F 1059 HHMHM ■ 1 ^HH HUH -I HI _H B I I Hi Ml Duff ■ ■ I nanam mm ^. ^ ,v> %,. V . \i\'s J* > (V 5 *\V ^ x ^. >>' * *G_ ■ tv V '/ oV $% ^ bo* o G A* x 00 - * 8 1 ^ ?; '/% t'% /^ / • A SKETCH OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT PROGRESS OF He Iflwn d 1 ettrtiwiitjjfc, AND OP EACH TOWNSHIP IN' THK COUNTY OF PETERBOROUGH V- Y BY THOMAS W. POOLE. M. D. ■J << <^>* c PETERBOROUGH, C. W. Printed at the Offiee of the Peterborough Review, 1867. T 0? s DEDICATION The following page? are respectfully dedicated to the Warden and Members of the County Council of Peterborough, by The Author. Peterborough, January 2nd, 1867. PREFACE. The writer of the following pages has had in view the collection and preservation of reminiscences of the early days when the town and county of Peterborough were first settled. This portion of the task seemed incom- plete, without a summary of leading events in town and county to the present time. He has endeavoured to approach the subject as impartially, and to record the facts as accurately as possible. The events or the earlier years were gathered from such of the first settlers as still survive, and although, as might be expected, slight discrepancies were sometimes found in the recollections of these different observers, these were only upon minor matters of trifling import ; so that the general details may be relied on as correct. For the events of later years, and especially since 1845, printed and official documents have been to some extent available ; but it is to be regretted that in none of our public offices has much attention been shewn to preserve and hand down to futurity, current and evanescent records of the time, which will, by and by, be of rare value and historic interest. Whether the facts here recorded (most of them for the first time) were of sufficient interest and importance to justify their collection in permanent form ; and whether the task has bern accomplished in a proper and worthy manner, must be left to the public to decide; to whom it is now offered, to be judged upon its merits. Peterborough, January 2nd, 1867. A C KNOWLEDGE ME NT. The Author of this little work herewith returns his best thanks and grateful acknowledgements to the numerous persons, both in town and county, who have kindly and gratuitously assisted him, by contributions of facts and incidents, oral, written, or printed, on which the following pages are chiefly based, and without which he would have been unable to accomplish his task. The very enumeration of the names of the persons to whom he is thus under obligation, would be a formidable task ; and he begs of them, one and all, to accept this general acknowledgement of his gratitude for the services they have so cheerfully and promptly rendered. Peterborough. January 2nd. 1867. C NTEN T S . Chapter L — A Pioneer < 'hapter Page 1. II. — The Immigration of 1825 3. III.— The Town of Peterborough 13. IV. — A Governor's Visit 19. V. — Progress and Development 23. VI.— The Peterborough Militia of 1837-8 29. VII. — Trainings and Elections 38. VIII. — Erection of Court House and Jail 42. IX. — (]). A Satirical Production. (2). Another Immigration. (3). The Election of 1841 46. X.— The New Colborne District 50. XL — Schools and County Superintendents 54. XII. — Miscellaneous 59. XIII. — The Town Incorporated — Progress 65. XIV. — The Prince of Wales in Peterborough 73. XV.— Miscellaneous 80. XVI.— The Railroad Era 85. XVII.— The Lumber Trade 92. XVIII.— (1). Population. (2). Manufactures. (3). Trade and Merchandize 97. XIX. — (1) The Banks of Peterborough. (2) The Churches of Peterborough. (3). The Schools of Peterborough. 106. XX. — (] ) Summary of Legislative Council Elections. (2) Sum- mary of Legislative Assembly Elections. (3) Wardens for the County. (4) Mayors, Reeves, Clerks and Treasurers of Peterborough. (5) Justices of the Peace for Peterborough. (6) Coroners, Assessors, Collectors. &c. (7) Reeves and Justices of the Peace for Ashburnham 118. VTTI. CONTENTS— Continued. XXI.-— The Township of Smith Page 123. XXE .—The Township of Otonabee 132. XXII J .—The Township of Douro 146. XXIV.— The Township of Asphodel 158. XXV.— The Township o\' Dummer 167. XXVI. — The Townships of Belmont and Methuen L80. XXVn.— The Township of Monaghan 1 83. XXVIII.— The Township of Ennismore ' 186. XXIX.— The Township of Harvey • 191. XXX. — The New Townships : including Gal way, Snowden, Min- den, Stanhope, and the Lands of the Canadian Land and Emigration Company, 198. XXXI, — The Burleigh Eoad and the Townships of Burleigh. • Chandos, Anstruther. &c 208. XXXIL— The Indian Tribes of the County 213. XXXIII. — Our Brave Volunteers : Lists of Officers and Privates of the several Peterboro' Companies who rushed to arms to repel invasion in June, I860. Other Volunteer Companies since organized, — Peterborough Infantry Company No. 2 : Norwood Infantry Company, Hastings Infantry Company, and Springville Infantry Company. 216. A SKETCH OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT PROGRESS OF Utr Iowa 0f §*t**&0*0tt0ft, AND EACH TOWNSHIP TN THE COUNTY OF PETERBOROUGH. CHAPTER I. A PIONEER CHAPTER. Prior to the year 1818, that portion of Canada now known as the flourishing County of Peterborough, was covered by an unbroken forest in which the settler's axe had never echoed, and where, save the homeless Indian or the adventurous hunter, the foot of man had scarcely pene trated. * In that year, a small body of emigrants sailed from England, some of whom, braving the perils of the bush, found their way into the township of Smith, then but recently surveyed. This was in the Autumn of 1818 ■ the pioneers finding an inlet by way of Rice Lake and the Otonabee river', for as yet, and for long after, there was no semblance of a road through the wooded wilderness stretching away between the frontier settlements and their new home. The merit of the first settlement in the county belongs to the. township of Smith, and in connection with that township, in a future page, will be found the names of those brave men, and such account as we have been able to gather, of the incidents, difficulties and privations attending their early settlement in the bush. In May 181'9, a party of gentlemen from " the front ' ; came up the Otonabee in a skiff, for the purpose of. selecting a mill site, and otherwise "prospecting 5 ' in the new townships, These were Charles Fothergill, Esq., at one time M. P. P. for Durham, Thomas Ward, Esq., of Port Hope, Clerk of the Peace for the District, John Farrelly, Surveyor, Adam Scott, Millwright, and Barnabas Bletcher, Mr. John Edmison, now of Smith, then an intending settler, who had already drawn a lot of land at hazard, accompanied them, They landed just above Spaulding's bay, at a spot which was afterwards a-steamboat landing, and near the site in after years of the steam saw mill of Messrs. Shaw and Fortune, the chimney of which alone is now standing. Scott here discharged his gun, and then by means of the flint of the lock a fire was kindled, the party assisting in gathering wood for the purpose. After a lunch, which sufficed for supper, they lay down around the fire, beneath the spreading branches of the trees and slept. Next morning Edmison and Ward started for Mud Lake, following the blaze on the trees along the communication line, and sharing the meals of some of the settlers of the previous year. Ward was the owner of the land comprising the site of the present village of Bridgenorth ; and having accomplished their object, they returned to the scene of their open air encampment, Here the other prospecting party were found in good spirits, and discussing the project for a future mill. By damming up the creek which still traverses the site of the Town, and conveying the water along a short excavation to the steep bank of the Otonabee river, an eligible mill-site would be obtained, and at a trifling cost compared with the expense of attempting to control the rapidly descending waters of the Otonabee, at any point in the neighborhood, Well pleased with the results of this exploration visit, the party passed down the river, and across Rice Lake on the same evening. The little piece of engineering thus projected was successfully carried out, and in about two years Mr. Adam Scott had a small saw and grist mill in opera- tion under one roof, The same water privilege is still in use, though turned to much better account ji the large frame mill in active operation on the corner of King and Wa|&| streets. Further reference will be made to this first mill, which, though neces- sarily a small structure, and the machinery imperfect, was nevertheless a great boon to the early settlers. A reference to the first settlers in their several localities will be made as our task progresses. A cursory allusion to the settlement in Smith seemed necessary here, in order to preserve in the reader's mind the relative date of events which occurred prior to the survey or settlement of the Town, or the advent of the Immigration of 1825, to which we now ad- dress ourselves, CHAPTER II THE IMMIGRATION OF 1825. Not only was the Town of Peterborough without a single inhabitant in the Spring of 1825, save Mr. Scott, the proprietor of the mill and a workman or two who assisted him, but the settlers in the adjoining town- ships were few, and their prospects far from encouraging. Two families only were settled in Douro, those of -Robert Reid, Esq., and the Honble Thos. Alex. Stewart, afterwards a life member of the Legislative Council of Upper Canada. Besides the little colony in Smith already referred to, a few adventurous settlers had found their way into Otonabee, Aspho- del, Monaghan and Emily, but very little land had been brought into cultivation. The country languished and many even of the best settlers felt despondent as to the prospects of the future.* Up till this period the entire number of settlers occupying the town- ships north of Rice Lake did not exceed five hundred.f During the autumn of that year a large accession was made to their numbers by an Emigration on an extensive scale chiefly from the south of Ireland, con- ducted by the Honble Peter Robinson, under the auspices of the British government, which greatly conduced to the speedy settlement and improve ment of the country 4 Four hundred and fifteen families availed them- selves of the advantages thus afforded them, comprising in all 2,024 souls. || *Capt. Rubidge's Evidence before the Committee of the Brit. Par,— 1847. Question 2653. fCapt. Rubidge's evidence before the Imperial Emigration Committf e in 1847, as quoted m * pamphlet " Ireland and Canada," by Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, Bart , (?.' C. H. Page 41. JCapt, Rubidge's evidence 1847. Question 2.665. il Horton's '■ Ireland and Canada." Page 34. 2* J' The ships laden with the emigrants sailed from Cork in May, 1825, and after a very speedy passage, in only one case exceeding 31 days, arrived at Quebec, from whence they were immediately forwarded to Kingston. Here they remained for nearly two weeks, mostly in tents, and owing to the intense heat of the season many of them suffering from fever and ague. Mr. Robinson in the meantime had sailed from Liver- pool to New York, and proceeded from thence to Toronto by way of Niagara.* We mention this as illustrating the round about manner of reaching the capital of Canada from Great Britain in those days, compared with the direct routes and expedition of the present time. Having procured from the Surveyor General such information as he could, in reference to the lands he was about to settle, he proceeded to Cobourg and thence to Peterborough, or " Scott's plains " as it was then called, and spent six days in exploring the townships, aided by Mr., after- wards Colonel, McDonell, whom he describes as u an intelligent and respect- able young man well acquainted with the country." In the minutes of his evidence taken before the Emigration Committee in London in 1827,f we find the following narrative of subsequent events : — " On the 11th August," said Mr. Robinson, "I embarked five hundred on board of a steam-boat, and landed them the next day at Cobourg on Lake Ontario, a distance of one hundred miles ; the remainder of the settlers were brought up in the same manner, the boat making a trip each week. Our route from Cobourg to Smith, at the head of the Otonabee River, lay through a country as yet very thinly inhabited ; the road leading from Lake Ontario to the Rice Lake (12 miles) hardly passable, and the Otonabee River in many places very rapid, and, the water much lower than it had been known for many years. The first thing I did was to repair the road, so that loaded wag- gons might pass ; and in this work I received every assistance from the magistrates of the District, who gave me fifty pounds from the District funds ; and this sum, together with the labor of our people, enabled me to improve the road in ten days so much that our provisions and baggage could be sent across with ease, and three large boats were transported on wheels from Lake Ontario to the Rice Lake. The Otonabee River is navigable for twenty-five miles, although in many places it is very rapid, and at this season there was not water enough to float a boat of the ordinary construction over some of the shoals. To remedy this difficulty, * Mr. Robinson's evidence before Select Committee of the Imperial Parliament. Third Report 1821. Page 346. t Third Report 01 Select Committee, 1827. Page 346. I had a boat built of such dimensions as I thought might best answer to ascend the rapids, and had her completed in eight days. So much de- pended upon the success of this experiment that I felt great anxiety until the trial was made ; and I cannot express the happiness I felt at finding that nothing could more fully have answered our purposes, and this boat, sixty feet in length and eight feet wide, carrying an immense burthen, could be more easily worked up the stream, than one of half the size carrying comparatively nothing. Now that I had opened the way to the depot at the head of the river, there was no other difficulty to surmount than that which arose from the prevailing sickness, the fever and ague, which at this time was as common among the old settlers as ourselves. The first party I ascended the river with consisted of twenty men of the country, hired as axe-men , and thirty of the healthiest of the settlers ; not one of these men escaped the ague and fever, and two died." The boat alluded to was flat bottomed, and was propelled by several oars at each side. It would carry between twenty and thirty persons with a lar^e amount of lufjcraee, and. with hard work, the distance from Gore's landing to " Scott's plains" could be made in a day. The landing place was that before mentioned, just above Spaulding's Bay, and at the spot afterwards used as a steamboat landing. Immediately on arriving here with their slender store of worldly goods, the immigrants set about constructing rude huts or wigwams, composed of slabs, bark, or the branches of trees, and sods, to shelter them from the weather during the interval which must elapse before they could be located upon their lands in the neighboring Townships. As one boat load after another was discharged upon the landing, and the crowd of immigrants in- creased, the " plains" began to present a lively and animated appearance. The temporary huts were dotted here and there in groups, or singly, as the attraction of acquaintance or the facilities of shelter offered, while the bustle consequent upon landing and the details of perfecting the arrangements, and above all, the novelty of the present, and the uncertainty of the future, must have deeply impressed the minds of the more thoughtful and observ- ing as they gazed upon the scene. The buildings erected by Mr. Robinson on his arrival, to serve as a residence for himself, his clerks and servants, as well as those used as store- houses and offices, will be referred to hereafter, and described, both as to their appearance and location, in the chapter treating more especially of the early settlement of the Town of Peterborough. Among those who assisted Mr. Robinson in dispensing the Government rations was Wesley Ritchie and Captain John Armstrong, who subsequent- ly settled in Douro. These rations consisted of one pound of pork and one pound of flour for each person over 14 years of age, half a pound of these to children between five and 11 years. A pound of meat and flour was also allowed to every four children under five years of age,™ a description of food to which they were unaccustomed, which more than supplied their wants, and the surplus of which was not unfrequently exchanged for whis- key or other less injurious commodities. These rations were continued for a period of 18 months,* the chief portion of the provisions having to be brougnt in from Cobourg and elsewhere along the frontier. The task of locating the emigrants, Mr. Robinson speaks of as " by far the most troublesome and laborious part of the service." In this he was ably assisted by Mr. Alexander McDonell, (subsequently Colonel of Militia) Mr. John Smith, and by Capt. Rubidge, R. N., who in 1819 had settled in Otonabce, nine miles south of Peterboro'. The latter gave his services gratuitously, and rendered efficient aid in locating the immigrants in Oton- abee, and subsequently conducted two later immigrations on a smaller scale, to which reference will be made hereafter. The plan adopted was to send out the immigrants in groups, accompanied by one or more guides, to examine the land and choose their locations. One hundred acres of land was allotted to each family of five persons, and a lot having been chosen was set down in the name of the head of the family. In some instances, even the sons, if they were grown up and of a certain age, received 100 acres of land also.f Contracts were then let by Mr. Robinson, to former settlers and others to erect a shanty upon each lot, at an average cost of $10 each J ; roads were hastily cut through the forest, and a few oxen and horse teams purchased by Mr. Robinson to transport the immigrants and their luggage to their new homes. The greater number of oxen and horse teams engaged in this work, however, belonged to old settlers south of Rice Lake, hired for this purpose, and brought up through the bush in the best way they could. A great deal of expense and incon- venience might have been spared, as Capt. Rubidge pointed out in his evidence before the select committee of the British Parliament in 1847, had roads been previously cut, and houses of accommodation provided at *Capt. Rubidge's evidence before the Imperial Emigration Committee, 1847 Question 2675. flbid. Question 2672. +Capt. Rubidge— Report of select committee. 1847. Page 283 7 several points. But all these requirements had to be provided simultane- ously, and at a time when provisions were unusually dear. With the exception of a few families who remained in Peterborough, (or rather on " Scott's plains," as it was still called) during the winter, the entire number of immigrants were located on their lands during the Autumn of 1825. Each family was then supplied with a cow, an axe, an auger, a handsaw, a hammer, 100 nails, 2 gimlets, 3 hoes, 1 kettle, 1 frying pan, 1 iron pot, 5 bushels of seed potatoes, and 8 quarts of Indian Corn, But though these poor immigrants were thus provided for in a manner which would now be considered more than sufficient for their necessities, they had still difficulties and discouragements enough to overcome. Fif- teen of their number had died during the passage to Quebec, and eighty- seven more after their arrival in Canada, up to March, 1826. That scourge of the early settler, fever and ague, assailed them almost from the moment they arrived in the country, and many strong hearts were unnerved, and vigorous forms prostrated, by it during the first few seasons. Scarcely a family escaped, and sometimes the entire household shook for months, till they were hardly able to hand each other a drink of water. Eleven funerals from the immigrants took place in Kingston in a single day, where dysentery was combined with fever, and a number of families were detained at Co- bourg from the same cause, till nearly every family had to mourn its dead. In the remoter settlements, where medical aid could not be procured, the most loathsome draughts were used, in order, if possible, to mitigate the disease, but as clearances were made, and dampness eliminated from the soil, its effects diminished, till of late years, except in localities peculiarly favor- able for its production, it is comparatively rare. The total number of these immigrants and their families is shewn as follows* : — Embarked at Cork in May, 1825. 2,024 Joined in Canada 12 Born do. up to March 15, 1826 33 Total 2,069 A surgeon of the Royal Navy was on board of each ship, and accom- panied the immigrants to their destination. Among these were the late Dr. Connin, Dr. Reade, and others whose names we have not learned. ♦Appendix to Report of Select Committee of British Parliament, 1827, P. 293. The following tabular statement oompiled from official sources, -will be found interesting : — Men WomnChild'n Total Located in Newcastle District.. do Bathurst with friends at Quebec do do Montreal do Kingston Absent without Canada 621 15 o 9 "Die-:". . 1 9 t'SO 745 512 15 55 _ - 1 2 12 11 4 15 39 The immigrants were, not unnaturally, regarded at first with coldness and distrust by the previous set: 1 it has been said of them that, while their rations lasted, they contented themselves in idleness and sloth, and put forth I rions necessary to pc mmeneing life in a country, when compelled to do so by the cutting off of their suj j - But lis calumny is sufficiently shewn by the official return- vroduets of their first year's lab which were cohv Robinson, and their correctness vouched for by him to the Emigre Cownittee before referred to These are shewn to be a- - — — — ; 7 na^ri v-r~ z _^ ■ ■ x ■£ Ejs - a i e - — - : : zr - o c , - z • 1 -! *j - < - ~ — - : . - - 1**' ; _ > ' - c o Douro --' $251 - "■ .... 1159 i 11 - list 1550 ' 21 Otandbee 51 1419 1 13 11 Kmilv 1 1 1 : --_ 44^ _- 1 a 3 ~ — 2 •Third Report of the Erayratxw Co—iini i . BnaA Piriimcai. !S-~ Pag* 431. £3,389 19 640 11 6 1,395 16 3 828 151 2 4 280 360 124 10 9 The early industry of the immigrant settlers will further appear from the following : — ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE PRODUCE OF THE LABOR OF THE IMMIGRANTS OF 1825, ON THE 24TH NOVEMBER, 1826. 1386-J acres of Land cleared and fenced at £4 per acre £5,548 67,799 bushels of Potatoes, at Is. 25,623 bushels of Turnips, at 6d, 10.438 bushels of Indian Corn, at 2s. 6d. 363J acres of Wheat, sown in the autumn of 1826, at £2 per acre, 9,067 lbs. of Maple Sugar, at 4d. 40 Oxen, purchased by their labour, at £7 each 80 Cows, ditto, ditto, at £4 10s. eacli 166 Hogs, ditto, ditto, at 15s. each Total, Halifax Currency £12,524 19 An attack was made upon the loyalty and patriotism of the immigrants in the Colonial Advocate, of December 8th, 1826, a newspaper then published at York (Toronto) by the late William Lyon Mackenzie, which furnished the occasion not only for a triumphant vindication of their character in this respect, but also for the most ample assurances of their general good character and amiable deportment. The following was the paragraph which appeared in the Advocate : — " Mr. Robinson's Irish Settlers. — We have information which may be depended upon, stating that these people have an ardent desire to go to the United States, and that they frequently desert. No less than thirty of them decamped lately in one night. To how much more useful a purpose might £30,000 have been expended than in recruiting in Ireland for the United States soldiers by Canadian Councillors !" Prompt and satisfactory denials of the truth of this slander were at once published, and are still to be found in the printed documents relating to this emigration. Two of these were immediately forwarded to the Weekly Register, a London Journal, for insertion, the first by Thomas T. Orton, Esq., of the " Land Register Office," Port Hope, and the second by James Pitzgibbon, Esq., of York. In the communication of the latter the following paragraph occurs : — " When it is considered that some of these settlers are mechanics, and 3 10 all of them utter strangers to the forests of America, that the men and women could find employment and good wage3 every where between the settlement and New York City, it is only to be wondered at, that many of them have not spread themselves over these Provinces and the neigh- boring States. This, however, they have not done, nor have I learned (during a recent visit to them) that they have done any other act since their arrival amongst us, for which I or any other countryman of their's need blush." * LETTER FROM HON. THOMAS A. STEWART, M. L. C, OF DOURO. The following is a copy of a published letterf to the Rev. James Crowley, a Roman Catholic Clergyman, from the Hon. Thomas Alexander Stewart, who is described as " a very respectable gentleman, and a magistrate, residing in the midst of the Irish Immigrants " : — To the Rev. Mr. Crowley : Douro, January 20th, 1826. Dear Sir : — I beg to transmit the following statement. Some days ago I perused a paragraph in the Colonial Advocate relating to Mr. Robinson's Immigrants, stating that thirty had left this in one night and gone to the United States, and that the rest were inclined to go also. This I conceive to be entirely false and without foundation. I am here living in the very midst of them ; from twenty to thirty pass my door almost every day. I visit the camp every week, and at all times I take an opportunity of conversing with them on their affairs. I have always found them satisfied and happy. Some of them have told me with tears in their eyes that they never knew what happiness was until now. In general they are making great exertions in clearing land, and the exertions have astonished many of the old settlers. I conceive that this is in gen- eral owing to the great care Mr. Robinson has shown in regard to their complaints, and studying their wants. Not one complaint has there been against them by any of the old settlers, and it is the general opinion that where so large a body of people are brought together none could conduct themselves better. When we heard of their coming among us we did not like the idea,' and immediately began to think it necessary to put bolts and bars on our doors and windows ; all these fears have vanished. These fears I must acknowledge were in consequence of stories that were circu- lated before their arrival in this part, which have all turned out to be * Appendix to Report of Select Committee, Brit. Par., 1826. Page 286. t Ibid. Page 287. 11 equally false with those of the Colonial Advocate. Mr. Robinson has also been particularly fortunate in his choice in the Medical Department, as the care, humanity and great attention shewn by Dr. Reade could not be exceeded. I could say much more but the fact will speak for itself." (Signed,) THOMAS ALEX. STEWART. We cannot conclude this cursory sketch of the chief incidents connected with the location of the immigrants of 1825, without at the same time placing on record the zeal and ability with which the Hon. Peter Robinson conducted the immigration with which he was entrusted, and the uniform kindness and attention to the wants and necessities of the families under his charge. That he was respected and beloved by those towards whom he had a difficult and trying duty to perform, is prominently shown not only by their public expressions at the time, but also by the grateful recol- lections they still cherish, and the reminiscences they still repeat, embody- ing similar sentiments. So impressed were the Emigration committee of the British Parliament with Mr. Robinson's success that they " expressed their sense of the zeal, ability and discretion " with which he effected the location of the two bodies of Emigrants in 1823 and 1825,* the former having been directed towards the Bathurst, and the latter to the Newcastle District. But we are not without other witnesses to the truth of this statement. About the year 1830, Mr. John Richards was sent out by the British Government as a commissioner ." to enquire into the circumstances of the Emigrants who went out in 1823 and 1825," and in a letter to Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, Bart., dated London, March 1st, 1831, among other things he states : "I was two or three days at Peterborough, during which time, perhaps, thirty or forty settlers, and some with their families, came in to see Mr. Robinson, and the manner in which they met him was quite affecting ; it was more to bless him as a benefactor than to receive him as a visitor."f The statement thus made was confirmed by Captain Rubidge, R. N., in evidence offered in 1838, in reply to questions propounded by Sir R. W. Horton. Such testimony, from such a source, must have been highly gratifying to Mr. Robinson, to his brother Sir John B. Robinson, late Chief Justice of Upper Canada, as well as to his numerous friends both in England and Canada. - * Sir R. W. Horton's "Ireland and Canade." London, 183tt. Page 36. f Sjv R. W. Horton's "Ireland and Canada," paa-e 22. 3* 12 The difficulties of the immigrants when once located on their lands were common to those of other settlers in the bush, and these will be referred to hereafter in the proper place. But there are doubtless many other in- cidents and reminiscences specially relating to the immigration, which, at this remote period of writing, and in the absence of personal knowledge on the part of the writer, or of documentary evidence set down by others at the time, cannot now be recalled. It was remarked by Capt. Rubidge in 1847, in his evidence already referred to, and the statement is fully borne out by subsequent observa- tion, that the immigrants improved most rapidly, and were more prosper- ous in townships in which they were intermingled with English and Scotch settlers, (as in Otonabee for instance) than in others almost exclusively occupied by themselves.* Whatever opinions may now be entertained as to the relative advan- tages, ultimately, to a section of country settled by immigrants to whom free grants of land are necessarily accorded, compared with other portions where a certain amount of capital is possessed, and the lands are purchased by the intending settler, there can be no doubt but that the immigration of 1825 to the Newcastle District, gave a great impetus to the settlement of this county, and laid the foundation of that material progress and prosperity of which we are now so justly proud. In confirmation of this statement, if such be necessary, we refer again to the evidence of Capt. Rubidge before the Committee of the British Parliament. In reply to the question, " In what way did the Emigration of 1825, under the super- intendence of the Hon. Peter Robinson, affect your township, (Otonabee) as well as others on the North side of Rice Lake ?"— -Capt. Rubidge re- plied : — " We all felt highly indebted to the British Government, who, by plant- ing these Emigrants amongst us, encouraged us to cast aside our despon- dency, and ensured to us brighter prospects. Upwards of 2000 souls were added to our population j an excellent Mill was built at the expense of the Government, since bought by private individuals ; leading roads Avere cut out in all directions and a steamboat in operation. Where at that time one old house stood, the Town of Peterborough grew up as if by magic, and it now (1838) contains two churches, two meeting houses, probably 150 houses, and 900 inhabitants. Speculators flocked to the * Minutes of Evidence before ihe Select Committee* &c, 1847. Qu«s 26SO. 13 neighboring townships in all directions, mills were built — stores opened — and life, bustle and civilization went on with spirit. Had it not been for this fortuitous accession of population we must have dragged on a lethargic existence with doubtful prospects of improvement."* CHAPTER III. THE TOWN OF PETERBOROUGH. A reserve was made in the survey of the township of North Monaghan in 1818, for the site of the future town of Peterborough ; but it was not until 1825 that the Town plot was laid out by actual survey, by Richard Birdsall, Esq., Surveyor, under the direction of the Hon. Zaccheus Burn- ham, to whom this task, together with the survey of some of the neigh- boring townships had been assigned. At that time, the future importance of the place was no doubt dimly foreshadowed in the minds of a few far- seeing men ; but the prospect of a town ever being built, or indeed any- thing more than a mill, and perhaps a store, in what seemed so remote a situation, was regarded as incredible, and was scarcely seriously enter- tained among the settlers in the adjoining wilderness. In the Spring of 1825, the site of the Town was still in a state of nature. The ground west of the creek was densely wooded with a heavy growth of pine, interspersed with beech and maple ; while between that stream and the Otonabee river, the character of the soil was that known as " plains," and the trees were of stunted oak and scrubby pine, inter- spersed with smaller brush-wood and occasional grassy spots, some of which bore traces of the Indian's camp or the hunter's solitary fire. As seen now, the site of the town is generally level, with occasional un- dulations. Such could hardly be said of it at the time of which we write. There were then elevations and depressions more or less strongly marked, which the tastes or the necessities of an active and progressive settlement have filled up or laid low. The swampy margins of. the creek before re- ferred to, have been filled up, and that useful stream restrained in great part within its proper channel. The lot forming the south-east corner of * Sir R. W. Horton's " Ireland and Canada," London, 1839. Page 41. 14 George and Hunter streets was low and wet, and here, at certain seasons, water collected, forming a stagnant pool. Over most of the ground east of the creek huckleberries flourished, and grew with especial luxuriance amid the stunted trees and shrubbery which covered the beautiful hill now adorned by the county buildings. The wild flowers peculiar to a plainy soil were not wanting here, and lent their gorgeous hues to decorate the scene ; but fruit and flower were speedily crushed out by the iron heel of Civilization, which, while it marred the wild richness of nature, fur- nished a new mart for the products of industry and a new emporium for the wealth and enterprise of man. During the four or five years preceding 1825, the little mill erected by Mr. Adam Scott on the bank of the Otonabee, (corner of King and Water streets,) had been in operation. It was a frame structure of about 18 by 24 feet, and shook under the vibration of the machinery. Within this small space was fitted up a run of very common mill stones, and a single upright saw. Without wishing to disparage the enterprise which estab- lished this poor apology for a mill, in the heart of the wilderness, it must still be confessed, that neither in gristing nor sawing, was it adequate to supply even the limited requirements of the few early settlers of that period. In addition to this defective mill, an equally impotent distillery was carried on in a small house in the vicinity. In the absence of a metallic "worm" the vapor was passed through a long wooden tube, cooled by the application of water, and thus condensed, the aqueous spirit oozed from the further extremity. No means of rectification were avail- able, and the whiskey thus produced contained the empyreumatic oil and other impurities, which, as well as the disagreeable flavor these occasion, the whiskey drinker of that day had to endure as best he could. But though lacking in some of the higher qualities (?) which even the "tangle- leg" whiskey of the present day possesses, it was quite adequate for the chief purpose intended, and would intoxicate as surely, as the most elaborate product of improved machinery and modern skill. The little mill continued to do such gristing and sawing as it could, up till the year "1834, when it was improved, and a brewery and distillery added and carried on by Messrs. Hamilton & Fortye, until the year 1835, when the whole was burnt down, and the present structure erected. The distillery above referred to went out of existence in 1827, but Mr. Scott's dwelling house still remains, — now the oldest building in Peterborough. It is a low, square, cottage-roofed, frame building, close 15 to the edge of Water Street, on the western side, and about midway be- tween the market square and "Parneli's mill." The right of way for the extension of the railway track, now in process of construction, impinges upon one corner of the old house, and it will doubtless soon be demolished to make way for this great agent of modern civilization. Scott's mill was for many years a land-mark to the immigrant and the visitor to the new settlements; and until 1827, Peterborough had no other name than "Scott's plains." Its present designation was then chosen, as a merited compliment to the Hon. Peter Robinson, to whose successful labors in promoting immigration the country felt itself so much indebted. The first houses, next to those of Mr. Scott, were erected at the time of the immigration of 1825 ; and a cursory reference to these, we trust, will not prove uninteresting. We will commence with those erected by Mr. Robinson for the purposes of the immigration, as being among the first in point of time as well as of importance. These were all built of logs, with square gables and shingled roofs. Pour of them stood in a row on the south eastern portion of the market square, fronting upon Water Street. The largest of the four, which was also the most northern, occupied very nearly the site of the front portion of the present market house. Its size was about 18 by 20 feet, while the others were somewhat smaller. This one was used as a residence for Dr. Reade, surgeon to the immigrants, and as a temporary church, in which mass was celebrated by the Rev. Mr. Crowley. The two central were used as storehouses for the provisions for the immigrants, and probably for other purposes. The one nearest the south was Mr. Robinson's general office, where accounts were kept and business transacted by himself and his chief clerk, Mr. Richard Thornhill. The fifth and largest of these buildings was long known as the "government house," and as being the residence of Mr. Robinson, Col. McDonell, and Mr. John Smith, surveyor, who assisted in locating the immigrants, and for a brief time the resting-place of Vice- Royalty itself ; and is worthy of a fuller description. Like the others, it was built of logs, was forty feet long by about twenty feet wide. It stood on the eastern side of the lot now occupied by the Bank of Montreal, (S. E. corner of Simcoe and Water Streets,) about thirty feet from the former and forty from the latter, very near the southern end of the brick stable now belonging to those premises. It fronted towards the south, with a door near the centre of the building, partly concealed by a wooden 16 porch in front. There were two windows in the front, and three in the rear. The interior was divided into three rooms, of nearly equal size, by two partitions of logs, erected with the walls. Into the middle of these the front door opened, and here was the chief reception room, from which doors opened into the other apartments on either hand. The western room was devoted to the purposes of the kitchen, while Mr. Robinson slept in the eastern apartment, which also contained sundry books, papers and maps. The logs, both of walls and partitions, were hewed to a level surface in the interior, and the interstices, both within and without, carefully secured with "chinks" and mortar. A considerable portion of ground, extending across and north of Simcoe Street, was fenced in as a garden, while some small out-houses occupied a position nearer the bank of the river. Such were the modest structures erected by Mr. Robinson ; which were very well adapted to the purposes intended. Should any of our fastidious readers profess to sneer at their homeliness, as presented in the picture we have drawn, we can assure them that at the time of their erection, and for at least several years later, they were regarded as first-class houses, and models of taste and perfection in the youthful town. The few immigrants, who, with their families, remained on "the plains" during the winters of 1825-6, constructed such humble dwellings as they could, and several of them plied such trades or other avocations as their previous habits enabled them to do. One John Boates started a rude tavern on the south side of the market square, and adjoining it on the east side a log house was erected, in which lived Capt. Armstrong, who was engaged by Mr. Robinson, along with Wesley Ritchie, in dispensing rations to the immigrants. A John Sullivan, long dead, got a log house put up on the south-west corner of George and Charlotte Streets, (south corner from Waddel's saddlery,) and kept tavern there. William Oakley, an immigrant, started a bakery. After the houses mentioned, the next was a house on the south side of King Street, where Mr. Timothy O'Connor lived. James Hurley built another east of O'Connor's in the winter of 1826. A small store was opened by a Mr. Stewart in 1825, in a little log house, immediately opposite the south side of the market square, and a little way from the corner of Charlotte and Water Streets. Mr. Stewart's ideas of a small credit business were not such as usually prevail in mercantile life. Many of his customers were unknown to him by name, and instead of making the usual enquiry in such a case, he not unfrequently trusted to 17 . the accidents of the future to acquire that necessary information. Such entries as "a bar of soap, to the woman with the red cloak;" and others equally indefinite, were consequently not unusual in his day book. A business conducted on such principles could not long be successful ; and his little stock was ere long merged in a larger one brought in by George Grey Bethune, Esq., of Cobourg, and sold for him under the management at first of Mr. Green McDonnell, and afterwards of Mr. Thomas Valentine T upper, who afterwards conducted a store for himself on Simcoe Street, just east of the creek. The third store was opened by Mr. John Brown, of Port Hope, on the corner of Simcoe and Water Streets, subsequently occupied by Messrs. Nicholls & Hall, and now by Mr. Robert Patterson, as a boot and shoe store. The old frame has, however, been raised, a new foundation added, and its condition and appearance otherwise im- proved. Mr. Brown's store was opened in 1827, and contained a stock of goods which, for the locality, was very creditable. Our informants differ as to the value of the stock, which, for a few years, probably did not exceed $900 to $1000. This business was managed for Mr. Brown by John R. Benson, Esq., still a well-known citizen. Meanwhile other buildings were in process of erection. Cotter Lane, a shoemaker, and an immigrant, built a frame house on Charlotte Street. James Bailey, a North-of-Ireland-man, and not an immigrant, built a house on the south-west corner of George and Hunter Streets, afterwards the site of Fisher's hotel and now of Mitshell's saloon. Bailey kept tavern here in 1826. At this early period in the history of the town, property was of course cheap, and real estate comparatively valueless. During the first year or two, Mr. Robinson had the disposal of town lots for the Govern- ment, the upset price being $30 for a lot of half an acre. In some in- stances, these were given away, in lieu of services rendered, and these, as well as some of those of which the fee-simple was purchased, exchanged hands for the most trifling sums. The now very valuable south-east corner lot of George and Hunter streets, (at present occupied by the store of Messrs. McKellar & Cameron) and which has been before spoken of as low and wet, was offered to Robert Reid, Esq., of Douro, as a gift, but declined, from its being regarded as worthless. In 1826 it was purchased for a fanning mill, by Mr. Thomas Harper, who subsequently lived on it, and manufactured those useful implements in the rear of the premises. Alexander Henry, a cooper, built a frame house on Simcoe Street, near George Street, in 1827, on the site where the "Farmer's Inn" was after- 4 18 wards erected and still stands. In the same year, James T. Henthorn, Esquire, Justice of the Peace, bought from one Falvey, an immigrant, the north-east corner of George and Hunter Streets, where he built a small house, afterwards converted into an hotel. Henthorn's fine block is now too well known to need any further reference. Like many other improved portions of the town, it passed through successive stages, and the earlier wooden buildings were more than once swept away by destructive fires, ere the present buildings adorned the spot. In 1827, too, Mr. George Buck built a frame house on the south side of Charlotte Street, where the English poplars till recently flourished, and nearly opposite the "Globe" tavern on that street. The first school-house, a log building, with shingled roof, was erected in 1826-7, on the ground in the rear of the present Union School building. The Rev. Samuel Armour, first Episcopal clergyman in Peterborough, conducted this school, in which the higher as well as the lower branches of education were successfully taught. This was the foundation of our excel- lent grammar school, which ere long received an annual grant of $400 from the Government towards its support. At a period a little later, and about the year 1828, Mr. John Crawford, of Port Hope, put up a little frame house, north of Louis McGregor's "American Hotel," on George Street, which, soon after its completion, was drawn down by the settler's oxen, and located on the north-east corner of George and Simcoe Streets, now occupied by Mr. Robert Walton's stove and saddler's shop. This valuable corner lot was already purchased from Richard Birdsall, Esq., by John Graves, an American, and a wheel- wright, for $30, to be paid in waggon and cart-wheels. Graves failed to fulfil his share of the contract ; Crawford insisted on holding possession, and hence arose the first law-suit of the infant settlement. We might mention, in connection with this part of our subject, that several of our now leading and wealthy citizens, commenced business, of one kind or another, about this time, in very humble occupations, or as assist- ants to others in business of very limited extent. That from a small beginning, they have risen to wealth and position is creditable, not only to themselves, but to the country, which furnishes examples of such substan- tial rewards for the industrious and the deserving. 19 CHAPTER IV. A governor's visit. la the preceding pages we have narrated events slightly in advance of their chronological order, so as to present in one view the gradual progress of the town in its first stage. The reader's mind must go back a year or two ere several of the last named buildings were erected, in order to realize the exact condition of the town at the period of the visit of His Excellency, Sir Peregrine Maitland, which took place in the winter of 1826, and just one year and a few months after the arrival of the immi- grants. Very few houses, (and those only of the most common description) besides those erected by Mr. Robinson, then existed here. The portion of the site of the town then cleared, was still disfigured by stumps, occasional brush-heaps, &c. ; and altogether the scene was far from attractive, pre- senting but little accomplished in the present, and leaving a very wide margin for hope or despair in the undeveloped future. His Excellency was accompanied on this occasion by Col. Talbot, founder of the Talbot settlement in Western Canada ; by the Honble John Beverly Robinson, then Attorney General, afterwards made a Baronet, and Chief Justice of Upper Canada at the time of his decease. (Sir John was a brother of the Hon. Peter Robinson.) George G. Bethune, Esq., and the Hon. Zaccheus Burnham accompanied the party. The journey from Cobourg was made in sleighs and across Rice Lake, in the early part of the winter season. Passing up through Otonabce, they stayed at the house of Captain Rubidge, R. N., for dinner, and on their arrival here they were met by Mr. Robinson, Colonel McDon- ell, and the chief settlers adjoining the place, and entertained in the best manner circumstances would permit, in the log building already referred to, where their entertainers resided. The Governor and his friends remained a few days, during which they were waited on by Captain Rubidge, Robert Rcid, Esq., the Hon. T. A. Stewart, M.L.C., and the few other gentlemen in the neighborhood. The central room of the government house already described, was used as a reception room, in which a sort of rude levee was held. His Excellency was seated at the further end, and the settlers, who attended in considerable numbers, were presented to him, and then retired by another outlet. The occasion of 4* 20 this visit was seized to present to the representative of Royalty sundry loyal and patriotic addresses. In one of these from the " Magistrates, Clergy and other inhabitants of the county of Northumberland," the high sense of the honor conferred on the Newcastle District and the interest shewn by His Excellency in the prosperity of the Province, in this visit, was acknowledged in suitable terms. Testimony was also borne to the good conduct of the immigrants during their residence at Cobourg, which was said to "warrant the expectation of their becoming a valuable acquisi- tion to the Province.*" This was the substance of their Address. A deputation from "the colony" in Smith, as the settlement there was called, was also appointed to Wait upon the Governor, and Mr .Walton Wilson, one of the early settlers, undertook to present a verbal address, the general terms of which had been previously agreed on. The spokesman had pro- ceeded but a little way, when his utterance became confused, and he broke down ingloriously. Turning round to Mr. Jacob Bromwell, another set- tler, who was one of the deputation, he said : " Speak it you sir." Mr. Bromwell continued the address to His Excellency, in which the difficulties and occasional distress of the settlers were plainly pourtrayed, and the absence of milling facilities especially deplored. Wilson had told the Governor " We hae a mill, and we hae nee mill," but Bromwell, as a practical illustration of the necessity for better accommodation in this respect, added : " Save in your presence, Sir, I have to get up at night to chew corn for the children" ; a statement, which, no doubt was literally true. His Excellency returned a gracious reply, in which he promised them assistance ; a pledge which, ere long, he fully redeemed, to the great joy of the settlement. A written address was presented on behalf of the Irish immigrants by Patrick Barragan, a school teacher, by whom it was read. As it is the only address from the neighborhood which has been preserved, the former one being entirely verbal, and is moreover highly characteristic of the people from whom it emanated, we cannot refrain from presenting it entire : TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR PEREGRINE MAITLAND, &C, &C, " We, the Irish Emigrants recently brought out by Colonel Robinson to this country, feel grateful to our gracious good King, and to His Ma- * Appendix to Report of Select Committee of 1826, Page 298. 21 jesty's worthy, good and humane government, for all they have, and we hope yet intend, to do for us." "We also are well pleased, and entertain the best wishes for our Worthy Chief, Mr. Robinson, for all he has done for us ; and we are fully sensible that his fine and humane feelings will not permit him to leave anything undone that may forward our welfare." " Please Your Excellency, we are totally at a loss for words adequate to express the thanks and gratitude we owe Doctor Reade, for his active, skillful and unremitting care, &c, of us. We are likewise thankful to, and well pleased with, the officers placed over us." " Please Your Excellency, we agree very well, and are pleased with the proceedings of the old settlers amongst us, as it is in the interest of us all to do - the same. And should an enemy have the presumption ever to in- vade this portion of His Majesty's dominions, your Excellency will find that we, when called upon to face and expel the common foe, will to a man follow our brave commanders ; not an Irish soul shall stay behind ; and if we have no better weapons in our hands, mow them down with our Irish shillelahs." " Please your Excellency, we labor under a heavy grievance, which we confidently hope your Excellency will redress, and then we will be com- pletely happy, viz :— the want of clergymen, to administer to us the com- forts of our Holy Religion, and good school-masters to instruct our children." " We now beg leave to retire, wishing your Excellency long life, good health, and every success."* "God Save the King." The Governor's reply does not appear among the official records, and at this remote period, it would be useless to attempt to gather up its precise terms from the memories of the survivors to whom it was addressed. It was, no doubt, as in the other cases, gracious and encouraging. During the brief stay of Governor Maitland on " the plains," he and a number of the gentlemen who accompanied him, drove out to see the settlement in Ennismore. The Hon. Peter Robinson and Col. McDonell acted as their guides on this occasion. Mud Lake was crossed on the ice ; and the party put up at the shanty of Mr. Eugene McCarthy, father of * Appendix to Report of Select Committee or Brit. Par.— 1826,. page 299. 22 Jeremiah McCarthy, Esq., Reeve of Ennismore, where they partook of such refreshments as their entertainers could procure. During the same season, other addresses, numerously signed, from the various townships in which the immigrants were settled, and breathing a similar spirit of gratitude, loyalty and devotion, were forwarded to the Right Hon. Earl Bathurst, Colonial Secretary, to whom they were ad- dressed. The infant settlements around Peterborough were greatly cheered and encouraged by this visit of the Governor General, proving as it did, the paternal care of the government, and the interest felt in the success and well-being of these hardy settlers. Not only was the moral effect beneficial, in increased confidence and hope, but its practical and material results were of the most gratifying character, as the sequel will show. It was soon after, that at a meeting of a few gentlemen residing in the vicinity, the name of " Peterborough" was selected for the future town, in compliment to the Hon. Peter Robinson, to whose exertions in promo- ting the settlement of the neighboring townships they felt so much indebted. The selection was at once ratified by general consent, and " Scott's plains" ere long ceased to be associated with the prosperous town. Before the opening of the next season, (the spring of 1826) it was announced that the government had undertaken the cost of the erection of a mill within the limits of the town, and tenders were asked for this work as well as for the construction of the necessary mill dam. Mr. Thomas Harper was ■ among those who tendered on this occasion, but the contract was awarded to Mr. Horace Perry, and the work immediately commenced. The site chosen was the site of the mill recently burned, on the property of Samuel Dickson, Esq., and the building of late years known as Dickson's mill the one then erected, with additions and improvements. The dam was built in the Autumn of 1826, and the saw and grist mill in the Spring follow- ing. To erect so large a frame as that of the grist mill, was at that time, a matter of much difficulty. The settlers within an area of twenty miles were called upon to lend their aid, and several of them gave a week's hard labor gratuitously, to assist in furthering so desirable a work. The saw- mill, adjoining the larger structure, was first put in operation, in order to supply the necessary lumber, and was also a great boon to the new settle- ments. The grist mill, which contained two run of stones, was completed in 23 1827, and was immediately offered for sale by the government and pur- chased by John Hall, Esq., (now of Buckhom) and Mr. Moore Lee, who continued to run it in partnership for several years. While this great work was in progress, a bridge was built across the Otonabee chiefly by government aid, which was completed about the same time as the mill, and by the same contractor, Mr. Horace Perry, A plan of this bridge may still be seen in the Town Clerk's office. It was supported by three piers, triangular in shape, with the apex pointing up the stream, and occupied very nearly the site of the present structure. After the destruction of this bridge, the Otonabee was crossed at this point by means of a large scow, sustained in the current by a long rope or cable, to one end of which it was attached, while the other was secured to a point on the bank at some distance above. By a proper application of the helm, the current was made to transport the scow from one bank to the other, a reversal of ifs position after each crossing, being all that was required. A second bridge- was soon after built chiefly by public subscrip- tion. At this period, and before the erection of a dam at the locks below the Little Lake, the river was shallow, and easily fordable during the summer season, by persons on foot, opposite the old steamboat landing, contiguous to the old steam mill of Messrs. Shaw & Fortune before referred to. From the date of the erection of the mill, the prosperity of the town and the success of the adjoining settlement were fully assured. " The plains" were rapidly converted into a busy and prosperous village, while the enlarged clearings, and the rapidly increasing produce of the harvest, raised the new settlers from the struggles of a precarious existence to one of comparative affluence. CHAPTER V. During the winter of 1827-8, a surplus of wheat was grown; about five thousand bushels of which were sold to the store-keepers in Peterborough.* During the summer of 1827 as many as twenty new frame houses were erected, a tannery, a distillery, and other useful branches of business were in operation or projected, and indications of progress and prosperity appeared on every hand.f * Capt. Rubidge's Letter to Capt. Hall, " Travels m N. America," 1829. Page 337. t Ibid. 24 Doctor Reade having fulfilled his engagement in reference to the immi- grants, withdrew after their location on their lands. Dr. Dowslcy soon after located himself here, and was followed by Dr. Roddy, but he was ere long superseded by Dr. Hutchison, who had been for some time practising in Cavan, and was induced to settle in Peterborough about the year 1830. He was a man of much ability, and deservedly esteemed. Dr. Taylor came in at a later period, and was for sometime associated with Dr. Hutchison in a co-partnership. By this time the little log store kept by Mr. James Gray Bethune, south of the market square, had been superseded by the frame building, known as "the red store," erected on the comer of Charlotte and Water streets, where it still stands, and forms the end of a long row of wooden houses, the property of Edmund Chamberlin, Esq. ; but it is now no longer "red". Peterborough was then supplied by a weekly mail, and the post office was kept in this building, in connection with Mr. Bethune's store, the whole being managed, as formerly stated, by Mr. Thomas Valentine Tupper. Mr. James B. Ferguson, (brother of Frede- rick Ferguson, Esq.,) was subsequently appointed postmaster, and the office was kept by him in a small square frame building with a cottage roof, just south of the red store, to which it was attached, and may be recognized as forming an addition to the rear of the corner building. Its size is about 10 by 16 feet, and the door and one small window still look towards the river, as in former days. It may not be out of place to add that this part of Water street then contained the residences of the principal persons in Peterborough, and was for many years after, the leading thorough- fare. Dr. Hutchison lived in the cottage built by Adam Scott, before re- ferred to, as now the oldest house in Peterborough. Another medical gen- tleman at a later date, lived in the larger frame house with wings at either end, just north of the cottage, and the large frame house on the river bank opposite, was occupied more recently by a respected member of the legal profession, — so that although this portion of the town is now dilapidated and its glory quite departed, yet old associations and memories hallowed by time, cluster round it, which we would fain rescue from oblivion. The post office was subsequently transferred to the old government house before referred to, where it was kept for several years by Ephraim San- ford, Esq., who unhappily ended his days in 1843 by suicide, at the American hotel, where he was a lodger. Our .present Postmaster, S. J. Carver, Esq., succeeded to the office. At some time later and down to the year 1856, the post office was kept in a small frame building little larger 25 Carver, Esq., succeeded to the office. At some later time and down to the year 1856 the post office was kept in a small frame building little larger than a shanty on the east side of Queen street, which still exists, unused and tenantless. After two further removals, one of which was occasioned by the destructive fire of 1861, it was removed to the building it now occupies on Water street. In 1831, under the administration of Sir John Colborne, Captain Rubidge, R. N., was appointed Immigration Agent at Peterborough, and located a number of immigrants sent out from various parts of the United Kingdom. Most of these were located in Dummer, and will be referred to in our future narrative of the settlement of that township. A good many were also employed in various capacities by the older residents, or located on vacant lots in the former settlements. In 1832 the cholera appeared on this continent, and penetrated as far even as Peterborough, where the prospect of its approach created a, good deal of alarm. There can be no doubt but that, as in all visitations of this kind, many died from fear and alarm at the approach of the disease. One prominent example of this kind is still remembered in the person of Mr. Silas Pearson, a strong robust farmer, residing on the shore of Mud Lake, about ten miles from Peterborough. At the first mention of the disease he took to bed in a state of mortal fear, and when the cholera did arrive was one of the first victims. The population of Peterborough at that time was under five hundred, and yet twenty-three deaths occurred from this disease.* The township of Douro happily escaped without a single death, while in that of Dummer, lying beyond it and further in the interior, eleven persons died from this fatal epidemic. f A few deaths also occurred in Otonabee, and the other townships adjoining Peterborough. During the following year, (1833) the first member of the legal pro- fession found his way to Peterborough. This was Elias Burnham, Esq., who has held a conspicuous place, from time to time, not only at the bar, but in the management of the political, educational and municipal affairs of the town and county. His extensive block fronting on the market square, and other properties, entitle him to rank among our most wealthy, as he has long done, among our leading citizens. The second legal gentleman resident in Peterborough was J. Shuter Smith, Esq., now M. P. P. for East Durham, and long a resident * Col. Strickland's '-Twenty-seven yoars in Canada West." Vol. If, page 201. f Ibid. Page 202. 5 26 of Port Hope. His stay was scarcely protracted beyond a year. Stafford Kirkpatrick, Esq., became a resident of Peterborough in 1834, and since then we have had a long list of members of the bar, some of whom have held, or still hold, distinguished positions among the legal fraternity. About this period, the religious element comes into prominence. Be- sides the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches, the pastors of which had arrived at a previous date, clergymen of several other denominations appeared in Peterborough, and formed the nucleus of churches and socie- ties which have since largely increased, and now represent important interests in the community. It has been thought best to devote a special chapter to the churches of Peterborough, and for convenience sake, this has been deferred to a future page. We gladly insert in this place, the following communication, containing reminiscences and personal experiences of the writer, well worthy of insertion in a work like this : — Peterborough, October 29th, 1866. "Although to look back to the time of my settlement in Peterborough, it seems but as yesterday, yet thirty-three long years have elapsed since then. What a long period to look back upon, and to count the various events and changes which have taken place within it !" " Well do I remember the evening that I first landed in Peterborough. It was late in November, in the year 1833 ; but it was indeed a lovely day, and the night was equally so : calm and still, and beautifully moon- light. I remember standing that evening on the very ground where now stands the Commercial Bank building, (north-east corner of Water and Hunter streets.) It was then in a state of nature, as was all that part of the town lying east of Water street, north of Hunter street, south of Aylmer street, and south of King street, with the exception of here and there, perhaps, some small house or shanty, few and far between. And within the limits indicated, the buildings were also few and insignificant. At that time, property was worth very little. A park lot was not worth much over £15, unless in a very few exceptional instances. On the west side of George street, and between Simcoe and Hunter Streets, there were, if I recollect right, only two decent houses ; one on the south, where Mr. Sanford kept a , store, and one on the north, where Mr. Bailey kept a tavern. All that ground on which Mrs. Dixon's block of three-story brick buildings now stands, with the exception of the small part occupied by the store and a small dwelling house adjoining, was then used for a garden. ■ ■ - ' K <■ 27 And the same may be said of the remainder of the land up to Hunter street. On the cast side of the street the buildings were about the same. And this was, at that time, about the best part of the town. The hotel, par excellence, was then kept near the bridge, by a man of the name of McFadden. Very few people who were in Peterborough when I first settled in it are here now. They have nearly all gone to 'that bourne from whence no traveller returns.' " " The country parts were quite in keeping with the town. Scarcely any roads, few settlers, and mostly a wilderness. Provisions were imported instead of being exported ; and a journey then from the front, with a loaded team, occupied the best part of two days. People at this time can scarcely realize the difficulties, the trials and hardships of those early settlers; and when I look back to them, and to the many long, wearisome journeys which I have been compelled to make to and from the front, — through paths only cut out through the woods, — through mud and mire, — over long swamp roads, badly provided with logs, which were often floating in the deep water, and across which I and my horse passed with danger and difficulty, my journey oftentimes extending far into the dark night, — it seems now a wonder, how I ever performed them, and how I ever lived through them. Truly, indeed, the progress both of town and country since that day is almost incredible." " I often think of those early times, and yet, with all their hardships, I sometimes think they were pleasanter than the times are now. But I suppose this was a good deal owing to circumstances. There were no politics here during those days. Every body was sociable and friendly. People were too glad to see one another to quarrel over matters of mere opinion. I often wished, as I was toiling along to and from the front, over the bad roads, that the time would come when I would have a good turn- pike road to travel upon, and I thought, if I only had that, I would be satisfied. I got that, then a good macadamized road ; and last, but not least, a railroad. Now, instead of taking from early in the morning till late at night to go to the front, weary and hungry, and often wet and cold, I can go in a comfortable railway car in a couple of hours. Truly, I have witnessed great changes in both town and country since I came to live in Peterborough." B. About the year 1832-3, a couple of small steamers, the Pemedasli and the Northumberland were placed on Rice Lake, and thenceforward for many years these or other steamboats continued to ply daily between Rice Lake 28 and Peterborough. About that year the great project was conceived of rendering navigable the chain of waters from the Bay of Quintc to Lake Simcoe; and in November, 1833, N. H. Baird, Esq., civil engineer, to whom had been 'entrusted the survey and estimates for such a work, reported in reference to that portion between the Bay of Quinte and Rice Lake. We need not quote these estimates, as they arc to be found in the Appendices to the journals of the House of that period, and are easy of reference. Suffice it to say, that the total estimated cost of this portion was, £233,447 6s. lid. In December, 1835, Mr. Baird reported in reference to rendering navigable the rivers and lakes through which the Otonabee flows, so as to afford continuous water communication between Rice Lake and Lake Simcoe. The total cost of which was estimated at £262,067 16s. 4d., and for the entire distance, of 165 miles, between the Bay of Quinte and Lake Simcoe, including lockage, £495,515. A committee of the Legislature recommended the construction of the upper section to be proceeded with, and important works were undertaken and completed at several points. Below Rice Lake, £90,000 were ex- pended. The locks at Whitlaw's rapids, just below Peterborough, were completed, and considerable sums expended in improving the navigation of the river between Rice Lake and that place. The locks at Bobcaygeon were undertaken as early as 1833-4, by Messrs. Pearse, Dumble and Hoar, contractors, for £1600 currency,* but owing to the unsettled state of the country, ending in the outbreak of 1837, and the union of tlie two Provinces which followed, the attention of the Government was withdrawn from this work, and the intermediate links of the connection have never been even commenced. The following gentlemen at the time acted as "Commissioners for superintending the improvement of the navigation of the Newcastle District," viz. : — J. G. Bethune, Robert Brown, John Hall, Thomas Need, and A. McDonell, Esquires. As an illustration of the homely fare and simple habits of some of our people, even during the second ten years of settlement, and in contrast with the luxury and ample store of the present time, it may be mentioned, that during Mr. Baird's survey of our inland waters in 1833) he and his party called at a farm house near Rice Lake for dinner. A large pot of potatoes was boiled and emptied on the table, and a handful of salt added in close proximity. At the conclusion of the meal, the chief of the party called for the bill, and was informed by the host that the charge was * Appendix to Journals of the House. 1833-4. 29 "sevenpeuce ha'penny for the officers and saxpence for the men." The bill was paid and the party retired, greatly amused at the discriminating value which was placed upon their humble fare. In 1834, Sir John Colbornc, Governor of Upper Canada, visited Peter- borough, and after a brief stay, was accompanied through Otonabee, on his return, by a mounted escort, to Major Charles Anderson's, from which place he crossed Rice Lake in one of the steamers then navigating those waters. CHAPTER VI. THE PETERBOROUGH MILITIA IN 1837-8. As the time approached when the refusal of the demands of the Upper Canadian Legislature for Administrative reform, were about to produce armed resistance to the Government, the country was flooded, first with petitions for signature demanding redress, and then with patriotic appeals inciting the people to assert their just rights, and force from an unwilling Government the concessions so urgently needed, and since that day so completely granted. The occasion of township meetings and other gather- ings, were very generally turned to account for the distribution and dis- cussion of these documents, and even our own inland and then comparatively remote settlements, were not forgotten by the emissaries or friends of the agitators. But in the County of Peterborough, there were few who, openly sided with the movement, and when the moment of danger arrived, the population, with rare unanimity, rushed to arms in the defence of the Government. During the winter of 1836, several of our people took part in an adven- ture which is worth narrating. Mr. William Lyon McKenzie had called a meeting of his friends and sympathisers, in the court house, at Cobourg, or Amherst, as it was then called, which, on learning its objeet, the loyalists in the surrounding country, determined to frustrate. To avoid exciting suspicion of their design, a grand ball was convened at the gov- ernment house, Peterborough, which was largely attended, and as the night began to wane, the leaders announced their wishes and intentions, and with sleighs in readiness, they started for the front. In Monaghan 30 and Cavan they were joined by reinforcements, and at Bloomfield, George Elliott, Esq., a Major in the militia, and afterwards M. P. P. for the county of Durham joined them on horseback, and was recognized as their leader. On approaching the court house at Amherst, they found that their friends in the vicinity had secured possession of the building, locked the doors, and were signalling them with handkerchiefs from the windows. A large crowd, among whom was McKenzie, was without, threatening violence if ldnger refused admittance. Major Elliott, on horseback, closely followed by a long line of sleighs, in compact order, dashed up between the crowd and the court house steps, interposing a wall which, to attempt to force, was seen to be useless. An attempt was then made by the agitators to hold an open air meeting, but it was subjected to constant interruptions. Among more discordant sounds, a bugler was mounted on a wood-pile, and ordered to play "the rogue's march," and other tunes supposed to be appro- priate to the occasion. Mr. Mackenzie at one time was threatened with violence, and found it necessary not only to abandon the meeting, but to secrete himself until he could accomplish a safe retreat from the village. During the first days of December, 1837, the proclamation of His Excellency Sir Francis Bond Head, calling out the militia of the Province to assist in suppressing the rebellion which had just broken out, was pro- mulgated in Peterborough, and within less than 24 hours, nearly two hundred volunteers, armed and equipped as best they could, started for the frontier, under command of Colonel McDonell, accompanied by Captain Cowall. Along the route of their inarch to the front, they were joined by other companies under their local officers, and when they arrived at Port Hope, they found several other bands of loyalists there, which swelled the numbers of the little army to about one thousand strong. The loyalty and devotion thus shewn by all classes, in every part of the country, was a tribute unmerited by the Government of that day, but was not the less honorable and praiseworthy on the part of those who offered it, Many of these noble volunteers left their homes and families at a moment's notice, and under the most trying circumstances. At that season of the year preparations for the coming winter were far from completed. Few had yet provided their winter's wood, and many left their families with but a scanty store of provisions ; so that, had their absence been protracted, as seemed in every way probable, many of their loved ones must have suffered severely from cold and hunger. The trials of the hour were increased by the arbitrary measures and unnecessary severity exercised by some of those who thus found themselves '-'clothed with a little brief authority." Men who happened to be at a little distance from their homes were refused permission to visit their families to effect a change of clothing, or make even the most temporary arrangement of their affairs. If they demurred, they were threatened with imprisonment or confiscation of their properties. Such were the circumstances under which many of our brave people turned out in 1837, abandoning their homes and their families, in the depth of winter, to fight, perhaps to die, for the country they had adopted as their home ! What must have been their feelings as they trudged along the weary way to meet the foe, as they thought of their own poor equipment, the dangers which awaited them, and the trying cir- cumstances in which their families might be placed before they could return, — if ever they did return ! Men who could make such sacrifices are deserving of double honor ; and though their campaign was a bloodless one, they have, by their acts, achieved a fame of which the people of any country might be proud, and which posterity will not forget. On the organization of the militia of the county, which took place some time before the breaking out of the rebellion, about 250 stand of muskets, with flint locks, and the usual bayonets, had been sent to Peterborough. These were served out to the volunteers, but the greater portion were armed with their own guns or rifles. Prepared ammunition was not to be had, and considerable ingenuity was shewn by several of the militia in making cartridges ; while most had to supply themselves with balls or large sized shot before leaving home. One of the new muskets was carried on the march for a day or two before it was discovered to have no touch-hole and was consequently useless for present purposes. Arrived at Port Hope, the steamer Traveller was anxiously looked for as affording the most speedy and convenient means of reaching Toronto, but she passed by on her downward trip without entering the port, although guns were fired and other signals made to attract attention. Just before setting out from Port Hope, on foot, for the capital, a despatch was re- ceived, intimating that as the rebels were dispersed, the services of the militia were unneeded, and permitting them to return to their homes. A detachment was, however, sent into the county of Victoria, to scour the townships in the neighborhood of Lindsay, under the impression that the rebel chiefs might possibly attempt to escape through the country in that direction. Some ludicrous scenes took place among these impromptu 32 soldiers, and not a few persons were subjected to annoyance by proceeding*- altogether arbitrary and unwarranted. An old man proceeding through Smith with a few bundles of hay as provender for his stock, was detained on the road at the suggestion of one of the company, humorously offered, that his load might possibly conceal a rebel. The team and vehicle were surrounded by a guard, bayonets thrust here and there into the load, and only after a most careful reconnoisance, he was allowed to pass on his way, wondering much no doubt at the adventure which had befallen him. AYithin a fortnight after these events, and in conseqence of the occupa- tion of Navy Island by insurgents and American sympathizers, orders were received for the dispatch of a battalion from the Newcastle District, to proceed westward on active service.* The militia of the various town- ships of this county, under command of Col. Brown, at once mustered in strong force, and marched without delay to Toronto. This battalion was chiefly composed of the militia of the townships of Otonabee, Douro, Dummer and Asphodel, and marched into Peterborough, under the oflicers of their several companies, to the number of 800 strong, f After billet- ing round for a night, as best they could, they were drawn up next morn- ing in front of Col. Brown's quarters in Ashburnham, and a selection made of 350J of the most active, to the greater number of whom muskets, haversacks and cartouch boxes were served out, and then, vacant offices of companies having been filled up, by persons named by Col. Brown, they commenced their march for the frontier. The remainder of the battalion was left behind as a reserve under command of Col. Crawford. || The men under Col. Brown proceeded 17 miles the first day and halted for the night at Mr. Joseph Graham's tavern in Cavan. The second day's march brought them to Mr. Bletcher's tavern, three miles in the rear of Port Hope, and on the third day, notwithstanding some delay for the pur- chase of necessary articles in Port Hope, they found themselves 16 miles be- yond that place on the Toronto road. Here the magistrates gave in charge a prisoner — an American — charged with using seditious language, who next day jumped from the sleigh in which he rode, ran into the woods, and attempted to conceal himself beneath a log, but was re-captured, and with several other prisoners subsequently taken, was conveyed to Toronto. * Col. Strickland's ''Twenty seven years in Canada."— Page 264. t Letter from Col. Brown to the author, July.— 1860. J Ibid. II [bid. 33 At Highland Creek there were strong rumors of rebels in the vicinity, in consequence of which they were kept out in scouting parties during the greater portion of the night. The roads were in a very unfavorable condition ; and not till late in the evening of the fifth day did they reach Toronto. Here they were at once billeted in comfortable quarters, and after a day's rest, passed a most favorable inspection, and were warmly complimented for their gallantry and patriotism by Sir Francis Bond Head. Soon after, a new battalion, known as the " Queen's Own," was' formed from the several battalions then in Toronto, and was officered by men chosen from the officers of these battalions. Adjutant Bentley was at its head. Col. Kingsmill was next in authority, and Col. Brown became Major of the new Battalion. The supernumerary men were permitted to return to their homes, and those selected to join the Queen's Own, re- mained on frontier duty until the May following, when they were dis- charged, and the battalion disbanded. Col. Brown, who took so promi- nent a part in the militia movements at this time, was a gentleman who after a period of service in the 21st Royal Scotch Fusileers came to reside in the vicinity of Peterborough, as an agriculturalist, in the year 1830, and was appointed by Sir John Colborne to the rank of Lieut. Colonel of the battalion known as the 4th Northumberland Fusileers, which he had assisted to organize, and which was mainly composed^of men Trom the townships already mentioned. We had hoped to be able to insert in this brief record of that period, the names of those brave men in this county, who at the call of the authorities, abandoned their homes and their families, in the depth of winter, to assist in maintaining the authority of Government, and putting down armed bands of insurgents, but in the absence of official muster- rolls, were we to trust to the mere memories of individuals, many worthy names might possibly be overlooked, and, through fear of injustice being done by inserting a partial and incomplete list, we have been reluctantly obliged to forego the pleasure of inserting any, except those residing in Dummer, which will be mentioned in connection with that township. But if the names of more of these men do not appear, not the less will be remembered the proud record of the Peterborough Militia of 1837 and 1838, which will be handed down in the records of the country, as a brilliant chapter in the history of the past and a bright example worthy of imitation in the future. 6 34 In consequence of the expedition directed against Prescott in the autumn of 1838, which terminated with the battle of the Windmill, and threatened attacks upon other points of the frontier, permission was sought and obtained to organize a force in this county, which was known as the 7th Provisional Battalion of Peterborough. This force, composed of volunteers from the militia of the county, was brought together in Novem- ber, 1838, and continued in Peterborough undergoing drill, and the other duties of active service during the six months terminating in May, 1839, when they were discharged and returned to their homes. The 7th Provi- sional Battalion of Peterborough consisted of six companies of fifty men each, and was under the command of Col. Alexander McDonell, but the actual duties of command were in great part performed by Major Cowall. The following is a list of the promotions and appointments to office in this Battalion, with the date of rank of the several officers. The official announcement is copied from the u Backwoodsman and Peterborough Sentinel" of January 11th, 1839. It is as follows : Adjutant General's Office, \ Toronto, 28th December, 1838. j MILITIA GENERAL ORDER. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor is pleased to make the follow- ing appointments in the Embodied Militia Force, Seventh Provisional Battalion : To be Captains — Date of rank. Capt. S. F. Kirkpatrick, from the Second Northumberland Regiment 12th Nov., 1838. Capt. J. C. Boswell, from do 16th do. Capt. John R. Benson, do 16th do. Lieut. Thomas Murphy, from Second Frontenac 20th do. A. S. Fraser, Esq., half-pay Lieut. 42nd Reg't 1st Dec'ber, 1838. To be Lieutenants — Lieut. S. J. Carver, late Queen's Own.... 20th Nov., 1838. Ensign James Ferguson, from Fourth Northum- berland 20th do. 1838- Samuel Strickland, Gent 25th do. George W. Caddy, Gent 1st Dec'ber, 1838. Thomas Need, Gent 1st do. To be Ensigns — Wheeler Armstrong, Gent 25th Nov., 1838. 35 George B. Hall, Gent 15th Dec, 1838. George Lowe, Gent 15th do Ensign Robert Brown, late of Queen's Own.... 15th do Charles P. llubidge, Gent 15th do To be Adjutant, with the rank of Captain — Lieut. J. G. Armour, late of the Queen's Toronto Guards, 20th Nov., 1838. To he Pay-Master — W. H. Wrighton, Esq., subject to his finding sufficient security.., 10th Dec'ber. To be Surgeon — Surgeon J. Hutchinson, from Second Northumberland, 20th do To be Quarter-Master — Lieut. H. B. Holland, from 2d Northumberland, 16th Nov., 1838. Although the name of the late Richard Birdsall, Esq., does not appear in the foregoing list of .officers, it is proper to state that he served, with his company, in the capacity of captain during that period ; and had the additional merit of having done so without pay. For the reasons before stated, in connection with the militia of the previous year, we are unable to publish the names of the privates, who served on duty during this brief and bloodless, but honorable campaign. Among other incidents of this period, it may be mentioned that two residents of Ops were brought to Peterborough under arrest, charged with disloyalty. They were taken to the log building known as "the Govern- ment house," for trial by court martial. While preparations were being made for this purpose, a seat was offered them, when Captain M — of the militia force, at once interposed in an indignant manner. " No, no," said he, "rebels are not worthy to sit among loyal men." The worthy Captain forgot that, under British law, men are not to be held as guilty, until their offence is proven. Among those holding subordinate authority, there were several whose zeal and officiousness outran their discretion. The conse- quence was that many well-meaning persons were subjected to needless annoyance. But in some instances the arrogance and presumption of these persons were not allowed to go entirely unchecked. Mr. Darcus, among others, had donned an uniform and spurs, and either for the pur- pose of usefully employing the latter, or not relishing a march to the front, sent to demand a valuable mare, the property of one of our leading citizens. The modest request was promptly refused, when the messenger was gent a 6* 36 second time, with a threat, that if not handed over, the beast would be forcibly pressed into the service. The owner replied that if the Colonel in command sent a written order for the animal, she would be given up, but not otherwise. No such order was issued, nor is it probable the superior officer was aware of the means employed by his subordinate to furnish himself with a steed. Before closing this chapter, it may not be inopportune to remark, for the information of some who may read these pages, that the demands of Mackenzie and his political friends, antecedent to the rebellion, were for reforms the most urgently needed, most of which have been since conceded, and the benefits of which have now for many years been enjoyed wider what is known as Responsible Government. It was a cardinal point in the political creed of the Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head, that the people of this colony existed for the Government, rather than the Government for the people.* To the carrying out of this fallacious theory, the greater portion of the agitation of the country, result- ing in open rebellion, may be traced. The Legislative Assembly had practically no control in the government of the Province,- — in the disposal of its revenues, or in the appointments to office. These latter, were in great part confined to the members of a few leading families, their friends and partizans, who were paid salaries relatively much higher than those enjoyed at present.f Mr. McKenzie, by his pen and voice, did much to expose the defects of the system of government then in vogue ; and in doing so, more than once suffered severely both in person and property. He was five times expelled from the House of Assembly on paltry pretexts, and each time promptly re-elected with overwhelming majorities, and in spite of all opposition, by the intelligent electors of the County of York, who presented him with a massive gold medal in acknowledgment of the valuable services he had rendered to the country.^ The chief demands made by the Reformers of that day were, — That the Executive Council should be held responsible to .Parliament, — that the control of the revenues of the Province should be placed in the hands of * " The Lieutenant-Governor maintains that the responsibility to the people who are already repre- sented in the House of Assembly, which the Council assumes, is unconstitutional, and that it is the duty of the Council to serve him and not thkm. u S>ir F. B. Head's reply to an address of the Execu- tive Council. March 5th, 1836. Appsndix to Journal*; 1839. Vol. 1. page 66. t Lindsa> >s Life of Mackenzie. Page 331. { Ibid. 37 the Legislative Assembly, — the secularization of the clergy reserves and the abolition of exclusive privileges conferred upon particular religious denom- inations, — the exclusion of judges and ministers of the gospel from the Executive Council and the Legislature — an elective Legislative Council ; the abolition of the rights of primogeniture, and some other minor reforms made up the list of grievances, which the Imperial Government were not unwilling to consider upon their merits, but their good intentions were defeated by the blindness and obstinacy of Sir Francis Bond Head, whose conduct was at once felt, and declared to be arbitrary and vindictive. It must be conceded, however, that Responsible Government was as yet only a shadow in the future, and that the system of Colonial Government which Sir Francis Bond Head found in vogue in Canada, to some extent justified his policy, although, under the circumstances, and with the stren- uous opposition which that system had already evoked, persistent adherence to it was at once difficult on his part, and dangerous to the colony. Among other unjustifiable acts of the Governor, was the dismissal of Judge Ridout from the bench, and from the militia, in which he had served with honor under General Brock. This was done without the slightest trial or investigation, and even without informing the victim of his caprice of the reasons for so grave an act. The H orne # Go vera men t reversed the sentence, and ordered the Governor to reinstate Judge Ridout in both his offices ; — a humiliation to which he refused to submit, and which contributed largely to his resignation and recall. It will be seen that the very demands then made have long since been conceded ; and had the Reformers of 1837 abstained from actual rebellion, their conduct in other respects would have entitled them to the plaudits of all subsequent times. Lord Durham, in his admirable report on the state of the Province in 1839, which led to the union of Upper and Lower Canada in the following year, stated that "common prudence and good manage- ment would have prevented the outbreak j" and more than hinted that the rebellion had been purposely invited by the Government,* for the purpose of crushing the leaders of the reform movement. The people of Lower Canada were laboring under evils and abuses nearly similar ; but while in Upper Canada, an Executive Council, respon* sible to the Assembly, was regarded as the true remedy for the grievances of the times, the politicians of the Lower Province fancied an elective * Lord Durham's report, in Appendix to Journals of the House* Vol, I, page 32. 38 Legislative Council would leave them nothing to desire. As Lord Durham, stated, "both, in fact, desired the same object, namely, an extension of popular influence in the government,"* but pursued a different theory in their efforts to attain it. The attempt at insurrection was "'as foolishly contrived and ill-conducted as it was wicked and treasonable," but now that the passions of the hour have had time to subside, some allowance must be made for men goaded to desperation by long years of mis-government, in the correction of which every moral and constitutional mode of redress appeared to have been exhausted. This explanation will show why we have stated that the Government of that clay ill-deserved the tribute of loyalty and devotion shewn by the militia of the Province. The great majority of the people of Canada shrunk from open rebellion, and nobly rallied to support the Government, in num- bers, and with an enthusiasm worthy of a more deserving Administration. Newspapers in those days were not plentiful, and the people of the rural districts, actively engaged in warring with the forest, and pre-occupied with the stern struggle for existence amid the hardships of the bush, had but few sources of general information. A few persons, here and therein this county, thus understood and estimated the merits of the questions at issue, and when the insurrection came, either held aloof from the prepa- rations made to sustain the Government, or sullenly acquiesced in a move- ment it would be useless or fatal to resist. In the Newcastle District, twelve persons in all were arrested on a charge of sympathizing with the rebels, and after a temporary detention were dismissed. Among these was Dr. John Gilchrist, afterwards member of Parliament for the county. CHAPTER VII. TRAININGS AND ELECTIONS. During many years the militia of this town and county met annually at Major Anderson's, on the north shore of Rice Lake, for the formalities of "training," as it was called, which consisted chiefly in answering to the muster call of their several companies, forming in double column, and an * Ibid. Page 41. - 39 attempt at the first steps in military drill. Drinking and dissipation not unusually followed, and formed no small portion of the apparent duties of the day. Previous to the division of the district, which took place in 1841, a great deal of inconvenience and loss of time was occasioned by jurymen from all these townships having to attend the sittings of the courts at Cobourg ; but the duty was unavoidable, and had to be borne as best it could. The first election of a representative in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, in which much interest was taken in this county, was that of 1834. The candidates, we are informed, were Col. Alexander McDonell, Dr. John Gilchrist, James Grey Bethune and W. S. Conger, Esquires, the latter of whom was then engaged in mercantile life at Cobourg. Colonel McDonell was elected. The next election was held at Sully, on the south side of Rice Lake, in 1836, and was the scene of much excitement. The candidates ,were Henry Ruttan, Esq., Col. Alexander McDonell, George M. Boswell, Esq., and Dr. John Gilchrist. So strong was the feeling here shewn in favor of the candidates from Peterborough, that a number of leading conservatives clubbed together, and raised a sunken steamer lying in the lower portion of the Otonabee, and had her fitted out so as to ply up and down the river for the convey- ance of voters. Temporary booths were erected in the vicinity of the polling place, where refreshments were served, while here and there, at convenient distances, the "free and independent electors" found whole barrels of whiskey, standing on end, with the heads knocked out, from which they dipped and drank at pleasure. These were evidently "drouthy" times, but it must be remembered that the exigency of the occasion was great, and that the wants of an entire District had to be supplied. Of course some scenes of violence accompanied these copious libations, but happily no lives were lost ; and these very excesses no doubt contributed to bring about the wise legislation which during the present decade has rendered such scenes impossible. The election of 1836 resulted in a majority of votes for Col. Alexander McDonell, who was accordingly declared duly elected. As yet, Peterborough had no printing press, and of course no local news- paper. Both of these wants were supplied by John Darcus, Esq., who in 40 November, 1837, commenced the publication of the " Backwoodsman and Peterborough Sentinel." Judging from some numbers of the second volume before us, it was of fair size, technically known as " medium." In typography and editorial management, its appearance was creditable, and would enable it to compare favorably with the local press of the time. The office of publication was a frame building of two stories, on the west side of George street, a little south of King, which was in subsequent years used as a school house ; and at length becoming dilapidated, fell a prey to the incendiary during the winter of 1865-6. Mr. Darcus was a prominent character in the local affairs of the time — has already been mentioned — and will be referred to again in a future page. Up to the period of the Rebellion in 1837-8, the population of Peter- borough had materially increased, but the aspect of the town was far from attractive to the visitor or the tourist. It was in fact but a large straggling village, with huge gaps between the houses, and these were built irregularly, with but little regard to symmetry or taste. On this part of our subject we have been favored with the following communication from an intelligent gentleman who then passed through Peterborough, and who is now one of our respected citizens : Peterborough, November 2d, 1866. " The first time I set my eyes upon the County Town of t\ie present County of Peterborough, was about the middle of February, 1838. I entered it from the east side of the river, coming through the "Scotch Village," now the village of Ashburnham: and crossing the Otonabee on the old bridge. It was late in the afternoon, and my companion, the late Mr. Thomas Harper, pointed out as we drove along, the chief points of interests, and the names of the principal places." " In passing through the town, the chief business place appeared to be at the corners of Simcoe and George streets. But what struck me most was the isolated. appearance of the houses. I do not. remember seeing two houses any where adjoining j and the figure I made use of at the time was that the houses appeared to be ' sown broad cast.' " " On the market square were several log houses, on the site of the present market house and town hall. Near the site of the Bank of Montreal was a somewhat spacious log building, for several years after used as the Post office. The stores were few in number, Messrs. Shaw & Fortune, Charles Perry, Robert Nicholls, John Crawford, Holland and Morrow, being the 41 only merchants in the town. Their united business would scarcely equal that of one of our present business men." " There were two grist mills, two saw mills, two distilleries, one brewery, one tannery, four churches and one school — the Grammar School — a log building in the rear of where the present Union School now stands." " The buildings, save the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches, were entirely of wood, mostly framed, lathed and plastered inside and out. The dwellings were anything but comfortable, there being but the thick- ness of two laths and two thicknesses of mortar composing the walls ; the least crack in the mortar would allow the air to pass freely in. I imagined in all my travels I never found such cold houses as were then in Peter- borough." " The town appeared to be begun at the south end, as, north of Simcoe street there were fewer houses than on the south side. An impression prevailed among the settlers that the town was destined to become a great place ; that the Otonabee river would be largely utilized for all sorts of manufactures ; an opinion requiring a considerable degree of faith on the part of a stranger to endorse, being but a backwoods town with the stumps all through the streets, and its site on the north side of Hunter street covered with pine bushes." " The only passable roads were those of George street, Hunter street east and Sherbrook street west. On some of the streets the trees were growing, and the pine stumps upon others gave indications that the giants of the forest had been numerous upon the site of the town." E. It has been stated that the population of Peterborough in 1832 was five hundred. In 1838, it could not have exceeded eight or nine hundred inhabitants, all told. The population of the townships which since composed the United • Counties of Peterborough and Victoria had by this time so largely increased that it was deemed desirable to set them apart as a separate district, and this was accordingly done in 1841, under the name of the Colborne District. In the meantime a Jail and Court House had to be erected at Peterborough, which was at the same time declared the District Town. Fortunately the minutes of the proceedings have been preserved, and with them the details of the erection of these important structures, which will be found in the next chapter. 7 42 CHAPTER VIII Daniel Griffith, Esq., J. P. Thomas Need, " a Edward Duffy, " a C. Moe, " a Edward S. Hickson. u Robert P. Madge, a James Wallis, a Walter Crawford, (i Robert Dennistoun, it John Langton, a ERECTION OF COURT HOUSE AND JAIL. On the second day of June, 1838, a meeting of the magistrates of the proposed new Colborne District was held at " the Government school house," as the minutes term it, for the purpose of naming a Building Committee for the erection of the new Court House and Jail, and other matters in connection with the same, as provided in the Act passed at a previous session of the Upper Canada Legislature. The magistrates present were : Thomas Traill, Esq., J. P. G. A. Hill, Ephraim Sanford, " George G. Bird, " " Robert Reid, " " F. Connin, " " J. Hutchinson, " " Thomas Carr, " " John Darcus, " " Thomas A. Stewart, A. McDonell., Esq., J. P., M. P. P. The 'Hon. T. A. Stewart, M. L. C, was called to the chair, and John Darcus, Esq., appointed Secretary of the meeting. On subsequent motions, the following gentlemen were appointed officers and members of the Building Committee, of whom three were declared a quorum : BUILDING COMMITTEE. Hon. Thomas A. Stewart, Chairman. William H. Wrighton, Esq., Secretary. Edward Duffy, " Treasurer. Ephraim' Sanford, " Robert P. Madge, « Edward S. Hickson, " On motion of C. Moe, Esq., seconded by E. Duffy, Esq., the Committee were restricted to an expenditure of £4,000 on the new buildings, but subsequently, on finding that the tenders for the work, offered agreeably to the plans adopted, exceeded that amount, a second meeting of the magistrates was held, at which, on motion of James Wallis, Esq., seconded by R. Dennistoun, Esq., the Building Committee were empowered to pro- ceed to the extent of £6,000. 43 At the first meeting, the magistrates instructed the Building Committee to direct the Clerk of the Peace of the Newcastle District " to add one penny in the pound to the Assessment Roll of the proposed District of Colborne, for that year, (1838,) pursuant to the Act establishing the said proposed District." This rate was subsequently extended by resolution over the three following years. The committee was also authorized to advertize for plans for the proposed new Court House and Jail, and to pay the following premiums for the plans they may deem the best : For the 1st., twenty pounds; for the 2d., fifteen pounds; for the 3d., ten pounds. The Building Committee, at their second meeting, arranged to meet every Friday, for. the dispatch of business. They also entered into negociations with several of the provincial banks, as well as with private individuals, to procure loans of money to carry on the work, until the taxes of the District would be available for that purpose. The following are the several sums procured by loan or otherwise for this purpose : — Commercial Bank, Cobourg, notes of Committee discounted, £1175 0. Morrow, Esq., loan at 6 per cent, interest, payable half- yearly - - - - - - 500 Hon. John Kirby, do do do 800 Mrs. Elizabeth Fowler, do do do 741 Rev. Francis Kirkpatrick, do do do 2350 Hon. Z. Burnham, Treasurer Newcastle District, ' taxes on proposed Colborne District for 1838-9-40, - 1694 3 7| These sums, lessened as they were by discount and interest, did not suffice for the completion of the buildings, but several of the contractors accepted the Committee's debentures for sums varying from £100 to £1000, and these, as they matured, were met by the taxes levied on the new District in subsequent years. In a short time plans and specifications for the new buildings were submitted to the Committee by Joseph Scobell and Walter Sheridan, Esquires. That of the former met with most favor, and was awarded the first prize, while Mr. Sheridan's entitled him to the second. The Hon. T. A. Stewart was then deputed to proceed to Toronto, and submit them to the Chief Justice, who confirmed the decision of the Com- mittee. Some alterations were afterwards discussed by the Committee, and the plans modified, but the one originally approved was finally adopted ; and carried out in its general details. Some minor alterations were how- 7* 44 ever made, consisting chiefly of modifications in the interior, by which additional space was gained both above and below. They also instructed the masons to put in cut stone quoins, arches, base course, jams and window sills, not in the original specifications. In excavating for the foundation it was found necessary to go double and in some places treble the depth on which estimates had been formed.* All this occasioned an additional outlay, which exceeded the sum which had been stipulated as the limit of their expenditure, but their proceedings were endorsed by the magistrates, and met with the entire sanction of that body, as well as of the public. The tender of Messrs. Thomas Harper and B. Bletcher for 800 cords of stone at 14s. 9d. each, was accepted, provided they furnish all quarried stone, and this was agreed to by these gentlemen. On the 21st day of August, 1838, John Reid, Esq., P. L. S., reported to the Committee in reference to a survey of the Government appropriation of ground for a Court house, &c, which consisted in all of seven acres, lots Nos. 5, 6 and 7 of which would be required for the intended buildings. The foundation had not been excavated, and the grounds were still covered with brush and fallen trees, when it became known that His Excellency, Sir George Arthur, Lieut.-Governor of Upper Canada, was about to visit Peterborough. As it was desirable that the foundation-stone should be laid by so distinguished a personage, Mr. Scobell was requested, by reso- lution, "to open about six feet of ground," and "have placed on the spot one load of stone," to* admit of this ceremony being performed. The chairman was instructed to solicit this favor through His Excellency's secretary on his arrival, and "should he consent," the Rev. Mr. Wade was "to be requested to offer a short blessing on the success of the under- taking, "f His Excellency cheerfully consented, but his time being limited, the Committee met at their room at 6.30 o'clock on the morning of the 25th August, 1838, waited upon the Governor at 7, and at 7,30 o'clock A. M., His Excellency and suite, accompanied by the Building Committee, pro- ceeded to the ground, and in the presence of numerous spectators laid the corner stone of the new buildings. The official ceremony over, the Rev. C. T. Wade, M. A., offered up an impressive and appropriate prayer. * Fourth and last report of the Building Committee, in Appendix to Journal of the ^District Council —dated December 20th, 1841. f Minutes of Committee, August 21st. 1838. Page 13. 45 The following articles were placed by His Excellency beneath the stone, in the foundation of the south-west corner.* A Parchment Scroll, (On which was tastefully engrossed the following:) ON THE 25th DAY OF AUGUST, A. D., 1838, HIS EXCELLENCY, MAJOR-GENERAL SIR GEORGE ARTHUR, K. C. H., Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, LAID THE FIRST STONE OP THESE BUILDINGS. Then follows the names of the Building Committee, already mentioned in full. The following coins were also deposited : A British shilling of the reign of George IV., 1829. do sixpence do William IV., 1834. do penny do do 1831. do half-penny do do 1831. The lettering of the scroll was executed in elegant style by our towns- man, Ivan O'Beirne, Esq. Tenders were afterwards received from time to time for the erection and completion of the several parts of the Court House building and Jail, the entire cost of which, including alterations and extra work, amounted to £7190 15 7.f During the progress of the work, meetings of the magistrates of the proposed district were several times held, to advise with and assist the Committee. Towards the close of the work, Ephraim Sanford, Esq., was appointed treasurer of the Committee in place of Mr. Duffy, who had removed from the Province; and D. Griffith, Esq., was appointed a mem- ber of the Building Committee. The walls and roofs of the Court House and Jail were completed in 1839, and the work on the interior of the Court House finished, and that building handed over to the Committee by E. Chamberlen, Esq., on the 16th day of November, 1840, but not finally accepted by them until the May following. The jail was not entirely finished until the summer of 1842, owing to a defect in the written agreement, by which the contractor, Mr. Edward Lee, claimed that the plastering was not included in his * Minutes of Committee, August 25th. Page 16. t Minutes of Building Committee, Pages 149, 152 and 153. 46 contract; and the season of 1841 was so far advanced when this became known, that the plastering of the Jail had to be deferred until the following spring. At length, on the 27th day of December, 1841, after upwards of three years of arduous duty, the Building Committee were finally relieved of their task. At a meeting of magistrates held that day, their accounts were examined and declared correct, and a vote of thanks was tendered " to the gentlemen composing the Building Committee, to their Treasurer and Secretary, for their indefatigable exertions in carrying the object of their appointment to completion." CHAPTER IX. (1) A SATIRICAL PRODUCTION. In the month of August, 1838, after the new Colborne District had been provisionally set apart, and during the time the Building Committee were engaged in the arrangements for the erection of the Court House and jail, a severe and cutting satire upon Peterborough, and a number of its chief citizens, appeared in print in the columns of " The Plainspeaker," a small sheet then published at Cobourg. It purported to be an advertisement of "a sale extraordinary of the Town of Peterborough, to pay the taxes,'' and to be held on the first of April following. Although the writer of the document in question announced that he would ' ' Nothing extenuate. "Nor set down aught in malice, ?? some of his allusions, if reproduced, would be so pointedly offensive to many persons still living, who were probably neither better nor worse than the average of humanity, that it is better to omit them here. The docu- ment is supposed to have been written by Mr. Frederick Forest, then residing in Peterborough. The following are samples of this remark- able production, which, as may be supposed, attracted much attention at the time, and is still referred to with interest by many of our older residents, who were familiar with the characters pointed at, whose names or pecu. liarities furnished a ready mark for the shafts of the satirist, 47 From " The Plainspeaker,"— 1838. " It has been reported that this Town is likely to become the Seat of Government ! The report can only be traced to the Editor of a con- temptible publication, whose total disregard for truth entitles him to no credit — " Who dares think one tiling and another tell, u My soul detests him as the gates of hell." 11 A Court House and Jail will be built immediately. For the Debtor's J ail it is contemplated to erect a high wall all around the town ; — the convenience of the inhabitants has been thus consulted, as they will be able to continue in their present houses, an advantage they could not otherwise long enjoy." " The Commissioners of Public Works have appointed a Secretary who thinks himself Wright-on all occasions, a point on which, judging from appearances, his Employers are not likely to be deceived." "About a year since a few Sentinels were established at the expense of the inhabitants. It is however to be regretted that they have only brought contempt and disgrace on those who had the control of them. As they appear to be guided by the motto l Mutare spemo,' their hitherto supporters have lost all hopes of their amendment. * * Let us do them justice : they were seldom seen off their post — few ever having ventured beyond the limits of the town. "Another Lawyer is Cumming to settle here — he has had only one case, which cannot be better described than in the words of Pope, "Thou great first cause, least understood." " 'Opposition is the life of Trade.' So think the Magistrates who have established two separate Boards of Companies among themselves. Causa latet res est notissime. "One party is led (query misled) by an individual who has adopted the motto of his lowest follower — Q Nunquam hie Moe nisi in dispari. 1 One of the same party advertizes Magisterial business gratis, no doubt having apportioned the value and the price. From this it will appear that no price is fixed for Justice and at no price can it be obtained. " It is a tale " Told by an Idiot, full of sound and fury, " Signifying nothing." " Intending purchasers, who cant' well pay without, may borrow money on easy terms. The lender, Cant' well, wait for his Interest, having little or no principle left. 48 (2) ANOTHER IMMIGRATION. In the year 1839, Captain Charles Rubidge, R.N., who had been absent in England during the greater portion of the two previous years, returned to Peterborough, having in charge a body of immigrants, numbering in all 183 souls, chiefly selected from the estates of Col. Wyndham, in Clare and Limerick, in the South of Ireland. The voyage was most prosperous, and as the immigrants passed through the country, many of them found profitable employment, and the remainder, within a few days after their arrival in Peterborough, were absorbed among the people of the surrounding townships ; and having found temporary occupation, many of them after- wards became owners of land, on which they or their families still reside. (3) THE ELECTION OP 1841. The election of 1841 is memorable not only as being one of the first after the union of the Provinces, and the first held within the new District of Colborne, then only provisionally set apart from the Newcastle District ; but also for a scene of violence rarely exceeded among these exciting con- tests in the past, and under our present judicious election law, it may be presumed, quite impossible in the future. The election for the new provisional District, which then embraced what is now the Counties of Peterborough and Victoria, was held in Peterbo- rough, and had its head quarters at White's Hotel, situated just east of George Street, in the southern part of the town*, where the poll was opened by Captain Frazer, the returning officer. The candidates were : Colonel Alexander McDonell, Frederick Ferguson, Esq. Dr. John Gilchrist. The former of these gentlemen appeared in the conservative and the latter in the reform interest. As the election progressed, it became evident that Dr. Gilchrist would be elected, and a plot was at once formed to break up the election, so as to prevent his legal return. The conspirators, who are now well known, and rank among their number several of our respectable citizens, met in a tavern (since burnt down) on the flat space just above the western extremity of the Otonabee bridge, and there arranged * This hotel was situated contiguous to Day's Brewery, and was then a leading public house, and a place of fashionable resort. Both it and the brewery were burned to the ground, during the summer of 1866, but the brewery had long ceased to be used for any purpose, and the hotel has be«nforaome years occupied as a private residence. 49 their plans. A gentleman, well known in both town and county, but whose name, for obvious reasons, we forbear to specify, was then acting as constable and door keeper of the room in which the poll was being held, and was aware of their designs. They were to approach in a body ; the door keeper was to make a show of resistance, and be knocked down, with his own consent. In the melee which would follow, the poll-book was to be seized and destroyed, and thus the opposing party would be deprived of the only legal evidence of the election of their candidate. The room was full of people, among whom were the candidates and their agents, when the conspirators stealthily approached. On reaching the room, a tierce show of fight was made, amid which the guardian of the peace rolled over as if smitten by a thunderbolt. The books of the check clerks and other papers were speedily seized, but the presence of mind of the Returning Officer defeated their design. On the first alarm, he quietly slipped the poll-book beneath his coat, where it remained secure. Whether from accident or otherwise, Dr. Gilchrist received a blow upon the head with a stick, from which, however, he speedily recovered. . But though thus baulked in their design, some of the more daring and reckless pursued the game still further. The Returning Officer then occupied a room at White's, and on his going out in the evening to dine with a friend, his apartment was entered, and a valise cut open, in hopes of finding the coveted poll-book within. But Captain Fraser, as if antici- pating their design, had taken the precious document with him, and retained it in his possession, so that this second attempt failed as igno- miniously as fh*j first. As not one of the parties implicated in this outrage would now attempt to justify or even palliate it, we may spare them the censures such conduct so justly deserved. Besides, their leader passed away from the excitemeuts of earth during the present year, (1866), and the survivors have no doubt sufficiently regretted acts committed during the heat of excitement, and when carried away by the passions of the hour. The election of 1841 resulted in the selection, by a considerable majority, of Dr. John Gilchrist, as member of Parliament for the new Colborne District, which position he continued to fill during the next four years. 50 CHAPTER X. THE NEW COLBORNE DISTRICT. On the 14th day of October, 1841, the proclamation formally establish- ing the Colborne District, was issued, by command of Sir Richard Downes Jackson, K. C. B., who was for a time Administrator of the Government after the death of Lord Sydenham. The following townships were embraced in the new District, the first eleven of which are included in the County of Peterborough : Belmont, Methuen, Burleigh, Dunimer, Asphodel, Otonabee, Douro, North Monaghan, Smith, Ennismore, Harvey, Verulam, Emily, Ops, Fenelon, Mariposa, Eldon, Bexley, Somerville. Early in the following year (1842) one or more District Councillors were elected from each township, and these met at the Court House in Peter- borough, for their first session, on Tuesday, February 8th, 1842. George Arundel Hill, Esquire, of Dummer, was appointed by the Gov- ernment to preside as Warden over the deliberations of the new Council ; and continued to act in that capacity up till the close of the year 1846. The following are the names of the gentlemen composing this first council and the townships from which they were elected : George A] Hill, Esq., Warden. Councillors — Thomas Harper, Esq., Monaghan ; Stephen Nichols, Esq., Smith ; Smithin D. Gibbs, Esq., Douro ; ThosCarrand James Doris, Esq'rs, Otonabee; Richard Birdsall, Esq., Asphodel ; Josias L. Hughes, Wm. Cottingham, Esq'rs, Emily ; Francis Kelly, Esq., Ops ; John Langton, Esq., Fenelon ; Thomas Need, Esq., Verulam and Harvey ; Daniel Costello, Esq., Ennismore; Samuel Davidson, Esq., Mariposa ; Alex. Campbell, Esq., Eldon ; Alex. Kidd, Esq., Dummer. Officers of the Council. — John Darcus, Esq., Clerk; Dr. John Gilchrist, Treasurer ; James Hall, and Robert Reid, Esq'rs, Auditors ; G. B. Hall, Esq., Solicitor, &c. Road Surveyors. — John Reid, Thomas J. Dennehy, Richard Birdsall, George Hughes, Edward Caddy, James W. Dunsford, Alex. Campbell, Charles Britton, and James Bird, Esquires. At the end of one year, one-third of these councillors retired by ballot, and another third at the end of the second year, their places being sup- 51 plied by a now election. At the end of the third year the third first elected retired, and in each subsequent year the third then longest in office withdrew ; so that one- third of the councillors only were elected each year. The machinery of the District Council thus organized continued in force until 1850, in the beginning of which year the basis of the present Municipal System was laid, which, with various trifling modifications, still continues in force. It was then, (in 1850,) that township councils were instituted, and the management of local affairs placed entirely in the hands of the people in each township, who have since had entire control, through their local councillors, of the levying of taxes, the improvement of roads, and all other necessary expenditure. The County Council is composed of the Reeves or presiding officers of the several township councils, and is empowered to levy certain taxes for county purposes. Thus the entire direct taxation of the country is levied by the county and township coun- cils, and expended under their auspices ; statements in reference to the receipts and disbursements of which are published annually, so that what- ever taxation exists is levied directly by the people through their repre- sentatives, chosen yearly to manage their affairs. In connection with each township will be found a list of the gentlemen who have been successively District Councillors for that township, and also the names of those who by virtue of their position as Reeve or head of each Township Council, have had seats in the County Council, and collectively formed that Council during the same period. The population of the several townships composing the County of Peterborough in 1841 was as follows: — Otonabee 1931, North Monaghan, (including the town) 1620, Smith 1349, Douro 856, Dummer 868, Asphodel 551, Belmont 115, Ennismore 279, and Harvey 50. The estimate of the liabilities of the entire new District for the year 1842, including interest on the jail debt, did not exceed $6000 for all purposes. These were times of comparative poverty, of impassible roads, small clearings, paltry prices, and low taxation. The gradual progress and developement of the county, has to a great extent ameliorated the greater number of these conditions, and of necessity added largely to its burdens. The liabilities of this county alone for 1866 scarcely fell short of $18,000. But with increased resources, improved roads, and an excellent market, our people are better able to meet the larger scale of taxation to-day than they were the more moderate one of former years ; and not a 8* 52 man in the community would be willing to return to the rates of the period referred to with all the concomitant circumstances of the time annexed. A great deal of difficulty was found in the settlement of accounts between the new Colborne District and the old Newcastle District ; and it was not until 1845, and after legal proceedings were about to be resorted to, that balances due this District were paid and the whole matter fairly adjusted. Among the earliest By-Laws passed by the District Council was one for the payment of the salaries of its officers, among whom are to be reckoned the clerks, assessors and collectors of the several townships. The Warden's salary w r as at first $80 per year; in 1844 it was increased to $160. and in 1847, during the first year John Langton, Esq., presided over the Council as Warden, the salary attached to that office was abolished entirely. It is but proper to remark, however, that some remuneration, in addition to the ordinary fees, lias each year been voted to the Warden, in lieu of a salary. In 1849 this honorarium was $200, and it has rarely if ever since exceeded that sum. In February of 1847, a silk gown was first provided for the Warden, by order of the Council, and has been since worn by the gentlemen who have successively occupied that position. The District Clerk's salary in the beginning of 1842 w r as $160, but in a few months was raised to $300, and in 1849 to $400 per year. In January, 1852, the offices of Clerk and Treasurer were united, the salary then being fixed at $500, which as the duties of the joint office expanded was in 1860 increased to $1200 yearly, at which it still remains. The Treasurer of the District, in its early days, was allowed four per cent upon all moneys passing through his hands, and also a fee of one shilling for every inspection of his books or accounts. In 1849 an annual salary of $400 was attached to the office, in lieu of all percentages, and other fees or charges. The Auditors in 1842 were paid $20 each per annum. In 1850, their remuneration was increased to $30, and in 1.856 to $40 each, at which it still remains. The District Surveyor was at first paid $1.75 per day while actually employed. In 1844 a fixed salary of $100 was attached to the office, which was slightly increased in subsequent years, and in 1849 rose to $150. but was abolished during the following year. 53 The clerks of the several townships were paid $12 each, during the first years of our District Council, with the exception of that officer in Belmont, who only received $4 per year. In subsequent years, and especially since the new municipal system was introduced in 1850, these officers, and also the Assessors and Collectors, are paid for the greatly increased duties, of later years, by the several municipalities for which they act. The pay of the District Councillors, (or ''wages" as they term it in the several by-laws relating to this subject,) was at first $1.25 per day; in 1855 it was increased to $1.50 ; and now, for some years, has been $1.75 per "day, with allowance of 15 cents per mile one way for travelling expenses. In the early years of the District Council, the onerous duties entailed by a seat in that body do not appear to have been sought after so eagerly as in more recent times. Among the earliest by-laws of that period, is one " to determine the penalties on persons refusing to serve as Councillors;" and in 1845> we find one entitled "A by-law to enforce the attendance of Municipal Councillors," which however was repealed in 1848. The former of these imposed a fine of not less than one dollar, nor more than forty, for neglecting or refusing to take and subscribe the oath prescribed : and the latter a penalty of one dollar for absence from any of the sittings of Council, and two dollars for absence during an entire day, without per- mission of the Council. One of the first projects espoused by the District Council was the con- struction of a plank road from Cobourg, round the head of Rice Lake, to Peterborough, and thence to Chemong Lake. But this, like many other projects since mooted, was ere long abandoned. The chief records of the Council are made up of the then important, but now uninteresting, details of the opening up or establishment of new lines of road, repairing bridges, arranging and re-modelling the boundaries of school sections, and the numerous other matters common to the business of all councils. During the year 1844, John Darcus, Esq., a Justice of the Peace, who till then had acted as District Clerk, was found guilty of frauds, which not only deprived him of that office, but obliged him to abandon the neighborhood, if not even to fly from the Province. His peculations were trifling, and must have been entered upon in an unguarded moment. They occurred in this wise. It is customary when any person kills a wolf to take the scalp to the nearest magistrate, who signs a certificate to the effect that a wolf has been killed, and the recipient, on presenting this 54 document to the County Treasurer, is entitled to a bunas of six dollars, for the service thus rendered to the country. Mr. Darcus forged seven- teen of these certificates, inserting the names of settlers at a distance, and drew the money in their names, which of course he retained. Soon after, one of the persons whose name had been unwarrantably used, was con- gratulated on his success as a hunter, when he denied having killed any wolves, and on further enquiry, the discovery was made, which resulted in the withdrawal from the country of the unfortunate gentleman who had allowed himself to be guilty of the base transaction. We mention these circumstances more in sorrow than in scorn, and to "point a moral" rather than "adorn" this narrative. The County Treasurer was thereupon instructed to publish annually, a list of the names of persons mentioned in such certificates, with their place of residence ; a precaution at all times necessary to guard against a repe- tition of such fraud. On the removal of Mr. Darcus, James McCarroll, Esq., acted as County Clerk for a few weeks, when the permanent appointment was conferred upon Walter Sheridan, Esq. Dr. John Gilchrist continued to act as Treasurer until October, 1846, at which time Frederick Ferguson, Esq., was appointed to that office, which he retained till the close of 1851, when the two offices of clerk and treasurer were united ; and the duties of both have since been very faithfully and efficiently discharged by Mr. Sheridan, who still retains them. On the retirement of Mr. Ferguson, the Council expressed their entire confidence in his integrity and ability, and their regret at dispensing with his services, which was rendered expedient by the amalgamation of the two offices. Both Dr. Gilchrist and Mr. Ferguson acted in turn as Gov- ernment Land Agent, an office subsequently held by the late Col. Crawford, and abolished, in so far as the older townships of the County of Peterborough was concerned, within a few years of the present time. CHAPTER XL SCHOOLS AND SUPERINTENDENTS. A new Common School act, passed by the Reform Government of the day ; came into force in 1844, and Elias Burnham, Esq., was appointed 55 Superintendent of Schools for the Colborne District, in order effectually to carry out its provisions, — an office which he accepted rather from a desire to further the important interests of education, than from any emoluments belonging to the office, the salary attached to which during the period he held it, was at first £25 and then £50 per year, including travelling- expenses. Mr. Burnham discharged the arduous and laborious duties of this office, from this time up till the year 1850, with commendable zeal and ability, in doing so, travelling on horseback from six to eight hundred miles annually. The following official report, which he submitted to the* Council at the close of the year 1844, will be found interesting as an illustration of the position of the District at that date, in an educational point of view. REPORT OF THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1844. To the Warden and Councillors of the Colhorne District, Gentlemen : I beg to lay before you a report relating to the Common Schools of the Colborne District for the year 1844. I have visited all the schools during the past year, in operation at the time of my annual examination, except one in Verulam and Harvey, and one in Fenelon and Bexley. Circum- stances have delayed my examination of these beyond the time prescribed. The character of the schools, generally, is satisfactory. It is to be regretted however that in many of the school districts, particularly those in the townships of Ops and North Monaghan, the school houses are so very bad, amounting in some instances to a state of actual discomfort and unhealthi- ness ; but I have invariably urged upon the people the necessity of their improvement, and I have reason to believe that they fully agree with me therein, and that they will remedy the evil as soon as possible." " The attendance of children is good, averaging to each school about twenty-five, but I am sorry to see this number confined solely, or nearly so, to children of small age. Taking one school with another, there is a fair proportion of children who read and write." u In no instances in my recollection, with one or two exceptions, have I seen the English grammar in use; very seldom geography, and no history, except occasionally in a reading book. The bible I found in general use." " There is a great deficiency of books in very many of the schools." 56 " This. I was told, originated in the carelessness or poverty of the parents. I have, however, invariably urged upon them the necessity of supplying their children with proper books. The teachers frequently complain ol* this deficiency, and of their consequent inability to classify their scholars ; which is prejudicial to their advancement." " I have reason to believe that the teachers rely more upon reason and common sense in their instruction, than upon the rod ; and I have inva- riably urged upon them to do so. I have also had to suggest the benefit of allowing the children a short relaxation during school hours. I have also made it known that intemperance in any teacher will be regarded by me as a good cause for his immediate removal, and that cruelty towards his scholars will be promptly put down." " Upon the whole, I may say that, although there is much room for improvement in many of the schools, still there is no real cause for com- plaint, and I am satisfied that they will continue gradually to prosper, and that the teachers will be improving." v'^ vj^ *^ vj> v'v 0> " I may further state that I made an application some time ago to the Governor General for the free grant of a lot in the Town of Peterborough, to Trustees, with the view of ultimately being able to build thereon a commodious school house, and establishing by private munificence a fund, the interest from which would be sufficient to supply free tuition to all who might choose to aviiil themselves of it, and to have a good library in connection therewith ; and I have intended, if my exertions had been suc- cessful, to have devoted the entire of my salary, as Superintendent, for that purpose. But His Excellency did not condescend to notice my petition, and so the matter for the present has ended. I have the honor to be, &c, E. BURNHAM, County Superintendent of Schools for the Colborne District." Peterborough, February 11, 1845. Thomas Benson, Esq., succeeded E. Bnrnham, Esq., in the office of County Superintendent, — the salary being now raised to £130 per year. Mr. Benson was highly respected both for his intelligence and the urbanity of his manners. His was one of the many valuable lives lost in the terrible railroad disaster at the Desjardines Canal in 1857. He retained the office of County Superintendent only for one year. His letter of resignation is interesting, as pourtraying the arduous duties of that office, 57 and the scant remuneration thus afforded for services so important. It is as follows : " To the Warden and Municipal Councillors of the County of Peter- borough, in Council Assembled. " Gentlemen : — The period having arrived when it becomes necessary that you should provide for the superintendence of the Common Schools of the county for the ensuing year, it is proper that I should inform you that I do not intend to offer myself as a candidate for the situation you did me the honor to confer upon me at the commencement of the past year." " If I here take occasion to refer to a few of the reasons which have induced me to come to this determination, it will be with the sole view of increasing the usefulness and efficiency of an office, the faithful discharge of the duties of which may do more to promote the social and moral advancement of the rural population of this county, than any other secular agency within your control. The first and most powerful motive which impels me to decline a reappointment to the office of superintendent of schools, is the conviction that the amount of labor which the faithful discharge of its duties would entail upon the incumbent, is more than any one person could possibly endure." " I trust it will be apparent that in alluding to the extent of this labor, I do not seek to magnify my own exertions. I crave your attention to this point merely to shew that a change of the former system is necessary." " The distance which must be travelled over to complete one visit to each school section in this county, would appear totally incredible to any one who had not taken some pains to reckon up the numerous journeys it occasions ; one visit could not be nearly accomplished in a quarter of the year at an average rate of. travelling of twenty miles a day. This rate, considering the state of most of the roads, and the time which must be spent in properly examining a school, is greater than could possibly be maintained for a whole year. The extent of my correspondence during the past year has been much greater than any one anticipated. Upwards of six hundred communications have been received, and nearly five hun- ' dred despatched. It is true that this will be in future greatly diminished, unless changes are made in the school law : but it will always be very con- siderable. The, operation of a law but newly introduced, entailed upon me the preparation of opinions and decisions, which not unfrequently required days of careful research, and much labor in furnishing numerous 9 58 copies. I do not at all exaggerate when I state that the office work alone of my situation, has consumed more time, and required more anxious exertion, than is devoted to some of the best paid offices in the country." " In the next place, I find that my health is not equal to the task this office imposes. Frequent night journeys, and change of quarters, brought on a fit of illness which kept me from the performance of my duties for several weeks, every effort to resume my journeys bringing on a relapse." a But I should be recreant to the cause I profess to advocate, if I allowed any cowardly apprehension of being misunderstood or misrepre- sented, to prevent me from stating that the remuneration attached to the office under consideration, is out of all proportion to the nature and im- portance of its duties, and to the value of such qualification as a superin- tendent should possess." "My personal expenses for the year, including travelling expenses, repairs, stationery, postage and loss in the value of a horse worn down, have amounted to about seventy pounds, leaving only about sixty pounds as compensation for services which occupied the whole of my time, to the exclusion of all other sources of income." " The conclusion I desire to draw from these statements, is one to which I trust I may be permitted to call your attention, without exposing myself to the imputation of officious interference with privileges and duties which are peculiarly committed to you by the law : — it is this — that the interests of education will be promoted by a division of the county into at least two districts for school superintendence, and by fixing a rate of remune- ration more justly proportioned to the value of the services and attainments called into exercise by its arduous duties and high requirements." * With regard to the condition and prospects of common school edu- cation in the county, an improvement has taken place, and an impetus has been given to the desire for further advancement which must have become so apparent to each of you, gentlemen, in your several localities, as to leave no need to enlarge upon it here. Whether this improvement shall go on with a much needed and steadily increasing progress, will greatly depend upon the appointments which the Council may now make, to fill a situation the duties of which I feel that I have very imperfectly discharged." "I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, "Your most obedient humble servant, (Signed) Thomas Benson, « Supt Schools Co, Peterboro'. "Peterborough, 28th January, 1852.'' 59 After the retirement of Mr. Benson, in January, 1852, the county waft divided into four sections, for purposes of superintendence, of which the Townships of Smith, Douro and Otonabee formed one, Asphodel, Dummer and Belmont formed another, the other two consisting of the townships of North Monaghan and Ennismore respectively. The Rev. Edward Roberts was appointed Local Superintendent of the first division, the Rev. Thomas Searight of the second, Thos. Fortye, Esq., for North Monaghan, and Patrick Sullivan, Esq., for Ennismore. In March, 1853, requests were made for the appointment of separate township Local Superintendents, and notwithstanding the formal disapproval of this system expressed by Wm. Cottingham, Esq., Warden, in his address to the Council, this system was adopted, and has been since con- tinued until 1866, when an effort towards the centralization of the duties of the office was again made, and with partial success. The list of town- ship superintendents will be found in connection with the several munici- palities for which they held office. CHAPTER XII. MISCELLANEOUS. In February, 1847, an important meeting was held in the Court House for the purpose of forwarding the construction of a railroad from Port Hope to Peterborough, — a charter for which had been obtained during the then last session of Parliament ; but the subject was new, and public moneys, which were afterwards so lavishly expended by means of the Municipal Loan Fund, were not yet available. The project therefore de- pended entirely upon individual and local effort, but though frequently and freely discussed, did not come into effect until several years later. During March of the same year, (1847) public meetings were held and subscriptions raised to aid in mitigating the serious distress from famine then prevailing in Ireland and Scotland. Several of our leading citizens, both in town and county, lent themselves freely to this good work ; which resulted in a collection in all of £364, the proportion of which for Scot- land was duly forwarded through the Treasurer, James Wallis, Esq., for 9* 60 the purposes intended ; but the Home Committee for the relief of Ireland, from some cause, never applied for their proportion, although duly notified. It was therefore resolved, at a public meeting, held in September of that year, to apply this portion for the relief of immigrants arriving here, or then in the district, a large proportion of whom were from Ireland. The number of these was very considerable, and they brought with them a form T>f fever of a malignant type. A public meeting was then called and the following gentlemen appointed to act as a Health Committee for the town : — Thomas Chambers, Charles Forest, Joseph Shaw, Robert Stenson and James Harvey, Esquires. In order to provide shelter and attendance for those who arrived here in an almost destitute condition, a temporary hospital was improvised in the southern part of the town. Among the victims of this disease was Dr. Hutcheson, in reference to whose decease the Peterborough Dispatch contained the following brief obituary notice :— " Died,— On Sunday, [July 1st, 1847.] of typhus fever, caught while in attendance at the immigrant sheds, John Hutcheson, Esq., M.D., aged 50 years, formerly of Kirkaldy, in Fife, North Britain, and a resident of America since 1815. This melancholy event cast a gloom over the entire community, to whose interests, he, both as a friend and a physician, had long been faithfully devoted. The writer trusts that some one of his most intimate associates will pay a just and fitting tribute to the memory and merits of our departed friend, as it would be both unbecoming and ungrateful that talent and worth such as Dr. Hutcheson was largely gifted with, should pass from the busy stage of life without something beyond a passing notice." During 1846-7 the bridge across the Otonabee at Peterborough was rebuilt, under the supervision of the Board of Works, — and a large sum of money expended on the boundary line between Otonabee and Douro, Asphodel and Dummer, part of which was for the construction of a bridge across the Indian river on that road. Towards these important improve- ments a grant of £3000 had been made in Parliament during the previous year, and the outlay then effected along the boundary line mentioned, and over seven hundred days' work, voluntarily offered by the residents along the road, rendered it barely passable for a team and vehicle. The death of B. Y. McKyes, Esq., first Judge for the Colborne District, occurred on the 2nd day of December, 1847. 61 In consequence of the resignation of the Viger-Draper Administration about that time, a new election was ordered, which took place on the 20th and 21st of the same month. George Barker Hall, Esq., barrister, at once offered himself as a candidate for the representation of the county, but was offered the position of District Judge, which he accepted. The other candidates in the field were James Hall, (the present Sheriff) John Langton and Richard Birdsall, Esquires. These three gentlemen went to the polls. Mr. Hall was the nominee of the Reform Convention, and was elected by 81 of a majority over his most successful opponent. The first side-walk in Peterborough was built during this year, (1847.) It is mentioned in the local press of the time, among the public improve- ments, but was of short extent, and merely extended from the "Albert house" of that day, to Mr. Cluxton's store, on George street. During 1847, the large stone building between St. Peter's and St. Andrew's Churches, now the residence of Robert Nicholls,- Esq., was built by P. M. Gro.ver, Esq., and afterwards purchased by the Odd Fellows of Peterborough for a hall, and formally dedicated by them to this purpose in February, 1848. From some cause the society in Peterborough, fell into decline, and has now for several years ceased to exist. In the Peterborough Dispatch of May 4th, 1848, appears the following brief tribute to the memory of a prominent and wealthy citizen then just deceased : " Died, — At his residence, in Peterborough, on Saturday, the 29th ult., after a short but painful illness, which he bore with uncomplaining resig- nation, Oughtry Morrow, Esquire, one of our oldest and most respected merchants, who grew with the growth of our thriving town, and whose interests were largely identified with it. One who by a steady career of probity, integrity and untiring industry, had realized a handsome inde- pendence ; and had besides acquired general esteem and confidence among all classes of the community. The deceased was a magistrate, and also filled the office of trustee of the Grammar School of the Colborne District." "His funeral was most numerously and respectably attended. St. John's Church was thronged in every part, and many could not gain admittance. Business was entirely suspended ; indeed, unavoidably so, — for nearly every male inhabitant was present on the melancholy occasion of consigning to the tomb our respected friend and citizen, in hope of a glorious immortality." "An honest man, — the noblest work of God." 62 The walls of the large flour and grist mill, on the east side of the Oton- abee bridge, the property of R. D. Rogers, Esq., was built in 1848, — the adjoining saw mill having during that year been finished and in operation. On the completion of Mr. Roger's large mill, Peterborough had " three first-class flouring establishments, capable of manufacturing from 50,000 to 60,000 barrels of flour per annum*" The other mills referred to were that of G. B. Hall, Esq., in the occupation of Mr. Martin, and that owned by J. R. Benson, Esq. A fine woollen factory was then approaching com- pletion, and an extensive rake factory, conducted by Mr. Sperry, is said to have turned out 20,000 of those useful implements during the previous season.f Three iron foundries were also at this time in successful opera- tionj, namely, that of Messrs. Harvey & Dixon, Messrs. Malcolm & Co's, and the furnace and shops of Mr. Mo wry at the east end of the bridge. Sundry good buildings had also been erected ; and among others, the brick hotel owned by Thomas Chambers, Esq., on the corner of Hunter and Water Streets, subsequently destroyed by fire. In regard to hotels it may here be mentioned that the " Globe" hotel, on Charlotte street, was the first brick house erected in Peterborough, and the "Commercial hotel" of Mr. Chambers, just mentioned, was the second building of brick within the limits of the town. It stood on the site of his present grocery, and was for a time the leading public house in Peterborough. It was built in 1847, burned down in 1858, and on its site the present two story building was erected in 1864. Mr. Chambers has long been known as one of our enterprising and wealthy citizens. It is more difficult than might at first appear, to do justice, in a work of this kind, to the growth of the several interests, commercial, mechanical and agricultural. The operations of the latter especially, important though they be, are unobtrusive, and require to be sought after rather than appear on the surface. We find, however, in the Peterborough Despatch of February 3rd, 1848, a report of the Committee of the Colborne District Agricultural Society for 1847, which is full of interest. After an expres- sion of regret that more zeal and efficient interest were not shown in regard to the township agricultural societies, and also that such a society as that for the District should only number about four hundred members, the Committee go on to remark : " But on the other hand, we find much cause for congratulation in the * Despatch Aug. 31st, 1848. f Ibid. X Despatch Sept. 7th, 1846. 63 steady and rapid advancement in both the quantity and quality of the agricultural products of this District since the formation of your society. This advancement is, perhaps, most observable in the articles of wheat and flour. Up to the year 1842, it is known, that not more than two thousand bushels of wheat were sent out of the District for sale in any one year. During the last year, (1847) upwards of twenty thousand barrels of flour, and thirty thousand bushels of wheat, were sent off by the merchants of this District alone ; independently of the large quantity (probably not less than fifty thousand bushels) of wheat taken out by the farmers them- selves, and sold at the ports on Lake Ontario." " In the first year mentioned, not one mill existed in this District capa- ble of manufacturing flour for the foreign markets ; now more than eight manufacturing mills, with upwards of thirty run of stones are in operation.* In 1842, not more than one thrashing mill was owned in the District, now upwards of fifty are in use, thirty of them manufactured at the foundry in Peterborough, during the last year. Upwards of eight hundred plows were made during the past year, (1847) by only two establishments in this District ; and now a reaping machine, almost innumerable horse rakes, drill plows, harrows, cultivators, and other improved implements of hus- bandry are in general use." " Within the same short period several woolen factories, two, at least, of which would do credit to the oldest settled parts of the Province, have been erected, and are gradually extending their operations and their benefits ; while the market they offer for an important staple of the country, is already effecting an evident improvement in the breed of sheep. Nu- merous oatmeal mills now furnish in considerable quantities an article of growing consequence among our exports. A most marked and gratify- ing improvement in the breed of cattle has taken place, through the immediate instrumentality of your society, besides that which is the result of the most praiseworthy efforts of private enterprise. The improvement is less manifest in the breed of horses than in any other description of stock, and your Committee regret that the attempt to better our condition in this respect, made last year, has entirely failed." The foregoing report is stated to have been prepared by the late W. S. Conger, Esq., President, the late Thomas Benson and W. H. Moore, Esquires, Vice-Presidents of the Society. * The figures in this extract refer to the Colbome District, and not to the County of Peterborough. 64 The publication of the Peterborough Gazette ceased in October, 1848. This newspaper was contemporary with the Chronicle, and was conducted in chief part by the Rev. J. H. Dunsford. The office of the Gazette was in the building once known as the red store, formerly referred to, and still in good condition, on the corner of Charlotte and Water streets. The Peterborough Backwoodsman and Sentinel, founded in 1837, by John Darcus, Esq., ceased before the removal of that gentleman from Peter- borough in the manner already alluded to. The Chronicle was commenced in December, 1842, Thomas Messenger, Esq., being Proprietor, and James McCarroll, Esq., Editor. The office of publication was in the frame house on Brock street, now used as a tin-shop by Mr. A. McD. Norton, and afterwards in a frame house on the lot just west of the one on which stands the elegant mansion of James Stevenson, Esq. With the burning of the office in 1846, which inflicted a heavy loss upon the owner of the Chronicle, its publication ceased, and the Peterborough Dispatch soon after took its place. The first number of the Dispatch appeared on the 19th of Nov- vember, 1846. It was published by George Hazlehurst, Esq., until August, 1856, when the Peterborough Examiner took its place, and has now been ten years in existence. Augustus Sawers, Esq., was its first Editor and Proprietor. It then passed into the hands of Alexander Graham and James Renfrew, Esquires. Mr. Renfrew then conducted it for three years; and in May, 1862, was succeeded by Mr. Graham, as sole pro- prietor. In October, 1863, James M. Dunn, Esq., became associated with Mr. Graham in its publication, and so continued until March, 1864. Since December of that year, the Examiner has been conducted by Alex. Graham and James Stratton, Esquires, at their office, in the Post office block. The publication of the Peterborough Review was commenced as early as May, 1853, by Robert Romaine, Esquire, its present proprietor. Subsequently, it was conducted by Thomas and Richard White, Esquires, who now publish the Hamilton Spectator. During the thirteen years of its existence it was twice enlarged, and for several years has been printed on one of Hoe's large cylinder presses. A bindery and ruling machine are attached to the Review establishment. A third printing office was opened in Peterborough in the fall of 1864, by James Stephens, Esq., but the two newspapers last mentioned are the only periodicals published in Peterborough. The present little work is being printed at the Review office. 65 CHAPTER XIII. THE TOWN INCORPORATED. Until the close of 1849, Peterborough had the rank of a mere village, and was an integral part of the Township of North Monaghan. With the passing of the act of incorporation, which came into force in January, 1850, a new era may be said to have commenced in its history. Property greatly increased in value, and in a few years new and fine blocks of build- ings took the place of many of the first wooden houses which till then had occupied the best sites in the leading thoroughfares. The late Thomas Benson, Esq., was the first mayor ; and the new council over which he presided appear to have lost no time in inaugurating steps for the improvement of the town. In the spring of that year, a premium of one hundred dollars was offered for "the best approved plans, specifica- tions and estimates for a new town hall and market house ; and also for plans, &c, of an uniform series of buildings to occupy three sides of the market square." Those offered by Mr. Thomas, architect, of Toronto, were accepted, though not without a protest as to alleged unfairness on the part of the council, by Mr. Kivas Tully. In accordance with these, the corner stone of the present town hall and market house, was laid in September, 1851, with imposing ceremony, music and much rejoicing. The following inscription, on parchment, was deposited in the corner stone: — "On the 27th day of September, A. D., 1851, Charles Hudson, Esq., mayor, laid the foundation stone of this building, erected by order of the Town Council of the Town of Peterborough. Members of the Council, — Charles Hudson, Esq*, mayor, James Harvey, Joseph Spenceley, John Reid, Thomas Chambers, Clarke Spalding, James T. Hen thorn Edmund Chamberlen, Egerton Perry, M.D., Thomas Hutcheson, Robin- son Rutherford and John Haggart. Members of the Building Committee, — Edmund Chamberlen, James T. Henthorn, Thomas Chambers, John Reid and James Harvey, Esquires. Walter Sheridan, Esq., architect. Mr. David Taylor, contractor. (Signed) W. H. Wrighton, Town Clerk." The importance of the occasion was such, that it was arranged that an ox should be roasted whole, wherewith to entertain "all and singular" who might choose to accept the hospitality of the town. This part of the programme was literally carried out, but, unfortunately, while revolving upon the spit, the body of the ox was carried away, either piecemeal or 10 66 entire, by persons whose guilt was never verified ; and thus the great feast of the evening fell to the portion of others than those for whom it was intended. A sumptuous dinner was however served by Thomas Chambers, Esq., at his "Commercial Hotel," which was followed by speeches and such conviviality as is usual on occasions of the kind. In January, 1851, W. S. Conger, Esq., submitted to the County Council an elaborate scheme in reference to the best mode of promoting the settlement of the wild lauds in the rear of the county. His plan was " That the Government should dispose of all the waste or unsold lands of the Crown to the several County Councils where such lands may lie, at a nominal price of say 6d. or Is. per acre — payment for the same to be made by the Councils in Debentures, bearing interest and redeemable in twenty years. The fund so created to be applied towards the establishment of a permaneut common school fund. The conditions of the sale to the counties to be that these lands should be re-sold by them at a low price, varying from 2s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. per acre, according to value — and on time if the parties re- quired it — to actual settlers only. The entire proceeds of such sales, after providing for the payment of the interest upon the purchase and any incidental expenses, to be anticipated by debentures, and laid out in making- roads thereto."* The Committee of the Council declined to enter into such an arrange- ment, on the ground that "they considered the plan of too great magnitude to be entertained by a county so young as this."f The Council, however, memorialized the Governor in Council in respect to the wild lands in rear of the county, and prayed that these lands be offered for sale at low rates to actual settlers, and that the proceeds of sales of such lands might be spent in opening up roads through the back country. During the year 1851, a public sewer was constructed on George street, from a distance of one chain north of Hunter street, southward to King- street, along or rather beneath which it escapes to the Otonabee river. This work was of the greatest public utility, and contributed largely in succeeding years to the health of the town. The close* of the year 1851 brought with it the end of another Parlia- mentary term, and with this the inevitable result, — a new election. This time the contest lay between James Hall, Esq., the former member, and * Peterborough Despatch, February 27ih, 1861. f Report of Committee on County Property, January 31st, 1851. 67 John Langton, Esq., one of the defeated candidates at the previous elec- tion. Thomas Short and llobert llcid, Esquires, were respectively Mr. Hall's mover and seconder; Mr. Langton's nomination was moved by Thomas Bell, Esq., of Smith, and seconded by Mr. Samuel Davidson, of Mariposa. Mr. Hall was avowedly a Reformer. Mr. Langton's politics were those of a moderate Conservative. Both gentlemen addressed the electors at the nomination with much spirit, and the show of hands, when taken, was slightly in Mr. Langton's favor. The result of the election placed Mr. Langton at the head of the poll by a majority of 70. • Towards the close of the year of 1851, a by-law of the County Council was passed, instructing the Warden to execute and transfer a deed, in trust, of the general Protestant burying ground in Peterborough to the Town Council, the said ground consisting of lots one two and three on the south side of McDonell street and west of George street, and lots one, two and three north of Murray street and west of George street ; and also to transfer for school purposes to the Town Council lot number five on the south side of London street, and lot number ten on the north side of King street, both being west of George street, but such official transfer appears never to have been actually made, or if made, not registered. In the following year, (1852), two fine brick buildings were erected on the Market Square, on the corner of George and Simcoe streets, which were at. once occupied, but were unfortunately destroyed by fire in June, 1857. Soon after, the present market block rose on the ruins. Its taste- ful front is creditable to the town, while its capacious shops, of great depth, afford ample accommodation for the extensive business carried on within their precincts. These buildings were erected, not by the corporation, but by private individuals, under a ground lease for 21 years ; the town being then bound either to renew the leases, or pay for the improvements at an estimate of their value. In 1852, the first three shops of Mr. Burnham's block were completed, and the remainder, including the building known as Caisse's hotel, in 1858. In the year 1854, the county was divided into two grammar school districts ; embracing respectively the eastern and western sections of the county, — both of which have since offered excellent facilities for acquiring a classical education, the advantages of which have been fully appreciated. From and after July of that year, a daily mail arrived at Peterborough, by means of the steamer O/ovabee, until the close of navigation. 10* 68 Soon after the incorporation of the town, in 1850, an agitation was commenced for the closing of the old burial ground ; — a result which was not formally accomplished until 1854. During the interim, however, and chiefly through the influence of W. S. Conger, Esq., a Joint Stock Com- pany was formed, which purchased the beautiful wooded promontory, just below the Little Lake, formerly known as Moe's point, and this was ap- propriated to the purposes of a cemetery, for which, in many respects, it is well adapted. The ground has been tastefully laid out, and to some extent ornamented ; but notwithstanding its fine natural advantages, there is still room for improvement, which will no doubt be accomplished as rapidly as the funds of the company admit of the necessary expenditure. About the same time, the Wesleyan Methodists secured an eligible plot of ground, north of the town, in which to bury their dead ; and a few years later, the Roman Catholics purchased several acres, in Monaghan, just outside of the limits of the town, for the same purpose. In July, 1854, the Hincks-Morin Cabinet was defeated during the debate on the address, on a, motion expressing regret that the Clergy- Reserve and Seignorial Tenure questions were not to be taken up by the Government. In consequence of this defeat, a general election ensued ; and Mr. Langton, returning to his constituents, was re-elected by acclamation. The McNab-Morin Administration was the result of the combination which then followed, by which, as the reader will probably remember, these great questions were successfully grappled with, and finally settled. Towards the close of the year 1855, Mr. Langton accepted the office of Auditor-General of the Province, and thus another vacancy occurred in the representation of the county, which was filled by an election held on the 22nd and 23rd days of January, 1856. The candidates on this occa- sion were W. S. Conger, Esq., first Sheriff of the Colborne District, who resigned that office for the purpose of entering Parliament, — Frederick Ferguson, Esq., formerly Treasurer and Land Agent of the county, and Augustus Sawers, Esq., who about that time came into prominence as a leading politician. After a very vigorous canvass, on the part of the gentlemen first named, in which the Hon. George Brown, M. P. P., took an active part in the interest of Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Conger was elected by a majority of 298 over Mr. Ferguson ; the third candidate — Mr. Sawers— having polled only seventeen votes. 69 On the 9th day of February, 1856, James Hall, Esq., an ex-M. P. P., for the United Counties, was gazetted Sheriff in place of W. S. Conger, Esq., who had resigned that office, as already stated. The year 1856 was unusually prolific of new buildings in Peterborough, and these, too, mostly of a superior class. The Peterborough Review for September of that year notices them as follows : "First we have a couple of stores erected by P. Ryan Esq., on his property on south George street. The building is of brick, three stories high. The front is ornamented with raised brick work in the form of pillars, surmounted by a neat brick cornice, and supported upon cast iron pillars. With one exception, the building is the neatest yet erected in town. The shops will be very large and lofty, and will each have a hall door leading to the upper stories from the front. The building immedi- ately fronts the market square, and when the projected waggon bridge across the Otonabee, at the locks, is completed, and an entrance to the town from the township of Otonabee made at the south end, the stand will be a very excellent one." "Next we have the buildings erected by W. Cluxton Esq., on George street. These buildings are very much superior to anything of the kind heretofore attempted in Peterborough, and while being an ornament to the town, reflect the greatest credit upon the public spirit of the proprietor. The buildings are four stories high, the front being of white brick, and sup- ported on chaste iron pillars and stretchers. The windows of the second and third stories are slightly arched at the top ; while those of the fourth are circular topped. The sashes are painted a dark brown color, and the "lights" are unusually large. Surmounting the front is a neat cornice of wood, covered with zinc, and sanded, supported by neatly carved dentals, which are also sanded, thus making them fire-proof. The building is flat roofed, covered with tin. The sashes of the shop windows are of cast iron, of very light structure, and the glass is to be of the finest British plate. The shops will be very spacious, and being on the west side of the street, will be shaded during the greater part of the day. Both these buildings and those of Mr. Ryan were built by Mr. David Carlisle," [and their general description will apply equally to the adjoining block of two stores, subsequently erected by Jas. Stevenson and T. Bradburn, Esqrs.] " Mr. McFarlane has also put up a couple of stores of brick, on Hunter street. The building is two stories in height, the front being of white brick, surmounted by a brick cornicing. Mr. Ritchie was the builder." 70 " J. T. Henthorn, Esq., has commenced his buildings on Hunter street. Three of them will be erected this fall. The buildings will be three stories, with brick cornicing and flat roof, covered with tin. The shops facing on Hunter street will be single, those on George street double. So soon as this block is completed, it will very much improve the appearance of the town. Mr. Henthorn deserves credit for his energy and enterprise. The loss of the buildings formerly on this corner, by fire, would have been sufficient to paralyze a less energetic mind. Mr. Spencely is the builder." Mr. Hall's brick buildings on Hunter street are finished. In Peterboro' East, R. D. Rogers, Esq., has put up a two story brick building, with the end facing the street, the end wall being capped with cut stone, and the figures 1856 cut out of the brick. The shop is fitted up with iron shutters, and but for the shingled roof, might, doubtless, class as a fire-proof building." " Thus it will be seen that without any great amount of display, the business part of Peterborough is progressing rapidly ; while the suburbs, if we may so name the outskirts, are being every where studded with dwelling houses." In addition to the foregoing excellent description of these buildings, we may remark, that Mr. Cluxton's fine block was erected on the model of one in Buffalo, N. Y., specially selected by that gentleman for this purpose, and that this, together with the style of buildings since erected on the principal streets, has led visitors to Peterborough to designate this as "an American town,", which, indeed, it more nearly resembles than perhaps any other town in Canada. Mr. Henthorn added to those mentioned above, two brick stores on George street, in 1859. In 1858 he again suffered by fire in the destruc- tion of a large frame hotel, which is still remembered as the first two story frame house erected in Peterborough ; and a third time in 1860, when a large bakery, with stables and sheds, all on the same premises, were con- sumed. His fine block was completed by the addition of two large white brick stores, fronting on George street, in the year 1862. In March 1857, died Dr. Connin, a veteran Surgeon of the British Navy, who had been in many notable engagements, and for the services he had rendered received a medal and two clasps. He was acting Surgeon to one of the transport vessels which brought to these shores the immigrants of 1825, under the late Hon. Peter Robinson. 71 In April of that year, the Peterborough Rifle company whs organized. W. A. Scott, Esq., was then Captain, and so continued until November, 22nd, 1861, when, on his resignation, Lieutenant Edwin Poole was promoted to the Captaincy ; a position he has since retained, with the additional honor of having been temporarily appointed Major during the recent term of active service on frontier duty. The Peterborough Infantry Company No. 1, Captain Kennedy, was organized in January, 1863. The Lakcfield Infantry Company, Captain Leigh, in 1862 ; Ashburnham Infantry Company No. 1, II. D. Rogers, Esq., Captain, in 1863 ; while during the present year, (1866,) Peterborough Infantry Company No. 2, Captain the Hon. Sidney Smith, has been organized and equipped, and permission granted lor the formation of an Independent Company, under the command of Lieut-Colonel F. W. Haultain, M. P. P. both of which latter companies are now rapidly progressing in drill. An election for the Trent Division was held on the 31st of October, and the 2nd of November, 1856. — a holiday intervening between the two days of polling. The candidates were P. M. Grover, Esq., of Norwood, who retired on the day of nomination, Thomas Short, Esq., of Keene, and the Hon. Edmund Murney, of Belleville. The last named gentleman was elected by a majority of 238. During the next election for the county, held on the 23rd and 24th days of December, 1857, Thomas Short, Esq., was the successful candidate, and defeated W. S. Conger, Esq., by a majority of 315 votes. Augustus Sawers, Esq., was also a candidate at that election, and again polled seventeen votes. * The succeeding election for the county was held on the 9th and 11th days of July, 1861. Mr. Short did not again offer himself as a candidate, and the electors were called upon to choose between W. S. Conger, Esq., and Lieut.-Col. F. W. Haultain, until then a comparative stranger in the county. The result was a majority of thirty votes for Col. Haultain, who was declared duly elected accordingly. In February, 1858, George Barker Hall, Esq., then for several years Judge of the United Counties of Peterborough and Victoria, breathed his last, at his residence, Beavermead, near Peterborough. He was deeply regretted by a large circle of friends, by whom he was beloved, and by the entire county, by whom he was respected and admired for the integrity and ability with which he discharged his official duty as County Judge. 72 We omitted to state, in the proper place, that this gentlemen was elected to represent this county in Parliament in 1844, and filled the duties of that position with much ability until 1847, when, on the death of Judge McKyes, he was appointed to the office of County Judge, which he retained until the period of his death. Soon after this event, Robert Mant Boucher, Esq., was appointed to the seat thus rendered vacant, and still discharges the duties of that onerous position. Previous to his appointment as Judge, this gentleman had been Warden of the Counties of Northumberland and Durham, in the former of which he resided as a practising Barrister. In March, 1858, W. S. Conger, Esq., brought prominently under the notice of the Government and the country, his great scheme for rendering the waters of the Trent and Otonabee rivers navigable by the construction of a ship canal, to connect the waters of the Bay of Quinte with those of the Georgian Bay. To this subject he devoted a considerable portion of time and a very great amount of labor, in collecting facts, and bringing them under the notice of successive Parliaments during his public career as member for the county. But the discussion of rival projects, and the magnitude of the undertaking itself, prevented it from passing beyond the arena of parliamentary discussion, and the formality of official enquiry. The same gentleman also took a prominent part in an agitation for the construction of a leading gravel road through the county. Considerable discussion was elicited on this subject, and a vote of the people taken in March, 1858, but with a result unfavorable to this project, which was consequently abandoned. In 185$, the three story block of Messrs. Nicholls & Hall was erected. As most persons in the town and county are aware, it consists of two large stores, fronting on Simcoe street, where a very extensive business is carried on by these gentlemen, both in dry goods and groceries. During the same year, the new townships in the rear of the County of Peterborough were attached to this county for judicial and municipal purposes. In September, 1858, Peterborough East, long known uuder the soubriquet of the "Scotch village," was incorporated as a separate munici- pality, under the name of the Village of Ashburnham. There is but little to add, in addition to what has been already written of its progress. in connection with the town. The fine residence of the Rev. Mark Burn- 73 ' hum, overlooking the Otonabce and a part oi' the town, was erected during the years 1853-4. The fine dwelling house, of red brick, in the Gothic style of architecture, on the rising ground, overlooking the village, erected by the Rev. J. W. R. Beck, Hector of Peterborough, was built in 1859 and 1860. The commodious brick school house, elegantly furnished, was completed in 1863. The terminus of the Cobourg and Peterborough railway is situated in the centre of the village, but since the closing of that road in 1860, the buildings have been useless, and the station grounds comparatively deserted. CHAPTER XIV. THE PRINCE OF WALES IN .PETERBOROUGH. An event never to be forgotten by the citizens of Peterborough and the neighboring townships, was the visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to this town, in September, 1860. As soon as it became certainly known that Peterborough was to be thus honored, meetings were held of the Town and County Councils, and the sum of $2400 placed at the disposal of a Committee who were appointed to make the necessary prepa- rations to give His Royal Highness a fitting reception. To afford any adequate idea of the extent and completeness of the arrangements made on this occasion, we cannot do better than quote the following paragraphs entire, from the Peterborough Review extra, issued on the following day : "There are three arches erected by the Committee. One in Ashbumham, nearly opposite Mr. Roger's store ; one on Hunter street, opposite St. John's Church ; and one on George street, above McGregor's Hotel. They arc really very fine structures, and their appearance is strikingly imposing. That in Ashburnham is a Roman design. On the east side of it, and surmounting the main arch, is the Prince of Wales Plume, under this the word "'Welcome," in large letters. The rest of the arch is hand- somely covered with evergreens. On the west side are the Royal Arms, over the words "God save the Queen," the body of the arch, like the reverse side, being covered with evergreens. The view, in approaching this arch, is very fine. The Town Hall, 11 Market block and Cain's hotel are been in the distance iinpiugiug upon the bright shrubbery of Clousilla Hill in the rear, and giving the impression of a large city across the river. " The arch opposite the Church is a Tudor arch. Along the centre, and immediately under the battlements, on the east side, are the words '-Wel- come to Peterborough. On the south tower is a panel surrounded by a wreath, combining the rose, thistle, shamrock and maple leaf, and within the wreath is the letter "P." On the north tower a similar panel has the letter "W." The west side was allotted by the Committee to the Temper- ance organizations, who decorated it according to their taste. On the cen- tre, under the battlements, is the word ■• Temperance." ' surmounting a scroll with the words "Perseverance and Industry.'" Over the north side arch is the motto '-Union is Strength" ; over the south "Knowlcda-e is Power."' On the north tower, the emblem and motto of the Good Templars : a fountain, and the words "Faith, Hope and Charity." are fixed in a panel. On the south tower those of the Sous of Temperance : a triangle and star. Avith the words -'Love. Purity and Fidelity."" The evergreen was beauti- fully interspersed with flowers, greatly relieving the appearance and adding materially to the effect."* " The third arch, that- near McGregor's hotel, is decidedly the finest of the three. It is in the Gothic style. On the north side of it, that first approached by the Prince, immediately above the centre arch, are the w^ords, " Welcome, thrice welcome to Canada,' surmounted by a shield sup- ported by beavers, and having upon it the Royal Arms. On the east tower, near the top, is a cornucopia, over the words, "Peace and Plenty," and under It a panel with the words, "Canada, the brightest gem in the British Crown.'' On the west tower is a sheaf of wheat, over the word "Agriculture," and a panel with the words, -• Albert our future King.*' On the south side of the arch, over the main entrance, are the words, "Victoria," "Albert," over these the Royal Arms in a shield, supported by beavers. On each tower is the Crown, Bible and Sceptre, and under them, on one, "God Save", on the other "the Queen". Lower down, the towers are panelled, one panel enclosing the words, "Our God and our Country" ; the other, " The Queen and Constitution."' This arch, ap- proached by the procession from the north, had a most imposing appearance. Through it, George street with its hundreds of flags of every size and color, and its festoonings aud mottoes of evergreens, and the lumberer's arch, manned by a score of lumbermen, appeared like a glimpse of fairy land. 75 The covp tVcril was magnificent, exceeding, according to the statement of gentlemen in the Royal party, anything they had yet witnessed in their tour. 'At the intersection of George and Simcoe streets and George and Hunter streets, large poles had been erected, tastefully wreathed with evergreens, surmounted by a large flag, and having festoonings of flags extended from the pole to the buildings on the four corners. From the string of flags were wreaths of evergreens to the poles, the whole having a very fine appearance from whatever direction approached/' "On the Court House green a pavillion had been erected, for the presen- tation of the addresses, covered with canvass awning, and beautifully festooned. It was handsomely carpeted, and a chair, covered with scarlet cloth, placed on it for His Royal Highness. In front of it seats had been fixed for 1000 children ; and the rising ground of the Court House park afforded easy standing room for 30,000 people." " It is impossible to speak in terms of too high praise of the zeal mani- fested by the citizens generally in giving to their buildings the best possible holiday appearance. Foremost, however, among the private decorations was the lumberer's arch. It was placed upon George street, near Charlotte street. The lumber was furnished by Messrs. Snyder and Dickson, the teams by lumberers generally. Mr. Shaw had charge of the erection, and under his guidance, the whole was completed within fourteen hours of the time of its commencement. It was a triple arch, the lumber being so piled as to give to the curves a beautiful appearance. On the top of it, were a couple of deer, on each side of these a bark canoe, and as the pro- cession approached, twenty-five lumbermen, dressed in red shirts and black pants, very pictures of able bodied, well developed men, were ranged along the top. On the face of the arch, immediately above the centre, was a Prince of Wales plume, with the words, "Welcome, Prince of Wales," and on one side the words in a scroll, "the source of our wealth," on the other "ships, colonies and commerce." We detract nothing from the other decorations when we pronounce this one to have been the finest, as it was the most characteristic of the place, of them all. There was neither nail nor saw used in this erection." " Starting from the station in Ashburnham, the streets were all lined with spruce trees, and from the buildings hung flags and evergreen fes- 11* 76 toouings. The bridge was prettily decorated with rows of flags along the different spans, and emerging from it, the Tudor arch, with its battle- ments and flags, loomed in view. The Post Office building was covered with evergreen festoonings and wreaths, tastefully arranged. Over the door was the Prince of Wales plume, and on each side the letters A. E. Above this, extending the whole length of the building, were the words, in bold letters, "A thousand welcomes to the Prince." Continuing on towards George street, every building was decorated. McKellar and Cameron's had the appropriate motto "pro Regina et Patria." Ormond & Gilmour's was wreathed with evergreen and red maple bows. Facing Hunter street were the Royal Arms and the triple plume, and the mottoes "Our Queen and the land we live in," and "Thrice welcome to England's future King." Facing George street were the words "Victoria, Albert," and, in the corner window, a very handsome Prince of Wales plume made with flowers. Turning up George street, Swaynes cabinet shop was handsomely wreathed with evergreens. Over the entrance was a triple plume of spruce branches, and above it a beaver, with the motto c -labor omnia vincet." Opposite this, McGregor's hotel was elaborately decorated with wreaths and festoonings of evergreens, interspersed with rosettes of red, white and blue, and having a beautiful crown, projecting from one of the galleries. Following still the line marked out for the procession, Miss Bailey's house on Water street displayed the words "welcome" iu ever- green, and Messrs. Johnston's the words "Long live the Prince." All along Water street the same tasteful display was visible. Over Dr. Burn- ham's gate the word "welcome" was placed, and the fence wreathed ; and along George street to the arch was planted with spruce trees. Passing the corner of Hunter street again, and continuing down George street, Kempt's Medical Hall had a very pretty balcony of evergreens raised above the shop door, draped with flowers, and having upon it a very handsome crown of flowers. On the balcony were the words "Welcome, Albert Prince of Wales." From the building was hung a handsome white banner with the Royal Arms painted upon it. Cluxton's, Stevenson's and Brad- burn's four story buildings were very handsomely decorated. A large flag waved above the building, and from the roof, overhanging the street, a great number of flags and streamers were suspended. A handsome festoon- ing of red, white and blue fell from the cornice, and along the face of the buildings ; on white (■loth, were the words, in large letters, "Welcome. Albert. Edward, Prince of Wales." Below this were the words "Rejoice, 77 Canada is honoured tibia day," and the Royal Arras with a wreath of ever- green around it. Further down, the market block had arouud the roof, above the cornice, a chain of evergreens, with posts every six feet, sur- mounted by flags. Across the street from the building to the opposite side were hung flags, one very fine one with the Prince of Wales plume upon it. From every window a flag was suspended, and on the top of the building a couple of large flags were raised on tall flag staffs. In front of the Review office was a beaver surrounded by maple leaves and a crown of flowers, and over the door of the Toronto bank was a handsome white triple plume. The Examiner office was almost covered with evergreens. It had the word ''welcome" in spruce, and a couple of sheaves of wheat capped the whole. Caisse's hotel had a flag from every window, and a couple on the roof. The awning in front was very handsomely wreathed with ever- greens, and at intervals along it were placed coloured lamps. From Ryan's and Poole's flags were hung. Going round the market square, the Town Hall was wreathed with evergreens, and along the verandah, at intervals, were placed flags. The Bank of Montreal was very handsomely decorated. Round the door was a wreath of evergreens surmounted by an evergreen triple plume. On the face of the building, in letters beautifully formed of spruce, and placed on crimson cloth, were the words "Welcome, A. E. Prince of Wales." Messrs. Nicholls & Hall's premises were festooned with red, white and blue cloth, and flags and evergreens, and had a very imposing appearance." " Besides these, every building had something to indicate the warmth of the reception. Hosts of "Welcomes" and "Bien venus" printed on paper could be seen, and away in the country as far as the eye could stretch, flags flying indicated the loyalty of the people. Throughout the whole town there was scarcely one house without its flag or green bow ; along the line of procession there was only one dark undecorated spot. It was a stone building near Lannin's hotel." " The day for which all this activity of preparation had been shown was as fine a one as could be desired. During the preceding night the streets had been watered, and along the route of the procession there was compara- tively little dust. About nine o'clock the children were arranged in their seats, and about ten the Rifle Company marched over to the Railway station. An immense crowd had gathered, and about, half-past ten the Temperance bodies arrived on the ground, dressed in their regalia, and having their flags unfurled. The train arrived about half-past eleven, 78 As it approached, the crowd sent up a cheer such as has seldom rent the air in this neighborhood, and a general rush was made for the platform. With the greatest difficulty the space for the carriages was kept clear. As soon as His Royal Highness, who was dressed in plain clothes, entered his carriage, the Rifle Company presented arms. Some little delay occurred in getting the procession started, owing to the crush of people ; but it was soon got over, and left in the following order : — Marshal, on horseback, Two Deputy Marshals, on horseback, Warden and Counties Council, in carriages, Mayor and Town Council, in carriages, Sheriff and County Judge, in carriage, Carriage with PRINCE and GOVERNOR GENERAL, And the Rifle Company as a Guard of honour marching on each side of the carriage. The Duke of Newcastle, Earl St. Germains, General Bruce and others of the Prince's suite in carriages. Members of the Legislature, in carriages, Executive Committee, in carriages, Band, Two Marshals, on horseback* Temperance Organizations, Inhabitants. The procession moved forward in this order through Ashburnham, the road on each side being crowded with people, who cheered heartily, and crossed the bridge. As it passed through the arch on Hunter street, the people who were crowded on the high sloping ground on either side, sent forth cheer after cheer, the ladies in the windows waived their handker- chiefs, and threw bouquets to the Prince, and the wildest enthusiasm pre- vailed until he reached the Court House grounds. Here he alighted from his carriage, and, with his suite, ascended the dais ; the County Council taking up a position at his right, the Town Council and Committee at his left, and the Rifle Company on each side of the platform in a space reserv- ed for them. As soon as he appeared on the platform, the thousand children who occupied the seats immediately in front, and who were most 70 neatly dressed, sang, under the direction of Mr. Glover and Mrs. Iteath- tield, as follows : — "God save our gracious Queen. Long may Victoria reign, God save the Queen. Send her victorious, Happy and glorious. Long to reign over us, God save the Queen !" "Thy choicest gifts in store, On her be pleased to pour, Long may she reign. May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause, To sing with heart and voice, God save the Queen i" "Grant, Lord, our fervent prayer, Still for old England's heir, Thy love evince. Watch o'er his early days, Guide him in wisdom's ways, So shall he sing Thy praise, God save the Prince !" "The singing was very good indeed, and the appearance of the children most commendable. The Prince and those with him seemed much delighted with the view from the dais. The fine sloping ground in front, gave to the 15,000 people assembled an ample opportunity to see the Royal party, and to be seen to the best advantage by them ; and we doubt whether, since his arrival in this country, he has stood before a happier, a more industrious, or a more loyal people." After the singing, addresses were read by William Lang, Esq., Warden, on behalf of the county, and by Augustus Sawers, Esq., Mayor, from the town, to which the Prince replied : — " Gentlemen : — I thank you sincerely for the address which you have presented to me. "In the Queen's name I acknowledge the expressions of your loyalty to her crown and person ; and for myself I am grateful to you for this welcome to your neighborhood." A deputation from Cavan also presented an address, signed by John 80 Swaiu, Esq., llecve of that township, for which His Royal Highness expressed his cordial thanks." " After the presentation of the addresses, the Governor General, having intimated that the limited time at the disposal of His Pioyal Highness, would compel him to move rapidly through the town, the Rifle Company marched directly to the Port Hope station, to receive the Prince when he came up. The procession passed through the principal streets, the crowds cheering lustily as before, and as the Prince's carriage passed under the lumberer's arch, the men on it raised such a cheer as proved that the capacity of their voices was quite equal to the magnificent proportions of their persons. In a little less than an hour from the time the Prince arrived, he entered his car from the platform on Hunter street, and left, leaving after him thou- sands of hearts beating not only with a warm loyalty to his Royal Mother, but a whole souled personal attachment to himself. " Iu the evening, Caisse's hotel was brilliantly illuminated, and tire-works were set off from the building. A large crowd of persons were in the streets to witness the display, which lasted until about ten o'clock, after which all went quietly home ; the events of the day having passed over without any disturbance of the public peace, and without a single accident or mishap to detract from its enjoyment. It was indeed a day of pleasure without one particle of alloy. Long will the visit of the Prince of Wales to Peterborough be cherished as the brightest, happiest day she has known." CHAPTER XV. MISCELLANEOUS. During the year 1861, Peterborough was visited by three severe fires; the most extensive of which occurred in August of that year, and swept nearly the entire square, bounded by George, Simcoe, Water and Hunter Streets. A few shops on the north-western corner, the shops of Messrs. Nicholls & Hall, and one or two others on the south of the block indicated, were all that escaped the fury of the flames. Twenty-nine places of busi- ness were burned, and a scene of desolation marked the very centre of the town. Thanks to the energy and enterprise of our citizens, the ground 81 thus denuded has been rebuilt, and a better class of buildings have taken the places of the former ones ; many of which were of wood, and furnished ready fuel to the fire. The present Post Office block, of three stories, erected in 18G1, is one of these, and so also arc the tasteful brick stores on the eastern side of George street, now in the very heart of the business portion of the town. Notwithstanding the serious loss to the town by this and other fires, it was not until November, 1862, that a Fire Company was fully organized, and proper steps taken to secure the usefulness of the engine, hose, &c. Before concluding our reference to the buildings of Peterborough, we add that the fine block owned by James Stevenson and Thomas Bradburn, Esquires, consisting of two large shops, of four stories each, was erected during 1860. The fine row of numerous white brick stores, extending from these southward to Simcoe street, the property of Mrs. Joseph. Dixon, were all, excepting two towards the centre, erected in the autumn of 1865, or summer of 1866. after the wooden buildings which occupied their site had been destroyed by fire. Two prominent citizens passed away from earth during the year 1861. One of these, Augustus Sawers, Esq., was during the previous year Mayor of the town, had some years previously founded the Examiner newspaper, and was for a time its Editor and Proprietor. For a few years previous to his death he took an active part in politics, and had warm friends and strenuous opponents. "He was possessed of a good physical constitution, a vigorous and cultivated mind, a quick perception, and a happy facility in expressing his views, either by speaking or writing." His decease occurred on the 6th of August, 1861, in his 42nd year. His remains were interred in the Little Lake Cemetery. The other gentleman to whom reference has been made was Colonel Alexander McDonell, whose early services and long public career in this county require a more extended notice. The late Col. Alexander McDonell came to this country with his uncle, the late Bishop McDonell, of Kingston, when a mere boy, and before the year 1812. During that war, he held a commission as a cadet attached to the Canadian fencibles, and was present at and took part in the battle of Sackett's harbor. In 1825, he was employed by the Hon. Peter Robin- son to assist in locating on their lands the immigrants of that year, and 12 • 82 subsequently filled the position of Immigrant Agent aud Crown Laud Agent for this eounty. In the years 1834 and 1836 he was elected to Parliament for the North Riding of the Newcastle District, and was again a candidate at the election for the Colborne District in 1841, but was defeated by Dr. Gilchrist, who also superseded him in the office of Crown Land Agent. During the rebellion of 1837-8, as has been already stated, he was in command of the second battalion of Northumberland militia. For several years previous to his death, he had taken no prominent part in public affairs, but lived as a retired gentleman, chiefly at Caisse's hotel, where he died suddenly, on the 29th of November, 1861. " He was by birth a Scotchman, a Roman Catholic in religious faith, and was 75 years of age. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was attended by a number of our oLlest and most respected townsmen. The Rifle Company and band also paid the last tribute of honor to the remains, by following in the procession, the band playing the dead march. His remains were interred in the Little Lake Cemetery." A few more data and we have done with this portion of our task. In 1861 the present new Registry office was built, but was not occupied until 1863. It was intended to be completely fireproof not only without, but also from within. The improvement in the Court House park, and also the fencing of that enclosure were commenced in 1863, and completed during the fol- lowing year. On the 1st of January, 1863, the separation of the County of Victoria from that of Peterborough, took effect, and thenceforward that county was launched upon a separate and independent municipal existence. On the 6th of May, 1864, the Town Hall bell was erected in its present position in the Market House tower. Its weight is 902 pounds, and its total cost to the town $400. " On its being placed on its supports, Mr. Chief Engineer Helm, ascended the belfry, and amidst the cheers of the bystanders, broke upon it a bottle of wine, and in the name of the Fire Brigade called it 'Protection.' " The corner stone of the present new Jail was laid, in presence of the Sheriff and County officers, on the 9th of June, 1864, and that structure completed during the ensuing year. The following are the names of the gentlemen composing the Building Committee who were entrusted by the 83 County Council with the erection of this important structure : — P. M. Grover, Esq., chairman, R. D. Rogers, John Walton, Peter Pcarce, Francis Crow and R. E. Birdsall, Esquires. The following extract from their final report, dated January, 1866, is of interest in this connection : — u The total cost of the new jail, as now completed, amounts to the sum of $16,103.35, of which sum the Government paid $6,000. Items of cost are as follows : — Mr. Grant, for original contract $12,054 00 Extra work 1,469 73 Alterations as per order of Inspector 861 16 Architect's supervision and plans, furniture, stoves, water-pipes, heating apparatus, and further alterations suggested by the Inspector, including all expenses of supervision 1,718 46 $16,103 35 On the 27th day of July, 1864, W. S. Conger, Esq., M. P. P. for this county, departed this life, at his residence in Peterborough, deeply regret- ted by a large circle of friends, both personal and political. The following brief details of his career are here presented. About the year 1829, he commenced business in Cobourg as a merchant. He seems to have had an early peach nit for public life, for in the election for the Newcastle District in 1834 he was a candidate for Parliament, but was unsuccessful. During the rebellion of 1837-8, he took a prominent part in support of the Government, and it is said organized and equipped a company of militia mainly at his own expense. On the organization of the Colborne District in 1842, he was appointed Sheriff, and continued for fourteen years to discharge the duties of that office to the satisfaction of all. In 1856, he resigned the Shrievalty, and entered upon the chequer- ed and uncertain issues of party political life, with what result has already been stated in these pages. In 1863, both the political parties in this county concurred in his election, which was by .acclamation ; and it was while zealously prosecuting his parliamentary duties, and especially fur- thering his great idea of a ship canal through the waters of the Trent and Otonabee, that he contracted the fatal illness, which, after long prostration, terminated in his death. Mr. Conger was courteous and affable in the discharge of his duties as 12* 84 Sheriff. Both as a citizen and a representative of the people, he was fore- most in assisting in carrying out projects of interest and utility to the town and county. The Little Lake Cemetery Company was formed chiefly under his auspices ; the County Agricultural Society received a large share of his attention, while the opening up and settlement of the back country was an object he especially sought to promote, and which he lived to see to a great extent accomplished. His remains were interred in the Little Lake Cemetery, and during the present autumn (18G6) a neat and substantial monument was there erected to his memory, by his personal and political friends, aided by a grant from the funds of the County Council. In September, 1861, a severe election contest for the representation of the Trent Division, was held between the Hon. Sidney Smith, (formerly of Cobourg, but who soon after this event took up his residence in Peter- borough) and Billa Flint, Esq., of Belleville. The Hon. S. Smith was elected by a majority of 180. In consequence of his resignation in 1864, Mr. Flint again presented his claims to the electors, and was this time returned without opposition. This election by acclamation was held in September of that year. The Hon. Billa Flint, M. L. C, has shewn himself not an unworthy representative of this large electoral Division. One of his recent public- acts is worthy of mention here, and of transmission to posterity :— -During the years 1865 and 1866, he has donated from his private means, the sum of ten dollars to each township, or union of townships in the entire Trent Division ; an area which embraces the County of Peterborough, the North Biding of the County of Hastings, and the County of Lennox. This munificent gift, which he announces it to be his intention to con- tinue, is intended by the donor to be applied in the purchase of prize books, for the encouragement of meritorious pupils at our public schools. The only condition attached to it is, that an equal sum shall be granted by the municipality receiving it towards the same object. This praiseworthy design has been carried out in nearly every township in the Division, and thereby much good no doubt effected, as well ns an example presented worthy of imitation. In 1863, W. S. Conger, Esq., was elected, without opposition, to repre- sent this constituency,— Col. Ilaultain having voluntarily retired from the field. On the death of Mr. Conger in July, 1864, C<»1. Haultain again 85 . became a candidate, and defeated his opponent — Charles Perry, Esq. } — by a majority of 106. Col. Haultain is still member of Parliament for this town and county. We enter not here into the merits of the political issues resulting in his election, or of his subsequent career. Suffice it to say that he has been assiduous, and no doubt conscientious, in the discharge of his public duties, and continues to possess the esteem and confidence of a large por- tion of the constituency which he represents. In a future page, and at the close of the portion of this work treating of the town and county as a whole, will be found a tabular statement, embodying in small space, for convenience of reference, the facts of the several elections referred to in these pages. Since the foregoing chapters were written, and while passing through the press, another old resident of the county, and a prominent citizen, has passed away from earth. Captain Andreav Simon Fraser, J. P., died on Tuesday, the 13th day of November, 1866, in his 71st year. His had been an eventful [career. A native of Roxboroughshire, Scotland, he entered the British army at the age of fifteen, passed through the Penin- sular war, and took part in the battles of Quatre-bras and Waterloo, after which he retired from the army, with the rank of Lieutenant, and on half pay. In 1833, he settled in Verulam, in the adjoining county, and in 1847 became a resident of the Town of Peterborough. His name appears in a previous page, as Captain in the 7th Provisional Battalion of Peterbo- rough Militia, established during the eventful times of 1838. For many years he was a leading Justice of the Peace in the town and county, and was universally respected and esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. His remains were interred in the Little Lake Cemetery. CHAPTER XVI. THE RAILROAD ERA. The project for the construction of the Grand Junction Railroad, to connect the river St. Lawrence with the Georgian Bay, began to be discussed in 1851 ; and the County Council voted £450, and soon after £400 more, 86 towards the expenses of a preliminary survey and report in reference to it. This action was followed in 1853 by the passing of a by-law pledging the county to take stock in that enterprize to the extent of £100,000. This by-hw was submitted to the several municipalities in the United Counties, for approval, and adopted by all except the township of Otonabee, in which the vote was almost unanimous against it. During the same year, this projected road was amalgamated with the Grand Trunk Railroad, in consequence of which the municipalities were relieved from liability for the stock subscribed. High hopes were for a time entertained of the construction and success of this road, and some reckless speculation in land resulted ; but owing to the breaking out of the Crimean war, and the stringency of the money market which attended it, together with the embarassment of the Grand Trunk company consequent upon these events, and other causes, this great work was not undertaken, and the hopes which it had raised, and the fortunate investments it had promised, were doomed to disappointment. Railway magnates at that time showered their attentions liberally on Peterborough. During the session of 1852-3, a charter was granted for a railroad from Kingston to Peterborough ; the Cobourg and Peterborough railway charter was obtained at the same time, and an amendment of the former charter of the Port Hope and Peterborough railway was also granted, which authorized that company to build an extension from any point on the original line into the County of Victoria as far as the western boundary of the township of Mariposa. Although Peterborough was the proposed terminus of both the Cobourg and Port Hope railroads, and was consequently largely interested in the construction of one or both, she persistently refused to contribute the smallest aid to either, and the result was, that while through the enterprise of the people of Cobourg, that road was pushed forward, in spite of all obstacles, and opened for traffic in the autumn of 1854, the Port Hope company turned their attention towards Lindsay, and after great difficul- ties, caused in chief part by the nature of the ground, they completed their road to that town in the year following. Peterborough had thus, by means of the Cobourg road, secured the advantages of an outlet by rail, without incurring the slightest risk or expenditure, and its benefits were at once felt in the great impulse given to nearly every branch of trade, but especially was this true in regard to 87 sawn lumber, the export of which, from three or four million feet annually, at once increased to twenty millions, and in 1858 had increased to about twenty-seven millions of feet,* and to a still larger figure in later years. But unfortunately for Peterborough, this line failed to prove permanent. The bridge across llice Lake, built upon piles and piers, and about three miles in length, was terribly shaken during the winters of 1855-6-7, by the action of the ice; so that for weeks together, Peterborough was without railway communication with the front. The position was all the worse, from the fact, that the trade of the fiue townships west of Peterborough, which might easily have been centred here, was being diverted to the sta- tions, and passing off along the line, of the Port Hope and Lindsay road, then completed and in active operation. Soon after that line was opened to Lindsay, John Fowler, Esq., became its Lessee and Managing Director ; and, fully impressed with the importance of securing the trade of Peter- borough, as a feeder for that line, and also of the case with which a branch line could be built through the almost continuous flat and swampy land lying in the direct line between Millbrook and Peterborough, he commenced a vigorous agitation in reference to its construction. The existing Port Hope, Lindsay and Beavcrton railway company were unable to build it; and Mr. Fowler's plan was to get the corporations of Port Hope and Peterborough mainly to construct it, and then lease it from the company for a term of years for a nominal sum, but guaranteeing to the corporations named 6 per cent, on the stock subscribed, to be paid annually. Port Hope saw at once the importance of securing even a portion of this trade, and promptly subscribed £10,000 stock. Messrs. Tate and Fowler sup- plied another £10,000, and the town of Peterborough, after much discus- sion, adopted a by-law guaranteeing £30,000 for the same purpose. From these sources, but mainly through the energy and perseverance of Mr. John Fowler, the road was commenced in the fall of 1857, and on the 20th of May, 1858, a train passed over it with the Government Inspecting Engineers. " On the 21st, a party composed of the Railway Board and Town Council of Port Hope came to Peterborough, and on the 24th, owing to the kindness of the contractor, a free excursion of 3000 people from Port Hope visited Peterborough ; while on the 31st, a return excursion from Peterborough to Port Hope was made."f Peterborough was thus, by means of the branch to the main line at Millbrook, provided with a * Directory. 1858. (T. & R. White.) f Ibid. 88 second outlet by rail to the front, which, besides proving permanent, has been of indispcnsible utility to the town, and has also in no small degree tended to increase the prosperity of Port Hope. So well pleased, indeed, was that town with the result of the investment of £10,000, in this branch road, that she has never asked nor received a penny of direct return, although entitled to six per cent, upon the same annually. It may be mentioned, however, that Port Hope profited very largely about that time from the Municipal Loan Fuud, and, as well as Peterborough, was well repaid for this investment by its indirect advantages. In order to provide the money for this investment of £30,000, the then member for Peterborough, W. S. Conger, Esq., secured for the town, Municipal Loan Fund debentures to the extent of £25,000 about to be surrendered to the Government by the township of Wolford, The actual proceeds of these, however, was only £20,677 Gs. 3d, and some months later, the Town of Peterborough issued debentures to the amount of £12,500, to complete the sum subscribed. The security held by the town for the payment of six per cent, interest on the £30,000 stock originally taken by the town, consisted in a mortgage upon the lease held by the Lessees of the branch from the Port Hope, Lindsay and Beaverton railway company, and as it was extremely doubtful that the town could recover • its claim under such a mortgage, and the interest being in arrears, a compromise was accepted in 1861, whereby the Lessees agreed to pay to the Government for the town, the five cents in the dollar levied by Act of Parliament on account of Municipal Loan Fund indebtedness ; thus relieving the town of any debt or embarrassment on £25,000 of the stock taken. Under the circumstances, this was con- sidered so favourable a settlement of a claim which, possibly, could not be enforced, that it was agreed to waive any direct returns on the £12,500 additional debt incurred on account of this stock. Under this arrange- ment the town would have been permanently relieved, for all time to come, of the liability claimed by the Government (namely, five cents in the dollar) on the Municipal • Loan Fund debentures. But a final settlement, less advantageous to the town, was effected in 1863, and embodied in an Act of Parliament passed on the 15th of October of that year. The Act recites the terms of the previous arrangements, including the mortgage and lease, and then confirms " an agreement made by and between the Lessees and the Town of Peterborough, whereby the amount secured by the mortgage on the lease held by the Lessees, and payable to the town, is reduced or 89 changed to the principal sum of nineteen thousand seven hundred pounds, [three hundred pounds having been (hen already paid], and interest thereon at six per cent., payable as follows, that is to say : the sum of three hundred pounds, part of the said principal sum of nineteen thousand seven hundred pounds, on the first day of January in each year, until the whole of said principal sum be fully paid, and the said interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum upon the principal unpaid, in six equal payments, on the first days of May, June, July, August, September and October in each year, until the whole sum is paid." Such was the last and final arrangement entered into between the rail- way authorities and the town, from which it will be obvious that the pay- ments to. be made by the railway to the town are every year diminishing, and in about sixty-six years from January, 1864, will entirely cease. Although in a few years the direct income from our railroad investment will be but small, it must be remembered that the indirect advantages of a permanent outlet by rail have already been very great, and that of all the towns in the Province, none has probably received greater advantages from railroads, and none has contributed less to their construction, than Peter- borough. As a practical illustration of the immense advantage to both town and county of such a road, we quote the following as a specimen of the state of things before the railroad era. The Peterborough Despatch of July 29th, 1847, says:— "From 25s. to 30s. per ton freight is paid for goods. For nearly two weeks we have scarcely been able to get a trunk conveyed to Port Hope or Cobourg. The journey of thirty miles to Lake Ontario now occupies ten hours, and some articles, such as salt and plaster, are in a great measure shut out from us by the expense of freight. The saw mills of our town and neighborhood can cut upwards of 60,000 feet per day, but are often in a great measure idle for want of a market for lumber, owing to the ex- pense of transit." As a further illustration of the same truth, we remark that in the winter of 1836, with no railroad in any part of the country, wheat in Peterbo- rough was worth only 37^- cents per bushel, and fifty cents in Port Hope. In March 2nd, 1848, the Despatch says : — " The town presented a pleasing appearance to-day. The farmers are taking advantage of the slight fall of snow we have had, and are hurrying their produce into the 13 90 market. The prices to-day are as follows :— Fall wheat 3s. 9d., Spring- do. 3s. 3d., Oats per bushel 9d. to 10d., Hay, per ton, 27s. 6d. to 30s." This isolation of trade, stagnation of business, and low prices of produce, sold too at the latter end of the season, contrast strongly with the regular communication, prompt transit, excellent prices for produce, and the speedy convertibility of all kinds of marketable produce into cash, which we of late years enjoy, and which have long since repaid to the community many times the amount of stock invested in securing it. During the summer of 1857, the bridge across Rice Lake on the Co- bourg and Peterborough railway, was inspected by Walter Shanley, Esq., Civil Engineer, with a view to filling it up as a permanent embankment. The cost of doing so he estimated at £50,000, and expressed an opinion in favor of the feasibility of its being made in this way a permanent struc- ture. A considerable portion of the bridge, towards the south shore, was actually filled in ; but the embarrassments of the road, and the great expense of the undertaking, put a stop to further outlay, and the road, after being in operation at intervals for six years, was finally closed in the autumn of 1860 ; and the abandoned bridge, from which the iron was in great part removed, has ceased to form a connection between the opposite shores, but still remains in part, a monument of the folly of misdirected enterprise. This result is greatly to be deplored, as the public spirit shewn by the citizens of Oobourg in pushing forward this line of road was deserving of a better fate. Hopes are still entertained that the bridge will be resuscitated and the line re-opened, and trains are still run to Harwood on the south shore of Rice Lake, where a connection is formed with steamers, which, during the summer months, ply between Peterborough and the Village of Hastings and that point ; and in this way a large quantity of sawn lumber from this county still finds an outlet by way of Cobourg. The original charter of the Cobourg road empowered that company to extend their line to Chemong or Mud Lake, but this right expired in 1854 from non-usage. A charter was then obtained for a separate company, having power to form a connection between Peterborough and Chemong Lake, either by a rail or tram road, and passing up either side of the Otonabee river. During 1857-8 this road was commenced as an extension of the Cobourg road, and completed as far as Perry's (now A. H. Camp- bell & Co's,) mills, about three miles up the river. The stock was origi- 91 nally taken by persons in the Cobourg interest; but more than half was afterwards purchased by stockholders of the rival line, so that of late years, the Port Hope company had virtual control of the Peterborough and Chemong line, which since 1860 has been useless to either road. During 1865, an attempt was made by the Port Hope company to form a connection between the branch running into Peterborough and this Chemong road, by continuing their rails along the bank of the river, and crossing the same at Dickson's dam, and so effecting the desired junction ; but this action was opposed by the Cobourg interest, chiefly on the grounds, that such an extension was not contemplated in the original charter of the Port Hope and Peterborough road, and also that the amalgamation of these two roads might prove prejudicial to the resuscitation of the Cobourg road, to which it had formerly been a feeder. The charter of the Peterborough and Chemong road had again expired without its completion, and during the last session of Parliament (1866) an Act was passed, requiring the public sale of this road to the highest bidder, and while authorizing the Port Hope railroad company to effect the connection they desired, provided also, that both companies should have full powers to run over this road, if they so desired, by paying a reasona- ble remuneration for its use to the company by which it might be acquired. Under all the circumstances this arrangement was fair to both parties, and gave general satisfaction to them and to the puolic. The necessary works are now in progress to connect the Peterborough branch of the Port Hope road with the Chemong road, in the manner already described, and it is hoped that ere long, trains will pass up the river by this new route, to the extensive mills which line its banks ; that Lakefield and Chemong Lake will also be reached, and that thus an impetus will be given to the still greater export of lumber from the back country, and also that our fine water power will be extensively utilized in various branches of manufacture for which it is so well adapted. 13* 92 CHAPTER XVII. THE LUMBER TRADE. Square Timher. — The lumber trade is one which, from its importance, requires at least a passing notice in a work of this kind. To it this town and county owe a large share of their past success and present prosperity. All our older townships have now for some years been denuded of the valuable timber, which, at the period of their first settlement, grew to a great size and in large numbers upon nearly every lot ; and as the manu- facture of square timber and sawn lumber gradually attained its present immense development, it had to be sought every year further in the inte- rior; till now, the new and comparatively remote townships in "the back country," as it is called, are mainly to be depended upon for a supply. With the present annual drain from these, it is to be expected that, as time progresses, the main operations of this gigantic business will be carried on at a distance remote from us, and that less of its profits and advantages will be felt in our own immediate vicinity. The great staple of this trade, both for square timber and sawn lumber, is white pine. Formerly, before we had learned its value as an article of export, it was burned up in log- heaps or split into fence rails, and a considerable portion of the elm and oak of the older townships shared the same fate. Red pine exists but sparingly, and though some excellent spars of this timber are still sent to Quebec from this county, the care required in their preparation, and the expense attending their removal, have, in general, left but a limited margin of profit for the manufacturer. The square timber business is of comparatively recent date. As early as 1838, Mr. Hickson removed a quantity of spars from the vicinity of Buckhorn lake ; but his chief operations, and those of the Messrs. Grilmour, were confined to the townships fronting on the Otonabee and Trent rivers. Mr. Hickson then resided in the corner building, formerly Might's, and now WaddeH's saddlery, in the Town of Peterborough. Not until 1844 was much of this business extended above Lakefield, and Mr. John Cook, and his son Ira, were among the first to commence its manufacture on our back waters to any large extent. Their and the Messrs. Gilmour's oper- ations for a few years were confined to the waters above and adjacent to Burleigh falls. 93 Mossom Boyd, Esq., was one of the earliest manufacturers of square timber above Buckhorn falls. lie commenced at first to produce sawn lumber for local supply, but ere long began the manufacture of square timber in large quantity, for the Quebec market. It was not for several years later, that the vast timber region on Pigeon Lake and its tributaries, was thus made to contribute its quota to this important trade. About the year 1847, Charles Perry, Esq., entered into the same busi- ness, and for five or six years carried it on with the greatest success, both as regards square timber and sawn lumber. Then came a host of enter- prising men in the square timber business, among whom were, Messrs. Kempt, McAulcy, Dickson, Townseud, Piatt, Cockburn, Fowlds, Gilchrist, Dennistoun, Leeper, Strickland, Short, Scott, Buck, Stone, Smith, Caldwell, Thompson and others, who, during the last twenty years, have thinned our forests, and swelled the export of this great staple to an enormous extent. An immense amount of capital is every year invested in these operations, and in carrying them on a home market is created which proves of the utmost advantage to our agriculturists and others. The quantity of square timber manufactured in this county varies with the exigencies of the trade. As the supply becomes exhausted, the natural tendency of this as well as the sawn lumber trade, will be to dimish rather than increase in the extent of its operations. But this effect can hardly as yet be said to have been felt. The more extensive operations, however, have to be every year pushed further into the interior. In 1852, the quantity of square timber from the entire county was estimated at 1,600,- 000 feet. In the season of 1864-5, 3,500,000 feet were exported from this . county, and about 1,500,000 from the neighboring county of Victoria. During the lumbering season of 1865-6, the quantity passing down the Otonabee was about 2,000,000 feet, to which 500,000 more may be added for the eastern portion of the county, finding an outlet by way of Crow river. The present season (1866-7) promises a quantity in advance of last year, the extent of which it would be premature at present to attempt to estimate. Sawn Lumber. — The sawn lumber business is of perhaps still greater importance to the community than the manufacture of square timber. Since the early settlement of the county, saw mills have existed in numer- ous localities, but their chief scope for many years consisted in supplying the home demand in their several localities. Since 1850, attention hag 94 been turned to a large extent to the manufacturing of sawn lumber for the American market, and the magnificent water power furnished by the rapidly descending waters of the Otonabee, in the vicinity of Peterborough, has been largely utilized for this purpose. Samuel Dickson, Esq., was among the earliest manufacturers of this great staple, in the neighborhood of Peterborough, and has built and own- ed several mills for carrying on this business. He still manufactures a large quantity at his mill in close proximity to Dickson's dam. Mr. Wil- liam Snyder built his mill in 1852, and Mr. James Bird, the Blythe saw mill, about the same time. This was burned down in 1863, and rebuilt by Mr. George Hilliard during the following year. The Nassau Mill, the largest in the county, and one of the finest in the Province, situated at a distance of three miles from Peterborough, was built in 1854, by Charles Perry, Esq. " It has two 'Yankee Gangs', a 'Slabber', 'Stock Gang', and an 'English Gate', containing in all 130 saws, besides circulars for butting, cutting laths, &c. It has also a very ingenious machine for grinding slabs. This mill has cut 90,000 feet in twelve hours." * It is now carried on by Messrs. Campbell & Co. Other saw mills in the vicinity of Peterborough, are, that built by E. Perry & Co., of Cobourg, on the Douro side of the river, opposite Snyder's mill, which has now been idle nearly two years. Messrs. Ludgate & McDougall have in active operation a large steam saw mill on the eastern shore of the Little Lake, built by Samuel Dickson, Esq. The saw mill of R. D. Rogers, Esq., in Ashburnham, of which Messrs. Craigie & Stephenson are lessees, continues at work throughout the year, and cuts about one million of feet annually, about 400,000 feet of which are for the American market, and the remainder for home consumption. Messrs. Shaw & Waite have at Lakefield a saw mill, which at present manufactures about two millions annually, but is capable of a much larger business were proper facilities available for transportation to a market. These gentlemen lease the large saw mill of John Hall, Esq., at Buckhorn, where from six to seven millions are manufactured annually. There are besides Mr. Seott's fine mill, on the Missasauga river, in Harvey, built some years ago by Mr. William Henry, the product of which this year is about four million feet ; the mill of M. Boyd, Esq., on Squaw river, in Harvey, manufacturing one and a half million feet annually ; while of the six or seven millions manufactured by Mr. Boyd in Bobcaygeon, (near the * Directory. 1858. (T. 4 B. White.) Page 65 95 boundary line between the two counties) probably one-half may be said to be drawn from the County of Peterborough. Then there are the mills of S. S. Kelly and Walter Scott, Esquires, at Chemong lake, the proceeds of which, when in operation, may -be estimated at half a million, and a mil- lion and a half is to be set down as the product of Messrs. Hale's mill, on the bank of the Otonabee river, in the township of that name. The Messrs. Fowlds, at Hastings, also manufacture from two to three millions annu- ally, the greater portion of which is from this county. To sum up the manufacture of the mills in operation this season, we have for export : — From Messrs. Campbell & Co's, Nassau Mills Ft.10,000,000 " Mr. George Hilliard's, Blythe Mills 7,000,000 " « Samuel Dickson's, Peterborough 6,000,000 " Messrs. Ludgate & McDougall's steam mill 7,000,000 " " Shaw & Waite, Buckhorn and Lakefield 9,000,000 " Mr. Scott's mill, Ball lake 4,000,000 " " M. Boyd's mill, Squaw river 1,500,000 ■" « half Bobcaygeon mill 3,000,000 " Mr. S. S. Kelly's mill, Bridgenorth 250,000 " Messrs. Hale's mill, Otonabee river 1,500,000 " Craigie & Stephenson's, Ashburnham 400,000 Fowlds', Hastings, say from this county 1,000,000 Total for this county for 1866 Feet.50,650,000 Showing a result, for the present season, of over fifty millions of feet ; which at Port Hope was worth $12 per 1000 feet. The returns on the product of this business carried on in this county, the present year, were the whole shipped to market, may therefore be estimated at $600,000. When it is remembered how large a portion of this will have been dis- bursed to the hundreds of men and the numerous teams employed in carry- ing on this immense business, as well as the other heavy items of expense attending its manufacture, it will be apparent, how important is this busi- ness to every man in the community, who is reached and benefited either directly or indirectly by some portion of this large outlay. About thirty-two millions feet of this lumber finds transit by way of Peterborough, and the greater portion of the remainder, is first transferred in boats or scows to Lindsay, and from there is passed over the railroad to 96 Port Hope. So great has been the manufacture this season, (notwith- standing two of our large mills have been idle) that a portion will have to remain over in the mill yards till next season. It may be added that so far as present appearances indicate, the season of 1866-7 will witness an increase in the operations of this trade of about thirty per cent. At present the sawn lumber manufactured for export in the vicinity of Peterborough, is all drawn by teams to the railway station, or to the head of navigation at "the locks" on the Otonabee river. During the year 1865, nineteen millions of this was carried over the railway to Port Hope, and about twelve millions passed down the river in scows, in tow of the steamer Otonabee to Harwood, where it was placed on the railway, and. so conveyed to Cobourg. During 1866, a still larger quantity will have passed over the railroad to Port Hope, and about one-half the quantity of last year by the river and Harwood route. The operation of teaming such an immense quantity of lumber from the mills to the points mentioned, is one involving great labor and expense to the manufacturers ; although giving employment to a large number of teamsters and their horses. The constant passing of such heavily laden teams over our principal streets, rapidly wears out even the most substan- tial material employed in their repair, plows them into deep and unseemly ruts, and at certain seasons, renders them well nigh impassable to ordinary vehicles. These disadvantages, and the outlay they occasion, will be speedily obviated by the extension of the Port Hope railroad, along the river bank, so as to form a connection with the old Chemong line, which, passing up the river, will receive the product of several of the mills mentioned, in the mill yard. This important link of railway connection is now in active progress, and when completed, hopes are entertained that the improved facilities it will afford, may prove a stimulus to the establish- ment of other and numerous branches of manufacture, for which the immense water-power of the Otonabee furnishes such ample scope. 97 CHAPTER XVIII. (1.) POPULATION. The population of Peterborough in 1832 was less than 500. In 1838, the town contained not more than 150 houses, and a population probably between eight and nine hundred. The statistics of Peterborough are inex- tricably mingled with those of North Monaghan up till the period of its incorporation, so that its actual population during the years antecedent to that date, cannot be stated with accuracy. As has been shewn in the preceding pages, it continued steadily to improve, and at the time of it** incorporation contained 1800 inhabitants, At the general census taken in 1852, two years later, it had 333 houses, 350 families, and a population of 2191. In 1855, this had increased to 3400, in 1856 to 3600, and in 1861 to 3841. During the last two years, Peterborough, as well as nearly every town and city in the Province, suffered a diminution of population. The causes of this may in chief part be referred to the depression occasioned by a series of scant harvests in this Province, while at the same time considera- ble numbers of the mechanical and laboring classes were attracted to the neighboring Republic by the advance of wages consequent upon an expan- sion of nearly every branch of business, resulting from an inflated currency with which the immense outlay of four years' war inundated that country. The assessment roll for the town, in 1866 shewed the number of rate- payers for that year to be 1036, which would give a population of about 4500. The total valuation of real and personal property in Peterborough, in 1857, was $987,768 ; while for 1866 this item stands at $1,480,450. The valuation of property, however, is not always made upon an uniform standard, and in different years is increased or diminished, as the judg- ment of the Assessors or the fluctuations of the times may seem to justify. In thus estimating the present population of Peterborough at 4500, it should be borne in mind that the numerous dwellings in what may be called the suburbs, situated just outside the limits of the town, are not taken into account, and that neither is the population of Ashburnham, immediately adjoining on the eastern side of the Otonabec river, included in this estimate. In 1861, Ashburnham had a population of 993. Last 14 98 December it was ascertained to be 1129, which, with the residents of the '•suburbs" alluded to, would make the entire population of the town and its immediate appendages 5629. The last census, taken in 1861, showed the then population of Peterbo- rough and Ashburnham taken together, to be composed of the following nationalites : — Ireland 1068, England 451, Scotland 334, United States 173, Upper Canada 2466, Lower Canada 289, other countries 53. The same census shows that in Peterborough and Ashburnham there were in 1861, 2471 male and 2363 female inhabitants. There were 1523 married and 3311 single persons. In 1860 there were in these two corpo- rations 50 deaths and 1 79 births, while 793 children were attending school. (2.) MANUFACTURES. Something has already been said in the preceding pages as to the grad- ual development of the several manufactures of Peterborough, and it remains now but to afford the reader some idea of the extent of business carried on in these branches of industry at the present time. To begin with — Flouring Mills. — The mill, owned by J. R. Benson, Esq., of which Messrs. Nicholls & Hall are now the lessees, manufactures about 20,000 barrels of flour annually. That of E. D. Rogers, Esq., in Ashburnham, from 7 to 8000 barrels, but is capable of turning-out many more. During the year, the mill formerly mentioned as the late G. B. Hall's, Esq., but latterly known as Dickson's mill, was burned to the ground. The Blythe mills, situated a little distance above the town, the property of John Carnegie, Esq., Jr., met with this fate in the spring of 1864, but was re-built during that and the following season, and has manufactured 9000 barrels during the past year, for exportation. Its capabilities are now in- creased, so as to admit of the manufacture of 200 barrels of flour daily. Besides this result, each of the mills mentioned does a large amount of gristing for home consumption, — a department which the mill of Gilmour & Co., Mr. Richard Parnell, miller, is wholly occupied in supplying. Woolen Factories. — The Auburn mills are situated about a mile above the northern limits of the town, on the eastern side of the Otonabee river. The building used is a substantial one of stone, of three stories and an attic, and was built in 1862-3, and since carried on by Messrs. A. Robert- son & Co., of Montreal. The main building is 79 x 44 feet in size ; 99 another one adjoining, which is at present in use as a store room, is 80 x 37 icet, and was originally intcuded for an axe factory. The motive power is water, but steam is used for dyeing, scouring and heating ; for the latter purpose being conveyed by means of iron tubes to every part of the build- ing, producing a regular and genial warmth. There are 40 operatives employed in this establishment, 27 males and 13 females, several of whom, particularly at the looms, work by the piece, and earn excellent wages. There arc 9 looms, and 640 spindles kept in operation during the entire year. 'A couple of self-operating spinning machines, (a new British inven- tion) with 440 spindles, arc now being added to those formerly in use. These are among the first of the kind introduced into Canada, are beauti- ful specimens of machinery, and will greatly enhance the products of this department with but slight additional labor. To supply material for this establishment, about 80,000 pounds of wool are purchased annually, from 15 to 20,000 lbs. of which are procured from this county, and the remainder elsewhere in Canada, or by importa- tion from abroad. During the wool season of 1865, as high as 46 cents and during the present year 36 cents per pound were paid for this staple. The principal articles of manufacture are tweeds of a great variety of pattern, about 80,000 yards of which were prepared for market last year, and during the coming season, owing to improved looms and increased machinery, this is expected to be increased to one-third more. Some idea of the advantages of such a factory to the town and vicinity, will appear from the fact that nearly $1000 are expended monthly, in wages and ex- penses connected with this establishment, without reference to the large additional sum invested in the purchase of wool. The Auburn mills bore off the gold medal of the Dublin Exhibition in 1864, for the best Canadian tweeds, and was also awarded a silver medal at the Montreal Exhibition the same year, for similar cloths. Mr. Kobert Brodie is the attentive and obliging superintendent. The creek which traverses the town supplies the motive power for Mr. Brook's woolen factory, in which 20 operatives are employed, with an au- nual consumption of about 30,000 lbs. of wool, and a product of 800 yards of fulled cloth, flannel and tweed. Six looms are in operation, and steam is also used in some of the processes. This establishment wa3 built about 25 years ago, and has now been five years in the possession of its present proprietor. Mr. Brooks has just purchased a small woolen mill heretofore 14* 100 carried on by Mr. 1*. H. Clarke, iu Ashburnham. Probably 20,000 lbs. of wool have been converted iuto flannels and cloths here. Three looms are in operation. These comprise the whole of the woolen factories in Peterborough and its vicinity. At other points in the county, and especially at the village of Hastings, more of these useful establishments exist, but (except at that village) of limited capacity, and chiefly or entirely devoted to the local carding and fulling of the neighborhood. Founder Ins. — A large amount of capital is invested in founderies, three of which are in operation in Peterborough, and one in Ashburnham. Pre- cisely this number was returned here as existing at the taking of the cen- sus in 1852 and in 1861. But the capital invested, and the produce of the business, have very largely increased since the former of these dates. In 1851 the capital of all collectively was stated at $7400, and in 1861 at $45,900, while the value of their joint produce for the former year was set down at $13,400, and for the latter $56,075. Doubtless, the latter figures will still apply very nearly to the present time. Messrs. Whytc& Hamilton's foundery and machine shop was commenced as a plow factory 25 years ago, by James Harvey, Esq. About ten years ago it was enlarged to its present proportions, and greatly improved. The working capital of the firm is stated to be $10,000, exclusive of buildings or site. From twenty to thirty men are employed, the chief business con- sisting in the manufacture and repair of steam engines, grist and saw mill machinery, thrashing machines, plows, (about 300 of which are turned out annually) and other agricultural implements. The foundery on Simcoc street, owned by James Stevenson, Esq., and leased by Mr. William Helm, was destroyed by fire in 1857, but soon after rebuilt in its present style, by the energetic owner. In buildings and machinery it represents a total capital of $13,000. Steam is the motive power, in producing which 250 cords of wood are consumed annually, as are 40 tons of coal in the process of smelting and the requirements of the blacksmith's shop. Fifteen men are now employed ; the principal business being repairing machines and implements of various kinds, though steam engines and nearly all other kinds of machinery, iron pillars and other heavy castiugg, are made to order. In this way 25,000 feet of hardwood lumber, from 60 to 80 tons of metal, and 8 to 10 tons of wrought iron are used in a single year. During last year, six threshing machines, and over 101 200 plows were manufactured at this establishment, besides sawing ma- chines, other machinery and implements. Mr. James Hamilton has for many years conducted a foundery and im- plement manufactory on south George street. Eight men on an average have been employed, turning out from 150 to 200 plows, a large number of harrows, and other farm implements each year. The motive power is a six horse-power engine. During the past summer, Mr. Hamilton suffered a heavy loss by the destruction of his establishment by fire. But it has now been rebuilt in a greatly enlarged and superior style, and the manu- facture of implements is being resumed to a still greater extent than for- merly. A branch of this business, supplied from the foundery here, is carried on at Lindsay. Mr. Mowry's foundery and machine shop in Ashburuham also employs a number of hands, and has the requisite facilities for performing a large business. Breweries.— Two breweries at present exist in Peterborough. Mr. Henry Calcutt's was commenced in 1855, near the shore of the Little Lake, but was burned down in 1 863. His present establishment, near the Otonabee river, on the Ashburnham side, was built during the same year. Six men are constantly employed, and during last year, 5000 bushels of barley were consumed in this manufacture. Mr. Calcutt is the inventor of a combined liquor cooler and heater, which, by passing the heated liquid over an expanded surface, cools 16 barrels in an hour, or eight gallons in a minute. By varying the size, greater or less results could of course be obtained. Mr. Walter W. Boswell's brewery was built more than twenty years ago, on the shore of "Spaulding's bay", in the southern end of the town. Of late it has not been constantly in operation, but is now again in use, and manufacturing at the rate of about one hundred barrels of beer (of 30 gallons each) per month. Two other breweries formerly existed in the town ; but though the buildings remain, they have been for some years closed, and their machinery unemployed. Tanneries. — There are two tanneries in Peterborough, and one in Ash- burnham. That belonging to James Hall, Esq., of which Mr. Walter Patterson is lessee, employs constantly from 6 to 10 men, who manufacture into leather from 1500 to 2000 hides, and about 1200 calf-skins annually. 102 Water and steam power are used for pumping aud grinding; Mr. Patter- son has recently imported 100 hides from South America, which, from the fineness of the hair, and consequent denseness of tissue, when dressed, are well adapted for use in, this climate. This establishment is the most extensive of the three. Mr. P. Ryan in Peterborough, and Mr. John Clarke in Ashburnham, also employ a number of hands, and do a large business in the manufacture of the various kinds of leather. Carriage and Sleigh Factories. — Mr. William Metheral has now been 11 years engaged in this business in Peterborough. He employs on- an average 6 men. During the present season (1866) he completed and sold 24 buggies and carriages, and four waggons, though he usually manufac- tures from 10 to 12 of the latter in a season ; and also 30 to 40 sleighs and cutters. The outlay in conducting this establishment will amount to between three and four thousand dollars a year. Mr. T. Fitzgerald has now been four years engaged in this business. He employs 11 men, and during the season of 1866 manufactured 20 waggons, 25 buggies and carriages, and 50 cutters and sleighs. In addition to this work, a large amount of repairing and general black-smithing is also carried on in his establishment. i Mr. John Doharty (formerly Doharty & Hanlon) conducts an extensive business of this kind, in which he has now been for several years success- cessfully engaged. From 10 to 12 men are employed, resulting in a 3 T early expenditure of from 6000 to 7000 dollars. During 1865, 55 sleighs and cutters were manufactured, and an average of 30 waggons and 20 buggies and carriages for the last few years. A very large amount of job- bing and general black-smith work is also performed. Mr. James McWilliams also manufactures largely in this useful branch of industry. 9 men are usually employed, and during the present season, 30 waggons and 20 buggies and carriages have been turned out from this establishment^ with an average of 45 sleighs for some years past. A large amount of repairing and general work is also attended to, with an annual outlay in all of between 6 and 7000 dollars. Mr. .John Douglass, (formerly J; & 5 T. Douglass) after a connection with this business of about 12 years, has recently opened a new carriage and waggon shop on Bethune street north, where 4 hands are employed. 103 Flax Mills. — Our enterprising townsman, Mr. Henry Calcutt, erected a flax mill in Ashburnham, in 1865, which is not only useful as furnishing a home market for an important item of agricultural produce, but at cer- tain times (during the retting process) gives employment to about 50 women and boys, who have often difficulty in finding remunerative employ- ment in other branches of industry. During 1865, 75 tons of raw flax was purchased here, and for the present season the sales were increased to 200 tons. The cost, as sold by the fanners, has been about $13 per ton, and about an equal sum per ton is expended in its preparation. The flax, when ready for market, is in chief part sold at the linen mill of Messrs. Gooderham & Worts, Toronto. It is to be regretted that sufficient enter- prise has not yet been found to establish a linen mill here, for which there are great facilities, and which would add another important branch of industry to the locality, and retain this product in our midst, which has now to go elsewhere for the manufacture to which it is ultimately destined. Mr. Borland, of South Douro, is also engaged in this business, and as a further illustration of the increasing interest taken in this useful product, it may be stated that 50 tons were offered for sale in that locality during the present season, (1866) where only five or six could be purchased in 1865. Other Manufactures. — Peterborough has two pump manufactories, one of these, conducted by Mr. Henry Dennis, has been in operation for the last 6 years. Five men are employed on an average, and about 500 pumps manufactured every year. The motive power is steam. Mr. W. M. Kingdon is also engaged in this manufacture, and produces from 150 to 200 pumps every year from his establishment. There are four enterprising citizens engaged in the manufacture and importation of chairs, cabinet work and general upholstery; besides a number of establishments who supply these and the public with wood- turning, sashes, blinds, and other articles of luxury and necessity. Ashburnham boasts of two axe-factories, that of Mr. P. J. Ayres and Mr. G. Story, which contribute largely to supply the demand for these indispensible implements. There are also several Cooper's shops, both in town and county, which represent a most important branch of industry, and in which a large amount of capital is invested. 104 As the purpose and scope of these pages are historical rather than intend- ed to serve the purposes of a directory, it is impossible, even were it not out of place, to enter more minutely into the particulars of these and other interesting and important sources of trade or branches of industry. Enough has been said, it is hoped, to convey to the reader an idea of the present development of out manufacturing enterprize; and although it must be confessed that of late years, progress in this direction has not been as rapid as might be desired, or as the ample facilities afforded by the town and vicinity would seem to invite, still the position at present attained, is sufficient, strongly to contrast with the early stages and infant steps of these branches of manufacture, when Peterborough was first settled, 40 years ago. Progression, either natural, social or industrial, is not uniformly rapid ; and having accomplished much in the past, it will, with the means and resources at command, be attributable to our own folly or neglect, if much greater results be not achieved in the future. (3.) TRADE AND MERCHANDISE. The trade of a community like this, carried on by a number of individ- uals, through a variety of channels, can with difficulty be estimated, seeing that, except in the case of dutiable goods, which pass through the custom house, no general or official record is kept as to their extent or value. And in the case of Peterborough, but a small proportion of the goods received and sold here are chargeable with custom duty. The general character of the merchants and traders of Peterborough for probity and honor, which is known beyond the limits of the Province, and the extent of their operations, as shewn by the large and well filled shops of our principal streets, are circumstances of which any resident of the town and county may well feel proud. The first attempts at mercan- tile business in Peterborough, in the tiny stores and with the slender stocks of goods, to which reference has been made in the preceding pages, are in striking contrast to the piles of brick and mortar, several stories in height, filled with the rich fabrics and costly products of nearly every clime, which are witnessed to-day. Instead of the little stocks of goods of from $100 to $1000 of 40 years ago, we have now single firms importing from $10,000 to $80,000 worth of goods aunually. The entire imports for 1860 were carefully estimated at $600,000, and since then these figures have not materially changed. 105 From a statement furnished by permission of the Customs authorities in 1860, it appeared that, during that year, the total entries here were of the value of $108,685, on which a duty of $17,782 was paid. These figures were $5,374 in excess of the duties paid at Port Hope, and $6,501 more than those paid at Cobourg, for that year. Since the railroad era, which commenced in 1854, the entire trade of the town has greatly increased. The exports have invariably exceeded the imports to such an extent as to leave a balance of trade amounting, on an average, to at least half a million of dollars in favor of the town. The following figures will convey some idea of the exports of the town at two successive periods : — Lumber, Produce, dr., shipped by Cobourg and Peterborough Railroad from Peterborough, during the years 1855, 1856 and 1857. Years. Lumber, Feet, Flour, barrels Wheat, bushels. Wool, lbs. Potash, barrels. Lath, bundles. 18,35 1856 1857 11142479 15946158 13365503 6539 19095 9714 23255^ 56862,\ 21717" 38519 36047 62772 43 57 56 4188 25546 16548 Statement showing the export of Produce from Peterborough, by Pail- way during 1864 and 1865: Years. Flour, barrels. Wheat, bushels. Barley, bushels. Pease, bushels. Oats, bushels. Butter, Firkins. 1864 1865 23300 37000 8695 31775 40470 6667 13967 140 250 none, do 836 1502 Total.. 60300 20634 390 none. 2338 To this is to be added the export of sawn lumber, already considered in a special chapter devoted to that trade, but which may here be repeated. In 1865, sawn lumber was shipped as follows : — Over the Port Hope and Peterborough railway 19,000,000 feet. By steamer Otonabce and rail to Cobourg 12,000,000 " Total 31,000,000 « This, however, does not include the entire export of lumber from the county, since the manufacture of the mills at Chemong lake, Buckhorn, 15 106 Harvey and to sonic extent those at Bobcaygeon. as well as that from the mills in Otonabee and Hastings have found an outlet by other channels. Neither does it include a large export of wool, shingles, potash, eggs and other commodities, the exact figures for which it would be difficult to ascertain. There is besides the large internal trade carried on in the town and villages of the county in supplying the wants of a fine agricultural district, the value of the produce of which, was shewn by the last census to be $1,023,197. Peterborough is most advantageously situated for encoura- ging and developing this trade, which alone would entitle her to rank among the most prosperous commercial centres in Canada. But when to this is added the immense operations of the lumber trade, and her great capabili- ties for manufacturing purposes, her natural advantages place her in the foremost rank, as a field for enterprise, which it must be admitted has as yet been but partially utilized. CHAPTER XIX. (1) THE BANKS OF PETERBOROUGH. Until 1852, the only bank in Peterborough was a branch of the Bank or Montreal, which was opened here in 1843 ; and of which Robert Nicholls, Esq., was the first agent. The business during the first few years was very meagre, — the principal ledger being a book of diminutive proportions. Since the retirement of Mr. Nicholls from this post, the successive managers have been, Jackson Rae, John N. Travers, Robert J. Dallas, and Robert Richardson, Esquires, — the last named gentlemen being at present manager. The business of the bank increased with the progress and prosperity of the town and county ; and during 1857-8, the present handsome and com- modious building, on the south-east corner of Water and Simcoe streets, was erected for its accommodation, at a cost of $12,000. In 1846, Messrs. Nicholls & Hall opened u The Colborne District Savings Bank" which appears to have been more advantageous to the public than to its projectors and managers, and it was finally closed in 1848. 107 In 1852, a branch of the Commercial Bank was opened iu Peterbo- rough. For eight years. William Cluxtou, Esq., was its agent, and in its management, displayed his usual excellent business capacity ; and on his retirement, owing to the pressure of a large and increasing business, had the satisfaction of handing over its affairs to his successor without a single dollar of a bad debt. The subsequent managers were, J. II. Roper, Jr., and W. F. Harper, Esquires ; the latter gentleman having occupied that position during the last two years. The present Commercial Bank build- ing, (on the north-east corner of Water and Hunter streets) was erected during 1863-4. The Bank of Toronto opened a branch here in 1856. James Hall, Esq., now Sheriff, was agent during the first year and a half, and was suc- ceeded by Alexander Munroe, Esq.- During the past six years, its busi- ness has been successfully conducted by Alexander Smith, Esq., its present popular and obliging manager. During the present year, (1866) a branch of the Royal Canadian Bank, William Ogilvie, Esquire, Agent, and also a branch of the Ontario Bank, with a Savings Bank department, under the management of D. S. Eastwood, Esquire, were opened in Peterborough. So that, so far as the number of banking institutions are concerned, our business men have no lack of ample facilities for the transaction of business. As to the capital, position, resources or dividends of these institutions, it would be out of place here to enter on any exposition ; as ample infor- mation on these points is contained in the general bank statements pub- lished at frequent intervals. (2.) THE CHURCHES OP PETERBOROUGH. From the first settlement of the town, clergymen of the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches were present, either as permanent residents or frequent visitors, to attend to the spiritual wants of their respective flocks. Ere long, the missionaries and then the ministers of other denominations occupied the field ; the entire county forming in those days a single parish or circuit, which had to be laboriously traversed, and services held iu such of the larger buildings, in barns, or in the open air, as circumstances justi- fied. For many years the ministrations of the Peterborough clergymen continued thus to extend over the adjoining townships, but the improve- ment of roads and the erection of churches, and the establishment of other missions, in time rendered these duties less arduous. 15* 108 For some years the church accommodation in town was little belter than in the country districts, and the services of the various denominations were held in houses and vacant buildings as opportunity favoured. Notwithstanding numerous enquiries, the facts we have been able to gather in reference to the progress of the several churches, are but few, and for convenience will be mentioned separately. We begin with The Church of England. — The Rev. Samuel Armour was the first clergyman of this church in Peterborough ; and the log school house, more than once referred to, sufficed for many years in which to conduct its services. As early as 1831, tenders were advertised in the Cobourg Star for the erection of the present edifice, known as St. John's Church ; but not until 1834-5 was that building completed and ready for occupation. The contract was awarded to the late Joseph Scobell, Esq., who undertook its completion for £1300, but alterations, or extra work, increased this to £1500, and sundry expenses, including interest on money borrowed for its completion, made the total cost £2150. This was one of the 57 rectories created under the administration of Sir John Colborne. It comprised four acres of ground, consisting of lots nos. 1 to 4 north of Hunter and east of Water streets, and lots nos. 1 to 4 south of Brock and east of Water streets, and was formally granted for this purpose on the 5th day of November, 1835.* The eastern portion of this ground, fronting on street, and the western side along Water street, have both been used for building purposes, under lease for a term of years, to be either renewed on expiry, or the holder compensated for improvements made during his term of occupation. Under this arrange- ment the revenues of the Rectory have been materially increased, without marring the prospect, or overcrowding the edifice, as seen from the adjoin- ing thoroughfares. Other grants were about the same time made to this church, the principal of which consisted of two glebe lots in the township of Smith, and Park lots nos. 16 and 17, of 10 acres each, adjoining the town, besides an acre of land on the western side of the square, known as the old burying ground, which has been leased or sold in building lots. At the time of the erection of this building, a large clock was placed in the tower, at a cost of about $400, but this, for some years, has been neglected, chiefly owing to the trouble and expense attending its regulation and supervision. * Appendix Journals of the House. Session 1837-3. Page 4U0. 109 About 13 years ago, sundry improvements were effected iu the ehurcli edifice, at a cost of about $2000. A new roof was put ou, and important alterations made in the interior, in accordance with plans furnished by Kivas Tully, Esq. An organ was also procured, at a cost of about $1000. In 1859 a capacious Sunday school house was added in the rear, at a cost of $472. This church occupies a fine commanding site, overlooking the town, the river, and the adjacent village of Ashburnham ; and although for many years embarrassed by debt, is now in a most excellent condition financially, on which the Hector and congregation may well be congratulated. The following are the names of the clergymen who have been successively Incumbents or Rectors of Peterborough: — Rev. Samuel Armour, Rev. Richard D'Olier, Rev. Charles Wade, M. A., Rev. Robert J. C. Taylor, Rev. Mark Burnham, and the Rev. John AValton Romain Beck, who is the present Rector. The Roman Catholic Chit rcJt. —The first services of this church in Peterborough were celebrated by the Rev. James Crowley, in one of the log buildings, erected for the purposes of the immigration. On the first settlement of the town, the block of ground on which the American Hotel now stands, bounded by George, Chambers, Brock and Hunter streets, was granted to this body for church purposes ; and in later years a small frame church was erected on it. About the year 1835-6, this was burned down ; and soon after, the ground in question was disposed of, and the erection of the present church commenced. The public grants to this church consist- ed of the ground just mentioned, described as lots 1 and 2 south of Brock and west of George streets, lot No. 14, new survey, fronting on Hunter street, (the site of the present church) and Park lot No. 6 in the township of North Monaghan. These grants were dated February 18th, 1834,* The present stone edifice" was erected in 1837-8, and when completed, was dedicated to St. Peter in-chains. This was done during the pastorate of the Rev. John Butler, who after nineteen years residence in Peterbo- rough, died on the 25th of June, 1853, in his 71st year. A neat tablet to his memory is erected in this church, which he founded, and which is stated to be, "a last monument to his piety and zeal." Another tablet, similarly placed, tells of the decease of the Rev. Daniel Farrelly, on the 1st day of June, 1858, in the 44th year of his age, after a pastorate in Peter- borough ofl year and 10 months, and in Kemptville of 13 years. ♦Appendix to Journals of the House, Session 1837-8. Page 400. 110 This church, though not finely finished, and but plainly decorated, has been lbr some years free from financial embarrassment. Nine years ago, a fine toned and powerful organ was purchased at a cost of $1600, and has been since in use. The following is a list of the Priests who have successively ministered to the spiritual wants of this congregation : — Rev. James Crowley, Rev. Father O'Herne, Rev. John Butler, Rev John Farrall, (now Bishop of Hamilton, C.W.) Rev. Daniel Farrelly, Rev. M. Mackie, and the Rev. Oliver Kelly, the present pastor, and Dean of the Diocese. The Church of Scotland. — On the 30th of May, 1835, a grant was made to this church, of lot F, fronting on Brock street, and lots 12 and 13 north of Brock street. The first of these is the site of the present St. Andrew's church, erected in the year 1836. The other lots are leased for building purposes, in the usual manner with property so held. The Rev. J. M. Roger, was the first minister of this body; and was located here as early as 1833. He remained attached to this congregation until the separation which took place, owing to the Free Church move- ment, to which he adhered. The church property remained with the older body, and soon after, the Rev. James S. Douglas became its minister, and so continued until 1864. During the two years which followed, the congregation was supplied by missionaries ; and on the 20th day of November, 1866, the Rev. D. J. Macdonnell, B. D., was formally inducted to this charge. A neat Sabbath School building was erected adjacent to the church, in 1864; and, financially, the affairs of this church are in an excellent condition. The Free Church. — On the withdrawal of the Free Church from the Church of Scotland, which took place in Canada in 1844, but in Peter- borough not until 1857, the congregation was for some years without a suitable place of worship. The town hall, and subsequently the Wesleyan Methodist Sabbath School room, were used for this purpose. But at length, in 1857, the foundation of their fine brick church, adjacent to the Court House square, was laid, and completed in 1859. This edifice is 50 by 90 feet iu size, and was erected at a cost of $20,000 ; of which a debt of $7,200 still remains. It is at once creditable to the congrega- tion, and an ornament to the town. The Rev. J. M. Rogers is still its minister. Ill The Weshj/on Methodist Church. — The first Wesleyan Methodist Church in Peterborough was a small frame building, subsequently con- verted into a parsonage, and now used in that capacity. It was erected in 1834, on ground granted by the Executive Council for that purpose, and described as lots 1 and 2 north of McDonell and west of George street. The grant bears date, November 27th, 1834.* The first large church of this body was erected in 1844, of a size 60 feet by 40 feet, and this, in 1854 was enlarged by an addition of 30 feet to the length, which completed the present structure. In 1864 a fine new organ was added. It is noticeable that the successive steps of marked progress by this body have been made at regular intervals of ten years, as shewn by the foregoing dates. Possibly the close of the present decennial period will be marked by the erection of an entirely new church edifice. We had hoped to have added the names of the several ministers stationed here, in connection with this church ; but the frequent changes resulting from the itinerant system have rendered these very numerous, and it is difficult ox impossible from the data at hand, to re-produce them with accuracy. The Baptist Church. — The Baptist Church in Peterborough was erect- ed on Aylmer street, in the year 1845, at a cost of about $1400. Owing to a divergence of opinion which took place in the congregation a few years ago, a second but smaller church was erected in the North Ward. But unity was happily restored, and this second structure has become useful to the town for the purposes of a primary school. The Rev. John Gilmour has been continuously pastor of this congregation, and is also Agent for the New England Company, in providing for the spiritual wants of the Rice Lake and Chemong Lake Indians, to which reference will hereafter be made. The Bible Christian Church. — This body acquired the ground it now occupies by purchase. As early as 1832-3, a society was formed in Peter- borough, to which the Rev. Mr. Enon was one of the first missionaries. The first small church, in subsequent years, was converted into a minister's residence, and was superseded by the present church building, erected in 1853. The ministers of this body have been numerous ; the Rev. David Cantlon at present occupying that position. The British Methodists had at one time a numerous society here, and erected a church, on the rising ground a little west of the Otonabee bridge. * Appendix to Journals, 1837-8. Page 400, 112 On their union with the Wesleyan Methodists, their church building was no longer a necessity, and was subsequently used for school purposes, and is now the property of Robert Morrow, Esq. The foregoing comprise all the churches at present existing in Peterbo- rough. It would perhaps be interesting to trace the gradual progress in numbers of each from their first organization here. But in the earlier years of their history in Peterborough, the entire county was embraced in their yearly returns, and even now, a large portion of the members and support of each is drawn from the adjacent townships. We must there- fore content ourselves and the reader, with such facts as appear from the census of the last two periods, and in doing so will append the religious census of Ashburnham for the last of these, as the only one for which its statistics have been officially taken as a distinct municipality. Peterborough. do Ashburnham. . Year. O o ^ r 83 ^^ 0) O ©^ © S c ~ i—l Cv © 2 £33 1852 540 565 490 4 1861 757 1226 830 14 1861 281 323 113 24 22 95 5 Peterborough. do Ashburnham. CD Year. ^5 o SB m '■+3 C3 O ^ ^ 2 w © Q w 1 PQ S h © r£ © o 1852 414 44 79 1861 546 218 117 12 1861 97 132 1 16 33 26 1 (3.) THE SCHOOLS OP PETERBOROUGH. • The Union School. — The first school house, erected in Peterborough, in the years 1826-7, has already been more than once referred to. It was a log building, with shingled roof, of very plain and unimposing aspect, and stood on the ground now occupied by the shed, in the play-ground in the rear of the present Union School building. It has also been stated that the Rev. Samuel Armour, first Episcopal clergyman in Peterborough, conducted this school, in which the higher as well as the rudimentary 113 branches of education were for a time taught. As the town progressed, other schools, specially devoted to the branches usually taught in common schools, were organized, and then this building was appropriated solely to the purposes of a grammar school ; and almost from its commencement, a grant of money from the public funds was made annually to assist in its support. The writer has been able to ascertain very little in reference to the character of the common schools, or even the names of their teachers, down to the year 1852, at the commencement of which, these were all united under a common school board of trustees, and the vacant church, built and formerly occupied by the British Methodist society, was leased and used for general common school purposes. Towards the close of the year 1853, the old grammar school building was found to have become so dilapidated, through time and usage, that it was untenable for winter use ; and the board of grammar school trustees applied for amalgamation with the already united common schools; a pro- posal which was finally accepted, and entered upon, in February, 1854. John Langton, Esq., was then appointed Chairman, Dr. Hay, Secretary, and William Cluxton Esq. Treasurer of the Joint Board. From this period until 1860, the united Grammar and Common School was carried on in the vacant church already mentioned. Early in 1857, in consequence of that building being found insufficient to accommodate the greatly increased numbers then attending school, — in the instruction of which, a Head Master, two other male and three female teachers, were constantly employed, arrangements were commenced for the erection of the noble building which is now not only an ornament to the town, but is amply sufficient and well adapted to the purposes for which it was intended. Some discussion and deliberation arose as to the proper site for such an edifice ; and three locations were severally proposed. 1st, a portion of the old burying ground, fronting upon George street ; 2nd, the vacant ground fronting on Water street, and known as the Court House Park, and 3rd, the present site. Preference was given by the majority of the Board to the second of these ; and, strange to say, the consent of the Town and County Councils was readily procured for appropriating three acres of the beautiful Court House green to that purpose; — a design which if carried out would have 16 114 deprived the citizens of that fine enclosure, left our county buildings in the back ground, and destroyed much of the effect of their position on that commanding eminence. Fortunately neither of these bodies had the disposal of this ground ; and it was, ere long, ascertained that a special Act of Parliament would be necessary to divert the property in question from the purposes for which it was originally designed. Petitions were, however, drawn up for signature, and a deputation sent to Toronto, then the Seat of Government, to secure the accomplishment of the object sought. An influential minority of the Board, however, opposed what would now be regarded as an act of spoliation ; and the consent of the Gov- ernment was consequently withheld. The beauties and advantages of the present site appear to have then become fully appreciated ; and measures were at once taken to proceed with the erection of the building. Mr. Sheard, Architect, of Toronto, furnished the plans, &c. ; Messrs. Mitchell, Graham and McDonald were awarded the contracts, and the work was vigorously pushed forward, during the Autumn of 1857, and the two following years. The new Union School building was completed, and possession assumed by the Board, at the opening of the school in January, 1860. The fol- lowing are the names of the gentlemen composing the Building Committee, who were then relieved from their arduous and responsible duties : — James Hall, Esq., Chairman, W. S. Conger, William Cluxton, Thomas Fortye, James Stevenson, Frederick Ferguson, Esquires, and the Kev. Mark Burnham. In order to provide funds for building purposes, two town lots, originally set apart for school purposes, were offered for sale. These were, lot no. ten, north of King street, and lot no. five, south of London and west of George streets. The former was bought by Mr. John Delaney for £201, and the latter, although nominally sold, never passed from under the con- trol of the Board. The building fund was also largely assisted by the donation, on the part of the Town Council, of the entire Clergy Reserve money appropriated to the town for 1856, amounting to £981 8s. 3d., which was placed in the Commercial Bank Agency to the credit of the Board. The original estimate as to the cost of th« new school building was $16,000, and the actual outlay for its completion and furnishing, amount- ed to $16,258. So trifling an excess over the estimated sum, was a matter 115 for congratulation alike by the Board and the public. To enable the town to meet this large sum, debentures to the amount of $14,000, were issued, bearing interest at six per cent, per annum. These debentures were pay- able in the following order : — In 1859 ..$ 400 1860 , 600 1861 800 1862 1000 1863 : 1200 1864 1600 1865 1800 1866 2000 1867 2200 1868 2400 $14000 The Roman Catholic Separate School had now been for several years in existence ; the supporters of which were exempt from taxation for Union School purposes. The other ratepayers of the town were taxed for the interest and sinking fund of the debentures during the years 1859 and 1860. On the passing of the Act for the consolidation of the debt of the town, assented to in May, 1861, these debentures were made chargeable against the property of the whole town, including the supporters of the Separate School ; but provision was made that the proportion of interest and sinking fund levied upon the said supporters, should be refunded to them on or before the 31st day of December in each year.* The first two debentures were paid out of the revenues of the town, as they matured, but those for the subsequent years, up to the present time, have been paid out of funds realized from the sale of new debentures. These sold on an average at fifteen per cent, discount, or in other words, a $400 debenture would realize only $340 in cash. The position of the debenture account would consequently stand as follows : — Total debentures issued. $14,000 First two paid in cash in 1859 and 1860, (less) 1,000 Total outstanding debentures in 1861 $13,000 * Statutes of Canada, Chapter 61. Section 6. 16* 116 Debentures since Paid. School Amt. of new debentures Addition Debenture. required to pay it. to debt. 1861 $ 800 $ 941 17 $141 17 1862 1000 1176 47 176 47 1863 1200 1411 77 211 77 1864 1600 1822 35 282 35 1865 1800 2117 64 317 64 1866 2000 2353 00 353 00 $8400 $9822 40 $1482 40 From the foregoing, two facts are to be deduced of interest to the rate- payers of the town of Peterborough, — 1st, That the debt contracted on account of Union School debentures is constantly and rapidly increasing ; since to pay the $8400 of debentures falling due since 1861, a new debt of $9822.40 has been contracted, entailing an addition of $1482.40 to the original debt of $13,000 of school debentures outstanding in 1861; making the total amount of the debentures, at the close of 1866, $14,482.40. The second fact of importance, is that, as an increasing debt entails the payment of a proportionately larger sum for interest, the proportion of the latter actually paid annually by the supporters of the E. C Separate School is also increasing, and hence the demand which has recently been pressed for a larger instalment as an equivalent in return. It may be added, that it is the payment of these latter debentures, by the issue of new ones, instead of in cash, or by the proceeds of a sinking fund, as the Act no doubt intended, which has given rise to the result now shewn. The apparent abstruseness of this subject, and its practical bearing upon the present affairs of the town, must suffice as an excuse for referring to it here at such length. In regard to the attendance of pupils at the Peterborough Union Gram- mar and Common School, the following statistics of two successive periods are here presented : — Grammar School, — In 1856, the total number of pupils in the Grammar School department was 87 : of these there were studying Arithmetic 80, Algebra 8, Euclid 8, Trigonometry 2, Mensuration 2, Geography 87, History 80, Ancient Geography 40, Modern do. 87, History of Rome 87 History of Great Britain 87, Physical Science 87, Natural Philosophy 32, 117 Natural History 87, Writing 87, Book-keeping 7, Drawing 31, and Vocal Music 36. For 186-4, — (the last report yet received) we find, the number of pupils in English branches 41, Latin 41, Greek 6, French 15, Algebra 35, Euclid 35, Geography 41, History 41, Physical Science 13, Natural Philosophy 13, Writing 41, Drawing 15, Elements of Political Economy 19. Common School, — The total number of pupils returned, as attending the Common School department in 1856, was 498. Of these 281 were boys and 217 girls ; 31 are indigent pupils. The total number in Arith- metic was 323, Grammar 298, Geography 352, History 177, Writing 376, Book-keeping 4, Mensuration 6, Algebra 2, Geometry 3, Natural Philoso- phy 12, Vocal Music 103, other studies 130. For 1864, we find, the total attendance of Common School children to be 1052 ; of these 551 are boys and 501 girls, indigent pupils 104. Average attendance of pupils 459. The following are the numbers en- gaged in the several branches of study : — Arithmetic 893, Grammar 702, General Geography 707, Canadian Geography 248, History 459, Writing 877, Book-keeping 28, Mensuration 2, Algebra 46, Geometry 43, Natural Philosophy 95, Linear Drawing 21, Needlework 30. To furnish the names of all the teachers employed in this school, even since the union, would require an amount of labor, disproportionate to the interest likely to be taken in the result ; but we append a list of the several Principals, since the first organization of the Peterborough Grammar School. Principals prior to the Union of 1854. — Rev. Samuel Armour, In- cumbent ; Rev. Moses Williamson, Presbyterian minister ; Rev. R. J. C. Taylor, Rector; Bolton W. O'Grady, Esq., A. B., T. C. D. Principals since 1854. — John Gordon, J. W. Kerr, Stewart Foster, Esquires, Rev. John McClure, James M. Dunn, Esq., and John King, Esq., B. A., T. CD. The following gentlemen have been severally Local Superintendents of Schools in Peterborough: — Rev. E. Roberts, James Edwards, Esq., Rev. J. S. Douglas, D. W. Dumble, Ivan O'Beirne and James Stratton, Esquires ; the last named gentleman now occupying that position. 118 Roman Catholic SepcM'ate School. — This school was first organized in Peterborough in the year 1851. For three years, rooms were rented in a building on the corner of Aylmer and Simcoe streets for its accommoda- tion. In 1854, a frame school house, in two departments, was erected on the lot directly in front of the Catholic church. In the autumn of the year 1864, this building was destroyed by fire, together with a valuable library, the property of the St. Patrick's society of Pefcerboro'. During 1865, the present fine brick building of two and a half stories was completed, and to a considerable extent, paid for, by the voluntary contri- butions of the congregation of St. Peter's church. Early in January 1866, the school was transferred to this building, from the old Union School premises, which had been in the meantime leased and occupied for Separate School purposes. From two to four teachers have been employed in this school. The number of pupils on the register for 1865 was 265. Religious instruction is combined with secular, — the male and female pupils being classified in separate departments. The following is a list of the teachers who have been employed in this school : — Males — Messrs. Bernard Boyd, Daniel Sullivan, John Curtin, John Keating, Francis O'Hara, David Roche, Michael Healy, William Keating and Patrick Smyth. Females — Miss Mary C. Meany, Miss Bridget Hogan and Miss Mary Ann O'Callaghan. CHAPTER XX. SUMMARY OP LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. Date. Candidates. Elected. Majority. Novem. 1833. 1856. Septem. 1861. " 1864. Thomas Alex. Stewart.. ( Thomas Short , . . . j { Edmund Murney.. j ( Hon. Billa Flint... ) { " Sidney Smith j " Billa Flint Appointed by Crown Edmund Murney... Hon. Sidney Smith. " Billa Flint.... 238 180 Acclamation 119 SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS. Date. Candidates. 1834. 1836. 1841. 1844. Decern. .1847. " 1851, July, ...1854. January 1856 Decern. .1857, July,,.. 1861 June,... 1863 Septem. 1864, f Col.Alex. McDonell*] I Dr. John Gilchrist, ! } James G. Bethune, j [W.S. Conger, J ( Henry Kuttan, ^) J Col.Alex. McDonell { } Geo. M. Boswell (^ Dr. John Gilchrist, J ( Frederick Ferguson ") ) Col.Alex. McDonell [ (^ Dr. John Gilchrist. ) j George B. Hall, } { Col. Baldwin, j f James Hall, } Richard Birdsall ^ John Langton. j James Hall, | | John Langton. j John Langton f W. S. Conger, | Frederick Ferguson j Thomas Short, ] { W. S. Conger, J j W. S. Conger, | { Col. F.W. Haultain j W. S. Conger.... f Col. Haultain, \ Charles Perry. } Elected. Majority. Col. Alex. McDonell Col.Alex. McDonell Dr. John Gilchirst. George B. Hall James Hall John Langton.. do W. S. Conger.. Thomas Short.. Col. Haultain.. W. S. Conger.. Col. Haultain.. 81 70 Acclamation 298 315 30 Acclamation 106 120 WARDENS FOR THE COUNTY OF PETERBOROUGH. 1842 to end of 1846 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852 to end of 1858, ) George Arundel Hill, John Langton. do do do Thomas Short. William Cottingham. 1859, W. S. Conger. 1860, William Lang. 1861, M. S. Dean. 1862, do 1863, Peter Pcarce. 1864, do 1865, Robert D. Rogers. 1866, Evans Ingram. MAYORS, REEVES, &C, OF PETERBOROUGH. Town Clerks. — The following gentlemen have been successively Town Clerks:— W. H. Vizard, W. H. Wrighton, Thomas White, Jr., Ivan O'Beirne, and James Edwards, Esquires, — the last named gentleman having occupied that position for the last ten years. Town Treasurers. — Robert Nieholls, William Hall, William Cluxton, and James Edwards, Esquires,— the last two gentlemen having discharged the important duties of that position'for five and nine years respectively. 121 JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FOR PETERBOROUGH. . B. Y. McKyes,* John Kennedy, Patrick Ryan, John Darcus, J. T. Henthorn, Charles Perry, Josias Bray,* Thomas White, Sr. James Edwards, Dr. F. Connin,* John Haggart, W. A. Scott, Dr. John Hutchesor i,* Michael Hogan, Francis H. Armstrong, Robert P. Madge,* £$ Fred'k Ferguson, Robert Nicholls, John Langton, Thomas Harper,* William Cluxton, A. S. Fraser,* Geo. G. Boswell,* William Eastland, G. B. Hall,* £$ Charles Rubidge, Daniel Hopkins, D. McFarlane,* a&sc^scd value of property SI 2863(5, and the taxes levied on this township for county rate alone, $1406.16. It has before been remarked that asses- sed values, convey no adequate idea of the real wealth of township prop- erty ; as the fluctuations under the manipulations of successive Assessors show differences in value, the result of the ideas in regard to assessment which happen to be at the time paramount. At the taking of the last census, in 1861, the entire population of Dum- mer was 1757. Of these 91-1 were males and 8-13 females. There were in I860. 13 deaths and 65 births. 472 children were attending school. Looking at the census by origin for 1861, we find, from Ireland 292, England 146, Scotland 90, United States 46, Upper Canada 974, Lower Canada 21, other countries 5. As regards religion, there were in 1861, Church of England 392, K. Catholic 181, W. Methodist 395, E. Methodist 41, Bible Christian 191, Free Church 274, Church of Scotland 146, Baptists 87, other churches 50. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS. District Councillors. 1842, Alexander Kidd, 1845, Thomas Choate, 1848, Wm. Wigmore, 1843, Alexander Kidd, 1846, Thomas Choate, 1849, Wm. Wigmore. 1844, Thomas Choate. 1847, Wm. Wigmore, County Councillors. 1856, Francis Crow. 1857, Francis Crow. 1858, Francis Crow. 1859, Wm. Wigmore. 1860, Francis Crow. 1861, Wm. Wigmore. 1850, Francis Crow. 1851, Francis Crow. 1852, Francis Crow. 1853, Francis Crow. 1854, Francis Crow. 1855, Francis Crow. 1862, Francis Crow. 1863, Francis Crow. 1864, Kobert Morrison. 1865, George Choate. 1866, John Kidd. Thomas Choate. Sampson Lukey. Francis Crow. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN DUMMER. John Kidd. John Rose. Wm. Wigmore. Wm. Manley. 24* 180 LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. 1844, E. Hartwell. 1855, George A. Hill. 1861, George A. Hill. Next 7 years County 1856, George A. Hill. 1862, Dr. T. W. Poole. Superintendent*. 1857, George A. Hill. 1863, Dr. T. W. Poole. 1852, Rev. T. Scaright. 1858, George A. Hill. 1864, Rev M. A. Farrar. 1853, William Manly. 1859, George A. Hill. 1865, Rev M. A. Farrar. 1854, William Manly. 1860, George A. Hill. 1866 ; Rev M. A. Farrar. CHAPTER XXVI. THE TOWNSHIPS OF BELMONT AND METHUEN. The survey of the township of Belmont was made in 1853, but it was not for several years afterwards that settlers found their way into it. The first actual resident was a Mr. Fiddick, who removed there with his family, but was so alarmed by the howling of wolves that he soon withdrew to reside in the vicinity of the settlement forming around Keeler's mill. The first settler to whom a patent for land was issued was Mr. Robert Stewart, familiarly known among his neighbours as " the king of Belmont." For many years the roads leading into Belmont were of the most prim- itive description ; and great hardship and inconvenience were experienced by the first settlers in the transit, first of their slender store of worldly goods and afterwards in making their way to the mill and returning with the sup- plies necessary for themselves and families. Since the inauguration of our municipal system, and especially since Belmont became a separate corporation, large sums of money have been expended for the improvement of roads. The abundance of gravel has offered great facilities for this purpose, and the large income from taxes on non-resident lands has provided funds, which have enabled some ex- cellent lines of road to be made without greatly burdening the residents of the township. In several respects, Belmont has made rapid progress. In 1842, the number of its householders was 33. In 1852 these had increased to 41, 181 while in 1866 they numbered 185. A still more striking mark of progress is shewn in the rapid increase of school houses, mostly of a superior kind. Twelve years ago, there were but one or two in the entire township ; now there are nine, and six of these are frame buildings well finished, thorough- ly furnished, and numerously attended. The first saw mill in Belmont was built by Mr. Jchiel Brekenridge, on the site of the one now owned by P. Pearce, Esq. This was burned down, and the present oue built by Mr. Pearce, who has added to it a small grist mill, the first established in the municipality. Mr. Breken- ridge also built a saw mill and small grist mill, at a splendid water-power, just where the stream which emerges from Round lake empties into Bel- mont lake. There are two other saw mills besides these mentioned, one known as that erected by the Rev. Thomas Searight, and the other that of Mr. Holbrooks in the south portion of the township. Within a few years the "Havelock" Post Office was opened in Belmont, of which P. Pearce, Esq., was appointed Post-master. The office is kept at his residence on the Marmora road. A second Post Office has since been established, still further in the interior of the township. The farmers of Belmont have no reason to complain of want of success in agriculture. Many of them have succeeded admirably. But the chief wealth of the township — especially of the northern portion — consists in its minerals. € In the eastern portion, iron ore is found in large abundance, and of excellent quality. Recently, extensive deposits of a pure white marble have been brought to light in its northern section, both of which, need but capital and enterprise, joined with some means of transit to the frontier, to render them richly productive, and the " working" of them in the highest degree conducive to the prosperity of the township. We pause not to dwell upon the further incidents connected with the settlement of this township, few of which have been detailed to us, and the early experiences of the first pioneers are more or less similar to those already narrated in reference to other townships. Belmont has had the honor of twice furnishing a Warden for the county, in the person of P. Pearce, Esq., for the years 1863 and 1864. Mr. Pearce is now one of the oldest councillors in the county ; and for many years has taken a prominent part in municipal business. 182 METHUEN. Methuen was surveyed in 1823, but till within the last nine years re- mained without a settler. One of the first to push his way into the town- ship was Mr. John Vansickler, about the year 1857. The little settle- ment then formed has increased, till, in the year 1866, the number of ratepayers in Methuen was 22, and the total assessed value of property, $3291. Methuen is still united to Belmont for municipal purposes. The population of Belmont and Methuen in 1861 was 689. Of these 108 persons were from Ireland, 15 from England, 34 from Scotland, 12 from the United States, 516 from Upper Canada, and 3 from Lower Canada. In a religious point of view there were in 1861, Church of England 132, R. Catholic 21, W. Methodist 264, E. Methodist 4, Free Church 199, Church of Scotland 48, Baptist 6, others 12. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS. District Councillors. 1843, N. C. Beattie. 1846, John Robertson. 1849, Thos. McBurney. 1844, N. C. Beattie. 1847, John Robertson. 1845, N. C. Beattie. 1848, John Robertson. County Councillors. Mem. — -From 1849 until the close of the year 1854, these townships were united to Asphodel for municipal purposes. 1855, William Rae, 1859, John Matheson. 1863, Peter Pearce. 1856, William Rae. 1860, John Matheson. 1864, Peter Pearce. 1857, Robert Preston. 1861, John Matheson. 1865, Peter Pearce. 1858, Thomas Searight. 1862, John Matheson. 1866, Peter Pearce. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN BELMONT. Peter Pearce. . John H. Preston, Robert Preston. John Holcomb. LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. 3844, N. C. Beattie. 1856, Dr. T. W. Poole. 1862, Rev. Jas. Bowie. County Superintendents.1857, Dr. T. W. Poole. 1863, Rev. Jas. Bowie. 1852, Rev. T. Searight. 1858, Dr. T. W. Poole. 1864, W. N. Armstrong, 1853, Thos. Robertson. 1859, Rev. H. McDowell 1865, Rev M. A. Farrar. 1854, Thos. Robertson. 1860, Rev. Jas. Bowie. 1866, RevM. A. Farrar. 1855, Rev. T. Searight. 1861, Rev. Jas. Bowie. 183 CHAPTER XXVII. THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH MONAGHAN. That portion of the township of Monaghan comprised within the Coun- ty of Peterborough, is the rear seven concessions, and is usually known as North Monaghan. As seen on the map. it may be said to be triangular in shape, with the apex downwards, or towards the south. It is bounded on the north by the township of Smith, on the west by Cavan, and on the east by the Otonabee river. The Millbrook and Peterborough branch of the Port Hope and Lindsay railroad traverses the triangle from its south- ern angle, running parallel with the river to the north-eastern corner, in which the Town of Peterborough is situated. This town, prior to its incorporation in 1850, formed a part of the municipality of North Mona- ghan. Until that date, the population and general statistics of the town are blended with those of the township, so that neither can be stated in- dependently of the other. The township of Monaghan was surveyed in 1818. The earliest set- tlers found their way into its northern portion in 1818 and 1819. Among them were Messrs. William Fowler, Robert Morrison, Robert Thompson, John Tully, William Birdwhistle, Thomas and Robert Leadbeater, Rich- ard Alexander, Robert Cross, John Foster, James Wilson, Matthew Wilson, William Wilson, Wilford Drysdale, John Birney and Thomas Spiers. The difficulties which many of them had to encounter were similar to to those already mentioned in regard to those in the township of Smith. Provisions and utensils had to be carried from Port Hope, in the absence of a road, mostly on the settler's shoulders, or as best they could, for several years. The first of these settlers found their way in singly, or in groups of two or three, roamed through the continuous forest, till having selected a lot of land which appeared to please them, and learning the number and con- cession from the recently marked posts of the surveyors, they returned to make the needful application to the Land Agent, in order to secure it. During this first exploration visit, one or more nights had to be spent in the forest, where, having kindled a fire, they lay down to sleep beneath the branches of a group of trees, wearied and fatigued, and worse, perhaps, wet and torn with the mishaps of the journey. 184 Gradually the blue smoke from the settler's shanty, and the tiny open- ing in the great forest, began to appear here and there, at intervals, often of miles between. But the number of the shanty fires gradually increased ; the gaps in the woods grew larger, as giant trunk and tender sapling groaned and fell beneath the sturdy stroke of the settler's axe. Then the huge heaps appeared, rolled together by united effort. The flames crack- led and roared. Far away into the gloom of the dark forest shot the gleam of the evening fires, which told that a conqueror had come, and that civilization and the luxuries of comfort and refinement were on the way to cheer and enliven those rude fastnesses of nature, and bid them smile with a new growth and a more prolific harvest. Gradually the cleared lands widened and increased into snug farms. The road-way was hewn out, and made suitable for travel. The first rude shanty gave way to a substantial and comfortable mansion. Flocks and herds increased ; and as time pro- gressed and the population grew, the rude wilderness became a compara- tive garden. Well may the veteran pioneer pause now in the evening of his days and look around on the wonders wrought by time and industry. Proudly may he point to the spot where he first reclined beneath the spreading trees, wet with the morning dew, during that first visit to his future farm, and contrast with that scene the present, with its broad acres and cultivated fields, its neat farm houses and thriftly barns, which he expects soon to leave a rich heritage to his children. Well will it be for the second gene- ration if they emulate the thrift and industry of their sires, and continue in the paths of honorable toil and healthful and happy labor, which have already led to such noble results, and which may lead to still greater tri- umphs in the future. u Peace hath her victories. Not less renowned than war." And there is ample room for the employment of vast energies, consummate skill, and remunerative outlay, in still further subduing the soil, elimina- ting its forces, reclaiming its waste but luxuriant places, and making it subservient in the highest degree to the wants and the luxuries of man. Let not this useful work be deemed degrading. It presents a field worthy of the foremost spirits, — a career among the most ennobling, and certainly the most independent. What our fathers have so well begun, 185 should be pushed forward to still higher results by us their children ; or else the mantle of honor and the meed of praise which they have earned for good and noble work, well accomplished, will be buried with them, or will pass by their degenerate sons to the stranger and the alien, to whom will pass the fruits of their toil and the heritage they have achieved, This township is traversed by an excellent gravel road, built in 1850 ; which, if it has never yielded much return to the stockholders, has been of great advantage to the section of country it traverses. The road terminates in Peterborough on the north, and stretches away in the direction of Mill- brook on the south. From its proximity to the town, this township has at all seasons an ex- cellent market. This same proximity will account for the paucity of churches, shops or places of local business or resort. The village of Spring- ville, which of late years has grown into existence, is situated on the town line between this township and Cavan, and besides a Post Office, has a neat Presbyterian church, erected nearly thirty years ago. A commodious town hall, built about the year 1858, serves the purposes of township and council meetings, and besides is used for the services of several religious denominations. The first large instalment of clergy reserve money, after being at first invested in loans, was in part divided among the several wards for the improvement of roads, and the remainder applied to the erection of school houses, — in both cases greatly to the advantage of the people of the township. In 1852, the number of householders in North Monaghan was returned at 100. The total assessed value of property was $143,228, and the total rates $300.23. In 1866, the number of ratepayers had increased to 269 ; the total assessed value of property was $152,929, and the county rate alone, exclu- sive of township and school rates, was $809.16. At the taking of the last census in 1861, the population of North Mon- aghan was set down at 1281. Of these, 651 were males and 630 females. There were in 1860, 8 deaths, 30 births, and 247 children attending school. The census by origin, in 1861, stood as follows: — Ireland 313, England 125, Scotland 74, United States 15, Upper Canada 718. Lower Canada 24. other countries 12. 25 186 The census by religion shows, — Church of England 382, R. Catholic 224, W. Methodist 162, E. Methodist 4, Bible Christian 16, Free church 422, Church of Scotland 61, Baptist 49, others 15. 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, .1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS. District Councillors. Thomas Harper, 1846, Charles Perry. 1848. Robt, Thompson. Thomas Harper. Thomas Chambers. Thos. Chambers. Thomas Harper. 1847, Charles Perry. 1849, Robt. Thompson. Charles Perry. Thomas Chambers. • Thos. Chambers. Thomas Chambers. County Councillors. 1856, Thomas Fortye. 1857, Thomas Fortye. 1858, Thomas Eyres. 1859, Thomas Eyres. 1860, Thomas Eyres. 1861, Ed. Chamberlin. Thomas Fortye. Thomas Fortye. Thomas Fortye. Thomas Fortye. Thomas Fortye. Thomas Fortye. 1862, Ed. Chamberlin. 1863, John Lockie. 1864, John Gilmour. 1865, John Gilmour. 1866, John Gilmour. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN MONAGHAN. Thomas Fortye. James Wallis. LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS OP SCHOOLS. 1844, Hartley Dunsford. County Superintendents. 1852, Thomas Fortye. 1853, Rev. E. Roberts. Until 1866 ditto. 1866, James Stratton. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE TOWNSHIP OF ENNISMORE. The township of Ennismore was surveyed in 1825. Its first settlers were a portion of the immigrants of that year, to the number of sixty-seveu and their families, consisting in all of 297 souls. During the first year, 187 including the journey up from Prescott, there were among these Ennismore cottiers nine births and twenty-three deaths. The official returns show their first year's produce (that is, from the date of settlement in 1825 to November, 1826,) to be 8,900 bushels of potatoes, 3000 bushels of turnips and 1042 bushels of Indian corn. Of the 195 acres cleared up to that date, 44-^ acres were that fall (1826) sown with fall wheat. They had besides made 1 ,330 pounds of maple sugar, and owned among them four oxen, nine cows and ten hogs, purchased by themselves. So large a result for their first year's labor was creditable to these new settlers, most of whom had not the most remote idea of the proper means to pursue in clearing and tilling their land. More than one of them attempted to burn the timber in the winter as he chopped it, and in the spring some of them swept the ground with a besom lest it might not be sufficiently clean for the seed about to be sown. For the first year or two oxen were very scarce, and instead of harrowing in the grain, it was hoed in, as best it could among the stumps. The Chemong or Mud lake in front, was a serious obstacle in the way of procuring supplies ; for as yet the settlers were too inexperienced to con- struct canoes of any service, and consequently the wheat to the mill, and the flour on their return, had to be carried on their shoulders round the head of the lake. Roads as yet were scarcely thought of; and thus heav- ily laden, they followed the "blaze" on the trees, through brush, swamps and over fallen timber as best they could. These laborious journeys and heavy burdens were not confined to the men, but even the women too, at times found it necessary to proceed, laden with grain, to mill or market, and in assisting their husbands and providing for their families, performed feats of labor and endurance of which in later times we have but a faint con- ception. Sir Peregrine Maitland visited the new settlement in Ennismore during his visit to Peterborough in 1826, accompanied by Col. Talbot, Mr. (after- wards Colonel) Alexander McDonell and others. They put up for a short time at the shanty of Mr. Eugene McCarthy, father of Jeremiah McCarthy, Esq., and partook of such refreshment as the settlement afforded. During the first ten years, the population of Ennismore rather diminish- ed than increased. This was no doubt owing to the fact that many of the younger men were obliged to seek in older settlements for employment at remunerating wages. 25* 18S Ennisrnore is but a small township, — it might bo &aid a mere corner of Smith, cut off from the remainder by Chemong lake. Three school houses supply the educational wants of the inhabitants. It has near its centre a Roman Catholic church, erected many years ago. There is also a Post Office, of which Mr. Patrick G-allivan was first Postmaster. Its second aud present Postmaster is Mr. Thomas Lehauc. The soil of Eunismorc is naturally rich and fertile, and notwithstand- ing many drawbacks from inexperience and the isolatiou of the township by Avatcr, the patient perseverance of the settlers, in a few years overcame the first difficulties, and they and their families gradually grew into compara- tive wealth and independence. Ennismore is situated on the direct route between Peterborough and the Bobcaygeon road. Owing to the influx of settlers, and the extensive lumbering operations carried on in the new townships bordering on that road, during the past few years, it is the thoroughfare for traffic between these points, — the bridging of the lakes on either side by the winter's ice, affording the necessary facilities for such a transit. Several attempts have been made to supply this necessary link of communication by bridging the water, and although such a result would be highly beneficial not only to Ennismore, but to the trade of Peterborough, all efforts of the kind to undertake such a work have hitherto ended only in failure. In February, 1844, a by-law was passed by the District Council author- izing the appropriation of twenty-six pounds, currency, from the wild land assessment fund of Ennismore, "for the purpose of buildiug a scow and ferry boats on Mud lake, to ply from Gait's landing in Ennismore to Edmison's landing in Smith." The councillor for the township and two other persons chosen at the town meeting, were appointed commissioners to have the same in charge, and to contract with a ferryman for perform- ing this duty. The tolls to be charged, which were very low, were as follows : — A span of horses and waggon one shilling. A single horse, with or without a waggon, sixpence. A yoke of oxen and vehicle ninepence. Horned cattle per head three pence. Pigs and calves per head twopence. Each passenger threepence. The ferry thus established was kept in operation for a few years, but was found troublesome and expensive, and although a convenience to the public, was nevertheless discontinued. 18-9 Since then, the necessity for a bridge at that place has been frequently brought prominently before the public, and at times it seemed in a fair way to be secured, but has not yet been accomplished. In 1854 a Joint Stock Company was formed to construct a gravel road from Peterborough to Bobcaygcon, intending to cross Mud lake by abridge at the point mentioned, and thence passing across the township of Ennis- more. Of this company, Augustus Sawers, Esq., was President, and William Lundy, Elias Burnham, James Stevenson, and W. S. Conger, Esquires, were Directors, with Thomas White, Esq., Jr., as Secretary. The town adopted a by-law pledging itself to £5000. The township of Ennismore at a public meeting took stock to the extent of £3000, and stock was otherwise taken, chiefly by private individuals, to the amount of £1100, but the project, though begun under these favourable auspices, was never even commenced ; and like many other less practicable schemes, soon passed into oblivion. As the construction of a bridge across Mud lake, opposite the village of Bridgenorth, is still the subject of occasional discus- sion, and recently engaged the attention of the County Council, it may not be uninteresting to quote the estimate for such a structure, made at the time (1854) by Mr. Dumble, the gentleman charged with the prelim- inary survey and estimates of the cost of the above mentioned road. That for the bridge is as follows : — " Across Mud lake, 70 chains, bridging to consist of piles, stringers, corbals, plank and railing, 50 feet span, with swing to admit of navigation, —£3500. The absence of any current in the lake, even at high water, and the consequent small risk of injury to such a structure from the action of the ice, are most favorable circumstances ; which, together with the great im- portance of such a work to the municipalities in the rear, as well as to the Town of Peterborough in front, give good hope that means will ere long- be found to construct so desirable a work. In 1832, the number of persons assessed in Ennismore was 32 ; the number of acres cultivated 118. The value of its property as assessed then was $7088, and total rates for all purposes levied on the township in that year, $34. In 1866, its ratepayers numbered 185. The assessed value of its pro- perty was $69364. and its county rate alone, exelusiye of township and school rates, $494.13. 190 The total population of Ennismore in 1861 was 862. Of these 462 were males and 400 females. There were in 1860, 3 deaths, 32 births and 172 children attending school. The census by origin shows, 248 from Ireland, 11 from England, 8 from Scotland, 22 from the United States, and 572 as natives of Upper Canada. The census by religion : — Church of England 66, R. Catholic 744, W. Methodists 27, Free Church 24, Church of Scotland 6, and one or two others. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS. District Councillors. Daniel Costello, Esq., was District Councillor for this township, con- tinuously from the first organization of that body in 1842, until it was merged in the County Council in 1850. County Councillors. 1850, United to Smith 1855, Daniel Costello. 1861, S. McCarthy, for municipal 1856, Daniel Costello. 1862, S. McCarthy. 1851, purposes. 1857, Daniel Costello. 1863, Cor. Sullivan. 1852, Daniel Costello. 1858. Patrick Gallivan. 1864, Martin Corkery. 1853, Daniel Costello. 1859, John Houron. 1865, Cor. Sullivan. 1854, Daniel Costello. 1860, P. Cunningham. 1866, Jer. McCarthy. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN ENNISMORE. Daniel Costello. John Sullivan. Patrick Brick. Patrick Sullivan. Martin Corkery. LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. 1844, Patrick Sullivan. 1856, Daniel Donahue. 1862, Daniel Donahue. County Superintendents. 1857, Daniel Donahue. 1863, Daniel Donahue. 1852, Patrick Sullivau. 1858, James Brennan. 1864, Daniel Donahue. 1853, Dr. John Irons. 1859, James Brennan. 1865, Dr. T. W. Poole. 1854, Daniel Donahue. 1860, James Brennan. 1866, James Straiten. 1855, Daniel Donahue. 1861, James Brennan. 191 CHAPTER XXIX. THE TOWNSHIP OF HARVEY. About the year 1832, a number of gentlemen,. soon after their emigra- tion to Canada, located in the township of Harvey, and commenced a set- tlement chiefly in the south-western corner,]near the shore of Pigeon lake, and in the vicinity of Sandy lake. Col. Strickland in his interesting work on Canada, says, "The spot chosen by them was one of great natural beauty; but it possessed no other advantages exeept]an abundance of came, which was no small inducement to them. Theyjrspent several thou- sand pounds in building fancy log houses, and making large cleariDgs which they had neither the ability nor industry to cultivate. But, even if they had possessed sufficient perseverance, their great distance from a mar- ket, bad roads, want of knowledge in cropping after they had cleared the land, lack of bridges, and poor soil, would have been a great drawback to the chance of effecting a prosperous settlement. In a few years not a settler remained of this little colony. Some stayed till their means were exhausted ; others more wise purchased ready-cleared farms in the settle- ments, or followed some profession more congenial to their tastes or more suited to their abilities/'* Among those whose first experience of life in Canada commenced in Harvey, were Robert Dennistoun, Esq., and Captain Wallis, who for many years have been regarded as among our most worthy citizens. Since this attempt at settlement in Harvey, no large influx of popula- tion has taken place, and the great bulk of the township still remains either in the hands of the Crown, or is owned by non-residents, who are chiefly lumber merchants, for whose operations the township offered peculiar fa- cilities in former days, but is now nearly denuded of its valuable timber, though still in great part covered by the forest. Among the first settlers in Harvey, was Mr. Matthew Warem, now of Smith, but who resided for 11 years in Harvey, and notwithstanding many disadvantages succeeded well in the pursuit of agriculture. A valuable mill site on the Missasauga river, in this township, was turned to account some years ago by Mr. Wm. Henry, who erected a fine sawmill on the spot, now for some years conducted by W. A. Scott, Esq. * -Tvventv-seyei? years in Canada West." Vol. I, .page 135, 192 The mill is adjacent to the Bald lakes, which are navigable for steamers, and by this means, the large quantity of sawn lumber manufac- tured there every year is shipped to market. The front of the township borders on Buckhorn lake, at the narrows of which, known as Buckhorn falls, a fine saw mill, and other machinery were erected some years ago by John Hall, Esq., who is also Postmaster of the place. A bridge was thrown across the stream at this point, whicli is the east- ern terminus of the navigation of the back lakes ; and to which steamboats ply constantly during the summer season for the transport of lumber. "Hall's bridge" or Buckhorn, as the place is called, is within the granite or Laurentian formation, and the approach to the spot is over boulders of immense size, whose huge oval backs have become partly bare, but in the interstices of which, trees and shrubbery still nourish. From Hall's bridge, a road was projected through the wild lands of this and the adjacent townships, intended to tap the Canada Land and Emi- gration Company's lands in the rear. The Town and County agreed to construct the portion through Harvey, and the Government undertook the expense and supervision of the remainder. Towards this end, the Town and County of Peterborough appropriated $1500 each ; but, at their solicitation, the Government accepted their aid to this extent, and undertook the work of the entire road. Operations were commenced in 1865, under the superintendence of Mr. T. F. Nicoll, and three miles were constructed at a cost to the Government of about $3000, including the expenses of the location of the road. During the present season, (18G6) J. K. Benson, Esq., with a number of men, has been proscuting the same work, of which about six miles are now completed, and in fair condition for travel. Until the present year, (1866), Harvey was associated with the town- ship of Smith for municipal purposes. Having attained the necessary number of ratepayers, it has now become a separate corporation, of which W. A. Scott, Esq., was the first and present Reeve. The number of its ratepayers for 1865 was set down at 69, and its assessed value for that year at $42,520. During 1864-5, the township of Harvey was resurveyed by Theodore. Clementi, Esq.. P. L. S., the expenses connected with which were to be paid partly by the Government, and partly by the owner? or lessees of 193 land patented in that township. The County Council authorized the work, believing it to be urgently required, and for the benefit of the municipality, but hitherto it has failed to recover the money advanced in good faith ibr the prosecution of the work, amounting in all to $2759. CHAPTER XXX. THE NEW TOWNSHIPS. The new townships of the County of Peterborough are somewhat isola- ted from the rest of the County, not only as regards the remoteness of their situation, but also on account of their more recent survey and settlement. Besides, though now numbering several distinct municipalities, they were, but a few years ago, comprised in one, and have therefore a unity of interest, and a somewhat similar history. For these reasons, we shall present such facts in reference to them, collectively and in detail, as we have been able to gather. It is no part of our duty, in these pages, to enter into the consideration or discussion of the merits or otherwise of the new townships of the back country, as a field for the pursuit of agriculture or other enterprise. Suf- fice it to say, that careful and practical observers have given it as their opinion that much good land exists in these townships ; and with the opening up of excellent colonization roads, stretching far into the interior, intending settlers there are provided with facilities of access and transpor- tation which ensures them advantages from the outset, unknown in the early settlement of the older townships of this county. The courageous spirits who have secured houses and farms in these new townships within a few years, have had lew of the difficulties to encounter such as are pourtrayed in the case of the first settlers of Smith ; and every year, such disadvantages as did at first exist, are disappearing, as stores, mills, school houses and churches are being erected ; thus bringing the blessings of civilization within reach of almost the furthest pioneers into this new region. 26 194 The progress of these new townships, which nine years ago were not only entirely unsettled, but even unsurveyed, has been very remarkable. At first, in the year 1859, they were united with the township of Smith for municipal purposes. A year later, a whole block of townships, com- prising a large area, was united in a single municipality ; and the increase of population has been such, that these one after another, were enabled to be set off as a separate corporation ; till, on the 1st of January, 1867, no less than five distinct municipal bodies exist, each regulating its own local affairs, and sending a Reeve to sit in our County Council. Such a rate of progress, if persisted in, would ere many years, require the formation of a new county. As in older communities, progress is not uniformly rapid ; but while townships first settled assume a more station- ary position, in the newer and more remote localities, fresh advances are being constantly made into the interior, and a wider area every year re- claimed for the dominion of man, and made subservient to the pursuits of industry. We begin with the first of these new townships : — THE TOWNSHIP OF GALWAY : The township of Galway lies next to Harvey, in the rear, and has the Bobcaygeon road along its western boundary. It was surveyed in part by M. Dean, Esq., P. L. S., in 1857, and contains 09,920 acres. . He states of that portion surveyed by him : — "It is well watered, and although un- dulating and stony in places, is generally well suited for settlement. — However, in the 17th and 18th concessions, there is a succession of rocky ridges which may, for the present, retard the settlement of that section, but the many intervening valleys in which the soil is deep and fertile, will afford such inducements as will ultimately lead to its settlement.*' The remainder, being the south eastern corner, was surveyed by W. Drennan, Esq,, P. L. S., in 1860. Of this the report is less favorable. The surveyor says : — " I regret that I cannot give a very favorable report of the quality of the land in the greater portion of that part of the township surveyed by me, much of it being little better than bare rock/' " There are, however, patches of several hundred acres each of very fair land in many places ; and land appears to improve very much in the north east corner."' 195 " The line of junction of the limestone with granite or ^ncins runs across the south west course of the township of Gal way, as shewn on the plan; the former lying to the south west and the latter to the north cast: several other rocks crop out between the two, especially a description of sand- stone which seems well adapted for building purposes, being very compact and at tho same time easily worked, and of a beautiful color. * " There is some very fine pine timber, both white and red, much of it being from three to four feet in diameter. It is the only timber of much commercial importance, except perhaps tamarack, there being very little elm and no oak. The most frequent descriptions of hardwood timber are maple, basswood, iron-wood and beech." During 1858-9, settlers flocked into this township in considerable num- bers. Among the first of these were, Messrs. Thomas R. White, James Lyle, John Coulter, John Lambert, John Henderson, John Allan, John Doherty, Robert Purely, Thomas Probert, Thomas McGahey, Anthony Lawrence, John Hcaley, Maurice Hartnctt, John T. Henderson, William Casey, Win. Craig, Thomas Morgan, Thomas Bick, Duncan Moulineaux, Andrew Hamilton, Michael Flaherty, James Flaherty, William Leeson, Michael, George and John O'Brien, Maurice Sullivan, Michael Kane, James Purdy and perhaps others. During the first year of settlement, an average of about three acres was cleared on each lot ; now, in 1866, the total number of settlers is 122, and the clearings on the lots settled will average probably 20 acres each. 120,000 acres of land are assessed in Galway, for 1866, and there is said to be some good land still unoccupied. At the time the first settlement was made, the Bobcaygeon road was only partially completed ; and the nearest point for milling and market was Bobcaygeon village, a distance to the settlers of from nine to eighteen miles. The first store in Galway was opened by Thomas Probert, Esq., in 1860, at his residence on lot 7, concession A, on the Bobcaygeon road. Mr. Probert was also the first Postmaster, his office having been opened in 1860. He is also a Justice of the Peaee, and has for three years repre- sented the municipality in the County Council. The first clergymen who visited Galway, were the Rev. John A. Dowler and the Rev. George H. Kenney, of the Methodist, the Rev. Mr. Clark of the Presbyterian, and the Rev. John Vicars, of the Episcopal church, Lindsay. At Silver lake, religious services are held every Sunday. 26* 196 The tavern-keepers of Galway are Mr. Thomas 11. White, 011 lot 1 con- cession A, and Mr. John Edgar, of Silver lake. During the first years of settlement, hears were frequently met with, and the howling of wolves was not unusal, The improvement of the Boboaygcon road, and also the opening up of roads in the interior of the township, have materially improved the pros- pects of the settlers, while the facts already mentioned bear witness to the material progress which has been made in a few brief years. A reference to the census for 18G1 shows that Galway had then a popu- lation of 352. Of these 171 were males and 181 females. During I860 there was one death and 16 births in this township. 20 children were re- turned as attending school. The census by religion, as taken in 1861, shows : — Church of England 105, R. Catholic 149, W. Methodists 12, Free Church 16, Church of Scotland 6, Baptists 9, other Methodists 24, and other churches 31. The names of the Reeves and Township Clerks of this and the other new townships will be found in tabular form in a future page. The number of ratepayers in Galway in 1866, was 122 ; the total assessed value of property $20110, and the sum levied for county rate $76.85. The assessment roll shows 12 of the first and 58 of the second class militia for that year. THE TOWNSHIP OF SNOWDEN. Proceeding further along the Bobcaygeon road, the next township to Galway is Snowden, This township was surveyed in 1859 by M. Dean, Esq., P. L. S. To convey a general idea of its topography, we quote the following from his official report : — " For the purpose of more fully describing the land and timber, I have made a tracing from the plan to accompany the returns, on which I have divided the township into five sections — number one embracing the north and north-western portion of the township, is a tract of hardwood laud composed of a sandy loam soil, generally stony and rocky in places ; the prevailing timber is maple, beech, elm, birch, hemlock, ironwood, basswood and balsam. Section number two is a small tract of inferior land, very rocky, and timbered with pine, hemlock and balsam. Section number 197 three i?au extensive tract of high rolling land, being a succession of hill*, ridges and knolls, the summits of which are all more or less rocky, while the intervening valleys, owing to deposits washed from the surrounding heights, possess a deep, rich and fertile soil ; the principal timber is pine, hemlock, cedar, balsam and tamarack, each ranking consecutively according to its abundance, and with respect to the pine, of which there arc white and red, the former is not of a good quality, and the latter is generally too small for merchantable timber. Section number four is a tract of land which was burned about twenty years ago, and is now overrun with a second growth of poplar, birch, hemlock and pine, Section number five is a small tract of undulating land of good quality, timbered with maple, beech, basswood, hemlock, elm and ironwood ; the soil is sandy loam, and stony in places." The following were among the first settlers of Snowden : — Messrs. S. S. Peck, J. B. Edmison, Henry Edmison, Richard McCracken, W. B. Brower, Stephen Moore, R. C. Garratt, Archibald Scott, Robert Ritchie, Henry Agglestone, John Scheffee, David Roxborough, David Chalmers and Andrew Chalmers. The want of roads, mills and stores, were among the disadvantages of the early settlement, but the latter were ere long supplied, by the spring- ing up of the village of Minden, in the adjacent portion of the township of Minden, which at once became the chief market and place of trade of this and adjoining townships. In consequence of this proximity to the village of Minden, Snowden has no resident clergymen, no Post Office, and no tavern. S. S. Peck, Esq., who for several years has been elected Reeve of the township, is also a Justice of the Peace, a Commissioner in the Queen's Bench, and also Issuer of Marriage Licenses. Mr. Robert Ritchie was first Reeve of Snowden, after its erection into a separate municipality. The names of those who successively filled that office in the different municipalities, and those of the several township Clerks, &c, will be given hereafter in tabular form, as more concise and convenient for reference. A Wesleyan Methodist Church was erected on lot 15 in the 13th con- cession, in 1863. The first school house, known as "Peck's," was erected on lot 30, concession A. The first trustees were Messrs. Rueben C. Gar- rett, Stephen Munn, and William Heartell, The first teacher was Miss 198 M. A. Peck. The second school house in Snowclen was that now known as belonging to Section no. 4, on lot 16, concession A. Mr. Thos. Smith was the first school teacher. Bears, foxes and wild cats were plentiful, and are still occasionally met with, but occasion no special inconvenience. At the taking of the last census, (in 1861) Snowden had residents, from Ireland 25, England 15, Scotland 5, United States 6, Upper Canada 125, Lower Canada 1, other countries II. There were, members of the Church of Eugland 88, 11. Catholic 12, W. Methodist 34, E. Methodist 11, Free Church 2, Church of Scotland 22, other churches 19. The total population was then 188, of which 110 were males and 78 females. The assessment roll for 1866, shows the names of 83 ratepayers in Snowden. The total valuation of property for that year was $17666, and the county rate $93.72. The militia enrolled were, first class 23, second class 32, third class 10. THE TOWNSHIP OF MINDEN. The township of Minden was surveyed by J. W. Fitzgerald, Esq., P. L. S., in 1859, and contains 46,000 acres. In his official report to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, he thus speaks of it : — " I am pleased, Sir, to be able to report very favorably of this township, which is now being fast settled with an industrious and intelligent class of people, composed chiefly of emigrants of a few years' experience in the country, who have acquired a good knowledge of Canadian life. There are already several large clearings varying from two to fifteen acres, the greater portion of w r hich is under crop ; the soil is generally composed of sandy loam, in some cases resting upon a substratum of clay and gravel, it is of good depth, and capable of affording a profitable yield to the industri- ous husbandman." " The timber in the township is principally beech, maple and pine of average size, and well balanced to supply all the wants of the inhabitants ; there are occasional cedar and spruce swamps, which, by a little drainage, could be rendered exceedingly fertile. The Gull and Burnt rivers have 199 their sources in Minden ; upon them are several mill privileges, which will soon be required to be put into operation to satisfy the demands of the settlers. . There is one mill site on Gull river, on lot no. 3, in the 3rd con- cession, having an unbroken fall of 14 feet, and capable of being easily applied." "A large portion of the township is occupied with lakes, in which Salmon Trout are very abundant, and from three to five pounds weight. Beaver, Mink, Otter and Martin are very abundant all through this part of the country, and Deer are very plentiful. I have counted as many as seventeen in a drove. ' " The geological and mineral features of the country are also deserving of some notice. The formation is entirely granite, and crops out in a north-westerly direction, at right angles to the ridges which define the valleys and water-courses, in a north-easterly direction. I have found good specimens of galena, which would probably yield from 30 to 50 per cent, of lead, and 20 to 30 of sulphur ; evidences of copper ore also exist, though not abundant." The first settler in Minden was Mr. Francis Kent, who located himself there in 1858, before the township was surveyed. In 1859, the following settlers found their way into that township : — Messrs. Malachi Campbell, William Murray, James Murray, Harry Dawkins, James and Henry Burns. The first saw mill in the township of Minden was built in 1860, by Mr. Wm. Gainor, on Beaver creek, on lot 9, con. A. Mr. Richard Smith also built a saw mill in 1863. The Village of Minden. — The village of Minden has the distinction of being, in a sense, the pivot around which the more remote of the new townships may be said to revolve. It is there that clergymen of the dif- ferent religious denominations reside, who, by their ministrations, supply the spiritual wants of all the adjacent townships. Thither the settlers from a large area around flock to mill, market, store, Post Office and Di- vision Court. So important a place is worthy of all the details which we may be able to give. In the editorial columns of the Peterborough Review of October, 1860, we find the following memorandum of a visit to this place, a little more than six years ago : — 200 • •• Gull river, or what to the traveller on the Bobcaygeoti road is recog- nised as such, is a busy spot. It is the centre for the fine district sur- rounding it, and Mr. Daniel Buck, who keeps a tavern there, has his hands full, usually, to entertain his guests. He is making preparations to erect a large frame building to be used as an hotel ; and hopes to have it up this fall. The lot opposite his place, lot three in Mind en, forming the corner, bounded on two sides by the Gull river and the Bobcavgeon road, has been reserved by the Government, and the settlement of the place is somewhat retarded in consequence of this. A petition is now in course of signature praying the Government to cause it to be surveyed as a town plot, and plated on sale with settlement conditions." Mr. Daniel Buck, it will be seen, was the first hotel keeper in Mindeu. He was also the first Postmaster, and the office, first opened in 1860, hav- ing then only a weekly, is now supplied with a tri-weekly mail. Mr. Thomas Young opened the first general store in Minden in 1860, which was followed by that of Messrs. George and H. Andrews in the fall of 1862. To these have since been added the stores of Messrs. Win. Dumble. Andrew Bell, Francis Mason and James Langton. A saw mill, at a falls about a mile above the village, Avas built in 1861, and a frame grist mill at the same place followed in 1862. The first mill had one run of stones, was commenced and partially completed by Mr. J. W. Cummings, and then passed into the hands of Mr. Francis Moore. The Methodist minister who first visited Minden, and the neighboring townships, was the Bev. John A. Dowler, who was stationed at Bobcay- geon. His successors in the work were the Bev. James W. Sloan, Bev. AVm. Sheridan, Bev. Wm. Shortt, and the Bev. W. II. Schofield. The Free Presbyterian church also sent missionaries into Minden and the neighboring townships at an early period. Among these was the Bev. William Clarke, who officiated for two years, (I860 and 18G1.) The Bev. Walter M. Boger in 18G2. The Bev. James McNaughton in 1863. The Bev. Mr. B-eeve in 1864, who resided in Minden. Bev. J. W. Ferris in 1865, and the Bev. J. W. Bell in I860. The Bev. John Vicars of the Episcopal church, Lindsay, also minister- ed to the spiritual wants of the new settlers in Minden and the neighbor- ing townships, at intervals, for several years. In 1865, the Bev. Mr. 201 Burt, a clergyman of that church, was located at Haliburton, in the town- ship of Dysart, but removed during the same year to Minden, wlicrc.be has since resided. The Episcopal Methodists were among the earliest in occupying this new field. The Rev. Mr. Egan was the pioneer of this church in Min- den in 1861. He has been followed by the Rev. J. B. Sparrow, Rev. Tobias Myrcs, Rev. Abraham Maybee, and the Rev. P. L. Sparrow. These gentlemen's attentions have not been coufined to Minden, but as well as the clergymen of other denominations, have freely visited all the back townships. In 1862 a Methodist Episcopal church, a log building, was erected at Austin's narrows, on Kahshagawigamog lake. A Wesleyan Methodist church, also log, was erected in the township in 1863, while the village of Minden possesses two churches ; the first, a Free Presbyterian church, a frame building, erected in 1864, and the second, a Wesleyan Methodist church, erected in 1865, also a frame building. This last is used by the resident clergyman of the Church of England, in the absence of any church edifice of his own. The Bible Christian church was repre- sented at Minden as early as 1862, of which the Rev. Mr. Browning was the first minister. From what has been said of the number of christian churches repre- sented at Minden, and the variety of Rev. teachers who during a few brief years have ministered to the spiritual wants of that people, it is evident that Minden has been highly favored in this respect. Founded in 1860, it has had during the six years which have elapsed, no less than nineteen religious teachers representing five christian churches ; — a number and a variety considerably in advance of much older localities. Were the term not incongruous, as applied to such a subject, we should certainly have written Minden down as a decidedly fast place religiously. The first school house in Minden was erected at the village in 1860, of which the trustees were Messrs. Daniel Buck, senior, William Beavis and T. L. Moore. The second school was organized at Peterson's corners in 1864. Four others have since been added throughout the town- ship, making six school houses in all, a circumstance which alone speaks volumes for the enterprise and intelligence of so young a community. The hotel already mentioned is kept by Mr. Daniel Buck, senior, was on the Victoria side of the of the Bobcaygeon road, and has since passed 27 202 into the hands of his son John, and more recently is kept by his younger son, Daniel Buck, junior. The first hotel, actually in Minden, was that opcuded by Mr. Benjamin Sawyers in 1863. A second at some distance from the village, is kept by Mr. William Gcrvai*. A Division Court was established at Minden in 1865, at which His Honor R. M. Boucher, Esq., Judge for the County, presides. 8. S. Peck, Esq., is Clerk, and Mr. K. C. Garrett. Bailiff, of the Court. William Gainor, Esq., of the township of Minden, is a Justice of the Peace, as is also the Reeve of Minden, and the Reeves of the townships adjoining. William McKelvey, Esq., who for many years has acted as Clerk of the municipality of Minden, is also a Commissioner of the Queen's Bench and Issuer of Marriage Licenses. The total population of the townships of Minden and Stanhope in 1861, was 230. Of these 110 were males and 88 females. There were from Ireland 49, England 35, Scotland 5, United States 3, Upper Canada 136, Lower Canada 1, other countries 1. As regards religion, there were (in 1861) Church of England 32, R. Catholic 4, W. Methodist 69, Bible Christian 4, Free Church 4, Church of Scotland 14, and Baptists 2. The Assessment Roll for 1866, shows the number of ratepayers for that year to' be 188, the total value of assessed property $31002, and the county rate $114.79. The militia of Minden for 1866, were, 1st class 27, 2nd class 68, third class 27. THE TOWNSHIP OF STANHOPE. This township was surveyed by C. R. Stewart, Esq., P. L. S.,in 1860. He says of it in his official report : — " The land in this township is more hilly and undulating than in Min- den and the soil is generally lighter ; north of a chain of lakes previously referred to, flowing into Big Bushkonk, are a series of hardwood ridges of moderate height ; the soil in the valleys between thein is very rich, but on them is light and stony ; the above water chain flows through several large 203 cranberry marshes. About 45 per cent, of this township is suitable for farming purposes.*' The first settler in Stanhope was Mr. Isaac Hunter, who found his way into thnt wilderness in 1855, long before the land was surveyed. He was followed in 1859 by Mr. George A. Mason, and in 1860 by Messrs. James Mellville and Ruel Clarke. In 1861 the following persons became actual settlers : — Messrs. Robert Sturgeon, James A. Ferguson, Thomas Mason, Caleb Davis, Samuel Sims, William Welsh aud Benjamin Clark. Stanhope can boast of two saw-mills, the first of which was erected in 1862, by Mr. William Cameron, on the north branch river flowing into lake Bushkonk. The second was built by Daniel Buck, senior, on the west branch flowing into that lake. A third saw mill on the east branch, was commenced in 1863, by Mr. James A. Ferguson, but is not yet fully completed. Stanhope, as yet, has neither store nor grist mill, church or school. A Post Office is expected to be opened shortly. Clergymen, from Mindeu and elsewhere, visit the township and officiate in private houses. It be- came a separate municipality in 1866, and in that year had the names of 51 ratepayers on its assessment roll. Its total assessed property for that year was $8998, and its county rate $51.82. Its militia was enrolled as followed, 1st class 17, 2nd class 17, 3rd class 9. CANADIAN LAND AND EMIGRATION COMPANY'S LANDS. The townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harbum, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde, nine townships "en bloc" are the property of the Canadian Land and Emigration Company, (limited) of London, Eng- land,— capital £250,000, sterliug. In 1861, the company agreed to purchase these townships, and one other in the County of Victoria, from the Crown Lands department, on which they paid down over $95,000. By the terms of the purchase, it was agreed that the company were not to pay for land covered by lakes, rivers or swamps, and that certain allowances were to made for roads, &e. An exploratory survey was made by Mr. Gossage, P. L. S., who was subsequently entrusted with the survey and subdivision of the townships into farm lots of 100 acres each. The original terms of the agreement were, in the opinion of the company, not adhered to by the Government, 27* 204 and a great deal of negotiation took place on the subject, — the terms not being finally settled until August, 1864. By the agreement entered into, (published in the report of the Commis- sioner of Crown Lands for the half year ending 30th June, 1865,) it appears that the area of the ten townships is 403,125 acres, from which the Commissioner deducted 41,000 acres for area covered by swamps, &c, leaving 362,125 acres to be paid for at the rate of 50 cents per acre. The ordinary settlement duties are to be performed on an area of 261,544 acres, within a period of 15 years from 1st January, 1865. Ten per cent, of the purchase money is to be refunded to the company for the construction of leading lines of road through their lands, subject to the inspection of the Superintendent of Colonization roads. The purchase of the ten townships was completed in May, 1865, when a patent was issued to the company, and a Provincial Act of incorporation was subsequently obtained. The difficulty of arriving at any definite arrangement with the Crown Lands department, and various other matters for some time retarded the operations of the company. Among these may be noted the case of "Gossage vs. the Company," which excited considerable interest at the time ; the question being the fair interpretation of the following words in a contract "average for the year 1861 of the acreage cost of the Govern- ment surveys," — the various officials of the Crown Lands department giv- ing three different average rates. Under these circumstances, the company can in fact be only said to have been in active operation for a little over two years. In September, 1865, the present Secretary, then unconnected with the company, made a trip with the Surveyor to the township of Dysart. There was at that time no access at all to the township from the Bobcay- geon road, except through the township of Minden by a portage road or rather track of three miles to the foot of lake Kahshagawigamog, (now gen- erally called Kushog by the settlers) and thence by water. The inhabi- tants numbered about half a dozen settlers, two of whom were old trappers who had ''squatted" there before the company was heard of. In the fall and spring, before the ice had thoroughly formed and before it broke up, these families were prisoners in the township, dependent for sustenance on the company's store, — at that time by no means furnished with the luxu- ries and comforts of civilized life. It is due, however, to the company to 205 state that they assisted some of the early settlers who were unable to earn a livelihood, in a most liberal manner and for*a considerable time. The now rising village of Haliburton, at the head of lake Kushog, existed then only to the eye of faith and prophecy, there being but one small shanty, minus a roof, in which the gentleman above mentioned bivouacked for a few days. The first commencement of a road through Dysart was made at that date, September, 1863, and was completed in the summer of 1865 as far as Haliburton. It is now open to the Peterson road, from which the company are clearing off the brush which has grown up since its construction by Government. Through the joint exertions of the company and the ad- joining municipalities of Snowdon and Minden, a connecting road has also been opened to the Bobcaygeon road, at a point about two miles south of the village of Minden or Gull river. The Burleigh and Buckhorn roads, when completed, will give more direct access to the company's block. The character of the country is undulating, studded with beautiful lakes of from one to fifteen miles in length, fed by streams containing many excellent mill sites. The scenery is everywhere picturesque, and the air extremely healthy. The soil is a rich sandy loam, and of its fitness for agricultural purposes, a sufficient proof is afforded by a reference to the report of the Provincial Exhibition in 1865, held at London, C.W., where it will be seen that an assortment of farm produce from the settlers in Dysart obtained a special prize, and the grain was particularly commend- ed by the Judges. The country is also admirably adapted for stock raising, and for sheep farming as the clearings increase. The timber is principally good hardwood, with sufficient pine for local purposes. An excellent grist mill at Haliburton supplies the wants of the commu- nity, and there are also a saw mill, store and boarding house, Post Office, &c. Lots have been granted by the company to the various religious denominations for the erection thereon of places of worship. Three school sections have been formed, and an Agricultural Society has been properly organized. The first settlers in Dysart were, Messrs. David Sawyers and William and James Murray, who located there in 1863. During the following year, they were joined by Messrs. John and James R. Erskiue, — Leeper, Richard Thompson, Stephen Thompson, George Thompson, James Hoi- 206 land, William Holland. Willett Austin, John Lucas. William Gainor, William Ellstone, and subsequently by others. The saw mill, already mentioned, was erected in 1864, as was also the school house and church at Haliburton. The grist mill was completed in 1865, and has one run of stones. The first trustees of the Haliburton school were Messrs. John Lucas, J. R. Erskine and John Stoddard. One other school now exists in Dysart, erected in 1866, and taught by Miss A. Giggins, whose sister was teacher of the school at Haliburton. Mr. A. H. Garratt's general store was opened at Haliburton in 1865, and Mr. Samuel Pocket's tavern during the same year. A blacksmith, carpenter and other tradesmen also ply their avocations. An enterprising settler has recently built a small steamboat, which is intended to run from Haliburton to the foot of Lake Kushog, 3 miles from Minden, a distance of about 13 miles. Dysart has been set off this year in conjunction with three other town- ships of the company as a separate municipality, John Lucas, Esq., being the first Reeve. On the whole, the progress made in this township, so far in the rear of our beautiful county, cannot be looked upon as otherwise than encourag- ing ; and the large capital which the company have invested in the land, is a sufficient guarantee that they will do all in their power to develope settlement, from which alone they can hope to realize any considerable profit. REEVES AND CLERKS. For conciseness of detail, as well as ease of reference, the following statement has been prepared, showing the date of the formation of new municipalities in the back country, and the names of the Reeves and township Clerks who have successively or severally performed the important trusts committed to them on their election or appointment to these offices. The municipality first formed, in the back country, — as we suppose it must still be called, — was composed of the townships of Gal way, Snowden and Minden, in the County of Peterborough, and those of Anson and Lut- terworth in the County of Victoria, for as yet the two counties had not been separated. The municipality as thus formed came into official existence on the first of January, I860, and continued to comprise the same town- ships for two years. At the close of 1861, Anson and Lutterworth, being on the Victoria side of the boundary line, withdrew on the separation of 207 that county from Peterborough, leaving the municipality formed as men- tioned below. Other withdrawals have gradually been made as new towusbips became possessed of a sufficient number of ratepayers to entitle them to a separate municipal existence of their own; so that in 1867 we find five distinct municipal councils, with their officers and legal powers, where six years ago, little save a wild wilderness, but partially surveyed, existed. Such has been the growth and prosperity of these new town- ships ! TABULAR STATEMENT Of Reeves, Clerks, and Municipalities, composed of the new Townships, from January, 1860, to January, 1867. Year 1860 1861 1862 1862 1863 1863 1863 1864 1864 1864 1865 1865 1865 1866 1866 1866 1866 1867 1867 1867 1867 1867 Townships comprising Municipalities. Township Clerk. Gal way, Snowden, Minden, Anson and Lutterworth . The same Snowden, Minden and Stanhope Galway Snowden Minden and Stanhope Galway Snowden Minden, Stanhope and Dy- sart Galway Snowden Minden, Stanhope and Dy- sart Galway Snowden Minden and Dysart Galway Stanhope (1st year) Snowden Minden Galway. Stanhope Dysart, &c. (1st year) Charles Austin. Thomas Prober t. S. S. Peck. Thomas Probert. Robert Ritchie. William Gainor. Thomas Probert. S. S. Peck. Wm. Gainor. Thos. McGaughey S. S. Peck. Charles Austin. Thomas Probert. S. S. Peck. John Lucas. Thomas Probert. James Mellville. Wm, Hartle. Wm. McKelvey. Wm. McKelvey. Wm. Leeson. Wm. McKelvey. Wm. McKelvey. Wm. Leeson, Benj. Roth well. Wm. McKelvey. Wm. Leeson. Francis Peck. Wm. McKelvey. Wm. Leeson. Francis Peck. Wm. McKelvey. Christopher Irwin. George J. Rowe. 208 LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. The progress of education in the new townships has kept pace with the advancement in material progress. In 1866, the schools numbered 14 in all, and were distributed as follows : — Galway 3, Snowdcn 4, Minden 5, Dysart 2. The following Rev. gentlemen have successively filled the office of Local Superintendent for the several municipalities named : — Rev. John A. Dowler, Bobcaygeon. Rev. John Vicars, Lindsay. Rev. William Sheridan Bobcaygeon. Rev. William Shortt. Bobcaygeon. Rev. F. Burt Minden. The last named gentlemen at present fills the office. CHAPTER XXXI. THE BURLEIGH ROAD SETTLEMENT. The construction of the Burleigh Colonization road was commenced in 1860, under the superintendence of the late Mr. Gibson, who had then the supervision of these roads throughout the Province. The plan adopted was to let the work of constructing the road in sec- tions, of considerable length, to contractors, who were paid on completion of the work according to agreement. Mr. James Walsh entered into con- tract for the first 23 miles, and Mr. William Lackey for the next section of 20 miles. These were the gentlemen with whom the Government had to deal, but they sub-let portions of the distance to others, whose names are not material to this narrative. The roads constructed in this manner were far from satisfactory or per- manent, and owing to various causes, the contract system was abolished on all the Colonization roads, after a trial of a year or two. The plan then adopted was to place some competent person in charge of the work, who should employ men by the day. superintend their operations, and b« 209 responsible to the department for the result. This system was commenced on the Burleigh road during the season of 1865, under John Carroll, Esq., who from the beginning of 1864 had been acting as Crown Land Agent for this settlement. During the year 1864, the road became utterly im. passable, partly from the wearing out of the temporary material used in constructing it, but chiefly owing to the destructive fires which swept the woods, and burned several of the bridges ; thus rendering the position of the settlers, who chiefly resided at its further extremity, at once precarious and disheartening. In the spring of 1865, the work of repairing the road, — it might indeed be said of re-constructing it,— was commenced at Burleigh bridge, and was prosecuted with vigor. The "Burleigh rocks," which fill up the south- western portion of the township, are immense boulders of granite, whose oval surfaces occupy an area often of half an acre. Over these the road had to be carried. This was successfully accomplished by filling the little valleys and interstices between them with solid stone, broken on the surface, thus forming an even and permanent road-way. The burned bridges were replaced by excellent timbers, necessarily brought from a distance, and in this way, 24 miles were not only rendered passable, but converted into an excellent road during 1865. Up to November, 1866, eleven miles more were finished, of which eight had been cut out and partially made under the old system, while three were entirely new. It is under- stood that this road will be continued as far as Peterson's line, and if it is to be as really useful as it is expected to be, this should be the case ; for its first twenty miles have to be passed over before land of average quality is reached, or the prospects of a settlement fairly appear; so that the lands best fitted for settlement will be found towards its further extremity. ' The entire back country is of the Laurentian or granite formation, which passes under Stoney lake, and forms its numerous islets. Occasion- al ridges of limestone, however, are found ; and the land, so far as tested by practical experience, has proved itself capable of yielding abundant crops. We pass now to a brief notice of the several townships along the road, commencing with 2$ 210 THE TOWNSHIP OF BURLEIGH. This township was surveyed as early as 1834, and was re-surveyed in 1864-5 by J. W. Fitzgerald, Esq., P. L. S. The "Burleigh rocks" before referred to, were long a barrier to settlement, and would doubtless remain so still, were it not for the road which now enables them to be passed over with comparative ease. The first settler who ventured beyond these rocky impediments, and located himself in the eastern side of Burleigh, was Mr. Giles Stone. This was in the year 1861 ; and now, in 1866, the Assessment roll for Bur- leigh shows, ratepayers to the number of forty-six in that township alone. A number of settlers found their way there in 1862-3, and we proceed to give the names of these pioneers, as in the older townships. They were Messrs. James Goulbourn, Peter Phelan, Alexander Brown, Atwood Brooks, William Clifford, Edward Sanderson, William Spencer, — Myers, Isaac Meers, Christopher White, Ephraim Burt, John McConnell, Charles Burt and John Coon. There is one tavern in Burleigh — that kept by Mr. Peter Phelan. The first Post Office was opened in 1864, under the name of "Burleigh," of which James Goulbourn, Esq., is Postmaster. The second in 1866, called after the member for the county, "Haultain," of which Mr. Giles Stone, the first settler, is Postmaster. Two school houses were erected in Bur- leigh during 1866, one near Mr. Giles Stone's, the other near Mr. Burt's. Both of them are hewed logs, and well adapted for the purposes intended. The first saw mill was erected in Burleigh by James Goulbourn, Esq., on Eel's creek, in 1863, and a second during the following year on the same stream, by Charles J. Vizard, Esq., a gentleman who has contributed much to the success of the settlement by furnishing employment to the settlers, for which they were promptly paid in cash, at a time when they had few other resources upon which to depend. During 1866, a small grist mill was erected by Mr. Goulbourn, and is now in operation. Until the present time, Burleigh has been the senior municipality, hav- ing the greater number of ratepayers, and it and the adjoining townships have been associated together as one municipality. The rapid increase of settlers, however, will speedily give rise to two or more corporations, amid which Chandos promises to take the lead, as having now the largest population. 211 The chief difficulties with which the early settlers had to contend, were owing to the distance which their supplies had to be transported, and the absence of proper facilities for doing so. The summer of 1864 proved especially trying. The unusual drought affected their harvests, while the destruction of the bridges on the road by fire, and the practical closing up of their thoroughfare, bad as it was, greatly disheartened the settlers. The destructive fires swept away the fruits of the industry of some, while the non-payment of wages by a sub-contractor disappointed the hopes of others ; and all these causes together, pressed severely upon the infant settlement. The difficulties of the position were greater than even during the first year, for there were more mouths to fill, with diminished facilities fpr pro- curing the necessary supplies. Three days were usually required for the transport of these from Peterborough. The first stage was by a hired team to Young's. Here a canoe or boat was engaged, which when laden was paddled up Clear and Stony lakes to Julien's landing, and from this point, partly by ox teams, but oftener on their shoulders, the hard earned necessaries were carried some miles further, through a bush with barely the semblance of a road. Fortunately, this state of things was not of long continuance. The expenditure of money on the road in 1865; the re-opening of their thoroughfare ; and the excellent crops of that season, restored confidence and hope, and with these the settlement has continued to progress. Burleigh was for several years attached to Dummer for municipal pur- poses. The separation took place on the 1st day of January, 1865 ; and James Goulbourn, Esq., was returned as first Keeve, and took his seat in the County Council for that year. In 1866, John Carroll, Esq., Crown Land Agent, was chosen Reeve, and ably fulfilled the duties of that position. A difficulty exists between this township and the county in reference to the re-payment of moneys expended by the County Council in the recent re-survey of the township, to which further reference need not be made here ; and which, it is hoped, will ere long admit of a solution at once just to the county and satisfactory to the ratepayers of Burleigh. 28* 212 THE TOWNSHIP OF ANSTRUTHER. The township of Austruther lies immediately in the rear of Burleigh ; the Colonization road passing through its south-east corner before entering the township of Chandos, which bounds it on the east. Anstruther was surveyed in 1859-60 by Geo. A. Stewart, Esq., P. L. S. Among the earliest settlers of this township were Messrs. Thomas Stewart, Patrick Breen, William Wilson and sons, Edward S. Hall, D. R. Castidy, Charles J. Vizard, Captain Lynch Bloss, Dr. Clegg, Caleb Lousley, John Steen, Philip Lousley, and John Young, most of whom found their way there in 1862. Mr..D. R. Castidy and Mr. Philip Lousley now keep store in Anstru- ther. Mr. Edward S Hall has charge of the "Apsley" Post Office- opened in 1865, of which Mr. Charles J. Vizard was first Postmaster. Two Union School sections have been formed between Anstruther and Chandos, in one of which a substantial log school house was erected in 1866, at a cost of about $150. In the other, which is situated north of the Chandos Post Office, an unoccupied dwelling house erected by a settler, is temporarily used for this purpose ; a school having been opened there by Miss Sheehan in August, lb66. A small Wesleyan church was erected in Anstruther during the same year, (1866) which is intended for use by the entire settlement. As yet the Rev. Mr. Sheridan and the Rev. Mr. Gander, of the Methodist church, are the only ministers of any denomination who have conducted religious services in this settlement. Anstruther has two taverns, kept respectively by Mr. Thomas Stewart, and Mr. E. S. Hall. The remarks made in reference to the difficulties and trials of settle- ment, in connection with Burleigh, apply equally to Anstruther, and also the next township, viz :- — THE TOWNSHIP OF CHANDOS. This township has made the most rapid progress of any in the settle- ment. First settled in 1862, the names of fifty-seven ratepayers appear on the resident roll for 1866. Among the first settlers were Messrs. Henry J. Maxwell, Samuel Edgar, Cornelius Maher, James Young, Billings Kilburn, Michael O'Brien, 213 Patrick, James, Maurice, John and Daniel O'Brien; Patrick Horan, John, Robert and William. Horan, William Morrison, John Finarty and Patrick Finarty. Most of the settlers named in this and the other townships were men of families. The first child born in Chandos was a son of Mr. Billings Kilburn, in 1863. Mr. Maxwell, besides his farm, has a general store, and is also Postmaster of the "Chandos" office. As already stated, this and the neighboring townships are all united for municipal purposes, but ere long, Chandos will be erected into a separate municipality. Both this and the adjoining townships are rich in iron, marble and other valuable deposits, which only await labor and enterprise to turn to profitable account, and greatly to conduce not only to the wealth and population of these new settlements, but to the general resources and pros- perity of the Province. THE TOWNSHIP OF CARDIFF. During 1862, the following settlers found their way into Cardiff, — a partly surveyed township in the rear of Chandos : — Messrs. Wheeler Arm- strong, George Patterson and Joseph Dunlop. CHAPTER XXXII. THE INDIAN TRIBES. There are in the County of Peterborough the remnant of two bands of Indians, both being of the Massasaugua tribe ; the one residing on the northern shore of Rice lake, and the other on a projection of the township of Smith, which is prominently visible in the upper part of Chemong or Mud lake. In the year 1818, the Indians of these two bands, surrendered to the Government 1,951,000 acres of land in the then Newcastle District; in return for which they receive an annuity of $2960, being from $9 to $10 per head of their whole population. 214 The New England Company, at an early period, interested itself in the temporal and spiritual welfare of the Indians ; and have done much towards the amelioration of their condition, irrespective of creed or locality. Their agent is invariably a clergyman of some christian denomination. The Rev. Mr. Scott at first acted in this capacity to the Indians of this county, and on his death, in 1837, the Rev. John Gilmour was appointed by the company to this charge. Although both of these bands have adopted the Methodist form of belief, and are usually supplied by ministers of that church, the Rev. Mr. Gilmour continues to visit each village alternately, preaching at Rice lake once in four weeks, and at Chemong lake once in two weeks. This is done by means of an interpreter — Mr. James McCue, — who resides at Rice lake. It is remarkable of both these bands that their natural increase is bare- ly sufficient to make good the losses by death ; so that their numbers main- tain an uniformity which could hardly be predicated of any other people under like circumstances. Rice Lake Indians. — According to official returns, published a few years ago, the Rice lake Indians occupy 1550 acres of land, of which 1120 were granted in 1834 "to Trustees for the benefit of the Indian tribes of the Province, and with a view to their conversion and civilization." These trustees are, His Lordship, Bishop Bethune, the Rev. John Gilmour, Capt. Charles Rubidge, R. N., and Robert Dennistoun, Esq. The Rev. Mark Burnham has just been chosen successor to one of their number, who re- sides at Kingston. The Rice lake Indians subsequently purchased 430 acres of land ; and 200 more in Otonabee are held in trust for the joint benefit of the Rice lake and Mud lake Indians. Their village, to which the name of Hiawatha has beeih given, is pleas- antly situated on the northern shore of Rice lake, adjacent to the Cobourg and Peterborough railway, which passes through a portion of their prop- erty. Their land is of excellent quality, and well adapted for agricultural pursuits. The number of the Rice lake Indians, a few years ago, was in all 145. Of late they have slightly diminished. Their village contains 26 houses, mostly of logs, and 13 out-houses. There is a frame church, in which a resident Methodist minister regularly preaches, through the interpreter already mentioned. An effort is now being made to erect a neat brick 215 church, which is likely to prove successful. There are also a school house and a school teacher's residence. The Methodist body largely supports this school, which is under the Common School system. Its attend- ance averages about twenty, a considerable number of which are whites. Of late years the New England Company has ottered premiums for the best crops, and garden vegetables. In 1866, $38.75 were distributed in this way as an encouragement to industry. Hiawatha has a Post Office of the same name, and also a small general store. The Chemong Lake Indians. — This band occupies a tract of 1600 acres, on a peninsula of the township of Smith. It is deeded to the New England Company, in fee simple, in trust, for the benefit of the Indians. About 200 acres are cleared. This was done by the company, who in former years attempted to farm it. This system has been discontinued, and the land is now divided into little plots for the use and occupation of each family separately. During the last thirty years, they have increased about two per cent ; and in 1865 their entire population was 140. They have now 14 or 15 houses. Their soil is less fertile than that of the Rice lake Indians ; and they cultivate it but sparingly, finding their chief occupation in hunting and fishing. They shew but little disposition to imitate the husbandry and thrift of the whites, and even that useful animal, the cow, is compara- tively rare among them. The Chemong lake Indians have a good church, a frame building, on a stone foundation, and besides the regular ministra- tions of the Rev. Mr. Grilmour, they are visited periodically by the resident Methodist minister at Lakefield. They have a day school, with an average of about 20 pupils, to which is attached a boarding house, in which about ten young Indians, male and female, of from 8 to 14 years of age, are fed, clothed and taught. A few of these are from the Rice lake band. From 1838 until 1843, their school was conducted by James Edwards, Esq., our present Town Clerk ; and during the last 16 or 17 years, it has been under the able superintendence of Mr. and Mrs, Schofield. A small farm is carried on in connection with the school, on which enough is raised materially to aid in its maintenance, and to feed 45 sheep and a few cows ; which in their turn prove sources of profit to their owners. 216 CHAPTER XXXIII. PETEKBOROUGH VOLUNTEER FORCE. THE ROLL OF HONOR The following are the names of the officers and privates of the several companies of Peterborough Volunteers, who rushed to arms in June, 1866, for the defence of the Province against Fenian invasion : — PETERBOROUGH RIFLE COMPANY. Captain Edwin Poole,* Lieutenant H. C. Rogers,* Ensign Theo- dore B. Clement!,* Color-Sergeant William Johnson,* Sergeants William Logan, J. I'. Davidson*, Thomas Burke*, Corporal Edward Cookson,* George Stevenson, Erasmus Green,* Bugler Edward Green, Privates David Arnott, Henry Anderson, Douglass G. Bell, David Breeze, William Clifford, John Craig, Richard P. Cook, George Hazle- hurst, Robert Donnelly*, Henry Eastland, George Fisher, John Green, Peter Gifford, A. G. Gilbert, John Irwin, George Kingdon, Hiram Lith- gow, George H. May, John Madden, Hugh McMann, John McMillan, Henry McNeil, John McWilliams, Samuel Montgomery, James Roseboro, Thomas C. Nicholls, William F. Orde, John Roche, John Montgomery, Thomas Rutherford, John Sawers, Robert J. Stutt, Alfred Schofield, Geo. Stenton, Edward Tully, Robert Thompson, Egerton Walton, William English, David English, F. H. Knapp, Samuel Montgomery, H. Nesbett, D. McFarlane, PETERBOROUGH INFANTRY COMPANY NO. 1. Captain John Kennedy*, Lieutenant William N. Kennedy*, Ensign John W. Kennedy,* Color- Sergeant Alexander Morrow, Sergeants Wil- liam McDonnell, James C. Kennedy, and John W. Bell. Corporals Joseph Graham, Ezekiel James Nesbett, William Langford, Charles H. Sweeting. Lance Corporals George B. Perry, William E. James, John W. Miller, Harry Rush, John Mclntyre. Bugler Harry Philp. * Promoted, temporarily, during aotive service. 217 Privates John Alexander. William Anthony. William F. Armstrong, John Armstrong, Peter Arnott, James H. Albro, Robert Boswell, John E. Barnes, James Brickly, Orlando Clarke, George Cronn, Lewis De Finney, Edward B. Edwards. Thomas Fisher, Robert Ferguson, William E. Geegan, Henry T. Gleeson, Samuel Glass, Henry Glover, Isaac Hodge, William Hodge, Matthew Johnston, Isaac Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Dawson Kennedy, John Kiley, John King, David L. Law"*, Alfred Law, Wm. Larmer, William Lundy, John Matehett, Montgomery Neithercut, John Norton, Richard Purser, Geo. B. Palmer, John Rush*. Frank Rickey, Richard Sanderson, William Scollie, Joseph Schofield. William Stevens. Francis Ware, Egcrton Whitfield, John Winterbottom, Daniel Perry, Lewis Young, Thomas McCauley, Newcombe Loucks, Fred. Mitchell, Joseph H. Kennedy*. (Military School, ) Drill Instructor. * Promoted, temporarily, during active service. ASHBUKNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY. This Company was called to the front in March, 1866, at which time Major R. D. Rogers was Captain. H. T. Strickland, Lieutenant, and J. Z, Rogers, Ensign. Major Rogers and Lieutenant Strickland having soon after resigned, the several commissions were held as follows at the period of active service in June, 1866 : — Captain J. Z. Rogers, Acting-Lieutenant R. 55. Rogers, Ensign .John Burnham, (since promoted to be Lieutenant. Sergeants C. W. Gage. Thomas Armstrong, William S. Deacon, Charles Philp, George Brown. Corporals Walter Ainsley, John Gow, Evans J. Hair. Privates James Armstrong, William Armstrong, John C. Baker, David Brownlee, James Baxter, David Brown, Thomas Brown, William Bab- ©ock*, Thomas Cathcart, Robert Campbell, Duncan Campbell, Thomas Crawford, J. D. Collins, Jas. Ciegg, C. S. Dudman*. (now Ensign) Thos. Douglass, William Douglass, Jesse Grey, Robert Graham, Edward H, Gahan, John Haggart, Robert W. Hall, James Hair, Job Humphries. James Johnston, Philip Jackson, John Kempt, Irwin King, Charles Kirby, Joseph Kirby, John Law, Peter Launderville, William Lucas, Richard Lean, John Lynn, John Mowry, John Middleton, Wm. B. S, * Since promoted, 29 218 Metthias, William McGregor, 8r.', William McGregor, Jr., David McKin- ley, Thorn;;* McQuoi, Matthew McCue, Thomas Patterson, Harry Rich- alttedn, Chas. ifoabidge, Fred. Rubidge*, R. M. Shephard, Geo. Stethasi, Sidney Smith, Jr., David Scott, James Tighe. Joseph Vuloisc, Robert Wright, William Whitla, Stewart Weight. * Since promoted. LAKE FIELD INFANTRY COMPANY. Captain Edward Leigh, Lieutenant Charles Bowker, Ensign George Sheppee, Assistant-Surgeon Alexander Bell, Hospital Sergeant George Sheffield. Sergeants William Sharpe, Alexander Tharp, David Rae, Henry Mellor. Corporals John Todd, Samuel Jamieson, Thomas Gordon, Joseph Ball. Privates Frank Bowker, Chas. Bay ley, George Bolton, William Brurn- mel, Robert Cassidy, John Carveth, John Crawford, Alexander Fairbairn, Albert Frost, John Fitzgerald, Alexander Fitzgerald, Edward Fitzgerald, Isaac Garbutt, Thomas Hill, David Hillman, Edward Hunter, William Hunter, John Jeffry, Adam Knox, William Leonard, David Lynn, Wil- liam Maidens, David Mann, Charles Portsmouth, Mark Porter, George Pottles, George Ray, William Sage, John Stewart, Thomas Wallace, W. Wallace, John Watson, Augustus Wiggin, Andrew Wilson, Edward Wilkins, John Staples. OTHER VOLUNTEER COMPANIES. The following are the names of officers and privates of other Volunteer Companies in the Town and County, organized since June, 1866, who have not yet been called to active service ; but who, on an emergency, would no doubt exhibit the same alacrity to meet the foe, and the same heroism at the post of danger, which characterized the officers and men of the Companies already enumerated : — PETERBOROUGH INFANTRY COiMPANY NO. 2. Captain, The Hon. Sidney Smith, Lieutenant Jacob Green, M. S., Ensign Henry H. Smith, M.S., Color- Sergeant Alfred Leach, Sergeants Sidney Smith, Jr., Hugh D. Stoddart, William J. Green. Corporals Wesley Morrow, Alex. Gillespie, Christopher Armstrong, John Patterson. Bugler Benjamin J. Green, Jr. 210 Privates John A. W. Hat top, James Haggart, William Blatchibrd., John Campbell, Robert Craig, Thomas Tremaine, William Campbell, Jas. Fox, John Camerie, Wm. Green, Wm. Taylor, James Kinmouth, John Kinmouth, James Lang, James. L. Hughes, Thomas Tate, Wm. C. Holy- well, Porterfield Wareham, Fredk. Scobell, Robert Lee, Gordon Wright, Walter Beal, George Cairnes, Thomas McKee, George McComb, Richard Reid, James Graham, Joseph Graham, Samuel Seens, James Johnston, Daniel Milliken, James McComb, John Kent, Edward Eastland, Thomas Simpson, Thomas Oakley, Robert Wilson, Isaac Nurse, John Smith, Robert Reid, Benjamin White, Wm. Chambers, Charles L. Coulter, Peter Londerville. NORWOOD INFANTRY COMPANY. Captain Robert Wigmore*, Lieutenant Thomas M. Grover, Ensign H. Matthew Vars. Color- Sergeant Thomas F. Riggs, Sergeants Thos. H. Dewart, R. H. McGill, Corporals A. Morrison, Thomas P. Pearce. M. Nicoll. Bugler Thomas Fraser. Privates Robt. Adams, W. Andrews. J. Andrews, J. Bannon, F. Bate- son, C. Buck, James Calder, — Comstock, John Cunningham, Alexander Foster, Wm. Glynn, John Harper, Jr., — Hewson, James Higgins, John Higgins, — Humphries, Wm. Hutcheson, — Jakes, — Lynn, Bristow MofFat, Jr., John Murray, Robt. McCasky, — McFadden, Jas. McLaugh- lan, R. H. McLaughlan, Duncan McLaughlan, John McPherson, — Nicoll, Edward Patterson, Alexander Patterson, — Perie, James Rae, Jesse Robertson, John Scott, C. Smith, W. Seabrooks, E. Southworth, Mat thew Switzer, — Wasseu, A. Wigmore, S. Wigmore, William WilliamsoE, David Fitzpatrick, J. W. Pearce, — Bannon, William McCasky, * S;ince deceased, and Lieutenant Grover promoted to be Captain. HASTINGS INFANTRY COMPANY. Captain Henry Fowlds, Lieutenant Henry H. Humphries, Ensign Robert Huston. Privates Wm. McConnell, J. A. Howard, J. C. Brown, Joseph A. Fife, H.^B. 3iorton, Henry Bently, John Mason, Thos. Learmouth, Daniel Huff, 29* 220 Isaac Thorns, J. C. Fraser, Hugh Collins, James Campbell, W. J. Harrison, M. C. Clarke, 8. J. Kemp, Thomas MeKee, S. D. Griffis, M. R. Elmhirst, Harry Morton, Andrew Collins, Thomas W. Carr, J. E. Hilton, Thomas McMillen, Paul Huff, Willet C. Potter, George W. Bush, John Shears, John O'Regan, A. M. Cuffe, H. S. West, Cornelius Huycke, John Pitt. Win. M. Boyd, A. Flemming, John Brick, S. West, William Hill, Thos. E. Lobb, Thos. Gilchrist, Warner Lobb, Geo. Green, Wm. Ferry, Henry Clarke, Reuben Wannamaker, Rosh W. Harrison, Daniel Tierney, N. D. Robertson, John Lobb, John Brakenridge, David Anderson, John Teviot- dale, Urton Hill. Carleton Clifford, Richard Stewart, SPRINGVILLK INVANTKY COMPANY. ( kiptain John Dundas, Lieutenant Allan Cathcart, Ensign Win. McCamus, Sergeants William Mclndoo, Samuel Graydon, Edward Archer, Corporal* Hugh B. Mehany, David Walsh, John W. Seany. Bugler Cornelius Mahony. Privates John Armstrong, Robert Allister, James Atchinson, David At- ehinson, William Bennet, Francis Beavis, William Bone, Richard Coe, Adam Douglas, Robert Dunlop, Thomas Dunlop, David Dewart, James Eastwood, William Fisher, Valentine Fair, James Ferguson, Edward Gent, Andrew Goodfellow, William Goodfellow, James Howden, John Howden, Robert Huston, William Lytle, Thomas Lytle, John Little, James Mahony, Hugh Mehany, William McNeil, James McCamus, Moses McCamus, Wm. McBain, Charles McCall, Robert McBrien, Richard McBrien, George Muncrief, John Pake, William Patterson, John Smyth, Edward Shields, John Shields, Wm. Trotter, George Trotter, Edward Taylor, David Wright, John Wright, Thos. Wright, Arthur White, Thomas Whitfield. THE PUBLIC LANDS OF CANADA. The Public Lands of Canada are sold by local Crown Land Agents in the several Counties and Districts; to whom applications for purchase by intending settlers should be made. With sonic few exceptions they are sold in Upper Canada for cash at 70 cents an acre, and on time at one dollar an acre j and in Lower Canada at from 20 to 60 cents, one-fifth to be paid at the time of sale, and the remaining four-fifths in four equal annual instalments, with interest at 6 per cent, on the unpaid purchase money. These sales are made subject to settlement duty, and to current timber licenses for the year. Purchasers of Public Lands not under license, being actual settlers with certain improvements, can obtain license from the respective Crown Land Agents, or Crown Timber Agents, to cut and dis- pose of the timber growing on the lots purchased by them ; the value of the timber so cut and disposed of being applied in payment of the purchase money due the Crown, CROWN TIMBER REGULATIONS. The sale and management of timber on the Public Lands are governed by the Statute, Con. Stats, of Canada, 22 Vic. Cap. 23, and by the Reg- ulations under it, sanctioned by His Excellency the Governor General in Council. Licenses for vacant berths are offered for sale at Public Auction on such dates as the Commissioner of Crown Lands may fix by Public Notice, at an upset price of four dollars a square mile, or other rate as he may fix, and are awarded to the highest bidder making immediate pay- ment. See the Regulations themselves for information as to ground rent, size of berths, renewals, forfeitures, rates of duty on Timber, &c. WOODS AND FOBESTS. Department of Crown Lands. Ottawa, 20th July, 1866. With reference to the Crown Timber Regulations of the 13th June, 1866, notice is hereby given that the following Officers are the Crown Timber Agents duly authorised for the granting of Timber Licenses, and the collecting of Timber Revenue, to whom all application's for such Li- censes or Renewals of Licenses within the respective Agencies should be addressed. A. J. Russell, Ottawa, for the Upper Ottawa Territory. J. F. Way, Belleville, for the Ontario Territory, J. R. Nash, Toronto, for the Huron and Superior and Peninsula of Canada West Territories. C. E. Belle, Montreal, for the Lower Ottawa Territory. A. Dubord, Three Rivers, for the St. Maurice Territory. G. J. Naglc, St. Hyacinthe, for the St. Francis Territory. G. Duberger, Chicoutimi, for the Saguenay Territory. C. Dawson, Riviere du Loup en Bas, County of Temiscouta, for the Chaudiere and Madawaska Territory. C. T. Dube, Trois Pistoles, for the Lower St. Lawrence Territory. J. N. Verge, Carlcton, County of Bonaventure, for the Bai des Cha- leurs Territory. A. CAMPBELL, Commissioner. MINERAL LANDS. Department of Crown Lands. Ottawa, loth July, 1866. Regulations for the sale of Mineral Lands approved by His Excel lency the Governor General in Council. inferior metals. 1. That each regular mining tract in unsurveyed territory shall consist of blocks of two hundred or four hundred acres. 2. That the dimensions of each regular mining tract of four hundred acres be forty chains in front by one hundred chains in depth, and smaller tracts, except on lakes and rivers, in the same proportion. The bearings of the outlines to be North and South, and East and West, astronomically, in the unorganized territories in Upper Canada and parallel to the outlines of the townships elsewhere. 3. That mining tracts bordering upon lakes and rivers shall have their frontage upon such waters, and shall be subject in all cases to the public rights in navigable or floatable waters ; and that mining tracts, so situated, shall have a mean depth of one hundred chains back from such river or lake, (exclusive of road allowance of one chain in width, which shall be reserved along the margin of such river or lake,) in conformity with the above mentioned bearings. 4. That mining tracts in unsurveyed territory shall be surveyed by a Provincial Land Surveyor, and connected with some known point in pre- vious surveys, (so that the tract may be laid down on the office maps of the territory) at the cost of the applicants, who shall be required to furnish with their application the surveyor's plan, field notes, and descriptions thereof in accordance with the foregoing regulations, and to the satisfaction of the Department, and pay the price of one dollar per acre into the De- partment of Crown Lands at the time of making application. 5. That in surveyed townships, lots presenting indications of minerals, be sold on the above conditions, "but at not less than one dollar per acre in any township, and at the same price as the other lands in the township when it is more than one dollar per acre. 6. That mining lands in surveyed townships be sold by the local agents for cash, but nil lands in unsurveyed territory shall be sold by the Department. 7. The above regulations do not apply to mines of gold and silver. GOLD AND SILVER. 8. That in selling the lands in the gold mining divisions, the Depart- ment is to discriminate as far as practicable between purchasers for actual settlement, bona fide, and those for mining or speculative purposes ; selling to the former for the present prices and terms, (subject to an increase to 82 an acre, under the order of 8th August, 1864. when actually worked for gold.) and to the latter for one dollar an acre — cash. 9. That in all Letters Patent for lands, the clause reserving all mines of gold and silver be omit ted, 10. All previous regulations inconsistent with the above are cancelled. A, CAMPBELL, Commissioner. 33* PARRY SOUND SETTLEMENT. Latitude about that of Montreal. The Parry Sound District may be described as embracing that section of country bounded by French river on the North ; the Rousseau and Ni- pissing Road line on the last ; Lakes Rousseau. St. Joseph, and other smaller lakes stretching to the South | and the waters of the Georgian Bay on the West. This section containing a large proportion of very fair land lit for set- tlement. A road line has been explored and carefully located, leading in almost a direct line from the head of Rousseau Lake to the mouth of South river at Lake Nipissing, called the Rousseau and Nipissing road. A road line forming a junction with the Muskoka road, and intersecting the Rousseau road close to the lake of that name, and continuing in a North- West direction to the village of Parry Sound, called the Parry Sound road. A road line from Parry Sound in a Northerly direction crossing the Maganetewan and French rivers, and continued to form a junction with the Great Northern road at Waddell's mills. These lines, and the explorations connected therewith, have developed large tracts of land well calculated for successful agricultural settlement. On the Parry Sound road grant lots have been surveyed throughout, and the following Townships, bordering upon or embracing the road, have been sub-divided, namely, — Watt, Cardwell, Humphrey, Foley and McDougall. The Township of Watt is almost entirely settled, and along the whole length of the road, and in the other Townships named, settlement is ac- tively progressing. This road has been opened and completed for travel in a substantial and superior manner, so that Lake Rousseau can be readily reached from the Sound, and vice versa in one day's travel. On the first line named, road operations .were commenced last season, and it is expected the ensuing summer will witness its completion as far as the Maganetewan river. On this river the land is unusually good. It is described as a rich loamy clay, covered with fine hardwood, free from stones, and unbroken by ridges and ravines. Further on the line also, fair average and superior land exists in very large' proportions, so much so, that the good laud is described as embracing a proportion of from seventy to seventy- five per cent, of the whole. The Northern road passes through some tracts of excellent land, and settlement is fast proceeding in this direction also. The facilities afforded for ingress to this country arc unusually great. In the summer season the intending settler has the choice of three routes. He can proceed from Toronto to Collingwood by rail, and thence by steamboat every Monday, direct to Parry Sound, the latter distance being about seventy miles. At Parry Sound there is already the nucleus of a handsome and thriving village, with mills, stores and church. This is one terminus of the Parry Sound road which here crosses the Seguin river by a handsome and substantial truss bridge, and enters the main street of the village. Mr. Beatty, the proprietor of the mill, and the founder of the village resides here, and offers liberally every assistance in his power to in- dustrious settlers. Abundant supplies of clothing, provisions, and imple- ments are also to be found here, which can be had at Toronto prices, with the addition of freight charges. Mr. Wakefield, the Crown Land Agent for the District, also resides here. The second route is from Toronto to Bell Ewart by rail, from thence to Orillia and Washago mill, at the foot of lake Couchiching, by steamboat, thence fourteen miles by stages running daily to Muskoka bay on the lake of the same name, and thence by Mr. Cockburn's new and excellent steamer to the Indian village at the narrows between the above lake and lake Rousseau, and thence by open boats to the Rousseau and Parry Sound roads. The third route is by "the above line as far as Washago, thence by the Muskoka and Parry Sound roads to the head of Rousseau lake, and thence 22 miles to Parry Sound. Seventy cents cash, or $1 by instalments, s "s n *fc 03 o o 3? •£3 -d r* r" •t 1 0> 1 8 s § o o 3 o c +5 g c 8 g 2 o -M o £ ej S3 £ ►> «£ o ■* «♦- o <+» r o r EC £ -t- ■*» ■43 ■VB ~t-> ->a Q c3 s O t>0 P-: Ph c o o SO >> I 'o c3 Ph o 93 Ci ft ft PS feO 5 « Ph C5 S § fl 3 Fh "*3 .2 13 -fl ^ A s . . <© 03 w Ph o 3 - ? I I a j; «?3 ft O ft o3 >4 > o C 4> Ph ^= v o Ph ^5 o X 5 CM 75 03 O PS 73 l&j 73 s Ph 73 ft iO <£> o o o o o PC co o 25 5 T—l O 01 o >< 25 25 o iO o Ol rt o CO H ft o PS en Eh O 03 w I— I OS w K EH K O s © 55 o '-3 S3 O Ph "-M o -M M o3 a 3 Cm O ■-Ui W Ph 5 H o 4! S3 2 » ^ 2 i-h ^3 o S3 O Ph «M o £ S3 O S3 O <3 1 «m O Ph S3 -M S3 &0 tM o -M Ph .a i £ S3 S3 -M S3 o to < o o3 Ph £ o «C3 0) •a O .21 S3 O Ph o Ph -M £ <*> 10 '-J3 3D. eg pp <2> -5" o 1-1 si TO (DBMS IN THE BEST STYLE AND ON THE SHORTEST NOTICE. — o N, B.— Agent for Warner's Celebrated Sewing Machines. HEftlElVlBEB THE PLACE.— Montreal House, Peterborough. January. 1867. St) JAMES BEST, Keep^ constantly on hand a labge and well assorted stock :ea Staple I Fancy Dry Woods, and invitee the Public u> CALL AND EXAMINE FO& THEMSELVES before purchasing elsewhere. Hi* STOCK OF GROCERIES 15 ALSO 1M ft I V H 3 V VERY COMPtiETE. All of which will be sold at RE A S ON ABLE PRICE S. Particular attention given to the selection of TEAS. One Door South of James Stevensoiis. GEORGE STREET. PETERBOBOUGH. January, J 867. MILLAR, WHOLESALE & RETAIL ARDWARE MERCHANT, Offers for Sale, on the BEST TERMS and LOWEST PRICES, a large and varied assortment of MATTY ATVTft ^n^T¥ HAUTiWAUlF IRON AND STEEL. U^K^ Tools of every description. Paints, < >iU Glass and Putty, Builders' Hardware, &c, to which he would invite the attention of Farmers and the public gendrally. REMEMBER THE PLACE : SIGN OF THE Golden Anvil. George Street, Peterboro'. JOHN DOHARTY, Lati Doharty & ffanlon, ) Carriage and Waggon Factory, AND GENERAL HORSE SHOEING, REPAIRING, Ac. DONE ON THE SHORTEST NOTICE, At O'Brien's Old Stand, Hunter Street, PETERBOROUGH. jj®* A Large Number of Waggons, I larriages. Buggies, Sleighs, Cutters? Harrows, &c, of the Best Material and Workmanship, always on h and and SOLD CHEAP FOR CASH. 30 W. CLUXTON, DEALER IN Fancy & Staple Dry (Um\> Both FOREIGN and DOMESTIC. DiLyieiiiBV. @il®m &c.„ &c. ALSO. V Choice Family Teas, Sugars, fa. Buyers will find at all times in this Establishm- in GOOD VALUI For their MONEY. J&- The STOCK LAEoE and PRICES are Low. January, 1867. W. CLUXTON Oeorce Street, Peterborough. groceries and Provisions ! JOHN MOLONEY is still holding out at bis OLD STAND, No. 3, Burnham's Block, George Street, Where will be found the usual Choice assortment of s Coffees & General Groceries Also, a First Rate Supply of ma» mm w*r 9 wn a m \mmL Where will Teas, Sugars, £*iT COUNTRY PRODUCE taken in Exchange for Goods, and the Highest Market Price allowed. PATRICK GALVIN, Carriage and Waggon Factory, AND GENERAL BLACKSMITHING. Ullill. VJMMl Carts, Barrows, Harrows, &c, &c, constantly on hand, and made to order. Only Superior Workmen Employed, And the BEST MATERIAL USED. &£T All work Warranted. Horse-shoeing and repairing done to order and in all cases promptly attended to. Remember the place: Hunter Street, two doors west of J. Doharty s Stand, reterboro'. Peterboro', January 1st, 1866. PATRICK GALVIN. 30* W.G. THOMSON & Co Millinery and Dry Goods ! D1PORTERS and Wholesale and Retail dealers in BONNETS, HATS. FLOWERS, faGKrewaa ism ®mmn mi ®m&* FIRST CLASS IHillmery and Mantle Rooms ! Connected with the Establishment, GEORGE STREET, PETERBORO'. John McClelland, (SUCCESSOR TO T. BROWN, ) Watch Maker, Jeweler jfcc. Stevenson's Block, George Street, Peterborough . Begs to intimate to the Public of Peterborough, that he keeps constantly on hand, a Choice Assortment of IIKl. WAf §111, IEWI&E FANCY GOODS, &c, Ac. Intending Purchasers will do well to Examine Ins Stock before purchasing elsewhere. furniture, Cabinet Ware and Upholstery. Superior Bed Room Sets, Parlour Furniture &c. CHAIRS in great variety, Book Cases, Side Boards, IS* BUREAUS, TABLES, MATRASSES, Looking Glasses, Gilt Mouldings, &c. PeterboroyJan. 2nd, 1867, GEORGE TANNER. I. ROBINSON & Co. Invite attention to their Large Stock of DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, READY MADE CLOTHING imf % © ALSO, CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER In the Newest Style and Best Manner. T. DONNELLY. IX £3c cL M XI* OX £1 XJoH UTdEMBliUL X V eQaXiXX!* X X y TRUNKS,VALISES ? BAGS, SATCHELS, WHIPS, dfcc. H^gf 5 ' Collars Warranted A splendid Stock, luirivalled in Cheapness. Peterboro', Jan. 2nd, 1867. THOS, DONNELLY General Groceries, Dry Goods, AND mm) 9MMMgt% M. MOLONEY, Would invite his numerous Customers in Town and Country, to examine his Stock of DRY GOODS, GROCERIES and READY-MADE CLOTHL\< i. Selected from the Best and Cheapest Markets, which he offers for sale <>n as Good Terms as any other Establishment in Peterborough. Kept on the Premises, and a Perfect Fit Guarantee' I for all Clothing Made to Order. REMEMBER THE PLACE: George Street, Peterboro', immediately opposite Stevenson's Stove and Tin Shop. January, 186T. M. MOLONEY, SAMUEL WHITE, BOOT SHOE AND MAKE Mrs. Dixon's New Block, 3rd door South ofJas. Stevenson' GE0KGE STREET, PETERBOROUGH, Has always on hand a large and varied stock; expressly manufactured for this market, under his own inspection. LADIES' WORK FOR ALL SEASONS AND MADE OF THE BEST MATERIAL. HELM'S ndry & Machine Shop. The subscriber begs to intimate to his customers, that he is still at the OLD STAND, SIMCOE ST. SOLE MAKER OF HilVs Celebrated Steel Ploughs, The Patent for which he has secured for the County. He is now prepared . to make to order STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS, Grist and, Saw Jflill Machinery, ILMJMP & 3HIIAW ©AOTIMM OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS. All kinds of Castings thatare usually found in a FIRST-CLASS ESTABLISH- MENT kept constantly on hand. Brass Castings of all descriptions made to order. All kinds of REPAIRING PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. Patterns- in general use furnished Free of Charge. WILLIAM HELM, Simcoe Street, Peterborough. WILLIAM BELL, (Licentiate of Apothecaries' Hall, London, England. , CHEMIST and DRUGGIST, George Street, 2 door* North oj Mr, Clnxton's, Peterboro, Genuine Drugs, Chemicals, Patent Medicines, Dye Stuffs, Perfumery, Hair, Nail and Tooth Brushes, Fancy Soaps, &c. Pennsylvania Eock Oil by Barrel or Gallon, a general assort- ment of Coal Oil Lamps and Fittings of Latest Patterns. Prescriptions Carefully Prepared at all Hours. J. O'DONNELL, D. S. c over Ormond & Gilmoui ■'.- Drugstore, GEORGE ST BEIT. mv&<&m^^<&m THOS. LANNIN, Practical Tin and Copper Smith, Plumber and Bell Hanger, Manufacturer of all i kinds of Tin, Sheet Iron and Copper Wan-, and Dealer in all kinds of Cooking, Box and Parlour Stoves, Furnaces and Agricultural Furnaces for Farmers' use, the largest and best assorted stock in Peterborough. I Wc< s I r ery Reasonable. THOMAS LANNIN, George Street, -nearly opposite T. Menzie's Book Store. :i is P john mm, IMPORTED k DEALER IN Staple & Fancy DRY GOODS. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL George Street, PETERBOROUGH ■ ONTARIO BANK, WATER STREET, PETERBOROUGH ( NEAR THE POST OFFICE. ) A jwvmtftf Bwilt Depmimmf Attached. Interest on Deposit in Savings' Bank Department at Four per Cent per Annnnt, D, ft EASTWOOD. Manager. Peterboro', December. 1866. 30* The "Peterborough Review, PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY. BY ROBERT KOMAINE. Mo. 4. MARKET BLOCK. PETERBORO'. Subscription £2.00 Per Annum : or if paid Is • Advance $1.50. 41 y BLANK BOOKS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF RULING, WITH PRINTED HEADINGS, MADE TO ORDER ON SHORT NOTICE. None but First-class Workmen employed, and the very best Material used. W* CHARGES MODERATE. ^>' MAGAZINES, PERIODICALS, MUSIC, AND EVERY OTHER DESCRIPTION of BOOKS BOUNOto ORDER 230%. JlSS 333 SSiSSWISft Neatly and expeditiously executed at Low Rates. Jgp-Remember the address. No. 4 Market Block. George Street, next door to W. Lundy. FREDERICK HEUBACK, Oahmet-Maker and Upholsterer. FURNITURE WAREROOMS. V large and select *tock of Sofas, Bureaus, Sideboards, Chairs. Bedsteads. Toilet Stands, &c., &c, MADE OF THE BEST MATERIAL, AND AT THE CHEA.FEST IRITIS. George Street, second door above Brock Street, PETERBOROUGH. JOHN DOUGLAS, (Late J. & T. Douglas) has opened a •. New Carriage & Waggon Factory On Bethune Street, about 100 yards West of the old stand, Where First Class Buggies, Carriages, "Waggons, Sleighs, ROOM ! mtains TWO SLATE BED TABLES, with Improved Cushions, and a complete set of New Balls, Cues, &c. The Eoom is now one of the Best and Most Comfortablj- Furnished in the Country. . - - I eterboro', Jan. 1867. GEORGE CRONN, Proprietor. Roval Canadian Bant PETERBOROUGH. Allows Interest on Current Accounts! And on Deposits at the Rate of Four Per Cent. Wi. OG'ILVT, Agent. 31 A. McDON Alii). I) E A L E K I N (jrroceriesJ^iiieslIiHiiioi's >, CHEAP FO]J WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OK Teas, Sugars, Coffees, Tobaccos, KEPT CONSTANTLY ON HAM), Country Merchants, Hotel Keepers and Families requiring a supply of the above articles will find this one of the Best Assorted Stocks in Peterborough. ©sas/aip #(sm ®i$m i IS THE MOT r ro. Please Call before Buying Elsewhere ! Peterboro", Jan. 18t>7. a. Mcdonald GRAHAM & STBATTON tationers and Publishers, No. L MARKET BLOCK, PETERBORO'. :o:-~ UONSTANTLY ON HAND. ALL SUCH SCHOOL BOOKS English* French and Classical, As are in general use in the Schools, BIBLES. PRAYER BOOKS AND HYMNS ROOKS. — AND i?.klMl& aMII4lak& ©r Iflll *rj&l&tST tf * WifMIim.g' F&jp®ff© ©f aill ID)®s®Mjp4£<0)3ffio El 1ST V E T^ C> 1* 133 S OF ALL SIZES AND QUALITIES. #i ~^»£4 Photograph Albums of the Best Manufacture IX GREAT VARIETY. Window Shades and Wall Paper* of the Latest Styles. LARGE STOCKS ALWAYS O.N HAND. LOVELL'S SERIES OF SCHOOL BOOKS. 31 TEAS. I r. COLLINS, H - cm hand a Large and well CE>CS»OSL \ FAMILY GROCERIES CONSIST IN LI Ml-' Tea*. Coftees. Sugars, Tobaccos, Spices, Fruits, &c. ; Patent Pails, Tubs. Wash-Boards, and everything usually kept in such establishments. -<)>. Having liad several years experience in some ot 1 the best houses in the rade, both in Canada and the United Sta by strict attention and keeping only the best articl< fcock. to merit a share of he public patronage. Wm. DONNELLY. ROBERT HAMILTON Imports direct from Sheffield, and keeps constantly on ham British; gkermajs and American HARDWARE! A LARGE STOCK OF Shelf and Heavy floods in*STAN'i , i J \ oft ha\o Among which will li«- found »11 description:? of Meebanies Tools, farming Implements & House Furnisbing Ironmongery ; Cutlery, Plated Brittania Metal Wares; Paints, Oils, Colors and Glass; Straw aiul Hoot Cutters: Double and Single Guns & Kstob Grmdsto and Patent Friction Roll< i and Axles ; all descriptions of Nails. sizes and qualities of Iron; ENFIELD RIFLES & PATENT BREECH LOADERS it, Half ; ■ ; Havine adopted th< i in. I am ena cus . ms. MG2v OF THE CjBCUT.AB SAW, GEORGE StBEI I ETEBBORO St. GEORGE'S SALOON. G K R G E M I T C H K L L , PROP]} LET OK. Corner of George and Hunter Streets. LUNCHES AT ALL HOURS ! The BAR constantly furnished with the Best Brands of ALES. LIQUORS and CIGARS. Confectioners Fancy Goods, <-st. Kate Peterboro : , January, 1867. r. JOHN BURN HAM arriMer, Jlttorney-ai- haw. Solirifw, f CONVEYANCER, &c. AKora y bo Loan on Improved Farms. is^No Commission Charged.'^* January, 1867. D. FUN T I. AND, Dentist, Begs to inform the public that he is now prepared to JE^tiiraet Teeth "Without Paim*, By the aid of NITROUS OXIDE GAS. Teeth Filled in the most carefiil manner. Teeth inserted, — from one to a Full Sett, — in the various styles, and warranted equal to any work done in the largest Cities. D. P. is also Agent for R. S. Williams' MELODEONS. A ock of >SHEET MUSIC always on hand. THOS. W. POOLE, M.D., CORONER, PETERBOROUGH, C. W. Iff.* COMMERCIAL UNION Assurance Company of London, England. CAPITAL, $12,500,000; Or £2,500,000 Sterling, d Office for Canada, Montreal. Morland, Watson & Co. General Agents. GEO. A. COX, Agent at Peterborough. London & Lancashire Insurance Company, CAPITAL. - $5,000,000. I> OFFICE FOR CANADA, MONTREAL. GEO. A. COX, Agent at Peterborough- TTVT ^ T P Yl A °\f f3 If? C& CAPITAL, £2,000,000 Sterling. Head Office for Western Canada, Toronto, C. W. GEO. A. COX, Agent for Peterboro. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY. Head Office Hamilton, C. W. Capitol and Invested Funds $1,700,000. Dr. KINCAID. GEO. A. COX, Agent at Peterboro. Edinburgh life assurance cost, ESTABLISHED 1823. Amnnulated and Invested Funds over £9,000,000 Stg. GEO. A. COX, Agent at Peterboro. Travellers' Life & Accident Insurance Oo J y, OF HARTFORD, CON. Weekly compensation for Personal Injury. GEO. A. COX, Agent at Peterborough. MONT »CEAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY. Tickets issued to and from all parts of Canada and Great Britain. Return luced rates. Full information may be obtained on application to GEO, A. COX, Agent at Peterboro 5 ' 32* hotographic t Fine Art Gallery. WALTON STREET &$m m* ■ — .( >.^— — :t>: I ' I . > I I ?ir$''M3X!)'* ' 1 ard Pictures. Landscape? s. :o: RES ENLARGED & COLORED -:<>:- Mr. EvviD£ bogs to -tnto thai his » ru-1 FBONOVNCED by COMPETENT JUDGES I) ST \rtistioallv Lighted and Fiitet OF ANY IX THE PROVINCE. — :o: SPECIALITY, in s^:nlakging portk a its O K ANV SIZE II' TO I, IKK. , THOUROUGHLY < M >LORED in < ML. A SKETCH OF THE EARLY- SETTLEMENT • »• AND SUBSEQUENT PROGRESS OF (D (II ®lu ©0U f n 0! § ttirttffottgfc,- h AND OF EACH TOWNSHIP IN TIIK COUNTY OF PETERBOROUGH. BY THOMAS W. POOLE, M. D. (D I PETERDORO U G II : PRINTED BY ROBERT ROMAINE, At ihe Office of the •• I'elerl orougli Review." 1807. XIa^'O^wXZa Geo, Stethem & Co. IMPORTERS OF CUTLERY SAWS, FILES, ■ PAINTS, OILS, MECHANICS' TOOLS. Carriage and Cabinet Makers' Hardware, VARNISHES, IMJOUilB^ CUMiMM CHAINS, CORDAGE, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS BRUSHES, MACHINE OILS, ILi®©lks a ILats3hi(B§ s (Daffifaag 1 ® 3B©Ms g Iron and Steel, Horse Nails, Rasps, CARTRIDGES FOR THE MOST APPBOYED RIFLES, &c, &c. Purchasers will find here a well assorted stock of General Hardware, comprising many articles not usually found outside of the Cities. Sign of the CROSS CUT SAW, January, 1867. George Street, Peterborough, ^ Sf RE CO MM END AT 10 NS. FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL HAULTAIN, M. P. P. My Bear Sir, I have looked over your historical sketch of the County with much pleasure. I feel that both its present and future inhabitants arc indebted to you for the public spirit and assiduity you have displayed, in rescuing from oblivion those incidents and recollections which are asso- ciated with the early settlement and after progress of this part of Canada. * * The difficulties that were overcome in the past should increase our thankfulness for the advantages of the present, and prove an incentive to to all, and therefore, if for no other reason, I hope there will be but few houses in the county of Peterboro' where your book will not find a corner. FROM W. H. SCOTT, ESQ., MAYOR OF PETERBOROUGH. I have derived much pleasing and valuable information from the perusal of a work prepared by Dr. Thos. W. Poole, of Peterborough, on the early settlement and subsequent progress of the County and Toftn of Peterbo- rough. The author traces, with due and interesting particulars, progres- sive 3 incidents connected with the gradual development of this part of the country from early in the present century down to our own day, and answers a want that has heretofore been seriously felt in the community. The interesting data upon which he builds this history of local civilization, are apparently°drawn from various and somewhat intricate sources, at no inconsiderable sacrifice of time and labour. FROM JAMES EDWARDS, ESQ , J. P., TOWN CLERK OF PETERBORO. I have read somewhat carefully the proof-sheets of a pamphlet, by T. W. Poole, M.D., entitled "A Sketch of the early settlement and subsequent progress of the Town of Peterboro.', and of each Township in the County of Peterborough,' and have much pleasure in recommending it as a useful and agreeable record of the early pioneers' trials and triumphs in reducing a howling wilderness into fruitful fields. Dr. Poole has, in collecting the materials for his work, manifested a great deal of indefatigable indi^ and an aptitude to collate narrations and facts as obtained from oral and written sources, together with an agreeable and .pleasing style, that will make his work not" only useful as a reference to the past and present of the Town and County of Peterborough, but also readable and instructive sincerely hope that he will be amply remunerated for the labour ;\nd \ he has displayed in making his book reliable and interesting. FROM E. BURNHAM, ESQUIRE, BARRISTER, &C. « Dear Sir, — I have read over the proof-sheet of your work on the Town and County of Peterborough, and from a long experience of the facts which you treat upon, I can say that your book contains a very careful and correct history of the matters of which it professes to treat. It ought to have a large circulation, and it is well worthy a most extensive patron- , which I hope it will receive. ¥ 4 1 ■• • . % ' «<> *• d V- > V ■ ,0o. oo x > tp ,\\ : ^ v* V OlV ;. X ' A • I 6 OS ^ x ^ ^ <& ^■nt • A p r> i **> \ W ?+ V ■j- <$ V N ^ ■^ $ %.. :%* %. i\ IY"9fc. ' L-fc V I 8 < TV \ ^. Jp ^ ^- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 518 933 6 *,t s':