whitehead, Harrison, -Hageman, Strycker, Willet. Among the militia officers, N. Yorrk, -1700, we find Booth, Moore, Wheler, Hubbs, Kechum, Frederick, -Daniel Wright; Robert Coles; Lake, Hegemen, Evert, Bogardus, -Hosbrooke, Rose.</p> - -<p class='c000'>List of inhabitants in County of Orange, 1702, we find—​Geritssen, -(Garrison), Reynerssen, (Ryerson), Ceniff, Mieyer, -(Meyer,) Weller, Coeper, Merritt.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_623'>623</span>Freeholders of the city and county of Albany, 1720, Williams, -Van Alen, Holland, Collins, Van Dyke, several Bleeker’s; Cornelius -Boarghaert, Vandusen, Meebe, Weemp, (Wemp), Trueax, Van -Valkenburgh, Huyck, Gardimer, Dingmans, VanAlstine, Coonradt, -Ham, Luyke, Deeker, Esselstine, Fritts, Quackenboes, (Quackenbush), -Van Rensalaer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the war of the Indians, at the battle of Point Pleasant, 1774, -there was killed, among others, Ensign Candiff.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following we take from the <cite>Schenectady Evening Star</cite>:</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Valley of the Mohawk in Olden Times.</span>—​<em>Schoharie</em>—​<em>The -Vroomans</em>.—​When the Schoharie settlements were invaded by the -British, under Colonel Butler, in the year 1789, the following -persons, among others, were murdered by the Indians: Tunis -Vrooman, his wife and son, and on this occasion Ephraim Vrooman -and his two sons, Bartholomew, Josias and John Vrooman, Bartholomew -Vrooman, Jr., and his wife and son Jacob, were taken -prisoners. The wife and daughter of Ephraim Vrooman was killed -by an Indian named Seth Hendrick. Mr. E. Vrooman, while on his -way to Canada, whither he was carried in captivity, was under the -immediate charge of Seth Hendrick, who treated him with much -kindness. There were two or three Indians who accompanied Seth. -These before they arrived at their destination, grew tired of their -prisoner, and proposed to despatch him. Mr. Vrooman overheard -the conversation, which was conducted in a whisper, and repeated -it to Hendrick. Hendrick assured him in the most positive manner, -that “not a hair of his head should be touched,” and gave his -companions a severe reprimand for their ungenerous conspiracy. -After the termination of the Revolutionary contest, Hendrick paid -Mr. Vrooman a visit, and apologised for his conduct during the war, -in the strong, metaphorical language of his nation: “The tomahawk,” -said he, “is used only in war; in time of peace it is buried; -it cuts down the sturdy oak as well as the tender vine; but I (laying -his hand on Mr. Vrooman’s shoulder) saved the oak.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>Eva’s Kill.</span>—​The creek which runs through the village of -Cranesville has, for the last ninety years, been known as Eva’s Kill, -or creek. It owes this name to the circumstance of a woman named -Eva being murdered near its banks. In the year 1755 Mrs. Van -Alstine, from Canojoharie, traveled through this place on her way -to this city to visit her parents. She was on horseback, and had -her daughter with her, a child about four years of age. A party of -French and Indians had just arrived from Canada, and were prowling -about with murderous designs on the defenceless inhabitants of the -Mohawk Valley. Espying Mrs. Van Alstine, they marked her for -their prey. They pounced upon, wounded and scalped her, left her -as they supposed, dead on the margin of the creek which bears her -name. Her daughter they took to Canada. After they had departed, -Mrs. Van Alstine partially recovered, and mustered strength enough -<span class='pageno' id='Page_624'>624</span>to crawl to the river, on the opposite shore of which she saw some -men standing, to whom she beckoned. She feared to speak lest she -should be overheard by her enemies who were still in the neighborhood. -These men came over cautiously, and conveyed her safely -to her agonized parents. She lingered nine or ten days in a state -of extreme suffering, when she gave up the ghost. Her daughter’s -life was spared, and she, in time, was restored to her friends.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>In 1750–60, are found the names of Jordan, Dunham, Grant, Harkamer, -Spenser, Peterson, Wilson, Church, Devenport, Kemp, Gibson.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Census of New York, about 1703. Amongst others, Vanhorn, -Larrance, Loukes, Vandewater, White, Hams, Wessels, Wm. Taylor, -Johnston, Vesey, Bogert, Oastrom, Waldron, Davis, Marshall, Clapp.</p> - -<p class='c000'><em>Census of Long Island, 1673.</em>—​Jacobs, Carman, Symonds, Beedel, -Allen, Williams, Valentyn, Ellesson, (probably Allison), Osborne, -Hobbs, Soddard, Ellison, Foster, Mott, Applebe, Persell, Truax, -Hoyt.</p> - -<p class='c000'><em>The Roll of those who have taken the oath of allegiance, September, -1687</em>: Peter Stryker, native of the Province; Cornelis -Pertise, (Peterson), native; Beakman, native; Gerrit Dorlant, -native; Joseph Hagemen, (Hagerman), 37 years; Adrien Ryerse, -41 years. Living in Breucklyn (Brooklyn): Covert, native; -Bogaert, 35 years; Jan Fredericks, 35 years; Pieter Corson native; -Caspere, (Casper); Jacobus Vande Water, (Vandewater), native; -Dirck Janse Waertman, (Wartman), 40 years; Van Clief, De Witt, -Loyse, Waldron, Willensen, Badgely, Culver, Jessop, Rogers, -Diamond, Erle, Butler, Johnes (Jones), Whiting; Arnold, Washbourn, -Way, Harton, Booth, Bradly, Goldsmith, Giles, Baily, -Osmond, Carey, Case, Miller, Garitson.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXX.</span></h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Character—​Hospitality—​At home—​Fireside—​Visitors—​Bees—​Raisings—​Easter -Eggs—​Dancing—​Hovington House—​Caste—​Drinks—​Horse-racing—​Boxing—​Amusements—​La -Crosse—​Duels—​Patriotism—​Annexation—​Freedom—​Egotism—​The -Loyalists—​Instances—​Longevity—​Climate of Canada—​A -quotation—​Long lived—​The children—​The present race—​A nationality -Comparison—​“U. E. Loyalist”—​Their Privileges—​Order of Council—​Dissatisfaction.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>CHARACTER, CUSTOMS, AMUSEMENTS, PATRIOTISM, AGE AND DESCENDANTS OF THE U. E. LOYALISTS.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>When we compare the motives which actuated all classes of -those who adhered to the Crown with the rebels in their various -<span class='pageno' id='Page_625'>625</span>grades, we feel to exult and express sincere thankfulness that the -fathers of Upper Canada were honest, devoted, loyal, truthful, law-abiding, -and actuated by the higher motives which spring from -religion. The habits of the loyalists were simple, and comparatively -free from immorality. Their love of order and adherence to law is -noteworthy. No people in the world have been characterised by so -firm and devoted adherence to the established laws than the U. E. -Loyalists. Never deprived of that freedom which ennobles the man, -they always abominated that monstrous offshoot of republican liberty -which teaches a man to take the law in his own hands. In later -years in Canada some strife has been witnessed between parties who -have introduced their national feuds from the old country. But -those who fought in the revolutionary war, and who mainly assisted -to drive back the invading foe in 1812, have always been peace-loving -citizens. Lynch Law, (a term derived from a man of that -name living in South Carolina, who constituted himself the arbiter -between any contestants, and to their satisfaction) has always been -held in utter detestation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The settlers were always hospitable. The circumstances of -their life, in which they so often were cast upon the care and attention -of others, made each experience the deep feeling of gladness -to have a visitor, which belongs to a sense of kindness received. -In this they differed widely from the people of the more Northern -States. Strangers were never turned away, and a clergyman, no -matter of what denomination, was received “right gladly.” The -Rev. Mr. Smart says that he was often up the Bay in his early -days of ministerial labor, and he was ever treated by the inhabitants -of all classes, with great hospitality. And after a few years had -worn away, carrying with them the burden of many heart sorrows, -there came an occasional opportunity to exchange friendly hospitality. -Visiting indeed became a regular “institution,” to borrow -a Yankee phrase. Near neighbours would of an evening call in, -uninvited, to spend the evening, and talk over the times, present, -past and coming. Sometimes visits were made to friends a long -distance off, going by canoe or batteau, or perchance on horseback, -by a bridle-path, with saddle-bags containing oats for the horse. -But the winter visits were characterised more especially by genial -hospitality. On such occasions the hostess brought forth things -new and old. Choice viands, carefully stored away, were brought -to the light. The first fruits of the soil were lavishly spread upon -the unassuming board. The famine of 1787–8, and the subsequent -<span class='pageno' id='Page_626'>626</span>lack of the necessaries of life, and the total absence of luxuries for -many a year, had the effect of intensifying the value that might -naturally be placed upon plenty and luxury. To be truly entertaining -to guests, was to set before them a feast of good things. -Hence it came in the later years of the country that -the table of the well-to-do farmer always groaned with substantials -and delicacies. On those occasions the old soldier recounted -his deeds of warfare, and hairbreadth escapes, and his -struggles in the wilderness. The blazing hearth became the centre -of attractive conversation, and lit up the hardy faces of the pioneers, -and the milder countenances of their wives and daughters, while -in the back ground might be seen the bright eyes of the children, -listening to the tales that were told. The younger ones had been -ordered off to bed, but they lie wakeful in their bunks, which were -in the same room, to catch the ever flowing talk. The conversation -at these times did not always relate to those matters above -stated, it often took a mysterious turn, and ghosts became the subject -of their evening’s talk. The above is not from imagination, -but in substance from the lips of more than one, who remembers -to have occupied the little bunk and listened upon many an evening -to the conversations.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Family visiting was a common mode of exchanging civilities. -It was necessary because of the widely separated houses. The -evenings were times of the most pleasing reunions. Every log -house possessed a large Dutch fireplace, into which was placed -a back log of immense size, while upon the hand irons, or, as at -first, large square stones was heaped light dry wood which sent -forth a cheerful blaze. By the light thus made there would be in -the fall and winter carried on various household duties, each family -was to a great extent dependent upon themselves for almost everything -required upon a farm, or about a farm-house. The wife -would be busy carding, or making clothes of home-made linen, or -of cloth. The daughters would be employed in mending or darning. -The farmer would be engaged in making or repairing harness, -or boots, or “fixing” an implement of husbandry, while the -son would be fashioning an axe-helve, or an ox-yoke, or whittling a -whip handle. The simple meal, though of a homely fare, was -satisfying, for their taste was not pampered by unnecessary luxuries -when alone. But when company came everything was -changed. The work was put aside, and they set themselves out -to make their visitors enjoy themselves. They would encircle the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_627'>627</span>wide and glowing fire, and indulge in the most amiable talk. -There was no spirit of envy in their midst, but a quiet content and -thankfulness that the wilderness was beginning to blossom. The -triumphs of the past would be duly recounted, and the future -looked forward to with highest hopes. Plans would be canvassed -and laid for the children, while apples, cider and nuts would receive -due attention by all. At these meetings were often the -young folks—​marriageable daughters and sons who had been preparing -to go on the other farm, or back hundred acres where a log -house was partially erected; before long the company would be -divided into two distinct groups, the old and the young. Sometimes -matters would be managed that the older ones would meet -at one house and the young at another, by which means a more -pleasing state of things was created. But courting, or sparking as -it was termed, was generally done upon Sunday evening. The -day of rest was the only one when the love-sick swain could get -away. And even the most exemplary Christians regarded “going -to see the girls” on a Sunday night as quite allowable. Then, this -practice favored the desire, so prevalent, to keep secret the intention -of any two to get married.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Visits were made without invitations. To wait for an invitation -was quite contrary to the primitive views of the settlers. The -visit must be a voluntary action. Even to give a hint to one to -make a visit by parties not related was considered as beneath -proper respect. It was a species of independence. “I don’t want -one to come to my house if he don’t want to,” the phase went in -that way. But there were occasions when invitations were sent -out, and that was when some help was required; and to persons -not familiar with the habits, it will seem strange that it was considered -a compliment to get an invitation, and a slight to be neglected. -These invitations were to be present at bees, and help to -do work. At the first these bees were common, to put up the log -houses, and get a little clearing done, by a certain time. But afterwards, -though less frequent, they were of a more pretentious -nature. Raising Bees were in time, indications of prosperity. A -frame barn or house showed that the farmer was progressing, and -in accordance with the general expectation, treated “the hands” -with the best he had. Then there were, beside the raising bees, -the clearing bees, logging bees, and stone bees, and husking bees, -and in later times apple bees; and there was the women’s bee for -quilting. All these meetings were of a more or less hilarious order. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_628'>628</span>The work was done, and done with a will; it was a sort of duty—​a -matter of principle that either the work should be done, or a -proper effort made to that end. For many years spirituous liquors -were dealt out, or set freely before the men, but in time, some, -seeing the evil of drinking, and sometimes fearful of accidents, -determined to discontinue the custom. Whether drinking was -indulged in or not, all were treated to a glorious supper, generally -of pot-pie and cakes, and pies of pumpkin and apple. The women -folks of course, required assistance, and the neighbours would come -to help, so that at night there would be collected a goodly number -of both sexes. Husking bees and apple bees took place at night, -but they did not last so long that no time was allowed for amusement. -And then commenced the play and the dance. At first -these unions and plays were exceedingly harmless and indulged in -with the utmost artlessness. The young of both sexes were well -known to each other, and it was more like a family gathering than -aught else. But now fortunately these bees and kissing-plays are no -longer in vogue. They were natural enough in the days of primitive -pioneer life; but with increasing inhabitants and the addition -of people of other countries, they became unnatural.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The breaking up of winter brought to a termination for a time, -all the social festivities. In connection with sugar making was -here and there a jovial meeting to “sugar off.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Aside from the Sabbath there were but few holidays; and, -with many, Christmas was imperfectly observed. Easter was remembered -principally because of the feast of eggs on Sunday. At -first, when hens were scarce, it was not every family that had eggs -on that day, or had enough. So it came to pass that eggs would be -preserved beforehand, not by the natural provider however. The -boys regarded it as their prerogative to hide the eggs for some time -before, and even when it was unnecessary, large numbers would be -safely secreted by the young ones. This was generally done by -the youngest, old enough; and he was to so hide them that no one -could find them. The honor was lost if the eggs were found. The -Easter morning consequently was one of anticipation, to see however -many eggs had been preserved.</p> - -<p class='c000'>An old settler of Ameliasburgh discourses of Bees in this wise: -“Bees were great institutions in those days, every settler was -licensed to make two or three each year, provided he furnished a -good “pot pie,” and plenty of grog, and never made any objections -to his guests fighting. Fighting might take place at any stage, but -<span class='pageno' id='Page_629'>629</span>more generally occurred after work was done, before and after -supper.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dancing seems to have been particularly attractive to almost -all. Almost every neighbourhood or concession had its fiddler, the -only kind of instrumental music of the times. The fiddler was -generally an old soldier, who had acquired some knowledge of the -art of playing during his time of service.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A kind correspondent, (Morden), has supplied us pleasing -information, obtained from an old resident of Sophiasburgh. This -person came from Adolphustown, when a girl of fifteen, in the first -year of the present century. We quote:—​“She tells many funny -stories of balls and private “sprees” that they used to have over in -the Indian woods, at Capt. Isaac’s (Hill), an Indian chief, who had -a large house, which is still occupied, and which appears to have -been the scene of numberless “hops,” &c. They could have a -civil dance at Captain Isaac’s, and it would not cost much. The -Sixth Town youngsters seem to have delighted in patronizing -his house.” This young woman married and became, with her -husband, a pioneer of Ameliasburgh, in 1805. It seems that -these new settlers of the Seventh Town considered themselves -somewhat superior to the inhabitants generally, and would not join -in their “frolickings,” but would occasionally visit Sophiasburgh -for the purpose of having a “spree.” This feeling of caste was a -marked feature in the several townships at an early date.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Hovington House, situated about sixty rods above the -bridge at Picton, was a place of no little fame. It was built by one -Hovington who came with VanAlstine. It was a long narrow -edifice forty or fifty feet deep, and about twenty feet broad, and not -very high. It was divided into two portions by a log partition, the -ends of which projected without. This public house was especially -for the benefit of the settlers at East Lake, in their journeyings back -and forth across the Carrying Place. To use the language of our -informant, “it was a great place to dance and frolic.” At stated -times the bay settlers would come even from forty miles distance, -Fredericksburgh on the east, and the Carrying Place and Sidney on -the west. But now the foundation of the old building which so -often resounded to the sounds of mirth, the fiddle, and the tripping -feet, can scarcely be traced.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As a general thing, the hard pinching circumstances of the new -country brought all to a common level, excepting a few Government -officials. But in certain localities there existed a feeling of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_630'>630</span>superciliousness, not very deep, but yet it was there. The places, -and the inhabitants thereof, in time, became noted as being “big -feeling” or stylish. For instance, the denizens of Kingston regarded -the settlers up the bay as somewhat behind them; while the people -of the Fourth Town spoke disparagingly of the Fifth Towners. By -the settlers of the Sixth and Seventh Towns, the citizens of Sidney -and Thurlow were looked upon as stylish. But the wheel of fortune -turned with many a one.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Amusement, and diversions of different kinds, when properly -used, are not only allowable, but even salutary to man’s physical -and mental state; but if uncontrolled by reason; if irrational from -want of education, they may easily run into excess and immorality. -To the educated man, who is cast away from all that can supply -food for his mind, there is a terrible danger of seeking unholy -and even vicious sources to allay the constant longing after mental -food. There is likewise a danger of such seeking artificial excitement. -To such the evil of intemperance too often comes with overwhelming -waves steadily and certainly flowing. The first settlers -of Upper Canada, when their circumstances are taken into consideration, -and the usages of the times, it must be said, were not -particularly addicted to the evil of intemperance. In after years, -this evil did certainly increase; but at the first, although almost -everyone had liquor of some kind in the house, yet the great -majority were guiltless of excess. In those early days, teetotalism -and temperance societies were unknown; but it must be here mentioned -that the first temperance society organized in Canada, was -in Adolphustown. The drinking usages of the day among all classes -led to the erection of distilleries and breweries at an early period. -There was also an extensive traffic in rum, and it is known that -many a one made himself rich by selling to buyers along the bay, -and across the Carrying Place up the lake, even as far as York.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Perhaps the most common out-of-door amusement was horse-racing, -after horses became more general among the settlers. It -was looked upon as dancing was by all, as amusement of the most -unobjectionable character, and it is said of a certain reverend individual, -that he was accustomed to run horses on his way home after -preaching. Probably this was true, as the same person became a -reprobate. On the occasion of the annual training of the Militia, -which took place for many a year, the 4th June, (and this -comes within the writer’s recollection) there was, at the different -training places, more or less of horse racing. These races were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_631'>631</span>made, not by horses trained specially for the purpose, but by such -animals as were in daily use by the farmers, some of which, although -ungainly in looks, and in indifferent condition, could get over the -ground in a remarkably short time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Kingston and Newark being military stations, were, from -the presence of officers, who were always gentlemen by birth, more -dignified in the ways of amusement. Not but gentlemen existed -through the country, but not in sufficient numbers to regulate the -modes of pleasure, and give tone to society. The officers were very -fond of horse-racing, and would frequently spend field days, especially -the King’s Birthday in testing the mettle of their steeds. At -these there would generally be a great entertainment by the ladies -who, says Colonel Clarke, would be gorgeously clad in “brilliant -dresses, with threads of silver forming the motto, <em>God save the -King</em>.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>A kind of amusement common at the close of the last century, -and the beginning of the present, in America, and to a certain -extent in Canada, was that of boxing—​boxing that too often -amounted to brutal fighting. There were a certain number in every -township who availed themselves of training days to show their -athletic qualifications. Gourlay says, 1817, that “pugilism, which -once prevailed, is now declining.” And at the present day, happily, -it is confined to those of a brutish disposition. It is only the lowest -who find amusement in engaging in, or witnessing pugilistic -encounters.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As Upper Canada was, in a limited sense, an offshoot of Lower -Canada, so but a few of the peculiarities of Lower Canada were -introduced to the Upper. One was that of <em>Charivariing</em>, which means -a great noise with petty music. It was introduced from France. -The custom is now almost obsolete among us, but time was when it -was quite common. It generally was indulged in at second marriages, -or when an unequal match and marriage took place; when -a young girl married an old man for instance, or if either party were -unpopular. The night of the wedding, instead of being passed in -joyous in-door pleasures by the wedded ones, was made hideous by -a crowd of masked persons, who with guns, tin-pans, pails, horns, -horse-fiddles, and everything else that could be made to produce a -discordant noise, disturbed the night until silenced by a treat, or -money. Sometimes those meetings resulted in serious consequences -to one or more of the party, by the bridegroom resorting to loaded -fire-arms.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_632'>632</span>Sometimes the native Indians contributed to the general amusement, -upon days when there was a public gathering. Now and -then they engaged alone in certain sports which would be witnessed -by the whites. Playing ball—​bandy-ball, lacrosse, foot-races, and -the war-dance, were occasionally engaged in. The present fashionable -game of lacrosse is of Indian origin, and may well be remembered -by every Canadian, and even American. After the conquest -of Canada, when the Great Ottawa chief Pontiac had effected an -alliance of all the western and northern tribes, to destroy the frontier -forts of the British. There were several forts, originally French, -along the upper lakes; two notably, one at Detroit, the other at -Michilmacinac. Smaller forts had been attacked and taken, in most -cases by treachery and Indian cunning. These two forts remained -untaken. Pontiac devised the plan of pretending to wish for peace. -With the ostensible intention of holding a council to make peace, -the chiefs were to enter the forts; while the Indians, engaged in ball-playing -along the ramparts, were to amuse those within the ramparts. -The squaws were to be present, seemingly as spectators, but in -reality to hold under their blankets, rifles, the ends of which had -been cut off for concealment. At a given signal, the ball was to -be knocked over the outer defence, and the Indians were to rush in -as if to get it; but seizing their rifles from the women who had -placed themselves conveniently, they were to rush in to slaughter -the unsuspecting inmates. At Michilmacinac this proved successful, -and the whole garrison was massacred, and Detroit barely escaped -the same fate.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Dueling.</span>—​At the time when fierce encounters took place between -organized forces in America, which resulted in the independence of -the United States, and the settlement of Upper Canada, the practise -of duelling obtained among the higher classes. Happily, this heinous -crime, an outrage against humanity, is no longer tolerated where -British laws and British principles of justice and freedom have force. -But such was not the case seventy years ago. The early history of -Canada witnessed a few personal engagements of honor. The first -duel was between Peter Clark, Chief Clerk of the Legislative -Council, and Captain Sutherland of the 25th regiment. The meeting -took place at Kingston, and Mr. Clark fell fatally wounded. -This occurred in the winter of 1795.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the 22nd July, 1817, a duel was fought between S. P. Jarvis, -Esq., and Mr. John Ridout. The latter received a wound in the -chest and died in about an hour.</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='pageno' id='Page_633'>633</span>“<span class='sc'>Duel.</span>—​On Friday the 11th inst., Alexander McMillan, Esquire, -and Alexander Thom, Esquire, met in a field on the Brockville Road, -to decide an affair of honor—​the former attended by Mr. Radenhurst, -and the latter by Mr. Cumming. After exchanging shots, the seconds -interfered, and on mutual explanations being made, the matter terminated -amicably. Doctor Thom received a contusion on the leg.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the latest instances in which a duel was fought in Upper -Canada, occurred some forty years ago. The event resulted in the -death of one of the combatants, the other, who was tried for his life, -has now for some years adorned the bench of the Province.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Patriotism.</span>—​In no country upon the face of the Globe, and at no -period in the history of any country, has appeared a higher or purer -order of patriotism, than is written upon the pages of the history of -British America. British connection is to mostly every son of the land -dearer even than life itself. At least it has been so in respect to those -of whom we write, the U. E. Loyalists. Co-equal with the love they -have to the British Crown, is the hearty aversion they bear to Republicanism. -Neither the overtures of annexation, nor the direct and -indirect attempts to coerce, has produced a momentary wavering on -the part of the descendants of the ancient stock. Americans in our -midst have vainly tried to inoculate the minds of the people with the -principles of Republican Government; but the Canadian mind was -too free, the body politic too healthy, the system too strong to imbibe -any lasting feeling of desire to change the tried for the untried. The -few annexationists who have, from time to time, existed, were but -the fungoid offshoot of a healthy plant. From the time Franklin and -his coadjutors vainly essayed to draw the French Canadian into their -rebellious cause, until the present there has been a frequently manifested -desire, on the part of the United States, to force us into the -union. The contemptible duplicity of Webster, who concealed from -Ashburton the existence of a second map, whereby he tricked -Canada, Yankee like, out of a valuable portion of territory along the -Atlantic coast, with a view of cutting us off from the ocean. The -declaration of war in 1812, and the repeated but unsuccessful invasions -of our Province. The proclamations issued to Canadians, by the -would be conquerors, Hull, Wilkinson, and others. Their sympathy -and aid to turbulent spirits in 1836–7. The attempts at bullying -England when she was at war with Russia. The organization of the -Fenian association, with the publicly avowed purpose of seizing some -portion of our Province. The abrogation of the Reciprocity Treaty, -the object of which was proclaimed by Consul Potter—​all along the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_634'>634</span>eighty years’ history of the United States, is to be seen a disreputable -attempt, by all possible means, to bully a weaker neighbor. All this -does not become a great and honorable nation, a nation so extensive, -whose people are so loud-tongued upon the principles of liberty—​Liberty! -The name with the United States is only synonymous with -their government. They cannot discover that a people should be free -to choose their own form of government, always excepting those who -rebelled in 1776. Oh yes! we have liberty to choose; but then we -must choose in accordance with Yankee ideas of liberty. Egotistic -to the heart’s core, they cannot understand how we entertain views -dissimilar to their own. How applicable the words of the immortal -Burns:—​</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“O wad some power the giftie gie us,</div> - <div class='line'>To see oursels as others see us:</div> - <div class='line'>It wad frae monie a blunder free us</div> - <div class='line in10'>An’ foolish notion.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>Without detracting from the well-known loyalty of the -other sections of the Province, it may be safely said that -the inhabitants of the Bay Quinté and St. Lawrence, and -Niagara, have proved themselves devotedly attached to British -institutions. The U. E. Loyalists have been as a barrier of rock, -against which the waves of Republicanism have dashed in vain. It -has been the refugee-settlers and their descendants, who prevented -the Province from being engulfed in its dark waters. In 1812, in -‘37, and at all times, their loyalty has never wavered. It has been -elsewhere stated, that settlers from the States came in at a later -date. Those were found likewise truly loyal. Says McMullen, -speaking of the war of 1812, “But comparatively few Canadians -joined the American standard in the war, and throughout which -none were more gallant in rolling back the tide of unprincipled -avarice than the emigrant from New England and New York, who -aside from the U. E. Loyalist, had settled in the country.” There -were a few renegades who forsook the country, not so much to join -the enemy as because they had no soul to fight. In this connection -it will be desirable to refer to one notable case; that of “Bill -Johnson.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following will sufficiently shew how intense were the feelings -of loyalty many years ago. The writer’s father was present at -a meeting, which was conducted by a minister lately from the -United States, and who was unaccustomed to pray for the King. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_635'>635</span>The good man thought only of his allegiance to the King of Kings, -and omitted, in the extemporaneous prayer, to pray for the King -of England. Whereupon Mr. T. arose and requested the preacher -either to pray for his Majesty, or leave his territories. The minister -did not again forget so manifest a duty. In this connection, we -cannot forbear inserting another instance of Canadian loyalty, -which exhibited itself not long ago in the loyal city of Toronto.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>Canadian Loyalty.</span>—​A very extraordinary manifestation of -feeling took place on Thursday night last in Toronto, at the closing -meeting of the Sabbath School Convention. A gentleman from -New York delivered a parting address, on behalf of the American -visitors who had attended the Convention; at the conclusion of -which he referred to our Queen as a “model woman,” and said that -from the fulness of his heart he could say, ‘Long live Her Majesty -Queen Victoria!’ When he gave expression to this sentiment there -was such an outburst of enthusiastic loyalty that every one seemed -carried completely away. The immense audience immediately -commenced such a cheering, and clapping of hands, as is seldom -seen, and kept it up till there was an accidental “change of exercise.” -Under the powerful excitement of the moment, a gentleman -near the platform commenced singing “God Save the Queen,” when -the entire audience rose to their feet and joined in singing it through. -That was singing with a will! Several persons were quite overpowered, -and even wept freely. It was simply an unpremeditated -expression of the warm devotion of the Canadian heart to the best -Queen that ever sat on the British throne.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Longevity.</span>—​The climate of Canada, even of Ontario, is by some -considered very severe. The months of unpleasant weather which -intervene between summer and winter, and again between winter and -summer; and the snowy months of winter itself are not, it must be -admitted, so agreeable as in other climates. And, occasionally, -even the summer itself is comparatively cold. For instance, in -1817, snow fell at Kingston in the month of June. But, notwithstanding -the occasional severity, and the general unpleasantness, -(although all do not so consider it) the climate of Canada seems conducive -to longevity. Both in Upper and Lower Canada, among the -French and English may be found a great many instances of wonderfully -extended age. There is a school of naturalists, who entertain -the belief that the races of men are strictly indigenous; that if -removed from the land of their birth, they will degenerate, and -unless intermixed with constantly flowing recruits, will ultimately -die out. They assert that the European races transplanted to -America are doomed to degeneration and death so soon as emigration -shall cease to maintain the vitality brought by the original -<span class='pageno' id='Page_636'>636</span>settlers. To this view we have ventured to give very positive -dissent, and have supported this position in another place with the -following language: “In Canada are to be seen quite remote -descendants of the most prominent people of Europe, the British -and French, and, I am prepared to assert, with no marked signs of -physical degeneration, the French of Lower Canada, even under -many adverse circumstances, have fully maintained their ancient -bodily vigor, and can compare favorably with the present inhabitants -of old France, while their number has increased.” Yet their -ancestors, many of them, emigrated two hundred years ago; and, -since the colony became a part of Britain, no replenishment has -been received from the old stock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Turning to Upper Canada, we find a fact no less important, -and quite as antagonistic to the theory. In consequence of the -American Revolutionary war, some twenty-five or thirty thousand -United Empire Loyalists were forced, or induced, to seek a home -in the Canadian wilderness. Many of these were descendants of -those who had first peopled New Holland. A large number settled -along the St. Lawrence and the Bay of Quinté. In the main, indeed, -almost altogether, until very recently, these old settlers have intermarried. -The great-grandchildren of those American pioneers now -live on the old homestead, and are found scattered over the whole -Province. And although I have no positive data upon which to -base my assertion; yet, from careful observation, I have no hesitation -in declaring that in physical development, in slight mortality -among the children, in length of life, in powers of endurance, not -to say in bravery and patriotism, they cannot be excelled by any -class of emigrants.”—​(Principles of Surgery).</p> - -<p class='c000'>Since the above was written, we have become more intimately -acquainted with regard to the longevity, both among the French -and Anglo-Canadians; and the opinion then expressed has been -greatly strengthened. Respecting the latter class, personal observation -has aided us. In our frequent visits to different parts, -made during the last few years, we have enjoyed the opportunity of -conversing with many persons who had much over-ran the period -allotted to man; and others who had exceeded their three score -years and ten. Some of them have been spectators of the very -scenes of the settlement of the country, and retain a vivid recollection -of the events attending that trying period. Venerable, with -hairs blossoming for the grave, and chastened by the long endured -fire of affliction, they are happy in their old age. They connect the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_637'>637</span>present with the past, and remind us how great the heritage they -have secured to us from a vast, untrodden wilderness. Notwithstanding -the toils, the privations in early life, ere the tender child -had merged into the adult, when the food was limited, and often -inferior in quality, they yet have had iron constitutions that in the -earnest contingency of life served them well. Of course, the plain -and regular habits of the settlers, with plenty of out-door exercise, -assisted to promote long life, and give them a hardy nature. We -have knowledge of a vast number who attained to a great age. Of -those who lived to an old age, “A Traveler,” writing in 1835 says -of Upper Canada, “I often met the venerable in years.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The children and grand-children of the early settlers live, in -many cases, to as great an age as their fathers.</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Descendants.</span>—​While there were some among the first settlers of -European birth, the majority were of American birth, and possessed -the characteristics of the colonists of that day. But, separated from -the people and the scenes intimate to them in their youth, and living -in the profound shades of the interminable wilderness, they gradually -lost many of their characteristic features and habits, and -acquired others instead.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Canadian immigrant, be he English, Irish, or Scotch, or even -German or French, will, as time gives lines to his face, and gray hair -to his head, insensibly lose many of the peculiarities of his race, -and in the end sensibly approximate to the character and appearance -of the people among whom he has settled. The children of the -emigrant, no matter what pains the parents may take to preserve in -their children what belongs to their own native country, will grow -up quite unlike the parents. So much is this the case that any one -on entering a mixed school, high or low, or by noticing the children -at play, as he passes along the street, whose parents are both natives and -foreigners, would find it quite impossible to point out one from the -other, whether the child was of Canadian parentage, or whether its -parents were of another country. The fact at which it is desired to -get is that emigrants to Canada, no matter how heterogeneous, are -gradually moulded into a whole more or less homogenous. That -this is observable somewhat in the emigrant himself, but decidedly -so in the children. The fact being admitted that a transformation -is slowly but certainly effected, it may be inquired by what influence -it is accomplished. It cannot be due solely, to the climate, -nor to dress, nor diet, nor the original habits of the people, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_638'>638</span>although each has its influence. Must we not search for a more powerful -cause of peculiarity as a people, in some other channel. A natural -one seemingly presents itself. The growth of a nation, as the growth -of a tree will be modified by its own intrinsic vitality, and at the -same time by external circumstances. Upper Canada was planted by -British heroes of the American Revolution. It arose out of that -revolution. The first settlers were U. E. Loyalists. The majority -of the original settlers were natives of America, and brought up in -one or other of the provinces that rebelled. They were Americans -in all respects, as much as those who took sides with the rebels, yet -to-day the descendants of the U. E. Loyalists are as unlike the descendants -of the rebels, as each is unlike a full blooded Englishman. -The pure Yankee and the Canadian of the first water may trace their -ancestors to a common parentage, and have the same name. As -Canadians we are not afraid to institute a comparison between ourselves -and the natives of New England or New York, or Pennsylvania. -Let the comparison refer to any question whatever, either of -the body or mind, of society or of government. The external influences -which have operated have been elsewhere indicated. The circumstances -of the U. E. Loyalists as settlers in a wilderness, were -widely different from those of the States after the Independence was -secured. Incessant toil and privations, without opportunities for -acquiring education, on the one hand; on the other there was -all the advantages of civilization. And so it continued for nearly -half a century. It is to be desired that we had statistics to show the -difference as to longevity, and general health. Suffice it to say that -scientific men are debating the cause of gradual decline among the -New Englanders, while Upper Canada overflows with native population. -Another influence of an external nature, which must not be -omitted as operating upon the loyalists, is that derived from the -emigrants from Great Britain and the officers from the army and -navy, and other gentlemen who became part of the first settlers. That -they had a wholesome effect cannot be doubted, and gave a healthy -tone to the provincial mind. From these internal and external influences -the Upper Canadian has been developed into an individual -singular in some respects, but yet constituting a middle link between -the Englishman, and the “Englishman intensified,” as the American -has been called.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The difference in the character between the British American -and those who have lived under Republican Government is a striking -commentary upon the effects of social and political institutions. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_639'>639</span>Canadians may not have excelled in making wooden nutmegs, and -basswood hams; but they have succeeded in converting a wilderness -into a splendid Province. And although eighty years behind -in commencing the race with those who robbed them of their homes, -they have even now caught up in many respects, and to-day a -young State with great breadth and resources presents itself at the -threshold of nations. It has for a population a stable people. Canada -has no long list of cruel charges against her for aggression. Her -escutcheon is clean as the northern snow against which she rests, -from the stains of blood—​blood of the Indian, the African, the -Mexican, or of a neighbor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After all, notwithstanding this bright record of loyalty on the -part of settlers and their descendants, yet the Bay of Quinté inhabitants -were not permitted to receive the heir to the Crown of -England, to support which, their sires suffered so much. They -spilled their blood, they suffered starvation; and yet by the advice -of one who held in higher consideration the Roman Catholic -Church, than the grand-children of the U. E. Loyalists. The -Prince of Wales passed up and down the bay without landing. -They waited with burning enthusiasm to receive the Prince, but -he passed and repassed without gratifying their desire. Notwithstanding -this there were some who followed him to Toronto, determined -to pay their respect to the Prince, notwithstanding the -Duke of Newcastle.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>The U. E. List.</span>”—​It will be remembered that a certain number -of Americans who had remained in the States, were induced to -remove to Canada by a proclamation issued by Simcoe; many of -these were always loyalists in heart, some had become tired of -republicanism, and others were attracted by the offer of lands, free -grants of which were offered upon paying fees of office, some $30. -By this means a new element was added to the Province. At the -same time the first settlers were to be placed in a position to which -the newcomers, however loyal, could never attain.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Distinct from the general class is here meant those whose names -were entered upon a list ordered to be prepared by Government. -“To put a mark of honor,” as it was expressed in the orders of -Council, “upon the families who had adhered to the unity of the -empire and joined the royal standard in America, before the treaty -of separation in the year 1783, to the end that their posterity might -be discriminated from the then future settlers. From the initials -of two emphatic words, the unity of the empire, it was styled the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_640'>640</span>“U. E. List,” and they, whose names were entered on it, were distinguished -as the U. E. Loyalists, a distinction of some consequence, -for, in addition to the promise of such loyalty by themselves, it was -declared that their children, as well as those born hereafter, as -those already born, should, upon arriving at the age of twenty-one -years, and females upon their marriage within that age, be entitled -to grants of 200 acres each, free from all expense.” Upon arriving -at age, the descendant petitioned the Governor, stating the facts -upon oath, and accompanied with the affidavit of one person. The -order was issued, and land in one of the newer townships was duly -allotted and the patent issued free of cost.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The following is the order of Council referring to the grants -of land to the U. E. Loyalists:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in22'>“<span class='sc'>Quebec</span>, Monday, 9th Nov. 1789.”</div> - <div class='line'>Present, <span class='sc'>Lord Dorchester</span> and thirteen Councillors.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“His Lordship intimated to the Council, that it remained a -question upon the regulations for the disposition of the waste lands -of the Crown, whether the board constituted for that purpose, were -authorized to make locations to the sons of loyalists, on their arriving -to full age, and that it was his wish to put a mark of honor -upon the families who had adhered to the unity of the empire, and -joined the Royal standard in America, before the treaty of separation -in the year 1783.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“The Council concurring with his Lordship, it is accordingly -ordered, that the several land boards take course for preserving a -registry of the names of all persons falling under the description -aforementioned, to the end that their posterity may be discriminated -from future settlers, in the parish registers, and rolls of the -militia of their respective districts, and other public remembrances -of the Province, as proper objects, by their persevering in the -fidelity and conduct so honorable to their ancestors, for distinguished -benefits and privileges.”</p> - -<p class='c017'>“And it is also ordered that the said land boards may, in every -such case, provide not only for the sons of the loyalists, as they -arrive at full age, but for their daughters also, of that age, or on -their marriage, assigning to each a lot of 200 acres, more or less, -provided, nevertheless, that they respectfully comply with the -general regulations, and that it shall satisfactorily appear that there -has been no default in the due cultivation and improvement of the -lands already assigned to the head of the family of which they are -members.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_641'>641</span>In the first days of the Upper Canadian Militia, instructions -were given to the Captains in each battalion that in the roll of -members, all of the U. E. Loyalists enrolled should have the -capitals U. E. affixed to their names.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After the war of 1812, it became necessary for the applicant to -present a certificate from a Clerk of the Peace that he retained his -loyalty. The following is the order of the Executive Council:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>York</span>, 27th June, 1816.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“Public notice is hereby given by order of His Excellency -Governor in Council, that no petition from sons and daughters of -U. E. Loyalists will be hereafter received without a certificate from -the Magistrate in Quarter Sessions, signed by the chairman and -Clerk of the Peace, that the parent retained his loyalty during the -late war, and was under no suspicion of aiding or assisting the -enemy. And if a son then of age, that he also was loyal during the -late war, and did his duty in defense of the Province. And if a -daughter of an U. E. L. married, that her husband was loyal, and -did his duty in defense of the Province.” (Signed) <span class='sc'>John Small</span>, -Clerk of the Executive Council.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The steps taken by Government to prevent persons not actually -upon the U. E. List from enjoying the peculiar privileges operated -sometimes against the U. E. Loyalists unpleasantly, which led to -some agitation, as the following will show:</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the year 1832, a meeting was held at Bath. Referring to this -meeting the Kingston <cite>Herald</cite>, of April 4, says:</p> - -<p class='c000'>The alleged injustice of the Government with regard to the -sons and daughters of U. E. Loyalists has been a fruitful source of -complaint by the grievance-mongers. At the late Bath meeting -Mr. <span class='sc'>Perry</span> offered the following amendment to a resolution, which -was negatived by a large majority,</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Resolved, That a free grant of 200 acres of the waste lands of -the Crown, by His Majesty the King, to the U. E. Loyalists and their -sons and daughters, was intended as a mark of His Majesty’s Royal -munificence towards those who had shown a devotedness to His -Majesty’s person and government during the sanguinary struggle -at the late American Revolution, and that the settlement duty -required of late to be performed by the above description of persons -and others equally entitled to gratuitous grants, and also their -not being allowed the privilege of locating in any, or all townships -surveyed and open for location, appears to this meeting to be unjust, -and ought therefore to be abolished.”</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_642'>642</span> - <h3 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER LXXI.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>—​Notice of a Few—​Booth—​Brock—​Burritt—​Cotter—​Cartwright—​Conger—​Cole—​Dempsey—​Detlor—​Fraser—​Finkle—​Fisher—​Fairfield—​Grass—​Gamble -Hagerman—​Johnson’s—​“Bill” Johnson—​Macaulay—​The -Captive, Christian Moore—​Parliament—​Morden—​Roblins—​Simon—​Van -Alstine—​Wallbridge—​Chrysler—​White—​Wilkins—​Stewart—​Wilson—​Metcalf—​Jayne—​McIntosh—​Bird—​Gerow—​Vankleek—​Perry—​Sir -William Johnson’s children.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>INDIVIDUAL NOTICES—​CONCLUSION.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>The noble band of Loyalists have now almost all passed away. -Their bodies have long since been laid in the grave; their children -also have almost all departed, and the grand-children are getting -old. Their last resting places—​resting from war, famine, and toil—​are -to be found upon beautiful eminences, overlooking the blue -waters of the Bay and River and Lake. All along their shores may -be seen the quiet burying-places of those who cleared the land and -met the terrible realities of a pioneer life.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The present work cannot embrace a history of the many noble -ones, deserving attention, who laid the foundation of the brightest -colony of Great Britain. Yet it would be incomplete without giving -the names of a few representative persons. They are such as we -have been able to procure, and while there are others, not referred -to, well worthy of a place in history, these are no less worthy. We -have, under “The Combatants,” referred to others of the first -settlers, and would gladly have introduced the names of all, could -they have been obtained.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Booth</span>—​“<span class='sc'>Died</span>—​At Ernesttown, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 1813, -very suddenly, Joshua Booth, Esq., aged 54 years. He was one of -the oldest settlers in that place, and ever retained the character of a -respectable citizen. Left a widow and ten children.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>The Brock Family.</span>—​William Brock was a native of Scotland; -born in 1715. Was taken by a press-gang when eighteen, and forced -upon a man-of-war. Served in the navy several years, when he was -taken prisoner by the French. Afterward was exchanged at Boston. -Being set at liberty from the service, he settled at Fishkill, New -York, where he married, and became the father of a large family, -two sons, Philip and John, by the first wife; and eight children by -a second, named William, Ruth, Naomi, Isabel, Deborah, Catherine, -Samuel, Garret, and Lucretia. In consequence, of the rebellion, he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_643'>643</span>became a refugee, and, at the close, settled in Adolphustown; lived -for a short time near the Court House, upon his town lot, two of -his neighbors gave him theirs, and he continued to live upon the -three acres for some time. He drew land near the Lake on the -Mountain, and in the west, to which his sons went when they grew -old enough. One of them was Captain of Militia during the war -of 1812. He received at that time a letter from Gen. Brock, who -claimed relationship; the letter was written a few days before -Gen. Brock fell. This letter still exists. The youngest of the -children married Watterberry, and still lives, (1867) aged 82, with -her daughter, Mrs. Morden, Ameliasburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cartwright.</span>—​One of the most noted of the refugees who -settled at Kingston, was Richard Cartwright. He was a native of -Albany, and was forced to leave his home because of his loyalty. -He found an asylum with others at Carleton Island, or Fort -Niagara. Some time after the conclusion of the war he was in -partnership with Robert, afterward Honorable Hamilton, at -Niagara. But sometime about 1790, he settled in Kingston, -where, as a merchant he acquired extensive property. The -Government mills at Napanee came into his possession. Those -who remember his business capacity, say it was very great. He -was a man of “liberal education and highly esteemed. Suffered at -last calmly and patiently, and died at Montreal, 27th July, 1815, -aged fifty years.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>The estimation in which this gentleman was held is sufficiently -attested by the following, which we take from the <cite>Kingston Gazette</cite>:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>York</span>, March 13, 1816.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>A new township in the rear of Darlington, in the district of -Newcastle, has been surveyed, and is now open for the location of -the U. E. Loyalists and military claimants. We understand that -His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor to testify in the most -public manner the high sense which he entertained of the merit -and services of the late Honorable Richard Cartwright, has been -pleased to honor this township with the name of <span class='sc'>Cartwright</span>, a -name ever to be remembered in Canada with gratitude and respect. -Dignified with a seat in the Legislative Council, and also with a -high appointment in the militia of the Province, Mr. Cartwright -discharged the duties incident to those situations, with skill, -fidelity, and attention. Animated with the purest principle of -loyalty, and with an ardent zeal for the preservation of that noble -<span class='pageno' id='Page_644'>644</span>constitution which we enjoy, he dedicated, when even struggling -under great bodily infirmity, the remains of a well spent life to the -service of his country. Nor was he less perspicuous for his exemplary -behaviour in private life; obliging to his equals—​kind to his -friends—​affectionate to his family, he passed through life, eminently -distinguished for virtuous and dignified propriety of conduct, uniformly -maintaining the exalted character of a true patriot, and of a -great man.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was a good type of the old school, a tall, robust man, with -a stern countenance, and a high mind. He had sustained the loss -of one eye, but the remaining one was sharp and piercing. As the -first Judge of Mecklenburgh, he discharged his duties with great -firmness, amounting, it is said, often to severity. As an officer of -the militia, a position he held in 1812, he was a strict disciplinarian, -and often forgot that the militiamen were respectable farmers. -Mr. Cartwright left two sons, the late John S. Cartwright, and the -Rev. Robert Cartwright. It is unnecessary to say that the descendants -of Judge Cartwright are among the most respectable, influential -and wealthy, living in the Midland District.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Mr. James Cotter</span>, was by profession, a farmer, residing in -Sophiasburgh in good circumstances. He was universally respected; -decided, and well informed in political matters; and as a proof of -the public confidence was elected M.P.P. In Parliament he served -his constituents faithfully, and maintained a reputation for consistency -and uprightness. In 1819, when party spirit animated the -two political parties, he became a candidate for re-election, but -after a close contest was defeated by James Wilson, Esq.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Conger.</span>—​“At West Lake, Hallowell, on the 27th May, 1825, died -Dengine Conger, in the 60th year of his age. He held a commission -in the First Battalion of the Prince Edward Militia, during twenty-three -years. He resided in Hallowell forty years, and lived a very -exemplary life, and died regretted by all who knew him.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Cole.</span>—​In the history of Adolphustown, reference is made to -Daniel Cole, the very first settler in that township. The writer in the -summer of 1866, took dinner with John Cole, of Ameliasburgh, son -of Daniel. John was then in his 92nd year. He has since, 1867, -passed away. Born in Albany before the rebellion, he, with his -family during the war, found their way as loyalists to the city of -New York, where they remained until the leaving of VanAlstine’s -company. The old man could remember many of the events of that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_645'>645</span>exciting period, being, when they came to Canada, about ten years -old. The brigade of batteaux from Sorel, was under the supervision -of Collins, he says: “Old Mother Cook kept tavern in Kingston, in -a low flat hut, with two rooms.” There were four or five houses -altogether in the place. Landed in fourth township in June. Saw -no clearings or buildings all the way up from Kingston, nor tents; -a complete wilderness. Remembers an early settler in second -township, named Cornelius Sharp, from the fact that he injured his -knee, and that Dr. Dougall desired to amputate; but his father -cured it. His mother’s name was Sophia de Long, from Albany. -She lost property. A hogshead of spirits was brought up from New -York. The settlers were called together every morning and supplied -with a little on account of the new climate. His father had -been a spy and carried despatches in a thin steel box, which was -placed between the soles of the boot. Before resorting to this -mode he had been caught, and sentenced to be hanged immediately. -The rope was around his neck, and the end thrown over the -limb of a tree, when he suddenly gave a spring from their grasp, -and ran, while shot after shot was leveled at his flying figure; but -he escaped, “God Almighty would not let the balls hit him.” -Remembers the Indians when first came, were frequently about, -would come in and look at the dinner table; but refused to eat -bread at first; afterward would, and then brought game to -them in abundance at times. Remembers landing at Adolphustown, -he hauled the boat to a block oak tree, which overhung the water, -his father built a wharf here afterwards. It was in the afternoon. -They all went ashore. There were three tents of linen put up. -His father brought a scythe with him, with which they cut marsh -hay, or flags. This was used to cover the houses, and they kept out -the rain well.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His father’s family consisted of twelve persons, two died at -Sorel. The settlers used to meet every Sunday to hear the Bible -read, generally by Ferguson; sometimes had prayer. Remembers, -Quarter Sessions met at his father’s, Cartwright was Judge. The -Grand Jury would go to the stable to converse. Says he once saved -Chrys. Hagerman’s life, who was bleeding at nose, after Drs. -Dougall and Dunham had failed. His father lived to be 105, his -sister died last year, aged 101. Remembers the man that was convicted -of stealing a watch, and hanged. Has seen the gallows on -Gallows Point, Captain Grass’ farm. The gallows remained there -a dozen years. The man it turned out, was innocent.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_646'>646</span><span class='sc'>Died.</span>—​“On Friday the 5th of August, at his residence in Adolphustown, -Mr. Daniel Cole, at the very advanced age of 105 years, 1 -month and 12 days. He was a native of Long Island, N. Y., and the -oldest settler in this township; he was respected and beloved by all -who knew him—​having long performed his duty as a loyal subject, a -faithful friend, a kind husband, an indulgent parent, and an obliging -neighbor. Born in the fifth year of the reign of George II, he lived -under four Sovereigns, and saw many changes both in the land of -his birth, and this of his adoption. He has beheld the horrors of -war, and has tasted of the blessings of peace; he has seen that which -was once a wilderness, “blossom and flourish like the rose,” where -formerly was nothing to be seen but the dark shadow of the lofty -pine, oak, and maple, here and there broken by the thin blue vapor -curling above the Indian wigwam, he has seen comfortable dwellings -arise; out of the superabundance of nature man has supplied his -necessity. Beneath the untiring efforts of human industry, the dark -woods have disappeared and waiving fields of grain have taken their -place. Where once was seen nought but the light birch bark canoe -of the “son of the forest,” he has beheld the stately steamboats -sweep majestically along—​where formerly resounded the savage howl -of the panther, the wolf and bear, he has seen towns and villages -spring up, as it were by magic; in fact the very face of the country -seems changed since he first sat down upwards of 52 years ago, as a -settler on the place where he died.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“But after all he saw, he too is gone, his venerable age could not -save him, for we are told “the old must die.” The friends of his -early days were all gone before him; he was becoming “a stranger -among men,” generations had arisen and passed away, still he remained -like a patriarch of old, unbroken by the weight of years. -After witnessing the fifth generation, he died universally lamented -by all his acquaintances, leaving behind him 8 children; 75 grandchildren, -172 great-grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren’s children; -in all 268 descendants.”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Adolphustown, August 9, 1836. T. D.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Dempsey.</span>—​“Mark Dempsey was sent out by the British Government -as Secretary to General Schuyler. Married about 1746 to Miss -Carroll. Thomas, their youngest son, was born in New Jersey, 9th -January, 1762. His father died while he was young, and he was -left in a part of the country which was held by the rebels, when he -had attained to an age to be drafted, Thomas Dempsey did not -like to fight in the rebel ranks, and consequently escaped and joined -<span class='pageno' id='Page_647'>647</span>the loyalists. Was in the service when New York was evacuated. -Married 1782 to Mary Lawson, whose father, Peter was imprisoned by -the rebels, and his property all plundered and confiscated. Came to -Canada by Oswego, 1788, accompanied by his wife and her parents. -Tarried at Napanee till 1789, when they came to Ameliasburgh, and -settled on lot 91, which had been purchased from John Finkle. -Dempsey’s worldly effects then consisted of a cow, which they -brought with them, seven bushels of potatoes, and a French crown, -and a half acre of wheat which Finkle had sowed. They drew land -in Cramahe. During the first years they were in great distress. A -tablespoonful of flour, with milk boiled, or grain shelled by hand, -formed their daily meals. Their clothing consisted of blankets -obtained of the Indians for the women, and buckskin pants and shirts -for the men. Dempsey was the second settler in the township, Weese -having settled two years before. Margaret Dempsey, born October -24, 1790, was the third child born in the township.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Detlors.</span>—​The Detlors are of the Palatine stock. Says G. H. -Detlor, Esq., of the Customs Department, Kingston:</p> - -<p class='c000'>My grandfather, John V. Detlor, emigrated with my grandmother -from Ireland, to New York; directly after his marriage in the City of -New York, they removed to the town of Camden, where they resided -with their family—​and at the close of the Rebellion (having joined the -Royal standard)—​he with two or three of his sons and sons-in-law -came to Canada, and finally located on lands in the Township of Fredericksburgh, -Lot No. 21, 6th concession, where he and his sons lived -and died. My father removed to the town of York (now City of -Toronto), in 1802, and at the invasion of that place by the Americans, -in April, 1813, my father lost his life in defense of the place. There -is now but one of my grandfather’s children living, an aunt of mine, -Mrs. Anne Dulmage, resides in the village of Sydenham, Township -of Loughboro’, County of Frontenac.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They sacrificed their lands, and suffered great privations. The -Detlors have ever been universally esteemed, not alone in the Midland -District, but in all parts of Canada, and have been found worthy -occupants of many responsible positions.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Isaac Fraser.</span>—​“Among the prominent men who resided in -Ernesttown, near the Bay of Quinté, was Isaac Fraser, Esq., for -many years M.P.P. for the Counties of Lennox and Addington. -Mr. Fraser was a man of great decision of character, and during the -active part of his life, probably wielded a great influence, and his -opinions always commanded great respect. In his political opinions, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_648'>648</span>he was identified with the Conservative or Tory party; and when -he arrived at a conclusion on any particular point, he adhered to it -with all the tenacity which a clear conviction of its justice could -inspire. With him there was no wavering, no vacillation. He was -always reliable, and his friends always knew where to find him. -There is no doubt, he acted from conscientious motives, and from a -clear conviction of duty; and, so far as I know, no man ever charged -him with acting corruptly. In his religious views, Mr. Fraser sympathized -with the Presbyterians, and, if I mistake not, was a -member of the church organized, and watched over by the late Rev. -Robert McDowall, of Fredericksburgh.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Finkle.</span>—​The late Geo. Finkle, of Ernesttown, says, “My -grandfather, Dr. Geo. Finkle, left Germany when a young man; and -bought two estates, one at Great, and one at Little Nine Partners. -In adhering to the British, he had all his estates, which were valuable -at Nine Partners, Duchess Co., confiscated to the Rebel Government. -My father, Henry, made his way to Quebec shortly after the -war began, being sixteen years old. Entered the Engineer’s Department, -where he learned the use of carpenter’s tools. In settling, -this knowledge was of great use to him, and he became the builder -of the first framed building in Upper Canada. His wife was a -sister of Capt. John Bleeker. He settled on the front of Ernesttown, -lot six.” Finkle’s Point is well known.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The First court held in Upper Canada, it is said, was at Finkle’s -house, which being larger than any at Kingston, or elsewhere on -the Bay, afforded the most convenience. Mr. Finkle records the -trial of a negro for stealing a loaf of bread, who, being found guilty, -received thirty-nine lashes. The basswood tree, to which he was -tied, is still standing; Mr. Finkle had slaves and was the first to -give them freedom. One of the brothers, of which there were -three, John, George, and Henry, served seven years in Johnson’s -regiment.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Finkle wrote us, Dec. 11, 1865; he says, “Being in my -74th year, and in impaired health, I am unable to write more.” The -kind man soon thereafter was called away, at a good old age, like -his father and grandfather.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Geo. Finkle, son of Henry, had three sons, Gordon William, -Roland Robinson, and Henry. The Finkle’s, as we have seen elsewhere, -were actively engaged in the construction of the first steamboats -the ‘Frontenac’ and ‘Charlotte,’ having had an interest in -the ‘Charlotte,’ and his eldest son, Gordon, is now one of the oldest -<span class='pageno' id='Page_649'>649</span>captains upon the Bay, being attached to the steamer ‘Bay Quinté.’ -The old place granted to the grandfather, still belongs to the family, -Roland R. still residing there, and the youngest, Henry, is Postmaster -at Bath.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Fisher.</span>—​Judge Alexander Fisher, a name well known in the -Midland District, was a native of Perthshire, Scotland, from whence -his parents, with a numerous family, emigrated to New York, then -a British province. At the time of the rebellion they had accumulated -a considerable amount of both real and personal property; -but at the defeat of Burgoyne, near the place of whose defeat they -lived, the Fisher family, who would not abandon their loyalty, left -their all, and endured great hardships in finding their way to Montreal. -Alexander was subsequently employed in the Commissariat, -under McLean, at Carleton Island; while his twin-brother obtained -the charge of the High School at Montreal, which situation he held -until his death, in the year 1819. At the close of the war the family -obtained their grants of land as U. E. Loyalists.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Alex. Fisher was appointed the first District Judge and Chairman -of Quarter Sessions for the Midland District, to the last of -which he was elected by his brother magistrates. He was also for -many years a Captain of Militia, which post he held during the -war of 1812. The family took up their abode in Adolphustown, -upon the shores of Hay Bay. A sister of Judge Fisher was married -to Mr. Hagerman, and another to Mr. Stocker, who, for a time, -lived on the front of Sidney. He was related, by marriage, to -McDonnell, of Marysburgh. His parents lived with him at the -farm in Adolphustown. They were buried here in the family vault, -with a brother, and the Judge’s only son.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Judge Fisher was short in stature, and somewhat stout, with a -prominent nose. He was, as a judge, and as a private individual, -universally esteemed. “He was a man of great discernment, and -moral honesty governed his decisions.”—​(Allison.) He died in the -year 1830, and was buried in the family vault. As an evidence of -the high esteem in which he was held, there was scarcely a lawyer -or magistrate in the whole District, from the Carrying Place to -Gananoque, who did not attend his funeral, together with a great -concourse of the settlers throughout the counties.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Fairfield.</span>—​The Kingston <cite>Gazette</cite> tells the following:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>Died.</span>—​At his house, in Ernesttown, on the 7th Feb. 1816, in -the 47th year of his age, W. Fairfield. His funeral was attended by -a numerous circle of relatives, friends and neighbors. He left a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_650'>650</span>widow and seven children. The first link that was broken in a -family chain of twelve brothers and three sisters, all married at -years of maturity. His death was a loss to the district, as well as -to his family. He was one of the commissioners for expending the -public money on the roads. Formerly a member of the Provincial -Parliament; many years in the commission of the Peace. As a -magistrate and a man, he was characterized by intelligence, impartiality, -independence of mind and liberality of sentiments.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Grass.</span>—​Captain Michael Grass, the first settler of Kingston -township, was a native of Germany. The period of his emigration -to America is unknown. He was a saddler and harness-maker by -trade, and for years plied his trade in Philadelphia. It would seem -that he removed from Philadelphia to New York, for his son Peter -was born in this city in 1770. According to the statement of his -grandson who often heard the facts from his father, Peter Grass, soon -after the commencement of the rebellion, Michael Grass was taken -prisoner by the Indians, who were staying at Cataraqui. In this he -is probably mistaken. We learn from another source that it was -during the previous French war, which is more likely to be correct. -It would seem that Grass and two other prisoners were not confined -in the fort, but held in durance by a tribe of Indians, who -permitted them to hunt, fish, &c. They made an effort to escape, but -were caught and brought back. Again they attempted, carrying with -them provisions, which they had managed to collect, sufficient to last -them a week. But it was nine weeks before they reached an English -settlement, one having died by the way from hunger and exposure. -It was the knowledge which Grass had acquired of the territory at -Cataraqui, while a prisoner, which led to his appointment to the -leadership of a band of refugees at the close of the war.—​(See settlement -of Kingston.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>It does not appear that Captain Grass occupied any office in the -army during the war. His captaincy commenced upon his leaving -New York with the seven vessels for Canada. By virtue of his -captaincy, he was entitled to draw 3000 acres. Beside lot twenty-five -in Kingston, he drew in fourth concession of Sidney nearly 2000 acres -in one block.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Captain Grass had three sons, Peter, John, and Daniel, and three -daughters. Daniel, some years after, went sailing and was never -heard from. Peter and John settled in the Second Town and became -the fathers respectively of families. The land drawn by the captain, -and the 600 acres by each of his children, has proved a lasting source -of wealth and comfort to his descendants.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_651'>651</span>Captain Grass naturally took a leading part at least during the -first years of the settlement at Kingston. He was possessed of some -education, and was a man of excellent character, with a strict sense -of honor. Although opportunities presented themselves to accumulate -property at the expense of others, he refused to avail himself of all -such. He was appointed a magistrate at an early period, and as such -performed many of the first marriages in Kingston. In religion, he -was an adherent to the Church of England. Probably he had been -brought up a Lutheran. His old “Dutch” Bible still is read by an -old German in Ernesttown; but it seems a pity that although none -of the Grass family can read its time worn pages, it should be allowed -to remain in other hands than the descendants of the old captain.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In connection, it may be mentioned that some time before the war, -a poor German, a baker by trade, came to New York. Michael -Grass assisted him into business, and even gave him a suit of clothes. -When the refugees came to Canada, this baker accompanied them. -He settled in Quebec, where he amassed eventually great wealth, and -the P—​—​ family are not unknown to the public.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Gamble.</span>—​The subjoined somewhat lengthy notice is taken from -the <cite>Toronto Colonist</cite>:—​“Dr. Gamble and family were for many years -residing at Kingston, and he was intimately associated with the first -days of Upper Canada, as a Province, while his offspring as will be -seen, form no indifferent element of the society of the Province,” we -therefore insert the notice <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">in extenso</span></i>. “Isabella Elizabeth Gamble, the -third daughter of Dr. Joseph Clark and Elizabeth Alleyne, was born -at Stratford, in Connecticut—​then a colony of Great Britain—​on the -24th October, 1767. In the year 1776, her father, faithful to his -allegiance, repaired to the British army in New York, to which place -his family followed him. At the peace of 1783, Dr. Clark removed -with his family to New Brunswick (then known as the Province of -Acadia) and took up his residence at Mangerville. There his daughter, -the subject of this memoir, then in her seventeenth year, was married -on the 18th of May, 1884, to Dr. John Gamble, the eldest son of -William Gamble and Leah Tyrer, of Duross, near Enniskillen, Ireland. -Mr. Gamble was born in 1755, studied physic and surgery at Edinburgh; -emigrated to the British colony in 1779, and landed in New -York in September of that year. Immediately on his arrival, he -entered the King’s service as Assistant-Surgeon to the General Hospital; -subsequently he was attached to the “Old Queen’s Rangers,” -and for some time did duty with that regiment as surgeon. At the -peace of 1783, he, with other American Loyalists, went to New -<span class='pageno' id='Page_652'>652</span>Brunswick. After his marriage Dr. Gamble practised his profession -at St. John’s, and resided in New Brunswick until 1793, when having -been appointed Assistant-Surgeon to the late regiment of Queen’s -Rangers, by General Simcoe, then Lieutenant-Governor of Upper -Canada, he joined his regiment at Niagara, where it was then quartered, -having left his wife and five daughters at Mangerville. Mrs. Gamble -continued to reside with her father until 1798, when her husband, -having in the meantime, been promoted to the surgeoncy of his regiment; -she, with her five daughters, the eldest then but thirteen years -of age, accompanied by her father and a sister (afterwards married -to the Hon. Samuel Smith), ascended the river St. John in a bark -canoe, crossed the portage by Temi conata to the Rivierie du Loup, -came up the St. Lawrence, and joined Dr. Gamble then with his -regiment in garrison at York.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“In 1802, the Queen’s Rangers were disbanded, and Mrs. Gamble -accompanied her husband and family to Kingston, where he practised -his profession until his death, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, on the -1st December, 1811. She remained in Kingston till the year 1820, -when with the portion of her family then at home, she removed to -Toronto, and there remained surrounded by her offspring until her -death on the 9th March, 1859.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Mrs. Gamble had thirteen children, nine daughters and four sons; -Isabella, the eldest, married to Robert Charles Home, Esq., Assistant-Surgeon, -Glengary Light Infantry; Mary Ann, married to Colonel -Sinclair, Royal Artillery; Sarah Hannah Boyes, to James Geddes, Esq., -Assistant-Surgeon, Medical Staff; Leah Tyrer, to the Hon. William -Allen; Catharine, who died unmarried; Jane, married to Benjamin -Whitney, Esq.; Rachel Crookshank, to Sir James Buchannan -Macaulay; Magdaline, to Thomas William Birchall, Esq.; and Mary -Ann unmarried; John William, of Vaughan, William, of Milton, -Etobicoke; Clarks, of Toronto, and Joseph who died in infancy; of -these thirteen, six only survive, but Mrs. Gamble’s descendants have -already reached the large number of 204, and some of her children’s -children are now upwards of thirty years of age.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“The remarkable longevity of a large number of the American -Loyalist emigrants who came to the British Provinces after the -American Revolution, has been noticed by the Lord Bishop of New -Brunswick, as a striking instance of the fulfilment of the promise contained -in the fifth commandment, embracing, as that commandment -unquestionably does, the duty of obedience to civil rulers. Mrs. -Gamble may well be counted among that number, having, in October -last, entered upon her ninety-second year.”—​<cite>Colonist.</cite></p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_653'>653</span>Among the company of refugees which followed VanAlstine’s -lead to Canada, was Nicholas Hagerman.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He settled in the village of Adolphustown, almost in front of -the U. E. burying ground. The point of land here between the -Bay and the Creek is still known as Hagerman’s Point. The whole -of the land except the burying ground was cleared by Hagerman. -His house was situated a short distance west of the road leading -from the wharf up to the village. It was built near the water’s edge. -The short period which has elapsed since that building was erected -has not only consigned the builder to a grave almost unknown, and -the building to the destructive tooth of time, but the very land on -which the house stood, where he and his family daily passed in and -out, is now washed away by the ceaseless waves of the bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Hagerman was a man of some education, and it is said had -studied law before leaving New York. At all events he became one -of the first appointed lawyers in Upper Canada, probably at the time -McLean, of Kingston, was appointed. He continued to live and -practice law in Adolphustown until his death. “He was the first -lawyer to plead at these Courts. He was a self-made man.”—​Allison.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The writer’s parents lived at, and near the village of Adolphustown -when young; they knew the Hagerman’s well, and for many a -day and year attended school with Nicholas Hagerman’s children. -There were at least two brothers, David and Christopher, and two -daughters, Betsy and Maria. Daniel was a sedate person, but -“Chris.” was a saucy boy. They were both elected to Parliament -at the same time, but Daniel died before the meeting of Parliament. -Christopher studied law with his father at first, was a pupil of Dr. -Strachan’s, and completed his legal studies in McLean’s office in -Kingston. The father and son were sometimes employed by opposing -clients; at one time in Kingston, the son won the suit, much to the -annoyance of the father. The father exclaimed, “have I raised a son -to put out my eyes.” “No”, replied the son, “to open them father.” -At the commencement of the war in 1812, Christopher went as -Lieutenant with a Company from Adolphustown to Kingston. -Shortly after he was chosen Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General. -Thenceforth his way to preferment was steady. At the close of the -war he was appointed Collector of Customs at Kingston. The -<cite>Gazette</cite> of 5th September, 1815, says that Christopher Alexander -Hagerman, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, was appointed to His Majesty’s -Council in and for the Province of Upper Canada.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_654'>654</span>On the 26th March, 1817, he was married to Elizabeth, eldest -daughter of James Macaulay, Esq., Kingston.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Johnsons.</span>—​Henry Johnson was born at New Jersey, 1757, where -he lived till the rebellion, when he removed to Poughkeepsie. In June, -1788, being a loyalist, he came with his brother Andrew to Canada, -enduring many privations and hardships. He settled in Hallowell, -where he lived until his death, which took place 28th May, 1829, being -in his 73rd year. “He was noted for his hospitality—​charitable to the -poor without ostentation, a pious Christian. For the last five years -he suffered much.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Andrew Johnson.</span>—​Among the combatants, we have given the -name of James Johnson; here we design to give a place to some -account of his two sons, Andrew and William, or “Bill,” as he was -commonly called, a name yet remembered by many.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Perhaps there is not now living a more interesting historic -character than Andrew Johnson, residing in the vicinity of Belleville. -A native of New York State, Gainesborough, he came in -with his father at the first settlement of Upper Canada. He was -an eye witness of the first days of Ernesttown, and Kingston. At -the beginning of the present century he was known as an unusually -rapid walker. Andrew was engaged in carrying the mail from -Kingston to York. Mr. Stuart was his employer. His route was -by the Bay shore to Adolphustown, across the Bay, at the Stone -Mills, by Picton and Wellington, to the Carrying Place; and thence -along the Lake shore, fording streams as best he could, often upon -a fallen tree, or by swimming. He would spend five hours in York -and then start back. These trips were generally made once a fortnight. -He subsequently lived at Bath for forty years, where he -kept a tavern, and strangely enough, as he avers, he never drank -liquor in his life.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His father’s log house was used by Rev. Mr. Stuart to preach in -for three years, before the frame building was erected on the hill, -which would hold thirty or forty persons. It was a story and a-half -high. Andrew Johnson is now upwards of a hundred. Although -his memory is somewhat defective, he retains a great deal of bodily -vigor; and eats and sleeps well. He rarely converses unless spoken -to. He is a man of somewhat low stature, small frame, with spare -limbs. Mr. Lockwood, who has known him a long time, says, -“He was remarkably quick in his movements.” During the war, -the two started to walk from Prescott to Kingston, but Lockwood -says that Johnson could walk three miles to his one. His brother, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_655'>655</span>“Bill,” had a fast horse, which could outrun anything. Andrew -offered to bet a hundred dollars that he could travel to York quicker -than the horse. Of course there was but an imperfect path, with -no bridges. His offer was not accepted. Andrew was a loyal -soldier in 1812, and belonged to the same companies as his brother. -The old man is yet very quick in his movements, retaining that -peculiar swinging gait by which he formerly so rapidly traveled -long distances. His days are passing away in a quiet dream, tenderly -cared for by his son, with his wife.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Bill Johnson.</span>—​William Johnson, brother of the foregoing, -was one of six sons of James Johnson, born in Ernesttown. His -youthful days were spent in the vicinity of what is now the village -of Bath. About the time of the commencement of the war of 1812, -he was engaged in Kingston, in trading, and had a store of general -merchandize. When the first draft for men was made, Johnson was -one of the conscripts. For a very short time, he did service, and then -procured his brother (not Andrew) as a substitute. There was not at -this time any doubt of his loyalty. It was natural he should desire to -attend to his business in Kingston, which at this time was lucrative. -And there does not appear that he employed his brother in other -than good faith. But some time after his brother entered the service, -he deserted to the United States’ shore. Even now it does not appear -that the authorities of Kingston suspected his loyalty, for they desired -that he should take his place in the ranks which his brother had forsaken. -This, however, “Bill” would not do. The result was that a -file of soldiers commanded by Sergeant Lockwood, (our principal informant) -was sent to arrest Johnson, by order of the captain, Matthew -Clark of Ernesttown.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Upon the approach of the soldiers, Johnson shouted to Sergeant -Lockwood, who had been his life long playmate, “I know what -you are after; but you won’t get me yet,” and immediately shut -the door and turned the key. Lockwood, without hesitation, -raised his musket, and with the butt knocked the door open, in -time to see Bill escaping by the back door. A close chase ensued -into a back enclosure, and Lockwood succeeded in catching him -by the leg as he was passing through a window. Johnson then -submitted, and was conveyed a prisoner to the guard house within -the jail. After being confined for sometime he escaped by breaking -the jail; probably aided by sympathizers, for a good many -thought he was badly treated.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Whatever may have been Johnson’s feelings towards the British -<span class='pageno' id='Page_656'>656</span>Government before, he now became a most determined enemy of -his native country. He vowed he should “be a thorn in Great -Britain’s side;” and his goods and some property at Bath, a few -town lots, being confiscated, he declared he would get back all he -lost. The foregoing occurence took place sometime during the fall -of 1812. It would appear that Bill Johnson set to work in a systematic -manner to carry out his threats.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Being well acquainted with the country and people, and, withal, -a bold, determined and fearless man, he did not hesitate to visit the -Canadian shore, and was even seen at Bath in day light. He -built several small boats, light and trim, and he would at times -unhesitatingly voyage upon the broad lake in bold undertakings. -His operations consisted in privateering, in inducing American -sympathizers to accompany him to the States, and in acting as a -spy. During the war there were frequently boat loads of goods, -consisting of liquors and other valuable articles passing up the bay, -and across the Carrying Place, thence to York. On one occasion -Thomas Parker, who was engaged in the business, left Kingston -with a batteau laden with valuables for York. Johnson, who -watched such events, saw Parker depart. While the latter made -his way up the bay, Johnson proceeded in his craft around by the -lake, and awaited Parker off Presqu’isle. In due time the batteau -was seized by Johnson and his comrades, and taken to the other -side. Parker being landed on Point Traverse, off Marysburgh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Another exploit was the seizure of Government despatches near -Brighton. A company of Dragoons, Captain Stinson, were on duty -to carry despatches between the River Trent and Smith’s Creek, -Port Hope. On a certain occasion when a dragoon, by the name -of Gardner, was pursuing his way with despatches, he was suddenly -seized by Johnson, who deliberately took him with his horse to the -lake shore, where he shot the horse, placed the despatch bag in his -boat, and then permitted the man to find his way on foot through -the woods to report himself to his captain.</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Bill Johnson still lives at French Creek upon the American -shore of the St. Lawrence. He was an active participant in the -events of 1837, and it is supposed had much to do in recruiting for -the army of sympathizers.” There is so much of fiction to be found -respecting him in connection with that time, that it is difficult to -say what part he did take. It has been generally supposed that he -was one of the few who escaped from the Windmill, but while, no -doubt, he was engaged at the time, there is nothing to rest a decided -<span class='pageno' id='Page_657'>657</span>statement upon. We suspect that “Bill,” in his later days, was -given to boasting a little, and took pleasure in catering to the taste -of his Yankee friends, in relating what he and his daughter Kate -did, (in imagination.)</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Macaulay</span>, “the father of the Honorable John, and the Rev. -William Macaulay, settled during the Revolutionary war on Carleton -Island, then a British station and fortification, where he supplied -the commissariat and garrison, and carried on business. In -1794, Mr. Macaulay removed to Kingston, where he amassed considerable -property. When he removed to Kingston, he had rafted -over from Carleton Island his log dwelling house, and placed it -where it now stands at the corner of Princess and Ontario Streets. It -has since been clap-boarded over and added to, and having been kept -painted and in good repair is still a very habitable building.”—​(Cooper.)</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Macaulay had come to New York shortly before the commencement -of the Colonial troubles, and as a loyalist had his house -pillaged and burnt, by the rebels, and became a refugee at the -military post at Carleton Island. About 1785, he settled at Kingston, -where he married, and remained until his death, in September, -1800, being fifty-six years old. He was at no time connected with -the service, but engaged his time in commercial business, and was on -most intimate terms with those in authority, being a particular -friend of the Duke of Albano. His sons continued his business and -in time were called to occupy honorable and responsible situations -under Government, as Legislative Councilor, Surveyor General, -Provincial Secretary, Inspector General, Chaplain to Legislative -Assembly, and Commissioners on various important matters.</p> - -<h4 class='c014'>THE CAPTIVE CHRISTIAN MOORE.</h4> - -<p class='c015'>Upon the 19th March, 1867, the writer was privileged, through -the kindness of the Rev. Mr. Anderson, to visit an individual who, -of all others, possesses historic interest. About half a mile north -of the Indian Church upon the old York road, Tyendinaga, lives -Christian Moore. Beside the stove, in a low Indian chair, sat a -woman whose shrunken and bent appearance made her appear no -larger than a girl of sixteen. But the face, with its parchment-like -skin—​the deeply wrinkled features, bespoke the burden of many -winters. Yet, the eye still flashed looks of intelligence, as the face -was upturned from her hands on which she almost incessantly -rested her head, as if the shoulders had wearied in their long life -<span class='pageno' id='Page_658'>658</span>duty. Christian is about a hundred years old, during eighty of -which she has remained a captive with the Mohawks. Although a -white woman, she knows not a word of English. Long, long years -ago, in becoming the wife of an Indian, and the mother of Indians, -she became to all purposes one of themselves. She is a living relic -of the American Revolution, as well as of the customs of the -Mohawk Indians a hundred years ago.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the first days of the rebellion, in an encounter between the -Indians and a party of rebels in the Mohawk valley, one of the -Indians, by the name of Green, was killed. The custom among -the several tribes, or families, when one of their number had -been lost in war, was to take the first captive they could, -and adopt him or her, into the tribe, to keep up the number. -A party of Indians, under John Green, a chief and brother of -the one killed, called in after days Captain Green, in the course -of their foray, caught a little girl about ten years of age. That -little girl is the old person of whom we are speaking. The -old woman yet recollects the fact that her father’s family, on the -approach of the Indians, made haste to escape; she by accident was -left alone or behind. She remembers to have been running along -the road, when she was taken. She says there were a good many -Indians. After this there is a blank in her memory, until the -period of the Indians leaving their homes to escape. This was the -time when they buried their Communion Plate. Christian says she -was carried upon an Indian’s back, as they fled to Lachine. She -recollects that they were staying three years at Lachine, when -the tribe set out to take possession of the land which Government -was to give them. It was about a year from the time they -started from Lachine, until they, under Brant, reached their destination, -the Grand River. Captain Green was with this party, and -stayed with them at Grand River for six years, when, becoming -dissatisfied, he, with his family, came to the Bay Quinté. Christian -remembers all this. She was living with Captain Green’s -sister. They came in a batteau, down the north shore of the lake, -and crossed at the Carrying Place at the head of the bay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Christian in time became the wife of an Indian, by the name of -Anthony Smart, who, she says, has been dead now thirty-eight -years. They had but one child, a daughter, who was married to -Abram Maricle. They had three children, one being a son, Christian’s -daughter has been dead many years, but the old lady now is -surrounded by grand-children to the third generation.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_659'>659</span>Some time after the close of the Revolution, a person by the -name of Moore, came with his family to Canada, and settled at -Napanee. By some means he learned that there was a white -woman among the Mohawks, and he visited them to see if it might -be his long lost daughter. Such proved to be the case. He was -Christian’s father. She remembers the occasion, (it was about -forty-five years ago,) her father was then a very old man. Of -course, there was no resemblance between the woman in Indian -garb before him, and his little girl of ten years. But there was a -mark upon her arm, the result of a burn by which he was enabled -to recognize his own flesh and blood. The scar, upon the left forearm, -can yet be distinctly seen. Painful, indeed, must have been -the feelings of the parent, to know she was his daughter, and yet -knew not a syllable of her mother tongue. The natural channel by -which parental and filial affection might have flowed was sealed. -She says, she has a sister now living back of Napanee. She asked -her father if she had been christened, and he informed her she had -been. Upon our asking her the question, if she ever went to school, -she says, “No;” that she was “always working hard.” Asking -her the question, if she did not think she had lived a long while, she -replied, “I don’t think I’ll live very long.” The Rev. Mr. Anderson -informs us that she has ever maintained the character of a true -Christian, and is always happy to partake of the Holy Communion, -Christian’s great-grandson, himself a father, acted as interpreter.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is possible that this woman, who belonged to another century, -may live yet several years. There is much of vigor in her movements -and conversation. Although shrivelled and bent almost -double with age, her body seems to be well nourished, and her arms -possess considerable thickness. She always enjoyed good health, -and now eats and sleeps in the most comfortable manner.</p> - -<p class='c000'>We are informed by a recent letter from Rev. Mr. Anderson, -1869, that the old woman continues quite well, and works in the -garden in summer.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Parliament.</span>—​Mrs. Morden, of Sophiasburgh, was born upon -the banks of the Hudson, forty miles from its mouth. Her birthday -stretches back ninety-eight years. She came into Canada with her -father, George Parliament, who was of German parentage, born -upon the sea; and like the ocean, he was through out his brief life -tossed up and down with scarcely a day of calm and sunshine. -The family reached the Fourth Town, and only six weeks after her -father’s eyes were closed in death. Mrs. Morden has a distinct -<span class='pageno' id='Page_660'>660</span>recollection of the rebellion. Her father was staunchly loyal, and -she has heard him repeatedly declare that he would lay his -bones in the King’s domains. During the war he was imprisoned -twice, at Goshen and Poughkeepsie. She was thirteen years -old when they came to Canada, and remembers the many -weary days of travel by Oneida Lake. Her father walked and -drove the cattle all day, her mother would sit up till late -at night over the camp-kettle preparing food for the party to -use the following day, so that there would be no delay on the -way. Having crossed from the States, the Skenectady boats landed -at Little Catariqui. The father was down below on the St. Lawrence -swimming the cattle across the stream. They found their -flour was nearly done. She, with a little sister, went along the -shore to the village of Kingston to buy flour, she had only enough -money to buy a quarter of a hundred of second flour, which she -carried from McAulay’s store to the hungry company at the Little -Catariqui, where they were wind-bound. She remembers the -appearance of the shores as they journeyed along; the rude log -cabins in the small clearings. The family of eleven children settled -upon the north shore of Hay Bay. The eldest boy was nineteen -years old. They now thought that they, in common with other -settlers, would be permitted to work out a peaceful and happy -future, but the arrow of death was already in the bended bow. The -mournful occasion can hardly be appreciated, the father of eleven -children in the wilderness suddenly cut down. Each of the neighbours -had quite enough to do to care for his own family. All these -terrible facts are fresh in the mind of the venerable lady. The -events of later years are faded from her memory, but those are too -deeply engraven upon her mind, by the pen of sorrow, to be erased -while life lasts and mind sits enthroned. The subsequent events -connected with the family for a time are no less distressing. They -had one cow, the milk of which supplied them with their principal -food. Fish was occasionally caught. But they often had to seek -herbs and greens. For weeks they were in the greatest distress -for the very necessaries of life. All of the family who were old -enough went out to work. The following spring, and the subsequent -ones, her mother made sugar, not to use in the family, “oh! -no, that was too great a luxury.” It was all carried and sold for -flour. Mrs. Morden remembers it, for she carried much of the sap. -She subsequently worked out, until after several years she found a -kind supporter. Mrs. Morden, whom the writer saw nearly four -<span class='pageno' id='Page_661'>661</span>years ago, (1865), was then, although so old, yet vigorous and -sprightly, with a kindly face, and even a sharp eye. Of all the -persons it has been our privilege to converse with, there are only a -few who gave such clear and appropriate testimony, and afforded -so much satisfaction. She confined her remarks strictly to the -questions, and we learned much in a short hour. She spoke feelingly; -and with Christian nobleness said she, “I have lived a long -time and had many blessings, thanks be to God.” Thus spoke the -lips of one whose youth had been spent in another century.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Roblins.</span>—​The Roblin family is extensively and favorably -known in Upper Canada, especially in the bay region. They, -although numerous, have sprung from a common ancestry. Originally -of English or Welsh nativity; at the commencement of the -rebellion they were found dwelling in New York, and New Jersey. -As a result of the Revolution, four branches of the Roblin family -came into Canada, two of whom, John and Stephen, were brothers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>John Roblin lived in New Jersey, he took no part in the contest, -but his sympathies were doubtless with the loyalists. One day, he -was sitting in the door-way, when a scouting party fired upon the -house as they approached. Some fourteen shots were fired. This -was done without any warning, the house being inhabited by a -private family. John Roblin was wounded in the knee. The party -entered the house and completely ransacked it, searching for valuables; -not satisfied with what they found, they demanded where -the money was; John’s brother, Stephen, was suspended by his -thumbs to a tree with the view of forcing him to tell where the -moneys was concealed. John, although wounded, was stripped -almost naked. The ruffians, who did all this under the name of -“Liberty,” destroyed what they could not carry; and flour, furniture, -everything in fact, was strewn about and broken. One of the -party put his bayoneted musket to the breast of Mrs. Roblin, and -dared her to call George her king. She fearlessly replied, he once -was, why not now. The demon was pulling the trigger, when a -more human comrade knocked the weapon aside. The rebels were -near by under Washington, and this was a regular detailed foraging -party. John Roblin was afterward placed in the rebel hospital, -but the doctor was unnecessarily cruel, and so maltreated him, that -he became a life-long cripple. The family came into the rebel -camp, and Mrs. Roblin complained to General Washington of the -conduct of his men. He had her look among the men, and promised -to punish any she said had been among the party. But of -course they kept out of the way.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_662'>662</span>The Roblins settled originally in Adolphustown, John Roblin -died, and his widow, with the family, removed to Sophiasburgh, -where she bought 100 acres of land for $25, and paid for it by -weaving. She likewise cut down trees and made her hut.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Roblin, who settled in the third concession of Fourth Town, became -a member of Parliament.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Simon.</span>—​John Simon was born in Massachusetts, joined the -Royal Standard when the rebellion commenced. At the close of -the war, he settled at first near Montreal. He soon removed to -Cataraqui, and finally to the Township of Flamborough West, -County Westmeath, where he lived till his death. He had three -sons, Titus, John, Walter. A daughter married Detlor, another -James McNabb, one Dr. Meacham, one Thompson, the last three -lived at Belleville. One of the sons, Titus, we believe, distinguished -himself in 1812, at the battle of Lundy’s Lane. He had been Commissary -at Kingston, and moved to Toronto.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Major VanAlstine.</span>—​The life of this man we have been unable -to trace in full; but sufficient remains known to supply the requisites -for a short sketch. He must have come from the vicinity of Albany, -for he was decidedly Dutch, and spoke the English language very -imperfectly. He was a stout, robust man, with a dark complexion, -not one of military bearing; and most likely, until the rebellion, -had nothing to do with military matters. Among the first to -settle in Adolphustown, he well knew the hardships of pioneer -life. During the course of the rebellion he had suffered many -privations. Naturally a kind-hearted man, he for many years -afforded to the new comers much comfort and material aid. His -house was ever open to the passing stranger—​to the old soldier, to -poor refugees. He was known to everybody in the whole settlement -of the Bay. No matter who came, he would order up from -his cellar kitchen—​the old Dutch style—​his negro servants—​slaves -he had brought in with him, and set before the traveler the -necessary refreshments. The son of one who knew him well, says -he was hospitable to a fault. His religion was Lutheran, and the -Government granted him a pension for distinguished service.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>The Wallbridge Family.</span>—​Are of English descent, and were -among the first settlers of America. There were several families -of the name existing in America at the breaking out of the rebellion, -one of which had been residents of Bennington, and were -known as the Bennington Wallbridge’s. The rebellion led, as in -many other instances, to a division among the sons; some sided -<span class='pageno' id='Page_663'>663</span>with the rebels, others remained loyal. Elijah Wallbridge took -part with the loyalists. His children never heard him speaking -of the part he took; but it is learned through another source that -he was one of a party who on one occasion made a gallant attack -upon a military prison, and relieved the prisoners. His old musket -may yet be seen. It is in possession of the Hon. Lewis Wallbridge. -At the close of the war, he desired, like many other loyalists, to -remain in the States, and indeed did for a time, but the spirit of -intolerance was manifested toward him, so that he determined to -settle in Canada. He consequently, at the beginning of the present -century, came to the Bay and purchased the tract of land held in -Ameliasburgh by the family.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Elijah Wallbridge married the daughter of a U. E. Loyalist, -Capt. Robert Everett, of Kingston. Mr. Wallbridge, in making -his visits to the front of Ernesttown, found it convenient to cross -the Bay from Mississauga Point to Ox Point, and as a canoe was -not available he often disrobed himself, tied his clothes in a bundle -and managed to swim across, holding the bundle of clothes above -the water.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>White.</span>—​The Cobourg <cite>Star</cite> recorded the death of Mrs. White -of White’s Mills, aged 82 years, as follows:</p> - -<p class='c000'>“Another old and respectable inhabitant has paid the debt of -nature, whose memory will long be cherished by survivors.” In -1792 Mrs. White was living with her family, the Chryslers, at the -homestead, Sidney, near Belleville, but removed after her marriage -with Mr. White, to Cobourg, in the neighborhood of which she has -remained ever since, beloved by her family and greatly respected -by all the settlers around. Although she often remarked, they had -to undergo many privations, yet they were the happiest days of -her existence. She feared the present generation was launching -out too much into the fashion of the world, to conduce to solid -happiness.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Chryslers were U. E. Loyalists, and among the first who -made Upper Canada their home after the Revolution. Sorel at -that period was a government station, and here in 1802, Mrs. -White, then Catherine Chrysler, was born. In 1784, their house -was unfortunately burned down, when the General made them a -liberal grant of lands in Sidney, near Belleville. This was the -first settlement in that locality, which was soon followed by many -others, so that a neighborhood was soon formed as helpmates to -one another. A few years afterward, Mr. White, being a lumber -<span class='pageno' id='Page_664'>664</span>merchant, located in the neighborhood; an intimacy soon sprang -up between the parties, which ended in a family union. Clergymen -were scarce in those days, but Rev. Robert McDowell, of the -reformed Dutch Church, who kept a horse and traveled through -the wilderness, tendered his services. By that worthy pioneer, -Mr. and Mrs. White were happily united in country simplicity. -These primeval days were often referred to as affording more solid -happiness than modern finery and ostentation. May the present -generation never lose sight of those good old times. She fulfilled -the declaration of that discerner of the human heart, Solomon, who -says: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth -not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; -her husband also, and he praiseth her.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Wilkins.</span>—​Col. Charles Wilkins, although not one of the old -U. E. Loyalists, yet having come to Canada at an early date, and -taken an active part in matters pertaining to the welfare of the -country, respecting military matters, and especially in the history -of the Bay, this work would not be complete without a special notice -of this very worthy gentleman. The writer had the privilege of -visiting him at his home, the Carrying Place, in the summer of -1866, and procured many valuable facts, which were imparted with -a kindly courtesy. The winters of 83 years had left their impress -upon the tall and once erect figure. But notwithstanding the wear -and tear of life, with many cares, and the intractable disease which -steadily advanced, his face beamed with a pleasant smile, while he -recounted many events with which he had had to do. While relating -matters of a general nature, he was most unwilling to speak of -his own services, and the diffidence and humbleness of manner, -with which he referred to himself was remarkable. We have -made reference to Col. Wilkins elsewhere, and will here allude to -some events in his life.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He came to Canada with his father in 1792, aged 10 years. -At an early period he took up his abode at the Carrying Place -and engaged in business; was married in 1804 to Miss Mary, -daughter of Charles Smith, of Port Hope, who died in 1847. Elsewhere -has been mentioned the part he took in the war of 1812, -for which he received an official recognition. Mr. Wilkins had for -several days, the late General Scott of the American army, when a -prisoner in Canada. Mr. Wilkins’ kindness to him was remembered -in later years. In the trouble of 1836–8, the Government -called upon Mr. W. to take command of the militia. He was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_665'>665</span>appointed to many posts of honor and duty, and in 1840 was called -to the Legislative Council. Mr. Wilkins was always exceedingly -popular, not because he sought popularity, but because of his naturally -kind and gentlemanly deportment to all classes, and his many -sterling qualities. The very high estimation in which he was held -was fully evidenced on the occasion of his death in 1867, when old -friends came long distances in unpleasant weather, to see his -remains deposited in their last earthly resting place.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Stewart.</span>—​A traveler writing in 1835, says of Canada, “I -often met the venerable in years,” and “on March 8, 1833, died -Mrs. J. Stewart, near St. David’s, Niagara District, aged 109 years; -her husband died a few years since at the age of 96, leaving -children, now living, aged 80, and grand-children at 60.” “Last -year a woman by the name of <em>Metcalf</em>, residing near the capital of -Upper Canada, bore a child when past her sixtieth year.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among obituary notices we find the following: “At Hope -Village, East Guilliamsbury, in 1829, much and generally regretted, -<em>John Wilson, Esq.</em>, a native of the Province of New Jersey, aged -90 years, 14 days.”</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='sc'>Death of a Pioneer of London Township.</span>—​We have to -record the decease of Mr. Joseph Jayne, which took place at his -residence in London Township, 7th concession, lot 32, on Wednesday -last, the 10th inst., at the advanced age of nearly 101 years. -He was born on Long Island, N. Y., on June 13, 1764, some years -before the State of New York had ceased to be a British Province. -Deceased was revered and held in esteem by a large circle of friends, -for whose entertainment he was ever fond of recounting his -adventures in the revolutionary period, and who deeply regret his -loss.—​<cite>London Free Press.</cite></p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>McIntosh.</span>—​“On the 25th February last at his residence in Marysburgh, -in the 93rd year of his age, respected by all his acquaintances, Mr. Donald -McIntosh, who came to America in the 42nd Royal Highlanders, and arrived -the day before the battle of Bunker’s Hill, and was in that engagement. He -was subsequently in the 84th, and was at Quebec, when Montgomery made -his unsuccessful attempt on that stronghold, and during last war, was a Lieutenant -in the 1st Regt. of Prince Edward Militia.”</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Bird.</span>—​“At his residence in Marysburgh, Mr. Henry Bird, in the 90th -year of his age. He appeared to be in good health till a few moments -before the vital spark took its flight; he was well respected; he came to -Canada in the 54th Regt.”</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Gerow.</span>—​“At Ameliasburgh, in the County of Prince Edward, on Wednesday, -the 19th inst., Mary Gerow, aged 80 years. Deceased was one of the -first settlers on the borders of the Bay of Quinté, where the greater part of -her long life has been spent.”</p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='pageno' id='Page_666'>666</span><span class='sc'>Vankleeck.</span>—​“In Madoc, on Monday, the 9th of October, Simeon Vankleeck, -Esq., in his 98th year, after a short illness, almost entirely free from -pain. Old age seemed to claim its rights, and the system quietly gave way. -Mr. Vankleeck was one of the earliest pioneers of this part of the country, -having resided in Madoc forty-one years. He was well and favourably -known throughout the county, and his immediate acquaintance bear testimony -to his energy and firmness, which mingled at the same time with a -kindness and suavity that won their hearts. His old age was remarkable for -genial good temper and activity of mind and body. In his 94th year, he -presided at a political meeting held by the Hon. Sidney Smith, at Hazzard’s -Corners, to which place he walked from his son’s residence, a distance of -seven miles. In politics he was noted for his strong conservative feeling—​the -side he chose when a young man—​and adhered to it through his whole -life, believing it to be, as he stated in his later years, the “Loyal Side.””</p> - -<p class='c017'>The deceased was a descendant of a branch of the Vankleeck family, -whose loyalty to the British Crown caused them to leave their ancient home -in Duchess County, New York, during the American Revolution, and to -settle in the wilds of Canada. He was several years connected with the -British army during the Revolution. He leaves several sons, two of whom -reside in this township.—​<cite>Mercury.</cite></p> - -<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Perry.</span>—​Died at Ernesttown, the 12th of January instant, Jemima Perry, -wife of Robert Perry, Senr., and sister of the late Ebenezer Washburn, Esq., -of Hallowell, in the 76th year of her age. Her remains were interred on -the 14th, with every mark of real but unostentatious grief and respect.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“In the beginning of last November, she was seized with a distressing -asthmatic affectation, which finally terminated her life, and which she -endured with Christian patience and resignation to the will of heaven.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Mrs. Perry was born in the Province of Massachusetts, and came with -her husband and family into this Province among its first settlers.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“She has left an aged partner, with whom she lived in conjugal union -and affection fifty-eight years: seven children; a numerous train of grandchildren -and great-grandchildren; and a large circle of friends and acquaintances. -Her loss is extensively felt. In the various relations of life, as a -wife, a mother, a sister, a neighbour, and a member of civil and Christian -society, her exemplary conduct entitled her to the esteem of all who knew -her.”</p> - -<p class='c000'>“<span class='sc'>Old Man.</span>—​Old John Baker, residing at Cornwall, Ontario, -was born in 1766, at Quebec. His mother was a slave, and he was -brought by his master, Colonel Grey, at one time Solicitor-General -for Upper Canada. Baker enlisted in the 104th regiment, and -served at Waterloo, Lundy’s Lane, Fort Erie, and Sackett’s Harbor. -He is a little rheumatic, and is lame from a wound in the leg, -received in action; but his intellect is as fresh and clear as when a -boy. He draws a pension of one shilling sterling a day, and seems -good for some years yet,” 1869.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In conclusion we may mention the descendants of Sir William -Johnson, by Miss Molly, a sister of Joseph Brant. She came to -Kingston at an early date, having probably been in Lower Canada -during the war, where she lived until her death in 1804 or 5. One -of her daughters married Captain Farley, of the 16th Regiment, -another Lieutenant Lemoine, of the 24th Regiment; a third John -Ferguson, of the Indian Department; a fourth Captain Earle, of the -Provincial Navy, and another to Doctor Kerr, an eminent -surgeon, who settled in Niagara.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_667'>667</span> - <h2 class='c004'>APPENDIX.</h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c026'><span class='sc'>ROLL OF THE 2nd BATTALION KING’S ROYAL REGIMENT, NEW YORK, 28th FEB., 1784.</span></h3> - -<div class='lg-container-b c021'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Jacob Weegar</div> - <div class='line'>Alexander Clark</div> - <div class='line'>Alexander Platto</div> - <div class='line'>Jacob Cobman</div> - <div class='line'>Jonas Simmons</div> - <div class='line'>James Rankins</div> - <div class='line'>Jonas Larranary</div> - <div class='line'>Richard Albery</div> - <div class='line'>Gabriel Brefsea</div> - <div class='line'>Christopher Brefsea</div> - <div class='line'>Bankes, John, Jr</div> - <div class='line'>Bankes, John, Sen</div> - <div class='line'>Brant, Franc</div> - <div class='line'>Baxter, Lawrence</div> - <div class='line'>Benedict, Benjamin</div> - <div class='line'>Coons, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Coons, David</div> - <div class='line'>Campbell, Matthews</div> - <div class='line'>Connrad, William</div> - <div class='line'>Coolcraft, Christian</div> - <div class='line'>Cook, Seth</div> - <div class='line'>Catchcatch, Christian</div> - <div class='line'>Drihell, Cornelius</div> - <div class='line'>Dewitt, Garton</div> - <div class='line'>Dyckman, Martines</div> - <div class='line'>Foster, Moses</div> - <div class='line'>Hopkinson, John</div> - <div class='line'>Haines, Barrast</div> - <div class='line'>Haines, Frederick</div> - <div class='line'>Haines, John</div> - <div class='line'>Haines, David</div> - <div class='line'>Hoyle, John</div> - <div class='line'>Hoyle, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>House, John</div> - <div class='line'>Huffman, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Henerham, Andrew</div> - <div class='line'>Hill, Timothy</div> - <div class='line'>Mordon, John</div> - <div class='line'>Morrison, James</div> - <div class='line'>Wher, John</div> - <div class='line'>Phillips, Michael</div> - <div class='line'>Phillips, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Pember, Phillip</div> - <div class='line'>Priest, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Redding, Francis</div> - <div class='line'>Friar, Samuel</div> - <div class='line'>File, John</div> - <div class='line'>Franklin, John</div> - <div class='line'>Fend, Andrew</div> - <div class='line'>Gates, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>Hart, Zachariah</div> - <div class='line'>Howell, Warren</div> - <div class='line'>Johnson, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Rahall, John</div> - <div class='line'>Loukes, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Millross, Andrew</div> - <div class='line'>McCarty, William</div> - <div class='line'>Matthews, Pompey</div> - <div class='line'>Middelton, Ruben</div> - <div class='line'>Northrup, Eson</div> - <div class='line'>Reynold, William</div> - <div class='line'>Scot, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Shaw, William</div> - <div class='line'>Sholtes, John</div> - <div class='line'>Snartfager, Frederick</div> - <div class='line'>Sipperly, Phillip</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, Stephen</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Cornell, Patner</div> - <div class='line'>Shilliner, Christian</div> - <div class='line'>Wallan, Samuel</div> - <div class='line'>Wirst, John</div> - <div class='line'>Young, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Defororest, Abraham</div> - <div class='line'>Willoughby, William</div> - <div class='line'>William, Albert</div> - <div class='line'>Young, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Young, Stephen</div> - <div class='line'>Deal, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Bernus, Gother</div> - <div class='line'>Fletcher, John</div> - <div class='line'>Lount, John</div> - <div class='line'>Michael Roughnett</div> - <div class='line'>Alexander Grant</div> - <div class='line'>George Christie</div> - <div class='line'>John Bondish</div> - <div class='line'>David Lishsamblin</div> - <div class='line'>Peter Zenith</div> - <div class='line'>Nicholas Schyler</div> - <div class='line'>Atherson, Charles</div> - <div class='line'>Magle, Gottip</div> - <div class='line'>Badernach, John</div> - <div class='line'>Ross, Alexander</div> - <div class='line'>John Casscallion</div> - <div class='line'>Cornelius Pitcher</div> - <div class='line'>Peter Deal</div> - <div class='line'>John Litcher</div> - <div class='line'>Alexander McDougall</div> - <div class='line'>Luke Carscallion</div> - <div class='line'>John Berrn</div> - <div class='line'>George Sullivan</div> - <div class='line'>James V. Alstine</div> - <div class='line'>Berron, John</div> - <div class='line'>Huben, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Barnhart, David</div> - <div class='line'>Cole, John</div> - <div class='line'>Calden, John</div> - <div class='line'>Coons, Simon</div> - <div class='line'>Coons, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Cronkhite, John</div> - <div class='line'>Conelius, John</div> - <div class='line'>Curtis, John</div> - <div class='line'>Dych, Nicholas</div> - <div class='line'>Dych, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Deal, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Detlor, Valentine</div> - <div class='line'>Detlor, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Emerish, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>French, Andrew</div> - <div class='line'>Finkle, George</div> - <div class='line'>Cameron, Alexander</div> - <div class='line'>Cameron, Angus</div> - <div class='line'>Cameron, Donald</div> - <div class='line'>Davis, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Earner, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Eearhart, Simon</div> - <div class='line'>Eaverson, John</div> - <div class='line'>Foy, John</div> - <div class='line'>Fory, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Farlinger, John</div> - <div class='line'>Fike, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Fairchild, Benjamin</div> - <div class='line'>Faish, Christian</div> - <div class='line'>Goose, Frederick</div> - <div class='line'>Hugh, John</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_668'>668</span>Randal, Joseph</div> - <div class='line'>Snider, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Snider, Lidwich</div> - <div class='line'>Sills, John</div> - <div class='line'>Sills, Lawrence</div> - <div class='line'>Sills, George</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, Michael</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, Phillip</div> - <div class='line'>Swathager, John</div> - <div class='line'>Vszie, Joseph</div> - <div class='line'>Baltingal, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Baltingal, Samuel</div> - <div class='line'>Rauley, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Plant, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Rollin, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>Clark, Hugh</div> - <div class='line'>Chrisholm, Donald</div> - <div class='line'>Sutter, Isaac</div> - <div class='line'>Thomson, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>Thom, William</div> - <div class='line'>Christie, George</div> - <div class='line'>Beedehee, John</div> - <div class='line'>Samuel Ashley</div> - <div class='line'>James McPherson</div> - <div class='line'>George Barnhart</div> - <div class='line'>George Dagetger</div> - <div class='line'>George Prest</div> - <div class='line'>George Fitzpatrick</div> - <div class='line'>James Titchert</div> - <div class='line'>Peter Young</div> - <div class='line'>Cain Young</div> - <div class='line'>Clute, John</div> - <div class='line'>Cooper, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>Cook, Silas</div> - <div class='line'>Coomb, John</div> - <div class='line'>Coomb, Barnard</div> - <div class='line'>Donser, John</div> - <div class='line'>Dire, John</div> - <div class='line'>Davis, Henery</div> - <div class='line'>Dogstader, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Dengandre, Garrett</div> - <div class='line'>Dogstader, Pompey</div> - <div class='line'>Edgar, John</div> - <div class='line'>Foy, Francis</div> - <div class='line'>Gilbert Luke</div> - <div class='line'>Thomas Graham</div> - <div class='line'>Grant, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Gold, Edward</div> - <div class='line'>Gallingher, George</div> - <div class='line'>Heming, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Hawley, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Helmer, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Helse, Frederick</div> - <div class='line'>Hugh, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Hendrick, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Harbinger, John</div> - <div class='line'>Tarhoson, David</div> - <div class='line'>Kough, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Kreem, John</div> - <div class='line'>Bailer, William</div> - <div class='line'>Bell, Johnson</div> - <div class='line'>Beitte Barnard</div> - <div class='line'>Barnhart, Nicholas</div> - <div class='line'>Barnhart, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Barnhart, John</div> - <div class='line'>Brown, Nicholas</div> - <div class='line'>Burch, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Brown, James</div> - <div class='line'>Christian, John</div> - <div class='line'>Christian, Simion</div> - <div class='line'>Cameron, William</div> - <div class='line'>Medagh, John</div> - <div class='line'>Myers, John</div> - <div class='line'>Cugh, George</div> - <div class='line'>Culman, Frederick</div> - <div class='line'>Parsons, John</div> - <div class='line'>Rood, Mitchell</div> - <div class='line'>Ramsay, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Sulivan, Cornelius</div> - <div class='line'>Shirley, John</div> - <div class='line'>Shellop, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Winter, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Winter, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Wilson, James</div> - <div class='line'>Kough, James</div> - <div class='line'>Connor, Christian</div> - <div class='line'>Wilinger, Michael</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Eamer, Phillip</div> - <div class='line'>Hawdord, Edward</div> - <div class='line'>Mure, John</div> - <div class='line'>John Miller</div> - <div class='line'>Fossern, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Latoch, Halburt</div> - <div class='line'>Elijah Sarrabe</div> - <div class='line'>George Murraoff</div> - <div class='line'>Luke Bourteal</div> - <div class='line'>Toil Hurd</div> - <div class='line'>Samuel Suckey</div> - <div class='line'>John Saver</div> - <div class='line'>John Teague</div> - <div class='line'>Barnhart, Charles</div> - <div class='line'>Beramy, William</div> - <div class='line'>Boner, Gasper</div> - <div class='line'>Boner, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Bender, Samuel</div> - <div class='line'>Cox, Alexander</div> - <div class='line'>Crander, Anthony</div> - <div class='line'>John Crander</div> - <div class='line'>Crander, William</div> - <div class='line'>Cadman, William</div> - <div class='line'>Cadman, George</div> - <div class='line'>Coundouse, George</div> - <div class='line'>Dow, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>Delong, John</div> - <div class='line'>Evans, Tony</div> - <div class='line'>Landras, Samuel</div> - <div class='line'>Logest, Andrew</div> - <div class='line'>Hamilton, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>Henning, Andrew</div> - <div class='line'>House, Coonroot</div> - <div class='line'>Hedlar, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Johnson, John</div> - <div class='line'>Hellen, John</div> - <div class='line'>Himmerly, Andrew</div> - <div class='line'>Ylline,</div> - <div class='line'>Law, Samuel</div> - <div class='line'>Heller, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Noon, William</div> - <div class='line'>Battingal, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>French, Albert</div> - <div class='line'>Flamsbury, William</div> - <div class='line'>Howard, William</div> - <div class='line'>Harding, Richard</div> - <div class='line'>Jones, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>Johnson, William</div> - <div class='line'>Jones, John</div> - <div class='line'>Roughnet, John</div> - <div class='line'>Rentner, George</div> - <div class='line'>Knight, Benjamin</div> - <div class='line'>Koughnet, John</div> - <div class='line'>Lonhey, George</div> - <div class='line'>Lonhey, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Lonhes, Abraham</div> - <div class='line'>Savanay, Alexander</div> - <div class='line'>Sambert, David</div> - <div class='line'>Sawyer, William</div> - <div class='line'>Loft, David</div> - <div class='line'>McGowen, Stephen</div> - <div class='line'>Murdoff, James</div> - <div class='line'>Murdoff, George</div> - <div class='line'>Moss, Simon</div> - <div class='line'>Critchert, Bartholomew</div> - <div class='line'>Rogers, John</div> - <div class='line'>Rambaugh, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Rambaugh, John</div> - <div class='line'>Rambaugh, Andrew</div> - <div class='line'>Rambaugh, William</div> - <div class='line'>Shellop, Christian</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Shuk, Christian</div> - <div class='line'>Tute, John</div> - <div class='line'>Kemdy, Robert</div> - <div class='line'>Church, Oliver</div> - <div class='line'>Hillinger, Abraham</div> - <div class='line'>Laryo, Matthew</div> - <div class='line'>Erwiny, Robert</div> - <div class='line'>Schnars, Frederick</div> - <div class='line'>John Howell</div> - <div class='line'>Francis Hoyb</div> - <div class='line'>Richard Cotter</div> - <div class='line'>Matthew Farrent</div> - <div class='line'>Jothan Hart</div> - <div class='line'>Joseph Clement</div> - <div class='line'>Henry Davis</div> - <div class='line'>John Windaker</div> - <div class='line'>Brant, John</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_669'>669</span>Borven, William, Senr</div> - <div class='line'>Baker, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Borven, William, Junr.</div> - <div class='line'>Bush, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Cameron, Archibald</div> - <div class='line'>Dodger, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>McDonnell, John, Senr.</div> - <div class='line'>McDonnell, John, Junr.</div> - <div class='line'>McDonnell, Roderick</div> - <div class='line'>McDonald, Ronald</div> - <div class='line'>McPherson, Laughlin</div> - <div class='line'>Matthew, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Naramore, Esau</div> - <div class='line'>Penn, Matthew</div> - <div class='line'>Prentice, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Prichell, John</div> - <div class='line'>Phillips, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Porker, Isaac</div> - <div class='line'>Ross, Thomas, Senr.</div> - <div class='line'>Ross, Thomas, Junr.</div> - <div class='line'>Ross, John</div> - <div class='line'>Roaf, John</div> - <div class='line'>Ryan, Dennis</div> - <div class='line'>Rowland, Jervis</div> - <div class='line'>Tingorac, John</div> - <div class='line'>Starring, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Severn, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Servus, Phillip</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, John</div> - <div class='line'>Hart, Nathaniel</div> - <div class='line'>Sherman, William</div> - <div class='line'>Tuniver, William</div> - <div class='line'>Valentine, Alexander</div> - <div class='line'>Warmly, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Cook, Robert</div> - <div class='line'>Rierman, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Schilles, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Henry Deal</div> - <div class='line'>John Servin</div> - <div class='line'>Andrew Embury</div> - <div class='line'>Thomas Clark</div> - <div class='line'>William Nicholson</div> - <div class='line'>John Dogstider</div> - <div class='line'>Allen Chrisholm</div> - <div class='line'>John Dervitt</div> - <div class='line'>Arginsinger, John</div> - <div class='line'>Bartley, Muherd</div> - <div class='line'>Bartley, Isaac</div> - <div class='line'>Chrisholm, Duncan</div> - <div class='line'>Cain, John</div> - <div class='line'>Coon, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Campbell, John</div> - <div class='line'>Cain, Barney</div> - <div class='line'>Cook, Joseph</div> - <div class='line'>Farling, John</div> - <div class='line'>Hough, George</div> - <div class='line'>Hight, Mathew</div> - <div class='line'>Johnson, Prince</div> - <div class='line'>Peacock, John</div> - <div class='line'>Kenton, John</div> - <div class='line'>Delorm, John</div> - <div class='line'>Donevan, Herener</div> - <div class='line'>Evans, Bolton</div> - <div class='line'>Eglon, Leonard</div> - <div class='line'>Estwood, John</div> - <div class='line'>Flanagan, James</div> - <div class='line'>Gardiner, John</div> - <div class='line'>Horon, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Horon, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Hubbert, Jubilee</div> - <div class='line'>Hegle, John</div> - <div class='line'>Koughnet, William</div> - <div class='line'>Koliph, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Toyer, David</div> - <div class='line'>Toyer, Richard</div> - <div class='line'>Martin, Robert</div> - <div class='line'>Murphy, Patrick</div> - <div class='line'>McGran, Owen</div> - <div class='line'>McGran, Dennis</div> - <div class='line'>McDonnell, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Nellinger, Abraham</div> - <div class='line'>Phillips, Elijah</div> - <div class='line'>Rapole, George</div> - <div class='line'>Shaver, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Sample, Hugh</div> - <div class='line'>Street, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Staly, Tobias</div> - <div class='line'>Stering, George</div> - <div class='line'>Truax, Isaac</div> - <div class='line'>Turnburny, John</div> - <div class='line'>Woodcock, Abraham</div> - <div class='line'>Woodcock, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Welsh, Morris</div> - <div class='line'>Argussiger, Phillip</div> - <div class='line'>Wilson, James</div> - <div class='line'>Thomas Cavan</div> - <div class='line'>John McIntyre</div> - <div class='line'>John Ham</div> - <div class='line'>Abiah Christie</div> - <div class='line'>Donald McPherson</div> - <div class='line'>John Tower</div> - <div class='line'>Peter Winter</div> - <div class='line'>John Lambert</div> - <div class='line'>Albert Edward</div> - <div class='line'>Ball, Samuel</div> - <div class='line'>Crawford, William</div> - <div class='line'>Crumwell, Nicholas</div> - <div class='line'>Santnere, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Witts, Henry</div> - <div class='line'>Witts, John</div> - <div class='line'>McCardy, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Mirile, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Minse, John</div> - <div class='line'>Crawford, Bryan</div> - <div class='line'>Clark, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Clark, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Clark, John</div> - <div class='line'>Chrisholm, Hugh</div> - <div class='line'>Faber, David</div> - <div class='line'>Fitzgerald, William</div> - <div class='line'>Furny, Rodolph</div> - <div class='line'>Furny, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Gilbert, Nathaniel</div> - <div class='line'>Graham, William</div> - <div class='line'>Grant, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Helmer, John</div> - <div class='line'>Horon, Joseph</div> - <div class='line'>Howard, Christian</div> - <div class='line'>Towar, Canrobert</div> - <div class='line'>Tarranay, Isaac</div> - <div class='line'>Tarranay, Abraham</div> - <div class='line'>Matthew, Nicholas</div> - <div class='line'>McKay, Stephen</div> - <div class='line'>McTaggart, James</div> - <div class='line'>McDonald, Duncan</div> - <div class='line'>Mitchell, John</div> - <div class='line'>McIntyre, Duncan</div> - <div class='line'>McLennon, John</div> - <div class='line'>Oxbury, John</div> - <div class='line'>Phillip, John</div> - <div class='line'>Rote, George</div> - <div class='line'>Reyers, William</div> - <div class='line'>Robertson, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Shaver, James</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, William</div> - <div class='line'>Smith, Peter</div> - <div class='line'>Sweeney, Daniel</div> - <div class='line'>Stewart, John</div> - <div class='line'>Teagin, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Vandregoo, Phillip</div> - <div class='line'>Abstric, Lambert</div> - <div class='line'>Wright, John</div> - <div class='line'>Walroda, Jacob</div> - <div class='line'>Wood, James</div> - <div class='line'>Wood, William</div> - <div class='line'>Weegar, Thomas</div> - <div class='line'>West, John</div> - <div class='line'>Toursset, Benjamin</div> - <div class='line'>Tealy, Adam</div> - <div class='line'>Deprender, George</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_670'>670</span> - <h3 class='c026'>THE GOVERNORS OF UPPER CANADA.</h3> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Subjoined is a list of the Governors, Presidents, and Administrators -of Upper Canada, until the Union of the Provinces in 1841:—​</p> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> - <tr> - <th class='c025'>NAMES.</th> - <th class='c025'>TITLES.</th> - <th class='c027'>TIME OF ACCESSION.</th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c028'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Col. John Graves Simcoe</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>July 8, 1792.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Hon. Peter Russell</td> - <td class='c009'>President</td> - <td class='c028'>July 21, 1796.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Lieut.-Gen. Peter Hunter</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>August 17, 1799.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Hon. Alexander Grant</td> - <td class='c009'>President</td> - <td class='c028'>Septr. 11, 1805.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>His Excellency Francis Gore</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>August 25, 1806.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock</td> - <td class='c009'>President</td> - <td class='c028'>Septr. 30, 1811.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. Sir R. Halesheaff, Bart</td> - <td class='c009'>President</td> - <td class='c028'>October, 20, 1812.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. F. Baron de Rottenburgh</td> - <td class='c009'>President</td> - <td class='c028'>June 19, 1813.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Lieut.-Gen. Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B.</td> - <td class='c009'>Provincial Lieut.-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>Decr. 13, 1813.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Murray, Bt.</td> - <td class='c009'>Provincial Lieut.-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>April 25, 1815.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. Sir Frederick Phipps Robinson, K.C.B.</td> - <td class='c009'>Provincial Lieut.-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>July 1, 1815.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>His Excellency Francis Gore</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>Septr. 25, 1815.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Hon. Samuel Smith</td> - <td class='c009'>Administrator</td> - <td class='c028'>June 11, 1817.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. Sir Peregrine Maitland, K.C.B.</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>August 13, 1818.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Hon. Samuel Smith</td> - <td class='c009'>Administrator</td> - <td class='c028'>March 8, 1820.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. Sir P. Maitland, K.C.B.</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>June 30, 1820.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. Sir John Colborne, K.C.B.</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>Novr. 5, 1828.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj. Sir Francis Bond Head, K.C.B.</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>Jany. 25, 1836.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. Sir John Colborne, K.C.B.</td> - <td class='c009'>Administrator</td> - <td class='c028'>Feby. 27, 1838.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Maj.-Gen. Sir George Arthur, K.C.B. H.G.O.</td> - <td class='c009'>Lieutenant-Governor</td> - <td class='c028'>March 23, 1838.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Baron Sydenham and Toronto, Lower Canada</td> - <td class='c009'>Governor General</td> - <td class='c028'>October, 1839.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Baron Sydenham and Toronto, United Canada</td> - <td class='c009'>Governor General</td> - <td class='c028'>Feby. 10, 1841.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_671'>671</span> - <h3 class='c026'>THE ABORIGINES OF NORTH AMERICA.<br /> THE MISSISSAUGA.</h3> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The following Report, sent by Col. Bell, of Thurlow, to John -Ferguson, Superintendent for Indian Affairs, Kingston, dated 3rd -May, 1815, supplies a tolerably correct idea of the articles furnished -by Government to the Indians:—​</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Account of Indian goods, on the 7th March, 1815, remaining in store in the -barn of Lieut.-Col. William Bell, at Thurlow, and forwarded on the 10th, 11th and -20th of the said month of March to the store of Captain W. McIntosh, at the mouth -of the river Moira, viz:—​</p> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>12</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Cloths,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>9</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Cloths,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>7</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Cloths,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>1</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Calicoes,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>1</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Scotch Sheetings,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>1</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Spotted Black Swanskin,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>2</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Serges,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>2</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Common Grey Coats,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>11</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Caddises,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>5</td> - <td class='c024'>Packs Deer Skins,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>11</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales Moltons,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>6</td> - <td class='c024'>Cases Saddles and Bridles,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>1</td> - <td class='c024'>Cases Pistols,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>25</td> - <td class='c024'>Cases Chiefs’ and Common Guns,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>5</td> - <td class='c024'>Casks Tobacco,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>20</td> - <td class='c024'>Cases Shot and Ball,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>7</td> - <td class='c024'>Cases Tomahawks,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>4</td> - <td class='c024'>Cases Spears, &c.,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>3</td> - <td class='c024'>Bags Beef Saws,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>22</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales 3-feet Blankets,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>27</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales 2½-feet do.,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c022'>7</td> - <td class='c024'>Bales 2-feet do.”</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class='c017'>“N.B.—​The above Packages have been delivered into the Store of Captain -John McIntosh, at the mouth of the river Moira, and his receipt taken for them -and delivered to you at Kingston, and also the book in which all the marks and -numbers were entered.”</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</h2> -</div> - <ol class='ol_1 c006'> - <li>Changed all ‘Quinte’ to ‘Quinté’ as the latter was the dominant spelling. - - </li> - <li>Added ‘CHAPTER XXXIa.’ table heading on p. <a href='#xx'>xx</a>. - - </li> - <li>Added ‘CHAPTER XLVa.’ table heading on p. <a href='#xxiv'>xxiv</a>. - - </li> - <li>Made corrections as indicated in ERRATA on p. <a href='#Page_xxxii'>xxxii</a>. - - </li> - <li>Switched ‘CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION.’ to ‘INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I.’ on p. <a href='#Page_1'>1</a> to agree - with Chapter II arrangement. - - </li> - <li>Changed ‘comfort’ to ‘comfort, and’ on p. <a href='#t241'>241</a>. - - </li> - <li>Changed ‘clergyman, and’ to ‘clergyman, and I’ on p. <a href='#t264'>264</a>. - - </li> - <li>Changed ‘CHAPTER XXXI’ to ‘CHAPTER XXXIa’ on p. <a href='#t295'>295</a>. - - </li> - <li>Changed ‘CHAPTER XLI.’ to ‘CHAPTER XLII.’ on p. <a href='#t366'>366</a>. - - </li> - <li>Changed ‘adzes and hatches’ to ‘adzes and hatchets’ on p. <a href='#t367'>367</a>. - - </li> - <li>Changed 'above ail' to 'above all' on p. <a href='#t388'>388</a>. - - </li> - <li>Changed ‘One’ to ‘One of’ on p. <a href='#t398'>398</a>. - - </li> - <li>Changed ‘CHAPTER XLV’ to ‘CHAPTER XLVa’ on p. <a href='#t402'>402</a>. - - </li> - <li>Changed ‘English languish’ to ‘English language’ on p. <a href='#t461'>461</a>. - - </li> - <li>Silently corrected typographical errors. - - </li> - <li>Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. - </li> - </ol> - -</div> - -<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 54554 ***</div> - </body> - <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.56n on 2017-04-16 17:08:20 GMT --> -</html> - |