- ISSN 1206-4394 TheHeritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000
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FairviewHeritage Centre 567 Carnegie Avenue Peterborough OntarioK9L JNJ (705) 745-4404 tv@orlcmaiLcom ----www.kara.on.ca---- ISSN 1206-4394
The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000
Table of Contents
The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley 2 Trent Valley Archives 2 Around the Fairview Heritage Centre Keith Dinsdale 3 Margaret Hall: Our First Lady Tourist Martha Ann Kidd 4 The Five Counties I 90 I Morrey 's Directory 5 Immigrants in Ops Township, 1829 National Archives, Upper Canada Sundries 6 Christ Church Lakefield: Baptisms 1857-1858 The Rev Peter S. Warren 7 Queries Bill Amell and Marguerite Young 7 Anson House Project: Trent University students seek help Elwood Jones 8 Anson House Forerunner of Fairhaven as a Home for City's Elder Harry Theobald 9 Anson House and Fairhaven, 1956-1960 Anson House minutes 10 Dan Cole Was First Settler Bay ofQuinte Don Cournoyea collection 14 Marmara Scene of Hobos Convention Don Cournoyea collection 14 Civil War and Fenian Veteran: Col. J.W. Miller Elwood Jones 15 John Leahy (1814-1900) 15 Peter Robinson Awards 15 Irish and Anglo-Irish Families Trinity College Library, Dublin 16 Howard Parnmett's Peterborough Irish : serialization, part 3 Howard Pommel/ 17 History and Justice [Review: McKillop, The Spinster and the Prophet) Elwood Jones 27 Defying Conventions [Reviews: Historical Atlas of Victoria County; Nelson, Forest to Farm; Arnold, Mayors of Peterborough; Crothers, Rowe and Sampson-Willis, Gleanings: a history ofCampbel/ford-Seymour] 27 Kirkfield Monument to Sir William Mackenzie (I 849-1923) 29 City of Kawartha Lakes 29 Tweed Heritage Centre 30 Private cemeteries 30 Prime Ministerial Cemeteries 30 Presidential Libraries and Archives 30 Salvaging a History in Newsprint National Post 31 Defining People by Trash and Archives 31 AAO Off The Record 31 Trent University Archives On Line 32 National Archives of Canada, The Archivist 32 Fairview Heritage Centre 32 Committees need volunteers 32
Cover photo: Anson House, Peterborough Ontario
Fairview Heritage Centre 567 Carnegie Avenue Peterborough Ontario K9L JNJ (705) 745-4404 tvt.i>J/,orkmaiLcom www.kara.on.ca The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 2
names are being used without our authority. but we have not surrendered our rights, and we continue to honour the commitments The Heritage Gazette Trent Valley Archives made to archival and genealogical ofthe Trent Valley researchers. ISSN /106-4394 Your jive counties archives centre Our holdings include microfilm Archives • Heritage • Genealogy records of the Roman Catholic Fairview Heritage Centre Diocese of Peterborough, St John's 567 Carnegie Avenue Fairview Heritage Centre Anglican Church Archives, and the Peterborough ON K9L JNJ 567 Carnegie Avenue censuses of the five counties for 1871 Peterborough ON K9L JNJ and for all census years in (705) 745-4404 Peterborough county, 1851 to 1901. tva@workmailcom (705) 745-4404 www.kara.on.ca tva@workmailcom Other significant collections include www.kara.on.ca Lakefield newspapers since 1949, the Editor: radio archives of Frank Schoales, and Elwood Jones, [email protected] the personal archives of Howard Serving the counties ofPeterborough, Pammett, J. Alex Edmison, Archie Victoria, Haliburton, Tolmie, Albert Hope. and others. Editorial Board: Durham and Northumberland Recently, we have been adding the Keith Dinsdale following archival records: Delledone Andre Dorfman Trent Valley Archives was founded in collection on Lakefield's history; the Fraser Dunford 1988. and incorporated in 1989. It is Anson House archives, 1862 to the Rae Fleming a public advocacy group promoting present: the Dyer family papers Joe Wilson the preservation, identification and related to the history of Peterborough, care of archives. It has also recreational activities (including a advocated more liberal access to magnificent archive related to pigeon Advertising accepted archival collections, and a recognition racing in the 1960s and 1970s). There that freedom of information laws are now 35 collections of archival The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley should be exactly that. In particular it records relating to various aspects of is published by the Trent Valley favours the development of public Victoria and Peterborough counties. Archives, for its members. regional and county archives. or barring that strong municipal archives. In addition to the Research Room We welcome articles relating to local It realizes that reorganizations of Library. the Trent Valley Archives has and family history, and to archives, or to governments lead to inadvertent books. journals and newsletters the methods by which one may pursue destruction of records and offers help relating to archival organizations, the these. Reviews of books or institutions in meeting such difficulties. history and function of archives, and are encouraged. We also include issues surrounding freedom of infonnation about the activities of our II encourages businesses and information. legislation relating to various committees and projects. organizations to include archiving as municipal government. Hansard for a part of their records management the 1980s, Journals of the House of The information and opinions expressed programs. It assists individuals in Commons and Senate, for the 1980s, are those of the contributors and not keeping archives or find-ing suitable and other books relating to farming, necessarily those of the Trent Valley homes. It has accepted archival public history, architectural and other Archives or its directors. documents and fonds when issues. necessary and the move to the Fairview Heritage Centre was partly The Irish Heritage Research Centre ©2000 Trent Valley Archives prompted by the need to make its has a fine and growing collection of holdings accessible. pamphlets, magazines and other Any copying, downloading or uploading materials relating to research on Irish without the explicit consent ofthe editor It is the official holder of the registered migration and family history on both is prohibited. Classroom use is names Ancestral Research Centre sides of the Atlantic. The Trent Valley encouraged, but please inform the editor (ARC) and Kawartha Ancestral Archives now has holdings that relate of such use. Research Association (KARA). The to child migration, as well. The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 3
Our growing Genealogy Program done a fantastic job of handling our for other aspects of our mandate. We computer database contains over many requests, of which only a few have so many projects and there is 72,000 names, mainly connected to come to the Heritage Gazette as certain to be one that would fit your original families of the Trent Valley. Membership in the Trent Valley queries. We hope to train more interests. Just talk to one of the board Archives continues to grow. volunteers to help in this important members or the managers at the aspect of our work. Fairview Heritage Centre and we will The reading room is open to members An Irish Week seminar was see what is possible. from Monday to Friday, !Oto 4:30, and held on 30 June and was attended by other times by appointment. Annual members of the Peterborough Irish Books memberships, $40. Special rates for Club and members of the council for We carry an amazing array of university students can be a"anged.. Co Monaghan, Ireland. Jack Coursey The major benefits of membership are books and other items related to delivered an excellent family history unlimited use of the reading room at local history, family history and lecture. the Fairview Heritage Centre, genealogy. We have some out-of Don Cournoyea deserves subscription to Heritage Gazette of the print titles and we are always Trent Valley, invitations to special bouquets for his fine attention to our willing to help those seeking an events, and opportunities to help in the grounds, which look great. Thanks to elusive title. Browsers welcome. divene work of the Trent Valley Teresa McLaughlin and Kevin Perdue Among the titles currently being Archives, and its related heritage for transcribing Downeyville parish activities. sold in our reading room are: records in the Roman Catholic Nelson's Falls to Lakefield, a Diocese of Peterborough fonds, and to Board ofDirectors history of the village (1999) T .J. Roy croft for indexing different Illustrated Historical Atlas of William Amell materials and entering the information Peterborough County 1825- Keith Dinsdale, Treasurer into our growing and valuable 1875 (1975) maroon special, Andre Dorfman Vice-chair database. $100. Ronald Doughty From the A.B. Tolmie fonds, The Past is Simply a beginning: Fraser Dunford the entries of the Free Presbyterian Peterborough Doctors 1825- Rae Fleming Church of Woodville in Victoria 1993, by Dr John Walter Martyn Elwood Jones, President County have also been indexed. Martha Ann Kidd. (1993), $30 Jim Moloney We read that people can • Mizgiiyaakwaa-tibelh Lake-field Joseph Wilson, Secretary actually save money by donating ... a look at its heritage, Gordon Marguerite Young mutual funds to charity. Talk to your Young, ed. (1999), $50 accountant about profitable • A History of North Monaghan Around the Fairview philanthropy. Township, by Alta Whitfield We are selling the new Victoria (1989) a super special at $15 Heritage Centre County atlas. Our bookroom carries • The Peter Robinson Settlement Keith Dinsdale many titles of value to family and of 1825: the story of the Irish local historians. Let us know what you immigration to the city and The Research Room has been need. All members are welcome to county ofPeterborough, Ontario such a beehive of activity we have tour our facilities when we are open. , by Bill LaBranche. (1975), $5 been operating Monday through The Fairview Heritage Centre great selection of historical Saturday from IO to 4:30. We have will be undergoing renovations to atlases added another four drawer file accommodate the eight to ten new cabinet to house our growing computers, printers, scanners, etc. that Fairview Heritage Centre collection ofprinted family histories. will be used in setting up the 567 Carnegie Avenue We have added more microfilms as Community Access Program to teach Peterborough ON K9L INI well. Volunteers are constantly and to train the public in the use of (705) 745-4404 updating our finding aids and computers and internet. This should tva@workma/Lcom indexing family histories. Our new also encourage use of our resources www.kara.on.ca computer is equipped with internet for research, and identify volunteers access. Our research volunteers have The Heritage_Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 4
Margaret Hall: ..... Peterborough on the Otonabee best way they could - in short what River 30 miles N.N.W. of Cobourg, they & all those who came had to Our First Lady Tourist Upper Canada, 24th July (1827]. - - - endure is only to be judged of by Martha Ann Kidd This little village has spring up seeing what they now consider luxury. Captain Basil Hall, RN, FRS, and his within the last two years, it is part of Log huts neither plastered nor painted wife Margaret, who visited the fledgling an establishment of Irish settlers sent and a very [limited] supply of furniture village of Peterborough in 1827, were out by the British Government two of every kind? Added to their other surely its first tourists. Captain Hall was years ago under the superintendence difficulties they could not easily? get an inveterate traveller, and the account of of Mr. Peter Robinson, brother to the servants and had all the menial his visit to Peterborough is tucked into Attorney General, Mr. John Robinson offices to do for themselves, and - it is an experiment which has excited his three volume account of Travels in these were people .. who were used considerable interest in England & so North America which was published in to the comforts of an old country, and far it has succeeded well. - (Mr. 1829 in Edinburgh and London. He did not come here until they were past Robinson is in England] but his agent devotes a chapter to the visit to that youthful? age when all those W. McDonell is here and has lodged things appear amusing? I think I Peterborough and has supplemented his us in Mr. Robinson's house where he should have gone into despair if I had observations with letters from Thomas also lives; - we arrived here soon been exposed to such miseries, and A. Stewart and Captain Charles Rubidge. after seven o'clock pretty well fatigued yet they talk of it all quite cheerfully, it The chapter compares well with the rest with our day's business. It is on such is certainly a good lesson to teach of the work. Hall was interested in ideas occasions that we experience the one? not to complain of the little trifles that people had about government and drawbacks of being great people - that one is apt to be annoyed with. politics, and his work remains when tired to death & wishing for interesting. In Canada, his travels ranged nothing on earth but to be allowed to Basil is gone since breakfast with from Niagara Falls to the Richelieu go peacefully to bed, you are obliged Mr. McDonnel to visit some of the River, with side trips to Holland's to keep your eyes open & your mouth settlers [located in] different places a Landing and Peterborough. In the United shut (from yawning I mean) and sit few miles off, & I have been working States he travelled along the Erie Canal, another hour talking common places with the rest of our party here. There went as far south as New Orleans, and as to the Clergyman's wife who out of is the most striking difference far west as St Louis, and spent great tho' mistaken kindness comes to between the people in the States & considerable time in Washington, pay you a visit - Such was my case those here in point of dress. However Philadelphia and New York. last night when Mrs. Armour came just poor their dwellings may be and Dr T. W. Poole was familiar with as I was going to make my escape to however retired their place of Hall's visit and had read Captain bed - Basil, fortunately for himself had residence, both the gentlemen & Rubidge's letter to Hall while preparing already made his exit, but poor I had ladies here whether English or his county history, published in 1867. to sit till human nature could bear it no Canadians are always neatly dressed And of course Frances Stewart's longer, & as my company would not while in the States you find men . . . interesting correspondence was leave me I was obliged to leave them. sometimes without coats, sometimes published in part in Our Forest Home. I am quite refreshed this morning, without neck cloths, dirty & unshaven having slept till eight o'clock - after The unedited letters of Frances Stewart looking, and the women either over or breakfast Mr. & Mrs. Stewart came under dressed. -- are now in the Trent University Archives over from Douro, two miles from this. in Peterborough. Basil had a letter from Mrs, Edgeworth Basil and I walked last night to a Although it is not mentioned in his to Mrs. Stewart, who is in some way place about a mile and a half from book, his wife, Margaret, accompanied connected with her. They came out here and paid a visit to a family who him on his tour of North America and between four & five years ago and came nine years ago from kept her own diary. This diary is now were the first persons who settled in Cumberland, not "Mr. Robinson's housed in the Library of Congress in this part of the country when all Settlers" as those were sent out Washington, D.C. and a very inferior around them was forest - for the first entirely at the expense of Government microfilm copy is at the National year & a half Mrs. Stewart never saw were called, but they had a hundred Archives of Canada, in Ottawa. Her a female except those in her own acres of land each given to them for account is much more interesting than family, at first they could hardly which they had to deposit u10 to the her husband's , partly because it was not procure flour sufficient to make a loaf Secretary of State as a security for edited for publication. She also had of bread for sick? children, the house their settling in the country, but as different interests. they lived in the first night they slept in soon as they had located themselves This excerpt from the diary of ii had ice on the floor some inches? this sum was repaid to them - They Margaret Hall has been transcribed and thick which they had to light stoves to seem exceedingly comfortable and edited by Martha Ann Kidd. melt & to break away with axes the are perfectly contented & happy as The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 5
are also all of those of Mr. Durham, Haliburton, Northumberland, Neal, E.B, Port Hope Robinson's settlers who Basil has Peterboro' and Victoria and districts of Bell, W.J. Sault Ste Marie visited both yesterday & today, Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Dunlop, Wm Sault Ste Marie Tomorrow we go back to Cobourg, Algoma and Manitoulin. This 700-page Young, A.E. Sault Ste Marie and as we start pretty early in the book is a delight to read exactly a century Robson, Thomas & Co. Sturgeon Falls morning I must go to bed. We drank after it was published, Thompson, M.B. & Co.• Sudbury tea last night with Miss Tweeney?, For us it is a benchmark that allows us Faulkner, J.C. Sundridge the niece of the Catholic Priest who to place nearly every farmer who lived in Gillespie, George Thessalon is himself from home, & tonight with this large area, and to have a confirming Northwest Photographing Thessalon Mr. & Mrs. Armour, the Episcopal identification for people who will appear Barrett, Richard• Trout Creek Clergyman - Good night. in the 1901 manuscript census. Naturally, [• = had advertisement in the directory] given the high geographical mobility of Ontarians in that generation. there are no It would be interesting to see samples of guarantees someone in this directory will the works of these photographers. It still be in the same place for the census. would also be helpful to know what The Five Counties 1901 But it is worthwhile to move from the names are missing. The list has many directory to the census. surprises. The Trent Valley Archives has its Photographers Selected places mandate to serve in the five counties. Given our own interest in identifying The most impressive feature of this From the outset we recognized that there professional photographers it is helpful to particular directory is its listing of every was a coherence to the region that ought see a classified list of photographers listed farmer by concession and lot, freeholder, to be reflected in the ways we preserve alphabetically by place. and local post office. Whatever else, this archives, treat our heritage, and build Freeland, George P.• Bowmanville is very handy information. upon our mutual strengths. People have Tait & Co Bowmanville We thought we might sample some commented that we have been more Ryan, R. W. Bracebridge towns beginning with A. evident in Peterborough and in Victoria Timms, P.T, Bracebridge Argyle, Victoria Co, pop about 60 than elsewhere. And that is true. Persey, Wm Burks Falls Abrahams, G.A. general store However, we aspire to be a useful to all Richmond, J.L. Campbellford Bowie, A. Jr stoves heritage organizations within the Huston, W.J, Cobourg Hawkins, Amos postmaster & counties (historically defined) of Stanton, J.H. Fenelon Falls general store Northumberland, Durham, Victoria, Leach, J. Miss Fort William Smith, Dugald blacksmith Peterborough and Haliburton. We have Stevens, S Fort William seen that the region is extended by the Peters, Henry Gore Bay Apsley, Peterboro Co, pop about I 00 impact of the TrentaSevem Waterway Wismer, J.L. Gore Bay Brown, Annie Mrs general store and Highway 7, and we will follow Barke, J.F. Gravenhurst Eastland, T.G. Jr Postmaster & where we are led. Cunningham, A. Hastings Agril Implts The geographical unity of the five Green & Son Havelock McCall, Alexander saw mill counties has been reinforced politically Huntsville Photographic Studio• Reynolds, John clothing in different ways since 1796. Historians Huntsville Welsh, J, blacksmith looking at such diverse subjects as Green, J.W. & Son Lakefield Wilson, B.A. general store agricultural exhibitions, railways and Andrus, M. Lindsay Windsor, Simon general store public health have recognized this Fowler& Co, Lindsay geographical unity. Peterborough's Morton, M. Miss Lindsay Baltimore, Northumberland co, pop 300 railway strategy in the I 880s was defined Oliver, I.H. Lindsay Ball, John miller around what was possible between Williamson, Eli Lindsay Bennett, D, flour mill Belleville and Midland, Port Hope and Charron, Bruno• Mattawa Boyd. John carriage maker Bancroft. We would love to see this Tart& Co. Millbrook Chapman, N. jr blacksmith journal serve the needs of heritage Brooks, R.J. North Bay Chapman, T.A. & Co fruit organizations across a similar area. Cunningham, A. Norwood Cochrane & Phillips harness One tangible evidence of the unity of Andrews, M. Omemee Cochrane, Wm general store the region is the interesting Morrey 's Boyd, W.J, Parry Sound Cockburn, George hotel Directory of /901. Union Publishing of Byers, H.J. Peterborough Eastwood, Elman woolen mills Ingersoll claimed that this was the 12th Green & Son• Peterborough Elliott, J.C. undertaker biennial edition of the Farmers and Roy,R.M. Peterborough Francy, Robert harness Business Directory for the counties of Hamly,E.T. Port Hope Gilleland, John grocer The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 6
Hogg, G.M. estate blacksmith Immigrants in Ops 1829 Patrick Hannoran, s ½ Lot IO, Con 5; Mitchell, G. postmaster Bridget, his wife; Catherine 4 yrs; John 2 Pickering, Christopher hotel yrs. Wimble, Francis shoemaker "List of Emigrants located in the Township of Ops by Mr A. McDonell up Woods, David wagon maker Denis Toohey, s ½ Lot 19, Con 4; to the 15• of October 1829." Catherine, wife; Patrick 21; John 19; [Endorsed by Peter Robinson, Bethany, Durham Co. pop about 500 Mary 14; Daniel 11; Denis 8; James 5; Benson, Wm musical insts Commissioner of Crown Lands: "Number Julia 3. Blakeley, John harness of persons located on 100 acres each, 39. Total number of persons about 127. York, Brereton, C.H. physician Patrick Dunn, Lot 12, Con 5; John & 29• October 1829, Peter Robinson."] Brereton, T.G. d r u g s & Michael, brothers; Mary, mother; Mary, physician National Archives, Upper Canada Sun sister. Brown, W.A. saw mill dries. Appeared in the Ontario Register some years ago, on the initiative of C. Courtney, A.S. butcher John Murray, Lot 9, Con 5; Mary, mother; Gordon Crouse. Reprinted by request. Graham, A. loan agent James, Philip, Peter, Patrick, Matthew, Ivory, T & Son dry goods brothers; Catherine, Ann, Margaret. McCartney, George postmaster Frances McCabe, w ½ Lot 11, Con 10; Family in Ireland, will join him next McCartney, W.H. insurance agent Brian Hoey, n ½ Lot 11, Con 4; Mary, his spring. McKinnon, G.H. hotel wife; Catharine 4 yrs; Patrick l ½. Martin, J.H. grocer Duncan Fisher, s ½ Lot 13, Con 8; Orchard, E. shoemaker Robert Miller, s ½ Lot 8, Con 4; Family, Preston, Robert grain Catherine, his mother; Anne his sister; 3 in number, in Ireland. Rainbird, C. Mrs dressmaker Margaret, wife; Peter 4 ½; Donald 2 ½; John I. Reynolds, C. hardware Thomas Miller, n ½ Lot 7, Con 4; Family Richardson, John weaver in Ireland, 3 in number. Ryley & Son general store Peter Morrison, w ½ Lot 14, Con 8; Mar.: garet, wife; John IO; Hugh 3 ½; James I. Sisson, L.B. grocer Oliver Burke, s ½ Lot 7, Con 4; single. Strike, Wm tailor Alexander McCarthy, e ½ Lot Con Sutton, Picton pat machine 15, 5; Daniel Hyde, s ½ Lot IO, Con 3; family in Elizabeth his wife; John 19 yrs; Margaret Washington, L. Miss dressmaker United States, 5 in number. Westlake, W. carriage maker 15. [blank in record], n ½ Lot 10, Con 3; Carnarvon, Haliburton Co. pop about James Namey, w ½ Lot 15, Con 5; Hyde's son-in-law, family of2 in USA. 25 Catharine, wife; Jane 19; Anne 18 (d. 24• Sept.); Charles 14; Thomas 6; Mary 3. Dawson, P.F. general store William Jones, n ½ Lot 6, Con 3; a single. Hart, G.P. postmaster & Samuel Parkins, n ½ Lot 14, Con 4; Mary, general store William Johnston, n ½ Lot I, Con 11; Maunder & Co. general store his wife; Mary 19; Anthony 11; Anne 9; Mary, his wife. Moore, AW. agril implts Martha 7; Charles 3; Hannah I½. Warrain, W.H. blacksmith Martin Hogan, n ½ Lot 5, Con 4; his Wessells, C. Mrs general store William Lee, s ½ Lot 14, Con 4; (d Oct I) family is at the Rideau Canal. Elizabeth his wife; Mary 15; Sam'! & Even this small sample is suggestive Hannah 8 (twins); John aged 6. Cornelius Hogan, e ½ Lot 6, Con 3; his about the subtle ways that small family is at the Rideau Canal. communities can vary. One wonders if John Fallen, s ½ Lot IO, Con 5; Mary, his the differences relate to age or wife; Margaret 5 yrs; Bertrand 2. Barnet Clarke, s ½ Lot 13, Con 3; single. geography. Clearly, we can learn a great deal Terence Brady, n ½ Lot 10, Con 5; Mary, James Clarke, s ½ Lot 6 Con 3; single. more about anywhere in the five wife; Thomas aged 3; Michael aged 1 and counties, if we look beyond our own 3/4. Michael Smith, s ½ Lot 13, Con 3; a wife communities to the wider world. and I child Directories are a great resource for local James Payne, Lot 12, Con 3; Catherine, historians and genealogists and deserve his wife; James age 19; William 18; John Brien Smith, Lot 13, Con 2; with John to be used far more frequently. 13; Thomas 7; Margaret 9; Catherine 5; Smith. Johanna 1 ½. The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 7
Patrick Brennan, s ½ Lot 14, Con 2; a Douro, and his wife Ann; privately wife & 4 children. baptized 7 May 1857. Queries Bil/ Amell and Marguerite Young James Brennan, n ½ Lot 14, Con 2; a Mcllvina, William Edward, b 22 June We get many inquiries from our mem single man. 1857, son of Edward Mcllvina, bers and we are happy to oblige in what mechanic, of Warsaw, and his wife Eliza ever ways possible. When requested we Robert Martin, s ½ Lot 17, Con 4; family Ann, privately baptized IO July 1857. pass the questions to our readers in this in Ireland, they are expected next spring. Sponsors: Edward Mcllvina and Eliza popular column. If you have responses -Jones, s v~ Lot 9, Con 3; a single man. Mcllvina. to these queries we would welcome hearing from you at the Fairview Christ Church Nicholls, Jane Evangeline, b. 9 May Heritage Centre, so we can add the 1857, daughter of William Wray information to our growing files. It is Lakefield Nicholls, farmer of Lakefield, Upper always great to hear from satisfied Douro, and his wife Anne McNair, customers, too. Baptisms 1857-1858 privately baptized 12 July 1857. Sponsors: Horace Taylor, Jane Hill, Barr The Rev Percy Sloper Warren sent two Fanny Rothwell. Seeking information about the family of returns of baptisms to the Provincial Alexander Barr and Letitia White who Secretary. He was the Anglican Hammelin, John Edward, b. 8 August were born, raised and married in Darling minister for North Douro, and the main 1857, son of John Hammelin, carpenter Twp, Lanark Co. Letitia was a sister to place of worship was Christ Church in of Lakefield, and his wife Jane, bapt. Caroline, wife of Joseph Menary. Both Lakefield. That fine limestone church [nd] September 1857. Sponsors: John families moved to Galway Twp, Peter was quite small, but it has survived and and Jane Hammelin. borough Co, where they were among the volunteers operate it as a museum in pioneers. The Barr family settled along the heart of Lakefield. These records Strickland, Agnes, b. I April 1858, the Bobcaygeon Colonization Road are excerpted from the registers in the daughter of Robert Alexander where the family resided during the cen Archives of Ontario, Toronto, found in Strickland, farmer of Lakefield, Upper suses from 1871 to 1901. The children RG 8, Series 1-6-8 and on microfilm. Douro, and his wife Caroline Charlotte, were Alexander, Robert, Adeline, bapt. 5 May 1858. Sponsors: Samuel Herbert, James, Oliver, Ethel, Bertha Crawford, James Hague, b. 21 Strickland, Agnes Strickland, and Maria and Mossom. Alex Barr Sr died in 190 I. September I 856, and Charles Tully. His wife died twenty years later and was Drummond, b 27 July 1851, children of buried in Kinmount ON. Her obituary Charles Crawford, farmer, of Smith Warren, Catherine Maria, b. 1 June appeared in the Peterborough Examiner. Town, and his wife Mary, bapt. 16 1858, daughter of Percy Sloper Warren, The sons and daughters had spread January 1857. Sponsors for both: clergyman of Lakefield, and his wife across Canada and the United States. Charles Crawford and Mary Crawford. Margaret Charlotte, bapt. 25 July 1858. Would like to hear from descendants. Sponsors: Frederic Bartee, Katharine Helen Gillian Yates, Margaret, b. [no date] August Strickland, Maria Tully. RR I 1856, daughter of[unnamed, labourer, Pakenham ON KOA 2X0 Lakefield, Upper Douro] and of Abbott, William Thomas, b 29 July Elizabeth Yates, bapt 25 January 1857. 1858, son of William Abbott, farmer of Menary Sponsors: Francis Lemais and Douro, and his wife Jane, bapt. 5 Searching for information about Joseph Elizabeth Yates. September 1858. Sponsors: William Menary and Caroline White of Darling Sherwood, William Abbott, Margaret Twp, Lanark Co. They moved to Galway Strickland, Katherine Charlotte, b. 29 Charlotte Warren. Twp and homesteaded along the road to December 1856, daughter of Robert Crystal Lake; the family appears in the Alexander Strickland, farmer of Shere, Fanny, b. 7 September 1858, dau censuses for 1871 to 1891. The children Lakefield, Upper Douro, and his wife of Thomas Shere, of Smithtown, and his were James, David, Robert, Letitia, Caroline Charlotte, bapt. 5 February wife Mary Ann, bapt. 7 December I 858. Mary Ann, Edith, Maud, Wallace, Edna 1857. Sponsors: George William Ross and Garnet. The family left the district Strickland, Katharine Strickland, Fitzgerald, Hugh Alexander, b. 17 before the 1901 census. Welcomes Charlotte Ellis. January 1856, and Margaret Anne, b. 26 information about the whereabouts of August 1858, children of Joseph the descendants. Jory, Ann Eliza, b. 14 December 1855, Fitzgerald, farmer of Douro, and his wife Helen Gillian daughter to John Jory, farmer of Upper Martha, bapt. 16 December I 858. RR I, Pakenham ON K0A 2X0 The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 8
Hogan John S. Stewan who was raised at Anson House History Seeking information about the parents Hastings ON. His parents James Stewart of Francis Hogan. He married Ellen and Margaret Steele married in I 865. Project Ryan but have not found the marriage The marriage record in the Presbyterian record c.1848. They resided in Aspho Church, Keene, lists his parents as John Students in the History program at Trent del Twp during 1861 and 1871 cen and Eliza Stewan. During 1871 census a University, in co.operation with people suses. At the same time in the same Benjamin Stewart resides in Asphodel at Anson House, are writing a history of district resided Thomas Hogan. His Twp. Would appreciate any help or Anson House. The history (printed next) marriage record reveals that he is a son suggestions to clear up the confusion. written in the Peterborough Examiner of Alice and William Hogan. They John S. Boyle by the veteran journalist, Harry emigrated from Ireland with the Peter 13655 SW 21" Street Theobald, has many virtues. Theobald Robinson group in 1825. His records Beaverton OH 97008 USA had browsed through the minute books state the age of each member: William of the Board of Directors. These are 35, Alice 34, Thomas 9, Francis 7, Hartwig I Hartwick included in the records now deposited in Mary 4, Ellen I. Was Thomas a brother Toe first family reunion was held in the Trent Valley Archives. This is an of Francis who married Ellen Ryan? September 2000 and about 250 people ambitious project, and the project Both families named their eldest gathered at Beavermead Park in Peter members are seeking help from readers. daughter Alice. During 1871 census borough ON. My maternal ancestors If any of the names mentioned rings a William Hogan 80 resided in Douro Friedrich Wilhelm Hartwig and wife bell, let Professor Jones know. If you Twp. Would appreciate any Henriette were born in Germany and know people who were associated with information about this family. came to Canada in 1877. They settled Anson House as volunteers, staff or Lexy Kirk near Killaloe, Hagerty Twp, Renfrew residents, let him know. The students are PO Box4022 county, and raised several children there. aware of the need to understand many Smithers BC V0J 2N0 Friedrich died in 1912 aged 82 years and issues. How have attitudes changed Henriette died in 1917. Both were buried toward aging? What are the links 0 "Reilly at Killaloe ON. Their descendants have between such institutions and During the past summer I made a trip wandered all over the province and are government and community attitudes east to explore the countryside ofmy planning another reunion next year. For toward poverty, social welfare, medical pioneer ancestors. Michael O'Reilly more infonnation contact: services, and religion? What were the ( 1819-1894) was born in Ireland. He Paul Heffernan inspirations that led prominent women purchased Lot 3 Con 3 Ennismore Twp 1720 Drummond Line, RR 8 to devote countless hours to this work? in 1845 and married Esther Moloney. Peterborough ON K9J 6X9 How professional was the staff, and how The children were raised there: did staff get recruited? What were the Stephen, Thomas, James, Margaret, Sinclair links between Anson House and the Anne, Maria, Ellen and Agnes. A tran Will share information on family of Neil churches? And the city politicians and script of the baptismal record in 1851 Sinclair, wife Christina Campbell and staff? for their son Thomas was printed in the children who emigrated from Islay, The students have been reading grand book, The Holy Land by Clare F. Scotland to Canada in 1842. They widely, and are looking'at ways to Galvin in 1978. Thomas O'Reilly settled in Fenelon Twp. Victoria county. incorporate pictures, memoirs, and married Maria T. McGarrity and lived Catherine married Donald Brown, John statistical information. They are near Ennismore also. Their son Harold married Emma Campbell, Alexander, interested in developing aspects of V. O'Reilly was my maternal Neil, Donald married Catherine cultural history, stories about the people. grandfather. He left during First World McDonald, Margaret married Archibald Some of them are poring over the War. I would like to hear from other Spence, Dougald married Anne Spence, pertinent legislation and government descendants of those pioneer ancestors Sarah married Thomas Moynes. policies. It is a fascinating project and exchange family charts. Peterborough Despatch, 20 May 1847, precisely because it cuts across so many Audrey E. Winch reported that the Rev Mr Fidler and two approaches and ideas. 3036 Ontario Street others were lost crossing the river at If you wish to help, please contact Vancouver BC V 5T 2Y7 Fenelon Falls. The "two others" were Elwood Jones, (705) 743-0231 or by Alexander and Neil Sinclair. email: [email protected] Stewart Tony Sinclair As well, they welcome infonnation Trying to locate information which 71 Lake Street on Fairhaven and on other senior citizen could unravel the mystery that there Grimsby ON L3M 2G6 facilities. was a family connection to a Benjamin Stewart. My maternal grandfather was The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 9
Anson House Anson House. lncidently, R.A. (Bertie) wait on Robert Nicholls and request his Morrow is otherwise gratefully influence at the next meeting of the town Forerunner of remembered by Peterborough in Morrow council. It was then that Mr Morrow Fairhaven as a Home Park, site of the Exhibition Grounds and intervened in May proffering free rent of Memorial Community Centre, which were a house on Sherbrooke St. for City's Elder a trust deed to the city by his son Harold The Rev Mark Burnham gave $20 A Morrow. worth of furniture for the home in the Citizens About 1866 John Carnegie MPP Morrow house. A managing committee Harry Theobald secured a grant from the government of was appointed and rules and regulations seven cents a day per head supplemented drafted. Workmen were hired to make by two cents for adults and four cents per repairs. Mrs Robertson was to be As Peterborough contemplates the head for children over IO years old. consulted to act as matron, and Mr approaching official opening of Meanwhile, meeting in the Sunday Robertson for his board was to do Fairhaven, its splendid new home for School ram of Mrs Kirkpatrick over the carpentry and gardening. elder citizens, it may recall with civic Bank of Toronto, the society was busy Members of the society brought gifts interest the virtual founding of Anson through! 1864 and its winter with appeals of knives and forks, dinner plates, table House. for help. For example, as it was then cloths, window blinds, and on May 31, Sympathy was just as close to the distributed by individual members: "an 1865, the Home received four inmates, hearts of the people a century ago, but order for beef and 50 cents"; "Mrs Hall one a widow with two small sons. In such the ways and means of expression in had spent 50 cents for a quarter of a cord detail of record, the experience of the collective action had to be undertaken as of wood"; "Mrs Robert Romaine applied Society in supervising the Home an uncharted enterprise. The first for V- six pounds of beef and some warm continues: "A young woman able to government assistance mentioned in the articles for children's wear"; "Mrs Charles provide for herself was not accepted on records was a few cents a day, in contrast Ormond wished the society to take into account of her intemperate habits." with the munificent grants that are now consideration the removal of Miss J - "Mrs G. 's husband is in jail for ilia available. But that reference is getting from her present abode to another more treating her; she is very destitute and ahead of the story of the institution of the suitable, the rent to be paid partly by the unable to go out having a young infant." Peterborough Relief Society. society and half by the council." The women of the board were PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY "Mrs Haultain applied for boots for encountering many instances of extreme Obviously, concern for the poor, and Y-, and was given an order on Patterson's need and hardship. An ironic note of the particularly women and children of store"; "Mrs Best applied forV-, and was secretary: "Mrs L's daughter having come misfortune on the fringe of the town's given 50 cents for groceries"; "Mrs Hall to see her and take her back to Rochester; society, had been discussed by citizens bought a quarter of beef for the society, they left yesterday. From all appearances who attended the first meeting in the paid $2.50." it will not be long until she returns to office of Col. Fred C. Haultain on Nov. Ladies of the society were personally Canada." That expectation was fulfilled 26, 1862. Mrs James Wallis was elected authorized to buy beef at Christmas time, several months later. president and Mrs Haultain secretary. and to attend to its delivery. Most of the GRAND JURY GAVE $20 The society was to be maintained largely parcels were six pounds; one ten. The Grand Jury visited the Home and by the subscription of its members, most "Mrs Kempt applied for M-, a turkey collectively contributed $20 for which of whom paid three dollars a month. having been given by Mr Waterson, this received a vote of thanks. A woman with Relief, then, was assumed as personal with an order on Scott and McDonald for two young children admitted couldn't pay responsibility and for the first few years 50 cents worth of groceries were given." rent. Donation of Bibles from the was distributed in cash, clothing, food If the allowances seem small in some Peterborough Ladies Bible Association. and other necessaries of life. instances, it should be remembered that Meal hours were set: breakfast 7 a.m., On Dec. 3, 1863, a meeting was held one dollar provided many necessities in dinner 12, supper 5 p.m.; family worship in the town hall at which Mrs James Hall the 1860s. For instance: "Mrs Roche for to be regularly conducted by the matron. was elected president. In May 1865, R-, $1 for half a cord. of wood." Another It was also directed that the matron should R.A. Morrow gave the use of a house at minute repeated through all the meetings: preside at all meals; if unavoidably absent the comer of Sherbrooke and Aylmer "Wednesday, Jan. 18, 1865: The meeting she was to depute some fitting person Sts. for the purposes of the society and was opened with prayer by Mrs Wallis." among the inmates in order that each the name was changed to that of RENT OF HOUSE FREE person be properly attended. Peterborough Protestant Home. lnMarch, 1865,MrsJamesHallspoke WOMEN AND CHILDREN These facts are quoted from a record of the urgent need of a home for aged, Returning to the framed record of the in formal script, framed and enclosed in helpless and destitute women and Home: "The original intention was to glass, on the wall of the board room of children. A deputation was authorized to admit only destitute old women and The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 10
children, but as cases were present of the north ward and the district across the deserving old men it was detennined to river. The building was opened free of Anson House & admit them also. (Some of them became debt on April 30, 1912, the dedicatory Fairhaven, 1956-1960 problem inmates as time went on.) service being held in the board room. ''As there was no endowment this "Mayor W.H. Bradburn acted as One of the questions on which readers work was entirely dependent on the chairman. The building was thronged with might have useful views relates to what charity and liberality of citizens. In 1870 visitors. Addresses were given by His happened when the city decided to the Home was removed to the stone Honor Judge G.M. Roger of Cobourg, a develop Fairhaven. There were building on the east side of Stewart St., life time worker in the interests of the implications, subtle and not so subtle, (north of Brock St.) overlooking the Home, Dr Bruce Smith, inspector of about the future of Anson House. Hints of creek, then owned by the late Sheriff government institutions, local clergymen the story are evident in the minutes of the James Hall, who gave it for the purpose and others. Anson House Board of Directors, and we of the Home. This property was in 1905 "The plans for the Home were have printed some extracts with the hope conveyed for a nominal price to trustees prepared by Francis Smith of the firm of this will prompt some fresh recollections who conveyed it to the Home when it Bond and Smith, architects, Toronto, and of how the story might have looked in was incorporated. This building was the work was carried out under the other minds. While much of the history of occupied until the present one was supervision of James G. Graham as Anson House is too long ago for most of erected. contractor. us, these names and events should strike $20,000 FOR HOME "Mrs T.G. Hazlitt laid the cornerstone familiar chords with some readers. "Mrs Charlotte Nicholls at her death on Oct. 28, 1911. This is one of the few in 1890 left a fund of $20,000 for the Homes in thC Dominion where old Minutes, 12 December 1956 Home. In January, 1911, at a meeting married couples are not separated. Q It was suggested by Mrs Langley that specially held for the purpose, certain "On account of the gift of a free site a meeting of three members of the representative men of the city undertook and the grant ofSI0,000, the city has the City Council and three members of to give a site and a sum ofSI0,000 if the right of two-thirds of the accommodation Anson House be arranged to discuss Protestant Home Association would of the building, and the Board to the the future of Anson House in the event erect a building costing not less than remaining one-third." of a new Home for the Aged being $20,000, the Association to be Presidents of the Home were: Mrs built. This matter was left in abeyance incorporated and have representatives JamesWallis, 1862;MrsJamesHall, 1863 for the time being. elected from the city churches. until 1870; Mrs Smith, I 870-1871. Mrs Minutes, 9 January 1957 "Letters patent granting this Robert Romaine, 1872-1881; Mrs Q There was some discussion concerning incorporation were received May 3, Gilmour 1881-1884. Mrs Burnham 1885- the intention of the City of I 9 I 1, and the agreement with the city 1890; Mrs Vernon, 1890-1902; Miss Peterborough to proceed with the was signed Aug. 29, 1911. The first Isabel Roger, 1902-1907; Mrs Walter erection of a modem Home for the general meeting of the incorporated Roger, 1907-1921. (Mrs Roger was the Aged. Such an institution would cover association was held in the board room mother of Mrs Alice Roger Collins.) Mrs the same ground as Anson House of the old Home, May 9, 1911, at which Robert Neill 1924-1925. since the Roman Catholic Church had time the following officers were elected: Secretaries were: Mrs Haultain, Mrs announced its intention of erecting a President, Mrs Walter Roger; Best, Miss Isabel Roger, Mrs James G. Home of their owri. It was felt that secretary, Miss Helen Denison; first Hall, Miss M. Roper, Mrs M.A. Miller, there was nothing we could do about it nd vice-president, Miss Nicholls and 2 Mrs R.F. McWilliarns, Miss Helen and any action to include Anson vice-president, Mrs Birdsall. Denison, Miss E.D. Lewis, Miss Jean House in the new set-up would have Directors for three years: Mrs Neill, Miss Flora Davidson, Mrs F.M. to come from the City. Birdsall, Mrs J.B. McWilliams, and J.A. DelaFosse. Minutes, 14 February 1957 Aylmer; for two years: Mrs W.M. Roger, Treasurers were: Mrs James Patten, Q The President reported that a meeting Miss Nicholls, Mrs R.S. Davidson; for Mrs Jeffers, Mrs George A. Cox, Miss I. of the officers of Anson House and the one year: Mrs T.G. Hazlitt, Mrs Robert Roger, Mrs Walter Roger, Miss Sarah Welfare Committee of the City Neill, Miss Mary Brown. Robinson, 1907-1925. Council had been held on Feb. 12•. At BUILDING OPENED this meeting our officers explained "After many years of uphill work that the directors of Anson House those who had worked so faithfully and The records of Anson House are in the were in sympathy with the movement loyally in the interest of Peterborough Trent Valley Archives and contain for a new Home for the Aged and Protestant Home saw their hopes realized references to hundreds of people who would give their co-operation. in thC completion of a handsome and were connected with lhe Protestant Poor However, it was felt that any action commodious building costing $30,000 Home and Anson House. towards the absorption of Anson erected on a very fine site overlooking House by the new institution would The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 II
have to come from the City as the thought this would be a very good idea received by the Board and that the Charter. under which Anson House and it should be brought before the Board assumes that the name ofAnson operates, does not authorize the directors joint meeting of the City and Anson House would be continued. We would to hand over the institution to anyone House representatives. make two stipulations: I) that else. However, the directors would not The City have been advised by assurance would be given that the oppose any action taken by the City Toronto solicitors that in order for the residents of Anson House would be towards this end. City to take over Anson House it taken care of to our satisfaction until (N .B. A subsequent meeting attended would be necessary for th Board of such time as the new Home for the by 8 directors, Mrs Hooper, Mrs Anson House to apply to the Aged would be ready to take them in Hills, Mrs Langley, Miss Mason, Mrs Provincial Government to have our and 2) that the directors of Anson Pilon and Messrs Hamilton, Waddell Letters Patent altered so that Roman House be relieved of all obligations. and Sootheran, while the City Catholics and Jews could be admitted. Given this assurance the directors Welfare Committee was held on Feb. Our position is that we do not want to would be willing to support a move by 19° and was addressed by Mr L.E. initiate proceedings and the secretary the City to seek a private bill to Ludlow, Director of Homes for the has handed over to Mr Howell of Kerr, transfer the assets of Anson House to Aged for Ontario. He stressed the McElderry and Co one copy each of the City. Carried. need for a large institution which our Letters Patent, Change of Name, Minutes, 21 August 1957 would take care of aged, Agreement with City and another Q An inspection of house and property convalescent and senile people and document. A receipt for these is in our was made on July 15• by Mayor provide quarters for married couples. safe. Dewart and several aldermen. They The City had intended to take over Minutes, 12 June I 957 were most favourably impressed with and remodel the old Isolation Q The mayor sent a letter stating that the the House and also with the Northey Hospital but at this meeting it was City was prepared to go ahead with the residence. decided to have architects consider project of a new Home for the Aged Minutes, IO January 1958 both that building and Anson House which would take care of our present Q The City Clerk advised that Mr and bring in a report as to which residents. In addition, they would like Gordon Farquharson had been building would be the better for the to have a recreation centre for all aged appointed Special Solicitor in purpose. The meeting, Iike the persons in the City and feel that the connection with preparing the previous one, was very hannonious.) present buildings and grounds of necessary agreement between the Minutes, 13 March 1957 Anson House would be ideal for the Anson House Board and the City of Q A letter from the City Clerk enclosed purpose. He therefore requests the Peterborough re: the future of Anson a copy of a resolution passed by the Board to agree to support a move to House. // Mr Farquharson wrote Welfare Committee of the City have the City seek a private bill to asking to meet our directors re: the Council to the effect that the Welfare transfer the assets of Anson House to above and a meeting was arranged for Committee should appoint three of the City. // The City Clerk sent a copy January 22"'. its members to confer with three of a letter from the City Clerk of St Minutes, 22 January 1958; held in City appointees of Anson House Catharines outlining the history of Hall, 3 pm concerning the future of Anson their Home for the Aged. This was Q The meeting was duly called to order House. originally started with private grants and a full discussion ensued with Mr After some discussion it was felt and later used for the care of children W.H. Howell, Q.C. Solicitor for the that a representation of four would be but upon the formation of a Children's Board, with regard to the transferring desirable and it was moved by Mrs Aid Society the property was sold. and assigning of all the assets of Hills and seconded by Mrs Diplock Upon application to the Provincial Anson House to the Corporation of that the Anson House representatives Government a Special Act was passed the City of Peterborough with the would be the President (or Acting enabling the Board to tum over the intention that the said City of President), the Secretary-Treasurer, assets to City Municipal project to be Peterborough should erect and Mr J.H. Eastwood and Mr H.F. used for the erection of a new Home maintain a Home for the Aged in the Waddell. Carried. for the Aged on a joint basis with the City of Peterborough. /// On motion Mrs Langley suggested that as a County of Lincoln. This was the duly made by Mrs F.E. Hooper, solution to one of the problems solution of a problem very similar to seconded by Mrs Fred Hills and involved in the City taJcing over our own. unanimously carried, By-Law No 20, Anson House, that one wing of the Q Moved by Mr Eastwood and seconded which is attached as a Schedule to proposed new Home be called the by Mrs Carley that the secretary these Minutes, was duly enacted and Anson House Wing and be used treasurer be authorized to write to the passed. solely for the Protestant Poor of Mayor to the effect that his suggestion Mrs Bernice Graham, Alderman of Peterborough along the lines of the that Anson House be used as a the City of Peterborough and present Charter. The others present recreation centre was favorably Chairman of the Welfare Committee The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 12
of the City of Peterborough, Mr E.A. M Election of the board of directors It was moved by Mr Eastwood, Outram, City Clerk, and Mr Gordon postponed to a subsequent meeting. and seconded by Mrs Hills, that the Farquharson, Solicitor acting for the Minutes, 14 March 1958 Board recommend to the Annual City of Peterborough, were invited M G.H. Munro asked that assets from Meeting that the City Council be into the meeting and the above tenns bequests with conditions not be approached with a view to re-entering and conditions were further included in the assets handed over to into the agreement previously discussed with them and Agreement the city, and that should the legislation proposed and dated January 22, 1958. on all points was reached. // Mrs be passed, the assets of the Dickson Carried. Graham expressed the thanks for the bequest should go to the Peterborough Minutes, AGM, 14 October 1958 City of Peterborough to the Directors Foundation. [The letter was referred to M The United Church of Canada for the work done in the past by Walter Howell.] interested in Anson House for a Home Anson House and for the co Minutes, 11 April 1958 for the Aged; apparently, because of operation of the Directors in this M not invest in mortgages in view of the conditions in the deed of land, particular instance. expected transfer of assets to the City; such action requires 2/3 majority of GI Cs will be paid at 4.5%even though the City Council in support. [Schedule By-Law No 20 is attached.] not for five years term. Minutes, 28 October 1958 M essential new detail was that Minutes, 9 May 1958 M Dr Mutchmor confirms the United President, V ps and Secretary-Treasurer M Walter Howell reported Anson House Church might be interested in empowered to act in negotiating this subject to the Charitable Institutions purchasing property at a special price; matter. Act. and must comply re: annual board willing to negotiate with any Minutes, AGM, 14 February 1958 medical examinations of all residents. interested parties. O Mr Sootheran gave a report on the M Mr Howell has deciphered the by-laws Minutes, 14 November 1958 special meeting held on January 22nd from the minutes and has enclosed M City Clerk reported that Aldermen at which By-Law No. 20 was passed. copies with his letter. [Mr Waddell Mrs Graham and D Loucks are ex Mr W.H. Howell, Q.C. solicitor for and Mr Warren were to read Mr officio members of the Anson House the Anson House Board explained Howell's compilation and make board. the details. recommendations to next meeting. At Minutes, 3 December 1958 M motion to approve past and future the next meeting, 13 June, it was M The two new members appointed by actions recommended that no changes be City Council attended. Q The motion was seconded by Mrs made to the by-laws; this meant the M United Church offered to purchase for T.J. Carley who pointed out that the AGM had to move to the second $28,000 action was only being taken because Tuesday in October.] Q Considerable discussion followed and if Anson House were to carry on as Minutes, 1 I July 1958 it was the general feeling of the in the past. while the City built a new Q A discussion was held regarding the meeting that, as any sale or transfer of Home for the Aged, it would not be transfer of assets if and when Anson the property would require a two financially feasible. House ceases to operate as a Home for thirds majority vote of the City Mrs G.R. Langley moved an the Aged, and the secretary-treasurer Council, it would be in the best amendment as follows: "After the was directed to contact Mr Howell interests of Anson House to transfer phrase 'that such residents will be requesting him to attend the the property and assets to the also be accepted into the new Home September meeting prepared to answer Corporation of the City of for the Aged under the Rules and questions in connection with the Peterborough who then could sell it to Regulations of the City' add the legality of transferring the assets. the United Church of Canada or any phrase 'and that they be offered the Minutes, 16 September 1958 other interested party. same degree of privacy in the nonnal Q A lengthy discussion was held It was then moved by Mr H. care wing as they have received in regarding the future of Anson House, Waddell that we endorse the Anson House.' Mrs H. Martin transfer of assets, etc., and Mr Walter resolution passed at the September th seconded the motion of amendment. Howell, Q.C .. was in attendance to 16 meeting which contained a [After some discussion, Mrs Martin answer questions regarding same. recommendation to be presented to the withdrew her seconding, it was It was moved by Mr Waddell and Annual Meeting that the City Council seconded by Mrs W.R. Philp. The seconded by Mrs Pilon, that a be approached with a view to re amendment passed 16-12. The recommendation be made at the entering into the Agreement dated motion as amended passed 27-0.] Annual Meeting that the Board January 22, 1958, and forward this M The biggest issue in the discussion recommend to the residents of Anson recommendation to the Special was that there would not be that House that they make application for Committee along with the letter from many private rooms and Anson residence in the new Home for the Dr Mutchmor containing the offer of House residents would not be given Aged when it is ready for occupancy. purchase. This was seconded by Mrs a lock on those that were. Carried. B. Graham and carried. The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 13
Minutes, General meeting of the and carried, the following were then Anson House board, and the Corporation continued, 9 December appointed to a committee to meet with committee appointed at the General 1958 City Council (with power to add to Meeting. Defeated a second motion to M Main item was the discussion of the same): Mrs W.R. Philp, Mrs H. have the general meeting approve the letter prepared for going to Special Rogers, Mrs G.R. Langley, and Mr churches' proposal first. Committee: J.Bames. Minutes, Joint Meeting, 2 July 1959 QQ The purpose of this letter is Minutes, 9 January 1959 M Meeting of Anson House Board ( I 0 three-fold. II 1. To comment on M Alderman Boorman replaced members), City Council and the the United Church's willingness Alderman Loucks; Mrs Graham still Churches' joint committee at City to continue the fine work that has on Hall. Sandy Fleming, filling in for been carried on in Anson House M Resignations from board: J.H. Walter Howell, read Howell's brief for many years. // 2. To state that Eastwood and H. F. Waddell and asked the City Council for if Anson House becomes the M Motion to send letter to all churches direction. Mayor Loucks said the City property of the United Church, on the importance of having members Council would consider the matter and that it would be used for the on the board at this time. report a decision at a later date. extension of the present work Minutes, 13 May 1959 Minutes, 8 July I 959 and in all likelihood would Q Mrs Graham moved that a letter be M Letter from City Clerk, the Jomt include the building of units for sent to Mrs Philp asking that her committee of the Churches had been elderly couples. II 3. To make a committee negotiate with the City asked to make an offer to the city. The cash offer for the property. We Council as soon as possible and report Board decided to postpone the AGM realize that we cannot offer more to the Anson House Soard for a month in anticipation something than a token price for the Anson Corporation. This was seconded by might be happening. House property. We are ready to Mrs Hooper and carried. Minutes, 14 October 1959 pay $28,000 for the central and Minutes, Special Meeting, 3 June 1959 M Motion requesting information from other buildings and the 5.32 M meeting of the Anson House Board the city. acres of land known as the with representatives of the Joint Minutes, 11 November 1959 Anson House property. We Committee ofthe United and Anglican M Joint churches intend to go forward, realize that the transfer of this Churches for Anson House. and recommend that 50¾ of the land would require a private Bill. Representing the churches were the Anson House board be Anglican and We are aware, also, that the Revs AL. Shorten, M.P. Poole, and United. transfer of this property could G.S. Maxwell, as well as Mrs W.R. Some discussion of how to work the not be made unti I the new Home Philp, F.D. Kerr, W.B. Gordon and Dr nominations committee for the AGM. for Senior Citizens of G.R. Langley. Essentially the churches Q Mr Boorman spoke of criticism of Peterborough City, now in would take over the financing and City Council that had been voiced at a course of erection, is completed. administration of Anson House; it previous meeting and stated that the Q
Minutes, Annual Meeting, 25 November Don Cournoyea MARMORA SCENE OF HOBOS' 1959 CONVENTION Q Mr Farquharson pointed out that the Collection A Night of Song, Music and Comedy City Council was vitally interested in Attracts Big Crowd the future ofAnson House, especially We like to highlight the interesting [Dateline: Marmora, 26 February 1925] with Fairhaven opening soon, and items that are found in Don Coumoyea.1s had asked him to express the feelings collection of newspaper copies. This was a light-hearted report on a of the Council. In 1911, the City was variety night sponsored by the Mannora authorized to borrow $10,000 and DAN COLE WAS FIRST SETTLER Boosters Club. Its president, Dr Hamilton make a gift of this amount and also BAY OF QUINTE commented on the club's efforts to conveyed the property that is now Died 5 August 1836 at the advanced age promote Crowe Lake cottaging, and to known as Anson House, subject to of l05 years support a surgical case taken to Toronto's the terms and conditions of By-law THE FIRST UEL Sick Children's Hospital. There were #1608 of June 5, 1911. Certain Married Sophia De Long of New York - acting and costume awards. members of Council feel that it is the Raised family of ten The actors were: intention of the Anson House Master James Rice Dusty Bob Corporaton to enlarge the scope of [This story with the dateline from Don Mcinroy Happy Hooligan their operations and take in other Cobourg, 24 January 1925 contains much Harry Dunlay Dirty Joe than City residents. Mr Farquharson of interest about Cole, who was the first D.E. Bell Hobo Jake pointed out that the clause in the By UEL settler in Adolphustown Twp. J Harold Auger Gentleman Jim law regarding reversion to the City is Paul Clement Frowsy Filthy a valid one, and if any change is to .... Born in Albany, New York, his life C.B. Leonard Tramping Muggs be made in the purposes and objects was one of thrilling interest. After the M.E. Grant Tattered Ragans of Anson House the City Council outbreak of the American War of W.E. Mackechnie Hungry Dan wants to be informed. Independence, Daniel Cole and his family Charles Shannon Hatless Hal Minutes, 14 December 1959 found their way as Loyalists to the City of Ralph Neal Lazy Logan M The new president, S.J. Whitehouse, New York. He enlisted with the Loyalist Art Smith Tired Tim had prepared a statement that was to Army - probably the second battalion of Jack Grant Frosty Finnegan be forwarded, after some minor the King's Royal Regiment, New York - Dr Curtis Sunny Mike alterations, to Dr Langley and Mr and acted as a spy and a carrier of Leo Forestall Healthy Tim Gordon for them to take to the confidential messages to his commander Percy Archer Dusty Rhodes combined church committee for during a part. at least, of the war. These 1.D. Simmons Janitor comment. despatches were placed in a thin steel box, Mr Lester visiting tramp Minutes, 11 January 1960 which was inserted in the sole ofhis shoe. Florence Auber accompanist M City Council representatives would Notwithstanding all this precaution, his be Aldermen C.D. Munro and C. W. life was many times in danger. Previous to Boorman resorting to this novel method of carrying M Decision to write all churches about despatches, historians state that he was the privilege of having a member on caught on one occasion. A summary trial the Ans-on House Corporation. followed and Cole was ordered to be hanged, and that immediately. The rope was placed about his neck and the end thrown over the limb of a tree. Cole seized the opportunity when something had for an instant diverted the attention of his captors, and springing from their grasp ran. Shot after shot was fired after him, but he escaped. The Coles were a devout family, and his son, John Cole, telling the story to Dr William Canniff, said: "God Almighty would not let the balls hit him." [The story is quite lengthy, but this excerpt gives the spirit of the piece.] The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 15
Lillian) and a son (William). He was a Civil War & Fenian Methodist, an active member of George John Leahy(1814-1900) Veteran: Col J.W. Street Methodist, where he taught Sunday When John Leahy passed away at age 86, School for many years. The family lived at the Peterborough Morning Times, 6 September 1900, commented on his Miller 2 I 2 McDonnel Street, across from the emigration with the Robinson settlers in collegiate. In 1925, his next-door 1825. He came with his father and two We have been asked to profile the neighbour was F.M. de la Fosse, the librarian. Other neighbours were J.D. sisters on the "Fortitude", one of nine remarkable Col. J.W. Miller, who was ships in the emigration. The ship left Cork mentioned in passing in an earlier issue. Collins and Henry Rush, both veterans of the 1866 Fenian Raid. on IO May and reached Quebec 49 days Miller was at the Battle of Gettysburg in later, 27 June. Leahy was predeceased by th Miller volunteered to fight the Fenians 1863, and attended the 75 anniversary his wife, and was survived by only eight in 1866, and became the second head of celebrations in 1938. At that time he Robinson settlers: Thomas Sullivan, the volunteers organization. He was the expressed disappointment that so few David Quinn, Mr and Mrs John Torpey, last survivor of the 220 local volunteers. others had attended! William O'Brien, John O'Brien, John He was one of the first members of the James Wesley Miller (4 October Crandley, and Mrs Patrick Leahy. 57• Regiment, established in 1867, and I 845 - 28 October 1938) was born in Because of John Leahy's recollections, eventually became its fifth commanding Bowmanville, the son of a local the newspaper could feel confident on this officer, 1893 to 1914. He served four contractor, John Miller. [The 1901 matter. census says he was born 10 October years as alderman, several years as school 1844.] He was in the USA in April 1861, trustee, and as District Grand Master of when the Civil War broke out, and he the Oddfellows. [check re: Foresters] Peter Robinson Awards enlisted in the Sixth US Calvary. He rose The question posed is how does one The City of Peterborough awarded its to Quartermaster Sergeant, the highest confirm the details in this account, and Peter Robinson Awards on 6 August NCO rank. He was at the first battle of how does one recreate the history of 2000. These prestigious awards, marking Bull's Run, and was wounded at which he was such a colourful personality. the 150th anniversary of municipal Malvern Hill and Gettysburg. He was There are several angles to pursue, government in Peterborough, were captured at Gettysburg, and spent each of which takes one to different types awarded to people still living who brought sometime in the Libby Prison, a of sources. The easiest records to pursue honour and distinction to our community. Confederate prison in Richmond, are the census records, city directories, Given the tenns of reference, it was Virginia. Following an exchange of church records , and cemetery records. surprising to see groups were even prisoners, he and other starving prisoners The military records of the Civil War, the considered. It was also refreshing to see were hospitalized at St John's College in Fenian Raids, and the local militia would how differently the Peterborough Maryland. The local newspapers carried also be most pertinent. But once one has connections figured into the mix. On the several articles on Miller, and many of the genealogical report in shape, there are special night, Graham Hart introduced these are included in the Don Cournoyea the newspaper reports with some high-quality videotaped sketches that fonds at the TV A. It seems Miller fought reminiscences. One might wonder if there captured what was special about each of at both battles of Bull's Run, Antietam, are family papers. Considerable value the winners. The winners were Peter Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Malvern might come from reading from the Demos, William Fisher, Agnes Logan Hill. His three year term expired in 1864, extensive works on the Civil War, and the Green, Anne Heideman, Roger Neilson, and because of the dramatic appeal of his more modest Fenian Raid accounts. What Christine Nornabell, Peterborough brother, he did not re-enlist. about the records of city council and the District Women's Institutes, Gordon In Peterborough, Miller worked in school boards to find out the kinds of Roper, Douglas Sadler, Sisters of St Samuel White's shoe-shop, and then for issues in which Miller was vocal. His Joseph, Thomas H.B. Symons, and Kirk James Stenson, before beginning his own obituary comments that he had the ability Wipper. A permanent commemorative shoe store, described in 1921 as a "high to express his opinions with "force and award designed by David Beaucage grade shoe store on George Street." He clarity." And what might those opinions Johnson will be permanently kept at City retired in 1923. be? And what do we know about the Hall. Each person received a keeper In the 190 I census, Miller still had history of shoe-making and the selling of sterling silver pin designed by Kim quite a few children at home: Frederick shoes, in Canada and the United States Winter; it featured marine blue enamel Charles, 30, John Hepburn, 21, Ethel more widely, but in Peterborough itself. waves set off by the silver. Dr Art Turner Maude, 18, Norman, 17, Gordon The most fascinating question remains chaired the awards committee, and Ken Campbell, 15, and Burton, 13. The first the matter of how common was it for Armstrong chaired the Celebration 2000 three were, respectively, a painter, an Canadians to serve in the American Civil Committee. electrician and a bookkeeper; the last War? Miller believed 30,000 Canadians lhree, students. He had at least three served in the Civil War; modem historians other daughters, (Ada, Minnie and lean to a figure over 40,000. Elwood Jones The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 16
Boyle Domvile Hind Marlay Richards Welden Irish and Brabason Donellan Hodder Martin Rinzy Welsh Anglo- Bradshaw Dopping Hodges Masterson Rochford Wems Brangan Dowdall Holmes Maull Rosse Wentworth I r i s h Bray Driscoll Houghton Maultster Rugge Weseley families Brereton Drury Howard Mayart Ruth West Howell Maynard Sambach Westhorp The Library of Brimingham Duglas Bermingham Dukenfeild Hoy Meed Sanderson Wharton Trinity College Hubert Meredith Sandos Wheeler Dublin has 17• Broadrick Dungar Ecchlin Hughes Miller Sandys White century Brookes Edgworth Hume Molyneux Sankey Whtehurst genealogies of Broughton Edkins Hunt Montgomery Scott Whitfeild many of these Brown Egar Hussey More Scout Wibrants families, listed Bryan Ellyot Ingoldesby Moreton Scurlog Williams here as they are Buckworth ltchingham Morgan Serjeant Willson spelled in the Bunbury Eustace Farrell Jakeman Morrice Silliard Wodenham original, Burdett Fitzgerald Jakson Masse Silver Wogan F.3.23. Burrows Fitzharris Jepson Muschamp Simcock Wolverston Adrian Burton Flood Jones Nangle Skevington Woodfall Aldworth Bushe Forbes Jowers Nappe Smith Woods Allen Butler Ford Judge Neile Smithsby Worsop Annesley Cannon Forster Juxton Nelson Southwell Wybrants Antiam Carpenter Forth Keaser Newcomen Spaight Young Arnop Carre Cavanagh Fox Keating Nisbitt Stanhop Talk to the Ash Francies Kedder Norris Stanley Irish Research Aston Cecill Chevers Galway Kempston Nugent Starling volunteers if Atkins Gardiner Kenedy O'Cahan St George your ancestors Atkinson Chichester Gavan King O'Dempsey Stoughton had Irish Avery Chopping Knappe O'Hara Stowell origins. Aylmer Clark Gay Knight Oliver St Paul Bagnall Clayton Gee Gelagh / Gealy Langredge Ormsby Strowde Balford Cliffe Latham Osborne Stuart Bambrick Clotworthy /Moone Geoghagan Lattin Otway Tailour Barard Colclough Geyton Lawrence Owen Tallant Barlow Cole Gilbert Lee Owens Tench Barret Colley Glover Lehunt Palliser Tent Barrington Comerford Gookin Leman Palmes Thirold Barrow Conningsby Gore Lestrange Parker Thompson Barry Cooke Gorge Lewlyn Parsons Tichbom Barsey Coot Gough Lilly Peck Tirrell Bastwick Cope Grace Lindon Penyfather Toler Bayly Copley Graham Lions Percival! Topham Beard Cosby Grange Lister Perrot Towers Berkley Cottingham Grant Loftus Phillips Troxtell Bim Courtney Gratreax Long Piggott Trott Bladen Cox Green Love Pitts Underwood Blaney Crawford Griffin Lowther Pollard Usher Blondell Crofton Groves Loyd Poole Wakely Blount Culine Hamilton Lucas Preston Walcot Bollard Cullen Hanson Luther Price Wale Bolton Dalton Harding Lutterell Proiers Wallys Booker Dancer Harman Madden Purcell Walker Bourgh Davys Harris Mahon Purdon Walsh Bowdell Dawson Harrison Malady Ransford Ward Bowen Deering Hartpool Mansell Reader Ware Bowyer Denny Hewson Margetson Reding Warren Boyd Devereux Digby Hickman Markham Rely Watson The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 17
PREPARATIONS FOR THE concerned in the lumber and fish trades, 182S EMIGRATION and because they feared the Irish would Howard Pammett's lead Canada down to perdition, which {73) Bathurst in July 1824 advised implied impartially the evils of Roman Peterborough Irish Goulbum and the Irish authorities to Catholicism or the United States. Other announce the Government's intention to commercial interests, especially the serialization, part 3 send I S00 Irish paupers to Upper exporters, opposed because they had no [The Trent Valley Archives is pleased Canada in 182S. He wanted the land share of the "pork barrel" in lavish to reprint Howard Pammelt 's 1933 lords to have time to make more careful government spending, as the Navy Board Queen's thesis. The work remains the choices than they had in 1823. Those and Commissariat handled most of the most solid study, and although much chosen were to be warned that they supplies. The Whig opposition in has happened in the intervening 70 would "be immediately struck offthe list Parliament was indifferent, but would years, the rich archival texture of the of settlers if at any time previous to the oppose Tories who more or less indiff work commands respect. The Robinson period of embarkation their conduct erently supported the "brain-child" oftheir papers are now in the Peterborough should in any respect afford just cause of "enfant terrible", the irrepressible Horton. Centennial Museum and Archives. complaint.'' 1 This was undoubtedly The supporters ofassisted emigration There has been considerable pertinent designed to discourage disorder in the from Ireland were just as diverse and work on the study of immigration, district during the next 12 months, until illogical in their comradeship. Irish settlement, family life, and the most turbulent characters could be officials and fanners and landowners Peterborough. We know considerably shipped off. Meanwhile the landlords supported for obvious benefits already more about many of the families that could quietly draw up their lists a full stressed. Pseudo-Irish members of are usually referred to as the Peter eight months before Parliament even Parliament supported because they were Robinson settlers. The Trent Valley considered authorizing money for a ordered to do so by the landlords who Archives has sought ways to celebrate second expedition. However, there was controlled their boroughs, and because the descendants of this famed also much opportunity for controversy, they were the mainstay of the Tory migration. TVA is the home to Howard stimulated by the conflicting rumours government, which would fall without Pammett 's excellent historical library, and reports of success, desertion and them. leaving them to the tender mercies and also to some ofhis private papers. disorder coming from the Ottawa of the Whigs. Some really intelligent Irish In this third excerpt, Howard district, to grow between advocates and and English leaders of political thought, Pammett discusses the preparations opponents of assisted emigration. such as Rice, Ellice, Peel, Devonshire, for the 1825 emigration. His story is During these arguments, doubtless., and Horton, supported because they remarkable for its detail, as well as for many people in England and Ireland first believed the scheme would relieve the his willingness to discuss the scanned a map of Canada. Irish landowners and all Ireland, and assumptions made by policy-makers. Diverse motives stimulated the therefore Britain indirectly, from an There are a few places where modern opponents and the supporters. The oppressing load of misery, poverty and historical research has refuted some of Catholic Association opposed shipping unemployment. since the decline of the Pammett 's understanding of away agitators who could lead the fight whole United Kingdom depended upon conventional wisdom. The debate about for Emancipation in the districts of the degredation of Ireland. Some brilliant Malthus, Ricardo and Smith continues south Ireland where the Catholics were economists and political theorists, such as to rage. We also know more about the strongest and the abuses greatest. Malthus, Ricardo and McCulloch, demographics offamily formation and "Laissez-faire" interests opposed any believed in emigration as a temporary or age ofmarriage. Nonetheless, his story change from the old regime; the "Little permanent safety-valve to the depression remains compelling and has much Englanders" opposed the exile ofBritish cycle, and a valuable method of lowering interest to people anxious to know more subjects, whom they were quite willing the population below the level of about Peterborough families and to let starve in Ireland. Reactionary subsistence, in the absence {75} of wars. names. economic theorists, such as William Many ignorant Tory squires undoubt-edly The Trent Valley Archives plans to Cobbett, opposed from love of supported emigration because they were publish a fine edition of Pammett 's argument, and antipathy to Malthus, born and bred Tories. Such people work and it is hoped that making parts Ricardo and Smith. {74} Shipowners, believed that the "Party" could do no of it available to our readers in this shippers of lumber and importers were wrong, were glad to get those "rebellious way will spark interest in the bigger opposed because the emigrants were scum of Irish" as far from "merrie project and perhaps bring useful taken out on transports. There was England" as possible, and cherished a comments from researchers and excess capacity on merchant ships stout English hope that the "perpetual friends. The numbers in parentheses heading from Britain and so emigrants snows" of that useless Arctic colony, will direct the impatient to the pertinent were a profitable out.-cargo. Colonial Canada, would freeze the hot fires of page ofthe thesis. interests (and retired colonels) were rebellious Irish hearts. opposed because they were vitally It is more difficult to fathom the The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 18
reasons the august heads of Soho Square. nor anti-Irish, neither pro-British nor anti Government, the British Cabinet, Bought of Jas. Ely, British, to do justice to all sides of such supported Horton's scheme. Perhaps Jeweller & Pearl Worker, very complex questions. they figured that a few thousand pounds June 21, 1824 Robinson did not resume his to test the scheme would do no harm. It To a Silver Eyeglass & 3 extra glasses- responsibilities in Ireland in the autumn of was a small sum compared to the 0--12--0. 1824 as free and unfettered as he had been several millions spent on public works To mounting a picture locket- 1--12--0. in the previous year. There were more to give employment in Ireland in the To remaking a chained ring with box--- obligations, more rumours and more past few years, and to maintain a 0--10--0. critics. During the summer of I 824, standing army there. These efforts had Jany. 5, 1825--- rumours of another emigration drifted failed lamentably to quell unrest. In To a gold chain------3-00-0. quickly around Britain and Ireland. After order to keep the support of the Irish £5-14--0.' only six weeks in Ireland, Robinson was members in Parliament, the cabinet Apparently the colonial millowner pledged to take 1000 persons. As he told probably needed to obey the Irish and militia captain, in the whirl of high his brother: landlords' demands for relief. These society life, never paid the bill. It boded 19 Bury Street, London, Sept. 20, '24 landlords, swayed by the eloquence of little success for the second expedition. Dear John: Malthus and Horton before If he could not pay his own bills of I have just returned from Ireland, Committees, believed they could get rid £5,14s.0d., how could the genial Peter, where I have been busy for the last 6 of troublesome agitators and criminals entrusted with much greater sums, be weeks making a selection of about under the pleasant guise of expected to handle £40,480 efficiently? 1000 persons to be sent out early in benevolence. The cabinet might have We know more about the entire April. Everywhere I was received in been persuaded by the urbane bishops course of the second expedition. the kindest manner possible, and the of the Churches of England and Ireland including the selection of emigrants. The friends of the people I took out last in the House of Lords who supported Robinson papers include copies of year were very warm in their expres the scheme. The bishops expected Robinson1s confidential reports to the sions of gratitude. Lord Kingston emigration would break down some of Colonial Office, the original petitions sends about 400 persons from his the growing resentment and resistance and certificates of the applicants, the estate--he was civil in the extreme, to the tithes in Ireland. If the scheme tickets of passage, ships1 lists kept by the and I breakfasted and dined with him were successful and extended to all surgeons, expense accounts, settlement daily during my stay in his neigh Ireland, the landlords would zealously lists and ration ledgers by townships. bourhood. I spent a week with Lord weed out all the rebellious Irish Roman and other valuable data concerning the Ennismore1s family near Listowel.. Catholic leaders. Horton knew that whole expedition. The papers bring Your affectionate brother, many members of the Cabinet and much more light to bear upon vague Peter R. 3 government leaders either opposed or phases of the expedition which have not During the autumn of 1824, Robinson were not cordial supporters of the been treated accurately or authoritatively visited and corresponded with landlords scheme, but the balance of power and up to this time. In the treatises written of the Fermoy district in north Cork from authority was behind the scheme. by most historians and economists who which the 1823 emigrants had been taken. Meanwhile, in London and in have touched even briefly upon assisted This was SIX months before Parliament England, Robinson was acquiring a Irish emigration, usually in wider studies had discussed or sanctioned the social cosmopolitan view of life. He oflrish or British emigration, the writers expedition or the grant for it. Robinson had succumbed completely to the have approached with their minds (and Horton) had pledged to take out pleasant wiles of aristocratic and already made up, either ardently pro 1600 troublesome characters from the governmental condescension, and Irish (very few) or anti-Irish (the great same privileged landlords who had only forgotten for the time his colonial major-ity). Others have treated it merely partly purged their estates in I 823. Horton bluntness and straightness of {76) as a derogatory phase ofBritish colonial had strictly warned Robinson not to bind vision and action. We may be sure that {77) or Irish policy. They make a case himself to over-large numbers from the Horton and the Irish members and against British government or Irish selfish landlords before Parliament {78) landlords made his time in London a landlordism, without desire or authority approved a sufficient grant of money. pleasant one with introductions, balls to put aside prejudice and get at the Of the extant letters asking that and banquets; and from what is known essential causes, details and results of certain persons be taken out in the second of Peter Robinson, he was not slow to Irish emigration, either voluntary or expedition, the earliest is from Captain take advantage of invitations to assisted. Often a man's worst enemy is Hoare of Lina, dated August 20, 1824.(1 ). entertainment. One result was the his most bellicose defender. That, has On October 3, Wm. Beecher, M.P. for following bill, which has turned up 110 been verified in the discussion of Cork county, wrote: years later among a mass of sober controversial phases oflrish history. It is The candidates for emigration are accounts and reports: time for an impartial observer, with increasing and greatly exceed the Mr.Peter Robinson, Esquire, London. proven facts, who is neither pro-Irish number to which you limited me. If The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 19
you could give me a greater pennanent. And by Government little delay as possible in the harbour latitude it would be desirable. You sending out a considerable {79) of Cork, for conveying to Quebec, are naturally anxious to have number of these people as settlers not exceeding 500, such persons as steady men with families, and it is for 1 or 2 years, it will induce many are willing to become settlers in the equally natural we should wish to to follow hereafter their friends at province of Upper Canada.. Mr. get rid of idle unmarried individ their own expense, and the regular Robinson will proceed immediately uals who seem likely to keep up labourers here will then have full to Fermoy, where all applications are the present disturbances, but if employment instead of devoting {80}to be submitted to him in once possessed of a little property, their time to Captain Rock (leader person, and no person can be would soon change their habits. If of a secret society] and his received who shall not be ready to therefore we can get 5 or 6 of that associates .... 7 embark on July I st next. .. To all who description to go as one family He did not explain how paupers were to may be disposed to emigrate from and be satisfied with one allow go to Canada at their own expense. the south oflreland, and who may be ance of ground amongst them all, These landlords, each claiming to accepted by the Superintendent, the should you have any objection?' be Robinson's "very obedient servant" Government will afford a passage to Beecher, with openly selfish motives, (for the time being at least), selected 185 Canada and will convey them to their was willing to flout the regulations of of the 307 families taken out in 1825. lands free ofexpence; provisions will the "experiment". This caused endless Their letters justify the accusations. be found them, and they will be trouble and confusion later when he Robinson had already promised to take furnished with medical assistance sent 24 such "families". By October 20, out certain numbers for each of these during the whole of their voyage. Lord Mountcashell had listed 85 with no other authorization than his own Upon their arrival on the tract families of 562 individuals from his word. Horton inferred that the "experi designed for their settlement, every estates who wished to emigrate. Except ment" was more about favouritism and male emigrant over the age of 18 one family, they were poor and quelling disturbance, than about assist years of age and under 45 shall wretched Roman Catholics, mostly ed emigration. Before the dawn of! 825, receive a location ticket or order for peasants, from the parishes between Robinson was pledged to take 1600 70 acres of land, the utensils Fennoy and Kilworth. "I have no doubt paupers: 400 from Kingston, 200 from necessary for a new settler will be that before I have the pleasure of seeing Doneraile, 200 from Ennismore, 100 furnished them at the public ex pence, you there will be an addition of 30 or from Mountcashell, 200 from C.D.O. and they shall receive provisions for 40 families more to my lists. "5 Jephson of Mallow, 200 from Capt. one year after they shall have taken Lord Doneraile listed 73 families Roberts of Charleville, 200 from W.W. possession of their lands .. and and 17 single men, about 400 in all, Beecher, M.P. of Ballyhooly and additional tract of 30 acres shall be principally reduced farmers and Liscarrol, 100 from R.O. Aldworth of reserved adjoining each grant of 70 labourers. Some were reduced trades• Newmarket.8 Cowan's figures, which acres of which the right of pre men as well; it was claimed that the have been checked against the original emption upon the terms which shall single men were being urged to join recommendations, tickets of passage, be explained by the superintendent, supportive relatives and friends in and other documents, nearly correspond shall be preserved for IO years to the America.6 Lord Kingston enthused: with these numbers. proprietor of such adjoining tract. .. I think the manner of sending out Horton shares censure for this As it is extremely desirable that the settlers from this country to premature venture. The Government assistance thus offered shall be Canada will be most beneficial to printed and widely posted circulars, afforded to persons only capable of both if carried on extensively for dated 7October 1824,' givingthetenns becoming useful settlers in a new two or three years. The very small upon which emigrants would be colony, it is to be understood that no farmers here cannot now get land accepted in the spring of 1825 for person shall receive land under this and if left in this country without transportation to lands in Canada This system who shall at the time of employment will tum into bad stated, in part: emigration be above the age of 45 subjects, and if they go to Canada There can be no doubt that this years, and it is deemed prudent to they will cultivate the waste lands offer of Government to convey confine the selection to persons not there and will be useful members such as may be willing to emigrate having more than 3 children under 10 of society. The wretched system of to a colony in which many of their 14 years.... letting a few acres to persons of countrymen are happily settled and This strange document has many this description is very fast doing where they have the certain anomalies and contradictions. First, the away in this part of the country, prospect ofmaintaining themselves terms of emigration were repeated almost and a more substantial kind of in comfort and being useful to the exactly from the I 823 emigration farmer is taking his place, which empire, will be gladly circulars. Second, these terms, including in a few years will render the embraced ... accordingly it has been those relating to land, age and provisions, peace of this country more ordered that means shall with as were radically changed during the course The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 20
of the settlement. Third, the document cleryman to attend your emigrants, Government I y,ould endeavour to is deliberately deceiving, in inferring which will give them great procure a clergyman to {82) that Government would take out ALL confidence and courage during accompany them on their passage who satisfied the conditions and were their passage and render them more and remain with them after their ready in Cork city by I July 1825; this contented, and easier to please after arrival at their destination; at all caused great hardship and bitterness, as their arrival at their destination. events they shall not be long with out we shall see, since hundreds sold their Will you be so good as to write to one if I live to return to Canada, for al I and trekked to Cork, confidently Lord Bathurst or Mr. Horton on the the Irish emigrants my certainly expecting to be taken. Fourth, the subject and let me know what depend on my taking every possible announcement that 500 would be taken salary Government might be care that they shall be secured the opens up interesting conjectures: were disposed to allow to such a comforts and advantages of their these to be in addition to the 1600 clergyman, that I might be enabled religion. In hopes offinding you here already pledged? The final number of to secure a respectable person. He on my return from the continent, and 2024 suggests this was probable. If so, woul4 be of the greatest service to co-operating with you in finally the duplicity of the government yourself also, as he would fonn a settling everything for the spiritual becomes clear. The landlords of that strong link between you and the comforts of the emigrants. I remain, district had been told in July 1824 to people; by possessing their My dear sir, Your very faithfully, prepare their lists knowing that 1500 confidence he would reconcile To the Honble. Peter Robinson, settlers would be taken from their them to privations and difficulties, Alexr. McDonell." district. The charges, common in settle their little differences and McDonell probably was acquainted with England and the {81) other parts of help you in keeping and arranging Robinson's 1823 emigrants. These Ireland, were completely true: the their accounts. Wishing you many representations of the beloved bishop of selection of emigrants was in the hands happy returns of the New Year, and Glengarry were ignored, and much trouble of a few landlords of a favoured trusting that the simple prayers of was encountered which might thereby district. Many thought that it would be the Irish emigrants may bring down have been avoided. It was a serious better to select emigrants from the the blessings of Heaven upon you, mistake to force the devout Irish peasants whole south oflreland in proportion to and render you happy here and to go for several months without the the various populations of the counties, hereafter ... Alex McDonell.' 1 comfort and discipline of their religion. A the densest getting most relief. These Four days later he wrote: "penny-wise pound-foolish" economy charges may have had some effect in My nephew's address is Lt. Angus defeated its own ends, as always. It is inducing the Government to increase McDonell, late Glengarry analogous to Horton's refusal in I 823 and the number to 2024; besides, 50,000 Fencibles, Glengarry, Upper again in 1825 to compel the Treasury to applied to be taken. Canada; if you have occasion to appoint a Commissary officer to the State Early in 1825, another individual, employ him, I trust you will find emigrations, to handle the accounts, and visiting in London, entered the scene. him very useful as he has had some so save the rash Robinson from the The Roman Catholic bishop of experience in that line already, intricacies ofhigher accountancy where he Glengarry in Upper Canada, the Rt Rev having been appointed by Sir was hopelessly lost. These two steps Alexander McDonell, was concerned Frederic Robinson receiving officer would have saved the "experiments" from about the spiritual welfare of the for (military) emigrants, and the charges that were their deathblow, emigrants and the material welfare of continued in that situation until the since a priest would have avoided the his nephew. whole of the Crown reserves of disturbances which brought disgrace to 2 Suffolk Lane, Conn St. London, Kenyon, Lochiel and Hawkesbury the emigrations, and an accountant Jan. 7/ 25. (in Glengarry) were settled. I have budgeting the moneys allotted would have My Dear Sir: this day wrote to Mr. W. Horton on saved Robinson from the charges of utter I return you with many the subject of appointing a Catholic extravagance and incompetency. thanks the representations of the clergyman to your emigration of Robinson gave evidence in February magistrates of Perth concerning next spring, and I wish you in your 1825 before the Lords Committee on the the disturbance among the 1823 communications with that State oflreland: settlers which is a truly pusiman gentleman would press upon him Have you been in Ireland since your imous production, and causes me the necessity of making provision return from Canada (Feb.1824)? I to be ashamed of seeing so many for a clergyman who would attend have. Have you taken any steps to ofmy countrymen capable ofsuch the emigrants, as nothing would forward the emigration ofthis year? weak not to say base conduct. I conduce more effectually to gain I have. Have you made any promises would like to see you before I start their confidence and keep their to persons to take them? I have, to for the continent which will be I minds easy and content. I 1600 persons (to their landlords, think on Wed. next, to make some mentioned to Mr. Horton that if a rather). Are the Committee to arrangments respecting a Catholic decent provision were made by understand that they have disposed The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 21
of any property they might have, London with a long story {84} of 12 would thereby be rescuing that number 19 on a full understanding that they families of his tenants who had been from hopeless misery." Thus Horton's are to go? Unquestionably; I have given emigration tickets (by Kingston) scheme was agreed to, as were most votes no doubt they have. 13 and now were refused by Robinson; they on colonial matters in the 18th and 19th The Lords Committee on Disturbances must be taken "at all costs", having sold centuries. before a small House of keen in Ireland. also meeting in the spring of all their property to go to Canada. Such supporters and critics. Because of the 1825, desired to know from Robinson methods would kill the popularity of the extent ofthe opposition, the Chancellor of and Horton whether persons who joined measure, even among the landlords. 16 the Exchequer, promised a Parliamentary in disturbances in Munster "would be The landlords, when crossed in the Committee of Investigation into induced to {83) join in any emigra slightest particular, proved selfish; their Emigration, and this Committee fonned a tion", and whether emigration from only interest was in getting rid of year later. such disturbed districts would tend to unwelcome poor tenants. Horton wrote Robinson in Ireland: quieten things there. 14 Positive forceful On 15 April 1825 Horton moved Distinct allusions were made last answers being given, the Committee the motion in the House of Commons: night in the House of Commons to favoured emigration as a remedy. "That £30,000 be granted for facilitating the possible favouritism which might Robinson, in September 1824, had emigration from the south of Ireland to attend a scheme of this limited hopes of sailing from Ireland early in Canada" 17 It is doubtful whether the nature. You will therefore take April. This would have been extremely time was propitious, as the hysteria special and particular care to have wise, yet the circular stated the sailing against Catholic Emancipation was the sanction of the collective date as July I. Actually the later date gaining ground daily; the Act against the Magistracy as a warrant of their was more accurate yet misled the Catholic Assoication had just been persons taken coming within the peasants; the transports sailed before passed; Peel had resigned over the issue rules prescribed, and whatever June 1, and potential emigrants who and Liverpool was expected to take the promises you have made to had been promised transportation matter to the country. The hour was late individuals must be understood as poured into Cork for a month. Politics and the House nearly empty, and qualified by the imperative was determined to ruin the expedition although the result was a foregone Regulations under which alone you 20 by delay, caring nothing about its conclusion, there was much debate upon are authorized to act. success so long as the vagrants and the grant of money for such a purpose. Robinson was to take only the most agitators were removed from Ireland. Five speakers, led by Hume, Grattan and penniless. Roman Catholics were much Robinson left London on 8 April Hutchinson, opposed the vote, and preferable to Protestants. Exact and 1825 and stayed at the home of Lord seven speakers, led by Horton and Rice, detailed particulars, with a magistrate's Kingston in Mitchelstown, county supported it. Horton began by calling it recommendation. were to be gathered Cork, from April 12 until May 23 a matter of national importance, both for about each applicant selected, in order 21 selecting emigrants from the Irish relief and for colonial that Horton might answer all criticism. overflowing lists submitted by the advancement. The opponents followed The evidence proves thoroughly that landlords of the district, superintending with a barrage of criticism about the the selection of emigrants was both partial their embarkation, and getting the 1823 emigration. It had had slight effect and unfair. For the most part. it was transports off. Petitions and even in the favoured district. The restricted to the small district 40 miles by recommendations of independent supposed need for emigration was only 20 miles from which the 1823 emigrants applicants poured in, mostly between a camouflage for the bad government in had been taken. This distric~ being the March and May 1825. Robinson could Ireland. According to the opponents, part of county Cork north of the not escape the complex difficulties of Irish relief would only come from Blackwater River, with a bit of adjacent the system of favouritism which he had working at home for Irish unity and Limerick and Tipperary, provided about helped to erect. Lord Mountcashell had prosperity. Hume complained of the 275 of the 207 families taken in I 825, and 300 tenants at Killworth eager to expense, and of the system of of these, 239 fainilies were selected by the, emigrate, while LordDoneraile had 974 "transporting" Irish labourers instead of eight largest landowners from their own on his lists. From these two places, giving them work at home. Rice turned estates." About half of the total Robinson could take only 400 if he the tide in favour of the scheme: recommendations and petitions of were to take proportionate numbers "Formerly the peasantry of Ireland distressed famitiCs applying for emigration from his other "friends and servants" looked on this system of emigration as came from this district, and the other half among the landlords. The work of only a genteel mode of transportation. from places as far distant as west Kerry, selection, to oblige all and displease Now they were anxious to emigrate to north Clare, north Tipperary, and east 23 nobody as was Robinson's manner. was any place where they could find an Wicklow and Wexford. Needless to say, 11 difficult; "those rejected were very honest mode ofsubsistence ... " Smith { 86) this latter half of the clamourous.'11 s Early in May Horton {85) supported the grant "to send a recommendations and petitions were was scolding his agent for neglecting given number of Irish peasants to almost entirely ignored by Robinson, Lord Kingston, who had been to Canada on the simple ground that he although the families were just as eligible -
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and impoverished as those taken; a few hoped to be carried out. 26 upper Canada and along with me, only were taken from Listowel(Kerry), Before the same committee, Viscount and circumstances not allowing me Kilmallock and Adare (Limerick), Ennismore testified: to afford that relief at present to Templetiny (Tipperary), and Cork We sent out in the last emigration enable me to pay their passage, your city. 24 The amount of consideration several small tenants from some Pet'r. therefore implores your kindly given to any application varied directly farms belonging to my father, and aid in admitting them as part of your according to the importance of the sending them from the land was a number in crossing the Atlantick, person recommending the applicants, great relief to those farms; and the and as in duty bound pet'r. and and inversely as their distance from the people themselves have been parents will ever pray for your Hons. Charleville-Mitchelstow·n-Kilworth highly pleased with the &c &c. Arthur O'Leary. district where Robinson was being circumstances in which they have P.S.ifyour accepts this petition when entertained and duped by the suave been placed.27 {87) you ar[r]ive in Ireland, and as it is landlords of the region. The colonial Considering that Ennismore sent out 30 one of the greatest charity, write mill-owner was dazzled and easily families, about 200 persons, from his thus, Mr. Arthur O'Leary, Gratten deceived by his "very obedient and estates, the noble young Viscount can St.Cork, to be forwarded {88) to humble servants", the aristocratic scarcely be charged with exaggerating. Jeremiah O'Leary, Robersers Cove. landowners of northern Cork. They On the other hand, by the spring of 1826 N.B. Doctor Baldwin has told me easily persuaded him to take their no word could have reached Ireland you will be going to Fermoy to get numerous paupers and agitators, whom directly from Upper Canada. emigrants ... Pet'r. lives in township of they loaded on Robinson's shoulders to Robinson toured the Fennoy district Clarke U.C .... 21 be exported to Canada with the pious from I 2 to 27 April, making a final Needless to say, it was ignored. hope that they would refonn overnight selection from the overly long lists There was pathos, injustice, humour, and work for Canada's good, if not for submitted by the landlords. Many and poverty in the 400 petitions and their own. That the Irish did so, was as peasants, deceived by landlords and certificates submitted by hopeful much a surprise to the landlords as to government circulars. believed that once applicants. Rev. C. O'Donnoghue, of Kil• the former settlers of the districts in their names were on the landlords' lists, bolane, County Cork, wrote 10 June 1824: Upper Canada where they settled. they were certain to go. Many rented I have known these many years Robinson seems to have taken most their places and sold what little property bearer David Roche and can safely of his emigrants from the Charleville and effects they had to get to and fearlessly declare that a more region. The Rev. Thomas Costello told Charleville, Mitchelstown, and even inoffensive honest and industrious the Committee on the State of Ireland: Cork, following Robinson and begging man is not in this or any other parish Government ordered an to be taken from the land of misery. of this extensive country; emigration which was confined to Robinson, when cornered, made overcharged with a family of 8 the county Cork; but some of promises he could not keep; the motherless children having no those in my neighbourhood have landlords shifted blame to Robinson employment at home to support endeavoured to get themselves put when angry and starving peasants were them, he is necessitated alas! to leave on the list of emigrants. Many left behind. his native country and go to a foreign persons went to Charleville and Robinson received petitions and land even to the wilds of Canada to applied to a gentleman there who character references from February l 824 seek for bread to support his poor was supposed to be taking a list of to May 1825, but most of the 400 extant helpless brood--sooner than see them those who are to emigrate, under originals are dated between March and starve in the lap of misery, want and the sanction of Government, in the May 1825. One of the first, from Arthur idleness. He takes with him my present year. 25 O'Leary, dated at York, U.C., 14 blessing and may God be his Guide, 29 Thomas Odell testified 4 May 1826 February I 824, suggests Horton and amen! before the Emigration Committee: Robinson had already decided to take Robinson seemed not to have the I have paid much attention to Mr. the 1825 emigrants from the same ability to say definitely "No!" to any Robinson's pursuit in that district as in 1823: applicant. Many pe~ants followed him emigration; in the town of Honoured Sir: Your Petitioner from place to place when he told them to Charleville, within a few miles of understand your Honours being see him tomorrow, or at some other point me, he has taken the principal appointed the protectors of on his itinerary, only to be left in Ireland number of his settlers, so much so, emigrants from south Ireland to after all, having spent their funds that I will undertake to say that he upper Canada., and as being now on completely in a hopeless trek: has I 000 or 2000 upon his books your way for that part of Europe on P.Robinson Esq., Mallow... who have been rejected, that he the same purport, your Petitioner The Humble Petition of Owen could not accomodate to go out, having his father mither and five Connel most humbly sheweth, and who have been thrown back brothers and sisters in all 7 who are Petitioner being a poor man who has upon the country, and who had desirous of enjoying the freedom of 7 in family 4 boys and 3 girls, The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 23
petitioner being made a promise compelled to abandon his farm on articles of furniture .... John Burke." by your Honour to take him and the lands of Dually, part of the It is interesting to speculate how this man his family to upper Canada and in Courtenay estate, in consequence and his domestics were included in a consequence of which he has sold of repeated threats offered to his pauper emigration, when starving poor all his effects an upset himself and family and injury sustained to his were ignored. his family forever if your honour property during the disturbances of The following letter reveals the is not kind enough to take him 1821, engaged with me as land misery from which some Irish were so where he can do something for his steward, which situation he filled eager to escape. Of these five eligible family, and he attended at with the greatest credit upwards of families only John Condon was taken. Cicistown when you were there 3 years ... the able discharge of his Cork, 2nd May, 1825. and he was not called but on duty, the satisfactory manner in To Robinson Esq., Conway's Hotel, seeing you then that evening you which he kept his accounts, and the George Street, Cork. Sir. desired him follow you to Mallow warm interest he took in my affairs, As one of the very few resident now pettner. has no source but to makes me deeply regret that his gentlemen in the parish of beg with his family throu Ireland views for the advancement of his Bathelanen may I take the liberty of if you do not take compassion on family should be the means of recommending the 5 following him and family and admit his as an depriving me of his services. He is families as proper persons to be sent emigrant for which petitioner will on the eve of setting out with his to Canada on your inspection. They forever pray. Owen Connell, May wife and 9 children to Upper have excellent characters from their 1825.30 Canada... Given under my hand and parish priest and the (Anglican] No notice was taken of these poor seal at Newcastle, county of rector; {90) I have resided amongst souls, since they were not Limerick, 3rd May, 1825. Alfred them for the last 12 years and have recommended by the favoured Furlong, justice of the Peace and never heard anything to their landlords. Richard Fitzgerald, an ex land agent for Lord Viscount disadvantage, not even in 1822 when teacher~farrner, was also ignored, in Courtenay. "32 all the country was more or less spite of his forceful plea and his value This man, who left a good position to go disturbed -- I believe in all the in a new settlement: to Upper Canada, and could have country more wretchedness and To the Honourable Peter Robinson, afforded to go at his own expense, WAS poverty does not exist, and Captain. April 27, 1825. accepted as a "pauper emigrant" while particularly in the case of the 2 Honoured Sir, I have been the 7th his penniless namesake above was Begans, whose families one and all man you took in at Ballygiblin, on rejected, simply because Thomas was lately had a fever, without even a or about the 15th of Sept. last recommended by a Justice and an blanket to cover them, besides other when first I had the pleasure of aristocrat. Probably Robinson also privations - they are at this moment seeing you, my two brothers-in wanted a clerk to keep his accounts confined to their miserable hovels for law, the Guineas, who have their without much additional expense. want of clothes to cover them. All tickets, were the next before me on Another applicant who was certainly not anxious to get employment on any the list, and indeed you desired us penniless was taken by Robinson: tenns, but that is unfortunately to prepare, depending on God and Newmarket on Fergus, April 16, 1825. impossible... Your very obedt. you, I have sold all my little Mr. Robinson at Capt. Roberts, servant, Emanuel Moore, John effects, and bought things Charleville. Sir Condon, mason and stonecutter, wife necessary for the voyage from the I beg leave to infonn you that I have & IO children; Tomas Coffee, land of misery, I have been in written to you in July 1823 to request shoemaker, wife & 7 children; Cisselstown on Wed. last, but, that my family would be taken out to Timothy Began, labourer, wife & 4 alas, others more prosperous got Canada, but found ... that you had sailed children; Denis Began, labourer, the preference, my wife is in a a few days previous to my application. I wife dead the other day of fever, desponding condition for not hope it is not now too late to address leaving :5 very young children; going with her brothers, being an you on this subject. .. I have a wife and 8 Timothy Molony, labourer, wife & 3 only sister. I had been a farmer, children, rising gradually from 11 to 21 children. With exception of John 34 but alas, the vicissitudes of fortune years of age; the bearer whom I send to Condon, they are all young men. have deprived me of it but I wait on you, is my eldest son, they are A domestic quarrel is revealed in the earned a little livelihood by all well educated and industrious, and I following letter to Robinson: teaching ... Richard Fitzgerald." can procure the most satisfactory To Peter Robinson, Esquire, (89} documents of character. I beg you will Conway's Hotel, Cork. rec'd.May 3. There are echoes of the disturbances have the kindness to acquaint me with Sir, of 1821-3 in some applications: the latest period fixed for the 2nd The bearer David Callaghan of I hereby certify that Thomas division of emigrants to said, and if they Mallow, a mason by trade, leaves Fitzgerald after having been will be allowed to take any domestics or town this day in quest of his son The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 24
Jeremiah, apprenticed to him and Captain Robinson. Cork. Attorney-General at the very time wants 2 years ofhis apprenticeship Cork rec'd. 1st May, 1825. your Honour & Dr. Baldwin was being served, Young Callaghan Hon'd. Sir, I hope you will pardon returned as members at little York I eloped last night from his father's my presumption in addressing you also drew a lot of land in the service with the intention of going but from a message I received from township of Innisfil convenient to to Canada and his intention was to Wm. Ryan that you would wish to Mr. Hewson's place where I mean to slip in if possible with some see me I must humbly beg leave to carry my family ... There was no man family who are to emigTate. You wait on you. I beg leave to inform more glad than I when I became will do this poor man a service by you that I an wife to Thomas St. sensible that it was your Honor was NOT granting a passage to his Leger and most humbly implore appointed to send out this emigration undutiful and disobedient son - your clemency to grant me a to Canada... I also declare that I have His sudden disappearance has passage to my husband. If I should no means on earth ... but expecting plunged a poor industrious family be so happy as to gain your that your Honours humane disposi into extreme distress and agony of approbation there is a man with me tion will look on my miserable state mind ... I learn that the son of the by the name of Wm. Ryan who and expecting your Honour will give bearer has purchased a ticket of brought me the message from your me a satisfactory answer... If you do some other Callaghan for one Honour and whose brother Martin not get me and family removed we pound, and will personate his is in upper Canada, it would be his must go and beg as we have neither wavering namesake ... sincere wish with his family to go house nor home. I was so sure of Yours sincerely, with me, and I assure you Sir he your Honour doing something for me W. Jones, P.P. Mallow. 35 has been a friend to me since my all I had in the world I have lost on This young would-be adventurer husband's departure. I most humbly account of this business waiting for reveals another aspect of the struggle hope you will be graciously your Honour 11 days in Cork and for emigration tickets among the pleased to grant me an opportunity here 5 days so I ask your aid in the paupers. Robinson had much trouble of speaking with your Honour as I honour of God to carry me some way because tickets given by him, or by have travelled several miles to see or else to give me some relief that landlords over-anxious that certain ones you, I can inform you there are may assist me out of this labyrinth should depart, were sold by those who several persons in and about before my children starve.. John became faint-hearted, or who wanted to Charleville who obtained tickets of Stack.31 spend the money for whiskey. They admission from your Honour and Of the 384 petitions and certificates in found eager buyers, who had no are endeavouring to sell or dispose the Peterborough collection, only 87 were influence to get a ticket free, and who of them in their own opinion to accepted. Those accepted were almost sold their effects to get money to buy advantage which I hope will leave entirely from the district mentioned, one. Several disappointed applicants a few vacancys ... recommended by the eight large land {91 } mentioned the practice. Margaret St. Leger. 37 owners. Numerous applications from the John Wrixon, Mayor of Cork. No mention is made as to why this districts around Cork city, Kinsale, and Dear Sir, I leave the ticket that woman did not go with her husband in Bantry (Cork), Killamey(Kerry), and Connel got from his kinsman 1823, but she was included now with elsewhere were ignored. Probably, most in Leary. I also leave you a ticket of her friends. Perhaps this was because of the north Cork region, were simplylisted the names and ages of himself and her 11 infonning" nature, or because by their landlords and taken by Robinson family, he has just the same Robinson had a weakness for the without inquiry as to poverty, age, number as Leary; I cannot state to opposite sex. At any rate, she can relation, or any other qualifications. you what I feel for the poor scarcely be called a pauper "family". as In making my selection I gave each fellow's situation; he came here she was listed in the records. She had no man, head of a family, after being under the full expectation of being children; and she was accepted after approved, a certificate (ticket of taken on board the transport, thousands of paupers were refused. passage), and retained a duplicate, a believing as he got the ticket Another man included claimed he had method which I found on trial to be without using any improper means known Robinson in Canada. much better than merely keeping a (?) he would be taken thro his own To the Honble. Peter Robinson, register of their names in a book. In statement. He has left his house Newmarket. Apr.30,1825. a few instances persons holding these and cannot return to it as the Honourable Sir, From having the certificates sold them to others who owner has already disposed of it. honour of knowing you at your were perhaps still more desirous of He is otherwise destitute and is own place in Newmarket in Upper emigrating, and whose families not possessed of 5s. on earth. Tho Canada and different times dealing nearly corresponded in age and an honest creature and good at your stores both there and in number to their own, but I believe in labourer--tak.ing him would be an little York I was working for 3 no instance(?) did the deception act of charity .... " {91) months for your brother the succeed ... In choosing the emigrants The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 25
the instructions that they should Donerailc 33, Lord Ennismorc 30, Lord passage, being a reduced farmer and be small farmers, able to make Mountcashell 26, C,D.O. Jephson of in · distressed circumstances. P. good settlers, and without the Mallow, 24, W.W. Beecher, M.P. of Fitzgerald, p.p. [parish priest] of means of supporting themselves in Liscarrol 24, and R,O. Aldworth of Mill street, co. Cork. 44 Ireland, was scrupulously adhered Newmarket 14." Of the other 68 Although intending emigrants were to to .... J9 families, 3 7 were recommended by bring Robinson "a certificate from the He accepted a few men over the various important gentry of southern magistrate that he is a reduced fanner and age limit of 45 years, ofan experienced Ireland. Horton recommended 1; unable to pay his passage", Callaghan was superior type, who would be leaders Robinson, 3." Of the 307 families, accepted merely through influence. These and examples of industry and sobriety about 275 were from the small district in two certificates from clergymen, one of to the younger people. His report on northern county Cork, with adjacent them worthless, were only received about these two matters is deliberately strips of Limerick and Tipperary. The 15 May. Thousands of paupers had been misleading, because the tickets of emigration centred around the towns of rejected from all parts of southern Ireland. passage and shiplists prove that 80 Fermoy, Charleville, Mitchelstown, Notwithstanding every precaution, heads of families out of307 taken were Kilworth, Brigown, Doneraile, Mallow, murmurs were heard, and NOT farmers, but labelled as follows: Kanturk, Newmarket, Liscarrol, and accusations were made... that the Labourers (perhaps agricultural) 46, Buttevant in this part of Cork; other emigrants selected wore the exterior shoemakers 10, weavers 6, women with centres of smaller groups were at appearance at least of having been or without children 5, nailers 2, coopers Killmalkock and Adare (Limerick), exempted from that distress which 2, blacksmiths 2, carpenters 2, slaters I, Llstowel and Dingle(Keny), Templetiny their removal was intended to wheelwrights I, masons I, millwrights and Clogheen (Tipperary), Cork city, remedy, and that they were not of the 1, tavern-keepers 1.40 There were also and Six Mile Bridge(Clare). {94) description whom it was the a couple of single youths, sons of The emigrants had mostly been intention of Parliament to relieve ... It respectable farmers or gentlemen, chosen by 28 April when Robinson afforded me an opportunity of brought out to Canada as "penniless returned to Cork from the Fermoy submitting my instructions to several paupers", free. The tickets of passage district to supervise the embarkation of gentlemen of the first respectability reveal that instead ofa few men over45 emigrants. Even then he was able to help and honour, who could not be being taken out, actually 33 heads of some of his friends and their applicants: supposed to be interested, in any families were over that age, and many Mr. Timothy Sheehan, Killamey, way, and who had an opportunity by others were just 45.41 Kerry. Sir, personal inspection to ascertain how It was no doubt useful and advisable Newmarket, Apr.27th. far these Instructions had governed to talce some older men, some with I will take out your friend if my conduct.45 occupations certain to be useful in the he comes to Cork by the 8th of These gentlemen were interested parties new settlement. Yet {93} Robinson May but my numbers are so nearly who had recommended many of the falsified his report in an ill-advised made up that I cannot promise to emigrants. Although their verifications attempt to show that the regulations had take more from Kerry. If you come were not impartial, most of those taken been rigidly followed and to hide that to Cork you will find me any time probably were impoverished and in need he had been forced by the landlords to from Apr. 28 to May 10 at of relief. It is the abuse of influence to get talce many persons who did not qualify. Conways Hotel. Your obedt. the tenants of a certain clique of landlords Such conduct undermines historian Servant. P .Robinson. emigrated, which should be censured, not confidence in Robinson's public reports necessarily that they were on the whole and accounts. Fortunately his private I have examined the bearer less qualified for emigration relief than papers, more honest and authoritative, Timothy Callaghan and understand any other applicants who were ignored. provide collateral information to check that he belongs to the parish of Sir Anthony Perrier {95) and John the public account and reveal Drishane and is a well-conducted Wrixon, mayor of Cork, accompanied intentional or unavoidable inaccuracies. person. I have no knowledge of Robinson aboard the ships Fortitude, Robinson, the colonial merchant, was him personally but have heard Resolution, Albion and Brunswick, which not adept at dealing in the higher favorable reports of him. J.C. were filled and ready to sail, that they realms of political intrigue and corrupt Monigan, vicar of Drishane, May might investigate. They verified scheming. 13, 1825. Robinson's assertions; but as both had In the final selection, 2024 persons recommended many emigrants, they are in 307 families were to be taken to I certify that I have known bearer not reliable observers. 46 Canada. Of these, 239 families were Timothy Callaghan these last 5 yrs The magistrates attending the petty recommended and selected by eight as my parishioner and I have never sessions at Cecilstown testified: landowners. Lord Kingston known or heard of any imputation We hereby certify that on Mr. recommended 52 families, Captain whatever on his character. He is Robinson's arrival in this country in Roberts of Charleville 26, Lord certainly utterly unable to pay his 1823 the people were disinclin-ed in -
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our neighbourhood to accompany the great works on the fortifications pass before me, and when I was him, doubting the advantages held ofSpike Island, and the completion satisfied they were of the age and out by Govem-ment... since that of the Naval and Ordnance works description given in by the father and time their minds have undergone a at Roulbowlin and Rocky Islands... that no imposition had been total change ... on Mr. Robinson1s Poverty induces fever, fever practised, they were sent between recent arrival in this country the induced numerous deaths of heads decks.j0 applicants became so very of families, which have thrown Each surgeon had to give Robinson a numerous (50,000) that it became numbers ofwidows and orphans on certificate to prove that his full difficult to make a selection the bounty of the benevolent, who complement of emigrants was taken on among them ... that no persons were feel in this neighbourhood all the board as stated: approved of, but such as were evils of absenteeship. 48 These are to certify that the Irish recommended by personal or But Robinson had already made up his Emigrants named in the within written applications of the numbers, and took only a few of these returns have been embarked on respectable gentlemen of the labourers and others. board of the Star transport, J. Becket neighbourhood, and were of the There was much haste and heart Master, at the Cove of Cork for description we understood from burning to get to Cork from the inland passage to Quebec --- That I received Mr. Robinson it was the intention districts from which most of them came, them on board of the ship and was of Government to prefer, such as by the sailing-date {96) and some had a present when they were mustered by the inhabitants of the disturbed hard time getting there at all, as the Mr. Robinson on the (10th) instant districts, and fanners, and others following shows. and that I am satisfied their names in reduced circumstances, unable May 8th, 1825. Sir, I beg leave to and ages are returned as they were to obtain an honest livelyhood at represent to your honour that I am given in on that day by the respective home or pay their passage. 47 the returned emigrant for Upper heads of families. The "respectable" gentlemen were Canada no.166 an fully satisfied to Cove of Cork, 10 May,1825. concerned only about removing the embark for the same with the Ninan McMorris, R.N. disturbing element from their estates, exception ofmy children being not Surgeon in charge.51 and not a bit about their poverty or in array to bear any of the frigids Of the 225 tickets of passage in the unemployment, or their future. nor am I provided with any farming Peterborough Collection, 4 7 are for non On 2 May, 30 of the prominent men utensils, and in fine I am not able emigrating families. Most of these were of the Cork city district, which was to defray my expense to the Beach. recommended by Ennismore, Beecher, rather neglected in the emigration, Sir, I an anxious to know whether I Kingston, Roberts, and Mountcashel. submitted a testimonial giving the am to be provided with any of the They were almost entirely labourers and names of I 00 families there whom they above. I remain yrs. artisans, but whether they remained wished removed to Canada: unexceptionally, Peter Fane.49 willingly cannot be decided for certain. We the undersigned magistrates, The "unexceptional" Peter Fane was left The tickets give the names of the members clergy and principal inhabitants of behind in Ireland, however, and his of the family, the occupation of the head the parishes of Passage, children never had to encounter any of the family, the name of the gentleman Monkstown, Shanabally, "frigids". except the hearts of Irish who recommended the family, and the Barnabaily and Carrigline, beg landlords, during the rest of their lives. date and place where the family was leave to call your humane The surgeon of each transport accepted by Robinson. At this time attention to the alarming state of had orders to reports as soon as he several of those given tickets before were our numerous labouring classes in had received his complement of rejected, for various reasons, as recorded these extremely poor and populous settlers on board, on which I {97} on backs of tickets in Robinson's parishes. We have tried various proceeded to the ship and mustered writing. Such is the following: expedients for voluntary them all on the main deck; the Wm. Wiliiams ... brother and sister, contributions and through the aid hatches were then closed except recommended by Lord Kingston, of collections at charity sermons to one when in the presence of the returned to Mr. Montgomery; altho mitigate the distress which so surgeon and the master I took the , these are fit persons for settlers, yet a awfully exists in this part of the original certificates which had been man with wife and child I consider a county Cork and in the vicinity of given over by the head of each better family, & when I returned the the city on the verge of the family to the surgeon at the time of other certificates I sent this among harbour. Various causes have his embarkation, and from these thinking Mr. M. might send me a arisen to create this distress, after comparing them with the family in place.52 especially the number of idle duplicates in my posses-sion, I At Kingston's insistence, Horton hands who congregated from all called over the names of each ordered Williams to be taken, as also John parts, and who were thrown out of individual belonging to the Fitzgerald and others first rejected, Many employment by the stoppage of different families, and made them false "families" were taken, however, The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 27
including single men who were sons or History was the result of a collusion of a future sons-in-law.53 desperate writer and a compliant wife. 2024 persons embarked for Canada, History and Justice They were assisted by a publisher and an in 307 families. The average. about editor each currying favour. It was a story seven per family, was higher than the A.B. McKillop, The Spinster and the without villains. Yet the naive Florence planning assumption of five (husband, Prophet: Florence Deeks, HG. Wells, Deeks was heavily punished in her search wife and three children), and so cost and the Mystery of the Purloined Past, for the justice she deserved. estimates were low. The 710 adults and (Toronto, Macfarlane Walter & Ross, McKillop found the silences of 1314 children divided: 385 men, 325 Osgoode Society for Legal History, history to be particularly striking. "History women, 727 youths under 21, and 587 2000) ISBN 1-55199-063-6 Pp xvi, 480 and silence and voice. Is this what lies at girls under 21. The number of children the heart of the story of Florence Deeks? is not exceptional when one considers Brian McKillop, an intellectual historian So much of it rests in voices that can that Irish matured and married usually based at Carleton University, has written easily evade the telling. And what is the at 12to !6yearsofage;267youthsand a delightful book which I heartily story?" ( 403) After considering many 199 girls were over 14, and should be recommend for your enjoyment and possibilities, he says "It is all of this and classified as adults really.54 One of the enlightenment. Florence Deeks sued more." He ties in people who never met, most interesting members was David H.G. Wells for using her book too freely and their families and patriarchy. He Nagle, who had been convicted in 1823 without credit. Her manuscript on the considers who has voice, and competence, of Whiteboy offences, and who gave history of the world was sent to and understanding. McKillop has woven important information in return for his Macmillans, and found its way to H.G. fascinating stories and people and freedom. He feared for his life in Wells who used it in writing his expectations into a very rivetting reading Ireland, and was given land in Canada, monumental best-seller, The Outline of experience. being taken out by Robinson on History. Frances Deeks never got what Elwood Jones Horton's orders. He was also allowed to she considered to be British justice, take on board as his "wife" a young girl partly because H.G. Wells and the who was waiting at Cork to marry him. Macmillan publishers were too high We shall hear of him again later. Other profile; partly because lawyers and Defying conventions gang victims were also taken out. judges have little understanding of how Thus at last the expedition got under historical research and writing differs Edward C. Phelps, ed., Belden 's way early in May, away from the land from legal research and writing. She lost Illustrated Historical Atlas ofthe County of misery toward the new land of her case through three levels of court of Victoria Ontario, 1881: millennium promise. After a whole year of selection and an appeal to the king, essentially edition (Ancaster ON, Alexander by the landlords, we might expect quite because she lacked the direct evidence Publishing, P.O. Box 81186, Fiddler's different results from these "hand to prove that her manuscript had reached Green Post Office, Ancaster ON L9G picked" emigrants, in comparison to Wells, McKillop asked, "This was the 4Xl, 2000) ISBN 1-896663-25-7, $125, those of 1823. At least, the emigration verdict of the courts, but must it be the Pp 64 [pages 11" x 17''] was under way to America 6 weeks judgment of history?" (387) D. Gayle Nelson, Forest to Farm: Early before that of 1823, and if properly and McKillop notes that civil court Days in Otonabee (Keene ON, Township expeditiously managed, we should cases rest on a "balance of probabilities" of Otonabee-South Monaghan, 2000) expect the settlers to be comfortably on rather than on '"proof beyond a ISBN 0-9683935-1-9 Pp vii, 469 their lands by the end of August, two reasonable doubt." There are more Ed Arnold with G. Wilson Craw, Mayors months after landing, the time taken in historical records than met the notice of ofPeterborough 1900-2000 1823. the courts, and there are enough hints to (Peterborough, Peterborough Examiner, •••••••••• suggest what happens when agendas get 2000) No ISBN. Pp iv, 92, [End ofthird installment} mixed. Moreover, we know far more Margaret Crothers, Ann Rowe and about the proclivities of Wells to borrow Barbara Samson-Willis, Gleanings: a generously from sources that crossed his history of Campbel/ford I Seymour path, and we know he had little respect (Carnpbellford, Carnpbellford / Seymour for women, especially unpublished Heritage Society, 2000) ISBN 0-9687566- authors with unpublishable manuscripts. 0-3 Pp xiv, 559 McKillop places Wells and his wife into the classic roles, captured in Ovid's Four new publications touch on aspects of Metamorphoses, ofNarcissus and Echo. local history in the Trent valley, and each Wells "was a man and an author for of them is marked more by its peculiarities whom everyone and everybody existed than its accomplishments. Whatever for the purpose of self-appropriation." happened to the ideas that historians had (395) He valued his wife only when she stories to tell, and that history was about met his needs, and The Outline of clarifying mysteries of past times? Each of -
The Heritage Gazette ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 28
these books breaks the mould on its to Farm. Now she has updated that book His name does not show up in the index, variety oflocal history, and in doing so, by reprinting it, aod then adding a whole or in the acknowledgements, but the reminds the reader that models existed bunch of stuff that has come to her context suggests someone looking back to for good reason, attention since then. The result is an 1855. The author's philosophy is clear. Those of us who helped produce unorganized book that defies No one should be deprived of the sense of the splendid Peterborough historical categorization. There are no precise adventure that comes from doing research. atlas in 1975 believed that we had made precedents for this exercise, although Historians should clarify, rather than a virtue of an oversight. Peterborough some might remember the curious way mystify, the past. This is a book full of had not had an historical atlas when it in which the County of Peterborough in details, but the task of making it into seemed every county got one in the 1941 attached fresh materials to its history remains undone. I 870s. Conventional wisdom suggested reprint of Dr Poole's 1866 history of Ed Arnold is a creative guy. This is the art form died with the immensely Peterborough. Perhaps it is a mistake to in some respects an update of Wilson inferior, largely uncompleted 1881 write a fresh edition of your own book. Craw's articles that were written to mark County of Victoria atlas. This book has One feature of both halves are the the centennial of local government in added a great deal to the earlier atlas, so-called family histories. It takes a Peterborough and then published in book but has not enlarged its incomplete great deal of effort to pull together form as a centennial of Confederation maps and modest directory of different histories of the same family project. Arnold abridged those sketches subscribers. Clearly it is better to build separated by nearly 200 pages. The that applied to mayors from 1900 to 1950, from scratch than to build on Comrie family suggests the model. Both and then added fresh and sprightly inferiority. accounts are nearly equal in length, but accounts of the mayors since 19S0, and This is a curious book. One is left the second adds detail of the founding these appeared in a special millennium with the impression that the pages generation that was missing in the first. edition of the Peterborough Examiner. It should have been 17" x 17~ as there are In the 1975 version we get a run-down has now been made readily available for several pages in which the bottom five of the ten children in the second use in schools and elsewhere, and the inches are used as fillers, cleverly filled generation, while in the 2000 version we proceeds ofthis edition will go generously with old cancellation marks from get a more detailed account of the to the Hutchison House Museum [270 county post offices of no particular time families of two children of that Brock Street, Peterborough ON K9H2P9] period, or with reproduced generation. It is not clear why the two which was given all copies. advertisements from old directories. accounts could not have been merged, The book really shines best when Ed Elsewhere, the editor has copied lists of and the reader is left to wonder about Arnold has free reign. He has followed the people from directories for 1858, 1865, what information is accurate. We do not local politica1 scene since the 1960s and 1869; and 1893. He has also added even know why we needed to know his impressions and insights are quite 1916 maps of the southern townships more about the family. Many of the new impressive. One wishes he could have and towns which happily have the family summaries are of families left out tackled the research that would have made names of property owners. Ed Phelps of the earlier edition. The biography of it possible for him to consider the earlier has also added a list, with some Dr John Gilchrist does not take sketches to be his as well. Arnold knows commentary, of 73 post offices in the advantage of the biography which I that writing good history is really hard county. W.C. Fitter's interesting print wrote for the Dictionary of Canadian work, and only slightly connected to the of Lindsay, taken from Picturesque Biography. Comparatively little of the skills of the journalist. Canada, has been reprinted on page 13. book can be identified by sources, but The people of Campbellford and In short, the editor has pasted in a great one might guess from the list of Seymour should be very pleased with the deal of material that researchers will acknowledgements who had gathered authoritative and detailed history find useful. However, the net result is the infonnation. The items in the produced by a solid team of editors within unsatisfying because there is no chronology have probably been gathered the ranks of the Campbellford-Seymour historical overview or analysis, and the from newspapers. Readers of history Heritage Society. It is certainly the cream atlas lacks the temporal focus that one books should not have to guess where of this particular crop, and with a title like normally and reasonably expects. the author got infonnation and Gleanings, what could we expect. The This strange but useful book will misinfonnation. The author shares book is a veritable publication of the complement what researchers will find source information about land grants, vertical files of the society's library. The when using Watson Kirkconnell's and on occasions when entire letters are range of sources consulted, and used widely respected history, the Archie reprinted. For example, a letter from creatively, is very impressive. Happily, Tolmie fonds at the Trent Valley Duncan Campbell to his brother is they have used a system of footnotes and Archives, the assessment rolls at the copied from the original now in the reference works consulted by chapter. Trent University Archives, and the Archives of Victoria College; one What are the stories to tell? The book other sources that illuminate the past of wonders where exactly, and if this is a is organized around a series of themes that Victoria County. reference to the United Church imply a view of history. The early Gayle Nelson wrote a fine local Archives. Who is the Henry Lyle who chapters relate to the land. Agriculture history in 1975 which was called Forest wrote about "Old Times in Otonabee"? leads to occupations, and that leads to •
The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November :2000 29
discussions of municipal services. schools, churches and voluntary organiz.ations) and these are conne~d Kirkfield monument to City of Kawartha Lakes with commun1cations, tra.nsportahon. Sir William Mackenzie Amendments being made to the and health and social services. The Municipal Act will make it very easy chapters on the military, entertainment (1849-1923) for any municipality to change its and sports are tied to the social name. This grew out of efforts to cut On 4 September, the Historic Sites activities. This is the lasagna view of red tape at Queen's Park, and is not history, each layer carefully laid upon and Monuments Board erected an specifically an outcome of the the previous layer. The rest of the book Historic Sites marker at the fonner consultant's choice of the City of is arranged around side dishes, labelled home of Sir WUiiam Mackenzie, Kawartha Lakes to replace Victoria disasters, people and vignettes. Clearly, now a grand bed and breakfast in the this is a very informative and healthy County. Now, instead of developing a village of Klrkfield. Dr Richard meal. But, as with the other books private member's bill, municipalities Alway chaired the proceedings in a reviewed. the reader has to work on can, after giving notice to the public, large tent erected for the occasion. making the connectionsj on deciding can pass a by-law. Chris Hodgson Comments were made by the Reeve what is really important 'lbe editors commented this is easier than of Eldon Township, Wayne Teel, have been diligent in getting the details arranging plebescites or referenda, right, but less so about getting the and by the county warden, John and he advises people to give input on stories right, or attaching conclusions to Macklem, as well as by the changing the name. [Peterborough their superb observations. The reader provincial member, the Hon. Chris Examiner, 23 October 2000, B3] has to work very hard to get the seose Hodgson, and the MP, John Earlier, Warden John Macklem of chronology. O'Reilly. The historian for the What sets Campbellford and claimed there would be no real occasion was Dr Rae Fleming, a Seymour Township apart from other changes because of the name change, member of the board at the Trent places? Why did Campbellford never as people would continue to use the Valley Archives. The theme of the rival Peterborough or Belleville? The same mailing addresses, He added, day was that Sir William Mackenzie section on agriculture begins with an "the only real difference that the overview of farming in the province was the great entrepreneur that made average citizen will see is the addition drawn from rather inferior sources that possible great railway dreams, of a few extra signs on the road." Old raises the question of whether farming notably the Grand Trunk Pacific. community signs will remain, and so here was like elsewhere in the province, But Kirkfield, and the people of or was there more dairy farming. for will the markers that refer to the area Kirkfield both benefitted from e•ample. Did the physical changes over as the County ofVictoria. Why bother Mackenzie's accomplislunents, and time lead to cultural and ideological with the expense and silliness of made them possible. Rae Fleming is changes? What happens when theatres putting up the extra signs? We shall become masonic temples? What the definitive biographer of see, happened to the Campbellford Music Mackenzie, and he travelled far and Hall after it became an Opera House? wide to research in archival Indeed, why did Campbellford have materials; this was necessary [Editor's note: Since this was written such a fine facility? because the Mackenzie fonds does there have been suggestions that the All four books, each defying not exist. He was an appropriate convemional notions of what written new councillors will look at the issue key-note speaker, and his success on history needs to accomplish, contribute in the new year, We also hope that that occasion has made him bravely to a greater understanding of our past, they will take a close look at ensuring enter the lists for a councillor's seat Each is the product of great energy and that the archives of the previous in the new City of the Kawartha sense of duty. Each fills an identifiable municipaliti~ will be preserved in a Lak~.Wewisbhimgoodluck gap in what we know. For aH these sensitive and professional manner. We things, we are grateful. offer our services as they undertake to Elwood Jones [Since this was written. Rae evaluate the various options.] Fleming's political career has gone on hold. We were sorry to see that, and wish him good luck in future. Editor.] The Heritage Gazette a/the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 30
Presidential Libraries Tweed Heritage Centre Prime Ministerial cemeteries and Archives Some of our members report that the Tweed Heritage Centre in Following the great interest in the The American system of national archives Hastings county reflects a spirit and career and accomplishments of is more decentralized than the Cwiadian primarily because of the recognition that energy quite kindred to what we Pierre Trudeau, the Canadian Press presidents accumulate massive archival published a list of the prime have attempted at the Fairview records that will attract people from miles Heritage Centre. Tweed was ministers, and where they are buried. away. In both countries, the federal founded in I 891 by the merger of Notably, quite a few are in Ontario bureaucracy has become increasingly Georgetown on Stoco Lake and or just across the border into regional and massive, but the archives Hungerford's Mills on the Moira Quebec. This might be the base for have not reflected that shift. In Canada, River. The Heritage Centre, begun an interesting bus tour or two. the Diefenbaker archives are housed at the in 1988 in a fine Victorian house I. Sir John A. Macdonald University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, and the R.B. Bennett papers are in near the centre of the village. The (1815-1891) Cataraqui Cemetery, Fredericton. The Trent Valley Archives archives contain reference library Kingston ON; 2. Alexander has favoured regional archives within files and genealogical records, and Mackenzie (1822-1892) Lakeview Canada and within Ontario since the late the Centre offers research, historical Cemetery, Sarnia ON; 3. Sir John l 980s. Regional archives are easier for displays and special events. It Abbott (l 821-1893) Mount Royal people in the regions to access. For appears to thrive on the enthusiasm Cemetery, Montreal; 4. Sir John starters, there are shorter distances to of Evan Morton, and some Thompson (1845-1894) Holy Cross travel and shorter hotel stays to arrange. dedicated volunteers. Clearly, it is Cemetery, Halifax NS; 5. Sir In the American system, since worth a visit, whether on your own, Mackenzie Bowell ( I 823-1917) Franklin D. Roosevelt, the former presidents raise large sums of money to or perhaps in an upcoming tour Belleville Cemetery, Belleville ON; have a presidential library which is 6. Sir Charles Tupper (1821-1915) arranged by the Trent Valley merged with an arChives, a museum and a Archives. It is closed Sundays and St John's Cemetery, Halifax NS; 7. museum store. Each is built in a place holidays, but otherwise open 9 to 5 Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1841-1919) other than Washington DC that is with a break for lunch. Notre Dame Cemetery, Ottawa ON; associated with him. Currently, William J. 8. Sir Robert Borden (1854-1937) Clinton is raising money for a library to be Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa ON; built, honestly, in Murky Bottoms, Private cemeteries 9. Arthur Meighen (1874-1960) St Arkansas. Clinton, it appears, is The Don Cournoyea fonds contains Mary's Cemetery, St Mary's ON; competing against money to establish retrospectively presidential libraries for many interesting items that remind 10. W.L. Mackenzie King (1874- the two presidents associated with the us some well-known matters 1950) Mount Pleasant Cemetery, American Civil War, 1861-1865. One in become forgotten. The Toronto ON; 11. R.B. Bennett Biloxi, Mississippi, is for Jefferson Davis, Peterborough Examiner ran a (1870-1947) St Michael's the only president of the Confederacy; the series of biographical sketches Churchyard, Mickleham, Surrey, other, in Springfield, Illinois, is for beginning 20 February I 926. One England; 12. Louis St Laurent Abraham Lincoln. The contrast between on J.D. Collins, 13 March I 926, ( 1882-1973) St Thomas Aquinas the three libraries illustrates the value of discusses at some length the burial Cemetery, Compton QB; 13. John regional interpretations, but also suggests demand should precede supply. spot of William Dunlop, who was Diefenbaker(l 895-1979) University At a local level, would it be better ofSaskatchewan, Saskatoon SK; 14. killed in a deer hunt, and then and easier to build archives and libraries Lester B. Pearson (1897-1972) buried on the grounds of Auburn. around the careers of towering The grave was dug so deep that the MacLarenCemetery, Wakefield QB; individuals. It appears that the logical remains could not be found when 15. Pierre Trudeau (1919-2000) St solution of a county or regional archives is efforts were made to them to Little Remi-de-Napierville QB. very difficult to achieve. We do know, Lake Cemetery. The spot was still from the experience in Toronto, that marked in 1926 by a fenced area political amalgamation precedes the amalgamation of archives. And yet what with a tombstone. How many would have happened if the Metro forgotten burial sites are there in Toronto archives facility had not existed this area? The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November 2000 31
first? With new governments coming Strasser adds the twist that knowing what on line, and with infrastructure grants people saved we can learn about those in view, this would be a fine time to Defining people by who did the saving. What did they think plan for county archives. Will this be trash and archives was important? That varies by time and easier in Victoria county with only one place and can be examined. At the Trent government or in Peterborough with its With places such as Toronto and New Valley Archives we believe that too little handful? All we need is a Murky York City are having difficulty throwing has been saved about eastern central Bottoms. away their garbage, this might be a time Ontario. What others value little, we to reconsider what constitutes trash. sometimes find ex.citing. According to a recent New York Times Salvaging a History in review by Katherine E. Finklestein, we Newsprint are defined by the trash we keep. Susan AAO Of/the Record National Post, 26 July 2000 Strasser, Waste and Want: a social history of trash comments that "what The Roy Studio collection is Nicholson Baker, an American counts as trash depends on who's novelist, purchased "7,500 brick-thick counting." Potato scraps in one culture featured in the newsletter of the volumes of carefully bound old may be the beginnings of soup in Archives Association of Ontario. American newspapers each stamped another. Strasser prefers to look at what The AAO offices have moved "Discarded by the British Library." The people save. Some people, venerators of into an I 893 coach house at 376 British Library had a great sell-off of the new, like everything to be very clean Rusholme Road and is now well books last September to clear two miles and sanitary. In earlier days, people paid positioned to help its members, to look through the garbage of others. of shelving for new books. Librarians including the Trent Valley Archives. Pigs cleaned garbage from the streets believed the newspapers were not There continues to be concern that the needed because they are available on and becwne food for the poor. Then City of Toronto gave the Dempsey microfilm. While microfilm is less people started paying to have garbage bulky, it is open to difficulties as it removed. Strasser focusses on the Hardware, designed to be an archival "tends to shrink, go mouldy and fade." margin between the private and the facility and preserve the only Some microfilming technology was public, what we save in attics and nineteenth-century building in North poor, and sometimes the original copies basements. The conventional wisdom of York, to an organization that has no were poor. "If all the originals are lost, archivists is that five per cent of the interest in heritage matters. Even in future scholars risk finding nothing but paper produced has archival value. the most obvious heritage decisions, Perhaps, Strasser would also have said illegible fuzz when they try to learn local politicians show that heritage what made our ancestors marvel, that what counts as archives depends on has low priority. This is not shudder and laugh." Baker has set up who is counting. We hear stories of the American Newspaper Repository in people who throw out papers usually to encouraging. an old New Hampshire mill. save embarrassment to the dead, or Brian Masschaele notes that only The collection includes: because someone has an ill-considered three buildings in Ontario were New York World, 800 volumes drive for cleanliness. Perhaps the best designed as stand-alone archives: the Chicogo Tribune , 1888-1958 way to promote the value of archives is City of Toronto Archives, the Simcoe New York Times. 1915-1958 to remind local politicians and the County Archives and the Madonna general populace of the importance of New York Herald Tribune, 1866~1975 House Archives in Combennere. the margins between public and private Those who have worked with Elsewhere, we recycle and/or we original newspapers applaud Baker's space. It's worth a thought. share. efforts. The Trent Valley Archives Some believe that archaeology is prizes its runs of original newspapers, the science of garbage. Students at the most notably for Lakefield papers. University of Arizona dig through The ARCHEION website is Newspapers are more than content, and garbage in order to learn about people. http://archeion-aao.fis.utoronto.ca while microfilm has many advantages, In Toronto, several students at the The AAO website is the original evokes atmosphere and University of Toronto studied the http://aao.fis.utoronto.ca texture that microfilm cannot emulate. garbage of the Ashbridge family who When one browses originals, one sees lived on the eastern waterfront. In the different things than when using the process, they discovered that people may microfilm. have lived there 1200 years ago, Our goal is to have good runs of Of the two approaches, I prefer the both. Newspapers are easily the most social historian studying what people important windows to the past, at least keep. Historians have been doing that for recent centuries. for centuries, and we call it research. -
The Heritage Gautte ofthe Trent Valley Volume 5, number 3, November '2000 32
Trent University popular historical magazines such as Fairview Heritllge Cwre Bandwagon ( on eircus history}, American Archives 567 Carnegie Avenue Heritage, and American Heritage of The Trent University Archives can be Peterlwrough ON K9L INI Science and Technology. accessed very handily through its web Material continues to be added, and if page (705) 745441H you are interested in having your materials www.trcntu.ca/llbrary/archives. iv+orkmaiLcom relating to the five county region donated Following the Rules of Archival www,kamon.ca to an archives, we are always pleased to Description, known to archivists as give advice about the most appropriate RAD, Bernadine Dodge enters Manager: Keith Dinsdale options, Donations in kind maybeeljgible information into a DB/Textworks The Fairview Heritage Centre was for a receipt for income tax purposes. database with 43 fields, making certain established in September 1998 as the The Trent Valley Archives collects that the Scope and Contents field home of the Trent Valley Archives and hooks, photographs, microfilms and other contains an important keywords. She its committees. These include Kawartha archives that relate to fanuly history or to then generates various reports including Ancestral Research Association and the local history in the five counties. Second, RAD reports written as HTML tiles, lrish Heritage Research Centre. The it encourages people to engage in edited by MS Word. Also in the thirty Fairview Heritage Centre's 1899 genealogica~ historical and archival areas of specialization, she annua1Jy heritage building includes for the use of researclt, and supports this work through updates the pertinent sources and posts members a research room which is open its research room and the Heritage these to the website as well. Writing in Wednesday to Saturday, I to 4:30 pm, Gazette of the Trent Valley. Third, it the AAO Off the Record, Bernadine and other times by arrangement. From promotes archives, and supports the concluded that researchers have greater time to time. special events arc arranged. efforts of people to preserve archives in access to the Trent University Archlve:4 The research collections include a their homes, businesses and other and that it proved manageable even geneological and local history library, organizations. In particular. it has long though it has a small staff. The addition greatly enriched by the private libraries been vigilant about the needs for of the AAO's umbrella search of Howard Pammett, Alex Edmison, Bill municipal archives, and for easy access to mechanism, ARCHEION, has greatly Domm and Archie Tolmie. the records that are archival in fact if not increased the access that researchers As well, there is a growing archives in name. can have to archives across the which includes complementary We welcome nev.· members who are province. The Trent University holdings, notably ofthe Roman Catholic interested in any of our objectives or who Archives was a leader in this process, Diocese ofPeterborough, the manuscript wish to use our facilities and publications. and we congratulate Bernadine on a job censuses, and St John's Anglican We also need volunteers; you can be well.done. Church Peterborough. Also noteworthy certain that you have useful talents and is the strong holding of Lakefield news experiences to share. Just let Keith papers ftom 1949; the Frank S<:hoales Dinsdale, or any member of the board, audio fonds featuring recordings ftom know your interest. National Archives of the I 940s and 1950s, and the Canada photographic fonds of Osbnme Studio, and others. ln addition to the papers of The long-running exhibi~ 'Treasured Pammett, Edmison and Tolmie, the Memories,'j has reopened with fifty Trent Valley Archives has papers Committees need new documents. Each item chosen has relating to organizations. The Don implications that are wide•ranging, and members Coumoyea Collection and the papers of rather prove that archival documents, in If you would like to serve on one of our Olga Dyer are of wide-ranging interest. pictures or words, can fascinate and many committees, talk to Keith Dinsdale Currently, the Anson House charm. inspire and inform_ Among the or any other member of the Board. There historical project is centred at the new items are an enchanting "For are dozens of jobs for-which we require Fairview Heritage Centre. The arehival Better or Worse" cartoon and a neat help. ln addition to the Photo committee records of Anson House and its caricature of Robertson Davies. noted abovet we are developing new predecessors are here, as well as the The current issue of The Archivist committees for genealogy, for archives. papers being gathered in connection has stories on the women behind the for building maintenance, and for with producing the forthcoming history. "Persons" case, and the new statue pubHcations.. We get many requests for We are proud, also, of our unveiled on Parliament Hill. There are information, and we are processing new association with the Bamardo projects in articles based on the show business collections all the time. the area. archives of Gratien Gelinas, Frank It has useful runs of genealogical Shuster. And recent National Archivists magazines, such as Family Chronicle from Kaye Lamb to Ian Wilson are and Family Tree Magazine, and of subjects of interesting pieces.