THE WILLIAM R. PERKINS LIBRARY OF DUKE UNIVERSITY '^ f:5'2 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Duke University Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/historyofprovincOOcann HlISTOK.1Z" OK THK (UPPER CANADA.) CONTAIN INC A SKETCH OK FRANCO-CANADIAN HISTORY,-- T!IE BLOOUV BATTLKS OF THK FRENCH AND INDIANS, — THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, — THE SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY BY U. E. LOY^ALISTS, — TRIALS AND HARDSHIPS INCIDENT TO PIONEER LIFE, — THRILLING NARRATIVES OF ADVENTURES WITH INDIANS AND WILD BEASTS, — STRUGGLES FOR THE ESTABLISH- MENT OF CHRISTIANITY AND SCHOOLS, — AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES,— THE WAR OF 1S12, — BATTLE SCENES, C;APTURE OF BUFFALO, — SUBSEQUENT GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THK CO! NTRY. INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF PROMINENT FIRST SETTLERS. THE CENSUS OF 1871. WM. CANNIFF, M.D., F.R.C.S.E.. PROFESSOR OF SURGERY, UNIVERSITY VICTORIA COLLEGE, CONSULTING SURGEON TO EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY, PHY'SICIAN AND SURGEON TO THE TORONTO GENERAL HOSPITAL, AUTHOR OF "PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURGERY," etc. TORONTO. ON'J". ■. PUBLISHED BY A. H. HOVEY, 34 K1N«4 STREE'J' AV'EST. iwra. AGBNTS PirAIVrTEID In every County to sell this and other popular sub- scription books. Exclusive territory given and liberal inducements offered. Address for circulars and full particulars. A. H. HOVEY. PuHi.isHKR. No. 34 Kino- Street West. Toronto. Ont. c.jj.sn TO THE HONORABLE SIR JOHN ALEXANDEE MACDONALD, K.C.B.,|D.C.L., M.P., PREMIER OP THE DOMINION OF CANADA, THIS VOLUME IS BY PERMISSION RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, AS A RECOGNITION OF HIS AOTLITIES AS A CANADIAN STATESMAN, AND AS A TRIBUTE TO A LONG STANDING INHABITANT OF BAY QUINTE, WHO HAS GIVEN HIS TALENTS AND ENERGIES TO LAY A SURE FOUNDATION FOR "a GREAT NORTHERN NATION." BY HIS RESPECTFUL ADMIRER, WILLIAM CANNIFP. PREFACE. In the year 1861 a meeting was convened at the Education Office, Toronto, with the view of establishing an Historical Society for Upper Canada. The writer, as an Upper Canadian bj' birth, and deeply interested in his country with respect to the past as well as the futui'e, was present. The result of that meeting was the appointment of a Committee to frame a Constitution and By-Laws, and take the necessary steps to organize the proposed Society, and to report three weeks thereafter The Committee consisted of the Hon. Mr. Merritt, Eev. Dr. Eyerson, Col. Jarvis, Mr,- DeGrassi, Mr. Merritt, J, J. Hodgins, Dr. Canniff and ]\Ir. Coventry. For reasons unknown to the writer, this Committee never even met. The following year the writer received a printed circular respecting an " Historical Society of Upper Canada " which had been established at St. Catharines, of which Col. John Clarke, of Port Dalhousie, was President; Hon. "Wm. H. Merritt, Vice-President, and George Coventry, of Cobourg, Secretary. "HONORAKY MEMBERS." " Chief Justice Sir John Beverley Rob- Henry Ruttan, Esq., Cobourg, inson, Bart., The Venerable Lord Bishop of Toronto, Colonel Jarvis, Toronlo, Alfio DeGrassi, Esq., Toronto, Doctor Canniff, " J. P. Merritt, St. Catharines, Henry Eccles, Esq., Q.C., Thomas C. Keefer, Esq., Yorkville, William H. Kittson, Esq., Hamilton, Hon. George S. Boulton, Cobourg, David, Burn, Esq., Cobourg^ At the request of this Society the writer undertook to prepare a Paper upon the Settlement of the Bay Quinte. Having been induced to take up his abode for a time at Belleville, near which he was born, the writer availed himself of ever}^ opportunity he could VI PREFACE. create while engaged in his professional duties, during a period of five years, to collect facts pertaining to the subject. After some months of labor, he was advised by friends, in whose judgment he had confidence, to write a History of the Bay Quinte, for publication. Acting upon this advice, he continued, with increased energy, to collect and elaborate material. In carrying out this object, he not onl}' viblted different sections of the country and many indivi- duals, but consulted the libraries at Toronto and Ottawa, as well as availed himself of the private libraries of kind friends, especially Cannift' Ilaight, Esc|., of Picton. As the writer proceeded in his work, he found the subject assuming more extended proportions than he had anticipated. He found that, to write an account of the Settlement of the Bay Quinte, was to pen a history of the settlement of the Province. Finally, he has been induced to desig- nate the Avork "A History of the Settlement of Upper Canada." The labor, time and thought which has been given to the subject need not to be dwelt upon. . Every effort has been made, consistent with professional duties, upon which the writer's family is dependent, to sift a mass of promiscuous material which has come under investigation, so that grains of truth alone might fill the measure which this volume represents. Various sources of information have been duly indicated in the text; but there are a large number of individuals, from whom information has been obtained, whose names could not be recalled. This work has been one of love as well as labor ; yet time and again the writer would have relinquished it had it not been for the words of encouragement, volunteered by his friends. The writer has explained the cause of his writing this volume. He now presents it to the reader — to Canadians — to the world. He loves his country so well, that he regrets an abler pen had not undertaken the task, that justice might bo more fully done to the worthy. , Fault may be found because of repeated and earnest protests against the attitude assumed by the United States : the comments PREFACE. YU made in respect to their history: the contrast drawn upon the subject of Liberty and Freedom. The writer offers no excuse. He has endeavored to adhere to truth. It is true these pages have been written during a period of great irritation to Canadians, from the hostile and aggressive spirit which the United States have dis- played towards us ; but a record has been made which, it is trusted, will stand the test of the closest examination. As to the work, apart from its historical character, no remark is offered, except that the writer is perfectly conscious of errors and imperfections. Time has not been allowed to jjolish; and while the pages have been going through the press, other necessary duties have jirevented that close and undivided attention which the work demanded. But subscribers to the volume were urgent in their requests to have the work without further delay. The reader is referred to a page o^ Errata. A concluding chapter it has been found necessarj' to omit, in consequence of the size already attained. In this it was intended to discuss 'the future prospects of the Dominion. The writer has unbounded faith in the Confederation scheme. Before this scheme was initiated, the writer, in a lecture delivered to a Toronto audience, uttered these words. Pointing out the elements which constitute the fabric of a great nation, he remarked that he " loved to contemplate the future, when all the British American Provinces would be consolidated into a grand whole ; when, from the summit of the Eocky Mountains, would be seen — to the East along the magnificent lakes and river to the Atlantic, and down the western slopes to the Pacific — the ceaseless industry of the Canadian beaver, and the evergreen Maple Leaf overshadowing the peaceful homes of Canada." The prospects now are far brighter than when those words were spoken ; and notwithstanding the obstacles — an unpatriotic company of Englishmen, the unscrupulous designs of covetous Americans, and the apathy of the British Gov- ernment — the belief is broad and strong that the dream of the future will be realized. There is life in the tree whose seed was Vlll PREFACE. planted eighty j'^ear.s ago, and as it has in the past continued to grow, so it will in the futui-c. In concluding these pi*efatory remarks, we desire to tender our thanks to all who have assisted us directly or indirectly, by sup- plying information, and by encouraging words. Particularly we thank those gentlemen who gave their names as subscribers, some of them voluntarily, years ago, before the work was fairly com- menced ; also the Hon. Lewis Wallbridge, for procuring for us, when Speaker, copies of manuscrijit in the Parliamentary Library, at Ottawa. Finally, we express our obligations to the Publishers and Printers. Toronto, 27th March, 1869. j[Cop]/ Right secured. CONTENTS A SKETCH OP FRAXCO-CANADIAX HISTORY. CHAPTER I. Antiquarianism — Records of the Early Nations — Tradition — The Press — The Eastern World — The Western World — Importance of History — Columbus Colonization — Canada — America — Cartier — French Cana- dian writers — Cartier's first visit — Huguenots — Cartier's second visit — Jean Francois — Sir George E. Cartier — Establishment of the Fur Trade — Champlain — Discovery of Lake Ontario — Bay of Quinte — Quebec founded — First fighting with Indians — First taking of Quebec by the British — Returned to France — The RecoUets and. Jesuits — Death of Champlain — Foundation of Montreal — Emigration from France — The Carignan Regiment — DeCourcelle — Proposal to found a Fort at Lake Ontario — Frontenac — Fort at Cataraqui — La Salle — Fort at Niagara — First vessel upon the Lakes — Its fate — Death of La Salle, the first settler of Upper Canada — Founder of Louisiana — Discoverer of the mouth of the Mississippi : CHAPTER II. Cataraqui Fort strengthened — Keute Indians seized and carried captive to France — Massacre of Lachine — Commencing struggle between New England and New France — Siege of Quebec by Sir Wm. Phipps — De- struction of Foi't Cataraqui — Its re-erection — Treaty of Ryswick — Death of Frontenac — Iroquois in England — Another attempt to cap- ture Quebec — Decline of French power — Population of Canada and of New England — Continuation of the contest for the fur trade Taking of Fort Louisburg — Col. Washington, dishonorable conduct — Inconsis- tency of Dr. Franivlin — Commencement of seven years' war — Close of first year — Montcalm — His presentiment— Taking of Fort Oswego — Of Fort William Henry — Fearful massacre — The state of Canada — Wolfe appears — Taking of Frontenac — Duquesne — Apathy of France — The Spring of 1759 — Reduced state of Canada — Overthrow of French power in America — The result — Union of elements — The capture of Quebec — Wolfe —Death of Montcalm — Fort Niagara — Johnson— Effort to retake Quebec — Wreck of the French army — Capitulation at Mon- treal — Population — The first British Governor of Canada — The Cana- dians as British subjects — The result of French enterprise — Rebellion 15 X CONTENTS. DIVISION I. THE REBELLION OF 1776 THE THIRTEEK COLOKIES. CHAPTER III. PAGB First American rebellion — Independence — Traitors made heroes— Loyalists driven away to found another colonj- — The res;)onsibility of rebelling — Treatment of the Loyalists — The several colonies — The first Eng- lishman in America — Receives X'lO — English colonization — Virginia — Convicts — Extent of AHrginia — First Governor — Virginians not willing to rebel — Quota supplied to the rebel army — Xew York — Hudibon — The Dutch — New Netherlands — Price of New Amsterdam (New York) — First Legislative Assembly — Not quick to rebel — Quota of rebel troops — Gave many settlers to Upper Canada — New Jersey — Its settle ment — A battle ground — Gave rebel ti'oops : also loyal tr.-.ops — Furnished settlers to Upper Canada — Massachusetis — Captain Smith — New England Puritans — The " Mayflower " — First Governor — Cruel treatment of Indians — Massachusetts takes the lead in rebelling Troops — Loyalists — New Hampshire — Troops — Dehv.vare — Settlement — Quota of rebel troops — Connecticut — Education — Troops— lioman Catholics — Toleration — PJiode Island — Providence— Inconsistency of the Puritans— Pioger Williams — North Carolina — Inhabitants — South Carolina — Many Loyalists — Pennsylvania — Y\^illiam Penn — Conduct toward Indians — The people opposed to rebellion— Georgia — Ogle- thorpe — Policy of New England — New England 32 CHAPTER IV. American writers— Sabtne — Loyalists had no time to waste — Independence not sought at first — Adams — Franklin — Jay — Jefferson — Washington — Madison — The British Government — Ingratitude of the Colonists — Taxation — Smugglers — Crown officers — Persistence — Superciliousness Contest between Old England and New England 41 CHAPTER V. The signers of the Declaration of Independence — Their nativity — Injus- tice of American writers for 80 years — Cast back mis-statements — The Whigs had been U. E Loyalists — Hancock — Office-seekers — Malcon- tents stir up strife — What the fatliers of the ilepublic fought for — Rebel committees — Black mail — Otis, John Adams, Warren, Washing- ton, Henry, Franklin — What caused them to rebel — Wiiat the American revolutionary heroes actually were — Cruelty, during and after the war — No Freedom — The political mistake of the rebels in alienating the loyalists — The Conseqtience — Motives of the loyalists — False charges — Conscientious Conservatives — Rebellion not warranted — Attachment to the old flag — Loyalists driven away — Suppresi>io veri — Want of noble spirit towards the South — Efteets — Comparison between loyalists and rebels — Education — Religion — The neutral — The professions 46 CHAPTER VI. Republicanism — The lesson of the first rebellion — The late civil war — The Loyalists ; their losses and hardships — Ignored by Americans — Um-e- cordcd — The world kept in ignorance — American glory — Englishmen — Question of Colonial treatment — The reason why Great Britain failed to subdue the rebellion — Character of the rebel bravery — The great result — Liberty in England and United StateK contrasted — CONTENTS. XI- PAOB Slavery — The result to U. E. Loyalists — Biirgoym- — Moljocracy — Treatment from " Sons of Liberty '' — Old men, women and children — Instances of cruelty — Brutality — liai)acit3' — Torture — The lower classes — "Swamp Law" — Fiendish cruelty — Worse tlian Butler's Bangers — Seward and the Fenians — Infamous falsification — Close of the war — Recognition of independence by Great Britain — Crushed ho])esofthe Loyalists — In Xew York — Their conduct — Evacuation day— The position of the Loyalists — Confiscation — " Attainting " — Seizing Estates — Paine — Commissioners at Paris — British Ministry — Loyalists' petition — King's speech — Division of claimants — Six classes — The number — Tardy justice — Noble conduct of South Carolina — Imjiostors — Loyal- ists in Lower Canada — Proclamation — The soldiers' families— ^Journey- ings — Meeting of families 52 CHAPTER TII. A spirit of strife — The French Avar — British American troops — Former comrades opposed — Number of LT. E. Loyalists in the field — General . Burgoyne — Defeat — First reverse of British arms — The campaign — Colonel St. Leger — Foi-t Stanwix — Colonel Baume — Battl^^ of Ben- nington — General Herkimer — Gates — Schuyler — Braemar Heights — Saratoga — Sun-ender — The result upon the people — Sir John Jolmson — Sir AVilliam — Sketch — Indian Chief — Laced coat — Indians dream — It comes to pass — Sir William dreams — It also comes to pass — Too hard a dream — Sir John — Attempt to arrest — Escape — Starving — Royal greens — Johnson's losses — Living in Canada — Death — Principal Corps of Ro.vaiists — King's Rangers — Queen's Rangers — Major Rogers — Simcoe — Tlie Rangers in Upper Canada — Disbanded — The Hessians. 63 CHAPTER VIII. Indian names — The Five Tribes — The Sixth — Confederation — Govern- ment — Sub-divisions — Origin — Hendrick — Death — Brant — Birth — Education — Man-ied — Teaching — Christianity — Brant elected Chief — Commissioned a British Captain — Visits England — Returns — Leads his warriors to battle — Efforts of Rebels to seduce Brant to their cause — Att-empted treachery of the Rebel Herkimer — Border warfare — Wyom- ing — Attempt to blacken the character of Brant — His noble conduct — Untruthful American History — The inhabitants of Vryoming — The Rebels first to blame — Cherry Valley — Van Schaick — Bloody orders — Terrible conduct of the Rebels, Helj^less Indian families — Further deeds of blood and rapine by the rebel Sullivan — A month of horrible work — Attributes of cruelty more conspicuous in the Rebels than in the Indians — The Xew Englander— ^Conduct toward the Indians — In- consistent — The " down trodden " — The Mohawks — Indian agriculture — Broken faith with the Indians — Noble conduct of Brant — After the war — His family — Death — Miss Molly — Indian usage — The character of the Mohawk — The six Indians as Canadians — Fidelity to the British — Receiving land — Bay Quinte — 'Grand River — Settling — Captain Isaac, Captain John — At present — Mohawk Counsel 71 CHAPTER IX. Individuals — Anderson — Bcthune — Burwell — Butler — Canliff — Clans — Coffin — Doune — Jarvis — Jones — McDonald — McGill — McGilles — Mer- rit — Munday — Peter.s — Robinson — Singleton — Ross — McXab — Allen — Allison — Ashley — Bell — Burritt — Casey — Carscallion — Church — Clark — Crawford — Dame — Daly — Diamond , 86 XU CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. PAGE Ferguson — Frazcv — Gerollcani)- — Goldsmith — Harrison — Hiidgins — Hicks Howell — Hover — Hogle — Ham — Herkimer — Holt — Jones — .Johnson — Ketoheson — Loyst — Myers — MeArthur — Miller — Mordcua — McDonald — McDonnell — MeDonell — Ostrom — Peterson 100 CHAPTER XI. Rogers' family — Ryerson — Redner — Sherwood — Taylor — Van Dusen — Williamburgh — Wright — Wilkins — Young — Officers who settled in Niagara District 117 DIVISION II. TRAVELING IN EARLY TIMES ORIGINAL ROUTES. CHAPTER XII. Indian paths — Portages — Original French routes — Mer de Canada — Original names of St. Lawrence — Ontario — Huron — Route by Bay Quinte — Old French maps — Original English routes — Four ways from Atlantic to the Lakes — Mississippi — Potomac — Hudson — Indian name of Erie — From New York to Ontario — The Hudson River — Mohawk — Wood creek — Oneida Lake — Oswego River — The carrying places — West Canada Creek — Black River — Oswegotchie — The navigation — Military highway — Lower Canada — An historic route — The paths followed by the Loyalists — Indian paths north of Lake Ontario — Crossing the Lake — From Cape Vincent to the Bay Quinte — From Oswego by Duck Islands — East Lake — Picton Bay — Coasting Ontario — Two Avays to Huron — By Bay Quinte and Trent ; by Don River — Lake Simcoe — Point Traverse — Loyalists — Travelling by the St. Lawrence — First road — Long remembered event 129 CHAPTER XIII. Indians traveled by foot or by canoe — Secreting canoes — PrimeA'al scenes — Hunting expeditions — War patja — In 1812 — Brock — A night at Myers' Creek — Important arrival — The North West Company — Their canoes — Route — Grand Portage — The Voyageurs — The Batteaux — Size — Ascending the rapids — Lachiiii — A dry dock — Loyalists by batteaux — Durham boats — Difiiculties — In 1788, time from Lachine to Freder- icksburg — Waiting for batteaux — Extracts from a journal, traveling in 1811 — From Kingston to Montreal — The expenses — The Sdienectady boats — Trade between Alban}-^ and Cataraqui — The Durham boat- Duncan — Description of flat-bottomed boat by " Murray " — Statement of Finkle — Trading — Batteaux in 1812 — Rate of traveling — The change in fifty years — Time from Albany to Bay Quinte — Instances — Lo.yalists traveling in winter — Route — Wiilsbury wilderness — TaiTyingat Corn- wall — The " French Train " — Traveling along north shore of Ontario — Indian path — Horseback — Individual owners of batteaux — Around Bay Quinte — The Last regular batteaux — In 1819 — "Lines" from magazine 135 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIY zHi The first Vessel— The French— La Scallc— The Griftbn— Vessels in 1770— During the Rebellion — Building at Carleton Island — Captain Andrews The Ontario — Col. Burton — Loss of the Ontario — The Shcehan.s — Hills — Givins' — Murncj^'s Point — Schooner ' Speedy ' — Mohawk — Missis- sauga — Duke of Kent — Capt. Bouchette — Paxton — McKenzie — Richardson — Earle Steele — Fortiche — The Governor Sinicoe — Sloop ' Elizabeth ' — First vessel built at York — Collins' Report upon Navigating the Lakes — Navy in Upper Canada, 1795 — Rochfoucault — Capt. Bouchette — Officers' Pay — York, the centre of the Naval Force — Gun Boats — The Loss of the " Speedy" — Reckoner — Dr. Strachan — Solicitor-Gen. Gray — Canada took the "lead in building Vessels — First Canadian Merchant Vessel — The York — A Schooner on runners round the Falls — Sending Coals to Newcastle — Upon Bay Quinte — The Out- skirts of Civilization — "The Prince Edward" built of Red Cedar — In 1812- Schooner " Mary Ann"— 1817— Capt. Matthews 147 DIVISION III. THE LOYALISTS AS PIONEERS THE ORIGINAL SURVEY. CHAPTER XV. Major Gen. Holland — Surveying on* Atlantic Coa.st — An adherent of the Crown — Removal to Montreal — Death — Major Holland — InformatioR " Maple Leaves " — Holland Farm — Tache — First Canadian Poem — Head Quarters of Gen. Montgomery — Hospitality — Duke of Kent — Spencer Grange — Holland Tree — Graves — Epitaphs — Surveyor Wash- ington — County Surveyor — Surve3'ors after the War — First Survey in Upper Canada — Commenced in 1781 — The Mode pursued — Information in Crown Lands Department — The Nine Townships upon the St. Lawrence — At the close of the Wai* — Non-Professional Surveyors — Thomas Sherwood — Assisting to Settle — Surveying around the Bay Quinte — Bongard — Deputy-Surveyor Collins — First Survey at Fron- tenac — Town Reserve — Size of Township — Mistakes — Kottye — Tuffy — Capt. Grass — Capt. Muniey — Surveying in Winter — Planting Posts — Result — Litigation — Losing Land — A Newspaper Lettei* — Magis- trates — Landholders — Their Son's Lawyers — Alleged Filching — Spec- ulators at Seat of Government — Grave Charges — Width of Lots — Mode of Surveying — Number of Concessions — Cross Roads — Survej'. ors Orders — Numbering the Lots — Surveying around the Bay — The ten Townships — Their Lands — The Surveying Party — A Singer — State- ment of G ourlay 154 CHAPTER XVI. The term Concession — First Concession of Land in Canada — The Carignan Regiment — Seigniories — Disproportion of the sexes — Females sent from France — Their appearance — Settling them — Marriage allowance — The last seigniory — New Longeuil — Seigniory at Frontenac — Grants to refugees — Officers and men — Scale of granting — Free of expense — Squatting — Disbanded soldiers — Remote regions — A wise and benefi- cent policy — Impostors — Very young officers — Wholesale granting of XIV CONTENTS. PAGE land — Republicans coming over — Covetous — False pretensions — Gov- ernment had to discriminate — Rules and regxilations — Family lands — Bounty — Ctrtiticatcs — Selling claims — Rear concessions — Transfer of location ticket — Land board — Tardiness in obtaining titles to real estate — Transfer by bond — ^Jobbing — Sir \Vm. Pulleucy — AVasbiugton — Giving lands to favorites — Reserves — Evil results — The Family Compact — Extract from Playtcr — Extract from Lord Durham — From Gomlay — Recompense to Loyalists — Rations — Mode of drawing land — Land agent — Broken front — Traitor Arnold — Tyendinaga 164 CHAPTER XYII. Lines — Western Settlement, 1TS3 — Population — Settlement upon St. Law- rence and Baj- — Number, 1784 — Proclamation to Loyalists — Society disturbed — Two kinds of Loyalists — St. Lawrence and Bay favorable for settlement — Government provisions — State of the Loyalists — Serv- ing out rations — Clothes — Utensils for clearing and fencing — The axe — Furniture — Attacking a last enemy — Tents — Waiting for their lots — '• Bees " — Size of dwellings — Mode of building — Exchanging work — Bedsteads — Clearing — Fireing trees — Ignorance of pioneer life — Disposing of the wood — No beast of burden — Logging — Determina- tion — All settlers on a common ground — ^Additional refugees — Advance — Simcoe's proclamation, 1792 — Conditions of grants — The response — Later settlers — Questionable Lovalists — Yankees longins for Canada —Loyalty in 1812 ". T. . T 181 DIVISION IV. THE FIRST YEARS OF TPPER CAXAD.V. CHAPTER XVIII. Father Picquet — Provision of Forts in Upper Canada just before conquest — Frontenac — Milk — Brandy — Toronto — The several forts — Detroit — British garrisons — Grasping rebels — Efforts to starve out Loyalists in Canada — Worse treated than the Acadians — Efforts to secure Fur Trade — The frontier forts — Americans' conduct to Indians — Result — Conduct of British Government — Rations for three years — Grinding by hand — '• Hominy blocks "' — " Plumping mill "' — The women — Sol- dier fanners — The Hessians — Suffering — The " Scarce Year" — Charge against the Commissariat officers — Famine — Cry for bread — Instances of suflering — Starving children — No salt — Fish — Game — Eating young grain — Begging bran — A common sorrow — Providential escapes — Eating buds and leaves — Deaths — Primitive fishing — Catching salmon — Going 125 miles to mill — Disconsolate families — 1789 — Partial relief — First beef slaughtered in Upper Canada — First log barn — ^A "Bee."' what they ate and drank — Tea introduced — Statements of Sheriff Sherwood — Roger Botes — Jolin Parrott — Col. Clark — Squirrel swimming Niagara — Maple sugar — How it was made — Women assist- ing — Made dishes of food — Pumpkin loaf — Extract from Roi hcfoucault 1795 — Quality of grain raised — Quinte Bay — Cultivation — Corn exported — The grain dealers — Price of flour — Pork — Profits of the merchants 191 CONTENTS. XV CHAPTER XIX. PAGE KingBton Mills — Action of Government — The IMillwvight — Situation of the first Mill — Why Selected — The Machineiy — Put up by Loyalists — No Toll — Only Mill for thie? years — Going to Mill, 1784 — The Napanee Mill — Commenced 1785 — Robert Clarke — And old Book — -'Appenea" Falls — Price of certain articles — 'W^hat Rum cost, and was used for — The Mill opened 1787 — Sergt.-Major Clarke in charge — Indian Corn — Small Toll — Surveyor C ollins in charge — Becomes the property of R. Cartwright, 1702 — Ilcbuilt — Origin of Napanee — Price of Butter, 1788 — Mills at Four Mile Creek, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Grand River — Mills on the St. Lawrence — The Stone Mills — YanAlstine — Lake of the Mountain — 1790 — Natural Beauty, vemus LTtility — The Mill — Van Alstine's Death — Wind ilill — ilyers Mill — ilill at "Con.secon 206 "t::^*"","^'-,^- ' W/45.-^ CHAPTER XX. Clothing — Domestic and Farming Implements — Style of Dress eighty years ago — Clothing of the Refuges — Disbanded Soldiers — No Fresh Supply Indian Garments of Skin — Deevskin Pants — Petticoats — Bed Coverings — Cultivating Flax — Sheep — Home-mode Clothes — Rude Implements — Fulling — French Mode — Lindsay Woolsey — The Spinning-wheel — Young men Selecting Wives — Bees — Marriage Portion — Every FaiTaer his own Tanner and Shoemaker — Fashions — How odd hours were spent — Home-made Shoes — What Blankets were made of — Primitive Bed- stead — Nakedness — Bridal Apparel — No Saddles — Kingston and Newark — Little Money — Bartering — Merchants from Albany — Unable to buy — Credit with Merchants — The Results — Itinerant Mechanics — Amer- icans — Become Canadians — An old Stone-mason — Wooden Dishes — Making Spoons — Other Hardships — Indians Friendly — Effects of Alcohol upon the Missis.saugas — Groundless Panic — Drunken Indians — Women, defending Themselves — An erroneous Statement about Indian Massacre in " Dominion Monthly Magazine " — Statement of an Old Settler. Sherwood — Wild Beasts — Few Fire-aims — Narrow Es- capes — Depredations at Night — Destroying Stock — An Act of Parlia- ment — " A traveller's Statement — The Day of Small Things — Settlers Contented — The Extent of their Ambition — Reward of Inilustry— Po- pulation in 1803 — Importations — Money — The Youth 211 CHAPTER :s:xi. Sweat of the brow — No beast of burden — No stock — Except by a few — Horses and oxen — From Lower Canada — York State — Late comers, brought some — No fodder — First stock in Adolphustown — Incidents — Cock and hens — " Tipler" — Cattle driving — First cow in Thurlow — First house in Marysburgh — The first oxen — No market for butter and cheese — Sheep — Rev. Mr. Stuart, as an Agriculturist — Horses at Nap. anee — An ofter for a yoke of steers 220 CHAPTER XXII. Old channels of trade, and travel — Art and science — New channels — The wildei-ness — Loyalists Travelling on foot, from Kingston to York — Formation of roads — Act of parliament — 1 793 — Its provisions — Crooked roads — Foot-path — Bridle-path — King's highway from Lower Canada — When surveyed — Road from Kingston westward — Its course — Simcoe's military road — Dundas street — Asa Danforth — Contract with gov- ernment — Road from Kingston to Ancaster — Danforth road — 1799 — Misunderstandings — Danforth's pamphlets — Slow improvement — XVI CONTENTS. PAGE Cause — Extract from Gourlay — Thomas Marklaud's rtijort — Ferries — 1796 — Acts of parliament — Statute labor — Money grants — Commis- sioners — Midland district — Distribition — The Cataraqiii Bridge Com- pany — The petitioners — An act — The provisions — The plan of build- ing — The bridge — Toll — Completing the bridge — Improvements of roads — McAdam — Declines a knighthood 224 CHAPTER XXIII. Ode to Canada — Eai-ly events — First English child in America, 1587 — In New England— First French child, 1621 — First in Upper Canada, 1783 — In Prince Edward — Adolphustowu — Ameliasburgh — North of the Eideau — Indian marriage ceremony — Difficulty among first settlers to get clergymen — First marriage in America, 1608 — First in New Eng- land, 1621 — First in Canada, 1G21 — Marriageable folks — No one to tie the matrimonial knot — Only one clergyman — Officers marrying — Magistrates empowered — Legislation, 1793 — Its provision — Making valid certain marriages — Further Legislation, 1798 — In 1818 — 1821 — 1831 — Clergymen of all denominations permitted to marry — Methodist ministers — ^Marriage license, 1814 — Five persons appointed to issue — A noticeable matter — Statements of Bates — Mode of courting in the woods — Newcastle wedding expeditions — Weapons of defence — Ladies- dresses — The lover's "rig" — A wedding ring — Paying the magistrate —A good corn .basket — Going to weddings — " Bitters '' — Old folks stay at home — The dance, several nights — Marriage outfit — Frontier life — Morals in Upper Canada — Absence of irregularities — Exceptional instances — Unable to get married, Peter and Polly — A singular witness — Eev, Mr. Stuart — LanghoiTi — McDowell — How to adorn the bride — What she wore — A wedding in 1808 — On horseback — The guests — The wedding — The banquet — The game of forfeits — The night — Second day wedding — The young folks on horseback — Terpischorean — An elope- ment by canoe — The Squire — The chase — The lovers successful — The Squires who married 232 CHAPTER XXIV. t Burying places — How selected — Family burying place — For the neighbor- hood — The Dutc4i — Upon the Hudson — Bay Quintc — A sacred spot to the Loyalists — Ashes to ashes — Primitive mode of burial — The coffin — At the grave — The father's remarks — Return to labor — French Bury- ing-place at Frontenac — Its site — U. E. Loyalists' burying place at Kingston — The " U. E. burying-ground,'' Adolphustown — Worthy sires of Canada's sons — Decav — Neglect of illustrious dead — Repair wanted — Oldest burying-ground in Prince Edward — Ross Place — At East Lake — Upon the Rose farm — " Tlie Dutch burying-ground "' — Second growth trees — In Sophiasburgh — Cronk farm — In Sidney — Rude tomb stone.s — Burial-place of Captain Myers — Reflections — Dust to dust — In Thurlow — "Taylor burying-ground" — The first person buried — Lieut. Ferguson — An aged female — Her work done — Wheels stand still 243 CONTENTS. XVU DIVISION V. THE EARLY CLERGYMEN AND CHURCHES. CHAPTER XXV. PAGE French missionaries — First in 1615 — RecoUets — With Champlain — .Jesuits, in 1625 — Valuable reccnds — Bishopric of Quebec, 1674 — First Bishop of Canada, Laval — Rivalry — Power of Jesuits — Number of missiona- ries — Their "relations" — First mission field; Bay Quinte region — " Antient mission '' — How founded — First missionaries — Kleus, Abbe D'Urfe — La Salle to build a church — The ornaments and sacred vessela — The site of the "Chappel" uncertain — Bald Bluff, Carrying Place — Silver crosses — Mission at Georgian Bay — The "Christian Islands" — Chapel at'Michilmicinac, 1679 — The natives attracted — Subjects of the French King — Francois Picquet — La Presentation — Soegasti — The most important mission — The object — Six Nations — The missionary's living — "Disagreeable expostulations" — Putting stomach in order — Trout — Picquet's mode of teaching Indians — The same afterwards adopted by Rev. W. Case — Picquet's success — Picquet on a voyage — At Fort Toronto — Mississaugas' request — Picquet's reply — A slander — At Niagara, Oswego — At Frontenac — Grand reception — Return to La Presentation — Picquet in the last French war — Returns to France — By Mississippi — "Apostles of Peace" — Unseemly strife — Last of the Jesuits in Canada 24;* CHAPTER XXVI. First church in New York, 1633 — First Dominie, Rev. Eveiardus Rogar- dus — The Dutch, Huguenots, Pilgrims — Transporting ministers and churches — First Rector of New York, Wm. Vesey — Henr}' Barclay, 1746 — First Catholic Bishop in.America, 1789 — Episcopalian Bishop, 1796 — Moral state of Pioneers in Canada — Religion — No ministers — No striking immorality — Feared God and honored their King — The Fath- ers of Upper Canada— Religious views — A hundred years ago — " Ca- rousing and Dancing " — Rev. Dr. John Ogilvie - First Protestant clergyman in Canada — Chaplain, 1759, at Niagara — A Missionary Suc- cessor of Dr. Barclay, New York — Death, 1774 — Rev. John Doughty A Graduate ordained — At Peekskill — Schenectady — A Loyalist— A Prisoner — -To Canada — Chaplain — To England — Returns — Missionary Resigns — Rev Dr. John Stuart — First clergyman to settle. — His memoir —The " Father of the U. C. Church " — Mission work — The five nations — The Dutch — Rev. Mr. Freeman — Translator — Rev. Mr. Andrews Rev. Mr. Spencer Woodbridge, Howley — New England missionaries — Rev. Dr. Whelock — ^The Indian converts — The London society — Rev. Mr. Inglis — John Stuart selected missionary — A native of Penn- sylvania — Irish descent — A graduate, Phil. Coll. — Joins Church of England — To England — Ordination — Holy Orders, 1770 — Enters upon his work 255 CHAPTER XXVII. At Fort Hunter — JTr. Stuart's first sermon, Christma.s — Officiates in Indian tongue — Translates — The rebellion — Prayers for the King — The John- son.s — Rebels attack his house — Plunder — Indignity — Church desecra- ted — Used as a stable — A barrel of rum — Arrested — Ordered to come before rebel commissioners — On Parole — Limits — Idle two years — To Albany — Phil — Determines to remove to Canada — Not secure — Ex- ZSUt CONTJiNTJ!!. PAOa changing — Securit}' — Real estate forfeited — Route — Negroes — The journey, three weeks — At St. John's — Charge of Public School — Chap- lain — At the close of the war — Three Protestant Parishes — Determines to settle at Cataraqui — Chaplain to Qarrison — Missionary — Bishop of Virginia, Dr. Griffith — Visits Mr. Stuart — Invitation to Virgina declin- ed — "Rivetted prejudices," satisfied — "The only refuge clergymen " — Path of duty — Visits the settlements, 1784 — Mohawks, Grand river — Reception of their old pastor — First church — Mohawks, Bay of Quinte — Remains in Montreal a year^Assistant — Removes to Cataraqui, 1785, — His land — Number of houses in Kingston — A short cut to Lake Huron^Fortunatc in land — 5000 settlers — Poor and hfippy — Indus- trious— Around his Parish, 1788— Two hundred miles long— By batteau — Brant— New Oswego — Mohawk village church,steeple,and bell — First in Upper Canada — Plate — Organ — Furniture — Returns— At Niagara-^ Old.pJirishioners — Tempted to move — Comfortable, not rich — Declines a judgeship —New Mecklenburgh— Appointed Chaplain to first House of Assembly — Mohawk Mission — At. Mai ysburgh— Degree of D.D. — Prosperity — Happy — Decline of life— His duties — Illness, Death, 1811 — His appearance—" The little gentleman" — His manners — Honorable ' title— His children— Rev. O'Kill Stuart, 260 CHAPTER XXVIII.' A Missionary — Chaplain at Niagara — Pastors to the settler-s — Chaplain to Legislature — Visits Grand river — Officiates — A land speculator — Re- ceives a pension, £50 — 1823 — Rev. Mr. Pollard — At Amherstburgh— Mr. Langhoru — -A missionary — Little education — Useful — Odd — On Bay Quinte in Ernesttown — Builds a church — At Adolphustown — Preaches at Hagerman's — Another church — A diligent pastor— Pioneer preacher around the bay — Christening — Marrying — Particular — His ap- pointments — Clerk's Fees — Generosity — Present to bride — Faithful to-'-^* sick calls — Frozen feet — No stockings — Shoe buckles — Dress — Books '"^ — Peculiarities — Fond of the water — Charitable — War of 1812 — Deter- mined to leave Canada — Thinks it doomed — Singular notice — Returns to Europe— His library — Present to Kingston — Twenty years in Canada — Extract from Gazette — No one immediately to take his place— Rev. John Bethune — Died 1815 — Native of Scotland — U. E. Loyalists — Lost Property — Chaplain to 84th Regiment — A Presbyterian — Second Legal Clergymen in Upper Canada — Settled at Cornwall — Children — The Baptists — Wyner — Turner — Holts Wiem — Baptists upon river Moira — First Chapel — How built — Places of preaching — Hayden's Corners — At East Lake — The Lutherans — Rev. Schwerdfeger — Lutheran settlers — County Dundas — First church east of Kingston — Rev. Mr. Myers lived in Marysburgh — Marriage — His log church — Re- moves to St. Lawrence — Resigns — To Philadelphia — Mr. Weant — Lives in Ernesttown — Removes to Matilda — Not supported — Secretly joins the English church — Re-ordained — His society ignorant — Sus- picious — Preaching in shirt sleeves — Mr. Myers' return, by sleigh — Locking church door — The thirty-nine articles — Compromise — Mr. Myprs continues three years a Lutheran — He secedes — The end of both seceders — Rev. I. L. Senderling — Rev. Herman Hayunga — Rev. Mr. Shorts — Last Lutheran minister at Ernesttown, McCarty — Married 267 CHAPTER XXIX. Bishop Strachan — A teacher — A preacher — A student — Holy Orders — A Presbyterian — Becomes an Episcopalian — A supporter of the " Family compact" — Sincere — His opinion of the people — Ignorant — Unprepared for self-government — Strachan's religious chart — He was deceived — 1 CONTENTS, XIX PAOK The Methodists — Anomalous connection — 4 fillibustering people-r-. . Republicanism egotistical — Loyalty of the Methodists — Amevican. ministers — Dr. Strachan's position — His birth place— His education—" A.M., 1793— Studying Theology — Comes to Canada — A student of I)c,^y Stuart's — Ordained Deacon — A missionary at Cornwall — Rector at York^j^ — Archdeacon— Bishop of Toronto — Coadjutor — Death— A public burialji,, Rev, Mr. McDowell — First Presbyterian at Bay Quinte — Invited by . VanAlstiue — On his way — At Brockville — Settles in a second town — His circuit — A worthy minister — Fulfilling his mission — Traveling on foot — To Yorlv — Marrying the people — His death — His descendants^-^ . Places of preaching — A Calvinist — Invites controversy — Mr. Coate. accepts the challenge — The disputation — Excitement — :The ,result-r- Rev. Mr. Smart — Called by Mr. McDowell — Pres. clergyman at Brock- ville — Fifty years — An earnest Christian — A desire to write — " Obser- ver" — A pioueex"-^A cause of regret— Not extreme— Mr. Smart's views on politics — The masses uneducated— The " Family Compacf'^Rise of responsible, government— The Bidwell's — Credit to Dr. Strachan — Brock's funeral sermon — Foundation of Kingston gaol — Maitland — Demonstration — Sherwood's statement 273 CHAPTER XXX. The Quakers — Among the Settlers— From Penn — Duchess County — First , Meeting-house — David Sand — Elijah Hick — Visiting Ca,uada- — James Noxen — A first settler — Their mode of worship — In Sophiasburg — The. ., meeting-house — Joseph Leavens — :Hicksites— -Traveling — Death, agec^;.], 92 — Extract, Picton Sun— The first preaching places — First Englislij, church — ;In private houses — ,At Sandwich — The Indian church at ^^{i bay— Ernesttown— First Methodist church — Preaching at Niagara— j^j First church in Kingston — At Waterloo — At Niagara — Churches a,t,'.,^ Kingston, 1817 — In Hallowell — Thurlow — Methodist meeting-houses, ^,', 1816 — At Montreal — Building chapels in olden times — Occupying th^.^^ frame — -The old Methodist chapels— In Hallowell township — In th&cx fifth town — St. Lawrence— First English Church, Belleville—Mr. • Campbell— First time in the pulpit — How he got out — The old church superseded — Church, front of Sidney — Rev. John Cochrane — Rev. Mr. Grier — First Presbyterian Church in Belleville — Rev. Mr. Ketcham — First Methodist Church in Belleville — Healey, Puffer — The site of the church — A second one 279 CHAPTER XXXI. The first Methodist Preachers — The army — Capt. Webb— Tuffey— George Neal — Lyons — School-teacher — Exhorter— McCarty— Persecution — Bigotry — Vagabonds — McCarty arrested — Trial — At Kingston- Banished — " A martyr"— Doubtful — Losee, first Methodist missionary, 1790 — A minister — A loyalist— Where he firSt preached — " A curiosity" — Earnest pioneer Methodist — Class-meetings — Suitable for all classes ^y. Losee's class-meetings — Determines to build a meeting-house — Built ift' Adolphustown — Its size — The subscribers — Members, amount— Em.-,) p bury — Those who subscribed for first church in New York— Same names — The centenary of Methodism — New York Methodists driven away — American Methodist forgetful — Embury and Heck refugees — Ashgrove — No credit given to British officers — Embury's brother — The rigging loft, N. Y. — Barbara Heck — Settling in Augusta — First Methodist Church in America — Subscribers — " Lost Chapters" — The Author's silence — What is acknowledged — " Severe threats" — Mr. Mann — To Nova Scotia — Mr. Whateley " admires piety" — Not " loyalty" — Second XX CONTENTS. PAGE chapel, N. Y. — Adolpluistowu subscribers — C/Ourad Van Dusen — Elia. Roblin — Huff — Ruttan — The second Methodist chapel — The subscribers — Commenced May, 1795 — Carpenter's wages — Members Cataraqui Circuit — Going to Conference — Returns — Darias Dunham — Physician — First quarterly meeting — Anecdotes — Bringing a " dish cloth" — " Clean up" — The new made squire — Asses — Unclean spirits — Losee discon- tinues preaching — Cause — Disapjiointment — Return to New York — Dunham useful — Settles — Preachers travelliDg — Saddle-bags — Method, ism among loyalists — Camp-meetings — Where first held in Canada — Worshipping in the woods — Breaking up — Killing the Devil — First Canadian preacher — .Journey from New York 285 Henry Ryan — Ryanites — He comes to Canada — His associate, Case — At Kingston — A singer — Preaching in the market-place — Their treatment — In office — His circuit — 1000 miles — What he received — Elder — Superseded — Probable cause — A British subject — During the war of 1812 — President of Conference — " High-minded " — Useful — Acceptable * to the people — Desired independence by the Canadians — How he was treated — His labors — Brave — Witty — " Fatherless children " — " Impu- dent scoundrel "' — Muscular — " Methodists' bull " — " Magistrate's goat " — ll)'an seeks separation — Breckenridge — Conduct of the American Conference — Ryan's agitation — Effect upon the Bishojjs — First Canada Conferenee — At Hallowell — Desire for independence — Reasons, cogent — Fruit of Ryan's doings — The way ,the Conference treated Ryan — Withdraws — No faith in the United States Conference — Ryan sincere — " Canadian Weslej-ans " — The motives of the United States Confer- ence questionable — "The wrong done Ryan — Second Canada Conference — Case, first Superintendent — Visit of Bishop Asbury — Account by Henry Boehm — Asbury an Englishman— During the rebellion — A Bishop — His journey to Canada — Crossing the St. Lawrence — Travel- ing in Canada— An upset — " A decent people " — His opinion of the country — The Bishop ill — At Kingston — Boehm at Embury's — A field meeting — Riding all night — Crossing to Sackett's harbor — Nearly wrecked 295 CHAPTER XXXII. McDonnell — First R. Catholic Bishop — -A "Memorandum" — Birth-place — in Spain — A priest — In Scotland — Glengary Fencibles — Ireland, 1798 — To Canada — Bishop — Death in Scotland — Body removed to Canada — Funeral obsequies— Buried at Kingston — Had influence — Member of Canadian Legislative Council — Pastoral visitations, 1806 — A loyal man — A pioneer in his church — The Bishop's Address, i>36 — Refuting Mal-charges — Number of the R. C. clergy in 1804 — From Lake Supe- rior to Lower Canada — Traveling horseback — Son !• times on foot — Hardships — Not a politician— Expending private means — Faithful services — -Acknowledged — Roman Catholic U. E. Loyalists — First church in Ernesttown — McDonnell at Belleville — R' \ . M. Brennan — First church in Belleville — Wbat we have aimed at The advantages to the English Church — The Reserves — In Lower Cii'iada — Dr. Moun- tain — Number of English clergymen, 179.3 — A Bishop — Monopoly initiated — Intolerance and exclusion swept away— An early habit at Divine Service 303 CHAPTER XXXIII. First Sabbath teaching — Hannah Bell, 1769 — School established, 1781 — Raikcs — Wesley— First in United States — First in Canada — Cattrick — JToon- -Common in 1824 — First in Belleville — TurnbuU^-Cooper — CONTENTS. XXI PAGE Marshall — Prizes, who won them — Mr. Turnlmirs death — Intemperance — First temperance societies — Change of custom — Rum — Increasing in- temperance — The tastes of the pioneers — Temperance, not tcetotalisni First society in Canada — Drinks at raisings and bees — Society at Hal- lowel 308 CHAPTER XXXIV. The Six Nations— Faithful English Allies — Society for Propagation of Gospel — First missionary to Iroquois — John Thomas, first convert — Visit of Chiefs to England — Their names — Their portraits — Attention to them — Asking for instructor — Queen Anne — Communion Service— During the Rebellion — Burying the plate — Recovered — Division of the articles — Sacrilege of the Rebels — Re-printing Prayer Book — Mr. Stuart, missionary — The women and children — At Lachine — Attachment to Mr. Stuart — Touching instance — Mr. Stuart's Indian sister — Church at Tyendinaga — School teacher to the Mohawk — John Bininger — First teacher — The Bininger family — The Moravian Society — Count Zinzen- dorf — ^Moravian church at New York — First minister, Abraham Binin- ger — Friend of Embury — An old account book — John Bininger jour- neying to Canada — Living at Bay Quinte — Removes to Mohawk village — Missionary spirit — Abraham Bininger's letters — The directions — Children pleasing parents — " Galloping thoughts " — Christianity — Canadian Moravian missionaries — Moravian loyalists — What was sent from New York — " Best Treasure " — The " Dear Flock " — David Zies- hager at the Thames -J. Bininger acceptable to Mohawk — Abraham Bininger desires to visit Canada — Death of Mrs. Bininger— " Tender mother " — Bininger and Wesley — " Garitson " — " Losee " — '= Dunon " — Reconciled to Methodists— Pitying Losce — Losee leaving Canada — Ceases to be teacher — Appointing a successor — William Bell — The salary The Mohawks don't attend school — An improvement — The cattle may not go in School-house — The school discontinued 312 CHAPTER XXXV. The first Church at Tyendinaga grows old — A Council — Ask for assistance — Gov. Bagot — Laying first stone of new Church — The Inscription — The Ceremony — The new Church — Their Singing — The surrounding Scenery — John Hall's Tomb — Pagan Indians — Red Jacket — His Speech —Reflection upon Christians — Indians had nothing to do with murdering the Saviour 319 CHAPTER XXXVI. Mississauga Indians — Father Picquet's opinion^Remnant of a large tribe — Their land — Sold to Government — Rev. Wm. Case — John Sunday — A di-unkard — Peter Jones — Baptising Indians — At a camp-meeting — Their department — Extract from Playter — William Beaver — Conver- sions — Jacob Peter — Severe upon white christians — Their worship — The Father of Canadian missions — Scheme to teach Indians — Grape Island — Leasing Islands^The parties — " Dated at Belleville " — Con- structing a village — The lumber — How obtained — Encamping on Grape Island — The method of instruction — The number — Agriculture — Their singing — School house — The teacher — Instructions of women — Miss • Barnes — Property of Indians — Cost of improvements — A visit to Gov- ernment — Asking for land— " Big Island " — Other favors— Peter Jacobs at New York — Extracts from Playter — Number of Indian converts, 1829 — River Credit Indians — Indians removed to Alnwick 325 , ZXII CONTENTS. DIVISION VI. KAULY EDUCATION IN UPPER CANADA. CHAPTER XXXVII. PAGB Education among the Loyalists — Effect of the war— No opportunity for Education — A few Educated — At Bath — A common belief — What was requisite for farming — Learning at home — The school teachers — Their qualifications — Rev. Mr. Stuart as a teacher — Academy at Kingston — First Canadian D. D. — Mr. Clark, Teacher, 1786 — Donevan — Garri.son Schools — Cockerell — Myers — Blaney — Michael — Atkins — Kingston, 1795— Lyons - Mrs. Cranahan — In Adolphustown — Mordeh — Faulki- ner — The school books — Evening schools — McDougall — O'Reiley — McCormick — Flogging — Salisbury — James — Potter — Wright — Watkin — Gibson — Smith — Whelan — Articles of Agreement — Recollections — Boarding round — American teachers — School books — The letter Z ... 329 CHAPTER XXXVIII. Mr. Stuart's school — Simcoe — State Church and College — Grammar schools — Hon. R. Hamilton — Chalmers — Strachan — Comes to Canada — Edu- cational history — Arrival at Kingston — The pupils — Fees — Removes to Cornwall — Pupils follow — Strachan, a Canadian — Marries — Interview with Bishop Strachan — His disappointment — A stranger — What he forsook — 300 pupils — Their success — Stay at Cornwall — Appointments at York — A lecturer — At Kingston — Member of Legislative Coimcil — Politician — Clergy Reserves — Founds King's College — The thirty-nine articles — Monopoly swept away — Voluntaryism — Founds Trinity Col- lege — Bishop Strachan in 1866 — What he had accomplished — Those he tutored — Setting up a high standard — " Reckoner " — Sincerity — Legis- lation, 1797 — Address to the King — Grammar Schools — Grant, 1798 — Board of Education — Endowment of King's College — Its constitution — Changes — Upper Canada College — Endowment — " A spirit of im- provement " — Gourlay — The second academy — At Ernesttown — The trustees — Bidwell — Charges — Contradicted — Rival school — Bidwell's Son — Conspicuous character — Bidwell's death — Son removes to Toronto — Academy building, a barrack — Literaiy spirit of Bath — Never re- vived — York 334 CHAPTER XXXIX. Extract from Cooper — Educational institutions — Kingston — Queen's College — Own's Real Estate — Regiopolis College — Roman Catholic — Grammar School — Attendance — ^School houses — Library — Separate School — Priv- ate Schools — The Quaker School — William Penn — Upon the Hudson — Near Bromfield — Origin of school— Gurnay — His offer — Management of school — The teaching — Mrs Crombie's school — Piction ladies' Academy — McMullen, proprietor — Teachers — Gentlemen's department — Popular — The art of printing — In America — Book publishing — First in Amer- ica—Books among the loyalists— Few — Passed around — Ferguson's books — The bible — Libraries at Kingston and Bath — Legislation — In Lower Canada — Reading room at Hallowell — Reserves for education — Upper Canada in respect to education — Praiseworthy — Common School system bill introduced 1841— Amended, 1846 — Dr. Ryerson's system — Unsurpassed 341 CONTENTS. Ixni CHAPTER XL. First Newspapers, 1457 — Tear, 66 — English Newspapers — In America — In Canada — 'Gazette' — Founder — Papers in 1753 — Ouebec 'Herald' — Montreal ' Gazette ' — ' Le Temps ' — Quebec ' Mercury ' — Canadian ' Courant' — ' Royal Gazette '—First in Newfoundland — ' U. C. Gazette ' — Frst paper — Subscribers — Upper Canada ' Guardian ' — Wilcox — Mr. Thorpe — Opposition — Libel — Elected to Parliament — York Jail — Leader — In 1812 — Deserted — York 'Gazette' — Kingston 'Gazette'— Only Paper — News sixty years ago — In Midland District — Rev. Mr. Miles— Pioneer of Journalism — His Birthplace — Learns the printing bnsiness — Mower ^Montreal ' Gazette ' — Kendall — Partnership — To Kingston in 1810 — The printing office — Kingston ' Gazette ' — Mr. Miles sells out. — The concern purchased — Mr. Miles asked to be Editor— Their kindness — Gratitude — Second Volume — Extract from ' Gazette ' — The Price — Kingston 'Chronicle' — Upper Canada 'Herald' — ' Canadian Watchman' — Mr. Miles at Prescott — Returns to Kingston —Enters the Ministry— Loyr.l Subject — In 1812 — On Duty — Arch- deacon Stuart — Col. Cartwright — Contributors to 'Gazette' — Our Thanks — A Watch — Faithfulness — " A Good Chance " — Subscribers at York — Kingston 'Spectator' — 'Patriot' — 'Argus' — 'Commercial Ad- vertizer' — 'British Whig' — ' Chronicle ' and 'News' — First Daily in LTpper Canada — Paper Boxes — Brookville ' Recorder ' — A Reform paper — ^McLeod— Grenville 'Gazette' — Prescott 'Telegraph' — ' Christian Guardian ' — Reform Journals 350 CHAPTER XLI; Q First paper between Kingston and York — Hallowell "Free Press" — The Editor — "Recluse" — Fruitless efforts — Proprietor — Wooden press — Of iron — "Free Press," independent — The "Traveller" — Press removed to Cobourg — " Prince Edward Gazette " — " Picton Gazette " — " Picton Sun" — "Picton Times" — "New Nation" — "Cobourg Star" — "Anglo- Canadian " at Belleville— The Editor— Price — The " Phoenix "— Slicer — "Canadian Wesleyan " — "Hastings Times" — The "Reformer"-— The "Intelligencer'' — George Benjamin — The "Victoria Chronicle" — "Hastings Chronicle" — Extract from Playter — "Colonial Advocate" — "Upper Canada Herald" — "Barker's Magazine" — "Victoria Maga- zine" — Joseph Wilson — Mrs. Moodie — Sheriff Moodie — Pioneer in Canadian literature — Extract from Morgan — "Literary Garland" — " Roughing it in the Bush" — " Eclectic Magazine " — " Wilson's Expe- riment " — " Wilson's Canada Casket" — The " Bee " at Napanee — "Em- porium" — The " Standard " — The " Reformer" — " North American" — "Ledger" — " Weekly Express" — " Christian Casket" — " Trenton Ad- Tocate "^—" British Ensign" — The " Canadian Gem" — " Maple Leaf " — Papers in 1853 — Canadian papers superior to American — Death at Boston — Berczy — Canadian idioms — Accent — Good English — Supersti- tion-^Home education — Fireside stories — Traditions 368 XXiV CONTENTS. DIVISION VII. THE TEKBITORY OF UPPER CANADA THE BAY QUINT E. CHAPTER XLII. PAGB The Indians — Their origin — Pre-historic Canada — Indian relics — Original inhabitants — Les Iroquois du nord — Original names — Peninsula of Upper Canada — Champlain exploring — Ascends the Ottawa — His route to Lalve Nipissing — To Lake Huron — French river — The country — Georgian Bay — Lake Simcoe — Down the Trent — A grand trip — Bay Quinte and Lake Ontario discoA'cred — War demonstration — "Wintering at the Bay — A contrast — Roundabout way — Erroneous impressions . . . 366 CHAPTER XLIII. Name — Letter, " Daily News" — "Omega" Lines — The writer — Conjectures — Five Bays — Indian origin — Kentcs — Villages — Les Couis — Modes of spelling — Canty — The occupants, 1783 — Mississaugas — Origin — With the Iroquois — The Soiiter — Mississaugas, dark — At Kingston — Baj- Quinte — Land bought — Reserves — Claim upon the islands — Wappoose Island — Indian agent — Indians hunting — Up the Sagonaska — Making sugar — Peaceable — To Kingston for presents 374 CHAPTER XLIV. Ai)pearance — Mouth of Ba}- — Length — The Peninsula of Prince Edward — Width of Bay — Long Reach — Coui-se of Bay — The High Shore — Division of bay — Eastern, central, w-estern — Taking a trip — Through the Reach — A picture — A qiiiet spot — Lake on the mountain — A description — Montreal Gazette — Beautiful view — Rhine, Hudson — Contrast — Classic ground — A sketch — Birth place of celebrated Canadians — Hagerman — A leading spirit — Sir J. A. McDonald — Reflections — A log house — Relics of the past — Lesson of life — In the lower baj' — Reminiscences — The front — Cradle of the province — Shore of Marysburgh — In the Western Bay — G'uthbertson — Up the bay — A battle ground — Devil's Hill — In the depths — Prosperity — Geological supposition — Head of bay —The past ". 383 CHAPTER XLY. The " Big Bay " — Musketoe Bay — Mohawk Bay — Hay Bay — " Eastern Bay" — Site of Ancient Kentes — The name — Old Families — An Accident, 1819 — Eighteen Drowned — Extract from Playter — Searching for the Bodies — Burying the dead — Pictou Bay — Appearance — The " Grand Bay" — Upper Gap — Lower Gap — Kingston Bay — A Picture — Recollec- tions — A Contract — Ship Yards — Extract from Cooper — Inland Lakes. 395 Islands — Possessed by Indians — The " Thousand Islands " — Carleton Is- land — History of Island — During the rebellion — Wolfe Island — The name — Howe Island — Old name — County of Ontiirio — Garden Island — Horseshoe Island — Sir Jeffry Amherst — The size — Indian name — " Tontine " — .Johnson's Island — The Island won — Present owner — First settler — The three brothers — Small Islands — Hare Island — Nut Island — Wappoose Island — Indian rendezvous — Captain John's Island — Bartering — Hunger Island — Big Island — first settlers — Huff's Island — Paul Huff — Grape Island — Hog Island — Smaller Islands — Mississauga Island — A tradition — The carrying place — Its course — Original survey — History — American prisoners — Col Wilkins 402 CONTENTS. XXV DIVISION VIII. THE FIRST TEN TOWNSHIPS IN THE MIDLAND DISTRICT. CHAPTER XL VI. PAGH The French — Their policy — Trading posts — Cahiaqne — Variations — Name of river — Foundation of Fort Frontcnac — A change — Site of old fort — La Salle's petition — A Seignior)- — Governors visiting — War Expedition — Fort destroyed — Rebuilt — Colonial wars — Taking of Fort Oswego — Frontenac taken — End of French domination ; 410 CHAPTER XL VII. Cooper's Essay — Loyalists naming places — King's Town — Queen's Town — Niagara — Spanish names — Cataraqui from 1759 to 1783 — Desolation— The rebellion — Station, Carleton Island — Settling — Refugees at New York — Michael Grass — Prisoner at Cataraqui — From New York to Canada — Captain Grass takes possession of first township — First land- holders — A letter by Captain Grass — Changes — Surveying foits and harbors — Report to Lord Dorchester — Kingston, versus Carleton Island — The defenses — Troops — King's township — First settlers — " Plan of township No. 1 " — First owners of town lots — Names — Settlers upon the front — First inhabitants of Kingston — A naval and militaiy station The Commodore — Living of old — Kingston in last century — New for- tifications *, 419 CHAPTER XL VIII. The situation of Kingston — Under military influence — Monopolist — Early history of legislation — In 1810 — Gourlay's statement — Police — Modern Kingston — Lord Sydenham — Seat of government — Perambulating — Surrounding country — Provisions — An appeal for Kingston as capital — Barriefield — Pittsburg — Building of small crafts — Famous — Roads — Waterloo — Cemetry — Portsmouth — Kingston Mill — Little Cataraqui — Collinsby — Quantity of land — Early and influential inhabitants — Post masters — "Honorable men" — Deacon, Macaulay, Cartwright, Markland, Cummings, Smiths, Kerby — Allen McLean, first lawyer — A gardener — Sheriff McLean — " Chrys " Hagerman — Customs — Sampson, shooting a smuggler — Hagerman, M.P.P. — Removes to Toronto 430 CHAPTER XLIX. The second town — Ernest's town — King George — His children — Settlers of Ernesttown — Disbanded soldierts — Johnson's regiment — Major Rogers' corps — The " Roll " — Number — By whom enlisted — An old book — Townsliip surveyed — Settling — Traveling — Living in tents — A change — Oflicers — Names — Occupants of lots — Mill Creek — Tne descendants — Quality of land — Village — The settlers in 1811 — The main road — In- corporation of Bath — Trading — Fairfield — The library — Bath by Gour- lay — Bath of the present — Bath versus Napanee — In 1812 — American Fleet — Wonderful achievement— Safe distance from shore — Third town- ship — Fredcricksburgh — After Duke of Sussex — Surveyed by Kotte — A promise to the disbanded soldiers — Johnson — Fredericksburgh addi- tional — A dispute — Quantity of land — Extract from Mrs. Mooclie — Re- serve for village — Second surveys 439 jy^Vl CONTJENTS. CHAPTER L. PAGE The fourth township — Adolphustown — After Duke of Cambridge — Quantity of Land — Survey — Major VanAlstine — Refugees — From New York — — Time — Voyage — Their Fare — Names — Arrived — Hagerman's Point — In Tents— First Settler— Town Plot— Death— The Burial— A Relic- Commissary — Dispute of Surveyors — The Settlers — All things in com- mon — An aged man — Golden rule — Old map — Names — Islands — The township — Price of land — First " town meeting ■' — Mimites— The Of- ficers Record — Inhabitants, 1794 — Up to 1824 — First "Magistrates. — Centre of Canada — Court Held in Barn — In Methodist Chapel — " A Den of Thieves " — Court House erected — Adolphustown Canadians— Mem- bers of Parliament — The Courts — Where first held-^Hagerman — Travel- ers tarrying at Adolphustown 448 CHAPTER LI. Marysbui-gh — Origin — Once part of a Seigniory — Survey— Hessians — Old map — The lots — Officers of the 84th Regt. — Original landowners — Indian Point — McDonnell's C!ove — Grog Bay — " Accommodating Bay'' — " Gammon Point" — Black River — " Long Point" — Reserves — Course pursued by the Surveyor — Number of Hessians — Their suft'crings — Dark tales — Discontented — Returning to Hesse — A suitable location — Not U. E. Loyalists — Received land gratis — Family land — Their habits — Capt. McDonnell — Squire Wright — Sergt. Harrison — The Smith's — Grant to Major VanAlstine — Beautiful Scenery — Smith's bay — " The Rock" — Over a precipice 458 CHAPTER LII. Sixth township — Name — Survey-— Convenient for settlement — First settlers — A remote township — What was paid for lots — " Late Loyalists" — Going to Mill — Geological formation — Along the fronts — High shore — Grassy Point — Its histor}- — Marsh front — Central plac^ — Stickney's Hill — Foster's Hill — Northport — Trade — James Cotter — Gores — Dem- erestville — The name — " Sodom" — First records — Township meetings — The Laws of the township — Divided into parishes — Town clerk — Officers — The poor — The committee — Inhabitants, 1824 — Fish Lake — Seventh Township — The name — Survey by Kotte — At the Carrying Place — Surveyor's assistant — No early records — First settlers 465 CHAPTER LIII. Prince Edward — The name — Rich land — Size of peninsula — Shape — Small Lakes — Sand hills — The Ducks — Gibson's rock — The past — First settler — Col. Young — Prospecting — Discovery of East Lake — West Lake — Moving in — Settlers in 1800 — East Lake — Capt. Richardson — " Prince Edward Division Bill" — Office seekers — Township of Hallowell — The name — Formation of Township — First records 1 798 — The officers — The laws — Magistrates — Picton — Its origin — Hallowell village — Dr. Austin — Gen. Picton — His monument — Naming the villages — A con- test — The Court house — An offer — Enterprise — Proposeed steamboat — Churches — Rev. Mr. Macaulav — Rev. Mr. Eraser — Rev. Mr. Lalor,. 476 CONTENTS. ;:?!W1 CHAPTER LIV. PA6B i^JS^ghth Township — Sidney — Name — Survey — Settlement, 1787 — Letter from Ferguson — Trading — Barter — Potatoes — Building — Cows — No salt to spare — First settlers — Myers — Ee-surveying — James Farley — Town Clerk at first meeting — William Ketcheson — Gilbert's Cove — Coming to the front — River Trent — Old names — Ferry— r-Bridge — Tien- ton — Its settlement — Squire Bleaker 485 CHAPTER LV. Ninth town — Thurlow — Name — When surveyed — Front — Indian burying ground — Owner of first lots — Chisholm — Singleton — Myers — Ferguson - Indian traders — To Kingston in batteau — Singleton's death — Ferguson's death — Distress of the families — Settled, 1789 — Ascending the Moira — Taking possession of land — Fifth concession — John Taylor — Founder of Belleville — Myers buying land — Settlers upon the front — Municipal record — Town officers — 1798 — Succeeding ye^enty-six of his men ; while most of the rest were almost dying, being, it is related, saved by the medical skill of the natives. In the Spring he returned to France, carrying with him several Indians. It was five years later before another visit was made to Canada, owing to the civil and religious wars existing in France. It was the cruel laws enacted and put in force at this time in France that expatriated so many noble Huguenots who were dispersed throughout Great Britain, Ireland, and afterward America, the blood of whom yet flows in the veins of many of the descendents of the loyal refugees from the rebelling States of America. In the Sammer of 1541 6 FAILURE TO COLONIZE. Cartier again set sail foi* the St. Lawrence. lie was to have been accompanied by one Jean Francois de la Eoque, a brave and faithful servant of the king, to whom had been conceded the privilege of raising a body of volunteers to form a permanent settlement upon the St. Lawrence. But unforseen difficulties prevented his sailing until the following year. In the meantime Cartier, to whom had been given command, with five shijis, had, after a tedious passage* reached Canada, and ascended to Quebec, The intending colonizers immediately Avent ashore and commenced the work of clearing the land for cultivation. The winter was passed in safety, but in the spring, tired of waiting for the CTOveruor, who ought to have fol- lowed him the year before, and discovering signs of hostility on the part of the savages, he determined to return to France. So he embarked all the men and set sail. Before he had reached the Atlantic, however, he met la Eoque, with some two hundred more colonists, who desired Cartier to i*eturn, but he continued his course to France. Jean Francois landed safely at Quebec. In the autumn he sent home two vessels for provisions for the following year, while he prepared to undergo the severity of the coming winter, a season that brought severe trials, with the death of fifty of his men. The following year he set out with seventy men to seek fresh discoveries up the river, but he was unsuccessful. France) again immersed in war, paid no attention to the request for succor in the New World, but ordered Cartier to bring back the Governor, whose presence as a soldier was desired. With him returned all the colonists. Thus the attempt to establish a settlement upon the St, Lawrence failed, not, however, through any want of courage^ or ability on the part of Cartier, the founder of Canada. The name thus immortalized and which disa2)peared from the history of Canada for many years, again occupies a j)lace. And, Sir George Etienne Cartier, of to-day, although not a lineal descendent of the first Cartier, holds a position of distinction ; and, as one who has assisted in effecting the Confederation of the provinces, his name will ever stand identified, as his great predecessor and name- sake, with the history of our Canada, In 1549, Jean Francois a second time, set out for Canada with his brother, and others, but they all perished on the way. This disaster prevented any further immediate attempt at settlement in Canada, The commencement of the seventeenth century found France again in a state suitable to encourage colonial enterprize, and she? CIIAMPLAIN — FOUNDATION OF QUEBEC. 7 in common with other European nations was directing her attention to the yet unexplored New World. At this time one Poni-Grav^, a merchant of St. Malo, conceived the idea of establishing a fur trade between Canada and France ; and to this end he connected himself with one Chauvin, a person of some influence at court, who succeeded in obtaining the appointment of governor to Canada, with a monopoly of the peltrj' traflic, These two adventurers, with a few" men, set out for Canada, but am-ived in a state of destitution. Chauvin died, Avhile the others were preserved alive by the kind- ness of the natives. Chauvin was succeeded by De Chastes^ Governor of Dieppe ; and Captain Samuel Champlain, who had distinguished himself as a naval oflftcer, was appointed to command an expedition about to proceed to the New World. The name of Champlain is indelibly fixed upon the pages of Canadian historj-. It was he who traversed trackless forests ascended the most rapid rivers, discovered the Lake of Ontario, by way of Bay Quinte, and gave his name to another lake. It was in 1603 that Champlain set out upon his voyage. He had but three small vessels, it is said, of no more than twelve or fifteen tons burden. He ascended as far as Sault St. Louis, and made careful observations. He prepared a chart, with which he returned to France. The king was well pleased with his report, and De Chaste having died, Grovernor de Monts succeeded him, to whom was granted, exclusively, the fur trade in Canada. But their operations were confined, ;it first, to Acadia, now Nova Scotia. In 1607 De Monts abandoned Acadia and directed his attention to Canada. Obtaining from the king a renewal of his pr.vileges, he appointed Champlain his lieutenant, whom he despatched v/ith two vessels- The party arrived at Stadacone, on the 3rd of July. The party commenced clearing land where the lower town of Quebec now stands, and erected cabins in which to live. Having detei'mined to make this the head-quarters of his establishment, he proceeded to build a fort. Thus was founded the ancient capital of Canada upon the G-ibraltar of America. The powers granted to Champlain were ample, whereby he was enabled to maintain order and enforce law. During the well nigh one hundred years that had passed away since Cartier attempted to colonize, great changes, it would seem, had taken place among the Indians. Altogether different tribes occupied the Laurentian valley ; and the former Indian villages of Stadoconportunity afforded. A force was sent to take Fort Oswego from the English, while John- son, a name to be mentioned hereafter, was despatched to attack Fort Frederick. The first great battle was fought in the Ohio valley, by General Braddock. Here the French gained a signal victory, with but a few men, and utterly put to rout their enemy. At Fort Ed- ward, the French, laider General Dieskau, were less successful in an encounter Avith Johnson, the French commander being taken prisoner. The close of the first year saw Forts Frederick, Niagara and Duquesne, still in the hands of the French, while bands of savages and Canadians traversed the British settlements, massacreing and burning all before them. The ensuing year witnessed more elaborate arrangements to con- tinue the war. France sent to Canada soldiers, provisions, war material and money; and, also, the Marquisde Montcalm was selected to take charge of the army. Montcalm had seen i-ervice, and with him came other ofticers likewise experienced. Proceeding to Montreal, he conferred with the Governor, and it was determined to form two principal camps, one at Ticonderoga, the other at Frontenac, and a battalion was despatclsed to Niagara. The British, at the same time, made extensive preparations, both in the colonies and at home, and the Earl of London was appointed generalissimo. It is a remarkable fact that Montcalm had from the first a fatal presentiment as to the issue of the war ; yet he, all the same, took every step that prudence and energy directed, to secure the success of his army. There was also a coolness between him and the Gover- 24 CANADIANS IN DISTRESS, BUT SUCCESSFUL. nor, who manifested a determination and energy worthy of him. It ■was tletermined that fresh attempts should be made to })Ossess Fort Oswego, and General Montcahn arrived at PVontenac for that pur- pose on the 29th of July. Upon the 11th August they reached Oswego and invested the Fort, which was obliged to surrender on the 14th, the commander, Colonel Mercer, having been killed. The Fort was razed to the ground. The Canadians then Avithdrew to their homes carrying the prisoners of war, and the guns of the Fort, and provisions with them. This was the principal event of this year. The Avinter saw the Canadians suffer from famine and small-pox. During the winter 1757-8, there was continued hostility, and in the following year Montcalm succeeded in taking Fort William Henry, after a siege of four days. Colonel Munroe commanded the Fort, and he trusted for support to General Webb, who failed to afford it, but instead sent a message to Munroe to retire, which note fell into the hands of Mont calm. Munroe on the morning of the 9th, displayed his flag of truce The events of this capitulation have ever been held in remembrance, because of the fearful massacre which the Indians made of the Eng- lish, who had surrendered, and who marched out without their arms, in full confidence in the integrity of the victorious besiegers. Stern history has cast no little blame upon Montcalm, for at least remissness of duty ; and the pen of historic fiction has found it a fruitful theme Avith Avhich to AveaA'e a story, and record thi"illing events. The ensuing Avinter was one of great privation to the Canadians; the harvest had failed ; and everything began to look dark indeed for the devoted French ; yet four years of Avar had given all the advantage to their arms. The continued ill-success of the British, caused them to raise increased numbers of men, so that by numerical force they might overwhelm the French. In the spring of 1758, 80,000 British combatants were ready to march. Wjiile such Avas the condition and Avar-like spirit which obtained upon the British side, a far different state of aftairs existed Avith the French. Success had so far attended the gallant feats undertaken l^y them. All along the lengthened border the foe had been defeated, or had gained but scant victory- Again, the Iroquois nation, impressed Avith the success thus obtained by the French, and gratified to have the Fort of Oswego, always unpleasent to them, destroyed, seemed inclined to take sides Avith them, certainly did not favor the English. But, Avhen so much has been said the extent of French poAver in America has been stated. Canada Avas no longer receiving support from France. The colonists had been weakened by continual Avarfare and repeated crop-failures. THE STRUGGLE. 25 But undeterred by the dark clouds that continued to thicken, the Canadians buckled on their arnior to fight till the very last. Says Montcalm to the Minister at home, " We shall fight and we shall bury ourselves, if need be, imder the ruins of the colony." Again the tide of war ebbed and flowed with fearful power. Carillon was made red with British blood, as vain endeavors Avere made to captm-e that French sti'ong hold. Against Louisburg, Cape Breton, Carillon, Lake Champlain, and Duquesne in the Ohio Valley, the English arrayed their fleets and armies. In the attack now made upon Louisbiirg, for the first time appears the name of Wolfe, who distinguished himself by scaling a rock, with a hundred men, which had hitherto been regai'ded unaccessable. After a spirited defence, the French surren- dered the Fort, a perfect wreck, Jnly 26. About this time Cape Breton passed into British hands, and thus was opened to the English, the Fort of Quebec. In the mean time the attack upon Fort Carillon by General Abercromby, with a strong army, had proved a complete failure. The Fi'ench, although few, desperately met the repeated assaults made during half a day, and Abercromby, cut up and ashamed, was forced to relinquish the matter. This battle was fought July 8th) in which 3,600 men struggled successfully for six hours against 15,000 picked soldiers. (Garneau). De Levis, who had been in com- mand at Fort Frontenac, was called by Montcalm to take part in the defence of Carillon. This left Fort Frontenac comparatively weak, and Abercromb}', having learned the fact, despatched Colonel Bradstreet, who had taken an active part in the battle, to capture the Fort. Bradstreet set out with 3,000 men, 11 guns and mortars. The invading force reached its destination August 25. The Fort had been left with 70 men under the command of M. de Noyan, notwithstanding, the Fort was bravely defended for a time. " The victors captured many cannons, quantities of small arms, boats of provisions and nine newly armed barques, — part of the trophies brought from Oswego when captured. After loading his barges to the waters-edge, Bradstreet released his prisoners on parole, burnt the Fort, also seven of the barks, and returned to his country." {Garneau.) This was a severe blow to the struggling Canadians. The Governor had ordered the farmers from the field, and all the savages he could command, to march to the assistance of Fort Frontenac ; but when the party reached Fort Presentation, (Ogdens- burg), it was learned that Frontenac was already destroyed. To add to the misfortune of the Fi-ench, the same autumn, General 26 THE SPRING OF 1759. Forbes, notwithstanding a part of his force had been previously defeated, secured the destruction of Fort Duquesne on the Ohio. This closed the engagements for the year 1748, and everything looked for the French, most discouraging. The winter was spent bj'' the English in preparing for a still more determined con. tinuation of the war; while the French wasted their energies in domestic dissention. The Governor M. de Vandreuil and Montcalm ceased not to quarrel, and to charge each other with incompetency* and even crimes. At the same time the means of the countrj' was absorbed by unpatriotic merchants, who availed themselves of the circumstances of the country to amass fortunes by illegal traffic in furs with the Indians. The Government at home, although informed by Montcalm that Canada would be conquered if help were not sent, took no step to assist the devoted Colonists, who, although disheartened Avere not disposed to surrender allegiance to their native countrj-, even when all but forsaken. The spring of 1759 beheld them standing to their arms with calm detei'mination, awaiting the onset of the foe. The British as in previous years prepared to invade Canada simultaneously at three different points. There was no fortress in the Lower St. Lawrence to obstruct their advance by water, so Quebec was the point at which, to the east, the attack would be made. A corps of 10,000 men commanded by General Wolfe, who we have seen, distinguished himself at the taking of Louisburg, prepared to ascend the St. Lawrence to invest the capital. Another force 12,000 strong under General Amherst, a name we shall have to speak of hereafter, was to pass bj' Lake Champlain to descend the Richeleu and to join Wolfe at Quebec. And a third force, under General Prideaux, with savages under Sir William Johnson, were to possess Fort Niagara,and then descend to the capture of Montreal. Opposed to the numerous and well appointed armies of invasion, there was, according to Garneau, all in all of Frenchmen, between the ages of 16 and 60, capable of bearing arms, but a little over 15,000. In the early sj^ring, one M. de Corbiere, ascended with the view of rebuilding Fort Froutenac. 300 men were also sent to repair and defend Niagara. But it soon was deemed expedient to recall them and to concentrate their forces. Every man from even the more remote j)arts, presented himself to the nearest place of rendezvous. In the latter part of May, word came that the enemies ships were coming. WOLFE BEFORE QUEBEC. 27 The events conuected with the ov^erthrow of French supremacy in Canada cannot fail to impress the student of Canadian history. The capture of Quebec, and, as an inevitable result, the con- quest of Canada are events of great interest ; but the space cannot be allowed here to more than refer to the thrilling scenes of valor displayed by the victors and the vanquished. As Canadians of British origin we recognize the event as one not to be deplored, how- ever Franco-Canadians may regard the question. The conquest of Canada, was to add a new element to that of the British American which was destined to grow, and to act no mean part in respect to British interests in America,and Ave believe,ultimately to completely amalgamate with a portion of the older elements, and thus to beget a race, under Confederation, none the less noble, none the less stable, and none the less glorious, than that race (a prototype of this) — the Original Anglo-Saxon derived from the Norman, who came to England with William the Conqueror, as well as the Saxon elements. More than a hundred years have passed away since the fall of Quebec. The centenary anniversary of the event has been cele- brated with an amount of enthusiasm which probabl}^ Quebec never witnessed before. Since the American Revolution, when the French Canadians fought by the side of the American Loyalist to defend Quebec, the former have ceased to be a conquered people — Sequestrated from France, they have escaped all the horrors which have since swept over that people, while they have retained their language, religion, and laws. A hundred years has eradicated or rather changed all the feelings which burned so fervently in the French Canadian heart, except their love of Canada ; and they have joined heartily with the Anglo-Saxon to erect a joint monu- ment which commemorates at once the heroism of "Wolfe, and the gallantry of Montcalm. Although the forces invading under "Wolfe, exceeded in num- ber those who defended the citadel, yet, the greatest heroism was displayed in its taking. The British fleet of " 20 ships of the line with frigates and smaller war vessels," and transports, reached the Isle of Orleans, June 25, where the land force disembarked and proceeded deliberately te invest the stronghold, finding a more difficult task than had been expected. Repeated attempts and assaults were made with the result of showing Wolfe how strong was the position his youthful ardor would fain secure. Not alone was he baffled thus, but a severe illness j^rostrated him to death's 28 UPON THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM. door, whose portals were so soon to be opened to him, by another means. In his moments of discouragement he had written home in a spirit not calculated to attbrd hope. The plan which resulted in success, it is said was suggested by his three faithful CTeaerals? Monkton, Townshend and Murray. The night before the 13th of September, 1759, the day upon which Wolfe was to win imperishable laurels, and to lay down his life, he felt a presentiment that his end was near, and carefully ar- ranged all his worldly aflairs. On the evening of the l2tli he invited Captain John Davis (afterwards Admiral, Earl St. Vinceuti, of the Porcupine sloop of war, to spend an hour or two on board the Suth- erland.'" Wolfe, in the course of their conversation, said that he knew he should not survive the morrow ; and when they Avere about to separate, he took from his bosom the picture of Louther and delivered it into the hands of his friend, whom he requested, should his fore- boding be fulfilled, to restore the pledge to the lady on his arrival in England." Having previously made disposition of his forces to prepare the way for the final attack, and, as well in some instances, to deceive the enemy as to his intentions, Wolfe finally, at one o'clock, upon the morning of the 13th September, set out in flat bottomed boats to make his landing at Fuller's Cove, thereafter to be called after himself. The night was dark, and other circumstances being favorable the landing was safely eifected, the heights ascended, and at the break of day Montcalm learned with the utmost astonish- ment that the enemy was upon the heights of Abraham in battle array. Montcalm hastened to drive away the venturesome foe, but this was not to be accomplished ; a few hours brought a realization of his early presentiment. After a spirited struggle the French were to be seen running, the announcement of which made Wolfe die happy; and, Montcalm was wounded unto death. He died on the 14th. The defeat of Montcalm secured the capture of Quebec, yet it was not until the 18th September that the city surrendered, and French writers would make it appear that even then it were not necessary. The command of the French army after the death of Montcalm devolved upon Gen. de Levis, who had been absent up the St. Law- rence. He returned to Montreal only in time to hear of Mont- calm's defeat. He hastened to the rescue of the beleaguered city, but he reached the vicinity, not until Quebec had passed into the hands of the British. CAPTURE OF FORT NIAGARA. 29 During the time these exciting scenes liad been transpiring at Quebec, Gen. Amherst had been confronting Boulamaque, upon the shores of Lake Champlain ; whom he had compelled to return, and to destroy Fort Frederick and to retire to Isle AuxNois. In the west, at Niagara Gen. Prideaux and Sir \Vm. Johnson had been successful in taking the Fort from Pouchot. By this, Lake Ontario with its northern shore, as well as the region of the Bay of Quinte came into the possession of the British. The expedition to capture Fort Niagara, taken at the urgent request of the Governor of New York, was under the command of General Prideaux. The attacking party landed at Four Mile Creek almost four miles east of the Fort, on the 6th July, 1^9. Fort ^/-^^ Niagara was garrisoned by 486 men according to Pouchot, the French commander, but according to English statements 600. General Prideaux forces numbered, according to Capt. de Lancy, 1,200, and 1,000 Indians, as said by Sir William Johnson. Pouchot discovered their approach the following day. " He despatched couriers to Presque Isle, to Fort Machault, at the mouth of French Creek, Pa., and to the commander of the Fort at the " Carrying Place " for assistance. Eeinforcements were sent, numbering about 600 French, and 100 Indians. They resembled when passing down the rapids, " a floating island, so black was the river with batteaux and canoes." They landed a few miles above the falls and pro- ceeded to LeWiston and thence to relieve Pouchot. In the mean time the siege had been pressed with vigor. Prideaux, the English General, had been killed and the command had devolved on Sir W. Johnson. The English learned of the approach of the reinforce- ments, and Captain James de Lancy was despatched to a position in ambuscade above the present site of Youngstown. The French discovering the English in ambush, made an impetuous attack upon them, but the English withstood the assault, and eventually turned the tide against the enemy, who were put to flight, 200 being killed, and 100 taken prisoners. Pouchot learned of the disaster about two o'clock; and, two hours after Sir W. Johnson demanded a surrender. That same evening, or on the following morning he com- plied ; but he has stated that he would not have done so had it not been for the mutiny of the Germans who formed a 2>art of the garrison. On the 26th the garrison left the fort to be transported to New York. Thus was the power of the French broken in the west, and the English became masters of the key to the North- west. 30 SURRENDER OP CANADA. The following spring Gen. de Levis determined to make an eflfort to retake Quebec, and upon the 28th of April, the plains of Abraham were again red with blood, and the British, under Gen. Murray, were compelled to seek safety within the walls of the city, where they were besieged until the 9th, when a British frigate arrived and gave succor. On the 14th July Gen. Murray, with a large sailing force, commenced the ascent of the St. Lawrence. At the same time Gen. Amherst, with a considerable force was commencing a descent from Oswego. The two were thus advancing toward Montreal, each subduing on the way such forts and garrisons as were deemed of sufficient importance. By the first of September, the city of the Eoyal Mountain, containing the wreck of the French army was encompassed on either hand. The Governor, upon the night of the 6th, held a council of war, at which it was determined to capitulate. The celebrated act was signed on the 8th September, 1760, and the same day the English took possession of the city. Thus Canada passed into the possession of the British. The terms of capitula- tion were more favoi'able to the French than they had any reason to expect, and those terms have ever been fulfilled. The Governor, Gen. de Levis, the officers, and a large number of men, women and children returned to France. At the time of the taking of Montreal, there remained at Detroit some three or four hundred families. This Fort and others ai'ound the lakes yet held b}^ the French were surrendered to Major Rogers, a person again to be spoken of The population according to the Governor, left of French origin, was 70,000. The Canadians who did not return to France repaired to their homes and renewed their peaceful avocations. The first British Governor, Sir Jeffry Amherst, entered upon his functions 1763. We have now very cursorily indeed, noticed the history of the French Canadians up to the time they became British subjects. We have seen they did not willingly become such ; yet scarcely fifteen years were to pass away before their loyalty to the British flag was to be tested ; not indeed to decide whether they should again become a part of France, rather than remain British, but whether their condition as British subjects was so intolerable that they should seek other protection of a foreign origin. We shall see that although promises were held out of great political advantage they preferred to remain as they were. There THE FRENCH IN AMERICA. 31 remained in the hearts of the Canadian French, not bo much a dis- like to England as a detestation to the New Englander. Hence it was that when the rebel banner was unfurled in 1776, with the declaration of Ameritjan Independence upon it, no Canadian rallied around it. Although commissioners from the rebel congress visited them with honied words and fair promises, they received no friendly welcome. The Canadians regarded their old enemies as enemies still, and they tuimed their backs upon the revolting provinces and their faces toward old England for protection. The commissioners to the Canadians, composed of Dr. Benj. Franklin, Samuel Chase and Charles Carrol, with his brother, a Jesuit Priest were appointed to this mission, on the 15th Februar}', 1776. The same Fi-anklin who now offered the French " freedom," had urged upon the British in 1753 the expediency of reducing Canada ! ! For a century and a half France endeavored in vain to erect a poAver in America ; but shall we say that it was all in vain ? The monument although broken, so far as France is concerned yet stands a lasting memorial of French energy, of religious feiwor, stern determination, and indomitable valor. And, when the wave of revolution passed over the thirteen British Colonies, the column was conspicuous enough to be seen by refugees ; the protection Canada offered was sufficient for the homeless families of U. E. Loj-alists. Canada was a sacred spot, although French, It constituted a nucleus, ai'ound which collected those who preferred order to rebellion. Those who had fought as opponents at Duquesne, at Niagai-a, at Frontenac, at Tyconderoga, and upon the Plains of Abraham, were joined together. The heel, which had assisted to crush the Canadian French, now sought and found a resting place among those who had been overcome. Thus was to be laid the foundation of the Dominion of Canada, whose future is to be great. Stretching from seaboard to seaboard, it is destined to become, ere it has reached the present age of the United States, the Eussia of America, with the purest principles of government the world has ever known. We now approach the period of time when another element of discord was to appear among the races which inhabited America. Bloody Indian wars had in the past swept back and forth across the woody land. Eival colonizers had resorted to strife, to extend territorial power. European weapons had been transported to wage wars of extermination. Conquest and subjugation of Indians and rivals had been witnessed ; but now Eebellion, a term that has 32 REBELLION OP 1776. received fresh significance in the hito civil war in the United States, was to be initiated. The British blood and money which had been lavishly spent for the Anglo-Americans, had only prepared those colonists to seek other advantages. The Indians hold in sub- jection, the Fi-ench conquered, the mother country itself must now be coerced to give full rein to the spoiled and wayward offspring. DIYISIO]SI I. THE REBELLION OF 177G— THE THIRTEEN COLONIES. OHAPTEE III. Contents : — First American Rebellion — Independence — Traitors made Heroes — Loyalists driven away to found auotlier Colony — The responsibility of rebelling — Treatment of the Loyalists — The several Colonies — The first Englishman in America — Receives £10 — English Colonization — Virginia — Convicts — Extent of Virginia — First Governor — Virginians not willing to rebel — Quota supplied to the rebel army — New York — Hudson — The Dutch — New Netherlands — Price of New Amsterdam (New York) — First Legisla- tive Assembly — Not quick to rebel— Quota of rebel troops — Gave many settlers to Upper Canada — New Jersey — Its settlement — A battle ground — Gave rebel troops ; also loyal troops — Furnished settlers to Upper Canada — Massachusetts — Captain Smith — New England Puritans — The " Mayflower" — First Governor — Cruel treatment of Indians — Massachusetts takes the lead in rebelling — Troops — Loyalists — New Hampshire — Troops — Delaware — Settlement — Quota of rebel troops — Connecticut — Education — Troops — Roman Catholics — Toleration — Rhode Island — Providence — Inconsistency of the Puritans — Roger Williams — North Carolina — Inhabitants — South Carolina — Many loyalists — Pennsylvania — William Peun — Conduct toward Indians — The people opposed to rebellion — Georgia — Oglethorpe — Policy of England — New England. In the introductory chapters a brief sketch has been given of the settlement of America. We now approach the important events which belong to the first groat American rebellion, which culminated in the Declaration of Independence by the thirteen British American Colonies, and terminated in the recognition of their independence by the parent State. The rebellion had resulted in a revolution, and traitors were made heroes ! THE THIRTEEN COLONIES. 33 It forms a part of tlie present undertaking to record some of the facts relative to the steps by which the now powerful United States were, as a whole, ushered into the arena of nations, and by which a large class of Americans, true to their British allegiance, were com- pelled to leave their native country to found another colony in the northern wilderness. To be justified in rebelling against the consti- tuted authorities there must be the most cogent reasons ; to take up arms against the State — to initiate a civil war, is assuming the most fearful consequences. To present even a brief account of the cii-cumstances which led to the settlement of Upper Canada, it becomes necessary to dwell for a time upon the great rebellion of 1776, the result of which was ad- verse to those Amei'icans who adhered to the old flag under which they had been born, had come to the new world, and had prospered ; a rebellion which was attended and followed by persecution and vio- lence, imprisonment and confiscation, banishment, and, too often, death; which caused a stream of refugee loyalists to set in toward the wilderness of Canada. At the time of the rebellion of the English colonists in America, they consisted of thirteen provinces. Massachusetts, with her colony of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. It may be well to briefly notice these several states, and the part each took in the war for In- dependence. The first Englishman to set foot upon the continent of America was John Cabot, who discovered Newfoundland, and probably the adjacent mainland, June 4, 1497. The event is noticed in the Privy Purse expenditure thus : "1497, Aug. 10 — To hym that found the new Isle, £10," wiiich seems to have been a grant for his services. VIRGINIA. In the year 1578, Sir H. Gilbert endeavoured to establish a set- tlement at the mouth of the Roanoke. Failing in his undertaking, his half brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, made a similar effort the foUow- iug year, which likewise failed. It was Sir Walter Raleigh who gave the name to Virginia, in honor of Elizabeth, the virgin Queen. A third and successful effort was made to colonize in 1607-8, at James- town. This dates the commencement of English colonization of America. Some time later, America was looked upon as a country 34 VIRGINIA — NEW YORK. quite beyond the pale of civilization, even as Botany Bay was at a still later period; and in the year 1621, the British Government transported to Virginia 100 cDnvicts. But notwithstanding, "Vir- ginia," to use the words of Morse's Geography, " the birth-place of "Washington, has given six Presidents to the Union." The colony of Virginia was originally indefinite in its boundary; and, judging from old maps, it would seem to have included all of North America. But a map dated 1614 shows the more northern part as New England. I'he first Governor of Virginia entered upon his duties in 1619. This State was by no means quick to sever the connection with the mother country. Many of her sons stood up for the crown, and very many families became refugees. Washington said of Virginia, in a letter, that " the people of Virginia will come reluctantly into the idea of independence." But in time, by the specious representations of Washington and others, the State produced a certain number of rebels. The quota demanded by the rebel congress was 48,522. She supplied, in 17V6, 6,181 ; and afterwards 20,491. NEW YORK. In the year 1609 Hendrick Hudson, an Englishman, in the employ of Holland, first explored the great river running through New York State, which now bears his name. He, on behalf of the Dutch took j)ossession of the country. Settlement first took place in 1614, and b}" 1620, a considerable colony \^as planted. The island of Manhatten, where now stands New York City, was honestly purchased of the Indians for twenty-four dollars. The village thus founded was called New Amsterdam, and the colony was designated New Netherlands. Having been taken by the English in 1674, the name of the ten-itory was changed to New York, after James, Duke of York, brother to Charles II. The first Legislative Assembl}^ for this Province, met in New York, 17th October, 1683, just one hundred years before Upper Canada began to be settled. The State of New York was not among the foremost in rebelling. The Dutch element which prevailed, was not given to change. Some of the most exciting events and battles of the war were enacted in this State. Eight royally did the people take up arms against the rebels and drive Washington from Manhatten. Batta- lions and regiments were repeatedl}' raised and organized in this State. The vallejs of the Mohsiwk and Hudson became historic NEW JERSEY — MASSACHUSETTS. 35 grounds. Here was witnessed the ignoble failure of Burgoj'ne's Campaign, which was the commencement of the decline of British power; and the City of Xew York was the last ground of the States occupied by British troops, until the war of 1813. New York furnished troops for the rebel cause, in 1775, 2,075 ; in 1776, 3,629 ; and subsequently 12,077. Of all the States, New York gave the largest number of pioneers to Upper Canada. NEW JERSEY. < New Jersey was settled in 1620 by the Dutch and Swedes. Having been taken by the English, it was given by Charles 11. to the Duke of York. Eetaken by the Dutch in 1673, it was bought by Wm. Penn and his friends. At one time it was divided into East Jersey and West Jersey, East Jersey belonging to Penn. In 1702 the two Jersies were united under one government, and received the name of Keiv Jersey. Upon the grounds of this State were fought some of the most decisive battles of the war. Of the Eebel troops Jersey supplied in 1676, 3,193. The quota requii^d afterwards was 11,S96 — ot which she granted 7,534. But Jersey also gave a large number of Eoyal troops. New Jersey furnished a good many settlers to Upper Canada, of whom one of the most distinguished is the Eyerson family. Many of the settlers along the bay retain interesting traditions of their Jersey ancestry. >L.\SSACHUSETTS. The territory of this State was originally discovered by the Cabots in 1497, and visited by Capt. John Smith in 1614, by whom it was said to have been named New England. It consisted of the present States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Ehode Island, Connec- ticut, and Massachusetts. In 1620, upon 22nd December, the Puritan Fathei's landed upon the Plymouth Eock, some 30 miles from Boston, and planted the first of the New England States. The " Mayflower," by which they had traversed the Atlantic was only 180 tons burden. She sailed from Southhampton with 102 emigrants. Half of this number died from cold and hardship the first year. They selected for their first Elder one John Carner, who as chief officer had great control. He has consequently been called the first Governor of New England. The territory had been granted by James I. to the "Plymouth Company." Although the 36 NEW HAMPSHIRE — DELAWARE — CONN. Puritans had left their homes because they did not enjoy their rights, they forgot the Golden Eule in their forest homes. They failed to remember that the Indian had rights. The untutored native thought he had a right to the soil, and as the Puritans? unlike Penn, were unwilling to recognize his rights, but undertook to appropriate the territory, there ensued bloody Indian wars. The Puritan revenged himself, and the native retalliated. So, for many years border massacres were common and terrible. Massachusetts with the other New England States, took the lead in rebellion, and by great pains succeeded in indoctrinating the midland and South'ern States. The first blood of the rebellion was shed in this State, at Lexington and Bunker Hill. The State supplied troops in 1775, 16,444 ; in 1776, 13,372. The quota subse- quently required was 52,728, of which 38,091 was furnished. But Massachusetts had not a few true-hearted loyalists of whom a considerable number became settlers in Upper Canada. At the evacuation of Boston " 1,100 retreated in a body with the Eoyal army. Altogether there left Massachusetts at least 2,000 United Empire Loyalists." The Colony of Maine also had a good many adherents of the crown — (Sabine.) NEW HAMPSHIRE. This Province was first colonized by emigrants from Hamp- shire, England, in 1623. Subsequently it was peopled by English from other parts, and by Scotch. New Hampshire supplied in 1775, 2,824 troops; in 1776, 3,012. Her quota was 10.194. Granted 6,653. We are at the same time assured by Sabine that New Hampshire had many and powerful opjDonents of rebellion. DELAWARE. Delaware was originally settled by Swedes and Finlanders in 1627. Became a jDart of New Netherlands in 1655, and in 1664 fell to the English. It was included in the grant of Wm. Penn in 1682. In 1701 it was erected into a colony for legislative purposes. She supplied rebel troops in 1776, 609. Her quota, fixed was 3,974. Supplied 1,778. CONNECTICUT. Connecticut was first occupied by emigrants in 1631. The Charter was granted by Charles II., which continued in existence until 1818, when it was superseded by the existing constitution. Connecticut " has uniformily been a nursery of educated men of MARYLAND — RHODE ISLAND. 37 every class " for the Union. And, it may be added, a number found their way to Upjoer Canada, as school teachers, subsequent to the Eevolution. And there was a certain number of the people of Con- necticut among the Loyalists. Sabine says a good many. This State furnished for the rebel war in 1775, 4,507; in 1776, 6,390. The quota fixed was 28,336, of which was given 21,142. MARYLAND. Maryland was granted to the second Lord Baltimore, a Eoman Catholic, by Queen Mary, in 1632 or 4. He colonized the Province with a company of Co-religionists of the higher class of English gentry. It was named after the English Queen, Henrietta Maria. " In 1649, it was made, as has been well said, < a land of sanctuary,' by the toleration of all religious denominations, but the Pm'itans, expelled from Virginia, made great trouble in the Colony." The State sujjplied troops in 1776, 637. Quota fixed by congress 26,608, of which she supplied 13,275. RHODE ISLAND. Massachusetts, planted by Puritans, Avho came to secure liberty of conscience, would not allow certain individuals in their midst to enjoy like religious liberty, and hence tlie foundation of Ehode Island. Providence, its original name, Ava? thus significantly called, because here the Baptists, under EQger Williams (oppressed by the Puritans cf Plymouth), found a providential asylum. This was in 1636. In how short a time (16 years) had the oppressed learned to act oppressively ! A charter was granted to Roger Williams in 1642. The govern- ment continued to exist imder this charter until 1842, a period of 200 years. Ehode Island gave troops to the number of 1,193 in 1775, and 798 in 1776. Quota demanded, 5,694 ; furnished 3,917. NOIJTH CAROLINA. This colony was planted in 1653 by the older colony of Virginia The colony at first included both North and South Carolina, which continued until 1693, when the south part was erected into a separate colony, under the name of South Caioliua. The inhabitants of North CaroUna consisted, in part, of refugees from England at the overthrow of the Stuarts. These mainly remained loyal to the croAni, and were destined to again become refugees. At the commencement of the 38 CAROLINA — PENNSYLVANIA. rebellion the people of this colony were about equally divided between the adherents of the crown, and the rebels. The loyalists were a devoted band. At the same time, the rebels — at least some of them — took extreme ste])S. They formally demanded a separation from Great Britain in May, 1775, fourteen months before the 4th July declaration of 1776. The State provided, in 1776, 1,134 rebel troops. The quota asked for was 23,994, but only 6,129 was granted. SOUTH CAKOLLNA. South Carolina was first settled in 1670. "The great body of the people were emigrants from Switzerland, Germany, France, Great Britain, and the northern colonies of America, and their descendants, and were opposed to a separation from the mother country ;" yet South Carolina furnished troops for the rebel- lion, in 1776, to the number of 2,069. Subsequently she gave 4,348 ; although her quota, as fixed by Congress, was 16,932. In this colony were many who could not see the justice of a rebellion. Yankee descendants may say they "bowed their necks to the yoke of colonial vassalage," but it was a wise spirit of conserva- tism which is expressed in the desire to " look before you leap." " Persons who had refused to enlist under the whig banner, flocked to the royal standard by hundreds." " Sir Henry Clinton informed the British Government that the whole State had submitted to the royal arms." This general attachment to the British crown made the rebels vindictive and bloodthirsty, and they sought to drive away the loyal and peacable by a vengeful shedding of blood. Consequently, the tories retaUated, and Chief Justice Marshall said, " the whigs seem determined to extirpate the tories, and the tories the whigs ; some thousands have fallen in this way in this quarter." " Being almost equally divided, reciprocal injuries had gradually sharpened their resentment against each other, and had armed neighbour against neighbour, until it became a war of extermination." Now, it is sub- mitted- that rebellion can hardly be justified when the people are so equally divided. Sabine remarks that " after the fall of Charleston, and until the peace, the tories were in the ascendant." r PENNSYLVANIA. This splendid colony was granted to "William Penn, the Quaker and philanthrophist,Avho was the son of Sir William Penn, an eminent English admiral. Sir William hcLl a claim against the British government for £16,000 ; and, some time after his death, his son SYLVANIA. 39 havinc: his attention directed to the new world, obtained, in lieu of that amount, the grant of land now forming this State. The charter was granted by Charles II. in 1681. Penn sought the new world to escape the ])ersecutions inflicted upon him at home. This he had brought uj)on himself, by freely expressing his decided sec- tarian views, and by writings, disseminating the teachings of George Fox, also by attacking the Established Church. He was repeatedly imprisoned in the Tower, and even in Newgate for six months. Penn, on procuring the grant of land, determined to make it "a home for his co-religionists, where they might preach and practice their con- victions in unmolested i)eace." To the territory he gave the name of Sylvania ; but afterwards King Charles insisted that Penn should be prefixed, making it Pennsylvania. Penn sailed from England, wath several friends, in August, 1682. On reaching America he found that some Swedes amd Finns had settled along the banks of the Del- aware. Although Penn had a charter by which he could possess the land, yet, as an European, he did not forget the original and rightful owners of the soil. Penn's conduct in tliis respect stands out in strik- ing conti-ast to the c.ourse pursued by the Puritans. It was on the 30th ISToveraber, 1682, that William Penn held his famous interview with the Indian tribes, when he effected a straightforward treaty with them, never to be broken or disturbed, so that he secured per- petual peace and respect. By this humane course with the Indians, and by encouraging emigration of all classes, securing to them the fullest liberty of conscience by a wise constitution, he succeeded, with his co-religionists, in building up a most flourishing colony. Subsequently the population was enlarged by numerous accessions from Scotland and Germany. The go^'ernment of Pennsylvania was proprietary, and continued such until the revolution swept away the charter, and made the chil- dren of "William Penn outcasts from the land they and their fathers had made fertile. At the time of the revolution, John Penn, son of Richard Penn, who was the grandson of William Penn, was 'the Gover- nor of the colony. He, with the masses of the people in the middle States, was opposed to the rebellion. It is said there were thousands of loyalists in this State who desired and offered to serve the crown, but whose services were lost through bungling by those in ofiice. Yet the State gave troops to the rebel cause ; 400 in 1775, and in the following year 5,519. The quota allotted was 40,416 ; granted, 19,689. 40 GEORGIA — NEW ENGLAND. GEORGIA. Tliis was the last of the thirteen colonies established. The founder was Oglethorpe, who effected a settlement in 1773, and who lived to see the colony a State. The colonists landed at Charleston in January, 1733. When the rebellion broke out, this colony was " justly regarded as highly loyal." She refused to send delegates to the first rebel congress ; "and that she was represented in the second was o\ving to the zeal of a native of Connecticut, Dr. Seymour Hall. It required time and labour to organize a party of * liberty men ' to complete the Confederacy." The number of troops supplied in 1775 was 350 ; the quota was fixed at 3,974, and there was supplied 2,328. The history of England between the periods when Virginia and Georgia, the oldest and youngest of the colonies that rebelled, were founded, was one of turmoil and strife, of religious contentions and civil war ; and the colonists cast off during this hundred years car- ried with them, across the Atlantic, heartfelt bitterness, and many of them no little passion for evil. Notwithstanding, we have seen that the Southern States, with Pennsylvania and New York, did not seek to divide their connection with the parent State. It was generally admitted that the j)olicy of England towards them " had been mild — perhaps liberal." But, as Ave have seen, New England, with a few malcontents in other states — envious office-seekers, managed to dissem- inate the principles of rebellion — principles that New England has quite forgotten in her treatment of the South. XEW ENGL^iXD. Of the aforementioned colonies, they all had received and had secured to then) [by charter, from an indulgent mother country, gov- ernnlents of the most liberal nature. Civil and religious liberty were fully enjoyed. Says Mr. Sabine : " Virtually, republican charters ; subject only to the appointment of a governor on the part of the Crown. Every colony was, practically, a State within itself ; and it is a suggestive fact tha.t the very earliest assertion of legislative sujie- riority on the part of the mother country only operated negativel}-, by forbidding every colony to make laws repugnant to those of England." Certain of the British colonies were, together, called " New England," and since the Independence they are known as the New England States. They consist of Ncvr Hampshire, Vermont, Massa- AMERICAN WRITERS. 41 chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine, which was then a colony of Massachusetts. This region was granted by James I. to the Plymouth Company in 1606. It was called North Virginia, but it was changed some years later, before it was actually settled. It was the people of these States to whom the term "Yankee" was ori- ginally applied ; and now, in the United States, this epithet is used solely in reference to these States ; biit in Canada and England the word is api^lied very generally to all Americans. The origin of the word Yankee is probably traceable to the Indian appellation " Yengee,'''' for English, or Anglais, after tiie French. CHAPTEE IV. Contents : — American Writers — Sabine — Loyalists had no time to waste — Inde- pendence not sought at first — Adams — Franklin — Jay — Jefferson — Washing- ton — Madison — The British Government — Ingratitude of the Colonists — Taxation — Smugglers — Crown Officers — Persistance — Superciliousness — Contest between Old England and New England. It is most refreshing to one who has been accustomed to see American school books, and even religious American tracts thickly strewn with the most fulsome self-praise, and wordy accounts of Bri- tish tyi-anny, and of American purity and valor ; to read the si:)eeches, and listen to 4th of July orators, who, with distorted history and hifalutin panegyrics, have not ceased to wrajD their country in a blazing sheet of glory. After suffering all this, ad nausemn, it is most agreeable to read the Avritings of one American author upon the subject of their Independence, who can do some justice to tho Loyalists. Eeference is made to Lorenzo Sabine, the author of " Royalists of the American Revolution." Considering the prejudices Avhich exist throughout the United States against every thing British, and the over-weening vanity of the people in respect to the success which crowned their efforts to dismember the British Empire; it is a matter for grateful recognition that a native of New England should take up his pen to write redeeming words on behalf of the Loyalists Avhom they had been taught to stigmatize, to be read by his fellow countrymen. Living upon the borders. 42 WHAT THE PEOPLE WISHED. beyond which he could see the settled refugees working out their destiny, under adverse circumstances, and laying the foundation of a nation, he took up his pen, while the Upper Canadians were yet Btruggling with the forest, and without time to gather up the records of their wrongs, their losses, their persecutions, and more than all, the malicious charges against them ; and hurl them back at their traducers. On behalf of those Avho will accept the writer as a representative of the United Empire Loyalists, he thanks Lorenzo Sabine, for what he has said. He has said nothing but the substantial truth in our favor, and in saying that, he has said very much. In his prefatory remarks, after referring to their deficiency of know- ledge of the " Tories " he says . " The reason is obvious. Men who, like the Loyalists, separate themselves fi*om their friends and kindi-ed, who are driven from their homes, who surrender the hopes and expectations of life, and who become outlaws, wanderers, and exiles, — such men leave few memorials behind them. Their papers are scattei'ed and lost, and their very names pass from human recollections." Before considering the question, whether the American colonies were justified in taking an extreme step ; it is most necessary to state that, at the first there wei-e but an insignificant number of the colonists who held the belief that armed rebellion was demanded. Even among those who, with no mild-toned language denounced the mother country for enacting laws oppressive to the commerce and industry of the Americans, no one Avas found to advocate sejiaration ; on the contrary to use the words of Sabine " The denial that inde- pendence was the final object, was constant and general. To obtain concessions and preserve the connection with England, Avas affirmed everyAvhere ; and John Adams, years after the peace, went fui-ther than this, for he said ' There ivas not a moment during the Revolution, tchen I would not have given everything I possessed for a restoration to the state of things before the contest began, 2>rovided we coidd have had a sufficient security for its continuance.' Again, Fi-anklin's testimony, a few days before the affair at Lexington, Avas, that he had " more than once travelled from one end of the continent to the other, and kept a A^ariety of company, eating, drinking, and conA'ersing Avith them freely, and never had heard in any convei'sation from any person drunk or sober, the least' expression of a ivish for separation, or a hint that such a thing would be advantageous to America.'"' Mr. Jay is quite as explicit. "During the course of my life and until the RELATION BETWEEN PARENT STATE AND COLONY. 43 second petition of Congress in 1775, I never did hear an American of any class, of any description, express a icish for the i7idependence of the colonies. It has always, and still is, my opinion and belief, that our country was pi'ompted and impelled to independence by necessity, and not by cJioice.'" Says Mr. Jefferson, " What, eastward of New York, might have been the dispositions toward England before the commencement of hostilities, I know not, but before that I never heard a whisper of a disposition to separate from Great Britain, and after that, its possibility was contemplated with affliction by all," "Washington, in 1774, sustained these declarations, and, in the " Fairfax County Eesolves " it was complained, that " malevolent falsehoods " were propagated by the ministry to prejudice the mind of the king ; particularly that there is an intention in the American colonies to set up for independent States ; and Washington expressed a wish that the " dispute might be left to posterity to detei-mine." Mr. Madison was not in public life until May, 1776, but he says, " It has always been my impression, that a re-establishment of the colonial relations to the parent count?'y, as they were previous to the controversy, was the real object of every class of the people, till the despair of obtaining it." The testimony of these Fathers of the Eepublic, cannot be impeached ; and, we must, therefore, seek for the cause of the rebellion in some other place. We have seen how the British colonics were planted. In connection with them, two leading influences may be discovered constantly at work, one of a personal nature ; the other referring to the State. Individuals would not sever the ties of homeship and brave the wide ocean, to expose themselves to the varied dangers of the wilderness, did they not have good reason to expect due returns. The Government would not aiford ships and means to send her sons to distant shores, unless the colony would become serviceable to the parent State. The British Government had enabled many a hardy son to lay the foundation for substantial wealth. More than all, the colonies of America had been assisted to put under their feet their French rival. For their benefit the Crown expected, and undertook to enforce some tribute. But the colonists would not recognize the right of the Crown to tax them for their labor. For all the British Government had done for the colonies, for all the money spent, she required that the colonists should be taxed. Laws were enacted, and officers and revenue collectors appointed to enforce the laws. It was required that these colonies should not trade, with- 44 SMUGGLING. ■ . out certain restrictions, with foreign nations ; but the merchants of Massachusetts, having tasted the sweets of unrestricted trade, were unwilling to pay revenue to the Crown, although trading under the protection of the British flag. And so it came that when royal collectors of customs were sent out; when men of war coasted the shores of Massachusetts to prevent smuggling, by Hancock and others, there was no disposition to submit to Imperial taxation, For years the law relating to revenue had been a dead letter almost, the smugglers having used hush money. But at last Government determined to put down illicit trade. It is true the colonies did not object Avithout a special plea, which was *' no taxa- tion without representation." But the real points at issue were, whether contraband commerce should continue and increase, or the Crown receive the dues demanded by law. "Nine-tenths probably, of all the tea, wine, fruit, sugar, and molasses, consumed in the colonies were smuggled. To put this down was the deter- mined jjurpose of the ministry. The commanders of the ships of war on the American station were accordingly commissioned as officers of the customs ; and, to quicken their zeal, they Avere to share in the proceeds of the confiscations ; the courts to decide upon the lawfulness of seizures, were to be composed of a single judge, without a jury, whose emoluments were to be derived from his own condemnations ; the Governors of the colonies and the military officers were to be rewarded for their activity by swear- ing also, either in the property condemned, or in the penalties annexed to the interdicted trade." And was not the Crown correct in enforcing laws intended for the public weal ? Had hostile fleets approached Boston harbour to invade, instead of smuggling crafts, freighted with luxuries, Avould not the colonist have called loudl}' for Imperial helji to protect ? But if the Government had the best of rights to enforce the laws, it certainly displayed much Avant of judgment in the mode adopted to carry out its demands. The foregoing, from Sabine, recalls to us at once the cause why resist- ance was strenuously made. The mode of paying their Crown officers Avas well calculated to kindle feelings of the most deter- mined opjiosition on the part of the illicit traders, such as John Hancock, John Langdon, Samuel Adams, William AYhipple, George Clymer, Stephen Hopkins, Francis Louis, Philip Livingston, Eldridge Gerry, Joseph Hcavcs, George Taylor, Eoger Sherman, Button Gurnett, and Eobert Morris, all signers of the declaration of independence, — all smugglers ! REAL CAUSE OF REBELLION. 45 And thus it came about. The Crown was determined to exact taxes, and ignorant of the feelings of tlie colonists ; and the colonists, grown rich by unrestricted trade — by smuggling, entered into a conti-act, which was only to end in dismemberment of the British Empire. Side issues ' were raised, cries of oppression shouted, the love of liberty invoked and epithets bandied ; but they were only for elfect,to inflame the public mind, of which there was much wavering. Of course, there were other things which assisted to ripen rebellion, at least were so represented, that they added to the growing discontent. Colonies, when they have become developed by age, and powerful by local circumstances, will natui'ally lose the intei'est which animates the subject at home. It is in the nature of things that the love of country should gradu- ally change from the old home to the new. The inhabitants of the colonies were in many cases but descendants of European nations, who could not be expected to retain the warmest attachment to the parent country. The tide of war had changed the allegiance of many a one. The heterogeneous Avhole could not be called English, and hence it was more easy to cast aside the noble feeling called patriotism. Then there were jealousies of the Crown officers, and everything undertaken by the home government, having the appearance of change, was promptly suspected as being intended to degrade them. The exclusiveness of the regular army and superciliousness to the provincial troops, during the French war, caused many a sting, and the thought of insult to the provincial officer remained to rankle and fester in the mind of many a mili- tary aspirant. The proposal to introduce Episcopal Bishops, to give precedence to the Established Church, had its effect upon many, yet many of the non conformists were equally loyal. The contest was originally between New England and Old England. While the Middle and Southern States were for peace, or moderate measures, the north sedulously worked to stir up strife by disseminating specious statements and spreading abroad partisan sentiments. Massachusetts took the lead. Founded by Puritans, (who, themselves were the most intolerant bigots and became the greatest persecutors America has seen,) these States possessed the proper elements with which to kindle discontent. Thus we have learned that independence was not the primary object of revolt, and we have seen that the leaders in rebellion were principally New Englanders, and were actuated mainly by mercenary motives, unbounded selfishness and bigotryt 46 THE MOTIVES. CHAPTER V. Contents : — Tho signers of the Declaration of Independence — Their nativity — Injustice of American writers for 80 years — Cast back mis-statements — The whigs had been U.E. Loyalists — Hancocii — Office-seekers — Malcontents stir up strife — What the fathers of the Republic fought for — Rebel committees — Black mail — Otis, John Adams, Warren, Washington, Henry, Franklin — What caused them to rebel — What the American revolutionary heroes actu- ally were — Cruelty, during and after the war — No freedom — Tlie political mistake of the rebels in alienating the loyalists — The consequence — Motives of the loyalists — False charges — Conscientious conservatives — Rebellion not warranted — Attachment to the old Hag — Loyalists driven away — Suppressio ■Deri — Want of noble spirit towards the South — Effects — Comparison between loyali'sts and rebels — Education — Religion — The neutral — The professions. Of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence nine were born in Massachusetts, seven in Virginia, six in Mary- land, five in Connecticut, four in New Jersey, four in Pennsylvania, four in South Carolina, three in ^ew York, three in Delaware, two in Ehode Island, one in Maine, three in Ireland, two in England, two in Scotland, and one in Wales. Of these twenty-one were attornies; ten merchants; four physicians; three farmers;, one clergyman.; one printer ; and ten men of fortune. THE MOTIVES. But let us more carefully consider the motives in connection with the rebellion of '76. So assiduously have our fathers, the TJ. E. Loyalists, been branded by most American writers as altogether base, that it becomes us to cast back the mis-statements — to tear away the sjjecious covering of the American revolutionary heroes, and throw the sunlight of truth upon their character, and dispel the false, foul stigma, which the utterances of eighty years have essayed to fasten ujjon the noble band of Loyalists. Uj) to 1776, the whigs as well as the tories were United Em- pire Loyalists ; and it was only when the king's forces required taxes ; when the colonists were requested no longer to smuggle ; when they could not dispossess the tories of the power and emolu- ments of office — it was only then that the Declaration of Indepen- dence was signed by those more particularly interested. John Hancock, whose name stands first upon the document, in such bold characters, had been a successful smuggler, whereby he had acquired his millions, and no wonder he staked his thousands on the issue. Evidence is not wanting to show that man}* of the leaders of the rebellion, had they been holders of office, would have REVOLUTIONARY HEROES. 47' been as true to the British Crown as were those whom they envied. Every man who took part on the rebel side has been written a hero; but it is asking too much to request us to believe that all the holders of office were base, and lost to the feelings of natural inde- pendence and patriotism ; more especiall}- when a large proportion of them were, admittedly, educated and religious men ; while, on the contrary, the rebels alone were actuated by patriotism and the nobler feelings of manhood. Apart from the merits or demerits of their cause, it must be admitted that the circumstances of the times force upon xis the thought that a comparatively few needy office-seekers, or lookers-after other favors from the Crown, not being able to obtain the loaves and fishes, began to stir up strife. A few, possessed of sufficient education, by the aid of the wealthy contraband traders, were enabled, b}- popular sensational speeches and inflammatory pamphlets, to arouse the feelings of the unedu- cated ; and, finally, to create such a current of political hatred to the Ci'own that it could not be stayed, and which swept away the ties that naturally attached them to Great Britain. We may easily imagine the surprise which many experienced in after days, when the war had ended and their independence was acknowledged, to find themselves heroes, and their names com- memorated as fathers of their country ; whereas they had fought only for money or plunder, or smuggled goods, or because they had not office. In not a few cases it is such whose names have served for the high-sounding fourth of July orators ; for the bun- combe speechifier and the flippant editor, to base their eulogistic memoriams. Undoubtedly there are a few entitled to the place they occupy in the temple of fame ; but the vast majority seem to have been actuated by mercenary motives. We have authenticated cases where prominent individuals took sides with the rebels be- cause they were disappointed in obtaining office ; and innumerable instances Avhere wealthy persons were arrested, ostensibly on sus- picion, and compelled to pay large fines, and then set at libei-ty. No feudal tyrant of Europe in the olden times enforced black mail from the traveller with less compunction than rebel "committees" exacted money from wealthy individuals who desired simply to remain neutral. It has been said that Otis, a name revered by the Americans, actually avowed that he " would set Massachusetts in a flame, though he should perish in the fire." For what ? Not because he wanted liberty, biit because his father was not appointed to a vacant 48 REBELS AND TORIES IN THE BALANCE. judgeship ! It is alleged that John Adams was' at a los« which side to take, and tinally became a l*ebel because he was refused a commission in the peace ! It is said that Joseph "Warren was a broken-down man, and sought, amid the turmoil of civic strife, to better his condition, And the immortal Washington, it is related, and has never been successfully contradicted, wa^ soured against the mother county because he was not retained in the British army in reward for his services in the French war. Again, Richard Henry was disapjiointed in not receiving the office of stamp distri- butor, which he solicited, Franklin was vexed because of opposi- tion to his great land projects and plans of settlement on the Ohio. Indeed it is averred that mostly all the prominent whigs who sided with the rebels were young men, with nothing to lose and every- thing to gain by political changes and civil war. Thus it will be seen that the so-called American revolutionary heroes have not al- together clean hands, however much they may have been washed by their descendants. The clothing placed upon them may conceal the dirt and dross and blood, but they are indelibly there. It is not alone the motives which constituted the mainsprings of the rebels' action that we place in the balance, but their conduct towards those who differed from them. Individual instances of cruelty we shall have occasion to introduce ; but it may here be said that it was the tories who acted as the conservators of peace against a mobocracy, and consequently were made to suffer great afflictions. It was because of this thej' were forced away to live and die as aliens to the laud of their birth. The tories were Ameri- cans as well as the whigs ; and when at last Great Britain ceased to try to coerce the colonies, and their independence was seciu-ed, then a nobler spirit should have obtained among the conquerors, and no one, because he had conscientiously been a conservative, should have been treated with opprobrium. It always becomes the victorious to be generous ; and we, with all respect to many Amer- ican friends, submit that, had patriotism alone actuated the revolu- tionary party, the American loyalists would have been invited to join with the whigs in erecting a mighty nation. Had freedom, indeed, been the watchword then, as it has flauntingly been since, it would have been conceded that the tory had a right to his oj)inion as well as the whig to his. Do the Americans descant upon the wisdom and far-seeing policy of those who signed the Declaration of Independence and framed the constitution of the Union ? Mon- roe, we doubt not, had a different opinion when he begot the doc- MOTIVES OF LOYALISTS. 49 trine "America for the Americans." Had the U. E. Loyalists been ti'eated honorably ; had thc}^ been allowed but their rights ; had they not been driven away ; then the name British American would forever have passed away; and instead of a belt of British provinces on their north, to constitute a ceaseless cause of misunderstanding with England, the star-spangled banner would, doubtless, long ago, have peacefully floated over all our land. Looking at the subject from this (an American) stand-point, we see that a shortsighted policy — a vindictive feeling, a covetous desire for the property of the tories — controlled the movements of the hour ; and when the terms of peace were signed the birthright of the American tory was signed away, and he became forever an alien. But, as we shall see, he, in consequence, became the founder of a Province which, like a rock, has resisted, and ever will resist, the northward extension of the United States. MOTIVES OF THE LOYALISTS. Whatever may have been the incentives to rebellion, yielded to by those who revolted, there cannot rest upon the mind of the honest reader of unbiassed histoiy a doubt as to the motives of the loyalists. The home-spun eulogists of the United States revolution- ary soldiers have never ceased to dwell upon the principles which fired the breasts of the patriots, and nerved their arms to deeds of daring and successful warfare ; all the time observing silence res- pecting the bravery of those who, from the same walks of life, engaged in the strife as the determined antagonists to rebellion. They have again and again charged upon the "king's men " that it was because they were servants of the Crown and feeders at the government stall that loyalty was assumed and fought for. But facts, when allowed to stand out uncovered by the cant of liberatists, declare, in words that may not be gainsayed, that there were a vast number who held no appointment under the Crown, yet who, from first to last, were true — naturally true — to their king and country. The great mass were essentially conservatives, called "tories." They held the opinion that to rebel was not only unne- cessary but wrong. They believed that the evils of which the colonists had just reason to complain were not so great as to justify the extreme step taken by the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence ; that any injustice existing was but temporary and would, when properly and calmly represented to the home government, be remedied ; that to convulse the colonies in war was an unjustifiably 4 50 FEELINGS OP NATIONALITY. harsh procedure ; and, entertaining- such a belief, it is Hubmitted that they were noble indeed in standing up for peace — for more moderate measm-cs. Moreover, not unlikely, many were impressed with the view that the disaffected were laboring under an errone- ous idea of oppression ; that the training incident to pioneer life, the previous wars Avith the Fi-ench Canadians, the constant conten- tions with the Indians, had begotten false views of their rights, and made them too quick to discover supposed Avi-ongs. Candidly im- pressed with such thoughts, they could not be otherwise than true to the natm*al instincts of their heart, and refuse to take part, or acquiesce in throwing overboard the government of England, and so become aliens to the flag under which they were born and had lived, and for which they had fought. Not many may cast aside their feelings of nationality ; not many can forget the land of their birth ; not a large number will biuy the associations of a life-time without the most potent causes. And, doubtless, the Anglo-Ameri- can who faithfully adhered to the old flag possessed all the ardor of a lofty patriotism. But the American wi'iter has forgotten all this. In the broad sunlight of national success he has not discovered the sacred longings of the U.E. Loyalists for the Union Jack. Looking at the events of '76 by the lurid glare of civil war, his eyes are blinded to the fact that a noble band, possessing equal rights with the rebels, loved England, notwithstanding all her faults, and for that love sacrificed their all of worldly goods. The citizens of the United States would prefer to have it said in history that the U. E. Loyalists, in every instance, voluntarily left their homes during the war, or at its close. The loyalists are thereby, no doubt, made to appear more devotedly attached to the British Crown. But it is right to have it distinctly stated that American writers mostly make themselves guilty of suppressio veri. The latest instance of this is seen in a report to the Hon. Hugh McCullough, Secretary of the Treasury, prepared by E. H. Derby, Commissioner of the Trea- suiy Department, dated January 1st, 1866, who, in remjirking upon the British Colonial policy from 1776 down to 1830, takes occasion to say that, " at first there was little fellowship between the United States and the Provincialists, many of whom were descended from the loyalists who followed the British troops from our shores." The fact is, however, that many of them were driven away. The tories were not loyal without sense ; and when the fortime of war had turned against them, they Avould, in great numbers, have made the best of their changed condition, and have lived to become true citizens of the THE EDUCATED, LOYALISTS. 51 new-born nation. But this was not to be. The loyalists were to be made feel that they were outcasts. It is the same ignoble and iin- statesmanlike course Avhich is now being pursued toward the subdued South. They must needs be made to know they are rebels. It is a shortsighted policy, even as the former was. The former led to the establishment of a nation to their north, which will stand, even after the Union lies in fragments ; the latter fosters a feeling of alienation, which will speak upon the first opportunity, in the thunder tones of war. If a comparison is instituted between the rebels of 1776, and those who were conservators of peace, the contrast is found to be very great. It is charged against the loyalists that all office-holders were toi'ies ; but is this more worthy of remark than the fact that many became rebels because they could not obtain office. Nay, the latter is infinitely more heinous in its nature. If we look at the two par- ties, with respect to education and, it may be added, religion, it is found that the great bulk of the educated and refined, the religious classes, especially the clergy, the leading lawyers, the most prominent medical men, were all loyalists. It was not because they were office- holders, it was because they possessed a moral and elevated mind, educated to a correct standard. Then, again, there was a large class of citizens who loved retirement, and who begged to be allowed to remain neutral, but who were actually compelled to take sides with the rebels or be driven away. The peaceably inclined, who looked for guidance to their spiri- tual instructors, generally beheld them, if not actually advocating the interests of the crown, at least setting an example against rebellion, and they were thus strengthened in their feelings of loyalty, or deter- mination to remain neutral. The flame of patriotism was kept aglow in many a heart by the earnest prayer of the gospel minister. Says Sabine : " Fi'om what has now been said it is evident that a very con- siderable proportion of the professional and editorial intelligence and talents of the thirteen colonies was arrayed against the popular move- ment." Again : " a large number of the clergy were United Empire Loyalists." Also, " the giants of the law were nearly all loyalists." The physicians were mostly tories, but were, as a general thing, not molested. "A few were banished; others became surgeons in the army." 52 THE RESULT. CHAPTER VI. Contents : — Republicanism — The lesson of the first rebellion — The late civil war — The Loyalists ; their losses and hardships — Ignored by Americans — Un- recorded — The world kept in ignorance — American glory — English- men — Question of Colonial treatment — The reason why Great Britain failed to subdue the rebellion — Character of the rebel bravery — The great result — Liberty in England and United States contrasted — Slavery — The result to U. E. Loyalists — Burgoyne — Mobocracy — Treatment from " Sons of Liberty" — Old men, women and children — Instances of cruelty — Brutality — .Rapacity — Torture — The lower classes — " Swamp Law" — Fiend- ish cruelty — Worse than Butler's Rangers — Seward and the Fenians — Infa- mous falsification — Close of the war — Recognition of independence by Great Britain — Crushed hopes of the Loyalists — In New York — Their conduct — Evacuation day — The position of the Loyalists — Confiscation — "Attainting" — Seizing estates — Paine — Commissioners at Paris — British Ministry — Loy- alists' petition — King's speech — Division of claimants — Six classes — The number — Tardy justice — Noble conduct of South Carolina — Impostors — Loyalists in Lower Canada — Proclamation — The soldiers' families — Journey- ings — Meeting of families. THE RESULT. Almost a hundred years have passed away since the wai'-cloud arose which swept away thirteen of Britain's colonies upon the uncer- tain and tempest-tossed ocean of Republicanism. That storm is long since stilled, as well as the hearts of those who took part therein. While the statesman and politician may, with advantage, study the lesson then read, and which has been but lately annotated by the United States civil war, by the determined subjection of eight mil- lions of Southerners, who desired freedom to establish a new govern- ment, let it be our humble occupation to record some of the immediate individual results of that gi-eat tempest, of which American writers, with but few exceptions, have never spoken fairly. "Writers among them are not wanting to give lively pen pictures of their revolutionary heroes ; not only forgetting the sufferings of the loyalists — the devo- ted ones, who gave up all — property, homes, friends, all the associa- tions of a birth-jjlace, rather than bow the knee to Baal ; but who have wilfully misrejiresented them ; have charged them with crimes, at once atrocious and unfounded. The sufferings, the losses, the hard- ships, incident to pioneer life, with the noble purposes and undevia- ting loyalty of the British American tories, have never been fully related — never engaged the pen of the faithful historian. American wi'iters, on the contrary, have recorded in glowing colors the deeds and actions of the "fathers of the Republic." To this no objection can be made ; but may we not cliarge those historians with unchari- tableness, with unnecessary neglect of the claims of the loyalists to CAUSE OP SUCCESS. .53 pure motives, with ignoring their brnVe deeds, their devoted suffer ings, and Avith unduly ascribing to the "king's men" motives base and cruel. But the sufferings of the U. E. Loyalists are unrecorded. The world has rarely been told that they were persecuted, their homes pillaged, their persons maltreated, their valuables seized, their houses made desolate, their real estate taken from them, without legal pro- ceedings. The Avorld has been so flooded with the writings of Ameri- cans, describing their own excellencies and eulogizing their own cause, that no space has been found to do simple justice to the noble ones who preferred British rule to the uncertain and imtried. Indeed, so strongly and for so long a time has the current been flow- ing to swell the ocean of American glory, that hardly a voice or pen is found doing ser\-ice for the unfortunate loyalists, who chose to endure a little rather than rush into the vortex of rebellious strife. Even Englishmen have so long listened to one-sided statements, that no one of them can be found to say a word for the old tory party of America. Hence it is that the U. E. Loyalists are very imi^erfectly known; their history unwritten, their tales of sorrow unattended to, their noble doings unsung. Had there been a hand to guide a describ- ing pen, — to picture the doings, the sufferings, the self-denying heroism of the loyal barty ; to recount the motives underlying all they did ; and had there been ears as Avilliug to listen, and eyes to read, and hearts to receive the facts as those of a contrary nature have obtained, then a far diffei*ent impression would have been made, and fixed upon the Avorld. That the British Government was right or wise in its treatment of the American colonies we now have every reason to doubt. At the same time, that England might have subdued that rebellion, had she put forth her imdivided strength, there is but little reason to question. Had she not been engaged in a formidable war with France ; or even with that, had her statesmen acquired a correct knowledge of America as to topography, and as to the feelings and wishes of the people and their just complaints ; or had able generals been entrusted with the command of the armies, instead of incompetent favorites ; or had a little diplomacy been practiced, and the ringleaders of the whig fac- tion — often hungry agitators — been conciliated by office ; in either event the rebellion might have been nipped in the bud, or easily over- come. The American Eepublic owes its independence to the circum- stances in Avhich Great Britain was then placed, and the incapacity of a few of the British Generals, rather than to superior bravery, extra- ordinary military talent, or any high-toned longing for liberty. No 54 EFFECT UPON THE LOYALISTS. doubt many ol the rebelling party Avere brave ; but it was often the bravery of the guerilla, or the desperate adventurer. Of the great result — the recognition of the independence of the rebelling provinces by the mother countiy — we design not to speak at length. It will always remain a question, whether it would not have been better for the States themselves, and the world at large, if they had remained a part of|the British Empire. That the evils of which they complained would, in due time, have been removed, upon proper representation, there is no substantial reason to doubt. That the principles of true freedom would have advanced and spread quite as rapidly, and that, to-day, liberty, in the broadest sense, would have reigned in the world fully as triumphant, the whole history of Eng- land and the United States sufficiently attest. It was many long years after Britain had struck off the chains of slavery before the United States reached the same point ; and then only because it became a " military necessity." Looking at the two nations to-day, and judging by the utterances of the two respective people, whether enunciated in the halls of legislature, by the head of the nation, by the bar, in the pulpit, bj' the press, of from the platform ; or if we be guided by the public deeds of each, it is submitted that the more genuine ring of the metal sounds fi'om beneath the wide-spreading banner of old England. The effect of the successful rebellion, to wiiich it is intended to refer, has reference to the United Empire Loj'alists of America. And first, the effect upon them dui'ing the war. The defeat of Burgoyne was the first event which immediately led to severe disaster of the loyalists. This general, with more assu- rance than foresight, and perhaps more courage than military skill, succeeded, not ouly in leading his army to destruction, but in placing the friendly inhabitants on his route in such a position that no mercy was subsequently extended to them by the ruthless rebels. When he surrendered, instead of securing for them immunity from anj^ hai'm, he entirely neglected their interests ; notwithstanding they had sup- plied his troops with provision. The relentless conduct of the rebels in arms and the whig government was bloodthirsty and vindictive. Their hate towards those who would not take sides with them, whether in arms for the Crown or not, Avas barbarous. Persons sus- pected of sjnnpathy Avith the tories Avere subjects of continued moles- tation. Mobocracy reigned. Vagabond bodies of men Avere sent abroad to range the country, to layAvaste and destroy the property of the loyalists, imprison the suspected, and seize the goods of the un- THE "SONS OF LIBERTY." 55 protected. Tarrin;^ and feathering was of common occurrence. Massachusetts especially gained a name for cruelty far exceeding any which has been applied to the Indians, with all their barbarism. There was a villainous band who called themselves the " Sons of Lib- erty," who carried fire and sword — not against an open enemy in the light of day, but to peaceful firesides in the darkness of night. Their victims were the old men, the women and children, and the defence- less. Old. men and children were driven to the woods for shelter, or placed in a closed room, and, with chimney stopped, smoked to suflfo- cation. Females v^'ere subject to insult and the mosi fiendish treat- ment. Dwellings were fired at night, and their occupants left house- less, and exposed to the inclemency of tlie weather. Suspected persons were arrested and put to terrible torture, such as attaching a rope to the neck and hauling the individual through the water tiU insensible ; or suspending him to a tree till life was al- most gone. This was frequently done with the object of extracting information as to the whereabouts of a father or a brother, or as to the place where money and valuables were concealed. The tales of cruelty the "wi'iler has heard related concerning the ti'eatment the loyal pai'ty were exposed to, would harrow up the soul of any one possessing feelings of pity and commiseration. The loyalists Avho immediately suffered, that is, while the war was in progress, were many. Militai-y forts were established here and there, to which many fled precipitately from the several States. It is a matter of extreme astonishment how men who set up the standard of revolt under the sacred name of liberty, could so far ignore the firinciples of liberty in the treatment of innocent old men, women and children, as we find stated by honest witnesses. The darkest tales of savage dealing come to us from our fathers. Families, whose sole offence consisted in being unwill- ing to rebel, and in being desirous to remain faithfully neutral, were the objects of the rapacious pre}- ot a brutal soldiery. Their substance when not available for the rebel horde, was scattered to the winds. Devouring fire was cast into peaceful homes. How gross the hypocracy, how base the motives that actuated very many of the adventurers in rebellion. The most hellish means were adopted at times, to force away persons of property, that the so- called " Sons of Liberty" might enjoy their substance and homes. Attending these scenes of desolation and i-efined crulty, their imprisonments and torture, were incidents of thrilling interest, of fearful suffering, of hairbreadth escapes, of forlorn rescues. 56 CRUELTY TO WOMEN. The lower classes of those who rebelled were men of bold and lawless nature : whether we pass along the shores of Xcw England, among the fishermen, or travel thorough the woods of Maine and New Hampshire, and become acquainted with woodmen of the forest, or as they were called "Loggers and Sawyers." The spirit that animated the merchants of Boston and Salem, in their extended operations of smuggling, lived, also, in the reckless fishermen and woodmen ; and for years before the rebellion really commenced they had been resisting, even by physical force, the revenue ofiicers, who were often expelled from the woods by what was called " swamp law." Men with such nature, finding that their lawless- ness had become popular, and that steps were being taken to resist the government on a general plan, were not slow to act their part. One result of the rebellion was a determined and systematic course of retaliation upon those "who had recognized the majesty of the law. A continued and uncompromising persecution was entered uj)on toward them. No history can parallel the deeds of atrocity enacted by the villanious "Liberty men." Said an old lady, on the verge of the grave, and with voice tremulous in remembrance of fiendish acts she had witnessed. "The Rebels, on one occasion entered a house and stripped it of everything, even the bed on which lay a woman on the point of confinement. But a single sheet was left to cover the woman upon a winters night, who, before morning became a mother." In 1776, there arrived at Fort George, in a starving state, Mrs. Nellis, Mrs. Secord, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Buck and Mrs. Bonnar, with thirty-one children, whom the circumstances of the rebellion had driven away. Talk about the cruelty of Indians and of Tory oppression. The unprincipled rebels did well to try to hide their ignominious deeds behind the fabrications resj^ecting the doings of Butler's Rangers, and the noble-minded Brant. May we not cease to wonder that the dcscendents of the rebels in the year 1866, endeavour to hound on a pack of thieves and murderei's to possess themselves of the homes our fathers sought out for us. The self-applauding writers of the revolutionary war, found it convenient to forget the doings of the " Sons of Liberty " and of Sullivan, while they laid to the charge of Butler's Rangers and the Indians, acts of inhumanity (which we are informed on good authority are unfounded, Butler having never abused woman or child.) In the same manner, Secretary Seward found it desirable to falsify dates, by saying the Fenians invaded Canada on the 6th of June, that it might appear he RECOGNITION OP INDEPENDENCE. 57 had vindicated promptly their neutrality laws ;" whereas they actu- ally crossed, and engaged in battle, on the morning of the 2nd. But as time will fully bring out the facts connected with the first American rebellion, and place them face to face with one-sided history,' so will faithful history recoi'd the whole truth of the infiimous invasion of our country by a band of American citizens with United States arms in their hands. Those deeds of blood, enacted by men under the hypocritical cry of liberty have not been forgotten by the United Empire Loyalists, but have been handed down to us, to place on record against the cruel actors. ^ Hostilities ceased 19th April, 1783, and on the 20th September, the independence of the United States was acknowledged. The recognition of independence by Great Britain, was the death knell to the cherished hopes of the loyalists. Many had escaped into the provinces, and many were in the army, and not a few were in England. Although the majority of them had been driven away, a few still remained in those places, yet held by the British forces, as New York. " When the news of peace became known, the city presented a scene of distress not easily described. Adherents to the Crown, who were in the army, tore the lappels from their coats and stamped them under their feet, and exclaimed that they were ruined ; others cried out they had sacrificed every- thing to prove their loyalty, and were now left to shift for them- selves, without the friendship of their king or country. Previous to the evacuation, and in September, uj)wards of 12,000 men, women, and chidren, embarked at the city, at Long and Staten Islands, for Nova Scotia and the Bahamas," and for Canada. "Some of these victims to civil war tried to make merry at their doom, by saying they were bound to a lovely country, where there are nine months winter and three months cold weather every year, while others, in their desperation tore down their houses, and had they not been prevented, would have carried off the bricks of which they were built." The British had possessed New York since 15th September, 1776, and on the 25th November, 1783, yielded it up to the Americans. This is " Evacuation day." When Cornwallis surrendered he vainly tried to obtain a promise of protection for the Loyal Americans, who, in part, formed his army. Pailing in this, he sent an armed vessel away with a large number. At this time, beside the many who had become refugees, there 58 CONFISCATING PROPERTY. were some loyalists scattered through the States. Many of these remained in the now Independent States, and many of them would have returned, to become faithful citizens under the new order of things, had they been allowed so to do. But the young Republic knew not how to be magnanimous to those whom the fortunes of war had left in great distress — whom the}' had conquered, and the United Empire Loyalists were made aliens from their native homes. Their property must be confiscated, and many being large land owners, rich prizes were thus secui-ed. While the conflict continued to rage there was some excuse, but when war had ceased, and everything had been accomplished that the most craving rebel could wish, it was a ruthless, an ungenerous, nay, a base proceed- ing on the part of the revolutionists, to foi'ce away their very brethren, often related by the ties of consanguinity. But it was a spirit as unprincipled as this, which instigated the rebellion, and which characterized the vast majority of those who fought under the sacred name of liberty, and such was the spirit of the conquerors. The successful rebels determined to possess themselves of the lands and property of the loyalists, even in violation of treaty. The action of Congress was sufficiently high-handed and wanting in generosity ; but the proceedings of the State Legislatures, with a few exceptions, were execrable — characterized by ignoble and vindictive passion. The Legislatures of each state took early steps to punish the adherents of Britain, to dispossess them of their property, and to banish them. Massachusetts took the lead in dealing severely against the loyalists. A rebel magistrates' warrant was sufficient to banish one. Hundreds of Massachusetts Loyalists were prohi- bited from returning on penalty of imprisonment and even death. And the other States were active in '' attainting" and confiscating, often without the form of trial. Each State carried on its function as a government, and trials ought to have been granted, in common justice to every one. But the Whigs were intolerent, hot-headed, malevolent, unforgiving. It has been said that "if it be conceded that rebellion against England was right, then every step necessary to success was justifiable. If we grant all this there remains the fact that after success had crowned rebellion, persecution and con- fiscation continued. Xew York, on the 12th May, 1784, passed " An act for the speedy sale of the confiscated and forfeited estates THE TREATY OP PARIS. 59 within the States." The powers consisted in the appointment of "commissioners of forfeitures." Among those who lost their land was one Davoe. He had 300 acres near New York, twenty miles, which was confiscated and given to the notorious Tom Paine, the infidel, whose extreme liberal views expressed in his work,. " Com- mon Sense," made him the friend of Washington, and revolutionists generally. Paine, after taking part in the French Eevolutions, came, in 1802, to his place in New York, where he enjoyed the loyalists' confiscated pi'operty until his death, 8th June, 1809. In the terms of peace signed at Paris, there was no security effected for the losses sustained by the American Loyalists. As Burgoyne at his inglorious surrender at Saratoga, thought not of the innocent inhabitants of the Mohawk and Hudson, who had indentified themselves with the loyal cause, and supplied his troops with provisions, and left them to the merciless "Sons of Liberty," to be despoiled of their all, and exposed to fearful cruelty, so at the last, when the British Government relinquished the attem^it to subdue rebellion, the American Loyalists were of remote consideration. We can gather now but the outlines of this great wrong done unto noble men. The particulars are buried in the wreck of fortune, and of happiness, respecting all worldly matters. The after life of the loyalists was of too earnest a nature to allow time to place on record the sufferings, and the wanderings of the disinherited. The lost cause did not stimulate men to draw ujDon imagination, such as may be found ingaudy-hued descriptions of American revolutionary heroes, male and female. But there is sufficient of facts recorded, and engraven by the iron pen of extreme anguish upon hearts, that were of flesh, to stamp the persecutors with infamy, and^ mark the refugees, that clustered around the border forts, and found homes at Sorel, Lachine, and Montreal, with the highest attributes of patriotism and love of country. The conduct of the ministrj^, and the commissioners at Paris is open to the severest censure. They left the claims of the loyalists to be decided by the American Congress. We may allow them the credit of having held the belief, that this body would be actuated by a feeling of justice and right, but the error was a grave one, the wrong grievous and hard to be endured. In j)ursu- ing this course, the British ministry" did not escape condemnation by members of Parliament, and a feeling of sympathy was evoked 60 THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. that led to a tardy dispensing of justice. Lord North said " that never were the honor, the principles, the policy of a nation, so grossly abused as in the desertion of those men, who are now exposed to every punishment that desertion anil poverty can inflict, because they were not rebels." Mr. Sheridan "execrated the treatment of those unfortunate men, who, without the least notice taken of their civil and religious rights, were handed over as subjects to a power that would not fail to take vengence on them for their zeal and attachment to the religion and government of the mother country," " and he called it a crime to deliver them over to confiscation, tyranny, resentment and oppression." Lord Loughborough said that " in ancient nor modern history had there been so shameful a desertion of men who had sacrificed all to their duty and to their reliance upon British faith." Others, in terms of equal severity, denounced the ministry in Parliament for their neglect. The ministry admitted it all, but excused themselves by the plea that " a part must be wounded, that the whole of the empire may not perish " — that they " had but the^alternative, either to accept the terms proposed, or continue the war." " A number of loyalists in England, came to the United States to claim restitution of their estates, but their applications were unheeded," except to imprison, and banish them. The treaty of peace signed, without any provision for the suffering loyalists, they at once took steps to petition the Imperial Pai'liament for justice. " They organized an agency, and ajjpointed a Committee, composed of one delegate, or agent from each of the thirteen States, to enlighten the British pnblic." " At the opening of Parliament the King, in his speech from the throne, alluded to the ' American sufferers ' and trusted generous attention ^vould be shewn to them.' " An act was consequently passed creating a "Board of Commissioners " to examine the claims preferi'cd. The claimants were divided into six clashes, " First Class. — Those who had rendered service to Great Britain." " Second Class. — Those who had borne arms for Great Britain. ** Third Class, — Uniform Loyalists." " Fourth Class. — Loyal British subjects residents in Great Britain." " Fifth Class — Loyalists who had taken oaths to the American States, but afterward joined the British." TARDY REMUNERATION. 61 " Sixth Class. — Loyalists who had borne arms for the American States, and afterwards joined the British navy or army." The claimants had to state in writing, and specifically the nature of their losses. G-reat and unnecessary caution was observed by the Board. The rigid rules of examinations caused much dissat- isfaction and gave the Board the name of " Inquisition." The 26th of March, 1784, was the latest period for presenting claims, which was allowed, and on or before that day, the number of claimants was two thousand and sixty-three, A " second report which was made in December of the same year, shows that one hundred and twenty-eight additional cases had been disposed of." In May and July 1865, one hundred and twenty-two cases more were disposed of. In April 1786, one hundred and forty more were attended to. The commissioners proceeded with their inves- tigations during the years 1786 and 1787," " Meantime " and to her honor be it said " South Carolina had restored the estates of several of her loyalists," Years passed away before the commissioners had decided upon all the claims, and great and loud was the complaint made by the claimants. The press was invoked to secure a more prompt con- cession of justice, pamphlets were published on their behalf, and one printed in 1788, five years after the peace, contained the following : " It is well that this delay of justice has produced the most melancholy and shocking events. A number of the sufferers have been driven by it into insanity, and become their own destroyers, leaving behind them their helpless widows and orphans to subsist upon the cold charity of strangers. Others have been sent to cultivate a wilderness for their subsistance, without having the means, and compelled through want, to throw themselves on the mercy of the American States, and the charity of theiT former friends, to support the life which might have been made comfortable by the money long since due from the British Government, and many others, with their families are barely subsisting uj)on a temporary allowance from government, a mere pittance when compared with the sum due them." The total number of claimants was 5,072, of whom 924 with- drew or failed to make good the claim. The sum of money allowed was £3,294,452. We have seen there was, in addition, given to the widows and orphans, between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds. There is no doubt that a certain number of the claimants were 02 LOYALISTS IN CANADA. imposters, while many asked remuneration above what their losses had actually been, and this caused the commissioners to examine more closely the claims proffered. But it is submitted that they ought, in dealing with the money already granted by a considerate Parliament, to have leaned on the side of clemency. At the close of the contest there were a large number of Eefugees in Lower Canada, especially at Fort St. John, about twent3'-nine miles from Montreal. In the main these were Ameri- can born, and principally from the 'New England States ; yet there were representatives from England, Ireland, Scotland and Ofermany. Besides the Befugees, there were several Provincial Corps, which were no longer to be retained in the service, but to be disbanded. Of these there was the 84th, often called Johnson's regiment, this was 800 strong, mostly Dutch, from the Mohawk, and Hudson, descendants of the old stock. This regiment consisted of two corps, one under Major Jessup, stationed at St. John's, and the other under Eogers, a j^art of which at least, was stationed at Fort Oswego, Jessups corps became the first pioneers upon the St. Law- rence, and Eogers among the first along the Bay of Quints. Both settled in 1784. There wei-e other troops stationed at St. John's, and likewise not a few who had discharged irregular, but important duties, as scouts, and in other ways. It has been generally estimated that at the close of the struggle, and as a result, there were distributed of American Loyalists upon the shores of Canada, about 10,000. At the first, most of these were in Lower Canada, but there were likewise a few at the frontier forts upon the Upper waters, and a few detached squatters. Then, " there was not a single tree cut from the (present) Lower Province line to Kingston, 150 miles ; and at Kingston there were but a few surrounding huts ; and from thence all around Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, with the exception of a few Indian huts on some desolate spot of hunting ground, all was a dense wilderness." (Ex Sheriff Sherwood.) "A proclamation was issued," says Croil in his history of Dundas, " that all who wished to continue their allegiance to Britain, should peaceably rendezvous at certain points on the frontiers. These were, Sackets Hai-bour, Cai-leton Island, Oswego and Niagara, on the Upper Caujida confines ; and Isle Aux Nois, on the borders of Lower Canada. Jessup's Corps was stationed at Isle Au_x Nois, and late in the autumn of 1783, the soldiers were joined by their wives and little ones, who had wandered the weary way on AMERICAN TROOPS. 63 foot, to Whitehall, through swamps and forest, — beset with diffi- culties, dangers, and j^rivations innumerable. The soldiers met them there with boats, aYid conveyed them the rest of their journey by water, thi-ough Lake Champlain. Imagination fails us when we attempt to form an idea of the emotions that filled their hearts, as families, that had formerly lived happily together, surrounded with j^eace and plenty, and had been separated by the rude hand of war, now met each others embrace, in circumstances of abject poverty. A boisterous passage was before them, in open boats, exposed to the rigors of the season — a dreary prospect of the coming winter, to be spent in pent up barracks, and a certainty should they be spared, of undergoing a lifetime of such hardships, toil and privation, as are inseperable from the settlement of a new country." As soon as the journey was accomplished, the soldiers and their families, were embarked in boats, sent down to Eichelieu to Sorel, thence to Montreal, and on to Cornwall, by the laborious and tedious route of the St. Lawren^^e. (See settlement of Ernest town.) CHAPTEE VII. Contents : — A spirit of strife — The French war — British American Troops — For- mer comrades opposed — Number of U. E. Loyalists in the field — General Bm-goyne — Defeat — First reverse of British arms — The campaign — Colonel St. Leger — Fort Stanwix — Colonel Baume — Battle of Bennington — General Herkimer — Gates — Schuyler — Braemar Heights — Saratoga — Surrender — The result upon the people — Sir John Johnson — Sir William — Sketch — In- ario, on both sides of the Ohio, till it falls into the Mississippi ; and on the north side of those lakes, that whole territory between the Outawais Elver, and the Lake Huron, and even beyond the straits between that and Lake Erie." " Wlien the Dutch began the settlement of New York, all the Indians on Long Island, and the northern shore of the Sound, on the banks of the Connecticut, Hudson, Delaware, and Susquehaunah rivers, were in subjection to the Five Nations," and in 1756, "a little tribe, settled at the Sugar-loaf Mountain, in Orange Ck)unty, made a yearly payment of about £20 to the Mohawks." Among the traditions of this people is one that they had a supernatural origin from the heart of a mountain, that they then migrated to the west, where they lived for a time by the sea shore. THAYENDINAQEA. 73 Then, in time returned to the country of the lakes. A country now passed into the hands of the white man, who paid no just price. But the names of many places yet indicate the history of the ancient owners of the soil. Among the Mohawks, in the beginning of the eighteenth century, was a chief known as Old King Hendrick,* or Soi-euga-rah- ta, renowned for eloquence, bravery, and integrity. He was intimate with Sir William Johnson, and it was between them that the amusing contention of dreams occurred, that has been narrated. In 1755, a battle was fought at Lake George, between the French, under Baron Dieskau, and the English, under Johnson, resulting in the defeat of the French. The French and English were supported by their respective allies. At this engagement Old King Hendrick, then seventy years old, but still full of energy and coui'age, was killed. Strangely enough it was at this battle that Brant, then only thirteen years old, first took part with his tribe in the contest. The mantle of Soieugarahta fell upon the youthful Thayendinagea. . Thayendinagea, or Joseph Brant, was born upon the banks of the Ohio, in the year 1742, while his tribe was on a visit to that region. According to Stone, his biographer, he was the son of " Tehowaghwengaraghkwin a full-blooded Mohawk, of the "Wolf ti-ibe." After the battle at Lake George, Brant continued with his people under Johnson till the close of that bloody war. At its close, about 1760, Brant, with several other young Indians, was placed by Johnson at Moor School, Lebanon, Connecticut. After acquiring some knowledge of the rudiments of literature, he left the school to engage in active warfare with the Pontiacs and Ottawas. " In 1765, we find him married and settled in his own house at the Mohawk Valley. It is said he was not married, except in the Indian mode, until the winter of 1779, when at Niagara, seeing a Miss Moore, a captive, married, he was also thus married by Colonel John Butler, to a half-breed,the daughter of Colonel Croghan, by an Indian woman. Here he spent a quiet and peaceful life for some years, acting as interpreter in negotiations between his people and the whites, and lending his aid to the efforts of the missionaries who were engaged in the work of teaching and converting the Indians. n GENERAL HERKIMER. " Those -who visited his house, spoke in high terms of his kindness and hospitality." Sir William Johnson died in 1774, and was succeeded by his son-in-law. Colonel George Johnson, as Indian agent, who appointed Brant his Secretary. The same year Johnson had to flee from the Mohawk, westward, to escape being captured by a band of rebels. He was accompanied by Brant and the principal warriors of the tribe. The rebels vainly tried to win the Indians to their side ; but excepting a few Senecas, they pre- ferred their long tried friends. The regular successor of Old King Hendrick, was " little Abraham." It is said he was well disposed to the Americans, probably through jealousy of Brant. At all events, Brant, by universal consent became the principal chief. He pro- ceeded with the other chiefs, and a large body of Indian warriors to Montreal, where he was commissioned as a captain in the British army. " In the fall of 1775, he sailed for England to hold personal conference with the officers of government. He was an object of much curiosity at London, and attracted the attention of persons of high rank and great celebrity." Brant returned to America in the spring following, landed near New York, and made his way thi'ough his enemy's country to Canada. He placed himself at the head of his warriors, and led them on to many a victory. The first of which was at the battle of " the Cedars." But the rebels did not cease endeavoring to seduce Brant to their cause. In June, 1777, General Herkimer of the rebel militia approached Brant's headquarters with a large force, ostensibly to treat on terms of equality. Brant had reason to suspect treachery, and consequently would not, for some time, meet Herkimer. After a week, however, he arranged to see General Herkimer, but every precaution was taken against treachery, and it appears that not without cause. Brant and Herkimer were old, and had been intimate friends. Brant took with him a guard of about forty war- riors. It would seem that Herkimer's intention was to try and persuade Brant to come over to the rebels, and failing in this to have Brant assassinated as he was retiring. Says an American writer, Brownell, " We are sorry to record an instance of such unpardonable treachery as Herkimer is said to have planned at this juncture. One of his men, Joseph Waggoner, affirmed that the General privately exhorted him to arrange matters so that Brant and his three principal associates might be assassinated." Well does it become the Americans to talk about savage barbarity. Brant thwarted the intentions of his old fnend by keeping his forty WYOMING. 75 warriors within call. Dui'ing all of the repeated attempts to get the Mohawks they never swerved, but reminded the rebels of their old treaties with England, and the ill-treatment their people had sustained at the hands of the colonists. The head-quarters of Brant was at Oghkwaga, Owego, upon the Susquehanna. During the summer of 1777 while Burgoyne was advancing, the Mohawks under Brant rendered important service. In the attempt to capture Fort Stanwix, they took a prominent part. In the summer of 1778 the Indians, with Butler's Eangers were engaged princij)ally in border warfare. It was during this season that the affair at Wyoming took place, which event has been so extravagantly made use of to blacken the character of the Indians and vilify the " tories." That Brant was not inhuman, but that he was noble, let recent American writers testify. Brownell says : " many an instance is recorded of his interference, even in the heat of conflict, to stay the hand uplifted against the feeble and helpless." It was in the latter part of June that a descent was planned upon the settlements of Wyoming. Of this event, again we will let Brownell speak : — " It has been a commonly received opinion that Brant was the Chief under whom the Indian portion of the army was mustered, but it is now believed that he had as little share in this campaign as in many other scenes of blood long coupled with his name. There was no proof that he was present at any of the scenes that we are about to relate." " No portion of the whole history of the revolution has been so distorted in the narration as that connected with the laying waste of the valley of Wyoming. No two accounts seem to agree, and histo- rians have striven to out-do each other in the violence of their expres- sions of indignation, at cruelties and horrors which existed only in their imaginations, or which came to them embellished with all the exageration incident to reports arising amid scenes of excite- ment and bloodshed. Wyoming had, for many years, been the scene of the bitterest hostility between the settlers under the Connecticut grant, and those from Pennsylvania. Although these warlike operations were upon a small scale, they were conducted with great vindictiveness and treachery. Blood was frequently shed, and as either party obtained the ascendency, small favor was shown to their opponents, who were generally driven from their homes in hopeless destitu- tion. We cannot go into a history of these early transactions, and only mention them as explanatory of the feelings of savage 76 ENGAGEMENT AT CHERRY VALLEY. animosity which were exhibited between neighbors, and even mem- bers of the same family, who had espoused opposite interests in the revolutionary contest." Such, be it noted, was the character of the inhabitants of Wyoming valley, who have been so long held up as innocent victims of Indian barbarity. By the above, we learn that prior to this, there had been contentions between the loyalists and rebels. The party who entered "Wyoming to attack the Fort, were under Colonel 'John Butler, and was composed of some 300 British regulars and refugees, and 500 Indians. Now, it would seem that the depredation which was committed after Colo- nel Zebulon Butler, the rebel leader, had been defeated, and the Fort had capitulated, was to a great extent due to retaliatory steps taken by the"loyalists who previously had been forced away, and had seen their homes committed to the flames. Such was the bor- der warfare of those days. It was not Indian savagery, it was a species of fighting introduced by the '-Sons of Liberty." And if we condemn such mode of fighting, let our condemnation rest first, and mainly upon those who initiated it. Not upon the Indians, for they were led by white men — not upon Brant, for he was not there — not so much upon the loyalists, for they had been driven away from their homes ; but let it be upon those who introduced it. The rebels were not slow to seek retribution for their losses at Wyoming. Aided by a party of Oneidas who lent themselves to the rebels, " Colonel Wm. Butler with a Pennsylvania regiment, entered the towns of Unadilla and Oghkwaga, and burned and destroyed the buildings, together with lai-ge stores of provisions intended for winter use." In turn, Walter Butler led a party of 700, a large number being Indians under Bi-ant, to attack a fort at Cherry Valley which was "garrisoned by troops under Colonel Ichabod Alden," It will be seen that the Indians and loyalists did not enter an unprotected place to burn and destroj'. They attacked a garrison of troops. But the Indians exasperated by the cruel procedure at Oghkwaga, became ungovernable, and about fifty men, women and children fell by the tomahawk. This was the retaliation which the Indian had been taught to regard as justifia- ble for the wrongs which had been inflicted upon his own tribe — his little ones ; yet be it remembered, and later American writers admit it, that the commanders, Butler and Brant, did all they could to restrain the terrible doings of the exasperated men. " Specific instances are reported in which the Mohawk Chief interfered, and successfully, to avert the murderous tomahawk." THE REBEL SULLIVAN. It And now begins the bloody revenge which the rebels deter- mined to inflict upon the Indians, without resjject to tribes. In April, 1779, Colonel Van Schaick was despatched with a sufficient force for the purpose, with instructions " to lay waste the whole of their towns, to destroy all their cattle and property." " The Colonel obeyed his orders to the letter, and left nothing but black- ened ruins behind him." It was merely a march of destruction, for the Indians were not there to oppose their steps. The villages and property that were destroyed belonged to the Onondagas, although they had not taken a decided stand with the loyalist party. It was enough that they were Indians, and would not join the rebels. But this was merely a prelude to what was preparing, in pursuance of a resolution of the rebel congress. The infamous duty of commanding this army of destruction, town destroyers the Indians called them, was entrusted to General Sullivan, whose nature was adequate to the requirements of the command. On the 22nd August, 1779, five thousand men were concen- trated at Tioga, upon the Susquehanna. The men were prepared for their uncivilized duty by promises of the territory over which they were about to sow blood and fire. The Indians had no ade- quate force to oppose their march westward over the Six Nations territory. Brant with his warriors, with the Butlers and Johnsons made a gallant resistance upon the banks of the Chemung, near the present town of Elmira. But, after suffering considerable loss, the vastly superior force compelled them to flee, and there remained nothing to arrest the devastating rebel army, and during the whole month of September they continued the work of des- poliation. It has been the custom of almost all American historians to give the Indians attributes of the most debasing character. At peace, unworthy the advantages of civilization ; at war, treacherous and ferociously cruel. For this persistent and ungenerous proce- dure it is impossible to conceive any cause, unless to supply an excuse for the steady coui'se of double-dealing the Americans have pm-sued towai-d the original owners of the soil, and provide a cov- ering for the oft-repeated treachery practised toward the credulous Indian by the over-reaching new Englander. To the Mohawk Nation particularly, since they proved true allies of the British, have American writers found it agreeable to bestow a character noted for blood and rapine. Nothing can be more untrue than the character thus gratuitously portrayed, nothing more at variance 78 CONDUCT TOWARD THE INDIANS. with the essential nature of the Indian, when free from European intrigues, and the cursed fire-water. The aboriginal races of North America are not by nature, blood-thirsty above Europeans. That they are honest, just and true, capable of distinguishing between right and wi-ong, with a due appreciation of well-kept faith, is well attested by the conduct which has ever been observed by them toward, not alone the Pennsylvanians, but every man found to be a quaker. No instance can be found recorded through- out the long bloody wars of the Indians, where a hair of the head of a single man, woman or child of that denomination was injured by the Indian ; and thus because the upright Penn never defrauded them. The Americans, while British colonists, with the exception alluded to, made themselves obnoxious to almost all Indian tribes. They never secured that hearty and faithful alliance that the French did. There seemed to be something in the air, especially of the New England States, which in a few generations blinded the eye, by which the golden rule is to be observed. The Americans, who have ever set themselves up as the cham- pions, par excellence, of liberty, to whom the " down-trodden of the old world " could look for sympathy, if not direct support, have signally failed to observe those lofty principles at home toward the natives of the soil, while they continued for eighty years to keep in chains the sable sons of Africa. They have found it con- venient and plausible to prate about the political " tyranny of Eui'opean despots;" but no nation of northern Europe has shown such disregard for the rights of their people as the United States have exhibited toward the original owners of the soil. Avarice has quite outgrown every principle of liberty that germinated ere they came to America. The frontier men, the land-jobber, the New England merchant, as well as the Southerji Planter, have alike ignored true liberty in defrauding the Indian, in sending out filavers, and in cruel treatment of the slave. Then can we wonder that the noble-minded Indian, natui*ally true to his faith, should, when cheated, wronged, — cruelly wronged, with the ferocity natural to his race, visit the faithless with terrible retribution ? The unbiassed records of the past, speak in tones that cannot be hushed, of the more noble conduct of the natives, than of those who have sought to exterminate them. The Mohawks, although brave warriors, fought not for the mere love of it. They even at times strove to mediate between the French and New Englanders. To the Mohawks, the American writer has especially bestowed THE TOWN DESTROYERS. 79 a name bloody and ignoble. And all because they listened not to their wily attempts to seduce them to join the rebels, but pre- ferred to ally themselves with the British. No doubt the Indian had long before discriminated between the rule of British officers, and the selfish j)olicy of local governments. And hence, we find, in every scrap of paper relating to the Mohawks, unfounded accounts of savage doings. But taking, as true, the darkest pages written by the Americans against the Six Nations, they present no parallel to the deeds of brutal vengeance enacted by the American army under Sullivan, when he traversed the fruitful country, so long the home of the Iroquois. Says an American writer : " "When the army reached the Genesee Valley, all were surprised at the cultivation exhibited, by wide fields of corn, gardens well stocked, their cattle, houses, and other buildings, showing good design, with mechanical skill, and every kind of vegetable that could be conceived. Beau- tiful as was the scene in the eyes of the army, a few days changed it to utter desolation ; neither house, nor garden, grain, fruit tree, or vegetable, was left unscathed." Says Stone : " Forty Indian towns Avere destroyed. Corn gathered and ungathered, to the amount of 160,000 bushels, shared the same fate ; their fruit trees were cut down ; and the Indians were hunted like wild beasts, till neither house, nor fruit tree, nor field of corn, nor inhabitant, remained in the whole country." And the poor Indian women, and children, and old men, were thus left at the approaching winter to seek support at the British garrisons. Truly the rebels of '76 were brave and civilized ! Thirteen years after, one of the chiefs said to Washington, "Even to this day, when the name of the town-destroyer is heard, our women look behind them and turn pale, and our children cling close to the necks of their mother ; our sachems and our warriors are men, who cannot be afraid, but their hearts are grieved with the fears of our women and children." Thus the brave Sullivan, with his thousand rebels, made war against old men, women and children, who were living in their rightful homes. This was fighting for liberty ! The blood of the Indian, as well as the slave, has risen up to reproach the American, and it required much of fresh blood to wash away the stains remaining from their deeds of cruelty and rapine, inflicted during their revolutionary war, under the name of liberty. The soldiers of Sullivan were stimulated in their evil work by promises of the land they were sent to despoil ; and the 80 INDIAN CIVILIZATION. close of the war saw them return to claim their promiscB, while the rightful owner was driven away. A certain portion of the Six Nations having received pledges from the United States Govern- ment for their welfare, remained to become subjects of the new nation. But excepting Washington himself, and General Schuyler, not one heeded their promises made to the Indian. The most unjust proceedings were begun and ruthlessly carried on by indi- viduals, by comj^anies, by legislators, by speculators, to steal every inch of land that belonged by all that is right, to the Senecas. How unlike the benignant and faithful conduct of the British Government in Canada. Brant continued during the war to harass the enemy in every possible way, and in the following year, August, planned a terrible, but just retaliation for the work of Sullivan's horde. It was now the turn of the rebels to have their houses, provisions and crops, despoiled. But all the while "no barbarities were permitted upon the persons of clofonceless women and children, but a large number of them were borne away into captivity." Again, in October, Johnson and Brant, with Corn Planter, a distinguished Seneca chief, invaded the Mohawk Valley. In this foray, the same conduct was observed toward women and children. On one occasion, Brant sent an Indian runner with an infant, that had been uninten- tionally carried from its mother with some captives, to restore it. Still, again the following year, the Indians under Brant, and the Eoyalists under Major Eoss, were found over-running their old homes along the Mohawk and Schoharie. On this their last expedition, they were met by the rebels in force under Colonel Willet, with some Oneida wari-iors, and defeated them. Colonel Walter N. Butler, whom the rebels have so often tried to malign, was shot and scalped by an Oneida Indian, under the command of the rebel Willet. We learn by the foregoing that tiie Iroquois were not only brave as warriors, but the}' had attained to a much higher position in the scale of being then other tribes inhabiting xlmerica. They were not ignorant of agriculture, nor indifferent to the blessings derived thei-efrom. The rich uplands of the country lying to the north of the Alleghanies, were made to contribute to their wants, as did the denizen of the forest. They are equally at home, whether upon the war path, the trail of the deer, or in the tilling of land. The plow of the Anglo-Saxon has not in seventy years completely effaced the evidences of their agricultural skill. And not less were bbant's death. 81 their sachems noted for wisdom in council, and for eloquence. Not only corn, but beans and other cereals were cultivated, particularly by the Six Nations. Pi"uit,s and edibles, introdued by the Euro- peans, were propagated by the natives, and when the rebel Sullivan, in accordance with orders from Washington, swept over their country, large orchards of excellent fruit, as well as fields of grain, were met with and ruthlessly destroyed, as were the women and children, with their peaceful homes. According to Eochefoucault, Brant's manners were half European ; he was accompanied by two negro servants, and was, " in apjDcarance, like an Englishman." Brant visited England in December 1785, and was treated with great consideration. After the close of the war. Brant settled at Wellington Square, upon land conferred by the Crown, where he lived after the English mode. He died here 24th November, 1807. His wife, who never took to civilized, life, after her husband's death, removed to the Grand River, and lived in ber wigwam. Some of her children remained in the " commodious dwelling," and others accompanied her to the life of the wigwam. According to Weld, Brant had at one time thirty or forty negro slaves, which he kept in the greatest subjection. He also says that Brant's half pay as a captain, and his presents yeai-ly received, amounted to £500. His last days were made unhappy by a debased son, who, after threatening his father's life, was at last killed by him, in self defence, by a short sword which Brant wore at his side. Hespecting another of his sons, the Kingston Herald, September 5th, 1832, says : "It is with unfeigned sorrow that we announce the death of Captain John Brant, Chief of the Six Nations Indians. He died of Cholera, at Brant- ford, on the 27th ult., after an illness of only six hours. Mr. Brant was the son of the celebrated Indian Chief, whose memory was unjustly assailed by CampbelL the Poet, and for the vindication of which the subject of this notice some years ago purposely visited England. Possessing the education, feelings, and manners of a gentleman, he was beloved by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and his death cannot fail to be deeply and vei-y generally regretted." We have spoken of the intimacy that existed between the Mohawks and Sir William Johnson, the Colonial Agent of England. This, be it remembered, was more than a himdred years ago, and great changes have taken place in the opinion of many with regard to certain irregularities of society. We cannot excuse the conduct of Sir William, when he had lost his European wife, in taking the sister of Brant, Miss Molly, without the form of matri- monial alliance ; but we must concede every allowance for the times in which he lived. But while grave doubt may rest upon 6 82 THE LOYAL MOHAWKS. the moral principle displayed by him, we see no just reason to reflect in any way upon the Indian female. Miss Molly took up her abode with Sir William, and lived with him as a faithful spouse Until he died. However, this must not be regarded as indicating- depravity on the part of the simple-minded native. It must be remembered that the Indian's mode of marrying consists of but little more than the young squaw leaving the father's wigwam, and rcparing to that of her future husband, and there is no reason to doubt that Miss Molly was ever other than a virtuous woman. And this belief is corroborated by the fact that four daughters, the issue of this alliance, were most respectably married. Of the Six Nations, this tribe always stood foremost as brave and uncompromising adherents to the British Government, not- withstanding the utmost endeavors of the rebels to win them to their side. It becomes, consequently a duty, and a pleasing duty to refer more particularly to this race, a remnant of Avhich yet lives upon the shore of the bay. Among the Mohawks are, how- ever, remnants of some of the other tribes. The tribe is so-called, after the river, upon whose banks they so long lived. They did not formerly acknowledge the title, but called themselves by a name which interpreted, means "just such a people as we ought to be." This name is not known, unless it may be Agniers, a name sometimes applied by the Fi-ench. This tribe was the oldest and most important of the Six Nations, and supplied the bravest warriors, and one of its chiefs was usually in command of the united warriors of all the tribes. It must not be forgotten that the Mohawks, who came to Canada, and other tribes of the Six Nations, were to all intents, United Empire Loyalists. At the close of the struggle, we have seen elscAvhere, that the commissioners at Paris, in their unseemly haste to contract terms of peace, forgot how much was due to the loyalists of America, and urged no special terms to ameliorate the condition of the man}^ who had fought and lost all for the maintenance of British jiower. Likewise did they forget the aboriginal natives who had equally suffered. The fact that these Indians were not even referred to, gave Brant a just cause of com- plaint, which he duly set forth in a memorial to the Imperial Government. But, as the British Government and nation subse- quently strove to relieve the suftering condition of the refugees, 80 did they afford to the loyal sons of the forest every possible facilitv to make themselves comfortable. Indeed, the British LAND GRANTS TO MOHAWKS. 83 officers in command, at the first, gave a pledge that all that they lost should be restored. The promise thus given by Sir Guy Carleton, was ratified by his successor, General Haldimand, in 1779, Captain General and Commander-in-Chief in Canada, and confirmed by Patent, under the Great Seal, January 14, 1793, issued by Governor Simcoe. At the close df the war. a portion of the Mohawks were temporarily residing on the American side of J^iagara Eiver, in the vicinity of the old landing place above the Fort. The Senecas, who seem to have been at this time more closely allied than other tribes to the Mohawks, offered to them a tract of land within the territory of the United States. But the Mohawks would not live in the United States. They declared they would "sink or swim with England." Brant proceeded to Montreal to confer with Sir John Johnson, General Superintendent of Indian affairs. " The tract upon which the chief had fixed his attention, was situated upon the Bay de Quinte." General Haldimand, in accordance with this wish, pm-chased a tract of land upon the bay from the ilississaugas, and conveyed it to the Mohawks. Subsequently, when Brant returned to Niagara, the Senecas expressed their desire that their old and intimate friends, the Mohawks, should live nearer to them than upon the Bay de Quinte. Brant convened a council of the tribe to consider the matter, the result was, that he w^ent a second time to Quebec to solicit a tract of land less remote from the Senecas. Haldimand granted this request, and the land, six miles square, upon the Grand Eiver. was accordingly purchased from the Mississaugas, and given to them, forty miles oft' from the Senecas. The above facts are taken from Brant's MS. and History. ATe may infer from this fact, that the party who did come to the bay under Captain John, felt less attachment to the Senecas than the other portion of the tribe. The quantity of land on the bay originally granted was 92,700 acres ; but a portion has been surrendered. In the early part of the rebellion, the Mohawk families fled from their valley with precipitation. They mostly went to Lachine, where they remained three years. They then ascended the river in their canoes, and probably stayed a winter at Cataraqui, the winter of 1783-4. The whole tribe was under Brant. Second in command was Captain John, a cousin of Brant, and his senior in years. In the spring, a portion of the tribe entered the Bay Quinte. 84 MOHAWKS UPON BAY QUINTE. and passed up to the present township of Tyendinaga. The majority, led by Brant, passed up along the south shore of Lake Ontario to Niagara. THE MOHAWKS AS CANADIANS. Descendants of the bravest of all the brave Indian warriors of America, we find them j^eaceable and in most respects imbibing the spirit of the day. Ever since the party eettled on the bay, they have manifested no turbulent spirit, none of those wild attributes natural to the wild-woods Indian, toward their white neighbors. Among themselves there has been one occasion of disturbance. This arose from the quarrelsome nature of one Captain Isaac Hill. This Chief, with his people, formed a part of Brant's compan}^ that settled on the Grand River. After a few years, having disagreed with his nation, and become exceedingly disagreeable from his officious and selfish conduct, he removed to the bay, and united himself with Captain John's party, which received him. But he failed to live peaceably with them. Eventually the disagreement resulted in a serious hostile engagement between the two branches, who fought with tomahawks and knives. But one person was killed, a chief of Capain John's party, Powles Claus, who was stabbed in the abdomen. But subsequently Captain Isaac Hill became a worthy inhabitant. His house still standing, then considered large, was frequently open to the more festive, across the Bay in Sophiasburgh. Out of the six hundred Indians, now living upon the Reserve, there is only one with pui-e Indian blood. His name is David Smart, It has been elsewhere stated, that the custom pre- vailed among the Mohawk nation, to maintain the number of the tribe, by taking captive a sufficient number to fill the vacancies caused by death of their people. The result was, that these captives marrying with Indians,they graduall}^ underwent a change, and the original appearance of the Mohawk has lost its character- istic features. The circumstances of the Indians during the revolutionary war, and subsequently in settling in Canada, led to frequent unions between the white men of different nationalities and the Indian women. Therefore, at the present day there remains but little more than a trace of the primal Indian who lorded it, a hundred years ago, over no inconsiderable portion of the North American Continent. When visiting the Indians, on our way, we met some eight or ten sleighs laden with them, returning from a funeral. We were INDIVIDUAL COMBATANTS. 85 much struck with the appearance of solid, farmer-like comfort which their horses and conveyances exhibited, as well as they themselves did in their half Canadian dress. While drunkenness has j^revailed among the older Indians, it is pleasing to know that the younger ones are far more regular in their habits. For this, much credit is due to the Cliristian over- sight of their former and present pastors. They have 1800 acres of land. They number 630, and are increasing yearly. The seal of the Mohawk Counsel may be seen with the Eev. Mr. Anderson. The armorial bearings consist of the wolf, the bear and the turtle. These animals, in the order here given, indicate, not tribes, nor families exactly, but rank. The wolf is the highest class, the bear next in rank, and the turtle the lowest grade. CHAPTEE IX. Contents: — Individuals — Anderson — Bethime — Burwell — Butler — Canliff — Claus — Coffin — Doune — Jarvis — Jones — McDonald — McGill — McGilles — Merrit — Munday — Peters — Robinson — Singleton — Ross — McNab — Allen — Allison — Ashlej- — Bell — Burritt — Casey — Carscallion — Church — Clark — Crawford — D ame — Daly — Diamond. INDIVIDUAL COMBATANTS. The immediately following notices of the combatants who settled in Upper Canada are extracted from Sabine. "At the beginning of the revolution, Samuel Anderson, of New Yoi'k, went to Canada. He soon entered the service of the Crown, and was a captain under Sir John Johnson. In 1783 he settled near Cornwall, in Upper Canada, and received half -pay. He held several civil offices : those of Magistrate, Judge of a district court, and asso- ciate Justice of the Court of King's Bench, were among them. He continued to reside upon his estate near Cornwall, in Upper Canada, until his decease in 1836, at the age of one hundred and one. His property in New York was abandoned and lost." " Joseph Anderson, lieutenant in the King's regiment, New York. At the peace he retired to Canada. He died near Cornwall, Canada "West, in 1853, aged ninety. He drew half pay for a period of about seventy years. One of the last survivors of the United Empire Loyalists." 86 JOHN BUTLER. "John Bethune, of North Carolina, chaplain in the Loyal Militia. Taken prisoner in the battle at Cross Creek in 1 7*76. Confined in Halifax gaol, but ordered finally to Philadelphia. After his release, his continued loyalty reduced him to great distress. He was appointed chaplain to the 84th regiment, and restored to comfort. At the peace he settled in Upper Canada, and died at Williamstown in that colony* in 1815, in his sixtj^-fifth year." "James BurweU, of New Jersey, born at Eockaway, January 18, 1754. Our loyalist enlisted in his Majesty's service in the year 1776, at the age of twenty-two, and served seven years, and was present at the battle of Yorktown, when Lord Cornwallis surrendered, and was there slightly wounded." " Came to Upper Canada in the year 1796, too late to obtain the King's bounty of family land, but was jjlaced on the United Empire list, and received two hundred acres for himself and each of his child- ren. He removed to the Talbot settlement in the year 1810. He died in the County of Elgin, Canada, July, 1853, aged ninety-nine years and five months." " John Butler, of Tyron, now Montgomery county, New York. Before the war. Colonel Butler was in close official connection with Sir "William, Sir Johuj'^and Colonel Guy Johnson, and followed their political fortunes. At the breaking out of hostilities he commanded a regiment of New York Militia, and entered at once into the mili- tary service of the Cro^ai. During the war his wife was taken prisoner, and exchanged for the wife of the whig colonel, Campbell. Colonel John Butler was richly rewarded for his services. Succeeding (in ])art) to the agency of Indian afiairs, long held by the Johnsons, he enjoyed, about the year 1796, a salary of £500 stg. per annum, and a pension, as a military officer, of £200 more. Previously, he had received a grant of 500 acres of land, and a similar provision for his children. His home, after the war, was in Upper Canada. He was attainted during the contest, and his property confiscated. He lived, before the revolution, in tlie present town of Mohawk." " Joseph CanliiF, in 1781 a lieutenant in the first battalion New Jersey Yolunteers." This person is probably of the same lineage as the Avritor of this work, great confusion often existing with regard to the spelling of names in the early days of America. " Daniel Claus. He married a daughter of Sir William Johnson, and served for a considerable time in the Indian Department of Canada, under his brother-in-law. Colonel Guy Johnson." COFFIN — DOANE. 87 " William Claus, Deputy Superintendent General of Indian affairs, was his son." Coffin — There were several of this name who took part in the war against the rebellion. Of these, the following are connected with Canadian history : " Sir Thomas Aston Coffin, baronet, of Boston, son of William Coffin. He graduated at Harvard University in 1772. At one ]X'riod of the rebellion he was private secretary to Sir Guy Carleton. In 1804 he was Secretary and Comptroller of Lower Canada." After- wards Commissary Greneral in the British army. " Nathaniel Coffin, of Boston. After the revolution he settled in Upper Canada." Served in the war of 1812. " For a number of years was Adjutant-General of the Militia of Upper Canada. Died at Toronto in 1846, aged 80." " John Coffin : was Assistant Commissary General in the British army, and died at Quebec ia 1837, aged 78." " Doane, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Of this family there were five brothers, namely : Moses, Joseph, Israel, Abraham, Jfahlon. They were men of fine figures and address, elegant horsemen, great rimners and leapers, and excellent at stratagems and escapes. Their father was respectable, and possessed a good estate. The sons them- selves, prior to the war, were men of I'eputation, and proposed to remain neutral : but, harassed personally, their property sold by the whigs because they would not submit to the exactions of the time, the above-mentioned determined to wage a predatory warfare iipon their persecutors, and to live in the open air, as they best could do. This plan they executed, to the terror of the country around, acting as spies to the royal army, and robbing and plundei'ing continually ; yet they spared the weak, the poor and the peaceful. They aimed at public property and at public men. Generally, their expeditions were on horseback. Sometimes the five went together, at others separately, with accomplices. Whoever of them was apprehended broke jail • whoever of them was assailed escaped. In a word, such Avas their course, that a reward of £300 was ofiered for the head of each. " Ultimately, three were slain. Moses, after a desperate fight, was shot by his captor ; and Abraham and Mahlon were hung at Phila- delphia. " Joseph, before the levolution, taught school. During the war, while on a marauding expedition, he was shot through the cheeks, fell from his horse, and was taken prisoner. He was committed to jail to await his trial, but escaped to New Jersey. A reward of $800 88 JAEVIS — JONES — M'dONALD. was offered for liis apprehension, but without success. He resumed his former employment in New Jersey, and lived thei'e, under an assumed name, nearly a year, but finally fled to Canada. Several years after the peace he returned to Pennsylvania, ' a poor, degraded, broken-dowTi old man,' to claim a legacy of about £40, which he was allowed to recover, and to depart. In his youth he was distinguished for great physical activity." The only separate mention of Israel is, that "in February, 1V83, he was in jail ; that he appealed to the Council of Pennsylvania to be released, on account of his own sufferings and the destitute condition of his family, and that his petition was dismissed." " Stephen Jarvis, in 1782 was a lieutenant of cavalry in the South Carolina Eoyalists. He was in New Brunswick after the revolution, but went to Upper Canada, and died at Toronto, at the residence of the Eev. Dr. Phillips, 1840, aged eighty-four. During his service in the revolution he was in several actions. 'W "William Jarvis, an officer of cavalry in the Queen's Eangers. Wounaed at the siege of Yorktown. At the peace he settled in Upper Canada, and became Secretary of that Province. He died at York in 1817. His widow, Hannah, a daughter of the Eev. Dr. Peters, of Hebron, Connecticut, died at Queenston, Upper Canada, 1845, aged eighty-three." " David Jones was a captain in the royal service, and is supposed to * have married the beautiful and good Jane McCrea, whose cruel death, in 1777, by the Indians, is universally known and lamented.' According to Lossing, he Uved in Canada to an old age, having never married. Jane McCrea was the daughter of the Eev. James McCrea, of New Jersey, loyalist." " Jonathan Jones, of New York, brother of Jane McCrea's lover. Late in 1776 he assisted in raising a company in Canada, and joined the British, in garrison, at Crown Point. Later in the war he w^as a captain, and served under General Frazer." McDonald — There were a good many of this name who took part as combatants, of whom several settled in Canada. Alexander McDonald was a major in a North Carolina regiment. *' His wife was the celebrated Flora McDonald, who was so true and 80 devoted to the unfortunate Prince Charles Edward, the last Stuart, who sought the throne of England. They had emigrated to North Carolina, and when the rebellion broke out, he, with two sons, took up arms for the Crown." Those who settled in Canada were " Donald McDonald, of New m'gILL — MERRIT — ROBINSON. 89 York. He served under Sir John Johnson for seven years, and died at the Wolfe Island, Upper Canada, in 1839, aged 97." "Allan McDonald, of Tryon, New York," was associated with Sir John Johnson in 1776. "He died at Three Eivers, Lower Canada, in 1822, quite aged." " John McGill. — In 1782 he was an officer of infantry in the Queen's Rangers, and, at the close of the war, went to* New Bruns- wick. He removed to Upper Canada, and became a person of note. He died at Toronto, in 1834, at the age of eighty-three. At the time of his decease he was a member of the Legislative Council of the Colony." " Donald McGillis resided, at the beginning of the revolution, on the Mohawk river, New York. Embracing the royal side in the con- test, he formed one of a ' determined band of young men ' who attacked a Avhig post and, in the face of a superior force, cut down the flag-staff, and tore in strips the stars and stripes attached to it. Subsequently, he joined a grenadier company, called the Royal Yorkers, and performed efficient service throughout the war. He settled in Canada at the peace ; and, entering the British service again in 1812, was commis.sioned as a captain in the Colonial corps, by Sir Isaac Brock. He died at Eiver Eaisin, Canada, in 1844, aged eighty years." " Thomas Merrit, of New York, in 1782 was cornet of cavalry in the Queen's Eangers. He settled in Upper Casiada, and held the offices of Sherift of the District of Niagara and Surveyor of the King's Forests. He received half pay as a retired military officer. He died at St. Catharines, May, 1842, aged eighty-two." "Nathaniel Munday, in 1782 was an officer in the Queen's Eangers. He was in New Brunswick after the revolution, and received half pay ; but left that colony and, it is believed, went to Canada." "John Peters, of Hebron, Connecticut; boi*n in 1740. A most devoted loyalist. He went to Canada finally, and raised a corps, called the Queen's Loyal Rixngers, of which Lord Dorchester gave him command, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel." " Christopher Eobinson, of Virginia, kinsman of Beverley. En- tered William and Mary College with his cousin Robert ; escaj^ed with him to New York, and received a commission in the Loyal American regiment Served at the South, and was wounded. At the peace he went to Nova Scotia, and received a grant of land at Wilmot. 90 SINGLETON — ROSS — m'NAB. He soon removed to Canada, where Governor Simcoe gave him tlic appointment of Deputy Surveyoi'-General of Crown Lands. His salary, lialf pay, and an estate of two thousand acres, placed him in circumstances of comfort. He was the father of several children, some of whom were educated in the mother-country. He died in Canada. His widow, Esther, daughter of Rev. John Sayre, of Xew Brunswick, (,lied in 1827. His son, Beverley Eobinson, who was born in 1791, was appointed Attorney-General of Upper Canada in 1818 ; Chief Justice in 1829 ; created a Baronet in 1854; and died in 1863." " Singleton — A lieutenant in the ' Eoyal Greens,' was wounded in 1777, during thejnvestment of Fort Stanwix." Probably Captain Singleton, who settled in Thurlow, Upper Canada, was the same per- son. " Finley Ross, of New York, was a follower of Sir John Johnson- to Canada in 1776. After the revolution he served in Europe, and was at Minden and Jena. He settled at Charlotteburgh, Upper Canada, where he died, in 1830, aged ninety." "Allan McNab, a Lieutenant of cavalry in the Queen's Eang- ers, under Colonel Simcoe. During the war he received thirteen wounds. He accompanied his commander to Upper Canada, then a dense, unpeopled wilderness, where he settled. He was appointed Sergeant-atarms of the House of Assembly of that Province, and held the office many years. His son, the late Sir Allan McNab, was a gentleman who filled many important offices in Upper Canada." The Hamilton Spectator, speaking of the death of Sir A. N. Mc- Nab, says : "The Hon. Colonel Sir Allan Napier McNab,Bart., M.L.C., A. D. C, was born at Niagara in the year 1T98, of Scotch extrac- tion, — his grandfather. Major Robert McNab, of the 22nd regi- ment, or Black Watch, was Eoyal Forester in Scotland, and resided on a small property called Dundurn, at the head of Loch Earn. His father entered the army in her Hajesty's 7th regiment, and was subsequently promoted to a dragoon regiment. He was attached to the staff of General Simcoe during the revolutionary war ; after its close he accompanied General Simcoe to this country. When the Americans attacked Toronto, Sir Allan, then a boy at school, was one of a ni;mber of boys selected as able to carry a musket; and after the authorities surrendered the city, he retreated Avith the army to Kingston, when through the instrumentality of Sir Roger Slieaff, a friend of his father's, he was rated as mid-ship- man on board Sir James Yeo's ship, and accompanied the expedi- CAPTAIN JOSEPH ALLEN. 91 tions to Sackett's Harbor, Genesee, and other places on the Ameri- can side of the lake. Finding promotions rather slow, he left the navy and joined the 100th regiment under Colonel Murray, and was with them when they re-occupied the Niagara frontier. He crossed with the advanced guard at the storming and taking of Fort Niagara. For his conduct in this affair he was honored with an ensigncy in the 49th regiment. He was with General Ej^all at Erie, and crossed the river with him when Black Rock and Buffalo were burned, in retaliation for the destruction of Niagara, a few months previous. After the termination of this campaign. Sir Allan joined his regiment in Montreal, and shortly after marched with them to the attack of Flattsbui-g. On the morning of the attack he had the honor of commanding the advanced guard at the Saranac Bridge. At the reduction of the army in 1816 or 1817, he was placed on half-pay. It is impossible at this time to give anything like a history of the disbanded soldiers who settled on the shores of the Bay and the St. Lawrence. There could not be allowed the space necessary to do justice to the character of each. But even if such were possible we are wanting in the essential matter of information. "We pro- pose, however, to insert the names of every one known to have been a loyal combatant, whether an officer or private, with such statements relative to his history as we possess. We shall not con- fine oui'selves to this particular region of the Province, but include those who settled at Niagara, and in Lower Canada. And while we may not supply a complete account of any one, it is trusted that the instalment will not be unacceptable to the descendants of those to whom we refer. "We shall arrange them alphabetically without reference to rank or station. *Captain Joseph Allen, formerly Captain Allen of New Jersey, held a commission in the British Army at New York for some time during the war. He owned extensive mill property, and was regarded as a very wealthy person. All his possessions were con- fiscated, and he in 1783, found his way, among other refugees, first to Sorel, where he stayed a winter, and finally to Upper Canada. His family consisted of two sons, John and Jonathan, and three daughters, Rachel, Ursula, and Elizabeth. Captain Allen was one of the first settlors in Adolphustown, and his descendants still live in the township, among whom are Parker Allen, Esq., J. D. "Watson, Esq., and David Mc"\Yherter, Esq. Captain Allen had extensive grants of land in Adolphustown, and in Marysburgh, and else- 955 ALLISON — ASHLEY. where ; as well as his children, Jonathan Allen, succeeded his father upon the homestead, and was for many years an acceptable Justice of the Peace. His brother, Joseph Allen, moved to Marj'-s- burgh, and was a Captain of militia during the war of 1812. Cap- tain Allen brought with him several slaves, " who followed his for- tunes with peculiar attachment, even after their liberation." We have see » that the rebellion led to the divisions of families. It was so with the Allison family of Haverstraw, New York. There were seven brothers, two sided with the rebels. One Ben- jamin, being a boy, was at home, while the other four took part with loyalists. One settled in New Brunswick, probably the Edward Allison Sabine speaks of, who had been captain in De Lancey's third battalion, and who received half-pay, and after whom Mount Allison is called. Joseph Allison was living at Haverstraw, New York. He was for a time engaged in the navy yard at New York. At one time he and another entered the rebel camp, and after remaining a few days availed themselves of a dark night and carried off five excel- lent horses belonging to a troop of cavalry. They were pursued and barely escaped. Allison took these horses, in return for the loss of his house and other property which the rebels had ruthlessly burned. He was at the battle of White Plains, and had narrow escapes, his comrade beside him was shot down, and his canteen belt cut in two by a ball. As he could not carry the canteen, he took time to empty that vessel of the rum which it contained. His neighbors at Haverstraw were exceedingly vindictive against him. After several years, he visited there to sec his aged mother, when a mob attempted to tar and feather him, and he had to hide in the woods all night. Allison came to Canada with Yan Alstine, and drew lot 17, in Adolphustown. A strong, healthy and vigorous man, he contributed no little to the early settlement. Died upon his farm, aged eighty-eight. His wife's name was Mary Richmond, of a well-known quaker family. His descendants still occupy the old homestead, a most worthy family. Benjamin Allison, the youngest, came to Adoij^hustown in 1795. William Ashley, sen., was born in the city of ;London, Eng- land, in the year 1749, and joined the army at an early age. During the American Eevolotionary war, he came out under General Howe, serving in all his campaigns until the close of the struggle. He had two brothers also in the army with him, one of whom returned to England, and the other settled somewhere in the THE ASHLEYS. 93 United States, the exact locality not now being known. General J. M. Ashley, Republican member of Congress from Ohio, is, so far as can be ascertained, a descendant of this brother. After the termination of the war, William Ashley came to Canada, and first settled in the township of Loborough, county of Frontenac, where he married Margaret Buck, the daughter of a U. E. L., and one of the first settlers in this part of Canada. He resided here until about 1790, when he removed to Kingston,, where he followed the employment of a butcher, and was the fii-st butcher in Kingston, a fact he often mentioned in his old age. He built a house of i-ed cedar logs, cut from the spot, which continued to stand until 1858, when it was taken down and a small brick building, the " Victoria Hotel," built on the site. When ren>oved the logs were found in a perfectly sound condition, they having been covered with clapboards many years ago, which preserved them from the weather. This house stood on Brock street, near the corner of Bagot street. At the time of its erection there were scared}^ twenty residences in the place, and that part of the city now lying west of the City Hall was then covered with a dense forest of pine, cedar and ash. William Ashley lived to see this pass away and a flour- ishing city spring up. He died in 1835, leaving a family of ten children — Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, Willianj, John, James, Thomas, Henr}^, Adam and George : all of whom are now dead excepting Thomas, who resides near Toronto. James also died in 1835, and Henry, who was the fii-st gaoler in Picton, died in 1836, at the early age of thirty-one. William Ashley, Jun., married Ann Gerollamy, daughter of an officer in the British armj^, serving through the Eevolutionary War, and acting as Orderly in the war of 1812. He left Kingston in 1830, and resided until 1842 near the mouth of Black River, in the township of Marysburgh, and then returned, and continued to reside there, teaching, and filling various offices until his death, August 16, 1867. The British Whig newspaper when recording his death, remarked, "Mi-. Ashley was one of our oldest citizens, and has lived to witness many changes in his native place. He was born on the very spot where the British Whig office now stands." The last sentence is a mistake, he was not born in the city, but in the township of Loborough; although the building containing the British Whig office still belongs to the ' Ashley proj)erty' on Bagot Street." 94 BELL — BURRITT. John Ashley was gaolor in Kingston for ii number of years when the gaol stood near the site of the present Post Oflfice, and filled public situations from the time he was nineteen years of age until his death in 1858. He was a prominent member of the County Council for nearly twenty years, and was Colonel of the militia at the time of his death. Adam and George Ashley both died in 1847. William Bell — We shall have occasion to speak of William Bell in different places in these pages. He was born August 12, 1758, in County of Tyrone, Ireland. At the time of the Eevolutionary War he was a sergeant in the 53rd regiment of the line. Some time after the close of the war, he succeeded in procuring his discharge from the service, at Lachine, and came to Cataraqui, sometime in 1789. He was on intimate terms with John Ferguson, and, we believe, related by marriage. It was at Ferguson's solicitation that Bell came to the Bay. We have before us an old account book, by which we learn that Ferguson and Boll commenced trading on the front of Sidney in the latter pax-t of 1789. They remained here in business until 1792. Subsequently Bell became school teacher to the Mohawks, and seems to have done business there in the way of trading, in 1799. In 1803 we find him settled in Thurlow. Ferguson, who was living at Kingston, had been appointed Colonel of the Hast- ings Militia, and Bell was selected by him to assist in organizing the body. He was commissioned captain in December 1798, Major in August 1800; and in 1809 Lieutenant-Colonel. Colonel Bell was well known as a public man in Thurlow. He was appointed to several offices — Magistrate, Coroner, and finally Colonel of the Hastings Battalion. As magistrate he took an active part in the doings of Thurlow and Belleville for many years. He was also an active person in connection with the agricultural societies, until a few years before his death, 1833. The papers left by Colonel Bell have been of great service to us. His wife's name was Rachel Hare, who died 1853, aged eighty-one. Colonel Stephen Burritt took part in the war against the rebels, being seven years in the army, in Roger's Rangers. He settled upon the Rideau, the 9th of April, 1793. In the same year was born Colonel E. Burritt, who was the first child born of white parents north of the Rideau. This interesting fact was given to the writer bj' Colonel E. Burritt in 1867. Colonel Burritt is a cousin of the celebrated Learned Blacksmith. CASEY — CARSCALLIAN — CHURCH. 95 Willet Casey was born in Ehode Island. His father was killed in battle during the war. At the close of the war he settled near Lake Champlain, upon what he supposed to be British territory, but finding such was not the case, and although he had made con- siderable clearing, he removed again. Turning his steps toward Upper Canada with his aged mother and wife, he reached in due time, the 4th township. The family, upon arriving, found shelter in a blacksmith's shop until a log hut could be built. Three months afterwards the old mother died. Willet Casey had a brother in a company of horsemen, who fought for the British. He remained in the States and went South. It is probably the descendants of this Casey, who took an active part in the late civil war in the United States. The writer has seen the fine, erect old couple that came to Canada, when on the verge of eighty, and two nobler specimens of natui'e's nobility could not be imagined. Luke Carscallian was an Irishman by birth, and had served in the British army; he had retired and emigrated to the American colonies prior to the rebellion. He desired to remain neutral, and take no part in the contest. The rebels, however, said to him that inas- much as he was acquainted with military tactics he must come and assist them, or be regarded as a King's man. His reply was that he had fought for the king, and he would do it again, consequently an order was issued to arrest him ; but when they came to take him he had secreted himself. The escape was a hurried one, and all-his posses- sions were at the mercy of the rebels — land to the amount of 12,000 acres. They, disappointed in not catching him, took his young and tender son, and threatened to hang him if he would not reveal his father's place of concealment. The brave little fellow rejjlied, hang away ! and the cruel men under the name of liberty carried out their threat, and three times was he suspended until almost dead, yet he would not tell, and then when taken down one of the monsters actually kicked him. Oliver Church was Lieutenant in the 84th regiment. He set- tled with the many other half-pay officers, on the front of Fi'eder- icksburgh, three miles west of Bath. He had three sons, and three daughters, who settled upon the Bay, but are now dead except one daughter. Lieutenant Church died in 1812, and his wife some years later. They were both very old when they died. A grand-child of the old veteran, Mrs.H. of Belleville informs 96 CLARK — CRAWFORD — DAME. US that she has often heard about her grandfather having to crush grain by hand, and spending a week going to the Kingston mill. Robert Clark, late of the Township of Ernest town, in the County of Addington, was born March 15, 1744 on Quaker Hill, Duchess County, Province of New York. He learned the trade of cai'penter and niillwi-ight, of a Mr. Woolly. He left his family and joined the British standard in the revolution- ary war, was in General Burgoyne's army, and was requested by the General that he and other Provincial volunteers, should leave the army and go to Canada, which place he reached after some weeks of great suffering and privation. The day after he left (October 17, 1777,) General Burgoyne capitulated, and surrendered his arms to the American Generals Gates and Arnold. Robert Clark subsequently served two years in his Majesty's Provincial Regiment, called the Loyal Rangers, commanded by Major Edward Jessup, and in Captain Sabastian Jones' company, and was dis- charged on the 24th December, 1783. He owned two farms in Duchess County, one of 100, the other of 150 acres, both of which were confiscated. He was employed by the government in 1782-3 to erect the Kingston mills, (then Cataraqui) preparatory to the settlement of the loyalists in that section of Upper Canada, at which time his family, consisting of his wife and three sons, arrived at Sorel in Lower Canada, where they all were afflicted with the small pox, and being entirely among strangers they were com- pelled to endure more than the usual amount of suffering incident to that dis'ease, their natural protector being at a distance, and in the employ of the government, could not leave to administer to their necessity. In 1784, his family joined him at the mills, after having been separated by the vicissitudes of war for a space of seven years. In 1785 he removed with his family to lot No. 74, 1st concession Ernest town, in which year he was again employed by government to erect the Ifapanee wnills. He was appointed Justice of the Peace for the district of Mecklenburgh, in July 1788, and a captain in the militia in 1809, and died 17th December, 1823. John C. Clark was married to Rachel Storer, and had a family of ten sons and three daughters. Captain Crawford, of the Rogers corps, settled on lot No. 1 of Fredericksburgh. Became a magistrate, and lived to be an old man, was also colonel of militia. George Dame was the son of Theophilus Dame, evidently a veteran soldier, from the copy of his will now before us. He gave THE DAMES. 97 to his " son, George Dame, the one-half of my (his) real estate in Dover, England, to hold to him forever," also his wearing apparel, books, gold watch, gilt-headed cane, horses, sleigh and harness, and one hundred dollars." He bequeathed to his grandson, John Frederick Dame, his camp bedstead, and curtains and valence for carriage of camp bedstead, and his silver-mounted hanger. To his grandson Augustus Dame, his fusee, gorget, and small seal skin trunk. To another grandson he left his double-barrelled pistol. By reference to these items we learn that Theophilus Dame must have been a British officer of some standing. His sou, George Dame, followed in the footsteps of his father in pursuing the profession of arms. We have before us a docu- ment, dated 1765, which declares that "Ensign George Dame of the 8th or King's Own Eegiment of foot, was admitted burgess of the Burgh of Dumfries, with liberty to him to exercise and enjoy the whole immunities and privileges thereof, &c." For some reason this commission in the 8th regiment was relinquished ; but ten years later we find he has a commission from General Carleton, Major-General and Commander-in-chief of His Majesty's forces in the Province of Quebec, and upon the frontier thereof, appointing him '* Ensign in the Royal Regiment of Highland Emigrants com- manded by Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Allan McLean." " Given under my hand and seal at the Castle of Saint Lewis, in the city of Quebec, 21st of November, 1775," In 1779 he received a commission from Frederick Haldimand, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief, &c., appointing him "Captain in a corps of Rangers raised to serve with the Indians during the rebellion, whereof John Butler, Esq., is Major Commandant". After the close of the war, Captain Dame lived at Three Rivers, Lower Canada, where we find him acting as Returning Officer in 1792, Mured Clarke being Lieutenant Governor. He died at Three Rivers, April 16th, 1807. An official paper before us sets forth that " Guy, Lord Dorches- ter, authorizes Frederick Dame, 'by beat of drum or otherwise,' forthwith to raise from amongst the inhabitants of LTpper and Lower Canada, as many able-bodied men as will assist the completing of a company, to be commanded by Captain Richard Wilkinson. This company to be mainly provincial, and for the service of Canada, and to sei've for the space of three years, or during the war. This order shall continue in force for twelve months." Dated at the Castle of St . Lewis, Quebec, 21 st June, 1706. This is signed " Dorchestek." 7 98 CAPTAIN DALY. The same year, bearing date the 1 Vth December, is a commission from Robert Prescott, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor, appointing Fred- erick Dame ensign to the second battalion Royal Canadian Volunteers. In the year 1802 John Frederick Dame received his commission as Surveyor of Lands in Upper and Lower Canada, from Robert Shore Milnes, Lieutenant-Governor, upon the certificate of Joseph Bouchette, Esq., Deputy Surveyox'-General. Up to this time it would seem he had been living at Three Rivers. Allan Dame, a son of the aforementioned, is now residing in Marysburgh, not far from McDonald's Cove. He is now in the neigh- borhood of sixty : this is his native place. He is a fine specimen of an English Canadian farmer ; and well he may be, being a descendant of a worthy stock, of English growth. He is married to the grand- daughter of Colonel McDonald. Daly — P. K. Daly, Esq., of Thurlow, has kindly furnished us with the folloAving interesting account : Captain Peter Daly, my grandfather, was the son of Capt. Daly^ of an Irish regiment, that was stationed in New York for some years before the outbreak of the old revolutionary war, but was called home to Ireland before the commencement of hostilities ; and finally fell a victim to that cruel code of honor which obliged a man to fight a duel. At the earnest solicitation of a bachelor friend, of the name of Vroman, he had been induced to leave his son Peter behind. Mr. Vroman resided upon the banks of the Mohawk, where the city of Amsterdam now stands. He was a man of considerable wealth, all of which he promised to bestow upon his son, Peter Daly ; a promise he woxild, in all probability, have kept, had circumstances permitted ; but he was prevented by the stern realities of the times — those stern realities that tried men's souls, and called upon every man to declare himself. The subject of this sketch could not dishonor the blood that flowed in his veins, and, although but 16 years of age, he clung firmly to the old flag that, for " a thousand years had braved the bat- tle and the breeze." He joined a company, and followed the destiny of his flag along the shores of Lake Champlain, where, in one night, he assisted in scaling three forts. He assisted in taking Fort T}'con- deroga, and gradually fought or worked his way into Canada. The war closing, he, in company with other loyalists, came up the Bay of Quinte, and subsequently married and settled in the second concession of Ernest town, in the vicinity of the village of Bath, where, by culti- vating his farm, and by industry, he secured a comfortable li\dng. DIAMOND — LOYST. 99 He was remarked through life for his strictly honorable dealing, and his adherence to " the old flag." In religion he was a firm Pres- byterian. From his old protector, Vrom.an, he never heard anything definite. He cared but little for the land that had driven him into exile, to dwell among the wild beasts of the unbroken forest. It is supposed that Vroman, in his declining years, gave his pi-o- perty to some other favorite. Be that as it may, Peter Daly saw none of it, but cume into this country naked, as it were ; carved out of the forest his own fortune, and left a numerous and respecled family. There are now only two of his sons living, Thomas and Charles, who live on the old farm, near Bath. His eldest daughter, Mrs. Aikens, is still living, in Sidney. My father, Philip, was the eldest. He died at Oak Shade, in Ernest town, in 1861, in the Ylst year of his age. David, the next son, lived and died at Waterloo, near Kingston ; and Lewis lived and died at Storrington. The first wife of Asal Rockwell, of Ernest town was a daughter of his. Jacob Shibly, Esq., ex M.P.P., married another daughter ; and the late Joshua Boatte another. Their descendants are numerous. John Diamond was born in Albany, with several brothers. An elder brother was drafted, but he tried to escape from a service that was distasteful to him ; was concealed for some time, and upon a sick bed. The visits of the doctor led to suspicion, and the house was visited by rebels. Although he had been placed in a bed, and the clothes so arranged that, as was thought, his presence would not be detected, his breathing betrayed him. They at once required his father to give a bond for $1,200, that his son should not be removed while sick. He got well, and, some time after, again sought to escape, but was caught, and handcufled to another. Being removed from one place to another, the two prisoners managed to knock their guard on the head, and ran for life through the woods, united together. One would sometimes vnn on one side of a sapling, and the other on the opposite side. At night they managed to rub their handcuffs off, and finally escaped to Canada. Of the other brothers, two were carried off by the rebels, and never more heard of. John was taken to the rebel army when old enough to do service ; but he also escaped to Canada, and enlisted in Rogers' Battalion, with which he did service until the close of the war, when he settled with the company at Fredei'icks- burgh. John Diamond married Miss Loyst, a native of Philadelphia, whose ancestors were German. She acted no inferior part, for a woman, during the exciting times of the rebellion. They maiTied 100 JOHN FERGUSON. in Lower Canada. They spent their first summer in Upper Canada, in clearing a little spot of land, and in the fall got a little grain in the ground. They slept, during the summer, under a tree, but erected a small hut before winter set in. CHAPTEE X. CoxTKXTS. — Ferguson — Frazer — Gerolleni}' — Goldsmith — HarrLson — Hodgins — Hickb — Howell — Hover — Hogle — Ham — Herkimer — Holt — .Jones — Johnson — Ket^hcson — Loyst — Myers — McArthnr — Miller — Mordens — McDonald — MeDonuell — McDonell — Ostrom — Peterson. INDIVIDUAL COMBATANTS — CONTINUED. Among the early and influential settlers upon the bay, was John Ferguson. It has been our good fortune to come into pos- session of a good many public and private letters penned by his hand, and invaluable information has thus been obtained. The following letter will inform the reader of the part he took in the sei'vioc during the war. It is addressed to Mr. Augustus Jones. Kingston, 22nd July, 1792. Dear Sir, — Inclosed is my old application for the land on the carrying place, which I send agreeable to your desire. I need not attempt to explain it better, as you know so well what I "want. I wish, if consistent, that land, 200 acres, Mrs. Ferguson is entitled to, might be joined to it. If I cannot get a grant of the carrying place, will you be so good as to let me know what terms it may be had on. I have it in my power to settle the place immediately, had I any security for it. I am certain Mr. Hamilton will interest himself for mo, but I am loth to apjjly to him at present, as in all probability he has too much business to think of besides. hould it be asked how and where I served, I will mention the particulars. The 24th June, 1774, I Avas appointed, and acted as barrack- master until 24th March, 1778, when I was ordered to Carleton Island, being also commissary at the post. Thirteenth April, 1782, 1 was appointed barrack-master of Ontario, whore I remained until ordered to Cataraqui in September, 1783, and acted as barrack-master for both posts, untd 24th June, 1785, when I FRAZER. 101 was obliged to relinquish it, h.aving more business in the commis- sary's department than I could well manage, Avith the other appointment, occasioned by the increase of loyalists settling in this neighborhood. Twenty-fifth Feburary. 1778, my father then being commissary of Oswcgotchie, delivered the stores to me, as he was unable to do the duty himself. He died 13th March, following, when I was appointed his successor. The 13th April, I was ordered to Carleton Island to assist Mr. McLean in the transj)ort business. In November, 1778, I was again sent to Oswegotchie, where I remained commissary of the post until 24:th June, 1782, when I was sent to Ontario to take charge thei-e, from thence I was sent to this place, 24th September, 1783, where I remained until a reformation took place in the commissary depart- ment, and I was on the 24th June, 1787, served like a great many others, sent about my business without any provision, after having spent my best days in His Majesty's service. You see I was eleven years barrack-master, and nine years a commissary, I was also six years in the Commissary General's office at Montreal (a clerk,) during which time my father was permitted to do my duty as barrack-master. I will write you again by next opportunity. Your very humble servant, (Signed) John Ferguson. Ensign Fi'azer, of the the 84th regiment settled at the point of Ernest town. Had three sons. His widow married Colonel Thompson. The Cornwall Freeholder, notices the death of Mr. Frazer, of St. Andrew's, C. W., the discoverer of Frazer river, and of Mrs. Frazer, who departed this life a few hours afterwards. Mr. Fi-azer was one of the few survivors of the find old '• Northwesters," and his name, as the first explorer of the golden stream which bears it, will be remembered with honor long after most of the provincial eotemporaries are forgotton. The Freeholder says : " Mr. Frazer was the youngest son of Mr. Simon Frazer, who emigrated to the State of New York, in 1773. He purchased land near Bennington ; but upon the breaking out of the revolutionary war, he attached himself to^ the royal cause, and served as captain, at the battle of Bennington; where he was captured. by the rebels. He died in Albany jail, about thirteen months afterwards, his end being hastened by the rigorous nature of the imprisonment. He was 102 GEROLLAMY. married to Isabella Grant, daughter of Daldi*egaii, and had issue, four sons and five daughters. The widow, with her children, came to Canada after the peace of 1783. Simon Frazer, the elder, the father of the object of this notice, was the second son of William Prazer, the third of Kilbockie, who, by his wife, Margai'ct, daughter of John McDonell, ot Ardnabio, had nine sons: — 1st. William, the fourth of Kilbockie : 2nd. Simon, who came to America, as we hate seen ; 3rd. John, who was captain in Wolf's army, shared in the honors of the capture of Quebec, and was subsequently, for many years. Chief Justice of the Montreal district ; 4th. Archibald, who was Lieutenant in Frazer's regiment, under General Wolfe, was afterwards captain of the Glengarry Fencibles, and served in Ireland during the rebellion in '98; 5th. Peter, a doctor of medicine, who died in Spain ; 6th. Alexander, who served as captain in General Caird's army, and died in India; 7th. Donald, a Lieutenant in the army, who was killed in battle in Germany; 8th. James, also a Lieutenant in the army, and one of the sufferers in the Black Hole of Calcutta, in 1756 ; 9th. Eoderick, who died at sea." Mr. J. B. Ashley, a native of Marysburgh, to whom much valuable information we possess is due, says: "My great grand- father, James Gerollamy, was but seventeen years of age when he joined General Clinton's army in 1779, and remained in the service until the virtual close of the war in 17^82, when he came from New York to Quebec, and thence to Bath, where he settled, on what was until lately known, as the " Hichcock Farm." He aflerwardti removed to the town, and settled on lot No. 11, 1st concession, lake side. He received from government certain farming implements, the same as before mentioned. A part of them coming into the hands of my father, Augustus Ashley, of Marysburgh. The hatchet, I have often used when a young lad in my childish employments. It is now lost. The share and coulter belonging to the plough, remain among a collection of old iron in my father's woodshed until the present day. James Gerollamy. married Ann Dulmage, the daughter of Thomas Dulmage, who came with him to Canada and settled near him at Bath, in the second town, and subsequently moved to lot No. " D," at the head of South Bay, in the township of Marysburgh, where he died. The graves of himself and wife being still under a large maple tree, close to, the site of his house. James Gerollamy, and his two sons, James and John, served through the war of 1812, under General Provost, Brock and GOLDSMITH — HARRISON. 103 Drummond. The old man holding the rank of Orderly, and his son Jamos that of Lieutenant. The latter received a grant of 1000 acres of land for services as a "spy," he was one of the number who planned the successful attempts upon Oswego, Black Eock and Buifalo, and at the battle of Niagara, generally known as " Lundy's Lane." He fought in the company or regiment known as " Grenadiers," which, in their manceuvering were compelled to run and wallow over a field of corn with mud ankle deep. The whole family were remarkable for large size, being over six feet in height,of great strength, and healthy,with robust constitutions The old gentleman was acknowledged the surest marksman in this section of the country, and his "fusil," was his constant companion. He died about ten years ago, aged about ninety-five years, being in full possession of his faculties until the last. I can well remem- ber seeing him sauntering through the garden, bent with his weight of years, and leaning on his statf. Thomas Goldsmith, a native of Ulster Co., Montgomery town. New York. He was engaged as a spy, and discharged important and successful duties, in carrying information from Gen. Burgoyne to Lord Cornwallis, and returning with despatches. He frequently pass- ed the guards of the Continental army, and often was subjected to a close search, but succeeded in eluding detection. Goldsmith owned one thousand acres of land, on which was a flouring mill with two run of stones. Also, a sailing vessel launched, but not entirely finished, for the West India trade. The boat was sacrificed. The produce of his farm was paid for in Continential bills. The maila- ble iron of his mill was taken to make a chain to put across the Hudson to stop boats. His neighbors, the rebels, catching him one day from home, covered him and his horse and saddle, with a coat of tar and feathers. After the close of the war, he was compelled to part with his land to get away. It was sold for a mere trifle. He came into Canada in 1786, bringing with him some cattle, most of which died for want of something to eat. He was accompanied by David Conger, and reached Kingston, June 24. Settled at first in the fourth township; but soon after removed to Holliwell, where he received a grant of 400 acres of land, 1st. con., lot 9. Here he lived and died, aged ninety. Sergeant Harrison was a native of Ireland, and served for many years in the fifty-third regiment. For some time during the revolutionary war, he was in the Quarter-master's store, and post 104 HODGINS — HICKS. office. He was altogether twontj^-eight years in the service. At the close of the war, he settled in Marysburgh, with the first band, not connected with the Hessians, and was probably under "Wright in the commissary department for the settlement. He settled on lot nine, oast of the Rock. William Hodgins was born on a small island, known as Ginn's Island, lying about three and a half miles from the Virginia shore, in Chesapeake bay, where his fiither, Lewis Hodgins, had a farm of two hundred acres. He joined the Royal arm}' with his younger brother Lewis, in 1778, serving in the regiment known as the Queen's Eangers, under Lord Cornwallis ; where he held the rank of sergeant, and his brother that of corporal. At the battle of Yorktown, he was wounded and taken prisoner, and his brother was killed. After his exchange he came to New Brunswick, and settled about thirty miles above Fredericktou, on the St. John's river, where he lived until 1)B59, when he removed to Canada. First settling in Adolphustown, near what is known now as Cole's Point. He joined the incorporated militia during the war of 1812, serving under Colonel McGill. and Colonel Shaw. He received the right to considerable land ; but after the capture of York, now Toronto, by the Americans in 1813, and the consequent destruction of pi'O- perty, the documents pertaining to the same were burnt, and he could not, as a consequence, get his grant. Immediately after the war of 1812, he removed to Marysburg, where he remained until his death. The above information is received from Mr. William Hodgins, son of the above mentioned "William Hodgins, who is now an old man, he having served with his father in the war of 1812. " It would have done you good to have heard the old gentleman, with his silver locks flowing in the wind, whitened with the frosts of four-score winters, as he descanted upon scenes and incidents in connection with the war, through which he served, and to have witnessed his eye twinkle with pride, when he referred to the loyalty of his honored parent." — (Ashley.) Edward Hicks, who settled in Marysburgh, was placed in prison with his father. His father was taken out and hanged before his window upon an apple tree, (a piece of refined cruelty worthy a rebel cause). This aroused Edward to a state of despera- tion, who with manacled hands, paced his cell. To carry out his intention, he feigned illness, and frequently required the guard to accompany him to the outer yard. At night fall he went out HOWELL. 105 accompanied by the guard. Watching the opportunity, he drew up his hands and struck a furious blow upon the head of the soldier with his hand-cuffs, which laid the man prostrate. Edward darted away to a stream which ran near by, and across which was a mill-dam and a slide. He rushed under this slide, and before a cry was raised, he concealed himself under the sheet of water. He could hear the din and tumult, as search was everywhere made through the night. Cold, wet, benumbed, hungry and hand-cuifed, he remained in his hiding place until the following night, thirty- six hours, when he crept out and escaped to the woods. After nine days of fasting he reached the British army. Edward Hicks did not forget the death of his father. He " fought the rebels in nine battles afterward, and still owes them grudge." Joseph, Joshua and Edward, belonged to Butler's Eangers, and saw no littla service. They were from Philadelpjiia, and left con- siderable property. They had granted them a large tract of land west of Niagara, where sprung up Hicks' settlement. Joseph Hicks afterwards settled on lot six, Marysburgh, west of the Eock. — (Ashley.) Edward Hicks is represented as having been a very powerful man, often performing remarkable feats of strength, such as lifting barrels of flour and pork to his shoulders, and such like. He went to Boston in 1778, in the character of a spy, and was detected by the Americans, and taken prisoner. He represented himself as a young man searching for his mother, who had removed to that section of the country ; but it is supposed that his captors considered him as rather too smart looking a young man to be lost in any entei-prise, he being of tine build, standing good six feet, and possessing an intelligent countenance, and at his trial, condemned him as a spy to be dealt with accordingly^. — (Ashley.) John Howell, a sou of Richard Howell, from AVales, was born in New Jersey in 1*753. When 24 years old he took up his residence at Johnstown, on the Mohawk river. At the commencement of hos- tilities, in 1776, he joined Sir* John Johnson's 2nd battalion, and was raised to the position of seijeant-major. His name appears as such upon the battalion roll, now before the writer. He remained in the army during the war, doing duty at St. Johns, Coteau du lac, and at many other places. When his company Avas disbanded at Oswego, in 1782, he came immediately to Kingston, and thence to Fredericks- burgh, where he settled upon his lot of 200 acres. By adhering to the loyal cause. Sergeant Howell sufiered serious loss in real estate. 106 TUE "WINDMILL. The pleasant town of Eome now stands upon the land which was his. His valuable pro]>erty was not yielded up to the rapacious rebels without a legal effort to recover possession. The case was in court for many years, and Sergeant Howell spent $1,400 in vain efforts to recover. No doubt it was pre-judged before he spent his money. An event in Howell's life during the wai' is not without a touching interest. Before joining the regiment, he had courted and won the heart of a fair lady at Johnstow^n. While stationed at Coteau du lac he obtained permission during the winter, when hostilities were sus- pended, to go to Johnstown to obtain his bride. Guided by seven Indians, he set out to traverse a pathless wilderness, on snow-shoes. The wedding trip had its perils, and almost a fatal termination. On their return they lost their way in the interminable Avoods, and soon found themselves destitute of food. For days they were Avithout anything to eat. One day they shot a squirrel, which, divided among them, Avas hardly a taste to each. The thongs of their shoes vrere roasted and eaten, to allay the pangs of hunger. At last they suc- ceeded in shooting a deer, which had Avell nigh proved the death of some, from over-eating. Tavo of the men Avere left behind, but they subsequently came in. Sergeant Howell's loss as a loyalist vras great ; but, so far as could be, it was made good by Government. He drew 1,200 acres of land as an officer, and the same quantity for his family. At an early date after his arrival at the Bay he Avas appointed Commissioner in the Peace ; and subsequently he was made Colonel of the Prince EdAvard Militia. Soon after settling in Fredericksburgh he built a Avindmill, pro- bably the first mill built by an individual in the Province. He after- wards sold it to one Russell. The remains still mark the spot. He finally settled in Sophiasburgh, Avhile it Avas yet considered by the infant colony as the backAvoods of the settlement. He was a man of liberal education for the times, and was conversant with the Dutch and French languages, and understood the Indian dialect. From his former connection Avith the'Johnson settlement upon the Mohawk, and his close contiguity to the Mohawk Indians ui^on the Bay, he held a high place in their regard. He often visited them ; and their chiefs as often paid him state visits. They often called upon him to settle their disputes, Avhich he never failed to do by his sternness and kindness combined. His presence Avas sufficient to in- spire awe amongst them when disposed to be troublesome, Avhich Avas increased by his long sword which he would hang to his side. HOVER — ^HOGLE. 107 Henry Hover was quite a boy when the rebellion was progressing, being about sixteen when the Declaration of Independence was sigtied. Living along the Hudson, near New York, he went out one day for the cows, when he was caught by some rebels and carried to Lancas- ter jail. After being in prison for some time he wae released, and permitted to go to New York. He some time after, by some means, enlisted in Butler's Eangers, and set out, with four others (one his brother), to traverse the wide country on foot, from New York to Fort Niagara, the head-quarters of the company. Lying one night under the tiees, they were suddenly attacked by a scouting party of rebels, by being fired upon. One was killed, and the rest taken pri- soners. Henry Hover remained in prison, in chains, until the close of the war, nearly two years. The hardships and cruelties he endured were, indeed, terrible. When he was taken prisoner he had on a pair of linen trowseis ; no others were ever given him ; and when he was released these were hanging in shreds upon him. They had nothing to lie upon but the cold brick floor, two persons being chained together. Years after, a stranger called one day at Hover's in Adolph- ustown. Hover not being at home, the man wrote his name, " Green- Avay," the man to whom Henry had been chained for many a weary day and month in prison. Hover being released at the close of the war, reported himself at Niagara, and was discharged with the rest of his company. He received all his back pay, while in jail, and a grant of land at St. Davids ; but his father, Casper Hover, a refugee, had settled in Adolphustown, having come in Major VanAlstine's corps. Henry wished to see his parents, from whom he had been so long separated, and sought a chance to go down from the Niagara frontier. He entered on board an old "hulk," an old French vessel coming down the lake, and so got to Kingston, which place he reached soon after VanAlstine's company had settled in the fourth Township. Henry set out from Kingston on foot, along the bay, through the woods. In time he arrived at the third township. He was misdi- rected across to Hay Bay. Follomng its shores, he met Holland's surveying party, who told him that he was astray, and put him on the correct track. Henry Hover determined to remain at the bay, and was included among the original settlers under VanAlstine, drawing laud like the rest, being the only one who did not belong to that company. He sleeps from his warfare — from his long life of well-spent industry, in the " old U. E. burying ground," at the front, in Adolphustown. Among those who fought the unequal battle of Bennington was 108 HARTMAN — HAM — HERKIMER. Captaia Ilogle, who was shot dead. He was a native of Vermont. He left a widow and three sons, who were yet young. They were xinder the necessity of leaving their valuable possessions and removing to Canada. They^ buried plate in the garden, which was never regained. At the expiration of the war they settled in Ernest town. David Hartman — was present at the battle of Bennington, and was shot through the chest. Notwithstanding, he lived for many years. He settled in Ernest town. John Ham,^the founder of the Ham family of Canada, so well and so favorably known in difiei'ent sections of the Province. He was born near Albany. His father was a native of Germany, although of English parentage. John Ham was a soldier during the war, and in one of several engagements ; was wounded in the leg. The ball, lodg- ing in the calf, was cut out, and, at the request of the suffering but brave hero, was shot back at the foe. He was one of the company who settled in Ernest town. He bad a family of ten children, eight of them being sons, namely : John, Henry, Peter, George, Jacob, Philip, Benjamin, and Eichard, all of whom lived and died in Canada. The name of Herkimer is engraved upon the history of America, both in the United States and in Canada. "Colonel Hanjost Herki- mer , or John Joost, was a son of Johan Jost Herkimer, one of the Palatines of the German Flats, New York, and a brother of the rebel general, Nicholas Herkimer." "His property was confisca- ted. He went to Canada, and died there before 1787." — (^Sabine.') Prior to the war he had occupied several public offices. He served as an officer in Butler's Rangers. We find his name inserted for lot 24 of Kingston, on which now stands part of the city. His son Nicholas settled ujjon the Point now bearing the family name. He married a Purdy, and had several children. His end was a sad one, being murdered by a blacksmith, named Eogers, who escaped. A daughter was married to Captain Sadlier, another to an officer in the army, and a third to Mr. Wartman. The old family place in New York State is yet indicated by the name of Herkimer County. " William Johnson Holt was ensign in Ferguson's Eangers. This corps formed part of the army of Burgoyne at the time of his siu'- rendcr, and, with other provincial prisoners, retired to Canada, by permission of Gates. The subject of this notice settled in Montreal, where he held the lucrative office of Inspector of Pot and Pearl Ashes, and received half pay for nearly fifty years. He died at Montreal, in 1826. By his first wife (Ruah Stevens, of Pittsfield, HOLT — JONES — JOHNSONS. 109 Massachusetts), he was the father of a large family of sons and daughters ; by his second wife (Elizabeth Cuyler) he left no issue. Ilis sixth son, Charles Adolphus, alone has surviving inale children, of M'hom the eldest, Charles Gates Holt, is (18G4) a distinguished counsellor-at-law, and a gentleman of the highest resj^ectability, at Quebec. InFebruary, 1864, he was appointed one of " Her Majesty's Counsel, learned in the laAv," and thus entitled to Avear the " silk robe." " John Jones, of Maine, captain in Rogers' Rangers. Being of a dark complexion, he was called 'Mahogany Jones.' Prior to the war he lived at or near Pownal borough, and was Surveyor of the Plymouth Company. As the troubles increased, the whigs accused him of secreting tea, and broke open his store. Next, they fastened him to a long rope, and dragged him through the water until he was nearly drowned. Finally, to put an end to his exertions against the popular cause, he was committed to jail in Boston. He escaped, Avent to Quebec in 1780, and received a commission in the Rangers. In Maine, again, before the peace, he annoyed his personal foes repeatedly. Among his feats was the capture of his 'old enemy,' General Charles Cushing, of Pownalborough. Jones, immediately after the peace, was at the Bay of Fundy, and interested in lands granted on that island to loyalists. In 1784 he resumed his business as surveyor, on the river St. Croix, .^^j At length, 'his toryism forgotten,' he removed to the Kennebec. He died at Augusta, Maine." Captain William Johnson, of the King's Royal regiment, after- wards colonel of the Militia of Addingtou. Besides the celebrated Sir John Johnson's family, there were a large number of combatants and loyalists of this name, and mostly all of them were conspicuous for their gallant deeds in arms. Captain William Johnson settled some miles west of Kingston, on the front. Left one child, a daughter, Avho married McCoy. They removed to Toronto. It is said by Mr. Finkle that the first militia mustered in Upper Canada Avas by Col. William Johnson, at Finkle's tavern. The name of Johnson has become somcAvhat famous in Canadian history. James Johnson, an Irishman, was a soldier in Rogers' Battalion, He came to Upper Canada with the first settlers of Ernest town, and was captain of the cattle-drivers that came at that time, or a year later. He got his location ticket at Carleton Island. He had a family of seven sons and six daughters. Six of the sons names were : Daniel, James, William, Matthew, Jacob, Andrew. 110 KETCHESON. . The last-mentioned supplies ua with the above information. Ho is now upwards of one hundred years of age. — (See U. E. Loyalists). William Ketcheson, of Sidney, who was born September, 1782, at Bedford, New York, says that his father, William Ketcheson, was a native of England, and came to America with his grandfather, his father being dead. They settled in South Carolina, and lived there until the rebellion broke out. William Ketcheson, sen., was then about seventeen yeai-s of age, and entered the British service as a dragoon, under Lord Cornwallis. He served during the war ; took part in many engagements, and was wounded in the thigh. Shortly before the close of hostilities he was married to Mary Bull, daughter of John Bull, a loyalist. After the peace he went to Nova Scotia, and engaged in fishing for a while ; lived in a shanty at a rock-bound place, called Portoon. Afire van over the place, burning up mostly everything, and almost our informant, who was then only about 18 months old. He and his mother were put on board a boat and taken to New York. The father remained to settle his affairs at Nova Scotia, and then came on into Canada, alone, in 1786. He worked a farm on shares, in the third township, belonging to John Miller. Raked in the grain ; went for his family, and then subse- quently worked Spence's farm on shares for many years. Finally moved to Sidney, in 1800, and settled in the fifth concession. " John Waltermeyer a tory partisan leader. He was noted for enterprise and daring, but not for cruelty or ferocity. In 1781, at the head of a band of Tories, Indians, and Canadians, he attempted to carry off General Schuyler, whose abode at that time was in the suburbs of Albany. The party entered the dwelling, commenced packing up the plate, and a search for the General. But that gentleman opened a window, and, as if speaking to an armed force of his own, called out, — "Come on, my brave fellows ; surround the house, and secure the villians who are plundering." The happy stratagem caused Waltermeyer and his followers to betake themselves to flight." The foregoing statement is taken from Sabine, we shall now give information derived from Captain Myer's descendants, and others who knew him well. It is without doubt correct. Captain Myer's father and brother identified themselves with the rebel part}', and we have heard it stated that he was at first, a rebel also, but not receiving promotion as he expected, forsook the cause, and upon the offer of a captaincy in the British forces allied himself to them. That this was the pure invention of his enemies CAPT. MYERS. Ill is sufficiently plain. At the beginning of the rebellion Captain Myers, with his father, was a farmer in the vicinity of Albany, and could have had no reason for promotion. As to the captaincy, we find that he did not receive it until 1782, Avhen the war had virtually closed, as the following shows : Frederick Haldimand, Captain-Gi-eneral and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of Quebec and territories depending thereon, &c., &c., &c. Greneral and Commandei--in-Chief of His Majesty's forces in said Province and territories thereof, &c., &c.. &c. TO JOHN WALTER MYERS, ESQ. : By Virtue of the power and authority in me vested, I do hereby constitute, appoint you to be captain in the corps of Loyal Rangers whereof Edward Jessup, Esq., is Majoi'-Commandant. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of captain by exercising and well disciplining both the inferior officers and soldiers of the corps, and I do hereby command them to obey you as their captain, and you are to observe and follow such orders and directions as you shall from time to time receive from me your Major, Major-Commandant, or any other of your superior officers, according to the rules and discipline of war. In pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you. Given under my hand and seal at Arms, at the Castle of St. Louis, at Quebec, this thirtieth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and in the twenty-second year of the reign of our Sovereign, Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, Fi-ance and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, and soforth. (Signed) Fred. Haldimand. By His Excellency's Command, R. Mathews. It is true that during the war he made the attempt to take General Schuyler a prisoner. He went with ten men to Albany for the purpose of seizing the General, and carrying him away cap- tive. On entering the yard at night, they looked through the window and saw the object of the expedition, but when they' had entered the house he could no where be found, although search was made from cellar to garret. But in the garret were a number of puncheons turned up side down. Some of them were examined, but not all. After the war had closed, the Governor called on Myers and told him that had he turned over the other punch. 112 M'AETHUR — MILLER. eons he would have found him. A faithful female slave had placed him there. The men with Myers had instruction to touch none of the Governor's property, after leaving the place, however, he found one of the men in possession of a silver cup. This was sent back to the Governor afterward. During the war, Myers on one occasion, perhaps Avhen he was returning from his attempt to take Schuyler, was nearly starved to death. He had with him a favorite dog, which became sick for want of food. He carried the dog for days, not knowing but he would have to kill him for food. But they all got safely out of it, . and he retained the dog for many a day, and on one occasion he showed him to Schuyler. After the war Captain Myers enjoyed a pension of 5s. 6d. a day. He lived in Lower Canada two years. A certificate of Masonry informs us that he was in Quebec in 1780. He frequently carried despatches to New York, in the first years of the Avar ; upon one occasion he was in a friend's house when the rebels came up, he jumped out of the back window and ran to the woods, he was seen, uad persons on horseback came rapidly to the woods, and tied their horses, to pursue him on foot, which they hastily did ; Myers had, however, hidden himself close by, and when they had fairly entered the woods in pursuit of him, he jumped up and deliberately selected the best horse, upon which he mounted, and so made an easy escape to New York. He came up the bay at an early date, and it would seem squatted on the front of the ninth town before it was surveyed. He then moved up to Sidney where he lived until 1790, when he returned to the Moira E.iver. Captain Myers was a bold man, with limited education, but honest, and, like many others of the Dutch Loyalits, given to great hospitality. He was a pioneer in mill building, in trading, and in sailing batteaux and schooners, up and down the bay. Charles McArthur, a native of Scotland, came to America before the rebellion, and settled upon the Mohawk Eiver. Took part in the Avar, in Burgoyne's army. Lived for some time at Oswe- gotchie, when he removed to head of the bay. There were living theft west of the Trent River only the following families : Peter Huifman, Donald McDonell, John Bleeker, Esq., and John McArthur. A daughter of Charles McArthur still lives at Belle- ville, having been born at Oswegotchie, now aged 78, (Mrs. Maybee.) Ensign Miller, of Jessup's corps, was a native of Duchess I I OGDEN — MORDEN — m'DONALD. 113 CJounty. He had a brother an ensign, who lived and died at Mon- treal. Settled in Fredericksburgh, adjacent Adolphustown ; drew in all 2,000 acres of land, in dift'erent places. Died 1805, aged forty- seven. Another brother came to the Province the year after the U. E. list had closed. He was the Mher of Eev. Gilbert Miller of Picton, and died at the age of ninety. Mr. G. Miller informs us that two great uncles, named Ogden, were Avith the British troops at the taking of Fort Frontenac. All of this name (Ogden) are supposed to be related. They were, it is thought, of Welsh origin. One of that name settled upon the Delaware Elver previous to the rebellion. It is not quite certain whether this first Ogden died by the banks of the Delaware, or as is thought came to the Bay Quinte. He had three sons, one of whom died before their removal, leaving foui* sons. They, with their imcles, came at a very early date to Hamilton, but the four nephews removed to the Bay Quinte about 1790. Their names were James, John, Joseph and Richard. The numerous body living around the bay of this name, have all sprung from these four brothers. (Mar- shal R. Morden.) Mr. James Morden was a private in His Majesty's Provincial Regiment, King's Royal of New York, Sir J. Johnson Commander. Discharged 1785 at Montreal, at the age of twenty, having served three years. Colonel McDonald, as hcAvas subsequently' called, as an officer of militia, served under Sir John Johnson. He was one of the first settlers of the fifth township at the Bay Quinte. He landed first in the cove bearing his name, near Mount Pleasant, 1784. We have stood upon the spot where he first set foot upon the land, and pitched his tent. This cove is marked upon some of the old maps as Grog Bay, but in i-eality, Grog Bay was a small inlet from the cove. Colonel McDonald Jived to be eighty-five years old. He drew large quantities of land, besides receiving many other favors from government. He left but one offspring, a daughter, who married a native of France named Prinyea, whose descendants are ■yvorthy inhabitants of the place. We find the following newspaper recoi'd ; " Died on the 3rd October, 1815, Sergeant Alexander McDonald^ in his 78th year. This worthy veteran enlisted in 1757 in the 78th or Fi-azer's regi- ment, in which he seiwed at the taking of Louisburg and Quebec. In 1763 he was drafted into the 60th, and served in the active cam- paigns during the American war, under the late General Provost, 114 J. m'donenll. in Carolina and Georgia. In 1799 he was drafted from the 60th into the 41st regiment, in which he served till August 1811, when he was discharged, after a faithful service of tifty-five years." The Canadian Gourant sj^oke of J. McDonnell, as follows : — "The subject of this memoir was born in Glengary, in the High- lands of Scotland, about the year 1750. His father was principal tackman on the estate. The spirit of emigration prevailed very much in Scotland, and particularly in the Highlands, a little before the commencement of the American war. The father of Mr, R. McDonnell partaking of the feelings of his clan, and anticipating many advantages in this new world, accompanied a considerable emigration from Glengary estate, of which he was one of the prin- cipal leaders. Mr. E. McDonnell landed at New York with his father, and a number of the same name, in 1773, but the dis- putes between Great Britain and the colonies having assumed a very serious appearance, it was thought prudent to send him into Canada. Being designed for commerce, he was placed in a count- ing house, but the war breaking out, the spirit of his ancestors burst forth with an ardor which could not be restrained. He joined the Eoyal Standard, and was immediately appointed to an ensigncy, in the 84th regiment. In this subordinate situation he did not fail to distinguish himself by his bravery and good conduct, and on one singular and trying occasion he exhibited the greatest intrepidity and coolness. He was advanced to the command of a company in Butler's Rangers. Many of your readers still remember that the services required by this regiment were of the most arduous kind. They were sent out on scouting parties, and employed in jjicking up intelligence, and in harrassing the back settlements of the enemy. As their marches lay through pathless forests, they were frequently reduced to the gi'eatest necessities, nor had they even, while on service, any of those comforts which are so common in regular camps. In the many expeditions and contests in which this regiment was engaged, during the war. Captain McDonnell bore a distinguished part, but the great hardships which he had ta surmount, undermined a constitution naturally excellent, and entailed upon him a severe rheumatism which embittered the remaining part of his life. During some time he acted as Pay-master of the regiment, and by his own care and attention he found himself at the end of the war in the possession of a small independence. This he con- sidered equally the property of his father, brothers and sisters as m'donnell. 115 his own, and proved by his generosity I hut his filial love and brotherly affection were equal to his other virtues. In 1794 when it was thought proper to levy a regiment in this country to remedy the great desertion which attended regiments from Europe, he raised a company. "In 1795 he was promoted to the majority, and the regiment having been divided into two battalions, he became Lieutenant- Colonel of the 2nd, in 1796. '' He commanded at Niagara during the building of Fort George, and in 1802 he again retired on half-pay, the Eoyal Canadian Regi- ments having been most injudiciously reduced during the continu- ance of the ephemeral peace of Amiens. While at Fort George he married Miss Yates, a lady from the States, whose amiable and obliging manners gained the esteem of all who had the honor of her acquaintance. By this lady, in whom the Colonel enjoyed all that has to be wished in a companion and friend, he has a son, a promising boy, who, it is to be hoped, will inherit the virtues of his father. The Colonel's active benevolence was known to all, and experienced by many of his friends. " There was something so generous, so noble in his manner of doing a kindness of this sort, as to give it a double value. " In 1807 he was appointed Paymaster to the 10th Eoyal Veteran Battalion, a situation certainly far below his merits — but his cir- cumstances, which, owing to his generous disposition, were by no means affluent, induced him to accept it. "He had been exceedingly infirm for many years, and perhaps the severe climate at Quebec was too much for his weak constitu- tion. Certain it is that this city has been fatal to several respect- able characters from the Upper Province. He caught a severe cold in the beginning of November, 1809, accomj)anied with a violent cough and expectoration ; he was not, indeed, thought dangerously ill, till within a short time of his death, biit his feeble constitution could not support the cough, and he expired on the twenty-first. " Such are the scanty materials which I have been able to collect respecting the life of a most excellent officer and honorable man, who became dearer to his friends and acquaintances the longer he was known to them. " He was rather below the middle size, of a fair complexion, and in his youth, uncommonly strong and active. For some time past his appearance was totally altered ; insomuch that those who had IHi NICHOLSON — OSTROJl— PETERSON. not seen him f'ui- muiiy years, could not recognize ti single feature or the swift and intrepid captain of the Rangers. An acute disease made it frequently painful for him to move » limli, even for days and weeks together, but though his body suf- lered, his mind was active and benevolent, and his anxiety to promote the interests of his friends ceased only with his life." Among those who took part in the unequal engagement at Eennington, was Alexander Nicholson, a Scotchinan, who came to America shortly before the Avar broke out. He enlisted as a private under Burgojme; but before the close of the Avar, receiA^ed a commission. He Avas one of a comjiany which was all but anni- hilated at Bennington. He stood bj^ his Colonel Avhen that ()tti(cr Avas shot from his horse. Vainl^-trA-ingtoget him re-horsed, that officer told him it Avas no iise, that lie had better flee. The day being evidently lost, he proceeded to escape as best he could. AVith his arm Avounded, he managed to escape through a field of corn to the Avoods. Coming to a river, he Avas arrested by an Indian upon the opposite bank, who, mistaking him for a rebel, fired at him. The Indian being undeceived, he forded the river. Making good his escape, he, Avith many others, Avandercd for days, or rather tor nights, hiding by day, as scouts Avere ranging the Avoods to hunt out the tories. There were, hoAvever, friends Avho assisted to conceal them, as well as to furnish them Avith food. He often spoke of his sufferings at that fearful time; lying upon the cold ground Avithout covering, and sleej)ing, to Avake Avith the hair frozen to the bare ground. Subsequently Nicholson Avas attached to Eogors corp's. He settled in Fredericksburgh, at the close of hostilities, and subseqiiently removcfl in 1800, to the tOAvnship ot ThurloAv. Ostrom Avas engaged to carry despatches through the enem3''s line. On one occasion he had the despatch in a silver bullet, which he put in his mouth. Having reason to believe he would be dili- gently examined, he took it from his mouth as he Avould a quid of tobacco, threw it in the fire and thus escaped. Nicholas Peterson, Avith his three sons, Nicholas, Paul and Christopher. Averc living near Ncav York, and took a part in the Avar. They assisted in fighting one of the most remarkable battles of the revolution. It took jdace on the west side of the North River, opposite the citj' of New York, Avhen seventy-five British Militia- men resisted an attack made b}- 5,500 rebels, for several hours. THE ROGERS' FAMILY. U7 The British had a Block House, made of logs, with a hollow exca- vation behind, and in this hollow they loaded their guns, and would then step forward and discharge them at the enemy. Only throe of the British were slain ; the rebels lost many. These Petersons lost everything of any importance, when they left New York. Some of their valuables they buried to preserve them fi-oin the enemy, and the rest they left to their use. Nicholas and Paul settled on lots No. 12 and 13, la the first concession of Adolphustown. south of Hay bay. CHAPTER XI. Contexts. — RogeiV family — Ryei'soii — Reduer — Sherwood — Taylor — Van JJu.-en — Wil Hamburgh — SVright — Wilkins — Yomig — Officers who settled in Niagara District. Under Queen's Eangers will be found some account of Major Eogei's, derived from Sabine. We here give further information, pro- cured from Robert 1). Rogers,Esq., and Di-. Armstrong, of Rochester, New York, who is a native of Fredericksburgh, and wlio, for many years, practised his profession in Picton and Kingston. Robert J). Rogers, of Ashburnham, writes : " My grandfather, James Rogers, settled first in Yermont, and had several large tracts of land there, he, and his brothers were officers in the Queen's Rangers, of which his brother Robert was the chief officer; thej' were emploj-ed in the wars of the French and Indians, until the taking of Quebec by the British, after Avhich the said Robert Rogers was ordered by General Amherst to proceed westward and take possession of all the forts and places held by the French, as far west as Detroit and Michilimicinac, which he did in the fall of 1760 ; and he afterwards Avent to England, where he published a journal kept by him during the French and Indian wars, and up to 1761, which was published in London 1765. HealsowTote another book, giving a description of all the North American Colonies. My gi'andfather continued to reside in Yermont, until the tirne of the revolution, when he joined the British army, and after peace was proclaimed, settled near the East Lake in Prince Edward. I have heard that he was buried in Fredericksburiih, but do not 118 ROGERS. know the place. My father represented Prince Edward in the firgt Parliament of Upper Canada, of which he was a member for twenty- six years." From Dr. Armstrong, we learn that " Major Rogers was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, about the year 1728. His wifo was the daughter of the Eev. David McGregor, pastor of the Pres- byterian church, Londonderry, of which his father, the Rev. James McGregor, formerl}^ of Londondcrrj^, Ireland, was the founder, April 12, 1719. Major Rogers was the father of three sons and three daughters. He removed with his family to Vermont, where he had become the proprietor of a large tract of land. Here he lived until the breaking out of the rebellion, (see Queen's Rangers.) After the conclusion of the war. Major Rogers, aban- doning his propert}^ in Vermont, much of which had been destroyed, his herds of cattle driven off and appropriated to their own use by his neighbors, removed with his family to Canada and settled in Fredericksburgh. That he had been there previously and explored the country, and that he had taken with him a corps of soldiers, is altogether probable, for I Avell remember to have seen in my earliest boyhood, evidences of previous military strife, such as numerous broken guns, swords, and other worn-out weapons. At Fredericksburg, Major Rogers erected, as he had done before at Londondcrr}^ Vermont, the first frame house in the township. How long he remained here I am unable to say, but probably several years. My own birth-place, August 29, 1789, was in a little village one or two miles below his residence, and as I was one of his legatees, he probabl}^ remained therefor some time after that event. I find no record of his death, but it probably took place about the year 1792. He was buried in Fredericksburgh, as were his Avidow and eldest daughter (.my mother), 1793. His eldest son James, returned to Vermont and recovered a con- siderable portion of the land in Londonderry. He afterward, in 1819, removed with his family to Haldimand, where he died several years ago. His second son, David McGregor, familiarly known also as " Major Rogers," remained in Canada up to the time of his death, about 1823. While quite a young man, he was elected a member of the first Parliament of Upper Canada. He then resided at Little Lake in the township of Hallowell. He afterwards removed to Cramahe, where I found him in 1803, engaged as a merchant, holding the office of clerk of the Peace, clerk of the District Court, and Registrar of Deeds, besides being a member of PETERS — RYBRSON. 119 Parliament, and carrying on a farm. His name is pretty closely identified with the early history of Upper Canada. He was a man of great energy of character and sound judgment, was highly respected and esteemed, and died greatly lamented. After remain- ing in Fredericks burgh several years, the family of the late Major (James) Eogers removed to the " Little Lake," so called. This was the scene of my earliest recollections. In the same neighbor- hood had resided Mr. Peters, and his family. He was a native of New England, remained loyal to the Crown, became an officer in the Queen's Rangers, and was among the early refugees to Canada. He afterwards became sheriif of Newcastle, having removed from the Little Lake, first to the Carrying Place, and afterwards to Cramahe, about the year 1804, where he died many years ago. Joseph Ryerson, of New Jersey, one of the five hundred and fifty volunteers who went to Charleston, South Carolina. For his good conduct in bearing despatches one hundred and ninety-six miles into the interior, he was promoted to a Lieutenancy in the Prince of Wales' Volunteers. Subsequently he was engaged in six battles, and once wounded. At the peace he went to New Bruns- wick, thence to Canada, where he settled and became a Colonel in the militia. In the war of 1812, he and his three sons were in arms against the United States. He died near Victoria, Upper Canada, in 1854, aged ninety-four, one of the last of the "old United Empire Loyalists." — (Sabine.) One of Captain Ryerson's old comrades, Peter Redner, of the bay, says, he was " a man of daring intrepidity, and a great favorite in his company." He often related an instance when Captain Ryerson, commanding a scouting party, for which peculiar service he was eminently fitted, ventured to crawl up to a tent of American officers, and discovering one standing in the door who saw him, he walked boldly up, thus lessening suspicion, and drawing his bayonet immediately ran him through the body, and escaped before his companions had sufficiently recovered from the shock to give pursuit. He represented Captain Ryerson as being one of the most determined men he ever knew, with the service of his country uppermost in his mind, he often exposed himself to great danger to accomplish his desires. Samuel Ryerson, of New Jersey, brother of Joseph, joined the Royal Standai-d, and received a commission as captain in the Third Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers ; went to New Brunswick at the peace, thence to Canada, where he settled, 120 REDNER — RUTTAN. Peter Eedner, a native of New Jersey, was connected with the service for some time. He was in the same division as Captain Ryei'son, and during his subsequent life was alwaj's delighted to tell of the incidents in connection with the several campaigns through .which he passed, especially such as related to "his friend Rye rson," to whom he was much attached. At the close of the war he went to Nova Scotia, where he drew land ; but not liking the place, he dispo.sed of his land and came to Canada. He purchased lot ninetj'-four in Ameliasbui'gh for a small consideration, from William Fox, a United Empire Loyalist, of Pennsylvania, who had drawn it. — (Ashley.) Walter Eoss — He arrived, an emigrant from Scotland, at Que- bec, the night before the fall of Montgomery. He, with others from the ship, immediately took up arms, and assisted to repulse the enemy in a most distinguished manner. He subsequntly lived with Major Frazer, and became so great a favorite that the Major assisted him to an ensigucy. After the close of the war he married Miss Williams, of Ernest town, and settled in Marysbui'gh, on the lake shore. The Euttans were descendants of the Huguenots. Says Sheriff Euttan : "My grandfather emigrated to America about the time of Sir William Johnson, Bart., in 1734, and settled at a town called New Eochelle, in Westchester county, New York. This town, or tract of land, was purchased in 1689, expressly for a Huguenot settlement, by Jacob Leister, Commissioner of the Admi- ralty, under Governor Dongau of New York. It soon increased, and in 1700 had a vast number of militia officers, loyal to the back- bone. To this settlement my grandfather repaired soon after his arrival. My iiather and uncle Peter Were born here about 1757, and 1759. Both entered the armj^ in the 3rd battalion of Jersey volunteers, one as Lieutenant, the other as Captain. This was about the year 1778. In the yoixr 1778, my uncle Peter accom- panied Brant from New York to Western Canada, on a tour of observation, being a great fiavorite, so much so that he named his son Joseph Brant Euttan, as a token of his friendshij). As a further token of his esteem. Brant, at parting, presented him with a hand- some brace of pistols, which he valued highly. At his decease, they came into my possession. My father and uncle had grants of 1200 acres of land each, at Adolphustown, in the Midland District, this was in 1783 or 1784." Sheriff Euttan, when a child, met with a slight accident which probably turned the current of his life from one of comparative SCHERMERHORN — SPENCER. 121 obscurity to notoriety. Henry Euttan went out with his brother one spring morning to tap trees for sugar making. Accidentally two of Henry's fingers were severed from his hand by an unto- ward stroke of the sharp axe. This loss led his father to send him to school, as he could not perform manual labor. Respecting his education, the reader is referred to the division on "Early Educa- tion." With the education obtained in Adolphustown, he went to Kingston and was apprenticed with John Kerby, a successful mer- chant. By industry as well as talent, Henry advanced to be a partner, and was entrusted to open a store in the " now township " near Grrafton, in Newcastle. Subsequently, he distinguished him- self as a soldier, in 1812, then as a member of Parliament, as Speaker, and for a long time as Sheriff. Latterly his name is associated with inventions for ventilation of buildings and cars. Captain Schermerhorn was among the first settlers upon the bay Quinte. Respecting the nature of his services during the war we have no record, nor have Ave learned in what regiment he served ; but most probably in Johnson's. The wi-iter has in his possession a portion of an epaulet which belonged to this officer. He drew large quantities of land in the western part of the Province, as well as a lot in Fredericksburgh. He died in 1788 when on a visit to Montreal to procure his half-pay. His widow and eldest son died soon after. His 3-ouugest son, John, settled on lot 95, 9th concession Ameliasburg. — (J. B. Ashley.) " Colonel Si)encer " was an officer in Eoger's Battalion, settled on lot 9, 1st concession Fredericksburgh additional. He died shortly after the commencement of the war of 1812, having been Colonel of the militia, and active in pi'eparing to meet the foe. He was buried, with military honors, upon his own farm. His brother Augustus was an ensign, and settled at East Lake, on half-pay. His wife, Sarah Conger, lived to be ninety-four years old. In the former part of last century there were born three brothers, Seth, Thomas, and Adiel Sherwood, in old Stratford, in the Province of Connecticut. The three brothers removed, 1743, to New York State, five miles north of Fort Edward, within a short distance of the spot where Burgoj^ne surrendered. At the commencement of the rebellion, Seth and Adiel identified them- selves with the rebel party, becoming officers in the army, while Thomas adhered to his Sovereign. It was probably after the defeat of Burgoyne, when be proceeded to St. John, Lower Canada, and 122 SHERWOOD — TAYLOR. was subsequently employed by the British Government on secret service in the revolting State. His knowledge of the country enabled him to bring from the territory of the enemy not a few who were desirous of serving in the British army. In 1779 his family removed to St. Johns, and he received an appointment as subaltern in Major Jessup's corps. At the close of the war, Thomas Sherwood came with his corps to the St. Lawrence, and became the first actual settler in the county of Leeds. He was well known as an active public man, "he was ever ready to give assistance and instructions to the new comers.'" He also assisted in the first survey of that part. He was among the first magistrates. He lived on his farm forty -two years, and died, aged 81, in peace. Adiel Sherwood, from whom we receive the foregoing facts, was the son of Thomas, and was born at the homestead in New York State, 16th May, 1779, shortly before the family left for Canada. He says : " I remained Muth the family at St. Johns until May, 1784, when we came in the very first brigade of batteaux to the Upper Province, where my father pitched his tent, about three miles below Brockville, so that I may say I saw the first tree cut, and the first hill of corn and potatoes planted by an actual settler." Mr. Adiel Sherwood at an early date, 1796, was appointed an ensign in the first regiment of LeedH Militia. He was promoted from time to time until he became Colonel. He was commissioned a Magistrate, Clerk of the Peace, Commissioner of Land Board, and finally Sheriff for the district of Johnstown. He was connected with the militia fifty years, when be retired on full rank. Was Treasurer of the District twenty-five years, and Sheriff thirty-five. Mr. Sherwood still lives, an active, genial, and christian-minded gentleman, and we take this occasion to express our feelings of gratitude for his assistance and sympathy in this our undertaking. There were u good many • of the name of Taylor among the loyalists residing at Boston, New York, and Now Jersey. They were all in the higher walks of life, and some filled high public stations. One family, consisting at the time of the rebellion, of a mother and three sons, has a tragic and deeply interesting history. For many of the particulars I am indebted to Sherifi" George Taylor, of Belleville, a descendant of the youngest of the brothers. Sheriff Taylor's father Avas named John, and was born upon the banks of the Hudson, of Scotch parents. He was fourteen A SPY OP THE REVOLUTION. 123 years old when the rebellion broke out. His two brothers were officers in the British army, and were employed in the hazardous duties of spies. The only knowledge he has of his uncles, is that they were both caught at different times, one upon one side of the Hudson and the other the opposite side ; both were convicted and executed by hanging, one upon the limb of an apple tree, the other of an oak. John Taylor was at home with his mother upon the farm, at Kinderhook. But one day he was carried off while from the house, by a press gang, to Burgoync's army. He continued in the army for seven years, until the end of the war, when he was discharged. During this time he was in numerous engage- ments, and received three wounds at least, one a sabre wound, and a ball wound in the arm. It is stated on good authority, (Petrie) that he once carried a despatch from Quebec to Nova Scotia, fol- lowing the Bay of Fundy. His mother in the meantime was ignorant of his whereabouts, and held the belief that he was dead, or carried off by the Indians. At the expiration of the war he went to New Brunswick by some means, subsequently he under- took to walk on snowshoes, with three others, from St. Johns to Sorel, which he accomplished, while the three others died on the •way; he saved his life by killing and eating his dog. He procured his discharge at Sorel. In 1783 he came up the St. Lawrence to Cata- raqui, and thence walked up the bay as far as the mouth of the Moria River, occompanied by one William McMullen. Ascending the Moria he chose the land, where is now the 4th concession of Thurlow, the "Holstead farm." He lived here a few months, but the Indians drove him awaj^, declaring the river belonged to them. He then bought lot No. 5, at the front, of Captain Singleton, pro- perty which 3''et bears his name. John Taylor married the daughter of a U. E. Loyalist by the name of Eussell. Two or three years after he came to Thurlow, he visited his old home at Kinderhook, to see his mother, who knew not he was alive. She accom})anied him back to Canada, although hard on ninety years old. She did not live long in her new home. Two intimate comrades of John Taylor i-o the army, were Merritt and Soles, father of D. B. Soles, formerly of Belleville. Bespecting the brothers of John Taylor, the following appeared in the Hastings Chronicle of Belleville, 13th November, 1861. "A Spy of the Eevolution. — In the year 1776, when Governor Clinton resided in Albany, there came a stranger to his house one cold wintry morning, soon after the family had breakfasted. 124 GEN. CLINTON AND TAYLOR. He was welcomed b^ the liouseliold, and hospitably entertained. A breakfast was ordered, and the Govenior, with his wife and daughter employed in knitting, was sitting before the fire, and entered into conversation with him about the aifairs of the country, which natur- ally led to the enquiry of what was liis occupation. The caution and hesitancy with which the stranger spoke, aroused the keen-sighted Clinton. He communicated his suspicion to his wife and daughter, who closely watched his every word and action. Unconscious of this, but finding that he had fallen among enemies, the stranger was seen to take something from his pocket and swallow it. Meantime Madam Clinton, with the ready tact of a woman of those troublesome times, went quietly into the kitchen, and ordered hot coflee to be immediately made, and added to it a strong dose of tartar emetic. The stranger, delighted with the smoking beverage, partook freely of it, and Mrs. Clinton soon had the satisfaction of seeing it produce the desired result. From scripture out of his own mouth was he condemned. A siver bullet appeared, which upon examination was unscrewed and found to contain an important despatch from Burgoyne. He was tried, condemned and execiited, and the bullet is still preserved in the family." " The foregoing article we clip from the Boston Fi'ee Flag of the 2nd November, 1861, this,there is reason to infer, is a special reference to a relative of one of the oldest families in this i)art of Canada. John Taylor in his life time, well known to the first inhabitants of Belleville, had two brothei's employed upon secret service for the British Government during the American revolutionary war, their names were Neil and Daniel. At different times they were each apprehended and suffered the severe jjenalty of the law. A tradi- tion of the Taylor family of this place, agrees in all particulars Avith the above ai-ticle, and points to one of the Taylor brothers as the person therein alluded to." Sabine says that " Daniel Taylor in ITTY, was dispatched by Sir Henry Clinton to Burgoyne, Avith intelligence of the capture of Fort Montgomery, and was taken on his way by the \\higs as a spy. Finding himself in danger, he turned aside, took a small silver ball or bullet from his pocket and SAvallowed it. The act was seen, and General George Clinton, into whose hands lie had fallen, ordered a severe dose of emetic tartar to be adminis- tered, which caused him to discharge the bullet. On being unscrewed, the silver bullet was found to contain a letter from the one British General to the other, which ran as follows : VANDUSEN — WILLIAMSBURGH. 125 Fort Montgomery, October 2, 1777. JVoits void — and nothing between us but Gates, I sincerely hope this little success of ours may facilitate your operations. In answer to your letter of 28th of September, by C. C, I shall only say, I cannot presume to order, or even advise, for reasons obvious. I heartily wish you success. Faithfully yours, H. OUNTOX. To General Burgoyne. Taylor was tried, convicted, and executed, shortly after his detection." Conrad VanDusen was a native of Duchess County, N. Y., born 23rd April, 1751. His father was Eobert VanDusen. At the commencement af the rebellion he was in business as a tailor, in New York City. He served during the whole of the war, seven years, in Butler's Rangers. During this time, his Avife, who was also from Duchess County, formerly a Miss Coon, carried on the tailoring business in New York, and succeeded in saving fifty-three guineas. On leaving for Canada with VanAlstinc, they brought with them two large boxes of clothing. They also had some jewellry. During the war VanDusen was sometimes employed upon secret service, and upon one occasion was caught, and condemned to be hanged. Upon leaving the room in which he had been tried, he managed to convey to a Avoman present, whose earnest demeanor led him to believe she was friendly, a gold ring, a keep-sake of his wife. By some means VanDusen escaped, having concealed himself in a swamp under water, with his face only above water, and in after years he was surprised and rejoiced to receive by letter the identical ring, which had been sent to him by the woman into whose hands he had so adroitly placed it. She had directed the letter to Cataraqui. The close of the war found VanDusen at New York, and he Joined VanAlstine's band of refugees, and settled in Adolphustown. Subsequently he removed to Marysburgh, lot No. 9, where he died, aged seventy-six years and seven months. He lies buried in the U. E. burying ground, Adolphustown. Frederick Frank Williamsburgh, at the time of the war lived upon the Susquehanna, and owned a thousand acres of land. He was a sickly man. His family consisted of a son eleven years old, ^nd three daughters. One day he went some distance to a mill, 126 WRIGHT — WILKINS. taking his children with him, and leaving his wife and mother at home. That day the rebeh made a raid, and he was taken prisoner fi'om his children on the road ; and coming to his barn, it, with all his grain was burned up. His wife and old mother sought safety in the woods, and the house was stripped of everything. The children arriving home without their father, found no mother, or grand- mother, only the smoking ruins of the bam and the dismantled house. Frightened almost to death, and expecting to be killed before mor-n ing, they lay down on the floor. About midnight came a knock at the door, after a time they summoned sufficient courage to ask who was there, when it was found to be neighbor who had been hunted in the woods for three days and who was almost starved. He was admitted, and having slept for a short time, he proceeded to prepare a raft upon the river ; upon this he placed some flour he had con- cealed in the woods, and the children, with himself, and floated down the river. But the morning brought the enemy, and they were taken. The children were conveyed to a place where they found their mother ; but the father having been thrown into a prison, in three months his weak constitution succumbed to the cruelty of his prison house. The family found their way to Lower Canada, after a time, living upon the rations dealt out from day to day from the commissariat department. They, after a time, went to Montreal, and one son, when twelve year old, enlisted. For a time he acted as tailor to the regiment, but subsequently became a favorite with the Colonel and was promoted. The descendants of this William Williamsburgh now live in Belleville. Sergeant Daniel Wright was born in the city of London, 1741. He was sergeant in the •74th regiment. Sergeant Wright was present at the battle before Quebec, when Montgomery was killed. He settled in Maiysburgh in 1784. He was commissary officer for the fifth to^\alship, and was subsequently appointed magistrate and then registrar, which office he held for upwards of thirty years. Was Lieut. Colonel in the Prince Edward Militia. " Old Squire Wright " was a man of education and gentlemanly deportment, strictly religious, and noted for his urbanity ; he obtained the soubriquet of " Squire civil." It is said he was never kuowTi to smile. Unlike other retired oflicers, it is said, he did not seek to acquii'e extensive tracts of land. Died April, 1828, aged eighty-seven. The following is from the Kingston Chronicle : " Died at the Car- rying Place, 27th February, 1836, EobertWilkins, Esq., in the ninety- COL. YOUNG. 127 fourth year of his age. He entered the army at the early age of seventeen, in the iVth Light Dragoons, then commanded by the late Colonel Hale. Soon after he joined the regiment it was ordered to Scotland. There 'it did not long remain; the " Whiteboy " con- spiracy had been formed in Ireland. From Ireland he sailed with. the same distinguished regiment for the British American Colonies, then raising the standard of revolt, landed at Boston, and a few days after bore a conspicuous part in the battle of Bunker's Hill, on which occasion he had two horses shot under him. He was present at most of the engagements in the northern colonies. At the battle of White Plains, he was one of the forlora hope, where he received a severe contusion on the breast, and lost the thumb of his right hand. After recovering from his wounds, he retired from the army, and entered into mercantile pursuits in the city of New York. There he carried on a prosperous business until peace was concluded ; but when that city was evacuated by the British troops (in 1783) he was too strongly attached to his king to remain behind. He then accom- panied them to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, In the improvements of that luckless place, he expended a large sum of money, but finding that the place would not succeed, he left, and in 1V89, returned to his native countiy, from which, three years after, he was induced to follow Governor Simcoe to this colony, just after it had received its constitution, and became a distinct government. From that time he remained in Upper Canada, and most of the time at this i)lace. Of Chiistian doctrine and Christian duty, he had a much deeper sense than was obvious to occasional visitors. His hospitality was j)rover- bial, and ne\^er under his roof was the poor refused food or shelter. His remains were followed to the church, and thence to the house appointed for all living, by not less than .300 of his friends and neighbors." For an account of the son of the above, see notices of U. E. Loyalists. Col. H. Young — His father was a native of Nottingham,England, and came to New York when eighteen years old, and settled at Jamaica, Long Island. He was a gunsmith by trade. Subsequently he removed to Husack, northern New York. He had four sons, George, Henry, William, John, and two daughters. His second son Henry, was born at Jamaica,10th March, 1737. At the age of eighteen he joined the British army, as a volunteer. He was yjresent at the battle of Tyconderoga, under General Abercrombie. He was also with the army under General Amherst, which went from Albany 128 FIRST SETTLERS IN UPPER CANADA. to jVtontreal, to join the army irom Quebec, under General Murray. Continued in the army until 1761, when he returned home, married a Miss Campman, and lived in peace until the rebellion bi-oke out. He again joined the British army as a private,* and was at the battle of Bennington, but he so distinguished himself that he was promoted to an ensigncy in the King's Eoyal Regiment, of New York. During the war he, took part in seventeen battles, but escaped with one Avound in the hand. In the year 1780, he was sent with Major Ross to Carletou Island. For three years he was at this place, or Oswego. In 1783 he was discharged on half pay, and received grants of land — 3,000 acres, with the privilege of selecting the place. Immediately after his release he set out, sometime during the summer or a utumn of 1783, to prospect for land. In a small canoe, he, with a brother officer, named, it is said, McCarty, px*oceeded up the bay Quinte, and into Picton bay to its head, thence to Ea.st Lake. Having decided to take land here, he left his son during the winter. In the following spring 1784, he brought his family from St. Johns, where they had been staying. (See settlement of Prince Edward). Colonel Young died at East Lake. 3rd December, 1820, aged eighty-three years and nine months. Daniel Young Avas in the Engineer Department during the latter part of the revolutionary war. He died at East Lake, 30th September, 1850, aged eighty-five. Henry Young was Lieutenant of Militia in the war of 1812. Went to Kingston on duty, where he died, latter part of December, 1812. Among the first settlers of the Upper Province, especially upon the St. Lawi-ence, and who tookpartinthe war, may be mentioned, Captain Thomas Frazer, Captain William Fi*azer, Lieutenant Solomon Snider, Lieutenant Gideon Adams, Captain Simon Covelle, Captain Drummond, Ensign Dulmage, Ensign Sampson, Lieutenant Farrand, Captain Amberson, Lieutenant McLean. Lieutenant James Campbell, Lieutenant Alexander Campbell, Sergeant Benoni Wiltsie, Ensign E. Bolton, Captain Justus Sher- wood, Captain John Jones, Lieutenant James Breakenridge, of Roger's corps. Colonel Clarke, of Dalhousie, gives a '' list of half pay officers who settled in the Niagara District after the rebellion of the colonies:" Colonel John Butler, originator of Butler's Rangers, an Irish- man, a connection of Lord Osmore; Captain Andrew Brant, TRAVELING BY THE INDIANS. 129 Butler's Eangers ; Captain B. Fry, Captain P. Hare, Captain Thos. Butler, Captain Aaron Brant, Captain P. Paulding, Captain John Ball, Captain P. Ball, Captain P. Ten Brock, Lieutenant R. Clench, Lieutenant Wm. Brant, Lieutenant "Wm. Tweeny, Lieut. Jocal Swoos, Lieut. James Clements, Lieut. D. Swoob, all of Butler's Rangers; Captain James Brant, Indian Department; Captain H. Nelles, Captain James Young, Captain Robert Nelles, Captain Joseph Dockater, Captain C. Ryman, Lieut. J. Clement, Lieut. W. B. Shuhm, Lieut. A. Chrysler, Lieut. S. Secord, Lieut. F. Stevens, Surgeon R. Kerr, Commodore T. Merritt, father of the late Hon. W. H. Merritt, all of the Indian Department. DIVISION II. TRAVELING IN EARLY TIMES— ORIGINAL ROUTES. CHAPTER Xn. CoNTBNTS — Indian paths — Portages — Original French routes — Mer de Canada — Original names of St. Lawrence — Ontario — Huron — Route by Bay Quinte — Old French maps — Original English routes — Four ways from Atlantic to the Lakes — Mississippi — Potomac — Hudson — Indian name of Erie — From New York to Ontario — The Hudson River — Mohawk — Wood creek — Oneida Lake — Oswego River — The carrying places — West Canada Creek — Black River — Oswegotchie — The navigation — Military highway — Lower Canada— An historic route — The paths followed by the Loyalists — Indian paths north of Lake Ontario — Crossing the Lake — From Cape Vincent to the Bay Quints — From Oswego by Duck Islands — East Lake — Picton Bay — Coasting Ontario — Two ways to Huron — By Bay Quint6 and Trent ; by Don River — Lake Simcoe — Point Traverse — Loyalists — Traveling by the St. Lawrence — First road — Long remembered event. Although the European found the American continent a vast unbroken wilderness, yet the native Indians had well defined routes of travel. Mainly, the long journeys made by them in their hunting excursions, and when upon the war path, were by water up and down rivers, and along the shores of lakes. And at certain places around rapids, and from one body of water to another, their 9 130 ORIGINAL NAMES. frequent journoyings created a well marked path. These portages or carr^^ing places may even yet, in many places be traced, and are still known b}' such appellations. The arrival of the European in America was followed by his penetrating, step by step, to the further recesses of the north and west. The opening of the fur trade with the Indians led to increased ti-avel along some of the original paths, and probabl}^ to the opening of new ones. While the French by the waters of the Lower St. Lawrence, found it con- venient to ascend by the great streams, the English had to traverse the high lands which separate the sources of the rivers which empty into the Atlantic, from those which rise to flow to the lakes and rivers of fresh water to the north. The original routes of travel taken by the French were up the St. Lawrence, at first called the " Grand Eiver of Canada," while the gulf is marked Galpo di Canada O'S Larenzo. The water of the Atlantic, south of the Chesapeake Eiver to Newfound- land and the gulf, was known as the Mer de Canada. From the sea- board the traveler sometimes, having ascended to the mouth of the Sorel River, turned west to lake Champlain, and thence into the western part of the present New York State, or continuing up the St. Lawrence to its confluence with the Ottawa, or as it was sometimes called Grand River, selected one or the other of these ma- jestic streams, by which to continue the journey westward. Follow- ing the Ottawa, the way led to the north as far as Lake Nippissing, and thence westward to the Georgian Bay. Sometimes the voyager would continue to ascend the St. Lawrence to Lake Ontario, a por- tion of the St. Lawrence sometimes called Cataraqui River, or the Iro- quois River, that is to say, the river which leads to Cataraqui, or the Iroquois country. Lake Ontario was called by Champlain, Lake St .Louis, and subsequently for a time it was known as Lake Fronte- nac. According to a map observed in the French Imperial Library the Indian name of Ontario was Skaniadono, 1688. From Lake Ontario to Lake Huron, at first named Mer Douce, and, then after the IIuro^ Indians, who were expelled from that region by the Iroquois in 1650, a very common route was up the Bay Quinte, the River Trent, Lake Simcoe, and to Georgian Bay. That this was a not unfrequent way is well exhibited by the old French maps, which, prepared to indicate the principle waterways to the traveler, had the waters of the Bay and Trent, even to it« source, made broad, so that the observer might imagine that the bay and the river were one continuous bay of navigable waters. ROUTES FROM ATLANTIC TO OiNTARIO. 131 As this route was adjacent to the territory of the Iroquois nation, it was only when the French were at peace with them that this course was taken, until the establishment of the fort at Cataraqui. Again, the French occasionally followed the south shore of Lake Ontario to the Niagara Eiver and ascended it to Lake Erie, and thus approached the far west. While the French with comparative ease, reached the vast inland seas, the English by more difficult channels sought the advantages, whichjintercourse with the lake Indians afforded. An early writer of American history, Isaac Weld, says : " There are four principal channels for trade between the ocean and the lakes. One by the Mississippi to Lake Erie, a second by the Potomac and French Creek to Lake Erie. ' (Lake Erie was at first called Oks- wego, and the territory to the south of Lake Erie was sometimes called Ontario Nous.) A third by the Hudson, and a fourth by the St. Lawrence." A later writer says: " It is worthy of notice, that a person may go from Quebec to New Orleans by water all the way except about a mile from the source of Illinois River." The last mentioned route we have seen belonged to the French, and was the best to follow, as well as the most direct to Europe. Of the other three, we have only to speak of that by the Hudson. The distance from New York to Lake Ontario is laid down as being 500 miles. From New York Bay to Albany, the Hudson is navigable, 180 miles. Ten miles north of Albany the river divides into two branches. The western branch is the Mohawk and letids to Eome, formerly Fort Stauwix. A branch of the Mohawk, Wood Creek, leads toward Oneida Lake, which was reached by a portage. A branch of Wood Creek was called Canada Creek, and led toward Lake Champlain. From Oneida Lake, the larger lake. Ontario, is reached by the Oswego River. Weld probably refers to this route when he says that the distance over which boats had to be hauled by land, (perhaps, from New York to Ontario) was altogether thirty miles. This was no doubt the most speedy route by which to reach Upper Canada from the Hudson. Frequent reference is made to it, in the accounts of journeying, by the U. E. Loyalists, which have come under notice. It w^as by far the most commonly traveled way, taken by those who came into Canada after the close of the war. And, it is stated, 1796, that the chief part of the trade between New York and the lake is by this wa}^. But sometimes, the traveler up the Mohawk, instead of turning into Vilcrik, or Wood Creek, would continue to ascend the Mohawk, 132 PIFFERENT ROrTES — LOYALISTS. which turned more toward the east; and then into a branch some- times called, 1756, "West Canada Creek, by which he was brought contiguous to the head waters of the Black Eiver, which empties into the lake at Sacket's Harbor. But the Black Eiver was some- times reached by ascending the Hudson, above the mouth of the Mohawk, away eastward to the Mohegan mountains, where the Hudson rises. Crossing these mountains he would strike the Moose Eiver, which is a tributary to the Black Eiver. Occasion- ally, instead of Moose Eiver, the Oswegotchie was reached, and fol- lowed to its mouth at La Presentation, the present town of Ogdens- burgh. That this route was well known, is shown from the state- ment of Weld, that, " It is said that both the Hudson and Oswegot- chie Eiver are capable of being made navigable for light batteaux to where they approach within a short distance, about four miles." All of these branches of the Hudson are interrupted by falls. Still another way was now and then taken, after having crossed the Mohegans, namely, by Long Lake which feeds Eacket Eiver, that empties into the St. Lawrence, at St. Eegis, opposite Corn- wall, Again, numerous accounts have been furnished the wi'iter, in which the traveler followed the military highway to Lower Can- ada, by Whitehall, Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga, Platts- burgh, and then turning northward proceeded to Cornwall. But this way was the common one to Lower Canada, and by the Sorel. This historic route was no doubt long used by the Indians, before the European trod it, and Champlain at an early period penetrated to the lake, to which his name is forever attached. Along this road passed many a military expedition ; and during the wars between the colonies of France and England, here ebbed and flowed the tide of strife. The rebellion of 1776 witnessed Bui-goyne with his army sweep by here westward to meet his disastrous fate ; and thereafter set in the stream of refugees and loyalists, which ceased not to flow for many a year, along this path. While the great majority of the loyalists who came to Canada, followed one or other of the routes above mentioned, there were some who came around by the Atlantic, and up the St. Lawrence. There were at least two companies, one under the leadership of Captain Grass, and one under Captain Van Alstine, who sailed from New York in ships under the protection of a war vessel, shortly before the evacuation by the British forces in 1783. Directing our attention to the territory north of Lake Ontario, and the Upper St. Lawrence, we find some interesting facts relative INDIAN ROUTES AROUND BAY QUINTE. 133 to the original Indian paths ; sometimes, followed on hunting and fishing expeditions, and sometimes in pursuit of an enemy. There is evidence that the Mohawks, ujjon the southern shore of Lake Ontario, were accustomed to pass across the waters, to the northern shores by different routes. Thus, one was from Cape Yincent to Wolfe Island, and thence along its shore to the west end, and then either to Cataraqui, or up the Bay Quinte, or perhaps across to Am- herst Island, where, itseems, generally resided a Chief of considerable importance. A second route, followed by them, in their frail bark canoes, was from a point of land somewhat east of Oswego, called in later days Henderson's Point, taking in their way Stony Island, the Jallup Islands, and stretching across to Yorkshire Island, and Duck Island, then to the Drake Islands, and finally to Point Traverse. Following the shore ai'ound this point, Wappoose Island was also reached ; or, on the contrary, proceeding along the shore westward they reached East Lake. From the northernmost point of this lake they directed their steps, with canoes on their heads, across the carrying place to the head of Picton Bay, a distance of a little over four miles. It is interesting to notice that upon the old maps, by the early French navigators, the above mentioned islands are specified a " au des Couis ; " while at the same time the Bay of Quinte bears the name of Couis, showing unmistakably that the Mohawk Indians j^assed by this way to the head waters of the bay and to the Trent Eiver. Herriot designates one of these islands. Isle de Quinte. Two maps in the Imperial library of Paris, give these islands, above mentioned, the name of Middle Islands, and the waters east of them are named Cataraqui Bay. It is not at all unlikely that Champlain, when he first saw Lake Ontario, emerged from the water of East lake. Again, instead of entering the Bay Quinte with a view of passing up the River Moira, or Trent, they would continue along the south shore of Prince Edward, past West Lake and Consecon Lake, and proceed westward, sometimes to the river at Port Hope, sometimes further west, even to the Don, and ascend some one of the rivers to the head waters of the Trent or Lake Simcoe. The early maps indicate Indian villages along at several points. Owing to the dangerous coast along the south shore of Prince Edward, sometimes they chose the longer and more tedious route through the Bay Quinte to its head. That here was a common carrying place is well attested by the state- ments of many. Indeed, at this point upon the shores of the lake was an Indian village of importance. An old graveyard here, upon. 134 . FROM ONTARIO TO HURON. being plowed, has yielded rich and important relics, showing that the Indians were Christianized, and that valuable French gifts had been bestowed. It would seem from a letter of DcNonville, that there were two- ways to reach Lake Huron from Lake Ontario : one by the Bay Quinte and the Trent; the other by the way of the Don River and Lake Siracoe, called by him " Lake Taranto." In the selection of routes they were guided by Indians. The route by the Trent and the Bay Quinte was for many a day regarded as the most direct, and the best route to Lake Huron, even since the settlement by Europeans. Its supposed importance was sufficient to lead to the attempt to construct a canal with locks, to make it navigable. Gourlay says, sometime after the war of 1812, that " in course of time it may become an object of importance to connect Eice Lake by a canal with Lake Ontario direct, instead of following the present caii6e route by its natural outlet into the Bay Quinte." The Marquis DeNonville, in 1685, moved on the Five Nations with his little army in canoes, in two divisions. On the 23rd June, one-half proceeded on the south side from the fort Cataraqui, and the other on the north side of the lake, and met near Oswego. Now, there can be no doubt, that the latter party crossed the bay to Indian Point, passed along its southern shore, then across the bay by Wappoose Island, and then around, or crossing Point Traverse struck far into the lake, by the islands which constituted the guides of this early Indian route. It may be that this was so commonly traveled that the old name of Point Traverse was thus derived. "VVe have indicated the several routes followed by the Indians, the French, the English, and finally by the Refugees, so far as relate to the territory now comprising Upper Canada, that is by which it was originally reached and settled. Beside, there were some who found their way by land ft-om the head waters of the Susquehana to Lake Erie and Niagara. But the vast majority of pioneers of Upper Canada entered hy the channels aforesaid. For many years, the only road from Lower Canada was by the St. Lawrence, ascending wearily up the dangerous rapids in canoes and batteaux; and it will be found that the lots in the first town- ships were surveyed narrow in order to secure a water frontage to as many as jDossible, because there was no other means of transit than by water. But those who settled in the second concessions, a year or two later, were obliged to tread the length of the long front TRAVELING BY CANOE. 135 lots, in order to reach the wat«r. At the same time the com- munication with Lower Canada, up and down the rapids, was attended with many hazai-ds and inconveniences. It consequently became a matter of no little importance to have a road through the settlements to Montreal, which might be traveled by horse, a King's highway from the eastern Provincial line. It was, however, some yeafs after the first settlement before this was secured. The original survey for a road was made by one Ponair, assisted by one Kilborno. "The opening" Sherwood says, " of this road from Lower Canada to Brockville and thence to Cataraqui, a distance of 145 miles, was an event long remembered by the pioneers. At the end of each mile was planted a red cedar post with a mark upon it indicating the number of miles from the Provincial line." — (See First Years of Upper Canada — Construction of Eoads). CHAPTER XIII. Contents — Indians traveled by foot or by canoe — .Secreting canoes — Primeval scenes — Hunting expeditions — War path — In 1812 — Brock — A night at Myers' Creek — Important arrival — The North West Company — Their canoes — Route — Grand Portage — The Voyageurs — The Batteaux — Size — Ascending the rapids — Lachine — A dry dock — Loyalists by batteaux — Durham boats — Difficulties — In 1788, time from Lachine to Fredericksburgh-- -Waiting for batteaux — Extracts from a journal, travelling in 1811 — From Kingston to Montreal — The expenses — The Schenectady boats — Trade between Albany and Cataraqui — The Durham boat — Duncan — Description of flat-bottomed boat by " Murray" — Statement of Finkle — Trading — Batteaux in 1812 — Rate of traveling — The change in fifty years — Time from Albany to Bay Quint6 — Instances — Loyalists traveling in winter — Route — Willsbury wilderness — Tarrying at Cornwall — The " French Train " — Traveling along north shore of Ontario — Indian path — Horseback — Individual owners of batteaux — Around Bay Quinte — The last regular batteaux — In 1819 — " Lines " from magazine. TRAVELING BY CANOE. Having pointed out the several general routes by which the abori. gines and the first Europeans in America, were wont to traverse the coimtry from the seaboard to the far west ; and indicated more parti- cularly the smaller paths of the Indians around the Bay Quinte and Lake Ontario, we purpose glancing at the means by which they made their way through the wilderness. 136 BROCK TRAVELING BY CANOE. The Native had but two modes of transporting himself from place to place ; namely, by foot and by the canoe. He Avas trained to make long expeditions upon the war-path, or after prey. "When his course lay along a water way, he employed his birch canoe. This being light, he could easily ascend rapids, and when necessaiy, lift it from the water, and placing it, bottom iipward, upon his head, carry it around the fa' Is, or over a portage with the greatest facility. When upon the chase, or about to attack a foe, the canoe was so carefully secreted, that the passing traveler would never detect its whereabouts. The French and English at the first followed this Indian mode of traveling. From the graphic descriptions which are given to us by the early wi'iters, of this Indian mode of traveling in America, ere the sound of the axe had broken upon the clear northern air, and while nature presented an unbroken garment of green, it is not diffi- cult to imagine that scenes of Indian canoe traveling were in the extreme picturesque. It is not necessary to go beyond the Bay Quinte, to find a place where all the natural beauty was combined with the rude usages of the aboriginal inhabitant, to create a picture of rare interest and attraction. . In those primeval times there was no regular passage made between one part of the country and another. The Indian in his light canoe glided along here and there, as his fancy led him, or the probability of obtaining fish or game dictated. At certain seasons of the year there was a general movement, as they started ofi* on their hunting expeditions ; and at other times the warriors alone set out, when only intent upon surprising the hated foe. On these occasions one canoe would silently and swiftly follow in the wake of the other, until the plac« of debarkation was reached. For a long time the birch canoe was the only mode of traveling, and when the French came with their batteaux, the canoe continued for a long time the principal means of transit. Even so late as the war of 1812, canoes were employed, and many of the gallant ones who fought and conquered the conceited and unscrupulous Yankee invader, found their way to the front by the swift birch bark. Company after company of Eed Coats were to be seen plying the trim paddle as the canoe sped on its way. We have it on good authority that Major General Brock, at the reception of the intelli- gence, that the United States had declared war against Great Britain, set out from Lower Canada in a birch canoe, and with a companion and their boatman, journeyed all the way to Yoi-k, followed by a regiment of soldiers. Incidents of this passage are yet related by the living. He reached Belleville, or as it was then called BROCK AT MYERS' CREEK. 137 Myevs' Creek, late one night, after having been traveling for some time without rest. With his companion, he went ashore and sought a place to sleep. They entered the public house of Captain Mc , and after examining a room, decided to sleep there the night. But the host, hearing an unusual noise, rushed into the room demanding who was there. The General's companion, with the quickness, and in language somewhat characteristic of the army of that time, told him he would kick him to h-11 in a minute. Captain Mc some- what disconcerted at the threat and tone of authority walked out, and meeting the boatman, ask him who the parties were. Upon being informed, he rushed away in a state of great alarm, not daring to shew himself again to the General. The house is still standing. The following notice is from the Kingston Gazette. "York, April 29, 1815." " On Simday evening last arrived \\\ this town from Bui-lington, in a birch canoe, Lieutenant General Sir George Murray Knight," &c.i &c. BATTEAUX SCHENECTADY BOATS DURHAM BOATS. Gourley, speaking of Lachine, says tiiat " from Lachine the canoes employed by the North West Company in the fur trade take their departure. Of all the numerous contrivances for transporting heavy burthens by water, these vessels are perhaps the most extra- ordinary : scarcely anything can be conceived so inadequate from the slightness of their construction, to the purpose they are applied to, and to contend against the impetuous torrent of tbe many rapids that must be passed through in the course of a voyage. They seldom exceed thirty feet in length, and six in breadth, diminishing to a sharp paint at each end, without distinction of head or stern ; the frame is composed of small pieces of some very light wood ; it is then covered with the bark of the birch tree, cut into convenient slips, that are rarely more than the eight of an inch in thickness ; these are sewed together with threads made from the twisted fibres of the roots of a particular tree, and strengthened where necessary by narrow strips of the same materials applied on the inside ; the joints in the fragile planking are made water-tight, by being covered with a species of gum that adheres very firmly, and becomes perfectly hard. No iron- work of any description, not even nails, are employed in building these slender vessels, which, when complete, weigh only about five hundred weight each. On being prepared for the voyage, they 138 VOYAGING TO THE PAR WEST. receive their lading, that for the convenience of carrying across the portages is made uj) in packages of about three-quarters of a hundred weight each, and amounts altogether to five tons, or a little more, including provisions, and other necessaries for the men, of whom from eight to ten are employed to each canoe ; they usually set out in brigades like the batteaux, and in the course of a summer, upwards of fifty of these vessels are thus dispatched. They proceed up the Grand, or Ottawa River, so far as the south-west branch, by which, aud a chain of small lakes, they reach Lake Nippissing ; through it, and down the French River into Lake Huron ; along its northern coast, up the narrows of St. Mary, into Lake Superior, and then, by its northern side, to the Grand Portage, a distance of about 1,100 miles from the place of departure. The difficulties encountered in this voyage are not easily conceived ; the great number of rapids in the rivers, the different portages from lake to lake, which vary from a few yards to three miles or more in length, where the canoes must be unladen, and with their contents carried to the next water, occasion a succession of labors and fatigues of which but a poor estimation can be formed by judging it from the ordinary occupa- tions of other laboring classes. From the Grand Portage, that is nine miles across, a continuation of the same toils takes place in bark canoes of an inferior size, through the chain of lakes and streams that run from the height of land westward to the Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnipeg, and onwards to more distant establishments of the company in the remote regions of the north-west country. The men are robust, hardy, aud resolute, capable of enduring great extremes of fatigues and privation for a long time, with a patience almost inexhaustible. In the large lakes they are frequently daring enough to cross the deep bays, often a distance of several leagues, in their canoes, to avoid lengthening the route by coasting them ; yet, not- withstanding all the risks and hardships attending their emplojonent, they prefer it to every other, and are very seldom induced to relin- quish it in favor of any more settled occupation. The few dollars they receive as the compensation for so many privations and dangers, are in general, dissipated with a most careless indifference to future wants, and when at an end, they very contentedly renew the same series of toils to obtain a fresh supply." " The batteaux," says Ex-Sherift' Sherwood, " by which the refugees emigrated, were principally built at Lachine, nine miles from Montreal. They were calculated to carry four or five families, with about two tons weight. Twelve boats constituted a brigade, BATTEAUX ON THE ST, LAWRENCE. 139 and each brigade had a con(1uctor, with five men in each boat, one of which steered. The duty of the conductor was to give directions for the safe management of the boats, to keep them together ; and when they came to a rapid they left a portion of the boats with one man in charge. The boats ascending were doubly manned, and dra^vn by a rope fastened at the bow of the boat, leaving four men in the boat with setting poles, thus the men walked along the side of the river, sometimes in the water, or on the edge of the bank, as circumstances occurred. If the toj^s of trees or brush were in the way they would have to stop a^d cut them away. Having reached the head of the rapid the boats were left with a man, and the others went back for others," and so they continued until all the rapids were mounted. Lachine was the starting place, a place of some twenty dwelling houses. Here Mr. Grant had a dry dock for batteaux. It was by these batteaux, that the refugees, and their families, as well as the soldiers and their families passed from the shores of Lake Champlain, from Sorel, and the St. Lawrence, where they had temporally lived, to the Upper Province. It was also by these, or the Skenectady, or the Durham boat, that the pioneers made their transit from Oswego. Thus it will be seen that to gain the northern shore 6f the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, was a task of no easy nature, and the steps by which they came were taken literally inch by inch, and were attended with labor hard and venturesome. Records are not wanting of the severe hardships endured by families on their way to their wooded lands. Supplied with limited comforts, perhaps only the actual necessaries of life, they advanced slowly by day along danger- ous rapids, and at night rested under the blue sky. But our fathers and mothers were made of Ptern stuff, and all was borne with a noble heroism. This toilsome mode of traveling continued for many a year. John Ferguson, Avriting in 1Y88, from Fredericksburgh to a friend in Lower Canada, Lachine, says of his journey, " after a most tedious and fatiguing journey I arrived here — nineteen days on the way — horrid roads — sometimes for whole days up to the waist in water or mire." But the average time required to ascend the rapids with a brigade was from ten to twelve days, and three or fom* to descend. One can hardly conceive of the toilsome hours formerly spent in passing from Kingston, or the seventh and eight townships of the bay to Montreal, and back. Before setting out, the traveler would make elaborate preparations for a journey of several weeks. There was no 140 A TRIP IN 1811. regular traffic, and only an occasional batteaux, laden with simple articles of merchandise, would start for the head waters of the bay. Individuals would often wait, sometimes a long time, for these oppor- tunities, and then would work their passage, by taking a hand at the oars. Even up to the present century, it was the custom. The following is a most interesting instance of b.atteaux traveling which has been placed in our hands by the Eev. Mr. Miles. It gives one an excellent idea of traveling at the beginning of the present century. "I left Kingston on the 6th of April, 1811, but as the traveling then was not as it is now, I did not arrive in Montreal till the 15th. I will just copy verbatim, the journal I kept on my pass- age. Durham boats were scarce on the Canada side at that time, but it was thought if I could get to the American shore, I would find one on its way to Montreal. Well, I found a man in Kingston, just from Grindstone Island, who had brought up some shingles and tar to sell, and he told me if I could get to Briton's Point, several miles down the river from Cape Vincent, and to which place he would take me, that he thought I would find a Durham boat there, and the the following is my journal on that route. "Grindstone Island, April 11th, 1811. — Left Kingston yesterday, April 6tli, at 3 p.m.. in an open skiff, w^ith E. Watson, a clerk in Dr. Jonas Abbott's store,and two hands belonging to the skiff — head >vind — rowed hard till about eight in the evening, when having blistered both hands, and being very much fatigued, we drew our skiff on shore, and camped on the shore of Long Island, about five miles above Grindstone Island — Aviud strong from the north — very cold and without victuals or fire — ^feet wet — slept some, walked some, and by daybreak was somewhat chilled. Strong head wind. Stuck close to our dear lodgings till about eight, when the wind abated, and we stuck to our oars till about eleven o'clock, when we made Grindstone Island, weary, and very hungry — eat a hearty dish of " sapon " and milk — rested about an hour —set off for Briton's tavern on the American shore, where we arrived about 4 p.m., the water being entirely calm. Had not been on shore ten minutes, as good luck would have it, before we engaged a passage for Cornwall in a Durham boat, and a breeze coming up directly from the south, our American boats immediately hoisted sail and proceeded about thirty miles, when the wind changed, and we put into a bay on Grenadier Island, about nine in the evening — eat some supper at a house owned by Mr. Baxter — spread a sail upon the floor, and seven boatmen and four passengers camped down before the fire. In the morning I felt SCHENECTADY AND DURHAM BOATS. 141 my bones as though they had been lying on the soft side of a hard rough floor. April 8, head wind still. Wished myself either at Kingston or Montreal. April 9, still a head wind. Must take it as it comes. Reading and writing the order of the day. At Y p.m., hoisted sail. At one a.m., arrived at a house on the Canada shore, and slept on the floor till daylight. April 10, left for Ogdensburg, where we arrived at 3 p.m. Found an old acquaintance and passed the afternoon quite agreeably. April 11, had a good night's rest. Still a head wind. Found the printing oftice and comjiosed types the greater part of the day. April 12, still a head wind. April 13, left Ogdensburg and .'irrived at Cornwall. April 14, left Cornwall and arrived at M'Gee's, Lake St. Francis. April 15, left M'Gee's and arrived at Montreal about 8 p.m. Traveling expenses from Kingston to Montreal $9 75." With the later coming refugees was introduced another kind of flat bottomed boat. It was generally small and rigged With an ungainly sail. It was generally built at the Town of Schenectady, and hence the name. Schenectady is a Gei-man word, and means pine barren. Families about to come to Canada would build one or more to meet their reqirements. There was never a large number of this particular kind of boat. Those that were to be seen, were upon the bay. With the opening up of trade between Albany and Upper Can- ada, was introduced still another kind of vessel, which was adapted to the use of merchants, engaged in the carrying trade. One of the earliest traffickers from the Mohawk Eiver to the lakes by the Dur- ham boats was Duncan, of Augusta, who was, as will be seen, one of the first Legislative Councillors of Upper Canada. He finally re- moved to Schenectady. It is said that he introduced the trade between the Mohawk and Buffalo which led to the construction of the Erie Canal. A wi'iter, speaking of the boats used by the Canadians, says, the largest boats used by the Canadian boatmen is called the Durham boat, " used here and in the rapids of the Mohawk. It is long, shallow, and nearly flat bottomed. The chief instrument of steerage is a pole t«n feet long, shod with iron, and crossed at short intervals with small bars of wood like the feet of a ladder ; the men place themselves at the bow, two on each side, thrust their poles into the channel, and grasping successively the wooden bars, work their way toward the stern, thus pushing on the vessel in that direction." (Murray). 142 FIRST TRADE WITH YORK. Mr. Finkle remarks that "the first mode of conveyance for travelers from Montreal to Kingston, after the settlement of Upper Canada, was by Canadian batteaiix laden with merchandize (at this time there was no separate conveyance). The return cargo* con- sisted of barrels of flour, peas, potash, north-west packs of furs, &c. ; the men and conductors employed in this business were Lower Canadians. This mode of conveyance continued without interrup- tion until 1809, when the Durham boats came from the Mohawk Eiver and embarked in the carrying trade only between Montreal and Kingston. Being of commodious size, far above the batteaux, they materially interfered with them and lessened the trade by the batteaux. The men who managed the Durham boats came with them from the Mohawk Eiver, these boats were entirely manned by men from that country. The flat bottomed boat continued in use until some time after the wai* of 1812. Until the canal along the St. Lawrence was constructed it was the only way by which merchandize could be transported to the Upper Province through the rapids of the St. Lawrence. After the establishment of York as the capital of Upper Capada, there sprung up naturally, a trade between Kingston and the " muddy" capital, and regular batteaux communication was, after a little, established. Once a week the solitary boat left Kingston, and slowly made its way by oars, up the bay to the Carrying Place over which it was hauled by Asa Weller, a tavern keeper, upon low wheels or trucks drawn by oxen, and then continued its way along the shore of Ontario, to its destination. These boats carried not only merchandize but passengers. Beside the regular batteaux there were occasionally others, owned by small merchants and pedlars. It was by the flat bottomed boat and canoe that many of the troops ascended to the head of the lake in 1812, and by which many of the 1000 prisoners taken at Detroit were conveyed to Quebec. The rate of speed of the batteaux or Durham boat, as well as the Skenectady boat, can be approximated from the statement ot " A traveller!" writing in 1835. He says, "the line of boats which start from Albany to Skenectady, on their way to Upper Canada, go two- and-a-half miles an hour, taking in stoppages — charging one-and-a- half cents per mile, including board. This mode of traveling is prefen-ed by large families and prudent settlers. The conveniences of traveling then, as well as the time required, are so widely different from what we are accustomed to in this day, that we have to pause and wonder at the change which even fifty BEPUGEES TRAVELING. 143 and sixty years have wrought. Even after Upper Canada had be- come somewhat settled, it was a momentous matter for a family to set out from the Hudson for Cataraqui, or the Bay Quinte, as they generally called the settlement in those days. For instance, Mr. Lambert, of Sophiasburgh, who came in 1802, was six weeks on the way between Albany and the bay, coming by the Mohawk and Oswego Rivers, and crossing from "Gravelly Point" to "Isle Tanti." We will give another instance : — Nicholas L., came from New Jersey with seven sons and two daughters. It took a month to come. Having reached Schenectady they waited to build a batteaux. This completed, they stored* away provisions to last them until Cataraqui was reached. They also brought with them iron kettles, with which to make maple sugar, and "a churn full of honey." Mr. L., being a fanning mill maker, he brought also a quantity of wire guaze. At Oswego, the fort there being still held by the British, they were strictly questioned as to the use intended to be made of the kettles and gauze. Satisfaction being given on this point, the family continued their tedious journey along the shore toward Kingston. Barely escaping being wrecked off Stony Island, they at last reached the north shore. Three da3^8 more of weary rowing up the bay, and Hay Bay was reached, where they settled. The loyalists not alone came in summer, by batteaux or the Schenectady boat ; but likewise in winter. They genei-aWy followed, as near as possible, some one of the routes taken in summer. To undertake to traverse a wilderness with no road, and guided only by rivers and creeks, or blazed trees, was no common thing. Several families would sometimes join together to form a train of sleighs. They would carry with them their bedding, clothes, and the neces- sary provisions. We have received interesting accounts of winter journey ings from Albany along the Hudson, across to the Black Eiver country, and to the St. Lawrence. Sometimes the train would follow the "military road" along by Champlain, St. George, and as far as Plattsburgh, and then turn north to the St. Lawrence, by what was then called the Willsbury wilderness, and "Chataguee " woods. At the beginning of the present century there was but one tavern through all that vast forest, and this of the poorest character. Indeed it is said that while provision might be procured for the horses, none could be had for man. Those who thus entered Canada in winter found it necessary to stay at Cornwall until spring. Two or more of the men would walk along the St. Lawrence to the bay 144 TRAVELING ALONG LAKE ONTARIO. Quinte, and, at the opening of navigation, having borrowed a batteaux descend to Cornwall for the women, children, and articles brought with them. Often, indeed generally unacquainted with the use of the boat, the passage up and down the river was tedious and toil- some. While the families and sleighs were transported in the batteaux the horses were taken along the shore by the larger boys, if such there were among them. The " French train " was occa- sionally emjjloyed in their winter travels. It consisted of a long rude sleigh with several horses driven tandem style, this allowed the passage among the trees to be made more easily. Many very interesting r*eminisences are known of traveling along the bay by the pioneers.- A few are adduced. TRAVELING TO YORK AND QUEENSTON. Travelers from Montreal to the west would come by a batteaux, or Durham boat, to Kingston. Those who had business further west, says Finkle, " were conveyed to Heniy Pinkie's in Ernest town, where they commonly stopped a few days. Thence they made their journey on horse back. A white man conducted them to the Eiver Trent, where resided Colonel Bleecker who was at the head, and had control of all the Mississauga Indians, and commanded the entire country from the Trent to Toronto. At this place the traveler was furnished with a fresh horse and an Indian guide to conduct him through an unsettled country, the road being little better than a common Indian path, with all its windings. The road continued in this state until about the year 1798. Some- times the traveler continued his way around the head of the lake on horse back to Queenston, where resided Judge Hamilton. During the time the surveyors were laying out the townships of the bay, batteaux occasionally passed up and down, supplying the staff with their requirements, or perhaps with some one look- ing for a good tract of land In 1790 a batteatix was owned by Mr. Lambert, of the eighth township, and Mr. Ferguson, writing from Kingston to Mr. Bell, wished him to borrow it, to come to Kingston. Among the first to use batteaux as a mode of traffic, was Cap- tain Myers. He sailed one up and down the bay to carry, not onlj'' his own freight, but for the accommodation of others. He fre- quently went to Kingston, and now and then to Montreal, the mode pursued, was to charge for freight down, and then give the passenger a free passage back. This was followed for many years, THE LAST OP THE BATTEAUX. 145 with great profit. The Captain was accustomed to make the journey as pleasant as posi^ible to the pass^ungors. He always kept his grog in his "caboose," and would deal it out to all. There was no doubt much of jollity and pleasant yarn-spinning, during the long passages upon the tranquil waters of the bay. Captain Myers subsequently owned a schooner." A letter written 11th November, 1790, by John Ferguson, to Wm. Bell, ofSidne}', says, "As I suppose Mr. Lounsbury's boat iS' idle, I would be glad that you would endeavour to borrow or hire it .and Sherrard's son and come down to the third township. When pei'sons had gone down th^ bay, and were expected to return upon a certain night, there would often be a fire kindled on the shore to guide them homeward. In dark nights this was really necessary. Many were the expedients resorted to make short cuts. The feat of swimming horses over the bay was now and then resorted to by the Wallbridges after they settled in Ameliasburgh. Wishing to go to Kingston, they would go down to the point where the bay is narrow, and swim the horses across to Ox Point, and then ride to Kingston by a bridle path. It would now and then happen at a late period, that a traveler passing to his jjh'ice of settlement would have a lumber waggon. This would be ferried across the bay by placing it across two log canoes. Referring to swimming the bay by a horse, a colored man, yet living within the neighbourhood of Belleville, remembers when a boy, to have been put upon a horse, and then to have obeyed orders to swim him across the bay. This occurred near Belleville. Long after steamboats were started on the bay, the batteaux continued to ply between Belleville and Montreal. The^last to sail these was Fanning and John Covert. In 1830, Fanning arrived at Montreal from Belleville ho early as to pi-esent his bills of laden upon the first of April. The following business notice Jcannot fail to be interesting : "The subscribers having established a line of Durham Boats from this place, propose forwarding from the different ports of the lake to that of Montreal, on the following terms, viz. : " From York, Niagara, Queenston, and the head of the lake, for each barrel of Flour delivered at the Port of Montreal, 5s. and 6d. " From Kingston, to the Port of Montreal, for each barrel of Flour, 48. and 6d, " From York, Niagara, Queenston, and the head ofthe lake, for each barrel of Potash delivered at the Port of Montreal, 12s. and 6d. 10 146 CANADIAN BATTEAUX. "From Kingston to the Port of Montreal, for each barrel of Potash, 10s. " From York, Niagara, Queenston, and the head of the lake, for each barrel of Pork delivered at the Port of Montreal, 8s, and 3d. "Fi'om Kingston to the Port of Montreal, for each barrel of Pork, 6s. and 9d. " Merchandize ■will be transported by the same means from Lachine to Kingston, at the rate of 5s. per cwt. " An elegant Passage Boat will also leave Kingston every tenth day for Montreal, which will be fitted up in the most commodious manner and prevent any delay to passengers leaving the upper part of the lake in the Steam Boat Frontenac, it having been built for the purpose of leaving this place immediately after her arrival. " These arrangements will take effect at the opening of the navi- gation, and be continued during the season. " Thomas JMarkland. " Peter Smith. " Lawrence Herkimer. '•' John Kerry. " WiLLiAsi Mitchell. " Kingston, February, 1819." Eespecting the Canadian Batteaux, the following is from the Boston Weekly Magazine of an old date. " Lines written while at anchor in Kingston Harbour, Lake Ontario, on hearing from several Canadian boats entering from the St. Lawrence — their usual songs. Hark ! o'er the lakes unruffled wave, A distant solemn chant is sped ; Is it some requiem at the grave ? Some last kind honor to the dead ? 'Tis silent all — again hegin ; It is the -wearied boatman's lay, That hails alike the rising sun, And his last soft departing ray. Forth from yon island's dusky side, The train of batteaux now appear. And onward as they slowly glide, More loud their chorus greets the ear. But, ah ! the charm that distance gave. When first in solemn sounds their song • Crept slowly o'er the limpid wave, Is lost in notes full loud and strong. Eow, brothers row, with songs of joy. For now in view a port appears ; No rapids here our course annoy, No hidden rocks excite our fears. Be this sweet night to slumber given. And when the morning lights the wave We'll give our matin songs to heav'n, Our course to bless, our lives to save. FRENCH SAILING VESSELS. 147 CHAPTER XIV. Contents. — The first Vessel — The French — La Salle — The Griffon — Vessels in 1770 — During the Rebellion — Buildingat Carleton Island — Captain Andrews The Ontario — Col. Burton — Loss of the Ontario — The iSheehaus — Hills — Givins' — Murney's Point — Schooner ' Speedy' — Mohawk — Mis.sissauga — Duke of Kent^ — Capt. Bouchette — Paxton — McKcnzie — Richardson — Earle Steele — Fortiche — The Governor Simcoe — Sloop ' Elizabeth' — First vessel built at York — Collins' Report upon Navigating the Lakes — Navy in Upper Canada, 1795 — Rochfoucault — Capt. Bouchette — Officers' Piiy — York, the centre of the Naval Force — Gun Boats — The Loss of the " Speedy" — Reck- oner — Dr. Strachan — Solicitor-Gen. Gray — Canada took the lead in building Vessels — First Canadian Merchant Vessel — The York — A Schooner on run- ners around the Falls — Sending Coals to Newcastle — Upon Bay Quinte — The Outskirts of Civilization — "The Prince Edward" built of Red Cedar — in 1812 — Schooner " Mary Ann" — 1817 — Capt Matthews. THE FIRST SAILING VESSELS. The first vessels, with sails, which navigated the waters of the lakes, were built bj the French, to pursue their discoveries, and to carry on the fur trade. The first sailing vessel launched upon the Lakes, was built by LaSalle. He, with Father Hennepin and Che- valier de Tonti, set sail from Cataraqui, on the 18th Kovember, 1678, for the mouth of the Niagara river, having on board his bark goods, and material for building a brigantine on Lake Erie. During the winter the vessel was commenced, six miles above the Falls, and was launched by the middle of summer, amid great display and ceremony. The vessel was named " Griffon," according to Garneau ; but Father Hennepin says " Cataraqui."' " She was a kind of brig- antine, not unlike a Dutch galliot, with a broad elevated bow and stern, very flat in the bottom ; she looked much larger than she really was. She was of sixty tons burden. "With the aid of tow- lines and sails the Niagara river was, with difficulty, ascended ; and on the 7th August, 1679, the first vessel that ever sat upon the lakes, entered Lake Erie." The end of this vessel was a sad one. (See Introduction). We are indebted to the Detroit Tribune for the following inter- esting statements : "In 1766 four vessels plied upon Lake Erie, These were the ^'Gladwin," " Lady Charlotte," "Victory," and "Boston." "The two latter laid up in the fall near Navy Island, above Niagara Falls, and one of them was burned accidentally, November 30, of the same year. A vessel called the " Brunswick," owned and commanded by Captain Alexander Grant, made her appearance on 148 LOSS OF THE '' ONTARIO." the lakes during the year 1767, and was lost some time during the season following. Captain Grant was the Commodore of the lakes for two or three years. In 1769 Sterling and Porteous built a vessel at Detroit, called the " Enterprise," Richard Cornwall, of New York, being the carpenter. The boatmen, who went from Schenectady with the rigging and stores for this vessel to Detroit, were to have each £20, and ten gallons of rum. They were seventy days on Lake Erie, and two of the number perished from hunger, and their bodies were kept to decoy eagles and ravens. They returned to I^ew York in February, 1760, by way of Pittsburg, then called Fort Pitt. *' In May, 1770, a vessel of seventy tons burthen was launched at Niagara, called the "Charity." The same year the Duke of Gloucester, Secretary Townsend, Samuel Tutchet, Henry Baxter, and four others, formed a company for mining copper on Lake Superior. In December they built at Point Aux Pins, a barge, and laid the keel for a sloop of forty tons burthen. Of the success of this enterprise we are not informed. Subsequent to the above period very little was accomplished in the construction of craft for lake navigation, and the few that came into commission were used solely as traders, as were in fact, all those previously named. A short time after, 1770, batteaux from Montreal and Quebec, employed by the Hudson's Bay Fur Company, made their annual tours west- ward, gathering large quantities of furs, and returning homeward in the fall. It has been stated that the first vessel built on Lake Ontario was in 1749, but this, we have reason to believe, is not correct." During the Eevolutionary War, the British Government built at Carleton Island, a few vessels to caiTy troops and provisions fi*om place to place along the Lake, from Carleton Island to Niagara. The first Commissioner at the Dock Yard was Commodore James Andrews, Lieutenant in the Eoyal Navy. The "Ontario," a war vessel of considerable importance, carrying 22 guns, was built at Carleton Island. This vessel was commanded by Capt. Andrews. Some time between 1780 and 1783, as the " Ontario" was proceeding froni Niagara to Oswego with a detachment of the King's Own regiment, commanded by Colonel Burton, \vith other officers, a storm arose at night, and the vessel was lost with all on board. Col. John Clark, in his memoirs, whose father belonged to the 8th regi- ment, says this event happened in 1780 or '81, in which belief he is supported by Mr. Sheehan, a descendant of Capt. Andrews: but other FIRST SURVEY OP LAKES. 149 autborit}'- has it that the event took place in 1783. At all events, the occurrence produced a melancholy effect, which long remained in the minds of those acquainted with the circumstances. Captain Andrews left a widow, a son, and two daughters. The son returned to Scotland, the daughters married and settled in Canada. The Sheefean's, Hill's, and Givins' arc descendants of Captain Andrews' daughters, whose husbands had been in the army. After the settlement of Kingston, the Government built vessels at Murney's Point, and at Navy Point, Among the first built here was the Schooner " Sijeedj^," and also the "' Mohawk" and " Missisagua," and " Duke of Kent." Among the first commanders of vessels, most of whom were of the Royal Navy, were Capt. Bouchette, Capt. Paxton, Capt. McKenzie, Capt. Eichard.son, Capt. Earle, Capt. Steele and Capt. Fortiche. "The fii'st vessel built for trade upon Lake Ontario," that is after Upper Canada was settled, " may have been the ' Governor Simcoe,' for the North West Company ; after she was worn out and laid up. Judge Cartwright, who was agent for the Company at Kingston, built another for that Company, and one for himself, both built at the same time, side by side, on Mississauga Point, at the mouth of Cataraqui Creek. Both were launched on the same da}* ; the one for the Company named " Governor Simcoe," and the other *' Sloop Elizabeth." These were tuilt during my stay with Judge Cartwright, in 180S. " The first, and onlj' vessel for man}' years, built at York, was a small schooner about forty-five tons. Built by two brothers named Kendrick."— (FmA-fe). ' .,., , The survey made by Deputy Surveyor-General Collins, at the request of Lord Dorchester, in 1788, included an examination of the lakes and harbors from Kingston to Michilmicinac. In refer- ence to the lakes and vessels, the Surveyor says : — "Vessels sailing on these waters being seldom for any length of time out of sight of land, the navigation must be considered chiefly as pilotage, to which the use of good natural charts are essential and therefore much wanted. Gales of wind, or squalls, rise .suddenly ujjon the lakes, and from the confined state of the water.s, or want of sea-room, (as it is called), vessels may in some degree be considered as upon alee shore, and this seems to point out the necessity for their being built on such a construction as will best enable thein to work to windward. iSchooners should, perhaps, have the preference, as being rather eafer than sloops, they should be from 80 to 100 tons burthen on 150 ROYAL NAVY IN 1795. Lake Ontario, and 50 tons burthen on Lakes Erie and Huron ; but if not intended to coramunicate between these two lakes, they may- then be tlie same size as on Lake Ontario ; and if this system is approved there can be no necessity to deviate from it unless an enemy should build vessels of greater magnitude or force ; but as the intent of bringing any such forward, at least the building of them can never remain a secret, th^re may be always time to coun- teract such a design by preparing to meet them at least on equal terms. It does not seem advisable, nor do I know any reason to continue the practice of building vessels flat bottomed, or to have very little draft of water, they are always unsafe, and many of the accidents which have happened on the lakes, have perhaps, in some degree been owing to that construction. On the contrary, if they are built on proper principles for burthen as well as sailing they will be safer, and will find sufficient depth of water proportioned to any tonnage which can be requisite for them upon these lakes." Eespecting the navy in Upper Canada, Rouchfoucault writes in 1795 : " The Eoyal Navy is not very formidable in this place ; six vessels compose the whole naval force, two of which are small gun-boats,^hich we saw at Niagara, and which are stationed at York. Two small schooners of twelve guns, viz., the "Onondago," in which we took our passage, and the " Mohawk," which is just finished ; a small yacht of eighty tons, mounting six guns as the two schooners, which has lately been taken into dock to be repaired, form the rest of it. All these vessels are built of timber fresh cut down, and not seasoned, and for this reason last never longer than- six or eight years. To preserve theni, even to this time, requires a thorough rejjair ; they must be heaved down and caulked, which costs at least from one thousand, to one thousand two hundred guineas. This is an enormous price, and yet it is not so high as on Lake Erie, whither all sorts of naval stores must be sent from Kingston, and where the price of labor is still higher. The timbers of the Mississauga, which was built three years ago, are almost all rotten. It is so easy to make provision for ship-timber for many years to come, as this would require merely the felling of it, and that too at no great distance from the place whore it is to be used, that it is difficult to account for this precaution not having been adopted. Two gun-boats, which are destined by Governor Simcoe to serve only in time of war, are at present on the stocks; but the carpenters who work at them are but eight in number. The extent of the dilapidations and embezzlements, committed at so great a CAPTAIN BOUCHETTE. 151 distance from the mother country, may be easily conceived. In the course of last winter a judicial enquiry into a charge of this nature was instituted at Kingston. The Commissioner of the navy and the principal ship-wright, it was asserted, had clearly colluded against the King's interest; but interest and protection are as powerful in the new world as in the old : for both the Commissioner and ship-wright continue in their places. " Captain Bouchette commands the naval foi'ce on Lake Ontario) and is at the head of all the marine estabUshments, yet without the least power in money matters. This gentleman possesses the con- fidence both of Lord Dorchester and Governor Simcoe ; he is a Canadian by birth, but entered the British service when Canada fell into the power of England. '' While Arnold and Montgomery were besieging Quebec, Lord Dorchester, disguised as a Canadian, stole on board his ship into that city, on which occasion he displayed much activity, intrepedity, and courage. It is not at all a matter of surprise that Lord Dor- chester should bear in mind this eminent service. By all accounts he is altogether incorruptible, and an officer who treats his inferiors with great mildness and justice. " In regard to the pay of the Eoyal Marine force on Lake Ontario, a captain has ten shillings a d^y, a Ueutenant six, and a second lieu- tenant three shillings and sixpence. The seamen's wages are eight dollars per month. The masters of merchant-men have twenty-five dollars, and the sailors from nine to ten dollars a month. " Commander Bouchette is among those, who most strenuously oppose the project of moving to York, the central point of the force on the lake ; but his family reside at Kingston, and his lands are situated near that place. Such reasons are frequently of sufficient weight to determine political opinions. Again, says the same writer, " Grovemor Simcoe intends to make York the centre of the naval force on Lake Ontario. Only four gun- boats are at present on this lake,two of which are constantly employed in transporting merchandise ; the other two, which alone are fit to carry troops and guns, and have oars and sails, are lying under shelter until an occasion occurs to convert them to their intended purpose. It is the Governor's intention to build ten smaller gun. boats on Lake Ontario, and ten on Lake Erie. The ship carpenters, who construct them, reside in the United States, and return home eveiy winter." " On the 7th October, 1807, Mr. Justice Cochrane, Mr. Gray, the 152 THE LOSS OF THE " SPEEDY." Solicitor General, and ]Mr. Agnus McDonald, embarked at York, with several other passengers in the Speedy^ a government schooner, commanded by Captain Paxton, for the purpose of going to Newcastle where the Assizes were to be lield on the 10th. The vessel was seen a few miles from her destined port on tlie evening of the 8th. The wind commenced to blow, and the schooner was never heard of more. There were pieces picked up on the opposite shore. Mr. Cochrane was young in years, but not in piety." The above is extracted from the Kingston Gazette, written by " Reckoner," which was the name under which Dr. Strachan contributed to that paper. Colonel Clark, of Dalhousie, says " I recollect the loss of the Speedy,'''' and he remarks of Solicitor General Gray, that he was " a noble character, noted for his sympathy on behalf of abolishing slavery." He says that there were upwards of twenty passengers, among them he mentions Jacob Herkimer, a merchant of York. It will be seen that Canada took the lead in building tlie early vessels upon the lakes. The first American ship that navigated Lake Erie, was purchased from the British in 1796. She was called the Detroit. Tlie first vessel built by the Americans, for the lakes, was constructed in 1*7 9 7. The first Canadian merchant vessel built upon Lake Ontario, was by Francis Crooks, brother of the Hon. James Crooks. It was built to the east of the present United States fort, at the mouth of the Niagara river, in 1792, and Avas called the "York." She was wrecked at Genesee river. In 1800 a schooner of about 75 or 100 tons, was brought to Clifton, and during the winter of 1801 she crossed by the portage road on immense runners to Queen ston, where she again foimd her native element in the Niagara river," She was, in 1804, lost in bringing a cargo to Niagai'a, with all on board. — {Clark). It is a curious fact that in the American war of 1812, the British "Admiralty sent out the frame work, blocks, kc, of the Psyche fri- gate, which could have been procured on the spot in the tenth of the time and a twentieth part of the expense. At the same time there was furnished to each ship of war on Lake Ontario, a full supply of water casks, with an apparatus for distilling sea water," forgetting the fact that the waters of the lake were of the ])urest cpiality. Directing our attention to the Avaters of the bay Quinte, it is found that until after 1812, but few sailing vessels entered the upper waters, although found east of Picton Bay. Strange as it may appear at the present day, there Avas a time when the head of Picton Bay, or Hay Bay, was regarded as the head of the bay, and tlie very outskirts of A RED CEDAR SCHOONER. 153 civilization, while going up the Long Reach, to the Mohawk tract was look upon like going to the Eed River at the present day. The settlers above were too few, and their requirements too limited for a sailing vessel to ascend, unless occasionally to the Napanee mills. But as time passed, sloops and schooners, as well as batteaux found employment along the Avestern townships. In the first year of the present century, there was built in the township of Marysburgh, a short distance west of the Stone mills, a schooner of some celebrity. It Avas built by Captain Murney, father of the late Hon. Edward Murney, of Belleville. Captain Murney came to Kingston in 179Y, at the solicitation of Mr. .Joseph Forsyth. It was constructed for himself, and was made altogether of red cedar, a kmd of Avood formerly very plentiful along the bay, and which possesses a most agreeable odor, and is extremely durable. The vessel was named the Prince Edward. John Clark, of Dalhousie, says of this vessel, that he was on board the following year of her building, and that she was a " staunch good ship, with an able captain." Her size was sufficient to allow TOO barrels of flour to be stov/ed beneath her hatches. She ran upon Lake Ontario for many years, and made for her owner a small fortune. She was in good condition in 1812, and was employed by government as an arm.ed vessel. A schooner called Prince Edward, probably the same. Captain Young, was the first vessel to land at the pier when erected at "Wellington. The Kingston Gazette, April 12,1817, says: "On Thursday, 20th inst. at three o'clock p.m., ai rived at Ernesttown, in the Bay of Quinte, the schooner Mary Ann, Captain J. Mosier, in twenty hours from Yoi-k, and af this port yesterday afternoon with fourteen jsas- sengers, of whom eleven were members of the Provincial Parliament. This is the seventh voyage this vessel has made this season, to the great credit of her master. The 3Iary Ann sailed again in about half an hour for the Bay Quinte. One of the early vessels upon the bay was commanded by Matthews, father of the rebel of 1836, who was executed. DIYISIO:^ III THE LOYALISTS AS PIONEERS— THE ORIGINAL SURVEY. CHAPTER XV. Contents — Major Gen. Holland — Surveying on Atlantic Coast — An adherent of the Crown — Removal to Montreal — Death — Major Holland — Information from " Maple Leaves" — Holland Farm — Tach6 — First Canadian Poem — Head Quarters of Gen. Montgomery — Hospitality — Duke of Kent — Spencer Grange — Holland Tree — Graves — Epitaphs — Surveyor Washington — County Surveyor — Surveyors after the War — First Survey in Upper Canada- Commenced in 1781 — The Mode pursued — Information in Crown Lands Department — The Nine Townships upon the St. Lawrence — At the close of the War — Non-Professional Surveyors — Thomas Sherwood — Assisting to Settle — Surveying around the Bay Quints — Bongard — Deputy-Surveyor Collins — First Survey at Frontenac — Town Reserve — Size of Township — Mistakes — Kottie — Tuffy — Capt. Grass — Capt. Murney — Surveying in Winter — Planting Posts — Result — Litigation — Losing Land — A Newspaper Letter- Magistrates — Landholders — Their Stons' Lawyers — Alleged Filching — Spec- ulators at Seat of Government — Grave Charges — Width of Lots — Mode of Surveying — Number of Concessions — Cross Roads — ^Surveyors Orders — Num- bering the Lots — Surveying around the Bay — ^The ten Townships — Their Lands — The Surveying Party — A Singer — Statement of Gourlay. THE FIEST SURVEYS IN UPPER CANADA. Among those who distinguished themselves at Louisbnrg and on the Plains of Abraham under General "Wolfe, was Major' Samuel Holland. Sabine says, he was " Surveyor-General of the Colonies north of Virginia." In 1773 he announced his intention to make Perth Amboy, near Jersey, his head-quarters, and wrote to a gen- tleman there to inquire for houses to accommodate himself and his assistants. He then completed the surveys as far west as Boston. Proposed in 1774 to get round Cape Cod, and to New London, and said it would be at best six years before he should be able to finish his labors. In 1775, he wrote Lord Dartmouth that he was ready to run the line between Massachusetts and New York. By a com- munication laid before the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts in July, 1775, it a2)pears that he had loaned to Alex. Shepard, Jun., who was also a surveyor, a plan or survey of Maine, which Shepard disliked to return, fearing that it might be used in a manner pre- judicial to the AYhig cause, as Holland was an adherent of the Crown, and then in New Jersey. Congress recommended to THE HOLLAND TREE. 155 Shepard to retain Holland's plan. Major Holland went to Lower Canada, where he resumed his duties of Surveyor-General, in which capacity he served nearly fifty years. He died in 1801, and at the time of his decease he was a member of the Executive and Legis- lative Councils." It was under Sui'veyor Holland that the first smweys were made upon the banks of the St. Lawrence and the Bay of Quinte. Major Holland was a gentleman of education, and known for his social and amiable qualities. We are indebted to the author of "Maple Leaves," J. M. LeMoine, Esq., for information respecting Surveyor Holland. Extending from the brow of St. Foy heights along St. Louis Eoad at Quebec, was a piece of land of 200 acres which was known as the Holland Farm. This farm had belonged to a rich merchant of Quebec, Mon. Jean Tache, who wrote the first Cana- dian Poem, "Tableau de la Mer." He was the ancestor of the late Sir E. Tache. About the year 1740 ho built upon an eminence a high peaked structure, which, during the seige of Quebec, was the head quarters of Gen. Montgomery. This place was bought by Gen. Holland in 1780, who lived there in affluence for many years, subsequent to the close of the war, 1783. The elite of Quebec were wont to resort here to enjoy his hospitality, and in 1791, he enter- tained Edward, afterward Duke of Kent, the father of our Queen. This place is now known as SjDcncer Grange ; but the old building has long since been removed to be replaced by the present well- known mansion. Erom the St. Foy Road may be seen a fir tree known as the Holland Tree. Under that tree are several graves, which some years ago were inclosed with a substantial stone wall, with an iron gate. But now only the foundation remains. Two of the graves had neat marble slabs, with the names of Samuel Holland senior, and Samuel Holland, junior. "Here rest Major Surveyor Holland, and his son, who was killed in a duel at Montreal, by Major Ward of the 60th Eegiment," by a shot from one of a brace of pistols presented to Major Holland by Gen. Wolfe. This farm is now in possession of the military authorities. At the time of the rebellion the land of the thirteen Colonies was, in many cases, still unsurvej^ed, or so imperfectly laid out that frequent demands were made for the professional surveyor. In the very nature of things pertaining to the settlement of America, there was a general demand for surveyors. The country was constantly being opened up. Some of the most prominent men of the day had been surveyors. Gen. Washington commenced life as a country 156 • SURVEYING UPON THE ST. LAWRENCE. surveyor. In the war, both on the rebel and British sides, wore to be found jDrofessional surveyors engaged in fighting. Consequently when the w^ar terminated, there was no lack of survej'ors to carry on the work of surveying the wilderness of Upper Canada. We have seen that Major Holland held the position of Surveyor-General, and there was duly appointed a certain number of deputies and assistants. Even while the war was in progress, steps seem to have been taken to furnish the refugee Loyalists with new homes, upon the land still lying in a state of nature. The land in Lower Canada being in the main held by the French Canadians, it was deemed expedient to lay out along the shores of the upper waters a range of lots for their use. In pursuance of this, the first survey of land was made by order of Gen. Clarke, Acting Governor, or Military Commandei', in 1781. Naturally the surve}' would commence at the extreme Avcstern point of French settlement. This was on the north bank of Lake St. Francis, at the cove west of Pointc an Bodet, in the limit between the Township of Lancaster, and the seigniory of New Longueil. We have reason to believe that the surveyor at first laid out only a single range of lots fronting upon the river. In the first place a front line was established. This seems to have been done along the breadth of several proposed townships. In doing this it was desirable to have as little broken front as possible, while at the same time the frontage of each lot remained unbroken by coves of the river or baj*. We are informed by the Crown Land Department that in some townships there could, in recent daj's, be found no posts to indicate the front line, while the side linos in the second concession were sufficiently marked. The original surveyor along the St. Lawrence cvidentl}^ did not extend his operations above Elizabcthtown, which was called the ninth township, being the ninth laid out from jSTew Longueil. This is apparent from the fact that Avhilc Elizabcthtown was settled in 1784, the next township above, thatof Yonge, was not settled until two years later. The quality of the land thence to Kingston was not such as would prove useful to the poor settler, and therefore was allowed for a time to remain unsurveyed. Hence it came that Cat- araqui was the commencement of a second series of townships dis- tinguished b}^ numbers only. These two distinct ranges of town- ships, one upon the St. Lawrence numbering nine, and one upon the Bay numbering ten, were, when necessary, distinguished apart by the designation, the " fii*st," *' second," or" third" Township "upon SURVEY AT FRONTENAC. 157 the St. Lawrence," or "upon the Bay of Quinte," as the case might be. It is impossible to say how far the work of surveying had pro- gressed from Lake St. Francis westward, before the close of the war; it is very probable, however, that only a base line had been run, and some temporary mark placed to indicate the corners of each township. Such, indeed, is shown to be the case by the state- ment of Sheriff Sherwood, who says that his father Thomas Sherwood, who had been a subaltern in the 84th Reg., and who actually located on the first lot in the first concession of Elizabethtown, " was often called upon to run the side lines of the lots" for the settlers as they came one after another, and " to shew them their land." Mr. Sher- wood was not a professional surveyor, but '' he had the instruments and practically knew well how to use them, and he was ever ready to give his assistance and instructions to the new comers." SURVEYING AROUND BAY QUINTE. In the year 1783, Major Holland, Survey or-lieneral of Canada, received instructions from Sir Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Provmce of Quebec, to proceed on duty to Western Canada. Prior to this, we have observed, there had been commenced a range of lots laid out at the easternmost limits of what now forms Canada West, to the extent of nine townships. Yet evidence is wanting that this range had been completed at the period stated. Holland set out with a sufficient stafl:' of assistants and attaches, to simul- taneously lay out several of the proposed townships along the St. Lawi-ence, and the Bay of Quinte. The party passed up the St. Lawrence, ascending the rapids in a brigade of batteaux manned by Fi-ench boatmen. Surveyor Holland had, as his personal attendant, Bongard, who had been in the artillery under General Eeidezel, of the Foreign Legion. From the son of this person, now living in Marysburgh, valuable information has been obtained, much of which has been substantiated by legal documents, published in con- nection with the law report of the trial respecting the Murney estate and the town of Kingston. Mr. Bongard says that Holland, as he passed up, detailed a deputy to each of the townships, stopping first at Oswegotchie, opposite Prescott, and that he passed up as far as the fourth township upon Bay Quinte, where he pitched his tent, and where he continued to hold his head-qiaarters, receiving the reports of the various Deputy-Surveyors as they were from time to time brought in. While it seems most probable that Holland 158 TROUBLE ABOUT LOT TWENTY-FIVE. camo to the Upper Province in 1783, it is possible that he remained in Lower Canada until the spring of 1784, having deputed Surveyer Collins to commence a survey westward from the fort at Fron- tenac ; or perhaps he visited that place with Collins whom he left to carry on the work during this first year. Whether Surveyor-General Holland visited Fort Frontenac in the year 1783, or not, it was Deputy-Sm-voyor John Collins who made the first survey of the first township, and of the original town plot of Kingston." According to the sworn testimony of Gilbert Orser, who assisted Collins, in the year 1783, as well as others, the township was surveyed first, and the town plot afterward ; although it appears that Holland's instructions were, first " to lay out proper reservations for the town and fort, and then to proceed and lay out the township, six miles square." The lots were to contain each 200 acres, to be 25 in number, each range. Mr. Collins placed a monument, it is averred, " at the south-east angle of lot 25, from which a line was ruu northerly the whole depth of the Township, six miles, where another stone monument was placed, making a line of blazed trees throughout." Fi-om this, it would seem, he con- tinued to survey the townshij), leaving the land for the town, which he, no doubt, thought extensive enough, to be laid out into town lots, and leaving 40 feet of land, which was to form a road between the town and township. Eespecting this line and lot 25, there has been a great deal of litigation. As nearly as the facts can be gathered, the following statement may be regarded as correct : After Collins had completed the survey of the township, and had even made his returns, to the efi'ect that it contained 25 lots, of 200 acres, he was importuned, or ' induced by the Commanding Officer at Fort Frontenac,' to make lot 25 contain only 100 acres, that more ground might thereby be had for the proposed town. More than this, it seems that there was some mistake in the said eastern side line, so as to subsequently limit lot 25 to even less than 100 acres. And, Capt. Michael Grass, when he took possession of this lot, in 1784, found that this line was inaccurately run. Deputy-Surveyor Kotte was requested to examine it ; and finding there was an error, made representations to Government, who sent persons to correct it. One Deputy-Surveyor Tuffy was directed to re-survey the line, and he gave more land to lot 25. However, there was yet some en-or, which was a source of great trouble. Capt. Michael Grass sold this lot to Capt. Murney, who, subsequently finding it did not contain the amount of land which the patent assumed, applied legally for his rights. IRREGULARITIES IN SIDE LINES. 159 The surveying party, among whom were some of those who subsequently settled in the townshij), and who must have belonged to Capt. Grass' company of refugees, returned to Sorcl, where they spent the winter. At least this is the testimony of one of the grand-children of Capt. Grass. But if the surveying party did, this winter of 1783-4, retire from their work to Lower Canada, it appears unlikely they did the following winter. Indeed there are indications that surveying went on during the winter. In laying- out the Townships, special attention was given to make the lots front squarely upon the Bay. In the winter the base line could be more closely run by the water edge upon the ice, than in summer, through the woods. We are informed, at the Crown Lands Depart- ment, that in some townships no posts or other marks had at first been found in the re-survey, although such were to be found in the 2nd concession. The inference was, that the posts planted in winter by the water, had, in the spring or summer been washed away, in the course of time. This, as may be supposed, led in time to great confusion, and no little litigation. For many years there was much trouble to establish the land marks all along the front ; and cases are not wanting where it has been charged that fraudu- lent removals of posts were made. The straightforward settler, while engaged in his daily and yearly round of toil, thought not of the side lines of his farm, fully believing that a sui'vey had been definitely fixed by marks that could not be altered, and too often when plenty and comfort had come, he was startled to find some one claiming some of his cleared or uncleared land. Although con- scious that such and such were the boundaries of the land granted to him, it was not so easy to prove that such was the case. The annoyances of these direct and indirect attempts to disinherit, may easily be imagined. In this connection, the following letter may be given as exemplifying the feelings, if not the facts — per- haps both — which belonged to those days. It appeared in the Kingston Gazette in 1816, over the signature " A." "Sir, — The situation of the old settlers in the Province of Upper Canada, is truly deplorable. These people settled in the wilds of Canada, then the Province of Quebec, under the surveys made by the acting Surveyor-General. Landmarks being estab- lished for the guidance of their improvements : no deeds were given them until the Parliament of Great Britain altered the Quebec bill, arranged a new constitution, similar to that they had lost during the rebellion, in the Province of New York, from whence they IGO ALLEGED FRAUD. chiefly came to settle at Frontenac, now Kingston, After cultiva^ ting the countiy agreeably to those survej's for twenty years or more, deeds are issued to cover those lots, drawn and cultivated as above mentioned. The Surveyor-General, David William Smith, Speaker of the House of Assembly, knowing that these deeds wei*e filled up by guess, the survey never having been made complete, wisely provided an Act of the Legislature to prevent the deeds from moving the old land-marks. This Act provides that when thirty fi-eeholders appl}^ to the Magistrates in session they shall make an assessment and collect the money to enable the Surveyor-General to erect monuments, in order to preserve their ancient land-marks and boundaries. What is the reason that this Act has not been complied with ? Are the Magistrates all land- holders and their sons Lawj^ers ? '• An order from the Governor has lain in the Surveyor-Gen- eral's office ever since the year 1801 for monuments to be erected in the Township of Kingston, agreeable to the intention of that Act. Why will not the Magistrates do their duty? The consequence is, that the licensed Surveyor, John Ilyder, is running new lines every day, and moving the land-marks of the old settlers. People who have come into the country fi'om the States, marry into a family, and obtain a lot of wild land, get John Eyder to move the land- marks, and instead of a wild lot, take by force a fine house and bam and orchard, and a well cultured farm, and turn the old Tory, (as he is called) out of his house, and all his labor for thirty years. " These old settlei-s have suffered all that men could suffer ; first in a seven years' rebellion in the revolutionized colonies; then came to a remote wilderness, some hundred miles from any inhabitant — not a road, not a cow, or an ox, or a horse to assist them ; no bread during the winter, they wintered first atCataraqui. A little pease and pork was all they could get until the ice gave way in the spring of 1785. " The King, as an acknowledgment and mark of his approbation for the loyalty and sufferings of his faithful subjects, ordered lands to be granted them free from expense, and marked each man's name with the letters U. E., with a grant annexed to each child as it became of age, of two hundred acres of the waste lands of the crown. " Now these children cannot get these lands agreeably to the intention of Government. They must sell their right to a set of speculators that hover round the seat of Government, or never get 1 THE CONCESSION. 161 located. Or if they should have tlie fortune to get a location ticket, it is situated on rocks, and lakes, and barren lands, where they are worth nothing at all ; the good lots being marked by the Sui-veyors, and located by those U. E. rights they have so purchased. "Now, Sir, was I a scholar, I might draw you a much better description of this wickedness. But I have lived to see thirteen colonies, now States of America, severed from the British empire by the mal-administration of justice in the civil government of those colonies; the people's minds were soured to that degree that a few designing men overthrew the Government." " After the conquest of Canada, the king ordered a thousand acres of land to be granted to each man. The land was granted ; but the people to whom it was granted were deprived by a set of specu- lators, from ever getting a foot, unless they became tenants to those who, in a manner, had robbed them of their rights." While the lots were generally made twenty chains in width, a few of the first townships were but nineteen, and consequently of greater depth to make the 200 acres, and the concessions were pro- portionally wider. The base line being established, a second one, parallel thereto, was made at a distance generally of a mile and a quarter, allowance being made in addition, for a road. It is more than likely that in many townships the second line, or concession, was not immediately run out. The settlers could not easily traverse even a mile of woods, and for a time accommodation was made only at the front. But within a year, in mosi townships, the second row of lots had been surveyed and partially occupied. At the front line was always an allowance for a road of sixty feet, as well as at the second line for one of forty feet. The range of lots between the front and the second lines as well as be- tween the second ^nd third, and so on, was called a Concession, a term derived from the French, having reference to their mode of conferring land in the Lower Province, and peculiar to this counrty. Each conces- sion was divided into lots of 200 acres each, the dividing lines being at right angles Avith the concession lines, and a quarter of a mile distant from each other. At intervals of two or three miles, a strip of forty feet between two lots was left, for a cross road. In Araeliasburgh it seems that this was neglected. The number of concessions depended on circumstances. Along the St. Lawrence, they numbered to even fifteen or sixteen. Along the bay they were seven and eight. Adolphus- town has only four. The irregular course of the Bay Quinte, and the fronting of the townships upon its waters, gave rise to great irregu- 11 162 THE surveyor's course. larity in tlie interior lots, and produced a large uniuber of Gores. This may be noticed more especially iu Sophiasburgh, and indeed throughout all of Prince Edward district. Respecting the i)rovision made for cross roads, Alex. Aitkins, who was Deputy Surveyor of Midland district for man}' years, says under date, 1797, in respect to the township of Sophiasburgh, " Mr. Kotte's orders 1785, were from Deputy Surveyor General, Mr. Collins, who was then at Kingston, to lay off cross roads between every six lots as he had done in the eastern part of the province, from town- ship number one, now Charlotteburgh, to township number eight Elizabethtown, and, of no doubt, they would be found at the waters' edge on the Bay Quinte." By looking at the township maps of the bay, it will be seen that the lots of the first three townships, are numbered from west to east, while as we have seen, the townships were numbered from east to Avest. It is inferred from this fact that the surveyor conducted his survey along the front, planting posts to mai'k the division of lots, and leaving allowance for roads, but did not complete the concessions until the breadth of the townships had been determined, when it was done from west to east, the lots being numbered accordingly. The surveyor continued to chain the front, upon the north shore of the bay, until he reached the turn in the bay at the western point of Adolphustown. This portion of territory was divided into four town- ships. The surveyor then crossed the bay and proceeded from the Upper Gap, to lay out lots in an irregular manner upon the water, along the bay and the lake to, and around Smith's Bay, and along Black Creek; also upon the east shore of Picton Bay. This constituted the fifth township. Following the bay shore of Prince Edward peninsula from Picton Bay, along the High Shore and around Green Point, an- other, the sixth township, was laid out ; the lots always fronting on the bay. Still following the bay, the seventh township was ci'eated, the western boundary of which brought th6 surveyor to the head of the bay, or Carrying Place. Turning eastward along the north shore of the bay, the eight township was laid out. Likewise, the ninth township, which brought the surveyor to a tract of laud which had been reserved for, and given to the faithful Mohawk Indians. Passing by the present township of Tyendinaga, still another townshi]) was laid out fronting upon the Mohawk Bay, and Napanee River. This constituted the tenth town ship, Richmond. Thus the surveyors had made a complete circuit of THE TEN " TOWNS." 163 the bay. These townships were, for many a day, designated by the numeral prefix ; even yet may be found gray haired individuals who speak of them in no other way. Subsequently, liowever, these town- ships had given to them respectively, the royal names of Kingston, Ernest town, Fredericksburgh, Adolphustown, Marysburgh, Amelias- burgh, Sophiasburgh ; and the noble ones of Sidney, Thurlow, and Richmond. There Avoukl at the present time, be nothing so interesting to the settlers of the bay, than to read a diary of the events connected with the original suiwey. Surveying the wilderness is weary work at any time ; but when the persons who take part in striking the lines and fixing the boundaries, have constantly in mind that when their survey is completed, they cannot return to civilization and the com- forts of a home, but that they have to remain to become citizens of the forest, they miist experience many a heart pang. Yet there seems to have been a lightheartedness Avith most of them. The camp fire at night Antnessed many jileasaut hours of jovial passtime. Singing, stoiytelling, wUed away agreeably many an hour. Accom- panying Collins' surveying party, was one Purdy, who gained no little renown as a capital singer. We wiU close our remarks upon the original survey by giving the statement of Gourlay. He says that " such was the haste to get land surveyed and given away, that ignorant and careless men Avere employed to measure it out, and such a mess did they make of their land measuring, that one of the present surveyors informed me that in running new lines over a great extent of the province, he foimd spare room for a whole township in the midst of those laid out at an early period. It may readily be conceived, upon consideration of this fact, what blundering has been committed, and what mistakes stand for correction." 164 THE CARIGNAN RKGIMENT. CHAPTER XVI. Contents — The term Concession — First Concession of Land in Canada — The Carignan Regiment — Seigniories — Disproportion of the sexes — Females sent from France — Their ajipearance — Settling them — ]\Iarriage allowance — Tlie last seigniory — New Longeuil — Seigniory at Frontenac — Grants to Refugees — Cifticers ami men — Scale of granting — Free of expense — Squatting — Disbanded soldiers — Remote regions — A wise and beneficent policy — Impostors — Very young officers — Wholesale granting of land — Republicans coming over — Covetous — False pretentions — Government had to discrimi- nate — Rules and regulations — Family lands — Bounty — Certificates — Selling claims — Rear concessions — Transfer of location ticket — Laud board — Tardi- ness in obtaining titles to real estate — Transfer by bond — Jobbing — Sir Wm. Pnllency — Washington — Giving lands to favorites — Reserves — Evil results — The Family Compact — Extract from Playter — Extract from Lord Durham — From Gourlay — Recompense to Loyalists — Rations — Mode of drawiug land — Land Agent — Broken front — Traitor Arnold — Tyendinaga. CONCESSION OF LANDS TO THE FRENCH. It has been stated that the term concession, as well as the system of granting land to disbanded soldiers, was derived from the French. The first concession of lands to soldiers took place in 1665, to the Carignan Eegiment, a name derived from a Prince of the house of Savoy, which came to New France with the first Viceroy. It was a distinguished corps in the French Infantry, having won renown on many a bloody field, and carried death to many an Iroquois Indian. The Indians ha'ving sought peace fi*om the French, leave was granted to this regiment to permanently settle in the New "World. Titles to land was conferred according to rank, and as well, sums of money to assist in the clearing of laud. " The ofticers who were mostly noblesse obtained seigniories with their late soldiers for vassals." The settlement of this body of men increased the disproportion between the males and females in Canada. The home government consider- ately took steps to remedy this abnormal state of things and despatched " several hundred from old France." They " consisted of tall, short, fair, brown, fat and lean." These females were offered to such of the men as had means to support a wife. In a few days they were all disposed of. The Governor-General then distributed to the newly married ones "oxen, cows, hogs, fowls, salted beef," as well as money. — (Smith.) The original grants of land by the French Government under the feudal system, wa« into seignioiies. These were subdivided into parishes, " whose extents were exactly defined by De Vandreuil and Bigon. September 1721." For these grants of seignioral tenure, certain acts of fealty were to be performed, pursuant to the custom of Paris. REMOTE PARTS. 165 After the British siipi'emacy, grants of land were still made by govern- ment in Lower Canada. The last seigniory was conferred by the French in April, 1734, to Clievalier de Longeuil, and is known as New Longeuil. It constitutes the western boundary of the Lower Province. CONCESSION OF LANDS TO THE LOYALISTS. AVe have elsewhere seen that the first person, other than the natives, to possess land in Upper Canada, was De la SaUe, the discoverer of the Mississippi Eiver, to whom was granted a seigniory at Cataraqui, of four leagues, including the fort, and the islands in front of the four leagues of territory. Wolfe, Gage and Amherst Islands. At the close of the war in 1783, it was determined by govern- ment to confer grants of land to the refugee loyalists in Canada, on the same scale to officers and men as had been done after the conquest of Canada, 1763, with the exception that all loyalists under the rank of subaltern were to receive 200 acres. The grants to tlie disbanded soldiers and loyalists, were to be made free of every expense. In some of the townships, the settlers were squatting along the St. Lawrence and Bay Quinte, until late in the summer and fall of 1 784, waiting to know the location of their lots. This might easily be, as although the forest had been surveyed, the lots had not been numbered. So, although the refugee soldier had his location ticket for a certain lot, it v>^as often a long tedious time before he could know its precise situation. The front part of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth town- ships upon the bay were definitely disposed of to .disbanded soldiers and refugees, formed into companies. But the lands, then considered more remote, as along the north shore of Hay Bay, in the third and fourth towns ; in some parts of the fifth ; and more particularly along the shores of the western extremity of the bay, were at the service of any one who might venture to settle. It was considered quite in the remote part of the earth. Even the head of Picton Bay was considered a place which would hardly be settled. The result was, that many of the choice lots were taken up in the eight and ninth towns, before they were surveyed. The policy pursued by the British Govenmient, in recognizing the services of those who served in the British army against the rebelsj and in recompensing the losses sustained by those who adhered to the British Crown in America, was most wise and beneficient. There were a few deseiwinsr ones in sufferinix circumstances, who failed to fjet 166 YOUNG OFFICERS. tlie bouiitv 80 wisely ijcranted. This sometimes was the result of the individual's own neglect, in not advancing his claims; sometimes the fault of an agent who, too intent in getting for himself, forget those entrusted to his care. While a small number thus remained without justice, there were on the other hand, a large number who succeeded unworthily inol)taiuing grants. It is no cause for wonder, that out of the large number who composed the U. E. Loyalists, there would be found a certain number who would not hesitate to so represent, or mis" represent their case, that an undue reward would be accorded. Finding the government on the giving hand, they scrupled not to take advan- tage of its parental kindness. In later days we have seen the United States, when in the throes of a great civil war, bleeding at every point of the body politic, by the unprincipled contractors and others, who the most loudly proclaimed their patriotism. In 1783, when a rebel- lion had i)roved successful, and so had become a revolution, and the nation, from which a branch had been struck off, was most anxious to repay those who had preferred loyalty to personal aggrandizement, we may not wonder that there were some willing to take all they could get. It is also related that certain officers of the regiments were in the habit of putting each of their children, however young, upon the strength of the regiment, with the view of securing him land, and hence arose an expression the " Major won't take his pap," and " half pay officers never die," as the officer placed on half pay when a year old, would long enjoy it. But it will be often found that this mode was adojjted by those in authority, as the most con- venient to confej" favors upon the chief officers, although a very ridiculous one. For many a j-ear no strict rules for discrimination, were observed in the granting of lands in Canada, and the petitions which literally crowded upon the government, were, in the main, promptly complied with. The time came, however, when more care had to be observed, for not a few of those who had actually rebelled, or had sympathized with the rebels, finding less advan- tages from republicanism than had been promised, and with chagi-in, learning that those, whose homesteads and lands they had assisted to contiscate, had wrought out new homes upon land, conferred by a government more liberal, and of a nobler mind than the parvenu government, which had erected a new flag upon American soil, looked now with longing, covetous e^'cs toward the northern country, which those they had persecuted, had converted from a Avildcrness IMPOSTORS, 167 to comfortable homes. The trials of the tirst .settlumciil had been overcome. Tlie occasional visit of a Canadian pioneer to his old home in the States, where he told the pleasing tale of success, not- withstanding their cruelty, caused some to envy their hard earned comforts, and even led some who had been the worst of rebels, to set out for Canada with a view of assorting their loyalty and, thereby of procuring lands. Not a few of such unworthy ones succeeded for a time in procuring lands. It therefore became necessary, on the part of the government, to exact the most searching examination of parties j^etitioning for land. No reference is here made to those who came into the province in response to the invitation proclaimed bj' (jrovernor Simcoe ; but to those who entered under false colors, prior to the time of Upper ('anada being set apart from Lower Canada. Extracts from the Rules and Regulations for the conduct of the Land Office Department, dated Council Chamber, 11th February, 1789, for the guidance of the Zand Boards. " 4th. The safety and propriety of admitting the petitioner to become an inhabitant of this Province being well ascertained to the satisfaction of the Board, they shall administer to every such person the oaths of fidelity and allegiance directed by law; after v\'hich the Board shall give every such petitioner a certificate to the Survej'or General or any person authorized to act as an Agent or Deputy Surveyor for the district within the trust of that Board, exjiressing the ground of the petitioner's admission, and such Agent or Deputy Sui'veyor shall, within two days after the presentment of the certi- ficate, assign the petitioner a single lot of about two hundred acres, describing the same with due certainty and accuracy under his signature. But the said certificate shall, nevertheless, have no effect if the petitioner shall not enter upon the location, and begin the improvement and cultivation thereof within one year from the date of such assignment, or if the petitioner shall have had lands assigned to him before that time in any other part of the Province. " 7th. The respective Boards shall, on petition from the Loyalists already settled in the Upper Districts for the allotment of lands under the instructions to the Deputy Survej^or General of the 2nd of June, 1787, or under prior or other orders for assigning portions to their families, examine into the grounds of such requests and claims, and being well satisfied of the justice thereof, they shall grant certificates for such further Qualities of lands as the said 168 DUTY OF LAND BOARDS. instructions and orders rna}' warrant to the acting Surveyors of their Districts respectively, to be by them made effectual in the manner l>efore mentioned, but to be void, nevertheless, if prior to the passing the grant in form, it shall appear to the Government that such additional locations liave been obtained by fraud, and that of these the Boards transmit to the office of the Governor's Secre- tary, and to each others, like reports and lists as hereinbefore, as to the other locations directed. " 8th. And to prevent individuals from monopolizing such spots as contain mines, minerals, fossils, and conveniences for mills, and other similar advantages of a common and public nature, to the prejudice of the general interest of the settler, the Surveyor-Gene- ral and his Agents or Deputy Surveyors in the different districts, shall confine themselves in the location to be made by them upon certificates of the respective Boards, to such lands only as are fit for the common pm-pose of husbandry ; and they shall reserve all other spots aforementioned, together with all such as may be fit and useful for ports and harbours, or works of defence, or such as contain valuable timber for ships, building or other purposes, con- veniently situated for water carriage, in the hands of the Crown, and they shall, without delay, give all particular information to the Governor or Commander-in-Chief for the time being, of all such spots as are hereinbefore directed to be reserved to the Crown, that order may be taken respecting the same. And the more effectually to prevent abuses and to put individuals on their guard in this res- pect, any certificate of location given contrary to the true intent and meaning of this regulation is hereby declared to be null and void, and a special order of the Governor and Council made neces- sary to 2>ledge the faith of Government for granting of any such spots as are directed to be reserved.. FAMILY LANDS AND ADDITIONAL BOUNTY. "Certificate of the Board appointed by His Excellency the Gov- ernor, for the District of^ -, in the Province of Quebec, under the rules and regulations for the conduct of the Land Office Department. "Dated, Council Chamber, Quebec, ITth Februar}-, 1780. '* The bearer , having on the day of . pre- ferred to the Board a Petition addressed to Ilis Excellency the Governor in Council, for a grant of acres of land in the Town- ship of in the District of We have examined into SELLING CLAIMS. 169 his character and pretentions, and tind that ho has received acres of land in the Township of , in the District of- and that he settled on and has improved the same, and that he is entitled to a further assignment of acres, in conformit}' to the seventh articles of the rules and regulations aforementioned. " Given at the Board at this day of , one thousand seven hundred and . '^ To " Acting Surveyor for the District of . CERTIFICATE OF THE ACTING SURVEYOR. "I assign to the bearer the lot No. in the ToA\Ta- ship of , in the District of , containing acres, chains, which lands he is hereby authorized to occupy and improve, and having improved the same, he shall receive the same grant thereof, to him and his heirs or devisee in due form on such terms as it shall please His Majesty to ordain, and all persons are desired to take notice that this assignment and all others of a similar nature are not transferable, by purchase, donation or otherwise, on any pretence whatever, except by an act under the signature of the Board for the District in which the lands are situated, which is to be endoi'sed upon this Certificate. " Given at , this day of , one thousand seven hundred and . To Acting Siu'veyor for the District of . But there were many a one who drew land, and never even saw it. It was quickly, thoughtlessly sometimes, sold for little or nothing. Sometimes for a quart of mm. The right jolly old sol- dier would take no thought of the morrow. A few did not retain their lands, because they were of little value for agricultural pur- poses ; but the majority because they Avere situated in that remote region in the 4th or 5th concession of the third town, or away up in the 2nd concesssion of sixth town, or a long way up in the eighth town. Eear concessions of even the first and second townships Avere looked upon doubtingly, as to whether the land was worth having. Often the land would not be looked after. It not unfrequently was the case that settlers upon the front who had drawn land also in the I'ear townships, disposed of the latter, not from any indiifei'ence as to its future value, but to obtain the immediate 170 LARGE LAND OWNERS. necessaries of life, as articles of clothinji;, or stock, or perhaps food, or seed grain, and now and then in later days to pay taxes. The certificates of the children, entitling them to land when of age, were often disposed of. Even officers found it convenient, or necessary to sell rear land to new comers, for ready money. Thus it came to pass that a good man}' never took possession of the land which a prudent Government had granted them. The statement has been made that persons holding prominent positions at the time, and possessed of prudent forethought, as to the value which would in the future attach to certain lots, stood ready not onl}'- to accept ofters to sell, but to induce the ignorant and careless to dispose of their claims. Consequently when patents were issued, several persons became patentees of large tracts of land, which had been drawn by individual Loyalists, Avhose names never appeared in the Crown Land Office. The transfer of a certificate or " location ticket," consisted in the seller writing his name upon the back of the ticket. Occasionally a ticket would exchange hands several times, so that at last when it was presented to obtain the deed, it was difficult to determine who was the owner. The power to thus transfer the certificates, was allowed for several years. But in time Government discovered the abuses which had arisen out of it, and decided that all patents should, thenceforward, be in the name of the person who originally drew the land. Xot unfrequently these certificates were lost. The losers, upon claiming land, could not- establish their rights; but Government, to meet this misfortune, created a Land Board for each Township, whose duty it was to examine and determine the claims of all who pre- sented them. The following extract of a letter will explain itself: " For the Kingston Gazette, June 1st, 1816." " It has long been a subject of deep regret in the minds of judicious persons, that the inhabitants of this Province should be so neglectful as they are in securing their titles of real estate. "When the country was first settled, tlie grants of land from the crown, on account of the existing state of the Province, could not be immediately issued. The settlers, however, drew their lots and went into possession of them, receiving only tickets, or certificates, as the evidenceof their right to them. In the meantime, exchanges and sales were made by transfers of the possession with bonds for conveyances when the deeds should be obtained from the Cro^vn Office. RESERVES — EVIL EFFECTS. 171 " This practice of transferring land hy wa}' of bond, being thus introduced, was continued by force of usage, after the cause of its introduction Avas removed. In too many instances it is still con- tinued, although, by the death of the parties, and the consequent descent of estates to heirs under age, and other intervening priva- tions, many disappointments, failures, and defects of title, are already experienced ; and the evil consequences are becoming still more serious, as lands rise in value, become more settled and divided among assignees, devisees, &c. In a few years this custom, more prevalent perhaps in this Province, than elsewhere, will prove a fruitful source of litigation, uidess the jH'actice should be discon- tinued." In connection with free grants of land, and a certain degree of indifference as to the value, there must necessarily arise more or less speculation or land-jobbing. Sir William Pullency has been called the first land-jobber in Canada. In 1791, he bought up 1,500,000, at one shilling j^er acre, and soon after sold 700,000 at an average of eight shillings per acre. But land-jobbing is not peculiar to Canada, nor has its practice militated against the public character of emine'nt men, either here or abroad. Greneral Washington was not only a Surveyor, but an extensive land-jobber, and thereby increased immensely his private fortune. We have seen elsewhere, that a few private individuals were wont to buy the location tickets of all who desired to part with them, or whom they could induce to sell. In this way a few indi- viduals came to own large quantities of land, even from the first. Afterward, there was often conferred by the authorities, quantities of land upon those connected with influential persons, or upon favorites. Subsequently the mode of reserving Crown and Clergy lands increased the evil. And it was an evil, a serious drawback; not alone that, but favorites procured land without any particular claim or right. The land thus held in reserve, being distributed among the settled lots in the several townships, was waste land, and a barrier to advancement. Each settler had to clear a road across his lot; but the Government lots, and those held by non-residents, remained without any road across them, except such paths as the absolute requirements of the settlers had caused them to make. In this way, the interests of the inhabitants were much retarded, and the welfare of the Province seriously damaged. The existence of the Famih' Compact prevented the removal of this evil, for many 172 INVESTIGATION PREVENTED, a year, Avhile favorites enjoyed choice advantages. In 1817, "The House of Assembly in Upper Canada took into consideration the state of the Province, and among other topics, the injury arising from the reserve lands of the Crown and the Clergy." In laying out the townsliips in later years, " The Grovernmont reserved in the first concession, the 5th, 15th, and 20th lots; and the Clergy the 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 22nd. In the second concession, the Crown reserved the 4th, 11th, 21st, and 23rd; and the Clergy, the 2nd, 9th, and 16th. And thus in every two concessions, the Crown would have three lots in one, and four in the other, or seven in all ; and the Clergy the same ; or 14 lots reserved in every 48, or nearly one-thii*d of the land in each concession, and in each township. The object of the reservation was to increase the value of such land by the improvements of the settlers around it. The object was selfish, as the reserve lands injured all those who did them good. It was difficulty enough to clear up the forests ; but to leave so many lots in this forest state, was a difficulty added by the Crown. To have one-third of a concession uncleared and uncultivated, was an injmy to the two-thirds cleared and cultivated. Large patches of forest, interspersed with cultivated land, obstructs the water courses, the air, and the light; nurtured wild animals and vermin destructive to crops and domestic creatures around a farm house ; and especially, are injurious to roads running through them, by preventing the wind and the sun from drying the moisture. Besides, no taxes were paid by these wild lots for any publicimprovements ; only from cultivated lands. The Assembly, however, were cut short in their work of complaint, by being suddenly prorogued by the Gover- nor, whose Coimcil was entirely against such an investigation. Here was the beginning of the Clergy Eeserve agitation in the Provincial Parliament, which continued for many years." — {Playter). In this connection, the following extract from a report of Lord Durham, will be found interesting: " By official returns which accompany this report, it appears that, out of about 17,000,000 acres comprised within the surveyed districts of Upper Canada, less than 1,600,000 acres are yet unap- propriated, and this amount includes 450,000 acres the reserve for roads, leaving less than 1,200,000 acres open to grant, and of this rem- nant 500,000 acres are required to satisfy claims for grants founded on pledges by the Government. In the opinion of Mr. Eadenhurst, the really acting Surveyor-General, the remaining 700,000 consist RETARDING IMPROVEMENTS. 173 for the most pai't of land inferior in position or quality. It may almost be said, therefore, that the whole of the public lands in Upper Canada have been alienated by tlie Grovernment. In Lower Canada, out of 6,169,963 acres in the surveyed townshijjs, nearly 4,000,000 acres have been granted or sold; and there are unsati^^fied but indisputable claims for grants to the amount of about 500,000. In Nova Scotia nearly 6,000,000 acres of land have been granted, and in the opinion of the Surveyor-General, only about one-eighth of the land which remains to the Crown, or 300,000 acres is available for the purposes of settlement. The whole of Prince Edward's Island, about 1,400,000 acres, was alienated in one day. In New Brunswick 4,400,000 acres have been granted or sold, leaving to the Crown about 11,000,000, of which 5,500,000 are considered fit for immediate settlement. " Of the lands granted in Upper and Lower Canada, upwards of 3,000,000 acres consist of ' Clergy Eeserves,' being for the most part lots of 200 acres each, scattered at regular intervals over the whole face of the townships, and remaining, with few exceptions, entirely wild to this day. The evils produced by the system of reserv- ing land for the Clergy have become notorious, even in this country; and a common opinion I believe prevails here, not only that the system has been abandoned, but that measures of remedy have been adopted. This opinion is incorrect in both points. In respect of every new township in both Provinces reserves are still made for the Clergy, just a*5 before ; and the Act of the Imperial Parliament which permits the sale of the Clergy Eeserves, applies to only one-fourth of the quantity. The select committee of the House of Commons on the civil government of Canada reported in 1828, that " these reserved lands, as they 'are at present distri- buted over the country, retard more than any other circumstance the growth of the colony, lying as they do in detached portions of each townshij), and intervening between the occupations of actual settlers, who have no means of cutting roads through the woods and morasses, which thus separate them from their neighbours. This description is perfectly applicable to the present state of things. In no perceptible degree has the evil been remedied. " The system of Clergy Eeserves was established by the act of 1791, commonly called the Constitutional Act, which directed that, in respect of all grants made by the Crown, a quantity equal to one-seventh of the land so granted should be reserved tor the clergy. A quantity equal to one-seventh of all grants would be one-eighth 174 Durham's objections. of each township, or of all the public land. Instead of this propor- tion, the practice has been, ever since the act passed, and in the clearest violation of its provisions, to set apart for the clergy in Upper Canada a seventh of all the land, which is a quantity equal to a sixth of the land granted. There have been appropriated for this purpose 300,000 acres, which legally, it is manifest, belong to the public. And of the amount for Avhich Clergj" Reserves have been sold in that Province, namely, £317,000 (of which about £100,000 have been already received and invested in the English funds,) the sum of about £45,000 should belong to the public. " In Lower Canada, the same violation of the law has taken place, with this diftercnce — that upon every sale of Crown and Clergy Reserves, a fresh reserve for the Clergy has been made, equal to one-fifth of such reserves. The result has been the appro- priation for the clergy of 673,567 acres, instead of 446,000, being an excess of 227,559 acres, or half as much again as they ought to have received. The Lower Canada fund already produced by sales amounts to £50,000, of which, therefore, a third, or about £16,000, belong to the public. If, Mnthout any reform of this abuse, the whole of the unsold Clergy Reserves in both Provinces should fetch the average price at which such lands have hitherto sold, the public would be wronged to the amount'of about £280,000 ; and the reform of this abuse will ])roduce a certain and almost immediate gain to the ]mblic of £60.000. In referring, for further explanation of this subject, to a paper in the appendix which has been drawn up by Mr. Hanson, a member of the commission of inquiry which I appointed for the colonies, I am desirous of stating my own convic- tion that the clergy have had no part in this great misappropriation of the public property, but that it has arisen entirely from heedless misconception, or some other* error, of the civil government of both Provinces," •■' The great objection to reserves for the clergy is, that those for whom the land is set apart never have attempted, and never could successfully attempt, to cultivate or settle the projierty, and that, by special appropriation, so much land is Avitlihekl from settlers, and kept in a state of waste, to the serious injury of all settlers in its neighborhood. But it would be a great mistake to suppose that this is the only practice .by which such injury has been, and still is, inflicted on actual settlers. In the two Canadas, especially, the practice of rewarding, or attempting to reward, public services by grants of public land, has produced, and is still THE QUANTITY GRANTED. 175 producing, a degree of injury to actual settlers which it is difficult to conceive without having witnessed it. The very principal of such grants is bad, inasmuch as, under an}' circumstances, they must lead to an amount of appropriation beyond the wants of the community, and greatly beyond the proprietor's means of cultiva- tion and settlement. In both the Canadas, not only has this prin- ciple been pursued with reckless profusion, but the local executive governments have managed, by violating or evading the instructions which they received from the Secretary of State, to add incalculably to the mischiefs that would have arisen at all events. "In Upper Canada, 3,200,000 acres have been granted to " U. E. Loyalists," being refugees from the United States, who settled in the province before 1787, and their children ; 730,000 acres to Militia men ; 450,000 acres to discharged Soldiers and Sailors ; 225,- 000 acres to Magistrates and Barristers ; 136,000 acres to Executive Councillors, and their families ; 50,000 acres to five Legislative Councillors, and their families; 36,900 acres to Clergymen, as private property ; 264,000 to persons contracting to make surveys ; 92,526 acres to officers of the Army and Navy; 500,000 acres for the endowment of schools; 48,520 acres to Colonel Talbot; 12,000 acres to heirs of G-eneral Brock, and 12,000 acres to Dr. Mountain,- a former Bishop of Quebec ; making altogether, with the Clergy Eeserves, nearly half of all the surveyed land in the province. In Lower Canada, exclusively of grants to refugee loyalists, as to the amount of which the Crown Lands' Department could furnish me with no information, 450,000 acres having been granted to Militia- men, to Executive Councillors 72,000 acres, to Governor Milne about 48,000 acres, to Mr. Cushing and another, upwards of 100,000 acres (as a reward for giving infoi'mation in a case of high treason), to officers and soldiers 200,000 acres, and to •' leaders of to"svnships" 1,457,209 acres, making altogether, with the Clergy Eeserves, rather more than half of the surveyed lands originall}'- at the disposal of the Crown. " In Upper Canada, a very small proportion (perhaps less than a tenth) of all the land thus granted, has been even occupied by settlers, much less reclaimed and cultivated. In Lower Canada, with the exception of a few townships bordering on the American frontier, which have been comparatively well settled, in despite of the pro- l)rietors, by American squatters, it may be said that nineteen- twentieths of these grants are still unsettled, and in a perfectly wild state. 176 LAND SPECULATORS. " No Other result could have been expected in the case of those classes of gi'antees whose station would preclude tlu-ni from settling in the wilderness, and whose means would enable them to avoid exertion for giving imiuediate value to their grants ; and unfortunately, the land which was intended for persons of a poorer order, Mho might be expected to improve it by their labor, has, for the most part, fallen into the bands of land-jobbers of the class just mentioned, who have never thought of settling in person, and who retain the land in its present wild state, speculating u])Ou its acquii-ing a value at some distant day, when the demand for land siia^l have increased through the increase of population. " In Upper Cmiada, says Mr. Bolton, himself a gi-eat speculator and holder of wild land, " the plan of granting large tracts of land to gentlemen who have neither the muscular strength to go into the wilderness, nor perhaps, the pecuniary means to improve their grants, has been the means of a large part oi' tlie country remaining in a state of wilderness. The system ui granting land to the children of U. E Loyalists has not been productive of the benefits expected from it. A very small proportion of the land gi-anted to them has been occupied or improved. A great proportion of such grants were to unmarried females, who very readily disposed of them for a small con- sideration, frequently from £2 to £5 for a grant of 200 acres. The grants made to young men were also fi'equently sold for a very small consideration ; tbey generally had parents with whom they lived, and were therefore not disposed to move to their grants of lands, but preferred remaining with their families. I do not think one-tenth of the lands granted to U. E. Loyalists has been occupied by the persons to whom they were granted, and in a grea<^^ proportion of cases not occupied at all." Mr. Eaudenhurst says, " the general price of the.se grants was from a gallon of rum up to perhaps £6, so that while millions of acres Avere granted in this way, the settlement of the Province was not advanced, nor the advantage of the grantee secured in the manner that we may suppose to haxe been contemplated by government." He also mentions amongst extensive purchasers of these grants, Mr. Hamilton, a member of the Legislative Council, who bought about ] 00,000 acres. Chief Justices Emslie and Powell, and Solicitor General Gray, who pxirchased from 20,800 to 50,000 acres ; and states that several members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, as well as of tlie House of Assembly, were " very large purchasers." FURTHER IRREGULARITIES. 177 " in Lower Canada, the errants to " Leaders and Associates " were made by an evasion oi instructions which deserve a particuhir description. " By instructions to the Local Executive immediately after the passing of the Constitutional Act, it was directed that " because great inconveniences had theretofore arisen in many of the coloriies in Amei'ica, from the granting excessive quantities of land to particular persons who have never cultivated or settled the same, and have tliereby prevented others more industrious, from improving such lands ; in order, therefore, to prevent the like inconveniences in future, no farm-lot should be granted to any person being master or mistress of a family in any township to belaid out which should contain more than 200 acres." The instructions then invest the governor with a discretionary power to grant additional quantities in certain cases, not exceeding 1,000 acres. According to these instructions 200 acres should have been the general amount. 1,200 the maximum, in special cases to be granted to any individual. The greater part, however, of the land (1,457,200 acres) was granted, in fact, to individuals at the rate of from 10,000 to 50,000 to each person. The evasion of the regulations was managed as follows : A petition, signed ])y from 10 to 40 or 50 persons, was presented to the Executive Council, praying for a grant of 1,200 acres to each person, and promising to settle the land so applied for. Such petitions were, I am informed, always granted, the Council being perfectly aware that, under a pre- vious agreement between the applicants (of which tlie form was prepai'ed by the then Attorney General, and sold publicly by the law stationers of Quebec), five-sixths of the land was to be conveyed to one of them, termed leader, by whose means the grant was obtained. In most cases the leader obtained the most of the land which had been nominally applied for by fifty persons." Upon this subject we further give as worthy of attention, although we will not endorse all that is said, the remarks made by Mr. Eo!)ert Goui'lay in his " Statistical Account." He says, " when we look back into the history of old countries, and observe how landed pro- perty was first established ; how it was seized upon, pulled about, given away, and divided in all sorts of ways, shapes, and quantities; how it was bequeathed, burthened, entailed, and leased in a hundred forms ; when we consider how dark were the days of antiquity, — how gi'ossly ignorant and savage were our reinote fore- fathers, we cannot be so much surprised at finding ourselves heirs to coldfusion ; and. that, in these old countries, entanglement con- 12 178 GOrULAYS STATEMENTS. tinucs to be the order of the day. But when civilized men were quietly and peaceably to enter into the occupancy of a new region, where all could be adjusted by the square and compass ; and when order, from the beginning, could have prevented for ever all pos- sibility of doubt, and dispute, and disturbance; how deplorable is it to know, that in less than a life-time, even the simplest affairs should get into confusion ! and so it is already in Upper Canada, to a lamentable degree. Boundaries of land are doubtful and dis- puted : deeds have been mislaid, lost, unfounded, forged : they have been passed again and again in review before commissioners : they have been blotted and blurred : they have got into the repositories of attornies and pettifogging lawyers ; while courts of justice are every day adding doubt to doubt, delay to delay, and confusion to confusion ; with costs, charges, cheating. '' Things are not yet beyond the reach of amendment, even in the old settlements. In the new, what a glorious task it is to devise plans for lasting peace and prosperity ! — to arrange in such a way, as to bar out a world of turmoil in times to come ! '• The present very unprofitable and comfortless condition of Upper Canada must be traced back to the first operations of vSimcoe. With all his honesty, and energy, and zeal for settling the Province, he had realh' no sound views on the subject, and he was infinitely too lavish in disposing of the land — infinitely too much hui-ried in all his proceedings. In giving away land to individuals, no doubt, he thought he would give these individuals an interest in the improve- ment of the country, — an inducement to settle in it, and draw to it settlers ; but he did not consider the character and condition of most of his favorites; many of them officers in the army, whose habits did not accord with business, and less still with solitude and the wilderness ; whose hearts were in England, and whose wishes were intent on retirement thither. Most of them did retire from Upper Canada, and considering, as was really the case, their land grants of little value, forgot and neglected them. This was attended with many bad consequences. Their lands became bars to im- provement ; as owners the}- were not known ; could not be heard of; could not be applied to, or consulted with, about any measure for public advantage. Their promises under the Governor's hand, their land board certificates, their deeds, were flung about and neglected. But mischief greater than all this, arose, is, and will be, from the badness of surveys. Such was the haste to get land given away, that ignorant and careless men were employed to BRITISH GOVERNMENT CONSIDERATE. 170 measure it out, tmd such a mess did the}' make of tlieir hiiui -measur- ing, that one of the present surveyors informed me, tliat in running \ew lines over a great extent of the Province, he found spare room for a whole township in the midst of those laid out at an early period. It may readily be conceived, upon consideration of this fact, what blundering has been committed, and what mistakes stand for correction. Boundary lines in the wilderness are marked by blazing, as it is called, that is, chopping off with an axe, a little bark from such trees as stand nearest to the line. Careless sur- veyors can readily be supposed to depart wide of the truth with this blazing : their measuring chains cannot run very straight j and their compass needles, where these are called in aid, may be greatly diverted from the right direction b}' ferruginous substances in the neighbourhood, as spoken of. In short, numerous mistakes and errors of survey have been made and discovered : much dispute has arisen therefrom ; and I have been told infinite mischief is still in store. It occurred to me, while in Canada, and it was one of the objects which, had a commission come home, I meant to have pressed on the notice of govel-nment, that a complete new survey and map of the Province should be executed ; and at the same time a' book, after the manner of Doomsday-book, written out and pub- lished, setting forth all the original grants, and describing briefly but surely all property both public and private. I would yet most sez'iously recommend such to be set about. It might be expensive now, but would assuredly save, in time to come, a pound for every penny of its cost." We have seen elsewhere that, in the terms of j^eace made at Paris when hostilities ceased, justice was not done to the American Loj^al- ists. But subsequently, when their claims became known to the British public, there was uttered no uncertain sound, upon the floor of Parliament, respecting the duty resting upon England towards the devoted but distressed loyalists who had laid all upon the altar of patriotism ; and to the honor of hjngland be said, every step was now taken to provide some recompense for the United Empire Loyalists. It is true, the old homes with their comforts and associations could not be restored ; the wilderness was to be their home, a quiet con- science their comfort, and their associations those of the pioneer for many a day. But, what could be done, was done by the Crown to render their circumstances tolerable. Extensive grants of land were gi*anted, not alone to the disbanded soldier according to rank, but to eveiy one Avho had become a refugee. Three years supply 180 THE BROKEN FRONT. of rations were allowed to all, as well as clothing; and certain imple- ments were furnished with which to clear the land and prepare it for agriculture. The scale of granting lands was, to a field officer* 5000 acres, captain 3000, subaltern 2000, private 200. The loj-alists were ranked, with the disbanded soldiers, according to their losses, and services rendered, having taken the usual oath of allegiance ; and all obtained their grants free of every expense. In 1798. com- plaints having been raade4o the Imperial Government respecting the profuse manner of granting lands, roj-al instructions were given to Gen. Hunter to limit the allowance to a quantity from 200 to 1,200. The grants of land when large, were not to be in blocks; but few secured more than 200 acres upon the front townships. The original mode of granting lands, at least to the soldiers, was by lot. The process was simple. The number of each lot, to be granted in each concession, was written on a separate piece of paper, and all were placed in a hat and well shaken, when each one to receive land, drew a piece of paper from the hat. The number upon the paper was the number of his lot. He then received a printed location ticket. In drawing lots, no one felt any particular anxiety. They were yet unacquainted with the country, thej^ had not seen the Iftnd, and one number was as likely to prove as valuable as another. It would seem that the Survej'or acted as Land Agent. Having surveyed the lots, he prepared the ballot, and arranged the time and place for the settlers to draw. It was no doubt this original mode of drawing by lottery, which gave the provincial term draw- ing land. We have the testimony of Ex-Sheriff Sherwood, that the Surveyor discharged this office. He recollects "Esquire Collins;" he was at his father's house, and his father assisted in the matter of drawing with those who had assembled for the purpose. The Sur- vej'Or had a plan by him, and as each drew his lot, his name was written immediately upon the map. Man}' of the plans, with names uj)on them, may be seen in the Crown Land Department. Some of the settlers upon the front acquired much more land than others by reason of the "broken front." It often happened that the base line, running from one cove of the Bay to anothei*, left between it and the water a large strip of land. This "broken front" belonged to the adjacent 200 acres, so that often the fortunate party possessed even 50 or 100 acres extra. One of the noted individuals to whom land Avas granted in Upper Canada, was Arnold the Traitor. 18,000 acres was given him, and £10,000. TYENDINAGA. 181 The tract of land now constituting the Township of Tyendi- naga, having been purchased from the Mississaugas, was deeded to the Mohawks. The deed bears the date of 1804. The land is granted to " the chiefs, warriors, people, women of the Six Nations." The chief, at the time they settled, was Capt. John Deserontyon. CHAPTEE XVII. Contents — Lines — Western Settlement, 1783 — Population — Settlement upon St. Lawrence and Bay — Number, 1784 — Proclamation to Lo3'alists — Society dis- turbed — Two kinds of Loyalists — St. Lawrence and Bay favorable for Settle- ment — Government Provisions — State of the Loyalists — Serving out Rations — Clothes — LTtensils for clearing and farming — The Axe — Furniture — At- tacking a last enemy — Tents — Waiting for their Lots — " Bees" — Size of dwellings — Mode of building — Exchanging work — Bedsteads — Clearing — Fireing trees — Ignorance of Pioneer Life — Disposing of the Wood — No beast of burden — Logging — Determination — All Settlers on a common ground — Additional Refugees — Advance — Simcoe's Proclamation, 1792 — Conditions of Grants — The Response — Later Settlers — Questionable Loyalists — Yankees longing for Canada — Loyalty in 1812. THE SETTLEMENT OP UPPER CANADA. " CANADA." BY ALEXANDER m'LACHLAN. Land of mighty lake and forest ! Where the winter's locks are hoarest ; Where the summer's leaf is greenest ; And the winter's bite the keenest ; Where the autumn's leaf is searest. And her parting smile the dearest ; Where the tempest rushes forth, From his caverns of the north, With the lightnings of his wrath, Sweeping forests from his path ; Whei'e the cataract stupendous Lifteth up her voice tremendous ; * Where uncultivated nature Rears her pines of giant stature ; Sows her jagged hemlocks o'er. Thick as bristles on the boar; Plants the stately elm and oak Firmly in the iron rock ; Where the crane her course is steering, And the eagle is careering. Where the gentle deer are bounding. And the woodman's axe resounding ; Land of miglity lake and river. To our hearts thou'rt dear forever ! J8p POPULATION, 1783. Thou art not a land of story ; Thou art not a land of glory ; No tradition, tidi-, nor song, To thine ancient woods belong; No long line of bards and sages Looking to us down the ages ; No old heroes sweeping by, In their warlike panoply ; Yet heroic deeds are done, Where no battle's lost or won — In the cottage, in the woods, In the lonely solitudes — Pledges of aftection given. That will be redeemed in heaven. In 1783, when a regular survey and settlement of Western Canada commenced, the inhabitants of the Lower Province exten- ded westward, only a few miles above Coteau du lac, upon the St. Lawrence, at Lake St. Francis ; but not a house was built within several miles of the division line of the two Provinces, which is above ^Montreal, about 40 miles, on the north shore. On the south side there was the Fort of Oswegotchie. Besides the squatters around the mil itarj'" posts at Carleton Island, Oswego, and Niagara, there were a few inhabitants at Detroit and Sandwich, of French origin, where a settlement had sprung up in 1750. The entire population of all Canada at this time, has been esti- mated at 120,000, including both the French and English. Al- though refugees had squatted here and there upon the frontier, near to the several military posts, it was not until 1784 that the land, now surveyed into lots, wag actualh' bestowed upon the Loyalists ; yet it was mainly di.sbanded soldiers that received their '• location tickets" in the year 1784. The grants were made to the corps under Jessup, upon the St. Lawrence, and under Rogers iipon the Bay; and to Butler's Rangers at Xiagara, at the same time, or very nearly. Diu'ing the same season, a settlement was made upon the Niagara frontier and at Amherstburgh, by the Loyalists who had found refuge at the contiguous Forts. It is supposed that the number Avho became settlers this year, 1784, in L'pper Canada was about 10,000. Thus the Province of Upper Canada was plantM ; thus the Refugees and disbanded soldiers found themselves pioneers in the wilds of Canada. Was it for this they had adhered to the Crown — had taken up arms — had sacriticed their all? At the close of hostilities, a proclamation was issued to the Loyalists, to rendezvous at Sacket's Harbour, or Carleton Island, Oswego, Niagara, and Isle aux Mois, the principal military posts upon the frontier. FAVORABLE PLACES FOR SETTLEMENTS. 183 The tempest of war v.'liich had swept across the American Continent, severing thirteen Colonies from the parent trnnk, liad roughl}- disturbed the elements of society. It resulted that the cessation of hostilities left a turbulent ocean, which required time to compose itself There were Loyalists who would not live under a flag alien to Britain. There were those whose circumstances would have induced them to abide the evil that had overtaken them in the dismemljerment of the British Empire ; but the fierce pas- sions of the successful rebels rendered a peaceful or safe existence of the Loyalists among them impossible. Driven they were, away from their old homes. There were those who had been doable minded, or without choice, ready to go with the successful party. Such wandered here and there looking for the best opportunity to secure self aggrandisement. It is of the first two classes we speak. Forced by cruel circumstances, to become pioneers in a wilder- ness, there could not be found in America, a more favourable place whereupon to settle than along the banks of the St. Lawrence, and around the irregular shores of Bay Quinte, with its many indenta- tions. They had to convert the wood -covered land into homes. The trees had to be felled, and the land prepared for grain, and the fruit of the soil to be obtained for sustenance within three j'ears, when Government provisions would be discontinued. It can readily be understood that a water communication to and from the central points of settlement, as well as access to fishing waters, was most desirable. The smooth waters of the upper St. Lawrence and the Bay Quinte constituted a highway of the most valuable kind, for the only mode of travel was by the canoe, or flat-bottomed batteau, which was supplied by the Government in limited num- bers ; and in winter by rudely constructed hand-sleighs, along the icy shores. THE FIRST SETTLERS. The settlers of Upper Canada, up to 1790, may be divided into those who were forced away from the States by persecution, during and after the war; the disbanded troops ; and a nobler class, who left the States, being unwilling to live under other than British rule. To what extent were these pioneers fitted and prepared to enter upon the truly foi-raidable work of creating homes, and to secure the necessaries of life for their families. But few of them possessed ought of worldly goods, nearly all wei-e depending upon 184 GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTS. the bounty of Government. In the first place, they were supplied with ratioHH ; which consisted of flour, pork, and a limited quantity of beef, a very little butter, and as little salt. We find in Ecv. Ml'. Carroll's " Past and Present" that " their mode of serving out rations was rather peculiar." " Their plan was, to prevent the appearance of partiality, for the one who acted as Commissary, either to turn his back, take one of the articles, and say, * who will have this?' or else the provisions were weighed, or assorted, and put into heaps, when the Commissary went around with a hat, and received into it something which he would again recognize, as a button, a knife, &c. ; after whick he took the articles out of the hat, as they came upjjcrmost, and placed one on each of the piles in ro- tation. Every person then claimed the parcel on which he found the article which he had thrown into the hat." They were also supplied with " clothes for three years, or until they were able to provide these articles for themselves. They con- sisted of coarse cloth for trowsers and Indian blankets for coats, and of shoes ; beside, each received a quantity of seed gi-ain to sow upon the newly cleared land, with certain implements of husbandr}'. To each was allotted an axe, a hoe. and a spade ; a plough, and one cow, were allotted to two families ; a whip and cross-cut saw to every fourth family; and, even boats were provided for their use, and placed at convenient points ;" and '• that nothing might seem to he wanting, on the part of the Gfovernment, even portable corn mills, consisting of steel plates, turned by hand like a colfee-mill, were distributed among the settlers." We have learned they were also supplied with nails, hand-saws and other materials for building. To every five families were given a " set of tools," such as chisels and augers, of various sizes, and drawing-knives; also pick-axes, and sickles for reaping. But, unfortunately, many of these imple- ments were of inferior quality. The axe, with which the burden of the work was to be done, was unlike the light implement now in use, it was but a short-handled ship axe, intended for quite a difierent use than chopping trees and clearing land. Notwith- standing, these various implements, thoughtfullj' provided by Gov- ernment, how greatly must they have come short in meeting the varied wants of the settler, in his isolated clearing, far separated from places whereat things necessaiy could be procured. However, the old soldier, with his camp experience, was enabled by the aid of his tools, to make homely and rude articles of domestic use. And, in farming, he constructed a rough, but servicable plow, and harrow, and made handles for his scythe. INSTITUTION OF "BEES." 185 Thus provisioned and clothed, and thus armed with implements of industiy, the old soldiers advanced to the attack of a last enemy, the wild woods. Unlike any previous warfare, was this lifetime struggle. With location ticket in hand, they filed into the batteaux to ascend the rapids. A certain number of batteaux joined together, generally about twenty or twenty-five, formed a brigade, which was placed under the command of a suitable officer ; if not one who had in previous days, led them against the foe. It is quite impossible to conceive of the emotions which found a place in the breasts of the old veterans as they journeyed along wearily from day to day, ehdh one bringing them nearer to the spot on which the tent was to be pitched for the last time. Eagerly, no doubt, they scanned the thickly wooded shores as they passed along. Curiously they examined the small settlement, clustering around Cata- raqui. And, it cannot be doubted, when they entered the waters of the lovely Bay Quinte, the beauty of the scene created a feeling of joy and reconciliation to their lot, in being thus cast upon a spot so rich in natural beauty. These disbanded soldiers, at least each family, had a canvass tent capable of accommodating, in a certain way, from eight co ten persons. These were pitched upon the shore, at first in groups, until each person had learned the situation of his lot, when he immediately removed thereto. But there were by no means enough tents to give cover to all, and many had only the friendly trees for protection. The first steps taken were to clear a small space of trees, and erect a place of habitation. We have seen what were the implements he had to work with — the materials he must use to subdue the forest tree standing before him. Here, at the very threshold of Upper Canadian history, was initiated the " institution" of " bees." " Each with his axe on his shoulder, turned out to help the other," in erecting a log shanty. Small and unpretending indeed, were these humble tenements first built along the shores of the bay. The size of each depended upon the number to occupy it. None were larger than twenty by fifteen feet; and an old man tells me that his father, who was a carpenter, built one fifteen feet long and ten feet broad, with a slanting roof seven or eight feet in height. The back-woodsman's shanty, which may yet be seen in the outskirts of our country, is the counterj^art of those which were first built ; but perhaps many of our readers may never have seen one. "Round logs," (generally of basswood,) "roughly notched together at the corners, and jjiled one above another, to the height of seven or eight feet, constituted the walls. 186 THE OLD LOG HOUSE. Openings for a door, and one small window" (always beside the door) "designed for four lights of glass, 7^9, were cut out," (Grov- ernment had supplied them with a little glass and putty) ; •' the spaces between the logs were chinked with small splinters, and carefully plastered outside and inside, with clay for mortar. Smooth straight poles were laid lengthways of the building, on the walls, to sei've as supports of the roof This was composed ' of strips of elm bark, four feet in length, by two or three feet in width, in layers, overlapping each other, and fastened to the poles by withs." (The roof was some times of black oak, or swamp oak, bark,) " with a sufficient slope to the back, this f orme<^ a roof which was proof again.'t wind and weather. An ample hearth, made of flat stones, was then laid out, and a fire back of field stone or small boulders, rudely built, was cai'ried up as high as the walls. Above this the chinmey was formed of round poles, notched together and plastered with mud. The floor was of the same materials as the walls, only that the logs were split in two, and flattened so as to make a tolerably even sur- face. As no boards were to be had to make a door, until they could be sawn out by tlie whip saw, a blanket suspended from the inside for some time took its place. By and by four little pains of glass, were stuck into a rough sash, and then the shanty was complete." — {Croil.) Furniture for the house was made by the old soldier ; this was generally of the roughest kind. They had the fashion of exchanging work, as well as of having bees. Some of them had been mechanics in other days. A carpenter was a valuable acquisition, and while others would assist him to do his heavy work, he would in return do those little nicer jobs by which the household comforts would be increased. No chests of drawers wei'e required; benches were made of split basswood, vtpon which to sit, and tables were manufactured in the same style. The bedstead was constructed at the end of the cabin, by taking poles of suitable size and inserting the ends between the logs which formed the walls on either side. These would be placed, before the cracks were filled in and plastered. CLEARING THE LAXD. A log hut constructed, wherein to live ; and such plain rough arti- cles of furniture as were really necessary provided, the next thing was to clear the land, thickly covered with large trees and tangled brush. Many a swing of the unhandy axe had to be made ere the trees could be felled, and disposed of ; and the ground made ready for the grain or root. THE WORK OP CLEARING. 187 A few years later, and the settler would, in the dry guinmer seaaon, fire the woods, so as to kill the trees. By the next year they would have become dry, so that by setting fire again they would bum down. In this way much labor was saved. But sometimes the fire would prove unmanageable and threaten to destroy the little house and log barn, as well as crops. Another mode of destroying the large trees, was to girdle them — that is, to cut through tlie bark all around the tree, whereby it was killed, so that the following year it would likewise burn down. A portion of the disbanded troops, as well as other loyalists, had been bred to agricultural pursuits ; and some of them, at least those who had not been very long in arms, could the more readily adapt themselves to their new circumstances, and resume their early occu- pation. The axe of the woodsman was soon swung as vigorously along the shores of the well wooded river and bay, as it had been in the forests years before, in the backwoods of New England. It is no ordinary undertaking for one to enter the primeval forest, to cut down the tough grained trees, whose boughs have long met the first beams of the rising sun, and swayed in the tempest wind ; to clear away the thick underbrusli, which impedes the step at every turn ; to clear out a tangled cedar swamp, no matter how hardy may be the axe-man — how Avell accustomed to the «se of the implement. With the best mode of proceeding, with an axe of excellent make, and keen edge ; and, combined with which, let every other circum- stance be favorable ; yet, it requires a determined will, an iron frame and supple muscle, to undertake and carry out the successful clearing of a farm. But, the refugees and disbanded soldiers, who formed the pioneers of Upper Canada, enjoyed not even ordinary advantages. Many of the old soldiers had not the slightest know- ledge of the duties of pioneer life, while others had but an imperfect idea. Some scarcely knew how to fell a tree. Hardy and deter- mined they were ; but they possessed not the implements requisite to clear oif the solid trees. Wf have seen that the isxe furnished by government was large and clumsy, and could be swung only with diih- culty and great labor, being nothing more than the ship axe then in use. Slow and wearisome indeed, must have been the progress made by the unaccustomed woodsman in the work of clearing, and of preparing the logs for his hut, while he liad, as ou-lookers, too often a feeble wife and hungry children. The ordinary course of clearing land is pretty well known. At the present day the autumn and winter is the usual time, when the 188 CONQUERING. wood is cut ill sleigh lengths for home use, or made into cord wood for the mai-ket. The brush is piled up into huge heaps, and in the following season, when sufficiently dry, is burned up. Now, wood, except in the remote parts, is very valuable, and for those who can part with it, it brings a good income. But then, when the land was everywhere covered with wood, the only thought was how to get rid of it. The great green trees, after being cut down, had to lie until they had dried, or be cut into pieces and removed. Time was necessary for the first. To accomplish the second, involved ^labor with the unwieldly axe ; and there were at first, no beast of burden to haul the heavy logs. The arm of th e pioneer was the only motor power, and the trees had to be cut in short lengths, that they might be carried- To overcome the more heavy work connected with this, the settlers would have logging bees from j^lace to place, and by united strength subdue the otherwise obstinate forces. Mainly, the trees were burned ; the limbs and smaller portion first, and subsequently the large trunk. The fire would consume all that was flamable, leaving great black logs all over the ground. Then came " logging," that is, piling these black and half burned pieces into heaps, where, after a longer time of drying, they might be consumed. A second, perhaps a third time the pieces would have to be collected into " log heaps," until finally burned to ashes. It was by such means, that slowly the forest along the St. Lawrence, and surroimdng the Bay Quinte, as well in the adjacent townships melted away before the daily work of the aggressive settler. Although deprived of all those comforts, which most of them had en" joyed in early life in the Hudson,and Mohawk valleys,and fruitful fields of Pennsylvania, they toiled on determined to conquer — to make new homes ; and, for their children at least, to secure comforts. They rose early, and toiled on all day, whether long or short, until night cast its solemn pall over their rude quiet homes. The small clearing of a few acres gradually widened, the sound of the axe was heard ringing all the day, and the crash of the falling tree sent the startled wild beast to the deeper recesses of the wild "wood. The toilers were not all from the same social rank, but now in the main, all found a com- mon level ; the land allotted to the half pay officers was as thickly covered with wood. A few possessed limited means, and were able to engage a help, to do some of the work, but in a short time it was the same with all ; men of education, and who held high positions, rightly held the belief that it was an honor to be a refugee farmer. At the close of the war a considerable number of the refugees found safety in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. But a certain simcoe's proclamation. 189 number, uot finding such prospects as they had hoped, resolved to try Canada. Consequently, for five or six years after the peace, this class continued slowly to flow, to swell the number of inhabitants of Upper Canada. Some of them tarried, or remained in LoAver Canada ; but the majority ascended the Bay Quinte, and settled the new townships at the head of the bay ; not a few would remain for a year or two in thetownshipsalready settled, working farms on shares, or 'living out,' until the future home was selected. A good many of the first settlers in the sixth, seventh, and eight townships, had previously lived for a while in the fourth township. The advance of the settlements was along the bay, from Kingston township and Ernest town, westward along both sides. When the settlers in the first, second, third and fourth townships, had, to a certain extent overcome the pioneers first difticulties, those in the sixth, seventh, eight and ninth, were yet undergoing mostly all the same hardships and trials. Far removed from Kingston, they could, with difficiflty, procure necessities, and consequently endured greater privation, and experienced severer hardships ; but in time these settlers also overcome, and ended their days in comparative comfort. Gen. Simcoe, after he became the first Grovernor of Upper Canada in 1792, held the opinion that there remained in the States a large number of Loyalists, and conceived the idea of affording them an inducement to again come under British rule, as they were British in heart. He, by proclamation, invited them to free grants of the rich land of Upper Canada, in the following words : " A PROCLAiiATioN, to such as are desirous to settle on lands of the Crown, in the Province of Upper Canada, By His Excellency John Graves Simcoe, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor and Com- mander-in-Chief of the said Province, and Colonel commanding His Majesty's Forces, &c., &c. Be it known to all concerned that His Majesty, both by his royal commission and instructions to the Gov- ernor, and in his absence, to the Lieutenant-Governor of the said Province of Upper Canada, gives authority or command to grant the lands of the Ci'own in the same by patent under the great seal thereof. I do accordingly make known the terms of grant and set- tlement to be:" &c. Without introducing the somewhat lengthy terms given under the heads, it is sufficient to say that they were most liberal ; in the meanwhile reserving what was necessary to maintain the rights previously granted to Loyalist settlers. No lot was to be granted of more than 200 acres, excej^t such as the Governor might other- 190 PERJURY RV YANKEES. wi.se desire, but no one was to recei yc a quantity exceeding 1000 acres. Every one had to make it appear that he, or she was in a condition to cultivate and improve the land, and " beside taking the usual oaths, subscribe a declaration, vix : I, A. B. do promise and declare that I will maintain and defend to the utmost of my power, the autliority of the king in his parliament as the supreme legislature of this province." These grants were fi"ee excepting the fees of office, " in passing the patent and recording the same." The proclamation was dated Vth February, 1792, Thomas Talbot, acting Secretary. It was obligatory on settlers to clear five acres of land, to build a house, and to open a road across the front of his land, a quarter of a mile. "Wliether Simcoe was right in his oj^inion, that many loyalists remained in the States, ready to avail themselves of a judicious oj^portunity of becoming citizens of British territory, may be ques- tioned ; that there were some, cannot be doubted. Not a few res- ponded to his invitation, and entered the new province. The recall of Simcoe led to the abrogation of the terms specified in the aforementioned proclamation, and some of the new comers were doomed to disappointment. As may naturally be supposed, these later comers were not altogether regarded with favor by the first settlers, who now regarded themselves as lords of the soil. The old staunch loyalists were disposed to look upon them as Yankees, who came only to get the land. And it seems that such Avas often the case. AVe have the impartial statement of Rochefoucaiilt, that there were i-ome who " falsely profess an attachment to the British monarch, and curse the Government of the Union for the mere purpose of getting possession of lands." Even at this early day, they set about taking l)ossession of Canada I Indeed, it Avas a cause of grievance in Wal- ford township, Johnstown district, that persons from the States entered the country, petitioned for land, took the necessary oaths — perjured themselves, and having obtained possession of the land resold it, pocketed the money, and left to build up the glorious Union. But, while so much has to be said of some Americans, who took land in Canada for mercenary motives, and committed fraud, it is pleasing to say likewise, that a large number of settlers from the States, who came in between 1794 and 1812, became worthy and loyal subjects of the Crown. How far all of them were at first Britons in heart, may be questioned. But the fact that the first settlers regarded them with doubtful eye, and often charged them YANKEE CANADIANS. 191 with being Yankees, led niany, for very ])eace-s;ike, to display tlieir loyalty. But at last, when the war of 1812 broke out, they exhibited uumistakeable attachment to the Britisli Crown. To their honor be it said, they were as active in defending their homes as any class. The number who deserted from Canada, was cjuite insignificant. As would be expected, the war of 1812 arrested the stream of emigration from the States. The Government of Canada thereafter discoun- tenanced it, and instead, made some elforts to draw British Euroj)ean emigrants. divisions' IV. fc THE FIEST YEAES OF UPPEE CANADA. CHAPTEE XVIII. OONTENT.s — Father Plc(iuet — Provision of Forts in Upper Canada just before Con- quest — Frontenae — Milk — Brandy — Toronto — Tlie Several Forts — Detroit — British Garrisons — Grasping Rebels — Efforts to IStarve ont Loyalists in Canada — ^^'o^se Treated than the Aeadians — Eiforts to Secure Fur Trade — The Frontier Forts — Americans Conduct to Indians — Result — Conduct of British Government — Rations for Three Years — Orindingby Hand — ''Hominy Blocks'' — -'Plumping Mill'" — The Women — Soldier Farmers — The Hessians — Suffering — The " Scarce Year " — Charge against the Commissariat Officers — Famine — Cry for Bread — Instances of Suffering — Starving Children-— No Salt — Fish — Game — Eating Young Grain — Begging Bran — A Common Sor- row — Providential Escapes — Eating Buds and Leaves — Deaths — Primitive Fishing — Catching Salmon — Going 125 miles to mill — Disconsolate Fami- lies — 1789 — Partial Relief — First Beef Slaughtered in Upper Canada — First Log Barn — A Bee, what they Ate and Drank — Tea Introduced — Statements of Sheriff Sherwood — Roger Bates — John Parrott — Col. Clark — Squirrell Swimming Niagara — Maple Sugar— -How it was made — Women assisting — Made Dishes of Food — Pumpkin Loaf — Extract from Rochefoucault — 1795 — Quality of Grain Raised — and the future doubtful, and none could be spared. The man turned away with tears of anguish rolling down his face. The kind woman gave him a few pounds of flour; he begged to be allowed to add some bran lying on the floor, Avhich M-as permitted, and he went his way. There were, scattered through the settlements, a few who never were entirely out of provisions,but who had procured some from Lower Canada, or Oswego. Many of these, even at the risk of future want* would give away, day after day, to those who came to their door, often a long distance, seeking for the very bread of life. A piece of bread was often the only thing to give ; but thus, many a life was saved. These poor unfortunates, would offer various articles in exchange for flour or food. Even their lands —all they had, were oftered for a few pounds of flour. But, Avitli a few execrable exceptions, the last loaf Avas divided ; and when flour was sold, it Avas at a fair valuation. A common sorrow knit them together in fraternal rela- tionship. The names of some are handed down, who employed others to work all day for their board, and would give nothing for their famishing ones at home. One of them also, sold eight bushels of potatoes for a valuable cow. In some instances, families living remotely, forsook their houses and sought for food at Kingston. One family in Thurlow, set out for Kingston, following the bay shore on foot. Their only food was bran, Avhich, being mixed with water, was cooked by the way, by heating flat stones and baking thereuix)n. As before stated, the settlers of the fifth township suftcred fearfully, and it is stated, that some of them actually died. Mr. Parrott says, that he has heard it stated that persons starved to death. And the extra- ordinary statement is found in the M.S. of the late Mr. Merritt, that one old couple, too old to help themselves, and left alone, were pre- served providentially from starvation, by pigeons, which would occasionally come and allow themselves to be caught. The fact is stated by others, that pigeons were at times, during the first years of settling, very plentiful, and were ahvays exceedingly tame. Another person remarks, that although there was generally plenty of pigeons, wild fowl, fish and partridge, yet, the)- seemed to keep away when most wanted. DEATH PROM STARVATION. 199 One family, four in immber, subsisted on the small quantity of milk given by a young cow, with leeks, buds of tiees, and often leaves were added to the milk. A baiTcl of bran served a good purpose for baking a kind of cake, which made a change on special occasions. At one time, Eeed, of Thurlow, offeverd a three year old horse for 50 lbs of flour. This family would, at one time actually have starved to death, had not a deer been miraculously shot. They often carried grain, a little, it is true, to the Napanee mills, following the river, and bay shores. And when they had no grain, articles of domestic use were taken to exchange for flour and meal. A woman used to carry a bushel and a half of wheat ten mile? to the Napanee mills, and then carry the flour back. Ex-Sheriff Euttan says of his fathei"'s family, with whom his uncle lived, ""We had the luxury of a cow which the family brought with them, and had it not been for this domestic boon, all would have perished in the year of scarcity. The crops had failed the year before, and the winter that followed, was most inclement and severe. The snow was imusually deep, so that the deer became an easy prey to their rapacious enemies, the wolves, who fattened on their destruction, whilst men were perishing for want. Five indivi- duals, in difl^erent places, were found dead, and one poor woman also, with a live infant at her breast ; which was cared for and protected." "Two negroes were sent to Albany for corn, who bx'ought four bushels. This, with the njilk of the cow dealt out day by day in limited quantity, kept them alive till harvest." ''The soldiers' rations were reduced to one biscuit a day." Referring to other days after the famine he says : " Fish was plentiful" — the " fishing tackle was on a primitive plan ; something similar to the Indians, who fixed the bait on part of the back bone of the pike, which would catch these finny tribe quite as expeditiously as the best Limerick hook ; but our supply was from spearing by torchlight, which has been practiced by the Indian from time immemorial ; from whoni we obtained a vast deal of practical knowledge." Eoger Bates, near Cobourg, speaking of the first years of Upper Canada, says that his grandfather's family, living in Prince Edward for a while, " adopted many ingenious contrivances of the Indians for procuring food. Isot the least simple and hand}' was a crotched pole, with which they secured salmon in any quantity, the creeks being full of them." He removed to the township ot Clarke, where he was the first white settler, and for six months saw no white person. "For a long time he had to go to Kingston, 125 200 FIRST UPPER CANADIAN BEEF. miles, with his Avheat to be ground. They had no other conveyance than battoaux ; the journey would sometimes occupy five or six weeks. Of an evening they put in at some creek, and obtained their salmon with ease, using a forked stick, which passed over the fish's back and hold it fast. Sometimes they were so long gone for grist, in consequence of bad weather, that the women would collect together and have a good cry, thinking the batteaux had foundered. If their food ran short, they had a dog that would, when told, hunt a deer and drive it into the Avater, so that the young boys could shoot it." The summer of 1789 brought relief to most of the settlers, — the heaviest of the weight of woe was removed. But, for nearly a decade, they enjoyed but few comforts, and were often without the necessaries of life. The days of the toiling pioneers were numbering up rapidly, yet the wants of all were not relieved. Those whose industry had enabled them to sow a quantity of grain reaped a goodly reward. The soil M^as very fruitful, and subsequently for two and three years, repeated crops were raised from a single sowing. But flour alone, although necessary to sustain life, could hardly satisfy the cravings of hunger with those who had been accustomed to a different mode of living. It was a long Avay to Montreal or Albany, from which to transport by hand, everything required, even when it could be had, and the settler had something to exchange for such articles ; beside the journey of several weeks. Game, occasionally to be had, was not available' at all seasons, nor at all times ; although running wild, ammunition was scarce, and some had none. We have stated that Government gave to every five families a musket and forty-eight rounds of ammunition, with some powder and shot, also some twine to make fishing nets. Beef, mutton, &c., were unknown for many a day. Strangely enough, a circumstantial account of the first beef slaughtered along the Bay, probably in Upper Canada, is supplied by one who, now in her 90th year, bears a distinct recollection of the event. It was at Adolphus- town. A few settlers had imported oxen, to use in clearing the land. One of a j'oke, was killedr^by the falling of a tree. The remaining animal, now useless, w^as purchased by a farmer upon the Fi'ont, who converted it into beef. With the hospitality character- istic of the times, the neighbors were invited to a grand entertain- ment; and the neighborhood, be it i-emembered, extended for thirty or forty miles. A treat it was, this taste of an article of diet, long unknown. INTRODUCTION OF TEA. 201 The same person tells of the occasion when the first log barn was raised in Adolphustown, it Avas during the scarce period. The " bee" which was called, had to be entertained, in some way. But there were no provisions. The old lady, then a girl, saw her mother for weeks previous carefully putting av/ay the eggs, which a few hens had contributed to their comfort ; upon the morning of the barn rais- ing, they were brought forth and found to amount to a pailful, well heaped. The most of the better-to-do settlers always had rum, which was a fiar different article from that sold now-a-days. With rum and eggs well beaten, and mixed with all the milk that could be kept sweet from the last few milkings, this, which was both food and drink was distributed to the members of the bee, during the time of raising the barn. Tea, now considered an indispensable luxury by every family, was quite beyond the reach of all, for a long time ; because of its scarcity and high price. Persons are yet living who remember when tea was first brought into family use. Various substitutes for tea were used, among these were hemlock and sassafras ; there was also a plant gathered called by them the tea plant. Sheriff Sherwood, in his most valuable memoii's, specially pre- pared for the writer, remarks, " Many incidents and occurrences took place during the early settlement which would, perhaps, at a future day be thought incredible. I recollect seeing pigeons flying in such numbers that they almost darkened the sky, and so low often as to be knocked down with poles ; I saw, where a near neighbor killed thirty at one shot, I almost saw the shot, and saw the pigeons after they were shot." Ducks were so thick that when rising from a marsh " they made a noise like the roar of heavy thunder." "While many difliculties were encountered, yet we real- ized many advantages, we were always supplied with venison, partridge, and pigeon, and fish in abundance, no taxes to pay and plenty of wood at our doors. Although deprived of many kinds of fruit, we had the natural production of the country, strawberries, rasjDberries, gooseberries, blackberries, and lots of red plums, and cranberries in the various marshes all about the country, and I can assure you that pumpkin and cranberries make an excellent substi- tute for aj^ple pie." Mr. Sberwood refers to their dog "Tipler," which was invaluable, in various ways, in assisting to procure the food. He also speaks of " Providential" assistance. "After the first year we raised wheat and Indian corn sufficient for the year's supply for the family; but then we had no grist mill 202 ABUNDANCE OP GAME. to grind it; we made out to get on with the Indian corn very well by pounding it in the mortar, and made what wc called samp, ■which made coarse bread, and what the Dutch called sup-pawn; but let me tell you how we made our mortar. We cut a log off a large tree, say two-and-a half feet through and about six feet long, which we planted firm in the ground, about four feet deep, then carefully burnt the centre of the top and scraped it out clean, which gave us a large mortar. We generally selected an iron-wood tree, from six to eight inches through, took the bark off clean, made the handle to it of suitable length, this Avas our pestle ; and manj'' a time have I pounded Avith it till the sweat ran down merrily. But this pound- ing would not do for the wheat, and the Government seeing the difficulty, built a mill back of Kingston, where the inhabitants, for fifteen miles below Brockville had to get their grinding done. In our neighborhood they got on very well in summer, by joining two wooden canoes together. Three persons would unite, to carry each a grist in their canoes, and would perform the journey in about a "week. But in winter this could not be done. After a few years, however, when some had obtained horses, then a kind Provi- dence furnished a road on the ice for some years until a road was made passable for sleighs by land. And it has not been practicable, indeed I may say possible, for horses with loaded sleighs to go on the ice from Brockville to Kingston, fifty years past." Eoger Bates says that "the woods were filled with deer, bears, wolves, martins, squirrels, and rabbits." No doubt, at first, before fire-anns were feared by them, they were plentiful and very tame. Even wild geese, it would seem, were often easily shot. But powder and shot were expensive, and miless good execution could be made, the charge was reserved. Mr. Sherwood gives a trustworthy^ account of the shooting of thirty jjigeous at one shot ; and another account is furnished, of Jacob Parliament, of »Sophi as burgh, who killed and wounded at a (tingle shot, four wild geese and five ducks. These wild fowl not only afforded luxurious and nutritious diet, but their feathers were saved, and in time pillows and even beds were thus made. Mr. John Parrott, of Ernest Town, descendant of Col. Jas. Parrott, says, " there were bears, wolves, and deer in great abund- ance, and there were lynx, wild cats, beavers and foxes in every directions ; also martins, minks and weasels bej'ond calcxilation. In this connection, we may record a fact related by Col. Clark, respect- ing the migration of squirrels in the early pai-t of the present cen- tury across the Niagara river, from the States. He says, **an SUGAR MAKING. 203 immense immigration of squirrels took place, and so numerous were the}'- that the people stood with sticks to destroy them, as they landed on the British shore, which ty many was considered a breach of good faith on the j^art of John Bull, who is always ready to grant an asylum to fugitives of whatever nation they may belong to." MAPLE SUGAR. " Soon the blue-birds and the bees O'er the stubble will be winging ; So 'tis time to tap the trees And to set the axe a-ringing ; Time to set the hut to rights, Where the girls and boys together Tend the furnace fire o'nights In the rough and rainy weather ; Time to hew and shape the trough, And to punch the spile so hollow. For the snow is thawing off And the sugar-thaw must follow. Oh, the gladdest time of year Is the merry sugar-making, "When the swallows first appear And the sleepy buds are waking !" In the great wilderness were to be had, a few comforts and » luxuries. Sugar is not only a luxury, but is really a necessary article of food. The properties of the sap of the maple was under- stood by the Indians, and the French soon availed themselves of the means of making sugar. To the present day, the French Cana- dians make it in considerable quantities. At first, the settlers of Upper Canada did not generally engage in making it; but, after a time a larger number did. The maple, the monarch of the Cana- dian forest,, whose leaf is the emblem of our country, was a kind benefactor. In the spring, in the first dayii of genial sunshine, active operations for sugar making were commenced. Through the deep snow, the farmer and his sons would trudge, from tree to tree, to tap them upon their sunny side. The " spile" would be inserted to conduct the precious fluid into the trough of bass-wood, which had been fashioned during the long winter evenings. A boiling place would be arranged, with a long pole for a crane, upon Avhich would be strung the largest kettles that could be procured. At night, the sap would be gathered from the troughs, a toilsome job, and put into barrels. In the morning a curling smoke would rise from amidst the thick woods, and the drv wood would crackle 204 CANADIAN FOOD. cheerily under the row of kettles, all the sunny spring day ; and night would show a rich dark sjTup, collected in one smaller kettle, for the more careful work of being converted into sugar. Fre- quently the fire would be attended by the women ; and the men would come to gather the sap in the evening. In this way many a family would be provided Avith abundant sugar, at all events it had to serve them for the year, as they felt unable to purchase ft-om the merchant. In another place, wo have related how a few made a considerable quantity of sugar and sold it all, to pay for a farm, doing without themselves. The absence of various articles of food, led the thoughtful house- wife to invent new made dishes. The nature of these would depend in part upon the articles of food most abundant, and upon the habits peculiar to their ancestry, whether English, Dutch or some other. The great desire was, to make a common article as tasty as possible. And at harvest time, as well as at bees, the faithful wife would endeavour to prepare something extra to regale the tired ones. There was, for instance, the " pumpkin loaf," a common dish. It consisted of pumpkin and corn meal made into a small loaf, and eaten with butter. Another dish which seems to have been derived from the Dutch, Avas Pot Pie, which was always, and is even yet in many places, made to feed the hands at bees and raisings, and even was generally made to grace the board on a wedding occasion. We cannot give the space, if we felt prepared to speak, of the several made dishes commonly in use among the older Canadians of Ul)per Canada. Many of them are truly excellent in taste and nutritious in quality. They are often similar to, or very like the dishes in the New England and Midland States. This subject will be concluded by giving a few extracts from Eochefoucault who wrote of what ho saw and learned in Canada in 1795, and who may be regarded as quite correct. He says, "It is asserted" (by Simcoe) "that all Canada, pro- duces not the necessary corn for the consumption of its inhabitants, the troops are supplied with flour from London, and with salt meat from Ireland." But Simcoe then thought that Canada was capable not alone of feeding her inhabitants, but of becoming the granary of England, and receiving commodities in Exchange. Speaking of Forty Mile Creek, he says : " Before it emjitios itself into the lake, it turns a grist mill and two saw mills, which belong to a Mr. Green, a loyalist of Jersey, who, six or seven years ago, settled in this part of Upper Canada." "Land newly cleared yields here, the PRODUCE OF BAT QUINTE, 1795. 205 first year, twenty bushels of corn. They plough the land after it lias produced three or four crops, but not very deep. The jirice of flour is twenty-two shillings per hundred weight, that of w^heat from seven to eight shillings per bushel. Laborers are scarce, and arc paid at the rate of six shillings a day. Wheat is generally sown thi'oughout all Upper Canada, but other sorts of grain are also cul- tivated." " Mr Green grinds the corn for all the military posts in Upper Canada." Approaching Kingston by water he remarks that " on the left is Quinte Bay, the. banks of which are said to be cultivated up to a considerable extent. The eye dwells with pleasure once more on cultivated ground. The country looks pleasant. The houses lie closer than in any of the new settled parts of Upper Canada which we have hitherto traversed. The variegated verdure of the corn- fields embellishes and enriches the prospect, charms the eye, and enchants the mind." " This district not only produces the corn requisite for its own consumption, but also exports yearly about 3 or 4000 bushels. This grain, which, in winter, is conveyed down the river on sledges, is bought by the merchant, who engage, on the arrival of the ships from Europe, to pay its amount in such merchandise as the sellers may require. The merchants buy this grain for government, which pays for it in ready money, according to the market price at Montreal. The agent of government causes part to be ground into flour, which he sends to the different ports in Upper Canada, where it is wanted; and the surplus he sends to England. The price of flour in Kingston is at present (12th July, 1795j six dollars per barrel. The district of Kingston supplied, last year, the other parts of Canada with large quantities of pease, the culture of which, introduced but two years ago, proves very productive and successful. In the course of last year, 1000 barrels of salt pork, of 208 pounds each, were sent from Kingston to Quebec ; its price was eighteen dollars per barrel. The whole trade is carried on by merchants, whose profits are the more considerable, as they fix the price of the provisions which they receive from Europe, and sell without the least competition." Indeed, the profits of the dealers must have been immense. They sold to the military authorities at a rate which would remunerate them when the provisions came from England ; and when the farmers of Canada began to raise grain to sell, they bought it, or exchanged merchandise for it, upon which they'fixed the price, and continued to sell the flour at the same price to the military authorities. 206 THE MILL AT CATARAQUI. CHAPTER XIX. CoNTEKTS — Kingston Mills — Action of Government — The Millwright — Situation of the first ilill — Wh}- Selected — The Machinery — Put up by Loyalists — No Toll— Only Mill for three year«— Going to Mill, 1784— The "Xapanec Mill — Commenced 1785 — Eohert Clarke — An old Book — " Appenea" Falls — Price of certain articles — What Kum cost, and was used for — The Jlill opened 1787 — Sergt.-Major Clarke in charge — Indian Corn — Small Toll — Surveyor Collins in charge — Becomes the Property of R. Cartwright, 1792 — Rebuilt — Origin of Xapanee — Price of Butter, 1788 — Mills at Four Mile Creek, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Grand River — Jlills on the St. Lawrence — The Stone Mills — Van Alstine — Lake of the Moimtain — 1796 — Natural Beautv, versus Utility— The Mill— Van Alstine's Death— Wind Mill— Myer's Mill— Mill at Consecon. THE FIRST FLOUEIXG MILLS. Government was not an indifferent [Spectator of the difficulty spoken of as to the grinding of grain — the procuring of flour, and at an early day, ordered means to meet the requirements of the pioneers. We have the certain statement of John C. Clark, of Ernest town, now dead, written ten years ago, that his father, Eobert Clark, who was a milhsTigh*^, "was emplo3'ed by Govern- ment, in 1782-3, to erect the Kingston Mills preparatory to the settlement of the Loyalists in that section of Upper Canada." The place selected for erecting the mill, was upon the Cataraqui Eiver, seven miles north of the Fort, now the entrance of the Eideau Canal, where are situated the first locks of that artificial water way. When in a state of nature, the place must have been strikingly beautiful ; it is so at the present time, when the achievements of art give variety of attraction. This situation, selected for the first flouring mill, was central to the population strung along the banks of the St. Lawrence, and 'Bay (^uinte. Every thing required for the con^^truction of the mill, was furnished by Government, such as the mill stones, and the machinery. The rougher work, the walls of the building, was done by men detailed for the purpose, fi-om the company of soldiers. The structure consisted of logs, or timber roughly squared, and was erected, as well as the mill house, by the combined efforts of the soldier settlers, collected for the purpose. All the settlei*s had their grists ground without paying toll. The original building was standing as late as 1836. For nearly three years, the Cataraqui Mill was the only one in Central Canada. The settlers came from Cornwall in the east, and the most remote settlement up the Bay. At the present day, when railroads and swiftly running steamers assist so materially to 'anni- hilate space as it were, and bring distant places into close relation" RAISING THE NAPANEE MILL. 207 ship, it Avould be regarded a matter of no little trouble and incon- venience, to carry grain from Cornwall on the one hand, and Sidney on the other, to Kingston, and wait to have it ground into floiu' ; but how infinitel}' greater the difficulty, when a trackle^«s woods covered the intervening spaces, when the only mode of carrying anything was upon the back, or in a canoe, or batteaux, or upon a raft, in summer ; and upon a hand-sleigh in winter, drawn through deep snow, following the windings of the shore along many a dismal mile. The increasing population around the Bay, caused the autho- rities to seek a proper site for a second mill. The Xapanee River, with its natural falls, offered an advantageous place upon which to erect a second mill for the settlers, upon the Bay. We have been fortunate, through the kindness of Mi-. P. Clark, of Collinsby, in being permitted to examine an account book kept by Eobert Clark, the millwright, of both the Kingston and Napanee mills. By this, we learn that in the year 1785, Eobert Clark, who had completed the Kingston Mill, removed to the second township, and, according to instnictions received from Government, proceeded to construct a mill upon the jS'apanee Eiver, at the site of the natural falls. In the absence of the full particulars relating to the building of the Napanee Mills, the following cannot fail to be of interest. In the account book aforementioned, the following references to the build- ing of the mill, are found recorded : '•An accompt of articles bought for the use of the works, No- vember 8." " To 4 Augers of different size, fi'om Mi\ Phillips, car- penters at Catariqui, 13s. 8d. To 3 quires of Writing Paper, 58. December 6, To 20 lbs. of Nails, £1 ; December 22^ To 6 Whip Saw Files, 3s. 9d." Omitting some items, and coming to March 23, 1786, we find "For Eaising the Saw Mill," ''2 gallons and 3 pints of Eum, 17s 6d." "April 20th, To 1 quart of Rum, 2s." On the " 25th May, To 4 gallons and 1 quart of Eum, for Eaising the Grist Mill, at 7s. 6d." The " 26th, To 1 quart of Eum for the People at work in the Water at the Dam." By this we learn the day upon which the Napanee mill was erected. On the 20th July, Govern- ment is again charged >vith " 3 pirrts of Eum for raising the fenderpost," &c. On the 27th, a pint was again requii-ed, but for what special purpose is not mentioned. In December, 1786, we find "To making Bolt Cloth 15s." "To Clearing one acre and three-quarters of Land for a mill, at seven dollars per acre, £3." And we find that the iron or smith work for the mill was done 208 APPENEA. by David Palmer and Conly. From the fact that the bolting cloth was not made until December, 1786, we may infer that the mill did not commence operations until the beginning of 1787. The mill was a great boon to the inhabitants around the Bay Quintd, not only because they had a shorter distance to travel, but the amount of work pressing upon the Kingston mill, made it very unccrtain'as to the time one would have to wait, to get his gristing done. Consequently manj^ came from the Lower Bay, and the dwellers upon the South Bay in Marysburg, who followed the shores around Indian Point and up the Bay Quiute, To those living in Thurlow, Sidney, and at the Carrying Place, the mill was a great blessing. The father of the late Col. John Clark, of Port Dalhousie, who had been Sergeant Major in the 8th Eegiment, and who had, from 1777, been clerk and naval storekeeper at Carleton Island, removed to within three miles of Xapanee, the same year the mill was built, to take charge of the works, in addition to his other duties. John Clark, who was then a small bo}', says in his memoirs ; the grain principally brought to be ground, Avas Indian corn ; but as the clearances increased, wheat became more plentiful. He also speaks of the great industry which characterized the settlers. "A small toll was exacted to pay for the daily expenses of the mill, but this was a mere trifle, considering the advantages the settlers derived from loss of time in proceeding to Kingston." Prom this we infer that no toll was demanded at the Kingston mill. "When my father," continues Col. Clark, " was ordered to ISTiagara, the mill was delivered up to surveyor Collins, under whose directions it was continued in operation for many years, and then the mill site became the property of the Hon. P. Cartwright of Kingston." But, we find the statement elsewhere made that the laud was originally granted to Captain McDonald of Marysburg, who sold it to Cart- wright. Eobert Clark, in his account book, says, " Commenced work for Mr. Cartwright at the Napanee mills, the 28th August, 1792." This was probabh' the time when Cartwright became the owner. In the same year, reference is made to timber, for the "new mill," by which we learn that Mr. Cartwright found it desirable to re-build. The iron work for the new mill came to £14. By the book, from which we have made extracts, we see that the name is spelled in different ways, the first being Appenea. For many years the name was spelled Apanee. It has been said that it FIRST FLOURING MILLS. 209 was an Indian name, sii^nifying fiour, and was given by the Mississaugas, from the existence of the flouring mill. Napanee may signify flour, in the Indian language, but the inference drawn cannot be coiTect, as we find the name Appenea Falls given to the place in 1785, before the mill was commenced. Cartwright having rebuilt the mill put in one run of stone at fii'st, shortly after two, and then three. Eobert Clark was the millwright, and one Profect was in char^'e of the works. The mill seems to have been constructed with some care, and Gourlay says, in 1817, that the Napanee mill is the best In the Province. The old account book from which we have gleaned, gives the price at which certain articles were vended. Thus, we learn that in June, 1787, and July 1788, butter sold at Napanee for Is. per pound. Some tinie after the erection of the Kingston and Napanee mills, others were erected in other parts of the Province ; one at Pour Mile Creek, one at the Niagara Falls, one at Fort Erie, another at the Mohawk Village, Gi-and Eiver; and still later, one at Twelve Mile Creek. "In the year 1788, the first grist mill in Dundas was built by Messrs. Coons and Shaver in Matilda. It contained but one run of stone, and had a saw mill attached. It stood about a mile above the present village of Iroquois. It could grind 100 bushels of wheat per day, and-tm-ned out good flour. Soon after, another mill was built on a much larger scale, by John Muni'oe, also in Matilda, which had three run of stone." There was also a gang of saws. The machinery was driven by the St. Law- rence waters. At a still later period Van-Alstine's mill was erected, at the Lake on the Mountain. The events connected with Captain, afterwards Major Van- Alstine, as a settler, are recorded in the settlement of Adolphustown. Directly opposite the rich and sloping land on the north shore, on which he settled, is a high prominent hill, which stands boldly up against the bay. This "mountain" is famous on account of the lake upon its su;nmit, a particular account of which is given else- where. It is referred to here in a practical sense. While, upon the bill-top is the work of nature, jn^esented in a striking manner; at its feet is the work of man, which, particularly in the past, was of no little consequence to the well-being of the settlers of the Bay. About the year 1796, the third flouring mill of the bay was erected at this place bj^ VanAlstine, to whom had been granted a large tract of land.' The siu-plus waters of the lake, in primeval daj's, made their escape over the clift', falling into the bay, and forming, it must 14 2X0 A WINDMILL. have been at times, a beautiful cascade. But, if Captain VanAlstine had u taste i'or the beautiful in nature, he also had a just appreci- ation of the wants of the people, and he proceeded to utilize the falling water. A canal was cut down the mountain side, to form a channel for the water to descend, and at the bottom was erected a mill, the machinery of which was to be propelled b}' the descending stream. From that day to this the work of grinding has been carried on. Ilowever beautiful the lake above, and delightful the prospect, they cannot exceed in interest the foundation of this mill. Imagination would almost give words to the sound of the miill, which so peacefully clicks the daily round of work. The down- rushing waters by the artificial channel would seem to utter reminis- cences of the past — regrets that they may no longer tumble headlong over the hill-side to fox*m a lovely cascade ; but the ^\^ater-witch has been driven a^vay by the spirit of utilitarianism. This conspicuous hill has often been the point of hope, the goal to which the farmer turned his little bark, containing, it is true, but a few hushels of grain, yet so precious, and about which the hungiy ones in the little log house, thought so frequently, with bodies long accustomed to suffer for the want of enough to eat. And, often this mountain stood uj) as a guide to the settler, as he trudged along wearily thi'ough the thick snow with a hag or two of grain upon a hand- sleigh. Although not the very first mill, it dates back to the last century. The Kingston Gazette of the 16th April, 1811, contains an advertisement, signed by the executors of the deceased Major Van Alstine's will, namely, George W. Myers, Cornelius VanAlstine, and Thomas Borland, in which it is stated that the mill contains two run of stone, one superfine and two common bolts. A windmill was built at a somewhat early period, by Sergeant Howell, nearly opposite the Ui)per Gap, in Fredericksburgh. It was sold to one Russell, who was an Engineer in Kingston, in the war of 1812. The wind-mill was never much used, if at all. About the beginning of the centur}-, 1802, Capt. Myers built a flouring mill upon the Moira. (See Thurlow.) It seems to have been a good mill, for persons came a long distance to get grinding done. For instance : Isaiah Tubs, who lived at West Lake, would come, carrying a bag of grain upon his back. In the year 1804, Mr. Wilkins says, a gristing mill was built at Consecon, to the south of the Carrying Place. Conseeon is an Indian name, from Con-Cou, a pickerel. PRIMITIVE ELEGANT ATTIRE. 211 CHAPTER XX. ■CoKTEXTS — Clotiiing — Domestic and Farming Implements — Style of Dress cigiity years ago — Clotiiing of the Refugees — Disbanded Soldiers — No Fresh Supply — Indian Garments of Skin — Deerskin Pants — Petticoats — Bed Cover- ings — Cultivating Flax — Sheep — Home-made Clothes — Eude Implements — Fulling — French Mode — Lindsay Woolsey — The Spinning-wheel — Industry — Young men Selecting Wives — Bees — Marriage Portion — Every Farmer his own Tanner and Shoemaker — Fashions — Plow odd hours were spent — Home-made Shoes — What Blankets were made of — Primitive Bedstead — Nakedness — Bridal Apparel — No Saddles — Kingston and Newark — Little Money — Bartering — Merchants from Albany—Unable to buy — Credit with Merchants — The Picsults-- Itinerant Mechanics — Americans — Become Canadians — An old Stone-mason — Wooden Dishes — Making Spoons — Other Hardships — Indians Friendly — Effects of Alcohol upon the Mississaugas — Groundless Panic — Drunkf^n Indians — Women, defending Themselves — An eri'oneous Statement about Indian Massacre in " Dominion Monthly Magazine" — Statement of an Old Settler, Sherwood — Wild Beasts — Few Fire-arms — Narrow Escapes — Depredations at Night — Destroying Stock — An Act of Parliament — " A Traveller's" Statement —The Day of Small Things-^-Settlers Contented—The Extent of their Ambition — Reward of Industry — Population in 1808 — Importations — Money — The Youth. CLOTHING FURNITURE — DOMESTIC AND FARMING IMPLEMENTS. The style of clotbing worn by the refugees and disbanded soldiers was such as prevailed eighty years ago in England. A certain difterenco, no doubt, existed between the English and the Colonists, yet mainly the style was the same. Among the first settlers uj)on the bay were those who had fetched with them, and wore, at least occasionally, garments of fashionable cut and a2:)point- ments. Tight knee-breeches and silver buckles would decorate the bodies of some, who had in other days mixed in the fashionable throng, perhaps luxuriated in the gay city of New York, where the presence of British soldiers always gave life and gaiety. Indeed some of the inhabitants had been commissioned officers in the i:egular army. Dr. Dougall, who had been in the ■ navy, and who had settled in the sixth Township, is remembered as a wearer of ^' tights" and silver buckles. Also, Xajor Yan Alstine wore this elegant attire, and the M'Leans, of Kingston, Those who left their homes hurriedly during the course of the war, and fled to Lower Canada and the several British Forts, brought only what was upon their backs. Those who came more leisurely might have a little more ; but the distance to travel on foot would deter from under- taking to bring more than supplies of food. The disbanded soldiers had no more than what belongs to a soldier's kit, and no doubt the close of the war left many of them with well worn garments. A few year's of exposm-e to the wear and tear of pioneer life would 212 PRIMITIVE USEFUL ATTIRE. quite destroy the best supplied wardrobe, however carefully hus- banded, or ingeniously mended by the anxious wife. To replace the clothing was far from an easy matter to the settlers, many of whom had no money, certainly no time for a long journey to Mon- treal or Al bany. After a few years, Kingston became a place of trade, but the supply of clothing was scant and dear, placing it beyond the reach of mostly all. The result was that the vast majority of the inhabitants had to look to the production of their lands wherewith to cover the nakedness of their families. Those living up the bay continued to want for clothing for a longer time, being unable to exchange with the merchants of Kingston, until peddlers began to visit the more remote settlers. The faded garments, patched until the original material could , no longer be distinguished, ultimately succumbed to the effects of time and labor. The Indians, who as a general thing were friendly and kind> when they visited the settlement, gave to. the settlers the idea of manufacturing garments out of deer skin. They, now and then exchanged skins for articles, the settlers could part with, and taught them how to prepare the fresh pelt so as to make it pliable. The process consisted in removing the hair and then working the hide by hand with the. brains of some animal, until it was soft and white. Trowsers made of this material were not only comfortable for winter, but very durable. A gentleman who recently died in Sophiasburgh at an advanced age, remembered to have worn a pair for twelve years, being repaired occasionally, and at the end they were sold for two dollars and-a-half. Petticoats for women were often made of the same material. Eoger Bates says "My grand- mother made all sorts of useful 'dresses with these skins, which were most comfortable for a country life, and for going through the bush, could not be torn by the branches." Also, moccasins were procured from the buck-skin, and some had enough deer-skin to make covering for beds. But deer-skin was not sufficiently abun- dant to give covering to all, such as it was ; and, certain clothing was required, for which it was unlit. Thus left to their own resources the settlers commenced at an early period to cultivate flax, and as soon as possible to procure sheep. For many years almost every family made their various garments, for both sexes, of the coarse linen made from the flax, and cloth from wool raised at home and carded by hand. Preparing the flax for weaving, as well as spinning were done by hand, with inferior implements rudely made. But WANTING CLOTHING. 213 in later years, occasionally spinning wheels and looms were brought in by settlers. There were no fulling mills to complete tlic fabric. Even the mode adop.ted then, in Lower Canada, was not practised, which was as follows : A meeting of young folks, similar to a bee, was held from house to house, at which both sexes took part. The cloth to be fulled was placed in large tubs, and bare-legged youths would step in and with much amusement dance the fulling done. In Upper Canada, both high and low were glad to be able to don the home-made linen, and the linsey-woolsey petticoat. "The growth of flax Avas much attended to as soon as lands Avere cleared and put in order." " Then spinning-wheels were all the go, and home-made linen, the pride of all families, manufactui'ed substan- tial articles that would last a lifetime." The young men of industry would look for the sj^inning-wheel and loom before selecting a wife. " A young farmer would often be astonished to find on his marriage that his fair partner had got a good supply of linen for her marriage portion. I have known as niucli as sixty yards spun and manu- factured at one bee or gathering." — Clark. When the skins of sheep, and of calves and beef become avail- able, every farmer became his own tanner, and dressed his leather; and then his own shoemaker. Fashions did not change, except as the continued practice of making for an increasing family, gave the maker abilit}- to make something more like a boot than a moccasin. Kainy daj's, and the nights, were spent in doing such kind of work, not by candle light, but by the hearth fire. It was at the same time that an axe-helve, a wooden plow, a reaping cradle, a wooden foi'k, &c., Avere made. But many a child, whose grand children are now occupying positions of wealth and influence, staj^ed in the log cabin the winter through, because he had nothing with which to protect his feet from the snoAV. The Avriter's father Avas not a shoe- maker by trade ; but he remembers Avhen a boy to ha\'e Avorn shoes made by him. They Avere not conspicuous for their beauty, but it was thought by the wearer they would last forever; within his recollection there Avas not a shoemaker in ThurloAv. Much ingenuity Avas displayed in making clothes and blankets. What Avas called the '• Kearsy " blanket Avas made at an early date ; the writer has seen the first one said to have been manufactured in Upper Canada, certainly the fii'st on the Bay Quinte. It is yet in use and belongs to one, nearly one hundred years of age, AA'hoisthe daughter of the maker, Avhom avc remember to haA'e seen Avhen a 214 NO FURNITURE. boy, who, although then in the sear and yellow leaf, was as tall and erect as if untold hardships had not crowned her life. Within fifteen miles of Be'leville, across the Bay, was a log cabin, the occupants of which had for their first blanket, one made out of hair, picked out of the tanner's A-at, and a hemp-like weed growing in the yard. The hair Avas first cleaned by whipping it ; then it was carded and worked up with the hemj), and tlien spun. It was afterward doubled and twisted, and finally woven into a blanket. The individual whose wife did this, and whose descendants ai"e among the most wealthy farmers, bought his farm for a horse. For many a day, they had no furniture, not even a chair, and the bedstead was made out of two poles, driven between the logs of the shanty ; andbasswood bark was twisted so as to bind them substantially together. Clean straw upon this, Avas really the only thing they had in the house. And so it was with very many, the exceptions being, some half pay ofiicers, who had brought a table, or a chest of drawers. In 1790, the brother of an individual, holding an important post in Kingston, was near the head of the bay, stajang at a house in a state of nakedness ; in which condition his brother Aviites, "he must remain until I am able to go up." " I have agreed to put him to trial Avitli a carpenter to learn the trade," he must therefore have been a large boy. It was not until the close of the last century, that wearing arti- cles, other than tliose made out of flax and wool, were to be obtained* A calico dress was a decided luxury. The petticoat, and short gown . of linen, Avas more common. A long chintz dress to go to meeting, was the height of manj- a damsel's ambition, or a grogran dress and short petticoat. As years passed aAvay, and a groAvn up daughter was about to be married, efforts would be made to array the bride in fitting costimie. Often a dress, Avorn by the mother in other days, amid other scenes, Avhich had been laid carefully away, was brought forth to light, and made by suitable alterations to do renewed service* although the Avhite had assumed a yelloAv cast, and had lost its lustre. As late as 181 G, a farmer owning land in Sidney, and Avho died rich, made in winter a journey to Kingston Avith flour, wearing noth- ing on his feet, Ijut a pair of shoes, and who had his troAvsers strapped down to keep his ankles Avarm. Leg boots took too much leather- It was many years before a bridle and saddle wei'c known, and then) but a fcAv possessed such a convenience. Bare-back, or on a deer skin Avas the primitive mode. After the erection of Ujjper Canada into a separate province ; both Kingston aiKl NeA\ ark, Avhere there were ahvays troops, and Avhere THE PEDLARS. 215 article!? of clothing were to be purchased from a few, wlio hahiistowu — Ameliasburgh — Xorth cf the Rideau — Indian marriage ceremony — Difficulty among first settlers to get clergy- men — First marriage in America, 1608 — First in New England, 1621 — First in Canada, 1620 — Jlarriagealjle folks — Xo one to tie the matrimonial knot — Only one clergyman — OtHcers marrying — Magistrates empowered — Legisla- tion, 1793 — Its provision — Making valid certain marriages — Further legisla- tion, 1798 — In 1818 — 1821 — 1831 — Clerg^vmen of all denominations permitted to marry — Methotlist ministers — Marriage license, 1814 — Five persons ap- pointed to issue — A noticeable matter — Statements of Bates — ilode of court- ing in the woods — Newcastle wedding expeditions — Weapons of defence — Ladies' dresses — The lovers " rig " — A wedding ring— Paying the magistrate — A good corn basket — Going to weddings — " Bitters " — Old folks stay at - home — The dance, several nights — Marrriage outfit — Frontier life — florals in Upper Canada — Absence of irregularities — Exceptional instances — Unable to get married, Peter and Polly — A singular witness — Picv. Mr. Stuart — Lang- horn — McDowell — How to adorn tlie bride — What she wore — A wedding in 1808 — On horseback — The guests — The wedding — The banquet — The game of forfeits — The night — Second day wedding — The young folks on horseback — Terpischorean — An elopement by Canoe — The Squire — The chase — The lovers successful — The Squires who married. " ODE TO CANADA." Canada faithful ! Canada fair ! Canada, beautiful, blooming and rare ! Canada, happiest land of the earth ! Hail to thee, Canada! land of my birth ! Land of fair freedom, where bought not and sold, Are sinews and sorrows, for silver and gold ! Land of broad lakes, sweet A-alleys and plains ! Land where justice for rich and poor reigns ! Land of tall forests, famed rivers and rills ! Laud of fair meadows, bold mountains and hills I Land where a man is a man, though he toil ! Land where the tiller is lord of the soil ! Land where a people are happy and free — Where is the land that is like unto thee ? Thou hast for tlie stranger that seeketh thy shore A smile, and a cheer, and a welcome in store ; The needy, relief; and the weary rejiose : A home for thy friends ; and a grave for thy foes. Thy nobles are those whose riches in store Is the wealth of the soul, and the heart's hidden lore They cringe to no master, they bow to no lord Save Heaven's, each night and each morning adored. Land of swift rivers, sweet-gliding along ! Land of my pride, and land of my song I Canada, prosperous ! Canada, true ! Canada loyal, and virtuous, too ! Canada, happiest land of the earth ! Hail thee, forever, sweet land of my birth ! NATIVE CANADIANS. 233 THE FIEST NATIVES OF UPPER CANADA. We turn from the sad pictures ■which have been truthfully, if imperfectly done, which represent tlie darker side of the pioneer life of the refugees, to others more pleasing. In those primitive times, events which now seem trivial to a general public, were of general interest, and the recollection cherished by a whole community. In the absence of those stirring events which characterize the present, incidents of comparative unimportance, became household words, and recollections. Hence, it comes that jiosterity may, in some instances, know who were first married in certain places in America, of the first birth, and who first died. "The first child born of English parents in America, was a daughter of Mrs. Dore, of Virginia, October 18, 1587." "There is now standing in Marshalfield, .Cape Cod, a portion of a house built by Perigrine White, the first male child born of English parents in ISTew England.' According to the testimony of the registrar of Quebec, the first white child born in Canada, was upon the 24tli October, 1621, which Avas christened the same day by the name of Eustache, being the son of Abraham and Margaret L'Anglois ; Abraham was a Scotchman, named Martin Abraham. He was king's pilot, and married to Eustache. The plains of Abraham derive their name from him. In the obituary notice of Eev. Mr. Pringle, a Methodist preacher, it is stated that he was born in Prince Edward, in 1780, but this must be a mistake. There is sufficient proof that the first settlement at Smith's Bay commenced in 1784, when the first part of Prince Edward became settled. Perhaps, indeed, very likely, the first children born of European parents, was the late Colonel John Clark, of Dalahousie, and an elder brother and sister. Hii: father, an Englishman, came to Quebec, attached to the 8th regiment in 1768. From a sergeant-major, he was appointed in 1776, clerk and naval store keeper at Carleton Island. Here, Sarah and William Clark were born during the progress of the war. Col. Clark says, " I was born at Frontenac, now Kingston, in 1783, and Avas baptized by the Rev. Mr. Stuart. The Rev. Mr. Pringle, before alluded to, was the first, or among the first-born in Prince Edward. A son of Thomas Dorland. claimed to be the first white child born in the fourth township ; but the honor was disputed by Daniel Peterson. Mrs. Wm. Ketcheson, now living in Siduev, daughter of 234 THE FIRST MARRIAGE. Elizabeth Roblin, of Adolphustovvn, was born there in 1784. She must have been one of the very first, as the first settlers came that same year. On the 16th January 1785, Henry VanDusen was born in Adolphustown, being one of the first natives. Upon the 26th April, 1868, was buried Mrs. Bush, she was the first female boi*n in Ameliasburgh. Mr. Bleeker, yet living at Tren- ton, was the first male child born in Ameliasburgh. Mrs. Covert, was also one of the first persons born in Ameliasburgh. The first person said to have been born in Toronto, was Mr. J. Cameron, of Yonge Street, in 1798. The first child born of white parents north of the Eideau, was Colonel E. Burritt, Burritt's Rapids, a relative of Elihu Buin-itt. MAKRYIXG IX EAKLY TIMES. The native Indians of America practiced no important ceremony in connection with marrying. Certain steps had to be taken by the one who might desire to have a certain female as his partner, and those i^roceedings were always strictly attended to. But the final ceremony consisted in little more than the affianced one, leaving the wigwam of her father and repairing to that of her future lord and master. In many cases the first settlers of America experienced some difficulty in obtaining the services of a Christian minister to solemnize matrimony. In French Canada there was not this difficulty, as from the first the zealous missionary was ever beside the discoverer as he pressed on his way. The first Christian marriage solemnized in America, took place in Virginia in 1608, between John Loyden and Ann Burras. The first marriage hi New England was celebrated the 12th May, 1621, at Plymouth, between Edward Waislow and Susannah White. The first marriage in the colony of French Canada, was between Guillaume Couillard and Guillmet Hebert, July 1620. This is found in the first parish register, which was commenced this year, 1620. Among the pioneers of Upper Canada, were persons of every class as to age, from the tender infant at the breast, to the gray -headed man. There were young men and young women, as well as the aged, and as hopes and desires exist to-day in the breast of the young, so did they then. As the gentle influence of love animates at the pre- sent time, so it did then. But there was a serious drawback ; the consummation of courtship could not easily be realized. Throughout the vast length of the settlements there were but few clergymen to celebrate matrimony, and many sighing swains had to wait months. WHO PERFORMED THE CEREMONY. 235 and even years of wearisome time to liavo performed the matrimonial ceremony. At the first, when a chaplain was attached to a regiment, he was (?alled upon, but when tlie settlers commenced to cleai", there was no chaplain connected with the regiment. Indeed, Mr. Stuart, of Kingston, was tke only clergjTiian in all Upper Canada for a few years. But the duties of the chaplain were frequently attended to by an officer, especially at Niagara, and many of the first marriages in the young colony were performed by a colonel, an adjutant, or a surgeon. Subsequently, magistrates were appointed, who were commissioned to tie the nuptial knot. In the second session of the first Parliament, 1*793, was passed " An Act to confirm and make valid certain marriages heretofore con- tracted in the country now comprised within the Province of Canada, and to provide for the future solemnization of marriage loithin the same." " Whereas many marriages have been contracted in this Province at a time when it was impossible to observe the forms prescribed by law for the solemnization thereof, by reason that there was no Pro- testant parson or minister duly ordained, residing in any part of the said Province, nor any consecrated Protestant church, or chapel within the same, and whereas the parties having contracted such marriages, and their issue may therefore be subjected to various disabilities, in order to quiet the minds of such persons and to pro- vide for the future solemnization of marriage within this Province, be it enacted and declared by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Assembly of the Province of Upper Canada, that the marriage and marriages of all persons, not being under any canonical disqualifica- tion- to contract matrimony, that have been publicly contracted before any magistrate or commanding officer of a post, or adjutant, or sur- geon of a regiment, acting as chaplain, or any other person in any public oflice or employment, before the passing of this Act, shall be confirmed and considered to all intents and i:>urposes as good and valid in law, and that the parties who have contracted such mar- riages, and the issue thereof, may become severally entitled to all the rights and benefits, and subject to all the obligations arising from marriage and consanguinity, in as full and ample a manner as if the said marriages had resjiectively been solemnized according to law. "And be it further enacted, that in order to enable those persons 236 GIVING NOTICE. who may be desirous of preserving the testimony of such marriage, and of the birth of their children, it shall and may be lawful at any time, Avithin three years from the passing of this Act, for any magis- trate of the district where any such parties as may have contracted matrimony as aforesaid, shall reside, at the request of either of said parties, to administer to each an oath that they were married on a certain day, and that there is now living issue of the marriage. This attestation to be subscribed to by the parties and certified by the magistrate. The Clerk of the Peace recorded these certificates iu a register for the purpose, which thereafter was considered sufiicient evidence of such matters. It was further enacted, " That until there shall be five parsons or ministers of the Church of England, doing duty in their respec- tive parishes in any one district," persons "desirous of intermarrpng with each other, and neither of them living within the distance of eighteen miles of any minister of the Church of England, may apply to any neighbouring Justice of the Peace," who should affix in some public place, a notice, for which he should receive one shilling, and no more. The piu-j)ort of the notice was that A. B. and C. D. were desirous of getting married, and there being no parson within eighteen miles, if any person knew any just reason why the}' should not be married, should give notice thereof to such magistrate. After which a form' of the Church of England was to be followed, but should a minister reside within eighteen miles of either parties the marriage was null and void. It is related that these notices of marriage were often attached to trees by the road side, and as it was considered desirable in those days to keep intending marriages secret, not unfrequently the in- tending parties would watch and remove the notice which had been put up. In the year 1798, an Act was 2")assed to extend the i)rovisions of the first Act, which provided that "it shall be lawful for the minister of any congregation or religious community of persons, professing to be members of the Church of Scotland, or Lutherans, or Calvanists" to marry according to the rights of such chiu-ch, and it was necessary that one of the persons to be married should have been a member of the particular church six months before the marriage. The clergyman must have been regularly ordained, and was to appear before six magistrates at quarter sessions, with at least seven members of his congregation, to prove his office, or take the oath of allegiance. And then, if the dignitaries thought it exj)e- LEGISLATION. 237 dient, they might grant him a certificate that ho was a settled minister, and therefore could many, having j)ublished the intended marriage upon three Sundaj's previous. In November, 1818, a brief act was passed to make vahd the marriages of those who may haAC neglected to preserve the testimony of their marriage. In the year 1821, an act was passed " for the more certain pun- ishment of persons illegally solemnizing marriage, by which it Avas provided, that if persons, legally qualified to marry, should do so without the publication of banns, unless license befii'st had, should be guilty of a misdemeanor." There was no further legislation until 1831, when provision was again made to confirm marriages contracted " before any justice of the peace, magistrate, or commanding ofiicer of a post, or minister and clergyman, in a manner similar to the previous acts. It was at this time enacted that it should be lawful for ministers of the church of Scotland, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, Independants, Methodists, Menonists, Tunkers, or Moravians, to solemnize matrimony, after having obtained certificates from the quai'ter sessions. According to the act of 1798, only the church of Scotland, Lutherans, and Calvinists, beside the English church, were permitted to marry persons. So it will be seen bj this act of 1831, important concessions were made to diflerent denominations. This act was by the Methodists, especially regarded as a deserved recogni- tion of the constantly increasing number of that denomination. It certainly, at this time, seems remarkably strange, that so obvious a right, was for so long a time withheld, not alone from them, but other denominations. But the effort was strong, and long continued to build up the church of England to the exclusion of all others. The restriction upon the Methodist ministers was to them greater from the fact, that for a long time they were members of a Conference existing, where all denominations were aUke endowed with the power to perform the marriage ceremony. And it is recorded, that in a few instances, the ministers stationed in Canada, either forgot the illega- lity of marrying, or felt indisposed to submit to the unjust law, and did actually marry some persons. Elder Eyan was one, and was consequently banished ; but was shortly pardoned by government, because of his known loyalty. His son-in-law, Eev. S. B. Smith, was another ; but he defended himself at the trial and got free. Another was the Eev. ]Mi-. Sa-^yer, winj au once, on being accused, fled the country for a time. 238 COURTING IN THE OLDEN TIME. It :ii>))cars lliat on llic 3 1st INIay, 1814, government appointed five persons to issue marriage licenses. One at Queenston, one at York, one at Kingston, one at Williamsburgh, and one al Cornwall. John Gumming was appointed for Kingston. Prior to this, licenses had been occasionally issued, probably, however, only by application to government. Marrjing by license was so noticeable an event, that it was considered elegant to state in the marriage notice, "married by license." According to a letter in our ])Ossession, sometimes the issuer of license Avould be without any, when he would give a certificate to the ajjplicant, by which tbe party could get married, and subsequently he would furnish him with the license. Having given the legal and legislative facts relative to marrying in eai'ly times, it may not be inappropriate to adduce some items of a social nature. Eoger Bates, of Newcastle, in his memoir at the parliament library, speaks thus pleasantly and graphically in referring to his father's courtship and marriage, which took place at the commence- ment of the present cciitui-y. " The mode of courting in those days was a good deal of the Indian fashion. The buxom daughter would run thi'ough the trees and bushes, and pretend to get away from the lover ; but somehow or othei" he managed to catch her, gave her a kiss, and they soon got married, I rather think by a magistrate. Time was too valuable to make a fuss about such matters." Whether this mode of courting was practiced elsewhere, than in Newcastle, it ma}^ be doubted. Speaking of the weddings, and the journey to get the knot tied, he says, " they generally furnished themselves with tomahawks and implements to defend themselves, and to camp out if required. The ladies had no white dresses to spoil, or fancy bonnets. With deer skin petticoats, home-spun gowns, and perhaps squirrel skin bonnet, they looked charming in the eyes of their lovers, who were rigged out in similar materials." Again, about the wedding ring, which could not then be procured, he says, "I have heard my mother say, that uncle Ferguson, a magistrate, rather than disappoint a happy couple, who had Avalked twenty miles, made search throughout the house, and luckily found a pair of old English skates, to which was attached a ring, with this ho proceeded with the ceremony, and fixing the ring on the j'oung woman's finger, reminded her, that though a homely substitute, she must continue to wear it, otherwise the ceremony would be dis- solved. That curious token was greatly cherished, and is still among the family^ relics." PRIMITIVE WEDDINGS. 239 Mr. Sheriff Sherwood, speaking of his father, one of the first magistrates appointed by Simcoc, says " ho probably joined more individuals together in the happy bonds of matrimony, than any other person ever has, in the county of Leeds. I have often heard him mention the circumstance of a young man asking him to marry him, but who said, I cannot get the money to pay you. but I will make you a good wheat fan, which he readily accei)tcd, as it was an article much used at that time. At anotlier time an old man came on the same errand, and said to him, I cannot get the money to pay you, but I will make you a good corn basket, with oak splints, and so tight that I will warrant it to hold water, and the old man punctually fulfilled his promise." We have some interesting information from an old lady who settled in Ameliasburgh, and who still lives. Getting married at the beginning of the present century was a great event. The Carrying Place was the usual place of resort. "Thc}^ placed in a lumber waggon, a number of chairs, and each gallant was supposed to support his partner upon his knee, and thus economise room. " Bitters " were indulged in, but no fighting allowed. If one began that, he was put out. Keeping good natured was a point of duty insisted upon. No old persons Avent to the wedding, but they joined in the dance, when the youngsters got back. A wedding without a dance was considered an insipid affair ; and it was generally kept uj) two or three successive nights at different places. Francis Weese's was a halfway house between McMan's corners, (Redner- ville), and the Carrying Place. Weese was a distinguished player upon the fiddle, and the wedding parties often stayed with him the first night. "A yoke of steers, a cow, three or four sheoj"), with a bed, table, two dozen chairs, was regarded a very decent setting out for the bride. And if the groom was heir to 50 or 100 acres of land, with a little cleared, he was thought to have the worldly "gear," to constitute a first-rate match." The history of frontier life ; of the advance body of pioneers in the far west, frequently exhibits great irregularitiy in morals ; a non-observance of God's commandments. But the record of the first settlers of Upper Canada is remarkably bright. When it is recollected that they were but scattered settlements in a wilderness ; far away from civilized life ; excluded from the world, and removed from the influence of the salutary power of public opinions, it is a matter of wonder, that great and frequent violation of God's law, 240 AN EXCEPTION. with regard to marring did not take place. But such was not the case, as a general thing; the holy bonds of matrimony, were employed to bind man and woman together, whether through the officer, the magistrate or the clergyman. For years there was but few clergymen to marry, and also but few magistrates, and there were secluded settlements where the clergjTiian or magistrate came not, and from which the inhabitants could not go, perhaps for manj^ miles to get married. But a few, and they are very few instances, are recorded where pai'ties deviated from the right- eous way. Upon the shore of the bay, in a remote locality, about the year 1796, lived two individuals, whom we will call respectively Peter and Polly. They were living in the same family, she has a "help," and he has a hired man upon the farm. This couple had •desired to enter the bonds of matrimony ; but the ministers and squires lived some distance off, and they could not get away to be married, so they had to wait for the coming of one who would marry them ; they had to wait, it would seem for several years, in the mean time they consoled themselves with genuine, and no doubt honest love. At last it came to pass that a Squire visited that neighbourhood, and stopped at the house where they lived. The family bethought them of the wishes of Peter and Polly ; and that now was the time to have the legal knot tied. So Polly was called from the kitchen just as she was, and Peter from the field be!5meared with sweat, and clean dirt, and the two were made one. Among the witnesses of the interesting ceremony, was a bright eyed boy who trotted unceremonously from the bride to the groom, calling them respectiveh^ "mozzer" and " fadder." The time came when this same boy was the owner of the land whereon he had been born. This fact, from excellent authority, stands out as an exception to a general rule, although there is not about it that flagrant violation of moral principle which is too often seen at the present day, under other circumstances which afford no excuse. The Eev. 'Mr. Stuart, living at Kingston, was not often called upon to marry, by persons outside of that village, and persons rarely found time to go all the way to him. "When Mr. Langhorn came and opened a church at Adolphustown, and Bath, a more central place was supi:)lied, and ho consequently was often employed. But Mr. McDowell was the one Avho most frequently was required to marry. Being a minister of the church of Scotland, he enjoyed the privilege of niarr}-ing, and unlike Langhorn, he would marry I A WEDDING IN 1807. 241 them at iheir homes. So when making lii^ rounds throuo;h the country, on his preaching excursions, he wiisfrequentl}' called upon to officiate in this capacity. In the region of the Bay, w^ere some who had in previous days, lived in comfort, had not wanted all that belonged to the well- to-do inhabitants along the Hudson, and at IS'ew York. In some cases, these families brought with them the fine clothes that had adorned their bodies in former times, Xot onl}^ was it difficult for them, in many cases, to get some one to perform the marriage cere- mony ; but to the female, especially, it was a grave matter how to adorn the bride with that apparel which Itecomes the event. Ik those cases where rich clothes, which had been used by parents, were stored away, they were brought forth, and by a little altera- tion, made to do service ; but by and by these relics of better days were beyond their power to renovate, and like others, they had, if married at all, to wear the garb mentioned by Roger Bates, or some other plain article ; a calico print, bought of a pedlar, or a calamink, or linsey-woolsey petticoat, or a woolen di'ugget, were no common luxuries in the wilderness home. An old lady who is still living, tells us that she was married in 1807, and wore the last- mentioned ; and was thought very extravagant indeed. A vener- able lady, a native of the Bay, and now well-nigh eight}^ remem- bers to have attended a wedding about the year 1708, up the river Moira. She was living with her uncle, Col. C. The wedding was one of some importance, as both parties were well-to-do. There was but a path along the banks of the river, and they went on horse back. At that time riding on horseback was a common praotice, not a single person merely, but in couples. It was no unusual thing to see man and wnfe riding along together, also brother and sister, and as well lovers. The guests to this wedding all came on horse back, generally in pairs. They assembled early in the forenoon, and the happy pair were soon united. The bride's dress was unusually grand, being of lawn ; the two bridesmaids graced the occasion by being dressed in muslin. She bears a dis- tinct recollection of the entertainment. The banquet was crowned with a majestic chicken pie, in a pan capable of holding some twelve quarts ; by roast goose, and with pies and cakes of all sorts, in abundance. The bride's father was the deacon of a church, and did not allow dancing, but the afternoon and evening were spent in joyous mirth and jovial " plays" in connection with which forfeits were lost and redeemed. But, however much these plays may have 16 242 AN ELOPEMENT. dcgcnorateil in )'eocnt dii}-;?, thcj were then conducted with purity of thought, and innocence of soul. The party did not break up the lirst day. Half of the company repaired to the house of the groom's father, where beds were ai-ranged for them. In the morning they went back to the scene of the wedding, upon the banks of the river, which at this point is particularly attractive. After breakfast, the young people, %vith the newly married pair, set out for the front, to the mouth of the river. They formed a joj'ous, and it must have been a picturesque cavalcade. Each gentleman selected his fair partner, and having mounted his hoi"se, .she w^as duly seated behind him. And thus they set out for their destination. Pleasant, indeed, must have been the ride ; striking the scene, as they wended their way along the running water, and the bright autumn sun shone upon them through the variegated leaves which clothed the thickly standing trees. This night was spent at Myers' Creek, in following the notes of the fiddle with the nimble feet. This terminated the wedding party. This is adduced as an illustration of marrying in early times. Another will be briefly given, it was a case of elopement, and occxirred many years before the wedding above mentioned. A certain Squire had been for many years in the •enjoj'ment of wedded bliss. His wife was the daughter of Capt. , a half-pay officer, an honest but wayward Dutchman. The Squire's wife died, and, in due time, he sought the hand of another daughter of the Captains. But this the latter would not listen to; he Avas determined they should not marry ; because she was his late wife's sister. The worthy Squire could not see the force of l*he objection, and the lady in question was likewise blinded by love. They resolved to run a^va}-, or rather to paddle away, in a conve- nient canoe. Clandestinely they set out upon the head waters of the bay, intending to go to Kingston to obtain the services of a clergy- man. Biit the Captain learned the fact of their dci>arture and started in pursuit with his batteau and oarsmen. According to one account, the flying would-be groomsman, who was paddling his own canoe, saw the angry parent coming, and made haste to quicken his speed, but finding that they would be overtaken, they landed upon an island in the bay, and hauled up the canoe ; and concealed it, with themselves, in a cavity upon the island ; and, after the Captain had passed, returned homeward and procured the services of a Squire to marry them. But, according to another statement, the lovers set out while the Captain was absent at Montreal, and arrived at Kingston, unlbrtunately, as he was returning home. DEATH AMONG PIONEERS. 243 Seeing the Squire, ho had his suspicions aroused, and began lo look about for his daughter. She had, however, concealed herself by throwing an Indian blanket about her person, and over her head, and by sitting down among some squaws. The statement goes, that it was well the Captain did not find her, as he would, as soon as not, have shot the Squire. The end of it was, they were married, to live a long and happy domestic life. Although there may be a little doubt as to the details of this early elopement on the bay, there is no doubt that it took place in some such manner as described. Among the Squires upon the Bay, the following were the most frequently called upon to marry : Young, of the Carrying Place ; Bleeker, of the Trent ; Lazier, of Sophiasburgh. The magistrates residing nearer Kingston and Adolphxxstow^n had less of this to do, as clergymen could there be more easily obtained. CHAPTER XXIV. CoNTENTd — Burying Places — How Selected — Family Burying Places — For the Neighbourhood — The Dutch — Upon the Hudson — Bay Quinte — A Sacred Siwt to the Loyalists — Ashes to Ashes — Primitive Mode of Burial — The Coffin — At the Grave — The Father's Remarks — Return to Labor — French Burying-placc at Frontenac — Its Site — U. E. Loyalists Burying-place at Kingston — The'-U. E Burying Ground," Adolphustown — Worthy Sires of Canada's Sons — Decay — Neglect of Illustrious dead — Repair Wanted — Oldest Burjing Ground in Prince Edward — Ross Place — At East Lake — Upon the Rose Farm — "The Dutch Burying Groimd " — Second Growth Trees — In Sophiasburgh — Cronk Farm — In Sidney — Rude Tomb Stones — Burial-place «f Capt. Myers — Reflections — Dust to Dust — In Thurlow — " Taylor Burying Ground'" — The First Person Buried — Lient. Ferguson — An Aged Femak — Her Work Done — Wheels Stand Still. THE EARLY BURYING PLACES UPON THE BAY QUINTE. " Your fathers, lohere are tJieyf'^ Burying places in all the new settlements Avere, as a general thing, selected by the family to which death might first come. This was true of every part of America. Ere the forest had fallen before the hand of the axeman, or while the roots and stumps of the trees yet thickly encumbered the ground, before the scythe had been used to cut the first products of the soil, the great reaper death passed by, and one and another of the number were cut 2-14 A DUTCH CUSTOM. down. Some suitable place, under the circumstances, was selected for the ij:rave, and quietly the body was laid away. In time, a neighbom- would lose a member of the family, and the body would be brought and laid beside the first buried. And so on, until a certain circle would be found burying in a common place. But sometimes families would prefer to have a private burial ground, some conspicuous spot being selected upon the fai-m, where the a>hos of the family might be gathered together, as one after another pa,ssed away. The Dutch are particularly attached to this •cuBtom. This may be seen even yet in those old sections of New York State, where the Dutch originally settled, especially at Hoboken, opposite New York City. Sacred spots were appropriated by each family upon the farm, in which the fiamily was buried. The descendants of these Dutch who became such loyal subjects, and sulibring refugees who settled around the bay, followed the same 23ractice. These spots may be seen along the Hudson, and the Bay Quinte, which may be regarded as the Hudson of Canada, and are indicated by the drooping willow, or the locust or cj-press. Some from whom reliable information has been received, state that the spot selected on the Bay Quinte was often that, where the family had first lauded — where they had rested on the bare earth, beneath the trees, until a hut could be erected. This spot was chosen by the refugee himself as a suitable place to take his last rest. Indeed, the devotion of the settler to the land where he had wrought out his living, and secui'ed a comfortable home, was sometimes of an exalted character. One instance by way of illustration : — There came to the shores of Hay Bay an hei'oic woman, a little rough perhaps, but one whose soul had been bitterly tried during the con- flict between her king and the rebels. Her husband had been on many a battle-field, and she had assisted on man}- an occasion to give comfort to the British troops. The log hut was duly erected, and day after day they went forth together to subdue the wilder- ness. In the sear and yellow leaf, when competence had been secured and could be bequeathed to their children, when the first log tenement had fallen to decay, she caused her children to promise that her body should be laid upon the spot where that old hut had stood. The mode of burial was often simple and touching, often there was no clei'gyman" of any denomination ; no one to read a prayer over the dead for the benetit of the living. Frequently, in the hush of suspended \vork. through the quiet shades of the trees whose ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD. 245 boughs sighed a requiem, like as if angels whispered peace to the sad and tearful mourners who silently, or with suppressed sobs, followed the coffin of the plainest kind, often of rough construction, which contained the remains of a loved one to the grave, in some spot selected. The rude coffin being placed in the gi*ave, those present would uncover, and the father, in sad tones, would make a few remarks respecting the departed, offer a few thoughts which the occasion suggested, and then the coffin was hidden out of sight. The men would return to their labors, and the women to their duties. "We learn, on excellent authority, that the burial place for the French, at Fort Frontenac, was where the barracks now stand near the bridge. But not unlikely the French, when one died away from the fort at any distance, committed the dead to the earth in Indian burial places. The first burial place for the U. E. Loyalists in Kingston, was situated where St. Paul's Church now stands, on Queen Street, which was formerly called G-rove Street. No township is more rich in historic matters, pertaining to the U. E. Loyalists than Adolphustown. Here settled a worthy band of refugees whose lineage can be traced back to noble names in France, Germany and Holland. Here was the birth-place of many of Canada's more prominent and worthy sons, and here repose the ashes of a large number of the devoted pioneers. As the steamboat enters to the wharf at Adolphustown, the observer may notice a short distance to the west, upon the summit of a ridge, a small enclosure in which are a number of second growth trees, maple and oak. He may even see indistinctly a few marble tombstones. If he walks to the spot he will find that the fence is rough, broken, and falling down. Casting his eye over the ground he sees the traces of numerous graves, with a few marble head-stones, and a long iron enclosure within which are buried the dead of the Casey family, with a marble slab to the head of each. The ground generally is covered with the debris of what once formed enclosures of individual graves or family plots. When visited by the writer, one grave, that of Hannah Vandusen, had growing out of its bosom a large poj^lar tree, while the wooden fence around was falling, and res*;ing against the tree. The writer gazed on these evidences, not alone of decay but neglect, with great regret, and with a sigh. For here, without any mark of their grave, lie many who were not onl}^ noble U. E. Loyalists, but who were men of distinction, and the fathers of men well 246 REQUIESCAT IN PACE. known in Canadian History. Mr. Joseph B. Allison, accompanied lis, and pointed out the several spots where he had seen buried these illustrious dead. In the north-west corner of the ground, with no trace even of a grave to mark the spot, lies the old Major who commanded the company. Mr. Allison was present, although a little boy at his burial. The event is fixed upon his mind by the fact the militia turned out and buried him with military honors. We stood on the spot over- grown with thorn trees, and felt a pang that his name was thus forgotten, and his name almost unknown. Close by is a neat marble headstone to a grave, upon which is the following : " Henry Hover, departed this life, August 23rd, 1842, aged 79 years, 5 months and 17 days." Noble man ! Imprisunment with chains for nearly two years, with many hardships during, and after the war, did not make his life short, and we were thankful he had left des- cendants who forgot not to mark his resting-place. For account of this person see under " Eoyal Combatants." The entrance gate to the ground is at the east side. To the right on entering, a short distance otf, is an oak tree. Between the gate and tree was laid the bod}- of Xicholas Hagermau. Sad to say, nothing indicates the resting-place of the earliest law'yer of the Pro- vince, and the father of Judge Hagcrman. (See distinguished Loy- alists). In the middle of the groimd rests the dead of the Casey family. The two old couple "whom we remember to have seen when a boy in their green old age, lie here. " Willet Casey died aged 86. Jane, his wife, aged 93." We would say to all here buried, Requiescat in pace. But the very cTumblings of the enclosures which were put around the graves by sorrowing friends when they died cry out against the neglected state of the ground. The eftbrts which have repeat- edly been made to put the jjlace in repair ought to be repeated, and a stone wall at least made to eifectunlly inclose ihe sacred dust. The oldest burying place, we believe, in Prince Edward, is some distance from Indian Point, upon the Lake Shore, and east of the Ifock, connnonly known as Ross's Burying Ground. In this spot are buried some of the first and most distinguislied of the first settlers of Maryslnirgh. Another old burying place in Prince Edwai-d is at East Lake, at the commencement of the Carrying Place. Here may be found the graves of some eighteen persons wlio made' the first settlement of P^ast Lalve. The lot upon which it is situated belonged to Mr. Dyse. It is no longer used, but is partially in a ploughed field, and partially covered by a second growth of trees. OLD BURYING PLACES 247 Upon the road aloiif? the south shore of Maiysburg, a short distance west of the Eoclc, upon the Eose farm, are to be seen the lingering remains of the first chui'ch of this township. It was erected at an early date, and was twenty-four feet square. Here Weant was wont to preach to his flock of Lutherans, and here at times Langhorn from Bath also held forth. The situation is pleasant, upon the brow of a comparatively steep hill, overlooking a pleasant low-land, with the shining Ontario, and Long Point stretching away into its waters; while to the right is the well sheltered Wappoose Island. But another object attracts our atten- tion. Almost immediatelj' fronting us upon a sand-hill close by the water's edge is to be seen "the old Dutch burying ground." It is about half-a-mile from the road, and we will descend the hill and take the road through the fields along the fence, the way by which so many have passed to their long home. The old graveyard is overshadowed by good sized second growth pines, whose waving tops sigh not unharmoniously over the ashes of the old Hessian and Dutch settlers. The adjacent shore washed by the ever throbbing lake gives forth to day the gentlest sounds. These old burying places remind one that Canada is ever growing old. Here lie, not alone the early pioneers, but their grand-children; and over the spot cleared are now good sized second growth trees. The head boards are fallen in decay, the fence around the plots have crumbled in the dust. The oldest buiying place in Sophiasburgh is upon the Cronk farm east of Northport. Nearly midway between Belleville and Trenton is situated the oldest burying ground of Sidney. It is pleasantly located upon an eminence by the bay shore, and affords a fine view of the bay, and opposite shore. The visitor will be struck with the irregularity of the graves in the place primarily used, as if the gi-aves had been dug among the stumps. Some of them are almost north and south. At the ends of mostly all are placed stones, rough they are, but lasting, and have, in a large number of cases, more permanently indicated the position of the graves. Upon some of these rough stones are rudely cut the initials of the occupant of the grave. In a great number of cases tablets painted on wood have been placed to commemorate the individal deceased. But these are totally obliterated, and the wood is falling to decay. Pi'obably the temporary mark of afl:'ectionate sorrowing was as lasting as the life of the bereaved. We lingered among the graves here, and they 248 TAYLOR BURYING GROUND. are numerous. We see the name Myers. And we know that old Capt. Myers was buried here, after an eventful life. Around him also repose his old acquaintances and friends — and enemies. They arc gone with the primeval woods that covered the slopes by the Bay Quints — gone with the hopes and aspirations, and prospects, and realizations that crowned their trying and eventful life — gone so that their ashes can no longer be gathered, like the old batteau which transported them thither — gone like their old log houson whose very foundations have been plowed up — gone like their rude implements of agriculture — gone by the slow and wearisome steps of time which marks the pioneer's life. It is gratifying to see that while the ground has been extended, a new fence has been built, and elegant tomb-stones, 1868. The first place set apart in which to bury the dead, in the town- ship of Thurlow was the " Taylor Burjang Ground." It is situated in Belleville, at the east of the mouth of the Moira, in view of the bay. The first person committed to the earth here was Lieut- Ferguson, %vho had been associated with Capt. Singleton. The second individual is supposed to have been the mother of John Taylor. She had been brought to the place by her son, her only son, two having been executed by the rebels during the war, Avhen almost ninety years of age. But her stay on earth had almost ended ; not long after, she was one day engaged in spinning flax, and suddenly ceased her work, and told them to put away the wheel, as she would spin no more. A few minutes after she ceased to live, and the weary wheels of life stood still. For many years this ground was the repository of the dead, about the mouth of Myers' Creek. DIVISION Y THE EAELY CLEEGYMEN AND CHUECHES. CHAPTEE XXV. Contexts. — French Missionaries — First in 1615 — Recollets — With Champlain — Jesuits, in 1625 — Valuable records — Bishopric of Quebec, 1674 — First Bishop of Canada, Laval — Rivalry — Power of Jesuits — Number of Mission- aries — Their " Rehations" — First mission Held ; Bay Quinte region — " Antient mission '" — How founded — First missionaries — Kleus, abbe D'Urfe — La Salic, to build a church — The ornaments and sacred vessels — The site of the " Chappel,'' uncertain — Bald Bluff, Carrying Place — Silver crosses — Mission at Georgian Bay — The " Christian Islancis " — Chapel at Michilmicinac, 1679 — The natives attracted — Subjects of the French King — Francois Picquet — La Presentation — Soer/asti — The most important mission — The object — Six Nations — The Missionary's living — " Disagreeable expostulations — Putting stomach in order — Trout — Picquct's mode of teaching Indians — The sama afterward adopted by Rev. W. Case — Picqnet's success— Picquet on a voyage — At Fort Toronto — Mississaugas request — Picquet's reply — A slander — At • Niagara, Oswego — At Frontenac — Grand reception — Return to La Presenta- tion — Picquet in the last French war — Returns to France — By Mississippi — *' Apostles of Peace " — Unseemly strife — Last of the Jesuits in Canada. THE FIRST FRENCH MISSIONARIES. In introducing this subject, we propose first to glance at the original French Missionaries, and then at the first Protestant Missionaries and clergymen, who labored in the Atlantic Provinces. The first missionaries of Christianity to America, came to Canada in the year 1615. They were four in number, and belonged to the order of Eecollets, or Franciscans, of Spanish origin, a sect who attended to the spiritual wants of the people without accepting any remuneration. Four of these devoted men attended Champlain on his second visit to Canada in 1615. Three years later the Pope accorded the charge of missions in Canada to the Eecollets of Paris. In 1625 members of the society of Jesus likewise entered the mis- sion of America. Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuit society in 1521. These two orders of Eoman Catholics, especially the Jesuits, contributed much to the advancement of French interests in Canada, and by their learning assisted greatly to elevate the people. Side 250 FIRST MISSION FIELD. by .side the}' traversed the vast wilderness of America, with the intrepid explorers, and by their close observations, committed to pajjer, they have left most valuable records of the country in its primeval state ; and the different tribes of savages that held posses- sion of the country. Canada was "constituted an apostolic vicariat, by the Pope, in 1657 ; and became an episcopal see, named the Bishopric of Quebec, about 1673. The fii-st bishop of Canada was Fi-ancisde Laval, of the distinguished house of Montmorency. The rivalry which existed between the Jesuits and the Eecollets, led to the withdrawl from the country of the latter. But they returned again about 1669. They were welcomed by the people, who preferred their self-sup- porting principles to the Jesuits, under Laval, who required susten- tatiou from them, which was exacted by a system of tithes. The Jesuits became a ver}'' powerful ecclesiastical body, and commanded even sufficient political influence to secure the recall of the Governor, who was obnoxious to them, in 1665. Yet the people did not like them, in their usiu'jiation of temporal power. The second bishop of Canada was M. de Saint Vallier, who was elevated to that position in 1688. "Between the years 1635-1647, Canada was visited by eighteen Jesuits missionaries." It was due to these missionaries, who remained with, and adapted themselves to the Indian tribes, that Canada held such a position among the Aborigines. The relations of these missionaries are of thrilling interest, and deserve the attention of all who desire to become a student of history. When there were no more than sixty inhabitants at Quebec, in 1620; the Eecollets had begun to erect a convent and chapel upon the banks of the St. Charles Eivcr. The Bay Quinte region may be regarded as the earliest mission field in America. Of the four Missionaries who came with Cham- plain from France, in 1615, one at least accompanied him in his journey uj) the Ottawa, across to Georgian Bay, and down the Trent to the Bay. This was in July, and Champlain was under the necessity of remaining in this region until the following spring, in the meantime visiting several of the tribes all along the north shore of Lake Ontario. During this period the zealous Eocollet earnestly labored to lay the foundation of Christianity among the natives, and planted the " antient mission" spoken of b}- father Picquet, 1751. We have positive statement to this effect. Probably when Champlain returned to Montreal, in the spring of 1616, he was " THE ANTIENT MISSIONS." 251 not accompanied by tJic niisyionaiy ; who staj'ed to establish the work he had commenced, Wc find it stated that the earliest mis- sionaries to this region were M. Dolliore de Kleus, and Abbe D'Urfe, priests of the Saint Sulpice Seminary. Picquet remarks that the ancient mission at the Bay Quinte was established by Kleus and D'Urfe. In June, 1571, DeCourceilcs, as we have seen, visited Lake Ontario, coming directly up the St. Lawrence. On this occasion, it is recorded, he sent messages from Cataraqui " to a few mission- aries residing among the Indians." Two years later, when Fron- tenac came, with a view of establishing a fort, we find it stated that as he approached Cataraqui, he Avas met by a canoe with the " Abbe D'Urfe, and the Captains of the Five Nations." The fol- lowing year, 1674, LaSalle, in his petition for the grant of Fort Frontenac. and adjacent lands, proposed " to build a church when there will be 100 jjersons, meanwhile to entertain one or two of the Recollet Friars to perform divine service, and administer the sacra- ments there." In the reply to this petition hy the King, it was stipulated that LaSalle should " cause a church to be erected within six years of his grant." When Bradstreet, nearh^ a hundred years later, in 1751, cap- tured Fort Frontenac, the Commandant, M. de Moyan, obtained the promise from Bradstreet, to " permit the ornaments and sacred vessels of the chappel to be removed in the luggage of the Chaplain." By the foregoing, we learn the interesting fact, that for 150 years before the capture of Canada bj^ the English, and nearly 170 before Upper Canada was first settled, there existed at the Bay Quinte an active mission of Eoman Catholic Christianity. The exact location of the *' chappel" cannot be fixed ; but there is every reason to sujipose that it was upon the shores of the Baj', at some distance westward from Cataraqui, inasmuch as reference is made to the chapel as quite apart from the Fort, at Cataraqui. From the nature of the relics found in the Indian burying ground, near the Carrying Place, at Bald Bluif, by Weller's Bay, it might even have been situated there. Silver crosses, and other evidences of Eoman Catholic Christianity, have been found in this place. Father Picquet remarks that the land was not good, but the quarter is beautiful. There seems evovy probabilit3- that not many years after the establishment of the mission by thcBa}' Quinte, another was estab- lished in the neighborhood of Lake Huron, or Georgian Ba}'. 252 LA PRESENTATION. Upon the river AV3'e, some six miles north of Pcnetanguishene, Pe-na-tang-que shine, so called by the Indians upon first seeing the sand banks, meaning " see the sand is falling," Avas established a French fort, at an early date, the foundation of which may yet be seen. It appears likely that at this point, at the Christian Islands, (a significant name,) situated between the Manitoulin Islands and the mainland; and also at Michilmieinac, were commenced mis- sionary labors b}'' the Eecollets and others. We find it stated that in 16T9 there was a chapel at Michilmickinac, which may refer to the Christian Islands. Here LaSalle, on his way westward, stopped and attended mass, with the celebrated Eecollet, Fere Hennepin. The natives were strongly attached to these French mission- aries. Presents of porcelaine beads to make wampum, Avith a kind demeanor, soon won man}'^ of them to become Eoman Catholics ; and the cross was set up in their midst. And the time came Avhen they were willing to acknowledge themselves under the protection of, and subject to the French King. At the present site of Ogdensburgh, in the year 17-18, " Francis Picquet, Doctor of the Savbonne, King's Missionary, and Prefect Apostolic to Canada," began to found the imssion of La Presmtation. By the river Oswegotchie, then called by the Indians Soegosti, he succeeded in planting a mission, which became the most important in all Canada. The object was to convert the Six Nations to Eoman Catholic Christianity, and thereby to win them from their connection with the English, il. Picquet was a devoted man. " He received at that time neither allowance nor pi-esents. From the King he had but one half pound of pork a day, which made the savages say, when they brought him a buck and some partridges, " We doubt not. Father, but that there have been disagreeable expostulations in your stomach, because you had nothing but pork to eat. Here is something to put your affairs in order." They sometimes brought him. trout weighing eighty pounds. In 1749, when French interests were declining in the new world, and when every effort to seciire the alliance of the Iroquois was devised, Grovernor de Veudreuil sent the Eev. Abbe Picquet of the missionary Iiouso at La Presentation, he being Avell and favorably know among the Five Nations. The object was to draw within the bounds of La Presentation many of the families, where thej- should not only be taught the Catholic religion, but also the elements of husbandry. It was somewhat the same idea as that which led the l'abbe picquet. 253 Rev. William Case, in later days, to domesticate the Mississaugas on the Grape Island. L'Abbe Picquet was succesBful in his mission, and in 1751, he had 396 heads of families living at the place. Among these were the most distinguished and influential families of the Iroquois. The settlement was divided into three villages, and much taste and skill were displayed in the planning. Great attractiveness characterized the place up to the conquest of Canada. In the month of June, 1751, Father Picquet set out upon a voyage up to Fort Frontenac, and thence up the Bay Quinte, and the River Trent to Fort Toronto, and so on around Lake Ontario. He embarked in a King's canoe, accompanied by one bark, in which were five trusty savages. The memoir of this trip is curious and edifying. Proceeding to Fort Toi-onto, by way of the Trent, then an im- portant trading post with the Indians, he found Mississaugas there who flocked around him ; they spoke first of the happiness their j-oung people, the women and children, would feel, if the King would be as good to them as to the Iroquois, for whom he procured missionaries. They complained that instead of building a church, the}- had constructed only a canteen for them. Abbe Picquet did not allow them to finish, and answered them, that they had been treated according to their fancy ; that they had never evinced the least zeal for religion; that their conduct was much opposed to it; — that the Iroquois, on the contrary, had manifested their love for Christianity, but as he had no order to attract them to his mission, he avoided a mor^ lengthy explanation," (Paris Doc). This con- duct on the part of Abbe Picquet must be regarded as heartless in the extreme. Such language ought not to come from the lips of a missionary. It shows that the Iroquois, because of his relationship with the English, had souls of far more importance than the Mis- sissauga, whose character for peace rendered him of minor import- ance. The reflection upon the character was uncharitable ; and, judging by the light supplied by later days, it was untrue — shame- fully untrue. That the Mississauga Indians acquired a taste for the brandy vended to them by the Fi'ench trader was certainly a fact ; but that did not indicate an unwillingness on their part, to become christians. Missionaries, of the present century, have succeeded in i-aising the Mississauga, not alone from paganism, but from a degrading love of spirituous liquors acquired of the French, to a distinguished place among converted Indians. Abbe Picquet went from Foi't Toronto, probabh' by the River 254 THE LAST OF THE JESUITS. Don, and thence across the lake, to Fort Xiagara, to negotiate with the Senecas. Passing along the south shore, he visited the English fort at the mouth of the Eiver Oswego, called Chouegnen. He also visited the River Gascouehogou, (Genesee) and returned to Fi-on- tenac, Avhere a grand reception awaited him. "The Nippissings and Algonqilins who were going to war, drew up in a line of their own accord above Fort Frontenac, wlvere three standards were hoisted. They fired several volle}-^ of musketry, and cheered incessantly. They were answered in the same style from all the little crafts of bark. ]M. de Verchere, and M. de la Yaltrie, caused the guns of the fort to be discharged at the same time, and the Indians, transjjorted with joy at the honors paid them, also kept up a -con- tinual fire with shouts and exclamations which made every one rejoice. The commandants and officers received our missionary at the landing. No sooner had he landed than all the Algonquins and IJ^ippissings of the lake came to embrace him. Finally, when he returned to La Presentation, he was received with that affection, that tenderness, which children would experience in recovering a father whom they had lost." Three years later war was, for the last time, in progress betAveen the French and English in America. Father Picquet contributed much to stay the downfall of French domination. He distinguished himself in all the principal engage- ments, and bj' his presence animated the Indian converts to battle for the French King. At last, finding all was lost, he retired on the 8th May, 1760. He ascended the Bay Quinte and Trent by Fort Toronto, and passed on to Michilmicinac, find thence to the Mississippi ; and then to New Orleans, where he stayed twenty-two months. Died 15th Jul}-, 1781. called the "Apostle of the Iroquois." During the French domination in Canada, the dissentions between the Recollets and Jesuits were almost incessant. Xow the one was sustained and patronized by the governor regnant, now the other, and many were the struggles between Church and State. The closing days of French rule witnessed scenes of un- seemly strife between the clergy and the governors. The last of the Jesuits in Canada, Father Casat, died in 1800, and the whole of their valuable possessions came to the government. PROTESTANT CLERGY. 255 ClIAPTEE XXVI. CoNTK.NTS. — First Church in New York, 1633 — First Dominic, Kev. Everardus Eogardus — The Dutch, Huguenots, Pilgrims — Transporting ministers and churches — First Rector of New York, Wm. Vcsey — Henry Barclay, 1746— First Catholic Bishop in America, 1789 — Episcopalian Bishop, 1796 — Moral state of Pioneers in Canada — Religion — No ministers — No striking immo- rality — Feared God ami honorefl their King — The Fathers of Upper Canada — Religious views — A hundred years ago — " Carousing and Dancing" — Rev. Dr. John Ogilvie — First Protestant Clergyman in Canada — Chajilain 1759, at Nlagai-a — A Missionary — Successor of Dr. Barclay, New York — Death, 177-1 Rev. John Doughty — A Graduate Ordained — At Peekskill — Schenectady — A Loyalist — A Prisoner — To Canada — Chaplain — To England — Returns — Missionary — Resigns — Rev. Dr. John Stuart — First Clergyman to settle — His Memoir— The " Father of the U. C. Church"— Mission Work—The Five Nations — The l)utch — Rev. Mr. Freeman — Translator — Rev. Mr. Andrews — Rev. Mr. Spencer Woodbritige, Howley — New England Missionanes — Rev. Dr. Whelock — The Indian Converts — The London Society — Rev. Mr. Inglis — John Stuart selected missionary — A Native of Pennsylvania — Irish des- cent—A Graduate, Phil. Coll— Joins Church of England- -To England — Ordination — Holy Onlers 1770— Enters upon his work. THE FIRST PROTESTANT CLERGYMAN IN AMERICA. According to the Eev. J. B. Wakley, "Tlie Eeformed Dutch Church was the first organized in New Amsterdam, (New Yoik). This year, 1633, the first church edifice was erected on this island, (Manhatten). It was built on what is called Broad Street. It was a small frail wooden building. The name of the first Dominie is pre- served, the Eev. Everardus Bogardus. He came over from Holland with the celebrated Wanter Van Twiller. The Dutch and the Hugue- nots, as well as the Pilgrims, brotight the chui-ch, the schoolmaster, and their bible > with them. They erected a dwelling for the Eev. Mr. Bogardus to reside in. This was the first parsonage built on the island, if not in America. This first minister in New Amsterdam met Avith a sad end. After spending some years in the new world, in returning to his native la»d, he, with eighty-one others, was lost oflf the coast of Wales. The Bogarts are probably descended from this pioneer minister, he having left children behind him in Ameiica, or some near contiection. The first Eector of the Church of England in New York, was the Rev. William Vesey, pastor of Trinity Church. The Eev. Dr. Heni-y Barclay Avas the second Rector, Avho had pre- viously been catechist for ten years to the MohaAvk Indians. He became Eector October 22, 1746. "He Avas the father of the late Thomas Barclay, Consul-General of His British Majesty in the United States, and grandfather of Mr. Anthony Barclay, late British 256 PIETY. Consul at New York, who was under tlie necessity of returning home during the Russian war, in consequence of tlie jealousy and partiality of the American Government. We find it stated that Dr. Carroll, of Maryland, was the first Catholic Bishop in America, 1789. Dr. Seabury, Bishop of Connecticut, was the first Episcopalian Bishop of that State, he died in 1796. The circumstances of the settlers in Upper Canada were not such as would conduce to a growth of religion and morality. Apart from the effect upon them resulting from a civil war,and being driven away from home — isolated in a wilderness, far removed from civiliza- tion ; there were circumstances inimical to the observance of religious duties. The earnest contest for life, the daily struggle for food, and more especially, the absence of ministers of the gospel, all combined to create a feeling of indifference, if not a looseness of morals. In a few instances, there was on the part of the settlers, a departure from that sti*ict virtue, which obtains at the present time, and in which they had been trained. But on the whole, there was a close adherence, and a severe determination to serve the Cod of their father's. From many a log cabin ascended the faithful prayer of the followers of Luther ; of the conscientious Episcopalian, and the zealous Methodist and Baptist. Yet, for years, to some the word of life was not preached ; and then but rarely by the devoted missionary as he traveled his tedious round of the wilderness. After ten years, the average of inhabitants to the square miles, was only seven. This paucity of inhabitants, prevented regular religious sermons by clergy- men, as it did the formation of Avell taught schools. Tliis absence of educational and religious advantages, it might be expected, would naturally lead to a demoralized state of society, but such was not the case with the settlers of the ten townships. This sparseness of poi)U- lation, arose in part, it must be mentioned, from the system pursued by government, of reserving tracts of l^d, of granting to the clergy, and to non-resident owners, all of which remained to embarrass the separated settlers, and prevent advance of civilization, bj' begetting ignorance and indifference to religion. . When it is remembered how great had been the trials of the refugees during the continuation of the war ; when we call to mind the school of training belonging to a cam}) life ; and still more, when it is taken into consideration to how great an extent the settlers were removed from the salutary influences of civilized life, it at once strikes the thoughtful mind as surprising, that the early colonist did not FIRST PROTESTANT CLERaYMAN. 257 relapse into a state of non-religion and gross immorality. But it is a remarkable fact that the loyalists who planted Upper Canada, not only honored their King, but feared God, and in a very eminent degree fulfilled the later commandment to love one another. Cer- tainly there were exceptions. Even yet are remembered the names of a few who availed themselves of their neighbors' necessities to acquire property ; and the story still floats down the stream of time, that there were those who had plenty and to spai-e of government stores, while the people were enduring the distress of the " Hungry Year." But even the.»e reports lack confirmation, and even if true, are the more consjiicuous by their singularity. There is no intention or desire to clothe the founders of Upper Canada with a character to which they are not entitled, to supj^ress in any respect facts that would tend to derogate the standing of the loyalists. This is unne- cessary to place them upon an elevated ground, but were it not, it would be contrary to the writer's feelings, and unfair to the reader. There will be occasion to allude to a few instances, where gross evils manifested themselves, y-et after all, they are but the dark corners which only serve to bring out the more gloomy colors of the picture presented. In arriving at a just estimate of their state of morals, it is necessary to take into consideration, that many of the views held by truly religious men a hundred years ago, differed widely fi-om those held by many to day. Reference is made to certain kinds of amusements then imhesitatingly indulged in, which to-day are looked upon as inimical to sound Christianity. One of these is the habit of using intoxicating liquors. It was also charged against them, that they were " wofuUy addicted to carousing and dancing." EEV. JOHN OGILVLE, D.D. This divine was probably the first Protestant clergyman that ever officiated in Canada. He did so in the capacity of chaplain to a British Eegiment in an expedition to Fort Niagara, in 1759, when that French stronghold was surrendered. Dr. Ogilvie, w^as a native of New York, and a graduate of Yale college. He was employed by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts, as a missionary with success. In 1765 he succeeded the Eev. Dr. Barclav, as Rector of Trinity Church, New York. He died in 1774. "A portrait of him is still preserved in the vestry oftice of Trinity Church." Tlie next Protestant clergyman we believe, was the Rev. John Doughty. "An Episcopal minister. He graduated at King's College, New 17 258 - REV. JOHN STUART, D.D. York, in lYVO. He was ordained in England for the church atPeeks. kill, but was soon transferred to Schenectady. In 1*7 75, political troubles put an end to di\ine service, and he suffered much at the hands of the popular party. In lYYYfhe obtained leave to depart to Canada, (after having been twice a prisoner,) where he became chap- Iain of the "Kings Eoyal Regiment," of New York. In 1781 he went to England; but I'cturned to Canada in 1784, and officiated as missionary at Sorel. He resigned his connection with the society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts, in 1803." — (Sabine.) The first clergyman to settle in Canada, and one of the refugee pioneers at the first settlement of Kingston, was the Rev. John Stuart. We are fortunate in having before us a transcript of the memoir of this distinguished person. " Memoirs of the Rev. John Stuart, D.D., father of the Up^ier Canada Church. He opened the first academy at Cataraqid — Kingston 1186. The last missionary to the Mohawks." "The conversion and civilization of the American Indians, engaged the attention of Europeans at an early date.'' The Jesuits first gave attention to the Mohawks, 1642, a few years later, father Joynes laid down his life on the Mohawk Eiver. The first colonizers, the Dutch did not give the subject much attention. "The govern- ment of New York, did not make any eflbrt to christianize the five nations, further than to pay, for some time a small salary to the clergy- man, at Albany, to attend to the wants of such Indians, as might apply to him." The Eev. Mr. P^reeman, translated into the Mohawk language, the Church of England Prayer Book, with some passages of the Old and New Testament. "In 1712 Mr. Andrews was sent as a missionary to the Mohawk, by the society, for propagating the gospel, and a church was built at the mouth of the Schoharrie creek, but that missionary soon abandoned the place. As he was the first, so he was the last that resided among them for a great many years. After that the only ministration was at Albany. In 1748, the Rev. Mr. Spencer, Mr. Woodbridge and Howly, were sent successively by the people of New England," to this field of labor. The French war soon interrupted this, and not until 1761, was anything more done, when the Rev. Dr. Wheelock, directed his atten- tion to that quarter, with missionaries, and schoolmasters. The testi- mony mainly of all these mentioned, who labored among the Indians, is to the effect that, although they were quick to learn, and would for a time live a christian life, they mostly all lapsed into their former RECEIVES HOLY ORDERS. 259 savage state. " The necessity of having missionaries of tlie Churcli of England, resident among tlic Mohawks, was again brought before the society for promoting of the gospel, a few years before the revo- hition, both by Sir William Johnson, and the Eev. Mr. Inglis, of New York, the last of whom also laid the subject before the govern- ment of England, in the form of a memorial. In 1770 the society agahi consented to ordain a missionary for the exclusive service of the INIohawks. John Stuart, who was selected foi this purpose, Avas born at Harrisburgh, in Pennsylvania, in 1730. The family mansion m which he was born was still standing in 1836." His father, an Irish- man, came to America in 1730. John Stuart had two brothei*s who sided with the Americans. When he " graduated at the college of Philadelphia, he made up his mind to join the communion of the Church of England." His father being a Presbyterian, this was extremely distasteful to him. But his father finally consenting, he proceeded to England for ordination, and received Holy Orders inj 1770, and was appointed missionary to the Mohawks at Fort Hunter. 260 ' A MISSIONARY. CHAPTEE XXVII. CoNTK.STK — At Fort Hunter — Mr. Stuart's first sermon, Christmns — Officiates in Jiidiiiu tongue-— Translates — The Ilebellion — Prayers for tlic King — The Johnsons — Rebels attack his bouse — Plunder — Indignity — Church dese- crated — Used as a stable — A barrel of rum — Arrested — Ordered to come be- fore Rebel Commissioners — On Parole — Limits — Idle two years — To Albany — Phil — Determines to remove to Canada — Not secin-e — Exchanging — Secu- rity — Real estate forfeited — Route — Negroes — The journey, three weekg — At St. John's — Charge of Public School — Chaplain — At the close of the war — Three Protestant Parishes — Determines to settle at (.'ataraqui — Chaplain to Garrison — Missionary — Bishop of Virginia, Dr. Griffith — Visits Mr. Stuart — Invitation to Virginia Declined — " Rivettcd prejudices,'' satisfied — " The only refugee clergyman" — Path of duty — Visits the settlement, 1784 — Mo- hawks, Grand River — Reception of their old Pastor — First Church— Mo- hawks, Bay of Quinte — Remains in Montreal a year — Assistant — Removes to Cataraqui, 1785 — His land — Number of houses in Kingston — A short cut to Lake Huron — Fortunate in land — 5000 settlers — Poor and Happy — Indus- trious — Around his Parish, 1 788 — Two Imndred miles long — By Batteau — Brant — New Oswego — Mohawk Village church, steeple, and bell — First in LTpper Canada — Plate — Organ — Furniture — Returns — At Niagara — Old Pa- rishioners — Tempted to move — Comfortalile not rich — Declines a Judgeship — New Mecklenburgh — Appointed Chaplain to first House of Assembly — Mohawk Mission — At Marysburgh — Degree of D- D. — Prosperity — Happy — Decline of life — His duties — Illness, Death, 1811 — His appearance — " The little gentleman" — His manners — Honoral>le title — His children — Rev. O'Kill Stuart. ME3I0IRS OP DR. STUART CONTINUED — " FATHER OF THE UPPER CANADA CHURCH." Mr. Stuart immediately returned to America and proceeded to his mission, preaching his first sermon to the Mohawks on Christ- mas of the same year, 1770. He preached regularly every Sunday after the service had been read in Indian. In the afternoon he officiated in the Mohawk chapel to the whites, mostly Dutch. " In 1774 he was able to read the liturgy, baptize and marry in the Indian tongue, and converse tolerably well with them. He subse- quently, assisted by Brant, translated parts of the Bible. After the commencement of the rebellion, until 1777, Mr. Stuart did not experience any inconvenience," although in other places the clergy had been shamefully abused ; he remained at Fort Hunter even after the Declaration of Independence, and constantly performed divine service without omitting jirayers lor the king. Mr. Stuart's connection with the Johnson family, and his relations to the Indians rendered him particularly noxious to the Whigs. Although they had not proof of his being active in aiding the British, everything was done to make his home unbearable. " His house was attacked, SACRILEGE BY REBELS. 26l his f>roperty plundered and every indignity offered Ium perHon. His church was also plundered and turned into a tavern, and in ridicule and contempt, a barrel of rum was placed in the reading- desk. The church was afterwards used as a f^table, July, 1778. He was ordered by the Board to detect conspiracies, to leave his home and repair forthwith witli his family to Connecticut until his exchange could be j^rocured." He was to leave within four days after receiving the orders, or be committed to close confinement. '•' Mr. Stuart appeared before the Commissioners two daj's after receiving the above order, and declared his readiness to convince them that he had not corresponded with the enemy, and that he was ready and willing to enter into any engagement for the faithful performance of such duties as may be enjoined him." The Board took his parole, by which he was obligated to abstain from doing anything against the Congress of the United States, or for the British, and not to leave the limits of Schenectady without per- mission of the Board. Soon after he writes there are only three families of my congregation, the rest having joined the Kiiig's forces, nor had he preached for two years. In the Spring of IVSO, the Indians appeared in the county iufuriated because of the conduct of General Sullivan the previous year. Mr. Stuart had to abandon his house and move to Albany. So imminent was the danger that the fleeing family could see the houses about in flames, and hear the report of arms. At Albany, Mr. Stuart received much civility from General Schuyler, and obtained permission to visit Philadelphia. Having returned, he made up his mind to emigrate to Canada, and communicated his resolution as follows : " I arrived here eight days from the time I parted with you (at Philadelphia) and found my family well, and after being sufiiciently aff'righted, the enemy having been within twenty miles of this place, and within one niile of my house in the country, considering the present state of aflairs in this part of the Province, I am fully persuaded that I cannot possibly live here secure, eitlier in regard to ourselves or property during the ensuing season ; this place is likely to be a frontier, and will pro- bably be burnt if the enemy can effect it. For these and other weighty reasons, materially weighed, I have resolved, with the appro- bation and consent of Mrs. Stuart, to emigrate to Canada, and having made an application for an exchange, which I have reason to believe will be granted. Mr. Stuai-t applied by letter to Govoi-nor Clinton, to be ex- changed, March 30, 1781. His application received prompt attention, 262 EXCHANGED — THE CONDITIONS. and he was the same day allowed permission on certain conditions, which are stated by Mr, Stuart in a letter to Rev. Mr. White, of Philadelphia. The letter is dated Schenectady, April 17, I'ZSl. " Being considered as a prisoner of war, and having forfeited my real estate, I have given £400 security to return in exchange for myself, one prisoner out of four nominated by the Governor, viz. : one Colonel, two Captains, and one Lieutenant, either of which will be accepted in my stead; or if neither of the prisoners aforesaid can be obtained, I am to return as a prisoner of Avar to Albany, when required. My personal property I am permitted to sell or carry with me, and I am to proceed xinder the protection of a public flag, as soon as it will be safe and convenient for women and children to travel that course. We are to proceed from here to Fort Arin in waggons, and from thence in Batteaux." The danger of the journey was adverted to, and the probability of obtaining a chaplaincy in Sir William Johnson's 2nd Battalion of Eoyal Yorkers, which is nearly complete on the establishment. " My negroes being personal property, I take with me, one of Avhich being a young man, and capable of bearing arms. I have given £100 security to send back a white person in his stead." "ill*. Stewart set out with his family, consisting of his wife and three small children, on his long and tedious journey, on the 19th of Sept., 1781, and arrived at St. Johns on the 9th of the fol- lowing month, thus accomplishing the journey in three weeks, which is now done in twelve or fifteen hours. As there was no opening in Montreal, he took charge of a public school, which, with his commission as Chaplain, gave him support." In a letter to Dr. White, dated Montreal, October 14, 1783, he says : " I have no reason hitherto to dislike my change of climate ; but, as reduction must take place soon, my emoluments will be much diminished, neither have I any flattering j)i"ospect of an eligible situation in the way of my profession, as there are only three protestant Parishes in this Province, the Pastors of which are Frenchmen, and as likely to live as I am. " Soon after, Mr. Stuart determined to settle at Catar- aqui, where was a garrison, and to which a good many loyalists had already proceeded. He was promised the chaplaincy to the garri- son, with a salary of one thousand dollars a year, and he writes, " I can preserve the Indian mission in its neighborhood, which, with other advantages, will attbrd a comfortable subsistence, although I wish it laid in Maryland. After the acknowledged independence of the United States, and the separation of the Episcopalian Church A TRUE LOYALIST. 263 of America from the mother Church, Dr. Griffith, the Bishop elect of Virginia, invited Mr. Stuart to settle in his diocese ; but Mr. Stuart declined. He writes, "The time has been when the chance of obtaining a settlement in that part of Virginia would have gratified my utmost desire ; but, at my time of life, and with such rivetted principles in favor of a Cxovernmcnt totally different, ' it is imjDOssible.' " Though Mr. Stuart did visit Philadelphia in 1786, he never seems to have repented his removal to Canada. Yet the isolation in which he sometimes foxmd himself, would sometimes naturally call up memories that could not fail to be painful. " I am," he writes, "the only Eefugee Clergyman in this Province, &c." As a relief from such thoughts, he turned to the active duties of his calling. " I shall not regret," said he, " the disappointment and chagrin I have hitherto met with, if it pleases Grod to make me the instrument of spi'eading the knowledge of His Gospel amongst the heathen, and reclaiming only one lost sheep of the house of Israel." In this spirit he set out on the second of June, 1784, to visit the new settlements on the St. Lawrence, Bay Quinte, and Niagara Falls, where he arrived on the 18th of the same month. Already, 3,500 Loyalists had left Montreal that season for Upper Canada. His reception by the Mohawks, ninety miles from the Falls, was very affectionate, even the windows of the church in which he officiated were crowded with those who were anxious to behold again their old Pastor, from whom they had been so long separated." This church was the first built in Upper Canada, and it must have been commenced immediately after the MohaAvks settled on the Grand Eiver. He officiated also at Cataraqui, where he found a garrison of three companies, about thirty good houses, and some 1,500 souls who intended to settle higher up. He next proceeded to the Bay of Quinte, where some more Mohawks had settled, and were busy building houses and laying the foundation of their new village, named Tyendinaga. Though Mr. Stuart had now received from the Society, whose missionary he continued to be, discretionary powers to settle in any pai-t of Canada, he remained in Montreal another year, as assistan?" to the Eev. Dr. DeLisle, Episcopal Cler- gyman of that town. He finally removed to Cataraqui, in August, 1785. His share of the public land was sititated partly in Catar- aqui, and partly at a place, which, in memory of the dear old place on the Mohawk Eiver, was now called New Johnstown. Sometime in 1785, Mr. Stuart says, "I have two hundred acres within half a mile of the garrison, a beautiful situation. Tlie town increases fast ; 264 HIS PARISH. there are already about fifty houses built in it, and some of them very elegant. It is now the port of transport from Canada to Niagara. We have now, just at the door, a ship, a scow, and a sloop, beside a number of small crafts ; and if the communication lately discovered from this place by water, to Lake Huron and Michilmackinac proves as safe, and short as we are made to believe, this will shortly be a place of considerable trade." Eeference here must be made to the route up the Bay and Eiver Trent. " I have been fortunate in my locations of land, having 1,400 acres at differ- ent places, in good situations, and of an excellent quality, three farms of which I am improving, and have sowed this fall with thirty bushels in them. The number of souls to westward of us is more than 5,000, and we gain, daily, new recruits from the States. "We are a poor, happy peoj)le, industrious beyond example. Our gracious King gives us land gratis, and furnishes provisions, clothing, and farming utensils, &c., until next September, after which the gene- rality of the people will be able to live without his bounty." The above must have been written in 1785, as in May, 1786, he opened an academy. In the summer of 1788, he went round his Parish, which was then above 200 miles long. He thus describes his voyage on this occasion. " I embarked in a batteau with six Indians, com- manded by Capt. Brant, and coasted along the north shore of Lake Ontario, about 200 miles from the head of the lake ; we went twentv-five miles by land, to New Oswego, the new Mohawk village on the Grand Eiver ; these people were my former charge, and the Society still styles me their Mohawk Till. Missionary. I found them conveniently situated on a beautiful river, where the soil is equal in fertility to an}' I ever saw. Their village contains about 700 souls, and consists of a great number of good houses, with an eleian Hayuniga became the Pastor ; and suc- ceeded, after many, years, in restoring to the church its former prosperity, notwithstanding much that opposed him. He had a new church erected. His successor was the Rev. Dendrick Shorts. The Kingston Gazette contains a notice of perhaps the last Lutheran Minister at Ernest town. "Married. In Ernesttown, 29th Jan, 1816, the Rev. Wm. MeCarty, Minister of the Lutheran congi'egation, to Miss Clai'issa Fralick." straohan's relfgiofs chart. 273 CHAPTEII XXIX. Contexts — Bishop Stracliau — A teacher — A preacher — A student — Holy Orders — A Presbyterian — Becomes an Episcopalian — A supporter of the " Family compact '' — Sincere — His opinion of the people — Ignorant — I'nprcjiared for self-government — Straclian's religious chart — He was deceived — The Metho- ilist — Anomalous connection — A fillibustering people — RepuMicanism ego tistical — Loyalty of Methodists — American ministers — Dr. Strachan's posi- tion — His birth place — His education — A. M., 1793 — Studying Theologj* — Comes to Canada — A student of Dr. Stuarts — Ordained Deacon — A mission- ^r^' at Cornwall — Rector at York — Archdeacon — Bishoj) of Toronto — Coad- jutor — Death — A public burial — Rev. Mr. McDowell — First Presbyterian at Bay Quinte — Invited by A'anAlstiue — On his way — At Brockville — Settles in second tow^n — His circuit — A worthy minister — Fulfilling his mission — Traveling on foot — To York — Marrying the people — His death — His descen- dants — Places of Preaching — A Calvinist — Invites controversy — Mr. Coate accepts the challenge — The disputation — Fxcits around the bay. This arose from his being the only minister legally qualiiied to solemnize matrimony, beside the clergymen of the English Church, Mr. Stuart, of Kingston, and Langhorn, of Fredericksburgh. Persons wishing to be married repaired to him from all the region of the bay, or availed themselves of his stated ministerial tours. The writer's parents, then living in Adolphustown, were among those married by him, the cerificate of which now lies before him. Mr. A. Sherwood thus speaks of him, '• He lived to labor many years in the .'service of his Master, and after an honorable and good old age he died highly esteemed by his friends and much rc.si^ectcd by all who knew him." '• Mr. McDoAvell had at least tAvo sons and a daughter. The last is Mrs. Carpenter, now living at Demorestville. One of his sons removed to New York and there established a Magdalene Asy- lum. Mr. McDowell, used to pass ai'ound the bay twice or three times a year. He w as one of the first, to preach at the extreme head of the bay. the Carrying Place, and for that purpose occupied a barn. Another of his preaching places was in Sophiasbiirgh. on the marsh front. He preached here four times a year. He was a rigid Calvinist, and preaching one Sabbath at the beginning of the present century in the Court House at Adolphustown, he oftered to argue Avith any one publicly the question of Galvanism . The Methodist minister of the bay, the Be v. Samuel Coate, was urged by his society to 'accept the challange, and after a good deal of hesi tation did so. So a day was appointed for the discxission. The meeting took, place at a convenient j^iace, three miles from Bath, iu the Presbyterian church. The excitement was great ; the inhabitants coming even from Sidney and ThurloAv. Mr. McDowell spoke first, and occupied half a day. Then followed Mr. Coate. After he had spoken two hours Mr. McDowell and his friends left ; Avhy, it is not said. Mr. Coate continued speaking until night. We have the state- ment of the Methodists, that Mr. Coate had the best of it, but we never learned the belief of the other pai-ty. Mr. Coate's sermon was publislied by request, and thereafter, it is said Presbyterianism waned in the locality. Eev. Mr. Smart, — This truly pious man, and evangelical minister, came to Canada in 1811. He never actually lived within the pre- cincts of the Bay; but he was called to the wilderness of Upper Canada by the Pev. Mr. McDowell at least he was chiefly instru- •' THE FAMILY COMPACT." 277 mental in bringing him out. even before his student days were ended. For upwards of fifty years he discharged tlie duties of Presbyterian clergyman at Brockville, the first clergyman of an}' denomination within fifty miles. We shall ever remember the kind genial person with whom we spent a few jileasant hours in tlie evening of his eventful life, a life spent earnestly in the service of his Master, and for the welfai'e of his family, for, to use his own words, " In his day it was no easy matter to live and rear a family." This he said not complainingly, biit because it hindered him from indulging a desire he once felt to do something with his pen — to record, as he was desired to do, the events connected with his early life in Upper Canada, and his cotemporaries. At first he did contribute to the Kingston Gazette, over the cognomen " Observer." But other tlungs pressed upon him, and when repose came he fancied the fire of his early days, for scribbling, had too far sunk. This is much to be regretted, for as a close observer and upright man, and living in eventful times of Canadian history, he was pre-eminently qualified to treat the subject. Mr. Smart was always distinguished for moderate and well-considered views upon Religion, Political Grovernmeut and Education. He lived when the battle commenced between the "Family Compact" and the people. While he firmly set his face against the extreme stand taken by the Rev. 3[r. Strachan, he never identified himself witli the party that opposed that worker for, and with the Government. On this point, Mr. Smart makes judicious remarks. In speaking of the rise and first days of the Province, he says, "it was necessary the Government in Comicil should create laws, and govern the people, inasmuch as the vast majority of the inhabitants were unlettered, and unfit to occupy places which required judgment and discrimination. There were but few of the U. E. Loyalists who possessed a complete education. He was personally acquainted with many, especially along the St. Lawrence, and Bay of Quinte, and by no means were all educated, or men of judgment; even the half-pay officers, many of them, had but a limited education. Many of them were placed on the list of officers, not because they had seen service, but as the most certain way of compensating them for losses sustained in the Rebellion. And there were few, if any, of them fitted by education for office, or to serve in Parliament Such being the case, the Governor and his advisers were at the first necessarily impelled to rule the country. Having once enjoyed the exclusive power, they became un^Ndlling to share it with the repre- sentatives of the people. But the time came when the mass, having 278 brock's funeral sermon. acquired some idea of Responsible Government, were no longer to be kept in obscurity, and thence arose the Avar between the Tory and the Eadical. In all the contentions arising therefrom, Mr. Smart held an intermediate i)0siti6n with the Bidwell's and others. In speaking of all this, Mr. Smart is particularly anxious to give credit to Dr. Strachaii for his honesty of purpose, saying that the Colony is much indebted to him in many ways. Mr. Smart was called ujwn to preach the funeral sei-mon of Canada's great hero. General Brock. He also delivered an address on the occasion of laying the foun- dation stone of the gaol in Kingston, in presence of the Governor, Peregrine Maitland, who was down from York, on which occasion there was great demonstration of Free Masons, and the farmers of the Bay. Mr. Sherwood thus speaks of Mr. Smart: "On his arrival, he for some little ^ime made his home at my house, he was then 23 years old, he has now (1866) entered his 7Sth year, has retired from a public charge, and is now residing quietly, and I trust comfortably, at Gananoque ; and I feel quitfe sure, all that know him throughout the whole Province, will join with me, in wishing him long life and hap2)iness, both here and hereafter." QUAKER WORSHIP. ' 279 CHAPTEE XXX. Contents — The Quakers — Among the Settlers — From Penn. — Duchess County — First Meeting-house— ]:)avid Sand — Elijah Hick — Visiting Canada — James Noxen — A first settler — Their mode of worship— In Sophiasburgh — The meeting-house — Joseph Leavens — Hicksites — Traveling — Death, aged 92 — Extract, Picton Sun — The first preaching places — First English church — In private houses — At Sandwich — The Indian church at the hay — Ernest- town — First Methodist church — Preaching at Niagara — First church in Kingston — At Waterloo — At Niagara — Churches at Kingston, 1817 — In Hollowell — Thurlow — Methodist meeting-houses, 1816 — At Montreal — Building chapels in plden times — Occupying the frame — The old Methodist chapels — In Hollowell township — In the fifth town — St. Lawrence — First English Church, Belleville — Mr. Campbell — First time in the pulpit — How- he got out — The old church superseded — Church, front of Sidney— Eev. John Cochrane — Kev. Mr. Grier — First Presbyterian Church in Belleville — Rev. Mr. Ketcham — First Methodist Church in Belleville — Healey, Puffer — The site of the church — A second one. THE EARLY CLERGYJIEN AND CHURCHES OF UPPER CANADA. — THE QUAKERS. — NOXEN, LEAVENS, HICKS, SAND. Among the earl}- settlers of tl^i^e Bay were a goodly number of the Society of Fi-iends Some of them were natives of Pennsyl- vania ; but the majority were from the Nine Partners, Duchess Coimty, New York, where had existed an extensive communit}- of the followers of Pox. The first meeting-house built by the Quakers in Canada was in Adolj^hustown upon the south shore of Hay Bay, toward the close of last century. About 1790, two Quaker preachers of some note visited Canada, they were David Sand and Elijah Hick. By appointment they held service in Adolphustown ; it is uncertain whether this was before, or after the building of the meeting-house. The first and princij^al preacher among the Quakei-s was James Noxen, one of the first settlers of Adolphustown, under whom the Society was organized. He subsequently in 1814 removed to Sophiasburgh, where he died in 1842. The worship of the Quakers consists in essentially spiritual meditation and earnest examination of the inmost soul, a quiet holding of the balance, to weigh the actions and motives of every- day life. To the proper discharge of these duties no place can be too quiet, too far removed from the busy haunts of men. The sixth township, or Sophiasburg had among its settlers a good many of this sect, which at first had meetings at Jacob Cronks, until the year 1825, when they erected a meeting-house upon the northern front of the township. 280 '^ JOSEPH LEAVENS. Two miles below the village of Northport, is situated a Friends' mccting-house. Here twice a weelc, on Thursdays and Sundays, congregate few, or many of the adherents of this persuasion, to commune with their God. The mccting-house, reposing upon the very verge of the shore, and half shadowed by beautiful maples and evergreens, is a fit place in which to submit oneself to strict self- examination. There is nothing here to disturb the supi'eme quie- tude of the place, unless, the gentle ripples of the water, or the more restless murmuring of the wave. Joseph Leavens "was an early settler of Canada, an emigrant ii'om Xew York," he was for many j-ears an esteemed preacher of the Iliclcsite branch of Quakers, and was accustomed to travel from place to place, to talk to his co-religionists. He had a place for preaching in a loft of his brother's store in Belleville. He was one of the first Quaker preachers in Canada and travelled through all the townshij)s at the Bay, and to East Lake. "Died in the township of Hallowell, about the 24th of May, 1844, tlie venerable Joseph Leavens, in the 92nd year of his age. He was amongst the early tattlers of the Canadian forest, and emigrated from New York State, and probably was a native of Nine Partners District. He had long been a Preacher in the Eeligious Society of Friends, and though not possessed of more than one talent, j'ct it is believed that, as he occupied that to his Maker's glorj^, bis reward will be as certain as though he had received ten talents. He Avas a diligent reader in the sacred volume. He was much beloved both by his neighbours and friends, and it is desired that his gospel labours may be profitably remembered by them and his relatives." — {Ficton Sun.) In speakingf^of the individual clergymen who first came to the Province we have referred to many of the first preaching places and churches: but there remains to be added some further remarks. Wo have seen that the first church erected in Western Canada was at the Mohawk settlement, Crand River, which was built the first year of their habitation in that place — 1785-6. Strange that the natives of the wood, should take the lead in erecting places of worship. It was several years later before even log meeting- houses were put up by the loyalists. For many years the pioneer clergymen or preachers ofiiciated in private houses. Now the ser- vice would be at the house of one, to which a considerable number THE FIRST CHURCHES. 281 could come from a circuit of ten or fifteen miles, then it would be at the place of sonic settler avIiosc larger log house afforded a more commodious place of worship. A church was built at an early date at Sandwich, but the year, we know not. The first church erected upon the Bay, the Rev. Mr. Smart thinks, was at the Mohawk village, Tyendinaga. At an early period a log church was built in Ernesttown by the Lutherans and another on South Bay ; one also for Mr.'Langhorn to preach'in, and then another in Adolphustown. The first Methodist church was built in Adolphustown in 1792, and a second one a month later in Ernesttown. The Eev. Mr. Addison, went to Niagara in 1792. When Governor Simcoe lived in Navy Hall, the Council Chamber a building near the barracks it was said, was used alternately by the English Church, and Church of Eome. The first English Church was erected in Kingston in 1793, and up to 1810 it was the only one. A Methodist church was built at a very early date at Waterloo, it was never finished, but used for many years. The first at Niagara, was in 1802. In November 28, 1817, there were in Kingston, " four churches or meeting-houses, viz : 1 Episcopalian, 1 Roman Catholic and 2 Methodists ; there were 4 professional preachers, viz : 1 Episcopalian, 1 Presbyterian and 2 Methodists. This enumeration does not include a chaf)lain to the army, and one to the royal navy." In Ernesttown there was one resident professional preacher, a Methodist. In Sophiasburgh there were no churches ; but the Quakers, M^ethodists and Presbyterians had meetings at private houses. In Holiowell, says Eben. Washburne, " we have one Methodist, and one Quaker meeting-house ; preparations are making also for a Presbyterian meeting-house. The former is attended by a circuit preacher every two weeks ; the latter by a Quaker ever}' Sabbath. In Thurlow, " the Gospel is dispensed almost every Sabbath of the year, in different j)arts of the township, by itinerant preachers of the Methodist and Baptist sects. In 1816, there were eleven Methodist meeting-houses in Canada. These were all of wood excepting one in Montreal, built in 1806, which was of stone. "The mode of building chapels in the olden times was by joint labor, and almost without the aid of money. The first step was for scores of willing hands on a given day, to resort to the woods, and then fell the trees, and 282 ERECTING CHURCHES. square the timber ; others, with oxen and horses, drawing the hewed pieces and rafters to the appointed place. A second step was to call all hands to frame the building, selecting the best genius of the carpenter's calling for superintendent. A third step was a "bee" to raise the building; and the work for the tirst year was done. The next 3'ear,the frame would be enclosed, with windows and doors, and a rough floor laid loose. As soon as the meeting house was thTis advanced, it was immediately used for preaching, prayer meetings and quarterly meetings. Some of tne early chapels would be finished inside ; others, would be used for years in their rough, cold, and unfinished state. The people were poor, had little or no mone}', but loved the Gospel, and did what they could." The oldest of the eleven chapels is the Adolphustown, on the south shore of the Hay Bay, and on the old Bay of Quinte circuit. " The next for age is the chapel in the fourth concession of Ernesttown. It was not ei-ected here at first, but on the front of the township, lot I^o. 27, and close to the Bay of Quinte. After some years, (some of the principal Methodists moving to the fourth concession), the frame was taken down, drawn to the present site, and put up again. It stands on the public road, leading fi-om Napanee to Kingston, and near the village of Odessa. A rough- cast school-house, now stands on the old site, east of Bath. Some challenge the antiquity of the Ernesttown, with the Adolphustown chapel ; but both were commenced at about the same time, by William Losee ; the latter was first erected. As the traveler passes, he may look on this old and useful meeting-house, still used for public worship, and see a specimen of the architecture of the pious people settled in the Avoods of Ernesttown seventy years ago. " About nine miles from Odessa toward Kingston is the village of Waterloo, and on the top of a sand-hill, formerly covered with lofty pines, is a well proportioned and good looking Wesleyan stone church. It is on the site of an ancient frame meeting-house, decayed, and gone, which bore an antiquity nearly as groat as the other two chapels. The meeting-house in the Townshiji of Kingston was an unfinished building, a mere outside, with rough planks for seats. " Two miles from the Town of Picton, and in the tirst concession of the Township of Hollowell, is still to be seen one of the oldest Methodist chapels in Upper Canada. The ground and the lumber were the gift of Steven Conger. The first work was done in June, 1809. An account book, now existing, shows the receipts and pay FIRST CHURCH IN BELLEVILLE. 283 mcnts foi* the buildino;. Some jDaid subscriptions in money, some in wheat, some in teaming and worli; and one person paid one pound "by Avay of a turn." The tii-yt trustees wore named Conger, Valleau, Vanblaricura, Dougal, Grcrman, Benson, Wilson, and Van- duscn. They are all dead, but children of some'of them are still living in the vicinity. The building is square, with pavilion roof, of heavy frame timber, yet sound, having a school-house on one side, and a mill on the other. Here is a burying git)und attached, in which lie many of the subscribers to, and first worshippers in, the chapel. It is still iised as a place of worship, and for a Sabbath school. These four chapels were all in the old Bay of Quinte circuit. "In the tifth township east of Kingston is another relic of the times of old, called the Elizabethtown chapel. It is now within the boundaries of the village of Lyn, about eight miles from Brockville, and near the river St. Lawrence. A chapel particularly remark- able for the assembling of the Genesse conference in 1817, and the great revival of religion which there commenced." The first English Church erected west of Adolphustown, was at Belleville. It was commenced in 1819, and finished the next year. The Rev. Mr. Campbell was the first clergyman, and came to the place some little time before the building was completed. An anecdote has been related to us by one who saw the occur- rence, whioh will serve to illustrate the character of those days. Mr. Campbell one day entered the church, when near its comple- tion, and walked up a ladder and entered the pulpit ; immediately one of the workmen, named Smith, removed the ladder, leaving the Eev. gentleman a prisoner ; nor would they release him until he had sent a messenger to his home for a certain beverage. This church when erected was an ornament to the place, and is well remembered by many, having been taken down in 1858, the present handsome structure being completed. Mr. Campbell continued in charge until his death in 1835. Daring this time he caused to be erected a church at the front of Sidney, midway between Belleville and the Trent, and he held services there every second Sabbath, in the afternoon, for a time; but the congregation was never large. Methodism seemed to take more hold of the feelings of the peo2)le. Ml". Campbell's successor was the Eev. John Cochrane, who was pastor for three years, when the present incumbent, the Rev. John Grier, who had been at the Carrying Place for some years, took charge. 284 FIRST WESLEYAN CHURCH. The first Presb3'terian clergyman of Belleville, was Mr. Ivctcham, under him the first church was built. The first Methodist church to be built in the western part of the Bay country was at Belloville. It was probably about the beginning of this century that the itinerant Methodist began to visit the head of the Bay Quinte. They were accustomed to preach in private houses, and barns, here and there along the front, and up the Moira Siver, and at Xapanee. Healy and Puffer were accostomed to preach at Col. Bell's, Thurlow. Belleville was laid out into lots in 1816 ; ]\Ii-. Eoss applied to government for one, as the society was disqualified from holding landed j)i'operty until 1828. The land was accordingly granted to him, and recorded, Januarj' 7, 1819. A frame building was im- mediately commenced 50 by 30 feet. Before it was inclosed, service was held within the frame. The building was never completed. The puljiit was of rough boards, and the seats were of similar material, placed upon blocks. In 1831, a second chapel was com- menced, and the old one removed. METHODIST BRITISH OFFICERS. 285 CHAPTEE XXXI. Contents. — The first Slethodist Preachers — The army — Capt. Webh — Tuffey — George Neal — Lyous — School-teaclier — Exhorter — McCarty -Persecution — Bigotry — Vagabonds — McCarty arrested — Trial — At Kiug.slon — Banished — "A martyr" — Doubtful — Losee, first Methodist missionary, 1790 — A min- ister — A loyalist — Where he first preached — " A curiosity" — Earnest pioneer Methodist — Class-meetings — Suitable for all classe.^ — Losee's class-meetings Determines to build a meeting-house — Built in Adolphustown — Its size — The subscribers — Members, amount — Embury — Those who subscribed for first church in New York — Same names — The centenary of Methodi.sm — New York Methodists driven away — American Jlethodist forgetful — Embury and Heck refugees — Ashgrove — No credit given to British officers — Embury's brother — The rigging loft, N. Y. — Barbara Heck — Settling in Augu.sta — First Methodist Church in America — Subscribers — " Lost Chapters'" — The Author's silence — What is acknowledged — " Severe threats" — Mr. Mann — To Nova Scotia — Mr. Whately " admires piety" — not " loyalty" — Second chapel, N. Y. — Adolphustown subscribers — Con- radVanDusen — Eliz. Koblin — Huff — Ruttan — The second Methodist chapel — The subscribers — Commenced Ma)-, 1792 — Carpenters Avages — Members, Cataraqui Cu-cuit — Going to Conference — Returns — Darias Dunham — Phy- sician — First quarterly meeting — Anecdotes — Bringing a " dish cloth"' — " Clean up" — The new made squire — Asses — Unclean spirits — Losee discon- tinues preaching — Cause — Disappointment — Return to New' York — Dunham useful — Settles — Preachers traA^eling — Saddle-bags — Methodism among the loyalist.s — Camp-meetings — Where first held, in Canada — Worshipping in the woods — Breaking up — Killing the Devil — First Canadian preacher — .Journey from New York. TUE FIRST WESI.EYAX METH©DISTS IN CAXADA. The first Methodist Preachers both in Lower and Upper Canada were connected "svith the British Army; also, the second one in America, who was Capt. Webb. "In 1780, a Methodist Local Preacher, named Tuftey, a Commissary of the 44th, came with his regiment to Quebec. He commenced preaching soon after his arrival, and continued to do so at suitable times, while he remained," or until his regiment was disbanded in 1783. The second Methodist Preacher in Canada was George Neal, an Irishman. During the war he was Major of a cavalry regiment. He " crossed the Niagara river at Queenston on the Ith October, 1786, to take possession of an officer's portion of land, and soon began to preach to the new settlers on the Niagara river — his labours were not in vain." — (Playter). " In 1788 a pious 3"0ung man, called Lyons, an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, came to Canada, and engaged in teaching school in Adolphustown." He collected the people together on the Sabbath, and conducted religious services. " In the same year came James McCarty, an Irishman, to Ernesttown." 286 WILLIAM LOSEE. He was a follower of "Whitfield, but acted with the Methodist, holding religious meetings. His preaching caused severe persecution against him on the part of certain loyalists, who held the doctrine that none could be true subjects who adhered not to the Church of England ; but to oppose the Church was to oppose the King. Advantage was taken of this loyalty to try to prevent the intro- duction of any other religiouf^ denominations. A law had been enacted by the Governor in Council, that persons wandering about the country might be banished as vagabonds. McCarty was arrested on a charge of vagabondism in Adolphustown, and brought before a magisti'ate at VanDusen's tavern, at the front, who remanded him to Kingston. According to Plaj-ter, he was preaching at Robert Perry's when arrested ; our informant is the Eev. C. Yan- Dusen, at whose father's he was tirst arraigned. After being released on bail, he was finally tried before Judge C, and wa.s sen- tenced to be banished, tradition says, upon an island in the St. Lawrence. At all events he was placed in a batteau and taken away by French boatmen. McCarty has obtained the name of martyr, but it is the belief of unbiassed persons that he was not left upon the island, but was conveyed to Montreal. "William Losee was the first regular preacher of the Methodist denomination in Canada. He first visited the country in 1790, preached a few sermons along the Bay of Quinte and St. Lawrence, and returned with a petition from the settlers to the Conference, to send him as a preacher. In February, 1T91 he again came, as an appointed minister from the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States. "Losee was a loyalist, and knew some of the settlers in Adolphustown, before they left the United States. He desired to see tbem and preach to them the glad tidings of salva- tion. Had he been on the revolutionary side, the warm loyalists would not have received him — rather would have driven him from the country." — (Playter). One of the first places at which he preached, was at the house of John Carscallian, in Fi'edericksbm*gh. The tavern of Conrad. YanDusen, in Adolphustown, was another, and at Paul Huff's, on Hay Bay, another. "A Methodist Preacher was a curiosit}' in those days, and all were anxious to see the phe- nomenon ; some would even ask how he looked, or what he was like ! A peculiarity in Losee, too, was, that he had but one arm to use, the other being withered." A true pioneer Methodist, he set earnestly to work to form class-meetings and organize societies, and *' during the sttmmer his circuit embraced the settlements in THE Embury's. 287 the Township of Kingston, Ernesttown, Fredericks burgh, Marys- burgh, and even Sophiasbui-gh. Chiss-meetings form the corner stone of Wesleyan Methodism. But little understood, often entirely misunderstood b}^ others than Methodists, they are gener- ally regarded' as the abode of cant or of priestly control. No greater error could exist. Eightly conducted they are invaluable as ^ means of training the religious mind, and establishing it upon the Eock of Ages. It has been said that they are only suitable for the uneducated ; not so, they are alike beneficial to the peasant and the noble, the clown and the litterateur. Losee, in accordance with the principles of Methodism, at once set to work to create classes, and on the Sabbath of February 20, 1792, in the 3rd concession of Adol- phustown. at Paul Huff's house, he established the first regular class-meeting in Canada. The second class was formed on the following Sabbath, in Ernesttown, four miles from Bath. A third class was formed in March, at Samuel Detlor's, three miles from Napanee. The following j^ear the congregation had so increased, which met at Paul Huff's house, that a determination was formed to erect a meeting house. A paper was drawn up, in which was set forth the great blessing of God in sending a minister to their wilderness home, that a '' Meeting-house or Chui'ch" is requisite. Then follows an agreement of the subscribers to build a Church, under the direction of Losee ; to be thirty-six feet by thirty feet, two stories high, with a gallery. " Said house to be built on the north-west corner of Paul Huff's land, lot Xo. 18, third concession, Fourth Town; " and promising to pay the sums of money annexed to their respective names. This interesting docu- ment, with the names of subscribers, and the subscription of each, is to be found in Playter's History of Methodism, a work thatought to be in the hands of every Canadian, no matter what his creed, because of the fund of general knowledge upon Canada it contains. The total number of subscribers was twenty-two ; the amount subscribed was £108. Among the names are those familiar to every inhabi- tant of the Bay, some known throughout Canada. To one, espe- cially, reference must be made, Andrew Embury, a name of historic interest in connection with Methodism in America. It is a remark- able fact, that this and other names are to be found among those who planted Methodism in New York. The celebration of the centenary of Methodism in America, in 1866, was marked by fre- quent and glowing accounts of those who introduced Methodism into America. Too much credit, too much honor could not be given 288 AMERICAN METHODIST ORATORS. to the Embui-ys, the Hecks and others, Avhich was was quite correct. But no reference was made in the United States, nor in Canada for that matter, to the dark days of the infant Society in New York, when the cruel rebellion interrupted the meetings in that place ; and where persecution followed the retirement of the British forces, 1783. It is a page of histoiy in connection with that body, which American writers of Methodism endeavor to wipe out, when the very founders of the Church in America were made to fiee from their homes; and had all their property sacrificed. The names of Embury and Heck ; of whom so much was said, were among the refugees from rebel opj)res.siou. No word has been said of the cause of the removal of these persons to the wilderness of Canada. Barbara Heck, who enjoys the everlasting honor of causing Philip Embur}'^ to begin Preaching, was driven away from his Methodist home. Philip Embury was not likewise treated, because death had sealed his eyes a year before the declaration of indejoendence, ere the demon of rebellion was evoked by the spirit of radicalism, and unhallowed desire ft'.' neighbor's goods; otherwise his bones, the resting place of which they have given so glowing a picture, would likewise be sleeping in our midst, in the quiet shades of the Cana- dian forest, as do those of Paul Heck, who died in 1788 ; and of his wife, Barbara, who died in 1804. The remains of Philip Embury, instead of being urned, as they were, in 1822, in Ash G-rove, Wash- ington County, New York, after lying buried for fifty-seven years in the old burying ground of Abraham Beninger, should have found a burying place on Canadian soil, where rests his widow, the jDlace to Avhich his brother and the Hecks were driven. We have listened to some of the American orators, and read more of their speeches, and could not help noticing that they forgot to mention that their impetuous rebellion drove away from them the founders of Methodism ; they forgot to give any credit to Capt. Webb, who was the second Methodist preacher in America ; forsooth, because he was a British officer, and it would be unpleasant to associate such with centenary orations in this their day of Anglophobia. Upon the north shore of Hay Bay, in Fredericksburgh, settled David Embury, brother of Philip, who officiated as a Methodist Minis- ter in New York, in a Eigging Loft, on William St., about 1766. To do this he was urged by Barbara Heck, wife of Paul Heck, both of whom were among the first to settle on the St. Lawrence, in Augusta, in 1785. The first Methodist Church erected in America, was in 1768, on John Street, New York. Among the 250 subscribers, was the name of THE IrARGEST CONTRIBFTOR. 289 David Embury, the same who seti led on Hay Bay; he gave £2, Also, the name of Paul Heck, Avho contributed £3 5s. Twenty-four years later, and among the twenty-two subscribers to build the first Methodist meeting-house in Canada, again appears the name of Embury — Andrew, son of David Embury. The author of the " Lost Chapters of Methodism," gives interesting accounts of the forma- tion of the Methodist Society in New York ; but he is remarkably silent in this instance, as others are, about the treatment they received from the Americans; not a word to make it known that they were driven into the Avilds of Nova Scotia and Canada by a relentless people. Yet, at the conclusion, he acknowledges this much : He says, " At the conclusion of the Eevolutionary war, severe threats having been thrown out against the Loyalists who liad taken refuge within the British lines, Mr. Mann thought it his duty to embark, with a considerable number of the Society, for the wilds of Nova Scotia." Mr. Mann was a class leader, and local preacher, and, during the war, at the request of the Trustees, kept the chapel in John Street open, after the regular preacher had left. " We see what became of a part of the Society, in John Street. Some of them had been so loyal to their sovereign, they were afraid they would suffer if they remained." Of course they were, and had they not sufiicient reason from the " threats" which had been " thrown out." Mr. Wakely, the author, continues, " We can admire their piety without endorsing their loyalty." How kind. The second Methodist Church of New York was built on the land of DeLancy, who had his immense property confiscated. Of the subscribers to the chapel in Adolphustown, Conrad Van Dusen gave the largest amount; £15. He had been a Tavern keeper on the front, and was one of the first fruits of Losee's missionary labors. "He lived a little east of the Court House. Of him many pleasing and amusing anecdotes are told ; though a tavei-u-keeper, as well as a merchant, he opened his house for the Gospel, and when that Gospel entered his heart, he deliberately took his axe and cut down his sign posts." — (Flayter.) The second largest contributor, was Elizabeth Roblin, who gave £12. She was the widow of Philip Eoblin, who died 1788. They had been among the first settlers of Adolphustown. (See U. E. Loyalists.) -Mrs. Eoblin afterwards became the wife of John Canniff, the founder of Caniftou, and her remains now rest on the hill in the old family burying ground, in that village. She was the grand-parent of John P. Eoblin, of Picton, "a man wiio has served 19 29(» FIRST METHODIST CHURCHES. his country in several Parliaments of Upper Canada. Her daughter Nancj-, born in 1781, is the mother of a large branch of the Kctcheson family in the County of Hastings." — (Playter.) vShe,. wit1\ her husband, still live in the fifth concession of Sidney, yet halt and heart}', in the autumn of their gonial, though toilsome, life. " The subscription of the widow was liberal ; indeed, the Eoblins of the Bay of Quinte have always been a hospitable and liberal minded people." Paul Huff and "William Euttan, each gave £10. The others gave smaller sums ; but, considering the date, it is noteworthy that so much was contributed. The same month, it is said, Losee undertook to build a second Church in Ernosttown, a short distance below Bath. "The prin- cipal persons who aided in building this meeting-house were James Parrot, John Lake, Eobert Clarke, Jacob Miller, and others. There is evidence in the account book of Eobert Clarke, who was a car- penter, that the chapel was commenced May, 1792. He credits himself with then working twelve and a-half dajs ; and with working in October twelve and a-half days, at five shillings and six-pence per day, which shows carpenter's wages at that time. But like a good hearted man, seeing the building fund not too full, he reduced his wages to two shillings and nine-pence per day. His payment to the chapel was £10. James Parrot received the sub- scriptions. The two buildings were to be of the same size and form. As soon as these two chapels were inclosed, the congregations sat on boards to hear the preaching. They were the first Methodist Churches in Canada. At the end of the year Mx. Losee had 165 members enrolled in the "Cataraqui Circuit." He set out on his long journey to attend conference at Albany. Mr. Losee returned the following year, accompanied by Eev. Darius Dunham. The latter took charge of the Bay of Quinte district — the " Catar- aqui Cii'cuit," while Losee went to the St. Lawrence to organize a new society — this was called the " Oswogotchie" circuit. On Saturday, September 15, the first " Quarterly" meeting was held, in Mi'. Parrot's baim, 1st Con., Ernesttown, to which many of the settlers came from the six townships. Darius Dunham was a Physician b}^ profession. "He was a man of strong mind, zealous, firm in his opinions." He labored well on the Cataraqui Circuit, and was in high repute by the people." — (Playter). Many anecdotes are told of Dunham, On account of his quick and blunt way of speaking and rebuking evil doings, he acquired the name of " Scolding Dunham." Withal, he was witty, and ho DABIUS DUNHAM. 291 loved, it would seem, next to Godliness, cleanliness, so he would, if at a house, wliere it were not observed, according to his idea (and as there was only the one room, he could see the whole process of preparing for the table,) he would tell the housewife that the next time he came he Avould " bring a dish-cloth along," or perhaps, he would bluntly tell the woman to "clean up." Carroll relates the following story, yet often told and laughed at by the old settlers of the Bay. " His reply to the newly appointed magistrate's banter ing remarks, is widely reported. A new-made ' Squire' rallied Dunham before some company, about riding so fine a horse, and told him he was very unlike his humble Master, who was content to ride an ass. The preacher responded with his usual imperturable gravity, and in his usual heavy and measured tones, that he agreed with him jicrfectly, and that he would most assuredly imitate his Master in that particular, but for the difficulty of finding the animal I'equired — the Government having made up all the asses into magis- trates." " A person of the author's acquaintance, informed him that he saw an infidel, who was a fallen Lutheran clergyman, endea- voring, one night while Dunham was preaching, to turn the whole into ridicule. The preacher affected not to notice him, but went on exalting the excellency of Christianity, and showing the formidable opposition it had confronted and overcome ; when, all at once, he turned to where the scofl'er sat, and fixing his eyes upon him, the old gentleman continued : ''Shall Christianity and her votaries, after having passed through fire and water," &c. — " after all this, I say, shall the servants of God, at this time of day, allow them- selves to be frightened by the braying of an ass." In those days it was believed, by some at least, that unclean spirits and devils might be cast out by the power of God through the faithful Christian, and Dunham had the credit of having, on several occasions, cast out- devils. Mr. Losee' remained a preacher only two j^ears, when he became mentally unfit, having encountered a disapjiointment of a crushing nature. The uncertainty of the cause of his dis- continuing to preach, has been dispelled by Playter, in the most touching language, "He was the subject of that soft, yet powerful passion of our nature, which some account our weakness, and others our greatest happiness. Piety and beauty were seen connected in female form then as well as now, in this land of woods and water, snows and burning heat. In the family of one of his hearers, and in the vicinity of Napanee river, was a maid, of no 292 A TRUE LOVE STORY. little moral and personal attraction. Soon his (Losee's) attention was attracted ; soon the seed of love was planted in his bosom, and soon it germinated and bore outward fruit. In the interim of suspense, as to whether he should gain the person, another preacher came on the circuit, visits the same dwelling, is attracted by the same fair object, and finds in his heart the same jjassion. The two seek the same person. One is absent on the St. Lawrence ; the other frequents the blest habitation, never out of mind. One, too, is deformed, the other a person of desirable appearance. Jealousy crept in with love. But, at last, the j^i'eference was made, and disappointment, like a thunderbolt, overset the mental balance of the, tii'st itinerant minister in Canada," He subsequently removed to New York, where he continued to live for many years, and recovered his mental health. He hud 2)urchased lots in Kingston, which he retui'ned to sell in 1816 ; at this time he was perfectly sound in mind, and was a good man. He visited Adolphustown, and other places, preaching here and there, and finally returned to New York. Mr. Dunham proved a useful man, especially among the settlers of Marysburgh. He ultimately in the year 1800, retired from the ministry and settled near Napanee, having mai-ried into the Detlor famil}'. But he continued to act as a local preacher. The early preachers often traveled from place to place on horseback after a bridle-path had been made, with saddle-bags, containing oats in one part, and a few articles of wearing apparel in another, perhaps a religious book; thus the zealous preacher would travel mile after mile through interminable forests. Indeed there are plenty to-day who have done likewise. There is one fact connected with the earl}' Methodist preachers, which requires a jjassing notice. The settlers were all intensely loyal ; yet when the Yankee Methodist preacher came in their midst he was gladly i-eceived ; it is true Losee the first who came was a loyalist ; but many who followed were Americans and republicans, xilthough the Lutheran, Presbyterian, and English churchmen had preceded the Methodists into Canada, neither seemed to obtain that hold upon the hearts of the plain U. E. Loyalists, that the Methodi.sts did. The people of every denomination as well as those belonging to none, flocked to hear them, and many staj'cd to become followers. These Americans were always regarded with suspicion by government, and serious doubts were entertained whether those who became ORIGIN OP CAMP-MEETINGS. 293 Methodists were loyal. Bui the war of 1812, exhibited in a thrill- ing manner the old fire of attachment to their sovereign the King. Their seemed to be an adaptability between the Methodist mode of worship and the plain old settlers, and for years there were many who left the church of their fathers, and joined the more demon- strative society of AVesleyanism, Not only Avas this mode of ordinary worship followed by the Methodist congenial, but especially the camp meeting engaged their hearty attention. This mode of worshipping in the woods was first known in Kentucky in 1801, and was initiated by two brothers named McGee, one of whom was a Methodist, the other a Presbj'terian. There are many who regard the holding of camp-meetings as very questionable, even in the past. "Whatever may be said about the necessity of such meetings at the present day, they were it is thought, highly appro- priate in the infant days of the country. At the first, and for many long years, there were but few churches of any size. Then, the inhabitants had been buried as it were in the primeval forests, left to meditate in its deep recesses, far away from the busy haunts of men. Ko doubt the solemn repose, and silent grandeur awoke in their minds feelings of awe, and of veneration, just the same as one will feel when gazing alon^ the naves of some old grand cathedral, with its representations of trees and flowers. It is not difficult to understand that the mind, trained by habit to meditation in the woods, with its waving boughs telling of other times, and of a mysterious future, would naturally find worshipping in the woods, congenial to the soul, — find it a fit place for the higher contempla- tion and worship of the great God. The first camp-meeting held in Canada was in 1805, on the south shore of Hay Bay, near the chapel. The meeting was attended by some from the distant townships, who went down in batteaux. This was a great event to the settlers. Its announcement, says Dr.Bangs, "betorehand excited great interest far and near. Whole families prepared for a pilgrimage to the ground, processions of waggons, and foot passengers wended along the highwaj's." The ministers pre.~ent were Case, Ryan, Pickett Keeler, Madden and Bangs. The meeting commenced on the 2Tth of September ; the whole was characterized b}^ deep reli. gious feeling as well as decided demonstration, and the joy and comfort of believing, which ought always to be present with the Christian, was generally experienced, while there was an absence of that outside exhibition, too often seen in later years, around the camps. We quote from Carroll respecting the ending of this meeting. 294 END OP A CAMP-MKETING. The account is from Dr. Bangs, " The time was at hand at last for the conclusion of the meeting. The last night was the most awfully impressive and jet most delightful scene my eyes ever beheld. There was not a cloud in the sky. The stars studded the lirmament, and the gloiy of God tilled the camp. All the neigh- bouring forest seemed vocal with the echo of hymns. Turn our attention which way we would, Ave heard the voice of prayer and praise. I Avill not attempt to describe the parting scene, for it was indescribable. The pi-eachers, about to disperse to their distant fields of labor, hung upon each other's necks, Aveeping and yet rejoicing. Christians from remote .>>ettlements, Avho had here formed holy friendships, which they exj)ected would survive in heaven, parted probably to meet no more on earth. As the hosts marched oif in different directions the songs of Aactory rolled along the highways." Apropos of Methodist camp-meetings, Carroll tells an anecdote characteristic of the times, and as well of the honest Dutch. One of these old settlers Avas speaking of a recent camp-meeting from which he had just come said, " It Avas a poor, tet tuU time, and no goot was tone, till tat pig Petty (the Eev. Elias Pattie) come ; but mit his pig fist, he did kill te tuA^al so tet as a nit, and ten te work proke out. The Methodists of that day Avere fond of the demon- strative." In the year 1806, a native of Prince EdAvard district entered the Methodist ministry. He Avas the first native Canadian preacher of any denomination, his name AA^as Andrew Pringle. The same year Thomas Whitehead Avas sent by the JSTcav York Conference. He was six weeks on the road through the woods Avith his wife and six children, "and during most ef the time they subsisted on boiled Avheat." THE RYANITES. 295 CHAPTEE XXXI. Contents — Henry Ryan — Ryanitcs — He comes to (.'anatla — His associate, Case — At Kingston — A Singer — Preaching in the JIarket-pLace — Tlieir treatment — In office — His circuit — 1000 miles — What he received— -Elder — Super- seded — I'-robable cause — A British subject — During the war of 1812 — Presi- dent of Conference — "High-minded" — Useful — Acceptable to the people — Desired independence by tlie Canadians — How he was .treated — His labors — Brave — Witty — " Fatherless cliildnjn " — " Impudent scoundrel" — Muscular — "Methodists' Bull'' — "Magistrate's Goat" — Ryan seeks separation — Breakenridge — Conduct of the American Conference — Ryan's agitation — Effect upon the Bishops — First Canada Conference — At Hollowell — Desire for independence — Reasons, cogent — Fruit of Ryan's doings — The way the Conference treated Ryan — Withdraws — No faith in the United States Con- ference — Ryan sincere — "Canadian Wesleyans" — The motives of the United States Conference questionable — Tlie wrong done Ryan— Second Canada Conference — Case, first Superintendent — Visit of Bishop Asbuvy — Account by Henry Boehm — Asbury an Englishman — During the rebellion — A Bishop — His journey to Canada — Crossing the St, Lawrence — Traveling in Canada An upset — '■ A decent ]ieopli! " — His opinion of the country — The Bishop ill — At Kingston — Bcehm at Embury's — Afield meeting — Riding all night — Crossing to Sacketts harbor — Nearly wrecked. SOME ACCOUNT OF HENRY RYAN. A sketch of the early ministers who preached around the Bay Quinte, would be incomplete without a somewhat extended notice of Elder Eyan, after whom was called, a certain number of non- contented Methodists, Ryanites. Henry Eyan, an Irishman, "of a bold energetic natui'e, with a powerful voice," commenced preaching in 1800. He was for five years stationed in the States. In the year 1805, he, with the Rev. Wm. Case, was appointed to the Bay Quinte circuit. It was they who arranged and conducted the first camp meeting. Carroll, writ- ing of that period, says, "there was no society (of jVIethodists) then in the Town of Kingston, and its inhabitants were very irreligious. The market house was the only chapel of the Methodists, Case and his colleague (Eyan) made a bold push to arouse the people. Some- times they went togethei-, Eyan was a powei-ful singer too. They would ride into the town, put their horses at an inn, lock arms, and go singing down the streets a stirring ode, beginning with ' Come let us march to Zion's hill.' By the time they had reached the mai'ket-place, they usually had collected a large assembly. When together, Eyan usually preached, and Case exhorted. Eyan's sten- torian voice resounded through the town, and was heard across the adjacent watei*s. They suffered no particular opposition excepting a little annoyance from some of the baser sort, who sometimes tried 296 DURING THE WAR OF 1812. to trip them off the butcher's block, which constituted their rostrum ; set fire to their hair, and then blew out their candle if it Avere in the night season." Proof was subsequently given that this preach- ing was not without effect. Mr. Eyan continued ten j^ears at the Bay Quinte, and then three years in the west at Long Point and Niagara. In 1810, ho was presiding Elder. His duties, as such, was to visit every part of the Province, from Detroit to Cornwall. " Allowing for his returns home, he traveled about 1000 miles each quarter in the year, or 4000 miles a year. And what was the worldly gain ? The pre- siding Elder was allowed $S0 for himself, $60 for his wife, and what provisions he would need for his famil3\ His entire allow- ance might have been £60 a year. Such was the remuneration, and such the labors, of the presiding Elder" of the Methodists tifty- three years ago — (Playter). Henr}" Eyan continued a presiding Elder, for manj^ years, in the whole of Upper Canada, a few years in lower Canatla, and then when the Bay of Quinte district was set apart by division, he was appointed Elder to it. But in 1834, for some reason, Mr. E^yan was superseded in office. The reason of this can only be guessed. He was an Irishman by birth, and although sent to Canada b}- an American bod}^, he seems to have been more a British subject, a Canadian, than American. During the war of 1812, he remained in Canada attending to his duties, with three other faithful men, Ehodes, Whitehead, and Pringle. More than that, as presiding Elder, he assumed the oversight of the preachers at the close of the first 3"ear. Others had been stationed in Canada who were British subjects, but they ceased before the war had closed, to discharge their duties. The Americans feared to come, or, having come, were warned oft' by proclamation. Those who continued in the minis- terial field met under the presjidency of Eyan. In the year of the commencement of the war, the conference was to have met at Niagara, in Uj^per Canada ; but Avar was declared by the United States a month previous, and instead of venturing into the countrj- where their fellow countrymen were about to carry the midnight torch, they turned aside to another place to hold their conference. "None of the brethren laboring on the Canada side went over. It is probable, although we are not certain, that they met at the place appointed, where some sort of deiiberations would take place." The Eev, John Eyerson says Mr. I'yan " held a conference, and held three conferences during the war, the principal business of HIS CHARACTER. 297 which was employing preachers, and appointing thorn to their different fields of labor." The Rev. Ezra Adams says, the second conference was held at Matilda," and "■ in 1814, it was held at the Bay of Quinte, at Second or Fourth Town " — Carroll. Mr. Ryan was impulsive and authoritative, at least the ministers thought so, and the rule of " Harry Ryan " was called '< high-handed." The end of it all was that, although he was useful and liked by the pcoj)lc, his ministerial brethren in Canada did not like him, and the conference seemed glad to supersede one, who no doubt already manifested his desire that the Canadian Methodists should become independent of the Americans. In view of the political state of affairs, the objection felt by the government to have American preachers giving religious instruction to Canadians, — in view of the course pursued by Ryan during the war of 1812 — in view of his whole career up to this time, the belief is forced upon the mind that it was not, only when Ryan had been superseded that he began to agitate for a separation. His labors during the war were severe and continuous, says a preacher of the times, " He used to travel- from Montreal to Sandwich, to accomplish which he kept two horses in the Niagara district, and one for the upper part of the Province, and another for the lower. As his income was very small, he eked ouc the sum necessary to supjDort his family by peddling a manu- facture of his own in his extensive journeys, and by hauling with his double team in winter time, on his return from Lower Canada, loads of Government stores or general merchandise, j\Ii*. Ryan, by his loyalty, gained the confidence and admiration of all friends of British supremacy, and by his abundant and heroic labors, the affections of the God-fearing part of the communit}'." Much more Might bo said in the same vein, bat probably enough has been said to establish his claim to the sympathy of every Bay of Quinte in- habitant, where he so long labored and where most of his subsequent followers lived. It may be added that he was brave and witty, and " had a ready answer for every bantering remark. Some wicked follows are said to have asked him if he had heard the news ? What news ? Why, that the devil is dead. Then said he. looking around on the company, he has left a great many fatherless children. On another occasion, on entering a public house, a low fellow, knowing him to bo, from his costume, a minister, remarked aloud, placing his hand in his pocket, '•' There comes a Methodist preacher; I must take care of m}"" monej^." Ryan promptly said, " You are an impudent scoundrel." ''Take care," said the man. "I cannot 298 FIRST CANADA CONFERENCE. swallow that." " Then chew it till you can," was the fearless reply. — (Carroll i. At camp meetings, when it came to pass that indi- viduals came to create disturbance, and when there was no police to take caro of rowdies, ^fr. Eyan has been known to display his muscular power by actually throwing the guilty individuals over the enclosure to the camp ground. Mr Ryan preached occasionally at Vandusens' tavern in Adol- phustown. After one of his thundering sermons, a neighboring squire who was a daily visitor at the tavern, and who had recently attempted to cut his own throat, wrote upon the wall of the bar- room, " Elder Eyan, the Methodist bull, preaches hell and damnation till the pulpit is full ; " whereupon some one wrote below it, "Bryan C d, the magistrate goat, barely escaped hell and damnation by cutting his throat." Mr. Eyan, upon his return from the Greneral Conference in 1844, commenced an agitation for independence of the Canadian Methodists, and from Port Hope Creek to the Ottawa, he continued to urge the necessity of such an end. " While not much liked by the preachers, Ryan was very popular among the people," especially along the Bay Quinte. Captain Break- enridge, a local preacher, living on the St. Lawrence, joined him, in holding conventions, and in procuring largely signed petitions, pra)'- ing for separation. Eyan and Breakenridge, went to the General Conference, bearing these petitions, and were not received. But these petitions were the commencement of the separation, which it was quite time should take ])lace for the well being of both parties. Concessions were made — a Canada conference was formed through the instrumentality of Elder Eyan ; but under the superintendency of the United States conference. This did not satisfy Ryan, and hje followers in the Bay Quinte circuit. Meetings were held at which it was resolved they would " break ojf" from the American Church without permission. For four months Eyan energetically appealed to the people. To allay this the Bishop had to come and say to the Canadians, that if they wished independence, the next general confer- ence, which would meet in 1828, would no doubt grant it. The following year the first Canada conference was held at the village of Hollowell, (Picton). It was opened on the 25th August. Thei'e were thirty ])reachers present, and they continued in session five days. The agitation initiated by Ryan, had done its work, " a gen- eral desire existe;!, that the Canada body should become an indepen- dent body, not later than the general conference of 1828," and a A NEW SOCIETY. 299 memovial was prepared to be submitted to that body. After request- ing to be set apart an independent body, the following reason, with others was given. " The state of society requires it. The first settlers having claimed the protection of His Britannic Majesty in the revolutionary wai*, were driven from their former possessions to endure great hardships in a remote wilderness. Time, however, and a friendly intercourse, had worn down their asperity and prejudice, when the late mihappy war revived their former feelings ; affording what they considered, new and grievous occasion for disgust against their invading neighbors. The prejudices thus excited would prob- ably subside if their ministry were to become residents in this country, as would be the case in the event of becoming a separate body." The fact that government regarded with dislike the connection was adverted to, also that they were not allowed to solemnize matrimony. Such Avas the fruit of Elder Eyan's proceedings, and to him belongs great credit, however much his motives may have been impugned. It has been acknowledged that he was disliked by the preachers, and this dislike was manifested this year by sending him as a missionary to the Indians. No wonder he was dissatisfied. Not because he was placed in a humble position, after acting nearly a quarter of a century as presiding Elder ; but because of the animus of those \\ho did it. And moreover, he entertained the belief that the general conference did not intend to give independence. The next year Ryan was placed among the superannuated ministers, and thus remained two years, the next year 1827, he withdrew, and resumed the agitation for indepen- dence. He had no faith in the United States conference, the cry was raised. Loyal Methodism against Eepublican Methodism. In this Eyan was countenanced by Government and tlie English Church, and Playter says. Dr. Strachan sent him £50 to cany on the work of separation. The whole previous life of Eyan, lead us to believe that he was sincere and honest in his movements and statements, but it is said he was greatly mistaken. The people generally said, wait till Ave see what the general conference does. The preachers have said they will give us independence, pause till Ave see. The result of the conference Avas as had been promised ; Avhile already Ryan had separated, and, Avith a limited number of folIoAvers, mostly along the bay and St. LaAvrence, had formed a ncAv body Avith the name of Canadian Wesleyan Methodist Church. But it Avill ahvays remain a question Avhether the general conference would have con- ceded the independence had it not been Avell knoAvn that Eyan Avould 300 SEPARATION. take almost all if tliey Avere not made free. It is not an unknown thing for a person who has worked for some public good to be robbed of tlie credit in a surreptitious manner. Eyan was deceived, and his kind, though impulsive nature resented the wrong done him. Though his name has been placed under a shadow by those who Avere indebted to him, yet his memory is even yet green and sweet in the hearts of some of the old settlers. Well might Elder Ryan, select as his text at the time, " I have raised up children and they have rebelled." The general conference assembled at Pittsburgh, 1st May, 1828. The memorial from the Canada conference was duly considered, and v^hatever may have beeii the reasons, they granted in the most kindly sj^irit, the decided request of the Canadian Methodists. Ryan, it is said when he heard of it, "looked astonished, trembled and could scarcely utter a woi*d." The second Canada conference met at Ernesttown, the 2nd October, 1828, in Switzer's chaj^el. " Bishop ITedding came for the last time, and presided over the conference. No United States Bishop, no Bishop at all, has ever presided since." This year, Andrew Pringle, the first native Methodist preacher, was placed on the superannuated list. After due deliberation the conference resolved to organize into an independent body, and adopted the discipline of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, as the basis of their own. The Rev. Wm. Ca>e was appointed General Superintendent until the next conference. It is not possible, nor would it be proper to give a connected history of IMethodisra, or any other religious denomination. But the aim of the writer is to supply facts relative to those who have lived and acted a part in connection with the early history of the bay, with such, other facts as Avill throw light upon the matter. "With this object in view, "we will here introduce, in conclusion, a brief notice of the visit of Bishop Asbury to Canada in 1811. The account is from the pen of the Eev. Henry Bo^hm, with remarks by Mr. Carroll. Reading this account, it called to our mind the account given to us bytFalher Bcehm, in 1854, while sojourning at Staten Island, New York, where we had the great pleasure of frequently meeting him and of enjoying the hospitality of his genial family. Mr. Bcehm was the trav{!!ing companion of Bishop Asbury when he visited Canachi. Bishop Asbury, the cotemporary of the Wesley's, being one whom Wesley ordained to preach, he came to America in 1771, as a mis- sionary, being 25 years old. Of all the English preachers in the revolting colonies, he alone remained during the revolutionary war, BISHOP ASBURY. 301 and was under the necessity of concealing himself in Delaware. Created a Bishop by Dr. Coke, in 1785, he continued for many years in the oversight of the Methodist Church in America and in Canada. But although Methodism was planted in Canada in 1792, it was not until the year mentioned that a Bishop found his way to the remote settlements of Canada. Bishop Asbury, however, had for years a desire to see Canada. Two years before he came he wrote, " 1 shaU see Canada before I die." Says Boehm. " We had a severe time on our journey. Vfe crossed Lake Champlain, and Mr. Asbury preached in a bar-room in Plattsburgh. The roads through the woods, over rocks, down guUeys, over stumps, and through the mud, were indescribable. They were enough to jolt a hale bishop to death, let alone a poor, infirm old man, near the grave." "On entering the village (of St. Eegis) as Ml*. Asbury was leading his horse across a bridge made of poles, the animal got his foot between them, and sunk into the mud and water. Away went the saddle-bags; the books and clothes were wet, and the horse was fast. We got a pole under him to pry him out; at the same time the horse made a leaj), and came out safe and sound. We crossed the St. Lawrence in romantic style. We hired four Indians to paddle us over. They lashed three canoes together, and put our horses in them, their fore feet in one canoe, their hind feet in another. It was a singular load; three canoes, three passengers, the bishop. Smith and myself, three horses and four Indians. They were to take us over for three dollars. "It was nearly three miles across to where we landed" — " did not reach the other side till late in the evening." The Indians claimed another dollar, because three could not be easily divided between foui', this was "cheerfully paid." "We arrived in Canada on July Ist, 1811, landing at Cornwall, and about mid- night reached the hospitable house of Evan Eoise, who hailed the bishop's arrival with joy, and gave him and his companions a welcome worthy of patriarchal times." "We found it warm in Canada, and the Bishop suffered greatly. Here Henry Eyan, Presiding Elder of Upper Canada, met us. The next day Bishop Asbiuy preached," the day after the Bishop preached again and there was a love-feast, and the Lord's Supper." Proceeding uj) the River St. Lawrence, ai'rived at the eastern line of Matilda, " the Bishop rode in Brother Glassford's close carriage, which he called a ' calash,' and he inquired how they would get out if it upset. He had hardly asked the question before over went the 302 A LAND THE LORD HATH BLESSED. carriage, and the venerable Bishop was upset, but fortunately no bones were broken ; the saplings along side the road broke the fall. On Friday the Bishop preached in Matilda chapel, in what was called the German settlement. I followed, preaching in German. The Bishop was delighted Avith the people, be wrote, " here is a decent loving people. I called upon Father Dulmage, and Brother Heck." We tarried over night with David Breackenridge. He married and baptised a great man}^ people, and attended many funerals. In 1804 he preached the funeral sermon of Mrs. Heck, who died suddenly, and it is said she claimed to be the person who stirred Philip Embur}^ to preach the Gospel. On Saturday we rode* twelve miles before breakfast to Father Boyce's, where we attended Quarterly Meeting. Bishop Asbury preached a thrilling- sermon. " The Bishop greatly admired the country through which we rode. He says ' Our ride has brought us through one of the finest countries I have seen. The timber is of noble size; the cattle are well shaped, and well looking ; the crops are abundant on a most fruitful soil. Surely this is a land that God, the Lord hath blessed.'" (Such was the testimony of one who had traveled all over the United States, concerning a country eighty years younger than the older States of the Union. Such the testimony respecting the pioneers of the country who twenty-five years j)re- vious came thereto into an unbroken wilderness — respecting the men the Americans had driven away and stigmatized by the appli- cation of the most degrading names). "On Monday we proceeded to Gananoque Falls, to Colonel Stone's. Father Asbury was very lame from inflammatory rheumatism. He suffered like a martyr. On Tuesday we visited Brother Elias Dulmage, a very kind family, and Bishop Asbury preached in the first Town Church" (Kingston Church). B. Dulmage, one of tho Palatines, lived afterward a long time as jail-keeper." — (Carroll). The Bishop -was so poorly he could not proceed on his journey, and was obliged to lie up and rest. He remained at Brother Dulmage's, where he found a very kind home, and I went with Henry Eyan to his Quarterly Meeting, in Fourth or AdolphustoAvn, Bay of Quinte. On Friday we rode to Brother John Embury, Hay Bay. He was a nephew of Philip Embury, the Apostle of American Methodism. On the Lord's day we had a glorious love-feast, and at the Lord's Supper He was made known to us in tho breaking of bread. In a beautiful grove, under the shade of trees planted by God's own hand, I preached to two thousand people, John Eeynold's, afterward Bishop Eey- FIRST ROMAN CATHOLICS. 303 nolds, of Belleville, and Henry Eyan exhorted. CExhorting after sermon Avas a common practice among the Methodists in those days). Mr. Bcehm had to return to Kingston the ssame night, in order that the Bishop might get to the Conference to bo held in the States immediately. To do so they rode all night — 35 miles. "To our great joy wo found F?ither Asbury better" — "he had sent around and got a congregation to whom he preached in the chapel. He also met the Society and baptized two children. "We were in Canada just a fortnight. The Bishop was treated everywhere as the angel of the churches. The Bishop preached six "times in Canada, besides numerous lectures which he delivered to societies." The Bishop and Mr. Bcehm set out on the Monday for Sackett's Harbour, in a small sail boat. There was a heavy storm, and they were nearly "wrecked. On the water all night without a cabin. Spent a fearful night, and reached Sackett's Harbour the next afternoon. CHAPTEE XXXIl. Contents — McDonnell — First R. Catholic Bishop — A " Memorandum" — Birth- place — In Spain — A Priest— In Scotland— Gleugary Fencibles— Ireland, 1798— To Canada — Bishop — Death iu Scotland — Body removed to Canada — Funeral obsequies— Buried at Kingston — Had influence — Member of Cana- dian Legislative Council — Pastoral visitations, 1806 — A loyal man — A Pioneer in his Church — The Bishop's Address, 1836 —Refuting mal-charges — Number of the R. C. Clergy in 1804 — From Lake Superior to Lower Canada — Traveling horsebacii — Sometimes on foot — Hardships — Not a Politician — Expending private means — Faithful services — Acknowledged — Roman Catholic U. E. Loyalists— First Church in Ernesttown— McDonnell at Belleville — Rev.M. Rrennan — First Church in Belleville— What we liave aimed at— The advantages to the English Church — The lleserves — In Lower Canada — Dr. Mountain— Number of English Clergymen, 1793 — A Bisho])— Monopoly initiated — Intolerance and Exclusion swept away — An early habit at Divine service. THE ROMAN CATHOLICS — BISHOP MCDONNELL, We are much indebted to J. P. McDonnell, Esq., of Belleville, for a " Memoi-andum of his grand-parent, the Eev. Alex McDonnell, first Bishop of Upper Canada." " He was born in the year 1760, in Glengary, in Scotland, educated for the Priesthood at Valladolid College, in the Kingdom of Spain; for, at this time no person professing the Eoman Catholic 304 BISHOP m'donnell. faith could be allowed to be educated in any part of the Brititih empire. He was ordained Priest before the year 1790. Then came back to Scotland, his native countiy, and officiated as a Priest in Badenoch, a .small district in North Scotland, also in the city of Glasgow; afterwards joined, in 1798, the Glengary Fencibles, then for duty in Ireland, under the command of Lord McDonnell, of Glengary, who was Colonel of said Fencible Regi- ment. He came to Canada in the year 1804; was consecrated first Bishop of Upper Canada in the year 1822, titled as the Bishop of Kingston." He died in Dumfriesshire, a County bordering on England and Scotland, in the year 1840. His body was laid in St. Mary's Chui-ch, Edinborough, until removed to Canada, in 1862. His remains was taken from the cars at the station at Lancaster, and carried to St. Raphael's Cathedral ; in which Chmxh he had spent some of his most useful days, administering the consolations of his religion to his numerous co-religionists throughout the Pro- vince of Upper Canada. His remains were escorted by thousands of people, of all denominations, from St. RajDhael's Church to St. Andrew's Church, and thence to Cornwall depot, in order to convey his remains to Kingston, the head of his See ; where his remains now lie in the vaults of the Cathedral of that ancient citj^, in which he, as Bishop, officiated for years, a favorite of both Protestants and Catholics. 1 may here remark, that no other man, either clergyman or lay. ever had more influence with the Government, either Imperial or Colonial than Bishop McDonnell. In fact he established the Catholic Church in Western Canada. All the lands that the church now possesses were procured by his exertions. The Bishop was a ^member of the Legislative Council for years in con- nection with the Venerable Bishop Strachan, of Toronto. About the year 1806, he passed on his way from Toronto, then York, to Kingston ; celebrated mass at his relation's, Col. Archibald Chisholm, whose descendants are now living on Lot. Xos. S and 9, 1st Con., Thurlow, adjoining the Town of Belleville — carried his vestments on his back most of the way from Toronto to Kingston ; and he took passage in a birch canoe from his friend's, Col. Chisholm, to another relation. Col. McDonnell, (McDonald's Cove,) on his wa}' to Kingston. " Although his religion was then proscribed by the British Gov- ernment, and he was compelled to go to a foreign country to be educated, no more loyal man to the British Crown lived; no other man ever conduced more to the upholding of British supremacy in North America than ho, and helped to consolidate the same. ADDRESS TO SIR FRANCIS BOND HEAD. 305 We are also indebted to Mr. McDonnell for other valuable docu- ments concerning the Bishop, who may be regarded the father of his Church in Upper Canada. At least, he was the pioneer of that denomination in the Bay region. To a great extent, his history is the early history of his Church. The worthy prelate will speak for himself, when at the advanced age of seventy-four, and he spoke under circumstances which precluded the possibility of any state- ment accidentally creeping in, which could not be fully substan- tiated. Eeferring to an address of the House of Assembly, 1836, in which his character had been aspersed, and his motives assailed, he, in a letter to Sir Francis Bond Head, asks " the liberty of making some remarks on a few passages" thereof, and,, among other things, says, " As to the charges brought against myself, I feel very little affiected by them, having the consolation to think that fifty years spent in the faithful discharge of my duty to God and to my coimtry, have established my character upon a foundation too solid to be shaken by the malicious calumnies of two notorious slanderers." To the charge that he had neglected his spiritual functions to devote his time and talents to politics, he, by plain declaration, refutes their "malicious charge," stating the following facts, which relate to the country from the year he entered it, 1804. He says, " There were then but two Catholic clergymen in the whole of Upper Canada. One of these clergymen soon deserted his post; and the other resided in the Township of Sandwich, in the Western District, and never went beyond the limits of his mission ; so that upon entering upon my jjastoral duties, I had the whole of the Pro- vince beside in charge, and without any assistance for the space of ten years. During that j^eriod, I had to travel over the country, from Lake Superior to the Province line of Lower Canada, to the discharge of my pastoral functions, carrying the sacred vestments sometimes on horseback, sometimes on my back, and sometimes in Indian birch canoes, living with savages — without any other shelter or comfort, but what their fires and their fares, and the branches of the trees afforded ; crossing the great lakes and rivers, and even descending the rapids of the St. Lawrence in their dangerous and ^vretched crafts. Nor were the hardships and privations which j endured among the new settlers and emigrants less than what I had to encounter among the savages themselves, in their miserable shanties ; exposed on all sides to the weather, and destitute of every comfort. In this way I have been spending my time and my health 20 306 LOYAL ROMAN CATHOLICS. year after 3^ear, since I have been in Upper Canada, and not clinging to a seat in the Legishitive Council and devoting my time to political strife, as my accusers are pleased to assert. The erec- tion of five and thirty Chui'ches and Chapels, great and small, although many of them are in an unfinished state, built by my exertion ; and the zealous services of two and twenty clergymen, the major part of whom have been educated at my own expense, afibrd a substantial proof that I have not neglected my spiritual functious, or the care of the souls under my charge; and if that be not sufficient, I can produce satisfactory documents to prove that I have expended, since I have been in this Provhice, no less than thirteen thousand pounds, of my own private means, beside what I received from other cj^uarters, in building Chui'ches, Chapels, Pres- byteries, and School-houses, in rearing young men for the Church, and in promoting general education. With a full Jvuowledge of those facts, established bej'ond the possibility of a contradiction, my accusers can have but little regard for the truth, when they tax me with neglecting my spiritual functions and the care of souls. The framers of the address to Ilis Excellency knew perfectly well that I never had, or enjoyed, a situation, or place of profit or emolument, except the salary which my sovereign was pleased to bestow upon me, in reward of forty-two years faithful services to my country, having been instrumental in getting two corps of my flock raised and embodied in defence of their countiy in critical times, viz., the first Glengary Fencible Eegiment, was raised by my influence, as a Catholic corps, diu-ing the Irish rebellion, whose dangers and fatigues I shared in that distracted country, and con- tributed in no small degree to repress the rapacity of the soldiers, and bring back the deluded people to a sense of their duty to their sovereign and submission to the laws. Ample and honorable testimo- nials of their services and my conduct may be found in the Govern- ment office of Toronto. The second Glengary Fencible Eegiment raised in the Province, when the Government of the United States of America invaded, and expected to make a conquest of Canada, was planned by me, and partly raised by my influence. My zeal in the service of my country, and my exertions in the defence of this Province, were acknowledged by his late Majesty, through Lord Bathurst, then Secretary of State for the Colonies. My salary was then increased, and a seat was assigned for me in the Legislative Council, as a distinguished mark of my sovereign's favor, an honor I should consider it a disgrace to resign, although I can hardly THE FAVORED CHURCH. 307 expect ever to sit in the Council, nor do I believe that LordGleneio-, who knows something of me, would expect that I should show so much imbecility in my latter days, as to relinquish a mark of honor conferred upon me by my sovereign, to gratify the vindictive malice of a few unprincijilcd radicals. So far, however, from repining at the criiel and continued persecutions of m}- enemies, I pray Grod to give me patience to suffer, for justice sake, and to forgive them their unjust and unmerited conduct towards me. I have the honor to be Sir, — Your most obedient and very humble servant, — (Signed) — Alex. McDonnell. To T. Joseph, Esq., Sec'y to His Excellenc}^, Sir Francis Bond Head, &c., &c., &c." There were a number of Roman Catholics among the U. E. Loyalists. Among them were the Chisholm's on the front of Thurlow, to whose house Mr. McDonnell came to preach as he made his annual round. I am told by an old settler, that a very old Eoman Catholic Church existed in Ernesttown west, a short distance from Bath. Probably Mr. McDonnell travelled all around the Bay, visiting members of his Church. There were several in Marys- burgh. He was the first to preach in Belleville, when it had become a village. But the Eev Michael Brennan, who still lives, and is highly respected by all classes, was the fli'st priest located in Belle- ville ; he arrived in 1829. The frame of a building which had been erected for a Freemason's Lodge, was moved to the lot which had beeen received from Government, and was converted into a Church. The present Church was commenced in 1837, and completed in 1839. We have now adverted to the several early clergjrmen of the different denominations in the young colony of Ui^per Canada, and have dwelt upon those facts, and related those events, Avhich apper- tain to the work we have in hand. "We have essayed to simply write the truth, without reference to the interests of any denomina- tion, either by false, or high coloring, or suppression of facts. From what we have recorded, it is plain that the Church of England stood the best chance of becoming the religion of Upper Canada. The seventh part of the lands were reserved for the clergy, and it was determined to erect an Ecclesiastical establishment in the Province. In Lower Canada the Eoman Catholics had been secured by Act of Imperial Parliament. In Upper Canada it was resolved that the English Church should occupj- a similar position. The Eev. Dr. Jehoshaphat Mountain was sent out from England in 1793, having been consecrated the first Bishop of Quebec, to take 308 AN IRREVERENT HABIT. charge of the English establishment in all Canada. There were then in both Canadas five clergj-men of the church. The monopoly thus instituted continued for many yeai's, and other denominations could not even hold land upon which to build a place of worship. But time swept all intolerance and exclusiveness away. In the year 1828, was passed '' An act for the Belief of Eeligious Societies" of the Province, by which it was authorized " That whenever any religious congregation or society of Presbyterians, Lutherans, Calvinists, Methodists, Congregationalists, Independents, Ana- baptists, Quakers, Menonists, Tunkers, or Moravians, shall have an occasion to take a conveyance of land, it shall be lawful for them to appoint trustees," which body should hold perpetual succession, &c. But it was also enacted that no one Society should hold more than five acres. This subject will be concluded by the following, the writer of which we fail to remember. It is within our own recollection when this habit still existed : An early writer, a visitor to the Province of Canada, speaking about religious denominations says, " The worshipping assemblies appear grave and devout, except that in some of them it is custo- mary for certain persons to go out and come in frequently in time of service, to the disturbance of others, and the interruption of that silence and solemnity, which are enjoyed by politeness, no less than a sense of religion. This indecorous practice prevails among several denominations." CHAPTEE XXXIII. Contents — First Sabbath teaching— Hannah Bell, 1769 — School established, 1781 — Raikes — Wesley — First in United States—First in Canada— Cattrick, Moon — Common in 1824 — First in Belleville — Turnbull — Cooper — Marshall — Prizes, who Avon them — Mr. Turnbull's death — Intem23erance — First Temperance Societies— Change of custom — Rum — Increasing intemperance — The tastes of the Pioneers — Temperance, not teetotalism — First Society in Canada — Drinks at Raising and Bees — Society at Hollowell. SABBATH SCHOOLS. The earliest attempt known to teach children upon the Sabbath was in 1T69, made by a young lady, a Methodist, by the name of Hannah Bell, in England, who " was instrumental in training many children in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. In 1781, while FIRST SABBATH SCHOOLS. 309 another Methodist j'^oung woman (aftei'ward the wife of the cele- brated lay preacher, Samuel Bradburn) was conversing in Gloucester with Robert Eaikes, a benevolent citizen of that town, and publisher of the Gloucester Journal, he pointed to groups of neglected children in the street, and asked: "AVhat can we do for them?" She answered: " Let us teach them to read and take them to church ! " "He immediately proceded to try the suggestion, and the philan- thropist and his female friend attended the first company of Sunday-scholars to the church, exposed to the comments and laughter of the populace as they passed along the street with their ragged procession. Such was the origin of our present Sunday- school, an institution which has perhaps done more for the church and the social improvement of Protestant communities, than any other agency of modern times, the pulpit excepted. Eaikes, and his humble assistant, conducted the experiment without ostentation. Not till November 3, 1783, did he refer to it in his public journal. In 1784, he published in that paper an account of his plan. This sketch immediately arrested the attention of Wesley, who inserted the entire article in the Januarj^ number of the American Magazine for 1785, and exhorted his people to adopt the new institution." In 1786, they Avcre begun in the United States by the Methodist Bishop, Francis Asbuiy, in Virginia, In 1790, the Methodist con- ference "resolved on establishing Sunday-schools for poor children, white and black," since which time the}- have been in ojjeration. The first notice found of a Sabbath-school in Upper Canada, is in June, 1817, when a Rev. Mr. Cattrick proposed at Kingston to organize one. A communication from Wm. Moon, in the Gazette, expreses great pleasure thereat, and Mi-. Moon offers for the purpose his school-room, and likewise his services. In 1824, " Sunday- schools were common in the old settlements, and were valued and encouraged by all classes of people. Not only did private benevo- lence contribute to the schools, but the Upper Canada Parliament granted £150, for the "use and encouragement of Sunday-schools," and of indigent and remote settlements, in the pm-chase of books and tracts — (Playter). A Sabbath-school was established in Belleville about 1826, by John Turnbull, Dr. Marshall, and Dr. Cooper who taught in the school. Some religious society granted books and tracts to schools. Four prizes were granted for good attendance and behaviour, consisting of two Bibles and two Testaments. They were awarded, the first to J. H. Meacham, who is now Postmaster of Belleville ; the second to his sister, Anna 310 THE QUESTION OP TEMPERANCE. Meach.im, the third to Matilda McNabb, the fourth to Albert Taylor, While the=e pages arc going through the press, we receive the sad intelligence that John TurnbuU, Esq., last living of the three men- tioned, has passed away at the beginning of this new year, 1869, after a life of well-merited respect, and honor. The \va-iter feels he has lost a friend. Intemperance. — Total abstinence or teetotalism was unknown when Upper Canada was first settled. The first temperance society ever organized was at Moreau, Saratoga, County, New York, in 1808. To taste and drink a glass of wine or grog, was not regarded as a sin by any one of that day. To the soldiers and sailors grog was dealt out as regularly every day as rations. Eum was the liquor more generally used, being imported from Jamacia, and infi- nitely purer than the rum sold to-day. It has to be recorded that at a comjjaratively early date, breweries and distilleries were erected, first in one township then in another, so that after a few years the native liquor was much cheaper than rum, and then fol- lowed the natural result — nameh-. increasing intemperance. It is not difficult to understand that the old soldier would like his i-egular glass of grog. In the long and tedious journeys made by boat, when food perhaps was very limited in quantity, the conveniently carried bottle would take its place, and extraordinary labor and severe ex|)osure would be endured by the agency of unnatural stimulus. The absence of teetotal principles, the customs of the day ; want of food; frequent and severe trials and exposures, would lead even the best of men to partake of spirituous liquors. As we see it to-day, so it was then, abuse arose from moderate use, and those who had no control over the appetite, or who loved to forget the bitterness of the day b}' inebriation, would avail themselves of the opportunity to indulge to excess. The mind naturally craves a stimulant. If this desire be not fed by legitimate food, it is too likely to appropriate the unnatural. The excitement of war had passed away ; but had left in its wake the seeds of longing in the breast of the old soldier. The educated man shut out from the world, had but little to satisfy the usually active mind. With some, the remembrance of old scenes — of old homesteads, and their belong- ings, were forgotton in the stupifying cup. When all these facts are considered, is there not abundant reason to wonder that intem- perance did not prevail more extensively. But it is a question after all, whether the loyalists became more addicted to the cup FIRST SOCIETIES IN CANADA. 311 after they settled, than when at the old homes. Those who have charged the old settlers with the vice of drinking, have foi-gotteu to look at them in comparison with other countries at that day, instead of the light set up at a later period. But while the pioneers preserved themselves fi-om unusual indul- gence, it is to be regretted that their children too often forsook the path of soberness, and in losing their right minds, lost the old farm made valuable by their fathers' toil. It was often a repetition of what occasionally occurred when the soldiers were disbanded. They would often bell a location ticket, or two or three acres of land for a quart of rum; the sons would sell the fruit of a father's hard work of a life time. One of the first temperance societies formed in Canada was in Adolphustown, on the 4th January, 1830. On this occasion the Eev. Job Deacon, of the Church of England, delivered an address, after which a respectable majority and three out of five magistrates present, adopted resolutions condemning the use of ardent spirits, and unitedl}' determining not to use or furnish drink for raisings, bees, and harvest work. At the same meeting a temperance society was formed and a constitution adopted under the title of "The Adolphustown Union Sabbath School Temperance Society." They pledged themselves not to use ardent spirits for one year. According to the Hollowell Free Press, a tempercnce society was formed at Hollowell, in 1829 ; for it is announced that the " Second Anniversary " will be held 3rd June, 1831. It is announced April 12, 1831, that a temperance meeting will be held in the Methodist Chapel, when addresses will be delivered by Dr. A. Austin. The officers elected for the ensuing year are Asa Worden, Esq., M.P.P., President ; Dr. Austin, Vice President; P. V. Elmore, Secretary and Treasurer. 312 IROQUOIS IN ENGLAND CHAPTER XXXIV, Contents — The Six Nations — Faithful Englisli Allies — Society for the Propaga- tion of Gospel — First missionary to Iroquois — Jolin Thomas, first convert — Visit of Chiefs to England — Their names — Their portraits — Attention to them — Asking for instructor — Queen Anne — Communion Service — During the llebellion — Burying tlie Plate — Recovered — Division of the articles — Sacrilege of the Reljels — Ke-printing Prayer Book — Mr. Stuart, missionary — The women and children — At Lachine — Attachment to Mr. Stiiart— Touching instance — Mr. Stuart's Indian sister — Church at Tyendinaga — School teacher to the Mohawk— John Biuingcr — First teacher — The Bininger family — The Moravian Society — Count Zinzendorf — Moravian church at New York — First minister, Abraliam Bininger — Friend of Embury — An old account book — John Bininger journeying to Canada — Living at Bay Quinte — Removes to Mohawk village — Missionary spirit — Abraham Bininger's letters — The directions Children pleasing parents " Gallowping • thoughts " — Christianity — Canadian Moravian missionaries — Moravian loyalists — ^Tiat was sent from New York — " Best Treasure " — The " Dear Flock " — David Zieshager at the Thames — .J. Bininger acceptable to Mohawk — Abraham Bininger desires to visit Canada — Death of Mrs. Bininger — " Tender mother " — Bininger and Wesley — '• Garitson " — " Losee " — " Dunon" — Reconciled to Methodists — Pitying Losee — Losee leaving Canada — Ceases to be teacher — Appointing a successor — William Bell — The salary — The Mohawks don't attend school — An improvement — The cattle may not go in school-house — The school discontinued. THE SIX NATIONS — CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY. Fi'om the first occupation of New York by the English, the Six Nations had almost always been their faithful allies. This devotion did not remain unnoticed. Returns were made not only . of a temporal nature, but in respect to things spiritual. So early as 1702 the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the next year after its organization, sent a Missionary (Rev. Mr. Andrews) to the Mohawk "Valley. Under his direction in 1714, the Church of England Common Prayers, was translated into their tongue. The first convert to Christianity was christened John Thomas, who died in 1727, aged 119. It is said the English in their determination to secure the alliance of the Iroquois against the French prevailed upon certain chiefs to visit the Court of Queen Anne, in 1710, thinking that the greatness and splendour of England, would firmly fix their attachment. There were four of them who crossed the water, and who were treated with distinction. Their names were '' Te Yee Neen Ho Ga Prow, and Sa Ga Yean Qua Proh Ton, of the Maquas ; Elow Oh Hoam, and Oh Nee Yeath Ton No Prow, of the River Sachem. Portraits were taken of these four kings and placed in THE queen's gift. 313 tbe British Museum. When presented to the Queen they made an elaborate speech, in which they spoke of their desire to see their " great Queen ;" of the long tedious French war in which they had taken a part ; they urged the necessity of reducing Canada, and closed by expressing a wish that their "gi'eat Queen will be pleased to send over some person to instruct " them in a knowledge of the Saviour. Consequent!}' the Queen caused to bo sent to the Mohawk church just erected among them, a valuable sacramental service of plate, and a communion cloth. This royal gift was ever held in the most fervent esteem by the tribe. The part taken by the noble Iroquois during the cruel rebellion of 1176-83 is elsewhere detailed ; but in this connection is to be noticed an incident of a touching nature. The rebel commander of a blood-thirsty gang, stimulated by promises of the land which they were sent to despoil, came upon the tribe at an unexpected moment. The valuable — the costly — the revered gift from the Queen was in danger of being seized by the lawless horde which was approaching. ISTot forget- ting them — not unmindful of things sacred, some of the chief members of the tribe decided to conceal them by burying them in the earth, which was accordingly done, the plate being wi-apped in the communion cloth. These doubly valuable articles remained buried until the close of the war, when they were recovered. The plate had sutfered no injmy, but the cloth had been almost destroyed by the damp earth. These precious relics were divided between those who settled upon the Grand Eiver, and the smaller branch that remained at the Bay. They are to this day used on sacramental occasions. Upon each of the articles, sacred to memory, and sacredly employed, is cut the following words : " The Gift of Her Majesty Queen Anne by the G-race of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, of Her Plantations in North America, Queen of Her Indian Chappel of the Mohawk." When the lawless rebels came into their settlement, they destroyed the translated Prayer book. The Mohawks apprehensive that it woukl be lost, asked the Governor (Haldimand) to have an edition published. This was granted by printing a limited number in 1780 at Quebec. In 1787 a third edition was published in Lon- don, a copy of which before us, supplies these facts. In connection with it there is also a ti'anslation of the Gospel according to St. Mark by Brant. It is stated in the Preface that a translation of some other parts of the New Testament may soon be expected from Brant. But such never appeared. 314 INDIAN ATTACHMENT. The nii.' and tell SENDING PRESENTS TO CANADA. 317 the poor Indians of God their Saviour, that would be the highest and happiest employ for me." In August, lie says I would have ventured the hardships of the journey, but mother and Isaac wont approve of it , they think I am too old and feeble. I know that if I was with you I should have more contentment than I have here." The last communication we have is dated February, 1804, in Avhich the good old Moravian says, to his children, John and Phoebe, that there " dear tender mother went happy to our dear Saviour ;" at the funeral was so many, he wondered how so many could collect. The Rev. Abraham Bininger was intimate with Wesley, whom he accompanied to Virginia. He also was familiar with Philip Embnry, and Mr. " Garitson " who baptized his grand-child. The first two Methodist preachers in Canada were well known to him. Several letters:, back and forth, ai-e " per favor of Losee." In one letter he says, " Don foi'get to remember my love and regards to Mr, Dnnon (Dunham) and Mr. Loese." The postscript of another letter says, '' Isaac intends to send a young heifer, two pound of tea, a gammon, and a pise of smokt beef. Mother sends her love to Dunon and Mr. Loese." A letter dated April 12th, 1*792, says John Switzers' son " was baptized by Mr. Garitson. Mr. Garitson is well approved of in these parts. I heartily wish, as much as I love him, that he were in your parts. I am of late more reconciled to the Methodists than I was before, I see they really are a blessing to many poor souls." Writing 2nd August, 1794, he says "I heartily pity ]VIr. Losee for withdrawing his hand, he is now to be treated wdth patience and tenderness. I have sent last part of a discourse which I translated from the brethrens' writing. I did it chiefly on account of Mr. Losee, if you think proper send him a copy with a tender greet from me.'* John Bininger, writing January 12, 1795, remarks, Mr. Losee is just setting out for the States. Mr. John Bininger ceased to be teacher to the Mohawks some- time in the latter part of 1795, or first part of 1796. There are several letters before us, written by Mi*. Stuart, in reference to the appoititment of a successor to Mr. Bininger, the first one is directed to "Mr. William Bell, at the head of the Bay of Quinte, and dated at Kingston, September 26, 1796." He says "I received your letter respecting the Mohawk school ; I can give you no positive answer at present : because I have agreed, conditionally with a school-master at Montreal, that is, if he comes uj), he is to have the school ; I expect daily to hear from him, although I do 318 THE MOHAWK SCHOOL. not think he will accept of the employment. Some time ago Mr. Ferguson mentioned you as one who would probably undertake that charge. I told Captain John that if the person from Montreal disappointed me I would talk with you on the subject. The salary- is £30 sterling, with a house to live in, and some other advantages which depend wholly on the pleasure of the Mohawks — but the teacher must be a man, and not a woman, however well qualified." The teacher from Montreal did not come, and Mr. Bell was ap- pointed. The following seems to have been a copy of Mr. Bell's first call for payment, the half-yearly instalment. "Mohawk Village, Bay of Quinte, July 5, 1797 — Exchange for £15 sterling. Sir, — At thirtj' days sight of this first of exchange, please to pay to Mr. Kobert McCaulej^, or order, the sum of fifteen pounds sterling, being half-year's salary, from the 15th day of November, 1796, to the 15th day of May, 1797, due from the Society, without further advice, from, Sir, &c., (Signed), William Bell, school-master to the Mohawks. To Calvert Chapman, Esq., Ti-easurer to the Society for the Propjigation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts — Duke Street, Westminster." The Mohawks, it seems, did not appreciate the advantages which the establishment of a school among them was intended to afford, and Mr, Stuart is found writing as follows: "Kingston, August 18, 1799 — Sir, — Unless the Mohawks will send such a num- ber of their children to school as will justify me in continuing a school-master, in duty to myself, as acting for the Society, I shall be under the necessity of discontinuing the payment of your salary after the expiration of the present year. This information I think proper to give y^ou, that you may govern yom-self accordingly. I am. Sir," &c., (Signed), John Stuart. But writing again, March 16, 1800, Mr. Stuart says, " I am happy to hear that the school is now furnished with a dozen or more scholars, and it is expected you will be very strict in youi* disci- pline, and see that prayers are read night and morning ; that the children are taught the Lord's Prayer, and the Commandments — that children may not be sent home even if their parents do not send wood at the stated times ; that the cattle may not be allowed to go into the school, but that it be kept clean, and the w^ood belong- ing to it may not be used unless in school hours." Writing again, September 11, 1801, Mr. Stuart says, "I have waited with patience to see whether the Mohawks would send their SCHOOL DISCONTINUED. 319 children more regularly to school, but if the accounts I receive are true, the money is expended to no purpose. I am told that there has not been a scholar in school since last spring. And, as I never found that the fault was on your side, I cannot, in conscience, allow the salary of the Society to bo paid for nothing. Therefore, unless Caj)t. John and the chief men of the village will promise that the school shall be furnished with at least six scholars, I must dismiss you from their service — as soon as you receive this notification. I hope you will see the reasonableness of this determination of mine, and you may show this letter to Capt. John and the MohaAvks, by which they will see that the continuance or discontinuance of the school depends wholly on themselves." The final letter upon the subject is dated "Kingston, 26th August, 1802," and says, "I have not yet received any letter from the Society; but, for the reasons I mentioned to you, I think it will be expedient to let the Mohawk school cease, at least for some time. I therefore notify you that after your present quarter is ended you will not expect a continuance of the salary." (Signed), " John Stuart." " To William Bell, school-master to the Mohawks, Bay of Quinte." CHAPTER XXXV. Contents — The first Church at Tyeuflinaga grow.s old — A Council — Ask for Assistance — Gov. Bagot — Laying first stone of new Church — The Inscription — The Ceremony — The new Church — Their Singing — The surrounding Scenery — John Hall's Tomb — Pagan Indians — Red Jacket — His Speech — Eeflection upon Christians — Indians had nothing to do with murdering the Saviour, BUILDING A NEW CHURCH. Their original edifice of wood, having served its purpose, and being in a state of decay; it was deemed necessary to have erected a new and more substantial building. They, consequently, held a Council, at which the Chief made the following speech, after hearing all the ways and means discussed — " If we attempt to build this chui'ch by ourselves, it will never be done. Let us, therefore, ask our father, the Governor, to build it for us, and it will be done at once." Eeference here was made, not to the necessary funds, for they were to be derived from the sale of Indian lands ; but to the 320 THE INDIAN CHURCH. experience requisite to carry out the project. Sir Charles, Bagot, the Governor, was accordingly petitioned. "The first stone was laid by S. P. Jarvis, Esq., Chief Superintendent of Indians in Canada ; and the Ai-chdeacon of Kingston, the truly venerable G. O. Stuart, conducted the usual service ; which was jDreceded by a procession of the Indians, who, singing a hymn, led the way from the wharf." "The following inscription was placed in this stone : TO The Gloky of God Our Saviour THE REMNANT OF THE TEIBE OF KAN-YE-AKE-HAKA, IN TOKEN OF THEIR PRESERVATION BY THE DIVINE MERCY THEOUGH JESUS CHRIST, In the sixth j-ear of Our Mother Queen Victoria : Sir Charles Theopholus Metcalf, G.C.B., being Governor General of British North America; The Right Rev. J. Strachan, D.D., and |LL.D., Being Bishop of Toronto : AND THE REV. saltern GIVINS, BEING IN THE THIRTEENTH YEAR OF HIS INCUMBENCY. The old wooden fabric having answered its end, THIS CORNER STONE OF CHRIST'S CHURCH TYENDINAGA, WAS LAID In the presence of the Venerable George O'Kill Stuart, LL.D., Archdeacon of Kingston; By Samuel Peter Jarvis, Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Canada, assisted by various Members of the Church, ON TUESDAY ]\IAY 30th, A. D., 1843. &c., &c., &c. A hymn was sung b}- the Indians, and Indian children of the school. The Rev. Wm. Macauley, of Picton, delivered an address, which was followed by a prayer from the Rev. Mr. Deacon." — {Sir Richard Henry Bonnycastle.) MOHAWK CATECHIST. 321 This edifice, with four lancet windows on each side, presents to the eye a very pleasing appearance upon approaching it. While the interior may not altogether appear so attractive, it is sufficiently interesting. There is the elevated desk, and the more elevated pulpit ; and upon the wall, over the altar, are the ten command- ments, in the :Mohawk tongue. Here is grandly united the Mother Church, and the devoted piety of the once great Mohawk nation. Opposite the altar is a gallery, across the end of the building, in which is an organ. Therefrom proceeds, Sunday after Sunday, rich notes of tuneful melody, blending with the stout voices of the singers. From this church ascends, have we not reason to believe the adoration of hearts warmed into spiritual life by the pure principles of Christianity. The view from the church uj)on the surrounding scenery is very pleasant, and, in the quietness of a summer day, one may linger gazing and meditating upon the past history of the race whose dead slumber hard by. The visitor's attention will be directed to a flat tomb, of blue stone, inclosed by a low stone wall, overgrown with shrubs. Upon the face of the tomb are the words : "This tomb, erected to the memory of John Hall, Ochechusleah, by the Mohawks, in grateful remembrance of his Christian labors amongst them. During thirty 3-ears, he served as a Mohawk Catechist, in this settlement, under the Society for Propagating the Gospel, adorning the doctrine of God, his Saviour, and enjoying the respect of all who knew him. He died, generally regretted, June, 1848, aged 60 years." This stone also covers the remains of "Eloner, the exemplary wife of the Catechist, who died in the Lord, May 7, 1840, aged 50." While the Mohawks always manifested a desire to learn the truth, as taught by Christians, there were some of the Six Nations who believed not, and steadfastly turned their backs upon the mis- sionaries of the Cross. Among these stood prominent the Seneca chief Sagnoaha, or Eed Jacket, one well known as an eloquent Sachem in all the Councils of his people. A Seneca council was held at Buffalo Creek, in May, 1811, when Eed Jacket answered the desire of a missionary that they should become Christians, as follows : — " Brother ! — We listened to the talk you delivered to us from the council of black coats in New York. We have fally considered your talk, and the offt;r.s you have made us. We now return our aiiswer, which we wish you also to understand. In making up our minds We have look d ba -k to remember what has been done in our S FIRST GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. size, J)v. Strachaii by pen, and l)y word ol mouth, was setting up ii high standard of learning ; and by worthy means, was stimulating the minds of the future men of Canada to attain that high mark. Read the easy flowing words that ap])eared in the Kingston Gazette, over "Reckoner," and it will strike one that if he took the Spectator as a model, he abundantly succeeded in imitating the immortal Addison. His school at Cornwall was pre-eminently good, "he had the av elf are of those committed to him at heaj-t, (says the Rev. ]\[r. Smart,) as well as the youth of the country generally." Five years after the erection of Upper Canada into a distinct Province, 1797, steps were taken by the two Houses of Parliament to establish schools for the higher branches of learning. A joint address was presented to His Majesty, Geo. IH., asking that he " would be graciously pleased to direct his Government in this Pro- vince, to appropriate a certain portion of the waste lands of the Crown, as ^ fund for the establishment and support of a respectable Grammar School in each District thereof; and also a College, or University, for the instruction of 3'outh in the different branches of liberal knowledge." The Imperial Government replied, enquiring in what manner, and to what extent, a portion of the Crown lands might be appropriated and rendered productive towards the formation of a fund for the above purposes." The Executive Council of Canada recommended "that an appropriation of 500,000 acres, or ten town- ships, after deducting the Crown and Clergy sevenths, would be a sufficient fund for the establishment and maintenance of the royal foundation of four Grammar Schools and one University." It was also suggested, that the Grammer Schools be established at Corn- wall, Kingston, Newark (Niagara), and Sandwich, and the Uni- versity at York."' It is not known what action was taken on this recommendation. — (Lillie). But, in 1798, " a grant was made of 549,000 acres of land in diflerent parts of the Province, to carry out the design of the Grammer Schools and University." "Of the above land endowment, 190,573 acres were, up to the year 1826, assigned to ( or disposed of by) a public body, known as the Board of Education, the pi-oceeds having been, applied to the support of Common and Grammar Schools." The residue of the grant, amounting to 358,427 acres, appears to have been regarded as properly constituting that portion of the royal gift which had been intended for the support of the contemplated University." Through the influence and exertion of Dr. Strachan, the University of King's College was established by Roj-al Charter of FOUNDATION OF UPPER CANADA COLLEUE. 339 Incorporation, 15th Marcli, 1827, with an endowment of " 225,000 ■acres of crown land, and £1,000 for sixteen years. The Council or Governors were to consist of the Chancellor, President, and seven Professors or Graduates of the institution. All were to be members of the Church of England. This exclusive featui-e of the College continued to exist until 1843, when the charter was modified whereby parties were eligiblej^to hold office by a declaration of their " belief in the authenticity and Divine incorporation of the Old and ]^ew Testaments, andj in the doctrine of the Trinity. Vai'ious changes were made by Legislative enactment until the present institution became established, in 1853, when the faculties of Law and Medicine were abolished, the name changed from King's College to University College, and the University and College made two distinct institutions. The Royal Grammar School was merged into Upper Canada College in 1829, and this institutiongwas opened the following year. *' In the years 1832, 1834, and 1835, it received endowments of land, amounting, in all, to 63,268^acres, irrespective of two valuable blocks in York — on one of which the|5present College buildings stand." "The College further received an allowance from Govern- ment of £200 sterling,^in 1830; £500 in 1831 ; and £1,000 sterling per annum since." ACADEMY AT ERNESTTOWN — BIDWELL. While to Dr. Strachan belongs the honor of establishing the first school whereat a liberal education might be obtained the elforts and labors of others must not be forgotten. Shortly aftei- the commencement of the present century, there arose, perhaps as a result of the teaching of Strachan, a greater desire for advanced learning. 8aya a writer in 1811, "A spirit of improvement is evidently spreading, the value of education, as well as the want of it, is felt. Gentleraen'of competent means appear to be sensible of the importance of giving their ^children academical learning, and ambitious to do it without sending them abroad for the purpose. Among other indications of progress in literary ambition, I cannot forbear referring to the academy lately erected in Ernest- town, by the subscription of public-spirited inhabitants of that, and the neighbouring townships, who appear to be convinced that the cultivation of liberal arts and sciences is naturally connected with an improvement of manners and morals, and a general melior- ation of the state of society." 340 MR. BIDWELL. The academy above referred to was the second school of import- ance established in Upper Canada. It was also situated upon the shores of the Bay of Quinte. The following h i'vom the Kingston Gazette : " Ernesttown Academy. — The subscribers hereby inform the friends of learning that an Academical School, under the superin- tendence of an experieiu-ed preceptor, is opened in Ernesttown, near the church, for the instruction of youth in English reading, speaking, grammar and composition, the learned languages, pen- manship, arithmetic, geograhy, and other branches of Liberal Education. Scholars attending from a distance may be boarded in good families on reasonable terms, and for fifteen shillings a year can have the use of a valuable library. School Trustees : Eobert McDowel, Benjamin Fairfield, William Fairfield, Solomon Johns, William Wilcox, Samuel Neilson, George Baker. — Ernesttown, 11th March, 1811." The person selected for teacher was Mr. Barnabas Bidwell, who had a few years previously come to Canada from the State of Massachusetts, where he had been, according to a writer in the Kingston Gazette, Attorn ej^-General of that State. The same writer made charges of a serious nature against j\Ii-. Bidwell, as to the cause of his leaving his country ; but one of the above com- mittee vindicated Mr. Bidwell's character; by asserting that although Mr. B. had been "unfortunate in business, and became embarrassed, he was honest, and had left property to pay his debts when he left — that he had been a tutor at the first college in America — that he avoided polities and devoted himself to literary pursuits." It was about the commencement of the present century, when Mr Bidw^ell came to Bath to live. Probably the academy at Bath was regarded somewhat as a rival to the school existing at Cornwall. Barnabas Bidwell remained at Bath about eight years when he removed to Kingston, with his son, Mai"s'hal Bidwell, who became a lawyer, and a very conspicuous character in Canada. B. Bidwell died at Kingston, July 26, 1833, aged 70. His son removed to York in 1830, where he pi-actised his profession until the eventful year of 1837. The academy, at the commencement of the war of 1812, was in a prosperous state, but ver}- soon nil was changed, — the school was broken up, and the building converted into a barrack. The close of the war unfor innately saw no return of the old state of things, COLLEGES AT KINGSTON. 341 the teacher was gone, and the students scattered, •' having resorted to other places of education, many of them out of the province. The building is now, (1822), occupied as a house of public worship, and a common school. It is to be hoped, however, that the taste for literary improvement may be revived, and this seminary be re-established." But these hopes were never realized. The literarj'' glory of Bath had departed. The capital of York was now to become a centre to which would gravitate the more learned, and where would be established the seats of learning. The limited, though earnest rivalry which had existed between Kingston and Bath, was to be on a more important scale, between the ancient ^capital, Kingston, and the more promising one of York. CHAPTEE XXXIX. Contexts — Extract from Cooper — Educational institutions — Kingston — Queen's College— Own's Real Estate — Eegiopolis College — Roman Catholic — Gi'am- mar School — Attendance — School houses — Librar}-— Separate Schools — Private Schools — The Quaker School — William Penn — Upon the Hudson — Near Bloomfield— Origin of school— Cxurnay — His offer — iManagement of school — The teaching — Mrs. Crombie's schools — Picton Ladies' Academy — McMullen, proprietor— Teachers — Oentlemen's department — Popular — The art of printing — In America — Book publishing — First in America— Books among the loyalists— Few — Passed around — Ferguson's books — The Bible — Libraries at Kingston and Bath — Legislation — In Lower Canada — Reading room at Hallowell — Reserves for Education— Upper Canada in respect to education — Praiseworthy — Common School System Bill introduced IS-il — Amended, 1846— Dr. Ryerson's system — Uusurpas^ed. HIGHER EDUCATION, CONTINITED. The subjoined statement "Cve extract from Cooper, which was written in 1856. We have no doubt the last twelve years has been attended with a steady increase in the importance of the Educa- tional institutions of Kingston. "Educational Inststutions. — There are in Kingston two colleges. Queen's College and Eegiopolis; the County Grammar School, 11 Common Schools, 2 separate E. C. Schools, one School connected with the Nunnery, or Sisters of Charity, with numerous good private schools for boys, jH'ivate schools for girls, infant schools and other minor educational establishments, such as evening- schools, classes for teaching continental languages, &c., in all between 20 and 30. 342 queen's college. " Queen's College. — Queen's College is an educational institu- tion of very considerable importance, and from it have issued graduates in arts, divinity and medicine, of no despicable attain- ments. It was incorporated by Eoyal Charter in 1842, and is under tlie management of a Board of Trustees and Senate. It has a Principal and four Professors in Arts and Divinity, besides six Medical Professors. It confers Scholarships of the aggregate value of £200, the highest being worth £12 10s. It numbers during the present year, 47 medical students, 30 in Arts, 10 in Divinity, con- nected with it is a Preparatory School, where great pains are taken to prepare pupils for matriculation at the college. A good library, containing some 3,000 volumes belongs to the College. A series of meteorological observations are taken by the graduates, with the able supervision of the Eev. Professor James Williamson, under whose assiduous attention this branch of knowledge, so much neglected in Canada has been carefully fostered. •• This institution owns valuable real estate, and is aided by an annual grant from the Legislature of £750, and £250 to the medical branch. •' Eegiopolis College is a Roman Catholic Seminary of learn- ing ; it has three Professorships, the duties of which are dischai-ged by Koman Catholic clergymen. Beyond its f)wn walls, and its own community, it is little known as an educational institution. " The County "CtRAMMAR School is supported as those in other counties, that is, by a grant from Government of £100 per annum, and the tuition fees of pupils. It possessed formerly a small endow- ment ; this for the present has been consumed in creating a fund for the liquidation of some debt on the school-house, a plain sub- stantial building in a healthy and elevated part of the town: it is under the control of a Board of Tru-stees, appointed by the County Council, and is managed by a head-master and under-master. It is one of the three Grammar Schools first established in the Pro- vince, and created by Eo^-al Charter — the other two being at Cornwall and Niagara. '•The CojvmoN Schools are, as in other places, under the management of the department of education, and the local control of a Board of Trustees, and local Superintendent. There is a great want of proper and sufficient school-hou.-.es, a want which it is anticipated twill soon be supplied, the Board having in contempla- tion, the immediate erection of proper buildings. The free school system has been a(^pted here ; the difficulties usually attendant on QUAKER SCHOOLS. 343 its establishment have not been altogether escaped — the pulilic seeming loth to tax themselves to any extent, for the purpose of general education. A marked increase in the attendance at the city schools has taken place during the last tu'o years, and thei-e are now taught as large a number of childi-en in the common schools of Kingston as in any other Canadian city, in proportion to its population : the standard of education may or may not be as high as in Toronto, Hamilton or Brockville, but if it is more elementary, it is not less -sound. In free ])ublic schools, .^uch as now established, it is perhaps as well not to aim at a higher standard than is here attained to. When good se-hool-houses are erected, it will doubt- lessly be found necessary to adopt the Central School system, on the model of that so successfully carried out in Hamilton, Perth and St. Catharines, and j^erhaps elsewhere. When such is the case the present schools will rank high as primary schools, whilst the central schools will have to compete with other similar institutions in the province, and will not likely be behind them in character and value ; these changes are in contemplation, and will before long be carried into effect. The people of Kingston do not foil to appreciate the benefits of sound education of its inhabitants in elevating the position of a city. A public library, containing some 2.000 volumes, has. been established in connection with the city schools. •' The Roman Catholic Separate Schools are under the management of a separate Board of Trustees ; they are sujjported as are the Copamon Schools, by. a Legislative grant, proportionate to the aver'age attendance of pupils, and by a rate settled by the Board, collected from all rate-payers; in the case of the Separate Schools, from the parents of pupils and supporters of the schools, who are exempt from all other taxation for school purposes. The rate in their case is usually very low. The wealthier sujiporters of the schools, with a praiseworthy zeal, voluntarily contribute largely to the required fund. Among the private schools are many excellent academies for both boys and girls, which afford both ornamental acquirements and substantial, classical and commercial education." Quaker Schools — The noted and good William Penu founded a .school for the childi-en of the Friends at an early date. Sul)se- (piently a Quaker Boarding School was established upon the banks of the Hud.son, near Poughkeepsie. Toward the latter part of 1841, a school for the children of 344 PICTON ACADEMY. tlic Quaker denomination, was opened near tlie pleasant village of Bloomfield, about 4 miles from Pieton. The origin of the school we believe, was prett}- much as follows : An English gentleman, John Joseph Gurncy, brother to Elizabeth Fry, a member of the Quaker Society, and wc believe a minister, was travelling in Canada, and discovering the wants of that denomination, with respect to education, ottered to bestow a certain sum, (£500), on condition that another specified sum were raised, a suitable place bought, and buildings pre^iared. His offer being accepted, and at this juncture, Mr. Armstrong being desirous of selling his farm of 100 acres, with a good brick house just completed, the present site of the school was procured. In addition to the means thus obtained there was also a limited sum held b}' the society, it is said a bequest, for educational purposes. Additional buildings were erected, and the school duly opened. The first teachers were Americans. The school was managed by a committee chosen annually by the Society, until the latter part of 1865, when it was leased to Mr. W. Valentine, to whom we are partially indebted for the foregoing facts. The school continues under the supervision of a managing committee, appointed b}^ the Society. Its capacity does not extend further than to receive 30 pupils of each sex, who are taught the usual branches of a good English education, and sometimes the rudiments of the classics and the modern languages. In 1836, ]\Ii's. Crombie and her sister Miss Bradshaw opened a "Eemale Academy" in Pieton, which promised to give "substantial and ornamental accomplishments." The Pieton Ladies' Acadamy was opened in December, 1847, by the Rev. T>. McMullen, as sole proprietor. It was continued by him until May, 1851, when Miss Creighton rented the premises and took charge of the school. It continued under her management nine months, when it finally was closed. The first teachers were the late Mrs. N. F. English, and Miss Eliza Austin. Afterwards Miss M. E. Adams was prece})tress, and Miss Ployle was teacher. A male department was established by Mr. McMullen, with the hope of having it connected with the Grammar School. But this was not done. The principal of the school was C. M. C. Cameron, now Br. Cameron of Port Hope, and a graduate of Victoria College. He was assisted by Mr. Samuel W. Harding ; the school existed but one year. Both of these schools were well attended, and were deservedly popidar. When closed it was generally regarded as a })ublic loss, by those most caj)able of judging. FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA COLLEOE. 345 CrPER CANADA ACADEMY — VICTORIA COLLEOE. We have accorded to Dr. Strachan a prominent and foremost position in connection with the subject of higher education. We considered it a duty as Avell as a pleasure, to thus lienor one whose praise was in all the land when he ceased to live. But the fountain of education opened by him did not flow, shall we say, was not intended to flow to the masses. Dr. Strachan's educational estab- lishment was rather created for a select circle, for an expected Canadian aristocracy. It remained for others to originate a stream of learning that should water the whole land, and come within the reach of eveiy Canadian family — that should give intellectual life to the whole of the country, irrespective of creed or origin. To the Wesleyan Methodists belongs the greater honor of establishing an institution of higher learning, whose doors were opened to all, and within which any one might obtain learning Avithout hindrance, no matter what his belief While religious oversight was to be extended, no peculiar dogma was to be enforced, no sectarian principle was to be inculcated. In the month of August, 1830, when the Weslej-an Conference met upon the Bay Quinte, the Eev. Wm. Case, being Greneral Super- intendent, and Eev. James (now Dr.) Eichardson, Secretary, and while Cobourg was 3'et embraced within the Bay Quinte District, the following Eesolution was adopted by that bod}': "That a Committee of nine be chosen by ballot, consisting of three from each District, to fix the location of the Seminary, according to some general instructions to be given them by the Conference." The committee consisted of " J. Ej'erson, T. White- head, S. Belton, David Wright, J. Beattj-, Wm. Ryerson, Thos. Madden, Wm. Brown, James Eichardson." "The following Constitution for the Upper Canada Academy, was adopted : •' 1. That nine Trustees be appointed, three of whom shall go into office annually. " 2. That a Board of Visitors, consisting "of five, be chosen annually by the Conference,'' That these two bo dies should jointly form a Board to a])point the Principal and Teachers, and govern, and generally superintend tlio institution. The Conference, in the Pastoral Address, asked for the liberal support of the members, in the establishment of the proposed Academy. A general agent was appointed, and active steps taken 346 THE FIRST PRINCIPAL. to carry out the object. It is noteworthy, tbut the call thus made to the farmery, many of whom were yet struggling for the necessaries of life, was pi'omptly and nobly re.sponded to. Agents continued to be aj^pointed from year to yeai", and in the Conference address ol" 1835, it is said, ''"We are happy to be able to say that the buildings for the Upper Canada Academy are nearly completed. We trust the Institution will soon be open for the reception of pupils." There had been delay " for want of funds," Arrangements were making to accommodate one hundred and seventy pupils, with board and lodging. In 1836, it is found stated, that " the Conference and the friends of general education, and of Wesleyan Methodists in Canada, have at length, bj^ their unremitting eiforts, .succeeded in preparing the Upper Canada Academy for the reception of pupils, and we expect, in a few days to see it in operation." In 183T, wc find that Matthew Eitchc}', A. M., was the Principal of the U. C. Academy. If we mistake not, the Eev. Egerton Eyerson had, previously been named to fill the office. At all events, we have every reason to believe that this distinguished Canadian educationist was chiefly instrumental in securing the foundation of an abiding institution, probably, indeed, was the originator of the scheme. He not only stimulated otliers to work; but obtained from C-rovernment a gi-ant, so often begrudged. He also, as a representative to the British Conference, was the means of procuring a donation of one hundred pounds' worth of books, beside other contributions. In 1810, the Eev. Mr. Eitchey ceased to be Princij)al. During his time of service, it is stated, the Academj^ increasingly progressed in efficiency and in increase of pupils. Mr. Eitchey's succes.sor, in 1841, was the Eev. Jesse Hurlburt, A. B. Daniel C. VauNorman was Professor of Mathematics, a post to which he had been appointed a year previous. The year 1842 saw the Upper Canada Academy changed into the Victoria College, by Provincial Legislative enactment, posses- sing the usual powers and privileges of a University. The Eev, Egerton Eyerson was made Principal; Jesse Hurlourt, A. M., and D. C. YanXorman, Professors; and James Spencer, English Teacher. Dr. Eyerson continued Principal until 1845. In 1S45, Alexander MacNab, A. M., Avas apjiointcd Acting Principal, and in 1847 he became Principal, and held the position until 1850. In 1851, the Eev. S. S, Nelles, A. M., was elected to the office which he now continues to hold with so much credit and dignity, having been instrumental in materiall}' advancing the reputation of the previously well known College. THE ART OF PRINTING. Sit BOOKS, LIBRARIES — PRINTING. The art of printing was not old when the colonies of France and Great Britain were planted in America. The discovery of this art, Avith the avenue which the discovery of America, opened for the pent up millions of Euroi)e, wrought out the most striking changes Avhich ever marked the history of the human race. It struck the final blow to the spirit of feudalism, while America supplied an asyluni for those who found not full freedom of conscience and an opportunity to rise in the scale of human existence. Book publishing being once introduced into England, rapidly became of vast magnitude, and thus everywhere scattered the food essential for the human mind. It was in the year 1639 that printing was introduced into America ; but it was sixty-two years befoi'e it became of any account, during which time the business was mostly in Philadelphia. Altogether there were but four presses in the country. The first book printed in America was made in 1G40. It was a reprint of the Psalm Book, and afterwards })assed through many editions, while it was reprinted in England in eighteen editions, and twenty-two in Scotland, being seventy in all. Whatever may have been the state of education in the British Colonies, and the general desire to read books at the time of the re- bellion, it is quite certain that the hasty manner in which many left their homes, the long distance to travel, and necessity of carrying quantities of provision which took all the strength of the refugees, precluded the possibility of carrying m.any, or any books to the wilderness of Canada. Even after the peace the long distance to come, and the frequent impoverished condition of the settler, allowed not the desire, if such existed, to fetch books for instruction and mental enjoyment. However, there were some brought by them, but mostly by the officers recently out from the old country. During the first ten years the books among the settlers were very few; but these few were circulated from one township to another — from one person to another, who had the desire to, and could, read. We have in our possession, a letter from John Ferguson to Mr. Bell, who was then, 1*789, at Kingston, in which the latter is requested to tell Mr. Markland, that he, Mr. Ferguson, had sent him from the Eighth Township, by the bearer, the History of France. The same person writing from Fredericksburgh in 1791, desires to have sent from Sidney to him, " some books, viz. : five volumes of the History of England, by Horn, and the two volumes of Andrew's History of France." 348 FORMATION OF LIBRARIES. But wliile few, or no books of a secular nature, were brought by the settler, a large number, true to their consfience, carried a copy of the Bible, even many of the disbanded soldiers had one, especially the Lutherans. These were often in the German, or Dutch language. Some of these venerable and sacred relics we have seen ; one in German, Avhich belonged to Bongard of Marysburgh. For many years Kingston took the lead in everything that per- tains to education. The history of the Kingston Gazette shows that, not only did the leading men of the place give the patronage neces- sary to establish and maintain a newspaper, independent of Govern- ment support, and give interest to the columns of the paper by con- tributions ; but there is evidence of early and successful efibrts to form a public libraiy. Reference is made to the " Social library established in this village (Kingston) in 1813, when the Rev. Mr. Langhorn presented to it a valuable collection of books, (see the first clergyman). This library had probably been in existence for some years. Another library was established at Bath prior to this time. Gourlay says, in 1811, "books are procured hi considerable numbers, social libraries are introduced in various places." And, no doubt, the High School at Cornwall, imder Mi*. Strachau, had attached to it a select library. The Kingston Gazette announces, August 1, 1815, that "A small circulating library " has been opened at the Gazette office, " on the most reasonable terms." In 1816, an act was passed "to appropriate a sum of money lo^" proA'iding a library for the use of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of this Province." The sum gi-anted was £800 to pur- chase books and maps. While the growth of Upper Canada was attended by a corres- ponding increase of private and public libraries, Lower Canada, there is reason to believe, was maintaining the character it had acquired under its original rulers, for educational privileges and individual etrorts to create centres of learning. We find the statement " that the library of F. Fleming, Esq., Montreal, comprising 12,000 volumes, sold by auction, Septeniber 8, 1833, was the largest ever offered for sale on the American conti- nent." In the Ilallowell Free Press, 15th February, 1831, is the follow- ing: "Library notice." — "A meeting of the inhabitants of the village of Hallowell is requested to-morrow evening, at Strikers' Inn, at seven o'clock, to take into consideration the propriety of estab- ORIGIN OF COMMON SCHOOLS. 349 lishing a Eeatling-room in the village." The next issue of the Journal says, " we are glad to see our friends have established a reading-room." " At an early period of British dominion in America, blocks of wild land were set apart, to make provision, by a future day, for public institutions. ■ Since the revolution, the United States have followed out, in part, this practice, by allotting lands for schools, and in Canada, whole townships have been appropriated for the same purpose." While this forethought respecting schools indicated a proper desire to secure educational interests, it must be observed that the reserves, like those of the Crown and Clergy, very materially prevented the opening up of the country by settlers, and kept apart the settlers, over a wide field, and thus preventing advancement in civilization. Looking back at the history of legislation, relative to education, one is struck with the fact that much, very much, was done by the young colony of Upper Canada. The establishment of the Common Schools especially, which first took place 1816, has been regarded as most wifce, and the grants of money most praiseworthy. The present Common School system of Upper Canada was in- troduced in 1841. The Bill was brought forward by the Hon. S. B. Hari'ison. The fundamental principle, being the allotment of money to each county, on condition of its raising an equal amount by local assessment. This act was amended and improved in 1843, by the Son. Francis Hincks, and in 1846, by the Hon. W. H. Draper. In 1849, the Hon. J. H. Camei'ou introduced an act, establishing schools in cities and towns. In the year following, these two acts were in corporated into one, with further improvements. The Common School system, as we find it to day, is, in a great measure, the production of Dr. Eyerson's long continued and intelli- gent labor. Borrowing the machinery from the State of New York, and the mode of support from Massachusetts, taking the Irish national school-books for instruction, and making use of the JSTormal School system of Germany, he has, by the addition of what was necessary, built up a system of Common School education in the Province of Ontario, that cannot be surpassed, if equalled, in the whole world. 350 NEWSPAPERS. CHAPTER XL. Contents — First Newspapers, 1457 — Year 66 — English Newspapers — In America — In Canada — 'Gazette' — Founder Papers in 1753 — Quebec 'Herald' — Montreal ' Gazette ' — ' Le Temps '—Quebec ' Mercury ' — Canadien 'Courant ' — ' Koyal Gazette ' — First in Newfoundland — ' U. ('. Ga/.ettc' — First Paper — Subscribers — Upper Canada ' Guardian ' — Wilcox — Mr. Thorpe — Opposi- tion — Libel — Elected to Parliament — York Jail — Leader — In 1812 — DesiTted — York ' Gazette ' — Kingston ' Gazette ' — (Jul)' Paper — News sixty years ago — In Midland District — Rev. Mr. Miles— Pioneer of .Journal- ism — His Birthplace — Learns the Printing Business — Mower — Montreal 'Gazette' — Kendall — Partnership— To Kingston in 1810 — The Printing GiTiee — Kingston ' Gazette ' — Mr. Miles sells out — The concern purchased — Mr. Miles asked to be Editor — Their kindness — Gratitude — Second Volume — Extract from ' Gazette ' — The Price — Kingston' Chronicle ' — Upper Canada ' Herald ' — ' Canadian Watchman ' — Mr. Miles at Prescott — Returns to King- ston — Enters the Ministry — Loyal Subject — In 1812 — On Duty— Archdeacon Stuart — Col. Cartwright — Contributors to ' Gazette '—Our Thanks — A Watch — Faithfulness — " A Good Chance " — Subscribers at York — Kingston ' Spectator ' — < Patriot ' — ' Argus ' — ' Commercial Advertizer ' — ' British Whig' — 'Chronicle' and 'News' — First Daily in Upper Canada — Paper Boxes — Brockville 'Recorder' — A Reform paper — McLeod — Granville ' Gazette ' — Prescott ' Telegraph ' — ' Christian Guardian' — Reform Journals. THE FIRST NEWSPAPERS IN THE WORLD. The first newspaper published in the world, says Galignani, bears the name of Neuremberg, 1457. But according to Tacitus, newspapers, under the name of diuma, circulated among the Eomans so early as the year 66. The first English newsjjaper was issued in 1622, and the first French in 1631. The first in America was the Newsletter, published at Boston, 1704. It was discontinued in 1776. The first published in New York, Avas by Wm. Bradford, in 1773. In 1775, there were but thirty-seven in the British colo- nies. By 1801, there were in the United States 203, and in 1810, 358. The first newspaper in Canada was the Quebec Gazette, first issued in 1776. Although now upwards of a hundred years old, it continues to live an active and useful life. The fouuder of it^ Mi\ Brown, brought his press from Philadelphia in 1763. By his heirs it was sold to Mr. Nelson, who left the establishment by his will to his Itrother, tho late Hon. John "Wilson, long the experienced and able editor of the paper. There were, in 1763, not more than twenty newspapers in the breadth and length of the then American colonic- ; and the Quebec Gazette is the oldest in the British North American Provinces. For nearly thirty years it remained without a competitor; but about 1788 the Quebec Herald was started, which had but a brief existence. About the same time, the old Montreal UPPER CANADA COLLEGE. 351 Gazette was established by one Mesplet, and was published in French ; but was soon discontinued until 1194. About the same date Lc Temps newspaper was published at Quebec,- in French and English, and was of short life. The Quebec Mercury, published in English, by Thomas Car}-, commenced its career in 1804, and the Canadien followed it in 1800 ; but Avas stopped by the seizure of the press by the Government, in 1810. The Canadien Courant was founded at Montreal about 1808. Tlic Royal Gazette and Newfound- land Advertiser, the tirst newspaper in ]N"ewfonndland, appeared in 1707. The Upper Canada Gazette or American Oracle, the first paper in Upper Canada, was established by Grovernor Simcoe, in 1793. It was first published on the 18th April, by Gideon Tiftany. ^STaturally its circulation was limited, as the j)opulation was sparse, and com- munication difficult. It was supported mainly by Government. Eochefoucault says, in 1795 it was " not taken by a single person in Kingston. But the Quebec Gazette was by two." The second journal published in Upper Canada, was the Upper Canada Guardian, in opposition to Government, at York, by Mx. Joseph "Wilcox, an Irishman, in 1807, Avhose history is not of the most satisfactory nature. He had been a Sheriflf' in the Home Dis- trict; but Avas displaced for voting at an election for one Thorpe. Mr. Thorpe had been sent out from England as one of the Justices of the King's Bench. Notwithstanding this position, he became a candidate for member of Parliament ; but, being opj)osed by the Government, he was defeated. Subsequently he was recalled hj the Secretary of State, at the request of Governor Gore. Wilcox, having lost his office, commenced publishing the Guardian, and was very bitter in his opposition to the Government. He was prose- cuted for libel, but w'as acquitted, and becoming pojmlar, was elected to Parliament. Having used language considered unbe- coming or seditious, he was arrested, and confined in York jail, a miserable log building, " in a filthy cell fit for a pig." Subse- quently, he became. the leader of the opposition, and had a majority in the House ; for a time becoming more and more an object of Ministerial dislike. At the commencement of the war of 1812, he gave up his paj^er, and shouldered his musket. He fought at Queenston against the Americans ; but afterward deserted, taking with him a body of Canadian militia, and became a Colonel in the American army. He was killed, finally, at Fort Erie, hy a musket ball, when planting a guard during the seige. Mr. Miles remarks that " When he came to Kingston, in 1810, 352 KINGSTON GAZETTE. there was but one paper published in York, by the Government, called the York Gazette, printed b}' Cameron and Bennet ; and one at Newark, by Joseph Wilcox. These were the only papers then printed in Upper Canada; but the one at Newark was discontinued in 1812, and the other was destroyed when York was taken by the Americans, in April, 1813. The Kingston Gazette was the only paper then jjrinted in Upper Canada, till 181G, when the Govern- ment Gazette was again commenced. The Rev. Mr. Carroll says of the York Gazette, the number "for November 13, 1801, now lies before the writer, a coarse, flimsy, two-leaved paper, of octavo size \ department of news is pretty large, but " news much older than their ale." On this, November 13, the}- have, wonderful to sa}^ ! New York dates so late as October the 23rd ; Charleston, of October the 1st ; Philadelphia and Boston, of October the 19th ; and a greater exploit still, Halifax dates of Oct. 19, &c." "We are indebted to the Rev. Stephen Miles, of Camden East, for the facts relating to the establishment of the first newspaper in the Midland District, indeed the first between Montreal and York, at Kingston, Mr. Miles is not only the sole pioneer of journalism in Upper Canada, now living, but he is the faithful parent of the fourth estate in the province, and probably the oldest journalist now living in America or Europe. The history of such an one cannot but be interesting, while it is especially appropriate to the work upon our hands. Mr. Miles, although a native of Yei-mont, is of English and Welsh extraction. Born October 19, 1789, he was brought u]) on the farm until 1805, when he was placed as an apprentice to the printing business, at Windsor, Yer., in the oflice of Nahum Mower. In the spring of 1807, Mr. Mower moved his printing materials to Montreal, Lower Canada, to which place ]\Ir. Miles accompanied him. "At that time there was only one printing establishment in Montreal, under the management of Mr. Edward Edwards, who was also the Postmaster there"; the paper printed was the Montreal Gazette, of small deniy-size, two columns on a page, one in French the other in English. Mr. Mower, com- menced printing the Canadian Courant, in Montreal, about the middle of May, 1807. Mr. Mower, says Mr. Miles, giving me three months of my time, my appreuticeshiji expired on the 19th July, 1810," Not long after " I made arrangements in connection with an excellent young man Charles Kendall, who had worked as a journeyman, to go to Kingston, Upper Canada, and commence publishing a paj^er." Accordingly having pui'chased our material ABOUT THE KINGSTON " GAZETTE.'" 353 from Mr. Mower, we loft Montreal 1st September, 1810, in the old fashioned Canadian batteau (17 in number) and arrived at a whai'f in Kingston just the west side of where the barracks now are, on the morning of the 13th. Wo took an excellent breakfast at a tavern opposite, and at once set about to procure a suitable room for a printing office." Upon the 25th September, the first number of the Kingston Gazette, was published under the names of " Mower and Kendall," Mr. Miles not being of age. At this time there were five papers in Lower Canada. The foUoAving March, ]\Ii\ Miles sold out his share to Mr. Kendall, who finished the first volume. At the close of the yeai*, Mr. Kendall wishing to retire, disposed of the office and contents " to the late Hon. Richard Cartwright, the Hon. Allen McLean, Thomas Markland, Esq., Lawrence Herchimer, Esq., Peter Smith, Esq., and John Kerby, Esq." These gentlemen saw the nec'essity of having a public journal in Kingston, and became the proprietoi's. They immediately wrote to secure the sers'ices of Mr. Miles, to conduct the office, and even desired him to take it off their hands. Mr. Miles promptly came " expecting that the proprietors would wish to be publishers as well, and that I should attend only to the mechanical part, but it was their unani- mous wish that I should, take the whole concern oif their hands, continue to print the paper, and do the best I could with it." Mr. Miles speaks feelingly of the kindness of these gentlemen who would accept no other terms than that he should take possession and pay them when convenient, " and by God's blessing all were promptly paid." These kind friends, says Mr. Miles, "have all passed into the spirit world, and the prayer of my heart is, that Grod may greatly bless their posterity." •' After some unadvoidable delay, the second volume of the Gazette was commenced by me, and printed and published in my name, till December 31, 1818." Before proceeding with Mr. Miles' history, as a journalist, we will copy from the volumes which he has kindly placed at our service, such items as are appropriate. "Kingston, Tuesday, November 19, 1811. — The establishment of the Kingston Gazette, being now in the possession of the sub- scriber, he takes the earliest opportunity of re-commencing its publication, as he intends that it shall be conducted in the same impartial manner as heretofore practiced by his predecessors, he confidently expects and solicits the patronage and support of its former patrons, and of the public in general. He will not intrude upon the patience of his readers by making a multiplicity of pro- 23 354 THE REV. S, MILES. misos, but will merely observe that he a«ks the patronage of the public no longer than he shall be deserving of it. Former corres- pondents of the Gazette, and gentlemen of science generally, are respectfully invited to favor us with their communications. — (Signed)— S. Miles. "Printed and published by Stephen Miles, a few doors cast of Walker's hotel. Price fifteen shillings per annum, five shillings in advance, five shillings in six months, and five shillings at the end of year. Exclusive of postage." In the beginning of 1819, John Alexander Pringle, and John Macaulay, Esquires, to whom Mr. Miles had sold his printing estab- lishment, commenced publishing the Kingston Chronicle, Mr. Miles having charge of the mechanical part for nearly three years. In Feburary or March, 1819. the Upper Canada Herald, owned and edited by Hugh C. Thompson, Esq., was first issued. In 1822 ]\Ii-. Miles took charge of the work of printing of this Journal, and continued in chai-ge until the spring of 1828. On the 15th of May, the same yearj Mr. Miles commenced printing on his own account the " Kingston Gazette and Religious Advocate,'' in quarto form, which he continued till August 6, 1830. Again, Mr. M. took charge of printing for Ezra S. Ely, who com- menced August 13, the Canadian Watchman, and continued it for one year. In December 1831, Mr. Miles moved to Prescott; and on the 3rd June, 1832, commenced printing the fii'st paper in that place, and continued till April 1833. In July he disposed of his establishment and returned to Kingston, and engaged as printer of the Kingston Chronicle, which was now published by McFarlane & Co., with whom he remained till December, 1835. This ended Mr. Miles' career as a printer and publisher; and he then entered upon the calling of a Wesleyan minister. Mr. Miles although a native of the States was a trul}' loyal eahject, and proved himself such during the war of 1812. The Gazelle of May 5, 1813, says " our attendance at military duty pre- vented the publishing of the Gazette j^esterday." This was the time when Kingston was threatened by the Americans, and every man turned out as a volunteer. Mr. Miles tells of the occasion, that he saw, among those shouldering the musket in the market place, the late Arch Deacon Stuart. ]\Ii\ Miles belonged to Captain Markland's company. " Col. Cartwright seeing him, called him and desired him to go to his office and he would be sent for when wanted." The principal contributors to the Gazette were Col. "A (JOOD CHANCE. 3dD Oartwright, v.iio wrote a good deal, sometimes over Falkiner, Barnabus Bidvvoll, Christoplier Ilagorman, generally Poetry, while a student with ]\fcLean, Solomon John, who kept a book store ; and particularly Eev. Mr. Strachan, over Reckoner. We cannot leave Mr. ]\Iiles without expressing here our sincere thanks and regard tor the interest, trouble, and encouragement he has favored us with, nor can we forgo recording the following. Says he, " the only watch I ever owned I purchased in Montreal, on the 1st January 1810, 2)rice $20. It has travelled with me in all my journeyings from that day to the present time, and still keeps good time. It Avas made at Liverpool." A faithful man and a faithful watch ; both for time, one for eternity. About the year 181G the Gazette had the following, under the caption of " A good cJutnce:" "A sober, honest, persevering man, would find it to his advan- tage to undertake the circulation of the Kingston Gazette, weekl}-, on the following route : say, to start from Kinston every Wednes- day morning, go through the village of Ernesttown, from thence to AdolphustoAvn, and cross either at Yanalstines or Baker's Ferry, and so on through Hallowell, &c., to the Carr3nng place; cross the Eiver Trent, and return to Kingston by the York post road. The advantages to be derived from an undertaking of this kind, exclu- sive of the paj)ers, we are persuaded would be many; and any honest, persevering man, who could produce good recommenda- tions a-s to his sobriety, &c., and will give seciirity for punctual payment once a quarter, will make a good bargain by applying to the publisher of the Kingston Gazette. There is not a doubt but that four or five hundred papers might be distributed on this route to great advantage." We learn from another source, that at an early period there was one Shubal Huff, who went around the Bay every fortnight, carrying the Kingston Gazette with other papers, pamphlets, &c., and also tea and sugar. The following indicates the character of the times whon the Gazette was established. It is a notice from the Gazette : "Subscribers to the Kingston Gazette, in the neighbourhood of York, will please apply at the store of Q. St. George, where their papers will be delivered once a fortnight. Payments made to him in grain, &c.j will be acceptable. He will also receive subscrip- tions." (Signed), Mower & Kendall. In addition to the papers already mentioned, there was the Kingston Spectator, issued about 1830, and lasting three or four years. 356 UPPER CANADA NEWSPAPERS. The Patriot was commenced in 1829, by T. Dalton. Subsequently there was the Argus, Commercial Advertiser, and Churchman, The British Whig was started in 1832, by Dr. Barker, and is still pub- lished. The Chronicle and News began in 1830, is also still published. The British Whig was the first Daily published in Upper Canada. For man}^ j-ears the subscribers to the Gazette and other papers were indebted to footmen who traveled through the more thickly settled parts of the settlement, which were generally along the front. But after a time there were scattered along in the second or more remote concessions, subscribers to whom the footman could not go. These individuals would often jilace boxes upon the path followed by the carrier, into which could be dropped the paper, and letters as well. These boxes wei-e attached to a tree and made water-tight, and the owner would go for his paper at his conve- nience. One of the first newspapers in Upper Canada, east of King- ston, was the Recorder. Says Adiel Sherwood, Esq., in a letter to the writer, it was " the first and only paper of note, of qavYj date in this district. It was first got up in 1820 by one Beach, who pontinued but a short time when he sold out to William Buel, Esq. and about 1848 Mr. Buel sold out to the present projjrietor and editor, D. Wylie, Esq. It was got up as Eeforra paper, and has ever continued as such." The following is extracted from an American paper : " In 1818, D. iVIcLeod, a retired soldier, who had fought at Badajoz, and other places in the campaign under Wellington, and at Queenston, Upper Canada, Chrysler's Earm, Lundy's Lane, and then under General Picton, at Waterloo, "purchased a farm in Augusta, a few miles back of Prescott, moved on it, and commenced the business of farming ; not succeeding well in his new avocation, he removed to Prescott and opened a classical school, at which the late Preston King received his rudimentary Greek lessons, and subsequently accepted the appointment of Clerk of the new court of Commissioners, for the collection of debts. He pui'chased a printing establishment and commenced the publication of a paper at Prescott, called the Cirenville Gazette, taking a decided stand against the "Tory Compact" administration, and continued a zea. lous advocate of reform until the insurrection broke out in Decem- ber, 1837, when he was forced to leave the country, when his press, type, and the various parapharnalia of the printing office were seized by the Tories. A mob of Tories visited his house, after "reform" newspapers. 357 he loft the place, at midnii>-ht, to the terror of his unprotected familj", seized, and carried off his boolvS, letters, and other papers, and his elegant sword, as the trophies of their midnight raid. He was chosen by the insurgents as their major-general, and acted in that capacity during the continuance of the insurrection. At this time lai'ge rewards were oftered for his arrest on each side of the line, on the Canadian side, for his rebellion against that govern- ment;' on the United States side for an alleged violation of the Neutrality Laws,," in being supposed the leader of the party of men who captured and burned the Canadian Steamer, " Sir Eobert Peel," Well's Island. McLeod settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and is yet alive, being upwards of eighty-four 3-ears of age. The Cleveland Herald, from which Ave leai-n the above, records the celebration of " General D. McLeod's fiftieth anniversary of his marriage." The Prescott Telegraph, "The first number" said an exchange "published by Messrs. Merrell &, Miles, (1831) is now lying before us. From the appearance of the first number, and the known ability of the proprietors, Ave anticij^ate that the Telegraph will be a A-aluable acquisition to the best of neAvspapers in this Province, and also to the principles of reform." The Clmstian Guardian was established in the year 1829. Rev. E. Ryerson being the Editor. The folloAving Avere so-called "Eeform" papers: The Colonial Advocate, by Mclvenzie, The Canadian Watchman, The Brochville Recorder, and The Hamilton Free Press, &c. 358 HALLOAVELT. '' FREE PRESS.' CHAPTEE XLI. Contexts — First paper between Kingston and York — Hallowell Free Press — The Editor — " Recluse " — Fruitless efforts — Proprietor — Wooden press — Of Iron — Free Press, Independent — The Traveller — Press removed to Cobourg — Prince Edward Gazette — Picton Gazette — Picton Sun — Picton Times — New Nation — Cobourg Star — Anglo-Canadian at Belleville — Tlie Editor — Price — The Phcenix — Slicer — Canadian Wesleyan — Hasting Times — The Reformer — The Intelligencer — George Benjamin — The Victoria Chronicle — Hastings Chronicle — Extract from Playter — Colonial Advocate — Upper Canada Herald — Barker's Magazine— Victoria Magazine — .Joseph Wilson — Mrs. Moodie — Sheriff Moodie — Pioneer in Canadian literature — Extract from Morgan — Literary Garland — " Roughing it in the bush" — Eclectic Magazine — Wilson's experiment — Wilson's Canada Casket— The Bee at Napanee — Emporium — The Standard — The Reformer — North America — Ledger — Weekly Express — Christian Casket — Trenton Advocate — British Ensign — The Canadian Gem — Maple Leaf — Papers in 1853 — Canadian papers superior to Americans — Death at Boston — Berczy — Canadian idioms — Accent — Good English — Superstition — Home education — Fireside stories — Traditions. NEWSPAPERS — CONTINUED. The first newspaper j)ublislied between Kingston and York, was the Hallowell Free Press, of demy size, the first number of which was issued 28th Decembei", 1830, by Joseph Wilson, Esq., now of Belle- ville ; W. A. Welles, Esq., editor, a gentleman from Utica, New York. Attempts had been made at Cobourg, Port Hope, as weU as at Hallowell, prior to this, to establish papers, prospectus having been acknowledged by the Kingston Gazette. A letter in the first number of the Free Press, signed " Eecluse," says, " a number of attempts have been made to publish a journal in this county, proposals circu- lated, subscriptions obtained to a considerable amount, and the ex- pectations of the public wrought up to the highest degree, yet every attempt hitherto made, has proved abortive, except the present; repeated im^^osition has, no doubt, had a tendency to create in the public mind, a spirit of indifierence and apathy respecting newspapers." Mr. Wilson had his press of wood, made by one Scripture, of Colborne. Although a very indifterent affair, it was used for a year, when Mr. Wilson procured an iron press from New York. Probably one of the first iron printing presses in the Province. The Free Press was continued for five years. Mr. Welles was editor for a short time only. This journal was evidently intended for the public weal. No one can I'ead the first issues of the paper without being convinced that the proprietor was intent upon rendering service to the public. He allied himself to no party: the contending political aspirants of the EARLY NEWSPAPERS. 359^ Jay, had equal access to the columns of the Press, and could therel)y challenge unbiased attention. " The Traveller, or Prince Edv-ard Gazette,'"' published every Friday, by Cecil ]Mortimcr, Editor an'i Proprietor, "John Silver, Printer," 12s. 6d., per annum, in advance. Commenced Ajjril, 183G, and continued about four years, when the priiiting press was removed to Cobourg. In 1840, the Prince Edward Gazette appeared, J. Dornan, Pnblishei'. It was continued under this name by Eev. Mr. Playter. In 1847, and in 1849, Mr. Thomas Donnelly became Editor and Proprietor, changmg the name to the Picton Gazette, which name it still bears. Mr. Donnelly was succeeded as editor in 1853, by Maurice Moore, and he again by S. M. Conger, in 1856, who still conti'.mes to publish this old and popular journal. The Picton S^m, established in 1841, by 3rr. J. Douglas, who was succeeded in 1845, by J. McDonald, and he again in 1849, by Mr. Striker, who removed it to Cobourg in 1853. The following year Dr. Gillespie and E. Eoyle commenced the Picton Times, which still continues to be published by Mr. Boyle. The North American removed from Newburgh in 1861, published by McMullen Brothers. The New Nation succeeded it in 1835. The Anglo Canadian was established in Belleville in February, 1831. It was " printed and published by Alexander T. W. William son, Editor, and W. A. Welles. Printed at four dollars per annujn, payable in advance." A copy of this paper is before us, and is very re- spectable as to size and quality, and is readable. This was the first journal published in Belleville. The Phoenix arose from the aslies of the Anglo-Canadian. It was first issued in the early part of July, 1831, "published every Tuesday by T. Slicer, Editor and Proprietor, at his office, Water Street, Belleville, U. C., 20s. per anmam — if sent by mail, 22s. 6d., payable half-yearly." A few copies before us resemble, in appearance, its predecessor, the Anglo-Canadian. In one of the early copies is a prospectus of the Canadian Wesleyan, the subscribers to the announcement are "H. Eyan," and "J. Jackson," dated Hamilton, August, 1831. — (See first clergyman, H. Eyan). The last number of the Phoenix issued July 3, 1832, and which was "published by William A. Welles, for the Proprietors," say.s, •' As the present number completes the year, it is intended to give the paper a new name ; which, though less classical, iiiay be con- sidered more appropriate " Tlie name selected was the " Hastings Times^'' No. 17, of the Times now before us, was published by Rollin C. Benedict, every Saturday. "The Rfiformer-^ of Cobourg, published every Friday, .J. l'»adcliff, Editor, was first issued, June, 1832. 360 MAGAZINES. "The Intelligence); of Belleville," was founded by George Benja- min, in September, 1834, who continued its editor until 1848, when McKenzie Bowell, Esq., now M. P., succeeded him, who remains the pi'oprietor. ]\Ir. Benjamin was an Englislnnan, born 1*799, and died 1864. He was a gentleman of more than ordinary ability, a consis- tent politician, and a true friend. He held the highest municipal offices, and was Member of Parliament from 1856 to 1803. He had talent to adorn any position. The Victoria Chronicle was founded in 1841, by S. M. Washburn and Sutton, who had removed from Brockville. Sutton remained partner for two years. In 1849 the establishment was purchased from Washburn by E. Miles, Esq., who, with T. R. Mason, Esq., con- tinues proprietor. The name was changed many years' ago from Victoria to Hastings Chronicle. A Magazine of cheaj) miscdlany was issued monthly, by Seth Washburn, &c., Belleville, 1847 & 8. Playter, writing of the year 1824, says, " books, periodicals, and neAvspapers were scantily supplied to, and not much desired by the people as yet, the country was not old enough to give much encourage- ment and support to literature. Still, in the Methodist connection, the Magazine, (Methodist) was tolerably well circulated, no less than seventy subscribers were among the friends on the Bay of Quinte circuit at once. Newspapers were on the inci'ease; nineteen were now published in Canada, and six of them twice a week. Quebec printed four, (of which one was French; Stanstead one, Brockville one, Kingston two, York two, Niagai'a one, Queenston one." The Colonial Advocate was issued in the latter part of 1824, by William Lyon McKenzie. We have a copy of the Upper Canada Herald before us, dated June 27, 1832, vol. xiv. which gives us the period at which it was started. Barke/s Canadian Magazine, published at Kingston, by Edward John Barker, M. D., commenced May, 1846. The Victoria Magazine, a monthly periodical, was issued first in September, 1841, by Joseph Wilson, of Belleville, formerly of the Hallowell Free Press. Like many a one tsubsequently commenced, the Magazine had but a brief existence. It continued just one year. The editors were Sheriff Moodie, and his accomplished wife, whose writings have gained for her a European reputation of no ordinary standing. ]\Ii*s. Moodie may be regarded as the pioneer of Canadian literature, and, as a long standing inhabitant of the Ba}', she claims a brief notice in these pages, to give which MRS. MOODIE. 361 atfords the writer but a meagre opportunity to express his own high estimation of, and gratitude to a personal friend, whose kind words of encouragement lias so frequentl}' been a stimulus to action, when liis energies flagged in this undertaking. Morgan, in his Biblioiheca Canademls, a most useful conijnla- tion, says : Mrs. Moodie is " well known in Canada and^Clreat Britain for her works, and as an extensive contributor to the periodical literature of both countries. Born at Bungay, County of Suffolk, England, sixth December, 1803. She is a member of the talented Strickland family, of Beydon Hall, in the above County; four of her sisters, Elizabeth, Agnes, (the best known), Jane, and Mrs. Trail, have each contributed to the literature of the day. Both Mrs. Moodie and her sisters were educated hj their father, who is represented to have been a gentleman of education, refined taste, and some wealth. Mrs. M. was only in her thirteenth 3'ear, when her father died. As early as her fifteenth year, she began to write for the press generally, for annuals and for periodicals, con- tributing short poems and tales for children. About 1820, she produced her first work of any pretension — a juvenile tale, which was well received b}' the public and the press. In the following year she married Mr. Moodie, a half-pay officer from the 21st Fusileers, and, in 1832, emigrated with her husband, to Canada. mhcj bought a farm near Port Hope, Avhich, however, they only held for a short time, removing to the back woods, ten miles north of Peterborough, where they settled. There they remained for a period of eight years, experiencing all the trials, mishaps and troubles incident to early settlers, and which are so graphically narrated aud'depictcd by Mrs. M. in her " Bougliing it in the Bush.^' In 1839, 3Ir. Moodie was appointed Sheriti of Hastings, (an office from which he retired a few years since,; and, Avith his wife, took up his residence at Belleville, where they have since lived. During the existence of the Literary Garland, (Montreal), Mrs. M. was the principal contributor of fiction to its pages. For some years she edited the Victoria Magazine, (BaWoxiUe). Her contributions to these and other annuals, magazines, and newspapers, would fill many volumes." The work for which Mrs. Moodie became more especially famous, was " Roughing it in the Bush ;" but other volumes are exceed- ingly interesting, as "Flora Lindsay," "Mark Hurdlestone," "Geoffry Moreton," or the "Faithless , Guardian," and "Life in the Clearings." " John Wedderburn Dunbar Moodie, formerly Lieutenant in 362 NEWSPAPERS. the 21st Reg. of Fusileers," saw action in Holland, where he was wounded ; he was a writer for the United Set-vice Journal, Literary Garland, (Montreal), and authorof " Ten Years in Africa," and " Scenes and Adventures as a Soldier and Settler, during half a Centiiri/." The Victoria Magazine was succeeded by the Eclectic Magazine, Joseph Wilson being Editor and Proprietor. This monthly was also continued only one 3'ear. Mr. Wilson now commenced a " family paper called Wilson s Exj)eriment, and soon after, in connection with it, Wilson's Canada Casket. These were issued alternately every two weeks, and were continued for two years. They had a largo circulation, as Mr. Wilson avers, at the last about 6,000. The subscribers were not only in Canada, but in the Lower Provinces. The journals wore discontinued, not because the}'' did not pay; but in consequence of embarassment from other causes. The Bee was the first newspaper published in Napanee, in 1851, by the Eev. G. D. Greeiileaf, Editor and Proprietor. It was a small sheet, and semi-political, at one dollar per year. It was jJrinted on a press of the owner's own construction, and continued two years, when it Avas succeeded by the Emporium, published by the same person, at the same office. It was somewhat larger than the Bee, and was two dollars a year. Its existence extended but little over a year. The Standard was the third journal established at ISTapanee, 1853, by a joint-stock companj*. It was in the interest of the Con- servatives. Its first editor was Dr. McLean, formerly of Kingston. Subsequently, the paper came under the management of Alexander Campbell, Esq., and continued for a few years. It then passed into the hands of jMi". A. IIenr3\ It is still published by Henry and Brother. The next paper, after the Standard, to be issued was the Reformer, by Carman and Dunham. There have subsequently been published the North American, The Ledger, and the Weekly Express. Besides the above, there was published, in 185-1, continuing for two years. The Christian Casket, by E. A Dunham. Trenton first possessed a newspaper in 1854. It was published and edited by Alexander Begg, and its name was the Trenton Advo- cate. The first number was issued March 4, 1854. About a year, afterward, the paper changed owners, and took the name of of British Ensign. It was continued about two years longer. We have before us several copies of The Canadian Gem and Family Visitor, published at Cobourg ; and edited by Jose]>h II. CANADIAN IDIOMS. 36E' Leonard, 1848. It is very readable, and exhibits no little enter- prise. Also, we have The Majilc Leaf; published at Montreal by E. W. Loy, 1853. Mr. Loy died not long after its issue. This also contains many intei'esting articles of a local and general nature. In 1853, 158 papers are mentioned in the Canada Directory, of which, 114 ai-e issued in Upper Canada. At the present time the number has much increased. Eespecting the newsj^fipers of Canada, Mr. Buckingham, who visited Canada in 1840, says that they are generally superior to those of the Provincial towns of the United States. The following cannot fail to be of interest : A Boston paper saj^s, " Died — In the early part of the year 1813, Wm. Berczy, Esq., aged 68 ; a distinguished inhabitant of the Province of Upper Canada, and highly respected for his literary acquirements. In the decease of this gentleman, society must sustain an ii-reparable loss, and the republic of letters will have cause to mourn the death of a man, eminent for genius and talent." Canadian Idioms. — The loyalist settlers of Upper Canada were mainly of American birth, and those speaking English, differed in no respect in their mode of speech from those who remained in the States. Even to this day there is some resemblance between native Upper Canadians and the Americans of the Midland States; though there is not, to any extent, a likeness to the Yankee of, the jSTew England States. While the Yankee, and to some extent, the whole of the American people have steadily diverged from the j^ure English, both with respect to accent and idiom, as well as in the meaning- attached to certain words; in Canada this tendency has been arrested by the presence of English gentlemen, often half-pay officers, and their families, by the officers of the Army and l^avy, and as well by the school teachers, high and low, which were often from the old country. The accent of Canadians, and their idioms to-day, are to a certain extent peculiar, sui generis, which peculiai'ity is constantly increasing, even as the British American is assuming in appearance a distijict characteristic. Taking all classes of Cana- dians, it may be said that for a people far removed from the source of pure English, that is the Court, they have a very correct mode of speaking, the criticisms of English travelers to the contrary, notwithstanding. As education becomes more diffused among the masses there will ensue a very decided improvement in the mode of speaking among Canadians. Listening to the children at any school, composed of the children of Englishmen, Scotchmen, Irish- 364 WANT OF MENTAL FOOD. men, Americans, and oven of Germans, it is impossible to detect any mr.rked difference in their accent, or way of expressing them- selves. Superstition. — Although a few of the settlers had books to read, many had none. And as there were no school teachers very many children grew up without being able to read, or at most very little, and entirely unable to Avrite, unless it might be their name* The writer has been struck with the difference between the composi- tion and penmanship of many of the settlers and that of their imme- diate children, the former being good, the latter bad; while the parent could write a bold signatui'c, and express himself in writing a letter, intelligibly, the offspring either could do nothing of the kind, or else made a very poor attempt. The result of this was, that the mind, starved for want of mental food of a wholesome nature, did not become inactive, but sought other kinds of pabulum. They derived a certain amount of information from the legendery tales told and retold of former days of happiness and plenty. Excluded from the Avorld of literature, and secluded in a forest of eternal silence, except the tones uttered by the voice of nature, sometimes whis- pering in the gentle murmurs of the sighing wind, and sometimes thundering forth in the loudest voice, — ^shut up with nature they listened to her Avords, and not educated to understand her meaning, they undertook to interpret her speech, and oftentimes superstition of the deepest kind took possession of their minds. This prevailed perhaps more especially among the Dutch. Belief in ghosts, or " spooks " was a common thing, and before the bright and flicker- ing light of many a hearth fire, during the winter nights, were told "stories" which lost nothing in their relating. And along the Bay were many old houses, once the homes of the settler which it was declared, was occasionally visited by the spirit of the builder, who returned to discharge some duty which rested heavily upon him in the spirit world, or who desired to reveal the place of concealment of some hoarded gold which had been so safely buried in some crann}^ nook. A company of neighbours spending the evening would take their turn in telling of what they had seen or dreamed, or heard told ; and at last when the bright sparkling fire had sunk into sub- dued embers, the consciousness of having to go home through the woods, or past a grave 3'^ar(l, would arouse the talkers. Shudder- ing at the thought, with imagination heightened by the conversa- tion, they would set out on their path. It was at such times that TRADITIONS AND RECITALS. 365 the spirit of some recently departed one would be seen hovering over the gi;ave, or floating away at the approach of footsteps. Strange voices came from the midst of the darkness, and unnatural lights flashed in the eyes of the midnight traveler. Should no sound or sight present themselves on the way, there was still a chance to ex- perience much in dreams, when revelations of the gravest import would be made, which only had to be repeated three nights in suc- cession to obtain the status of absolute certainty. The traditions and recitals made known to the children were sometimes, not alone exaggerated, but untrue. The old soldier, or loyalist in his gi'eat hatred to the rebels, would sometimes un- duly blacken the character of the fathers of the American Repub- lic, for instance, the writer has heard it several times, told as a fact, that Washington was the illegitimate son of King George. By some means a belief obtained, that at a place called Devil's Hill, at the Indian Woods, was concealed in the earth, a quantity of money, and parties used to actually go and dig for it. There was a huge rock here which was supposed to cover the precious metal, and a "bee" was formed, on one occasion to overturn it, but they found nothing to reward them for their pains. DIYISIOX VII THE TEERITOEY OF TJPPEE CANADA— TH1-] BAY QUIXTE. CHAPTER XLI. CoxTKXTS-^TIie ludiaus — Tlu^ir origin — Pre-bistoric Canada — Indian relics — Original inhabitants? — Lcs Iroquois du nord — Original names — Peninsula of Ujipt-r Canada — Cbamplain cxpioring — Ascends the Ottawa — His route to Lake Xijipissing — To Lake' Hi'.ron — French Piiver — The country — Georgian Bay — Lake Simcoe — Down tlie Trent — A grand trip — Bay Ouint6, and Lake Ontario discoA-ered — War demonstration — "Wintering attlie Bay — A contrast — Roundabout way — -Brrouous impre8sions. CHAMPLAIN's disco YKRY or the bay QUINTE, and lake ONTARIO. In this work but brief refereiie^ can be made to the general history of the Indians. Perhaps it is hardly necessary to explain that the term Indian, applied to the aborigines of America, took its origin from the fact, that when the Xew World was discovered it was supposed to be a part of the Indias (East Indias), the riches of which had led the intrepid navigator to seek a more direct route thereto. And consequently the natives were called Indians. It does not lie within the scope of this work to speak of the several theories which have been given with respect to the origin of the natives, nor to advance any 2)articular view. It is sufficient to remark that the character of the various tribes, their features, their traditions, and customs, all indicate most unmistakably' that Asia was the original birthplace of the aborigines of America. Of course, reference is made only to those Indians whose representa- tives occupied the continent when discovered by Columbus, and not to those who had in some long past day held posssession, who have left here and there indications of their rude character, and primi- tive mode of life, and who were swept awa}- by the more powerful and warlike invaders — the pi*edecessors of the aborigines of whom we now write. In our researches we have collected a good many Indian relics, of the origin of which Ave have no record, and can only guess, while science strives to explain. We offer no views of our own, but give the following upon ORIGINAL INHABITANTS. 367 PRK-HISTORIC CANADA. From the Manchester Guardian. "At ameetiug of the Manchester Anthropological society, on Monday, Mi-. Plant made a communica- tion upon sOmc curious relics which he exhibited, of a race of pre- historic men, for which he was indebted to jMi*. J. S.Wilson,' of Penytown, Canada West, These objects were obtained from the soil of the lands which have been cleared of the forests and brought into cultivation. It is only in the spring, when the snow has disappeared, that these objects are found, the winter snow act- ing like a riddle to the soil, and bringing to the surface the pebbles and broken pieces of pottery, flint, weapons, &c. The most inter- esting features con:iected with these relics is, that the localities where they are so frequently found are situated on the high level ground of ancient tei'races, or beach lines, which may be traced at about 600ft. above the sea level, all around the great Canadian lakes, or, in fact, all around the high lands of the Pivcr St. Law- rence basin. There are three tei'races at descending levels to the present shores of the great lakes. The highest terrace is the most ancient, and the evidences connected with this terrace all seem to point to the conclusion that it belongs to an age very remote, Avhen the area now occupied by the great fresh-water lakes was filled by an inland bay, connected by a wide strait with the Atlantic, and was subject to the action of glacier ice from the land, as well as flows of icebergs from the current flowing from the north-east. The high terraces are, therefore, of marine origin, and the pre-historic objects found in them ai'C indicative of a race of men whose habits were consistent with the physical features of the land and sea; a race of hardy fishers, living upon the whale, the walrus, the shairk, and marine sources of food, together with the reindeer and Arctic animals. Since this remote time, the whole of the land about the lakes has risen from 600 to 1,000 feet above the sea, slowly and evenly through a great length of time, pausing twice sufiiciently long to form two lower terraces ; and at present is forming a fourth on the shore lines of the lakes. The pre-liistoric objects consist of great quantities of earthenware of rude make, quartz arrow heads, black stone adzes and hatches, sharp splinters of bone worked to a point, teeth drilled and bone needles, and bowls and stems of smoking pipes about six inches long. These last are singular and most interesting objects, and are solely confined to the North American continent, proving that the habit of smoking some 368 ORIGINAL NAMES. narcotic plant has been indulged in by mankind from the most remote ages to which the geologist assigns tlio relics of pre-historic man, the age which immediately succeeded the glacial period." All around the bay, as well as in other parts of Canada, may be found here and there indications of an extinct j)eople whose sepul- chral remains can be traced. Along the western portion particu- larly, are faint traces of mounds or tumuli which have been found to contain not only human remains ; but objects of curiositj'. For a more particular account of these the reader is referred to an inter- esting ]>aper in the Canadum Joxirnal for September 1860, by T. C. Wallbridge, Esq., of Belleville. THE ABORIGINES OP UPPER CANADA. " Dark as the frost-nipped !■ aves that strew the ground, The Indian hnnter here his slielter found ; Here cut his how, and shaped liis arrows true, Here huilt his v.igv.am and his hark canoe, Speared the qxiick salmon leaping up the fall, And slew the deer without tin; rifle ball ; Here his young squaw her cradling tree would choose, Singing her chant to husli her swart pappoose ; Here stain her quills, and string lier trinkets mule, And weave her warrior's wampum in the wood. Brainard." For many long years, perhaps centuries, before the white man saw the pleasant shores of the Bay, the Indian war-whoop was often heard, and the war dance performed along its borders. We know but little of those primal days. We cannot estimate the cruelties of barbaric warfare, natural to the aborigines, which have been enacted. We cannot count up the number of Indian braves who have moved upon its wood-begirted waters, as conquerors, or as captives, nor the woman and children carried away from their kindred — nor yet the total of the bleeding scalps which have hung at the girdle of the returning warriors, as they pursued the devious trail. Earl}^ French travelers, generally Jesuits, have marked roughly the territory, which embraces in its area, the land extend- ing from the Ottawa westward to Lake Huron, and from the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, northward to the French Eivcr, and Lake Nippissing. This was named the country of Les Iroquois du Nord, and, according to a map in the Imperial French Library, the land north of Bay Quinte, was called in 1656, Tont-hatar, and the land west to Lake Huron, was named Concliradnm. There were, at the same time indicated at the eastern borders, the " antient OLD FRENCH MAPS. 369 Hurons" and the *' Outtawas " at the west, occupying the peninsula of Upper Canada, the Neutre Nation dc truite, and at the mouth of the French river, Mississagiies. It would seem at first, that the in- habitants were a branch of the Iroquois, or Six Nation Indians, But it ma}' be that they had given to them the name Iroquois from their peculiar mode of expression, like the Indian to the south of the lake ; — although not immediately connected. According to a map, examined by the writer, in the Imperial library at Paris, all the land between the Ottawa and Lake Huron was the Algonquins. A map by Champlain calls the land north of the Bay Quinte, Lien force cerfs. The northern Iroquois was divided into several tribes, each of which had a distinct name, and lived in considerable com- munities, here and there. The old maps are marked with sites of Indian villages, where, no doubt, they lived a greater portion of their time ; probably the families remained most of the time, and also the males, except when aAvay up the rivers to the north, upon hunting expeditions. Among these tribes and villages was the Xentes. Their village was situated at the east of Hay Bay, accord- ing to some maps ; according to others, it was placed upon the south shore of Prince Edward, west of West Lake. Another tribe men- tioned is Gaungouts. And along the north shore of the Mohawk Bay near Napanee, is marked an Indian village called Gaunaroute. Upon another map the village here is called Gameydoes. Just above the Carrying Place, near the harbour of Presq' Isle, is another village called Ganaroske, and a second one designated Gonetoust. Some of the maps here alluded to, bear date as late as 1703, while others are much earlier. The waters of the bay and the lake adjacent, were looked upon as valuable for fishing, and the land as abundant in game. McMullen, in his History of Canada, speaks thus of the bay region. Eeferring to the year 1692, he states, "the Aborigines arid French ravaged the fi'ontiers of Massachussets, and revenged upon its helpless borderers the injuries suffered by the Canadians; detachments of troops swept the favorite hunting grounds of the Iroquois along the beautiful Bay of Quinte ; and an expedition from Montreal did considerable injury to the Mohawks in their owti country." The peninsula of Upper Canada was called, in 1686, Saquinan — (Pai'is documents). The " Neutre Nation" was exterminated by the the Iroquois prior to 1650. It is an interesting fact that Champlain arrived at Lake Ontario, or " fresh water sea," as he called it, being the first Euro- 24 370 THE OTTAWA. peaii to ga'AQ upon its broad blue waters, by the way of the Bay of Quinte. This was in 1615. Prior to that he had penetrated l)y way of Sorel river, and the lake which has been named after him. and explored some part of the territory to the south of Ontario lake ; but probabl}' was not north of the Mohigan mountains, at least he did not then discover Lake Ontario. Uis principal object at this time was to create terror of the French arms, on behalf of the Six Nation Indians. It was after a retm-n from France, with a commission granting him extensive powers in the peltry tratfic, that Champlain, with the view of protecting that trade, erected a fort on the site of Montreal. This done he directed his attention to the country lying unexplored to the north. Aware of Hudson's discovery in the north, of the bay now bearing his name, he was led to hope that by following the river Ottawa, of which theHurons gave him some information, to its upper waters, he would be brought into close proximity if not actually to the bay, explored by Hudson. He accordingly set out accompanied by one or more of the four Eecollet mission- aries he had brought with him from France, and a considerable force of Hiu-ons, with the view of ascending the Ottawa to its source. How far he penetrated into that rugged region, or how long a time he expended, does not appear. But it would seem that failing in his attempted discovery, he retraced his steps down the Upper Ottawa, until he reached the mouth o f the Mattawan river, which empties into the Ottawa, and rises in the high lands to the west, approaching Lake Nippissing. As neai-ly as can be learned. Champlain was here joined by more warriors, who persuaded him to follow them and assist in a proposed attack upon the Iroquois nation to the south of Lake Ontario. His course was up the Mattawan river, through la petite riviere- to lac du Toulon. Thence across to Trout Lake, Upper Trout Lake, and traversing the high lands, from which the waters flow in opposite directions; some into the valle}' of the Ottawa, and others towards the west, he descended the river La Vase into Lake Nijjpissing. Crossing this lake, he descended the French river into the Georgian Bay. In pasNing it may be observed that all the names, some of which are in French, and some in English, have a s]iecial meaning, and were applied, at least some of them, by the Indians. The Ottawa is so called not Irom the fact that the territory through which it runs was the home of the Ottawa tribe, but, because it was by its waters that they came to visit the French. The Ottawa river, that is, the river by which the Ottawas came. On the other hand the French THE FRENCH RIVER. 371 river, which discharges into the Georgian Buy, was ><> culled by the Indians, because it was the river by which the Frencli came to their western domain. The length of French river is about 61 miles, and is a chain of lakes, connected by short rapids. Lake Nippissing is 69 feet above Lake Hui-on. Il is now 253 j^ears since this voyage of discovery was made by Champlain, guided by the Indians. The appearance then pre- sented to the intrepid navigator must have been exceedingl}- wild and beautiful, as he passed alf)ng the unknown yvixy. Xow swiftly gliding in the birch canoe upon the glassy watei's of a lake, now dancing down the rapids, among rugged rocks, and green-clad islands ; and anon, threading the devious path oi' a portage, beneath the lofty arches of the wilderness, malting the first European footprints upon the virgin soil. Deputy Surveyor-Greneral Collins, writing to Lord Dorchester, by his command, in 1T88, speaking of the French river says; "The entrance is composed of a considerable number of small islands and channels," the westernmost is the best navigable — about 250 feet wide, and has from two to three fathoms depth of water. It is narrower a little way up, and at about half a league from the en- trance becomes exceedingly intricate, '^on account of the small islands and channels, which are here so numerous in every direction, and so much resembling each other in appenrance, as to make it extremely difficult without a guide to find the true navigable channel, which, although deep in some places, is so narrow there is scarce room for two canoes to pass each other. The bank in these situations, is a steep rock, almost perpendicular, and there are very strong currents or rapids. The term Souters, sometimes given to the Missisauga Indians by the French, means to jump up and down, in reference to their living upon this river, and being expert in navigating its channels. "The country adjoining to, and near this, (river) is a rocky desert, nothing growing but small scuibby bushes and pine trees not thirty feet high — the same dreary prospect continues, I am informed, all the way up to Lake Nippissing, which is i-ecorded twenty-fiAC leagues." He states that the coast from the mouth of the river east^^•ard is dangerous, for even canoes, although they may find shelter among the islands which lie along most of the coast. It is equally rocky and barren. Such was the nature of the way bv wliicb Cliami)lain was led. He now directed his course southward along the wild and ii-re- gular shore of the Oeorerian Bav. tliroucrh the mvriad islands that 372 champlain's route. give beauty to that coast. Arrived at tlie mouth of tlie Severn river, he ascended that devious stream, and entered SpaiTOW Lake. Thence he crossed to Lake Coicchonchmg, which, at its southern extremity approaclies to Lake Simcoe.'^V Crossing the portage to tliis Lake, he ascended tlie Eiver Talbot, in a north-east direction, and by frequent portages reached Balsam Lake. Then, through Cameron Lake, j^ast Fenelon Falls, and into Sturgeon Lake. So on, by Pigeon Lake Buck Hare Lake, Deer Lake, into Salmon Trout Lake. Turning south, by Clear Lake, he descended the Otanabee, or Pamoduscoteong, past the present site of Peterborough, and entered Rice Lake. Again turning east, he entered the head waters of the River Trent. Around by Heely's Falls, down by Cambellford, then, by Chisholm's Rapids, he arrived at the head of the Bay of Quiute, sometime in July, 1815. Champlain took this route from tne Ottawa, which had long before been traveled by the Lidians, at the request of the Indian warriors who accompanied him, to make an attack upon their bitter enemy the Iroquois. At the present day it would be a grand trip to make, by the way pursued by Champlain, when he visited the Bay regio.n. But how wonderfully magnificent must it all have been to the bold, but educated French explorer of the primeval forest. Champlain crossed the Lake to a point not far from Oswego. Whether he passed through the upper, or lower gap to the opposite side of the Lake, and coasted the south shore ; or whether he ascended Picton Bay and crossed the Indian Carrying-place to East Lake, and thence into Ontario, may be questioned. But in order to make an unexpected attack upon the enemy, he had need to conceal his advance ; hence it is reasonable to suppose he would take the nearer route b}' Picton Bay, although it would involve the crossing of the portage. This could scarcely be regarded as a serious difficulty, as he had already passed many in the devious route by the Ottawa. Strange enough, that a European should discover Lake Ontario by entering the head waters of the Trent River, and sailing thiough the Bay of Quinte. Strange enough that a warlike demon- stration should be made by this route, against a foe living upon the south shore of the l^ake. Champlain, notwithstanding his caution, found his Indian foes prepared to receive him, having well entrenched themselves, and he suffered a serious defeat, being glad to secure a safe retreat in the Bay of Quinte region, probably Prince Edward, after having himself received two wounds. A CONTRAST. 616 Failing in his efforts to obtain a guide to conduct liim down the St. Lawrence, to his fort at Montreal, Chami^lain was compelled to spend the winter months, which were by this time approaching, in the vicinity of the Bay of Quinte. Probably six or nine months Avere passed by him upon the northern shores. He did not remain all the time at the Bay, as it is stated he visited the neighbouring Indian nations, especially the neutral nation which occupied the peninsula between Lakes Erie and Huron, and the head of Ontario. We can readily imagine the wide diflerence between a long winter thus spent in 1615-16, mid the wild scenes of aboriginal life by the ice-locked waters, and one spent in this latter part of the 19th century, with the highly cultivated land, and advanced civilization. Then, the trees of the forest, in one unbroken denseness, was the sole home of the savage, and wild beast, and waved in solemn niournfulness over the wintry landscape ; while few other than nature's sounds disturbed the stillness of the wilderness. Now, the dark forest has disappeared and human habitations of comfort and luxury thickly stud the land. The wild beasts, as well as the original owners of the territory, have almost disapi^eared. The snow of the ice-covered bays and streams no longer remain imbroken by human foot. Sleigh roads thickly intersect the surface, and joyous shouts of the skater break upon the light pure air. Avhile the gingle of sleigh bells indicate the everj9[ow- ing stream of travelers. The strings of telegraphs sigh in the wind, instead of the tall trees' bough. The iron horse snorts along through the snow hills, instead of the beast from his lair. Towns and cities rest in peaceful security, where there were thick jungles of cedar and furs. It was by this roundabout way that the Bay of Quinte was dis- covered ; and it was fifty years later when DeCourcelles, pursuing the Iroquois from the Lower St. Lawrence ascended for the first time the river, direct from Montreal to Lake Ontario. But during this time missionaries had been at work among the Indians, upon the northern shores of the Lake — (See early Missionaries). The impressions made upon the minds of these first explorers, respecting the Bay, seem to have been very erroneous ; at least they have left maps not only rude, but incorrect. Thus, we find upon an old map intended to represent Lake Ontario and the Bay, with the country north of the Lake, the Bay is made to extend northward, at right angles with the Lake, for some distance, and then, turning west- ward somewhat, its extremity is brought very near to another bay, which empties into Georgian Bay. 174 THE BAY QUINTE. ClIAPTEE XLIII. CoMKNTs — Name — l.ittev. Daily News — '• Omega" Lines — Tlic writer — Conjec- tiiies — Five Bays — luilian origin — Rentes — Villages — Les Couin — Modes of spelling — Canty — The occupants, 1783 — Mississaugas — Origin — With the Iroquois— The Souter — Mississaugas, dark — At Kingston — Bay Quints — Land hought — Reserves — Claim upon the islands — Wappoose Island — Indian agent — Indians hunting — Up the Sagonaska — Making sugar — Peace- ahle — To Kingston for presents. THE NAME OF BAY QUINTE — THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF L'PPER CANADA IN 1783. There appeared in the " Daily News " of Kingston, October 20, 1856, the following letter and verses : •' Sir, — I send you a few lines in connection with what I believe to be an historical fact, though not generally known, even in the vicinity of the bay. ^yhen the French first took jjossession of Canada, or shortly after, they established posts at Fi'ontenac, Niagara and Detroit. In the foil following their establishment, the men under Col. Quiute, who comrAanded at Niagara, were driven out by the Indians, and pursued and harrassed several days, when following the lake shore to the west of the bay, they took the south shore of the bay and got to the reach. The snow was falling and ice making on the bay, without sufficient strength to carry them ; when, nearly starved and exhausted, they started back two or three miles to what is known as Stickney's Hill, where (an extremely cold night com- ing on) they nearly all perished, including Quinte himself. Only two of the party (the ice having become strong) reached Frontenae. Hence the name of the bay." — (Signed,) — " Omega." This note was accompanied with the following lines : (iUINTE. On the Bay of Quinte gliding, O'er its smooth and tranquil breast. Whilst the sun is fast declining To its waters in the west ; "And the gorgeous leaves of autumn. In their varied gold and green, Atlds fresh glory to such beauty As the eye hath seldom seen. \ THE NAME. 375 Yet this Bay had once its teiTOVS, Ere the ved men were subdued, And the scene that's now so lovely, Was terrirtc, wild and rude, When the yallant Quinte Hying- From the savage of the west. On the cheerless hills lay dying, With fierce cold and hunger pressed ; And his bones were left unburied. But his name won't pass away, W^hile there's beauty on thy hill-side, Or thy waters gently play." " Steamek Bay of Quinte." Mr. T. C, AVallbridge, to wliom we are indebted for the fore- going, informs us that upon the day this was Avritten, a learned judge (Eobinson) now dead, was a passenger from Belleville to Kingston, and the inference was that he penned the lines, which must have been based ujion what he considered facts. The same tradition has been received also, from other sources, and many- living upon the bay, regard it as true. But it Becomes our duty to question the matter. In the first jslace unfortunately, for the plausibility of the statement, the name of no such French officer can be found. The nearest approach to the name of Quinte, held by any Frenchman known, was that of Prince de Couti. This person was a particular friend of Cavalier de la Salle, to whom was ceded the Seignory of Cataraqui. " Chevalier de Tonti, went with him, pro- posing to share his fortunes," in western explorations. !N"ow La Salle, named one of the islands near Cataraqui, (Amherst,) after this officer, and even yet may be found living, persons who call that island, " Isle Tanta." Well, it might reasonably be suji- posed that La Salle would wish to do honor to his friend the Prince de Conti, and therefore named the bay after him. From Conti, it might gradually change to Cauta, or Quinte. Now, however jjrobable this may seem, it cannot be regarded as the origin of the name. Again, it has been supposed to be derived from the Latin (iuintanus, or Quinta, — the fifth place, — having reference to five bays, namely, the Lower Bay, Picton Bay, Hay Bay, the Reach, and Upper Bay ; or, as some aver, it refers to five Indian stations, formerly existing in the vicinity of the bay. But, however much may be advanced in support of the plausibility of these theories, we think a more certain origin is perfectly intelligible. The word Quinte, as at present spelled and pronounced, whi-n 376 THE ORIGIN. rightly done, is undoubtedly a French one, being one of the few remaining memorials of French possession ; but its origin can be distinctly traced to an Indian source. We have seen elsewhere that the country lying north of Lake Ontario Avas called the " Country of the Northern Iroquois." To the south of the lake was the Iroquois country proper. Among the several nations which composed the Iroquois Confederation, was the Seneques, or commonly called Seneca. Wentworth Grreenhalgli in the " London Documents," writing of a journey in May, 1677, from Albany to the Indians, westward, says " the Seneques have four towns, viz : Canagora, Tiotohalton, Canoenada," (how like Canada), "and Keint-he — which contained about 24 houses, and was well furnished with corn." In connection wnth this we find a statement made in the documentary History of New York, that some of the tribes belonging to the Iroquois proper, separated from them, and removed to the north of the lake. Now the Indian term, " Keint-he," be it remembered, was written by an English explorer, and of course was spelled in accordance with the pronunciations of the Indians. Every one knows that the letters of the alphabet have a different sound in the French language. If therefore, a French writer were to write the English term Keint-he, it is not unlikely he would spell it Kanta or Kente. Examining the old French maps, made by some of the early travelers through Canada, but bearing date subsequent to 1677, we find marked with distinctness, an Indian village, sometimes in one place, sometimes another, by the name of Kcnte. This may be seen on quite a number of different maps, which we have examined in various libraries in Canada, and in the Imi^erial Library in Paris. It is not always spelled Kente, sometimes it is Kante, and upon one it is Kenti, and upon a map in the Imperial Library, Paris, it is Kento. This Indian village has its location upon most of the maps, at the eastern extremity of Hay Bay ; but upon a few it is placed at the south shore of the peninsula of Pi-ince Edward ; upon one map it is put at South Bay; while in another Wappoose island, is called Isle de Quinte. Hence it is inferred, that a branch of the Seneca tribe separated from the main body, and removed to the north of the lake, and settled probably first at South Bay, and afterward, or at certain seasons visited at Hay Bay, to which, in time they gave their name — that of Kente, according to the pronunciation of the French. It was an easy matter to convert Kente into Quinte. In other ANCIENT NAMES. 377 words, we find tliat^and Qu are used inditforcntl}" among earlj- writers of New France ; for instance, Quebec is spelled by carl 3-- winters, Kebec. The origin of the word Qiiinte seems to be in this way perfectly clear. The Indian village of Kente was situated at the eastern ex- tremit}^ of Hay Bay, and it seems plain that this was regarded as the head of the bay by the French, and the waters leading to the village, was designated the Bay Kente, or the Bay to the Kentes. The waters above the entrance to Hay Bay were looked upon rather as the mouth of the Eiver Trent ; and as quite another bay, to which was given a different name. This was a water way from Lake Ontario to Lake Huron. Travelers passing along would at times receive imjjerfect ideas respecting the names of the several bays and lakes. Again, the early French explorers, and the Jesuits, in their maps would frequently give the names, derived from the Indians, in Latin, while later French travelers gave the names in French. The consequence was that several different names were at times bestowed upon the waters stretching between Lakes Huron and Ontario. One of the old French maps, and perhaps, it may have been pre- pared befoi-e the Kentes had settled upon its shores, gives to the bay the name " Bayedes Couis," while several islands between the south shore of Lake Ontario, and the north, are called " au des Couis, as if indicating a line of travel. There is one larger island, called Les Couis. The waters west of the Long Eeach are, in several maps which have been examined, named Lac St. Lion, and Lionel. ^ But whether this name was limited to the uppers waters of the bay, or applied to the Trent, with Eice Lake, is doubtful, inasmuch as the maps represent the Eiver Trent as being very wide and seemingly navig- able up to almost the river's source. Again, the name of Quinto and Quintio are found upon a few maps, and are applied to Eice Lake. A map in the Imperial library, dated 1777, gives to Eice Lake, Quinto, and close by is the village of Tonnaonto ; and the Bay Quinte proper, is called Lake Tento. Another map names it Kentsio. There is also a map which gives to Simcoe Lake, the name of (EntarionJjiikQ, instead of Lake Taronto. From these vari- eties of names, we discover an indistinct connection between the words Kente and Toronto. Their origin and meaning it is impossible to trace. Perhaps they were names used only for a short time. It is worthy of remark, that upon an ancient map examined in the Imperial library, we find Lake Erie called Lac. Conty. 378 BAY "CANTY." The word Qiiinto is in one or two places spelled Quintee, and also Quintie. The most common mode of pronunciation was that used by the loyalists. They spelled it generally Canty, or Kenty. Such they heard it called by the Froncli and Indians when they came here; and, unacquainted with the French mode of spelling, they naturally rendered it according to the English idea; and we have found it in letters written, by the first settlers, mostly always spelled''- Canty," or " Cante," and occasionally " Canta." The last of these approaches the nearest to the coi'rect way of pronouncing the name ; and it is a cause for regret that some years ago there arose the belief that it ought to be called " Quinty." We would request the inhabitants of the bay, to return to the old fashioned, and correct pronuncia- tion. The settlement upon the bay was sometimes identified with Cataraqui; being known by the refugees, as well as by those who stayed in the States, only b}' that name. Indeed, it may be said that all of Upper Canada was, for a few j-ears, designated by that name ; the settlements at Detroit and upon the Niagara, contiguous to the fort, being regarded as merely military stations. For many years the name Canada, was limited to the lower Provinces. After a few years the settlement along the bay came to be generally called, both by the settlers, and those who knew them abroad as that of the Bay "Canty." The writer has in his possession a letter dated from one of the townships upon the bay, in which reference is made to Canada as a place quite distant and distinct froni the British settlements. lh\ Ferguson, in a letter dated at Sidney, 23rd July, 1791, to a person at Kingston, says, "I'll send 3'ou a memorandum of what you'll want from Canada, and he further speaks about taking an Indian to Canada. By this we learn that the new townships were regarded as quite ayjart from Canada. Before proceeding to speak of the appearance of the bay, a space must be given to speak more particularly of those Aborigines Avho occupied the territory of the bay, and Upper. Canada gene- rally, at the time of the revolutionary war, and from whom the British Government purchased the land to bestow upon the U. E. Loyalists, namely, the Mississaugas. The meaning of the word Mississauga has reference to "many outlets," or a place of settlement by the "fork of a stream." The first noticewe have found of this name is upon a map in the Imperial library, dated 1G20. It is applied to a lake, — L' Missmiga, or THE MISSISSAUGAS. 379 JBitade. The location is not far from the source of the Mississippi Eiver, and there is a small stream represented as running from this lake to empty into the Mississippi, the lake is doubtless the Itasca Lake in Minesota. The Indians, then inhabiting that region, was the "Eastern Sioux." There is no doubt some identity as to origin and meaning, between Mississippi and Mississauga. It will be remem- bered, we have in die north of Upper Canada a Eiver Mississippi as well as Eiver Mississauga, The Mississauga Indians first came into notice about the middle of last century, some time before the rebel- lion. They were then living east of the Georgian Bay upon the lake and the river, both of which have derived names from this tribe. Capt. Anderson thinks they took the name from living by this river, which has 7nany outlets. It may be regarded as a question whether the river gave a name to the tribe, or the tribe a name to the river. The Mississaugas have boon more generally regarded as a branch of the OtchipcAvas. Father Charlevoix says, they are a branch of the Algonquins. ToAvards the end of the seventeenth century, the Iroquois had quite overrun the territory formerly designated by the French " the country of the aSTorthern Iroquois," and now constituting Upper Canada. As the Six Nations retired to their territory upon the south of Lake Ontario, the Chipj)ewas, or Otchwas and the Missis- saugas descended to the north shore of Ontario, the St. Lawrence, and around Bay Quinte. The exact time at which these tribes ob- tained possession of the land around the Bay, and its Islands, and other parts of Canada, is uncertain. But, long before the settle- ment of Upper Canada, they were the acknowledged owners of the soil, and Great Britain purchased from them the right of owner- ship. The first record we have of surrender of land, was by the Chippewas, in 1781, to Gov. St. Clair. The Mississaugds seem to have been a neutral nation, at least, they never appear to have taken any part in the wars between the French and English. But we find that "at a great assembly of chiefs and warriors, at Albany, in August 17, 1746, the chief speaker of the Six Nations, informed the English Commissioners that they had taken the Mississaugas as a seventh nation. There certainly seems to have been a very friendly relationship between the Iroquois and Mississaugas. The Mississaugas were divided into several tribes, or rather, were divided into several villages. v?-hich Avere scattered all along the St. Lawrence, from the river Gananoque to the Bay Quinte, and 380 THE "SOUTERS." Lake Ontario. Thus, we find it recorded that "They were dispersed along Lake Ontario, South of Frontenac." This means Prince Edward particularly ; but they were as well settled in little villages at different points. Charlevoix si)eaks of the Mississaugas as having u village at ]S"iagara and upon Lake St. Clair ; most likelj" at the mouth of the Thames. They likewise had villages along the upper waters of the Trent, and at the Don. Their ai-morial bearing, or ''totem" was the crane, crow, muskrat, and beaver. The Kentes and Ganneyouses, two tribes of the Mississaugas, although taking no part in the wars against the Fi'ench, had practised upon them a base act of treachery. In 1687, M. de Nonville, who was then Governor of Canada, being at Fi'ontenac, invited these two tribes to the fort to hold a conference, and while there, seized forty or fifty men, with eighty women and children, who were sent prisoners to France. The Fi-ench called the Mississauga, while living in the west, the ^owfer, or Jumpers, because of the numerous rapids in the river Mississaugft down which their canoes were wont to jump. The Mississaugas are of a darker hue than any other tribe in the northern part of America. The uncertainty that attaches to the Mississaugas as to origin, and the fact that they were not given to warfare ; but seemed to be at peace with all native tribes, causes us to think that possibly they ma}' have sprung from the dispersed " Neutral Nation." At the time of the settlement of Ujjper Canada, the Missis- saugas seem to have been the principal, if not the sole aboriginal occupants of the land. There are a great many "Mississauga Points" along the Bay, even at the ^5 resent day, and there was a greater number at the first, all of which indicated the site of an Indian Village. At Cataraqui, just by the old fort, and Tele du Pont, was a Mississanga point, so called from its being the site of an Indian village. For yeai's after the refugees entered, the Indians continued to dwell here, at least during certain periods of the year. The ground whereon a portion of the railway is laid, used to be the scene of man}- an Indian dance, to the tune of other music than the screaming of the iron horse, although no less inharmonious. Peter Grass was wont to tell of these scenes, whereat fearful orgie8 were witnessed by the lurid glare of their rude torches. •' At the time of the peace, in 1783, the Mississaugas ceded to the Crown large tracts of land in the Johnstown, Midland and Newcastle Districts." — (Eeport). INDIAN ISLANDS. 381 The whole of the land contiguous to the Bay was purchased from the " Mississaugas of the Eay Quintc." The Indians, in relinquishing their claims to the land, had guaranteed to them certain stipulated j^ayments yearly, in presents. We find it stated that " every man received two hlankets, cloth for one coat and one pair of trowsers, two shirts, several small articles, besides a gun, ammunition, kettles, and other things." — (Playter). " They claim, however, to have retained the following reserves." Mississaiiga Point, six miles below Belleville, about 1,200 acres ; Grassy Point — in Sophiasburgh — about 600 acres; Ca^Je Vesey, in Marysburgh, six miles east of Wappoose Island, 450 acres ; Bald Head, at Weller's Bay, Anieliasburgh, 100 acres. " They also claim the islands eastward from Presqu Isle to Gananoque, Nicholsons' Island, in Lake Ontario, 250 acres, near West Lake, Wellington ; Weir's or Tubb's Island, McDonald's Island, and Sugar Island, in all about 1,000 acres. The islands, from Trenton to Kingston, and thence to Gananoque. Also, Green's Island, Timber Island, False Ducks, with others in Lake Ontario." The Commissioners considered that the Indians had claims to compensation for their lands. As for the islands, the following extract from a letter from Sir John Johnson to the Military Secre- tary, dated Lachine, 9th October, 1797, will show their I'ight to the Islands. ' ' No islands were ceded to the Crown but Grenadier Island and the Islands between it and Kingston ; two of which were granted to me, with the lands at Gananoque, by the Governor and Council, together with the Island of Tontine above Kingston, at the entrance of Lake Ontario." This was Amherst Island. The portion of the Mississaugas to which the land belonged, were those subsequently known as the Bay Quinte, and the King- ston Indians. The same that lived for a time at Grape Island, and who now reside at Alnwick. " The acceptance of the surrender of the Indians in 1856, by the Government, is an acknowledgment that these islands had never been ceded by them." We thus learn that the Indian claims made to the islands 'and reserves in Prince Edward, w^ere allowed by the Government. But the Indians claimed also that the treaty of cession, as they under- stood it when made, did " not include, a portion of land bounded on the north by a line which marks where the waters flow into the Ottawa River, and thence to the south, some thirty miles, to the head waters of some streams which flow tow^ards the Lake, with a 382 INDIAN RESERVES. length of some sixty miles."' I^jiit this clfiim was not considered as tenable. According to tlie testimon}- of the first settlers, Wappoose Island, at the opening of Smith's Bay, was the abode of the Indian Chief; at least, he came here yoarl^^ to receive the rates from the settlers who had squatted upon it. The Indians went from this to Kingston, to get their presents, which they obtained from one Lyons, who it is said, was the first Indian agent thei-e. He lived a quarter of a mile from the Market Place. From the several villages, placed by the water board, the Mis- sissaugas were accustonKxl to ascend up the rivers to the interior of the country for game. Of the dilterent rivers, the Sagonaska. (Moira), was, perhaps, more generally selected. Stoco Lake was a favorite hunting and fishing region, so named after a famous Mis- sissauga Chief, Stougcorig. They had a lot reserved at the mouth of the river, and also lot number four, in the second conces- sion of Thurlow,— altogether 428 acres, which was sold in 1816, for £107. The}' generally ascended about the last of March, and returned the latter part of December. The writer can remember to have seen their birch canoes, well laden, passing up and down the river. Before the settlement of Belleville, they had their encamp- ment on the plains b}' the river's mouth, but in later years they selected grounds some way up the stream. At first the trading post, kept by Chisholm, east of the river on the bay, was a point of attraction to them. The Indians would make sugar in the spring, and bring it to the settlers in small basswood bags, which they would exchange for different articles. The Mississaugas being a race of naturall}' peaceful disposition, the settlers never had any i-eason to fear them, even had the Cana- dian Grovernment, like the American, forgot to recognize the rights of the natives, and ownei's of the soil. When under the influence of liquor they might assume a mock heroic character to intimidate women and children, in order to get something; but no attempt was ever made to disturb the settlers along the Bay. Eveiy year the Indians would go to Kingston to receive their presents, annually given by Government ; sometimes there would be a hundred canoes. APPEARANCE OF BAY QIJINTE. 383 CHAPTER XLIV. C'oxTEXTs — Appearance — Mouth of Baj' — Length — The Peninsula of I'lineo Edward — Width of Bay — Long IJeaeh — Course of Bay — The High Siiore — Division of bay — Eastern, central, western — Taking a trip — Through the Kcach — A picture — A quiet spot — Lake on the mountain — A description — Montreal Gazette — Beautiful view — Rhine, Hudson —Contrast — Classic ground — A sketch — Birth place of celebrated Canadians — Hagennan — A leading spirit — Sir J. A. McDonald — Reflections — A log house — Relics of the past — Lesson of life — In the lower bay — Reminiscences — The front — Cradle of the province — Shore of Marysburgh — In the Western Bay — Cuthbertson — Up the bay — A battle ground — Devil's Hill — Stickuey's Hill — In the depths — Prosperity — Geological supposition — Head of bay — The BAY QUINTE CONTINUED — ITS APPEARANCE. Perhaps there is no sheet of water in Upper Canada possessed of greater natural beauty than this arm of Lake Ontario. At the eastern extremity of Ontario, where it merges into the St. Law- rence, with its 1692 islands, on the northern shore, is found the entrance to the Bay Quinte. In the early days of the settlement the name was limited to the waters west of Indian Point, at the extremity of Prince Edward Peninsula. At the present time the Bay Quinte is understood to include the sound between Amherst Island, and Wolfe Island, upon the south, and the mainland to the north. Our history is intended specially to embrace the events connected with the settlement of this region. The bay, commencing where the St. Lawrence begins its mighty flow, extends in an irregular manner inland to a distance of some 70 miles, its western extremity approaching to within a short distance of the lake ; and thus creating a lengthy peninsula, vaiying in breadth, the greatest being about 25 miles ; but with a neck so narrow, that the peninsula is almost an island. The width of the bay varies, averaging about a mile ; but in some places it is two miles. Not only is the bay irregular in its direc- tion ; but there are many indentations, some several miles in length, which increase the irregularity, and add beauty and variety to the scenery. The course of the bay from the lower gap, is at first, for some 35 miles almost due Avest. It then makes a turn toward tlie north, tending a little to the east; while to the south is an indentation forming the Picton Bay. This portion of the bay is called the Long Eeach, and in its length, presents some of the most striking 384 UPON THE BAY. beauties of the Avhole bay. Extendini^ to the south of the Reach is a lengthy indentation five or six miles long, forming Hay Bay. At the northern extremity of the Long Reach, is another small bay into which the Napanee River empties, called the Mohawk Bay. Here the main body of water makes another turn, and again, stretches almost directly westward, to the head of the bay. At a distance of eight miles from Mohawk Bay there is a material wid- ening of the water. This portion is called Big Bay. The width does not appear so great in consequence of the existence of islands, one of which, the Big Island, stretches along the south shore even the whole length of Big Bay. At the western limits of the wide part, the bay is very narrow by reason of two opposite points, Mississauga and Ox Points, approaching to within a half mile of each other. It is the opinion of geologists, that the channel between these two points is of comparatively recent formation, caused by a sinking of the land, and that the old channel was through the marsh which divides Mississauga point from the peninsula. The High Shore, which forms so prominent a feature in the scenery of the bay, and the highest summit of which is at the Lake on the Mountain, is a remarkable formation. Commencing in Marysburgh, near the East Lake by the shore of Lake Ontario, it follows the course of Smith's Bay eastward, down the shore to what is called " the Rock," thence across the peninsula to the bay and so follows the coui'se of the bay upward, around Picton Bay, and thence along the eastern front of Sophiasburgh to a point opposite Hay Bay. Here the hill leaves the bay shore and takes a westerly course, and stretches away toward the lake, to the south of the Carrying Place. The Bay of Quinte may be divided into three jjortions — an eastern, a western, and a central portion. The eastern and western portions, we have seen, run east and west. The middle portion, con- necting these two together, is a reach of some twelve miles and mostly north and south, from Picton Bay to Mohawk Bay. Undoubtedly' the " Long Reach " possesses the most atti-active scenery, from the waters themselves, along the whole sheet, fi'om Kingston to the Carrying Place. To obtain some idea of the scenery here presented, the reader is invited to accompan}- the writer, in imagination, upon the steamer from Mill point, Tyen- dinaga, or the Indian'Woods, to Kingston. It is upon a bright morning in September. Leaving the wharf at Mill Point, our boat IN THE LONG REACH. 385 makes a graceful sweep and turns here prow clown the ba}- toward the Roach. The power of the sun is beginning to be felt, and the mist which has rested upon the waters is gradually rising. After leaving the wharf a few minutes, an angle is reached from which we can look iip through the Big Bay almost to Belleville , and, at the same time down the Eeach, into Picton Bay. This morning, on glancing upwards, a lovely view presents itself. The water is like glass, from which the mist, here and there, is rising like a sheet of the j^urest snow. Eesting in the glassy bed are several schooners, whose white siiils and rigging are perfectly mirrored by the unrippled surface of the water. Turning our gaze down throiigh the Reach, even a more beautiful sight is before us. From this stand point we seem to be looking through, as it were, a telescope, at the distant shores of Picton Bay. The sun's rays have not yet reached the deep and narrow channel, so that a thick covering of white mist hides the water, excepting here and there, where its lovely blue may be seen, as it reflects the azure sky. A vessel with snowy sails, seems to be restiog against the high shore, while its hull is half enshrouded in the fog. To the right, over a point of low land, may be seen the top mast of another vessel, which, in an indentation of the bay, is as if left upon the dry land by a retiring flood. It has always seemed to the writer that this is the most delightful and picturesque spot upon the bay, and he has endeavored, in but an imperfect way, to draw to it the attention of tourists, who may desire to see the more enchanting scenes connected with the bay. Pi-oceeding on our way down the Reach, the steamer stops at Roblin's wharf upon the right. Here, in a little dell, leading into a peaceful valley pleasantly wooded, which leads up to the high shox'e, is situated Mr. Roblin's buildings. For a quiet place in which to live during the summer, where , one may forget the cold artificial world, it is unequalled. To the right is the bold high shore, which protects from the northern wind. Spread out before, is a beautiful landscape. There, is another view of Adolphustown, with its manj- points, and corresponding indentations, the home of peace and plenty. There, is the entrance to Hay Bay, and more directly opposite, the elevated shore, well crowned with trees, still clothed in green. We now continue our voyage close to the precipitous rocks which form the shore, and presently we approach the mouth of Picton Bay. Here again is obtained a varied and delightful prospect, ere we leave this " Grand Bay," as it was at first called. 25 386 THE LAKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. Lssuiiig again I'rom Pictoii Bay, our steamer glides along in the shadow of the eastern shore, and approaches the Stone Mills, at tlie foot of the lake on the mountain. The captain will wait until we have ascended, and viewed the lake, and the magnificent pro- spect spread out around. But the brief time allowed to accomplish the ascent affords no adequate chance to take in the exceeding loveliness, and call to mind the historic events connected with the country within view. So we shall detain the tourist for a days' inspection of the scene. The Lake of the Mountain is a curiosity of no mean order. The following, taken from the Montreal Gazette, j)ublishcd in the summer of 1834, is worthy the place we give it : " The Lake of the Mountain is one of the most remarkable objects in the District of Prince Edward. This singular body of water is about five miles distant from Hallowell, (Picton). It is situated on the top of a lofty eminence, about one hundred and sixty feet above the level of the Bay of Quinte. The manner in which it is boi^nded is rather singular. In one direction it is only separated from the waters of the Bay below by a ledge of limestone rock, about eighty feet high, and by a precipitous embankment, which extends half way around it. In every other direction it is skirted by a i-idg^ which rises to the height of 40 feet above the level of its surface. This Lake is about five miles in circumference. Its waters are at present applied to jiropel only a grist mill and a fulling machine. An artificial canal has been cut, along Avhich the water is conveyed to the edge of the embankment, from whence it is conducted by a wooden raceway to the mills, which are situated near the margin of the bay below. The original outlet of the lake is at a fev/ paces distance from the racewaj^. At this place the surplus waters formerly escaped through an orifice in the precipice I formerly mentioned, and after dashing over the rocks below, ultimately found their passage into the Bay. " When 1 first hotard of this lake, the most incredible stories were related to me concerning it. The gentleman who first directed my attention to it, absolutelj^ told me that it was supplied by a subterraneous passage from Lake Erie, that there was no inlet in the neighborhood, capable of affording it a supply, and lastly, that it was unfathomable, or that its bottom was lower than that of the adjoining part of the Bu}' of Quinte. Such information as this, communicated by a well-informed Barrister, did not fail to excite my curiosity, and 1 accordingly set out to examine it with feelings of considerable anxietj". " What led to the absurd idea that this lake was supplied from Lake Erie, 1 am at a loss to understand. It contains no springs, and the banks of that part especially from which it is viewed by strangers, being all so low that no inlet is visible, it might, perhaps, I ITS SUPPLY OF WATER. 387 have been thought impossible to account for its source by any other means. The absurdity of the notion is, however, so glaring, that I would not spend a single moment in exposing it, had it not taken strong hold of the imagination of a great proportion of intel- ligent people residing in this part of the country. "If the Lake of the Mountain were supplied from Lake Erie, its waters should experience a corresponding rise and fall with those of Lake Erie. This, however, they do not, for last year the waters of Lake Eric were higher than usual, while those of the Lake of the Mountain were very low. Again, this year, the waters of Lake Erie were lower than usual, while those of the Lake of the Mountain are veiy high. " Further, if the Lake of the Mountain were supplied from Lake Erie, it should be altogether uninfluenced by any state of the weather in its neighborhood. This, however, is not the case^ for in wet weather it becomes high, and in dry weather it becomes low. When I first visited this lake, its waters were nearly upon a level with its banks, and when I saw it some months afterwards, they were seven or eight feet above them. This was after a continuance of dry weather. " Fi'om all this it is evident that Lake Erie does not furnish the supply of the Lake of the Mountain, and that it must be looked for in some other quarter. Being determined to discover from whence this supply was derived, I proceeded along the east side of the lake for about a mile, upon the top of the eminence which separates it from the Bay of Quinte. I then entered the woods and began imperceptibly to ascend, until I found, by again coming in site of the lake, that I had reached an elevation of about forty feet above it. Continuing to pi'oceed for two or three miles, I descended, in the same imperceptible manner, to the place from which I first set out. In the course of this journey, I crossed no less than five differ- ent water-courses, four of which were dry at the period of my first visit, but all of which I have since seen pouring out very considerable quantities of water. The fifth is a beautiful stream flowing into the lake over successive ledges of limestone rock, underneath the rich foliage of the trees by which it is overarched." This stream aflbrds the chief supply to the lake, and judging from the appearance of its channel, it must be sometimes ujiAvards of a foot deep. In the spring and fall, when the greatest quantities of water are discharged by it, I have distinctly heaixi the noise which it makes at a distance of two miles, and on the opposite side of the lake, as it dashes over the rocks. The whole of these rivulets proceed from two extensive swamps. That from which the largest arises is situated to the south west of the lake, and is about three or four miles in cii'cura- ference. "The depth of the lake next claimed my attention. Ha^'ing pro- cured a sufficient length of line, I pushed out upon its waters in a small scow. For a considerable distance we distinctly perceive the bottom, which consists of dissolved, or rather corroded lime, so loose 388 THE VIEW. and light that with little or no exertion one may push the whole length of his oar into it. Continuing to look downwai'ds upon the beautiful white bottom as we sail along, we start instinctively upon finding that we all at once loose sight of it, and that we gaze into a deep, dark, frightful abyss, which is formed by the sudden appear- ance of a precipitous ridge, running right across the lake. Nothing can exceed the amazement — terror, I had almost called it — which some people express on finding themselves surrounded by lofty, dark woods, and floating upon the surface of water as black as ink, over an abyss which they have been told is quite unfathomable. " After having sailed over the lake in every diflferent direction, and taken an immense number of soundings, I found its greatest depth to be only ninety-one feet. The bay below I found to be eighty- two feet. Now as the lake is about one hundred and sixty feet above the level of the bay, it follows that the bottom of the lake is one hundred and fifty-one feet higher than that of the bay. " Thus, then, it appears that the Lake of the Mountain does not derive its supply from Lake Erie, that its source is to be found in its immediate neighbourhood, that it is not unfathomable, and that its bottom is not lower than that of the Bay of Quinte. " The Lake of the Mountain is however, an object of sufficient interest, without adding to its w^onders those of a subterraneous communication with Lake Erie, and an unfathomable depth. There is, for instance, the very singular manner in which it is separated fi'om the Bay of Quinte, by a wall of solid rock, and the extraordi- nary form of its basin. The fine views, too, with which the moun- tain aboimds, ought to be sufficient to attract the attention of all those whose minds are capable of enjoying the various forms in which beauty may be contemplated. " Nothing can surpass the savage grandeur of the scene we look upon from the summit of the limestone rock I have so often men- tioned, nor can a lovelier prospect be anwhere found than that which breaks upon the view, on first reaching the top of the mountain. To the north and west, we behold the Bay of Quinte, stretching far away into the land, and dividing itself into many beautiful inlets. There are too, the jiromising settlements and clearances all along the coast, which can never fail to raise and exhilarate the spirits of every one who wishes weU to the destinies of his species. There is, however, one view at this lake, which, above all others, I have most delighted to enjoy. It is from the woods, upon the most elevated part of the eminence Avhich bounds the lake to the south. From this we behold the deep dark waters of the lake beneath our feet, the bay of an hundred arms, with its smiling coast, and far away we gaze upon forest rising behind forest, until we are lost in the interminable — the dreamy distance. " I have visited this place when the surrounding woods shone in all the gorgeousness of summer sunshine. I have viewed it again by the pale moonlight, when the splendour and magnificence of the scene surpassed even what it exhibited when viewed by the broad light of CLASSIC GROUND. 389 day. Tlie lake below, and the distant bay, appeared like sheets of molten silver, and every object Avas softened down by the mellow light under which they were viewed. At first the sky was perfectly cloudless, but, in the course of the evening, the scene gradually under- went a change. On the one hand, the moon shone out with a degree of splendour Avhich no one can have any idea of, save they who have beheld her chaste countenance peering above a Canadian forest. On the other hand the thin, fleecy-looking clouds rapidly chased each other up towards the zeinth. As the evening advanced, gleams of purple lightning at intervals streamed forth. At length one large cloud which seemed to be the nucleus of the whole, shot from aroimd its margin successive flashes of pure white lightning, unaccompanied by the slightest noise of thunder. As I gazed on the brilliant spec- tacle before me, it seemed instantly to assume the shape and form of the bust of some gigantic being. The longer I looked at it, the brighter did the lightning blaze around it, and the more forcibly was I impressed with the resemblance. It might have seemed to a super- stitious or highly imaginative mind, as if the great Spirit of nature had deigned to reveal himself, amid the grandeur and sublimity of a scene so congenial to his character." We would supplement this just tribute of praise, and interesting statement ; and we venture to say, after having viewed many lovely spots in the old and new worlds, that we know of no lovelier panoramic view than that to be obtained from the Lake of the Mountain, not even excepting the far-famed Hudson, and the classic Ehine. Of course we except the rich relics of the old feudal days, which so picturesquely adorn the mountain tops along the swift running Ehine. But even here we are not destitute of historic reminiscences. Tme, we have no embattled towers, resting on rugged summits ; no castle keeps, with mysterious dungeons, upon whose walls may be traced the letters laboi'iously cut by long re- tained captives; no crumbling walls and half-filled moats ; no mag- nificent ruins of graceful architecture. We possess no Tintern Abbey by the quiet waters, to tell of the olden time; no gloomy cloisters where comfortable monks did dwell ; nor romantic cathe- dral whose antique windows admitted but dim religious light. Still, there is something to be said of the past, in connection with our country. From our position here we may examine the classic ground of Upper Canada, and trace the course of settlement fol- lowed by our fathers, the pioneers. At our feet is the bay, and seemingly so near, that one could toss a stone into the clear blue water ; and across, at the distance of a mile, though apparently much nearer, lies the low rich land of Adolphustown. To the right stretches, in almost a straight line, the 390 THE FATHERS OP CANADA. waters of the bay, along- which may be seen the well settled shores even to Ernesttown, and over which wc get a view of the Upper Gap , where the waters of the bay co-mingle^with the more boisterous flood of Ontario. Upon this bright autumn day the view is almost en- chanting. The surface of the waters of the several indentions, especially Hay Bay, as well as the main channel, have imparted to them the bright blue of the sky, while the fields of rich green and gold give variety to the scene. This rich landscape spread out before us is really the classic ground of Upper Canada. Within the compass of our view was for several years the western limit of the settlement. We can see, where landed the refugee loyalists to take possession of the land. Along that green and golden sloping shore has slowly passed the batteaux laden with the settlers and their limited household eilects; there also has gone the Skenectady boat with its ungainly soil, and toiling rowers. There, upon the rich land of Fredericksburgh and Adolphustown, lived and died many of the fathei-s of Canada. In the old homesteads, which there gradually arose, were born, and spent their boyhood days, a host of sons, who, moving further west up the bay and lake, planted the townshi^js. From that spot sprang many of Canadas earliest public men, who passed their younger daj'S among these natural beauties which belong to the bay. Under our eye is the birth-place of Judge Hagerman, Sheriff Euttan, and others, who have left a name upon the pages of Canadian history. There, upon the front of Adolphus- town stands the old Court House, where were hold the first Courts of Law of Upper Canada ; there flourished the earliest lawyer of the Province, Judge Hagerman's father, and there pleaded McLean of Kingston, in his robes and powdered wig. And, there yet stands the house where lived the little bo3^ who, now a man, is the leading spirit in our enlarged Canada. Upon this hill, and up and down its slopes, often played this, the foremost man in British America, Sir John A. McDonald. Those four townshij)s, Kingston, Ernesttown, Fredericksburgh, and Adolphustown, were the early homes of those who faithfully served their country. How manj^ thoughts are suggested as the student of history looks abroad on this the first inhabited land of Western Canada. Many of the present inhabi- tants here never heard of the noble ones, who have struggled, and whose bones now decay in yon "U. E. burying ground," just across the water. Descending the mountain, wc will continue our voyage toward Kingston. The next stopping place is Adolphustown, the history REMINISCENCES. 391 of which is given elsewhere. We have to cross the water, and as we approach the landing, we may see the splendid fai"m where lived the leader of the original settlers, Major VanAlstine. The village of Adolphnstown, once one of the most important places in Upper Canada, is now a qniet bnt pleasant spot, especially during the summer days. Proceeding on our way, we may observe, just west of Coles' Point, where settled the very first person in Adolphnstown, a small log house. It is much larger than those which sparsely dotted the bay shore seventy years ago. But it reminds one, of the first domifdles here erected. Divided into two, one part having been first built, and the other, when a growing family made it desirable, and means possible. This old log house close by the shore is a lingering specimen of an almost extinct feat ure of the bay. See here and there those tall poplar trees, brought in by the early settlers from the Hudfcon valley, and planted in front of the dwelling ; many of them are yielding to the tooth of time. These trees generally mark the spot where the settler erected his second home after years of labor had prospered him. In many places they stand erect, but Avith age stricken limbs, as faithful sentinels over the ashes of the old homestead. Ashes indeed ! For the crumbling chimney alone indi- cates where was once the abode of the pioneer — of life's cares and hopes, of doubt and expectation— of all the ins and outs belonging to the home of the pioneer. We have read to us the lesson of life ; there, are the graves of the brave old veterans and pioneers, and there, the dust of their earthly dwellings. Ashe^ to ashes ! Dust to dust ! In the lower bay particularly have come to pass many events of varied import, and fraught with thrilling interest. Here, in times anterior to the French rule in Canada, did the native tribes come to hold their councils, to make treaties, form alliances, or declare war. Here, at the mouth of the Cataraqui ; or along the shores toward the little Cataraqui, the French first fixed their j)lace of meeting, and trade with the Indians who lived afar off in the west. Over these waters have Champlain, the French Eecollets, the first dis- coverers, La Salle, Father Hennepin, Chevalier de Tonti, La Barre, Denonville, Conte de Frontenac and others, passed time after time. Over the waters here floated the English under Bradstreet, ujjon the 25th August, 1750, who, at the break of day were to besiege Fort Frontenac, and to capture it. The close of the war in 1783, brought the disbanded soldiera and many a refugee. Along the shores passed the whole of the 392 FIRST EVENTS OP UPPER CANADA. Mohawk Indians on their way to their lands. Here the Nation separated, a small party under Captain John, passing; up the Bay of Quinte, while the majorit}'^ passed up the south shore of the lake to the Grand River For years after might have been seen day after da}-, batteaux, singlj-, or in brigades, and at a later date Skenectady boats, freighted with families old and young, and with a few pre- cious household cifects, slowly and laborously iniUing their way to their place of destined settlement. In the war of 1812, the Ameri- can fleet ventured in at the upper gap and passed along at a safe distance from the field artillery that occupied the shore at Her- chimer's Point. They were essaying to capture the Royal George; but this attempt was as vain as that to over-run om* province. Into these waters entered the vessel of war, bearing the officers of Hull's army from Detroit, which they boastingly had declared would conquer Canada. From these waters issued some of the first sailing vessels of Lake Ontario. Hei-e was likewise built the first steamboats upon the lake and bay, the Frontenac and Charlotte. Upon the shores of these pleasant waters was commenced the surv-ey of the ten townships around the bay. Here was the start- ing point of settlement. Here, for many a year, was the central point of Upper Canada. Along from Cataraqui up to Collin's Bay was the great front of the infant settlement. Going up the bay, even to Adolphustown, was regarded for several years as going far into the backwoods. Along the north shore of the bay to Adolphustown, were enacted those scenes which constituted the very first events of Upper Cana- dian history. The front of Kingston township may, indeed be called the birth place, and the front of Adolphustown the cradle, of the pro- vince. Every farm along this shore has its history, which if wi-itten in the noble spirit that animated the British American Loj-alists, would command the attention of the world. These quiet old home- steads now rejjosing ujwn the gentle slopes in peace and plenty, tell not of the hardships of the old soldiers and refugees, who, with ticket in hand entered to commence the earnest work of clearing. Mainly, in the third and fourth townships, the officers settled by the ba}', while the i-ank and file took up lots in the second and rear concessions. The first four townships are indeed, the classic ground of Canada. Xor is the south shore of the bay, Marysburgh, devoid of interest in an historic sense. Reserving for another place a full account of the first settlement bv the Hessians, we can but fflance UPON THE WESTERN BAY. 393 at the fact that a band of men without any knowledge of the Eng- lish language, and una^-quainted with the first principles of pioneer life, constituted the first settlers. There, in McDonald's Cove landed he, after whom the name is given ; and there, amid the woods and ujDon the bright waters, he passed his days. We commenced our trip and observations at Mill Point, and proceeded down the bay. Let us return, and starting fi-om the same place proceed to the head of the bay, the Cai-rying Place. This part of the bay possesses less of that picturesque beauty than is found in the part over which we have passed ; yet there is much to engage the attention "of the tourist. Mill Point, although a name suggestive of enterprise and of the existence of mills ; cannot be regarded with approbation, and it is to be hoped that some appropriate name, commemorating some past event or person, connected with the place, will be bestowed upon it. It was for many years known as " Culbertson's wharf." The proper name, however, was Cuthbertson. It was from the son of a Scotch fur trader who became connected with the Mohawks. He lived at Kingston for many years, leaving when he died a natural son and daughter, by a daughter of Captain John. After his death, she and the two children removed to the Mohawk village. It was this son who first built the wharf hei-e, and hence the original name. Continuing our way up the bay, leaving to the east the pleas- ant inlet stretching up to Napanee, the first thing to attract oui* attention is the Parsonage and Indian Church, embowered in the beautiful forest trees. The Parsonage first strikes our view, where resides the amiable and worthy clergyman Mr. Anderson. In front of it is a solitary poplar with the branches partially decayed. It marks the sj^ot upon which the tribe first landed, when they came to the place in 1784. Here they first spread their tents. Some- what to the east of this stood the first English Church, the founda- tion of which can j^et be traced. Near by sleeps the remains of Captain John, the leader of the ti-ibe, and likewise many other warriors. A half mile to the west of the Chui'ch, is an eminence, which tradition points to as the battle ground between the ancient Missis- saugas and the Hurons. Further westward is Devil's Hill, so called because a drunken Indian declared he there had seen, one night, his Satanic Majesty, and chased him all night. Then comes Eagle Hill, once the abode of this Imperial bird. To the south, first lies 394 A REMARKABLE HILL. the low island, known as Captain John's, bought by Cut hbertson who built the wharf, from the Mississaugas. Then comes the north front of Soph iasburg, rich in agricultural beauty. The first eminence by the shore is Stickney'sHill, once the burying place of Indians, but erroneously supposed to be the spot where a Col. Quinte, with, his araiy, perished from hunger and cold. In the depths of the waters over which our boat now glides, it has been recorded, have been seen cannon and ammunition, and other warlike material, which Col. Quinte vainly endeavored to take across on his way to Port Frontenac. But the truth is, if such material have been seen, they were the contents of a military sleigh which, while 2)assing up through here in the winter of 1812-13, heavily laden, broke through the thin ice. We now enter ISToi-thport, at the eastern side of Big Baj^ ; and the land, on every hand, tells of comfort and thi'ift, and quiet peace. Next, the wider portion of the Bay, which haa received the name of Big Bay, is passed over. To the left is Big Island, and Grape Island, where the Eev. Mr. Case endeavoured to civilize and Christianize acommunity of Mississaugas. We now pass through the Narrows, and the spires of Belleville Churches may be seen in the distance. From Big Bay to the Carrying Place, there is great uniformity in the appearance of the land on either side, excepting upon the south shore at about seven miles fi-ora the head of the Bay. Here, where is the Village of Eednersville, is a some- what remarkable hill, which, commencing at this point, extends up along the Bay toward the end. It is separated from the western extremity of the High Shore by a valley, through which, at one time, the waters of Ontario flowed; and, when this hill was an island. The rock of this hill consists of shaly limestone, similar to that which forms the bed of the Moira. We now apj)roach the end of our voyage, and, as the steamer enters the port at Trenton, we can see the basin which forms the end of the bay, in which rests one Island known as Indian Island. Taking the Bay Quinte in its whole extent, the events of the past belonging to this quiet sheet of water, are of no ordinary interest. The tourist of to-day, while he admires the beauty as he passes along, sees no trace of the past. The placid water, no more reflects the trim and light canoe of birch, no longer the clumsy, but staunch batteau, or Durham boat, nor the Skenectady boat. Xo more is heard the oar of the Canadian voya- guer. keeping time by tuneful voices. 3I0HAWK BAY. 395 CHAPTEE XLV. C0XTE.NT3— The " Big Bay "—Mnskcto Bay — Mohawk Bay — Hay Bay — '■ Eastern Bay" — Site of Ancient Rentes — The Name — Old Families — An Accident, 1819 — Eighteen Drowned — Extract from Playter — Searching for the Bodies- Burying the Dead — Picton Bay — Appearance — The " Grand Bay " — Upper Gap — Lower Gap — Kingston Bay— A Picture — Recollections — A Contrast — Ship Yards — Extract from Cooper — Inland Lakes. THE SEVERAL BAYS. In looking at the main channel, we have mentioned several indentations, which have, from their size, received distinct names. We will now examine these more particularly. About twenty miles from the Carrying Place, and eight miles east of Belleville, is Big Bay, meaning, originally the big part of the Bay. As before stated, its size does not aj)pear so well marked as it othei-wise would, from the existence of a large island which lies in the south part of the Bay, and which is, seemingly a part of the main land. To the north is a small bay, where the Salmon River empties. Between Mississauga point, which forms the western boundar}^ of Big Bay, and Huff's Island, is another inlet from Big Bay, which is called by the inhabitants Musketoe Bay, or sometimes, erroneously, " Miscouter " Bay. It is, mainly, but a marsh, in which the Muskrat finds a home, the wild duck a safe retreat, and where myi'iads of musketo may, in their season, be found. This last mentioned fact explains the origin of the name. It is stated that, before the adjacent land was cleared, the swarms of insects was so thick as to actually cloud the air. At the junction of the western and middle portions of the Bay is the Mohawk Bay. This name is derived from the residence here of the Mohawk Indians, who came in 1784, and consequently is of no older date than the settlement of Upper Canada. The original name was Ganeious. The Bay is about live miles in length, and a mile wide at its mouth ; it gradually lessens until it forms the mouth of the Napanee river. In summer the scenery along this Bay is very agreeable, and in some places really beautiful. The second flouring mill having been built in 1785, Mohawk Bay and the Napanee River were well known b}' early settlers, and along these shores, now well cultivated fields, there have passed many a time the batteau laden with grain, or the canoe with a bag of grist- ing ; or along the shore trudged the pioneer with a bushel of corn on his back, or in winter hauled it upon a hand sleigh. 306 ORIGINAL HEAD OP BAT QUINTE. Hay T5ay. — From the entrance of Mohawk Bay southward, along the reach about seven miles, is another inlet. This is Hay Bay, and, by far, the largest of the several Bays. By looking at the map, it will be seen that this indentation is somewhat divided into two almost equal portions by a narrow channel ; aud that the eastern part is considerably broader than the western. This narrow channel was originally called, according to an old maj) of Fi-edericksburg, dated 1784, the " Long Eeach," and the east end, the "Eastern Bay." This was then regarded as the real end of the Bay Quints. The " North Channel," leading to the Mohawk settlement, was but little known, and not taken into con- sideration. It must be remembered that the names originally given to the several portions of the Bay were such as the circumstances of the settlers would be likely to suggest. The soldiers who settled on the front of the third township soon learned that in the rear was a Bay, by which they could reach the back concessions. Some crossed the peninsula, while others reached their lots by making a circuit of the Fourth Town shore. The distance to them as they toiled in the batteaux, seemed a long stretch, and hence it was called the " Long Eeach," while the wider portion, at the end of the Bay was named Eastern Bay, or the most eastern bay. Here, as we have seen, dwelt the ancient Kentes. The name of Hay Bay must have been given to this sheet of water about 1786. In the absence of any certain knowledge of the origin of the name, we have concluded that it was so called, out of respect to his memory, after Lieut-Governor Hay, who died at Detroit, 29th August, 1785, "after twenty-nine years service." This was the year previous to the time of the first settlers locating here. The name was, most likely, given by the Surveyor, who, in accordance with the custom, named everything after some influential or prominent person, or friend. While advancing this theory of the origin of the name, Ave must not omit to mention, that when the country was opened up there was, growing in some places upon the bay shore, wild hay. This may possibly have given rise to the name ; or the name may have been taken from Chief Justice Hay. Hay Bay, although possessing no particular features of beauty, has a charm peculiarly its own, as being the original Kente Bay. It is not wanting in historic interest. Along its shores, now so fertile, for long years existed abundant game; a fact well known to all the neighboring tribes. Although no settler took up land here until 1780, there were among them indi- HAY BAY ACCIDENT. 397 viduals who took no unimportant part in the war against rebel- lion. Upon the south shore lived and died some families who acted more than ordinarily venturesome parts during the contest, as the Huycks, Miss Loyst, who married a Diamond, and whose two brothers Avere with Sir John Johnson at Hungry Bay, Here settled three Embury's, David on the north shore, who was brother of Philip Embury, the first Methodist Preacher in America. On the south side lived Andrew, and John Embury, and the first family of the Bogarts of Canada, descendents of the first Moravian minister, to America. Also, here lived Judge Fisher, Squire Beegle, James Knox, the first Quaker Preacher in Canada. Upon the north bank, while the colony was yet in its infant days, was com- mitted, probably, the first act of suicide in the country. An event even yet remembered by some. And, more than all, it was upon th-ese waters where occurred an accident, which filled the whole Bay country with horror ; and awakened emotions of the keenest sympathy, which produced an impression throughout the whole Province, exceeded only by the loss of the schooner " Speedy," with all on board. The accident on Hay Bay took place on a Sunday morning, 20th August, 1819. On the soxith shore of the bay, in the Methodist meeting-house, Avas this day a Quarterly Meeting. Quarterly meet ings, in the early days of the country, \\-ere ahvaj's largely attended, persons coming from a considerable distance. On this occasion there were present many from the adjacent townships. Not a few came from the banks of the Xapanee. Those living to the north of the bay had to cross to the place of meeting by boat. It was a bright sunny Sabbath morning, and already had many crossed and "vvere joining in the religious services, when there put oif from the north shore, a short distance from Casey's Point, a boat load, consisting of eighteen young men and women, most of whom lived along the bay. " They were aU dressed in good and modest apparel as befitted the day, and the house and worship of God. Buoyant with the cheerfixlness of youth, and the emotions of piety, they sang as they stei:)ped into the boat, and as they made progress to the other shore. The boat being rather leaky, and so many, pressing it too near the water's edge, the water came in and increased fast, and they had no vessel to bail with. Unhappily, the young men did not think of bailing with their clean hats, or did not like to do so, until it was too late. The boat filled and sank, when near the other shore, and these eighteen young men and women, crying and shrieking, went down into the deep water. 398 GREAT ORIEF. At the time of crossing, there was a prayer meeting proceeding in the chapel. One those present was now engaged in prayei", and had just nttered the petition that " it might be a day long to be remembered," when a shriek was heard, another, and another. The prayer was stopped, and some ran up to the pulpit to look out, and saw the youths struggling in the water. All ran to the shore, and some plunged in to render assistance. Eight were taken to the shore. Ten bodies were yet in the water. A seine was prepared, and so the bodies of these unhappy youths, a few hours ago so blythe and cheerful were brought dripping to the land. One was not recovered till the next morning. Two young men were drowned, and eight young women. Two were of the German family, two Detlors, one Bogart, one Eoblin, one McCoy, one Clark, one Madden, and one Cole. The grief of the families, so suddenly bereaved, gathered together on the shore, gazing at the loved bodies, may be better imagined than described. The grief, too, was shared by the large congTegation assembled, and by the minister. No public worship was attended to, but preparations for the solemn funeral. ''Monday was a day of mourning. News of the uch was the case, the base line along the front of the tirst township, must have been run before Cajjtain Grass crossed to the west of Collins Bay, and re- jected the land lying to the west thereof. Captain Grass, as well as the surveying party, returned to Sorel for the winter, and, in the spring, they returned, accompanied by all of the families, under Captain Grass. It was the summer of 1784 that the first township was occupied. There was some dissatisfaction at the preference accorded to Captain Grass by those who had been in Canada. His superior claim was however acknowledged. At the same time, thei'C appears to have been some compromise, from the fact, that while Captain Grass himself obtained the first lot adjoining to the reserve for the town, the second one, which was by number, lot 24 was granted to the Rev. Mr. Stuart, and the next to Mr. Herkimer, neither of whom had any connection with Captain Grass' company. Tlie following extract of a letter written by Captain Grass, at a subsequent period, reveals to us the appearance the place pre- sented to him. at the time of his settlinsr. The old ffcntleman had COLLINS' REPORT. 423 •ome grievance to make known to the public, respecting a road, and he commences his communication thus : — "Seven and twenty years, Mr. Printer, have rolled awa}- since my eyes, for the second time, beheld the shores of Cataraqui. Tn that space of time, how many changes have taken place in the little circle in which fate had destined me to move ! How many of the seats of my old associates are now vacant ! Hoav few of these alas! to mourn with me the loss of the companions of our sufferings, or to rejoice with me at the prosperous condition of this our land of refuge ! Yet will I not repine ; they are gone, I trust, to a better land, where He whocauseth the wilderness to smile and blossom as the rose, hath assigned to them a distinguished place, as a reward for their humble imitation of his labors. Yes! seven and twenty years ago, scarce the vestige of a human habitation could be found in the Avhole extent of the Bay of Quinte. Not a settler had dared to penetrate the vast forests that skirted its shores. Even on this spot, now covered with stately edifices, were to be seen only the bark-thatched wigwam of the savage, or the newly erected tent of the hardy loj'alists. Then, when the ear heard me, it blessed me for being strong in my attachment to my sovereign, and high in the confidence of my fellow-subjects, T led the loyal band, I pointed out to them the site of their fiUure metro- polis, and gained for persecuted principles, a sanctuary — for myself and followers a home." " Kingston, 7 Dec. 1811," (Signed) " G." On the 29th 3Iay, 1788, Lord Dorchester, the Grovernor of Canada, issued instructions to John Collins, Surveyor, to make a survey of "forts, harbours, &c., from Carleton Island to Michil- macinac." His report was found among the "SirAcoe papers." The report, dated Quebec, 6th Dec, 1788, says: — My Loi'd — " In obedience to your Lordship's instructions, wherein is specified, that doubts being entertained whether Carle- ton Island or Kingston " (and this shows how early the royal name had been given to the first township) " is the most eligible station for the King's ships of war to protect the navigation of Lake Ontario, and the upper part of the river St. Lawrence, I am to make this particularlj^ an object of my attention, and report how far it may be necessary to occupy either, or both, and what works I judge advisable for that purpose." "With .respect to Kingston, and what is there called the harbour, and where the town is laid out, is not the best, situation on this side for vessels, as it lies rather open to the lake, and has not very good anchorage near the 424 THE DEFENSES. entrance, so that tlicy arc obliged to run a good way up for shelter; the moi^t eligible situation is to the east." After referring to the more frequent directions of the wind, he concludes, that to get into the lake, it is as easy from Kingston as from Charleton Island, but that the latter atibrds the best shelter. "Having brought forward all the material information and observations I have been able to make and procui-e, and having duly weighed the several properties, both of Kingston and Carleton Island, relative to naval purposes only," he concludes, •' that the preference rather leans on the side of Carleton Island. If the object was that of trade only, or regarded merely by the transport of goods to Niagara, I do not see that Carleton Island has any material advantage over Kingston; but, as a station for the King's ships of war, I am induced to think that Carleton Island is the best," as it possessed many natural advan- tages. Eespecting Kingston, a fort and out-works could be con- structed to protect the harbour; but an enemy might advance in the rear, and bombard the fort and the nav}-. " In regard to the present condition of the works at this post, the whole is so far in ruins as to be altogether defenceless, and incapable of being re- paired, the ditch which is in the rock, has never been sufficiently excavated, the other works have been completed, but it strikes me they were never capable of any serious defence, as well as from the bastions, as well as the oblique manner in which their faces are seen from the other works, but the whole could only be considered as a temporary matter. The green logs with which the fort was built, could not be expected to last long ; the ground is favorable for a fort of greater capacity and strength, but it is probable that such a system may have been originally adopted for the works, at the place it might have been thought adequate to its importance, to the number of troops designed for its defence, and the strength it was likeh'an enemy would be able to bring against it; and there ideas would again be brought into consideration, if this post should be established, or an}' new system adopted. Without, therefore, going, in this place, into a detail of particular works, I will remark, that as the ground in front Avidens and extends somewhat over the extremities of the w^oi'k, particularly on the right, precaution should be taken to strengthen those jDoints towards the field, to contract, in some degree, the advantage an enemy attacking might have in the extent of his flanks. The barracks, although'partly dismantled, and in a very bad condition, ma}- be still repaired." From the foregoing, it may be inferred that the troops had all FIRST ORANTS. 425 been withdrawn from the head of the St. Lawrence, and that only a Commissariat Department remained at Carlton Island. Prohably, it was only when Canada was erected into a distinct Province, that regular troops again were stationed here, and then, it having been ascertained that Carleton Island would belong to the United States, Kinston superseded it. Although the " King's Towjiship " was mainly settled by the band of Loyalists who came by way of the St. Lawrence, from New York, there were several others who received gran.ts of land here, a few of whom, no doubt, reached Kingston at as early a date as 1783, and, as we have seen, they may have visited the place, previous to that date. Among these, was Col. Hanjost, or John Joost, or Joseph Herkimer, who had been compelled to forsake his home at the German Plats, Avhere his father lived. Looking at "A Plan of Township No. 1," (now Kingston), " in the District of Mecklenburgh, surveyed in 1783, with the proprietor's names on the lots," in the Crown Lands Department, the following may be observed. Just by the grounds of the Fort, the water is called Cataraqui Harbor. Across the mouth of the Bay, and between Points Frederick and Henry, is Haldimand Cove. Beyond Point Henrj-, is Hamilton Cove. Passing up the river, the iirst lot has upon it the name of Joseph and Mary Brant. This lot was not numbered, however. (Capt. Brant came to the place in 1785, and remained living there for a time). Still proceeding along the west shore of the river, lot No. 1, has the name of Neil McLean ; No. 2, Henry Wales; No. 3, James Clark; No. 4, Capt. Crawford ; No. 5, Lieut. Brown ; No. 6, Sovereign ; No. 7, at first was granted to Lawrence ; this name is superseded by the name of Braton. To the west of the road, is a block of land, of 700 acres, for " Capt. James McDonnell ;" but this name is erased, and Eobert Macau! aj' written instead. Probably Mac'aulay became the purchaser. To the east of the road, is another block of land, for John Macaulay. The island in the mouth of the river, called " Isle Aux Ptre," was granted to Neil McLean, " by order of General Haldimand." Turning to the south of the Fort, the first lot has the name of Capt. Grass; the second from the Fort, Eev. Mr. Stuart; the third has the names upon it of Lawrence Herkimer, Sam. Hilton, Capt. Jost Hartman ; the fourth. Francis Lozion, Rockland, James Brown, John Moshler; fifth, Lieut. El lerbeck ; sixth, John Stuart, Lieut. Gallary, Lieut. Mower, Charles Pander ; seventh, Capt. McGarrow ; eighth, Lieutenant Atkinson ; ninth, Robert Vanalstine ; tenth, 426 FIRST INHABITANTS. Richard Moornuin ; eleventh, R. Gidei* : this lot lies on the "Petite Cataraqui ;" twelfth, Lieut. Kotto, Surveyor, and afterward John Stuart ; thirteenth, Capt. Grass, also Capt. Everett ; fourteenth, Grass ; fifteenth, Capt. Ilarkman ; sixteenth Nicholas Herkimer. This brings us to Collins' Bay, or, as the orginal name appeal's " Pouegeg." Continuing westward, among others, are to be seen the names of Purdy, Capt. Wm. Johnson, Wm. Fairfield, Senr., Daniel Rose, Matthias Rose, Robert Clark, James Clark, Sen., Sergt. John Taylor, Capt. J. W. Myers, -who has two lots ; (these two last became the first settlers in Sidney and Thurlow") ; Lieut. James Robins, Sergt. Williams, Lieut. Best, Jjieut. John Durenbury, and then there was a lot (No. 18) for the " King's saw mill," subsequently Booth's Mills. Of the foregoing, it is uncertain how many became settlers. But the most of them seem to have obtained these front lots, irres- j)ective of Captain Grass. Of the other early settlers, the following are, doubtless, the principal ones. For their names, I am partially indebted to Mr. G. H. Detlor, himself the descendant of an Irish Palatine. '•' Wm, MacAulay, Thomas Markland, John Kirby, John Cummings, Peter Smith, England, John Ferguson, Lyons, Pousett, McDonnell, Boyman, Cook, Taylor, Smyth, DeNyke, Murue}'-, Cuthbortson, Alcott. The Rev. John Stuart, Hon. Richard .Cartwi-ight, Allen McLean." These did not probably come the first year, but within the first two or three years. It is said that John Fralick or Freeligh, who had held a com- mission in the army, was one of the first settlers in Kingston, and built the fourth house erected. Other names given, as ariiong the first inhabitants of the village of Kingston, are John Forsyth, Joseph. Forsyth, Anderson, Punbee, Merrill, Stoughton, Gray, Hix, Cassady, Ashley, Burley, Stower, Donald McDonald, James Richardson, Patrick Smith, John Steel, Ebenezer Washburn. Early settlers on the front of the Township, beside those before given, were Holmes, Day. Ferris, several Wartmans, and Graham. Before proceeding with the history of Kingston, it is desirable to notice more particularly some events connected with the occu- pancy of Kingston, as a Naval andMilitaiy station. AVe have seen that Surveyor Collins gave the preference for Carleton Island. But Lord Dorchester decided that Kingston was tjie most desirable place for pur2)0ses of defense, and it is a striking fiict that the views held by him have been, to a certain extent, reiterated by Gen. Michel, in 1867. Both seemed to hold the opinion tliat Canada, west of A MILITARY STATION. 427 Kingston, was untenable against an invading foe. When Simcoe assumed the G-overninent of the newly formed Upper Province, it was the declared desire of Lord Dorchester, that he should select Kingston as the capital, and make it a well fortified town. Already steps had been taken to establish a naval as well as a Tuilitary station. Haldimand's Cove, between Point Fi*ederick and Point Henry, had been selected for the Naval depot, and here was a Dockyard and Stores, which were continued for many years. These were commenced about 1789, and the same year barracks were built by soldiers, upon the ruins of the old fort, which was the com- mencement of the Military Station, and the head-quarters of the troops in Upper Canada, and the residence of the Commander- -in-Chief ; also a staff of the Ordinance and Engineer Departments was kept up. Cooper, Avriting 1856, says : '' Of late years, a general rediiction has been made, — a small garrison only is now kept, and the Ai'tillery is wholly withdrawn." (This was at the time of the Crimean war). The establishment was, some dozen years ago, greatly reduced, and isnow wholh" abandoned. In years jiast, however, the officers and crew of Her 3Iajesty's ship Niagara, were regularly piped to quarters in a handsome stone building in the Dock Yard, which was manned, and the crew disciplined in com- plete man-o'-war fashion. In these bygone days, Kingston was the residence of the Commodore in charge of the Naval Department, who lived in a style which would have quite outshone that of some of our economical Governors. Those connected with this and other departments, followed the Avorthy Commodore's example, and as the population was not then great, the influence of that example rendered the town, if not a very prosperous, certainly a very gay, and seemingly happ}^ one. Times have certainlj^ changed since then, as ftir as the expenditure of Imperial money is concerned." After Kingston had been selected as a military station, it naturally grew more rapidlj'. The presence of the soldiers and of seamen, and their expenditure of money, had the effect of starting into quicker life, the infant town ; but when Simcoe, in 1792, passed it by, and sought his gubernatorial residence at Newark, it received a material check in its growth. Being the largest collec- tion of houses in Upper Canada, Kingston had claims, irrespective of the existence of the two arms of the service. During the first decade in the history of Upper Canada, Kingston did not rise above a small village, although it was honoured, sometimes, with the appellation of "city." Rochefoucault says, 1795, that Kingston 428 KINGSTON IN 1795. "consists of about 120 or 30 houses. The ground in the immediate vicinity of the city, rises with a gentle swell, and forms, from the lake onwards, as it were, an amphitheatre of lands, cleared, but not yet cultivated. None of the buildings are distinguished by a more handsome appearance from the rest. The only structui-e, more conspicuous than the others, and in front of which the English flag is hoisted, is the barracks, a stone building surrounded with pali- sades. All the houses stand on the northern bank of the bay, which stretches a mile further into the countiy. On the southern bank are the buildings belonging to the naval force, the wharfs, and the habitations of all the persons, who belong to that depart- ment. The King's ships lie at anchor near those buildings, and consequently have a harbour and road separate from the port for merchantmen." " Kingston, considered as a town, is much inferior to Xewark ; the number of houses is nearly equal in both. Kingston maj' con- tain a few more buildings, but they are neither so lai-ge nor so gooil as at Newark. Man}- of them are log houses, and those which consist of joiners' w^ork, are badly constructed and jDainted. But few new houses are built. No town-hall, no court-house, and no prison have hitherto been constructed. The houses of two or three merchants are conveniently situated for loading and unloading ships; but, in point of constructure, these are not better than the rest. '•' Kingston seems better titted for a trading town than Newark, were it only for this reason, that the ships, which arive at the latter place, and are freighted for Lake Erie, pass by the former, to sail again up the river as far as Queen's Town, where the portage begins." Cooper remarks that ■' Fort Frontenac existed for several 3'ears after the conquest, the remains of the tower in the interior being removed in 1827. The present barracks were built, the officers' quarters in 1821, the men's stone barracks in 1827, and the frame barracks in 1837. At the commencement of the war in 1812, Point Henry, the site of the present extensive military works, was covered with trees ; in the following year a rude fort of logs and embankment was thrown up. A year or two after its erection two large and substantial stone towers were added to the defences, they were lofty, square towers, rounded at the corners. These remained until 182G or '28. Stone magazines, ordnance offices, and armoury were built outside the fort during the years 1816, '17 and '18. NEW DEFENSES. 429 Extensive stone barracks, roofed with tin, were built between 1818 and 1820 ; one of these within the fort was 230 feet in length ; another building which stood where the advanced battery has since been built, was 80 feet in length, and formed the officers' quarters. " These barracks stood until 1841, when they were pulled down and the material sold. Two large houses in Brock Street, and one in Barrack Street, were built from the stone, which, it may be remarked in passing, is not the ordinary blue limestone in general use, but a much whiter material, apparently not so durable. The erection of the present fort was commenced in 1832, several pre- vious years having been spent in the quarrying and preparing material. It was first occupied in 1836. On Point Frederick the first works were a breastwork of logs and earth, with traversing platforms for guns; within the breastwork was a block house. Those works were built during or just after the war; this block house was burnt in the year 1820. There were also built, about the same time, a block house surounded with a strong stockade on the hill on Princess Street, on the lot formerly owned by the late ^Ir. Jacob Ritter ; a small redan on Ordnance Street; a battery at Mis- sissauga Point ; a block house near the present Marine Eailway ; one on Stuart's or Murnej^'s Point ; another at Snake Island ; one which stood until recently, near the present new court house, with those now standing, one of them on the hill to the east of the city, and the other at the west end of Wellington Street. These block houses, excej)ting, of course, that on Snake Island, were all con- nected by a strong stake fence, or stockade ; portions of which still exist, and formed a chain of defences surrounding, what was then, the whole city." From the first, it will be seen that the village of Kingston was to a great extent indebted to the public service for its prosperity. Isaac "Wild, writing in 1796. says that from 60 to 100 men are quartered in the barracks. 430 SPECULATION. CHAPTEK XLVIIl. C'oKTKXTS — The situation of Kingston — Under military influence — Monopolist — Early history of legislation — In 1810 — Gourlay's statement — Police — Modern Kingston— Lord Sydenham — Seat of government — Peramhulating — Surrounding country — Provisions — An appeal for Kingston as capital — P.arriefield — Pittsburgh — Building of small crafts — Famous — Roads — Waterloo — Cemetry — Portsmouth — Kingston Mill — Little ('ataraqui — Co 1- linsliy — Quantity of land — Early and influential inhabitants — Post masters — "Honorable men "'—Deacon, Macaulay, Cartwright, JIarkland, Cummings, Smiths, Kerby — Allen McLean, first lawyer — A gardener — Sherili" McLean — '• Chrys " Hagerman— Customs— Sampson, shooting a smuggler — Hagerman, M.P.P. — Eemoves to Toronto. THE FIRST TOWNSHIP EVENTS IN ITS EARLY HISTORY. It must be admitted, the place did not possess from its geogra- phical situation the requisites for becoming a great city, although its situation at the head of the St. Lawrence, would always secure for it a certain degree of importance. There are evils incident to places, depending upon the military and naval bodies, and these can be seen in connection with the histor}' of Kingston, Anything which drew awa}' for a, time, to any extent, either arm of the service, had a damaging eiiect upon the prosperity, and stagnation, resulted in business. Early Kingston must be regarded as a town growing up in the back woods, with a population governed and influenced more or less by the society of officers and soldiers, and while the former gave dignity and tone to the higher classes, the lower portion of society was corresi^ondingl}- and for evil, aftected by the presence of the soldiers, with the numerous grogeries, and low houses of entertainments, which particularly in former days, were found to exist in connection with military establishments. In the first years of Canada, speculation was common with a certain class. Land claims could be purchased for a mere song. The holder of a •• location ticket," would often jjart with his title for a few quarts of rum, while many other holders were glad to sell for a few pounds of ready money, or certain articles of stock. It came that in time, a certain number of monopolists, living at Kingston, held land in the rear concessions and neighboring townshij^s. The Imperial money in Kingston was often spent without con- tributing to the improvement of the adjacent country. But the time came when the encircling settlers compelled a more generous course of conduct. I IN ISIO. 431 But, much obscuritj' rests upon the history of the first seven or ton years of the village of Kingston. The effort has been made to gather up the fragments partaining thereto, and arrange thoni so as to form a connected whole. Cooper says that " the town was laid out in 179.3, being then confined to what is now the eastern portion in the vicinity of the Tete du Font barracks, and what was then known as the Cataraqui Common, lots 25, 24, 23, on which is situated the chief part of the city, were then farm lots of 200 acres each, and uncleared." According to the census roll iu the office of the clerk of the peace 1794, the pojjulation of Cataraqui village was 345. It would seem that the appearance of the village was not very pleasing. But the suri'oundings had a certain wild beauty. The first buildings were of the most inferior kind. Kingston now so beautifid in its fine buildings and well appointed streets, had in its first days but the humblest of log tenements, with the rude Indian wigwam for a neighbor. Instead of fair broad streets, and a well ordered park, there was the Indian foot path, and the thick tangled wood, with the statel}^ pine. In 1793 an act was passed •' to fix the times and places of hold- ing the courts of quarter session.s, within the several districts," according to which it was provided that the courts of the midland district should be held in Kingston, in April and October of each year. This added somewhat to the dignity of the place. Then in 1801, there was created an act to empower commissioners of the peace, to establish a market at Kingston, where might be exposed for sale " butchers' meat, butter, eggs, poultrj^, fish, and vegetables." It was further enacted that all " rules and regulations shall be published by causing a copy of them to be affixed in the most public place in every township in the district, and at the doors of the church and court house of the said town of Kingston, &c. In 1810, Kingston was yet a small j^lace. Mr. Miles who moved there at the time says there was not a sidewalk or pavement, and he for a time boarded in one of several log houses close by the market place, " where was no lack of mud in the spring and fall, and it was no uncommon thing for waggons to be pried out by fence rails just north of the market place. Pine trees of the forest yet waved almost over the market place. A thick wood covered Point Henry, and the ground, Avhere now is erected St. Andrew's Church and parsonage. The limit of the town on the north was at Store Street, now Princess, the last house being on the north 432 IN 1815-29. east, side, Alcott's old store, and on the west side where Mr. Mea- dows now resides. The road, for it was then such only after pass- ing, Alcott's turned to the right, and went a zig-zag course north- wards, till it reached the second concession, now "Waterloo road. This was a distance of five miles from the foot of Store Street." A resident writing to the Kingston Gazette, December 26, 1815, among other things, says that the town of Kingston, " possessing so many advantages, it is time that its inhabitants should adopt some plan of improving and embellishing of it. The streets require very great repairs, as in the rainy seasons it scarcely possible to move about without being in mud to the ankles ; from the breadth, they will admit of very wide foot-paths on both sides, which ought to be paved, at least in every part of the town where the buildings are connected. Lamps are required to light the streets in the dark of the moon. Trees should be planted on each side. The streets should be kept free of lumber of every kind, and piles of wood. A fire engine, with a certain number of buckets, with a company of firemen should exist. But lirst the legislature must form a code of laws, forining a complete police. To meet expense, government might la}' a rate upon every inhabitant householder in proportion to value of property in house." Another correspondent under the signature of Citizen, says, " January 27, 1816, that he approves of " A Ee.sidents " remarks, and in' addition, he suggests that the lower classes follow the example of the liberal spirit manifested among heads of society in the pre- vious summer in contributing to the turnpiking of the streets, and paving the footpaths before their own doors. They ought to imitate, though faintly, that noble and generous example." Besides this, among other things. Citizen speaks against persons who work at their trades on Sunday, instead of going to church. " Luther," another correspondent says, there is the noise of hammers and axes from sunrise to sunset, on Sunday's. According to the Kingston Gazette, August 14, 1829, the census taken that year shewed the population of the town to be 3528, but this did not include the militar}-. The number of inhabitants in 1836 was 6000. At the present time, 1867, Kingston is said to cover an area of 2930 acres, while Toronto boasts of 5885 acres. E. Gourlay says, in 1816, that Kingston "is now progressing rapidly in population and buildings, as Well as in business. From 1811 to 1816 the number of dwellings inci-eased from 130 to 300; THE CAPITAL OF UNITED CANADA. 433 but it is estiinated that 100 more will have been erected at the close of this year." Much of this prosperity was doubtless due to the war, causing so many troops to be stationed there ; at the same time business and general growth of the City received an impetus which the close of the war failed entirely to arrest. This year a bill passed Parliament " to regulate the police, within the town of Kingston." More ample provision was made in 1824. In 1821, a writer says, Kingston was the largest town in Upper Canada, containing about 5000 inhabitants including the military. " The people live in good style, but are not very hospitable; they are mostly in the mercantile business." The number of inhabitants is probably over estimated, as in 1824 it is stated on good authority, that the population amounts to 2336. *' The buildings are of such an inferior description as scarcely to be worthy of notice." MODERN KINGSTON. The events chronicled in this work are mainly those which came to pass prior to 1830, and the history of the first township here recorded must mainly be limited to those eai*ly days. It will not, however, be inappropriate to glance, and it will be a mere glance at the Kingston of modern days. The greatest event in connection with Kingston, was the selection by Lord Sydenham, when the Upper and Lower Provinces were united in 1840, into one, for the capital of United Canada. Its claim to that honor as the most central city cannot be questioned. It may fairly be ques- tioned on the other hand whether it was a wise and judicious policy, which caused Kingston to be forsaken, and the perambulator}^ system to be substituted. Had the Seat of Government perma. nently rested at Kingston, much expense to the country would have been saved, and at the same time a great deal of heart bitterness stirred up by political agitators, likewise prevented. But the hopes of Kingston as the capital were shortlived, and with the death of Lord Sydenham, in 1842, resulting from an accident, who had been mainly the cause of Kingston becoming the capital, the brightest prospects of the oldest town in UjDper Canada, were buried. In 1845 Government was removed to Montreal. The motives according to Cooper, which had much to do in determining the removal were not such as are supposed to actuate statesmen. After rebutting the charge which it seems had been made, that 28 434 CLAIMS OP KINGSTON. there was " no surrounding country calculated to furnish market- able produce to a largo non-producing population," and referring to the undoubted facts that the townships along the Bay of Quinte were far more than adequate to meet all the gastronomists wants, he concludes. " It may seem a small consideration when treating of so important a branch of the subject, to take into account these circumstances, but there is no ignoring the fact that the absence of some of these minor luxuries had a serious effect on the minds, and perhaps digestion of some of the officials of Her Majesty's Provincial Government, and some people at a distance are per- suaded that Kingston is a city built on a rock, surrounded with barren and stone}- wilds, out of which a bare existence is wrung by the occupants, and but a scanty supply afforded to the City, and in deference to those thus unenlightened, facts are dwelt on which may seem trivial to those in the least acquainted with the neigh- borhood. Since 1845, when the Government was removed to Montreal, this City has greatly increased in the number of well built and commodious houses, which, with a well regulated and well supplied market, tempting the most fastidious, would prevent even the temporary inconveniences which in that year were felt. If any families had to atlopt double-bedded rooms, and to import their own celery in those days, we can now assure them ' nous avous changes tout cela.' In short we claim for a City central, in- deed almost in the very centre of the Province to be governed, proverbially healthy, substantially built, strongly fortified, well lighted, thoroughly drained, pleasantly situated, abundantly sup- plied, easy of access, the focus of a net- work of good roads, the out- let of the produce of several rich countries, provided with a good hai"bour, and enjoj'iug many other advantages, a pre-eminence among all Canadian Cities, as the jsermanent Seat of the Govern- ment of the Province." The existence of the Seat of Government at Kingston, although of short duration, had a beneficial effect ; many handsome buildings were erected besides those used for the several Public Depart- ments. " The Municipal Legislature of the City was encouraged to make improvements in streets, drainage, side-walks, and other- wise, and to erect the present handsome and expensive edifice, the City Hall and Market House, though not so useful as it would have been had the Government remained here. The whole building is occupied, and produces a revenue exceeding in amount the intei-est on its cost. On the whole it may faii-ly be considered that the BARRTEPIELD — WATERLOO. 435 City was improved by the temporaiy location of the Government here." Barriefield. — Tlie Cataraqui Bridge, which spans tJie great Cataraqui Eiver connects Kingston with the Township of Pittsburgh, the origin of which name is sutficiently well indicated. Close by, is the village of Barriefield, "named after Commodoi-e Barrie, who was head of the Naval Department for many years." " It forms a sort of suburb to the city, and though not a place of much increase, has been long settled. It has an elevated ground, and from it the visitor obtains a very favorable and pleasing view of Kingston, with its harbors, forts and towers. At Bai'riefield, are built the best small crafts, skiffs, and pleasure boats in use throughout the Province. They ai"e sent hence to all parts, and their character and build are well known to the aquatic sportsman, and amateur mariner. Not only in the Province, but abroad, these boats arc sought after, and in use, some of them being now afloat on the Lake of Geneva. The King- ston, Pittsburgh, and Gananoque, and the Kingston and Phillips- ville Macadamized Eoads run through this township, opening up the township beyond, and affording to the settler a ready access to a never-failing market. Within this township, are upwards of thirty-eight miles of thoroughly macadamized roads, besides good country roads to and between the concessions. That part of Pitta- burgh where Barriefield stands, and for about two miles eastward, was formerly part of the township of Kingston. When the site of the Town of Kingston was first selected, the spot where this village is situated was suggested, but was overruled in favor of the present locality of Kingston, which certainly offered greater advantages for the site of a city." Kingston Township contains, not only the city of that name, but various villages; "one of the nearest to that city is that of Waterbo, a very pretty and neat little hamlet, about three miles from town. It contains about 300 inhabitants, and has its Town Hall, Chui'ch, Stores, Inns, dtc." " In the neighborhood of this village, is the Cataraqui Cemetery, laid out on a rising ground crowned by a grove of small pine trees. Mueh care and skill in landscape gardening has been displayed in rendering the ground picturesque and pleasing ; a fine and extended view of the surrounding country, and a pretty glimpse of the Bay is obtained from the Cemetery grounds. This spot is not excelled in beauty and appropriateness, by anything in the Province, and is compared by travelers, who view it, to Greenwood Cemetery, in 436 • FIRST POSTMASTERS. .* Brooklin, N. Y. It covers some sixty-five acres of land, and when ornamented by such numerous and elegant monuments, as the living have erected to mark their respect to the beloved dead in older places of sepulture, will be unsurpassed by the oldest and most beautiful cemeteries known." '' Portsmouth is another village, about equi-distant from Kingston with Waterloo, lying westward on the Lake shore ; it was at one time, a very bustling spot, and much enterprise was evinced in ship-building. It suffered, for a time, from the withdrawal of the Seat of CTOvornment, and the construction of the St. Lawrence canals, but has now recovered its former jjrosperity, which promises to continue. The ship-building business has revived, and is carried on with energy and success. In its neighborhood are several handsome houses and villa-residences : the suri'ounding country offering very inviting spots for building. It contains about 350 inhabitants, and a large amount of rateable proi^ertj- , and has an exceedingly neat unique little Church, in old English style, with a belfry." Portsmouth is now united to Kingston, by the erection of buildings between them. Within the Township of Kingston, about five miles from the city; is the old " Kingston Mill." It is situated upon the Rideau Canal. The traveler, as he passes along by train, over a tubular bridge, will be struck by the beaut}' and grandeur of the scene. (For particulars, see "Early Years of Lipper Canada."; Little Cataraqui is a stream of small dimensions, confined to the township. In addition to the Little Cataraqui stream, there is run- ning across the township, the Collins Creek, so named after Sui'- veyor Collins. Not far from its source, in the north east part of the township, is a small, pleasant lake, of the same name, while, at its mouth, is Collins' Bay. This is a beautiful inlet of theBay Quinte, and forms a good harbour. The place is known as CoUinsby, and is situated about five miles west of Kingston. The quantity of land in the township, is about 47,906. The soil is principally cla}- upon a limestone foundation ; but still there is much of it capable of bearing good crops, to the careful and scientific farmer. Thomas Deacon, father of the present Post Manter, was Post Master from 1800 to 1836, when his duties in the Commissariat Department obliged him to resign that office. The Hon. John Macauley occupied the post from 1813 to 1836, when he resigned, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Robert Deacon. CHARACTER OF THE FIRST INHABITANTS. 4?>7 We will supplement the reference we have made to the leading men of Kingston, by giving extracts from a communication we have, at the last moment received, written by one who, now well advanced in life, spent his earlier years of manhood in Kingston, when the first inhabitants were in the afternoon of their life. The Hon. E. Cartwright, thejpioneer merchant, and Judge of Mecklenburgh, seems to have stood next in importance and influence to the Eev. Mr. Stuart. "Among the prominent merchants was Thomas Markland, John Cumraings, Peter Smith, John Kirby, and John Macaulay." They were "all honorable men," and "members of the English Church," and of undeviating loyalty. Mr. Mark- land left a son. John Ciimmings left no issue. lie was a man of " great energy ; a magistrate, and filled other offices under the Grovernment." Peter Smith was " highly respected, upright in all his dealings, and free from any moral or political reproach." '• A fine specimen of an English gentleman." lie " carried with him evidence that he was no stranger to good dinners, and understood the qualities of good wine." He died at an advanced age, 1825, leaving a son and two daughters. " John Kirby was another fine specimen of an Englishman. He loved good wine and good dinners. Extremely affable, always in good humor, universally respected. His highest ambition, in the evening of his days, seemed to be the enjoyment of domestic tran- quility, and a quiet home, made happy to him by a wife of rare sense, intelligent, and possessed of many amiable accomplishments." The Hon. John Macaulay had a well disciplined mind, possessed great energy of character, and was decided in his political opinions no doubt, fi-om conscientious motives. In his business transactions " he was scrupulously exact." " Extremely temperate in his habits. Was one of those who passed through life without exposing them- selves to the obloquy of their political opponents. Allen McLean, Esq., the first Lawyer of Kingston ; created suchb}' an order in Council. His " abilities were moderate," and "his original educa- tion defective." " A man of considerable taste, modest, dignified in his dejDortment. For many years, was the only legal adviser in the place. He was a faithful representative in Parliament for many years. Was liberal in his political I opinions." "As proof of his good taste, he was proprietor of one of the best gardens in the Province. It covered one acre of ground, and contained many choice fruit trees, such as apples, plums, pears, peach, &c., — all tastefully arranged, kept in prime order, and defended from the 438 SHOOTING A SMUGGLAR. wind by a high wall. lie took an honest pnde in showing his garden to his friends who called npon him, and was not stinted in distributing its lucious products.'' Mi*. McLean left one daughter, who became the wife of John McLean, Esq., Sheriff of the Midland District. Christopher Hagerman resided for many yeai*s in King- ston. "Was, for many years, Custom House Officer, and while so, one of liis students (Mr. Samson, afterwards of Belleville) detected a man, by the name of Lyons, in the act of carrying smuggled goods, aud ordered him to stop. On his refusing to do so, Mr. S. discharged his pistol, which took effect, the ball passing through the chest. Lyons rushed to his house, a few doors oft', and fell exhausted from loss of blood. Mr. Samson, frightened at what he had done, hastened to summon two doctors, Drs. Armstrong and Sampson. This oocurred before daylight, on the morning of the 26th June, 1824. The life of Lyons was desjjaired of for many days ; but, eventually, he grew better, and gained a moderate degree of health. It is creditable to ill-. Hagerman, that he cheerfully paid the medical attendants. Mr, Hagerman represented Kingston in Parliament several years. He removed to Toronto, a few years previous to the rebellion of 18.36. kino's royal rangers. 439 CHAPTEE XLIX Contents — The ticcond town — ]\rnest's town — King George — His childreix — Settlers of Krnesttown — Disbanded soldiers — .Johnson's regiment — Major Rogers' corps — The "EoU" — Number — By whom enlisted — An old book — Township surveyed — Settling — Traveling — Living in tents — A change — Officci'S — Names— Occupants of lots— Jlill Creek — Tlie descendants— Quantity of land — Village — The settlers in 1811 — The main road — Incorporation of Bath — Tradiug — Fairfield — The library — Bath by Gourlay — Bath of the present— Bath versus Napanee — In 1812 — American Fleit — Wondt^rful achievement — Safe distance from shore — Third townshij) — P^edericksburgh — After Duke of Sussex — Surveyed by Kotte — A promise to the disbanded soldiers — Johnson — Frederickslmrgh additional — A dispute — Quantity of land — Extract from Mrs. Moodie — Reserve for village — Second surveys. THE SECOND TOWNSHIP — ERNESTTOWN — BATH. The first township was named after His Majesty, the King's Town, and all of the other townships, both ujion the St. Lawrence and Bay Quinte, received names after distinguished loyality, or some distinguished nol)l^man, or general of Great Britain, then occupying a prominent position. King George the Third, who died in 1820, aged eighty-two, having reigned sixty year.s, had a family of fifteen children, whose names were George, Frederick, "William Henry, Charlotte Augusta Matilda, Edward, Sophia Augusta, Elizabeth, Ernest Augustus, Augustus Fi-ederick, Adolphns PVed- erick, Mary, Sophia, Octavius, Alfred, Amelia. These royal names were appropriated to the townships, towns, districts, &c. Ernesttown was so named after Eaniest Augustus, the eighth child of the King. The first township, we have seen, was chiefly granted to Captain Grass and the band of loyalists who came from Xew York under his guidance, notwithstanding some objection from Sir John Johnson, and the officers of his regiment. The second township, however, and also the third, were alloted to the 2nd battalion of the 84th regiment, commonly called Sii' John Johnson's regiment, also the King's New York Eoj^al Eangers. The regiment was generally designated, by the rebels, as the Royal Greens. This body of men took a conspicuous part in the war — took a noble part, although those who feared them, and were unequal to meet them in successful combat, endeavoured to malign them. The history of this regiment is referred to elsewhere, and as well that of the distinguished founder. The writer has in his possession the " roll of the 2nd battalion of the King's Royal Eangers, New 440 BY WHOM ENLISTED. York," contaiuinii^ the luinios of the parties by whom each of the soldiers was enlisted, which will be found in the appendix. By this it is learned that the whole number of the company was 477. That Sir John Johnson enlisted 88, Major Eoss 47, Cap- tain Leahe 17, Cxurainall 38, Munrow 29, Anderson 1, Lieutenant Halbert 1, Captain McKay 95, Morrison 30, Singleton 1, Major Gray 2, Captain Crawford 2, John McDonell 2, Lieutenant Lan- gan 30, Laughn 2, Lieutenant Wair 1, French 1, C. McAlpine 1, Ensign Thompson 1, Lieutenant McKay 2, Sergeant Howell 2, Tipple 1, Ensign Smith 3, and 69 by whom, it is not stated, they were enlisted. This roll was afterwards a precious docu- ment, when it became necessary to prove that one was truly a U. E. Loyalist. The book in which this roll is found, seems to have been an account book kept by the Adjutant, Eraser, and is dated at Oswego, 28th November, 1782. Subsequently, it was used as an account book by " Captain Crawford's company." We believe it was after his death that the book came into the possession of Mr. Sills. It is an interesting relic of the past, and ought to tind a lodgement in some museum. Many of these disbanded soldiers were from the Mohawk valley and Upper Hudson. The majority were from the old Johnston ■district, and not a few of Dutch origin. These honest and indus- trious settlers are represented to-day by wealthy and valuable citizens, whose names unmistakably indicate the stock from which they have descended. This township was surveyed probably in 1784. It may be that a base line was run in the fall of 1783. By looking at the map of this township, it will be seen that the lots are marked, like those of Kingston, from west to east, showing that the base line was run along the whole length, and then subsequent]}' the survey com- pleted from the west. In the earl}' spring of 1784, came the soldier settlers ; the Ist battalion, commonly called Jessup's Corps, settled on the St. Lawrence, in Edwardsburgh and Augusta, while the second, or Eogers' Corps, passed up to the Bay of Quinte. .Respecting this regiment, the following will prove appropi-iate, fi-om the pen of the historian of the County of Dundas. "At the close of the war, this regiment was stationed at the Isle aux Noix, a fortified frontier post at the northern extremity of Lake Champlain, which has been mentioned as an important fortress during the old French war. Hei-e they ])ussed a whole year, and were employed in abiding to ARRIVKD. 441 the already extensive fortifications of that island. While they remained there thus employed, two Government surveyors, named Steichmann and Tewit, were actively engaged surveying the County of Dundas, for their future occupation. Late in the autumn of 1783, the soldiei-s were joined by their Avives and little ones, who had wandered the weary way afoot, to Whitehall, through swamps and forest, beset with difficulties, dangers, and privations, innumer- able. The soldiers from Isle aux Noix met them there, with boats, and conveyed them the rest of their journey by water, through Lake Champlain. Imagination fails us when we attempt to form an idea of the emotions that filled their hearts, as families, that had formerly lived happily together, surrounded with peace and plenty, and had been separated by the rude hand of war, now met in each others embrace, in circumstances of abject poverty. A boisterous passage was before them in open boats, exposed to the rigors of the season — a dreary prospect of a coming winter, to be spent in pent up barracks, and a certainty, should they be spared, of under- going a life-time of such hardship, toil, and privation, as are in- separable from the settlement of a new country. As soon as the journey was accomplished, the soldiers and their families, Avere embarked in boats, sent down the Eichelieu to Sorel, thence to Montreal, and on to Cornwall, by the laborious and tedious route of the St. Lawrence. The difficulty of dragging their boats up the rapids of this river was very great ; to us it is really quite incon- ceivable. Arrived at Cornwall, they found there the Government Land Agent, and forthwith proceeded to draw by lottery the lands that had been granted to them. On the 20th of June, 1784, the first settlers landed in the County of Dundas." Not unlikely some, of the 2nd battalion were stationed at Carleton Island and Oswego, up to the time that settlement took place. We learn that Captain Crawford's company at least was at the latter place in 1782. However, it seems clear that most of the battalion was in Lower Canada, and came up with the first battalion. The survey was not yet completed, and they pitched their tents along the shore, waiting until the work of draw- ing lots was accomplished. In the meantime, they passed their days as best they could ; not knowing where their lot would be cast, they could not proceed with the clearing of land. The writer has been told by one who, passing up during this summer, saw the tents spread along the shore, upon whose brink the primeval forest yet stood in all its native beauty. Now, had they been stationed 442 SETTLERS UPON THE FRONT. at Carleton Island or Oswego, it is not likely they would have thus come before they could enter upon their work of settling. The camp tents in use by these disbanded veterans were the same tliey liad occupied in their campaigning. How great the change to them. The alarm oi' the coming foe, the thought of approaching battle, the cannon's roar, the rattle of small arms, no longer disturbed their dreams, nor sounded upon their ears. The battle cloud had passed away, leaving but a wreck of their worldly goods, and there was a great calm — the calm of the desert wilderness, unbroken even by the sound of the pioneer's axe — the calm of a con- science quieted by the thought that all had been sacrificed in a righteous cause. Tliey had met and conqixered many a foe ; but the fate of war had driven them to the desert wild, to encounter new fears, to fight the battle of the pioneer. How they succeeded ; how glorious the victory, is Written, not merely by our own feeble hand elsewhere — it is indellibly inscribed upon the pages of the townships, by the tillers of the soil. In this township as well as elsewhere, the ofiicers seem to have had the choice of lots upon the front, while the rank and file took possession of the rear lots. Among the oflicers who settled on the front of Ernesttown and Fredericksburgh, may be found the names of Lieut. Church, Lieut. Spencer, Capts. Crawford and Thompson, Ensign Fraser, Capt. Howard. According to John Collins Clark, son of Eobert Clai-k, the first lots were taken up in the following order, commencing at the easternmost lot, No. 42 : Lot 42 was fii-st occupied by David Purdy ; Joshua Booth, Esq., married to a daughter of David Fi-aser, lived on Lot 40 or 41 ; Mr. Nicholas Lake, Lot 39, but soon left i1 ; Lot 38 wa3 settled by Capt. Wm. Johnson ; William Fairfield, sen., Lot 37. He had twelve children, all of whom lived to marry. Daniel Rose commenced a settlement on Lot 30, but in a few years left, and removed to the third concession. Matthiaj; Rose, sen., settled on Lot 35, he died in his 90th year. Lot 34 and east half of 33, were settled by Robert Clark, Esq. His wife was a Ketcham, they had five sons and a io stalion to run. Any person putting fire to any bush or stuble, that does not his endeavour to hinder it from doing damage, shall forfeit the sura of forty shillings." (Signed) Philip Dorlajstd, T. C. It is most likely that Philip Dorland was merely secretary for the meeting. Ruben Bedell was successively, elected town clerk for three years, when, in 1795, Archibald Campbell was appointed, who served for four years. In 1800, Daniel Haight was appointed. In 1801. William Robins filled the office, and continued to fill it for three years, when in 1804, Ruben Bedell was again elected. The following year Bryan Crawford was appointed ; the next Daniel Haight, who continued four years ; John Stickney then filled the office three years, and Daniel Haight was again appointed, 1813. There is in the Township Records, a Return of the inhabitant* for 1794, March, with the names of each family, and the number of members in each. They are as follows : Ruben Bedell, 5 ; Paul Huff, 6 ; Solomon Huff, 10 ; William Griffis, 5; Caspar VanDusen, THE INHABITANTS. 455 6 ; Nicholas Peterson, 8 ; Nicholas Peterson, Sen. 3 ; Isaac Bern, 1 ; Thomas Jones, 4 ; Alexander Fisher, 10 ; James McMasters, 8 ; James Stephenson, 1 ; Eusssel Pitman, 7 ; Josej^h Clapp, 4 ; George Brooks, 6; John Halcom, 3; Martin Sherman, 3; Joseph Cornell, 5; Peter Valleau, 5 ; William Clark, 6 ; Joseph Clark, 1 ; Albert Cornell, 8; Peter Delrya, 4; John Iluyck, 6; Alexander Campbell, 5; Buryer Huyck, 2; Albert Benson, 4; Gilbert Bogart, 2; Abraham Bogart, 3 ; Christopher German, 5 ; William Casey, 6 ; Edward Barker, 3 ; David Kelly, 4 ; Battin Harris, 8 ; John Canniff, 13 ; Nathaniel Solmes, 10 ; Peter Wanamaker, 4 ; Garret Benson, 1 ; William Mara, 4 ; John Eobliu, 3 ; John Elms, 3 ; John Wood, 2 : Peter Euttan, Jun'r., 3 ; Owen Eoblin, Jun'r., 2 ; Owen Eoblin, Sen'r., 8 ; Benjamin Clapp, 8 ; George Eutter, 7 ; Jacob Bullern, 6 ; Cornelius VanHorn, 6 ; Eobert Jones, 5 ; Paul Trumper, 8 ; William Hanah, 4; Michael Slate, 4; Peter Euttan, Sen., 5; Denis Oscilage, 1 ; Joseph Carahan, 8 ; Thomas Doi-land, 6 ; Philip Dorland, 9 ; Willet Casey, 8; Peter VanAlstine, 3; John VanCott, 7 ; David Brown, 3 ; Peter Sword, 2 ; William Brock, 5 ; Nicholas Hagerman, 8 ; Cornelius Stouter, 3 ; Abraham Maybee, 7 ; Henry Tice, 3 ; Thomas Wanamakers, 1 ; William Button, 5 ; Joseph Allison, 2 ; John Fitzgerald, 2 ; Matthew Steel, 5 ; Conrad Yandusen, 5 ; Henry Hover, 3 ; Arion Ferguson, 2 ; Henry Eedner, 4 ; Andrew Huffman, 4; Daniel Cole, 11; Henry Davis, 5; James Noxen, 1. — Total 402. The total number of inhabitants in 1800, was 524, and in 1812, 575. The returns are given, yearly, up to 1822, when the nnmber was only 571, It is observable that the number fluctuates from year to year. This was due to the fact that families would come to the township, from the States, remain a few yeai's working a farm on shares, and then would move up the Bay, to another township. Major VanAlstine, as the military commander, was the chief officer. But there lives no account of dissensions and litigations, for many a year. When the Government appointed Magistrates, j)ro- bably not until after Upper Canada was erected into a separate Province, YanAlstine was the first to receive the commission. There were, likewise, appointed at the same time, or soon after, several others, viz., Thomas Dorland, Nicholas Hagerman, Euttan, Sloat, and Fisher, afterwards Judge. It is said the Magistrates did not always agree. Euttan and Van Alstine had dissentions ; and Van- Alstine claimed certain povv er, by virtue of his command over the corps who peopled the township. Whereupon Euttan, at the next meeting, donned his suit of clothes, which he had worn as au %^ THE CKNTRE OP CANADA. officer of the Regular Army, and declared no one was his superior, and, it is said, gained his point. The time came, when Adolphustown was almost the Centre of Canada. It is true, Kingston was the great point to which the military and naval forces centred, and the circumstances of such gave that place a status which it could not otherwise have obtained. But Adolphustown was really the centre of the settlements in the central part of Canada — the Midland District, 80 it came that the court was alternately held at the Fourth Town and Kingston, being twice a year in each place. The first court in this township, was held in the barn of Paul HuflF, which served the purpose very well In summer. The next occasion was in winter, and some building had to be procured. Application was made for the Methodist Chapel. Some objection was made, on the ground that a *' house of prayer" should not be made a "den of thieves," referring to the criminals, notjto the lawyers. But the Chapel was readily granted for the second court held in Adolphustown. It is said that a propo- sition was made, in due form, that if the inhabitants of the Fourth Town would build a Court House, the court should be held there twice a year. The offer was accepted, and a subscription set on foot, which resulted in the erection of a Court House. When the court ceased to be held, in accordance with the agreement, the Court House reverted to the Township. The building of the Court House was followed by the growth of a village, and among its population were those whose names became household words in every Canadian home. It continued a place of importance for man}'- a year ; and, even when the court ceased to be held, the village, by virtue of its situation, and the standing of the township, continued for a long time of no little repute. Adolphustown contributed, during the fii*st years of Upper Canada, a good many worthy individuals to the welfare of the countrj', indeed Adolphustown took the lead for many years in poli- tical, as well as more general matters relating to the country. The general elections, at one time, resulted in the election of four natives of this township to Parliament, viz : two Hagermans, Sam'l Casey, and Paul Peterson. Says Joseph B. Allison, of Adolphustown, " Our township, though, perhaps, the smallest in the Province, (if it were consolidated, it would not be more than throe miles and a half sqiiare,) has furnished as many statesmen and judicial officers as any of the larger townships. From the humble abodes of Add- ORIGINAL COURTS. 457 phustown, have gone to the Legislative Halls of Canada, Thomas Borland, John Eoblin, Christopher A. Hagerman, Paul Peterson, Dr. W. Borland, Willet Casey, Henry Euttan, Samuel Casey, Dan'I Hagerman, David Eoblin, John P. Eoblin, who represented the County of Prince for many years. The Hon. John A. M cDonald although not born here, spent his juvenile years, and attended the common schools in Adolphustown. Now, we challenge any town- .ship in the Province, that has not a city or town connected with it, to turn out eleven members of Parliament, all of them U. E. Loyalists." Eoblin, who settled in the third concession, was elected three times to Parliament, in 1808, 1811, and 1812. At first, he sat for two years ; but, when sent the second time, he was expelled, because he was a local Methodist Preacher. His constituents re-elected him, and again he was expelled, to be a third time elected ; but he died before the Parliament again met, on the last day of February, 1813, aged 44. It was in the year 1793, in the second Session of Parliament, that an Act was passed " to fix the time and place for holding the Courts of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace." The Act provided " that the Courts of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the Midland district of this Province, shall commence and be holden in Adolphustown, on the second Tuesday in the month of July, and on the second Tuesday in the month of January ; and in Kingston, on the second Tuesday in the month of April, and on the second Tues- day in the month of October." The other places were Michilmackinac, Newark, New Johnstown, and Cornwall. In this second year of Upper Canada, no mention is made of Toronto, nor yet of York. Where now stands the splendid Osgoode Hall, with its chaste and beautiful decorations ; and, indeed, now exists the whole of Toronto, with its unrivalled University building, its Colleges, its handsome Churches and elegant mansions was then a tangled forest, and, except an Indian path along the Don, marking a portage to Lake Simcoe and Fort Toronto, there was no indication of human existence. Moreover, about this time, upon the shores of Adolphustown was born Christopher Hagerman, who was destined to adorn the bar and grace the bench ; who saw arise the Courts of Law, the organization of the Law Society, and assisted to establish them at Toronto, where he spent his latter days, and where now his ashes repose. Among those who first came to Adolphustown are some who had seen service in an irregular way, as well as the refugees. The 468 MABySBCRQH. names of some of them will be found among the loyal combatant* and loyalists. For several years, the families that came from the States would stop at the Fourth Township, where they would " work out," or take a farm on shares, or perhaps rent a farm, until they could find a suit- able place on which to permanently settle, in the back tOAvnships, such as Sophiasburgh, Ameliasburgh, Sidney and Thurlow. The ordinary terms for working a farm on shares was for the owner to furnish team, seed, &c., and take one-half of the produce when gathered. Conrad VanDusen kept the first tavern west of Kingston, and at his house travelers up and down the Bay would stop. Also, new comers to the Bay would here first tarry, until decided where to settle. CHAPTEE LI. Contents — Marysburgh — Origin — Once part of a Sei^iory — Survey — Hessians — Old map — The lots — Officers of 84th Regt. — Original landowners — Indian Point — ilcDonncirs Cove — Grog Bay — "Accommodating Bay'' — -'Gammon Point '" — Black River — " Long Point '' — Reserves — Course pursued by the Surveyor — Number of Hessians — Their sufferings — Dark tales— Discontented — Returning to Hesse — A suitable location — Not U. E. Loyalists — Received land gratis — Family laud — Their habits — Capt ^McDonnell — Squire Wright Sergt. Harrison — The Smith's — Grant to Major VanAlstine — Beautiful Scenery — Smith's bay — " The Rock " — Over a precipice. THE FIFTH TOWNSHIP — MARTSBURGH. This township is so called after Mary, Duchess of Gloucester, eleventh child of the'King. It is more than likely that the extremity of Prince Edwai"d Peninsula was frequently visited during the French occupancy of Fi'ontenac. Indeed, it is quite probable that the Seigniory granted to La Salle included a portion of the present township of Marys- burgh. And no doubt, the beautiful bay, long time called South Bay, that is the body of water lying between Indian Point and Long Point, with Wappoosc Island, was often visitetl dui'ing the American rebellion. The original surveyor, Mr. Collins, having been instructed to lay out a fifth township on the shores of the Bay, recognized the LOTS, IRREGULAR. 459 south shore as a desirable place upon which to settle disbanded troops. The forked peninsula, with the coves, and the Black Eiver, supplied valuable facilities for the intending pioneer. The sur- veying was commenced in 1784, and finished in '85 or '86. Eefer- ring to the loyal combatants, it will be seen that the Foreign Legion composed of Hessians, and a fiew Irish and Scotch, had offered, to such of them as desired to remain in Canada, grants of land. It was the Fifth Township in which the Government deter- mined they should be located. Having been staying in Lower Canada for a time, they ascended in batteaux in 1785, and, we believe, under the care of Archibald McDonnell, proceeded to occupy the township ; while the surveying was still going on along the bay. Great pains had been taken to secure a frontage upon the water either of the Bay Quinte, the South Bay, or Black Eiver. By referring to the oldest map of the township in the Crown Lands Department, it is found that while most of the land was allotted to the Hessians, a considerable portion was taken up by commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the 84th Eegt. By looking at the map of Marysburgh, it will be seen that great irregularity exists in the formation of the lots, and it will be observed that great care has been taken to secure a frontage upon the water to as many lots as possible. This was, as elsewhere shown, to procure a water communication to the central points of the settlement; and as well facilities for fishing, to the settlers. By maps preserved in the Crown Land Department, it may be seen to whom was originally granted certain parts of the township, from the names written thereupon. The names of places are, as well, very suggestive. It would seem that Collins, as well as others, engaged in laying out the townships, did not forget to make claim to eligible lots, here and there, for himself. To these he was doubtless entitled, and acted no unjust part. At the extremity of what is now called Indian Point, but for- merly designated Point Pleasant, was a considerable tract of land which was not laid out into lots, but which has marked upon it, as the original owner, Surveyor John Collins. Subsequently, Collins conveyed it to Alexander Aitkins, a lawyer. Proceeding up the Bay of Quinte, we come to a small cove, known now as McDonnell's Cove ; but maps exist upon which this is called Grog Bay. In the absence of fact, it may not be well to relate the traditionary origin of this name. It is sufficient to say that it most likely arose from the habit, then far more common than now, of visiting this place to 460 AROUND SOUTH BAY. fish, and di'ink grog. Adjacent to this bay was a large block of hxnd granted to Archibald McDonnell. Upon the south shore of Point Pleasant the water, now Smith's Bay, is marked "Accommodating Bay." When we remember the great necessity for each settler to have access to the water, and the constant course pursued by the surveyor to secure it; we have no difficulty in arriving at the conclu- sion that this name arose from the increased facilities this indenta- tion of the lake supplied, in this respect. The point of land stretch- ing out between "Accommodating Bay " and Prince Edward Bay, and Black River, a name due to the dark color of its water, which is north of the furthermost point of the peninsula, is called " Gam- mon Point." This name was given, most likely from the fancied resemblance it bore to a ham ; the term gammon being the word commonly used by the old settlers for ham. Looking at the hill from the south-west, it does bear such a resemblance. The lots were surveyed with their front upon the north ehore of the Black Eiver, and, then returning to the water, and continuing towards the extremity of Prince Edward's Bay, the lots were made to front upon the water, making them angular with the others. At the very end of the Bay, they are changed again, so as to have a front at right angles with the others. There are four of these lots. The surveyor had now reached the rock of "Long Point," as it is called, at the present day. Here we find, again, that the lots front to the north, upon Prince Edward's Bay, The survej'or next pro- ceeded to suiwey the base line as far as Bluff Point, and then return- ing, formed fifteen lots, which brought him to the rear of those laid out at the head of the Bay. He then crossed over to the Lake Shore, and commenced to survey westward. The point was then named " Point Traverse," from the fact, we fancy, that the surveyor crossed here to continue his survey without laying out the extre- mity of Long Point, which offered no inducements for the settlers. Upon Point Traverse, was set apart a block of land, containing 2,500 acres, which is mai'ked " Military Lands." Probably, with some idea of erecting here some military post. These were after- wards conveyed to '' Capt. Joseph Allen." Upon the same map, in the Crown Lands Department, we learn that a block of land near Black River, was originally granted to James Brock, Esq. To the west of the fifteen'lots laid out at the neck of Point Traverse, and fronting upon the Lake, was a reserve for the Clergy. This «eems to have been the extent of the first survey in this section. Returning to the Bay of Quinte, we find that at this time lots HESSIANS. 461 were laid out along the shore westward, Ut within about two miles of the Lake on the Mountain. The land thence not being attractive, it was not then surveyed. Subsequently when laid out, the lots were placed at a slight angle with those to the east, in order to front upon the Bay. Sixteen lots brings us to the entrance of Pioton Hny. Again a change is found to take place, so that the lots may front upon the east shore of this ba}'. Six lots reach to tlie head of the bay, which appears to have been the termination for a time But subsequently, the survey was continued, being slightly altei-ed, that the base line might follow the old Indian Cari-ying Place. There were nine lots in this row. Turning to East Lake and West Lake, it will be seen that the lots were arranged to front on either side, as well as at the ends. The time at which these lots mentioned were surveyed, is somewhat uncertain, but px-obablj- before 1786. It is impossible to state the exact number of Hessians who settled in Marysburgh ; but judging from accounts, and the names taken from the Grantee's list, it is surmised there were about forty. Unacquainted with the English language, and unaccustomed to the, profound solitude of the forest, and the flittings of the dark-skined Indian, often in a state of semi-nudity, it is, no i*eason for wonder, if the He.ssian8 felt otherwise than contented in their wilderness home- Although upon the bordei-s of a lovely bay, rich in valuable fish, they were ignorant of the mode of catching them ; and, when the Government supplies, which were continued to them, as to the other settlers for three years, was withdrawn ; although this valu- able article of diet was at their very door, they were exposed to the terrors of actual starvation. Even during the time that rationa were to be given them, it is related they were often in want. A dark tale of cupidity, and heartless carelessness on the part of officials, to whom were entrusted the duty of fm'nishing the necessary stores, has been told. How much of truth there may be in this jepor;t, it is now impossible to say. When we remember the circumstances of the times; the settlei*s scattered along hundreds of miles of un- cleared land, that the stores had to bo transported from Montreal, and Laehine by batteaux, and that, necessarily, many persons became responsible for the transit, as w«ll as the distribution, we need not be surprised if there was now and then cai'elessness and neglect; and now and then reprehensible appropriation of stores, which were intended by a paternal Govei-nment for the mouths of the hungry. Many of the Hessian settlers would gladly have escaped from all the terrors which encompassed them; b\it it was now too 462 THEIR DIFFICULTIES. late. As a general thing, they had not the means of removing. But there were a few who managed to extricate themselves, and who returned to the old country. One John Crogle went to King- ston, mortgaged his farm for £6 to Eev. Mr. Stuart, and took his departure for the fatherland ; another mortgaged his lot to Captain Allan and left, leaving his wife ; and never returned. Pi-obably no place in the country afforded a better location for these foreigners who were entirely ignorant of the rugged duties of pioneer life, and had but an imperfect conception of agricultural pursuits, and moreover, were quite unable to speak the English language. It has been said, indeed, that the Government exercised a thoughtful regard in placing them, where a means of existence was at their very door, by the catching offish, beside what the soil might bring forth. But the fact that they were of a different nationality — essentially a different people from the loyalist settlers, militated against them. Many of the latter were Dutch, and could speak little or no English ; but the former could understand Dutch no more than they could English, German was their native tongue. The Hessians were not U. E. Loyalists, and they were often made to feel this by not receiving for themselves and family the same allowance of land, and by the behaviour manifested toward them by the loyalists. The writer recollects the tone of disparage- ment toward the "fifth towners," by an old inhabitant of the fourth town. These things combined to delay prosperity to the township, as a general thing. They received land gratis ; but subsequently when the title deed was given, a sum of £5 was demanded, being the amount of expense incurred at the time of their enrolment into the service. This was protested against upon the floor of the Parliament, but without avail. The quantity of land each should receive was to depend upon the number of childi-en. Beside the allotment to eaoh, at the time of settling, he was to receive an additional fifty acres at the time each child attained the age of twenty-one. This took the name of " Family Lands." Although prDsperity did not come to the township of Marysburgh as quickly as to the first four townships, yet the time eventually arrived when it partook of the general spirit of advancement. From several sources we have the statement that the old soldiers were for many years given to somewhat irregular habits ; and that an impor- tant instrument in effecting a reformation among them, was the Rev. Darius Dunham, the first Methodist preacher to visit them. SQUIRE WRIGHT. 463 Beside those of the foreign legion who settled in this township, were several officers, and non-commissioned officers of the 84th regi- ment, and a few who had been in the regular array. The most im- portant of these was Captain Archibald McDonnell, who arrived at the to^vnship in 1784, and landed in the cove, which now bears his name, and there on the shore pitched his tent, until he had erected a log cabin. Then, there was " Squire " Wright, who was supreme in autho- rity in the township for many a day, even before he was appointed magistrate. He was the Commissary Officer, and the old soldiers were ; wont to come to him, to settle any differences that might arise among them . Sergeant Harrison was an early settler, he has a son still living now in his 88th year ; yet hale as a man of sixty-eight. He was born in St. John's, Lower Canada, and was five years old when he came with the family to the place, an elder brother having preceded and erected a hut. He tells us that the Hessians were to have three years' provisions, but for some reason only received two years. He remembers when blazed trees alone marked the way, from one house to another ; and then the bridle path, which in time was widened into a road. The first horse brought to the township is well remembered, it was owned by Colonel McDonnell. This one, with another, were the only ones, for many a year, in the place. Among the first settlers were William Carson, Daniel Mcintosh, and Henry Smith, a German, who had sevei'al sons : John, William, Benjamin, Charles, Barnit, and Ernest. Smith's Bay is so called after Charles. Major YanAlstine had granted to him a large block of land in this township. The original grant is now before us, and gives the information that the quantity was 437 acres, consisting of lots number five and six in the first concession. The document is dated "4th June, 1796," signed "J. G.,S." (John Greaves, Simcoe). "Peter Eussell, Auditor General. Eegistered, 17th June, William Jarvis, Kegistrar." This lot of land included the high hill, with the lake at its summit, so well known to excursionists. The Major at once pro- ceeded to erect a mill here, which proved a great convenience to the inhabitants of the township .The lake was for a time called VanAlstine's Lake. In 1811, Major VanAlstine having died, the land, with 30 acres cleared, and a dwelling-house, and another for the miller, and out-houses are found offered for sale by the executors. 464 THE ROCK. "We caunot leave the township of Marysburgh without com- mending the beautiful sceneiy to those who may not have visited it, especially the interior, and the shores of South Bay. A trip by carriage fromPicton across the rugged hill, which seems to encircle in an irregular manner, the whole township, to the Black Ci-eek, whose dark and narrow waters, inclosed by muddy banks, contrast so niarkedl}" with the bright blue of the bay into which it empties, hard by Gammon Point, is one that will well repay any one making it. The irregularit}' of the roads makes the drive none the less interesting. Api^roaching the bay, there is spread out a view whose beaij.ty we have never seen surpassed, and rarely equalled either in the new world or the old. Having obtained a close view of Prince Edward Bay, and observed the far-stretching Point Traverse with the three prominent Bluffs ; and still further away to the south, the Di^cks, and Timber Islands, the tourist should follow us clpsely as may be the changing shore, that forms the head of Smith's Bay, to the north side, where another delightful prospect will lay before him. About six miles ea^t of Wappoose Island, is a bold point standing out into the Lake. It presents a bold and precipitous front of aboiU 100 feet in height. It i? now commonly designated the " Eock," Foi'merly, it was called " Cape Vesey Eock." Here was a reserve for the Mississauga Indians, of about 450 acres. This was not BUf^ rendered by the Indians until 1835, although some tinae prior, a, settler by the name of Stevenson, had been in occupation. Some years ago, there was overhanging the brow a mass of rock, which one day fell, with a thundering crash. And the old inhabitants te^ of a deer and an Indian huntsman, whose bodies were found lying, at. the foot of the rock both having approached the brink with Buoh speed that, to turn aside was impossible, and both bounded over the perpendicular rock to meet a common doom. SOPHIASBURGH. 4G5 CHAPTEE LII. Contents — Sixth townshlii — Xume — Survey — Convcnifut for settlement — First settlers — A remote township — What was pai then the Treasurer and those Parish Inspectors, and the Overseers of the Poor, shall refund such moneys as was delivered to the Trcasux'cr, deducting two shillings on the pound for its fees of said Treasurer. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that when there is any money in the hands of the Treasurer, and a necessity to lay it out on the same charitable use — this body corporate shall have the sole management and disposing of, who is to receipt to the Treasurer for the same end, have recorded in his book, and the use they had applied the same and the Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor, and the Parish Inspector may hold meetings and adjourn the same when and as often as they or the major part of them shall choose so to do and shall be a body corporate to sue and be sued on anything that may appertain to their several offices." We find no further record until the year 1820, which is as follows : " An Act passed at a town meeting, held at Sophiasburg, 3rd January, 1820, for the relief of the poor in the township of Sophiasburg. " Eeport of the Committee on the subject. " We, the Committee appointed, who have the care of the poor of the said township, have agreed to report that one half-penny on the pound, of each man's rateable property, be paid for the present year, and it is seen of the Committee that when any person is agreed with to keep any of the poor, that they endeavour to get them to take produce in jDayment for defraying said poor. Signed on behalf of the Committee, JAMES NOXEN, Chairman. Sophiasburg, 3rd January, 1820. " Passed at a regular town meeting, held at Sophiasburg, 1st January, 1821. " The report of the Committee to the care of the poor for the present year is, that one farthing on the pound, of each man's rate- able property, will be sufficient for the present year. " By order of the Committee. (Signed) JAIklES NOXEN, Chairman." The following year, a somewhat similar report is found, signed by Tobias Ryckman, Chairman. 474 AMELIASBURGH. It is not until the year 1822 that any record is found of the appointment of officers, that is, the Township Constables, Assessors, Collectors, &c. " At a regular town meeting, held at Sophiasburg, at the house of John Cxoslins, on the tirst January, 1822, the following officers were chosen and elected" : "Town Clark, John Shorts; Lewis Ketchum, David Birdett, Sylvenus Doxy, Constables ; Thomas D. Apleby, John Shorts, Assessors; Sylvenus Day, Collector," &c. John Shorts Avas successively elected until 1826, when Thomas D. Appleby was appointed. We find a note appended to the report of this year as follows: " Our laws at present be as they will. We have them long, and keep them still." The next year, 1827, the town meeting was held at the inn of John Goslin, and John Smith was elected Town Clerk. A note says " Farmers Town Laws, as heretofore — Hogs not to run at large in Demerest Yill." John Smith was Town Clerk until 1832. This yeai" S. W. Randell was elected. It is found stated that in 1824 there were 1796 inhabitants, and in 1825, there were 1793. In some respects, it would be found interesting to notice the township to a later period ; but we have already devoted as much space to this town as we had intended. Within this township is Fish Lake, situated a short distance east of Demei-estville, it was so named from the countless numbers of fish which inhabited its waters when discovered, which was in the 3'ear of the famine, or " scarce year." The food thus supplied saved, it is said, many from sutiering and death. AMELIASBURGH. This township took its name from the fifteenth child, and seventh daughter of the King. She died in November, 1811, aged 27 years. Upon the oldest chart of this township, to be found in the Crown Lands Department, is the following note: "The front of this township is a continuation of Lieut. Kotte's survey from Green Point to the head of the Bay of Quinte, whose orders were in 1785, to have cross roads between ever}' six lots." This note was most probably, made in consequence of there being an absence of three cross roads, when the settlement of the county made them neces- sary. Coming to the Carrying Place, or portage, from the head of Bay Quinte to Weller's Bay, it will be seen that a row of lots some- FIRST SETTLERS. 475 what smaller in size, is formed on cither side of the road. But while the road seems to have a straight coui-se upon the map, bj' visiting the place, one will observe that the course is not altogether direct. We have it from one, who, no doubt know, that the sur- veyor's assistant, a mulatto by the name of Smith, was told to lay out a double row of lots ; both to front upon the Indian path, which instructions were literally carried out, whereas it was intended they should be straight. The lots upon 4he west side of the road extended to the small marshy creek. This row of lots, numbering twelve, originally forming a part of Amcliasburgh, now belong to Murray, the Carrying Place being the dividing line between tho two townships. We have been unable to find any early record of Amcliasburgh. According to information furnished us by Mr. Ashley and others, the first family that settled in this township was George Angel Weese, with thi-ee sons, John, Henry and Francis, natives of Duchess County ; they came here in 1787. The second settler was Thomas Dempsej-, who came in 1789. (See U. E. Loyalists). Among the other settlers Avere Bonters, Sagers, Bleekers and Coverts. The names of other earl}- settlers of Amcliasburgh are men- tioned elsewhere, and are among the first patentees. Among them was Elijah Wallbridge, a native of Duchess County. He came to Canada in 180-1, and purchased on Mississauga Point, of one Smith. 1200 acres of land, all of which, we believe, is still retained in the family. Two years laters his family came by French train in winter. William Anderson, sen., who is still living, aged 88 3'ears, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America with his parents in 1793. He came to Canada in 1803. In 1806 he settled on Missis- sauga Point, having married Miss Polly Way, a descendant of the XJ. E. Loyalists. 476 PRINCE EDWARD. CHAPTEE LIII. Contents — Prince Edward — Tlie name — Rich land — Size of peninsula — Shape — Small Lakes — Sand hills — The Ducks — Gibson's rock — The past — First settler — Col. Young — Prospecting — Discovery of East Lake — West Lake — Moving in — Settlers in 1800 — East Lake — Capt. Piichardson — " Prince Ed- ward Division Bill " — Office seekers — Township of Hallowell — The name — Formation of Township — First Records 1798 — The officers — The laws — Magistrates — Picton — Its origin — Hallowell village — Dr. Austin — Gen. Picton — His monument — Naming the villages — A contest — The Court- house — An offer — Enterprise — Proposed steamboat — Churches — Rev. Mr. Macaulay — Rev. Mr. Fraser — Rev. Mr. Lalor. PENINSULA OF PRINCE EDWARD. The name of this district is derived from Prince Edward, Dake of Kent, the father of our Queen, who visited Canada at an early date (see under Early Government). The peninsuhx is a rich and beautiful tract of land stretching away from the main land, to be washed on the one hand by the quiet waters of the bay, and on the other by the more turbulent waves of Ontario. It is some seventy miles in length, and varying in breadth from two to twenty miles. The neck of land, or isthmus which separates the head waters of the bay from Lake Ontario, is something less than a mi le-and-a-half across. It is known as the Carrying place. Prince Edward district is irregular in outline, on both the lake and bay sides. Along the lake coast there are numerous bays ex- tending inward, two or three being of considerable size. The larger ones are Weller's bay, Consecon Lake, West Lake, and East Lake. In places, the shore is rendered exceedingly picturesque, by the presence of irregular and beautifull}'- white sand-hills. They have been gradually formed by well washed sand which the waves have carried shoreAvard, so that the wind might, in the lapse of time, deposit it heap upon heap. The mariners regard this coast with jtts- tifiable concern, at the exti-eme southerly portion, off Long Point, in the vicinity of the Ducks, where many a vessel has come to grief. The geological formation of the peninsula is of considerable interest ; and the observant student of this interesting science, may trace many steps which indicates the geological history. In a valley, upon the second concession road of Ameliasburgh, may be seen a huge mass of rock, known as Gibson's rock, whose history EAST LAKE. 477 carries us back,far into the remote past,when the continent of America was covered by a vast ocean, and when massive icebergs, cast loose from their native place in the frozen north, carried with their icy scales huge rocks from the north land coast. Then, carried south- ward by wind or tide, and reaching water of a milder temperature, the ice became melted, and the rocks were deposited in the depths of the ocean. When the continent of America was upheaved, and the waters departed to their present limits, this huge body of stone, unlike the stone forming the geological bed of this region, was found fast fixed to the soil, ever to form a part of it. In the whole of Upper Canada, there is not, perhaps, any section so full of historic interest, excepting Frontenac, as Prince Edward. We have seen that the forked peninsula was well known by the Aborigines, and that they were accustomed to cross from the south side of the lake to Point Traverse. It was always a favorite hunting and fishing ground, where abundant supplies were obtained. And, not unlikely, some portion of Indian Point belonged to the Siegniory, granted to La Salle. Moreover, the two points stretching far into the lake, became early locations for the refugees and disbanded soldiers. In the history of Marysburgh, reference has been made to the early settlement of the jioint east of Pieton Bay, which commenced in 1784. But it appears by the statement of John C. Young, that his grandfather. Colonel Henry Young, made the first settlement in the summer, or fall of 1783. For an account of this half-i^ay officer, th^ reader is referred to the Eoyal combatants of the rebellion of 1776. With a brother officer, Young left Cataraqui, or, Carleton Island, in a canoe, and ascended what was then called (perhaps first by these parties), the South Bay, now Pieton Bay. They landed at the commencement of the Indian Carrying Place, subsequently, for some time known as Hovington's Landing, after the individual who here built a convenient house. They left their canoe here, and set out southward. We have been told that they intended to seek the bay now known as Smith's Bay ; but, according to his descendant it would seem they had no particular point in view, desiring only to examine the land. Following, no doubt, the old Indian path, the}' came out at the north corner of East Lake, a point afterward called the Indian Landing, which name it still retains. Following the east shore of this lake to the south corner, they were surprised to hear the roaring of Lake Ontario, having 478 FIRST SETTLER OP PRINCE EDWARD. thought they were following the shore of an inland lake. They crossed the strip of land covered with cedar, spruce, and balsam, and taking otf their shoes, waded from ihe beautiful sand-beach across the outlet of the lake to the opposite point, and proceeded along the west side to the north corner of the lake, to where David McDonald now lives, having entirely walked around East Lake. They here constructed a hut, of cedar bushes, in which to stay the night. The following morning they set out in a north-west direc- tion, and came to West Lake, following the east side, they reached the sand-beach. Travei-sing this, they arrived at the point where Wellington now stands. Here they stayed the night. The next day they continued on around the north side of West Lake through the woods, and the same evening regained their canoe. They observed plenty of deer and other game, and fish, the former of which Ensign Young's wife, subsequently assisted him to hunt. The succeeding day they returned to Carleton Island. Mr. Young, from this rich land over which he walked, selected the Avest side of East Lake for his future abode. His eldest son Daniel, who had belonged to the Engineers, was at Carleton Island, having been with his father during his stay at Fort Oswego. His second son, Henry, was at St. John's with the rest of the family. He sent a message for him to come up. This must have been in July or August. In September, the father and two sons, having procured a large canoe, loaded it with provisions, and other necessaries, and ascended to the Indian Carrying Place, Hovington's Landing. They carried their provisions across, and constructed another lx)at with which they conveyed their things to the point selected for settling, about three miles. Here they j)roceeded to build a log shanty. Sometime after, the father left, leaving behind his two sons, to winter alone in this out-of-the-way place. They were the first settlers in Prince Edward County. Mr. Young descended to St. John's, where his family still remained, and stayed the winter. In the spring he came up the St. Lawrence with his family as far as Frcdericksbui"gh, where he left his daughters while he went to see how his sons fared, and had passed the winter. He found them all well ; and remained the summer with them, during which they built a more commodious log house. In October, he returned to Fredericksburgh for his daughters, who accompauied him to the wilderness home. These four daughters, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine and Sarah, subsequently married Ilenrj'^ Zuveldt, Jonathan Fergu- son, William Dyre, and John Miller. They all lived to be upwards of eighty years. OTHER SETTLERS. 479 " On the first day of Janiiiuy 1800, the settlement at East Lake, in the township of Hallowell, consisted of the following families, in the following order, commencing at Silas Hills, at the head of East Lake, near the place now known as the Cherry Valley, and jiroceeding around the north side of lake, viz: — " Colonel John Peters and family, half-pay officer ; Major Eogers and family, do ; David Friar, Mr. PViar, U. E. L. ; Eoswell Ferguson, do ; Elisha Miller, do; Blasdall Tailor; Caleb Elsworth, Lieut. Heny Young, half-pay officer ; Henry Young, Jun., U.E.L. J Augustus Spencer, half-pay officer ; George Wait, U. E. L. ; Benjamin AVait, do ; William D>Te, do ; George Elsworth." " List of settlers on the south side of the lake. — Henry Zuveldt, (Zufelt) U. E. L. ; Johnathau Ferguson, Sen., U. E. L. ; Johnathan Ferguson, Jun., do; Anthony Badgley, do; John Miller, do; Farnton Ferguson, do ; William Blakely, do ; Sampson Striker, do ; Barret Dyer, do ; Daniel Baldwin, John Ogden, TJ . E. L. ; Eichard Ogden, do; Solomon Spafford, Joseph McCartney, Joseph Lane, William Ensley, Col. Owen Richards, U. E. L. ; James Clapp, do ; Charles Ferguson." *' At this time there were no settlers in the second concessions neither side of the lake." — (Rev. G. Miller.) East Lake is about five miles long and one and a half wide. It was for a time called Little Lake. West Lake is about fifteen miles in circumference. Prince Edward was one of the original nineteen counties of Upper Canada, established by the proclamation of Simcoe in 1792. By this proclamation, we learn that the Peninsula was called by the French " Prcsque isle de Quinte." Originally it was divided into the three townships of Maiysburgh, Sophiasburgh, and Amelias- burgh. Subsequently the townships of Hallowell and Hillier, were formed, and in later days the township of Athol. In 1831, and act was passed to erect the county into a district, " so soon as the Governor shall be satisfied that a good and suffi- cient gaol and court house has been erected therein, when a pro- clamation should announce the formation of the ncAv district." The act specified that the " gaol and court house should be erected in the village of Picton, upon a certain block of land, containing two and a half acres, granted, or intended to be granted and conveyed to Asa Worden, Simeon Washburn, and James Dougal, Esquires, agi'eeably to a resolution adopted at a public meeting in May, 1826," unless a majority of Justices of the Peace of the Midland District should declare the site ineligible. 48© HALLOWELL. Wo lind the following respecting the division of Prince Edward. "Pro. Parliament," "Prince Edward division bill." Mr. Eoblin moved the adoption of the Preamble in a few remarks, stating its (the Peninsula) geographical position, the population being 10,000, the remoteness of the inhabitants irom the location of the District Court House and G-aol, at Kingston, the earnest desire of the people for separation. Mr. Samson moved, as an amendment, that the village should have a member Avheu it contained 1,000 souls. The debate upon the bill, resulted in one of those fierce encounters that was then not imfrequent between William Lyon McKenzie, and the Solicitor General, afterwards Chief Justice Kobinson. If we may credit the Free Press, there were plenty of applicants for office in the newly erected district, there being no less than sixteen seeking the oUice of Sherift'. HALLOWELL. We find in Sabine, that " Benjamin Ilallowell, of Boston, Commissioner of the Customs in 1774, while passing through Cam- bridge in his chaise, was j)ursued toward Boston by about one hundred and sixty men on horseback, at full gallop. In Julj-, 1776, he sailed for England. While at Halifax, he said, in a letter, "If I can be of the least service to either army or navy, I will stay in Amei'ica until this rebellion is subdued." It appears from another letter that he frequently tendered himself to the Commander-in- Chief without success. In the autumn of 1796, Mi\ Hallowell came to Boston. He was accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Elmsley, and by her husband, who had just been appointed Chief Justice of Upper Canada. He died at York, Upper Canada, in 1799, aged seventj^'-five, and was the last survivor of the Board of Commis- sioners. The British Govex'nment granted him lands in Manchester, and two other towns in Nova Scotia, and a toivnship in Upper Canada, which bears his name. He was a large proprietor of lauds on the Kennebec, Maine, prior to the revolution ; but proscribed and banished in 1778, and included in the Conspiracy Act a year later, his entire estate was confiscated. His country residence at Jamacia Plain, Avas used as a hospital by the Whig Army during the seige of Boston ; and his pleasure grounds were converted into a place of burial for the soldiers who died." We are unable to learn whether any part of the township of Hallowell was granted to Benjamin Hallowell, or not, but, it is not at all unlikely, that at first he did hold some portion of the land. TOWNSHIP RECORD. 481 At all events, there seems every reason to believe that the name was derived from him. On July 3, 1797, an act was passed, where- by it was provided " that a township shall be struck off from the southern-most parts of the townships of Mar3'sburgh and Sophias- burgh." The reason set forth was, that "the inhabitants of the townships experience many difficulties from the uncommon length of the said townships." The Ciovernor was by proclamation, "to declare the name of such township before the first day of August next. Mr. Ilallowell's brother-in-law, Mr. Elmsley, had recently been appointed Chief Justice, and doubtless the distinguished position Mr. Hallowell had held, led to the naming of the new townshiji to commemorate his loyalty. Surveyor Gren. William Smith, was the person employed to lay out the new townshij). The first recoi'd of this township is at follows : " The annual meeting of the inhabitants of the township of Hallowell, held on Monday, the fifth day of March, 1798, held by virtue of an act of the legislature of the Province of Upper Canada, before Augustcs Spencer, and John Stinson, Jun., two of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, the following persons wei-e chosen town officers for the ensuing year :" Bazel Ferguson, Town Clerk; Caleb Elsworth, and Peter D. Conger, Assessors ; James Blakely, and Thomas Goldsmith, Town or Church Wardens ; Benjamin Wail, John Miller, Owen Richards, Henry Zufelt, Ichabod Boweman, Aaron White, Carey Spencer and George Baker, Overseers of Highways and Fence Viewers; Daniel Young, and Isaac Bedal, Pound Keepers; Samson Striker, Plenry Johnson, Samuel W^illiaras, and Isaac Garret, Constables. At the first township meeting, " it was enacted that no fence is to be lawful in the township under the height of four feet eight inches high, sufficiently made." Horses, horned cattle, hogs, sheep, were to be permitted to run at large with certain exceptions. " It is enacted that if any freeholder shall sufter any Canadian thistle to go to seed on his farm, he shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shillings." A law was also passed, that if any one set fire to any rubbish or brush, wherebj' his neighbors property was endangered, without previously making two of his neighbors acquainted, he should pay a fine of forty shillings, to be expended for the benefit ■of the highways. Bazel Ferguson, who seems to have discharged his duty as Town Clerk, recording the proceedings in a neat legible hand, was successfull}- elected to that office for ten years. In 1810, 31 482 HILLIER. James E. Armstrong was appointed, and again the following year. The next following, Arra Ferguson was elected, who continued in office three years, when Simeon AVashburn received the appoint- ment, and remained in office two years, when Arra Ferguson was again selected, and continued for three years. Robert Scott wae Town Clerk two years, and then again followed Arra Ferguson for eight years. William Barker then was appointed. The three Justices of the Peace, before whom the annual meeting continued for man}' years to be held, were John Peters, Augustus Spencer, and John Stinson, doubtless the first magistrates in the township. In the year 1815, we notice as '• present " at the annual meeting, Stephen Conger, Barret Dyer, Ebenezer Washburn, Justices of the Peace. The town meeting was held in the year 1801, "at the house of Richardson and Elsworth," '• near Hallowell Bridge ;" likewise the following year. In 1803 the meeting was held " at the house of Thomas Richardson." The following year 1805, it is "■ the house of the late Thomas Richardson." In 1806, the meeting was "at the dwelling house of Thomas Eyre." In 1807 it is « the Inn of Thomas Eyre." Here the annual meeting was successively held for many years. HILLIER. In the 3'ear 1823 there was an act passed for the division of the township of Ameliasburgh, in consequence of the inconvenience of the inhabitants to meet on public occasions. The dividing line was established between the fourth and fifth concessions. The act went into force on the first of January, 1824. The Lieutenant-Governor at that time was Sir Peregrine Maitland, who had for his secretary, Major Hillier. There is no doubt the new township was called after Major Hillier. PICTON. At the beginning of the present century the ground on which the town of Picton now stands, wavS covered with a dense forest of pine and hemlock, while in the lowland existed a thick and tangled cedar swamp. A bridge of very inferior construction was erected across the creek about the time of the war of 1812, it was on the road between Kingston and York, and was called for a long time Hallowell Bridge. Thus we find in an advertisement, in the Kingston Gazette, 1815, that "Richard G. Clute sold goods and groceries at Hallowell Bridge." piCTON. 483 The first settlers of Picton ure said to have been Ebenczer Washburn, Henry Johnson, Abraham Barker, Harry Ferguson, James Dougal, Cary Spencer, Congers, Peterson, Richard Hare, Captain Eichardson. Among the earl}^ settlei*s of Picton were Dr. Armstrong, else- where spoken of, and Dr. Andrew Austin. The latter was a native of Vermont, and a doctor of medicine of the University of Xew York. He came to Picton in 1822, having obtained his license to practice in Caujida. Remained practicing his profession, very much respected, until his death in 1849. Some time after the war of 1812, the Eev. William Macaulay, bestovred the name of Picton upon a small collection of houses situated at the south side of the stream which empties into the head of Picton Bay, in the township of Marysburgh. The name was given in memory of the celebrated British General who had recentl}' fallen upon the field of Waterloo. At a late visit to St. Paul's Cathedral, we felt no little pleasure with a touch of sadness in gazing upon the memorial which has been erected to commemorate a nation's appreciation of military worth. We transcribe the following : — " Erected by the public expense, to Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, K.C.B., who, after distinguishing himself in the victories of Buzaco, Fnentes de Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Vit- toria, the Pyrenees, Orthes, and Toulouse, terminated his long and glorious military service in the ever memorable battle of Waterloo ; to the splendid success of which his genius and valour eminently contributed," etc. Prior to the naming of this collection of buildings, the village upon the west of the stream, upon the first lots in Sophiasburgh, was known as Hallowell. The Rev. Mr. Macaulay with the enthu- siastic loyalty, characteristic of his family, desired that both places should be known as one village, under the distinguished name of Picton. The citizens of Hallowell Village, however, were opposed to any other name than Hallowell, and we find in a map published in 1836, the names of Picton and Hallowell respectively applied to the two places. But when the whole was incorporated by Act of Parliament, Mi*. Macaulay had sufficient influence, we are informed, to secure the name of Picton for the corporation; yet we have the town of Hallowell spoken of in 1837. The growth of Picton was not particularly rapid. "At a meeting held at Ejtc's Inn, Feb. 14, 1818, over which Ebenczer Washburn, Esq., presided, it was 484 PICTON VERSUS HALLOWELL. stated that there was in the township of Ilallowcll, which inchided Picton, but two brick houses, one carding and fulling-mill, one Methodist chapel, now known as the old chapel at Congers, one Quaker meeting house ; and that preparations were being made to build a church, that is for the Episcopalians. Orchards, it was stated were beginning to be planted. There seems to have been no little antagonism between the viUages of Picton and Ilallowcll. While an eftbrt was earnestly made to make the east side, the heart of the community, the inhabi- tants of Ilallowcll strove to fix the central point upon the west side. When Prince Edward was erected into a district, in 1831, and it became necessary to erect a jail and court house, it became a warm question as to the site of the building. The Hallowell Free Press became the channel of a sharp discussion. In the Press of June 21,1831, is a letter signed, " A farmer of Sophiasbiirgh," one paragraph of which says, " Among all these advantages pointed out in the most striking colours, I have dis- cerned none so great as the $200 so liberally offered by Mr. Macaulay, which $200 must otherwise be paid by the rateable inhabitants of the county." The year 1831 seems to have been an important one to the inhabitants, not onlj'" of Picton, but the peninsula. Enterprise was the order of the day, and improvements of a public character were in various ways proposed. The Free Press of 5th July, says, under the heading " Another Steamboat," " We understand that a num- ber of the enterprising inhabitants of this village, have it in con- templation to build a steamboat to ply between this place and Prescott, to perform their trips in a week. A number of merchants and capitalists have offered to take stock. We are of opinion that a boat built and owned by the inhabitants of this count}-, would be not only useful to the inhabitants of the Peninsula, but profitable to the stockholders. We would suggest to them the propriety of having the channel in the bay at the lower end of the village cleared, so as to allow steamboats to pass up as far as the bridge." The present Euglish Church, standing on Chui'ch Street, was the first built in Picton. It was erected by the Rev. Wm. Macaulay, a,ided by a partial loan in 1825. Mr. Macaulay was the first minister ; he came to the parish after seven years of officiating at Cobourg, and has remained as Eector ever since. The Eoman Catholic chapel, now standing on Church Street, was the first erected, in 1828 or 9, the land having been given for that purpose by Mr. SIDNEY. 485 Macaulay. The new stone church was built in 1839. Rev. Mr. Frazer was first minister, in 1828 ; Kev. Mr. Bronnan, occasionally from 18,32 to 183G ; the Rev. Mr. Lalor from 1836 to the present time. CHAPTER LIV. CoHTFNTS — Eighth Townshii^ — Sidnej' — Name — Survey — Settlement, 1 787 — Let- ter from Feri;usou — Trading — Barter — Potatoes — Building — Cows — No salt to spare — First settl(;rs — Myers — Re-surveying — James Fai-ley — Town Clerk at first meeting — William Ketcheson — Gilbert's Cove — Coming to the fiont River Trent — ^bld names — Ferry — Bridge — Trenton — Its settlement — Srjiiire Bleeker. THE EIGHTH TOWNSHIP — SIDNEY — ITS SETTLEMENT. 'No Royal name being available for this township, the noble one of Sidney was conferred. The name is derived from Lord Sidney, who, at the time of the Revolutionary War, was His Majesty's Secretary for the Colonial Department. A map in the Crown Lands Department, has written upon it "Sidney, in the District of Mecklen burgh, was surveyed in 1787, by Louis Kotte." This was probably wi-itten by Kotte himself It is most probable that the first lots only were then laid out. While Kotte was the chief surveyor to whom was entrusted the duty, it is gathered from different sources that he was not present to superin- tend the work. Mr. William Ketcheson, of the fifth concession, who came with his father to the place, in 1800, says that one McDonald was the surveyor, and laid out the land as far back as the .5th con- cession, when he died. While the townships fronting upon the two shores of the Bay were being surveyed in the western portion, not a few were on the look out for a good location. These parties consisted of all classes, but it appears most likely tbat the majority of those who had the first choice were individuals connected with the survej^ors, and who had influence with them. The officers, naturally, enjoyed greater privileges, and some of them sought suitable spots with the view of trading with the Indians, or streams of water to supply power for sawing and floui*ing-mills. As illustrative of those times we will make use of a letter lying before us, written at that time. 486 SIDNEY IN 1789. In the year 1789, John Ferguson and Wm. Bell opeaod a store in the Eighth Township. It appears with the view of trading with the Indians, and such of the settlers as could pay for the goods they might buy. A letter written b}- Fei-guson, in 1190, from King- ston, to his partner, says: " As to again taking up goods for trade, had I money I would not think it worth while — notAvithstanding all I said and begged of you, you nevertheless have let the white people have almost everything we had. When do you think they will pay for it ?" By the foregoing we may learn the difficulties attending mercantile pursuits, as well as the procuring of the com- mon necessaries of life. It was no doubt a matter of first impor- tance to Ferguson to see that the goods brought a return. It was no hard-heartedness that caused him to find fault ; for in the same letter he says, " Forsyth is arrived, and I know not how I'll pay him." On the other hand, Mr. Bell, with his little stock of goods *pon the Bay Shore, in the distant Eighth Township, is applied to by the needy settlers for necessaries. They have no money ; it is an article almost miknown among them, but they want this and that, and who could refuse ? Ferguson aftm'wai'd says, " You must oblige every one to pay you in wheat, or otherwise I will want bread before winter is over — if they will not take 3s. 9d. for wheat, make them pay in money immediately, or else send me down their accounts, and I'll summon every one of them. Let your half bushel be examined before Squire Gilbert. Do not spare a potatoe to any one soul. I hope to get a barrel of pork here, but do not ti'ust to that." In the same letter Mr. Ferguson says, " If convenient, I could wish you'ld get cut and brought home, as many logs as would build a house the width of the one we have, and 14 feet long. Let them be small and handy — we have plenty of small pine handy — and it soon can be put u\) when I get home. If Johnson will saw ten logs about 14 feet long, for us, into inch boards, and find him.self. He shall have the loan of the saw from the time he finishes them until the 15th day of April next." "The cows must be sent up. I do not know how the calf will be kept. I have bought two pairs of ducks which I'll take up, and also some fowls if I can get them." *' Spare no salt to any one, as none is to be had here, but at a very dear rate." " The Indian prints goes up, which will spoil the trade this season, as after this the Indians cannot want clothing until the spring." " Eum I must endeavour to take up, as without that nothincr can be had." FIRST TOWN MEETING. 487 The late Mr. Bleeker, of Belleville, tells us that among the very fii'st settlers upon the front of Sidney, were Chrysler, Ostrom and Gilbert. The interesting history we give elsewhere, of Capt. Myers, as a loyalist and pioneer, shows that he was one of the tirst inhab- itants of Sidney, A pioneer in the construction of mills upon the River Moira, he had previously built in 1794 or '5, a sawing mill upon a small uncertain stream which empties into the Bay a few miles east of Trenton. We have seen that the suiwey took place in 1787. It is ques- tionable, however, whether more than the first concession was at this time laid out. There is some reason to believe that Louis Kotte did not attend very closely to his duties, but left the survey- ing to an incompetent assistant. Probably he thought it did not matter whether the side lines were correct or not, in a remote township so far removed from civilization, as Sidney. At all events, in later days, it was found necessarj- to re-survey the township, which was done by Atkins. The first settlers, most likely, came in 1787, yet it may be that one or two had jjreviously squatted by the Bay Shore. ^Ye do not find in the Crown Lands Department any map with the names of gi-antees upon the different lots, such as exist in connection with other townships. No doubt that in Sidney, as in other places, manj- lots were drawn, and subsequently disposed of before the jjatents were issued, so that the original owner cannot be traced. By the close of last century the township was pretty* well settled. An early settler who has recently j)assed away, and who leaves highlj" respectable descendants, was James Farley. He came in 1799. The first township meeting was held the following year at Gilbert's Cove, and James Farle}" was chosen Town Clerk ; but Surveyor Smith was present and did the writing on that occasion. Another early settler, the first one in the back concessions was Wm. Ketcheson. Eeference is made to him elsewhere. His son, now almost 90 years of age, remembers fall well the days of their coming, and settling. The 400 acres of land was bought of Martin Hambly, who lived by the Napanee Eiver, at one dollar per acre, in 1800. Gilbert's Cove was the place of landing, Avhich was for many years a central spot. Here the batteaux unloaded their con- tents, and the provision was stored. William Ketcheson, my in- former, says, " he used to come every Saturday during the season, 488 TRENTON. through the trackless woods, some seven^and-a-half miles, and carry upon his back provisions of pork, peas and flour, sufficient to serve three of them for a week. After a while they would come to the Front by the way of the Eiver Moira. To do this they con- structed a scow which was kept near the present village of Smith-- ville, in which they crossed the river. In the western part of the township is the River Trent, which empties into the Bay, somewhat to the west of the boundary line between Sidney and Murray. This river jDOssesses no little interest as one of the original routes of Indian and French travelers ; and as the way by which Champlain entered the Bay, and discovered Lake Ontario. The Indian name we find upon an old maj) was Ganaraske. Upon man}'^ ancient maps the bay and river are very imperfectly distinguished. It is named Quintio occasionally. The Trent being a stream of considerable size, it formed a barrier to journeying up and down, from Kingston to Yoi-k. A ferry was established here about the beginning of the present centuryr by the Bleekers, after which the main road between Kingston and York gradually became fixed to the north of the Bay, instead of by Prince Edward. The construction of a bridge across the Trent, which took place in 1834, was a great benefit. It Avas 750 feet long and 32 broad. It •was for man}' j-ears " the best bridge in Upper Canada." The Hastings Times, of Belleville, has an advertisement for tenders by the Commissioners, &c., C. Wilkins, Reuben White, and James G. Bethune, dated Eiver Trent, 9th March, 1833. At the mouth of the Trent there naturally spi'ung up a village. Up to 1808 the site of the village was a dense cedar swamp. Two years before A. H. Myers had removed from Belleville and erected a mill about a mile from the mouth of the river, first a saw mill, afterward a flouring mill. Excepting the mills, and a very narrow road, the place was a perfect wilderness. The land upon the west side, where the village stands, originally belonged to "old Squire" Bleeker. The portion of land between the river and Sidney was held by Dr. Strachan. The first lot in Sidney was owned by Judge Smith. Old Squire Bleeker was jjrobably the very first settler between the Trent and the Carrying Place. He was a trader with the Indians, and was probably Indian Agent. At all events he was a man of considerable authoritv among them. FRONT OP THURLOW. 489 CHAPTEK LV. C'OHTENTS — Nintli town — Thuilow— Name— When surveyed — Front— Indian bury- ing ground — Owner of first lots — Chisliolm — Singleton — Myers — Ferguson — Indian traders — To Kingston in batteau — Singleton's death — Ferguson's death — Distress of the families — Settled, 1789 — Ascending the Moira — Taking possession of land — Fifth concession — John Taylor — Founder of Belleville — Myers buying land — Settlers upon the front — Municipal record — Town officers — 1798 — Succeeding years — Canifton, its founder — Settling — The diet — Building mill — Road— Riiper Moira — Origin of name — Earl Moira — Indian name — Indian offering—" Cabojunk " — Myers' saw-mill — Place not attractive — First bridge — The flouring-mill — Belleville — Indian village — Myers' Creek — Formation of village-^First inn — Permanent bridge Bridge Street— In 1800— Growth — A second mill — McNabb's — Sad death — Captain Mcintosh — Petrie — Inhabitants, 1809 — Dr. Spareham — Naming of Belleville — Bella Gore — By Gore in council — Petition — Extract from King- ston Gazette — Surveying reserve — Wilmot — Mistakes — Granting of lots — Conditions — Board of Police — Extent of Belleville — Muddy streets — Inhabi- tants in 1824 — Court-house — First Court, Quarter Sessions — Belleville in 1836. THE NINTH TOWN — THURLOW. The oldest map in the Crown Lands Department, states that this township was surveyed in 1787, by Louis Kotte; perhaps only the front concession. By this map, we learn that at the inouth of the river had been, probably on Zwick's Island, an Indian burying ground ; and a lot is reserved for the Indians, for a burying ground. The map informs us that lot l^o. 1, in both the first and second con- cessions, was at first given to John Chisholm. Lot No. 2, in first and second concession, to David Vanderheyden ; No. 3, to Alexander Chisholm; No. 4, the reserve for the "Indian burying ground;" Nos. 5 and 6, to Captain John Singleton. These are the only names which appear upon the map ; but it is likely that lot No. 7, was granted at first to Captain Myers. The late George Bleeker, Esq.? told the writer that Captain Myers having stayed in Lower Canada three years, came and settled upon lot 7, where he built a hut and lived for a year, before going to Sidney. This was probably in 1787, when the surveying was proceeding. Thus it was that Captain Myers, who afterward gave a name to the river and place, was the first squatter. About this time, Captain Singleton, who had been a first settler in Ernesttown, came to Thurlow with a brother ofilcer, Lieutenant Ferguson, both having recently married and settled .upon lot No. 6. Their object in coming wa's to carry on a fur trade with the Indians, who regularly descended the Eiver Sagonoska to barter, and subsequently to get their presents. The 490 CAPT. SINGLETON. single log house which was first built, was shortly added to, by a second comjjartnient, into which was stored furs and goods for barter. The lii'e of these first settlers of Thurlow was a brief one, and the termination a sad one. Both had just married, and with their faithful servant, Johnson, and his wife, they hoped for a future as bright as the wood and water which so beautifully surrounded them. It mattered not to them that no human habitation existed nearer than the Mohawk settlement, and the Napanee Eiver. Many trips with the batteau were necessary' to obtain a complete outfit for Indian trading, and ample provisions had to be laid up, with stores of rum. These articles were procured at Kingston. Single- ton had rented his farm in the second town; but reserved a room, where he might stoj) on his way up and down. In September, 1789, Captain Singleton, his wife, child, some eight months old, with Lieutenant Ferguson, his wife, and the servants, Johnson and wife, set out for Kingston and Ernesttown in a batteau. The women were to visit in Ernesttown, while the men proceeded to Kingston to purchase flour and other articles. Not long after starting, Single- ton was taken ill. Thej' stopped at Captain John's, at the Mohawk settlement, and Indian medicines were given him; but he continued to grow worse, and when he reached his home, in Ernesttown, he was dangerously ill. A doctor from Kingston was procured ; but Captain Singletoil died nine days after, from what seems to have been a maUgnant fever. His faithful servant, Johnson, contracted the disease and also died. Thus, Lieutenant Ferguson was left ^\•ith three women tmd a child, away from home, which could only be reached after much toil. Captain Singleton was spoken of as a " pleasing gentleman, and beloved by all who knew him." His infant son grew to man's estate, ami became one of the first settlers of Brighton, where his widow, now far advanced in years, and descen- dants reside. Lieutenant Ferguson went to Kingston, exchanged his load of furs for a barrel of flour, then very dear, and other articles, and re- turned with his charge to Thurlow. But Ferguson's days were also numbered ; and, in three months' time, he died, and there were left in the depth of winter, alone, upon the front of Thurlow, three widowed wonien, and an infant; with but !ittle to eat, beside the barrel of flour ; which, before long, was to be the only article of food, and used by cup-fulls to make spare cakes. Lieutenant Ferguson, the associate of the first settler in the township, was at first a refugee from the Mohawk valley in New ASCENDING THE MOIRA. 491 York, and latterly served, probably in Jolnison's regiment. He had lived a short time at Sorel before coming to Thurlow His body was buried upon a pleasant elevation, between their house and the plains to the east of the river. The first one of the loyalists to die in Thurlow, his body was the first to be interred in the "Taylor burying ground." In the spring of 1*789, a party of about fifty, reached the bay. They were all refugee loyalists, and most of them had been since the close of the war in the States, looking up their families, and arrang- ing to take them '*to Cataraqui." This party settled in Sidney and Thurlow. Those who settled in Thurlow, finding no land available at the front, prepared to ascend the river. Among them were John Taylor, William Eeed, with four sons, John, AYilliam, Samuel, and Solomon ; Richard Smith, Cavelry, Robert Wright, John Longwell, Shei'ard, Zedic Thrasher, Asa Turaer, Stephen and Laurence Badgley, Solomon Hazleton, Archibald McKenzie, McMichael, William Cook, and Eusseli Pitman. The party reached the mouth of the river late in the day, and pitched their tent among some cedar shrubs upon the east bank of the river, just by the site of the upper bridge. The following day, they followed the bank of the river, seai'chiug for indications of good land The surveyor had not yet laid out any but the front lots ; but the pioneers had been assured that any land they should choose to occupy, would be granted them. When they reached the point where now is the fifth concession, they felt that they had reached their destination, and proceeded to take possession of such land as struck their fancy. William Eeed, and his four sons, possessed themselves of 600 acres in a block, through which the river wound its way. The land here was unmistakeably good ; and four generations have now reaped the fruit of the soil, while two genera- tions lie buried there. But the first years of pioneer life with those first settlers of the fifth concession, were years of great hardship and want (see First years of Upper Canada). They all went to Napanee at first to mill. Sometimes took articles to exchange for flour. John Taj-lor settled in the fifth concession, where he remained a year, when he came down to the mouth of the river. A sketch of this old soldier is elsewhere given. Among the settlers "who came in, a few years later, were Eichard Canniff, and Robert Thompson. In ^ome respects, the settlers of these townships, at the western extremity of the bay, suffered in a peculiar manner. They were far removed from Kingston, and from the necessaries of life to be pro- 492 SETTLERS UPON THE FRONT. cured there. Ami they were settling after the perioil when Govern- ment allowed provisions. The name of Cajjtain 3Iyers must ever stand identifiecl with the early history of Thurlow. He cannot be regarded as the founder of Belleville ; yet he was the hrst to give a name to the village at the mouth of the river. Captain Myers saw sei'vice during the revolu- tionary war (see Royal Combatants). At the close of hostilities, having tarried for a time at Lower Canada, he came to the bay, and squatted at first ui)on the front of Thurlow. He first became a settler upon the front of Sidney, a few miles east of the Trent Eiver. Being a man of enterprise, and with forethought, he did not content himself with clearing a farm and cultivating its soil. lie saw the wants of the settlers, that they required sawed lumber, and greater conveniences for grinding grain. Hence he is found, even before lYOO, erecting a sawing mill upon a small stream on his land in Sidney. The water- power was very inefficient, and he looked about for a more suitable place. The waters of the Moira presented the inducements he sought. A bargain was effected with John Taylor for the rear half of lot No. 5, which embraced a portion of the stream, afl:brding the desired mill- site. It was, most probably, in the year 1790, that Captain j\Iyers came to Thurlow, and built his log hut upon the banks of the river, a few rods above the present mill-dam. Within a year, the first dam erected upon the river was finished, and a log saw mill built upon the east bank. The late Colonel Wilkins, of the Carrying Place, says, that when he came to the bay, in 1792, Myers had his mill built, the one farthest west, lantil they came to where is now Port Hope. The following are the names of those who settled upon the -front, as sujiplied by the late C Bleeker, Esq. Commencing at lot No. 1, the first settler was JohnChisholm; No. 2, Coon Frederick; No. 3, Crawford, the lot having been drawn by A. Chisholm. Coming to No. 1, it was settled upon by A. Thompson, who sold the right to Schofield ; No. 8, b^^ Arch. Chisholm ; No. 9, by Samuel Sherwood, who was] an Indian trader. Then Fairman, William Johnson, Edward Carscallion, J. Carscallion, Fairman, Biddell. There is no record of the first municipal transaction. Most likely, no record was kept. The following, however, takes us back a long way : — " At the annual town meeting, for the township of Thurlow, held the fifth day of March, 1798, whereat the following persons were chosen towm officers, viz., John Mcintosh, Town Clerk, John CANIFTON. 493 Chisholm and William Eeid, Assessors; Joseph "Walker, Collector; Samuel B. Gilbert, John Eeed, William Johnson, Pathmasters ; John Cook and Daniel Lawrence, Town AYardens ; John Taylor, Pound-keeper; John Fairman, Constable." John Mcintosh, remembered as Cajit. Mcintosh, was Town Clerk for three years, and was succeeded by Jabez Davis. The following 3'car, the occupant was Caleb Benedict. The year succeed- ing", Eoswell Leavens was appointed, and continued to hold the office for three years, when John Frederick was chosen, who held the place two years, when John Mcintosh was again .selected ; he held it two years. Then John Thompson was apjiointed, who held it one year. The next year it was Eoswell Leavens ; the next, John Frederick; the next, E. Leavens, who continued uninterrupt- edly in office for twelve j-ears, up to the year 1826. During that time very many chaiiges are observed in the names of those holding the other municipal offices in the Township. The Town Clerk, in the year 1826, was Daniel Cannitt", who held it two years; the next Avas James McDonnell, who filled the post seven years. In 1835, D. B. Sole was appointed, who held it two years. The year ensuing. Dr. Hayden was appointed. It would seem that during the year following, Dr. II. escaj)ed as a rebel, while his wife- refused to hand over the township records. Canifton. — Up to the year 1806, the way from Myers' mill up the river to where stands Corby's mill, a distance of four miles, was unbroken by a single clearing. There was but a poor waggon road, which had been cut by the two individuals who alone could afford the comfort of a waggon. But in that year another settler was added to Thurlow, and a third waggon to the community. John Canniff, having bought some 800 acres of land from one McDougall, and one Carle, in tlie third concession, commenced the work of clearing upon the present site of the village of Canifton. John Canniff was a U. E, Loyalist, and was born at Bedford, in the County of Westchester, in the present State of New York, in the year 1757. There is no i-eliable statement handed nown as to the part he took in the war against the rebellion. That he took an active part is believed by those most capable of judging. The name of Lieut. Canditf appears among the officers of a New Jersej- regi- ment, which is thought to have been one of the family. John Canniff was a refugee at the close of the war in New Brunswick, where he remained a few years. He then came to Canada, in 1788, and first settled in Adolpliustown, where he lived until his removal 494 THE RIVER MOIRA. to Thux'lovv. He had witnessed and experienced the suffering of the year of the famine. And it is known that he actually saved one family from death by starvation. Before bringing his family to Thurlow, in 1807, he had cleared a considerable piece of land, on the east side of the river, around the present site of the bridge ; built a mill-dam, a saw-mill, and a frame house, which stood a short distance above the site of the Methodist Church. Although this took place near the end of the first decade of the present century, yet the settlement was attended by no little hardship. The neces- saries of life were not always to be had, and it is authentically related, that for a time pea bread constituted the jirinciple article of diet, while a fish, now and then caught, was a great luxury. About the year 1812, Canniff erected a flouring-mill, having for mill-stones those made on the spot, out of hard granite ; the man who made them yet lives. These relics of the past may yet be seen. But in two years he pi'ocured a pair of Burr stones from the Trent. . In the year 18 — , Mr. Canniff removed to the front of Thurlow, and lived upon lot number eight, where he continued to dwell until his death, 2l8t Feb., 1843. He was in his 87th year when he died. His remains are buried near the front of the Episcopal Church, in Belleville. He was a great uncle to the writer. Up to the year 1715, there was but one small house inCanifton, beside that occupied by Mr. Canniff, this was occupied by a cooper, named Ockerman. For four years after John Canniff settled upon the river, there was an unbroken wood between his place and Mj^ers' mill, while but a rough road existed, which followed the river's bank. In the spring of 1811, James Canniff, the writer's father, commenced to clear land, midway between Myers' mill and John Canniff 's. At this time, the road remained almost impassable, for the half-dozen waggons, owned in the township. Some years later, the road was somewhat straightened and improved ; but although now, and for a long time, so great a thoroughfare, the road continued to be, for many years, the most execrable. The River Moira. — This river is named after the Eight Hon. the Earl of Moira, afterward Marquis of Hastings, and previously, when a soldiex-, serving in the American war, known as Lord Hawdon. Ac his death the title became extinct. His body was buried in his native town in Ireland. While in America, he formed a strong attachment to Brant. MYERS' CREEK. 495 The Moira takes its rise in the township of Tudor, and in its windings to the Bay Quinte, passes through tlie townships of Madoc, Marmora, Rawdon, Huntingdon, Hungerford, Tyendinaga, and Thurlow. It was well known, and yearly ascended by the Indians for the excellent hunting which it afforded. They called it Sagon- asko, which name may be found on the first maps issued by the surveyor. It was sometimes spelled Saganashcocon. The Indians, when about to pass up on their hunting expedi- tions, leaving many of the women and children in wigwams upon the plains near its mouth, would make an offering to their pagan god, of tobacco, which was dropped upon the east shore, near its mouth, just below the site of the first bridge. A thank offering was repeated upon their return. — (B. Flint). "When the first mill dam was erected by Capt. Myers, the obstruction was called by them Cabojunk. When the land was surveyed, the Government reseiwed at the mouth of the river 200 acres, ostensibly, for an Indian burying ground. But the place of burying was upon Zwick's Island, in the Bay, near the river's mouth. Upon the old maps, this river is called Singletou's Eiver, after Capt. Singleton. About the j^ear 1790, Capt. Myers settled upon the river, and erected a dam and log saw mill. It consequently took the name of Myers' Creek, which it retained, until after the war of 1812, and by some, to within the writer's recollection, thirty years ago. The writer remembers to have seen the Indians, in their birch canoes, ascending and descending the river. The fact that the word Moira has some resembling sound to that of Myers, has led some to suppose that the latter name became gradually changed into the former. But the fact is as stated above. . The appearance of the place, presented to the first adventurers in pursuit of land on which to settle, was not attractive. It was a barren plain with a cedar swamp covering the shores on either side. There were, however, on the east side, at the mouth, some tall and good sized oaks, indicating deep soil, while the land around was rock ; this land, like the two islands upon which mills are built, was rich, and had been made from the washings of the river's sides for centuries, and curried down from the back country. The first bridge upon the Moira, was a floating structure, and was placed quite at the mouth of the river, with the view of escaping the current ; but it was soon carried oft". The bridge was 496- bellevillp:. built iibout 1800; prioi* to Avhich time there had been u ferry for foot passengers, when the stream was not fordable. At certain seasons, crossings could take place almost anywhere. The tirst spring freshet carried away the bridge. In the winter of 1802, according to Mrs, Harris, who then lived in the place, a more sub- stantial structure was commenced ; but again it was carried off by ice breaking over Myers' dam. Possibly, this may be the first one. The first permanent bridge must have been completed in 1806 or 7. The excellent water power was first employed b}- Capf . Myers, and the second person to use it was the Keeds, at the place where is now situated Corby's mill. The benefit of a flouring mill to the Eeeds will be understood wlien it is known that they had pre- viousl}^, to carry on their back the grist to the Napanee mills, a distance of some forty miles, and thus occupying four da^'s. BELLEVILLE. The early voyageurs, passing along in their birch canoes, bound for the far west, b}- the way of the Eiver Trent to Lake Simcoe, were never attracted to the low, thick woods, which bordered the river called by the Indians Sagonoska. It is true, there was generally an Indian village upon the plains situated to the east of the river's mouth. But the collection of rude tents offered no special invitation. While the French, it would seem, never ascended the river ; the Indians of the Missis- sauga tribe inhabited the region, and mostly always had a village upon the bay shore. As we have seen, the Government, at the time of survej'ing, reserved lot number four, which included the river and the plains, for the Indians. About 1789 or 90, Captain Myers, having 2)urchased a part of lot number five, of John Taylor, for $100, endeavored to gbtain a lease of the Indian lot for a long period of years ; and he subsequently claimed the lot, averring that it had been leased him for ninety-nine years. This claim of Capt. Myers, it has been stated, led to the name w^hich so long obtained, Myers' Creek. But the claim was never recognized by Govern- ment, although there is some reason to think that the Indians did actually- bargain it away. The settlement upon the river, by Captain Myers, very soon came to be known as Captain Myers', and the inhabitants up and down the bay, spoke of the settlement, asM'ell as of the river, as Myers' Creek. But, at the same time, Myers' mill and house were quite remote from the first collection of houses at the mouth of the river. A])ai-t from the water privileges, there FIRST SETTLERS. 497 was nothing to attract to the place, and, until the beginning of the present century, there was not even a hut at the mouth of the river. If public meetings were held, they were up the front, or back neai- the tifth concession, afterward known as Hayden's Corners. The village began to form upon the east bank of the river, a little distance below Dundas street, and, for many years, it did not extend further north than that street. The first place of habitation 60 far as can be learned, was a log house, built and occupied by Asa Wallbridge, atrader, who was well known by the early settlers. Then came John Simpson, in the year 1798, and constructed a log hilt, 20x12. This house, the first public house in Thnrlow, was for many years known from Kingston to York, as a place of public entertainment. Within its rough walls rested man}- an important traveler, and here, in later days, convened the men of dignity and office, to discuss matters of great import concerning the village. Here met, in jovial companionship, the inhabitants of the village at night. Aroimd this rude public house centered the crowd upon training days, or when the race course was a point of attraction. For man}^ years, the^jieart of the village was at the corner of Dundas street. At this place was the ferry, and afterwards the first bridge. John Simpson, who was Sergt.-Major of the Militia when first organized, died shortl}^ after coming to Myers' Creek ; but hi.s widow, Margaret, continued the hostess for many ^-i^ars. She endeavored to keep pace with the wants of the growing village^ and made one improvement after another, and finallj- had built the frame structure now converted into the agreeable residence of the Hon. Lewis ^yall bridge. About the year 1800, a second inn was opened in the village, the descendant of this is the pre-ent Eaii- road House. ... ... -Yv'hen it became necessary to build a bridge across the river, about 1806-7, the question of site was one of no little consideration. It seemed the most natural that it should be erected on Dundas Street, which was the great mail road between Kingston and York; and those living in the heart of the village could see no reason in having it placed elsewhere. But a majority of those having a voice in the matter, looked at the question in a more piactical light ; and rightly thought a bridge would cost less where the river was the narrowest, while it should not be too far for convenience. The result was that it was built on the site of the present lower bridge, and so gave to the street the name of Bridge Street. 32 498 petrie's statement. Retracing our steps to the beginning of the present century, we present the statement of Mr. William Ketcheson, who settled in Sidney, and also of James Farley, both of whom say that there was not then even a village at the mouth of the river, there being but two or three shanties, among them Simpson's tavern, at the rude bar of which the sole drink was a home brewed beer, which, how- ever, possessed intoxicating properties. Another building was an ash house, owned by Asa "Wallbridge. During the first years of the present century, the place grew to the importance of a village, whose inhabitants, with those of the adjacent farmers, made up nearly a hundred persons. Important additions had been made, and enterprise was at work. Two noble and loyal Scotchmen had come to the place several years before, and purchased lot number three, and had built a second mill dam, and mills. These were Simon and James McNabb. They subse- quently took an active part in everything relating to the village. James McXabb became Collector of Customs, and the first Post- Master and Eegistrar, and both were officers in the militia. The melancholy death of James McNabb, is hardly yet forgotten. During the rebellion of 1836, there was an alarm in Belleville, and Capt. McXabb, while running through an unlighted hall, was fatally wounded by a careless militiaman, who was trailing his musket with bayonet fixed. Capt. Mcintosh was an early settler in Belleville, as well as a pioneer with sailing vessels. He built the first frame store house at Belleville, which was taken down in 1867. The house he built is still standing, a quaint edifice, at the lower extremity of front street. Within its walls rested General Brock, when on his way westward, at the commencement of the war of 1812 ; also General Gore, after the close of the war. Capt. Mcintosh met an untimely death by drowning while attempting to swim fi*om his schooner, which was wind-bound off Ox Point, to the shore, 23rd Sept, 1815. In the year 1809, Alexander Oliphant Petrie, came to live at Myers' Creek. He found the following persons living in Belleville at tTiat time. Commencing at the lowest part ; there first lived Capt. John Mcintosh, who kept a store ; John Johnson, a saddler; Dr. Sparehan ; John Thompson, who had been a soldier in the King's Hangers ; Peter Holmes, a carpenter, who had also been in the Hangers ; Mrs. Margaret Simpson, inn-keeper ; Eoswell Leavens, a blacksmith; John Simons; one Ames, a cooper; Hugh Cunning- ham, store-keeper, at Mrs. Simpson's ; Simon McNabb, who lived NAMING OF BELLEVILLE. 499 across the river; Ockerman, a cooper; Benj. Stone, a sawyer; Wm. Majbee, and Abraham Stimers. In the neighborhood of the village lived John Taylor; James Harris, a hatter, and Capt. Myers. The only road was along the river, while foot paths led to the different dwellings. Eespecting Dr. Spareham, there is the following notice in the Kingston Gazette : " Died, Friday 20th, 181.3, Dr. Thomas Spai'eham, at Kingston; aged about 88. He was one of the first settlers in the country." The McXabbs had a flouring-mill, and there was a small cloth factory on the west side of the river, at Myers' dam. Harris hatl a small sliop on the bank of the river ; and just below the present market, back from the river, stood a little frame school house, where taught one John Watkins. About the year 1810, Mr. Everitt, from Kingston, ei"ected a fine building for a hotel, outside of the village, near Coleman's, formerly McNabb's mills. This was near the Victoria buildings. The naming of Belleville took place in 1816. The circumstances attending it were as follows : There met one evening at Mrs. Simpson's tavern, Captain McMichael, the two McXabbs, Wall- bridge, E. Leavens, and S. Nicholson. These gentlemen, at the suggestion, it is said, of Captain McMichael, determined to invite Lieutenant-Governor Gore, to name the newly surveyed town. The request was complied with, by calling it after his wife Bella. In reference to this, we find in the Kingston Gazette, Aug. 24, 1816, the following : " The Lieutenant-Governor, in council, has been pleased to give the new town (formerly known by the name of " Myers' Creek " at the Eiver Moira.the name of " Belleville," by the request and petition of a great number of the inhabitants of that town and the township of Thurlow." In the issue of 7th September, the Gazette remarks, " We mentioned in our paper of the 24th ult., that the new town at the Eiver Moira, was now called Belleville," &c. We were under the impression, from the very pleasant situation of that town that its name was derived from the French ; but we have since been informed that it has been given the name of Bellville, in honor of lady Gore at the request of the inhabitants." We have it also, on the authority of Mr. Petrie, who could not be ignorant of the facts, that the name is after Lady Bella Gore. It will be observed that the name was originally spelled Bellville, instead of Belleville, as at the present time. In all letters and public documents where the town was mentioned, we find it spelled Bellville for many years. The writer will now. 500 THE SURVEYOR. quote himself from another work. " The same year (1816; the Government instructed surveyor Wilmot to lay out the 200 acres of Indian reserve, lot number four, into town lots of half an acre each. It cannot be recorded that Mr. Wilmot discharged his duty to his credit or the advantage of the town. In the first place he made the serious mistake (it has been questioned whether it was a mis- take) of placing the line between Sidney and Thurlow, upwards of sixty feet to the east of that marked by the original survey. The consequence was, that the line between lots numbers three and four (at the front) instead of being mainly in the river, Avhere it ought to have been, was established where now is Front Street, and thereby, a valuable strip of land belonging to the Reserve, was added to private property on the western side of the river ; while the owner of lot number five, Mr, Taylor, was a loser to a corres- ponding extent. Another mistake was the very few cross streets laid out, the inconvenience of which is felt daily by many ; although some new ones have been opened latterly. A third error was the respect he made to a hotel which stood a little to the east of where now stands the Victoria buildings. This hotel had been erected on the ground, where the street, in surveying, happened to come. The result is the unseemly turn in its course at Pinnacle Street. While the hotel gave a name to the street, the name commemorates the cause of its uglinesss. The town lots were disposed of by Government to petitioners, true subjects of His Majesty, on a paj'- ment of a fee of thirty dollars. No one could obtain more than a single lot. Seven plots were reserved : one for a hospital, one where stands the Catholic Church, the Grammar School, the Eng- lish Church, also, the Parsonage house, the old Market Square, and the Jail." The lots w^ere granted to applicants upon presenting a petition signed by two citizens, to Government. The grantee was obligated to build, in a given time, a house, one stor}^ and a half high, and 18 X 30 feet. Belleville is the oldest town in Upper Canada. At the time it was named, where now stands Cobourg, were but three houses. In 1816 the Kingston Gazette nays, " A Post Office is now established in the new and flourishing town of Bellville, S. ^IcNabb. Esq., Post Master." In the year 18.34, u petition was submitted by the inhabitants of Belleville to Parliament, the result of which was " An act to establish a Board of Police in the town of Belleville, passed 6th March, 1834." FIRST BOAHD OF POLICE. 501 It would seem that the act passed did not come into operation, for in 1836, an act was passed rcspealing the former one. This latter act was in many respects the same, but making further pro- visions. The same year the town record begins. The boundaries Avere, " commencing at the limits between lots number five and six, in the first concession, so as a line at right angles will run on the northerly side of Wonnacott's bridge, thence touth seventy-four degrees, west to the limits between lots numbers two and three, thence sixteen degrees east to the Bay of Quinte, thence easterly following the winding of the bay to the limits between lots numbers five and six aforesaid ; thence north sixteen degrees, west to the place of beginning, together with the island and the harbour." There were two wards, each of which elected two members of the Board of Police, and the fourth selected a fifth. The body tlien selected one of themselves for President. Those elected the first year were, AYm. McCarty and Asa Yeomans, for first ward ; Zenas Dafoe, and Wm. Connor for second ward ; Billa Flint was elected the fifth member, and was also chosen President; Geo. Benjamin to be clerk to the Board. Uj) to this time there had been no sidewalks, and at the same time there was no drainage. .The consequence was, that in the rainy season the streets were almost impassible, quite as bad as those of Muddy York are said to have been. The first pavement was laid in 18.36, the stones of which were taken from the river. It is impossible to say definitely what was the number of inhabitants at any one jjeriod. These were, however, in 1818 according to Talbot, about 150 ; about 500 in 1824 ; 700 in 1829, and in 1836 more than 1,000. ButMcMullen, writing in 1824, says that between Kingston and York, there are two or three very small villages, the largest of which is Belleville, containing about one hundred and fifty inhabitants. After this the town increased more rapidly in size and import, ance. Steps were taken to have built a Court House and Jail, as the nearest place of confinement of prisoners was at Kingston ; and, in 1838, just at the close of the rebellion, the present building was finished. The first court of Quarter Sessions held at the Court House in Belleville, was November, 1839, Benjamin Dougall presided ; Edmund Murney, Clerk of the Peace ; J. W. T>. Moodie, Sheriff. The principal business of the court was to organize, and take the 602 BELLEVILLE IN 1836. oaths of office. The second court was held in March, 18-40, in the Court House ; there were the same officers, except that W. H. Ponton was Clerk of the Peace. A writer in the Intelligencer, in 1836, saj's, Belleville is said to contain about 1,800 inhabitants. There is an English and Scotch Church, a Koman Catholic and Methodist Chapel, also a congrega- tion of Episcopal Methodists, and one of American Presbyterians ; 25 merchants' shops, 2 Apothecaries and Druggists', 12 huxters' and grocery shops, 9 taverns, 3 breweries, 3 butchers', 2 flouring mills, 4 saw, and 2 fulling and carding mills, 1 pail factory, 7 blacksmiths' shops, 3 tanneries, and mechanics of almost every description. In ' Front Street there are a number of spacious brick, stone, and frame buildings; being the most central part of the town for business. The town has recently being called East and West Belleville ; separated by the river Moira. The later has been laid out in town lots by the present owners ; and the streets and lines defined. On Coleman Street there are alread^^ erected a handsome brick and other stone and frame buildings ; a Trip-Hammer Forge and Axe manufactory carried on by Mr. Proctor, celebrated for making the best axes in the province. A saw mill in operation and a flouring mill for four run of stone now erecting, and another for six run in contemplation of being built y\Q±t summer b}^ our enterprising townsman, Mr. Flint. A cabiuet-makei*, blacksmith's shop, and a tavern, together with a variety of lots unsold, some of which are calculated for hydraulic purposes ; and for which there are abun- dance of materials for stone buildings. The same street leads to the extensive wharfs and store houses belonging to Mr. Billa Flint. RICHMOND. 503 CHAPTER LVI. Contents— Tenth township — Richmond— Origin — Quantity of land — Shores of Mohawk Bay — Village on .south sliore — Original land holders — Names — Napanee — The falls — The mill — Salmon River — Indian name — Source of Napanee River — Its course — Colebrook — Simcoe Falls — Name — Clarke's JMills — Newburgh — Academy — The settlers — " Clarkville " — No records. THE TENTH TOWNSHIP — RICHMOND. This townshi]> is called after the Duke of Eichmond, and con- tains about 50,000 acres. At an early period, the shores of the Mohawk Bay were occupied by settlers. At first, upon the Fredericksburgh side, and shortly after upon the north shore. The facilities for erecting a flouring-niill at the falls, upon the river which empties into the Mohawk Bay, attracted the attention of Government so early as 1785, in which year the first mill was erected. The existence of this mill caused some- thing of a village to spring up on the south shore. About the same time, the land ujjon the north shore of the bay and river, was taken up by the loyalists. We can find nothing to indicate the year in which this township was originally surveyed ; but it was most pro- bably done in the latter part of 1785, or in the spring of 1786, after the front of Thurlow had been surveyed. Upon the old chart of this township in the Crown Lauds Depai'tment, may be seen the names of certain officers, as claimants of land near the mouth of the river. The names are in the main, now unknown, and it seems that the land passed into other hands. The second and third concessions seem to have been settled at a com2:)aratively early date. We believe that some of the first settlers on Mohawk Bay, Avere, Alexander Nicholson, Wood- cock, Peterson, Campbell, Richardson, D.etlors. Napanee, a name given to the river, and to the town upon its banks, is of Indian origin. Originally it was Appanee, which signifies, in the Mississauga language, flour, or the river where they make flour. This designation, it has been supposed, arose from the exis- tence of the flouring-mill, built here at an early date (see first days of Upper Canada). The place was first visited by loyalists, in 1784. The beauty of the scenery, the waters of the river, tumbling over the rocks, down a distance of thirty feet, and sweeping down through a muddy bed, and widening into Mohawk Bay, and the surrounding hills clothed in natures rugged habiliments, would naturally attract the settler. Then, when Govemmeut placed a mill, at which the 504 NAPANEE. settlers could get their grain ground, a consideration of great import- ance, the land in the vicinity would be eagerly sought, upon which to settle. And, it can readily be inferred, that th(> more valuable lots in the township of Richmond were, at an early date, appropriated and settled upon. Running across the back part of this township, from east to west, and continuing across the township of Tyendinagua, is the Salmon River. It takes its rise in Crow Lake, in the Township of Kenebec. It empties into the Bay Quinte, at the border line between this town- ship and Thurlow. Near its mouth is the Village of Shannonville. The Indian name of the Salmon River Avas Gosippa. The Xapanee River, of which we have spoken, takes its rise in the toAvnships of Ilinchinbroke, Bedford, Loughborough, Portland, Avhich are thickly strewn with beautiful lakes and streams, all con- nected so as to forni a sort of net work. The Napanee then crosses the front part of Camden, and pursues its Avay along, forming the southern boundary of Richmond, to empty into the Mohawk Bay. Along the course of the stream are several villages, all possessed of m^ore or less beauty. There is the village of Colebrook, having upward of 300 inhabitants ; Simcoe Falls comes next, beautiful and picturesque, with some 2.50 of population. The village is named after the Falls, which are some forty feet high. The name is derived from Governor Simcoe, who at one time owned here 1000 acres of land. Four miles further down the stream is the pleasant village of Clark's- Mills, after a family name of which we have elsewhere spoken, as a distinguished U. E. Loyalist. Continuing down the river Ave come to Newburgh, a village picturesquely situated, and of considerable importance. Beside its grist-mills, saw-mills, factories, machine shop, foundry, and other machinery worked by the Avater ; Newbui*gh has a very respectable academy. Perhaps there is no stream in Canada Avhich possesses the same numbei' of mill privileges as the Napanee. There are nximerous rapids and seA'eral falls along its course, and the banks on either side are often strikingly beautiful. The original settlers along the stream Avere mostly the children of loyalists. Napaj^tee. — The settlement of Napanee is pretty fully given in the chapter upon the first tlouring-mills. We there haA'e stated that Sergeant Major Clark of the 84th regiment, Avas ordered to Napanee to act as superintendent of the Avorks in connection with the building of the mill ; second flouring-mill in L^pper Canada. The mill was situated upon the Fredericksburgh side of the river. Upon an early map of the township, by P. Y. Elmore, a A-illage is marked here by the name of Clark ville. Napanee Avas incorporated in the year 1854. We regret our inability to procure the township record of Rich- mond. DIYISIO]^" IX. THE EAELY GOYEENMENT OF UPPEE CANADA. CHAPTEE LVn. Contexts — Military rule— Imperial Act, 1774 — French Canada — Refugees — Military Government in Upper Canada — New Districts — LunenLurgh — Mecklenburgb — Nassau — Hesse— The Judges — Duncan — Cartwright — Ham- ilton — Robertson — Court in ilecklenburgh — Civil Law — Judge Duncan — Judge Cartwright — Punishment iniJicted — First execution — New Constitu- tion of Quebec — 1791, Quebec Bill passed — Inhabitants of Upper Canada. UPPER CANADA FROM 1783 TO 1792 — THE GOVERNMENT, MILITARY AND CIVIL. For three years after the conquest the Province of Quebec was governed by military laws, but in 1774, the British Government introduced a Bill, conferring- civil rights upon the Canadian French, with a governing council of not more than 23, nor less than 17. The laws, religion and language were secured to the Province, as before the conquest, so that in most respects, excepting the pre- sence of an English Governor, Canada remained a French Colony. The timely concessions of the British Government, and the natural antipathy felt by the Canadians to the New En glanders, prevented in a most positive way, any desire or intention, on the part of the Canadians, to take sides with the revolting British Provinces. When the loyalist refugees began to pick their way into Canada they found themselves as it were in a foreign country. A colony it is true, under the government of an English Governor, but never- theless consisting of a people entirel}^ dissimilar to themselves. While the war continued the presence of a large number of British troojDS made the country seem less foi'eign in its character ; but the close of the war, and the disbanding of many of the com- panies, and withdrawal of others, left the unhappy refugees in a society to them altogether unnatural. It was under such circum- 506 SETTLERS UNDER MARTIAL LAW. stances that steps were taken to survey land upon the upper waters, to which the loyalists might go. The plan pursued by Govern- ment was, not to extend the operation of the laws belonging to Lower Canada, and therefore French and unnatural, lo the settle- ments in Upper Canada; but to marshal the pioneer in bands under officers, with the necessary appointments, to secure order, protect interests, and administer justice. The first settlers of Upper Canada, then came in military order, by word of command, and were directed to the point where each should find the land allotted him, and meet his wilderness foe. All alike were governed by military law, until 1788. Says the historian of Dundas, " It was decided by Grovernment that the first settlers should live under Martial Law, till such times as it should be rescinded, and replaced by competent courts of justice. But by martial law was meant only, that the English laws, having by the settlement of this part of Canada, been introduced, should be its laws for the present, and that these laws, which very few knew, should be martially executed by the Captain in command, having the super- intendence of the particular locality." Upon the 24th July, 1788, Lord Dorchester issued a proclama- tion, dated at the Castle of St. Louis, Quebec, forming a certain number of new districts in the Province of Quebec. Upper Canada was formed into four districts, viz.: Lunenhurgh, which extended from the borders of Lower Canada "to the Elver Gananoque, now called Thames," Mecklenburgh, which included the settlement from. Gananoque to the Trent River ; Nassau, extending from the Trent to Long Point on Lake Erie; Hesse, which embraced the remaining part? of Western Canada, including Detroit. The division was based upon the number of settlers rather than the extent of territory. To each of these districts was appointed a Judge, a Sheriff, &c. The Judge seems to have been clothed with almost absolute power- He dispensed justice according to his own understanding or inter' pretation of the law, and a Sheritf or Constable stood ready to carry out the decision, which in his wisdom, he might arrive at. These iour courts of Common Pleas constituted it seems the whole machi- nery of the law in Upper Canada, after the people ceased to be under military jurisdiction. It may have been, however, probably was, that appeal cotild be made against the Judge's decision, to the Governur and Council. There were no other magistrates, and no lawyers in those primitive happy days. Of the four Judges appointed to the districts, positive know- THE riRST JUDGES. 507 ledge can be obtained but of three ; these are Richard Duncan, Judge of Lunenburgli, Eichard Cartwright, Judge of Mecklenburgh, and Robert Hamilton, Judge of Nassau. Not unlikely, William Robertson^ of Detroit, was Judge of Hesse. This opinion is ventured from the fact that this gentleman was the most successful and prominent man in that locality ; the same as Duncan, Cartwright, and Hamilton were in theirs. Respecting the Judgeship of Mecklenburgh, the Rev. Mr. Stuart writes, 1788, that "our new settlements have been lately divided into four districts, of which this place (Kingston,) is the Capital of one called New Mecklenburgh. I had a commission sent me as first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which I returned to Lord Dorchester, who left a few days ago." The ofiice thus refused was subsequently filled by Mr. Richard Cartwright. In a letter before us, written by John Ferguson, dated 29th December, 1788, it is stated that " our Courts are opened, but they have done nothmg particular, but I suppose will in a few days." This was the commencement of other than martial laAV at the Bay of Quinte. 1788 then, is the year in which civil law began to be administered. This was considered a boon by the British Americans, who objected quite as much to mili- tary law, when the individual might not by education, be qualified to dispense judgment and justice, as they did to the French laws of Lower Canada. Indeed the loyalists of Lower Canada complained very much that they had lost the protection of British laws. And pro- bably many were induced to ascend to Ujjper Canada where the British law was in operation. At the same time Upper Canada remained a part of the Province of Quebec. Reference is made in the History of Dundas, to Judge Duncan, of Lunensburgh as follows: "As a soldier he was generous and humane." The Court sat at Mariatown, of which he was the foun- der." He " seemed to have monojiolized every ofiice. A store- keeper, and holding a Captain's rank, be dealt out law, dry goods and groceries alternately." The court room was at the place of ^Richard Loucks, who kept a store and tavern, about a mile below the present eastern limits of the County of Dundas. The name of the Sheriff" was Munro, probably John Munro, who was subsequently called to the Legislative Council. With respect to Judge Cartwright, the reader is referred to individual U. E. Loyalists for a notice of his history. The fact that he was selected as the Judge after the ofiice was refused by Mr- Stuart, shows that he was a man of influence, education and wealth' 508 CONSTITUTION FOR UPPER CANADA. and persons are noAA' living who remember him as a "big man," along the Bay. Fromi all that we can learn, it is most probable that Judge CartAvright held his court at Finkle's tavern, E rnesttown, It is stated that he convicted the first man that was hanged in Canada. The crime charged against him for which lie was executed was watch stealing. The article was found upon hira, and although he declared he had bought it of a pedlar, yet, as he could not prove it, he was adjudged guilty of the crime, and sentenced to be hanged. Dr. Connor, of Ernesttown, stood up in court and appealed against the decision of the Judge, but he was hissed down, and the law took its course. The man was hanged, and subsequently the pedlar from whom the watch had been purchased came along and corroborated the dying words of the unfortunate man. The most common punishment inflicted upon those convicted of high offences, was that of banishment for a certain number of years, or for life, to the United States, " a sentence next to that of death? felt to be the most severe that could be inflicted." " Minor ofl'ences were atoned for in the pillory. For a long lime there stood one such primitive instrument of punishment, at Eichard Louck's Inn, the centre of law and justice for the Lunenburg District." (History of Dun das). The first person executed at Niagara was in 1801, a woman by name of Loudon, who vcas convicted of poisoning her husband, at Grimsby. The difference between the French and British in Canada, as to religion, language and laws, was so great that, although efforts were earnestly made to unite the two races, the divergence of views continued to increase. And the result was, that a Bill was introduced into the Imperial Parliament, by the Government, which duly became law. On Friday, 4th March, 1791 "Mr. Chancellor Pitt moved, '-'that His Majesty's message concerning the New Constitution for Quebec might be read. It was read accordingly." " George E. — His Majesty thinks it proper to acquaint the Com- mons, that it appears to His Majesty, that it would be for the benefit of His Majesty's subjects in the Province of Quebec, that the same should be divided into separate provinces, to be called the Province of Upper Canada and the Province of Lower Canada ; and that it is accordingly his Majesty's inteiition so to divide the same, whenever His Majesty shall be enabled by Act of Parliament to establish the necessary regulations for the government of the said Provinces. His ORGANIZATION OP GOVERNMENT. 509 Majesty therefore recommends this object to the consideration of this House," &c., &c. The discussion which arose in connection with the passage of this Bill was of unusual interest, and produced that historic scene between Burke and Fox, during which " tears trickled down the cheeks"' of the latter, as " he strove in vain to give utterance to feelings that dignified and exalted his nature." The Bill passed its third reading on the 18th May. At this time there were distributed along the St. Lawrence, the Bay of Quinte, Niagara frontier, Amherstburgh, with the French settlement on the Thames, and the Indians at Grand Kiver, about 20,000 souls, or double the number, who came at the first as refugees, and disbanded soldiers. For a list of the Governors of Upper Canada see Ap])endix. CHAPTEE LVlll. Contents — Simcoe — His arrival iu Canada — Up the St. La^su■euce — An old house — '•' Old Breeches' River" — Siracoe's attenr'.unts — Tlie old veterans — " Good old canse " — " Content " — Toasting — Old officers — Executive Council of Upper Canada— First entry — Simcoe inducted to office — Religious ceremony — '' The proceedings " — Those present — Oath of office — Organization of Legis- lative Council — Assembly — Issuing writs for elections — Members of Council — Simcoe's difficulty — At Kingston — Division of Province — The Governor's officers — Roclifoucault upon Simcoe— Simcoe's surroundings — His v.dfe — Opening Parliament in 1795 — Those present — Retinue— Dress — The nine- teen counties — Simcoe's designs — Visit of the Queen's father — At Kingston — Niagara — A war dance. ORGANIZATION OF THE UPPER CANADA GOVERNMENT BY SIMCOE, 1792. Colonel John Graves Simcoe, the pioneer Governor of Upper Canada, and the Lieutenant-Governor under Lord Dorchester, entered upon the duties of his office. July 8, 1792. His arrival in Canada was signalled by much rejoicing, as he passed along in a fleet of bark canoes from Lower Canada, by the St. Lawrence. A wi'iter, in 1846, relates some interesting facts respect- ing this passage. He speaks of one house then remaining in Johnstown, which remained in aU its original proportions. "It is built in the Dutch style, with sharp-pointed roof, and curious gables. This house was framed of oak of the finest growth ; and, considering that it has been drawn from lot to lot, until il has traveled 510 THE GOVERNOR. almost the entire extent of the bay, (at Jolinston) within the last half century, it certainly is a remarkable edifice. It is now a hostelrie, as it has always been, and no sign of repentance can be yet seen in its huge sign-board, exhibited at the top of a taper pine, on which some cunning disciple of Michael Angel o, hath depicted a tolerably sized square, and a pair of exquisitely expansive compass, striding classi- cally, in imitation of the Collosus of Eliodes, Avith the staring capitals of '^ Live and let live — St. John's Hall — Peace and ijlenty to all man- kind " — thrown in as a sort of relief to the compass, and as a sweet inducement to the weary and dust-begrimmed traveler to walk in, and make himself as comfortable as the little peculiarities of the lazy- eyed landlord, and the singular temperament of the land-lady, will allow. " This house is Governor Simcoe's house. In it John Graves Simcoe, the first Governor of the U. E. Loyalists, himself a hearty, brave old colonel, who fought in the cause of these men, held his levee, on his first arrival in Upper Canada. Time hallows all. Young Canada has her antiquities — although she may be more jn-one to look forward to the future with hope, than back on the past with regret. Yet the house in which John Graves Simcoe reposed himself, and cast his martial eye over tlj gracefully curving bay, the sparkling river, an I the dilapidated fortifications of the old French fort, built during the French ascendancy ; on the point and islands below, may still be an object of interest to more than those who reside in the vicinity, in a Province, which owes so much of its present prosperity to the good commencement made by one possessed of his historic heroism, humanity, and noble self-denial in the cause of an exiled race. The house stood on a point of land formed by the bay, and a small stream which passes from the north westward, called formerly by the French, " Riviere de la Vielle Culotte," Avhich being translated, pro- bably means " Old Breeches' Eiver." Governor Simcoe had, but a short half-hour previously, taken his departure for Niagara, in one of the large bark canoes with which the passage on the St. Lawrence, and along the shore of the lakes, was then generally made. A brigade of smaller eanoes and boats followed him, conveying his suite, and a few soldiers; and never since the year 1756, when Montcalm led his army upward to the attack of Oswego, had the swelling bosom of the wild forest river borne so glad a sight as on that sparkling mornmg. " The old piece of ordnance, obtained from the island fort below, had ceased to belch forth its thunders from the clay bank ; whereon, fort want of trunnions it had been deposited. The gentry of the sur- simooe's receptance. 511 rounding country, collected together for the occasion, and looking spruce, though weather-beaten, in their low-tasselled boots, their queer old broad-skirted military coats, and looped chapeaux, Avith faded feathers fluttering in the wind, had retired to the inn, and were toasting in parting goblets, the " good old cause for ever," previously to betaking themselves to their woodland path homeward, or embark- ing in their canoes to reach their destinations by water, above or below. " Now I am content — content, I say, and can go home to reflect on this proud day. Our Governor — the man of all others — has come at last — mine eye hath seen it — drink to him gentlemen — he will do the rest for us," — cried Colonel Tom Fraser, his face flushed and fiery, and his stout frame drawn up to its full height at the head of the table. " We do — we do ! " vociferated young Kingsmill, emptying his glass, and stamping to express joy. " Bonhomme " Tom Fraser then got on his legs, and shouted a brawny young soldier's echo to the toast of his relative. The mild, placid countenance of Dr. Solomon Jones, was lighted up by the occasion, and he arose also, and responded to the toast, recounting some of the services performed by the newly aj^pointed Lieutenant-Grovernor in the late war. Captain Elijah Bottum, a large portly person, having at his side a formidable basket-hilted claymore, then addressed them in brief military phrase, and gave one of the old war slogans. Major Jessup followed in the same strain, and proposed a sentiment which was received with vociferous cheers by the younger portion of the com- pany. Captain Dulmage, Captain Campbell, Pay -master Jones, Com- missary Jones, Captain Gid. Adams, Lieutenant Samuel Adams, Ephraim Webster, Captain Markle, Captain Grant, and numerous other captains and ofiicers, managed to make themselves heard on the joyful occasion, until finally the meeting broke up, and the com- pany separated not to meet again until the next fourth day of June, in the following year." The first entry in the journals of the Executive Council of Upper Canada, gives an account of the induction of Colonel Simcoe into the gubernatorial office at Kingston. The event was made one of solem- nity and religious observance, the proceedings taking place on a Svmday, in the old church of wood, which stood opposite the market- place. We quote an extract from the proceedings of the Executive Council. 512 THE INDUCTION. Kingston, July 8, 1V92. " His Excellency John Graves Simcoe, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Upper Canada, colonel, commanding the forces in the said Province, &c., &c., having appointed the Protestant church, as a suitable place for the reading and publishing of his Majesty's commissions, he accordingly repaired thither, attended by the Hon. William Osgoode, Chief Justice ; the Hon. James Baby, the Hon. Peter Eussell, together with the Magistrates and principal inhabi- tants, when the said commission appointing his Excellency (Grey) Lord Dorchester, Captain-General and Goveriior-in-chief, &c., &c., of Upper and Lower Canada, and also the commission appointing the said John Graves Simcoe, Governor of the Province of Upper Canada, were solemnly read and published." The oaths of otiico were then administered to his Excellency. Accoi'ding to the Royal instructions to Governor Simcoe, he was to have five individuals to form the first Executive Council. The five named were William Osgoode, William Robertson, James Baby, Alexander Grant, and Peter Russell, Esqs, The next day, Monday, Osgoode, Baby, and Russell Avere sworn into office, as Executive Councillors. Robertson was not then in the Province ; Grant was sworn in a few days after. Upon the 1 7th of July, a meeting of the coimcil was held at the Government House, at Kingston, when the first steps were taken to organize a Legislative Council, and assembly writs were issued, sum- moning the gentlemen who were to form the first Legislative Council. These were, in addition to those forming the Executive Council, Richard Duncan, Robert Hamilton, Richard Cartwright, Junr., John Munro, and Ave believe, Thomas Eraser. These constituted the Legislative Council. Two of the nine, it would seem, never took upon themselves the duties of the high place thus alloted them. One was liichard Duncan, who lived at Mariatown, County of Dundas. He was a captain, and had, in I'ZSS, been appointed Judge of the Luuenburgh district. When Upper Canada became a separate province, Judge Duncan, as well as Cartwright, Judge of Meckleuburgh, were ap- pointed Legislative Councillors. Duncan was a man of extensiA^e business, and highly respected ; but " some transactions in connection Avith banking business, were so imprudent," that "he left the countiy someAA'hat abruptly for the United States," and "never dared to return," (Croil). This unfortunate aifair, AAdiatcA-er its nature may have been, probably occurred about the time of- the above mentioned GOVERNMENT OFFICERS. 513 appointment, as he shortly after romoved to Schenectady, New York, where he continued to live until his death. The other was Mr. Eobertson, a resident of Sandwich, where he had become a successful merchant. He never took his seat in the council, the reason of which does not appear. It is stated that, according to the despatches of Simcoe to the Imperial Government, he found no little difficulty in obtaining suitable })ersons to fill the offices of the Executive and Legislative Council, who would absent themselves fi-om home for the purpose. The Executive Council continued to hold meetings at Kingston up to the 21st July, when Simcoe proceeded westward, and deter- mined to make the village at the mouth of Niagara River, his capital. Upon the same day that the Governor and Council issued sum- monses to the gentlemen of the Legislative Council, the 16th July, a proclamation was likewise issued, forming the Province into Counties, and specifying the number of representatives to be elected by the people to coixStitute the Legislative Assembly. And these proclamations were speedily conveyed and posted in every settlement. The following were the officers connected with the Governor while at Newark. " Military Sec. Major Littlehales ; Provincial Aide-de-Camp, Thomas Talbot; Solicitor General, Mr. Gray; Clerk of Executive Council, Mr. Small; Civil Secretaiy, William Jarvis ; Eeceiver General, Peter Eusell ; Surveyor General, D. W. Smith ; Assistant Surveyor General, Thomas Eidout and William Chewitt." The Council Chamber was a building near to Butler's barracks on the hill, where the E^jiscopal and Catholic Churches assembled occasionally, and alternately. The first meeting of the Executive at Newark, was held on the 29th September. Ten days after this was the opening oi' Parliament. Peter Clark was appointed Clerk of the Legislative Council ; John G. Law, Usher of the Black Eod. The superintendent of the Indian department, was Colonel John Butler, of Butler's Eangers of the Eevolutionary war. John White, the first Attorney-General of Upper Canada, came to the country, accompanied by Thomas Ward, in 1792. The Dukede la Eochefoucault, Linancourt, a French nobleman, traveling in America, in 1795, visited Governor Simcoe, and remarks in his writings that " Upper Canada is a new country, or rather a country yet to be formed. It was probably for this reason General Simcoe accepted the government of it. He was fully aware of the advantages which his native land might derive from such a colony, if it attained perfection ; and imagined that means might 51.4 THE WIFE OP SIMCOE. be found adequate to this purpose. This hope was the only iucite- ment which could impel a man of independent fortune, to leave the large and beautiful estates he possesses in England, and to bury himself in a wilderness, among bears and savages. Ambition, at least, ajjpears not to have been his motive; as a man, in Gen. Simcoe's situation, is furnished with abundant means of distinguish- ing himsel by useful activity, without removing to a great distance from his native country. But, whatever have been his motives, his design has been attended with consequences highly beneficial. The plan conceived by General Simcoe for peopling and improving Upper Canada, seems, as far as he has communicated to us, extremely wise and well arranged." The same writer says, that Simcoe had. a hearty hatred against the United States, that he had been a zealous promoter of the war, in which he took a very active part. " In his private life Governor Simcoe is simple, plain, and obliging. He inhabits a small miserable wooden house, which formerly was occu- pied by the Commissaries. His guard consists of four soldiers, who every morning come from the fort, and retui-n thither in the evening. He lives in a noble and hospitable manner, without pride. Mrs. Simcoe is a lady of thirty-six years of age. She is bashful, and speaks little, but she is a woman of sense, handsome and amiable, and fulfils all the duties of a mother and wife with the most scrupulous exactness. The performance of the latter she- carries so far as to act the part of Secretary to her husband. Her talents for drawing, the practice of Avhich she confines to maps and plans, to enable her to be extremely useful to the Governor." The " The Governor is colonel of a regiment of Queen's Eangers, sta- tioned in the Province. His servants are jiiivates of this regiment WJbich is stationed elsewhere." During our residence at Navy Hall, the Session of the Legis- lature of Upper Canada was opened. (This was 1795). The Gover- nor had deferred it till that time, on account of the expected arrival of a Chief Justice from England, and from a hope that he should be able to acquaint the members with the particulars of the treaty with the United States. But the harvest has now begun, wiiich in a higher degree than elsewhere engages, in Canada, the public attention. Two members of the Legislative Council were present instead of seven; no Chief Justice ajipeared who was to act as Speaker ; instead of sixteen members of the Assembly only five attended. The law requires a greater number of members for each House, to discuss and determine upon any business, but within simcoe's lieutenants. . 515 two day.s a year will have expired since the last Session. The Governor has therefore thought it right to open the Session. The whole retinue of the Governor consisted in a guard of fifty men of the gai'rison of the fort. Dressed in silk, he entered the Hall with his hat on his head, attended by the Adjutant and two Secretaries. The two members of the Legislative Council gave, by their Speaker, notice of it to the Assembly. Five members of the latter having appeared at the bar, the Governor delivei-ed a speech," &c. When Simcoe undertook the administration of the newly established Province, a proclamation Avas issued which divided the Province into nineteen counties. In the creation of this division, Simcoe had a view to military oi'ganization. Eochefaucault says, " The maxims of government professed by Gen. Simcoe are very liberal and fair ; he detests all arbitrary and military govern- ment, without the walls of the fort; and desires liberty in its utmost latitude, so far as is consistent Avith the constitution and law of the land. He is, therefore, by no means ambitious of invest- ing all power and authority in his own hands ; but consents to the Lieutenants, whom he nominates for each county, the right of appointing the Justices of the Peace, and Officers of the IvLilitia." " A Justice of the Peace could assign, in the King's name, 200 acres of land to every settler, whopx he knew to be worthy, and the surveyor of the district was to point out to the settler the land allotted him." — (Eogers). Simcoe desired to populate the Province as speedily as possible, no doubt he felt anxious the United States should not get too far ahead. The schemes conceived by him for the settlement, government, and defence of the Province, have received the approval of most men capable of judging. But he remained not to cany out the plan intended. In 1796, shortly after the close of the first session of the second Parliament, he was ii5structed by the Imperial authorities to repair to St. Domingo, to assume the same duties ; and the Hon. Peter Eussell, President of the Council, was delegated to discharge the duties belonging to the office of Governor, and he enjoyed all the emoluments and pei-qui- sites arising therefrom. During the occupancj^of Simcoe, an event came to pass which may be here appropriately referred to. It was a visit to Upper Canada of the Duke of Kent, father of our much loved Queen. Prince Edward was stationed at Quebec with his regiment, having arrived a short time before the division of the Province of Quebec, and consequently before Simcoe came. Desiring to see the Upper 516 i;he queen's father at Niagara. Province, he set out in a calashe, drawn by a French pony, accom- panied by his suite. At Montreal he took a batteau, manned with Frenchmen, for Kingston. At Oswegotchie, "the royal party was met by a pleasure barge from Kingston, manned by seamen and military, accompanied by Peter Clark, of the Naval Depart- ment at Kingston." From thence they were speedily rowed to Kingston, where the King's schooner, the ' Mohawk,' Commodore Bouchette, commander, was in waiting to receive him. The Prince went on board, and after a tedious passage, safely reached Newark, where he was received by the firing of guns. " As soon as horses and saddles could be mustered, the royal party wended their way by a narrow river road on the high banks of the Niagara river to the Falls. The only tavern, or place of accommodation, was a log hut for travelers to refresh themselves. There, the party alighted, and, after partaking of such refreshments as the house afforded, followed an Indian path through the woods to the Table Rock, There was a rude Indian ladder by which to descend to the rocks below, 160 feet. This consisted of a long pine tree with the branches cut off, leaving length enough at the trunk to place the foot upon, and hold on by the hands, in ascending or descending. (This Indian ladder continued in use several year? later, when it was superseded by a ladder furnished from mone}', given by a lady from Boston to the guidej. Our illustrious traveler availed himself of this rude mode of descent. The Prince and party lunched at the Hon. Mr. Hamilton's on their way back. In the evening, the Prince was amused by a war dance by the Mohawks, headed by Brant himself. The next day, the Prince re-embarked, and proceeded to Quebec. There is a tradition in Marysburgh that he stopped on his way down in Smith's Bay, to admire the beauty of that place. i GENERAL BROCK. 51>7 CIIAPTEE LIX. Contents — General Hunter — Peter Russell — Francis Gore, 1806 — Alex. Grant — Brock — 1812 — United States declare war — Prompt action — Parliament — Pro- clamation — The issue — SL^coud proclamation — General Hull — His proclama- tion — Bomliast and impertinence — The Indians — Proclamation answered — Hull a prisoner — Michigan conquered — To Niagara — At Queenston heights — " Push on York Volunteers "—Death of Brock— McDonnell— War of 1812, the Americans — Exti'act from Merritt — What Canadians did — Brock's monu- ment — General Sheaffe — General Drummond— Invading the States — What Canada will do — Lord Sydenham — A tribute by Dr. Ryerson — Union of the Provinces. THE GOVERNORS OF UPPER CANADA, FROM SIMCOE TO LORD SYDENHAM. Lieutenant General Peter Hunter, who had been Colonel of the 24th Eegiment stationed at Newark, was the second Governor for Upper Canada; his accession to office was on the ITth August, 1799. During the two previous years, Hon. Peter Eussell had been Presi- dent. He continued to hold the position until his death, which took place at Quebec, 21st August, 1865. His age was sixty-nine. The third Governor of Ujiper Canada was His Excellency Francis Gore, who assumed the gubernatorial functions on tlie 25th August, 1806. In the interim between this period and the death of Huntei", the Hon. Alexander Grant having been President, The reign of Gore was one of ease. No conflicting parties as yet dis- turbed the political arena of the Province. Year after year he con- vened Parliament, which enacted laws for the growing requirements of the colony, with a degree of harmony not subsequently present. In 1811, he resigned, when Sir Isaac Brock became President, upon the 30th Sej^tember. Although but the President, and not a Lieu- tenant-Governor, he requires some notice. General Brock. — In the year 1812, in June, the United States declared war against Great Britain, ostensibly, on the question of the right of England to take her seamen from Amei'ican vessels to which they had deserted ; but, in reality, the object of the war was to acquire Canada, and as England was engaged with an European war, it was deemed a favorable opportunity by President Madison to subjugate the people whom they had once dispossessed of their inheritance. The declaration of war was quickly made known to General Brock, even sooner than the enemy thought j^ossible, who promptly took necessary stejjs to secure the defence of the Pro- vince, against the dastardly intentions of the invader. On the 20th 518 " CAN NEVER BE CONQUERED." June, he issued orders to Captain Eoberts, at St. Joseph, which issued ill the capture of Fort Michilmacinae, Avith seventy men, beside valuable cargoes of furs. On the 28th July, he met the Parliament at' York, which continued in session eight days, and sent forth a proclamation to the people, with these concluding re- marks : '' We are engaged in an awful and eventful contest. By unanimity in our councils, and by vigor in our operations, we may teach the enemy this lesson, that a country defended by freeman, enthusiastically devoted to the cause of their King and constitution, can never be conquered." Eemarkable words ! How true the sentiments. And so, animated by this belief, strong in the con- sciousness of right, indignant at an unprincipled foe, he went on his way showing to all an example of " vigor," and displaying the bravery which freemen alone know how to practice, until in the hour of victory, death overtook him on Queenston Heights, The address of Groneral Brock was supplemented by one from the Legis- lative Assembly, and no excuse need be offered for introducing it here in extenso. It ought to be read by ever}' Canadian, and the truths it contains made known to the rising generation, that they ma}' know the history of the fathers of those who suppoi-t Fenian- isra. Know how unscrupulous the neighbours we have upon our southern borders, have ever been. " Alread}' have we the joy to remark, that the spirit of loyalty has burst forth in all its ancient splendour. The militia in all parts of the Province have volunteered their services with accla- mation, and displayed a degree of energy worthy the British name. " They do not forget the blessings and privileges which they enjoy under the protection and fostering care of the British Empire, whose government is only felt in this country by acts of the purest justice and most pleasing and efficacious benevolence. When men are called upon to defend everything they call precious, their wives and children, their friends and professions, they ought to be inspired with the noblest resolutions, and they will not be easily frightened by menaces, or conquered by force. And, beholding as we do, the flame of patriotism, burning from the one end of the Canadas to the other, wc cannot but entertaia the most pleasing anticipations. Our ejiemies have indeed said that they can subdue this country by proclamation ; but it is our ]Kirt to prove to them, that they are sadly mistaken ; that the population is determinedly hostile, and that the few who might be otherwise inclined, will find it their safety to be faithful. Innumerable attempts will be made, by false- brock's address. 519 hood, to detach you from your allegiance, for our enemies, in imita- tion of their European master, trust more to treachery than to force, and they will, no doubt, make use of many of those lies, which unfortunately, for the virtuous part of those States, and the peace and happiness of the world, had too much success during the American rebellion ; they will tell you that they are come to give you freedom, yes, the base slaves of the most contemptible faction that ever dis- tracted the aifairs of any nation, — the minions of the very syco- phants who lick the dust from the feet of Bounaparte, will tell you that they are come to communicate the blessing of liberty to this Province; but you have only to look at your situation to put such hypocrites to confusion. Trusting more to treachery than open hostility, our enemies have already spread their emmissaries through the country to seduce our fellow-subjects from their allegiance, by promises as false as the principles on which they are founded. A law has therefore been enacted for the speedy detection of such emmissaries, and for their condign punishment on conviction. Eemember when you go forth to the combat, that you fight, not for yourselves alone, but for the whole world. You are defeating the most formidable conspiracy against^the civilization of man that ever was contrived. Persevere as you have begun, in your strict obedience to the laws, and your attention to military discipline ; deem no sacrifice too costly, which secures the enjoyment of our happy constitution ; follow, with your countrymen in Britain, the paths of virtue, and like them, you shall triumjih over all your un- principled foes." This address was followed by a second one from General Brock, on the 22nd July, 1812, in which he reviewed an address which had been issued by the American General, who had invited the Canadians to seek voluntarily, the protection of his govern- ment ; also the threat to show no quarter if the Indians appeared in the ranks; Brock eloquently defended their right to defend their' homes against an invading foe. General Brock having prorogued Parliament, pushed on to the scene of Hull's invasion, where he' had issued a proclamation to the Canadians characterised by absurdity, falsehood, and Yankee brag. Indeed, it seems quite impossible for any American General to indite an address or proclamation, without exposing himself to ridicule. Having already collected an army at Detroit, General Hull, the commanding officer, crossed over to Sandwich on the Canadian side, and issued the following modest ! address to the 520 hull's address. "Inhabitants op Canada." — "After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the United States have been driven to arms. The injuries and agressions, the insults and indignities of Great Britain, have once more left them no alternative but namely, resistance or unconditional submission. The army under my command has invaded your country, and the standard of Union now waves over the territory of Canada. To the peaceable and unoffending inhabitants it brings neither danger nor diffi- culty. I come to find enemies, not to make them. I come to protect, not to injure you. Separated by an immense ocean, and an extensive wilderness, from Great Britain, you have no participation in her councils, nor interest in her conduct. You have felt the tyranny, you have seen her injustice, but I do not ask you to avenge the one or i-edress the other. The United States are sufficiently powerful to afford you every securit}^ consistent with their rights, and your expectations. I tender you the invaluable blessings of civil, political, and religious liberty, and their necessary result, individual and general prosperity ; that liberty which gave decision to our councils, and energy to our conduct, in our struggle for in- dependence, and which conducted us safely and triumphantlj^ through the stormy period of the Eevolution. That liberty which has raised us to an elevated rank among nations of the world, and which has afforded lis a greater measure of peace and security, of wealth and imjn'ovement, than ever fell to the lot of any peojile. In the name of m}^ country, and by the authority of my country, and by the authority of my government, I promise protection to your persons, property, and rights. Eemain at your homes, pursue your peaceful and customary avocations ; raise not your hands against your brethren, many of your fathers fought for the freedom and independence we now enjoy. Being children, therefore, of the same famil}- with us, and heirs of the same heritage, the arrival of my army of friends must be hailed by you with a cordial welcome. You will l)e emancipated from tyrany and oppression, and restored to the dignified station of free men. Had I any doubt of eventual success, I might ask your assistance, but I do not. I come prepared for every contingency, I have a force which will look down all opposition — and that force is but the vanguard of a much greater. If contrary to your own interests, and the just expectation of my countr}^, you will be considered and treated as enemies, the horrors and calamities of war will stalk before you. If the barbarous and savage policy of Great Britain be pursued, and the savages are ANSWER TO THE ADDRESS. 521 let loose to murder our citizens, and butcher our women and chil- dren, this war will be a war of extermination. The first stroke of the tomahawk, the first attempt with the scalping knife, will be the signal of one indiscriminate scene of desolation. No white man found fighting by the side of an Indian, will be taken pi-isoner ; instant destruction will be his lot. If the dictates of reason, duty, justice, and humanity, cannot pi*event the employment of a force which respects no right, and knows no wrongs, it will be prevented by a severe and relentless system of retaliation. I doubt not your courage and firmness; I will not doubt your attachment to liberty. If you tender 3'our services voluntarily, they will be accepted readily. The United States ofier you peace, libertj^, and security. Your choice lies between these and war, slavery, and destruction. Choose then, but choose wisely ; and may he who knows the justice of our cause, and who hold in his hands the fate of nations, guide you to a result the most compatible with your rights and interests, you peace and prosperit}*." But it was not long till the same Gen. Hull was a prisoner among them, and in his journey from Detroit to Quebec he had abundant opportunity of seeing not only the loyalty of the Canadians, but that they knew how to treat a conquered foe with considera- tion — that without crying it out they could grant every " protec- tion " to their ancient foe, notwithstanding the cruel treatment thc}^ had sustained when made exiles. On the 18th July, with the intrepidity characteristic of the British officer, Brock crossed the Detroit, advanced upon the town with his brave militia and handful of regular troops, and demanded of Gen. Hull the surrender of the place, following up the demand with preparations to assault; but soon the white flag appeared, and Gen. Hull, so brave in writing proclamations, with the whole American army, became prisoners of war. The}' were conveyed to Quebec in parties, some going by vessels of war from. York to Kingston, .some in small boats along the shore and across the Carrying Place, by the Bay of Quinte. Most of them were con- fined in hulks in the St. Lawrence, at Quebec, where thej' remained until exchanged. Gen. Brock after this brilliant conquest of Detroit, which included the whole of Michigan, lost no time in hastening to the Niagara frontier, where another army was threat- ening to invade. Upon the 12th October the Americans were preparing to cross from Lewiston to Queenston. Gen. Brock was at Fort George, m2 THE DEATH OF BROCK. Niagara, and hearing the cannon's sound, hun-ied to the l^eld of battle. lie phioed himself at the head of the troops, and trium- phantly led them up the heights of Queenston, against the enemy, who had obtained a footing there ; but with the deep river between them and safety, the enemy rallied for a time in a struggle for life, and Brock's men, inferior in numbei'j retired, until his reinforce- ments had come, for which he would not previously wait. Then again he essayed to lead them on, but his hour had come, and while his cheering voice was ringing out "Push on York Volun- teers," a musket ball struck him down. But the spirit of the brave G-eneral was infused into every Canadian. As soon as Gen. Sheaffe had arrived they advanced to conquer the polluters of Canadian soil. Again the whole American army became prisoners of war, and had the privilege of marching the length of the Province to Quebec, and Gen. Scott among the rest, who was favored with a passage down the Bay of Quinte. Gen. Brock's Aide-de-Camp, McDonnell also fell, mortally wounded. Brock was buried in a bastion of Fort George, but subsequently his remains found a restina; place upon the heights where he fell, and where now rises the monument to his memory. This illustrious Chief was much beloved by the Canadians, and he was held in great veneration. To him — to the energetic and heroic Brock is due to a great extent the ^^ubsequent success by which the enemy, ever boasting, was kept at bay, so that when jDeace was sought by the United States, after three jetxrs of war, because England, no longer at war at home, was about to deal heavy blows, there was not a foot of Canadian territory in the enemy's posses- sion. Of Gen. Brock the Hon. William H. Merrit, in 1853, speaks as follows : "It will be in the recollection of many now present, that in the commencement of the war of 1812, only one regiment of British troops, the 48th, was left to defend Upper Canada, from Kingston to Michilimackinac, a distance of one thousand miles, and during the whole campaign, only two companies of the 48th could be spared on this frontier. Although this fact is one of the most striking events connected with that war, it has never yet been brought prominently before the public ; yet it clearly proves that the defence of Canada, then rested with its inhabitants. We find that though they consisted principally of the old U. E. Loyalists and their descendants, the native Indians who had been dispos- SHEAPFE — DRUMMOND. 523 sessed of their possessions in the United States, and their descen- dants, together with residents from the United States — emigration from the Mother Country not having been commenced to any extent, — a population thus composed, not exceeding in Upper Canada, at most 90,000, without troops, without munitions of war, without resoiu'ces, and without the least expectation of any timely aid from the mother country, with a few troops, unable to contend against a powerful nation, numbering about 8,000,000, with munitions of war, and resources without limit, within a comparative short distance from maritime cities, also numerous forces at command, of which they were not slow of apprising us, in the proclamations circulated from time to time, — it was under those circumstances that the character and ability of Sir Isaac Brock were brought to light. Well knowing on whom he had to depend for the defence of the country, he directed his personal attention to the clothing, arms, equipment, mess, and personal comfort of the militia, and took every opportunity of gaining the good will of the Indians." The estimation in which General Brock was held by the people of the Province, was duly evinced by Parliament in passing an act, 14th March, 1815, " to provide for the erection of a monument to the memory of the late president. Major General Sir Isaac Brock." The value of his wisdom, his councils, his energy, his wise plans, as well as his bravery, and the effects thereof, are fully set forth in the preamble. It was reiolved to grant £1,000 for the purpose referred to, and erect the monument at Queenston Heights. Thomas Dickson, Thomas Clark, and Eobert Nichol, Esquires, were appointed commissioners to carry out the act. In January, 1826, an act was passed granting £600 more " to complete the monument on a scale which appears to the commissioners worthy of the object." Major General Sheaffe, became President, 20th October, 1812, and continued in office until January 19, 1813, when Major General de Eottenburgh assumed -the office, and remained until December 12, of the same year. At this date Lieutenant General Sir Gordon Drummond was inducted as President. It was immediately after this that the infamous Ame- rican General McClure, set fire to NcAvark when unprotected, burning 150 houses, and leaving 400 women and children homeless in the middle of December. This act of villany was fully avenged by General Drummond. Having occupied Fort George, a night attack was made upon Fort Niagara, with brilliant success. Then, 524 LORD SYDENHAM. the burning of Newark was remembered, and from Lewiston to Buffalo the frontier was laid waste, including those two towns. In this connection, we would remark, that in the event of another war with the United States, it would be no doubt the policy of Canada to make frequent disastrous raids into the States, wherever the oppox'tunity presented. The Americans may as well understand that destruction of property will not be all on one side. These brief sketches of the first Lieutenant-Governors of Upper Canada, will be finished by alluding to one who devised the scheme of uniting the two Canadas, who successfully accomplished that noble design, and became the first Govei-nor of United Canada. He fixed the capital at Kingston, as the most central place suitable for both Provinces, indeed, it is generally understood, that it was a part of the plan when the union was made, that Kingston should become the permanent seat of government. "It virtually formed part of the contract between the respective provinces." But with the death of Lord Sydenham, also died the oj^portunity of Kingston remaining the capital of Canada. Lord Sydenham died at Kingston, in September, 1841, and wa« buried beneath St. George's Church. Says Dr. Eycrson, in an affecting letter communicated to the public at that time: " Unlike the close of the session of legislature, which was ever held in either Province of Canada, the termination of the late session will produce throughout Canada the opposite feeling© of grateful joy, and melan- chol}^ grief The same post which conveys to the people of Canada, the tidings of the harmonious and happy conclusion of a session unprecedented in the productiveness of comprehensive and valuable measures for the general improvement and social and intellectual elevation of the province, conveys to them the appalling announce- ment that death has terminated the earthly career of the noble mind which conceived those imj)rovements and originated those institutions which will form a golden era in the annals of Canadian history, by laying the foundation of Canadian prosperity and great- ness. While blessings are multiplied us, the agent of those bless- ings is removed from us, and our country is, at the same moment, thrilled with joy and consternation — and on the same day vocal with thanksgiving and clothed in sackcloth ; luminous with hope and involved in mourning. Thus do the strokes of Providential chas- tisement accompany the outbeamings of Providential munificence; and the brightest picture of human life is shaded with disappoint- ment, suffering, and bereavement. It is in heaven only that death is unknown, that pain is never felt, and tears are never shed. HIS ACTS. 525 "Lord Sydenham belongs essentially to Canada. His nobility- was fairly earned in her service ; the ripest fruits of his experience and acquirements are embodied in her institutions ; his warmest and latest sympathies are blended with her interests ; his mortal remains repose, by choice, among her dead ; and his name is indeli- bly inscribed in the affectionate esteem and grateful recollections of her inhabitants. " It is not easy to determine which is most worthy of admiration, the comprehensiveness and grandeur of Lord Sydenham's plans, the skill with which he overcame the obstacles that opposed their accomplishment, or the quenchless ardor and ceaseless industry with which he pursued them. To lay the foundations of public liberty, and at the same time to strengthen the prerogative ; to promote vast public improvements, and not increase the public burdens ; to promote a comprehensive system of education upon Christian principles, without interfering with religious scruples ; to promote the influence and security of the government b}^ teaching the people to govern themselves ; to destroy party faction by pro- moting the general good ; to invest a bankrupt country with both credit and resources, are conceptions and achievements which render Lord Sydenham the first benefactor of Canada, and place him in the first rank of statesmen. His Lordship found a country divided, he left it united ; he found it prostrate and paralytic, he left it erect and vigorous ; he found it mantled with despair, he left it blooming with hope. Lord Sydenham has done more in two years to strengthen and consolidate British power in Canada by his match- less industr}", and truly liberal conservative policy, than have been done during the ten previous years by the increase of a standing army, and the erection of military fortifications. His Lordship has solved the difficult problem, that a people maybe colonists and yet be free ; and, in the solution of that problem, he has gained a triumj^h less imposing, but not less sublime and scarcely less important, than the victory of Waterloo ; he has saved millions to England, and secured the affections of Canada. " In the way of accomplishing these splended i"esults, the most formidable obstacles oppose themselves. At the foundation of these lay the hitherto defective theoiy, and worse than defective system of Colonial Government ; a system destitute of the safety-valve of responsibility, of the attributes of freedom, and of the essential materials of executive power ; a system which was despotic from its weakness, and arbitrary from its pretences to representation ; a system inefficient in the hands of good men, and withering in the hands of mistaken or bad men." 526 NIAGARA IN 1788. CHAPTEE LX. Contents — Kingston — First capital — First act of goA'orunient — Niagara — Select- ing the capital — Niagara in 1788 — Carrj'ing Place — Landing Place — Newark —In 1795— Mr. Hamilton— The inhabitants — Little York— The Don— The Harbor — SurAC)' — De la Trcnche — London — Inhabitants of the Don — Yonge Street, a military road — Governor at York — Castle Frank — York in 1798 — The Baldwins— In 1806— Buffalo — York, 1813 — Taken by the Americans — The Combatants — Toronto — " Muddy York"' — A monument required. THE CAPITALS OF UPPER CANADA. The site of the old Fort Frontenac, the first township to be surveyed, and the ijlace whereon to form the first viHage in Western Canada, was in reality the first capital of Upper Canada. Here the first Governor was inducted solemnly upon a Sabbath to his office; here he formed his first cabinet, the Executive Council; here he selected the gentlemen to form his first Legislative Council ; here he issued his pro lamations forming the province into counties and arranging the representation. Although the first Parliament did not meet here, the first acts of government were here performed, and public documents w^ere dated at " the Government House, Kingston, 1792." We have elsewhere spoken of Niagara River and the early French Fort here erected, and its capture by the English, We have learned that the place was garrisoned by troops during the rebellion, and that many refugees here found a safe retreat. Lord Dorchester desired Simcoe to make Kingston the capital of the new province. But he was unwilling to do so until he had informed himself of the advantages which other places might otfer. It seems that he became impressed with the belief that the seat of government should be placed in the peninsula of Upper Canada, and finally determined to fix it at the mouth of the Eiver Niagara, notwithstanding the recommendation of Dorchester, the wishes of Bouchette, the Commodore of the Navy, and the urgent requests of the Kingston merchants. Collins in his report 1788, speaks of Navy Hall, near Niagara; that the buildings of Navy Hall, are for the most p)art in exceeding bad repair, and the wharf is in ruins. Of the Ranger's Barracks one pile has been so far dismantled as to be past re-establishing, one end indeed, might perhaps, with some fitting up, be made to serve for some time as a blacksmith's shop to the Indian Department, which THE CARRYING PLACE. 527 they say is much wanted ; the other pile is capable of being repaired^ and might also answer for a temporaiy accommodation, (at least in part) this same department, their storehouses, &c., on the Niagara side as already observed being in absolute ruin and not repairable ; the titling up of this pile of buildings would cost about £35. The storehouse at the landing place, which is of round log work, is mostly rotten, and altogether in exceeding bad repair, and should be rebuilt; the dwelling house is much out of repair. The ways, wharf, cradle, and capstan, want some repair, which may be done for about £20, all the picketing and small platforms in the angles of Fort Schlosser, are rotten and in a tottering state, part of the wharf has been wa,shed away, and the remainder cannot last long.- The barracks and store houses are not in much better condition, they have been kept standing by the temporary repairs which have been annually performed, merely to keep the Aveather out. " From j!:^iagara to the landing place, below the Falls, is about seven miles and a quarter, there is a tolerable good road, but the merchandise, store, &c., are carried up the river in batteaux or vessels, thex'e being sufficient depth of water all the way up, and also alongside the wharf to unload, beyond this place the current becomes too strong to proceed any further by water without great difficulty, boats, indeed, but not vessels, go about half a mile higlier, but no advantage" can be obtained from it as the shore then becomes impi-acticable, being a precipice of loose rock about three times as high as where the present landing is. From the wharf at the landing, goods arc drawn up the side ot the bank about tifiy feet high upon ways, on easy slope by a capstan fixed at the top ; from this place there is a waggon road of seven miles to Fort Schlosser, a mile and a half above the Falls, where the goods are again j^ut into boats and carried up eighteen miles to Fort Erie, fi'om whence they are conveyed in vessels acro.-!S Lake Erie to Detroit. " I think a better situation for a landing place might be chosen below the present one, about half a mile distant by laud, and three- quarters by w^ater. The bank of the river here is not half the height of the other ; the water is sufficiently deep at a short dis- tance from the shore for vessels to unload ; and by raising a wharf and lowering some of the bank for a road, the labor and delay of hauling goods up by ways, as is the present practice, and would be avoided ; it would also be much more convenient and expeditious for vessels to come up to, as the worst part of the navigation Avould 528 NEWARK. be avoided, which in passing round a point between this place and the landing. The length of road to be made from this proposed landing place, Avill be about half a mile, but it is mostl}' good ground and will not require mneh expense. The real length of land car- riage, however, to Fort Schlosser, will not be increa.- ever. At the same time competent school teachers for the young were not to be had. With a population made up of such material, the question might be asked with becoming seriousness, " Where are we to get our representative men to carry out responsible government as accorded to the young province of Upper Canada ? Many of the first Assembly men were not possessed of book learning, and all along the list of those who have been M.P.P.'s, up to the present, may be found very many who were limited in their educa- tion. Yet, the first members convened in the tent, on the green slopes of Niagara, discharged their duty with much decorum and despatch. It would be an interesting chapter to introduce some account of the first members of Parliament, and the political contests in the early days of Upper Canada. In the absence of complete infor- mation, we give such items relating thereto as have come under notice. We have already given the names of those elected to the first Parliament. Among the early members was James Wilson, of Prince Edwai'd, he was first elected in 1808, or 9, and remained a member for some twenty-four years. Simeon Washburn, was also a member for a time. Allen McLean, in a notice dated Kingston, 18th May, 1812, says " To the independent electors of the County of Frontenac. Having had the honor of representing you at three successive Par- liaments, I again make you a tender of my services, and beg leave to solicit your votes and interest at the ensuing election." Amos Ansley, Esq., says, in an address, dated at Kingston, May 20, 1812 : " To the Electors of the County of Frontenac. Having had the honor to represent this County in the first founda- tion of its happy constitution, I again make you a tender of my services, and beg leave to solicit your votes and interest, &c." James Cotter, of Sophiasburg, was elected to Parliament in 1813, and served four years. A man of sterling integrity, and good common sense may make a useful Member, if he be not egotistical. In recording the early events of the Bay, we must not hesitate to mention an incident which, at the time, created no little comment with the public, but brought chagrin to an M. P. P. A member, 542 MAGISTRATES — LAWYERS. who shall be nameless, whose early advantages for education had been extremely limited, but with any amount of self-confidenoe, was, on one occasion, sarcastically, but humorously, brought to task in the Kingston Herald^ by an anonymous writer. The mem- ber replied, and in so doing, " copied verbatim, nearly the whole of the first part of Sir William Draper's letter to Junius, dated Jan. 26, 1769, in defence of his friend Lord Granby, over his own signa- ture, Macaulay, a3'oung lawyer of Bath, noticed the plagiarism, and exposed the M. P.P.," which we believe, resulted in the political demise of that individual. THE EARLY ADMINISTRATION OP JUSTICE. For two years. Upper Canada, after becoming a distinct Province, was without any lawyers. But, in 1794, such a number of Acts were found upon the statute books, that it was necessary to create some to interpret, not mystify the law. It was provided that his " Majesty should appoint not more than sixteen, whom he should deem, from their probity, education, and condition of life, best qualified to receive the license to practice law." This appointment ot lawyers by the Executive, gave rise to an expression of derision in after days, of "heaven-born lawyers." The first lawyer appointed in Johnson District, was Samuel Shei'wood, who had studied law two or three years with lawyer Walker, of Montreal. Jacob Farand, was the first lawyer in the Eastern District. Allen McLean, the first lawyer for Kingston, and Mr. Hagerman, the first for the Bay Quinte. — (See U. E. Loyalists). James Clarke was appointed for Niagara District; also, William Dickson, of Niagara, and Angus McDonald for Cornwall. After the formation of Ujjper Canada into a Province, a number of magistrates were apj^ointed to each District, to form a Court of Quarter Sessions. The four gentlemen who had been the judges of Lunenburgh, Meckten burgh, Nassau, and Hesse, respectively, no longer had so extensive a jurisdiction. We have no further informa- • tion of Robertson, in this respect, and Duncan left the Province. But Cartwright and Hamilton continued to fill the same positions, as chairmen of the Quarter Sessions, in their respective Districts. After the death of Cartwright, in the Midland District, Colonel Thompson was appointed to the ofiice, and his successor was Alex. Fisher, of Adolphustown. John Ferguson was also Judge of the District Court. MAGISTRATES IN MIDLAND DISTRICT. 543 Among the first appointments for magistrates, was Thomas Sherwood, of Leeds. Also, Dr. Solomon Jones, who was afterward Judge of the District Court. Chai'les Stuart, Esq., was, for many years. Sheriff of the Midland District; he died while yet young, in 1816. The first Sherifi" of Niagara District, was Alex. McDonnell ; the next was Barrack- master Clark, and afterwards Thomas Merritt was appointed. Among the first, probablj' the first, magistrates appointed in Thurlow, were Col. "Wm. Bell, Col. Hazelton, and James McNabb. Most likely Bell had the commission before the others. Bell generally held his Court of Eequests at Mrs. Simpson's Inn. On 19th April, 1822, it was held at the house of John Taylor. k DIYISIO]Sr X. THE EARLY MILITIA OF UPFER CANADA. CHAPTER LXn. Contents. — Militia Act, 1792 — Simcoe — No faith in the Americans — His views — Military Eoads — Division of Districts — Military purposes — The officers — Legislation — The expenses — Repeated Legislation — Aggressive spirit — The Enrolment — Hastings Battalion — "Something brewing '' — List of Officers — Col. Ferguson — Col. Bell — Leeds Militia — Officers' Clothing — The Midland District — Prince Edward — Training Places. THE mLITIA. Any magisterial power that the military commanders of the first settlers may have possessed was lost by the proclamation of Lord Dorchester, in 1788, forming Upper Canada into districts, and appointing to each a staff of civil officers. From this period until 1792, after the meeting of the second session of the First Parliament, the military organization was a dead matter, although there must have been in force some law relating to such, inasmuch as the first Act passed at this Session was " for the better regula- tion of the Militia in this Province." Governor Simcoe was a man of a military turn of mind. He had taken an active part against the American rebels, and he con- tinued to entertain strong feelings of hostility to the American cause, believing not in the integrity of their professed principles. In many respects he was a well chosen person to take charge of a people who had been under a military rule, and who shared his antipathy to the republican people. Not only did Simcoe conceive schemes of settling the forests, and improving it, but also for secur- ing the country against attack, likewise of drawing into the country many who he believed remained in the States because they could not help themselves, and to whom the Republican form of government was exceedingly distasteful. Simcoe never felt any MILITARY DIVISIONS. 545 doubt about his ability to defend the Province against the Ameri- cans, and he even had vague ideas that he might concentrate a force of sufficient strength upon Upper Canada soil, to enable him to invade the States, with a good prospect of success. Imbued with these views, and animated by such feelings and desires, he lost no time in taking the necessary steps to organize and train the Militia, and to establish a Naval force for the Lakes. The regular soldiers under his immediate command were put at work to cut roads, one from Lake Ontario to the Thames, which was called the Dundas road, the other from Lake Ontario to the Lake Simcoe, which has received the name of Yonge Street. The four districts of Upper Canada were subdivided into counties. This division was, according to Kochfoucault, who visited Simcoe, and procui-ed his information from him, " into counties is purely military, and relates merely to the enlisting, completing and assembling of the Militia. The counties are about twelve in number. The Militia of each county are assembled and commanded by a Lieutenant ; they must be divided into regiments and companies. They assemble once a year in each county, and are inspected by the Captains of the different companies, at least twice a year. Every male inhabitant is considered a militia man from the age of sixteen to fifty. He is fined four dollars if he does not enlist at the proper time ; and officers, both commissioned and non-commissioned, who do not join their regiments at the time the militia is assembled, pay a fine, the former of eight dollars, and the latter of two. An officer who, in case of insurrection, or an attack, who should not repair to his assigned post, would be pun- ished with a pecuniary penalty of £50, and a petty officer with a fine of £20. A militia man who sells either the whole, or a part of his arms, amunition or accoutrements, is fined £5, and in default of payment, imprisoned for two mouths. The Quakers, Baptists, and Tunkers, pay, in time of peace, twenty shillings a year; and during a war of insurrection, five pounds sterling fbr their exemiD- tion from military service. Out of these fines and ransoms the AdjutantrGeneral of the Militia receives his pay, and the remainder is at the Governor's disposal. This is nearly the substance of the first act of the legislative body of Upper Canada, passed in 1T93." The following year an additional Act passed, relative to the Militia, the chief regulations of which tended to improve and define more accui-ately the internal form of the regiments, battalions and companies, and to render the assembling of detachments more easy 35 ^& simcoe's designs. and expeditious. This Act determines, that, in time of war, the obligation to carry arms in defence of the country shall not cea«e before the age of sixty, and that, of consequence, Quakers and others who enjoy exemption from military service, shall pay for their immu- nity up to that age. It also obliges the militia to serve on board of ships and vessels, to act as cavalry, and to extend their service be- yond the Province, on condition, however, that the same men be no^ bound to serve more than six months successively. The exemptions from military service are confined to the officers of justice, and other public functionaries, whose number is very small. The whole militia is estimated at nine thousand men. All the expenses of the civil and military administration of Upper and Lower Canada are defrayed by England." The expense, including money and presents to the Indians, "amounts for Upper Canada to one hundred thousand pounds." In all the measures introduced by Simcoe and passed into law by ^Parliament, can be discovered a military mind actively at work. The arrangements by which he endeavored to settle the country — to secure it against invasion — to keep alive a spirit of military ardor — to keep aglow the flame of patriotism, a love for the mother country, were eminently judicious and commendable. There is no doubt that the military spirit of Simcoe was pleasing to the old soldier- farmers, and in them he found willing and zealous abettors of his military schemes. Had it not been for the short-sighted policy of Lord Dorchester, who, it is averred, became envious of his Lieutenant- Governor, and tried to thwart the designs, and had he not succeeded in having him re-called before time allowed for carrying out those designs, there can be no doubt that Upper Canada would have advanced more rapidly than she subsequently did advance, and would have far surpassed any State in the Union. In 1797, an act for still further regulation of the militia was passed ; but the nature of it does not appear in the statutes. There was also passed an " Act for the better securing the pro- vince against the King's enemies." In 1801, there was still further legislation, and again in 1808, when there was '•' an act to explain, amend, and reduce to one act of Parliament the several laws now in being for the raising and training of the militia." And a suitable salary was to be allowed to the Adju- tant-General. Legislation at this time was deemed necessary,because of the aggressive spirit manifested by the United States. The game of conqiiest was already begun by the selfish statesmen of America, THE ENROLMENT. 547 and even foul means were being adopted to subvert British power on the continent. The year prior, Lower Canada had taken stepa under Mr. Dunn, to proteci themselves against a wily enemy. General Brock was earnestly engaged in perfecting the defences of Quebec. In 1809 an act was passed respecting billeting Her Majesty's troops, and the Pi-ovincial Militia, and furnishing them on the march, and impressing horses, carriages, oxen, boats, "&c. Eespecting the enrolment of the militia in accordance with the acts first and subsequently passed, comparatively little can be said by the wi-iter. The earliest, and indeed the only account of an official nature to be obtained, refers to the organization of the Hasting's Militia. Through the kindness of Mr. Sager, of the front of Thurlow, grandson of the late Colonel William Bell,, we have had placed in our possession, a portion of the papers left by Colonel Bell, of an official and semi-official character. In a communication dated at Kingston, 29th November, 1798, John Ferguson, of that place, writes to " Mr. Williana Bell, of the Mohawk village as foUowst : "Having been appointed Lieutenant of the County of Hastings, and being ordered to enrol the militia without delay, I must request you will immediately proceed; with the enclosed notices, and cause them to he put up as directed. This is the beginning of your duty, as I have recommended you to be Adjutant, as well as captain of a. company, and I have the satisfaction of telling you that the Presi- dent has assured me he will approve of my appointments." In a separate communication, Lieutenant Ferguson authorizes Captain Bell " to give notice to the inhabitants of the county to attend a: meeting of Lieutenancy on Saturday, the. 8th December next, at ten o'clock, at the house occupied by David Harris, on lot 34, in the first concession of Sidney, for the purpose of enrolment." It would seem that the second in command of the Hastings battalion, was Major A. Chisholm. Ferguson, writing 22nd February, 1799, says, '•' It appeai-s from the President's letter, that there is something bi-ewing to the west- ward." On the 25th February, 1799, Fei-guson writes to Adjutant Bell, to require the officers commanding companies "to cause the volun- teers and drafts in their respective companies to assemble, with such arms as they may have, at the house of Ferguson, on the point of Sidney, lot 23, to be made acquainted with the purport of a letter received from the Hon. Peter Eussell, President " Colonel Ferguson writing again on February 26, to Captain 548 OFFICERS OF HASTINGS MILITIA. Bell, informs him that the President has been pleased to approve of the appointments made, and that he must meet him at Sidney, 5th of March, to receive his commission. On the 1st March, he further wi'ites thus, "there is some appearance of the militia being embodied next spring, and that Captain Bell is appointed to take command of the detachment .should such an event take place. In a communication dated, 10th March, 1759, Colonel Ferguson refers Captain Bell to an inclosure from President Russell, giving directions as to teaching the volunteers and dz-afts, " who are to assemble at Wallbridge's every other Saturday," for platoon exercise, &c. "List of officers of the Hastings Militia, as approved of by His Honor, the President, with the dates of their commission." " John Ferguson, Lieutenant of County ; date of commission, 1798. The following officers were commissioned in December fol- fowing: — Major Alexander Chisholm, Captain "Wm. Bell, Captain Samuel Sherwood, Captain George W. Myers, Captain Lieutenant Matthias Marsh, Lieutenant Gilbert Harris, Lieutenant John Stuart, Lieutenant John Chisholm, Lieutenant John Fairman, sen., Lieu- tenant L. W. Myers, Ensigns David Simmons, Jacob "W". Myers, Alexander Chisholm, Eobert Fairman, Samuel B. Gilbert, Adjutant William Bell, Quarter-Master, John Mcintosh. At the commencement of the war of 1812, John Ferguson, of Kingston, was Colonel ; William Bell, of Thurlow, Lieutenant- Colonel, and Alexander Chisholm, Simon Mc!N"abb, S. B. Gilbert, Jacob W. Myers, L. W. Myers, David Simmon, Gilbert Harris, John Mcintosh, were Captains of 1st Eegiment Hastings Militia. John Thompson who had been a soldier in the King's Hangers, was Major. In May, 1810, a notice was posted in Hastings to "all persons of the battalion having in their possession arms and accoutrements belonging to Her Majesty, to bring them in good order on the 4th of June, and they will be furnished with powder and ball to shoot at a mark." We are informed by Mr. Adiel Sherwood, that James Break- enridge, who had been an officer in Rogers' corps, was appointed the first Lieutenant of the Coimty of Leeds under Simcoe, with authority to organize the body and appoint the officers. Mr. Sher- wood received his first commission as Ensign, from him, to the first regiment of Leeds Militia in 1796. He was shortly after commis- sioned a Lieutenant, which he remained until 1808, when he was made Captain. MILITARY CLOTHING. 549 Officers' Clothing. — No sooner had the officers received their commissions than the matter of military clothing came into con- sideration, and steps were promptly taken to obtain suitable outfits, in the way of scarlet coats, swoixls, and so forth. Heading the letters which have come under notice, one is struck with the fact of men putting themselves to trouble to procure costly uniform, when very many of them could scarcely collect money enough to meet their wants. At that time money was scarce and bartering was the ordinary mode of proceedings between the farmer and dealer. The merchants of Kingston did not find it necessary to keep material for officers' di-es.s, and consequently it had to be procured at Montreal. The officers without money and unknown, in Montreal, could scarcely expect to get credit there. It was under such circumstances that Colonel Ferguson, the Lieutenant of the County of Hastings, undertook to assist the officers under him. Concerted action on their part was necessary, that all the coats might be alike, and moreover, they might expect to have them sujDplied at a cheaper rate. The following will now become intelli- gible : "We, the following officers of Militia of the County of Hastings, having agreed to have uniform clothing, do empower John Ferguson, Samuel Sherwood, Matthias Marsh, and John Mcintosh, to agree with any person to fui-nish the materials, and we will pay for it as agreed upon bj^ the above j^ersons— the uniform to be red coats with blue facings; long yellow buttons and white lining with shoulder- straps — the Light Infantry to have short coats with wings. Thur- low, 7th October, 1800." (Signed)— John Ferguson, William Bell, John Chisholm, Daniel Eose, "John Mcintosh, David Simmons, John Fairman, junr., Samuel Sherwood, Matthias Marsh." A few days later Colonel Ferguson supplies a memorandum to Major Bell, recommending James Dawson, Kingston, as the person to be employed to make the coats, the material, or at least the cloth, to be bought at Mr. Cumraing's. Ferguson also suggests that each person give his note of hand for the sura until paid, from which it seems evident that he wished to be free from ])ersonal responsibility. Three months later, and no steps had been taken except b}' Ferguson, who, it appears, applied at Montreal for his coat. He writes, "I have received m}^ coat pattern from Montreal," and the cost of cloth and trimmings amoimted to £4 7s. 7d., and " the common price of making a regimental coat" was £1 3s. 4d., the epauletts ready-made were £3 each. In another j^lace. Colonel 550 OFFICERS OP MIDLAND DISTRICT. Ferguson says, " if any of those gentlemen wish to have a coat from Montreal, and will put into my hands sixteen bushels of wheat, as a part payment, I will send for them, and they will surely find their profit in it. The following were among the first Militia officers connected "With the force in the Midland District. Thomas Borland, one of the first-settlers of Adolphustown,wa8 "the first captain commissioned in the township. He commanded a company in 1812, at Kingston. His company partook of the loyal Spirit which actuated the captain, who indignantly said of the Americans, " they drove us from our homes once and now come after us." Captain Dorland -was much liked, as an officer, by his tnen. Captain Trumpour, who commanded a company of horse, was generally estimated as a commander. Christopher Hagerman, a native of Adolphustown, arose by promotion from an Ensign, to be Aide-de-Camp. The following is from the Kingston Gazette: — " Head Quarters, Upper Canada, York, 15th December, 1813. District General order. The Lieutenant- Gcneral commanding and President, has been pleased to appoint Chfistopher Hagerman, Esq., to be Provincial Aid-de-Camp to hia Honor, and to enter the Provincial Eank of Lieutenant Colonel on Mr. Hagerman." Major Spencer, who had been Colonel in Major Rogers' regi- ment dui'ing the Revolutionary war, died at the breaking out of the war of 1812, and was buried in Fredericksburgh on his own place with militar}"^ honors, he was succeeded by Captain Thompson. Cra\vford was Colonel of a regiment of Militia. The following were officers in Ernesttown: Lieutenant Colonel ^ames Parrot, Captain Joshua Booth, C. Fralick, Noris Briscoe, Peter Daly, Robert Clark, Shelden Hawley. Lieutenants: Davis Hamby, Henry Day, John Richards, Daniel Eraser, Robert Worlet. Ensigns : Isaac Eraser, David Lockwood, Daniel Simmons, Abraham Amey, Solomon Johns, John Thorp, senr." Major Young, formerly ensign in Sir John Johnson's regiment, Was an officer in the Prince Edward Militia for some time. He was ^t lungston in 1812, and died while on duty. Captain McDonnell of Marysburgh, was also on duty at Kingston at that time. Captain Toung, of the Carrying Place, was likewise there, as well as his Ensign, "W". H. Wallbridge, who became Captain in 1831, Owen Richards being the Colonel. Lieutenant Richard Howard, of Sophias- TRAINING PLACES. 551 burgh, died March 1, 1814. Dengin Conger "held a commission in the first battalion of the Prince Edward Militia during twenty-four years, fourteen of which lie was Captain. William Ketcheson, of Sidney, was commissioned Ensign in 1804; Lieutenant in 1812: Captain toward the close of the war, served nine months at Kingston. Coleman, of Belleville, was Captain of Provincial Light Dragoons. The Militia of Adolphustown, Fredericksburgh,Ernesttown, and probably of Kingston, were accustomed to meet on Finkle's Place, below the wind mill, before the war, 1812. Strange as it may now beein, the place for training of the Prince Edward Militia was, for miany years, at Grassy Point, in the Sixth Town. All the way, not only from the extreme point of Marysburgh, but from Amherst Island, and from the western part of Ameliasburgh, the sparsely •ettied inhabitants were wont to come, by anything but even roads, to this point for their stated training. They met at this place until the year 1800, after which they all met at Hallowell, Picton. Those irom Ameliasburgh required two days to reach the training place. Some years later a second place was allowed. CHAPTER LXIIL id OoiTKMTS. — In 1813, around Bay Quint6— The declaration of war — ^The news at Kingston — The call to arms — Hastings — Events of Kingston— In 1813 — Attack upon Sacket's Harbour — Oswego — American Fleet before Kingston- Royal George — Kingston prepared — Chrysler's farm — A " Postscript" — Along the St. Lawrence — Ribaldry — The Commissary — Capt. Wilkins — Quakers — Rate of pay — American prisoners — The wounded — Surgeons, Dougal, Mea cham— Jonathan Philips — Militiamen's reward — Militia orders — Parliamen tary grants. THE WAR OP 1812. .. ;a The call to arms was promptly and loyally responded to by the inhabitants of the Midland District, including the militia of Northumberland. The old veterans of former days, who had for so many years been engaged in the peaceful occupation of farming, were aroused to a high degree of indignation that their old enemies who had driven them away from old homes, ^ should now threaten them in their hard earned new ones. No wonder that these old sturdy loyalists and their sons quickly obeyed the call to come in defense of their homes. To a certain extent the Bay region was 552 WAR. free from immediate danger. Excepting at Kingston the inhabi- tants were not alarmed by the trumpet blast. There was not here enacted such stirring events as transpired at Detroit, upon the Niagara frontier, and below upon the St. Lawrence. Nevertheless there was diligent preparation made for any contingency that might come with the tide of war. The several regiments of mili- tia called out, were taken to Kingston and prepared for service whether it might be offensive or defensive. Kingston being a naval station and having a dock-yard as well as a military depot ; and at the same time situated within a short distance of the enemies' territory, it was necessary that it should be well garrisoned, and the surrounding country constantly watched. And here the raw militia man was drilled for service, while they were ready to defend the place. The news of the declaration of war reached Kingston by a pri- vate letter to Mr. Forsyth, from the States, and an hour and a half afterwards, says one who was there, a letter having been conveyed to Col. Benson, the drum beat to arms, and couriers were on their waj' with all haste to warn out the militia along the Bay and in Xorthumberlaud. The belief was entertained that Kingston would be a place of attack at once, and the flank companies were ordered there immediateh'. Upon the 2Tth June, 1812. John Ferguson, Colonel command- ing 1st regiment Hastings Militia, wrote from Kingston, to Lieut.- Colonel William Bell, of Thurlow, "to cause the volunteers of the battalion who already offered their services^ to hold themselves in readiness for actual .service, and to appl}' to the Quartermaster for such arms as are in his possession, to be used hj the volunteers until others were got from Kingston. Capt. John Mcintosh to take command, the other Captain will be J. W. Myers. Notice to be given at once, be it night or day, to meet on the Plains — and be drilled by the Sergt. -Major." Col. Bell received the letter at sunset on the 29th, by the hands of John "Weaver. A postscript to the letter says "War is declared by the United States against Gi-eat Britain." The militia of Hastings were hurried to Kingston, but after a few weeks when it was seen that Kingston would not be immedi- ately attacked, they were ordered heme. The next year the Nor- thumberland Militia was oi-dered to York, and soon saw service. In connection with Kingston were two events which may be alluded to, one was a hostile demonstration against Sacket's Harbour, which had for its object principallv the destruction of a man-of-war? i ATTACK UPON SACKET's HARBOUR. 553 there building; the other was an attempt, on the part of the Ameri- cans, to destroy the British frigate, Eoyal George, lying at Kingston. It was in May, 1813, that Sir George Prevost and Sir James L. Yeo, arrived at Kingston, where were Capt. Barclay Pring and Furnis, preparing for service the few vessels stationed there ; among them one lately launched, the Sir George Prevost. of 30 guns, greeted them with a salute from the vessels. The American fleet was at the head of the lake, bombardmg Fort George. Under these circum- stances it was resolved to make an attack upon Sackets Harbour, "About 1000 men were embarked on board the Wolfe of 24 guns, the Eoyal George of 24 guns, the Eai*l of Moira, of 18 guns, and four armed schooners each carrying from 10 to 12 gims, with a number of batteaux, so that no time might be lost in the debarkation. Two gun-boats were placed in readiness as a lauding escort. The boats Avere under the direction of Capt. Mulcaster, of the Eoyal Navy, and the landing under the immediate superintendence of Sir George Prevost and Sir James Yeo. The following account is from A. O. Petrie, Esq., of Belle\ille, who was present as a volunteer, being then clerk to Capt. Gray, Assistant Quartermaster-General. So quickly was the expedition arranged that Petrie had no knowledge of it until about to start. By permission of Capt. Gray, Mr. Petrie formed one of the party, who, although forgetting to procure a red coat, did not forget his gun. " Wa's in a batteau with Capt. Gray the greater part of the night, which was crowded Avith men. Capt. Gray told Petrie that the object of the expedition was to burn the ship there building, and told him he might have a hand in it, Petrie said he would be there as soon as any one. They landed about four o'clock in the morning, and Mr. Petrie carried Capt. Gray on his back to the shore through the Avater. But before they had landed the Americans fired upon them; they were soon relieved however, by the gun-boat. They then advanced and Avas not far from the ship Avhen the bugle sounded the retreat. When he regained the boat he found that his friend Capt. Gray had been killed. There is abiuidant evidence that the retreat v/as unnecessary, that the enemy were fleeing ; but one of those fearful mistakes occurred by Avhich the British and Canadian troops lost a A'ictory Avhich had been Avon. This expedition exhibited the bravery of the militia men in the fullest degree, and had the mind of Prevost re- mained unclouded, due reward Avould have been secured. But the precipitate retreat of the Americans Avas misunderstood by PreA'OSt? '85i AT Herkimer's point. he thought it a trap set. Says a writer, " It was true that Fort Torakins was about to fall into British hands. Already the officers in charge of Navy Point, agreeably to orders, and supposing the fort to be lopt, had set on fire the naval magazine, containing all the stores captured at York. The hospital and barracks were illuminating the lake by their grand conflagration, and the frigate on the stocks had been set on fire only to be extinguished when Prevost's mind became unsettled as to the ulterior design of the enemy. In the very moment of fully accomplishing the purpose of the expedition, he ordered a retreat, and the troops reached Kingston in safety. But, the following year an expedition left Kingston on the 4th May, which arrived at Oswego on the following day, and took the fort ; but the stores had been removed. About five miles from Kingston lies what is called Herkimer's Point. It was thought a thing not improbable that the Americans might land upon this point and endeavor to enter Kingston. Here was a telegraph signal, and two cannon had been planted there ; after- ward one, a very good one was removed, lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy. From this point a fair view of the Upper Gap was to be had. At last, one morning, the Yankee fleet composed of iome 14 sail, large and small, appeared off" the Upper Gap. A shot it is said was fired from the old windmill by some militia men there, which was replied to. A schooner, the Simcoe was chased, but escaped by running over a bar between some islands at Herkimer's Point. She received several shots, and subsequently sank when she had reached Kingston. The inhabitants along the coast were ordered into the interior with all their stock. The fleet passed along not far from the shore, and the field artillery moved along at an equal pace, and a firing was kept up between them. The writer's father was present on the occasion. He was Sergt. in Capt. Borland's Company from Adolphustown, and was this morning on duty with his Com- pany at Hei'kimer's Point. He was standing a short distance from the shore. The brass artillery sent a ball through one of the enemy's vessels, he saw her haul off" from the rest. The fleet fired back, and he saw the first ball from them as it passed near him. The Gover- nor's horse being held by a negro near by, while the Governor stood a little off*, squatted to the earth and the ball passed over his back the ball then struck the top rail of the fence, near by him, and went bounding and plowing up the gi'ound. All this he remembers dis- tinctly. The artillery and troops marched along opposite the fleet on their way to Kingston, and were there paraded in a concealed spot Chrysler's farm. 555 "behind the jail. It was a general expectation that the enemy would attempt to land, and he fully anticipated going into action. He could see the balls flying over the buildings. It was a natural expectation that the enemy would endeavour to possess themselves of Kingston with its garrison and naval depot, and dock yard. Every necessary step was taken to frustrate any designs that might be entertained by the Americans against the place. In the Gazette of Oct. 9, 1813, is the following : " By all accounts we understand that the Americans are on the 6ve of attacking this place. It is our province to observe that their intentions have become completely anticipated, and every necessary preparation has been made to give them a warm reception. We are happy to announce the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel Drummond, with the first detachment of the 104th Eegiment, from Burlington Heights. This regiment the 49th, and the corps of the Voltigeurs, may be expected here in the course of to-day or to-morrow. These three gallant regiments, together with our brave militia, who are pouring in from all quarters, and have already assembled in consid- erable numbers, will be a sufficient reinforcement, and with our present respectable garrison will be able to repel any force which tiie enemy may bring against us. We are are glad to observe that every piece of artillery is most advantageously placed, and we must really congratulate our fellow citizens on the formidable appear- ance of every defensible portion in the vicinity of this town. It has been the general rumor for a few days past that six or seven of our small vessels have been taken on their way from the head of the lake to this place and sent into Sackets ; which rumor we fear ia too true.' ' The woods around Kingston, and upon Point Henry, were all cut down to prevent a surprise. The enemy, however, did not attack Kingston, but landed lower down the St. Lawrence. With what result the following notice will show, " Kingston Gazette, Saturday, November, 13, 1813. V- " " " POSTCRIPT — HIGHLY IMPORTANT." "The following important intelligence was received in town this morning by express." Chryslers, 11th November. The enemy attacked us this morning, suppose from 3 to 4,000 men in number, and has been completely repulsed and defeated, 556 TAKING CANADA. * with a vei"}^ considerable loss, a number of j^risoners, and one General taken by us; the loss of the enemy cannot be loss than 4or 5,000. Ours has been severe. The Americans were commanded by Generals Lears and Boyd. (Signed) AVilliam Morrison, Lieutenant Colonel 89th Regiment. Kingston Gazette, Saturday, Nov. 20, 1813. We are assured on good aiithority, that the loss of the enemy in the late action at Williamsburgh, 'exceeded 1,000 in killed, wounded, prisoners and deserters ; their flight was precipitate during the remainder of the da}^ and night after the action ; on the morning of the 12th they regained their own shore in the greatest confusion, and in momentary expectation of being attacked. Several officers of distinction were killed and wounded. Major General Covender was dangerously wounded, and is since dead ; Lieutenant-Colonel Preston, noted for his i-idiculous and insulting proclamation at Fort Erie, inviting the inhabitants of Upper Canada to jjlace themselves under his protection, was dangerously wounded. One six-pounder field piece was taken on the charge, and about 120 prisoners, 350 or 400 stand of arms were collected on and near the field of action. " The Militia of Cornwall and the neighbouring townships have come. forward in the most spii'ited and loyal manner, and are daily joining the troops, shewing a spirit worthy of their ancestors, and a noble example to their countrj^men. "We sincerely hope it will be followed, and if the inhabitants of Upper Canada are true to themselves, thfey can have no reason to fear all the elforts of the enemy." Thus ended the attack which had been made Avith the usual boastful spirit. According to an American writer in the New York Herald, ixt that time, the American Commander-in-Chief was "a contemptible wretch," guiltj^ of "low ribaldry," a drunkard, having to take " two drinks of hot rum to enable him to go through the operation of shaving," and finally as given to singing " I am now a going to Canada, And there I will get money — And there I'll kiss the pretty sqiiaws They are as sweet as honey." Not alone did the Midland district supply its quota of men for the incorporated militia; but the rich soil along the borders of the QUAKERS OBJECT TO SHIN PLASTERS. , 557 bay gave abundantly to the commissariat depai-tment. During the fii'st year of the war, there was a time when the troops at Kingston had no more than a week's provision. Under these circumstances the Commandant enquired of Colonel Cartwright if he knew of any one who could be depended upon to raise the required supplies which were known to exist in the district. Cartwright in- formed him that the required person could at once be obtained in the person of Captain Eobert Wilkins. Captain Wilkins, who had raised a company in the beginning of the war, was accordingly sent for, and instructed to prepare to undertake, as chief commissary, the duty. He asked for written instructions and authority that he might not be hindered in his work — that Militia Colonels, and sub- officers should yield to his demands for men to act as batteaux men, or do any other required duty to impress conveyances, &c. He was asked if he would be ready to set out in a day or two. The reply was, I will start in half an houi\ " The devil you will," said the Commandant, "so much the better," and Captain Wilkins quickly wrote his resignation as Captain to the company, settled his hotel bill, and was on his way up the bay toward Picton. Arrjved there, he called upon Mr. Cummings, and desired him to act as agent, which request was acceded to. He then pushed on to the head of the bay, at the Carrying Place, and established an agency there, afterwards his head-quarters. Proceeding to Myers' Creek, he procured as agent the services of Simon McNabb. In the vicinity of Picton, were a considerable number of Quakers, who, although not wanting in loyalty, would, not only, not take up arms, but conscientiously would not sell the produce of their farms and take in payment government bills, or " shin plasters," then in circulation. Of course, they could, without scruples, sell their grain to any one without asking questions, for gold or silver tut tf5 take ephemeral paper born of war, and its circulation recog- nizing a state of war, was another thing. They absolutely refused to take it. Colonel Wilkins believing in their sincerity, at once wrote to the Commandant at Kingston, for a certain sum of gold, which was promptly forwarded. Thus the granaries of the rich section of the county in Prince Edward were opened. But Wilkins had not waited for the gold ; on his own responsibility he had bought the grain promisijig to pay theni as they required, and Mr. Cummings had been diligently canying out his orders. Commissary Wilkins had other difficulties to contend with. In some sections there was a disposition to hold the produce 558 PRISONERS. until prices were better, altliou^di pork, for instance, was fetching $14 a barrel. They wished to get $20. The result of this was a " half martial law," by wliich provisions, wherever found, could be taken at a fair valuation. But Colonel Wilkins says that this had rarely to be done. By kind persuasion, showing the people that their duty should lead them to be satisfied with a fair price, he succeeded in getting all the supplies of provision he wanted. The duties devolving upon him were numerous and onerous. He had to supervise the batteaux carrying provisions up and down the bay from a distance, and often would have to give orders for 3 or 400 men to be collected to propel the batteaux, or assist to transport articles across the Cariying Place. The rate of pay given to an officer, acting as pilot, or conductor to batteaux, was lOs. per day. Privates impressed to carry or assist received 2s. 6d., with rations ; but supplied themselves with blankets. They were paid immediately their work was done, by Wilkins. We have before us a requisition sent by Wilkins to Colonel Bell in April", 1814, for 40 privates, and officer to manage the King's batteaux, as there was a quantity of provisions to be conveyed to Queeftiston Heights. Although the foe found no footing, and made no attempt to land along the bay, the inhabitants had the opportunity of seeing not a few of their would be concjuerors, as they passed as prisoners of war on their way to Quebec. Many of the 1000 taken at Detroit had to march along the road the whole length of the Province. Some were taken in batteaux, and others were conveyed in vessels down the lake as far as Kingston. Many of those who walked went by ihe way of the Prince Edward Peninsula, by Wellington and Picton, crossing the bay at the Stone Mills, others went by way of Napanee, and thence to Kingston. One way was as convenient as the other, as there was no bridge across the Eiver Trent. Persons are now Hying along^the routes who recollect the crest-fallen appearance of these prisoners; the more so, because the people whom they had come to invade, and dispossess, shewed them acts of kindness, and gave them food to eat. One old lady, so old that she remembers the Revolutionary War in 1783, says she told them she had given the British troops all she had. to eat, as they passed up to conquer them, and she now as gladly gave food to them. Those brought in batteaux were transported across the Carrying Place into the bay. ISTo doubt they appreciated the beauty of the scenery along the route, and had their appetite affected for the land they coveted. THE WOUNDED. 559 On the morning of August 29, 1812, there arrived at Kingston, His Majesty's ships Royal George, Earl of Moira, and Prince Eegent, with 400 prisoners, and General Hull. The most of the prisoners taken at the Niagara frontier were cai'ried in batteaux, and by the bay, Colonel Scott among the rest. At a later date, arrived the American prisoners, General Chandler and Waider, cajitured at Stoney Creek. And again, " Arrived at this place yesterday, March 1st, 1813, on their way to Quebec, whither they will proceed to-day, Brigadier-General James Winchester, Colonel William Lewis, and Major George Madison, attached to the American army, captured by General Proctor on the River Ratine." We copy the following : " Quebec, November 2nd. On Friday anrl Saturday were escorted by a detachment of Major Bell's Cavalry, from their quarters, at Bauport, to the new gaol, twenty-three American officers, and on the latter day were also taken from the prison ships, and escorted by a detachment of the 103rd regiment to the same prison, a like number of non-commissioned officers, making in all forty-six conformable to the General Orders of the 27th October." But other sights than prisoners of war were presented during the conflict. Owing to the exposed state of the Province in the west, after the taking of York, a large number of the wounded were r.er moved from the Niagara region to Kingston, sometimes by ships, sometimes by batteau. IVIany of those wounded at Lundy's Lane were taken by schooner to York, and thence by batteau down the lake shore, across the Carrying Place, and along the bay. Among them was Sheriff Ruttan, who was left at his father's house, to the kind care of his family. In this connection it may be observed that Surgeon Dougall, of Prince Edward Militia, served nine months at Kingston, and Dr. Meacham, of Belleville, also served during the most of the war. We wiU here give an extract from an obituary notice taken from the Hastings Chronicle. "A Veteran OF 1812. — "Of the Provincial troops, the Glengary regiment of Infantry took perhaps the most active part. At the age of fifteen, Jonathan Phillips enlisted in this corps, then being raised throughout Canada. The urgent necessity for recruits inducing the authorities to accept youths even of that tender age. The story will best be told, as nearly as may be, in the veteran's own words : — " I was born in Duchess County, State of New York, in the year 1796; my father came from Devonshire, England, and my mother from Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1809, my parents removed to Canada and settled in Fi'ed; 560 JONATHAN PHILLIPS' STATEMENT. ericksbiirgh, Coxinty of Lennox and Addington. In January, 1812, I was working for Mr. Chapman, in Fredericksburgh, getting out square pine, oak, and staves ; whilst thus employed, Captain Judkins, formerly of the 104th Regiment of the Line, asked me to enlist, and I joined the Glengary's, and in a few days after was sent to Kingston with about twenty other recruits from Fredericksburgh, Richmond, and Ei'uesttown, We remained in Kingston till navigation opened, when the recruits assembled at that place, about 200 in all, descended the St. Lawrence in batteaux to Three Rivers, where we received imiforms, arms, and accoutrements, and commenced to learn our drill. The corps now U'umbered about 800. Towards autumn we were ordered to Quebec, in charge of about 1000 prisoners from General Hull's army, captured in the west. We remained at Quebec a month or six weeks. Li October, 1812, we were ordered to the west, (the season is recalled from the recollection that as they marched from Quebec the farmers were busy cutting wheat on the hillsides, and the snow was falling at the time). The march was by the North Shore road to Montreal. Here we remained all winter, expecting the Americans t<) attack that city. In the month of March, before the sleighing was gone, the regiment was ordered to Kingston, taking with them several pieces of cannon, which were drawn by oxen. The men marched. The cattle that drew the can- non and baggage, were slaughtered at Kingston for provisions. We remained a month at Kingston, and then passed up the Bay of Quinte to the Carrying Place in batteaux. The baggage and batteaux were transported across the Isthmus into Lake Ontario, and we re-embarked for York. On our arrival at York we were forwarded with all despatch to Burlington Bay. We first met the Yankees at Stoney Creek, and then pushed on towards Fort George. We halted at the village of St, Davids, and encamped at the cross-roads. The Yankees held Fort George ; when they discovered we were so near them they retreated upon Black Creek. We followed them up, and had a battle with them at Lundy's Lane, on 25th July, 1813. In this afiair I was in the advance guard, or reconnoitering party. The enemy retreated upon Fort Erie, and we pursued them and had several skirmishes with them. They blew up the fort, and evacuated Canada. In the fall of the year Ave marched back to York ; there we em- barked in batteaux and came to the Carrying Place — thence we crossed into the Bay of Quinte, and thence to Kingston From Kingston we marched to Adolphustown Court House, and were billeted upon the farmers in that vicinity during the ensuing wdnter. There were from eight to ten men in each house. Whilst here we assembled eveiy day at the Court House, at ten a. m., for drill — we were at least 800 strong. On the 23rd March, 1814, all the three years' men were paraded at the Court House, paid ofi", and discharged. Each man so discharged drew lOO acres of land in Upper Canada, farming utensils, and a year's provisions. The provisions were distributed every three months, at Robert Charles \\^ilkins' store, at the Carrying Place." REWARD. 561 From the time of his discliarge till his decease, Phillips resided in the County of Hastings, pursuing the usual occupation of the first settlers of this county. For many years he followed "lumbering" in winter, and farming in the summer seasons, hut being trustworthy, intelligent, and of a kindly disposition, his services were frequently sought after for v.arious puri)oses. Several years ago, the farm which he drew for his military service, and which, for many years, afforded him a home and a support, he sold for the sum of $1,900, thus enjoy- ing in his old age the well earned reward of the loyalty and courage ofliis youth. He died at his home, in the second concession, Eawdon, on the" 15th Februar}^ 1868. THE militiaman's REAVARD. General Brock, on his way to Detroit, assembled the Legislature, and amongst other Acts, one was passed for the organization of a battalion of " Incorporated Militia," a body distinct from the Sedentary Militia. It was an inducement held out for action ; and to properly fitted persons, to raise companies and regiments for service during the war. According to Euttan, any one enlisting five pei'sons was entitled to an Ensigncy ; ten, a Lieutenancy ; twenty, a Captaincy ; fifty, a Major; and forty a Lieutenant-Colonel. Subsequently, in 1814 and 1-5, the Legislature "voted the supplies necessary to fill up the incorporated regiments to 800 men. A service of plate, and a pension of £20 per annum for the wounded, or for the widows of the killed, as well as an address to His Majesty for an allowance of 100 acres of land for each man, whether belonging to the regiment of flank companies or the Sedentary Militia." No truly patriotic and brave man will seek, or demand a pro- mise of reward for defending, or fighting for the interests of his country. He requires'no more than what comes from a conscious- ness of his duty done, and his country's honor maintained ; the land of his birth, or cTioice, preserved from the desecration of an invader's foot. Eut when the deadly conflict has incapacitated the brave one for the ordinary avocations of life, and be is left, perhaps, with a family, unable to secure life's comforts ; or when the torch of war — of the unchristian men, such as President Madison, and his cold-blooded servant, Colonel McClure, at Niagara, — leaves the homes of helpless women in ashes ; or with wilful wantoness destroys for the mere pleasure of gratifying a worse than heathenish dispo- sition, then the tried veteran has a right to be rewarded in » sub- stantial manner. The Government of Canada, as well as that of Great Britain, has never been found remiss in affording suitable rewards to those who were truly and knowingly worthy. 36 562 LANDS GRANTED. The smoke of war in 1815 had barely cleared away, after the Americans had sought and obtained a peace, to them ignoble, ere the Canadian Government took steps to secure a just reward to all worthy men. And to this end the following general order appeared in the Kiiigston Gazette, I7th July, 1815, having reference to settlers. " Military Secretary's Office, Kingston. "Each soldier to receive 100 acres of land ; officers entitled in the first instance to 200. To receive provisions for themselves and families for one year, that is those who had last or. who might require it on new land. Implements of husbandry, and tools to be supplied in sufficient quantities, and other comforts according to necessity to cultivate land. The land thus taken cannot be sold until after three year's cultivation. Supt. Alex. McDonnell, and Angus McDonnell, of G-lengary Fencibles, to take charge of the settlers." The same date was issued as follows : " Acting Military Secretary, William Gibson, issued a notice at Kingston, 29th July, 1815, proclaiming that Boai-ds to examine claims for losses met with during the American war, should meet during August and September, at Amherstburgh, Fort George, York, Kingston, and Fort "Wellington. ."All discharged soldiers, applying for lands are to give in their names to Edward Jones, late of the 9th Regiment, now resid- ing in the old Barrack Square. (Signed) — F. P. Robinson, Secretary, July 31. Again is found — " Lieutenant Governor's Office, York, Dec. 10, 1816. His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor has been pleased to appoint Surgeon Anthony Marshall, of Kingston, to examine and grant certificates of disability to Militiamen disabled from wounds received on service in defence of the Province during the late war. (Signed) — Edward McMahon, Assistant Secretary. Among the Militia General Orders issued from the Adjutant General's office, appeared the following : "His Excellency, Sir Frederick P. Robinson, Major-General Commanding, and Provincial Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of U]»per Canada, has great satisfaction in publishing to the Militia of that Province, the following extract of a letter from Earl Bathurst, one of His Majesty's Secretaries of State ; addressed to His Excellency Sir Gordon Drummond, dated Downing-street, 13th June, 1815. OFFICIAL RECOGNITION. 563 "I should have felt that I was acting unjustly towards you and the officers and men under your command, if I had forborne bring- • ing under the notice of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, the great meritorious exertions, so long and so successfully made by them for the preservation of the Upper Province. I am com- manded to assure you, that His Royal Highness has contemplated your efforts with the highest satisfaction, not more on account of the skill and valor uniformly displayed by His Majesty's Troops, in presence of the enemj", than of the patience with which the privations incident to the peculiar nature of the service Avere supported and finally overcome," " You will not fail to convey to the Troops under 3'our Com- " mand, the strongest exjDression of His Royal Highness's approba- '' tion, and to accept for j'ourself and the army under yom* orders, *' that testimony which His Royal Highness is so anxious to bear. ■" to the great service which j^ou have rendered to your country." " Nor is His Royal Highness insensible to the merits of the inhabitants of Upijer Canada, or to the great assistance which the Militia of the Pi-ovince afforded during the whole of the war. His Royal Highness trusts that you will express to them in adequate terms, the high sense which he entertains of their services, as having mainly contributed to the immediate preservation of the Province, and its future secui'ity." N. Coffin, Adjutant General of Militia. In 1815 the Legislature granted £6,000, stg. £5,883 6s. 8d. to be applied as follows : — To the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the incorporated militia, six months' pay, £4,594 15s. 2d. To the officers and non-commissioned officers of the line attached to the incorpoi-ated militia, the well paj' of their respective ranks in the said corps, £1,000. To the officers and non-commis- sioned officers, and privates of the incorporated militia artillery, six months' pay, £288 lis. 6d. To the speaker of the House of Assembly, to purchase a sword to be presented to Colonel Robinson, late of the incoporated militia, 100 guineas. 5G4 COVETOUSNESS. CHAPTEE LXIV. Contents — The Six Nations in 1812 — American Animus — " Manifest Destiny" — Mohawk Indians — A right to defend their homes— Inconsistenc}- — American Savages — Extract from Playtcr — Brock's proclamation — Indian character, conduct, eloquence — Deserters in 1812 — Few of them — Court-martials — The attempts at conquest by the Americans — The numbers — Result of war — Canadians saved the country — And can do so — Fraternal kindness. THE SIX NATIONS AS CANADIANS IN 1812. Maintaining their wonted hostile attitude to the Mohawks, and continuing to charge, upon the British and Canadian Grovernments, an uncivilized procedure, the Americans have attempted to create a belief that we waged not a warfare according to civilized ideas. Civilization consists, in the minds of Americans, in just those views, theories, beliefs, and proceedings, which belong to the Great United States, and nothing can eminate from their government that is not in strict accordance with civilization, — their civilization. It so happens that one of their beliefs is that destiny manifestly intends that they shall possess all of North America. In 1812, a pretext was formed under the question of the right to search American vessels for deserters from British service, to declare war against England. Thi? was regarded by Madison and the Government at Washington, a fitting opportunity to make the already cherished attempt to obtain the British Provinces. It was not in accordance with their ideas of liberty and civilization, to give the slightest heed to the wishes of the loyalists whom they had. years before, forced away, and who had already done much to convert the wilderness into a noble Province ; the British subjects who had emigrated to America, and preferred the yet infant colony of Canada, to the more advanced, but distasteful, United States. And still more, the Moliawk Indians, whom they had so cruelly treated, who had found homes under a benign and fatherly government, were not only disregarded, but their very right to defend their homes was denied by the very civilized government which longed to get Canada. And hence we find attemj)ts made to cast obloquy, iipon^the Canadians, in connection with the war of 1812. The people who strove, but vainly, to enlist the Mohawks in their service in 1776, with wonderful inconsistency, in 1812, issue pro- clamations that no quarter will be given to Indians, nor the Cana- SAVAGES. 565 dians who were found fighting side by side. Yet, in the same wai-- they had all the Indians they could get to assist in their invasion of a jDeaceful Province, who actually assisted in the hellish work of plunder in the Niagara region. The Senecas took sides with them. The Indians who had found a home in Canada, had a right to defend their country, and willingly did they march to the field. They rendered important service at Detroit when the immortal Brock hurled back the braggart foe, took General UuU and his army prisoners, and conquered th'e territory of Michigan. They likewise did good service at Queenston Heights. A few instances occured where individual Indians did lapse into the warfare nature had implanted into their breasts. But let it be distinctly and emphatically stated that they were exceptions. " But the savage conduct of the white United States troops, was worse than the employment of savages. In civilized wars, or the wars of Christian people with" each other,|'(alas ! that Christiana and war should be associated !) the usual rule is to harm only those who aim to harm, and to pass by the peaceable and unarmed. Con- sidering, too, that the Canadian people were not enemies, but had always friendly dispositions towards the United States, that the war was merely for remote and abstract questions, that the British Canadians never set the example, that maurading was not the rule of the British officers and armies (as evinced before the world in the wars with Bonaparte;, — the United States Government selecting the province as a battle field, should have treated the inhabitants without arms as mere spectators of the conflict. Shame on President Madison, and his cabinet of Christian " (?) " gentlemen, for ordering their General, McChu-e (under the name and seal of John Armstrong, Secretary of War), to burn up the Town of Niagara, and turn 400 women and children into the snow and icy streets, on a December day of a rigid Canadian winter ! Had the cruelty been accomplished by a tribe of Indians, no astonishment would have been felt; but for Christians thus to treat Christians, and for people of the same ancestry, to show such barbaritj'', shows that the bad passions of the human heai-t are the same in the civilized as in the savage. The war might have been carried on, so that friendship might soon be resumed ; but the dreadful aggravation, left in the iDosoms of the Canadian settlers, such hatred as remains to the present day. The writer has even heard women say, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, that if the Americans ever invaded Canada again, they would shoulder muskets 566 INDIAN RIGHTS. with their husbands. The democracy of the United States, like the democracy of the French Eevolution, proffered liberty with the left hand, and scattered the fire-brands of savage war with the right."— (Play tor.) The invading general having issued a proclamation, declaring that Canadians found fighting beside the Indians should have no quarter. Major-General Brock, in an address, issued to the Cana- dians at Fort George, July 22nd, 1812, referring to this matter, says :— " Be not dismayed at the unjustifiable threat of the Commander of the enemy's forces to refuse quarter, should an Indian appear in the ranks. " The brave bands of the Aborigines which inhabit this colony were like His Majesty's other subjects punished for their zeal and fidelity'', by the loss of their possesions in the late colonies, and re- warded by His Majesty with lands of superior value in the Pro- vince. The faith of the British Government has never yet been violated by the Indians, who feel that the soil they inherit is to them and their prosperity, protected from the base arts so frequently devised to over-reach their simplicity." " By what new principle are they to be prohibited from defend- ing their property ? If their warfare from being different to that of the white people, be more terrific than that of the enemy, let him retrace his steps, they seek him not, and cannot expect to find women and children in an invading army. " But the}^ are men, and have equal rights with all other men to defend themselves and their property when invaded, more espe- cially when they find in the enemy's camp a ferocious and mortal foe, using the same warfare which the American commander affects to repi'obate." "This inconsistent and unjustifiable threat of refusing quarter, for such a cause as being found in arms with a brother sufferer, in defense of invaded rights, must be exercised with the certain assurance of retaliation, not only in the limited operations of war in this part of the King's dominion, but in every quarter of th& globe ; for the national character of Britain is not less distinguished for humanity than strict retributive justice, which will consider the execution of this inhuman threat as deliberate miu'der, for which every subject of the offending power must make expiation." — (Signed, Isaac Brock.) DESERTERS. 567 In concluding this subject, we will quote the language of one who rose to subline eloquence in conection with another event. Seeing the on-coming moment of the extinction among the Americans — vainly resisting the inevitable fate, but still lofty and noble. Thus spoke a Seneca chief: — " Who is it causes this river to rise in the high mountains, and to empty itself in the ocean ? Who is it that causes to blow the loud winds of winter, and that calms them again in summer ? Who is it that rears up the shade of those lofty forests, and blasts them with the quick lightning at his pleasure ? The same spirit, who gave you a country on the other side of the waters, gave this land to us, and we will defend it." We would fail in our whole task did we not refer to one more topic; that concerning Deserters. There were, during the time of war, a few instances of desertion. There is every reason to believe, that the wily Americans sent eramissaries into the country with the object of tampering with the Canadians. The following, while having a local reference, will explain the steps taken by Govern- ment to meet the requii*ements of the day in this respect : President's Office, Upper Canada, Kingston, 24th March, 1814. His Honor the President has been pleased to appoint by com- mission, bearing this date, the under-mentioned gentlemen to be commissioners, for carrying into effect the provisions of an Act passed in the last session of the Legislature of this Province, entitled "An Act to empower His Majesty, for a limited time, to secure and detain such persons as His Majesty shall suspect of treasonable adherence to the enemy, in the sevei'al dictricts of this Province respectively: — For Midland District — The Hon. K. Cartwi'ight, Alexander McDonell, Alexander Fisher, Thomas Dor- land, Timothy Thompson, Thomas Markland, Peter Smith, John Gumming, James McXabb, Ebenezer Washburn, Eobert C. Wilkins, James Young, William Ci*awford. In every war there will be some desertions, and during the war of 1812, there were found a few, and a few indeed, who were base enough to desert from the ranks of the Canadian Militia. The several attempts at conquest of Canada were : — , Gen. Hull at Sandwich , . " VanRansler " Wodworth . " Smyth « Fort Erie , , " Pike " York « , " Dearhorne " Fort George.. " Winchester, for Montreal, =' Chryslers Farm . " Hampden " Chateauguay R. . " Brown " Fort Erie . " " " Lundy's Lane . " Izzard " Fort Erie . " Wilkinson " Lacate Mills . . Total number of mf-n 45.000. 1st Invasion. 2nd t( 3rd It 4th 11 5th K 6th (t 7th U 8th IC 9th (1 10th (( nth U with 3,000 men. '« 2,000 " 3,000 « 2,500 « 3,000 L " 3,000 . " 8,000 " 5,000 « 5,000 " 8,000 •' 2.500 568 UNCIVILIZED WARFARE. "The foregoing is an aggregate of the attempt to invade Canada by the United States forces when they sued for peace ; and, when such was prochximed, they did not find themselves in possession of one inch of Canadian Territory." — (Clark.) This glorious result was due, in a great measure, to the loyalty and bravery of the Canadian Militia. The first year, the Militia alone saved the Province. The close of the war left no unpleasant remembrance. Called to arms for the most noble purpose, that of defending their homes, they discharged their duty bravel}", but without unnecessar}- violence. There were no acts of cruelty to be laid to their charge. It was onl}- the unprincipled foe that could be guilty of deeds of barbaric darkness. It remained for the American General Harrison to burn, contrary to the rules of civilized warfare, a peaceful village, and for General McClure to apply the torch to the building which protected the wounded men, women, and chil- dren, from the piei-cing cold of a December night, an outrage only equalled by their firing on a British flag of truce, under General Eoss, before the capital Washington. These acts of villany met a just retribution. The former by desti-oying the frontier settlements from Lewiston to Buffalo, the latter by the destruction of the Capital. Canadians — Britons can deal out just retribution, as well as they can defend their homes. And the Americans ought to know, and remember, that no acts of cowardh' villany toward us will for ever go unpunished. They incited rebellion among us in 1837-8. They have encouraged Fenianism, and assisted them as a people to invade our territory, and kill our young men. For this will come a day of judgment. It may not be this century, but it will come. Let but one more attempt be made to seciu'e a footing on om- soil, and the Americans will learn that Canadians can, and will, retaliate. The hardy honest Canadian goaded to seek justice, will play the raider also. Ours is a frontier, over which the}- may come and do much mischief; but their's is equally lengthy, and exposed. A sheet of flame will burst along their frontier as well as ours, the destruction Avill not be all on side. During the Crimean war, the Canadians took great pleasure in giving contributions for the relief of the soldiers, wives and children. But this was only returning a like kindness displayed by England at the time of the invasion and rapine in 1812. The wanton destruction of Canadian homes brought much distress. By the Kingston Gazette of 5th December, 1813, we see "that the total sum subscribed in the City of London for the relief of the sufterers in Canada (which has come to our knowledge), amounts to £10,-119 10s. Od." And the same year "The General Assembly of Nova Scotia gave to the distressed of Upper Canada £2,500." An act of fraternjil kindness that Canadians have been ready to return during the last vear. DIYISIO^^ XI ADVANCE OF CIVILIZATIOX. CHAPTEE LXV. Contexts — Cauada'.s first step iu eivilizatiou — Slaverj' iu America — By whom introduced — False charge — Slavery in Canada — History — Imperial Acts — Legislation in Canada — The several clauses — In Lower Canada — Justice Osgood^Slavery at the Rebellion — Among the \J. E. Loyalists — Those who held slaves — Descendants of the slaves — " A British slave"' — ■' For sale "' — '• Indian slave " — Upper Canada's Record — Compared with the States — Liberty — Why the United States abolished slavery — Honor to whom honor is due. SLAVERY. We devote a chapter to the subject of slavery, which may be appropriately noticed under advance of civilization. There can be no greater indication of a truly civilized people than a successful attempt to emancipate those in bondage. In this respect Upper Canada was very far in advance of the United States, and even of England herself. The Americans have not unfrequently essayed to fasten the ignominy of this domestic institution ^upon the British nation, by asserting that it was the English that first brought slaves to the American continent. Supposing this to be true, it was the most pitiable attempt at excuse for continuing the accursed thing, after Britain had spent millions to abolish slavery in all her broad realm, that can possibl}- be imagined. But it is all untrue that slaves were first brought by the English. It was the Dutch, who found sale for them in Virginia. This was in 1620. " Shortly after the New England States adopted the ' institution,' the colonists and mei'chants introducing and controlling the whole trade, Massa- chusetts leading the way." And with all the cry, for ever echoing in the North against the South, because of slavery ; it was the Yankee owners of ships, sent out from Northern ports to engage in 570 SLAVERY IN CANADA. the world-condemned crime of the slave trade, that kept alive the worst feature of American slavery, until the celebrated military necessity of Lincoln, emancipated the Southern slaves. The present?generation of Canadians are almost ignorant of the fiict that the " institution" of slavery once existed in Canada, both Lower and Upper. The proud and pleasing appellation, which Canada enjoyed for so^many years, of a safe asylum for slaves, who had effected their escape from the United States, is in most cases alone known to have belonged to us. But the I'ccord of our young country is so honorable ujDon the question of slavery, that the fact that slaves did once breathe among us, casts no stigma upon the maple leaf, no single stain upon her virgin garments. The fact is, slavery could not live in Canada ; much less gi'ow. The leading principles which guided the settlers of the country were of too noble a nature to accept the monstrous system of human bondage as an appendage of the Colony. Thej^ felt the truthfulnjess of the words, not long before uttered by John Wesley, that slavery was the " sum of all villainies," and knew they would be villains of the deepest dj-e to encourage it. The history of slavery fi*om the time Joseph was sold by his brothers into Egypt, by which it may be inferred that persons were already held in bondage, up to the present, is of no little interest ; but it forms no part of oui' task to give even a sketch of it, except in relation to its existence in Canada. In the year 1732, an Act was passed in the Imperial Pai'lia- ment "for the more easy recovery of debts in His Majesty's plan- tations and colonies in America," by which "lands, houses, negroes, and other hereditaments and real estate, shall be liable to be taken by due process of law for any indebtedness." Another Imperial Act having reference to slavery in Canada, was passed so late as 1790. The Act is intituled " An Act for encouraging new settlers in His Majesty's colonies and plantations in America." Among other things it is provided that if any per- sons shall come to the West India Islands or the Province of Quebec, from United States, with the view of settling, it shall be lawful for such, having obtained a license from the Governor, to import among other things " any negroes " he may possess. Such was the law in all Canada when Upper Canada was erected into a distinct Pro- vince. The first Session of Parliament in Upper Canada was naturally and necessarily^occupied in arranging the machinezy requisite for AN ACT TO ABOLISH. 571 the government of the body public. The second Session witnessed legislation to sectu'c defence of the country by organizing a mili- tia body ; and also upon two most important subjects having refer- ence to moral principles, viz. : concerning marriages, and ^^ An Act to prevent the further introduction of slaves, and to limit the term of contract for servitude tvithin this Province.'" " Whereas it is unjust that a people who enjoy freedom by law, should encourage the introduction of slaves, and whereas it is highly expedient to abolish slavery in this Province, so far as the same may gradually be done without violating private property; be it enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Assembly (^ the Province of Upper Canada," &c. It is enacted " that from and after the passing of this Act, so much of a certain Act of the Par- liament of Great Britain, entitled " An Act for encouraging new settlers," fcc, as may enable the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of this Province, heretofore parcel of His Majesty's Province of Quebec, to grant a license for importing into the same, any negro or negroes, shall be, and the same is hereby repealed ; and that from and after the passing of this Act, it shall not be lawful for the Governor to grant a license for the importation of any negro or other person to be subjected to the condition of a slave, or to a bounden involuntary service for life, in any part of this Province, nor shall any negro, or other person who shall come, or be brought into the Province after the passing of this Act, be subject to the condition of a slave, or to such service as aforesaid, within this Province, nor shall any voluntary contract of service or indentures that may be entered into by any parties within this Province, after the passing of this Act, be binding upon them or either of them for a longer term than a term of nine years." The second clause provided that the owners of slaves, at the time within the Province, should be secured in their pi'operty and contracts already made should not be affected. But in the thii-d clause it is declared that " In order to prevent the continuation of slavery within this Province, be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that immedi- ately from and after the passing of this Act, every child that shall be born of a negro mother, or other woman subjected to such ser- vice as aforesaid, shall abide and remain with the master or mistress in whose service the mother shall be living at the time of such child's birth, (unless such mother and child shall leave such 572 THE CONDITIONS. servioo, by and with the consent of such master oi- mistress) — and such master or mistress shall, and is hereby required to give proper nourishment and clothing to such child or children, and shall and may put such child or children to work, when he, she, or they shall be able so to do, and shall and may retain him or her in their service until every such child shall have obtained the age of 25 years, at which time shall be entitled to demand his or her discharge from, and shall be discharged by such master or mistress, from any further service. And to the end that the age of such child or children may be more easily ascertained, the master or mistress of the mother thereof, shall, and is hereby required, to (^use the day of the birth of every such child as shall be born of a negro or other mother, subjected to the condition of a slave, in their service, as aforesaid, to be registered within three months after its birth, by the clerk of the parish, township or place wherein such master or mistress reside, which clerk shall be autkorized to demand and receive the sum of one shilling for registering the same. And in case any master or mistress shall refuse or neglect to cause such register to be made within the time aforesaid, and shall be convicted thereof, either on his or her confession, or by the oath of one or more credible witnesses before any justice of the peace, he or she shall for such offence forfeit and pay the sum of £5 to the public stock of the district. " And be it further enacted, that in case any master or mistress shall detain any such child born in their service, after the passing of this Act, under any pretence whatever, after such servant shall have attained the age of 25 years, except by virtue of a contract of service or indentures duly and voluntarily executed, after such discharge as aforesaid, it shall be for such servant to apply for a discharge to any justice of tlie peace," and the party accused may be summoned to show cause why the servant is not discharged. The master failing to prove the seiwant under age, the justice is to discharge the same, and it was " provided always that in case any issue shall be born of such children during tlieir infant servitude or after, such issue shall be entitled to all the riglits and privileges of free-born subjects." " And be it further enacted, that whenever any master or mistress shall liberate or release any pei*son subject to the condi- tion of a slave from their service, they shall at the same time give good and sufficient security to the chui'ch or town wardens of the parish or township where they live, that the person so released by them shall not become chargeable to the same, or any other parish IN LOWER CANADA. 573 or township." This act which reflects so much glory upon the Upper Canadian Legislators, was passed July 9, 1793. We thought our readers would prefer to see tlie act complete than any synopsis we might prepare. To Eobert G-ray, then Solicitoi'-General, is Upper Canada primarily indebted for the above act. He was an eai-nest friend of the African race. He was lost in the schooner Speedy, on Lake Ontario. Slavery in Lower Canada. — According to Garneau, in the year 1689, it was proposed to introduce negroes to the colony of France. But it was thought the climate would prove unsuitable. That slavery was, not long after introduced, seems certain, and that it '' was legally recognized in Canada, is plain, from an oixlinanceof intendant Hocquart, dated 1736, regulating the manner of emancipating slaves in Canada." — (Bell.) There are extant several royal declarations respecting slaves in the colony, bearing dates, 1721, 1742, and 1745. At the Conquest there were slaves in the province ; and slavery '* then increased for an instant, only to disappear forever." Slavery having continued to exist in Canada until the first decade of the present century. By a stipulation in the treaty of Montreal, the colonists were " to be allowed to retain their slaves." Says Bell in Garneau's history, " Sir L. H. Lafontaine in 1859, investigated this matter," (respecting the existence of slaves in Pi-ench Canada), and fi-om the published reports of his enquiries, it appears that in 1799-1800, the citizens of Montreal presented requisitions to Pai^liament, tend- ing to cause the Legislature to vindicate the rights of masters over their slaves. The applicants invoked in favor of their demand, an ordinance rendered by Jacques Eoudat, 9th intendant, dated April 13, 1709, which edict was, they urged, in force when the definitive treaty of peace was signed, and by consequence formed part and parcel of the laws, usages, and customs, of Canada, recognized by the Act of Quebec. The bills, on the subject, wei-e introduced, in 1800, 1801, and 1803 ; but none of them passed. Since that time no Local Legislation sanctioned this matter; and if the act of the Imperial Parliament of 1797, had the effect of abolishing slavery in the British plantations, these would, of course, include Canada." "But," says Bell, the act in question could have no such eflect. It only enacted, that negroes could not be taken in execution as chatties, for the debts of their masters, as had previously been the case in His Majesty's American Colonies." It appears tolerably 4Wt IN THE STATES. certain from the foregoing, that slaves were introduced by the Fi'cnch into Canada, about the beginning of the 18th century, and that at least in 1709 it was a recogiiized institution, by virtue of an edict issued by the intendant. And, when the country was conquered by Great Britain, the colonists were " allowed to retain their slaves." In 1784, when Upper Canada was first settled, the number of slaves in Lower Canada according to census was 304. When Upper Canada, in 1793, took the lead in the whole of Britain's vast domain in legislating against slavery, Lower Canada continued to regard it without disfavour ; and, even in Montreal, endeavoured to fix the chains of bondage more firmly upon the negro. But what the Provincial Legislature did not, although pre- sented with the example set by Upper Canada, was done in a differ- ent way by Chief Justice Osgood, who in 1803, at Montreal, declared slavery inconsistent with the laws of the country, and gave freedom to the persons in that condition. And when the British Act of Emancipation was passed, in 1833, setting free the slaves in all parts of the* Empire, there was no slaves in Canada, Upper or Lower. Thirty years previous had the evil been crushed in Lower Canada, and forty years befbi c Upper Canada had declared that it was " highly expedient to abolish slavery," and had enacted laws to secure its abolition. At the time of the rebellion of 1776 — 83, slavery was not limited to the Southern States. Thei^ were a good many held by the old Knickerbocker femilies, both amongst the loyalists and rebels. When the families both of English and Dutch nationality, came as refugees to Canada, there accompanied them a number of slaves. Li many cases these slaves came of their own accord, would not be separated from their masters, with whom they always lived ; upon whose land they had been born. Indeed, the attachment between these faithful blacks and their owners was frequently of the most endui'ing nature, and, as we shall see, in some cases, although made free, they would not leave their old places as domestics. The Eev. Mr. Stuart in his memoir, says, in speaking of his removal to Cana<:la ; " My negroes, being personal property, I take with me, one of which being a young man, and capable of bearing arms, I have to give £100 security to send back a white prisoner in his stead. Capt. Joseph Allan brought with him from New Jersey, after the war had ended, to Upper Canada, three slaves — Tom, Sam and Sal. The two men, some years after, ran away to Lower SLAVE OWNERS. 575 Canada. Their owner pursued them to Montreal, and searched for them for ten days ; but failed to get them. He sold the female, Sal, with her child, to Silas Hill. This boy was afterwards sold to Abram Barker, who kept him until he became twenty-one, when he became free. Freedom did not suit him, as he became a worth- less fellow. Major VanAlstine had slaves, whom he treated with patriarchal kindness, and who lived in great comfort in the old-fash- ioned Dutch -cellar kitchen, in his home, in Fourth Town. The Bogarts and John Huyck also had slaves. Capt. Myers had slaves ; one. Black Bet, would never leave him, but continued until his death, under the care of her old master. Cartwright, Herkimer, and Everitt, each was the owner of slaves. And Powles Claus, of the Mohawk settlement, had two slaves. Col. Clark speaks, in his memoirs of his mother's death, in 1789, and of the funeral, when the negro Joe drove the favorite horses, Jolly and Bonny, before the sleigh, painted black. Again, Col. C. says : " After the Declaration of Independence, drovers used to come in with droves of horses, cattle, sheep and negroes, for the use of the troops, forts, and settlers in Canada, and my father purchased his four negroes, three males and one female, named Sue. In 1812, she gladly returned to our family, having become old and decrepid. She died in our house at Ffteen-mile Creek, in 1814. Sheriff Euttan says, "My uncle brought two negro servants with him, who were very faithful, hard Avorking fellows." During the year of famine, they were sent from Adolphustown to Albany, "for four bushels of Indian corn; a dreadful hazardous journey through the forest, with no road, and the snow very deep. They executed this mission, and returned in safet3^" These slaves were generally faithful, good natui'ed, and occa- sionally mischievous. It was the custom, in the first years of Canada, to place the ovens in the yard uj)on stakes, and they could be lifted off them. It is related that sometimes they would carry off slyly, the oven when filled with good things. Sheriff Sherwood says : "In answer to your letter of yesterday, as regards slaves, I only recollect two or three which settled in the ' District of Johnstown ; one in particular, named Caesar Congo, owned by Captain Justus Sherwood, who came with his family in the same brigade of boats that my father and family did, and located about two miles above Prescott. They were the very first actual settlers. Well I remember C»sar Congo, then a stout, strong young 676 LAST OP THE SLAVES. man, and who often took the late Justice Sherwood; of Toronto, and myself on his back to assist us alone:, while the boats were drawn up the rapids. Ca?sar was sold to a half-pay officer named Bottom, who settled about six miles above Prescott, who, after a year's service, gave Ca38ar his freedom. Caesar, soon after married suitably, and by his industry obtained a snug little place in the town of i3rockville, where he lived many 3'ears, and died. Daniel Jones, father of Sir Daniel Jones, of Brockville, had a female slave, and there were a few others residing in the district of which I have no personal knowledge. Squire Bleeker, of the Trent, had a slave called Ham. Abraham Cronk, of Sophiasbm'gh, bought a female slave from Mrs. Simpson, of Myers' Creek, for S300. After a time, she returned to Mrs. Simpson, with whom she lived till her death. This female had a daughter, who grew up to be an unusually "smart girl." Niciiolas Lazier had slaves. One, named Sal, was noted for her attachment to Methodism, and would go long distances to attend meetings. As a female slave, ^^Black Betty was one of the first congregation, to which the first Methodist preacher in America preached at New York, so this woman was one of the first Method- ists at the Bay, and in Upper Canada. John Cronk and she were the only Methodists in the Townshij) for a long time. Pryne, who lived a short distance above Bath, had two slaves. Col. Thompson also had some, and Lieut. McGrinness, of Amherst Isle, likewise possessed them. Capt. Trumpour, of Adolphustown, had two negroes. Leavens, of Belleville, bought a female slave of Wallbridge, for $100. A son of hers was purchased by Captain Mcintosh. The Hon, Peter Eussell, when Eeceiver-General, had a man and his wife as slaves, with their son and two daughters. Samuel Sherwood, writing to a person at Kingston, from Thurlow, in Oct. 1793, says, "'My negro boy, and Canadian boj'- have absented themselves last night without leave. I send Jim and two Indians in pursuit of them. I beg, if you can give any assistance, you will do me that service. McLean's black woman is my boj^'s mother, he maj^^call to see her," We have before us the copy of an assignment made in 1824, by Eli Keelei", of Haldimand, Newcastle, to William Bell, of Thur- low, of a Mulatto boy, Tom, in which it is set forth, that the said boy has time unexpired to serve as the child of a female slave, " A BRITISH SLAVE." 577 namely, ten years, from the 29th Feb. 1824, according to the laws of the Province ; for the sum of $75. Probably, this Avas the last slave in Canada whose service closed, 1835. There are, at the present time, a good many of the descendants of the early Canadian slaves. Some of them have done badly, others again have made themselves respectable and happy. The Mink family are descended from an old slave that belonged to William Herkimer. When made free, they, in many instances, preferred to remain in connection with their old masters, and even to this day, their children manifest a predilection for the name of their father's master. In and about Belleville, may yet be found such as spoken of. Most, or all of these are descendants of " Black Bess" who, at different times, was in possession of the Wallbridge's, Leaven's, and McLellan. In the Ottawa Citizen of 1867, appeared the following : A British Slave — An old negro appeared at the Court of Assize yesterday, in a- case of Morris vs. Hennerson. He is 101 years of age, and was formerly a slave in Upper Canada, before the abolition of slavery in the British possessions. He fought through the American war in 1812, on the side of the British ; was at the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, and was wounded at Sacket's Harbour. He is in full possession of all his faculties. He was born in New York State in 1766, and was the slave of a U. E. Loyalist, who brought him to Canada. He was brought to this city to prove the death of a jjerson in 1803, and another in 1804. It would seem odd enough at the present day to see the following advertisements in a Canadian journal. This appeared in che Gazette, Newark: " For Sale. — A negro slave, 18 years of age, stout and healthy, has had the small pox, and is cajjable of service, either in house or out door. The terms will be made easy to the purchaser ; and cash or new lands received in payment. Enquire of the Printer. " Niagara, November 28th, 1802." '' Indian Slave. — All persons are forbidden harboring, employing, or concealing my Indian slave, called Sal, as I am determined to prosecute any offender, to the utmost extremity of the law ; and persons who may suffer her to remain on their premises for the space of half an hour, without my written consent, will be taken as offending, and dealt with according to law. (Signed) Charles Fields. Niagara, August 28th, 1802." 37 578 A CONTRAST. "For Sale — The negro man and woman, the property of Mrs. (widow) Clement. They have been bred to the business of a farm; will be sold on highly advantageous terms, for cash or lands. Apply to Mrs. Clement. Niagara, January 9th, 1802." "VVe have seen that the record of Upper Canada with respect to the subject of human bondage is particulai-ly bright and honorable. This Province, in its very infancy, took the lead in severing the fettei-s which a dark and penurious age had rivetted upon the bodies of the African. This blackest cui'se of the world, which the power of England assisted to create, and which her offspring, the United States, continued to perpetuate for so many years, was put aside by the young Province at the first ; while, but a few years later, a Canadian Judge, of Lower Canada, declared slavery to be inconsis- tent with the laws of Canada. These are facts of which every Canadian may well be proud. It was no '^ military necessity" which caused the abolition of slavery in Canada. It was a question of right, which the Canadian Parliament cxj)erienced no difficult}' in solving. How grand the sjiectacle ! How noble the conduct, setting an example to the world ! In striking contrast, behold the United States. Flaunting their flag of liberty before the gaze of the world, they cried " All men are born free and equal, with the right topui'sue that course which will lead to happiness;" yet not- withstanding these principles, enunciated with so much boldness, and, year after year, proclaimed by wordy foiu'th of July orators ; they continued, not only to hold slaves, but made the bonds tighter until oceans of blood had been shed, and the Union was almost destroyed — when it could not be saA^ed with slaverj', as Lincoln had declared he would wish to save it ; when it became necessary to strike a blow, which the northern legions had been unable to deal the Southern Confederacy, then, and not until then, were the slaves declared to be free. Lincoln said he would save the Union with slavery, if he could, failing this, then he would enlist the African slave to assist in saving the Union, by giving them liberty. The Southern blacks owe their liberty to-day, to the almost superhuman courage of the jieople with whom they lived, who held them in bondage, not, it is true, because their masters wished to liberate them ; but because thej' were unable to successfully combat the perfect flood of men that was poured against their northern bordorsi and which infested their sea-board with an unbroken circle of armed vessels, shutting them out from all means of carrying on the unequal combat. It was this heroic attitude that made it necessary for FREEDOM. 579 Lincoln to issue the famous proclamation. Let the freedman thank the exigency which made necessary the step which bi'oke the back of the Confederacy, and thereby gave efficiency to the proclama- tion. It cannot be doubted that the great body of abolitionists were from the commencement of the war, anxious to secure the abolition of slavery ; but they were impotent, their councils to the Pi-esident were unheeded, their desires disregarded. The groat mass of the Northerners had no sj^mpathy M'ith the poor slave, they only cared for the Union; and many of them were even dissatisfied that Lincoln should resort to the plan of freeing them in order to save the Union. It is abundantly easy, now to declare that, from the first the Washington Government was determined to abolish slavery — that, from the first, it was a war for, and against the life of that institution ; but reading the events of the war, carefully scanning each page of its history, examining each line, stud}"- ing every word ; looking with an unbiassed eye upon the whole gigantic drama, it is submitted there is no reason for believing that the nation desired to free the slave at all ; but, always excepting the Abolitionist, submitted to the necessity of setting the negro free, rather than sacrifice the L^nion, or, rather than be con- quered by the South. All honor then, to the U. E. Loyalists, in Parliament assembled, at the young capital of Newark — the representatives of the devoted band of refugees, who had been made such by rebels, who pretended to fight for " liberty," who placed on record their interj^retation of the word Freedom ; that it meant not liberty to a certain class ; but to all, irrespective of color. All honor to the noble Judge, who had the probitj^ and moral courage to enunciate a doctrine that at once made every supposed slave in Lower Canada conscious of being a free man. This noble beginning in the Canadas was followed by events no less interesting. They became the asylum of the slave, who were not oxAy sought after by their Southern masters, but who were chased to the very boi'ders by Northerners themselves. 580 ADVANCEMENT. CHAPTEE LXVI. Contexts. — Returns to the Pioneer — Bay Region — Garden of Canada — Clogs — False views of settlers — Result — New blood — Good example — Anecdote — The " Family Compact" — Partiality — Origin of the Compact — Their conduct — The evil they did — A proposed Canadian Aristocracy — What it would have led to — What may come — " Peter Funks." THE OBSTACLES TO ADVANCEMENT. In the section devoted to the first years of Upper Canada there lias ninch been said having I'eference to the growth and prosperity of the Piovince, and advance of civilization, but something remains to be told which requires particular notice, and without which our sketch would not be complete. The privations endiired, and hardships overcome by the pioneers, tended to make them careful and prudent, and no doubt led to the more permanent prosperity of their children. As years wore away, comforts began to reward their toil and patience. Acre after acre was brought under cultivation ; the log house received an addition, not large, but so as to supply a second room, Avhicli a growing family of boys and girls seriously demanded. Stock began to accumulate, and the future brightened up before them. In considering the rate and degree of advancement, it must be remembered that many of the first settlers were disbanded soldiers, and understood as little about agriculture as about clearing the laud. " Though in most in- stances, a man of intelligence, the TJ. E. Loyalist introduced but a primitive system of agriculture ; and the f acili ties of acquiring lands in the western part of the Province, has in a measure prevented that admixture among them of the more scientific and educated agricul- turist from the old countries, which has helped to improve other parts of Canada. It has been only of late years, and since the general establishment of agricultural societies, that the real capacities of the Midland District has begun to be develoi^ed, and improvements intro- duced, which have resulted in making, even in the neighboiirhood of Kingston, where the soil was looked upon as comparatively unpro- ductive, some of the best and handsomest farms that can be seen in the Province." — (Cooper). The region about the Bay because of its central position, received the name of Midland District. This district embraced, and at the beginning of the present century was regarded as the most imi^ortant OBSTACLES. 581 and influential part of Canada. But times have changed. Upper Canada has grown to be the largest and wealthiest province in British America, and although improvements around the Bay have continued to increase, yet westAvard the bulk of the immigrants have foimd a home, so that this section no longer holds so important a position. Nevertheless, as in former years, so now, the Bay country may be regarded as the garden of Westei'n Canada. Long since the wilder- ness has become a fruitful field, and the fertile land has retui*ned to the toiler a full reward. To the tourist passing along the Bay the appearance of the lands is exceedingly beautiful, especially in the days of summer ; in June when all things are clothed in the richest green, and some weeks later when the golden hues of harvest have gathered over the fields of grain. The substantial residences of the farmers tell of prosperity and advancement. The old log house around which clustered so many associations, made dear by the cir- cumstances of pioneer life, has been superseded by the more pre- tending frame building, and this again has been removed to be followed by elegant, and often stately edifices. The work of improve- ment and of beautifying has gone on from year to year, and now the inhabitants of the Bay are in most cases living in affluence. But while we mark the advancement, it must not be forgotten that it ought to have been greater. While we give all credit to the soldier farmer, for achieving so much, it must be related that there were certain land-holders who were as clogs to the wheel of progress, who displayed not that enterprize, at an early day, which they ought to have done. Had the greedy few who hoarded up land, and grasped for more, and still more ; who stood ready to buy up the land of every unfortunate one compelled to sell — had such made themselves acquainted with the improvements in the agriculture of the day ; had they, instead of leaving the hard woi'kers to make roads across their lands, opened them up and pi'ovided a passible way ; had they endea- vored to make their land productive, and by example to show the struggling farmers a better way, and how to increase and advance ; then, instead of merely the prosperity which now exists, there would have been great wealth. The broad acres are old enough, the land- scape charming enough, the ground productive enough, and had the proper spirit been abroad among the class mentioned, those who aspired to be landed aristocrats then, the Bay Quinte might have presented, not alone a beauty rivaling that of the Hudson, but also the palatial mansions which adorn its shores. No more suitable spot in the wide world can be found for ornamental residences, and it is 592 TRUE GENTILITY. to be hoped that many witli capital and taste, will very shortly pro- ceed to set examples, for the wealthy farmers in some degree, to imitate. It may be said it were better the farmers and their children should have humble ideas, and the fact may be adduced that not a few of the descendants of the first settlers have, by their excesses in di'ess, and by trying ta imitate the habits of the dwellers of towns and cities, laid the foundation of their ruin, by getting into the books of the merchant, and ultimately becoming helpless in his hands, so that the fathers heritage passed away to the strangei*. But it is for- gotten that such was princii:)ally the case with those who, suddenly becoming well to do, thought, if they desired to associate with the aristocracy, they must dress in finer clothing, and have clean hands » that their daughters must cease spinning, and the wife no longer do housework, that it was a disgrace to be seen working. It vras such feelings and views which creeping in, paved the way for the downfall of many a one, who had begun to get on in the world ; whereas, had gentlemen by birth and education, and there were such among the first settlers, given their time to actual improvement, had shewn that they considered it honorable to work with their hands. Had they cai*ried their refinement into the more rural parts and shewn that agriculture and gentility may go together, and that education is as imjjortant for the agriculturist as for any other, both in enabling him to till the soil with success, and in providing him with those superior means of enjoyment which a wise Provi- dence desires us to possess, a most valuable service would have been rendered. It was because the farmer thought he must dress as they did in the city, in order to associate with them, and that labor was not honorable, that ruin came to many a household, and the names of the first owner of farms are not now there ; who laid low the forest in the infancy of the country. There is no for- getfulness that those blamed had once been wealthy and occupied high positions in the old colonies, and owned broad acres. It was perhaps natural that such persons, exiled in the wilderness, and Btruggling with the stern realities of their existence, should aim to regain a jiosition of similar jjower and affluence, and wei-e deter- mined that, although they might not see the return of those inde- pendent days, their children should ; so they continued to bend every energy to secure it. But alas ! how rarely was the dream realized! How few of the limited number who first ruled the country — how few of the Family Compact arc now in the higher circle of independence. FOGYISM. 583 Eespecting the more common settlor, it was to be expected that now and then one would fail to advance — would fall behind in the onward march of the country. The wonder is great that so few of the old soldiers made shipwreck of the liberal grants be- stowed by a motherly government. " The sons of some of those men who have hewn out a home in the primitive forest, have, in some cases, through bad management or bad conduct, suffered their possessions to pass to the stranger: the speculating merchant has gi'asped their all under a mortgage, and indolence or dissipa- tion has completetl the ruin." — (Cooper). "These evils, however, are rapidly curing themselves or jiroducing an equivalent or greater amount of good — the idle and shiftless sells out to the practical and industrious farmer, who introduces among his neigh- bours the latest improvements in agricultural skill, and implements of husbandry; new systems of drainage, new stock, or imjH'oved breeds occupy the attention and employ the capital of the father of a famil)', whilst his wife and daughtei-s, though well able to compete with the gayest and grandest, readily forego, when neces- sary, the imported and costly silks sported by the family of a less enterj)rising neighbour, and set an example of neatness, taste and appropriateness, in attire." Cooper, in his essay, relates the following: He says, "The ideas of enterprize and modern progress entertained by some, may be illustrated by the following anecdote : When a new road was proj)Osed leading through some of the best portions of the counties (of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington), opening up others, and affording many and great advantages, the benefits of which in short were apparent to all, and the only question involved was how to raise the money, a very wealthy landholder, who had amassed his thousands in the City of Kingston, and part of whose possessions lay on the route, replied to an application to take stock, that the effect of the road would be to enable people to steal his timber, and he declined to subscribe ! It is presumed that railroads and electric telegraphs were not in fashion when this gentleman made his money." It was a feeling indulged by many similar to what this person had, that from the first, assisted to retard the judicious development of the young country. Eeferonce has been made to the " Family Compact." In speak- ing of Bishop Strachan, the statement is made that he was honest in his convictions that Church and State would best serve the interest of Canada, that in the uneducated state of the people, 584 THE FAMILY COMPACT. Government should reside altogether or principally in the hands of the Governor and Executive Council. But while the honesty of the late Bishop is thus freely admitted, it must at the same time be acknowledged that those in authority were not disinterested dis- pensers of the good things which always exist in connection with a Government ; and which particularly were provided for the loyalist settlers of Upper Canada by the British Government. For instance, it is averred by McMullen, and sharply reiterated by Gourlay, that "the provisions, clothing, and farming utensils, granted by the British Government for the benefit of the poor loyalists, were in many cases handed over to favorites, in others allowed to become useless from negligence in the public stores." It was not alone provisions, clothing, and farming utensils that were enjoyed by the favorites. Lands — choice lands, were to be had by them, by the choosing. Settlements in Upper Canada com- menced at several points, in each settlement were a few leading men, half-pay officers, or those who had held important positions during the Eevolutionary war, with a good sprinkling of personal friends and relatives. At the capital, those were in excess. These leading men throughout the Province were in the mostcases closely united by consanguinity and marriage ; and soon became even more closely identified in interest — forming a strong political body,Avhich derived its life-blood from the Executive. Its members suiTOunded the gubernatorial throne, and had the ear of the Governor, they formed bis Councillors, and managed to become his friends ; and as such secured abundantly of the bounties. Itw^as not enough that large blocks of land should be held in reserve for the Crown, the Clergy, and for the Indians, w^hich last was right ; but choice bits of land were granted to members of this strong family, compacted together, to help one another, and the land was left uncultivated, unimproved, until the energies of the pioneers around had made it more valuable. With the departure of Simeoc commenced the manipulations of thi8/am%. That Governor had invited by proclamation, per- sons from the United States, who might wash to become Canadians, and promised them grants of land. But he was re-called, and his promises were not attended to, although man}' came to the Province on their strength. Government ignored them, and it is stated, with abundant show of plausibility, that the reason was ; that the growing famiij^ might have the more land to choose from, and to leave for their children; and with some, that they might live in THE ORIGIN. 585 England upon the rents derived from Cancada, and so " men of caj)ital and enterprise, who had come into the Province furnished with cattle and implements to commence the settlement of town- ships," were disappointed. Some of these persons, who desired to live under the British flag, returned to the States to become truly republicans, others remained to form an element in the party which was in time to rise in opposition to the Family Compact. Su.ch, in brief was the origin of the Family Compact. They aspired not alone, to possess the best tracts of land ; but to fill every post of honor and emolument, to hold the reins of Government exclusively, and to constitute a select circle of nobility, to act the part of Lords over vassals ; and to this end desired to possess extensive lands upon which, and around which should grow the belongings to estated gentlemen. When eight schools were granted certain sums of money, and the teachers were nominated by the Governor, gener- ally half-j)ay officers. For a long time they had everything pretty much their own way. If any dissented from them, he was accused of disloyalty. Did an honest farmer question their honesty, he was pointed out as one to be suspected — as seditious, and as one of the King's enemies, against whom it was thought necessary to legislate. ISTor did the House of Assembly, in any respect, for a long time, interfere with the growth and prosperity of the Family Compact, for, generally sp>eaking, a member of the family managed to get elected. The charge is not made that all of the members of the early Parliaments were of the Compact ; but they were more or less under their influence. A history of the Family Compact, would be a history of the political life of Canada for many years, including the rebellion of 1837-8. The attempt has not been made to cast unnecessary reproach ujjon the old tory party of Upper Canada. As one brought up a conservative, the writer is free to admit all mistakes com- mitted by the party in early times — to acknowledge that too much exclusiveness existed among those, forming the leaders of the party, and occasionally a disregard of justice. And it is freely admitted, that great mistakes were made by them, mistakes from the effects of which the country has not yet recovered. But then, they were but mistakes, and who does not make them. It may, then, be said, that in some respects the Family Compact retarded the advance of civilization. An aristocracy, or nobilit}' cannot thrive in a new country and will certainly fail, and in its efforts to live be a drawback on improvements. 586 AMERICAN OBSTRUCTIONISTS. In the debate in the Imperial Parliament upon the constitution of Canada, Mr. Pitt expre.sses his desire to have established in Canada, an hereditary nobility. While never endorsing the extreme views of Gourlay, it is thought he spake the truth when he said that " nothing could have so exposed the absurdity, as actual trial and consequent ridicule. By this day we should have witnessed many a pleasant farce. "VVe should have seen, per- haps, the Duke of Ontario leading in a cart of hay, my Lord Erie pitching, and Sir Peter Superior, making the rick ; or perhaj)s, his Grace might now have been figuring as a petty-fogging lawyer, his Lordship as a pedlar, and. Sir Knight, as a poor parson, starving on 5,000 acres of Clergy Reserves." If we allowed ourselves to speak of the future of our country, with respect to this question, we should hesitate to say that the idea of Pitt cannot be carried out. The repulsiveness of Eepublic- anism is to Canadians so great that we almost entertain the belief that our Dominion may ultimatel}^ develope into a nation with a constitutional monarchy, with all its surroundings. It would certainly be infinitely jjreferable to the " Model Eepublic." In strong contrast to the Family Compact, yet likewise obstructionists in the work of advancement, we now mention another class. We have said that not a few came to Canada from the States to trade with the Canadians, to do work, and that some took up lands, and that of all these a good many became true subjects of the realm, showing their attachment by taking up arms in 1812. But while this fact is recognized, it cannot be forgotten, that Canada was often, is even to-day, plagued with a certain class, styled often- times speculators ; but who are in reality of the Peter Funk order. The class to whom reference is made, is recognized by the honest Americans themselves. The New York Tribune, after the close of the Southern war, in speaking of the South, says thus : " We hear that many of the blacks, thoroughly distrusting their old masters, place all confidence in the Yankees, who have recently come among them, and will woi*k for these on almost any terms. We regret this ; for while many of these Yankees Avill justify their confidence, others will grossly abuse it. New England jjroduces many of the best specimens of the human race, and along with these, some of the very meanest beings that ever stood on two legs — cunning, rapacious, hypocritical, ever ready to skin a flint with a borrowed knife, and make (for others) soup out of the peelings. This class AGRICULTURE. 287 soon became too well known at home — " run out," as the phrase is — when they wandered all over the earth, .snuffling and swindling, to the injury of the land that bore them and cast them out. Now let it generally be presumed by the ignorant blacks of the South, that a Yankee, because a Yankee, is necessarily their friend, and this unclean brood will overspread the South like locusts, starting schools and prayer-meetings at every cross-road, getting hold of abandoned or confiscated plantations, and hiring laborers right and left, cutting timber here, frying out tar and turjientine there, and growing corn, cotton, rice, and sugar, which they will have sold at the earliest day and run away with the proceeds, leaving the negroes in rags and foodless, with winter just coming on." It is unneces,sary to say, that civilization was never much advanced by this class, many specimens of which, time after time, have visited Canada. CHAPTEE LXYII. Contests — Agriculture — Natural Products — Rice — Ginseng — Orchards — Plows— Eeaping — Flax — Legislation — Agricultural Society organized by Simcoe — A Snuff Box — Fogies — Silver — Want of help — Midland District taking the lead — Societies — Legislative help — Prince Edward — Pearl Ashes — Factories — Tanneries-Breweries, Carding Machines — Paper — Lumber — First vehicles — Sleighs — Waggons — Home-made — Roads — First Public Conveyances — — Stages — Fare — Building Greater — Sawing Mills introduced by the Dutch — First Brick Building — Myer.s' House — Its past history — Furniture from Albany — Currency — Paper Money — Banks — First Merchants — Barter — Pedlars — On the Bay. AGRICULTURAL MATTERS — PRODUCTS. While the dense forest everywhere yet covered the earth, the shores of the Bay yielded some natural productions. The wild plum was plentiful in some places, a fruit which, although in its natural state somewhat sour, has, under cultivation, much improved in size as well as quality ; and constitutes to this day a valuable luxury ; at the same time, it is exceedingly healthy. In some places also, at the proper seasons, was the delicious cranberries. These were often brought by the Indians, and exchanged for some article of the settlers. In some parts of the Bay, there grew wild rice, which was much prized by the Indians, and which was often 588 GINSENG. used by the settlers. It is spoken of as an excellent article of diet, and when boiled with meat, very tasty as well. The grain is much (smaller than the imported article ; not unfrequently, the Indians would collect the grain and sell it to the settlers. In the year 1716, a Jesuit discovered in the forests of Canada, the Ginseng plant, which grew also in China, where it was in much demand because of certain supjDOsed virtues to which, however, it rightly has no claim. It is of the genus Fanox. It " became a means of enriching the colony for a time, by its exportation to China. A pound weight of it worth two francs at Quebec, sold at Canton for twenty-five francs. Its price ultimately i-ose to eighty francs per pound. One year, there was sent thither, ginseng yielding a return of 500,000 francs. The high price it obtained set everybod}'- at work to find it. The plant was not in proper condi- tion till August or September ; but with purblind avidity, the seekers gathered it in May. The fresh plants ought to have been slowly dried in the shade ; the gatherers, anxious to get returns, dried them in ovens. They then became worthless in Chinese esti- mation ; and the trade in it ceased almost as suddenly as it began." — (Garueau.) But, according to other authority, the trouble con- sisted in the actual destruction of the plant, from gathering it too early in the season, whereby the plant was killed, which seems a more likely thing. Some of the settlers of the Bay had knowledge of the value of the plant in Chinese estimation, as the following letter will show. It is addressed to Mr. Wm. Bell, of Thurlow, who was subsequently known as Col. Bell. " Fredericksburgh, 16th July, 1799. Sir — I have taken the liberty of enclosing to you an adver- tisement, as you will see — Respecting Ginseng roots, having in view to get all I can — and, thinking the Indians would be likely to collect considerable of a quantity, will thank you to acquaint them of it, or any of the white jieople you may see ; and set up the adver- tisement in the most publick place about yoii. — And oblige. Your very humble servant, Eben'r Washburn." Another letter, dated Aug. 27, 1799, saj^s " I have to acknow- ledge the attention you have paid to mine of prior date, in respect of Ginseng. I will thank you to keep the refusal of the 500 lbs. you mention, if possible, and collect more if you can." Mr. Wash- burn says that he is about to set out for Montreal ; and it was, most likely, to see what market he could make of the article in question. One of the first considerations, after the settler had attained comparative comfort, at least secured what was requisite for life, IMPLEMENTS. 589 was the planting of fruit trees. No doubt, the thoughts often reverted back to the old orchards which had been left behind, and although the pioneer, in the afternoon of life, could not exjject to derive anj^ personal return for planting orchards, he was anxious to leave them to his children. This same spirit — this regard for offspring, constituted a marked feature in the U. E. Loyalists. The earliest reference to apple trees we find, is in a letter, dated " Sydney, 22rd July, 1791," fi'om John Ferguson, to William Bell, Kingston, requesting the latter to bring some to Sidney. The implements of husbandry, like the utensils for household use, were, for a considerable time, of the rudest description. Among the articles granted by government, were but few to use in the tilling of land and the reaping of crops. Here and there was one who had come at a later date, who had fetched with them articles more essential for farm use ; but the great majoritj^ had not such things as hoes, plows, pitch-forks, scj'thes, &c. Many of these were made by the settlers, and were of the rudest order, although generally strong enough, and therefore cumbersome enough. It was many years before these home-made implements were substituted by others made abroad. Gourlay informs us, writing, 1817, that most of the farmers made their own plows and han'ows. The iron of the plow costing from nine to twelve dollars. As the thickly covered ground, with stumps, materially inter- fered with the sowing of grain ; so with gathering the products. For several years, they had only in use the sickle ; but, in time, the Yankee pedlar brought in the scythe, which ultimately took the place of the sickle. It has been observed, in connection with the "clothing" of the early settlers, that they turned their attention to the growing of flax, and that it was made to afford comfortable and durable habili- ments for both sexes. There was, as well, early attention given to the cultivation of hemp," " in pui'suance of two several addresses of the House of Commons." In 1804, £1,000 was granted, and Com- missioners appointed, to carry into effect the object thereof, cultiva- tion and expoi'tation. The following year, £45 was granted for the purchase of hemp seed. Another Act was passed in 1808, to encourage its cultivation and exportation. Again, there was legis- lation in 1810, and in 1812, when £1,000 was granted for the purchase, sale and exi^ortation of hemjD, purchase of seed, and for bounties. In 1822, it, was enacted that £300 be appropi'iated to jjur- chase machinery for dressing hemp, that the machinery should be 590 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. imported free, the place for erection to be selected by the Governor, £50 was to be applied annually to keep it in repair. But, notwith- standini^ all this legislation, and substantial encouragement, the cultivation of hemp did not succeed. The object seems to have been to supply hemp for the British market, which derived it from Russia. But labor being cheaper in that country than in Canada, there was no chance for success. Gourlay says " This absurdity we must not wholly rest on the shoulders of the simple Canadians* They were simple indeed, to be voting away the public money; but it was a patriotic measure, and blindness may be allowable in matters so elevated and pure. No doubt they were spui-red on by our home ministers, who should have known better. The failure produced more beneficial effects than would have waited on success." Gov. Simcoe, who had the interest of the Province so much at heart, gave his patronage to, if indeed he did not insj^ire the organ- ization of the first Agricultural Society, at Newark. Col. Clark, of Dalhousie says " I ];ave a perfect remembrance of the first Agricul- tural Society patronized by Governor Simcoe, who subscribed his ten guineas a year cheerfully. My father was a member, and the monthly dinners were given by the members during the season, with the great silver snuft-box ornamented with the horn of plenty on its lid." The Col. remarks that this snuff-box was the property of the society, and was taken care of by the one who was next to furnish the dinner ; and goes on to lament that it is lost, hoping it may be found, " that it may remain as an heir-loom to tell posterity at what an early period tlio progress of Agricnltiu-e was followed up and which has led to its present high state of perfection. Thus we see that in Niagara District, at the very commencement of the Government of Upper Canada, attention was given, even by the Governor, to agricultural matters. Although the settlers upon the Niagara frontier, established agricultural societies at an earlier date than any found in the Midland Districts, it may be presumed that it was in a great measure due to the impetus given to the set- tlement by the presence of the seat of Government, and the influence exerted by the Governor. And, although steps may not have been taken to secure their establishment along the Bay Quinte, yet, even so early as the beginning of the last decade of the last century, indi- viduals were to be found who sought to introduce improvements in agriculture, and everything thai would advance the art. At the same time it must be admitted that a vast number were content to follow in the footsteps of their fathers so long as food and enough PLODDERS. 591 were yielded by the soil. The land was plentiful, and productive. The eourse of events was even as a steady stream. The old men satisfied with the abundance of to-day, and drawing a contrast between the present and the past, when starvation was at the door, and in the cupboard, were quite content with the primitive sj-stem of agriculture, which his soldier father had adopted. He saw no other mode of tilling the soil, and with no reason sought not a change, so no innovations by scientific agriculturalists disturbed the quiet repose of man}^ of the steady going plodders. Their sons rarely Went abroad to learn the ways of others ; and often what did come to their cars was regarded with great suspicion. They wanted no new-fangled notions. Hence, the farms were not fully cultivated for many a day, parts remaining in a waste state for want of drain. But the establishment of agricultural associations and the occasional coming of a new man upon an old farm gradually, and frequently ver}^ gradually, dispelled the old man's ideas. The townships most contiguous to the town of Kingston, natiu'- ally were the first to experience prosperity, and gradually the adjacent townships also became productive, and means were created to transport the produce to the market. We are told by Mrs. P , daughter of John Ham, of Ernest- town, now upwards of seventy, that she remembers one occasion, about the beginning of the present centurj^, that her father coming from Kingston, after selling produce, had a bag of silver dollars, as much as she could lift — $900. By this we learn that his farm was productive, his labor well directed, and that hard cash was paid for his produce by the Kingston merchants. It shows, moreover, that this was over and above the cost of what was required of merchan- dize by him for his family using. One serious drawback with the farmers often was the want of assistants. If a farmer had not a son old enough to help, he was in great trouble oftentimes to secure the necessary help. French- men were frequently employed, yet they could not be fully depended upon to remain during the whole season. At harvest time, when large wages would be offered, the hired man would often, without hesitation, leave his employer to go to another who would give for a while, larger wages. In the absence of men, the wife and daughters took hold of the fork, cradle, and rake. If we may credit the statements of writers who had passed through Canada in the beginningof the present century, the Midland District took the lead in agricultural and social progress. Mr. 592 LEGISLATION. Talbot, whose opinion of the Canadians, a,s to their intelligence, education, morals, and religion, was anything but flattering, made a pedestrian tour from the west to Montreal, in 1823. He says of the inhabitants of Sidney, Thurlow, and Richmond, that they possessed more wealth than any other people in the Province. But Mr. Talbot passed only along the Kingston Road by Napanee, and saw not the townships of the lower part of the bay, or he would have seen even a more advanced state of prosperity and agriculti\ral wealth. The first formation of agricultural societies was initiated by an Act of Parliament, passed March 6, 1830. The object of this Act was to give encouragement to organize associations in the several districts, " For the purpose of importing live stock, grain, grass, seeds, useful imjjlements, or whatever else might conduce to the improvement of agriculture." It was enacted that each society, having had subscribed to it £50, should, upon petitioning the Governor, receive the sum of £100. This Act was to remain in force four years. This Act was jjromptly responded to by the inhabitant of the Midland District. So early as the 27th April following, a meeting of the inhabitants of the district was held at the Court House, Kingston, H. C. Thompson, Esq., Chairman, and H. Smj'th, Esq., Secretarj', and " A form of a constitution for an Agricultural Society was read and submitted to the meeting for approval. The following day, the adjourned meeting adopted a constitution for the Midland District Agricultural Society. The officers were to be a President, five Vice-Presidents, thirty Directors, a Treasurer, and a Secretary — One Vice-President, and six Directors to be elected from each of the five counties in the district, John McCaulay, Esq., was elected President; David J. Smith, Esq., Treasurer, and H. C. Thompson, Esq., Secretary of the Society. It was '^ Besolved" by the Society, "that Isaac Eraser, Esq., of Addington; Allan McPherson, Esq., of Lennox; Asa "Worden, Esq., of Prince Edward; and AVilliam Bell, Esq., of Hastings, be requested to call meetings in their respective counties," and make returns as to whom had been elected for Vice- Presidents and Directors. The Vice-President for the County of Frontenac was John Marks, Esq. . In the Hallowell Free Press of M.ay 31, 1831, we find that the " Annual Meeting of the Prince Edward Agricultural Association, was held at Striker's Inn, in Hallowell, on the 26th instant. The following oflicers were chosen for the following year : — Stephen Miles, FIRST BREWERY AND DISTILLERY. 593 President ; James Colter, AYilliam Cunningham, and Paul Clapp, Vice- Presidents ; S. P. McPherson, Secretary ; B. Dongall, Assistant Secre- tary ; David Smith, Treasuroi'." The Government liaving offered a bounty of £lOO to every society which could raise £50 ; the Prince Edward Society raised the necessary amount. But judging from a commmiication, which subsequently appeared in the Press, the town- ships of HallowcU and Hillier, raised the most of the ainount, £46 ; Marysburgh, Sophiasburgh, and Ameliasburgh, paying only £4. In a General Eeport of Midland District, 1817, it is stated that "the assess roll gives about 3,600 horses above two years; 100 oxen above four years; 6,185 milch cows ; 1,054 head of young cattle above two years." The first great obstacle to agriculture in Upper Canada was the thickly standing trees, many of which were large and hard in sub- stance. For the first years, with every one, destruction of the trees was the only consideration, not even the ashes were thought of. But after a time, their value for the manufacture of pot and pearl ashes was recognized. In July, 1801, an Act was passed to appoint In- spectors of flour, and pot and pearl ashes, in order to establish the credit of those articles in foreign markets, the fee for examining to be threepence per barrel of flour, and one shilling for every cask of pot ash. The following appears in the Kingston Gazette, April 19, 1817, after stating that " a Pearl and Pot Barley Factory is to be established in Ernesttown. It is said this is the first establishment of the kind Ave recollect to have heard of in Upper Canada, we have seen some of the barley, and think it equal to that imported. Such domestic manu- factories ought to be encouraged by the community." AGRICULTURE — FACTORIES — MERCHANTS. The first Brewery and Distillery established in Upper Canada, was built by John FinkJe, of Ernesttown, on his own place. He also kept, for man}- years the only tavei-n between Kingston and York. 'Mx. Finkle also built the first Masonic Lodge of Upper Canada, at his own expense, upon the town plot of Fredei'icksburgh . It is stated in Gourlay, that in 1817, there was in Kingston township " a machine for carding wool, at the rate of nine-pence per pound." In Ernesttown " there were two carding, and one fulling machines. One barley hulling mill, together with a blast furnace. Carding is nine-pence half-penny per pound, and fulling six-pence per yard." In Sophiasburgh there was one carding 38 994 FIRST VEHICLES. machine. In Hallowell, there was one carding, and one fulling machine. Thurlow had two carding machines, and two fulling mills. In llic whole Midland District, there were twenty-four grist-mills and forty saw-mills. JohnMorden, who came to the bay about 1790, "was a man well known in his day, being a manufacturer of general household goods, as chairs, spinning-wheels, flax-dressers, weaver's apparatus, and other things. In the house of mostly every descendant of a Quinte settler, may be found some oi his work, especially those wlio occupy the homesteads." As an indication of the desire of Government to encourage home manufactures, we find that Parliament, in 1826, granted £125 as a premium to the first " who should set up a manufactory of paper," and bring it into successful oi^eration. The valuable timber that thickly covered the ground, was, at the first, indiscriminately destroyed, scarcely thinking of saving the ashes ; but, in a few years, the majestic pine, oak, elm, and other trees of the forest were sought after by the lumber merchant. For many years, lumbering was carried on in the Bay Quinte, and rafted to Montreal, and was a source of no little profit. The wilderness was trackless, and of course some time elapsed before vehicles of any kind could be used, except in winter, after the bays and rivers had frozen. Eude sleighs, made by inferior tools, were the fii-st made. At first hand-sleighs ; and then heavier ones, to be used with oxen and horses. But as the beasts of burden were scarce, there was but one here and there, who had occasion to make a vehicle of anj^ kind, except what could be hauled by hand. The sleighs were often used in summer to haul in grain and hay from the field. Some constructed a sort of waggon by sawing a hard-wood tree, of suitable size across, making four pieces about a foot in length. Holes having been bored through the centre of the blocks, they constituted the wheels of the waggon. The axle-tree of hard-wood was then fashioned to suit the wheels, and in this way a rough, but serviceable vehicle was made, which proved of great use, especially in hauling grain and hay to the place of stacking. The account of one is given which would carry as much as 150 sheaves. As years elapsed, and roads were cut and made passable, waggons were introduced. One of the first waggons brought into the Province was, it is said, by Jacob Cronk, of Sophiasburgh. It came fi'om Duchess Count}', New York. The second one was SAWING MILLS. 595 brought by James Way. Possibly this is not true, but at least they were the first introduced into that township. The first public conveyance by land between Kingston and Montreal, was made by Dickenson. Ho called on Judge Cartwright to consult him about opening a line of stage travel. Consequently, in 1808, a lino was established. It ran all the year round, though not so regularly in summer as in winter. " Lumber gentlemen from Quebec traveled through by the stage." — (Finkle.) It was not until the w^ar of 1812, that a lino of stages was com- menced between Kingston and York. By an advertisement in the Kingston Gazette, h is learned that in June, 1817, " A stage was commenced running from Kingston to York, leaving Kingston every Monday morning at six o'clock, and York every Thursdaj?- morning, same hour." "Persons wishing for a passage will call at Mr. David Brown's Inn, Kingston, where the stage-books will be kept. From twenty to twenty-eight pounds baggage will be allowed to each passenger, over this they must be charged for. All bag- gage sent by the stage will be forwai-ded with care, and delivered with punctuality, and all favors acknowledged by the public's humble servant, (Signed), Samuel Purdy, Kingston, January 23, 1817. N.B. Stage fare, eighteen dollars." The same year. Lieutenant Hull, traveling in Canada, writes that there is a stage waggon from Montreal to Prescott, which carries the mail. From thence to Kingston the mail is carried on horseback. The stage waggon, he remarks, is the roughest con- veyance on either side of the Atlantic. The first buildings were of logs, generally put up in their natural rough state ; now and then, as the Government mill at Kingston, the logs were squared. There was*only one way of procuring sawed lumber, and that was by the whip saw. But few of the settlers thought of spending the time and labor necessary to obtain what was not strictly necessary. Houses, barns, saw-mills, flouring-mills, even breweries and still-houses were all alike con- structed of logs. Indeed, many a one had no bai-n forjj^ears ; stacking his grain, and thrashing upon the ground, made smooth and hard. When, however, sawing-mills began to spring up here and there, sawed lumber became a more common article, and after several years, individuals, better off than others, began to put up framed buildings, both houses and barns, and so forth. Sawing-mills were introduced originally into America by the Dutch, and it was their descendants who introduced them into Canada. But it was slowly 596 FIRST BRICK HOUSE. done. It required no little capital to procure even the small amount of machinery which was then used, and to have it brought so long a distance. Then, millwrights were not plentiful, and often in skill. Indeed there was nothing at hand by which inferior to erect sawing-mills, until after many years. In the meantime, the whip saw enabled them to construct something like a door for the house and log barn ; and rough sort of furniture was made for the house. But toward the close of the last century, saw- ing-mills became somewhat .numerous. The demand for lumber was foreseen, and those who had a water privilege set about to get up a mill. Following the saw-mill came the grist-mill, which, though more needed than the former, because of its greater ex- pense, was not built until a later period. It was about the first of 1800, that frame buildings began to appear in the first, second, and third townships particularly, to take the place of the log hut. Mr. George Finkle, of Ernesttown, says, his father Henry Finkle, who, during the war, had learned the use of carpenter's tools, in the Engineer Department, built, with his whip saw and cross-cut saw, the first frame house in the country. He also built the first school-house, and u dwelling house for the teacher on his own premises. Likewise, the first wharf along the bay. We have made somewhat extensive enquiries, and believe we are correct in stating that the oldest brick building in UjDper Canada is situated upon the brow of the hiU at Belleville. We also entertain the be'ief that it was the firfct, certainly one of the very first brick buildings put up in the Province. It is known as Myers' House, having been built by Captain Myers about the year 1794. This quaint edifice, upon which the tooth of time is eating so peacefully, standing upon the brink of the hill was, when new, of most imposing appearance ; and, no doubt, stood up grandly, overlooking the winding river, and the thickly set cedars at its base. The bricks were made in Sidney at the Myers Place, five miles east of Trenton. Captain Myers was a man of great hosjiitality, Avhich was shared in by his estimable spouse, whose short stature and genial face is remembered by some yet living. They served visitors at the brick house always with an excellent board. Here, many a distinguished traveler betAveen King- ston and York, Dr. Strachan among tlie number, found a welcome. Not less so was it with the farmers round about, who came long- distances to get grists ground ; all such were invited to the table and supplied with a bed until the grist was ground. The furniture for the house was procured at Albany. FIRST BANKS. 597 In June, 1796, an Act was passed "for the bettei* Regulation of ceitain Coins current in the Province ; " and it was enacted that the British guinea, the Johannes of Portugal, the moidore of Portugal, the American eagle, the British crown, the British shilling, the Spanish milled dollar, the Spanish pistoreen, the French crown, and several other French pieces ; the American dollar, should pass as legal tender at certain specified value. The punishment for tendering •' a counterfeit, knowingly," of any of the gold or silver coins of Great Britain, Portugal, the United States, Spain, or France, was to suffer one year's imprisonment, and be set in and upon the pillory for the space of one hour, in some con- spicuous place, and upon a second conviction, he should he adjudged guilty of felony without benefit of clergy. The first paper money issued in America, was by the Anglo- Americans in 1689, to pay the troops under Sir Williain Phipps, when he returned from the unsuccessful seige of Quebec. The value I'anged from ten pounds to two shillings. During the war of 1812, in -1813, an Act was passed "to facili- tate the circulation within the Province, of Army Bills, issued by the authority of the Lower Province." It was to contimie one year unless peace was declared. The first Legislation' in Upper Canada, Avith respect to banks, was in 1819, when the Bank of Kingston, or, as it was subsequently called Pretended Bank of Upper Canada, Avas incorporated ; but, this was " forfeited by non-user," although the institution was in operation, under the title of '' the President, Directors, and Company of the Bank of LTi)per Canada." Legislation "was made in 1823, to settle the affairs of the " pretended bank." The commissioners were George Herkimer, Markland, John Kirby, and John Macaulay. Ee- l^eated Acts were necepsary before the aftairs of this company were fuUy settled. In 1819, was also passed an Act to "form the Company of the Bank of Upper Canada." It was reserved for the assent of His Majesty, which was' given and made known by j^roclamation in 1821. Among the names of those who petitioned for the Act of Incorpora- tion, are those of Allan, Baldwin, Legge, Jackson, Ridout, Boulton, Robinson, Macaulay, Cameron, and Anderson. This bank, the failure of which so recently occurred, was, in its time, of great benefit to the Province, and it deserved a better fate. A necessary attendant of civilization is a sufficient supply of such mercliaiulize as is requisite to give comfort, and even luxuries. 598 FIRST MERCHANTS. The long distance of the first settlers of Upper Canada from the marts of commerce, with a barrier of forest, and the swift rapids of the St. Lawrence, kept out for many a day, many comforts, and all luxuries. But in time, persons engaged in the mercantile business, and nrticles of various kinds began to find their way into the wilderness- bound colony. Tlie first merchants of the Province were engaged in the fur trade ; but, as time passed away, they found customers among the settlers, wlio bought their produce, and, in return, brought to them goods. Among the first, and the principal merchants of Upper Canada were Duncan, of Matilda ; Cartwright, of Kingston ; Hamilton, of Queenstown; and Robertson, of Sandwich. These gentlemen, we have seen, occupied conspicuous positions, and amassed no little wealth ; unless we except Duncan, who removed. The Hon. Robert Hamilton, it is said, died, leaving an estate worth £200,000. Colonel Clarke, of Dalhousie, speaks of his brothers Peter and James, who " turned merchants, having been supplied with an assort- ment of goods from Montreal. In 1790, they Avent into the Indian trade at Kingston, which had a great communication with the back lakes." We also learn that Mr. IMacaulay carried on business first at Carleton Island, and afterward at Kingston, with no little profit. One of the oldest settlers in Kingston was Joseph Forsyth. He became one of the first merchants in Kingston, and for many years conducted a lucrative business with the Indians and settlers. He " ever main- tained the character of an upright and repiitable merchant." He died 20th September, 1813, aged fifty-three. A bartering trade commenced between the settlers in the town- ship of Kingston, and the nearer townships, and some persons at Carleton Island ; gradually the field of operation was transferred to Kingston. Many of the loyalists, who were constantly arriving, pro- cured food and a few other things at these places. In 1817, there were in the ToASTiship of Kingston •' sixty-seven stores and shops, this includes the ditferent denominations of shops kept by mechanics. In the whole of Midland District there Avere about eiglity-eight merchants' shops : twenty-four store-houses. Mr. Gourlay says, at tins time, that Kingston is the third place in the Canadas, Quebec and Montreal being first. When want no longer rested upon the inhabitants, they began to look even for comforts and luxuries. They were supplied now and then with articles, both those essential to living, and those which may FIRST FRUIT TREES. 599 be called comforts and luxuries, by itinerant merchants. These pedlars were generally from the States, and often managed to drive bargains in which the settlei" received not a fair return for the grain or other article he parted with. But some of the pedlars were honest, and ultimately became settlers and good loyal subjects. One of the first, pro- bably the first, to visit the western extremity of the bay, was one Asa Walbridge, an old bachelor, someAvhat eccentric, and withal shrewd, he not cnly turned an honest penny, but contributed very much to the welfare and comfort of the settlers. His head-quarters, when ashore, were at the mouth of Mjers' Creek, where he was the first to erect a log house. It was he brought in many of the first fruit trees, which have rendered many of the old farms more valuable. He brought in the seeds from the States, and planted numbers here and there, often from motives of kindness alone. We have been told that all the old orchai'ds in Prince Edward came from his planting. Some of the merchants in Kingston entrusted goods to local storekeepers by whom the settlers were also supplied with articles of ditFerent kinds. Dr. Armstrong says, I ought not to omit the name of James Cummings, Esq., merchant, of the Poi't of Hallowell, now Picton. He was a man of sterlmg mtegrity, upright and just in all his deal, ings. He was greatly respected and esteemed, and died in the midst of his manhood, greatly lamented, about the year 1818. He was a younger brother ol' the late John Onmmings, of Kingston. CHAPTER LXVm. Contests — Steam vessels — Crossing the Atlantic in 1791 — First Steam Vessel — Hudson — The second on the St. Lawrence — First across the Atlantic — In Upper Canada — Frontenac — Built in Ernesttown — The Builders — FinUle's Point — Cost of Vessel — Dimensions — Launched — First Trip — Captain McKenzie — Walk-in-the-Water — Queen Charlotte — How Built — Upon Bay Quinte — Capt. Dennis — First year — Death of Dennis — Henry Gilderslieve — "What he did — Other Steamboats — Canals — First in Upper Canada — Welland Canal — Desjardin — Rideaxi — Its object — Col. JBy — A proposed Canal — Rail- roads — The first in the world — Proposed Railway from Kingston toTormito, 1846 — In Prince Edward District — Increase of Population — Extract from Dr. Lillie — Comparison with the United States — Favorable to Canada — False Cries— The French— Midland District, 1818. THE FIRST STEAM VESSELS CANALS, RAILWAYS. We have already, under " Traveling in early Times," spoken ot the first vessels that floated upon the waters of the Avestern 600 FIRi^T STEAMBOATS IN THE WORLD. world, and we design now to speak of those which advancing civili- zation brought, to a certain extent, to supersede the original boats used by the Indians and first European colonisers. At the present day Europe is brought into close relationship with us by the swiftly running steamer, while the two continents hold daily intercouse by means of the telegraph ; yet, not a century ago, it required many months for the slow-sailing ship to traverse the breadth of the Atlantic. In 1789, mails with England was only twice a year. At the time Sinicoe came to Canada, in 1791, there were only those merchant ships that made altogether eleven vo3^ages in the year. "A Traveler," writes, that "regular packets across the Atlantic, first sailed in 1764. The Liverpool Packet Line began running in 1818." The river Hudson, named after the navigator of that name, who ascended this splendid stream, called, by the native Indians, "The great Eivcr of Mountains," in 1609, has the honor of being the place whereon floated the fii'st steamboat that existed in the world. The boat was launched in the year 1807, being named 'Clermont.' It was of 150 tons burden. The engine was procured from Birmingham. " Robert Fulton, of New York, though not the originator of steam power, was the first in America Avho dii*ected it to the propelling of boats. Fulton, the pioneer in boats by steam, lived not long enough to see accomplished the grand end of pro- pelling boats thus across the Atlantic. He died in 1815. The second steamboat built in America, was launched at Montreal, 3rd Nov., 1809, built by John Molson, It was called Accommodation, and plied between Montreal and Quebec. At the first trip it carried ten passengers from Montreal to Quebec, taking thirty-six hours. The whole city of Quebec came out to see her enter the harbor. The fare was eight dollars down, and nine up. It is found stated that the first steamboat from America to England, was in 1819 ; and the first steamboat built in Great Britain was in 1812, by Henr}^ Bell, of Glasgow. But the fblloAving is found in the Portland Advertiser: — "The first steamship which made the voyage, under steam throughout, across the Atlantic, was the Royal William, in 1833. This vessel was of 180 horse-power, and 1,000 tons burden, and built at a place called Three Rivers, on the St. Lawrence, in Canada. The voyage was made from Picton, Nova Scotia to Cowes, Isle of Wight." The first steamboat on Lake Ontario, the Frontenac, was built upon the shores of the Bay. at Finkle's Point, Ernesttowu, eighteen THE STEAMER '' FRONTENAC." 601 miles from Kingston, and within the corporation of Bath. She wan commenced in October, 1815, and hiunched the following season. The three years of war had caused many changes in Upper Canada. On the whole, it may be said that the war materially benefitted the Province. After peace, things did not relapse into their former state. A spirit of enterprise was abroad, especially in the mercan- tile community. " The leading men of Kingston conceived the idea of forming a company to build a steamboat, to ply on Lake Ontario, and the navigable waters of the St. Lawrence. A company was consequently formed, composed of individuals belonging to Kingston, Niagara, Queenston, York, and Prescott. The share- holders of Kingston were JosejDh Forsyth, Yeomans, Marsh, Lawrence Herkimer, John Kirb}", Capt. Murney, William Mitchell, and, in fact, all of the principal men except the Cartwright family. Adver- tisements were issued for tenders to construct the boat. The advertisement was responded to by two parties; a Scotchman, by the name of Bruce, from Montreal, and Henry Teabout, from Sacket's Harbor. Bruce was several days at Kingston before the other person arrived, and he supposed he would get the contract. Mr. Finkle says Teabout came with a letter from Hooker and Crane to Johns and Finkle, informing them who Teabout was, and asking them to favor him with their influence in procuring the contract. The letter was shown to Mr. Kirby, of Kingston, who was one of the committee of the comj)any. Mr. Kirby assured Finkle and Johns, that notwithstanding the prejudice which existed on account of the war, the tender of Teabout should receive every justice. 'No other tender being made, the committee met and decided, by a small majority, to accept Teabout's. All those who voted for Bruce '' were either Scotch or of Scottish descent." Teabout having received the contract, at once, with Finkle, set about to find a place to build. After two day's examination of the coast, he selected Finkle's Point, in consequence of the gravelly nature of the shore, astherebj- would be obviated the delay which frequently followed rains, where soils would not quickly dry. " The next consideration was to advance £5,000 to go to New York and procure a ship carpenter and other necessaries to commence operations. Accordingl}', we (Johns and Finkle) became security, with the understanding that so soon as the boat shoukl be so far advanced as to be considered worth the secmnty, our bond would be retui-ned. So satisfactorilj' did the work progress, that the bond was shortly handed to us by the Treasurer, who was William Mitchell. Here I will dii>-rcss a 602 "PRONTENAC" LAUNCHED. short time. During the war of 1812, David Eckford, the Master ship-l>uilder, of New York, was sent to Sacket's Harhour, to take charge of the ship building at tliat place, and brought with him his carpenters. Among them were three young men, Henry Teabout, James Chapman and William Smith. The last was born on Staten Island, the other two in New York. Teabout and Smith served their time with Eckford. Chapman was a block turner. At the close of the war, these three formed a co-partnership, and Teabout, in contracting for building the Frontenac, was acting for the com- pany. Before building the steamboat, they had built for themselves at Sacket's Harbour, the Kingston, the only craft plying between Sacket's and Kingston, and a fine schooner for the Lake, called the Woohley. Chapman was in charge of tlie Kingston, and was doing a more than ordinary protitable business. Bruce's friends wi.shed to do something for him, and had him appointed, at a guinea a day, to inspect the timber (of the Frontenac). His study was to delay the building of the boat; there was a constant contest between him and Teabout." — (Finkle). The contract price of the wood work was £7,000. When the boat was almost ready for the. machinery, the contractor's funds were expended. The engine cost £7,000. Before the vessel was completed, the cost reached nearly the sum of £20,000. The Kingston Gazette informs us that " On Saturday, the 7th of September, 1816, the steamboat Frmitenac was launched at the village of Ernesttown. A numerous concourse of people assembled on the occasion. But, in consequence of an approaching shower, a part of the spectators withdrew before the launch actually took place. The boat moved slowly from her place, and descended with majestic sweep into her proper element. The length of her keel is 150 feet; her deck, 170 feet ; (the tonnage was about 700). Her proportions strike the eye very agreeably; and good judges have pronounced this to be the best piece of naval architecture of the kind yet produced in America. It reflects honor upon Messrs. Trebout and Chapman, the contractors, and their workmen; and also upon the proprietors, the greater part of whom are among the most respectable merchants and other inhabitants of the County of Frontenac, from which the name is derived. The machinery for this valuable boat was imported from England, and is said to be of an excellent structui*e. It is expected that she will be finished and ready for use in a few weeks. Steam navigation having succeeded to admiration in various rivers, the application of it to the waters o^ THE CAPTAIN. 603 the Lakes is an interesting experiment. Every friend to public improvements must wish it all the success which is due to a spirit of useful enterprise." The Gazette adds : *'A steamboat was lately launched at Sackct's Harbor. The oppasite side of the Lake, which not long ago vied with each other in the building of ships of war, seem now to be equally emulous of commercial superiority." Gourlay says the boat at Sacket's Harbor was on a smaller scale, and less expensive. " She, the Frontenac, Avas estimated to cost £14,000 ; before she commenced her watery walk, her cost exceeded £20,000."— (Finkle). " The deck Avas 170 feet long and thirty-two feet wide, draws only eight feet when loaded. Two paddle-wheels, with about forty feet circumference ; answers slowly to the helm." — (Howison) . The Kingston Gazette, of May 24, 1817, says, " Yesterday after- noon the steamboat left Mr. Kirby's wharf for the dock at Point Frederick. We are sorry to hear, that through some accident, the machinery of one of the wheels has been considerably damaged, notwithstanding which, however, she moved with majestic grandeur against a strong wind. "We understand she has gone to the dock, it being a more convenient place for putting in a suction pipe." The same paper, of May 31, 1817, further says, "The steamboat Frontenac, after having completed the necessary work at the Naval Yard, left this port yesterday morning, for the purpose of taking in wood at the Bay Quinte. A fresh breeze was blowing into the harboi-, against which she proceeded swiftly and steadily, to the admiration of a great number of spectators. We congratulate the managers and proprietors of this elegant boat, upon the prosjjects she affords of facilitating the navigation of Lake Ontario, by furnish- ing an expeditious and certain mode of conveyance to its various ports." "June 7th, 1817. ThQ Frontenac left this port on Thursday (5th,) on her first trip for the head of the Lake." She was com- manded by Capt. James McKenzie, of the Eoyal Navy, the first trip she made, who continued in command until she was no longer sea-worthy. The Parser was A. CI. Petrie, of Belleville, now far advanced in years. The Frontenac made the trij) up and down the Lake and Eiver, to Prescott, once a week. Whether she went fiu'ther west than York, at first, is uncertain. Capt. Jas. McKenzie " came to Canada with the first division of the Eoyal Navy, sent from England to sexwe on the Lakes during the war of 1812. At the conclusion of the war, he returned to England, and was placed on half pay ; but his active habits led him to consider and study the 604 FIRST- STEAMBOAT ON BAY QUINTE. powers of the steam engine, and he soon became acquainted with its complicated machinery. In 1816, he returned to Kingston, and assisted in fitting up the Frontenac, which he commanded till she was worn out. Since, he has commanded the Alciope on this Lake, and at the time of his death, (27th August, 1832, aged 50), was engaged in the construction of two other steamboats ; one at the head of the Lake, and one at Lake Simcoe; and was, on most occasions, consulted respecting the management of steamboats, so that he ma}- justly be called the father of steam navigation in Upper Canada — his death may be considered a great loss to society and to the country." The first steamboat built to ply on Lake Erie was " Walk-in- the-Water," built at Buffalo at the same time the "Frontenac" was built, and commenced her watery walk about the same time. Eespecting the Kingston, built at Sacket's Harbor, we find it stated she was intended to ply between Lewiston and Ogdensburgh, but after a trial of a few months the undertaking was found to be either unprofit'able or too much for the powers of the vessel to accomplish, and she afterwards employed ten days in making the round trip of 600 miles. She was 100 feet long and 24 feet wide, measuring 246 tons. The wheels were about 11 feet in diameter, and the capacity of the engine 21 horse power. Almost immediately after the Frontenac was launched a second steamboat was commenced. The matei'ial which had been collected while building the Frontenac had not all been used, and went far in the construction of the " Queen Charlotte,"' which was destined to be the pioneer steamer upon the Bay Quinte and River St. Lawrence, in its upper Avaters. She was built by shares of £50 each. Johns andFinkle had nine shares. She was built, (Gilderslieve being the principal shipwright,) launched, and commenced nmning in the early part of 1818. Tlie engine was furnished by Brothers Wards of Montreal, being made at their foundry. She was not long launched before she was ready to run. She made trips twice a week from Wilkins' wharf, at the Carrying Place, to Prescott. She was commanded a few of the first trips by an old veteran captain named Richardson, M'ho lived then near Picton, and afterward to the close of the season, by a young man named Mosier. Of the number of pas- sengers on tlie first trip we have no knowlege, but suppose them to be few, for Belleville, then the largest place above Kingston, was a mere hamlet — Trent, Hallowell, Adolphustown and Bath were the only stopping places from the head of the Bay to Kingston. CAPTAIN DENNIS. 605 They were regulated in their course, the first summer by frequently heaving the lead, an old man-of-war's-man being on board for the purpose. (Collins reported in 1788 that vessels drawing only from eight to ten feet of water can go into the Bay Quinte). For two seasons she was commanded by Capt. Dennis ; Mr. Gilderslieve was purser the second and third seasons ; and the fourth commenced his captaincy, which lasted as long as the boat was seaworthy, a period of nearly twenty years ; he was, at the buildmg, a master shipwright, and became a stockholder. Says Mrs. Carroll, " of the fare from place to place I have no knowledge, but from the head of the bay to Kingston, the first season it was five dollars, meals included." The good old Charlotte was a very acceptable improvement in the navigation of the Bay. A few of the owners of sailing crafts, perhaps, suffered for a time; but the settlers regarded her as an un- mixed blessing. During the first years she was so accommodating as to stop any where to j^ick xxp a passenger from a small boat, or let one off. The old inhabitants of to-day speak of her with words of kind- ness. But the Queen Charlotte has passed away. The last remem- bered of her was her hull rotting away in the Cataraqui Bay above the bridge. The steamer did not prove remunerative to the stock-holders until Gilderslieve became the commander. Of the second Captain, we produce the subjoined from a Toronto daily of 1867: Death of Mr. 'Den:n"is. — "We obsei^ve with much regret the death of Joseph Dennis, Esq., of Weston, and ^vith it the severance of another link connecting us with the early history of this country. Mr. Dennis was born in New Brunswick in 1789, his father, the late John Dennis, having settled there after being driven out of the United States as a U. E. Loyalist. The family removed to Canada some three years later, Mr. John Dennis receiving a grant of land for his services and losses as a Loyalist. This land was selected on the Humber river, and on it he then settled and lived, tUl having been appointerl Superintendent of the dock-yard, he removed to Kingston. " Our recently deceased friend, Mr. Joseph Dennis, was brought up in the dock-yard to a thorough knowledge of shipbuilding, which occupation, however, he soon exchanged for a more congenial one — that of sailing. Owning a vessel on the lake at the outbreak 606 HENRY GILDERSLIEVE. of the Aineric:in war of 1812, he placed himself and his vessel at the dipposal of the Goveniiaeiit, and was attached to the Provincial Marine. In one of the actions on Lake Ontario he lost his vessel, was captured, and retained a prisoner in the hands of the enemy for some fifteen months. He subsequently commanded, Ave believe, the first steamer on the Avaters of Lake Ontario, the Princess Charlotte^ which plied, as regularly as could be expected from a steamer of fifty years back, between the Bay of Quiute, Kingston, and Prescott. For the last six and thirty years Mr. Dennis had retired from actiA'e pursuits, retaining, till within the last year, remarkable vigour, which, hoAA'ever, he taxed but little excepting to indulge his taste in fishing, of Avhich he Avas an enthusiastic disciple. A man of genial and happy temperament, of mibending integrity, of simple tastes and methodical habits, he was a type of men fast passijig out of this country." The suceessor of the " Charlotte " was built by John G. Parker, called the " Kingston "' commanded for a time by John Grass. She did not prove so serviceable as the " Charlotte." Then folloAved the "Sir James Kemp," Avhich was built also at Finkle's Point. A history of the first steamboats of the bay would be incom- plete without particular reference to one individual, whose name is even yet associated with one of the steamboats which ply up and doAvn the Bay. Henry Gilderslieve came into Canada about a month before the Froiitenac Avas launched, in August, 1816. He Avas the son of a ship-builder, avIio OAvned yards on the Connecticut river, and built vessels for the New York market Being a skilful shipwright he assisted to finish ofl' the Frontenac, and then as master ship-builderj assisted at the Charlotte. During this time Mr. Gilderslieve himself built a packet named the MinerA'a. In building this vessel he brought to his assistance the knowledge he had acquired in his father's yard. The result Avas, that when '' she was taken to Kingston to receive her fittings out, Capt. Murney examined her inside and out, and pailicularly her mould, AA'hich exceeded anything he had seen, and declared her to be the best craft that ever floated in the harbour of Kingston, which afterward slie proved herself to be, when plying two years as a packet betAveen Toronto and Niagara. — (Finkle). At a later date Mr. Gilderslieve superintended the building of the " Sir James Kemp," at Finkle's Point. This Avas the last built there, after Avhich Mr. Gilderslieve commenced building at Kingston. Here were constructed the Barry, a lake boat, with two engines, FIRST CANALS. 607 which in its third year of lamning collided M-ith the schoouer King- ston, at night, and immediately sank, the passengers only being saved ; the Prince of Wales, the New Era, and the Bay of Quinte. Thns it ^vill be seen that Mr. Gilderslieve's fname is associated with most of the steamers which have i)lowed the waters of the Bay, first as /I skilful shipwright, then cc/nnnander and shareholder, and finally as a successful proprietor of a ship-yard, and owner of vessels. Says one who knew him long : "Of Mr. Gilderslieve's busir.ess habits there are numerous evidences, for years it seemed thijt everything he touched tuined to gold, hence the wealth he left behind him, and I can say, that during the many years I knew him, I never heard a want of honest integTity laid to his charge, he died in the fall of, I think, 1851, of cholera, much lamented and greatly missed." The following we clip from a paper of 1842 : •'In 1821 the new steamboat Prince Edward, built at Garden Island, and intended for the I3ay of Quinte route, made her trial trip to Bath and back last week in three hours. She is beautifully finished, but being rather crank in the watei-, it Avill probably be necessary to give her false sides. " The new steamboat Prince of Wales, built at the marine rail- way by Mr. Shea, and intended for the Baj', was also tried last week, and performed well. She has the engine of the Sir James Kernpt." Canals. — The mighty water way from the Atlantic to the head water of the western lakes is interrupted in its course by numerous rapids down rock-strewed channels, and by tlic Falls of Niagara. These natural obstacles to navigation had to bo overcome by artificial means, before the water road could become a highway. This has already been done for vessels of a certain tonnage, by constructing the St. Lawrence Canals — the Lachine Canal, Beauharnois, and Cornwall, which were compk led in 1847 ; and the Welland Canal, across the IS^iagara District, to Lake Erie. The distance from this Lake to Montreal, is 3G7 miles. The total fall in this way, is 564 feet. After the war of 1812, seeing the importance of inland navi- gation, beyond the easy reach of an enemy, the country was explored with the view of securing navigation between Montreal and Kingston. It was proposed to open a '• new route up the Ottawa to the mouth of the Eideau, and up that river near to its head waters, thence by a short portage to Kingston Mill river, and down that stream to Kingston ;" but the want of means for a time delayed the work, although, at the time mentioned, advertisements were made for estimates. 608 RIDEAU CANAL. The Welland Canal Company was incorporated in 1824 by Act of Parliament. The ])rqjector and the most earnest worker secnring this important work, was the late William Hamilton Merritt. The first canal cut in Canada, was that between Burlington Bay and Lake Onlario. An Act to provide for this was passed in March, 1813. In 1826, the Desjardin Canal Company was incorporated by Act of Parliament, in accordance with the petition of Peter Desjardin, and others, to make a canal between Burlington Bay and the village of " Coats' Paradise." " At Kingston is the outlet of that stupendous work, the Eideau Canal, an immense military highway, connecting the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Elvers. The locks on this canal are amongst the grandest structures of the same nature in the world. The under- taking was commenced and carried out by the Imperial Govern- ment at an immense expenditure, chiefly for military purjjoses, as affording a safe channel for the conve3''ance of stores, arms, &c., when the frontiers might be exposed, and partly with a commercial view of avoiding the rapids of the St. Lawrence, at that time con- sidered insurmountable, in the transit from the sea-board. This canal cost upwards of £1,000,000 sterling. It construction was expected to have great influence on the welfare of Kingston, and for some time such influence was doubtlessly beneficially felt, as it was necessary to trans-ship at that port as well the products of the west in their carriage to the seaboard, as the merchandize for "Western Canada in its transportation westward, and to forward them by other crafts through the canal, or up the lake, thus creat- ing a large source of labor, outlaj'^ and gain, and employment to numerous forwarders, agents, and workmen in the transhijiment. The impi'oved navigation of the St. Lawrence, by the construction of the St. Lawrence Canals, and the discovery of other and better channels than were known, to a great extent abolished that source of life and activit}^ on the wharfs and in the harbours of the city." "The canal was intended for the passage of barges, both down and up between Kingston and Bytown. Steamers, however, were soon made available in guiding barges down the rapids, which came with return cargoes up the canal. JSTow steam-tugs tow, through the course afforded by the St. Lawrence Canals, both schooners and barges up as well as down the stream, and where schooners are used, no transhipment necessarily takes place at Kingston. Of STATEMENT OP HOOPER. 609 late, it has been found profitable to employ barges in the naviga- tion of the St. Lawnence, or it has been found profitable for schooners to confine their trip to the open lake, which, with the facilities for the transhipment of grain att'ordcd by an extensive steam elevator, has caused a renewed life in that branch of business." " This important work unites, as we have stated, the waters of the St. Lawrence, with those of the Ottawa. It commences at Kingston, and pursues a north-eastern direction through a chain of lakes, with most of which it becomes identified in its course, until it intersects Eideau Eiver, continuing its route along the banks, and sometimes in the bed of the river ; it enters the Ottawa at Bytown, (now the City of Ottawa) in north latitude 45° 23" — Length from Kingston to Bytown, including the navigable courses, 126 miles, with 46 locks, each 33 feet wide, and 134 long. Ascent from Kingston to the Summit Pond by 15 locks, 162 feet. Decent from the Summit Pond to the Ottawa by 32 locks, 283 feet ; total lockage, 455 feet, depression of the Ottawa below Lake Ontario, at Kingston 141 feet ; general course, north, north-east. It was com- menced in 1826, when the Duke of Wellington was in office, and it is understood that that great General had a voice in the design- ing of this mighty structure, which is not unworthy of his genius. Sir James Carmichael Smith, of the Engineer's Department, is said to have originated the idea of its construction. It was carried* out under the superintendence of Colonel By, and the town at its junc- tion with the Ottawa, was named after him. That name has since been changed, when Bytown was made, a city. It was the only testimonial to his energy and skill, which deserved from the Pro- vince some better acknowledgment. This great work, together with the extensive lands along its lino of route, held by the Impe- rial Government, have lately been transferred to the Province, and there is no doubt that its resources and revenue will be made the most of for the general benefit of the country. Already the local trade along its course is fast increasing, with the improvements and growth of the settlements in the neighborhood of the Ottawa. The transport of iron ore from the same section of the country to King- ston, also adds largely to it. Along the courses of the stream are valuable water privileges," — (Hooper.) A vague story obtains, among some persons, that when the treaty of j)eace between the United States and England took place in 1815, the former agreed to pay £1,000,000, which the Duke of Wellington applied to this piu'pose. 39 610 MURRAY CANAL. Below is given a document, the importance of which is unques- tioned, whether we consider the interests of those living along the bay, or the welfare of the whole Province. REPORT OP THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE MURRAY CANAL. "The Select Committee appointed to enquire into the expedi- ency of constructing a Canal to connect the head waters of the Bay of Quinte with Lake Ontario, usually called the " Murray Canal," and also to enquire and rejiort whether any money or lands are applicable to that purpose, and if so, what may be the amount or value thereof, beg leave to report : " That it appears a grant of land was made for the above purpose as early as the year 1796, and that said grant, which was then ascertained to contain some six thousand acres, was afterwards repeatedly acknowledged and confirmed ; " That a reservation of sixty-four acres has been made between Presqu'isle Harbour and Bay of Quinte, on which said Canal was intended to be constructed ; " That the value of the original reservation of six thousand acres was estimated by the Crown Lands Department, in 1839, at three pounds per acre, or eighteen thousand pounds currency ; " That the construction of said Canal, in addition to the impor- tant commercial advantages which would be bestowed on the inha- bitants of the counties adjacent to the Bay of Quinte, and the trade and navigation of the country generally, would afford most impor- tant facilities for the safe transport of men and munitions in time of waf ; " That your Committee obtained the evidence of Colonel Mc- Dougal, Adjutant General of Militia, which is appended to this Eeport ; " That besides providing an admirable harbour of some seventy or eighty miles in length, capable of being made almost impregnable against attack, the great natural facilities for ship-building and for obtaining supplies of timber, would enable the Bay of Quinte to be used to great advantage for the rej)air or constiniction of ships of war ; "That on reference to the Journals of the Legislative Assembly of 1845, Your Committee found the record of a letter dated 7th January, 1840, signed by R. B. Sullivan, then Commissioner of Crown Lands, which was furnished as a report on the whole ques- tion of the Murray Canal, for the information of the House, in reply to an Address to His Excellency, under date 17th January, 1845. " Your Committee have deemed it expedient to quote fully from this Eeport for the information of Your Honorable House. " 1st. Extract. — The suggestion of constructing the Canal by a grant of money instead of the appropriation of Crown Lands to that object, was adopted by the Legislative in an Address of the 16th IMPORTANT CUT-OFF. &jLl February, 1838, to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, on the subject, with the trust that in the estimation of amount to be granted in lieu of the reservation, due regard may be had to the increased value to which these lands may have attained. His Excellency, by answer of 26th February, was pleased to concur with the Address. ^^ Extract No. 2. — I would respectfully recommend to His Excel- lency to fix upon some specific sum which maybe chai-ged upon the Crown Ecserve, and made payable out of its first disposable proceeds toward the completion of the Canal, and which, upon the cession of the Crown Eevenue to the Legislature, will be considered a pay- ment for which the faith of the Government is pledged and pro- vided for in any Bill which may be passed for the granting a civil list in return for the cession of the Eevenue. "That Your Committee examined a work, composed in the year 1826, by Major General Sir James Carmichael-Smyth, Baronet, entitled, Precis of the Wars in Canada from 1755 to the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, the said work having been published for the first time in 1862, by Sir James Carmichael, Baronet, son of the author. That this work contains the following statements, which may fairly be quoted in favor of the construction of this Canal. "In the dedication of this work to His Grace the Duke ofWel- lington, the author makes the following remarks: — " The events of these wars afford, in my opinion, a demonstra- tion as clear as that of any proposition in Euclid, of the impossibility (under Divine Providence) of these Provinces ever being wrested from under Her Majesty's authority by the Government of the United States, provided we avail ourselves of the military precau- tions in oui' power to adopt, by establishing those communications and occupying those points which posterity will one day learn with, if possible, increased respect for Your Grace's great name, were principally suggested by Your Grace." At page 202 he writes as follows: — very " Our Harbour and Naval Establishment at Kingston are good indeed, and infinitely beyond what the Americans possess at Sacket's Harbour. There cannot be a finer basin in the world than the Bay of Quinte. When Eideau Canal is completed there will be great facilities for forwarding stores to Kingston." At page 203 :— " Li the event of the Americans having the temporary com- mand of the Lake (Ontai'io), York (now Toronto) would be useful for the protection of small craft and coasting vessels sailing from the Bay of Quinte with supplies for the Niagara Frontier." In a Eeport published by the Board of Trade of the City of Montreal, for the year 1865, under the heading of " Improvement of Inland Navigation," Your Committee have found the following: " An important cut-off. — " It was long ago proposed to con- nect Lake Ontai'io with the Western extremity of the Bay Quinte, by a short Canal. The land required for such a purpose is reserved C12 MILITARY CONSIDERATIONS. by the Government. The distance to be cut through is less than two miles; some additional dredging being, of course, required in the Bay and Lake to perfect the communication. As no lockage is requisite, the expense of the work would be small, while the advan- tage would be great " When it is remembered that the stretch between Presqu'isle Harbor and Kingston is the most hazardous on Lake Ontario, the advantages to be derived from such a cut-off will be evident, especi- ally in the fall, when stormy weather is most prevalent. Had that little Canal existed last year, a number of marine disasters might have been avoided. Any one who examines the map may see at once how important the Bay of Quinte would thus become in the event of hostilities on the Lake." " That under these circumstances Your Committee would recom- mend that a Survey be made of the neck of land lying between Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte, and also of the Harbours of Pi-esqu'isle and Weller's Bay, for the purpose of ascertaining the cost and feasibility of said Canal, and that the Survey should be commenced with the least possible delay. Respectfully submitted, James L. Biggaji, Chairman.''' Appendix. — Committee -Eoom, Tuesday, 24th July, 1866. Colonel Macdougall attended, and was examined as follows : By the Hon. ^Ii\ Holton : Be pleased to state to the Committee your views of the import- ance, in a military point of view, of connecting the waters of Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte by a Canal, navigable for vessels of the largest class in use on Lake Ontario ? — I am aware that the Defense Commission sent to Canada in 1862, to report on the general defenses of the Province, strongly recommend the formation of a Naval Station in the Bay of Quinte. The natural features of that bay render it, in my opinion, admirably adapted for such purpose. Li the event of the Naval Station being formed in the Bay of Quinte, it would be of great importance to have a short and secure entrance direct from Lake Ontario to the head waters of the bay. This is especially the case in view of the fact that the stretch between Presqu'isle Harbour and Kingston is the most dangerous and diffi- cult on the Lake. Judging by the map, and in ignorance of local peculiarities, it appears to me that the best means of obtaining such a short and secure communication as is above referred to, would be by cutting a Canal between the head waters of the Bay Quints and Weller Bay. The mouth of the Canal would be covered and pro- tected by the perfectly land-locked harbour of Weller Bay, the entrance to which, from Lake Ontario, is susceptible of being very easily defended against a hostile flotilla. H the case is considered of Canadian vessels running before a superior naval force of the enemy from the general direction of Toronto, it is obvious that if the first were obliged to weather the peninsula of Prince Edward, in certain winds they would run serious risks of being driven ashore FIRST RAILWAYS. 613 or captured before they could make the entrance to the Bay of Quinte, whereas the same vessels, with the same wind as would expose them to destruction in the first supposed ease, could enter the harbour of "Weller Bay under full sail, and reach the head of Bay of Quinte without molestation. Even though it may not be in contemplation to establish a regular Naval Station in the Bay of Quinte, that bay would, in the case of war, afford an admirable har- bour of refuge, which would be made pei'fectly secure in a militaxy, or rather naval sense. Again, in case of war, the proposed Canal would supply the means of far safer communication by water, with- out the sacrifice of time between Kingston and Toronto, than could be afforded by the open Lake. In the Ilallowell Free Press, of February 1, 1831, is a commu- nication from '* A country lad," who says, " there are several new roads required, but the one of most essential benefit to the inhabi- tants would be that which would lead from Wellington Village, Hillier, across the peninsula to Belleville. But, while improvements of this description are in contemj)lation, it must not be forgotten that the period is not far distant when the East Lake in Hallowell must be cleared out, and a canal suitable for the passage of the Lake Ontario steamboats, cutfi'om thence to Hallowell Village. Such an improvement as this, would, in our opinion, not only lessen the distance from Kingston to York, and make the navigation less dangerous, but would afford a safe and commodious harbour." Eailways. — At the pi-esentday Canada, in addition to the unsur- passed water ways through her vast extent, has the greatest num- ber of miles of railway according to inhabitants in imy part of the world. In 1832, the Liverpool and Manchester Eailroad was completed, which was "the great precursor of all railroads." Fourteen years later, 1846, a movement was initiated at Kingston to build a road from Wolfe Island, through Kingston to Toronto, and a survey was ordered to be made. A part of the " Eeport of the Preliminary Survey of Wolfe Island, Kingston and Toronto Eailroad," is now before us, signed by James Cull and Thomas Gore, Civil Engineers. In addition the engineering results of the Preliminary Survey, they give in an appendix, the grounds upon which they form their opinion as to the probable cost and revenue. It would be interesting to give their statements in full did space allow. '* Another scheme. — The Picton Sun is advocating the building of a raih'oad, running through the County of Prince Edward, and terminating at Long Point, whence freight and passengers could be shipped to the United States." 614 POPULATION. THE INCREASE OF POPULATION. It is a common belief among the Americans, a belief which is shared in by the few Annexationists living in Canada, that increase of population, productiveness of the soil, and general advance of civili- zation, are verj* much greater in the several States of the Union than in Canada. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Upper Canada esi:)ecially, has quite outstripj^ed, evon the most prosperous of all the original States of the Union. A comjiarison of the statistics of the two countries shows this to be undoubtedly the case. The following paragraph, taken from a valuable little work by Dr. Lillie, affords some idea of the relative progress of the two countries. He says, " The rate at which Canada "West is growing, and has been for the last twenty or thirty years, equals, if it does not more than equal the gi-owth of the very best of the Western States. It will be seen from the United States census, that the three States of Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois, contained in 1830, 1,126,851. In 1850, the}'- contained 355,000, a little over 320 -per cent, in twenty years. Canada West contained in 1830, 210,473, in 1749, it contained 791,- 000, w^hich is over 375 per cent, of the same period of twenty years. So that increase in the three choice States was 55 per cent, less than that of Canada West during the same time." And with respect to the products of the two countries, there is found the same jjroportion in favor of Canada. So also with regard to vessels, " in proportion to population the tonnage of Canada more than equals that of the United States." And if we look at the various internal improvements as to canals, railroads, we find that Canada stands pre-eminent in these things. Yet, in- the face of these facts we can find persons to say, and so believe that Canada is behind the States in enterprise. If we regard Lower Canada, it is found that the growth of population is vastly greater than the States of Yermont and Maine, lying along her border. Taking Canada as a whole, it is seen " that as compared with the States, which in 1850 had a population as great as her own, the decimal rate of increase was gx-eater than in any of those States, with one solitary exception. " That in nine years to their ten, she lessened by two the num- ber of States which in 1850 had a population exceeding hers. "That she^maintained a decimal rate of increase greater than that of the whole United States, not including the Western States and Territories, but including California and the other States and Territories on the Pacific. \ LOWER CANADA AND ADJOINING STATES. G15 " That Upper Canada maintained a decimal rate of increase greater by one-half than that of the whole United States and Ter- ritories — more than double that of all the United States, excluding the Western States — and only falling short of the increase in the Western States and Territories by 7 per cent. " That in nine years to their ten, she passed four States of the Union, which in 1850, had a population exceeding hers, leaving at the date of the last census only five States which exceeded her in population. The population of Fi-ench Canada at the time of the revolution, did not much exceed 70,000. Since that time the increase of popu- lation in Lower Canada has been steady; not from immigration, so much as from early marriages. In the year 1783, there were by enumeration 113,000. In 1831, the French had increased 400,000. As we have said this was due to their social habits. The loyalists and soldiers that settled in Western Canada in 1783-4-5, were estimated at 10,000. It has been stated that when Canada was divided into two Provinces in 1791, the inhabitants had increased to 50,000 ; but this is doubted by some. It is said that the number did not exceed 12,000. McMullen puts it at 20,000. The increase of population up to the time of the war of 1812, was by no means rapid, at that time they numbered about 70,000 ; 1822, 130,000; in 1837, 396,000. The number of inhabitants in 1852 was somewhere about 500,000. Coming to the Midland Districts, the townships around the bay, it is found that here advancement was greater than elsewhere for many years. Eobert Gourlay sought information from the several townships of the Province in 1817, in response it is stated, among other things, that " the number of inhabited houses now is about 550 ; jDopulation about 2,850. This enumeration includes the town of Kingston, which contains 450 houses, and 2,250 souls. Thomas Markland says, 26th November, 1818, " The reports from this district (Mid- land) being few in proportion and several of these irregular, I can- not give an exact estimate of the population, but the following will not be far wrong: — Kingston, Ei*nesttown, Adoljihustown, and Thurlow, contain 7,083. Fredericksbnrgh, Mazysburgh, Hallowell, Ameliasburgh, and Sidney, 5,340. Pittsburgh, with Wolfe Island, Loborough, Portland, Camden, Eichmond, and Eawdon, will not average above 300 each, a total of 1,800. In Huntington, I heard only of five settlers — say 24. Total white population 14,855; Indians 200. Total number of houses in Midland district was 900 Thomas Markland. A report before me made in October 1826, by John Portt, says the total niimber of white inhabitants of Tyendin- agua is 27. DIYISIOlSr XII THE UXITED EMPIEE LOYALISTS— THE FATHERS OF UPPEE CAT^ADA. CHAPTEE LXIX. CoKTENTS — Definition — A division — Their principles — Our i)osition — Ancestry — Dutch — Puritans — Huguenots — New Rochelle — English writers — Talbot — Falsehoods — Canadian and English ancestry — Howison — Maligner — Gour- lay's reply — Palatines — Old names. ANCESTRY OP THE U. E. LOYALISTS. Under this designation allusion is made to all who left, or were compelled to leave, the revolting colonies, and Independent States, and who sought a home in Ihe wilderness of Canada. There is, how- ever, a class which will be specially referred to, who, in subsequent years, were placed upon the " U. E. list," and who, by virtue thereof, secured important privileges to themselves and family. The United Empire Loyalist, was one who advocated, or wished to have maintained, the unity of the British empire, who felt as much a Briton in the colony of America, as if he were in old England ; who desired to perpetuate British rule in America ; not blindly believing that no imperfections could exist in such rule, but desiring to seek reform in a conservative spirit. This class, we have seen, became, as the tide of rebellion gained strength and violence, exceedingly obnoxious to those in rebellion against their King and country. It will be convenient to divide them into three classes, viz., (1.) Those who were forced to leave during the contest, many of whom took part in the war; (2.) Those who were driven away after the war, because they were known or suspected to have sympathy with the the loyalist party, and (3.) Those who would not remain in the Re- public, Avho voluntarily forsook the land of their birth or adoption, and removed to a country which acknowledged the sovereignty of the King of England. Many of this noble class relinquished comfort- POUETH OF JULY ORATIONS. 617 able homes, rather tlian live under an alien flag ; they preferred, above all measure, to enter a wilderness and liew out a new home. They would live anywhere, endure any toil, undergo any privation, so long as they were in the Iving's dominion, and the good old flag waved over their head, and their families. It was oft declared that their bones should lie on the King's soil. These sentiments are taken, not from the imagination, but from the accumulated testimony of those who have supplied statements of family history. Elsewhere it has been shewn how cruel were the persecutions made against the " tories," how relentless the spirit of vengefulness. All this, it may be said by some, should be forgotten, — buiied in the past, with the whigs and tories, both of whom committed errors and outrages. Under certain circumstances this would be the proper course — the course indicated by the great Euler ; but, regarding the United States in the light derived from the statesmen, orators, and the press, it cannot for a moment be allowed. Until the descendants of those who successfully rebelled in 1776, cease to vilify our fathers; until they can find other subject matter for their fourth of July orations, than foul abuse of our country ; until they can produce school-books which are not stained by unjust and dishonest representations ; and books of a religious nature which are not marred by unchristian, not to say untruthful, statements respecting Britain and her colonies. Until the "Great Eepublic" can rise above the petty course of perpetuating old feuds, we cannot — we whose fathers suffered, cannot be required to shut our mouths, and thereby seemingly acquiesce in their uncharitable and malignant charges against the U. E. Loyalists. Washington was a rebel as much as Jefferson Davis, and history will accord to the latter a character as honorable and distinguished as the former. Washington succeeded against a power that put not forth the gigantic efforts which the United States did to subjugate the States over which Jefferson Davis presided. By the events of the civil war in the United States, we, the descendants of those who occupied the same relative position in the American Eevolution, feel it right to be guided. The most of the loyalists wei'o Americans by birth. Their feelings of attachment to the realm, preponderated over the attach- ments which bound them to the homes of their childhood and maturer j-ears. The great majority of those who settled Upper Canada were from the Provinces of Xew York. Pensylvania, and the Xew England States. New York, originally a Dutch colony, had many loyal sons. Indeed this state was dragged into the 618 HUGUENOTS. rebellion. It follows that a goodly number of the settlers around the bay Avere of Dutch extraction, and possessed all the honesty and industry peculiar to that people. The U. E. list, and the larger list of refugees, include a large number of names unmistakably Dutch. But there came from this state as well, many a true son of England, Ireland, and Scotland, with a sprinkling of the Hugue- nots, and the Germans, the last of whom began to emigrate to America in 1710. Many of the settlers of Upper Canada may point with pride to their Dutch forefathers. Many Canadians have an equal right also to boast of their Puritan fathers. They more especially may point to the justice-loving ones who came to America with honest William Penn, whose son was also a refugee from the State his father founded, not by taking forceable posses- sion, but by buying the land from the Indians. Among the devoted band of firm adherents to the British Crown were not a few of the descendants of the Huguenots, whose fathers had been expatriated by the King of France, because they were Protestants, and who had found safe homes in England. So early as 1686, a number of Huguenots found their way to America. And from time to time, accessions were made to the number by omigra tion. They mostly settled in Westchester County, New York, in 1689, where a tract of land was purchased for them by Jacob Leisler, of the Admiralty, and there founded a town called New Eochelle, after Eochelle in France, noted for the stand its inhabitants took against Roman Catholicism. In 1700, New Eochelle had become quite a place, and here was found, when the rebellion had com- menced, "a vast number of Militia officers loyal to the backbone." — (Euttan). The ancestry of the U. E. Loyalists has been called in question, not by the rebels alone, but by British subjects. The few instances constitute, fortunately, but exceptions to a general rule. Travelers from Great Britain have repeatedly, perhajjs we may say persis- tently, displaj'ed an astonishing amount of ignorance of the people of Canada and its society. Allowance can be made for a certain amount of egotism, but downright bias is unworthy a high- minded writer. Incapable of examining any subject, except from a stand point exclusively English, they have found no difficulty in attributing the most unworthy and even scandalous causes to a state of society to them unusual, and seemingly abnormal. Perhaps no writer has so disgraced himself, in writing about Canada, as Talbot. Certainly no one more ignobly essayed to injure Canadian reputa- FALSE WRITERS. 619 tiou in Great Britain than he. " Mr. Talbot has stated in his book that most of the Canadians are descended from private soldiers or settlers, or the illegitimate offspring of some gentlemen, or his servant." The writer had no scruples in publishing a falsehood. Full well he knew how noble had been the conduct of the U. B. Loyalists as a class; who relingui.shcd property, homes, — every- thing for a cause dear to their heart. Private soldiers indeed ! They thought it no disgrace to enter the ranks to help to suppress an unrighteous rebellion. And the descendants of the private soldiers feel it an honor to claim them for sires. Mr. Talbot, we are informed, came to Canada to speculate in lands ; and his record does not justify him in casting a stigma upon the fathers of Canada. Could we accept a slanderous statement as true, yet the question might be raised : — Is not their origin as good as many of the great houses of Great Britain would bo found, were we enabled to trace back their i^edigree. Probably, at the present time, and perhaps at no time, did more than a few read the pages of Mr. Talbot's production. But lest there might come a time when the false statements should be reiterated, we felt it our duty to thus advert to the subject. Another writer, to whom it may be well to refer, is one Br. John Howison, who wrote Sketches of Upper Canada. His know- ledge of Canada was pretty much confined to the Niagara district. Hear what the great (?) man said of the inhabitants. " They are still the untutored incorrigible beings that they probably were, when the ruffian remnant of a disbanded regiment, or the outlawed refuse of some European nation, they sought refuge in the wilds of Upper Canada, aware that they would neither find means of sub- sistance, nor be countenanced in any civilized country. Their original depravity has been confirmed and increased by the circum- stances in which they are now placed." This is a pleasant picture that the accomplished doctor draws of our forefathers. The very flagrancy of the falsehood has rendered the above statement as harmless as the doctor's reputation is unknown. It is but too common a story for a stupid Englishman, with no other ideas than those derived from supreme egotism, to pass through our country, and after merely glancing at the outside of everything, pi-oceed to give an account of the people of Canada. But this Howison was either guilty of drawing his views from Yankee sources, or of giving vent to some spiteful feeling. Eobert Goui'lay, who was no tory, referring to the above statement, speaks in this way : — " Itis not true, 620 FALSE "WRITERS. it is not fair, it is not discreet. The first settlers of Upper Canada, in my opinion, were wrong headed men as to politics ; but they were far from being bad-hearted men, and anj-thing but " the ruffian remnant pf a disbanded regiment." They were soldiers w^ho had done their duty: who had rcpjarded with reverence their oath of allegiance ; who had risked their lives a hundred times over a support of their principles ; who had sacrificed all which the world in general holds dear, to maintain their loyalty and honor. They were anything but the "outlaAved refuse of some European nation. They adhered to the laws of Britain ; and for the laws of Britain they bled. They did not " seek refuge in the wilds of Upper Canada, aware they would neither find means of subsistence, nor be countenanced in any civilized country." It is a libel on the British Grovernment to say they sought refuge, and a libel on common sense to say that men, who resolved to earn their bread by labour, under the worst circumstances in the world, could not find means of subsistence anywhere else. The whole passage is untrue, is shameful, and Dr. Howison should apologize for it in the public prints of this countr}*. These very farmers whom he scandalizes so cruelly, stood up for British Gfovernment most noble dimng the late war, (1812), many of them lost their all at that time (in Niagara District), and to many of them the British Government is now deeply indebted. The mass of first settlers in Upper Canada were true *men, and to this day there is a peculiar cast of goodness in their natures, which distinguishes them from their neighbours in the United States. There were among them ruffians of the very worst description. His Majesty's ministers needed spies, and horse stealers, and liars, and perjured villians ; and America furnished such characters, just as England can furnish an Oliver and an Edward. Why should a whole people be slandered because of a few ? Dr. Howison wrote in Canada only to trifle, and now we see the consummation, we see a book very well written ; very readable as a romance — the tale of a weak man ; but as it aifects men, worse than trifling — scandalous. To say all the ill he could of Canada, and no good of it is unfair — is deceitful — after all, in his partiiig exclamations, he " spoke about the happy shores of Canada." The refined Dr. Howison, it would seem, remembered " many civilities " fi-om the Canadians ; but because he could not appreciate the nobility of nature when crowned by the rough circumstances of pioneer life, he must needs write a libel. No doubt his mind was influenced by Yankee tales of Butlers' Eangers, and perhaps his exquisite sensibility was wounded, PALATINES. 621 forsooth, because a Canadian would not touch his hat to him." Eobert Gourlay was a friend to Canada, a friend to humanity ; he was not always' right; but he was far more correct while in Canada than those who persecuted him. He was a patient and close observer, and made himself thoroughly acquainted with Canada, and his statement in reply to Howison's utterances are fully satis- fying. What was true of the settlers at Niagara, must remain true of the whole class of U. E. Loyalists. Notwithstanding the many adverse circumstances — the earnest contest for life, the daily struggle for food, their isolation from the influences of civilized life, the absence of regular ministers of the gospel, notwithstanding all, the old soldiers constituted a band of pioneers infinitely better than those who form the outer belt of settlers, at the present day, in the Western States. As intimated, not a few of the U. E. Loyalists were descen- •dants of those who had likewise been driven, by persecution, from their homes. There were not only the children of the noble old Huguenots, but a good many German Irishmen, called Palatines. They originally came from the Palatinate of the Ehine, once the possession of the House of Palatine. The Palatines were Protestants, and during the seventeenth century, were exposed to the most cruel barbarities. They fled in thousands to the friendly camp of the Duke of Marlborough, when commander of the allied armies. In 1709, Queen Anne sent a fleet to Eotterdam for the distressed Pala- tines, and carried about 7,000 to England. Of these, 3,000 were sent to New York, but finally found homes in Pennsylvania, among the Quakers. The names of some of these are before us, and it may be seen they are familiar ones, although some of them are somewhat altered. Frantz Lucas, Deitrich Klein, Conrad Frederick, Ludwig, Henrich Newkirk, Keiser, John Mortan, Casper Hartwig, Christo- per Warner, Hermanus Hofi'man, Eudolph Neff", Schmidt, Schu- macher, Lenhard, John Peter Zenger, Philij) Muller, Schafier, Peter Wagner, Straule, Henrich Man, Eberhard, Kremer, Franke Eoss, Peter Becker, Christian Meyer, Godfry Fidler, Weller, George Mathias, Christo, Hagedom, Fink, John William Dill, Bernard, Conradt, Bellinger. " Of those who remained, five hundred families removed to Ireland, and settled, principally, in the County of Limerick." Among their names wq find. Baker, Barham, Barrabier, Bennoser, Bethel, Bowen, Bowman, Bovinezer, Brethower, Cole, Coach, Cor- 622 ANCIENT NAMES. noil, Cronsberry, Dobe, Dulmage, Embury, Fizzle, Gi-unse, Grier, Heck, Hoftmaii, Ilifle, Ileavener, Ozier, (probably Lazier of our day), Lawrence, Lowes, Ehineheart, Rose, Rodenbucher, Euckle, Switzer, Sparling, Stack, St. John, St. Ledger, Strongle, Sleeper, Shoemaker, Shier, Smeltzer, Shoultace, Shavewise, Tesby, (probably Detlor of our day), Tettler, UrBhelbaugh, Williams, and Young. A certain number of the Palatines settled at the German Flats, many of A\'hom, being Loyalists, were obliged to leave ; and become pioneers in Canada. Likewise, were there many from other parts of the Sttite, and from Pennsj^lvania. In the early history of New York State, may be found many names, generally Dutch-like, closely resembling those of the first settlers of Western Canada. In a letter, dated " Albany, 30 July, 1689," we find the rkames of Capt. Bleeker and D. Myers. At a convention at Albany, Oct. 24, 1669, was present, among. others, Gert Eyerse, Jan Jcnso Bleeker. " Proposals made to ye people, Albany, ye 5 day of November, 1689, by 40 inhabitants," among which is Jacob Vanden Bogaert. " At a meeting, at Albany, 28th March, 1690," were present^ Gert Eyersen, John Pietersen, Hendrick Hedgeman, (Hagerman). At a meeting in Albany, after the massacre, of Schenectady, February 9, 1690, to arrange for defending against the French and Indians, and to bury the dead ; there were, among 60 others present, D. Wessels, Eector, J. Bleecker, Aid. Eyckman, Ens. Bennet. In the list of those killed at Schenectady, are several of the Vroomans, Symon, Skemerhoorn. "Taken prisoners at Skinnech- tady, and carried to Canada ye 9th day of February, 16^." " John Wemp, Sonne of Myndt& 2 negroes, and 26 others." In a list of ofiicers in the Province of New York, 1693, members of Council — are found Phillips, Brook, Lawrence, Young, Marshall, Shaw, Evetts, (probably Everit), Handcock, Dirck Wessels, Eecorder at Albany; Beekman, Howell, Barker, Piatt, Whitehead, Harrison, Hageman, Strycker, Willet. Among the militia officers, N. Yorrk, 1700, we find Booth, Moore, Wheler, Hubbs, Kechum, Frederick, Daniel Wright ; Eobert Coles ; Lake, Hegemen, Evert, Bogardils, Hosbrooke, Eose. List of inhabitants in County of Orange, 1702. we find — Geritssen, (Garrison). Eeynerssen, (Eyerson), Cenifl", Mieyer, (Meyer,) Weller, Coeper, Merritt. MOHAWK VALLEY IN OLDEN TIMES. 623 Freeholders of the city and county of Albanj', 1720, Williams, Van Alen, Holland, Collins, YanDyke, several Bleeker's ; Cornelius Boarghaert, Vandusen, Meebe, "Weemp, (Wemp), Trueax. Yan Yalkcnburgh, Huyck, Gardimer, Dingmans, YanAlstine, Coonradt, Ham, Luykc, Decker, Esselstine, Fritts, Quackenboes,(Quackenbush) Yan Eensalaer. In the war of the Indians, at the battle of Point Pleasant, 177-1, there was killedj among others, Ensign Candiff. The following we take from the Schenectady Evening Star : Yalley of the Mohawk in Olden Times. — Schoharie — The Vroomans. — When the Schoharie settlements were invaded b}' the British, under Colonel Butler, in the ji-ear 1789, the following persons, among others, were mui'dered by the Indians : Tunis Yrooman, his wife and son, and on this occasion Ephraim Yrooman and his two sons, Bartholomew, Josias and John Yrooman, Bartho- lomew Yrooman, Jr., and his wife and son Jacob, were taken prisoners, The wife and daughter of Ephraim Yrooman was killed by an Indian named Seth Hendrick. Mr. E. Yrooman, while on his way to Canada, whither he was carried in captivity, was under the immediate charge of Seth Hendrick, who treated him with much kindness. There were two or three Indians who accompanied Seth. These before they arrived at their destination, grew tired of their prisoner, and proposed to despatch him. Mr. Yrooman overheard the conversation, which was conducted in a whisper, and repeated it to Hendrick. Hendrick assured him in the most positive manner, that " not a hair of his head should be tou'ched," and gave his companions a severe reprimand for their ungenerous conspiracy. After the termination of the Eevolutionary contest, Hendrick paid Mr. Yrooman a visit, and aj)ologised for his conduct during the war, in the strong, metaphorical language of his nation : " The toma- hawk," said he, "is used only in war; in time of peace it is buried; it cuts down the sturdy oak as well as the tender vine ; but I (laying his hand on Mr. Yrooman's shoulder) saved the oak." " Eva's Kill. — The creek which runs through the village of Cranesville has, for the last ninety years, been known as Eva's Kill, or creek. It owes this name to the circumstance of a woman named Eva being murdered near its banks. In the year 1755 Mi's. Yan Alstine, from Canojoharie, traveled thi-ough this place on her way to this city to visit her parents. She was on horseback, and had her daughter with her, a child about four years of age. A party of French and Indians had just arrived from Canada, and were prowling about with murderous designs on the defenceless inhabitants of the Mohawk Yalley. Espying Mrs. Yan Alstine, they marked her for their prey. They pounced upon, wounded and scalped her, left her as they supposed, dead on the margin of the creek which bears her name. Her daughter they took to Canada. After they had dej^arted, Mrs. Yan Alstine partially recovered, and mustered strength enough 624 ORIGINAL NAMES IN LONG ISLAND. to crawl to the river, on the opposite shore of which she saw some men standing, to whom she beckoned. She feared to speak lost she should be overheard by her enemies who were still in the neighbor- hood. These men came over cautiousl}', and conveyed her safely to her agonized parents. She lingered nine or ten days in a state of extreme suffering, when she gave up the ghost. Her daughter's life was spared, and she, in time, was restored to her friends." In 1750-60, are found the names of Jordan, Dunham, Grant, Har- kamcr, Spenser, Peterson, Wilson, Church, Dovenport, Kemp,Gibson. Census of New York, about 1703. Amongst others, Vanhorn Larrance, Loukes, Vandewater, "White, Hams, Wessels,Wm. Taylor, Johnston, Vesey, Bogert, Oastrom, Waldron, Davis, Marshall, Clapp. Census of Long Island, 1673. — Jacobs, Carman, Symonds, Beedel, Allen, Williams, Valentyn, EUesson, (probably Allison), Osborne, Hobbs, Soddard, Ellison, Foster, Mott, Apple be, Persell, Truax, Hoyt. The Rail of those who have taken the oath of allegiance, Sep- tember, 1687 : Peter Stryker, native of the Province ; Cornells Pertise, (Peterson), native; Beakman, native; Gerrit Dorlant, native; Joseph Hagemen, (Hagerman), 37 years; Adrien Ryerse, 41 years. Living in Breucklyn (Brooklyn) : Covert, native ; Bogaert, 35 years; Jan Fredericks, 35 years; Pieter Corson native ; Caspere, (Casper) ; Jacobus Vande Water, (Vandewater), native ; Dirck Janse Waertman, (Wartman), 40 years ; Yan Clief, De Witt, Loyse, Waldron, Willensen, Badgely, Culver, Jessop, Eogers Diamond, Erie, Butler, Johnes (Jones), Whiting; Arnold, Wash- bourn, Way, Harton, Booth, Bradly, Goldsmith, Giles, Baily, Osmond, Carey, Case, Miller, Garitson. CHAPTER LXX. Contents — Character — Hospitality — At home — Fireside— Visitors— Bees— Raisings Easter Eggs — Dancing — Hovington House — Caste — Drinks — Horse-racing — Boxing — Amusements — La Crosse — Duels — Patriotism — Annexation — Free- dom — Egotism — The Loyalists — Instances — Longevity — Climate of Canada A quotation — Long lived — The children — The present race — A nationality Comparison — " U.E. Loyalist" — Their Privileges — Order of Council — Dissa- tisfaction. CHARACTEB, CUSTOMS, AMUSEMENTS, PATRIOTISM, AGB AND DESCEN- DANTS OP THE U. E. LOYALISTS. When we compare the motives which actuated all classes of those who adhered to the Crown with the rebels in their various HOSPITALITY. 625- grades, we feel to exult and express sincere thankfulness that the fathers of Upper Canada were honest, devoted, loyal, truthful, law- abiding, and actuated by the higher motives Avhich spring from religion. The habits of the loyalists were simple, and comparatively free from immorality. Their love of order and adherence to law is noteworthy. No people in the World have been characterised by so firm and devoted adherence to the established laws than the U. E. Loyalists. Never deprived of that freedom which ennobles the man, they always abominated that monstrous oftshoot of republican liberty which teaches a man to take the law in his own hands. In later years in Canada some strife has been witnessed between parties who have introduced their national feuds from the old country. But those who fought in the revolutionary war, and who mainly assisted to drive back the invading foe in 1812, have always been peace- loving citizens. L}Tich Law, (a term derived from a man of that name living in South Carolina, who constituted himself the arbiter between any contestants, and to their satisfaction) has always been held in utter detestation. The settlers were always hospitable. The circumstances of their life, in which they so often were cast upon the care and atten- tion of others, made each experience the deep feeling of gladness to have a visitor, which belongs to a sense of kindness received. In this they differed widely from the people of the more Northern States. Strangers were never turned awaj^, and a clergyman, no matter of what denomination, was received "right gladly." The Rev. Mr. Smart says that he was often up the Bay in his early days of ministerial labor, and he was ever treated by the inhabitants of all classes with great hospitality. And after a few years had worn away, carrying with them the burden of many heart sorrows, there came an occasional opportunity to exchange friendly hospi- tality. Visiting indeed became a regular " institution," to borrow a Yankee phrase. Near neighbours would of an evening call in, uninvited, to spend the evening, and talk over the times, present, past and coming. Sometimes visits were made to friends a long distance oif, going by canoe or batteau, or perchance on horseback, by a bridle-path, with saddle-bags containing oats for the horse. But the winter visits were characterised more especially by genial hospitality. On such occasions the hostess brought forth things new and old. Choice viands, carefull}^ stored away, were brought to the light. The first fruits of the soil vv^ere lavishly spread upon the unassuming board. The fiamine of 1787-8, and the subsequent 40 626 FAMILY VISITING. lack of the necessai'ies of life, and the total absence of luxuries for many a year, had the effect of intensifying the value that might naturally be placed upon plenty and luxury. To be truly enter- taining to guests, was to set before them a feast of good things. Hence it came in the later yeai-s of the country that the table of the well-to-do farnv^r always groaned with sub- stantials and delicacies. On those occasions the old soldier re- counted his deeds of warfare, and hair-breadth escapes, and his struggles in the wilderness. The blazing hearth became the centre of attractive conversation, and lit up the hardy faces of the pioneers, and the milder countenances of their wives and daughters, while in the back gi-ound might be seen the bright eyes of the children, listening to the tales that were told. The younger ones had been ordered off to bed, but they lie wakeful in their bunks, which were in the same room, to catch the ever flowing talk. Tke conversa- tion at these times did not always relate to those matters above stated, it often took a mysterious turn, and ghosts became the sub- ject of their evening's talk. The above is not fi-om imagination, but in substance from the lips of more than one, who remembers to have occupied the little bunk and listened upon many an even- ing to the conversations. Family visiting was a common mode of exchanging civilities. It was necessary because of the widely separated houses. The evenings wea'e times of the most pleasing reunions. Every log house possessed a large Dutch fireplace, into which was placed a back log of immense size, while upon the hand irons, or, as at first, large square stones was heaped light dry wood which sent forth a cheerful blaze. By the light thus made there would be in the fall and winter carried on various household duties, each family was to a great extent dependent upon themselves for almost every thing required upon a farm, or about a farm-house. The wife would be bu.sy carding, or making clothes of home-made linen, or of cloth. The daughters would be emploj^ed in mending or darn- ing. The farmer would be engaged in making or repairing har- ness, or boots, or " fixing" an implement of husbandry, while the son would be fashioning an' axe-helve, or an ox-yoke, or whittling a whip handle. The simple meal, though of a homely fare, was satisfying, for their taste was not pampered by unnecessary luxu- ries when alone. But when company came everything was changed. The work was put aside, and they set themselves out to make their visitors enjoy themselves. They would encircle the BEES. 627 wide and glowiug fire, and indulge in the most amiable talk. There was no spirit of envy in their midst, but a quiet content and thankfulness that the M-ilderness was beginning to blossom. The triumphs of the past would be duly recounted, and the future looked forward to with highest hopes. Plans would be canvassed and laid for the childreii, while apples, cider and nuts would receive due attention by all. At these meetings were often the young folks — marriageable daughters and sons who had been pre- paring to go on the other farm, or back hundred acres where a log house was partially erected ; before long the company' would be divided into two distinct groups, the old and the young. vSome- times matters would be managed that the older ones would meet at one house and the young at another, by which means a more pleasing state of things was created. But courting, or sparking as it was termed, was generally done upon Sunda}^ evening. The day of rest was the only one when the love-sick swain could get away. And even the^most exemplaiy christians regarded "going to see the girls " on a Sunday night as quite allowable. Then, this practice favored the desire, so prevalent, to keep secret the inten- tion of any two to get married. Visits were made without invitations. To wait for an invita- tion was quite contrary to the primitive views of the settlers. The visit must be a voluntary action. Even to give a hint to one to make a visit by parties not i*elated was considered as beneath proper respect. It was a species of independence. ** I do'nt want one to come to my house if he do'nt want to," the phase went in that way. But there were occasions when invitations were sent out, and that was when some help was required ; and to persons not familiar with the habits, it will seem strange that it was con- sidered a compliment to get an invitation, and a slight to be neg- lected. These invitations were to be present at bees, and help to do work. At the first these bees were common, to put up the log houses, and get a little clearing done, by a certain time. But after- wards, though less frequent, they were of a more pretentious nature. Eaising Bees were in time, indications of prosperity. A frame barn or house showed that the farmer was progressing, and in accordance with the general expectation, treated " the hands " with the best he had. Then there were, beside the raising bees, the clearing bees, logging bees, and stone bees, and husking bees, and in later times apple bees ; and there was the women's bee for quilting. All these meetings were of a more or less hilarious order. 628 EASTER EGGS. The work was done, and done with a will; it was a sort of duty — a matter of principle that either the work should be done, or a proper etfort made to that end. For many j-ears spirituous liquors w^ere dealt out, or set freely before the men, but in time, some, seeing the evil of drinking, and sometimes fearful of accidenta, determined to discontinue the custom. Whether drinking was indulged in or not, all were treated to a glorious supper, generally of pot-pie and cakes, and pies of pumkin and apple. The women folks of coui'se, required a!?sistance, and the neighbours would come to help, so that at night there would be collected a goodly number of both sexes. Husking bees and apple bees took place at night, but they did not last so long that no time was allowed for amuse- ment. And then commenced the play and the dance. At first these unions and plays were exceedingly hai'mless and indulged in with the utmost artlessness. The young of both sexes were well known to each other, and it was more like a family gathering than aught else. But now fortunately these bees and kissing-plays are no longer in vogue. Thej' were natural enough in the days of primi- tive pioneer life ; but with increasing inhabitants and the addition of people of other countries, they became unnatural. The breaking up of winter brought to a termination for a time, all the social festivities. In connection with sugar making was here and there a jovial meeting to " sugar off." Aside from the Sabbath there were but few holidays ; and, with many, Christmas Avas imjierfectly observed. Easter was re- membered principallj' because of the feast of eggs on Sunda}-. At first, when hens were scarce, it was not every family that had eggs on that day, or had enough. So it came to pass that eggs would be preserved beforehand, not by the natural provider however. The boys regarded it as their prerogative to hide the eggs for some time before, and even when it was unnecessary, large numbers would be safely secreted by the young ones. This was generally done by the youngest, old enough ; and he was to so hide them that no one could find them. The honor was lost if the eggs were found. The Easter morning consequently was one of anticipation, to see how- ever many eggs had been preserved. An old t^ettler of Ameliasburgh discourses of Bees in thiswise: ''Bees were great institutions in those days, every settler was licensed to make two or three each yeav, provided he furnished a ii-ood *'pot pie," and plenl}- of grog, and never made any objections to his guests fighting. Fighting might take place at any stage, but I AMUSEMENTS. 629 more generally occurred after work was done, before and after supper." Dancing seems to have been particularl}' attractive to almost all. Almost every neighbourhood or concession had its fiddler, the on]}' kind of instrumental music of the times. The fiddler was generally an old soltUer, who had acquired some knowledge of the art of plaj'iug during his time of service. A kind correspondent, (Mordon), has supplied us pleasing information, obtained from an old resident of Sophiasburgh. This person came from Adolphustown, when a girl of fifteen, in the first year of the jn-csent century. "We quote : — "She tells many funny stories of balls and 2')rivate " sprees" that they used to have over in the Indian woods, at Capt. Isaac's (Hill), an Indian chief, who had a large house, whieh is still occupied, and which appears to have been the scene of numberless " hops," &c. They could have a civil dance at Captain Isaac's, and it would not cost much. The Sixth Town youngsters seem to have delighted in patronizing his hoxTse." This young woman married and became, with her husband, a pioneer of Ameliasburgh, in 1805. It seems that these new settlers of the Seventh Town considered themselves somewhat superior to the inhabitants generally, and would not join in their " frolicking^," but would occasionally visit Sophiasburgh for the purpose of having a '-'spree." This feeling of caste was a marked feature in the several townships at an early date. The Hovington House, situated about sixty rods above the bridge at Picton, was a place of no little fiame. It was built by one Hovington who came with VanAlstine. It was a long narrow edifice forty or fifty feet deep, and about twenty feet broad, and not very high. It was divided into two portions bj' a log partition, the ends of which projected without. This j)ublic house was especially for the benefit of the settlers at East Lake, in their journeyings back and forth across the Carrying Place. To use the language of our informant, "it was a great place to dance and frolic." At stated times the bay settlers would come even from forty miles distance Fredericksburgh on the east, and the Carrying Place and Sidney on the west. But now the foundation of the old building which so often resounded to the sounds of mirth, the fiddle, and the tripping feet, can scarcely be traced. As a general thing, the hard pinching circumstancesof the now- country brought all to a common level, excepting a few C4overn raent officials. Bat in certain localities there existed a feeliniy of 630 HORSE RACING. superciliousness, not veiy deep, but yet it was there. The places, and the inhabitants thereof, in time, became noted as being *' big feeling " or stylish. Por instance, the denizens of Kingston regarded the settlers uj) the bay as somewhat behind them ; while the people of the Fourth Town spoke disparagingl}' of the Fifth Towners. By the settlers of the Sixth and Seventh Towns, the citizens of Sidney and Thurlow were looked upon as stylish. But the wheel of fortune turned with many a one. Amusement, and diversions of diiferent kinds, when properly used, are not only allowable, but even salutary to man's physical and mental state; but if uncontrolled by reason ; if irrational from want of education, the}'' may easily run into excess and immorality. To the educated man, who is cast away from all that can supply food for his mind, there is a terrible danger, of seeking unholy and even vicious sources to allay the constant longing after mental food. There is likewise a danger of such seeking artificial excite- ment. To such the evil of intemperance too often comes with over- Avhelmiug waves steadily and certainly flowing. The first settlers of Upper Canada, when their circumstances are taken into con- sideration, and the usages of the times, it must be said, were not particularly addicted to the evil of intemperance. In after years, this evil did certainly increase ; but at the first, although almost every one had liquor of some kind in the house, yet the great majoritj- were guiltless of excess. In those early days, teetotalism and temperance societies were unknown ; but it must be here men- tioned that the first temperance society organized in Canada, was in Adolphustown. The drinking usages of the day among all classes led to the erection of distilleries and breweries at an early period. There was also an extensive traffic in rum, and it is known that many a one made himself rich b}' selling to buyers along the bay, and across the Carrying Place up the lake, even as far as York. Perhaps the most common out-of-door amusement was horse- racing, after horses became more general among the settlers. It was looked upon as dancing was by all, as amusement of the most unobjectionable character, and it is said of a certain reverend indi- vidual, that he was accustomed to run horses on his way home after preaching. Probably this was true, as the same person became a reprobate. On the occasion of the annual training of the Militia, which took place for many a year, the 4th June, (and this comes within the writer's recollection) there was, at the different training places, more or less of horse racing. These races were CHARrVARIING. G31 made, not by horses trained specially for the purpose, but by such animals as were in dail}^ use b}' the farmers, some of which, although ungainly in looks, and in inditfercnt condition, could get over the ground in a remarkably short time. Kingston and Newark being military stations, were, from the presence of officers, who were always gentlemen by birth, more dignified in the ways of amusement. Not but gentlemen existed through the country, but not in sufficient nujubers to regulate the modes of pleasui-e, and give tone to soeiet3\ The officers were very fond of horse-racing, and would frequently spend field days, especi- ally the King's Birthday in testing the mettle of their steeds. At these there would generally be a gi'eat entertainment by the ladies who, says Colonel Clarke, would be gorgeously clad in " brilliant dresses, with threads of silver forming the motto,^God save the King.'' A kind of amusement common at the close of the last century, and the beginning of the present, in America, and to a certain extent in Canada, was that of boxing — boxing that too often amounted to brutal fighting. Thei*e were a certain number in every township Avho availed themselves of training days to show their athletic qualifications. Grourlay says, 1817, that " pugilism, which once prevailed, is now declining." And at the present day, happily, it is confined to those of a brutish disposition. It is only the lowest who find amusement in engaging in, or witnessing pugilistic encounters. As Upper Canada was, in a limited sense, an off-shoot of Lower Canada, so but a few of the peculiarities'jof Lower Canada were introduced to the Upper. One was that of Gharivariing, which means a great noise with petty music. It was introduced from France. The custom is now almost obsolete among us, but time was when it was quite common. It generally was indulged in at second mar- riages, or when an unequal match and marriage took place ; when a young girl married an old man for instance, or if either party were unpopular. The night of the wedding, instead of being passed in joyous in-door pleasures by the wedded ones, was made hideous by a crowd of masked persons, who with guns, tin-pans, pails, horns, h-orse-fiddles, and everything else that could be made to produce a discordant noise, disturbed the night until silenced by a treat, or money. Sometimes those meetings resulted in serious consequences to one or more of the party, by the bridegroom resorting to loaded firearms. (532 LACROSSE. Somelimcs the native Indiana contributed to the general amuse- ment, upon days when there was a public gathering. Now and then they engaged alone in certain .sports which would be witnessed by the whites. Playing ball — bandy-ball, lacrosse, foot-races, and the war-dance, were occasionally engaged in. The present fashion- able game of lacrosse is of Indian origin, and may well be remem- bered by every Canadian, and even American. After the conquest of Canada, w"h en the Great Ottawa chief Pontiac had effected an alliance of all the western and northern tribes, to destroy the frontier forts of the British. There were several forts, originally French, along the upper lakes ; two notably, one at Detroit, the other at Michilmacinac. Smaller forts had been attacked and taken, in most cases by treachery and Indian cunning. These two forts remained untakeu. Pontiac devised the plan of pretending to wish for pieace. With the o.stensible intention of holding a council to make peace, the chiefs Avere to enter the forts ; while the Indians, engaged in ball- playing along the ramparts, were tcf amuse those within the ramparts. The squaws were to be present, seemingly as spectators, but in reality to hold under their blankets, rifles, the ends of which had been cut otf for concealment. At a given signal, the bail was to be knocked over the outer defence, and the Indians were to rush in as if to get it ; but seizing their rifles from the women who had placed themselves conveniently, they were to rush in to slaughter the unsuspecting inmates. At Michilmacinac this proved successful, and the whole garrison was massacred, and Detroit barely escaped the same fate. Dueling. — At the time when fierce encounters took place betAveen organized forces in America, which resulted in the independence of the United States, and the settlement of Upper Canada, the practise of duelling obtained among the higher classes. Hajipily, this heinous crime, an outrage against humanity, is no longer tolerated where British laws and British principles of justice and freedom have force. But such was not the case seventy j^ears ago. The early histor}- of Canada witnessed a few personal engagements of honor. The first duel was between Peter Clark, Chief Clerk of the Legislative Council, and Captain Sutherland of the 25th regiment. The meet- ing took place at Kingston, and Mr. Clark fell fatally wounded. This occurred in the winter of 1795. On the 22nd July, 1817, a duel was fought between S.P. Jarvis, Esq., and Mr. John Eidout. The latter received a wound in the chest and died in about an hour. LOVE OF COUNTRY. 633; ''Duel. — On Friday the 11th inst, Alexander McMillan, Esquire, and Alexander Thoni, Esquii-e, met in a field on the Brockville Road, to decide an aft'aiv of honor — the former attended by Mr. Radenhnrst, and tlie latter by Mr. Gumming. After exchanging shots, tlie seconds interfered, and on mutual ex]:)lanations being made, the matter ter- minated amicably. Doctor Thorn received a contusion on the leg." One of the latest instances in which a duel was fought in Upper Canada, occurred some forty years ago. The event resulted in the death of one of the combatants, the other, who was tried for his life, has now for some years adorned the bench of the Province. Patriotism. — In no countiy upon the face of the Globe, and at no period in the history of any country, has appeared a higher or purer order of patriotism, than is written upon the ])ages of the history of British America. British connection is to mostly every son of the land dearer even than life itself. ' At least it has been so in respect to those of whom we write, the TJ. E. Loyalists. Co-equal with the love they have to the British Crown, is the hearty aversion they bear to Ee- publicanism. Neither the overtures of annexation, nor the direct and indirect attempts to coerce, has produced a momentary wavering oa the pai't of the descendants of the ancient stock. Americans in our midst have vainly tried to inoculate the minds of the people Avith the principles of Pepublican Government; but the Canadian mind was too free, the body politic too healthy, the system too strong to imbibe any lasting feeling of desire to change the tried for the untried. The few annexationists who have, from time to time, existed, were but the fungoid offshoot of a healthy plant. From the time Franklin and his coadjutors vainly essayed to draw the French Canadian into their rebellious cause, until the present there has been a frequently mani- fested desire, on the part of the United States, to force us into the union. The contemptible duplicity of Webster, who concealed from Ashburton the existence of a second map, whereby he tricked Canada, Yankee like, out of a valuable portion of territoiy along the Atlantic coast, with a view of cutting us off from the ocean. The declaration of war in 1812, aijd the repeated but unsuccessful invasions of our Province. The proclamations issued to Canadians, by the would be conquerors, Hull, Wilkinson, and others. Their sympathy and aid to turbulent spirits in 1836-7. The attempts at bullying England when she was at war Avith Eussia. The organization of the Fenian association, with the publicly avowed purpose of seizing some portion of our Province. The abrogation of the Eeciprocity Treaty, the object of Avhich was proclaimed by Consiil Potter — all along the 634 OUR LIBERTY. eighty years' liistory of the United States, is to be seen a disreputable attempt, by all possible means, to bully a Aveaker neighbor. All this does not become a great and honorable nation, a nation so extensive, whose people are so loud-tongued upon the principles of liberty — Liberty ! The name with the United States is only synonomous with their govenmient. They cannot discover that a people should be free to choose their own form of government, alwaj's excepting those who rebelled in 17'76. Oh yes! we have liberty to choose; but then Ave must choose in accordance Avith Yankee ideas of liberty. Egotistic to the heart's core, they cannot understand hoAv we entertain vicAvs dissimilar to their oaati. Hoav applicable the Avords of the immortal Burns : — " ■\vad some power the giftie gie us, To»see oursels as others see us : It wad frae luonie a blunder free us An' foolish notion." Without detracting from the Avell-knoAvn loyalty of the other sections of the Province, it may be safely said that the inhabitants of the Bay Quinte and St. LaAvrence, and Niagara, have proved themselves devotedly attached to British institutions. The U. E. Loyalists have been as a barrier of rock, against AA'hich the waves of Eepublicanism ha\'e dashed in A'ain. It has been the refugee-settlers and their descendants, who prevented the Province from being engulfed in its dark waters. In 1812, in '37, and at all times, their loyalty has never Avavered. It has been elsewhere stated, that settlers from the States came in at a later date. Those were found likAvise truly loyal. Says McMullen, speaking of the war of 1812, " But comparatively fcAv Canadians joined the American standard in the Avar, and throughout Avhich none Avere more gallant in rolling back the tide of unprincipled avarice than the emigrant from New England and New York, who aside from the U. E. Loyalist, had settled in the country." There Avere a fcAv renegades who forsook the country, not so much to join the enemy as because they had no soul to fight. In this connection it Avill be desirable to refer to one notable case ; that of " Bill John.son." The folloAving will sufficiently shew how intense were the feel- ings of loyalty many years ago. The writer's father Avas present at a meeting, Avhich Avas conducted by a minister lately from the United States, and who AA^as unaccustomed to pray for the King. CANADIAN LOYALTY. 635 THc good man thought only of his allegiance to the King of Kings, and omitted, in the extemporaneous prayer, to inay for the King of England. Whereupon 3Ir. T. arose and requested the preacher either' to pray for his Majesty, or leave his territories. The minister did not again foi'get so manifest a duty. In this connection, we cannot forbear inserting another instance of Canadian loyalty, which exhibited itself not long ago in the loyal city of Toronto. "Canadian Loyalty. — A verj' extraordinarj' manifestation of feeling took place on Thursday night last in Toronto, at the closing meeting of the Sabbath School Convention. A gentleman from New York delivered a parting address, on behalf of the American visitors who had attended the Convention ; at the conclusion of which he referred to our Queen as a "model woman," and said that from the fulness of his heart he could say, ' Long live Her Majesty Queen Victoria !' When he gave expression to this sentiment there was such an outburst of enthusiastic loj'alty that every one seemed carried comjiletely away. The immense audience immediately commenced such a cheering, and clapping of hands, as is seldom seen, and kept it up till there was an accidental " change of exer- cise." Under the powerful excitement of the moment, a gentleman near the platform commenced singing " God Save the Queen," when the entire audience rose to their feet and joined in singing it through. That was singing with a will ! Several persons were quite over- powered, and even wept freely. It was simply an unpremeditated expression of the warm devotion of the Canadian heart to the best Queen that ever sat on the Britise throne. Longevity. — The climate of Canada, even of Ontario, is by some considered very severe. The months of unpleasant weather which intervene between summer and winter, and again between winter and summer ; and the snow}^ months of winter itself are not, it must be admitted, so agreeable as in other climates. And, occasionally, even the summer itself is comparatively cold. For instance, in 1817, snow fell at Kingston in the month of June. But, notwith- standing the occasional severity, and the general unpleasantness, (although all do not so consider it) the climate of Canada seems con- ducive to longevity. Both in Upper and Lower Canada, among the French and English may be found a great many instances of won- derfully extended age. There is a school of naturalists, who enter- tain the belief that the races of men are strictly indigenous ; that if removed fi-om the land of their birth, they will degenerate, and unless intermixed with constantly flowing recruits, will ultimately die out. They assert that the European races transplanted to America ai*e doomed to degeneration and death so soon as emigi-a- tion shall cease to maintain the vitality" brought by the original 636 LONGEVITY. settlers. To this view we have ventured to give very positive dissent, and have supported this position in another place with the followin<^ language : " In Canada are to be seen quite remote descendants of the most prominent people of Europe, the British and French, and, I am prepared to assert, with no marked signs of physical degeneration, the French of Lower Canada, even under many adverse circumstances, have full}" maintained their ancient bodil}' vigor, and can compare favorably with the present inhabi- tants of old France, while their number has increased." " Yet their ancestors, many of them, emigrated two hundred years ago ; and, since the colony became a part of Britain, no replenishment has been received from the old stock. " Turning to Upper Canada, we find a fact no less important, and quite as antagonistic to the theory. In consequence of the American Eevolutionary war, some twenty-five or thirty thousand United Empire Loyalists were forced, or induced, to seek a home in the Canadian wilderness. ]\Iany of these were descendants of those who had first peopled New Holland. A large number settled along the St. Lawrence and the Bay of Quinte. In the main, indeed, almost altogether, until very recently, these old settlers have inter- married. The great-grandchildren of those American pioneers now live on the old homestead, and are found scattered over the whole Province. And although I have no positive data upon which to base my assertion ; yet, from careful observation, I have no hesi- tation in declaring that in physical dev&loimient, in slight mortality among the children, in length of life, in powers of endurance, not to say in braver}"- and patriotism, they cannot be excelled by any class of emigrants." — (Principles of Surgery). Since the above was written, we have become more intimately acquainted with regard to the longevity, both among the French and Anglo-Canadians ; and the opinion then expressed has been greatly strengthened. Eespecting the latter class, personal obser- vation has aided us. In our frequent visits to different parts, made during the last few years, we have enjoyed the oj^portunity of conversing with many persons who had much ovei'-ran the period allotted to man ; and others who had exceeded their three score years and ten. Some of them have been spectators of the very scenes of the settlement of the country, and retain a vivid recol- lection of the events attending that trying period. Venerable, with hairs blossoming for the grave, and chastened by the long endured fire of affliction, the}' are happy in their old age. They connect the DESCENDANTS. 637 present with the past, and remind us how great the heritage they have secured to us from a vast, untrodden wilderness. Notwith- standing the toils, the privations in early life, ere the tender child had merged into the adult, when the food was limited, and often inferior in quality, they yet have had iron constitutions that in the earnest contingency of life served them well. Of course, the plain and regular habits of the settlers, with plenty of out -door exercise, assisted to promote long life, and give them a hardy nature. "We have knowledge of a vast number who attained to a great age. Of those who lived to an old age, "A Traveler," writing in 1835 says of Upper Canada, '' I often met the venerable in years." The children and grand-children of the early settlers live, in many cases, to as great an age as their fathers. Descendants. — While there were some among the first settlers of Eui'opean birth, the majority were of American birth, and j)ossessed the characteristics of the colonists of that day. But, separated from the people and the scenes intimate to them in their youth, and living in the profound shades of the interminable wilderness, they gradu- ally lost many of their characteristic features and habits, and acquired others instead. The Canadian immigrant, be he English, Irish, or Scotch, or even Geiman or French, will, as time gives lines to his face, and gray hair to his head, insensibly loose many of the peculiarities, of his race, and in the end sensibly approximate to the character and appearance of the people among whom he has settled. The children of the emigrant, no matter what pains the patents may take to preserve in their children Avhat belongs to their own native country, will grow up quite unlike the parents. So much is this the case that any one on entering a mixed school, high or low, or by noticing the children at play, as he passes along the street, Avhose parents are both natives and foreigners, would find .it quite impossible to point out one from the other, whether the child was of Canadian parentage, or whether its parents were of another country. The fact at which it is desired to get is that emigrants to Canada, no matter how heterogenous, are gradually moulded into a whole more or less homogenous. That this is observable somewhat in the emigrant himself, but decidedly so in the children. The fact being admitted that a transformation is slowly but certainly effected, it may be inquired by what influence it is accomplished. It cannot be due solely, to the climate, nor to dress, nor diet, nor the original habits of the people, 638 THE CANADIAN. altliough each has its infl iience. Must we not search for a more i:)Ower- ful cause of pecuUarity as a ])eople, in some other channel. A natural one seemingly presents itself. Tiie growth of a nation, as the growth of a tree will be modified by its own intrinsic ^-itality, and at the same time by external circumstances. Upper Canada was planted by British heroes of the American Revolution. It arose out of that revolution. The first settlers Avere U. E. Loyalists. Tiie majority of the original settlers were natives of America, and brought up in one or other of the provinces that rebelled. They were Americans in all respects, as much as those who took sides with the rebels, yet to-day the descendants of the U. E. Loyalists are as unlike the descen- dants of the rebels, as each is unlike a full blooded Englishman. The pure Yankee and the Canadian of the first water may trace their ancestors to a common parentage, and have the same name. As Canadians we are not afraid to institute a compai'ison between our- selves and the natives of New England or New York, or Pennsyl- vania. Let the comparison refer to any question whatever, either of the body or mind, of society or of government. The external influ- ences which have operated have been elsewhere indicated. The cir- cumstances of the U. E. Loyalists as settlers in a wilderness, were widely diflerent froui those of the States after the Independence Was secured. Incessant toil and privations, without opportunities for acquiring education, on the one hand ; on the other there was all the advantages of civilization. And so it continued for nearly half a century. It is to be desired that we had statistics to show the difference as to longevity, and general health. Suffice it to say that scientific men are debating the cause of gradual decline among the New Englanders, while Upper Canada ovei-flows with native popula- tion. Another influence of an external nature, which must not be omitted as operating upon the loyalists, is that derived from the emigrants from Great Britain and the officers from the army and na.xj, and other gentlemen who became part of the first settlers. That they had a wholesome effect cannot be doubted, and gave a healthy tone to the provincial mind. From these internal and external influ- ences the Upper Canadian has been developed into an individual singular in some respects, but yet constituting a middle link between the Englishman, and the " Englishman intensified," as the American has been called. The difference in the character between the British American and those Avho have lived under Republican Government is a strik- ing commentary upon the effects of social and political iftstitutiona. THE " U. E. LIST. t&V Canadians may not have excelled in making wooden nutmegs, and bassAvood hams ; but they have succeeded in converting a wilder- ness into a splendid Province. And although eighty years behind in commencing the race with those who robbed them of their homes, they have even now caught up in many respects, and to-day a young State with gi-eat bi'cadth and resources presents itself at the threshold of nations. It has for a population a stable people. Canada has no long list of cruel charges against her for aggression. Her escutcheon is clean as the northern snow against which she rests, from the stains of blood — blood of the Indian, the African, the Mexican, or of a neighbor. After all, notwithstanding this bright record of loyalty on the part of settlers and their descendants, yet the Bay of Quinte inhabi- tants were not permitted to receive the heir to the Crown of England, to support which, their sires suffered so much. They spilled their blood, they suffered starvation ; and jet by the advice of one who held in higher consideration the Roman Catholic Church, than the grand-children of the U. E. Loyalists. The Prince of Wales passed up and down the bay without landing. They waited with burning enthusiasim to receive the Prince, but he passed and repassed without gratifying their desire. Notwith- standing this there were some who followed him to Toronto, deter- mined to pay their respect to the Prince, notwithstanding the Duke of Newcastle." " The TJ. E. List." — It will be remembered that a certain number of Americans who had remained in the States, were induced to remove to Canada by a proclamation issued by Simcoe ; many of these were always loyalists in heart, some had become tired of republicanism, and others were attracted by the oiFer of lands, free grants of which were offered upon paying fees of office, some $30. By this means a new element was added to the Province. At the same time the first settlers were to be placed in a position to which the newcomers, however loyal, could never attain. Distinct from the general class is here meant those whose names were entered upon a list ordered to be prepared by Government. *' To put a mark of honor," as it was expressed in the orders of Council, " upon the families who had adhered to the unity of the empire and joined the royal standard in America, before the treaty of separation in the year 1783, to the end that their posterity might be discriminated from the then future settlers. From the initials of two emphatic words, the unity of the empire, it was styled the 640 ORDER OP COUNCIL. " TJ. E. List," and they, whose names were entered on it, were dis- tinguished as the U. E, Loyalists, a distinction of some consequence, for, in addition to the promise of such loyalty by themselves, it was declared that their children, as well as» those born hereafter, as those already born, should, upon arriving at the age of twenty-one years, and females upon their marriage within that age, be entitled to grants of 200 acres each, free from all expense." Upon arriving at age, the descendant petitioned the Grovernor, stating the facts upon oath, and accompanied with the affidavit of one person. The order was issued, and land in one of the newer townships was duly allotted and the patent issued free of cost. The following is the order of Council referring to the grants of land to the U. E. Loyalists : " Quebec, Monday, 9th Nov. 1789." Present, Lord Dorchester and thirteen Councillors. "His Lordship intimated to the Council, that it remained a question upon the regulations for the disposition of the waste lands of the Crown, whether the board constituted for that purpose, were authorized to make locations to the sons of loyalists, on their arriv- ing to full age, and that it was his wish to put a mark of honor upon the families who had adhered to the unity of the empire, and joined the Koyal standard in America, before the treaty of separa- tion in the year 1783." " The Council concurring with his Lordship, it is accordingly ordered, that the several land boards take course for preserving a registry of the names of all persons falling under the description aforementioned, to the end that their posterity may be discrimi- nated from future settlers, in the parish registers, and rolls of the militia of their respective districts, and other public remembrances of the Province, as proper objects, by their persevering in the iidelity and conduct so honorable to their ancestors, for distinguished benefits and privileges." " And it is also ordered that the said land boards may, in every such case, provide not only for the sons of the loyalists, as they aiTive at full age, but for their daughters also, of that age, or on their marriage, assigning to each a lot of 200 acres, more or less, provided, nevertheless, that they respectfully comply Avith the general regulations, and that it shall satisfactorily appear that there has been no default in the due cultivation and improvement of the lands already assigned to the head of the familj- of which they are members." AFTER WAR OP 1812. 641 In the first days of the Upper Canadian Militia, instructions ■were given to the Captains in each battalion that in the roll of members, all of the U. E. Loyalists enrolled should have the capitals U. E. affixed to their names. After the war of 1812, it became necessary for the applicant to present a certificate from a Clerk of the Peace that he retained his loyalty. The following is the order of the Executive Council : York, 27th June, 1816. "Public notice is hereby given by order of His Excellency Governor in Council, that no petition from sons and daughters of U. E. Loyalists will be hereafter received without a certificate from the Magistrate in Quarter Sessions, signed by the chairman and Clerk of the Peace, that the parent retained his loyalty during the late war, and was under no 8Usj)icion of aiding or assisting the enemy. And if a son then of age, that he also was loyal during the late war, and did his duty in defense of the Province. And if a daughter of an U. E. L. married, that her husband was loyal, and did his duty in defense of the Province." (Signed) John Small, Clerk of the Executive Council. The steps taken by Government to prevent persons not actually upon the U. E. List from enjoying the peculiar privileges operated sometimes against the U. E. Loyalists unpleasanty, which led to some agitation, as the following will show : In the year 1832, a meeting was held at Bath. Eeferring to this meeting the Kingston Herald, of April 4, says : The alleged injustice of the Government with regard to the sons and daughters of U. E. Loyalists has been a fruitful source of complaint by the grievance-mongers. At the late Bath meeting Mr. Perry offered the following amendment to a resolution, which was negatived by a large majority, " Eesolved, That a free grant of 200 acres of the waste lands of the Crown, by His Majesty the King, to the U. E. Loyalists and their sons and daughters, was intended as a mark of His Majesty's Eoyal munificence towards those who had shown a devotedness to His Majesty's person and government during the sanguinary struggle at the late American Eevolution, and that the settlement duty required of late to be performed by the above description of per- sons and others equally entitled to gratuitous grants, and also their not being allowed the privilege of locating in any, or all townships surveyed and open for location, appears to this meeting to be unjust, and ought therefore to be abolished." 41 642 BOOTH — BROCK. CHAPTER LXXI. CoxTEXTS — Notice of a Few — Booth — Brock — Burritt — Cotter — Cartwright — Conger — Cole — Dempsey — Detlor — Fraser — Finkle — Fisher — Fairfield — Grass — Gamble Hagerman — .Johnsons — " Bill " Johnson — Macaulay — The Captive, Christian Moore — Parliament — Morden — Fiohlins — Simon — Van Alstine — Wallbridge — Chrysler — White — Wilkins — Stewart — Wilson — Metcalf — Jayne — Mcintosh — Bird — Gerow — Vankleek — Peny — Sir William Johnson's children. INDIVIDUAL NOTICES — CONCLUSION. The noble band of Loyalists have now almost all passed away. Their bodies have long since been laid in the gi-ave ; their children also have almost all departed, and the grand-children are getting old. Their last resting places — resting from war, famine, and toil — are to be found upon beautiful eminences, overlooking the blue waters of the Bay and Eiver and Lake. All along their shores may be seen the quiet burying-places of those who cleared the land and met the terrible realities of a pioneer life. The present work cannot embrace a history of the many noble ones, deserving attention, who laid the foundation of the brightest colony of Great Britain. Yet it would be incomplete without giving the names of a few representative persons. They are such as we have been able to procure, and while there are others, not referred to, well worthy of a place in history, these are no less worthy. "We have, under ''The Combatants," referred to others of the first settlers, and would gladly have introduced the names of all, could they have been obtained. Booth — "Died — At Ernesttown, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 1813, very suddenly, Joshua Booth, Esq., aged 54 years. He was one of the oldest settlers in that place, and ever retained the character of a respectable citizen. Left a widow and ten children." The Brock Family. — William Brock was a native of Scotland ; born in 1715. Was taken by a press-gang when eighteen, and forced upon a man-of-war. Served in the navy several years, when he was taken prisoner by the French. Afterward was exchanged at Boston. Being set at liberty from the service, he settled at Fishkill, New York, where ho married, and became the father of a large family, two sons, Philip and John, by the first Avife; and eight children by a second, named William, Euth, Naomi, Isabel, Deborah, Catherine, Samuel, GaiTet, and Lucretia. In consequence of the rebellion, he CARTWRIGHT. 643 became a refugee, and, at the close, settled in Adolphustown ; lived for a short time near the Court House, upon his town lot, two of his neighbors gave him theirs, and he continued to live uj)on the three acres for some time. He drew land near the Lake on the Mountain, and in the west, to which his sons went when they grew old enough. One of them was Captain of Militia during the war of 1812. He received at that time a letter from Gen. Erock, who claimed relationship; the letter was written a few days before Gen. Brock fell. This letter still exists. The youngest of the children married Watterberry, and still lives, (1867) aged 82, Avith her daughter, Mrs. Morden, Ameliasburgh. Cartwright. — One of the most noted of the refugees who settled at Kingston, was Eichard Cartwright. He was a native of Albany, and was forced to leave his home because of his loyaltj'. He found an asylum with others at Carleton Island, or Fort Niagara. Some time after the conclusion of the war he was in jjartnership with Robert, afterward Honorable Hamilton, at Niagara. But sometime about 1790, he settled in Kingston, where, as a merchant he acquired extensive property. The Government mills at Napanee came into his possession. Those who remember his business cajiacity, say it was very great. He was a man of " liberal education and highly esteemed. Suffered at last calmly and patiently, and died at Montreal, 27th July, 1815, aged fifty years." The estimation in which this gentleman was held is sufficiently attested by the following, which we take from the Kingston Gazette : York, March 13, 1816. A new township in the rear of Darlington, in the district ol Newcastle, has been suiweyed, and is now open for the location of the IT. E. Loyalists and military claimants. We understand that His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor to testify in the most public manner the high sense which he entertained of the merit and services of the late Honorable Richard Cartwright, has been pleased to honor this township with the name of Cartwright, a name ever to be remembered in Canada with gratitude and respect. Dignified with a seat in the Legislative Council, and also with a high appointment in the militia of the Province, Mi*. Cartwright discharged the duties incident to those situations, Avith skill, fidelity, and attention. Animated with the purest principle of loyalty, and with an ardent zeal for the preservation of that noble 644 COTTER — CONGER — COLE. constitution which we enjoy, he dedicated, when even struggling under great bodily infirmity, the remains of a well spent life to the service of his country. Xor was he less perspicuous for his exem- plary behaviour in private life; obliging to his equals — kind to his friends — affectionate to his family, ho passed through life, eminently distinguished for virtuous and dignified propriety of conduct, uni- formly maintaining the exalted character of a true patriot, and of a great man." He was a good type of the old school, a tall, robust man, with a stern countenance, and a high mind. He had sustained the loss of one eye, but the remaining one was sharp and piercing. As the first Judge of Mecklenburgh, he discharged his duties with great firmness, amounting, it is said, often to severity. As an officer of the militia, a position he held in 1S12, he was a strict disciplinarian, and often forgot that the militiamen were respectable farmers. Mr. Cartwright left two sons, the late John S. Cartwright, and the Eev. Eobert Cartwright. It is unnecessary to say that the descen- dants of Judge Cartwright are among the most respectable, influ- ential and wealthy, living in the Midland District. Mr. James Cotter, was by profession, a farmer, residing in Sophiasburgh in good circumstances. He was universally respected ; decided, and well informed in political matters ; and as a proof of the public confidence was elected M.P.P. In Parliament he served his constituents faithfully, and maintained a reputation for consis- tency and uprightness. In 1819, when party spirit animated the two political parties, he became a candidate for re-election, but after a close contest was defeated by James Wilson, Esq. Conger-" At West Lake, Hallowell, on the 27th May, 1825, died Dengine Conger, in the 60th year of his age. He held a commission in the First Battalion of the Prince Edward Militia, during twenty- three years. He resided in Hallowell fort}^ years, and lived a very exemplary life, and died regretted by all Avho knew him." CoLK. — In the history of Adolphustown, reference is made to Daniel Cole, the very first settler in that township. The writer in the summer of 1866, took dinner with John Cole, of Ameliasbiu-gh, son of Daniel, John was then in his 92nd year. He has since, 1867, passed away. Born in Albany before the rebellion, he, with his family during the war, found their way as loyalists to the city of NoAV York, where they remained until the leaving of VanAlstine's company. The old man could remember many of the events of that COLE FAMILY. 645 exciting period, being, wlien they came to Canada, about ten years old. The brigade of batteaux from Sorcl, was under the supervision of Collins, he says : " Old Mother Cook kept tavern in Kingston, in a low flat hut, with two rooms. There were four or five houses altogether in the place. Landed in fourth township in June. Saw no clearings or buildings all the way up from Kingston, nor tents ; a complete wilderness. Remembers an early settler in second township, named Cornelius Sharp, from^the fact that he injured his knee, and that Dr. Dougall desired to amputate ; but his father cured it. His mothers name was Sophia de Long, from Albany. She loot property. A hogshead of spirits was brought up from New York. The settlers were called together every morning and sup- plied with a little on account of the new climate. His father had been a spy and carried despatches in a thin steel box, which was placed between the soles of the boot. Before resorting to this mode he had been caught, and sentenced to be hanged immediately. The rope was around his neck, and the end thrown over the limb of a tree, when he suddenly gave a spring from their grasp, and ran, while shot after shot was leveled at his.flying figure ; but he escaped, " God Almighty would not let the balls hit him." Remembers the Indians when first came, were frequentlj^ about, would come in and look at the dinner table ; but refused to eat bread at first ; afterward would, and then brought game to them in abundance at times. Remembers landing at Adolj^hustown, he hauled the boat to a block oak tree, which overhung the water, his father built a wharf here afterwards. It was in the afternoon. They all went ashore. There were three tents of linen put up. His father brought a scythe with him, with which they cut marsh hay, or flags. This was used to cover the houses, and they kept out the rain well. His father's family consisted of twelve persons, two died at Sorel. The settlers used to meet every Sunday to hear the Bible read, generally by Ferguson ; sometimes had prayer. Remembers, Quarter Sessions met at his father's, Cartwright was Judge. The Grand Jury would go to the stable to converse. Says he once saved Chrys. Hagernian's life, who was bleeding at nose, after Drs. Dougall and Dunham had failed. His father lived to be 105, his sister died last year, aged 101. Remembers the man that was con- victed of stealing a watch, and hanged. Has seen the gallows on Gallows Point, Captain Grass' fai-m. The gallows remained there a dozen years. The man it turned out, was innocent. 646 DEMPSEY. Died. — "On Friday the 5th of August, at his residence in Adol- phustowii, ilr. Dauiel Cole, at the very advanced age of 1 05 years, 1 mouth and 12 days. He was a native of Long Island, N. Y., and the oldest settler in this township ; he was respected and beloved by all who knew him — having long performed his duty as a loyal subject, a faithful friend, a kind husband, an indulgent parent, and an obliging neighbor. Born in the fifth year of the reign of George II, he lived under four Sovereigns, and saw many changes both in the land of his birth, and this of his adoption. He has beheld the horrors of war, and has tasted of the blessings of peace ; he has seen that which was once a wilderneps, " blossom and flourish like the rose," where foi-merly was nothing to be seen but the dark shadow of the lofty pine, oak, and maple, here and there broken by the thin blue vapor curling above the Indian wigwam, he has seen comfortable dwellings arise ; out of the superabundance of nature man has sui^plied his necessity. Beneath the untiring eftbrts of human industry, the dark woods have disappeared and waiving fields of grain have taken their place. Where once was seen nought but the light birch bark canoe of the " son of the forest," he has beheld the stately steamboats sweep majestically along — where formerly resounded the savage howl of the panther, the wolf and bear, he has seen towns and villages spring up, as it were by magic ; in fact the very face of the countiy seems changed since he first sat down upwards of 52 years ago, as a settler on the place where he died. " But after all he saw, he too is gone, his venerable age could not save him, for we are told "the old must die." The friends of his early days were all gone before him ; he was becoming " a stranger among men," generations had arisen and i:»assed away, stiU he re- mained like a patriarch of old, unbroken by the weight of years. After witnessing the fifth generation, he died universally lamented by all his acquaintances, leaving behind him S children, 75 grand- children, 172 great-grandchildren and 13 great grand childi*en's chil- dren; in all 268 descendants." Adolphustowu, Aiagust 9, 1836. T. D. Dempsey. — " Mark Dempsey was sent out by the British Govern- ment as Secretary to General Schuyler. Married about 1746 to Miss Carroll. Thomas, their youngest son, w^as born in Xew Jersey, 9th January, 1762. His father died while he was young, and he was left in a part of the country which was held by the rebels, when he had attained to an age to be drafted, Thomas Dempsey did not like to fight in the rebel ranks, and consequently escaped and joined DETLORS — FRASER. G47 the loyalists. Was in the sen'ice when New York was evacnated. Married 1782 to Mary Lawson, whose father, Peter was impi-isoned by the rebels, and his property all plundered and confiscated. Came to Canada by Oswego, 1788, accompanied by his wife and her parents. Tarried at Napanee till 1V89, when they came to Ameliasburgh, and settled on lot 91, which had been purchased from John Finkle. Dempsey's worldly effects then consisted of a cow, which they brought with them, seven bushels of potatoes, and a French crown, and a half acre of wheat which Finkle had sewed. They drew land in Craraahe. During the first years they were in great distress. A tablespoonful of flour, with milk boiled, or grain shelled by hand, formed their daily meals. Their clothing consisted of blankets obtained of the Indians for the women, and buckskin pants and shirts for the men. Dempsey was the second settler in the township, TVeese having settled two years before. Margaret Dempsey, born October 24, 1790, was the third child born in the township. Detloes — .The Detlors are of the Palatine stock. Says G. H. Detlor, Esq., of the Customs Department, Kingston: My grandfather, John V. Deltor, emigrated with my grandmother from Ireland, to New York ; directly after his marriage in the City of New York, they removed to the town of Camden, where they resided with their family — and at the close of the rebellion (having joined the Royal standard) — he with two or three of his sons and sons-in-law came to Canada, and finally located on lands in the Township of Freder- icksburgh, Lot No. 21, 6th concession, where he and his sous lived and died. My father removed to the town of York (now City of Toronto), in 1802, and at the invasion of that place by the Americans, in April, 1813, my father lost his life in defense of the place. There is now but one of my grandfather's children living, an aunt of mine, Mrs. Anne Dulmage, resides in the village of Sydenham, Township of Loughboro', County of Frontenac. They sacrificed their lands, and suffered great privations. The Detlors have ever been universally esteemed, not alone in the Mid- land District, but in all parts of Canada, and have been found worthy occupants of many responsible positions. Isaac Fraser. — " Among the prominent men who resided in Emesttown, near the Bay of Quinte, was Isaac Fraser, Esq., fi^r many years M.P.P. for the Counties of Lennox and Addington. Mr. Fraser was a man of great decision of character, and during the active part of his life, probably wielded a great influence, and his opinions always commanded great respect. In his political opinions. 648 THE FINKLES. he was identified with the Conservative or Tory party ; and when he arrived at a conclusion on any particular point, he adhered to it with all the tenacity which a clear conviction of its justice could inspire. With him there was no wavei'ing, no vacillation. He was always reliable, and his friends always knew where to find him. There is no doubt, he acted from conscientious motives, and from a clear conviction of duty ; and, so far as I know, no man ever charged him with acting corruptly. In his religious views, !Mr. Fraser sjth- pathized with the Presbyterians, and, if I mistake not, was a member of the church organized, and watched over by the late Rev. Robert Mc Do wall, of Fredericksburgh." FixKLE. — The late Geo. Finkle, of Ernesttown, says, '■ My grandfather. Dr. Geo. Finkle, left Germany when a 3'oung man; and bought two estates, one at Great, and one at Little Nine Partners. In adhering to the British, he had all his estates, which were valua- ble at Nine Partners, Duchess Co., confiscated to the Rebel Govern- ment. My father, Henry, made his way to Quebec shortly after the war began, being sixteen years old. Entered the Engineer's Depart- ment, where he learned the use of carpenter's tools. In settling, this knowledge was of great use to him, and he became the builder of the first framed building in Upper Canada. His wife was a Bister of Capt. John Bleeker. He settled on the front of Ernesttown, lot six." Finkle's Point is well known. The First court held in Upi^er Canada, it is said, was at Pinkie's house, which being larger than any at Kingston, or elsewhere on the Bay, afforded the most convenience. !Mr. Finkle records the trial of a negro for stealing a loaf of bread, who, being found guilty, received thirty-nine lashes. The basswood tree, to which he was tied, is still standing; Mr. Finkle had slaves and was the first to give them freedom. One of the brothers, of which there were three, John, George, and Henry, served seven years in Johnson's regiment. Mr. Finkle wrote us, Dec. 11, 1865 ; he says, "Being in my 74th 3*ear, and in impaired health, I am unable to write more." The kind man soon thereafter was called away, at a good old age. like his father and grandfather. Geo. Finkle, son of Henr}-, had three sons, Gordon "William, Roland Robinson, and Henry. The Finkle's, as we have seen else- where, were actively engaged in the construction of the first steam- boats the 'Frontenac' and * Charlotte,' having had an interest in the 'Charlotte,' and his eldest son, Gordon, is now one of the oldest FISHER — FAIRFIELD. 649 captains upon the Bay, being attached to the steamer ' Bay Quinte.' The old place granted to the gi-andfather, still belongs to the family, Eoland E. still residing there, and ihe youngest, Henry, is Post- master at Bath. Fisher. — Judge Alexander Fisher, a name well known in the Midland District, was a native of Perthshire, Scotland, from whence his parents, with a numerous family, emigrated to New York, then a British jjrovince. At the time of the rebellion they had accumu- lated a considerable amount of both real and personal property; but at the defeat of Burgoyne, near the place of whose defeat they lived, the Fisher family, who would not abandon their loyalty, left their all, and endured great hardships in finding their way to Mon- treal. Alexander was subsequently employed in the Commissariat, under McLean, atCarleton Island ; while his twin-brother obtained the charge of tho High School at Montreal, which situation he held until his death, in the year 1819. At the close of the war the family obtained their grants of land as U. E. Loyalists. Alex. Fisher was appointed the first District Oudge and Chair- man of Quarter Sessions for the Midland District, to the last of which he was elected by his brother magistrates. He was also for many years a Caj)tain of Militia, which post he held during the war of 1812. The family took up their abode in Adolphustown, upon the shores of Hay Bay. A sister of Judge Fisher was married to Mr. Hagerman, and another to Mr, Stocker, who, for a time, lived on the front of Sidney. He was related, by marriage, to McDonnell, of Marysburgh. His parents lived with him at the farm in Adolphustown. They were buried here in the family vault, with a brother, and the Judge's only son. Judge Fisher was short in stature, and somewhat stout, with a prominent nose. He Avas, as a judge, and as a private individual, universally esteemed. " He was a man of great discernment, and moral honesty governed his decisions." — f Allison.) He died in the year 1830, and was buried in the family vault. As an evidence of the high esteem in which he was held, there was scarcely a lawyer or magistrate in the whole District, from the Carrying Place to Gananoque, who did not attend his funeral, together with a great concourse of the settlei-s throughout the counties. Fairfield. — The Kingston Gazette tells the following: " Died. — At his house, in Ernesttown, on the 7th Feb. 1816, in the 47th year of his age, W. Fairfield. His funeral was attended by a numerous circle of relatives, friends and neighbors. He left a 550 CAPTAIN GRASS. widow and seven oliildren. The first link that was broken in a family chain of twelve bi-others and three sistei-s, all married at years of maturity. His death was a loss to the district, as well as to his family. He was one of the commissioners for expending the public money on the roads. Formerly a member of the Provincial Parliament; many years in the commission of the Peace. As a magistrate and a man, he was characterized by intelligence, impar- tiality, independence of mind and liberality of sentiments." Grass. — Captain Michael Grass, the first settler of Kingston township, was a native of Germany. The period of his emigration to America is unkno\\'n. He was a saddler and harness-maker by trade, and for years plied his trade in Philadelphia. It would seem that he removed from Philadelphia to New York, for his son Peter was born in this city in lYYO. According to the statement of his grandson who often heard the facts from his father, Peter Grass, soon after the commencement of the rebellion, Michael Grass was taken prisoner by the Indians, who were staying at Cataraqui. In this he is probably mistaken, We learn from another source that it was during the previous French war, which is more likely to be correct. It would seem that Grass and two other prisoners were not con fined in the fort, but held in durance by a tribe of Indians, who permitted them to hunt, fish, &c. They made an effort to escape, but were caught and brought back. Again they attempted, carrying with them provisions, which they had managed to collect, sufiicient to last them a week. But it was nine weeks before they reached an English settlement, one having died by the way from hunger and exposui*e. It was the knowledge which Grass had acquired of the territory at Cataraqui, while a prisoner, which led to his appointment to the leadership of a band of refugees at the close of the war. — (See settle- ment of Kingston.) It does not appear that Captain Grass occupied any oflice in the army during the war. His captaincy commenced upon his leaving New York with the seven vessels for Canada. By virtue of his captaincy, he was entitled to draw 3000 aci-es. Beside lot twenty-five in Kingston, he drew in fourth concession of Sidney neai'ly 2000 acres in one block. Captain Grass had three sons, Peter, John, and Daniel, and three daughters. Daniel, some years after, went sailing and was never heard from. Peter and John settled in the Second Town and became the fathers respectively of families. The land drawn by the captain, and tlie 600 acres by each of his children, has proved a lasting source of wealth and comfort to his descendants. DR. GAMBLE. ml Captain Grass naturally took a leading part at least during the first years of the settlement at Kingston. He was possessed of some education, and was a man of excellent character, with a strict sense of honor. Although opportunities jiresented. themselves to accumulate property at the expense of others, he refused to avail himself of all such. He was appointed a magistrate at an early period, and as such performed many of the first marriages in Kingston. In religion, he was an adherent to the Church of England. Probably he had been brought up a Lutheran. His old " Dutch " Bible still is read by an old German in Ernesttown; but it seems a pity that although none of the Grass family can read its time worn pages, it should be allowed to remain in other hands than the descendants of the old ca2)tain. In connection, it may be mentioned that some time before the war, a poor German, a baker by trade, came to New York. Michael Grass assisted him into business, and even gave him a suit of clothes. When the refugees came to Canada, this baker accompanied them. He settled in Quebec, whei'e he amassed eventually great wealth, and. the P family are not unknown to the public. Gamble. — The subjoined somewhat lengthy notice is taken from the Toronto Colonist: — "Dr. Gamble and family were for many years residing at Kingston, and he was intimately associated with the first days of Upper Canada, as a Province, while his offspring as "svill be seen, form no indifferent element of the society of the Province," we therefore insert the notice iyi extenso. " Isabella Elizabeth Gamble, the third daughter of Dr. Joseph Clark and Elizabeth Alleyne, was born at Stratford, in Connecticut — then a colony of Great Britain — on the 24th October, 1767. In the year 1776, her father, faithful to his allegiance, repaired to the British army in New York, to which place his family followed him. At the peace of 1783, Dr. Clark removed Avith his family to New Brunswdck (tlien known as the Provhice of Acadia) and took up his residence at Mangerville. There his daughter, the subject of this memoir, then in her seventeenth year, was married on the 18th of May, 1884, to Dr. John Gamble, the eldest son of William Gamble and Leah Tyrer, of Duross, near Enniskillen, Ireland. Mr. Gamble was born in 1755, studied physic and surgery at Edin- burgh; emigrated to the British colony in 1779, and landed in New York in September of that year. Immediately on his arrival, he entered the King's service as Assistant-Surgeon to the General Hos- pital ; subsequently he was attached to the " Old Queen's Eangers," and for some time did duty with that regiment as surgeon. At the peace of 1783, he, with other American Loyalists, went to New 652 GAMBLE FAMILY. Brunswick. After his raaniage Dr. Gamble practised his profession at St. John's, and resided in New Brunswickjuntil 1793, when having been appointed Assistant-Surgeon to the late regiment of Queen's Rangers, by General Simcoe, then Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, he joined his regiment at Niagara, wliere it was then quartered, having left his wife and five daughters at Mangerville. Mrs. Gamble continued to reside with her father until 1V98, when her husband, having in the meantime, been promoted to"the surgeoncy of his regi- ment ; she, "with her five daughters, the eldest then but thirteen years of age, accompanied by her father and a sister (afterwards married to the Hon. Samuel Smith), ascended the river St. John in a bark canoe, crossed the portage by Temi conata to the Eivierie du Loup, came up the St. Lawrence, and joined Dr. Gamble then with his regiment in garrison at York. "In 1802, the Queen's Eangers were disbanded, and Mrs. Gamble accompanied her husband and family to Kingston, where he practised his profession until his death, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, on the 1st December, 1811. She remained in Kingston till the year 1820, when with the portion of her family then at home, she removed to Toronto, and there remained surrounded by her offspring until her death on the 9th March, 1859. " Mrs. Gamble had thirteen children, nine daughters and four sons ; Isabella, the eldest, married to Robert Charles Home, Esq., Assistant- Surgeon, Glengary Light Infantry ; Maiy Ann, married to Colonel Sinclair, Royal Artillery ; Sarah Hannah Boyes, to James Geddes, Esq., Assistant-Surgeon, Medical Stafl"; Leah Tyrer, to the Hon. William Allen ; Catharine, who died unmarried ; Jane, married to Benjamin Whitney, Esq. ; Rachel Crookshank, to Sir James Buchannan Macaulay ; Magdaline, to Thomas William Birchall, Esq. ; and Mary Ann unmarried; John William, of Vaughan, William, of Milton, Etobicoke; Clarks, of Toronto, and Joseph who died in infancy; of these thirteen, six only survive, but Mrs. Gamble's descendants have already reached the large number of 204, and some of her children's childi'en are now upwards of thirty years of age. " The remarkable longevity of a large number of the American Loyalist emigrants who came to the British Provinces after the American Revolution, has been noticed by the Lord Bishop of New Brunswick, as a striking instance of the fulfilment of the promise con- tained in the fifth commandment, embracing, as that commandment unquestionably does, the duty of obedience to civil rulers. Mrs. Gamble may well be counted among that number, having, in October last, entered ui)on her ninety-second year." — Colonist. THE HAGERMANS. 653 Among the company of refugees which followed VanAlstine's lead to Canada, was Nicholas Ilagerman, He settled in the village of Adolphnstown, almost in front of the U. E. burying ground. The point of land here between the Bay and the Creek is still known as Hagerman's Point. The whole of the land except the burying gi'ound was cleared by Hagerman. His house was situated a short distance west of the road leading from the wharf up to the village. It was built near the water's edge. The short period which has elapsed since that building was erected has not only consigned the builder to a grave almost unknown, and the building to the destructive tooth of time, but the very land on which the house stood, where he and his family daily passed in and out, is now washed away by the ceaseless waves of the bay. Mr. Hagerman was a man of some education, and it is said had studied law before leaving New York. At all events he became one of the first appointed lawyers in Upper Canada, jarobably at the time McLean, of Kingston, was appointed. He continued to live and practice law in Adolphustown until his death. " He was the first lawyer to plead- at these Courts. He was a self-made man." — Allison. The writer's parents lived at, and near the village of Adolphus- town when young ; they knew the Hagerman's well, and for many a day and year attended school with Nicholas Hagerman's children. There were at least two brothers, David and Christopher, and two daughters, Betsy and Maria. Daniel was a sedate person, but "Chris." was- a saucy boy. They were both elected to Parliament at the same time, but Daniel died before the meeting of Parliament. Christopher studied law with his father at first, was a pupil of Dr. Strachan's, and completed his legal studies in McLean's office in Kingston. The father and son were sometimes employed by opposing clients ; at one time in Kingston, the son won the suit, much to the annoyance of the father. The father exclaimed, " have I raised a son to put out my eyes." No, replied the son, " to open them father." At the commencement of the war in 1812, Christopher went as Lieiitenant with a Company from Adolphustown to Kingston. Shortly after he was chosen Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General. Thenceforth his way to preferment was steady. At the close of the war he was appointed Collector of Customs at Kmgston. The Gazette of 5th September, 1815, says that Christopher Alexander Hagerman, Esq., Barrister-at-LaAV, was appointed to His Majesty's Council in and for the Province of Upper Canada. 654 JOHNSONS — AN OLD MAIL CARRIER. On the 26th March, 1817, he was married to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Jauies Macaulay, Esq., Kiugston. JoHNSoxs — Heury Johnsou wa.s born at New Jersey, 1757, where he lived till the rebellion, when he removed to Poughkeepsie. In June, 1788, being a loyaHst, he came Avith his brother Andrew to Canada, enduring niauy jnivations and hardships. He settled in Hallowell, where he lived until his death, which took place 28th May, 1829, being in his 73rd year. " He "svas noted for his hospitality — charit-able to the poor without ostentation, a pious christian. For the last live years he suffered much." Andrew Johnson. — Among the combatants, we have given the name of James Johnson ; here we design to give a place to some account ot his two sons, Andrew and "William, or " Bill," as he was commonly called, a name yet remembered by many. Perhaps there is not now living a more interesting historic character than Andrew Johnson, residing in the vicinity of Belle- ville. A native of New York State, Gainesborough, he came in with his father at the first settlement of Upper Canada. He was an eye witness of the first days of Ernesttown, and Kingston. At the beginning of the present century he was known as an unusually- rapid walker. Andrew was engaged in carrying the mail from Kingston to York. Mr. Stuart was his employer. His route was by the Bay shore to Adolphustown, across the Baj, at the Stone Mills, by Picton and Wellington, to the Carrying Place ; and thence along the Lake shore, fording streams as best he could, often upon a fallen tree, or b}" swimming. He w^ould sj)end five hours in York and then start back. These trips were generally made once a fort- night. He t^ubsequently lived at Bath for forty years, where he kept a tavern, and strangely enough, as he avers, he never drank liquor in his life. His father's log house was used by Rev. Mr. Stuart to preach in for'three years, before the frame building was erected on the hill, which would hold thirty or forty persons. It was a story and a-half high. Andrew Johnson is now upwards of a hundred. Although his memory is somewhat defective, he retains a great deal of bodily vigor ; and eats and sleeps well. He rarely converses unless spoken to. He is a man of somewhat low stature, small fi-ame, with spare limbs. Mr. Lockwood, who has known him a long time, says, "He was remarkably quick in his movements. During the war, the two started to walk from Prescott to Kingston, but Lockwood says that Johnson could walk three miles to his one. His brother, "bill" JOHNSON. 655 "Bill," had a fast horse, which could outrun anything. Andrew- offered to bet a hundred dollars that he could travel to York quicker than the horse. Of course there was but an imperfect path, with no bridges. His offer was not accepted. Andrew was a loyal soldier in 1812, and belonged to the same companies as his brother. The old man is j'^et very quick in his movements, retaining that peculiar swinging gait by which he formerly so rapidly traveled long distances. His days are passing away in a quiet dream, ten- derly cared for by bis son, with his wife. Bill Johnson. — William Johnson, brother of the foregoing, was one of six sons of James Johnson, born in Ernesttown. His youthful days were spent in the vicinity of what is now the village of Bath. About the time of the commencement of the war of 1812, he was engaged in Kingston, in trading, and had a store of general merchandize. When the first draft for mien was made, Johnson was one of the conscripts. For a very short time, he did service, and then procured his brother (not Andrew) as a substitute. There was not at this time any doubt of his loyalty. It was natural he should desire to attend to his business in Kingston, which at this time was lucrative. And there does not appear that he employed his bi'Other in other than good faith. But some time after his brother entered the service, he deserted to the United States' shore. Even now it does not appear that the authorities of Kingston suspected Lis loyalty, for they desired that he should take his place in the ranks which his brother had for- saken. This, however, " Bill " Avould not do. The result was that a file of soldiers commanded by Sergea^it Lockwood, (our principal in- formant) Avas sent to arrest Johnson, by order of the captain, Matthew Clark of Ernesttown. Upon the approach of the soldiers, Johnson shouted to Sergeant Lockwood, who had been his life long playmate, " I know what you are after; but you won't get me yet," and immediately shut the door and turned the key. Lockwood, without hesitation, raised his musket, and with the butt knocked the door open, in time to see Bill escaping by the back door. A close chase ensued into a back enclosure, and Lockwood succeeded in catching him by the leg as he was passing thi-ough a window. Johnson then submitted, and was conveyed a prisoner to the guard house within the jail. After being confined for sometime he escaped b}' break- ing the jail ; probably aided by sympathizers, for a good many thought he was badly treated. Whatever may have been Johnson's feelings towards the British 656 Johnson's career. Government before, he now became a most determined enemy of his native country. He vowed he should " be a thorn in Great Britain's side;" and his goods and some property at Bath, a few town lots, being confiscated, he declared he would get back all he lost. The foregoing occurence took place sometime during the fall of 1812, It woiild appear that Bill Johnson set to work in a syste- matic manner to carry out his threats. Being well acquainted with the country and people, and, withal, a bold, determined and fearless man, he did not hesitate to visit the Canadian shore, and was even seen at Bath in day light. He built several small boats, light and trim, and he would at times unhesitatingly voyage upon the broad lake in bold undertakings. His operations consisted in privateering, in inducing American sympathizers to accompany him to the States, and in acting as a 82)y. During the war there were frequently boat loads of goods, consisting of liquors and other valuable articles passing up the bay, and across the Carrying Place, thence to York. On one occasion Thomas Parker, who was engaged in the business, left Kingston with a batteau laden with valuables for York. Johnson, who watched such events, saw Parker depart. While the latter made his way up the ba}^, Johnson proceeded in his craft around by the lake, and awaited Parker oif Presqu'isle. In due time the batteau was seized by Johnson and his comrades, and taken to the other side. Paiker being landed on Point Traverse, off Marysburgh. Another exploit was the seizure of Government despatches near Brighton. A company of Dragoons, Captain Stinson, were on duty to carry despatches between the Eiver Trent and Smith's Creek, Port Hoj)e. On a certain occasion when a dragoon, by the name of Gardner, was pursuing his way with despatches, he was suddenly seized by Johnson, who deliberately took him with his horse to the lake shore, where he shot the horse, placed the despatch bag in his boat, and then permitted'the man to find his way on foot through the woods to report himself to his captain. *' Bill Johnson still lives at French Creek upon the American shore of the St. Lawrence. He was an active participant in the events of 1837, and it is supposed had much to do in recruiting for the army of sympathizers. There is so much of fiction to be found respecting him in connection with that time, that it is difficult to say what part he did take. It has been generally supposed that he was one of the few who escaped from the Windmill, but while, no doubt, he was engaged at the time, there is nothing to rest a decided MACAULAY. 657 statement upon. \Vc suspect that "Bill," in his later days, was given to boasting a little, and took pleasure in catering to the taste of his Yankee friends, in relating what he and his daughter Kate did, (in imagination.) ^Iaoaulay, "the father of the Honorable John, and the Rev. William Macaulay, settled during the Eevolutionary war on Carle- ton Island, then a British station and fortification, where he sup- plied the commissariat and garrison, and carried on business. In 1794, Ml". Macaulay removed to Kingston, where he amassed con- siderable property. "When he removed to Kingston, he had rafted over from Carleton Island his log dwelling house, and placed it where it now stands at the corner of Princess snd Ontario Streets. It has since been clap-boarded over and added to, and having been kept painted and in good repair is still a very habitable building." — (Cooper.) Mr. Macaulay had come to New York shortly before the com- mencement of the Colonial troubles, and as a loyalist had his house jjillaged and burnt, by the rebels, and became a refugee at the military post at Carleton Island. About 1785, he settled at King- ston, where he married, and remained until his death, in September, 1800, being fifty-six years old. He was at no time connected with the service, but engaged his time in commercial business, and was on most intimate terms with those in authority, being a particular friend of the Duke of Albano. His sons continued his business and in time were called to occuj^y honorable and responsible situations under Government, as Legislative Councilor, Surveyor General, Provincial Secretary, Inspector General, Chaplain to Legislative Assembly, and Commissioners on various important matters. THE captive christian MOORE. Upon the 19th March, 1867, the writer was privileged, through the kindness of the Rev. Mr. Anderson, to visit an individual who, of all others, possesses historic interest. About half a mile north of the Indian Church upon the old York road, Tyendinaga, lives Christian Moore. Beside the stove, m a low Indian chair, sat a woman whose shrunken and bent appearance made her appear no larger thanj^a girl of sixteen. But the face, with its parchment-like skin — the deeply wrinkled features, bespoke the burden of many winters. Yet, the eye still flashed looks of intelligence, as the face was upturned from her hands on which she almost incessantly rested her head, as if the shoulders had wearied in their long life 42 658 CHRISTIAN MOORE. dut}'. Christian is about a hundred years old, during eighty of which she has remained a captive with the Mohawks. Although a white woman, she knows not a word of English. Long, long years ago, in becoming the wife of an Indian, and the mother of Indians, she became to all purposes one of themselves. She is a living relic of the American Eevolution, as well as of the customs of the Mohawk Indians a hundred years ago. In the first days of the rebellion, in an encounter between the Indians and a party of rebels in the Mohawk vallc}-, one of the Indians, by the name of Green, was killed. The custom among the several tribes, or families, when one of their number had been lost in war, was to take the first captive they could, and adopt him or her, into the tribe, to keep up the number. A part}' of Indians, under John Grreeu, a chief and brother of the one killed, called in after days Captain Greeu, in the course of their foray, caught a little girl about ten years of age. That little girl is the old person of whom we are speaking. The old Avoman yet recollects the fact that her father's family, on the approach of the Indians, made haste to escape; she by accident was left alone or behind. She remembers to have been running along the road, when she was taken. She says there were a good many Indians. After this there is a blank in her memory, until the period of the Indians leaving their homes to escape. This was the time when the}' buried their Communion Plate. Christian says she was carried upon an Indian's back, as the}^ fled to Lachine. She recollects that they were staying three years at Lachine, when the tribe set out to take possession of the land which Govern- ment was to give them. It was about a year from the time they started from Lachine, until they, under Brant, reached their desti- nation, the Grand Eiver. Captain Green Avas Avith this party, and stayed Avith them at Grand Eiver for six years, Avhen, becoming dissatisfied, he, with his fiamil}^, came to the Bay Quinte. Chris- tian remembers all this. She was living with Captain Green's sister. The}' came in a batteau, down the north shore of the lake, and crossed at the Carrying Place at the head of the bay. Christian in time became the wife of an Indian, by the name of Anthony Smart, Avho, she says, has been dead noAv thirty-eight years. They had but one child, a daughter, Avho was married to Abram Maricle. They had three children, one being a son. Chris- tian's daughter has been dead many years, but the old lady now is surrounded by grand-children to the third generation. PARLIAMENT. G59 Some time after the close of the Revolution, a person by tha name of Moore, came with his family to Canada, and settled* at Napanee. By some means he learned that there was a white woman among the Mohawks, and he visited them to see if it might be his long lost daughter. Such proved to be the case. He was Christian's father. She remembers the occasion, (it was about forty-five yeai*s ago,) her father was then a very old man. Of coiu'se, there was no resemblance between the woman in Indian garb before him, and his little girl of ten years. But there was a mark upon her arm, the result of a burn by which he was enabled to recognize his own flesh and blood. The scar, upon the left fore- arm, can yet be distinctly seen. Painful, indeed, must have been the feelings of the parent, to know she was his daughter, and yet knew not a syllable of her mother tongue. The natural channel by which parental and filial affection might have flowed was sealed. She says, she has a sister now living back of Napanee. She asked her father if she had been christened, and he informed her she had been. Upon our asking her the question, if she ever went to school, she says, " No ," that she was " always working hard." Asking her the question, if she did not think she had lived a long while, she replied, *' I don't think I'll live veiy long." The Eev. Mr. Ander- son informs ns that she has ever maintained the character of a true Christian, and is alwaj's happy to partake of the H0I3- Communion, Christian's great-grandson, himself a father, acted as interpreter. It is possible that this woman, who belonged to another century, may live yet several years. There is much of vigor in her move- ments and conversation. Although shrivelled and bent almost double with age, her body seems to be well nourished, and her arms possess considerable thickness. She always enjoyed good health, and now eats and sleeps in the most comfortable manner. "We are informed by a recent letter from Eev. Mr. Anderson, 1869, that the old woman continues quite well, and works in the garden in summer. Parliajient. — Mrs. Morden, of Sophiasburgh, was born upon the banks of the Hudson, forty miles from its mouth. Her birthday stretches back ninety-eight years. vShe came into Canada with her father, Ceorge Parliament, Avho was of German parentage, born upon the sea ; and like the ocean, he was through out his brief life tossed up and down with scarcely a day of calm and sunshine. The family reached the Fourth Town, and only six weeks after her father's eyes were closed in death. Mrs. Morden has a distinct 660 DISTRESS. recollection of the rebellion. Her fjither was staunchly loyal, and she has heard him repeatedly declare that he would lay his bones in the King's domains. During the war he was imprisoned twice, at Goshen and Poughkeepsie. She was thirteen yeai-s old when they came to Canada, and remembers the many weary days of travel by Oneida Lake. Her father walked and drove the cattle all da}^ her mother would sit up till late at night over the camp-kettle preparing food for the party to use the following day, so that there would be no delay on the way. Having crossed from the States, the Skenectady boats landed at Little Catariqui. The father was down below on the St. Law- i*ence swimming the cattle across the stream. They found their flour was nearly done. She, with a little sister, went along the shore to the village of Kingston to bu}^ flour, she had only enough money to buy a quarter of a hundred of second flour, which she carried from McAulay's store to the hungry comjjany at the Little Catariqui, where they were wind-bound. She remembers the appearance of the shores as they journeyed along; the rude log cabins in the small clearings. The family of eleven children settled upon the north shore of Hay Bay. The eldest boy was nineteen years old. They now thought that they, in common with other settlers, would be permitted to work out a peaceful and happy future, but the arrow of death was already in the bended bow. The mournful occasion can hardly be appreciated, the father of eleven children in the wilderness suddenly cut down. Each of the neigh- bours had quite enough to do to care for his own family. All these terrible facts are fresh in the mind of the venerable lad}^ The events of later years are faded from her memory, but those are too deeply engraven upon her mind, by the pen of sorrow, to be erased while life lasts and mind sits enthroned. The subsequent events connected with the family for a time are no less distressing. They had one cow, the milk of which supplied them with their principal food. Fish was occasionally caught. But they often had to seek herbs and greens. For weeks they were in the greatest distress for the very necessaries of life. All of the family who were old enough went out to woi-k. The following spring, and the subse- quent ones, her mother made sugar, not to use in the family, " oh 1 no, that was too great a luxury." It was all carried and sold for flour. Mrs. Morden remembers it, for she carried much of the sap. She subsequently worked out, until after several years she found a kind supporter. Mrs. Morden, whom the writer saw nearly four THE ROBLINS. 661 years ago, (1865), was then, although so old, yet vigorous and sprightly, with a kindly face, and even a sharp eye. Of all the persons it has been our privilege to converse with, there are only a few who gave such clear and appropriate testimony, and afforded so much satisfaction. She confined her remarks strickly to the questions, and we learned much in a short hour. She spoke feel- ingly ; and with Christian nobleness said she, "I have lived a long time and had manj^ blessings, thanks be to God." Thus spoke the lips of one whose youth had been spent in another century. EoBLiNS. — The Eoblin family is extensively and favorably known in Upper Canada, esiiecially in the bay region. They, although numerous, have sprung from a common ancestry. Oingi- nally of English or "Welsh nativity; at the commencement of the rebellion they were found dwelling in New York, and New Jersey. As a result of the Eevolution, four branches of the Eoblin family came into Canada, two of whom, John and Stephen, w^ere brothers. John Eoblin lived in !N"ew Jersey, he took no part in the contest, but his sympathies were doubtless with the loyalists. One day, he was sitting in the door-way, when a scouting party fired upon the house as they approached. Some fourteen shots were fired. This was done without any warning, the house being inhabited by a private family. John Eoblin was wounded in the knee. The party entered the house and completel}- ransacked it, searching for valu- ables; not satisfied with what they found, they demanded where the money was ; John's brother, Stephen, was suspended by his thumbs to a tree with the view of forcing him to tell where the mono}' was concealed. John, although wounded, was stripped almost naked. The ruffians, who did all this under the name of "Libert}'," destroyed what they could notcarrj^; and flour, furni- ture, everything in fact, was strewn about and broken. One of the party put his bayoneted musket to the breast of Mrs. Roblin, and dared her to call George her king. She fearlessly replied, he once was, why not now. The demon was pulling the trigger, when a more human comrade knocked the weapon aside. The rebels were near b}' under Washington, and this was a regular detailed foraging party. John Roblin was afterward placed in the rebel hospital, but the doctor was unnecessarily cruel, and so maltreated him, that he became a life-long cripple. The family came into the rebel camp, and Mrs, Eoblin complained to General Washington of the conduct of his men. He had her look among the men, and pro- mised to punish any she said had been among the party. But of course the}' kept out of the wa}'. 662 SIMON — VANALSTINE. The Boblins settled originall}' in Aclolphustown, John Roblin died, and his widow, with the family, removed to Sophiasburgh, where she bought 100 acres of land for $25, and paid for it by- weaving. She likewise cut down trees and made her hut. Roblin, who settled in the third concession of Fourth Town, be- came a member of Parliament. Simon. — John Simon was born in Massachusetts, joined the Eoyal Standard when the rebellion commenced. At the close of the Avar, he settled at first near Montreal. He soon removed to Cataraqui, and finally to the Township of Flam borough West, Count}^ Westmeath, where he lived till his death. He had three sons, Titus, John, "Walter. A daughter married Detlor, another James McNabb, one Dr. Meacham, one Thompson, the last three lived at Belleville. One of the sons, Titus, we believe, distinguished himself in 1812, at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He had been Com- missary at Kingston, and moved to Toronto. Major VanAlstine. — The life of this man we have been unable to trace in full ; but sufficient remains known to supply the requisites for a short sketch. He must have come from the vicinity of Albany, for he was decidedly Dutch, and spoke the English language very imperfectly. He w-as a stout, robust man, with a dark complexion, not one of military bearing ; and most likely, until the rebellion, had nothing to do with militar}^ matters. Among, the first to settle in Adolphustown, he well knew the hardships of pioneer life. During the course of the rebellion he had suffered many privations. Naturally a kind-hearted man, he for many years afforded to the new comers much comfort and material aid. His house was ever open to the passing stranger — to the old soldier, to poor refugees. He was known to everybody in the whole settle- ment of the Bay. No matter who came, he would order up from his cellar kitchen — the old Dutch style — his negro servants — slaves he had bi'ought in with hira, and set before the traveler the necessary refreshments. The son of one who knew him well, says he was hospitable to a fault. His religion was Lutheran, and the Government granted him a pension for distinguished service. The Wallbridge Family — Are of English descent, and wei'e among the first settlers of America. There were several families of the name existing in America at the breaking out of the rebel- lion, one of which had been residents of Bennington, and were known as the Bennington Wallbridge's. The rebellion led, as in many other instances, to a division among the sons ; some sided WALLBR.IDGE — WHITE. 663 with the rebels, others remained loyal. Elijah Walibridge took pai't with the loj'alists. His children never heard liim si:)eaking of the pai't he took ; but it is learned through another source that he was one of a party wlio on one occasion made a gallant attack upon a military ]n'ison, and relieved the prisoners. His old musket may yet be seen. It is in possession of the Hon. Lewis Walibridge. At the close of the war, he desired, like many other loyalists, to remain in the States, and indeed did for a time, but the spirit of intolerance was manifested toward him, so that he determined to settle in Canada. He con sequent! }', at the beginning of the present century, came to the Ba}" and purchased the tract of land held in Ameliasburgh bj' the family. Elijah Walibridge married the daughter of a U. E. Loyalist, Capt. Eobert Everett, of Kingston. Mr. Walibridge, in making his visits to the front of Ernesttown, found it convenient to cross tlie Bay from Mississauga Point to Ox Point, and as a canoe Avas not available he often disrobed himself, tied his clothes in a bundle and managed to swim across, holding the bundle of clothes above the water. White. — The Cobourg Star recorded the death of IVIrs. White of White's Mills, aged 82 years, as follows: "Another old and respectable inhabitant has paid the debt of nature, whose memory will long be cherished by survivors. In 1792 Mrs. White was living with her family, the Chrysler's, at the homestead, Sidne}^, near Belleville, but removed after her marriage with Mr. White, to Cobourg, in the neighborhood of which she has remained ever since, beloved b}^ her family and greatly respected by all the settlers around. Although she often remarked, they had to undergo many privations, yet they were the happiest days of her existence. She feared the present generation was launching out too much into the fashion of the world, to conduce to solid haj)piness. The Chryslers were U. E. Loyalists, and among the first who made Upper Canada their home after the Eevolution. Sorel at that period Avas a government station, and here in 1802, Mrs. White, then Catherine Chrysler, was born. In 1784, their house was unfortunately burned down, when the General made them a liberal grant of lands in Sidney, near Belleville. This was the first settlement in that locality, Avhich was soon folloAved by many others, so that a neighborhood was soon formed as helpmates to one another. A few years afterward, Mr. White, being a lumber QiO-i COL, CHARLES WILKINS. merchant, located in the neighborhood ; an intimacy soon sprang up between the parties, which ended in a family union. Clergy- men Avore scarce in those day^^, but Eev. Eobert McDowell, of the reformed Dutch Church, who kept a horse and traveled through the wilderness, tendered his services. By that worthy pioneer, ]\Ir. and Mr.s. White were happil}' united in country simplicity'. These primeval days were often referred to as affording more solid happiness than modern finery and ostentation. May the present generation never lose sight of those good old times. She fulfilled the declaration of that discevner of the human heart, Solomon, who says: " She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bi-ead of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed ; her husband also, and he })raiseth her." "\YiLKiNS. — Col. Charles "Wilkins, although not one of the old U. E. Loyalists, yet having come to Canada at an early date, and taken an active part in matters pertaining to the welfare of the country, respecting military matters, and especially in the history of the Bay, this work would not be complete without a special notice of this very worthy gentleman. The \\Titer had the privilege of visiting him at his home, the Carrying Place, in the summer of 1866, and procured many valuable facts, which were imparted with a kindly courtesy. The winters of 83 years had left their impress upon the tall and once erect figure. But notwithstanding the wear and tear of life, with many cares, and the intractable disease which steadily advanced, his face beamed with a pleasant smile, while he recounted many events with which he had had to do. While relat- ing matters of a general nature, he was most imwilling to speak of his own sei'viccs, and the diffidence and humbleness of manner, with which he referred to himself was remarkable. We have made reference to Col. Wilkins elsewhere, and will here allude to some events in his life. He came to Canada with his father in 1792, aged 10 years. At an eai-h^ period he took up his abode at the Carrying Place and engaged in business; was married in 1804 to Miss Mary, daughter of Charles Smith, of Port Hope, who died in 1847. Else- where has been mentioned the part he took in the war of 1812, for which he received an official recognition. Mr. Wilkins had for several da^'s, the late General Scott of the American arm}', when a prisoner in Canada. 31 r. Wilkins' kindness to him was remem- bered in later years. In the trouble of 1836-8, the Government called upon Mr. W. to take command of the militia. He was THE AGE TO WHICH THEY LIVED. 665 aj)pointed to many posts of honor and duty, and in 18-40 was called to the Legislative Council. Mr. Wilkins was always exceedingly popular, not because he sought popularity, but because of his natu- rally kind and gentlemanly deportment to all classes, and his many sterling qualities. The very high estimation in which he was held was fully evidenced on the occasion of his death in 1867, w^hen old friends came long distances in unpleasant weather, to see his remains deposited in their last earthly resting place. Stewart. — •' A traveler Avriiing in 1835, saj's of Canada, " I often met the venerable in years," and " on March 8, 1833, died Mrs. J. Stewart, near St. David's, Niagara District, aged 109 yeai's ; her husband died a few years since at the age of 96, leaving children, now living, aged 80, and grand-children at 60." "Last year a Avoman by the name of Metcalf, residing near the capital of Uf)per Canada, bore a child when past her sixtieth year." Among obituaiy notices we find the following : " At Hope Yillage, East Guilliamsbury, in 1829, much and generally regretted, JoJin Wilson, Esq., a native of the Province of 'Sew Jerse}^, aged 90 years, 14 days." Death of a Pioneer of London Township. — "VVe have to record the decease of Mr. Joseph Jayne, which took place at his residence in London Township, 7th -concession, lot 32, on Wednes- day last, the 10th inst., at the advanced age of nearly 101 years. He was born on Long Island, ISI. Y., on June 13, 1764, some years before the State of New York had ceased to be a British Province. Deceased was revered and held in esteem by a large circle of friends, for whose entertainment he was ever fond of recounting his adventures in the revolutionary period, and who deeply regret his loss. — London Free Pi'ess. McIntosh. — " On the 25tli February last at his residence in Maiysburgh, in the 93rd year of his age, resi:)ected by all his acquaintances, Mr. Donald Mcintosh, who came to America m the 42nd Royal Highlanders, and arrived the day before the battle of Bunker's Hill, and was in that engagement. He was subsequently in the S4th, and was at Quebec, when Montgomery made his unsuccessful attempt on that stronghold, and during last war, was a Lieu- tenant in the IstRegt. of Prmce Edward Militia." Bird. — " At his residence in Marysburgh, Mr. Henry Bud, in the 90th year of his age. He appeared to be in good health till a few moments before the vital spark took its flight ; he was well respected ; he came to Canada in the 54th Regt." Gerow. — "At Ameliasburgh, in the County of Prmce Edward, on Wed- nesday, the I9th inst., Mary Gerow, aged 80 years. Deceased was one of the first settlers on the borders of the Bay of Quinte, where the greater part of her long life has been spent." 666 AX OLD MAX. Vakkleeck. — ''In Madoc, on Monday, the 9th of October, Simeon Van- kleeck, Esq., in his 98th year, after a short illness, almost entirely free from pain. Old age seemed to claim its rights, and the system quietly gave way. Iklr. Vankleeck was one of the eavUest pioneers of this part of the country, having resided m Madoc forty-one years. He was well and favourably known throughout the county, and his immediate acquamtance bear testi- mony to his energy and fu'mness, wliicli mingled at the same time with a kindness and suavity that won theu- hearts. His old age was remarkable for genial good temper and activity of mind and body. In his 94th j'ear, he presided at a politictil mettmg held by the Hon. Sidney Smith, at Hazzaixi's Corners, to wliich place he walked from his son's residence, a distance of seven miles. In politics he was noted for his strong conservative feeling — the side he chose when a j'oimg man — and adhered to it through his whole life, believing it to be, as he stated in liis later years, the ''Loyal Side." The deceased was a descendant of a branch of the Vankleeck family, whose loyalty to the British Cro^\^l caused them to leave their ancient home in Duchess County, New York, during the American Revolution, and to settle in the wilds of Canada. He was several j^ears connected with the British army During the Revolution. He leaves several sons, two of whom reside in tliis township. — Mercury. Perry. — Died at Ernesttown, the 12th of January instant. Jemima Perry, wife of Robert Perry, Senr., and sister of the late Ebenezei Washbui-n, Esq., of Hallowell, in the T6th year of her age. Her remains were interred on the 14th, with eveiy mark of real but unostentatious grief and resj^ect. '' In the beginning of last November, she was seized with a clistressing asthmatic affectation, which finally terminated her life, and which she endured with Christian patience and resignation to the will of heaven. •'^Mi's. Perry was born in the Province of Massachusetts, and came with her husband and familj* into tliis Province among its fii'st settlers. '■ She has left an aged jpartner, with whom she lived m conjugal union and affection fifty-eight years : seven cliildren ; a numerous train of gi-and- cliildren and great-grandcliildren -. and a large cii'cle of friends and acquaint- ances. Her loss is extensively felt. In the various relations of life, as a wife; a mother, a sister, a neighbour, and a member of civil and Christian society, her exemplaiy conduct entitled her to the esteem of all who knew her.'" " Old Man. — Old John Baker, residing at Cornwall, Ontario, wa.s born in 1T66, at Quebec. His mother was a slave, and he was brought b}^ his master, Colonel (yvej, at one time Solicitor-General for Uirper Canada. Baker enlisted in the 104th regiment, and served at "Waterloo, Lundy's Lane, Fort Erie, and Sackett's Harbor. He is a little rheumatic, and is lame fi'om a wound in the leg, received in action ; but his intellect is as fresh and clear as when a boy. He draws a pension of one shilling sterling a day, and seems good for some years yet," 1869. In conclusion we may mention the descendants of Sir William Johnson, by Miss Molly, a sister of Joseph Brant. She came to Kingston at an early date, having probably been in Lower Canada during the war, where she lived until her death in 1804 or 5. One of her daughters married Captain Farley, of the IGth Regiment, another Lieutenant Lemoine, of the 24th Regiment ; a third John Ferguson, of the Indian Department; a fourth Cajitain Earle, of the Provincial Xavy, and another to Doctor Kerr, an eminent surgeon, who settled in Niagara. xVPPEj^DIX ROLL OF THE 2nd BATTALION KING'S ROYAL REGIMENT, NEW YORK, 23Tn FEB., 1784. Jacob Weogav Alexander Clark Alexander Platto Jacob Cobman Jonas Simmons James Eankins Jonas Larranary Richard Albery Gabriel Brefsea Christopher Brefsea Bankee, John, Jr Bankes, John, Sen Brant, Franc Baxter, Lawrence Benedict, Benjamin Coons, Jacob Coons, David Campbell, Matthews Connrad, William Coolcraft, Christian Cook, Seth Catchcatch, Christian Drihell, Cornelius Dewitt, Garton Dyckman, Martines Foster, Moses Hopkinson, John Haines, Barrast Haines, Frederick Haines, John Haines, David Hoyle, John Hoyle, Peter House, John Huffman, Jacob Henerham, Andrew Hill, Timothy Mordon, John Morrison, James Wher, John Phillips, Michael Phillips, Peter Pember, Phillip Priest, Jacob Redding, Francis Friar, Samuel File, John Franklin, John Fend, Andrew Gates, Thomas Hart, Zachariah Howell, Warren Johnson, Henry Rahall, John Loukes, Jacob Millross, Andrew McCarty, William Matthews, Pompey Middelton, Ruben Northrui), Eson Reynold, William Scot, Daniel Shaw, William Sholtes, John Snartfager, Frederick Sipperly, Phillip Smith, Stephen Smith, Jacob Cornell, Patner Shil liner. Christian Wallan, Samuel Wirst, John Young, Daniel Defororest, Abraham Willoughby, William William, Albert Young, Peter Young, Stephen Deal, Peter Bernus, Gother Fletcher, John Lount, John Michael Roughnett Alexander Grant George Christie John Bondish David Lishsamblin Peter Zenith Nicholas Schyler Atherson, Charles Magle, Gottip Badernach, John Ross, Alexander John Casscallion Cornelius Pitcher Peter Deal John Litcher Alexander McDougall Luke Carscallion John Berrn George Sullivan James V. Alstine Berron, John Huben, Peter Barnhart, David Cole, John Calden, John Coons, Simon Coons, Peter Croukhite. John Conelius, John Curtis, John Dych, Nicholas Dych, Henry Deal, Adam Detlor, Valentine Detlor, Jacob Emerish, Henry French, Andrew Finkle, George Cameron, Alexander Cameron, Angus Cameron, Donald Davis, Peter Earner, Peter Eearhart, Simon Eaverson, John Foy, John Fory, Daniel Farlinger, John Fike, Peter Fairchild, Benjamin Faish, Christian Goose, Frederick Hugh, John 668 APPENDIX, Randal, Joseph Snider, Jacob Snider, Lidwich Sills, John Sills, Lawrence Sills, George Smith, Jlichael Smith, Phillip Swathager, John Vszie, Joseph Baltingal, Jacob Baltingal, Samuel Eauley, Jacob Plant, Peter Rollin, Thomas Clark, Hugh Chrisholm, Donald Sutter, Isaac Thomson, Thomas Thom, William Christie, George Beedehee, John Samuel Ashley James McPherson ' George BarnJiart George Dagetger George Prest George Fitzpatrick James Titehert Peter Young Gain Young Clute, John Cooper, Thomas Cook, Silas Coomb, John Coomb, Barnard Donser, John Dire, John Davis, Henery Dogstader, Adam Dengandre, Garrett Dogstader, Pompey Edgar, John Foy, Francis Gilbert Luke Thomas Graham Gi-ant, Peter Gold, Edward Gallingher, George Heming, Henry Hawley, Jacob Helmer, Adam Helse, Frederick Hugh, Henry Hendrick, Peter Harbinger, John Tarhoson, David Kough, Peter Kreem, John Bailer, "William Bell, Johnson Beitte Barnard Barnhart, Nicholas Barnhart, Jacob Barnhart John Brown, Nicholas Burch, Jacob Brown, James Chi-istian, John Christian, Simion Cameron, William Medagh, John Myers, John Cugh, George Culman, Frederick Parsons, John Ptood, Mitchell Ramsay, Adam Sulivan, Cornelius Shirley, John Shellop, Henry Winter, Jacob AVinter, Henry Wilson, James Kough, James Connor, Christian Wilinger, Michael Smith, Jacob Eamer, Phillip Hawdord, Edward j\Iure. John John Miller Fossern, Daniel Latoch, Halburt Elijah Sarrabe George Murraotf Luke Bourteal Toil Hurd Samuel Suckey John Saver John Tcague Barnhart, Charles Beramy, William Boner, Gasper Boner, Adam Bender, Samuel Cox, Alexander Grander, Anthon)' John Crander Grander, William Cadman, William Cadman, George Coundouse, George Dow, Thomas Delong, John Evans, Tony Landras, Samuel Logest, Andrew Hamilton, Thomas Henning, Andrew House, Coonroot Hedlar, Adam Johnson, John Plellen, John Himmerl}^, Andrew Ylline, LaM-, Samuel Heller, Henry Xoon, William Battingal, Jacob French, Albert Flamsbury, William Howard, William Harding, Richard Jones, Thomas Johnson, William Jones, John Eoughnet, John Rentner, George Knight, Benjamin Koughnet, John Lonhey, George Lonhey, Henry Lonhes, Abraham Savanaj', Alexander Sambert, David Sawyer, William Loft", David McGowen, Stephen Murdoii', James Murdoff, George Moss, Simon Critchert, Bartholomew Rogers, John Rambaugh, Jacob Rambaugh, John Rambaugh, Andrew Rambaugh, William Shellop, Christian Smith, Daniel Shuk, Christian Tute, John Kemdy, Robert Church, Oliver Hillinger, Abraham Laryo, Matthew Erwiny, Robert Schnars, Frederick John Howell Francis Hoyb Richard Cotter Matthew Farrent Jothan Hart Joseph Clement Henry Davis John Windaker Brant, John. APPENDIX. 669 Borven, William, Senr Baker, Henry Borven, William, Junr. Bush, Henry Cameron, Archibald Dodger, Thomas McDonnell, John, Renr. ]McDonnell, John, Junr. McDonnell, Roderick McDonald, Ronald McPherson, Laughlin Matthew, Jacob Xaramore, Esau Penn, Matthew Prentice, Daniel Prichell, John Phillips, Jacob Porker, Isaac Ross, Thomas, Senr. Ross, Thomas, Junr. Ross, John Roaf, John Ryan, Dennis Rowland, Jervis Tingorac, John Starring, Jacob Severn, Peter Servus, Phillip Smith, John Hart, Nathaniel Sherman, William Tuniver, William Valentine, Alexander Warmly, Jacob Cook, Robert Rierman, Henry Schilles, Henry Henry Deal John Servin Andrew Embury Thomas Clark William Nicholson John Dogstider Allen Chrisholm John Dervitt Arginsinger, Jolm Bartley, Muherd Bartley, Isaac Chrisholm, Duncan Cain, John Coon, Jacob Campbell, John Cain, Barney Cook, Joseph Farling, John Hough, George Hight, Mathew Johnson, Prince Peacock, John Kenton, John Delorni, John Donevan, Hcrener Evans, Bolton Eglon, Leonard Estwood, John Flanagan, James Gardiner, John Horon, Peter Horon, Jacob Hubbert, Jubilee Hegle. John Koughnet, William Koliph, Henry Toyer, David Toyer, Richard Martin, Robert Murphy, Patrick McGran, Owen McGran, Dennis McDonnell, Daniel Nellinger, Abraham Phillips, Elijah Rapole, George Shaver, Adam Sample, Hugh Street, Daniel Staly,' Tobias Stering, George Truax, Isaac Turnburny, John Woodcock, Abraham Woodcock, Peter Welsh, Morris Argussiger, Phillip Wilson, James Thomas Cavan John Mclntyre John Ham, Abiah Christie Donald McPherson John Tower Peter Winter John Lambert Albert Edward Ball, Samuel Crawford, William Crumwell, Nicholas Santnere, Jacob Witts, Henry Witts, John ilcCardy, Jacob Mirile, Jacob Minse, John Crawford, Bryan Clark, Jacob Clark, Adam Clark, John Chrisholm, Hugh Faber, David Fitzgerald, William Furny, Rodolph Furny, Adam Gilbert, Nathaniel Graham, William Grant, Peter Helmer, John Horon, Joseph Howard, Christian Towar, Caurobert Tarrana}', Isaac Tarranay, Abraham Matthew, Nicholas McKay, Stephen McTaggart, James McDonald, Duncan Mitchell, John Jlclntyre, Duncan McLennon, John Oxburj', John Phillip, John Rote, George Reyers, William Robertson, Daniel Shaver, James Smith, William Smith, Peter Sweeney, Daniel Stewart, John Teagin, Jacob Vandregoo, Phillip Abstric, Lambert Wright, John Walroda, Jacob Wood, James Wood, William Weegar, Thomas West, John Toursset, Benjamin Tealy, Adam Deprender, George G70 APPENDIX. THE GOVEENOKS OF UPPER CANADA. Subjoined is a list of the Governors, Presidents, and Administra- tors of Upper Canada, until the Union of the Provinces in 1841 : — NAMES. TITLES. TIME OF ACCESSION. Col. John Graves Simcoe Lieutenant-Governor July 8, 1792. Hon. Peter Russell President July 21, 1796. Lieut.-Gen. Peter Hunter Lieutenant-Governor August 17, 1799. Hon. Alexander Grant President Septr. 11, 1805. His Excellency Francis Gore Lieutenant-Governor August 25, 1806. Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock President Septr. 30, 1811. Maj.-Gen. Sir R. Halesheafif, Bart . President October, 20, 1812. Maj.-Gen. F. Baron de Rottenlnirgh. President June 19, 1813. Lieut.-Gen. Sir Gordon r>rummond, G.C.B Provincial Lieut.-Governor.Decr. 13, 1813. Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Murray, Bt.Provincial Lieut.-Govemor. April 25, 1815. Maj.-Gen. Sir Frederick Phipps Robinson, K.C.B Provincial Lieut.-Gevernor. July 1, 1815. His Excellency Francis Gore Lieutenant-Governor Septr. 25, 1815, Hon. Samuel Smith Administrator June 11, 1817. Maj.-Gen. Sir Peregrine Maitland, K.C.B Lieutenant-Governor . , . August 13, 1818. Hon. Samuel Smith Administrator March 8, 1820. Maj.-Gen. Sir P. Maitland, K.C.B.. Lieutenant-Governor June 30, 1820. Maj.-Gen. Sir John Colborne,K.C.B.Lieutenant-Governor Novr. 5, 1828. Maj. Sir Francis Bond Head, K.C.B. Lieutenant-Governor Jany. 25, 1836. Maj.-Gen. Sir .John Colborne, K.C.B. Administrator Feby. 27, 1838. Maj.-Gen. Sir George Arthur, K.C.B. H.G.O Lieutenant-Governor March 23, 1838. Baron Sydenham and Toronto. Lower Canada . Governor General . October, 1839. Do. do. do. do. .United do. . do. do. .Feby. 10,1841. CEH^STJS OF 1871. ■roTAL I'OJHl.ATU'fN BV l-KtlVlNi;K.S. Ontario, Quebec, ' New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. 'IVital, 1,()L'0,842 1,190,505 288,777 887,800 3,484,924 CITIES OF THE DOMINION. Montreal, P. Q., Quebec, P. Q., Toronto, Ont., Halifax, N. S., St. John, X. B., Hamilton, Ont., Ottawa, Ont., Loudon, Ont., Kingston, Out., POPULATION OF CENSLS DISTKK.TS IN Atldinjiton, Algoma, Piast, Algoma, Centre, Algoma, West, Bothwell, Brant, South, Brant, North, Bruce, South, Bruce, North, Card well, (Jorawall, Carleton, Durham. West, Durham, East, Dnndas, Essex, Elgin, East, Elgin, West. Erontenac, Grey, South, Grey, North, Grenville, South Glengarry Haldimond, Huron, South, Huron, North, Halton, Hastings, West, ITastin^s. East, 107, 59, 56, 29, 28, 2(>, •21, 15, 12, 699 092 582 988 716 545 826 407 21,312 977 2,077 1,853 20,701 20,766 11,493 31,332 17,183 16,500 7.114 21,739 18,316 19,065 18,777 32.697 20,870 12.796 16,310 29,366 30,029 13,197 2(t,.V_M 20,097 27, 149 39,016 22,606 14,365 17.392 Hastings, North, Kent, Lambtoii, Lincoln, Lennox, Leeds, South, Leeds. North, & (ilrenville Lanark, South, Lanark, North, Middlesex, W., Middlesex, N., Middlesex, E., Monck, Muskoka Manitoulin, Northumberland, W Northumberland, E Norfolk, S., Norfolk, N., Nipissing, S., Nipissing, N., Oxford, S., Oxford, N., Ontario, S., Ontario, N., Perth, South, Perth, North, Peterborough, W Peterborough, E., Peterborough, N., Prescott, Peel, Prince Edward, Parrv Sound. Russell. Renfrew, South, Renfrew, North, Simcoe, South, Simcot;. North, Storniont. Victoria, S.. Victoria, N., Welland, Wcntwortli. S , ^Ventworth. X., Waterloo, S., \\'att'rloo, N.. Wellington, S.. Wellington, (/., Wellington. N.. York, North. York, West. York. East. 16,607 26,8.36 31,994 20,672 16,392 20,716 13,530 19,190 13,830 20,195 21,519 25,0.55 15,130 5,400 2,011 17,328 21,757 15, .370 15,393 943 848 23,678 24.559 19,923 25,967 21,145 25,377 11,769 14.633 4.073 17,647 1(),369 20, .336 1.519 \KMA 14,099 13.875 23,671 :«,719 11,873 19,244 10,956 20, .573 14.638 16,245 20,99.5 19,256 14,347 24,459 24.484 24,262 16,260 19.360 roWNS AND V ILl.AiJKS l.\ (>NI AJJUt t.K ((N Ki: KrtKi INHARllAMS. Ainora. 1.1.S2 Ne\M-a>t:lc. Almonte, L'.OSO Niipanee, Braiitford. . . S.l()7 (»rang<.ville. Berlin, 2,74;i Owen Sou ml. Brampton. 'J.090 Oakvilie. Bradford. l.l.SO Orillia, iian-ie. ■a,:m)h Oshawa, Bowman villc. ■A.OIU I'aiis. Brighton, I,;!57 Petrolia. Belleville, 7.805 PrcNl.ni, lirockville. r.,102 Port Hop,;. Bruce Minos. 1.208 I'fterboroiiph. (Jhatham. .-..873 Pieto}i, Caledonia. l,24li Presoott. Clifton, 1,610 I'erth. Collingwood, 2,S29 Pcmlr/oUe, Cornwall, 2,0.S3 Parry Sound. Carleton T'lace. ... 1,205 Port Dalhonsii-. . Dunville. 1,452 SaTxlwicii. Dnndas, .•^,135 Sarnia. Elora, J, 408 St. 'rinima.s. P'ergns, l.(;0(5 Stradiroy. Goderich. .0.0.54 Sini<-r>', Gait. 3,S27 St. Catharines. . . Ouelph. r).S7S Seaforth. GeoVgetfiwri. I.2S2 St. Marvs. Gananof|Uf. 2,020 Straticrd, Tngeisoll. 4.022 Smithy Falli^, Kincardine. l.OltT Tli.-iuld. Lind.'^av, 4.040 TiL-ion'onrg. Mitchell. 1,802 Windsor. Mt. Forest, 1..370 Woodstock, Milion, I.0()0 Wate)''oo. Morrisbur-, j.i.-x; Whitl.x , Xcwmarkcl. I,7()0 Yorkvilk-. Ni.-i.gar;'. ].r,(W) l.Kr.i 2,0(i7 1,458 :',,3(J0 1,684 1,322 3.185 2, (HO 2,051 1.40S .1,114 4,013 2,310 2,617 2,375 1,.508 1,0.52 1,081 1,160 2,020 2! 107 3,232 1,856 7. 804 1,368 3,120 4,313 1,1.50 1,6.35 1,000 4.253 3,082 1,504 2,732 2.203