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METROPOLITAN -. . * \
TORONTO • ^i >«t*i
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TORONTO PUBUC LIBRARIES

REFERENCE LIBRARY

"^n [ . '^ oG

Historical Sketch

OK TlIK

TOWNSHIP ~

HAMILTON

COxMl»ILEL) BY

Walter Riddell, Esq.,

BY REQUEST OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

ISQ^

PRINTED AT THE WORLD OFFICE, COliOURG.

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HiCTORiCAL Sketch

OF THE

TOWNSHIP

HAMILTON

COMPILED BY

Walter Riddell, Esq.,

BY REQUEST OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

1897

1 :

PRINTED AT THE WORLD OFFICE, COBOURG.

,^fUB{

FEB
17

1956

^aa.t>Bo

IgN the month of March, i8c)('>, the Council of the
^^J^ Township of Hamilton rccci\'ed a communica-
tion from the Provincial Historical Association
of Ontario, advising them that the 24th day of June,
1897, vvould be the four hundredth anniversary of the
discovery of the Continent of North America, or Can-
ada, under British auspices, by Cabot ; that the sum-
mer of that year would be made the occasion of a
g'rand National, Canadian, Historical celebration, and
requesting the Council to appoint the most suitable
person or persons in the municipality to compile an
attested history of the township. The Council there-
fore decided it proper and desirable to comply with
the request of the Provincial Historical Association
of Ontario, and in accordance with their wishes, this
work has been undertaken by Walter Riddell, Esq., a
gentleman who has for over 60 years taken a promin-
ent place in agricultural and municipal affairs in this
township.

T^HE Townsliip of Hamilton is the most westerly Township
^ in tile County of Norihuinberlund, one of the counties of
the Old Newcastle Districi". This township is houndt^d on the ea'^t
by the townsiiip of Haldimand, on the south hy Lake Ontario,
west by the township of Hope, county of Durham, UMi-th by
Rice Lake, and a small part on the northwest corner by the
township of South Monaghan. The Ttjwuship of Hamilton may
be described as a fairly average township for the growth of crops
or the production of stock. The laud for two or three miles
north from Tiake Ontario is generally level ; tlie soil heinir clay,
or clay loam. Behind tliis is a series of low liills and undulating
land, whicli seems to hnve been at some former period a hike
beach. The soil on this rolling land is of a lighter (piality, in
some cases grivelly, in ^,>thers covered to some extent with large
boulder stones, such as geologists attribute to the action of ice-
bergs. Behind these we reach the highest land between the
lakes, and then the plains that reach nearly to Rice Lake. On
these plains the top soil is of a loamy nature, with a clayey sub-
soil. They produce good cro[)s of all kinds of grain and roots.
The Tortnsbip is fairly well watered by springs and creeks,
and water can in most cases be got at no great depth by digging.
Beginning at tlie east side, the first creek is known as C(»vert's.
This is a good sized creek There used to be a grist, and oat
meal mill on this creek. About a mile west from this there is a
small creek that used to run all the year, but now goes dry in
summer. On this stream there used to be a distillery and tan-
nery. About a mile further west there is a large creek — Mc-
Donald's creek by name. On this creek there was a tannery.
West from Cobourg there is the largest stream in the township.
It has many widely-spreading branches. The east branch of
this creek rises in Haldimand and enters this township i ear the
front of the fourth concession, while its west branch reaches
lot 24, thus draining a large part of the front of the township.

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

Upon erit«^ring the township it formerly drove Williams' saw
mill, shingle and carding )nill. It also furnishes water-power
for all the mills, etc., about Baltimore. Near the rear of the
second concession, tliis branch is joined by Solomon's creek,
which rises near the rear of the sixth concession, and used to
drive Roberts' grist mill, Fisher's, Burnett's and Cochrane's saw
mills, Daw.son's oat meal mill and Solomon's saw mill. Another
branch of this creek formerly drove Lent's grist and saw niills
and McKeyes' grist mill. Still another branch of the main stream
flows past Camborne, and formerly was the ]jower for a grist
mill, a saw mill and a pail factory there. There two branches
unite a little south-west from the site of McKeyes' old grist mill,
here they turn eastward and used to furnish the water-power for
a saw mill, piil factory and distillery, formerly situated near the
old court house. They then join the tna^n stream, which, after
being reinforced by Solomon's creek, used to drive the Leader-
hough planing, carding and shoddy machine, White's gr sr mill,
Perry's mill, Ham's mill, a carding and fulling mill, axe factory,
distillery, and a large woollen factory, before entering the lake.
This creek was known as Jones', Henry's and Ham's. On ac-
count of having so many tributary branches this creek is subject
to big floods, not only during the seasrm of the usual spring
freshets, but even in summer. On the 11th of July, 1838, after
an exceedingly heavy rain storm, nearly all the danis atid bridges
were swept away ; and on the first of June, 1889, a heavy flood
carried away the railroad bridge and all the road bridges, e sting
the township several thousand dollars to replace them and repair
the damage done to the roads, beside the expense for loss of
mill dams. On the west side of the towi ship is another creek
that rises near the rear of the fifth concession and has several
small branches. It used to drive Bouskill's and Dean's saw
mills. It runs into the lake at a point near the boundary line
between this township and Hope, and used to be known as
Gage's creek. There used to be two or three small creeks which
crossed the front road, west. These now (mly run in the spring
and are dry during summer.

Old settlers tell that whei the township was first taken up
the bateaux and schooners on the lake used to come up the

HISTOIIY OF HAMILTON TOWXSHIV.

creek at Cobourt? i.'oarly as far as the hridiie at the woollen fac-
tory. The first grist mill in the townsliip was built on this
creek sometime previous to the year 181S. It is stated that at
one time vessels could come in and find shelter in the old harhoi"
nearly opposite the (iull Island lighthouse.

There are other sttv^ams running north into Rice Lake. On
one of these near Havwood, grist and saw mills aie situated.
Another stream near (ore's Landing, formerly furn shed the
wa'er-power for a carding ai^l fulling mill. Another, somerimes
called Cold creek or (Joose creek, runs across the seventh con-
cession, driving Sackville s saw and shingle mills, ;ind runs into
Rice Lake east ^>f i-Jewdley.

FIRST skttli:k8.

Parts of the Township of Hamilton were surveyed in 1701
by H Mr. Jones, and part in 1795 by a Mr. Handy. About a
century ago settle;s began to conie in, and two crown patents,
possibly among many others, were grunted in 17^8 to Messrs.
rjeorge Shaw and Joseph Ash. To this brief history of our well-
known towiishi[) we have appended a list, containing the names
of 120 pers(»ns who received patents before 1812, thiity-five at
least of these were granted by the year 1805. It re(]uired about
fifty years to complete the settlement of the township. Of this
early colonization the writer of these notes knows little, and
that little only by tradition and by conversation with pioneer
settlers. The first person to erect a residence within the cor-
poration of the town of Cobourg was a Mr Elias Nicholson.
His small cabin, built in 1798, is believed to have been the first
house erected in this neigh b()rhot)d. The first store had its site
on or near where King-st. now is, in 1802 just four years after
the first dwelling house was erected in our town. This small
general store was started by Elias Jones, who also, with assist-
ance from Government, built the first grist mill on the large
creek north of the bridge at the woollen factory. The first wag-
gon ever run through the Township of Hamilton was built by
Elijah Brock, who came into the country about 1808. The Par-
ker and Stanton families were among the first to settle here.
The late Oliver Stanton is said to have been the first white child
born in this township, about the vear 1800 or 1801. The colon-

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

izutirtn of lliis coiinfy seems to have taken place from the east,
westward ; the townshiiis of Murray, Cramahe and Plaldimaiid
havihi; heeii settled before Hamilton. As far as we can judge,
the settlement of the township procieded at tirst on two lines,
first between concessitjns A and B as far as lot 20, and then be-
tween concession A and the first concession. The other line of
colonizati<in was along the Danforth -road, that winds through
concessions first and second until it reaches lot 25, and theji fol-
lows the line between the second and third concessions through
the lest of tlie townshif.

The fir t settK rs ^eein to liave been principally United Em-
pire Loyali><rs or their descendants, men who would not turn
from their allegiance to their kin<(. but who ch(»se rather to see
all tlieir property cnfiscated ajid themselves exiled and forced
to make their home in a new country, where they could still
dwell under the protecting folds of the Biitish fiag fen* which
they had braved and endured so much. I'p till the year 1837,
the town of Cobourg formed part of the township of Haniil'.on.
so it is imjiossible to distmc/uish in the ti.irlier years between
those that settled in the t<iwn en' in the townshij). When we
first knew the township, the principal settlers along the first
line of colonization from the east were the Mallory, Phillips,
Stanton, Covert, Brock, Ash, Boswell, vYolcott, Buck and Mc.
Donald families Then west of Col)ourg the Burnham, Nichols,
Jones, Stiles, Oitloid, Rowe, Wilder, Hagerman and Wade fam-
ilies, beside m ny others. On the second line, the first settlers
were the families of Jaynes, I'arker, McKague, Blezard, Mc-
Evers, Lacy, Bates Lindsay, McKeyes, Smitli, Dean, Hager-
man, llollenbeck, Seton, Harris, Richmond, Sowden, Bouskill
and otheis.

Though the old settlers often spoke of the war of 1812, they
did not seem to have suffered much from it. They used to
speak of the cost and ditficulty they had in procuring salt and
some other ar icles they had been in the habit of getting from
the United States. The war ot 1812-15 was followed by several
bad seHSo s. especially the year 1816, which was very c(jld and
wlun there is said to have been frost every month in the year.
No corn ripened, fodder Mid provisions were scarce and dear.

HISTOKY OF HAMILTON TOWXSlIll'.

!lSt.

ikI

nes,
be-
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.ugh
fol-

.ugh

III many respects it was ;i very hard year Hiitl gre-itly retanUtl
the settlement. About 1820, what was known as old country
settlers began to conie in. and about that time Messr.n. Covert,
.lettVey. Wade, Plews, Wallace, Spear, Dale, McCormick, Pow-
ell, Rowe, etc. , came in. The largest eniig'J'rion into Canada
was in the years 1830, 31 and '32 At that pei; d a large num-
ber of colonist families came in and spread ;,11 over the town-
ship, lilliny u}» around Bdtimo.'j, Coldsp; ..gs, and ot!v;i' i aits-
Space w ii :.ot aHow of us giving n:inies Fiom \h s time up till
a' 'It the year 1850, emigrants kent coming v. thouyh in fewer
numl)ers. Since rh it period very few have cou)e in.

The tirst settlers rttjuired to be brave men and wonu n with
stout hearts and strong anus, to eniei our unbroken wtods. It
was a form dable undertaking to l)e buried in them and day af-
ter day Co go forth to make war against the for«st trees and hew
tluin dortii with the h >])e of working tht-mselves out to the light
of day, making f<ir thunselves and children a h<»me. The old
settlers tell many intertsting stories of the hardships they had
to endure, of the scarcity of necessary food and clothing, the
hard shifts they were put to to procure these things. Of their
endeavors to eke out their scanty fare by tishing. sho(»ting birds
and huntiim deer and bear, by, wild rice andjjreens from various
plants. Even after they had grown some crop, of having to
pound out their corn in some hollow stump or log, whicli per-
haps they could still point out to their children. Of having to
carry their wheat to Kingston, the nearest mill, in boats Of,
on one occasion, having bet n driven into Presque'Isle for shel-
ter and of being frozen in there ; or of their having to carry on
their backs all the fl<jur they needed for the winter's use through
twenty or thirty miles of woods. A settler -.vonld come in and
either dra ; or buy a lot, chop dow^n a few large trees and put
up a shanty^ covering it with bark or split basswood logs Leav-
ing for a short time he would come back i>ringing his wife with
him, the young couple having taken their wedding jaunt over a
blazed track through the woods, carrying all their worldly pos-
.seseionon tliair backs, making their bed of cedar orheudock boughs,
setting themselves down in the forest- to subdue the wilderness
and by patient industry and perseverance hew out a home.

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

I'i

A lite writer in reference to this subject, and his statement
is just as applicable to Hamilton as to any other township says :
'* The pioneer days of Ontario's early settlement are fast reced-
ing from view, but I sometimes tliink it would he well to recall
some of the heroes and heroines of that past, for theirs' was a
life-lonn consecration to the good of those who succeeded to the
rich inheri'ance, conquered from the forest. The luxuries which
we no-.v demand as necessities, were to them unknovvn, and their
toil was long and ardu»»us. Mechanical appliances to liuhten
labor were almost unknown, but theirs was a comniunity (tf in-
terest that united siattered settlements in one common brother-
hood. And then there were social gatherings where hilarity
was unbounded. Bees for every conceivable purpose were or-
ganized-husking corn, paring apples, cutting logs, raising
bu Idings, logging, quilting, were each in turn the occasion of
festive gatherings. And wlien lads and lassies gathered in the
large kitchen and danced to the rt»llicking tunes of some ama-
teur tiddler, there was no occasitm for pity nor anyone who
thought their lot a hard one."

It has often been ren)arked of Upj er Canada, that the first
settlers were i.ot destined to be the permanent occupiers of the
land, and that in the course of a few years the original colonists
were almost superseded by an entirely different class of perscais.
Some became discouraged by the hardships they were called
upon to endure and left, <tthers after making a clearance sold to
some new comer and went anew to the bush. Clearing a farm
from the forest and working a farm after it is cleared are two
very different occupations. We have heard pioneers say they
would much rather go into the bush and chop and log and clear
up Ian i than plant and plough after the land was cleared. As
a class the old settlers were a hospitable race, they welcomed
you to their homes with utmost cordiality and cheerfulness, and
shared with you the best they had even if their pantries were
not overfull.

ASSESSMENT OF 1896.

Through the kindness of Mr. J. Williams, we have had an
opportuuity of examining the collect*. r's roll of this township
for the year 1826, at that time Cobourg was included in the

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

iient
lys :
iiced-
ecall
as a

the

hich

their

hten

in-
ther-
laiity
e or-

township. On that roll there are 297 names, and we judge tliat
one-third of these resided within the limits of what is now the
town of Cobourg. Of the others, one, on the roll, David Sidoy,
was on the 7th concession, three were on the 5th, ten on the
4th, thirty-two on the 3rd, and the rest were all on the 1st and
2nd and A and B concessions. 19,481 acres of land were re-
turned as uncultivated and 8091i acres cultivated. The total
value put on assessable property was £24,805 eijual to 899, 221 20.
The rare was (»ne penny on the pound for district purposes and
one (juarter of a penny to piy members of the House of Assem-
bly, and the total amount collected was 129 pounds, 15 shillings
and ninepence, equivalent to $519.37. Out of the 297 names.
70 are assessed for personal property only, the rest on real pro-
perty. Ten men are designated esquires and two reverends.
Twenty-one persons, whose names appear on the roll, were as-
sessed for a cow only. The highest tax paid by one individual
was $15.37, the lowest less than three cents ; four individuals
piid over two pounds ; 25 over one pound ; all the rest under
one pound or less that 84. Twenty-eight persons paid four
pence and under. The rate was assessed on square-log, frame,
brick and stone houses, and on additional tire phices. There
was )io assessment on common log houses. On land cultivated
and uncultivated, various rates were charged. On mills, horses
and cattle there is returnea : — horses {»f all ages 478, cows 642,
young cattle 230 ; no mention is made of sheep t)r pigs. Six
square timber and eight frame buildings of two stories with 30
additional liireplaces were assessed, 26 frame, brick or stone
buildings under two stories with 52 additional fireplaces, one
mill with one pair of stones, two mills with additional stones, •
^hree sawmills, two stores, one store house and five pleasure
^wapgons. The collector was John McEvers, father of the late
^ Him McEvers ; the assessor, Willis McKeyes; the clerk, Lewis
fM Stiles. We have been thus particular with this roll as one sev-
enty years old is seldom found.

REPBEgB^TATIYES IN PAKLIAMENT.
Politically this township ha i always formed part of the
county of Northumberland, wliich up to the year 1840 reached
from the Trent river ou the east to what is now the western

.. \

1 !■

HIKTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

boundary of this township, and roni Lake Ontario as far north
as there were any settlers, including the territory now known
as east and west Peterboro, and east and west Northumberland.
Hamilton township, including Cobourg, furnished at least three
members to the Parliament of Upper Canada, viz., — Burnhani,
afterwaraa Legislative Councillor, Henry Ruttan and Archibald
McDonald. There may have been others. The elections la-
this county for 1834 and 1836 were held in this township at
Sully about a mile west from Harwood.

In 1840, the year in which the two Provinces of Upper and
Lower Canada were united under one Parliament, the Colborne
District was set apart and this county confined to what is now
e?st and west Northumberland. T'p to the time of the confed-
eration of the Provinces and the formation of the Dominion
House, this townshiji sent four representatives to Parliament.
These members were G. M. Boswell, Sidney Smith, James
Cockburn and Asi A. Burnham. It has been represented in
the House of Commons since confederation by Jamc Cockburn,
Wm. Kerr, Q,C., John Hargraft and Geo. Guillet. In the On-
tario Assembly the representatives from Hamilton have been
Alex. Fraser, Charles Gittord. Win. Hargraft, John Field, Robt,
IMulholland, and C. C. Field, the present member for West
NoBthp^nberland.
>>? ' MtXICIPAL CiOVER\MEKT.

Up to the year 1842, our municipal government was of the
oil town meeting t)'pe, when all householders were expected to
attend at the court house, or some other i entral place, on
the first Monday in January to electa clerk, pathmasters, pound-
keepers, fence viewers, and an assessor and collector. These all
held office for one year and were eligible for re-election. When
required, the Quarter Sessions had power to lay out and open
roads, and to grant sums of money to repair roads and bridges.
The rest of the work on the roads had to be done and the roads
kept in repair by statute labor In the year 1841, a Bill waa
passed creating Dstrict Councils, this municipal body to be
composed of two members from each township. The first rep-
resentatives elected from Hamilton township were Wm. Weller
and John Creigbton. This District Council existed until 1850,

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

when a new law creating County and Townsliip Councils came
into force. Tae reeves of Township Councils, and where these
sub divisions had more than five hundred ratepayers, the deputy
reeves, formed the County Council. This law, although much
altered from its original reading, is still in force. Until the year
18(56 the Council elected the reeves and deputy reeves ; since
that time the township has elected them. There have been in
all twenty reeves ; eleven of these were elected by the Council
and nine by the township.

The first township clerk was Oeo Stewart, Camborne, who
was succeeded by Charles Bourn. In 1859, George Stewart was
again appointed to the office. On his death, his son, George
Stewart, Jr., succeeded him. In the year 1807, James ^Vilgar
was appointed clerk and held the office until his death in 1887.
He was succeeded by A. R. Eagleson, who in turn was succeed-
ed by James Stewart, the present clerk of the Council. In all
six persons have held the office since 1851, the year in which
Township Councils were first instituted.

The first township treasurer was Robert Harstone, Balti-
more. When he left the township, his sonin-Uw, Wm. John-
.ston, w^as appointed to the oflice, which he held for about two
years. Then, in the year 18H7, Chas. Neill was appointed treas-
urer, making in all four persims who have held the office."^ /■ ,

THE FIRST C'OIKT. Wj^^ ^ilA i P^^^'^^^

We cannot say when the first court house and gcjal was l>uilt
in this township. The present one wa.s built in the year 1830,
ior a place in which to hold court for the Newcastle district, and
all courts, councils, etc., were held there until after the Cobourg
town hall was built, which since then has been the conveninti
place for all such assemblies. There was a Court of Assize
and Nisi Prius for the Newcastle district held in 1803, but it
was probably held at Presque'Isle, as tliere was a town laid out
there, called Newcastle, at that time. We have been shown some
ruins, said to be the foundation of the first f'aol for the district.
In the ^ • ar 1804, Judge Cochrane, with his court, councillors,
crown officer, sheriff, and prisoner to be tried, were all lost in
the schooner Speedy on their way to Presque'Isle to try an In-
dian accused of murder, said to have been committed in the

HISTORY OF HAMILTON" TOWNSHIP.

Newcastle district. It is very prohnble thnt they moved here
after that sad event. Courts of Oyer and Terminer, general
gaol delivery, were held in the district in 180T and 8, and they
may have been held in this township. In that part of the town
where the gaol is now situated, was at one time a considerable
village, called Amherst in all old legal documents.

VILLACES.

There are several villages in the township. Baltimore, uii
the main line between the 2nd and 3rd concessions, on l(»ts 7
and 8, is the oldest. The late John McCarty used to say that
he was the father and founder of this village. There are three
grist mills in Baltimore, Lapp's being the oldest. Then there
is Mann's, formerly McDougall's, and before that Foley's ; and
McDougall's new mill, now owned and operated by Mr. John
Ball. There is also a woollen factory, a carding and fulling
mill, a pump factory, cheese factory, .''everal carriage and wag-
gon shops a"d blacksmith, harness and shoemaker shops.
This village formerly had a tannery, two saw mills and an axe
factory. Baltimore has several stores, a post ottice, school, two
churches, two taverns and a number of pretty private dwellinus.
As it is situated on a leading gravel road, with a wide back
country, there is a large amount of travel through this place and
it also does a good conntrj' trade.

The village of darwood is situated on lots 3 and 4, in the
9th concession, on the south shore of Rice Tiake. tiVhen the
Cobourg and Peterborough Railway was first built, there was a
station erected at this place aod that formed the nucleus of this
village. Harwood has a church, school, post office, and several
stores, while all the various trades usually found in villages, are
represented. It has two hotels. During the season, many
sportsmen resort here for boating, fishing, shooting, etc. A
large steam saw mill during the summer used to furnish employ-
ment for quite a number of workmen, but sometime within a
year it was torn down and removed. There is a grist mill near
the village.

On the Rice Lake road, on lots 20 and 21, 2Ld c«)ncession,
is Precious' Corners, where there is a post office, .store, .school,
blacksmith shop, etc. Proceeding north from here on the gravel

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

ral

fey

•n
.le

road we come to Cauiborne, which in addition to its p<^isra1 de-
livery, has a church, store, school, blacksmith and carpenter
shops. There used to be a saw mill, pail factory and grist mill
at this place. The latter mill was at first driven by water, then
by steam. It was burned down some time a^<o ind has not been
rebuilt. Here the road to Bewdley branches off from the gravel
road. Going on still farther north, the next place is Coldsprings.
This village may fittingly be termed the capital of the township.
Here is situated the Township hall, where all the municipal bus-
iness is conducted, and where all of the elections used to he
held. Beside this building there is a drill shed. Orange hall,
school, church, post office, store, cheese factory, etc At the
crossing of the line between the 5th and 6th concessions, there
is a little cluster of buildings, a church, store, blacksmith shop,
etc., sometimes called " Derry. ' During the time emigration
to the back country was at its heii?ht, this Rice Lake road was a
stirring highway. Emigrants were Ian ed at Cobourg and car-
ried over this road to Sully and other places on the lake and
from there by steamer, sail or row boats, to Peterbc»rough and
other points in the then back country. Beside this, before the
railway was built to Harwood, large quantities of flour, lumber,
etc., were brought in over this road for shipment at Cobourg.
Where the road branches off through the 7th conces.sion, there
is the village of Plainville, which contains a post ottice, store,
blacksmith and carpenter shops. Proceeding still farther north
we reach Gore's Landing on the shore of Rice Lake. This used
to be a flourishing village before the time of railroads. Beside
the flour and lumber trade, it was a favorite resort for travel-
ling and local sportsmen, bent on their favorite pastime of boat-
ing, fishing and shooting. At Gore's Landing there is a post
office, stores, two churches, and formerly there was a flourish-
ing private school (Mr. Barron's). This village has a boat and
canoe factory that turns out very fine work. Just ea.st of this
village, J. B. Fortune had a steam saw mill that at the time the
railroad bridge was building, did a large business. There was
also a carding and fulling mill near here.

The only other village we will notice is Bewdley, situated at
the head of Rice Lake, at the terminus of the Port Hope cfravel

t'rK

hi''.

■t<.^

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

1 1!

road, the main hii^hway from Peterboroujjh to Port Hope.
Therfi was formerly a lar^e travel over this road, and the steam-
boats on Rice Lake used tucall at this place. There was a large
steam saw mill here, but this was burned down and never re-
built. There is a post office, churches, stores, and all the trades-
men usually found in villai^es. Near Bewdley on a branch road
is Sackville's saw mill. This mill was built at first by a Mr.
Banks, wlio had some peculiar notions about banking and start-
ed a Farmer's Bank, which however did not prove a success.
There was formeily a steam saw mill, Charles Neill's, on lot 19,
in the 7th concession, a d another — McCarthy's, about hjt 12 in
the same concession. Both of these millfs were burned down
and never rebuilt. Messr.s. ACcDougall and Ludgate, built,
about 1869, a largo steam saw mill on the shore of Rice Lake,
near Sully. 'I'his, after ruiining a few years, shut down and has
since been sold and reuKned.

There are eight post offices in the township, viz , Baltimore,
Harwood Precious' Corners, Camborne, Colds rings, Plain ville,
Gore's Landing and BewJley All these oftices have a daily
mail, Baltimore by the stage running from Cjbour^ to R )se-
neath, Bewdley by stage from Port Hope, and all the others by
stage from Cobourg to Harwood.

RAILWAYS.

The (rrand Trunk Railway passes through the township on
concessions A and B. In 1854 the Cobourg and Peterborough
Railway was built and carried across Rice Lake on a wooden
bridge. In a year or two this bridge failed. Since that time,
however, the road has been kept open to Harwood in sununer,
principally to bring in the lun be" sawn at the large mill there.

iiVLL ISLA\I> LI4;HT HOUSE.

An account of the public works in the township would not
be complete without referen e to Gull Island Light House, which
is de:jcribed in volumes of naval reference as beinii situated in
4.3., 54 .1 16, north latitude, and 78 n 10 n 04, vest longitude—
on Lake Ontario, about; two miles from land, nearly opposite
lot 30 of the township of Hamilton. It is a round structure,
built of stone, 48 feet high, with one large tixed light. Tho

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

)pe.
iam-

arge

height of the light above the water is 45 feet and can be seen
ten miles in clear weather. Work was begun on this baikling in
1836 but it was not completed until the year 1840. The first
keeper of this light-house was William Owston, Jr. ; the next
was George Roddick. Tradition says that there was a small
island where the liglit-honse now is, which was washed away by
the storms on the lake. We have heard of some old settlers
who recollect the island with three trees growing on it. Sever-
al steam-boats got on this rock before the light house was built.
On one occasion, the " William 4th, ' on her way to Toronto got
on a rock here and her cargo had to be taken off in sniall boats.
After being liglitened she floated, the lake was calm, but the
stoppage detained her for a whole day. On another occasion
the " Constitution," of Oakville, was stranded here for a day and
had to be lightened before she could proceed on her course. Be-
side these several other vessels at different times have got on
this r(»ck. The most ser'ous casuality t<vjk place on Dec. 2nd,
1848, when during a severe storm the schooner " Canada" was
wrecked on a rock near the light-house and four of her hands
were drowned.

PLArKH OF WORSHIP.

On the first settlement in the township, and for years after
colonists had come in aiul taken up land, there were no churches
or schools. Those who feared God and kept up worship in
their families, did so under great difficulties. The Word of God
was read by the uncertain flickering light of some fat pine knot,
before lamps or even the home-made tallow candles were obtain-
able. After a time the Gospel was preached by travelling min-
isters, those brave sons of a noble itinerancy, who rode on horse-
back with their books and much of their worldly possessions in
saddle-bags, following a ])lazed path hrough the forest from one
settlement to another, visiting scattered families to pray and ex-
hort with them concerning the way of life, sometimes making
their bed at night beneath the widely spreading branches of the
forest shade, )nen who might have filled positions of trust and
honor in older settlements but who were content to live where
they would count most in the onward progress and good of man-
kind. Meetings were at first held in private houses. Messen-

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

gers travelled mile after mile informing the colonists that there
would be service in such a home on such a day and soon a little
company would be gathered together to hear the glad message of
the gospel. Afterwards when school-houses were built through-
out the land, these structures, often built of los^s, were used for
places of worship. Then as the people increased in numbers
and wealth, churches wtre erected, whose tinned spires gleamed
brightly in the sunlight and around which heaved the turf in
many a mouldi^riiig mound, for adjoining the church was usually
the })uri.il-ground of the coiinnunity. The first of these sacred
edifices ei'Cted in the township was built in Cobourg and for
many years all in the settlement who wanted to attend service
from any part of the towiiship, came to town, and whatever
their persuasion, worshipped at the same church. As the
township tillerl up, churches were built for the various denom-
inations represented by the colonists, and now they are within
the reach of all who desire to hear the Gospel proclaimed.

SCAXT EDICATIONAL PKIVILEtiEg.

Another of the difficulties the early settlers had to encoun-
ter was a lack of schools In the sparoely settled colony enough
children could not be found within reaso able distance of each
other to form a school, and beside this school houses were very
few, and where there were buildings suitable for this purpose,
a school could often (mly be kept open for a few months in win-
ter. Another difficulty was the trouble to procure suitable
teachers. Sometimes a man unable or unwilling to do any other
work was set to teaching, and the result was he rendered but an
inadequate service. Others of the schools were taught by wo-
men, who, however ar.xious they may have been to do good, had
little education themselves. The New Testanient was one of
the first text books , and the Sampler had a conspicuous place on
the curriculum of prescribed studies. Schools, too, were very
expensive, not less than two dollars a quarter for every pupil,
often more. So some i eople found it very difficult to raise the
needful cash to pay for the schooling of their large families, and
children had to put up with far less educati(jn than is now thought
necessary. The teacher had no board bill to pay, but was board-
ed round among the families in the section, an arrangement that

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

;hat there
)n a little
message of
t through-
e used for
I numbers
Bs gleamed
the turf ill
vas usually
lese sacred
rg and for
snd service
1 whatever
As the
>us denom-
are within
imed.

I to encoun-
lony enough
mce of each
is were very
his purpose,
nths in win-
ure suitable
do any other
dered but an
lught by wo-
do good, had
t was one of
jourt place on
o, were very
every pupil,
It to raise the
families, and
} now thought
lut was board-
.ngement that

sometimes was not very pleasa't for either teacher or people.
There are now eighteen schools in the tctwnslnp and all are free.
So, if their is any lack of education, it is not for want of places
of learning and well-trained teachers.

AI^KH'I l/ri K.4L E\TKKI*UI8I<:.

The people of the township have always taken an active, in-
telligent interest ii all agricultural improvements. The first
Agricultural Society was formed on the 17th of May, 1828, ami
although the meeting was at Colborne and the roads were in a
very bad state, at least seven or eiglit of the twenty directors
were from this township. When the |>resent county society was
formed at Grafton in 1837, of the 102 members for that year,
there were at least 42 from Hamilton township, including Co-
bourg. At the first agricultural show ever held in this county,
on Oct. 19th, 1829, of sixteen successful exhibitors two were
from this township, viz., Christopher Hinds, who won Hrst prize
on best cow, and Elijah Brock, who showed the best yr)ke of
working oxen. In the year 1830, the County Agricultural So-
ciety offered tive prizes for the best managed farms in the coun-
ty. Of these prizes, two were awarded to farms in the town-
ship of Hamilton. At a show held in Cobourg on the 18th of
May, 1831, of the 35 awards offered, 11 \^ere given to residents
of this township. Of the amount of money offered in pr zea, at
least $57 was paid to farmers in Hamilton township, and there
may have been more, as there are several names on the list that
we do not know in which township they lived. At all our coun-
ty shows this township has got its full share of prizes, and also
at the provincial exhibitions they have carried off a considerable
number of awards. At the first sixteen exhibitions for the pro-
vince, residents of Hamilton township secured in all 530 prizes.
vVhen the preeent County Society was formed, the committee
appointed from this township were Hon. Zacheus Burnham,
chairman, and Robert Wade, VVilliam Brown, and A. A. Burn-
ham, with H. Ruttan as one of the general vice-presidents.

The first Township Agricultural Society was formed in 1847
and held its first show in 1849 near the old court house. This
society held an annual show for many years, until they merged
their funds with the County Society. During all the time this

/f^'/

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

I !

Ill

organization existed they gave prizes for roots and corn growing
in the field, and w' en they amalgamated with the County So-
ciety they arranged with them that this practice should be con-
tiiiued. This Township Society always had more members than
any other organization in any sub-division of the county.

The Canada Company's prize for the best 25 bushels of fall
wheat was once awarded to Thos. Cullis, and the second award
was given six times to T. McEvers, the third y-rize three times
to T. McEvers and once to J. Cullis. We cannot ?!ay as to the
prizes for spring wheat, barlev, oats, peas and heans awarded to
residents of this township. Three gentlemen from this place
have been presidents of the Pn)vincial Association, viz., H.
Ruttan in 1849, John Wade in 1860- -the year the Prince of Wales
visited the exhibition, and A. A. Burnham in 1863.

For many years all our roads were such as could be kept by
statute labor, the soft places made of corduroy and the rest
graded with earth. The Quarter Sessions occasionally granted
a small sum to help bridge some large creek cr mend some very
bad place m the road. In 1825 this Court voted a grant of $200
to improve the road to Rice Lake. The highways, especially in
spring time, were ofteti in a very bad condition, in some cases
almost impassable, so it was necessary that something should be
done to improve them. In the year 1847, Acts of Parliament
were passed for the Cohourg and Port Hope uravel road, the Co-
bourg, Grafton and Colborne gravel road, and for the Cohourg
and Rice Lake plank and Ferry Company, and for the Balti-
more gravel road sometime afterwards. The Cohourg and Port
Hope gravel road was made in the summer of 1848. Toll was
first taken on this highway in October of that year and has been
exacted ever since. The Cobourg and Grafton road was planked
when first made, but as the plank soon wore out it was found
necessary to gravel it. The Cobourg and Rice Lake road was
at first planked to the bridge on the 3rd concession, the remain-
der was gravelled This highway, although there was a heavy
travel on it, never paid well, as it was costly to keep up and
there were many other adjacent roids .vhich could be travelled
in summer time and during the season of sleighing, and by doing

HISTOllY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

n growing
ouiity So-
d be con-
ibers than
>ty.

lels of fall
and award
iree times
,y as to the
awarded to
this place
I, viz., H.
ce of Wales

be kept by
id the rest
ally granted
d some very
rant of $200
especially in

some cases
VI should be

Pnrliament
■oad, the Cb-
the CoJxmrg
>r the Balti-
urg and Port
I Toll was
and has been

was planked
it was found
ike road was
, the remain-
! was a heavy
keep up and
1 be travelled
, and by doing

this the tolls were avoided. The Company finally abandoned it
in 1881. About the year 1847, the (iovernnient built a t>ravel
road from Port Hope to Bewdley. Ii touched the boundary
line between this township and Hope at the fourth concession
and run into this township at the tifth concession, reaching from
thereto Rice Lake. This road cost §29,527.50 Wliuu the
Counties gravel road was built, a part of the northern gravel
road was on tlie boundary between Hope anct Hamilton. There
is also a gravel road from the vilLige of Baltimore to the llaldi-
mand town line. Our Cou cil has always voted a large expend-
iture for the improvement of our roads and for building bridges,
and our highways are now mostly in good condition for common
roads.

The Upper Canada Legislative Council gave grants for much
needed roads and bridges in 1831, when $4160 was voted for
roads in the Newcastle district. Ihe grants relating to the
township of Hamilton were : — On the road leading from Cobourg
to Rice Lake, $300. Dr. John Gilchrist and John McCarty
were appointed commissioners to see the amount properly ex-
pended. On tlie road leading from Burns tavern in the town-
ship of Hamilton to the boundary line between Northurnberhmd
and Durham, $100, to be paid out under the direction of the
same commissioners. On the road from Stewart's Settlement to
Baltimore, $100; John Brisbin and John McCarty, commission-
ers. To cut down a hill and repair a bridge on a back road in
the township of Hamilton in the rear of Levi Bates' farm, $100 ;
Wm. Faulkner and Levi Bates acting as commissioners. On the
boundary line between Northumberland and Durham, $400;
Here, E. Perry, John Hall and John Huston were appointed
commissioners.

IMPORTED HORSES.

Our notice of the first introducers of iniprovea stock and
implements must necessarily be brief. There was no great im.
provement in our horses until the County Agricultural Society
brought in " Ploughboy," who left some good stock. The
Township Society also gave prizes to "King Alfred," "Rain-
bow," "Rockingham," and other horses. Robert Brown trav-
elled two good horses, " Sir Charles " and "Grey Highlander."

HISTORY OP HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

Jolin Mason travelled "Clyde Briton." Messrs. Underwood
owned two, *' Prince of Wales " and "Lord Byron" R. Cop-
land imported a tine Clydesdale horse, that was kept in the
township for some time. N. Orimshaw imported "Suffolk
Punuh." Many other residents imported and brought in a;ood
horses, which they travelled through the township.

<.ITTLK.

Robert Wade was the first to introduce the Durham breed
of cattle. "Forrester," a bull owned b^ him, was a fine ani-
mal and left some good stock. Ralph Wade, who was killed at
the DesJardines bridge accident brought in some fine stock. His
brother, John Wade, followed in his fatlier's steps, and the fam-
ily were long successful exhibitors at our local and provincial ex-
hibitions. George Roddick also imported some good Duihams,
and A. Alcorn and J. Pratt had small herds. Of late, W. West-
ington, C. & J. Carruthers, D. E. Boulton, H. Carruthers and
n)any others have bred herds of stock that have secured nifiny
awards at the Provincial Exhibitions. The first Devi^n bull was
introduced by T. Eyre and afterwards owned l)y J. Mason. When
in the latter's possession, this bull, " Billy," won many prizes,
both local and provincial. A. A. Brrnham, Wm , Mason and
Wm. Eagleson formerly owned herds of Devons, but S. Harper
has the only herd of them in the township at present. One of
his Devons carried off first prize for the best milch cow at the
Industrial Exhibition, Toronto. Robert Brown was the first
resident of the township to bring Ayrshirea, and as they were
successful, others soon got them. P. R. Wright was for a lor.g
time the largest breeder of them. He secured many prizes, lo-
cal and provincial, winning twice the herd award for Ayrshires
at the Provincial Fair. John Newton, J. Pratt and others own-
ed herds of this stock, but now M. C. Fox has probably the
largest herd of them i-. the township. Galloway cattle were
imported into Hamilton township in 1854 by Wm. Roddick.
They did not prove co be favorites with our agriculturists and
80 did not spread much. We think there are none of the breed
now in the township. Of late, Holsteins and Jerseys have been
brought in. Time will tell whether they will supersede all oth-
er stock or not.

.'.artiiim-iiiAj

HISTORY OP HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

nderwood
R. Cop-

5pt in the
"Suffolk

lit ill c;ood

lain breed
a fine ani-
is killed at
itock. His
id the fani-
ivincial ex-

Duihauis,

, W. West-
ruthers and
!ured many
on bull was
ason.When
lany prizes,
Mason and
t S. Harper
t. One of

cow at the
^as the first
s they were
18 for a loi.g
y prizes, lo-
jr Ayrshires
others own-
►robably the

cattle were
n. Roddick,
ilturists and
of the breed
ys have been
'sede all oth-

8hi:kp.

The common sheep in the township wore a very useful breed,
white faced, with fine rather sh(»rt wool, and when killed proved
to be in better condition than one would judge from tluMr ap-
pearance. The first to brin^ in an improved breed was Robert
Wade, who. , 1837, brought in the Teeswater class, and soon
afterward Wm . Brown imported some Leicesters. This was the
beginning of improvement in the township's stock of sheep.
George Roddick, R. Hume, A. Alcorn, P. R. Wright and Ralph
Wade also made importations of sheep, jirincipally Leicesters,
and many of our farmers still have flocks sprung from these. A
number of years after this, about 1854, Wm. Roddick brought
in some Cheviot sheep, these were not as popular as the Leices-
ters, although one or two of the residents of this township had
small flocks of them. We do not know of any pure Cheviots in .
the township now. Thomas Taylor imported some of the South- /i
d *< w«i variety, but this class did not seem to take well and con-
setpieiitly did not spread much throughout the township. The
fine-wooUed sheep seem to have never been favorites here. A,
A. Burnham used lo have a small flock of Southdowns, and we
think Wm. Eagleson had a flock. D. E. Boalton owned some
S!>ropshires.

There have never been any noted breeders of swine in Ham-
ilton township, although P. R. VVriglit has been the successful
exhibitor of some fine Suff''3lks at both the local and provincial
exhibitions. The breeds most common in the township are
Berkshires and Yorkshires, with their crosses.

Very little stock, except horses, were stabled before 1840,
but the great losses of stock by the severe winters of 1835 and
6, and again in 1843 and 4, turned the attention of farmers to
the advisability of providing better shelter for their stock. Now
cows, calves and feeding cattle are housed during winter.

IMFROl'ED IMPLEMENTS.

The first settlers in the township needed but few imple-
ments. An axe, a log-chain, a neck-yoke, a drag and a home-
made sled usually made up the list. But every year more acres

9uy<*

i!i:!

HISTORY OP HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

were cleared and made ready to crop, and soon other imple-
ments were needed beside these primitive ones, and waggons,
plough i, etc., had to be procured. At tirst all grain was cut
with the cradle, or if badly lodged, with tbe scythe or reaping
hook. The hay was cut with a scythe and rpked with a baud
rake. The first plough that came into use was the old Bull
plough with only one handle and a wooden mould board. These
clumsy implements were succeeded by iron ploughs — Lapfur-
rows, and many other kinds. The greatest improvement was
the substitution of steel for cast metal mould boards. These,
with steel or iron beams and wooden handles, are used on all our
ploughs now. Previous to the years 1832 and 3, all the thresh-
ing was done with the flail or by treading out with horses ar
cattle. In 1833 a small threshing machine began to travel
through the township. This machine was very inferior to the
ones now in use. It was driven by four horses and could hard-
ly ever thresh one hundred bushels of wheat in a day. Every
year after 1833 some new and improved thresher was brought
out. In the year 1843 a Pitts machine was brought in. This
was considered a great invention as it separated the straw from
the grain, and all threshing machines previously used in the
county, sent out the straw and grain together, necesaktatiny a
great amount of shaking and winnowing and plenty of barn
room. Soon after this a straw carrier, or stacker as they were
at first called, was attached to the threshing machines.

All grain was cut by hand until 1843, when Daniel McKyes
brought in a Hussey reaper, which we believe was the first reap-
er brought into this Province. This proved successful, and the
Messrs. Wjide brought in another of the same kind. In the
year 1847, several McCormick reapers were brought into the
tow ship, but th^ did not work well. In 1848, Mr. Helm of
Cobourg, began manufacturing reaping machines very similar to
the McCormick. About 1860 a great improvement was intro-
duced, and this was the self-raking reaper. Now nearly all our
grain is harvested by self-binders. We do not know who brought
the first of these machines into the township.

The mowing machine was several years later in coming into
use than the reaper. About 1850, John Wade brought in che

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP,

tlier imple-
d waggons,
aiii was cut
or reaping
with a hand
the old Bull
ard. These
hs — Lapfur-
venient was
ds. These,
ed on all our
1 the thresh-
th horses or
an to travel
iferior to the
i could hard-
day. Every
was brought
»ht in. This
le straw from
used in the
ecessktatin^ a
enty of bani
• as they were
nes.

aniel McKyes
the first reap-
issful, and the
ind. In the
ught into the
Mr. Helm of
;ery similar to
jnt was intro-
nearly all our
w who brought

in coming into
?irought in the

first one of these implements, a Ketchum mower. Those ma-
chines cut the hay well, but were clumsy and awkward to man-
age, although they were afterward improved . Many other var-
ieties of mowers were invented later and came into use.

Previous to the year 1840, all our hay was raked by hand,
but in that year the old revolving wooden horse rake was brought
in. A. Crawford had the first one of these rakes we ever saw.
It was a great labor-saver, and as the cost was small, they soon
came into use in the township.

Two-liorse cultivators came into use about 1854. Drill cul-
tivators were used some years earlier.

Although there had been some seed drills used, they never
came into general use until the Combined Broadcast Seeder and
Cultivator was introduced about the year 1872. These machines,
S(jme of which had drills attached, soon spread oyer the town-
ship and are now in general use.

The first turnip sted drill ever seen in the township was
made by ^ Burnet, Sr. , about 1837. It was used by the whole
neighborhood. -

The first silo in the township was built by Samuel Philip.

€IIEESK FA(TORIK!!l.

In the year 1864 or 5, the first cheese factory in the town-
ship was built by John Wade & Son. After working for several
years very successfully it was given up. The next building of
this kind was erected by James Benson iu 1867, in the 7th con-
cession. This factory, after being used ft»r some years, was sold
and removed. In 1872, the Baltimore cheese factory was start-
ed, and has continued work ng ever since. A factory was built
on lot 22, 7th concession, but only run for a few years. There
was another cheese factory built in the same concession, but af-
ter a time was removed to Coldspr.ngs, where i'f^till stands and is
running quite successfully. Stili aiother cheese faccary was
))uilt on lot 30 of the 2nd concossion, and is still in use.

There has never been a cre.imory in the township.

FAKMRRM* ClillB.

There has been a Farmers Club in the township for many
years. This society, which may fittingly be termed the nucleus

\ I

: li

i.'i

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

of our present Farmers' Institute, was tirst organized in the year
1845, chiefly through the insfrumentiility of Sheriff Ruttan. In
the year 1852 the club took a fresh start, and some of the papers
read to this society by Messrs. Wade, Huuie,^ Wright, Suther-
land and others, were widely copied at the time, and niiglit still
be read with profit. This club was sometimes (juite dormant,
then it would take lively starts and hold sonietnnes as many as
eight or ten meetings in a season

APPENDIX.

Among the earliest grantees of land in the Broken Front
and along the Lake Shore were : — Liberty White, Thos. Flem-
ming, Jfjseph Purdy, James Benson, Richard Bentvon, Asaket
Jerome, Rcmner Perry, Geo. Ash, Sr., Geo. Ash, Jr., Stan-
borough Stanchlitte, Nathaniel Herriman, Nathan Williaujs,
Elias Jones, Blind Nickersun, Janies McColl, John Eastman,
Jas. Small, Geo Chislom, Abner Stevens, Geo. Wolcott, Samuel
Ash, John A^aughan, Zaccheus Burnham, David Hamlin, Chas.
Shaw, John Burley, Asa Burnham, John Taylor, Christopher
Hagerman, Joseph Harris Those on the Ist concession were :
Samuel Parker, Wm. McKeague, Elijah Ketchum, John Wallis,
Eli Hull, Daniel Tubbs, Moses Martin, Daniel McKellyes, Aaron"
Greely, Christian Whitney, Robert MacDowell, Joseph Smades,
David Kerr, Humphrey (Jifford, Samuel Gifford, Abner Hager-
man. On the 2nd concession and further back, commencing at
the 2nd concession :— Andrew Johnstone, Samuel Purdy, John
Wilson, Charles Peters, Walter Wilson, Martin Rush, John Mc-
Carty, Robert Sherriff, Charles Shaw, James Fisher, Handen
Elsworth, Noah Dean, Daniel Haze, Nathaniel Hollenbeck, Asa
Callander, Paul Hayward, Thomas Goheen, Alesier Fisher,
Peter May bee, Richard Wilkinson, Lydia Baker (afterwards
Ferris), John Moneyean, Henry Rcdner, Richard Wilkinson,
Thomas Schofield, Widow Andersim, Timothy Thompson, John
Carscallen, Levi Barnum, Joel Culver, David Ferris, Banjamin
Dean, John Vanatco, Wm. Griftin, George Crookshanks, Daniel
K. Servos, Jeremiah Britton, Miles McDonald, Joshua Hicks,

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

Boltus Harris, Philip Reddick, Bernard Dyer, Martin Drader,
Garrett Dingman, Elizabeth Devoe, David Dulniage, Susannah
Dawson, Michael Kip; ler, Jane Oneit, Wni. Shepherd, David
Williams, Mrs. Danforth, Nancy Rogers, Samuel Farrington,
Catherine Edwards, Myndhert Harris, Samuel Sherwood, Alex.
Dutf, James Grant George Leith, Benjamin Nichols, Asa Brown,
Isaac Hagerman, Thomas Mallory, Sally Jones, Wni. Ranseer,
John Sharp, C. Bouchette, John Moore, John McLaughlin,
George Storing, John McDougall, Guy Carlton Wood, and
George Crookshanks — 120.

.IIISTICES OF THE PEACE.

Justices of the Peace of the Townshi[> of Hamilton in 182(»,
Cobourg included : — Wm. Faulk ener, Wm. Sowden, Archibald
McDonald, James G. Bethune, Elias Jones, Zaccheus Burnhani,
Robert Henry, John Spencer, Walter Boswell, and John Covert.

Justices of the Peace of the Township of Hamilton in 1855 :
Archibald McDonald, Willis McKyes, John C. Boswell, James
Philips, Angus Crawford, Thos. Page, Caleb R. TMallory, J(»hn
Wade, Austin B. Carpenter, John Creighton, Samuel Campbell,
Oliver Stanton, Geo. G. Boswell, William Burnett, Wm. G.
Strong, James A. Gilchrist, Peter McCallimi, Andraw Milne,
George Stephens, and Harris Burnham.

Justices of the Peace of the Towhship of Hamilton in 1897 :
Archibald Ainslie, Coldsprings ; John Bowman, Coldsprings ;
Richard Cullis, Camborne ; Thomas Cole, Plainville ; Richard
Henderson, Plainville; Alex. McLeod, Plainville; Charles Neil,
Plainville ; Wm. J. Westington, Plamville ; James Rosevear,
Port Hope.

MEMBERS OF DISTRICT lOIIM'Il FOR IIAMII.ro.\.

1842, 3 and 4 John Creighton ana Wm. Weller

1845 John Creighton and Joseph Phili[ia

1846 G. S. Boulton and Joseph Philips

1847, 8 and 9 John Creighton and Joseph Philips

1850 J< hn Creighton and A. B. Carpenter

HISTORY OF HAIMILTON TOWNSHIP.

h, I

! , f

[I'll

lilt!'

I j

iti:i:vi:!S ov ha:iiilto\.

ELECTED BY THE COUNCIL.

1850 A. B. Carpenter.

1851 John Creighton.

1852 Joseph Philips.

1853 Sidney Smith.

1854-6 J. B. Fortune.

1856-7-8 Joseph Pliilips.

1859 J.imes Staples.

1860 C. R. Malh)ry.

1861-2 Tames Benson.

1863 Th(.mas Grin»«haw.

1864 Allan Mcintosh.

1865-6 Charles Bourn.

ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE,

1867 Charles Bourn

1868-9 Richard Benson

1870-1-2 Walter Riddell

1873-4 J. a. Hagerman

1875-6 Peter Sidey

1877-8-9-80-1-2, WalterRiddell
1883-4-5-6,... A. R. Eagleson

1887 8-9 John Bowman

1890 Samuel Purser

1891 John Bowman

1892-3-4-5-6. .George Mitoiiell
1897 J C, Rosevear

DKFITY KKKTRS.

1850
1851

1852
1853
1854
1856
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1867

1868

1869

1870

1871

1873

1874

.'. John Creighton

John Wade

James B, Fortune

A. B, Car|)enter

5 Joseph Phillips

7 Richard Benson

Jaraea Staples

Allan Mcintosh

James Benson

James Staples

Charles Nichols

4-5-6 James Benson

Walter Riddell

James Benson
Truman McEvers

J, G. Hagerman
Truman McEvers

J, G. Hagerman
J. G, Ha£;erman

Truman McEvers

2 Truman McEvers

J.(t. Hagerman

Henry Lapp

John Henderson

Henry Lapp

Peter Sidey

1875...,

Henry Lapp

vVm. Eagleson

1876

. . .Robert Drope

J. G. Hagerman

1877-8-9-80-1 . . .J.G, Hagerman

A. R. Eagleson

1882

A. R. Eagleson

Robert Prooks

1883 4,,.

. . W. J. Westington

John Bowman

1885

, , . . JamPM Bfjitfv

Thos. Davidson

1886..,..

Thos. Davidson

John Bowman

1887-8,..

. . W. J, Westington

Samuel Purser

1889

Geort/p IVTif-pVipll

Samuel Purser

1890-1 , . ,

George Mitchell

J. C. Rosevear

1892-3...

. .John Bowman

W. J. Westington

1894-5-6..

... .J. C. Rosevear

J. L. Grosjean

1897

. ...J. L. Grosjean

James Davidson

HISTOUY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

PEOPLE.

les Bourn
rd Benson
ter Riddell
Hagerman
'eter Sidey
IterRiddell
I. Eagleson
ni Bowman
nuel Purser
m Bowman
•ge Mitchell
C. Rosevear

itxry Lapp
ni. Eagleson
rt Drope
. Hagerman
'j. Hagerman
R. Eagleson
K. Eagleson
>l)ert Prooks
. Westington
Bowman
mes Beatty
los. Davidson
los. Davidson
lin Bowman
, Westington
>el Purser
irge Mitchell
[luel Purser
orge Mitchell
C. Rosevear
I Bowman
r. Westington
C. Rosevear
L. Grosjean
L. Grosjean
ines Davidson

t'OI\<'ILLOKS.

1850 J. C. Phillips, Allan Mcintosh, John Wade

1851 Joseph Phillips, A. B. Carpenter, Allan Mcintosh

1852 Tohn Beatty, A. B. Carpenter, John Creit,'hton

1853 Joseph Phillips, Thomas Scott, John Rowe

1854 Sidney Smith, Wm. McDougall, John Rowe

1855. . . . A. S. Arnott (resit^ned), Richard Hcnson, Wil iaiu Mc-

Dougall, John Rowe.
185(i. . . . Willirtin McDougall (resigned), Wm. Peters, Truman

McEvers, Noble Brown.
1857 Wm. Peters, Allan Mcintosh, Noble Brown

1858 C. R. Mallory, Allan Mcintosh, Noble Brown

1859 C. R. Mallory, Harris Burnham, James Benson

1800 Joseph Hagerman, James Staples, John Henderson

18(U C. R. Mallory, Charles Nichols, John Henderson

1862 C. R. Mallory, James Staples, John Henderson

1863 Charles Nichols, James Staples, Allan Mcintosh

1864 Charles Nichols, James Staples, Charles Bourn

1865 Charles Nichols (resigned) J. G. Hagerman, John

Baptiste, John Henderson.
1866 John G. Hagerman, John Baptiste (never took his

seat, died), Wm. Mann, John Henderson.

1867 John Henderson, Robert Brooks, .James Benson

1868 Robert Brooks, Henry Lapp

1869 Wm. Eagleson, Henry Lapp

1870 71-72 Henry Lapp, John Cook

1873 Peter Sidey, Robert Brooks

1874 Robert Brooks, William Eagleson

1875-76 Robert Brooks, A. R. Eagleson

1877-78-79-80 John Bowman, Herbert Carruthers

1881 James Beatty, Robert Brook.

1882 James Beatty, John Bowman

1883 James Beatty, Thomas Davidson

^884 (iavin Boyd, Thomas Davidson

1885 Herbert Carruthers, James Smith

1886 Samuel Purser, James H. Rosevear

1887 George Farr, George Mitchell

1888-89 Join.' L. Grosjean, James H. Rosevear

(

I :

^ ->.

' '";

li] -

\ I

• !

- 4

■ ;

! ill

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

COUNCILLORS — CONTINUED .

1890 91 Thomas VV. Moore, Adam Watson

1892 John L. Grosjean, Thomas W. Moore

1893 John L. Grosjean, James Davidson

1894-95-96 Tames Davidson, David Arms rong

1897 David Armstrong, James Russell

ASSESSORS.

1850 David leaman.

1851. -D. Yoaman, D.Sidey, A.J.Burnham.

1852 David Yeaman.

1353 John CreighUin, Win. Richardson.

1854 John En^leson, A. J. Burnham,

James Sutherland.

1855-56-57 David Yeaman.

1858 Samuel Ash.

1859 60 David Yeaman.

1861-62 John S. Bates.

1863 John S. Bates.

1864 Joseph Hayden.

1865-66 David Yeaman.

1867 David Yeaman.

1868-69 70-71-72 A. R. Eagleson.

1873-74 A. R. Eagleson.

1875-76 William Hawkin.

1877-78-79-80-81-82 William Peters.

1883-84-85-86-87-88 James D. Stewart.

1889 John W^iliams.

1890 James D. Stewart.

1891 James D. Stewart.

1892-93-94-95-96-97 Robert Robertson.

POPIIIATION.

COLLECTORS.

Truman McEvers

Truman
Truman
Truman

McEvers
McEvers
McEvers

Matthew Eagleson

Matthew Eagleson
Truman McEvers
Truman McEvers
David Yeoman,
Truman McEvers
John Beatty.
Truman McEvers
David Side}'.
David Sidey.
George B. Nixon
George B. Nixon
James Benson.
James Benson.
James D Stewart
James Benson.
James Thompson
James Thompson

We give the number of the people in the Township for the five
cenjus from 1850 to 1891 : —

1850.
1861.
1871

,4502
.6315
.5721

1881.
1891,

.5155
.4313

\ ./

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

m Watson
W. Moore
} Dfividson
Anns rong
les Russell

LECTORS.

McEvers
MoEvers
McEvers
McEvers
w Eaglesoii

w Eagleson
McEvers
\\ McEvers
Yeoman,
ti McEvers
5eatty.
n McEvers
Sidey.
Sidey.

1 B. Nixon
! 13. Nixon
Benson.

Benson.

D Stewart

Benson.
Thompson
Thompson

for the five

,5155
.4313

POPULATION — CONTINUED.

In the census of 1891, No. of families, 872; No. of houses,
869. Houses of wood, 624 ; of one storey, 692. Houses of
brick, 217 ; two stories, 172. Houses of stone, 28 ; three
stories, 5. Houses with tive rooms and under, 258 ; over five
rooms, 611. Houses uninhabited, 59 ; houses building, 2.

BY RELIGIONS, 1891.

Roman Catholic 361

Church of England.... 599

Presbyterian 1247

Methodist 1691

Bible Christian 2

Baptist,60; FreeWill 24 84

Congregational 277

Quakers 6

Salvation Army 7

Not Specified 39

BY ORIOINS,

African

1881.

Dutch 3

English 1939

French 66

German 163

Irish 1882

Scotch 1042

Welsh 12

Italian 5

All others 29

Total 4313 Total 5155

The census gives the people by origins only by counties- -
have copied from the 1881 census.

Males 2186 Married 1388

Females 2127 Widowed 203

Single 2722

4313

TOTAL ACRES, 1891.

Under Crop 44880

Under Pasture 9855

Wood Lands 6036

(xarden and Orchards . . 1309

62080

Acres Improved 56044

TOTAL OCCUPIERS OF LAND.

Owners 587

Tenants 238

Occupants 8

833

Occupying 10 ac. & under . 323

50 •* 95

*' 101 *♦ 174

*' 201 '' 194

" over 201 acres .. . 47

833

■M

■ ■ill HI II

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

!iJr '

KTOt'K IS HAMILTON TO^XililllP.

1827 1847 1851 18(J1 1871 1881 1891

Horsos .

. 211 767 1251
. 1139 1864 2871

2237

4477

2087
4952

2035
3651

2234

Cattle.

3610

Slieop.

....

. . . .

4478

6212

()483

3584

2091

Pigs . . .

. . . .

2611

3589

2420

1249

15<)5

- C(.l

)(>urg

was

included in 1827.

In 1826 the riorth half of the township was occupied, and
little more than one-eighth cleared, viz., 8091^ acres. In 1847
about one-third of the township was cleared, viz., 20719 acres.
In 1826 the rateable property was valued at 899231 ; In 1847 at
.^185288 ; In 1850 at .^225621.

Through the courtesy of Mr. F. Field, Registrar, Cobourg,
we are enabled to give the names of a few of the first patentees
and the lots of land they i)atented :■ —

LOT

Joseph Ash 31

Charles IShaw 24

Also Lots 14 and 16,Con. 1. In 1814, C.

Shaw conveyed Lot 14, Con. A, to IJenj.

Nichols. Part of it is now occupied by

his yreat grand son.
Martin Rush ,

1798.
17»8.

(.'ON.

2
A

1801.
1801.
1801.
1801.
1802.
1802.
1802.
1802.
1802.
1802.
1802.
1802.
1802.
1803.
180.?.
1803.
1803.
1803.
1804.
1804.

, 29

Frederick Tubbs '. 10

David Kerr 26

Robert VVinklnson (or Wilkinson) 6

Mary Taylor 4

James Fisher 7

(ieorge Ash, Sr 12

(ieorge Ash, Jr 13

Peter Harsh 32

James Ash 12

Stephen Tuttle 17

Moses Martin 18

Aaron Greeley 21

Samuel Gifford 30

Lidia Ferris (prev.ously Lidia Baker) 7

Isaac llagerman 29

Ciiarles Kind 12,13,14

Abraham Hagerman 33

Thomas Mallory 6

Humphrey (lifford 27

1808. William McKague 3

1808. Asahal Jerome 7

2
1
1
3
2
2
B
B
A
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
A
1
2
1
1
A

HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOM'NSHIP.

1881 1891

2035 2234

ii()51 3f)10

3584 2091

1249 15(55

jupied, and

In 1847

10719 acres.

In 1847 at

-, Cobourg,
it patentees

LOT. (.'ON.

31 2

24 A

13,14

. 3

. 7

FltODIICTH OF HAMILTOIV TOW\!milP.

We give the products of the Township as far as we have

))een able to procure thetn for 1850, 18H1 and 1871. In the
census returns f r 1871, 1881 and 1891, many of the items are
i/iven by counties and not l)y townships.

1850 1861 1871

Fall VV heat )H,i..^.q ^2728 21062

S[)ring Wheat / ' ^"' ^ 153148 84243

Barley 5724 7')96 62589

Oats : 46883 102693 76605

Bye 5762 2168 1368

Peas 20125 79279 64093

Buckwheat 877 1831 1941

Indian Corn 12005 11726 7667

Beans 667

Potatoes 76229 84215 100300

Turnips 36189 146046 230352

Carrots 2877 / o««>o

Mangold Wurtzels 1835 25929 \ ^^^^^^

Clover and Timothy Seed 254 2231

Hops, pounds of 437

Hay, tons of 4599 4544 9052

Maple Sugar, pounds of 11303 2890

Cider, gallons of 5356

Wool, pounds of 14785 28461

Fulled Cloth, yards of 1629

Flannel, yards of 5443 '

Linen, yards of 13

Flax and Hemp, pounds of 14829

Batter, pounds of 21584 108692

Cheese, pounds of 24080 32301

Beef, barrels of 956

Pork, barrels of 2219

Pleasure Carriages 690