Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – Edition 30 17 June 2020 1
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Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 1 Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline Major William Robert Bell: 1845 – 1913 Compiled by Michelle Cabana, Saskatoon Margaret Hryniuk, Regina Frank Korvemaker, Regina © Bell Barn Society of Indian Head Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 2 Introduction Purpose: This Timeline is presented so that readers can follow the life and exploits of Major William Robert Bell and his family and associates between 1845 and 1913, as they travelled and lived at various locations in North America and Europe. The primary focus, however, is on Major Bell himself. In many instances, references are provided to historical documents that detail the subject matter. At other times, where that text is brief, or where an illustration is available, copies of the documents may be inserted. Note: In later years, probably after the Major left Indian Head in 1896, there is another “Major Bell” resident in Winnipeg, who also makes the newspapers on occasion. Care needs to be taken to differentiate between the two. In addition, a Major Bell surfaces at McTaggart, Saskatchewan, and there also appears to be some confusion between these two men. How to use the Timeline Scroll through in Chronological Order: As much as possible, the data presented below has been placed in chronological order, starting with the birth of Major Bell in 1845 and ending with his death in 1913. Word Search: It should be possible to undertake a “word search” of the basic text. However, this will probably not apply to photographic documents inserted into the text. Enlarging Images: JPG images can be copied from the pdf (left click), inserted into a WORD document, and then enlarged by dragging the corners. “Check for details”: Documents that include this notation have not yet been read and may include important details not previously known about the Bell Farm NOTE: Text in green from 11 Sept. 2014 e-mail from Michelle Cabana, needs to be reviewed re TRIPS. – starts Jan 1887 Text in blue refers to brickmaking possibly not directly associated with the Bell Farm. For further information, please contact: Frank Korvemaker, M.S.M.; S.A.A. (Hon.) Ret'd Archivist / Construction Historian 59 Compton Road Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 2Y2 Tel: (306) 586-1405 E-Mail: [email protected] and Hon. Corporate Archivist for the Saskatchewan Association of Architects For information on the Association: http://saskarchitects.com/ Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 3 1845 1845 – 28 May - William Robert Bell born in Brockville, Ontario 1851 1851 – Katherine / Anne Elwood, born in Kemptville, Ontario (Source: 27 Dec. 2010 – e-mail from Blair MacAulay (Note: according to the 1891 census, Kate’s parents were born in Ireland) 1858 1858 – Naming of Indian Head and first photo of the Qu’Appelle Valley Henry Youle Hind’s expedition into the Canadian interior included preparation of a map of the region, as well as a number of photographs, taken by Humphrey Lloyd Hime. Hime’s photos are apparently the first images ever taken in present-day Saskatchewan. Hime took several images of the Qu’Appelle Valley, which show what it very likely looked like at the time when Major Bell arrived in the area 23 years later. Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 4 The Indian Head Hills (red arrow) are apparently first identified in this 1858 map, with the Qu’Appelle (Anglican) Mission identified at the site of present-day Fort Qu’Appelle (black arrow). Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 5 The oldest-known photos of the Qu’Appelle Lakes and Valley – taken by H.L. Hime on July 18, 1858 as part of the Henry Youle Hind Expedition. Source: “Camera in the Interior: 1858: H.L. Hime, photographer, The Assiniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring Expedition”, by Richard J. Huyda, 1975. (112 & 122 kb) 1860s 1860s – Bell employed by G.T.R. (Grand Trunk Railway) - railway agent (?) at Brockville and Pakenham, Ontario 1864 1864 – 15 June – Toronto Globe - Ensign William R. Bell, of Brockville, attends Military School enlists with the Militia (Question: does this refer to the person later identified as Sgt W.R. Bell of Carlton Place, or Capt. W,R, Bell of Brockville?) Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 6 LEFT: Toronto Globe article on Military School examinations, including Ensign William R. Bell, of Brockville, 15 June 1864 83 kb RIGHT: Review of the Pupils of the Canadian Military School, Toronto: source: The Illustrated London News, Sept. 17, 1864 90 kb 1866 1866 – Sergt. Wm. R. Bell served with the Grand Trunk Railway Brigade during the Fenian Raids, receiving his Certificate at Kingston, Ontario on Aug. 22, 1866. NOTE: it appears that Sgt W.R. Bell and Capt W.R. Bell are NOT the same person. The former was located at Carlton Place, the latter at Brockville. This may require further research. Fenian Raid (1866): Fenians is the name of the old Irish National Militia. After the Civil War in the USA, the American Fenians were bolstered by Civil War mercenaries. In need of something to occupy this large force, John O'Neil crossed the Niagara River, captured Fort Erie, and made his headquarters at Limeridge. The Fenians defeated a unit of the Canadian Militia at Ridgeway, but withdrew to the USA when a stronger force was sent to the area. President Johnson had many of the Fenians arrested. (Source: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/medals-decorations/details/1) Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 7 Source: Canada Sessional papers: 1867-68, Paper # 35: Militia, Appendix 6, p. 96. 1867 1867 – 15 March – Bell appointed Captain in No. 4 Company, 2nd Battalion Rifles, Grand Trunk Railway Brigade, based out of Brockville Source: ________________________ 1867 – 17 Dec. - Bell (age 22) marries Katherine Ellwood / Elwood (age 17) in Prescott, Ontario – 27 Dec. 2012 – e-mail, Blair MacAulay : Livingston, Edwin A. "Leeds & Grenville Counties Marriage Register, 1858- 1968", Vol. 27, 1988 (929.371373 at NYPL), page 39.i Katherine is the daughter of Jas. G. Elwood. NOTE: Elsewhere, her name is given as Catherine Anne Elwood. 1868 1868 – June – William and Kate’s son - Sherwood Ambler Bell – born in Elizabethtown (renamed Brockville), Ontario – 27 Dec. 2010 – e-mail, Blair MacAulay (Bell an employee of G.T.R., Brockville at that time.) 1868 - 21, 22, 23 Oct – Annual meeting of the Brockville Rifle Association, held at Brockville – shooting match. Capt. Bell of the GTR Brigade, Brockville, placed 4th in the first match (prize: $4); and 2nd in the second match (prize: $9) Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 8 (Source: Sessional Papers (# 10), 1869, p. 70-71.) 197 kb & 238 kb 1869 1869 - _____. Brockville Rifle Association – Rifle Match, held at Kingston. Capt. Bell of GTR Rifles: Match 4 – All Comers - placed 3rd (prize: $5); Match # 5 Association Members – placed 8th (prize: $3); Match # 6 – Officers’ Match – placed 1st(Prize: pair of boots worth $10, plus cash $2) (Source: Sessional Papers (# 8), 1870, p. 32-33) 1870 1870 – 4 March – Sherwood Ambler Bell dies, at 1 year 9 months – 27 Dec. 2010 – e-mail, Blair MacAulay 1870 – 26 May - Captain Bell serves in the Canadian Militia during the Fenian Raids Fenian Raid (1870): On 26 May 1870, O'Neil again crossed the border near Franklin, Vermont, but was forced back quickly and again arrested. (Source: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/medals-decorations/details/1) 1870 - _______ Annual Rifle Match, Brockville Rifle Association – Capt Bell, GTR: Match # 3, placed 1st (prize: $20); Match # 4, placed 4th (prize $5). (Source: Sessional papers (#7), 1871, p. 22-23) 1870 - _______ Rifle Match of the Metropolitan Rifle Association – held at ____________ Capt Bell, GTR: Match # 8, placed 4th (prize: $3) (Source: Sessional papers (#7), 1871, p. 34-35) Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 9 1870 - _______ Rifle Match of the Quebec Provincial Rifle Association – held at ____________ Capt Bell, GTR: Match # 6 (Montreal Stakes), placed 11th (prize: $5) (Source: Sessional papers (#7), 1871, p. 44-45) 1870 - _______ Second Annual Rifle Match of the Quebec Provincial Rifle Association – held at ____________ Capt Bell, GTR: Match # 8 (Frontier Stakes), placed 4th (prize: $10); Match # 9 (Strangers’ Stakes) – placed 8th (prize: $5) (Source: Sessional papers (#7), 1871, p. 46-47) 1870 – 16 Aug - Fourth Annual Rifle Match of the Metropolitan Rifle Association, held in Ottawa Capt. Bell: Match #3 – placed 3rd (prize: $3) (Source: Sessional Papers (#7), 1871, p. 30-31) 1870 – August – Toronto Globe report for 7 Sept. 1870 Captain Bell, a member of No. 4 Company, 2nd Battalion Rifles, Grand Trunk Railway Brigade, based out of Brockville, participates in a shooting competition in Fredericton, among other things, Bell wins the Governor General’s Cup plus 10 gold sovereigns. 102 kb 1870 – 11 & 12 Oct. – 7th Annual Rifle Match, Brockville Rifle Association, held at Brockville Capt. Bell, GTR – Match # 2 – placed 3rd (prize: $4); Match # 3 – placed 1st (prize: $20); Match # 4 – placed 4th (Prize: $6) (Source: Sessional Papers (# 7), 1871, p. 24-27) 1870 – 13-14 Oct. – Volunteer Rifle Match of the Ramsay Rifle Association, held at Almonte, Ont. Capt. Bell, GTR – Volunteers in Uniform Match – placed 1st (prize: $20); All Comers Match: placed 2nd (prize: $10) (Source: Sessional Papers (# 7), 1871, p. 22-23) Bell Farm / Major Bell Timeline – edition 30 17 June 2020 10 1871 1871 – Catherine Ormiston, Major Bell’s second wife, is born in England. They were married in 1897. (She was 27 on the marriage certificate – so possibly her birth date was 1870.) 1871 – mid June – mid July - Capt.