F
5495 BiBia
ME COUNTY
•CIETVi
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
BROME COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FROM ITS ORGANIZATION, AUGUST, 1897.
i
INCLUDING THE MINUTES OF THE SOCIETY
AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING
IN AUGUST, J90J.
Montreal :
WITNESS PRINTING HOUSE, J902.
V.I
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
We publish the full page portraits, in this issue, of every man now living, who has represented the County of Brome in the Pro- vincial or Dominion Parliaments. They are : The Hon. Sydney A. Fisher, Minister of Agriculture, Post-Office, Knowlton.
Hon. H. Thomas Duffy, B.A., B.C.L., Provincial Treasurer, Post- Office address, Sweetsburgh.
Honorable Justice Lynch, Judge Superior Court, Post-Office ad- dress, Knowlton.
Rufus N. England, ex-M.P.P., Post-Office address, Knowlton.
David A. Manson, ex-M.P., Post-Office address, Mansonville.
Eugene A. Dyer, ex-M.P., Post-Office address, Sutton.
Also the portraits of Judge S. W. Foster and Mr. Lester Ball, Honorary Presidents.
The representations of the Brome and Bolton Monuments appear on the same page with the portrait of Mr. Lester Ball.
The portrait of the oldest Brome Director, Mr. Jeremiah C. Pettes, appears, as well as that of the Secretary, the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor.
Brome County enjoys the distinction of being represented by a Cabinet Minister both in the Provincial and Dominion Parliaments.
The Brome County Historical Society.
OFFICE AND MUSEUM AT KNOWLTON, P.Q.
Was Provisionally Organized August i8th, 1897. Organization Completed and Society Incorporated March gth, 1898.
OFFICERS.
Honorary Presidents : Judge S. W. Foster and Mr. Lester Ball.
President : Honorable Justice W. W. Lynch, D.C.L.
Secretary and Treasurer: Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, M.A.
Directors for Brome Township :
Honorable S. A. Fisher, Col. O. P. Patten, Messrs. Jeremiah C. Pettes and James C. Pettes.
West Bolton:
Messrs. R. P. Duboyce, Daniel A. Giddings, Ezra Nathaniel Davis and David Cousens.
East Bolton :
Messrs. W. Harvey Austin, Aylmer Place, F. P. Channell, and David J. Randall.
Potton > Messrs. D. A. Manson, J. P. Noyes, Walter Lynch and F. F. Soule.
Sutton •• Messrs. Wm. Brown, E. A Dyer, Dr. R. T. MacDonald and John Draper.
East Farnham : H. A. Lawrence, Eli W. Higgins, Rev. R. D. Mills and Philip W. Taber.
LiIFE MEMBERS.
Hon. Judge Lynch, D.C.L., Wm. Russell Skey, Esq.,
Judge S. W. Foster, Rev. L. M. England, B.A.,
H. S. Foster, Esq., Hon. Sydney A. Fisher.
INCORPORATION.
We, the undersigned residents of the County of Brome, in the Province of Quebec, hereby declare that we are desirous of forming ourselves into an association to be known as " The Brome County Historical Society," under the provisions of Article 5487 and follow- ing articles of The Revised Statutes of Quebec, the objects being to obtain all possible information concerning the early and subsequent history of the County, to preserve such historical facts as may be thus secured, in some substantial and permanent form, to acquire whatever property may be necessary for the purposes of the Society, and generally for the instruction of the members of the Society and others. The Society will have its office and place of business at the Village of Knowlton, in said County.
Knowlton, 9th March, 1898.
NAMES. RESIDENCE.
W. W. Lynch . . . Knowlton.
Ernest M. Taylor
W. 0. Lambly, M.D
Samuel W. Foster
Sarah Knowlton Foster
F. A. Knowlton
J. C. Pettes
A. W. Pettes
Mrs. N. Pettes
Lester Ball Brome.
Eugene A. Dyer Sutton.
H. S. Foster Knowlton.
Nelson Boright Mansonville.
T. A. Vaughan Mayor East Bolton.
F. A. Olmstead Sutton.
I, the undersigned Secretary-Treasurer of the Municipal Council of said County of Brome, hereby certify that at a regular session of said Council, held at said Knowlton, this 9th day of March, 1898, the consent and authorization of said Council was granted to the formation of said Society.
J. E. FAY,
Sec.-Treas. M. C. County of Brome. Knowlton, 9th March, 1898.
Sbe Brome County Ibistorical Society
On Aug. 18, 1897, a meeting was held in West Brome, near the
This was presided over by the promoter of the movement, Lester Ball, Esq., of Brome. It took the form of a picnic, in a grove on the farm of Eben Miltimore.
A platform was erected and seats provided. The speakers were: Judge Foster, Hon. Justice Lynch, Hon. Sydney Fisher, Hon. H Thos. Duffy, and the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, and Col. Patten.
Steps were taken to form a Historical Society, first for the Town- ship, and, later, for the County of Brome.
The officers selected at this time were: — Honorary Presidents, Lester Ball, Brome; and Judge Foster, Knowlton; President, Hon. Judge Lynch; Secretary-Treasurer, the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, M.A., Knowlton; Directors for Brome Township, Hon. S. A. Fisher, Col. Patten, Jeremiah Pettes and James C. Pettes, of West Brome.
The Knowlton band was in attendance. And this centennial celebration of the issuance of Letters Patent was considered a very successful effort.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary-Treas.
On Oct. 2, 1897, a remarkably well attended and in every way successful celebration was held for the Township of Potton. This was held in Mansonville.
L. A. Perkins, Esq., Collector of Internal Revenue, presided. _
The speakers were: — D. A. Manson, Esq., Hon. H. T. Duffy, Min- 'ister of Public Works; the Rev. E. I. Rexford, Judge Foster, Hon. Judge Lynch, the Rev. W. P. Chambers, and the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor. •
The Potton Volunteers were out in martial array. A museum of relics was opened on the common. The Knowlton Band was in attendance, and local musicians added to the day's enjoyment. The day was faultlessly fine. .
The Potton Directors for the Brome County Historical Society selected by popular vote were:— J. P. Noyes, ESQ., a native of Potton, now Prothonotary of the District of Bedford; Walter Lynch, Esq., Collector of Customs; D. A. Manson, Esq., ex-M.P. of Brome County; and F. F. Soule, to whom much of the success of the arrangements was due.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary.
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On Oct. 6, 1897, at a meeting, largely attended, in Millington, in Place Hall, the following were selected to take charge of matters historical for East Bolton: — Harvey Austin, Aylmer Place; David Randall, and Frank Channell.
As it was thought desirable to place some monumental slab on the site of the first settlement in Brome, the circulars on fyle marked "A," were issued in December. To these there was a generous response, and a concert was held at the time appointed, Jan. 13, 1898, in Brome, which was an unqualified success.
On the platform were: — Hon. Judge Lynch, President; Honorary Presidents, Lester Ball, Esq., and Samuel Foster, Esq., and Messrs. J. C. Pettes and Col. 0. P. Patten, and the Secretary-Treasu- rer, the Rev. Ernjst M. Taylor. The following is the programme which was presented: —
1. Overture — Brome Orchestra.
2. Chairman's Address.
3. Knowlton Orchestra.
4. Song, by Dr. Lambly.
5. Remarks, by the Secretary.
6. Knowlton Orchestra.
7. An Address, by Judge Foster
8. Song, by Mr. E. P. Stevens
9. Brome Orchestra.
10. Violin Duett, by Mrs. Fay and Miss Curtis.
11. Song, by Mrs. Judge Lynch
12. An Address, by Col. 0. P. Patten.
13. Song, by George L. Duncan.
14. Knowlton Orchestra, and God Save the King.
The audience was large, attentive and appreciative, and as it was announced that for the present the membership fee would be only twenty-five cents, the Secretary was authorized to inscribe the fol- lowing as members of the Brome County Historical Society, and the fees were by the following paid: — Hon. Judge Lynch, Samuel W. Foster, Azro Chandler, Mrs. Edgar Chapman, Charles Nelson Ruiter, Julius M. Rulter, Ernest S. Ball, Merrill Davis, Mrs. Nathan- iel Pettes, William Chapman, John C. Draper, Ernest Fleury, J. N. Davignon, W. C. Hunter, A. M. Hunter, Charles Percival Hunter, Albert E. Cook, R. E. Miller, W. W. Smith, Nelson Pettes Emerson, Dr. W. O. Lambly, Charles E. Pettes, W. H. Bullard, Mrs. G. F. Hall, Miss Hettie Curtis, Edgar Chapman, the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, M.A.
Persons who have since paid their membership fees: —
Jan. 23.— F. P. Channell, Channell, East Bolton.
March 9. — Eben S. Miltimore, Scottsmore; Marion D. Scott, Scottsmore; Eugene A. Dyer, Button; James Robinson, North Sut- ton; James C. Pettes, West Brome; Rufus N. England, Knowlton; Orlando Soles, Knowlton; Sarah K. Foster, Knowlton; Frederick A. Knowlton, Knowlton; Austin W. Pettes, Knowlton; Frederick A. Olmstead, Button; Jeremiah C. Pettes, Knowlton; Hiram Sewell Foster, Knowlton; Thomas A. Vaughan, East Bolton.
March 29. — Ezra Nath. Davis, West Bolton.
April 7. — Moses Hoag Bedee, Knowlton.
Aug. 18.— Dr. W. W. Chalmers, Magog; Senator G. B. Baker, Sweetsburg; Joseph Gawne, Boys' Home, Montreal.
Aug. 29. — Lee Ralph Wells, Gilman, Brome Co.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary-Treasurer.
On the 9th of March, 1898, in accordance with a notice which had been published in several of the newspapers circulated in the dis- trict of Bedford, a meeting of the Brome County Historical Society was held in the Pettes Memorial Hall.
There were present, Hon. Justice Lynch, President; Lester Ball, Esq., and Mr. S. W. Foster, Honorary Presidents; James C. Pettes, Brome, Director; Col. O. P. Patten, Brome, Director; Mr. F .A. Knowlton, Mrs. Nathaniel Pettes, and Mrs. Shufelt, and Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, Secretary-Treasurer.
The President reported that the County Council had cordially consented to the organization and consequent incorporation of the Society. He deposited one copy of the document leading to in- corporation with the Secretary.
The question of the Brome Monument came up, and, on motion of Col. Patton, seconded by Mr. Ball, the following were appointed as the committee to make such arrangements as could be made provisionally, and report to the Society: —
Monument Committee — The President, the Secretary, Judge Foster, Mr. J. C. Pettes, and Mr. Eben Miltimore. — Carried.
Constitution and By-Laws. — It was moved by Judge Foster and seconded by Mr. James Pettes, that the President, the Secretary and Col. Patten, be a committee to draft the constitution and by- laws.— Carried.
History. — The question of a history was introduced through a communication from Mr. Cyrus Thomas.
It was felt that the three societies of the district should act in concert in the matter of a history and at the present time, with
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incomplete organization, in the whole district, no separate responsi- bility can be well assumed.
The Secretary was instructed to make a reply to Mr. Thomas embodying these views.
The Directors for Brome and the Directors for Potton have been appointed some time ago, and are above recorded.
On motion of Mr. Ball, and seconded by Judge Foster, the follow- ing Directors were appointed: —
Sutton.— Wm. Brown, E. A. Dyer, Dr. R. T. MacDonald, and John Draper.
East Farnham. — Hiram Addison Lawrence, West Shefford; Eli W. Higgins, Brigham; Rev. R. D. Mills, Brigham; and Philip W. Taber, Adamsville.
East Bolton. — W. Harvey Austin, Aylmer Place; F. P. Channell, and David Randall.
West Bolton. — R. P. Duboyce, David A. Giddings, Ezra Nathaniel Davis, David Cousens.
The meeting then adjourned, to meet again at the call of the President.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary-Treasurer.
The annual meeting of the Brome County Historical Society was held on Jan. 28, 1899, in the Pettes Memorial Hall. There were present Hon. Judge Lynch, President, in the chair; Judge S. W. Foster, Col. Patten, Messrs. David Cousens, Wm. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. R. N. England, Principal Honeyman, Mrs. John Hall, Mrs. S. W. Foster, Mrs. Jeremiah C. Pettes, A. W. Pettes, David J. Randall, Rev. D. T. Cummings, H. S. Foster, the Secretary, and others.
Judge Lynch gave a very interesting address, referring to the history of the Society, and its objects. He reported that the com- mittee to attend to the matter of a monument for Brome, to mark the site of the first habitation, had met, and made very encourag- ing progress.
The minutes of the last meeting were read, and confirmed on motion of Judge Foster, seconded by Col. Patten.
Constitution Committee. — The Committee appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws made report. The members of the com- mittee being, the Hon. Judge Lynch, Col. O. P. Patten, and the Secretary. After consideration, the report was adopted as follows:
CONSTITUTION.
Name. — This Society shall be called the Brome County Historical Society.
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Objects. — Its objects shall be the preservation of such matters as shall be of local historical interest and the improvement of its members.
Officers. — Its officers shall consist of Honorary Presidents, a President, a Secretary and Treasurer, a Vice-President for each township in the county, and four Directors for each township, of which the Vice-President of the Society, representing his town- ship, shall be one. The Vice-Presidents shall be Presidents in their respective townships.
Executive Committee. — There shall be an Executive Committee. This Executive Committee shall be composed of the Honorary Presidents, the President and the Secretary and Treasurer.
Annual Meeting. — There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Society, which shall take place in the month of August each year.
Meetings. — Meetings may be called by the President or at the request of any two members of the Executive Committee.
BY-LAWS.
Fees. — The annual fees ot members shall be not less than 25 cents.
Life Members. — The payment of the sum of five dollars at one time shall entitle the donor to the position of life member.
Bequest. — The following shall be the form of bequest h> the Society: —
I give and bequeath to the Brome County Historical Society the sum of dollars, out of my pure personalty, to be paid, ex-
pended and applied by the said Society for the benefit of the Brome County Historical Society, and the receipt or receipts of the Treasurer of the Society for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor.
For the bequest of real estate the form may be as follows: —
I give and devise unto the Brome County Historical Society (set- ting out the lands as accurately as possible) to be held or disposed of by the said Society for the benefit of the same.
The foregoing was adopted on motion of Judge Foster, seconded by Mr. R. N. England.
Col. Patten gave a very animated and instructive address on history, in which he referred to the fact that a large number of the original settlers of the County came from the then Township of Hampton, in New Hampshire.
He stated that much valuable information could be obtained by us by writing to the secretary of the New Hampshire Historical Society, at Concord.
Judge Foster gave an able address, and Mr. David Cousens and Mrs. Foster, gave encouraging speeches.
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The President having called attention to the matter of a museum, and of the prospect of obtaining room in the unused story of the New Academy, the following committee was appointed to wait upon the School Commissioners of the village of Knowlton, with view to obtaining the use of the desired space: — Hon. Judge Lynch, Judge Foster and Rev. Ernest M. Taylor.
It was mooved by Mrs. S. W. Foster, seconded by Rev. D. T. Cummings, that we the members of the Brome County Historical Society, in annual meeting assembled, wish to. express our warmest sympathy with Mrs. Nathaniel Pettes in her affliction, and our ardent hopes that she may soon recover. Carried unanimously.
Moved by Mrs. S. W. Foster, and seconded by Col. O. P. Patten, that the Secretary is hereby authorized to procure books for the Vice-Presidents to use as Presidents of their several Townships, for the purpose of entering names and making a register of the fees of members. Carried.
It was moved by R. N. England, Esq., and seconded by Judge Foster, and resolved that the same officers continue to hold office until the next annual meeting, which, by the constitution, is to take place in August. — Carried.
It was moved by Mrs. S. W. Foster, seconded by Rev. D .T.
It was moved by Mrs. S. W. Foster, and seconded by Mr. David Cousens, that the thanks of this meeting are due and be hereby tendered to His Honor Judge Lynch and the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor for their labors in behalf of this Historical Society.
Judge Foster acted as temporary chairman, putting the motion, which was enthusiastically carried, and to this motion the Presi- dent and Secretary made suitable reply. The meeting then closed.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary.
Annual meeting held in the new museum, Knowlton, Aug. 31, 1899. Hon. Judge Lynch in the chair. Present: — H. C. Knowlton, Knowlton; Principal Moore, Knowlton; Mrs. Frank Williams, Knowlton; Miss Eunice Barber, Knowlton; Mr. J. E. Fay, Knowl- ton; Col. 0. P. Patten, Brome; Messrs. Eben Miltimore, West Brome; Dr. McGowan, Knowlton; John Draper, Button Junction; John P. Noyes, Cowansville; W. W. Smith, Button; Eugene A. Dyer, ex-M.P., Suitton; Efti Higgins, Brigham; Moses H. Bedee, Knowlton; Rev. D. T. Cummings, Knowlton; Daniel Giddings, Bol- ton; W. N. Gibson, Cowansville; Dr. and Mrs. Hemming, Knowl- ton; Miss Hemming, Judge Foster and Mrs. Foster, Knowlton, and others.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
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Judge Lynch briefly addressed the meeting. On motion of Judge Foster, seconded by Mr. H. C. Knowlton, the same officers as before were elected, with the exception that in case of Potton the name of D. A. Manson be placed first.
It being reported to the Society that Mrs. Wm. Brown had died during the year, it was moved by Mr. Ernest M. Taylor, seconded by Mr. John Draper, and resolved, that the Secretary be requested to write a suitable letter to Mr. Wm. Brown, one of the Directors of the Society, expressing sympathy with him in his bereavement.
During the year since the last annual meeting Mrs. C. M. Day, a historian of the Eastern Townships, having passed away, a motion expressing sympathy with her bereaved family, was passed, and the Secretary was instructed to convey this expression of sym- pathy in the form of a letter addressed to Mr. W. K. Knowlton, son-in-law of Mrs. Day, the said W. K. Knowlton being Secretary of the Shefford County Historical Society.
Moved by Judge Foster and seconded by Mr. Noyes, that the President and Secretary be authorized to accept from Mr. Dufresne the land on which the Austin memorial stone is erected.
The Secretary called attention to the relics now in the museum.
Moved by' Mr. H. C. Knowlton, and seconded by Judge Foster, that the Secretary be requested to enquire as to the grounds or evidence on which the date 1782 has been put on the monumental stone at Austin Bay, and to report at the next meeting. — Carried.
Moved by Judge Foster, seconded by John Draper, that the thanks of the Society are due and are hereby tendered to the Secretary- Trasurer, the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, for his great and persistent efforts in behalf of this Society. — Carried.
Moved by Judge Foster, seconded by Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, and supported in a speech by Col. Patten .that the thanks of the Society are due and are hereby tendered to Judge Lynch, the President of the Society, for his very efficient services. Carried unanimously. Meeting Adjourned.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary.
A special meeting of the Brome County Historical Society was held on the grounds of Ebenezer Miltimore, in the Township of Brome, on October 21st, 1899, pursuant to public notice, at which were present the Hon. W. W. Lynch, J.S.C., President of the Society, and other officers and members thereof, it was moved by Director Col. O. P. Patten, and seconded by Director James C. Pettes, and unanimously resolved, that the Secretary-Treasurer, the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, be and he is hereby authorized to accept on behalf of
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this Society, from Ebenezer Miltimore, of the Township and County of Brome, yeoman, the deed of gift which he has (part of cadastral lot No. F, of the said township of Brome), on which there is stand- ing, and has been unveiled this day by this Society, with proper ceremonies, a monumental stone, bearing the following inscription:
1795."
FIRST HOUSE,
TOWNSHIP BROME.
COLLIN'S,
B. C. H. S.
21, 10,
1899.
with fifteen feet of land on all sides of the said monumental stone, from the centre thereof, together with the said stone and the right of way to the same as defined by him.
Memo. — The deed has been made. And Mr. M. O. Hart, Notary, has made out the deed and made no charge for the same.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary.
On Oct. 21, 1899, the Society also held a meeting at Brigham, for the celebration of the centennial of East Farnham. This was largely attended, and it was held in the Dufferin School Gymnasium Hall, and the girls of Dunham Ladies' College contrib- uting to the entertainment, giving college songs and instrumental music. His Honor Judge Lynch, President, was in the chair. The East Farnham Directors were: Messrs. H. A. Lawrence, Eli W. Higgins, Rev. R. D. Mills, and Philip W. Taber, being also present.
Mr. Botsford, of Dufferin School, gave an excellent resume of the Gale papers.
Relics were exhibited, and explained by the Rev. R. D. Mills.
Addresses were given by the President and Secretary, by the Rev. R. D. Mills, Col. Patten, Professor Cox, and Dean Walton, of McGill University. It was moved by Rev. E. M. Taylor, seconded by Rev. R. D. Mills, and unanimously resolved: — That Mr. H. A. Lawrence be authorized to acquire by gift or otherwise the site of the Gale burying ground. Mr. Caverley stated that steps should be taken to preserve the historic Wells burying ground, in which are graves bearing date of death in 1799. It was moved by the Rev. R. D. Mills, seconded by Mr. H. A. Lawrence, that thanks be given to those who have spoken and otherwise helped the historical work. — Carried. To this Dean Walton made witty reply. Thus,
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with " God Save the King," closed a successful centennial celebra- tion.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary.
In regard to the Brome monument Jackson Sweet, moved the stone and placed it, at considerable expense, and made charge of only five dollars, which was donated and paid by Judge Lynch.
The annual meeting of the Brome County Historical Society was held in the Academy, Aug. 15, 1900. Judge Lynch, President, was in the chair. There were present: — Judge Foster, Mr. E. S. Milti- more, Mr. C. Miltimore, Mr. Aylmer Place, Rev. Mr. Elliott, and Mr. H. A. Lawrence. The Secretary also being present, The minutes of last meeting were read and accepted.
Moved by Judge Foster, and seconded by Mr. Aylmer Place, that the resolution adopted by this Society on Aug. 31, 1899, respecting the acquisition of the land on which the Bolton Centennial Stone is placed, be rescinded and replaced by the following:
That the President of this Society, Hon. W. W. Lynch, or the Secretary, Rev. E. M. Taylor, be authorized to acquire from Mr. Dufresne the title to the land upon which the Bolton Centennial Stone is placed, for such an extent, and upon such conditions as he may be able to agree upon with Mr. Dufresne.
Moved by Rev. E. M. Taylor, and seconded by Mr. Aylmer Place, that the resolution affecting the Gale burying ground be amended as follows: That the President, Hon. W. W. Lynch, the Secretary, Rev. E. M. Taylor, or H. A. Lawrence, be, and either of them is, hereby authorized to acquire from H. Larose, of East Farnham, the land on which is erected the tomb of the late Judge Gale, and a sufficient extent of land to permit of free circulation around it, as also a convenient right of way from the highway to said piece of land, upon the best terms which can be obtained from said Larose.
Moved by Mr. S. W. Foster, and seconded by Mr. H. A. Lawrence, and carried unanimously, that the thanks are due and are hereby tendered to Mr. Moses Hart, Notary Public, of Cowansville, for his kindness to the Brome County Historicar Society, in making out the deed of conveyance to the Society of the land on which the Brome County Memorial Stone now stands, and making a present to the Society of all his rightful charges for the said services.
Moved by Judge Foster, and seconded by Rev. E. M. Taylor, that the thanks of the Society are due and are hereby tendered to Mr. E. S. Miltimore. for his generous gift of the land on which is situated the Brome Township Memorial Stone.
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Mr. Miltimore accepted this resolution in a few appropriate words.
Moved by Mr. Miltimore and seconded by Mr. Aylmer Place, that the thanks of this Society are due and are hereby tendered to Mr. Jackson Sweet, for his services in moving the monumental stone on the Miltimore farm, and that in recognition of his cervices, he be and is hereby made an honorary life member of the Society. — Carried unanimously.
Moved by Rev. E. M. Taylor and seconded by Mr. Place, that Mrs. (Rev.) E. J. Fessenden, Hamilton, and Mr. E. B. Gustin, Marlington,, and Rev. J. A. Elliott, be elected corresponding members of the Society. — Carried.
Moved by Rev. E. M. Taylor, and seconded by Mr. E. S. Miltimore, that a Committee on Historical Evidence, consisting of Judge Lynch, Judge Foster ,and the Secretary, Rev. E. M. Taylor, be ap- pointed.— Carried.
On motion of Judge Foster, and seconded by Mr. Elliott, the same officers were re-elected for the next year.
Moved by Rev. E. M. Taylor, and seconded by Mr. H. A. Lawrence, that the President be authorized to apply to the Government for an annual grant to this Society, for four or five years, to carry on its work. Carried. Adjourned.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary-Treasurer.
The annual meeting of the Brome County Historical Society was held Aug. 15, 1901, in the Museum in the Academy, Knowlton. Among those present were the following: — Hon. Judge Lynch, Rev. E. M. Taylor, Mrs. Benjamin and Miss Gower, Mr. Honeyman, Mr. S. W. Foster, Mrs. Pettes, Mr. H. A. Lawrence, Mr. H. S. Foster, Mr. Lester Ball, Rev. W. H. Stevens, Master Harold Taylor, Dr. McGowan, Sergeant Wherry, Mr. Davignon, Mr. Charles Cotton, Mrs. J. P. Hall and Col. O. P. Patten.
The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and accepted.
The Hon. Judge Lynch, the President, spoke as follows: — Ladies and Gentlemen, and members of the Brome County Historical Society, —
Individually and as President, I have great pleasure in welcoming you to this, the annual meeting of our Society. Since we last met a few things have occurred of special interest to the Society. Last fall, I visited the Messrs. Dufresne, at East Bolton, who received me very graciously, and cheerfully consented to give the Society a free deed of the piece of land on which was placed a stone to commemorate the erection of the first house in that section of
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country. Owing to the fact that in the survey upon which the cadastral plan of that locality was prepared, this particular piece of land was laid out as a street; it was deemed best to take for the time being, a promise of sale until such time as another plan, which the Messrs. Dufresne contemplate having made, is prepared, doing away with this projected street.
About the same time I visited the spot in East Farnham set apart as the burying ground of the late Samuel Gale, and on which a monument was erected many years ago. The present proprietors were not willing to concede this piece of land, together with the necessary right of way to it from the highway, without remunera- tion; and. after some considerable discussion, I finally agreed to give them $50 for the land, on which the monument stands, and fifteen more feet on each side, together with a right of way twelve feet wide, from the highway — the Society being obliged to make and maintain a proper fence around the piece sold and along the right of way (the latter only in case the proprietors regarded it as necessary). The question then was, where was the $50 to come from; but, generally, where there is a will to do a thing, a way is found by which it can be done.
Shortly after this bargain was made, our Secretary had occasion to visit Montreal; and while there he paid a visit to Mrs. Sterry Hunt, the grand-daughter of the late Samuel Gale, and with that facility with which he accomplishes most things which he under- takes, he succeeded in impressing Mrs. Hunt with the importance of this work, which the Society had undertaken and left her with the requisite $50 in his pocket.
During the course of the winter the deed was passed; and, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Hart, before whom the deed was executed, and to Mr. H. S. Foster, the Registrar, the transaction was com- pleted, without any additional expense.
A week ago to-day the Society had a most successful excursion to the once celebrated Isle-Aux-Noix and now the most interesting place, historically speaking, which we have in this vicinity.
It was participated in by a large number of the members of the Society and their families, as well as by many of its well wishers.
We are deeply indebted to William Mead Patterson, Esq., of Clarenceville, a well-known worker in the field of historical re- search, for a valuable paper (which he read) on the early history of the Island, and the country immediately surrounding it.
At our last 'meeting I was deputed to urge upon the Provincial Government the claims of this and other similar societies for finan- cial assistance to enable them to carry to a successful end one of the principal objects of their formation, namely, the preparation and the publication of local county histories. Shortly before the
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last session of the Legislature, I wrote the Hon. Mr. Duffy, the member for the county, who had then become the Treasurer, urging upon him the importance of the work which the Society had in view, and its inability to accomplish it unless aid could be procur- ed from outside. He replied, admitting the desirability of doing what I asked, but stating that it was then impossible for the gov- ernment to grant it. I felt myself bound to accept Mr. Duffy's declaration; but I am not disposed to regard it as final.
One of the goals of our ambition is, to cause to be prepared, under the auspices of the Society, a comprehensive history of the county of Brome. the date when the letters patent were issued establishing the different townships of which it is composed, to the present time. Much of the material required for this purpose can only be found in the archives at Ottawa; and it will be necessary that the person undertaking the work, should spend much time in examining the papers which can only be found there, and in gather- ing from them the information imperatively needed. It will further require a personal visit to every locality in the county, and a personal interview with nearly every person in the county.
This work has already been neglected too long; and every year that passes is rendering it more difficult. One of our misfortunes in Canada is, that we do not sufficiently and properly appreciate our own history, which is a grand and glorious one. We are all Canadians, first and always; and we should know our country better than I am sorry to say that we do.
The principal factor in this regrettable condition of things is is the want of a comprehensive history of the country as a whole; and we shall not have such an history until the little details which would go to make up county histories are gathered together.
There is not a county, and hardly a township in the New Eng- land States which has not its own history; and the result is that every youth in those states is perfectly familiar, not only with the general history of the whole country, but equally with that of his own locality; and he is proud of both. I know of no subject, more than this one, which deserves recognition at the hands of the Provincial Government, it is intimately connected with the general education of the people.
I would gladly advise that a petition be presented to the Legisla- ture at its next session praying for assistance in this direction. One hundred dollars a year for the next five years is the extent of our wants; and surely the request is not an extravagant one.
I trust that our Treasurer will be able to present to-day such a satisfactory financial statement as will justify us in publishing a report of our proceedings since the organization of the Society. I am confident that our members will be pleased to have such a
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report, and it will be useful in conveying to our sister societies a knowledge of what we have done.
Within a short time two young men, Eugene Wherry and Thomas Geer, residents of this county, have returned to their homes from the war in South Africa. Strictly speaking it may not be within the province of this Society to notice such events; but in this instance it has occurred to me that we might. So far as I am aware, they are the only ones from this county who have been permitted to take part in that memorable struggle — they have honored us all as Canadians — and through the providence of God, they have been permitted to return to their respective homes in perfect health. I would suggest the adoption by the Society of resolutions congratulating them upon their bravery and loyalty in going forth to fight the battles of our common country, upon their good fortune in being able to return safely to their homes and families.
The centenary of the issue of the letters patent establishing the township of Button, will be Aug. 31 next; and it may not be amiss to now direct the attention of the Directors to taking the necessary steps to properly celebrate that important event.
I would suggest that Mr. M. O. Hart, be made an honorary mem- ber of the Society. He lives in Missisquoi county, but he has always manifested a warm interest in the affairs of the Society, and has on several occasions refused to accept pay for important professional services rendered to the Society; and also that the thanks of the Society be tendered to Mrs. Sterry Hunt, H. S. Foster, Esq., and the Messrs. Dufresne, for their generosity and kindness.
It only remains for me to now thank the members of this Society for the great honor which they conferred on me in electing me as the first President, and for their continued confidence in since re- taining me in the same position, and in this connection I desire to particularly thank our active and efficient Secretary-Treasurer for his valued services. He is the life of the Society; and to him alone is due the credit of the collection to be found in our embryo museum.
I had intended saying to-day that I would decline re-election as President, but the Rev. Mr. Taylor asks me not to do so, but to continue with him the work which we began together; and I feel I should not refuse his request,
Judge Foster spoke very warmly commenting upon the activity and interest of Judge Lynch in the Society.
Moved by Judge Foster and seconded by Mr. H. S. Foster, that the speech of the President be engrossed in the minutes of the Society.
The Rev. E. M. Taylor presented his report as Treasurer, in
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which he stated that at the present time all bills against the Society have been paid, and there is a balance in the treasury of $18.15, with further receipts in anticipation.
Moved by Mr. Lester Ball, seconded by Mr. H. S. Foster, that the Secretary do prepare and cause to be printed in pamphlet form the proceedings of this Society from the date of its organization down to, and including, those of the present meeting — for distribu- tion among the members, and for presentation to sister Historical Societies and otherwise, as will best promote the interests of the Society. — Carried.
Moved by Mr. Lester Ball, and seconded by Mr. H. A. Lawrence, that Mr. M. O. Hart, N.P., in recognition of professional services rendered, and of his interest in the Society, be elected a life mem- ber.— Carried.
Moved by Rev. E. M. Taylor, seconded by Col. O. P. Patten, that the thanks of the Society be tendered to Mrs. Sterry Hunt, Mr. H. S. Foster, and the Messrs. Dufresne, for their respective acts of kindness and generosity to the Society. — Carried.
Moved by Rev. E. M. Taylor, seconded by Col. O. P. Patten, that this Society and the members composing it, have heard with intense satisfaction of the enthusiasm with which loyal Canadians respond- ed to the call of the Empire for assistance to maitain its supremacy in South Africa. That it was especially gratifying to know that among the patriotic sons of Canada, who went forth to battle in defence of our common country were two residents of Brome County — Eugene Wherry and Thomas Geer, both of the village of Knowlton.
That it was with deepest pride that we continued to hear from time to time of the devotion and loyalty of these two young men, fighting side by side with their fellows from all parts of the vast Empire, for the maintenance of British institutions in that far off land.
That our hearts have been filled with the fondest emotions of joy on learning that they both have returned, after being honorably discharged, to their respective families without harm or injury of any kind.
That this Society, desirous of placing on record its appreciation of the services rendered to the country by these young men, enrolls them as honorary members, and wishes them careers of honored usefulness. — Carried.
Moved by Mr. Lester Ball, and seconded by Mr. H. A. Lawrence, that the President and Secretary be authorized to petition the Provincial Government for assistance to enable it to prepare for publication a history of the County of Brome, and to invite the
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co-operation of similar societies in other parts of the Province. — Carried.
Moved by Judge Foster, seconded by Mr. H. S. Foster: Whereas since the last annual meeting of the Brome County Historical Society it has pleased Almighty God to remove by death our Gracious Sovereign, Queen Victoria, of blessed memory, we as mem- bers of the Brome County Historical Society, in annual meeting assembled, desire to place on record our thanksgiving for the benefits of her long and glorious reign, and our grief at her depar- ture, and take the opportunity of pledging our loyalty to her ilustri- ous son, King Edward VII., and express our ardent hope that he may have a long and ever increasingly prosperous reign. — Carried unanimously.
Judge Foster and Col. Patten spoke eloquently in praise of the Canadian troops, and especially calling attention to the siege of Mafeking, in which Sergeant Wherry was an actor. The Rev. W. H. Stevens also supported the motion in a few well chosen remarks. Sergeant Wherry then replied, and fittingly acknowledg- ed the honor done him by the Society. He stated that he expects to return to South Africa.
Moved by Judge S. W. Foster, seconded by Mr. H. S. Foster, that a History of the County of Brome be prepared, and that the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor be, and is hereby, appointed as the Historian.
Moved by Mr. H. A. Honeyman, seconded by Judge Foster, that the same officers as last year be re-elected, with thanks for their services. — Carried.
W. W. LYNCH, ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
President. Secretary-Treasurer.
BROME TOWNSHIP CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The celebration of the centennial of the settlement of the Town- ship of Brome was held on Wednesday, Aug. 18, on the farm of Mr. Ebenezer Miltimore, West Brome, and a large number of people participated in the pleasant and interesting proceedings.
Judge Lynch, Judge Foster, and Mr. Lester Ball were the prime movers in getting up the affair, which will be of historical interest to future generations, and has aroused the same interest in the minds of those present and many others that only a well written history of this part of the country will fully satisfy. That such a history has a chance of coming into existence is probable from the formation of the Brome County Historical Society, which was one of the events of last Wednesday.
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Besides the serious part of the programme, for which the people of Brome were primarily called together, a basket picnic was held in the grove, and games were indulged in, one of which was a base- ball game between West Brome and Cowansville, resulting in a defeat of the latter.
THE SPEAKERS.
The chair was accepted by Mr. Lester Ball, of Brome Corner, whose personal history, and that of the late Captain Ball, his father, is reminiscent with events connected with the history of the Town- ship. It was Mr. Ball who first suggested the idea of the celebration. He found hearty co-workers in Judge Lynch and Judge Foster^.
His Honor Judge Lynch was the first gentleman called upon to speak, and he gave a very interesting historical sketch, replete with facts and dates, which we would like to publish verbatim, but regret that for various reasons we are not able to do so.
On Aug. 18, 1797, the townships of Brome and Bolton were legally opened up for settlement by the issuance of letters patent from the Castle St. Louis, Quebec, by the Governor-in-Chief of Lower Canada, Robert Prescott. Some settlers had entered before that time.
Judge Lynch has an early public notice by Col. Knowlton, offer- ing for sale thirty thousand acres of land in the Township of Brome. The whole Township then consisted of 58,460 acres.
In 1797 what now makes up the County of Brome was part of the County of Richelieu. Afterwards a portion of the county was in- cluded in Missisquoi, and the other portion was included in Shefford.
For many years Bolton and Potton belonged to Stanstead County. In 1853 what now makes the present County of Brome was erected into an electoral district and termed the East Riding of the County of Missisquoi. In 1856 the present boundaries of the county were fixed and the name Brome County given to it.
The first exhibition was held at Frost Village, in 1834, Aug. 27.
Judge Lynch exhibited a stone axe head dug up on his farm ami a stone rod found on the shores of Brome lake.
The first house erected in Brome Township was by a pioneer named Collins on a spot a short distance from where the gathering was held on Wednesday. It was on a hill and overlooked the valley and a range of hills to the north.
The first person buried in the township was a daughter of th:s Collins.
Interesting speeches were made by Judge Foster, Hon. S. \. Fisher, Hon. H. T. Duffy, Rev. E. M. Taylor, and Col. Patten.
Judge Foster stated that during his father's time, Derby Line, Vermont, was the post-office for this region, and that once a month the people sent a messenger or courier to Derby Line, Vermont, for
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their mails, and that it was distributed for. twenty miles around.
In 1856 the present boundaries of the county were fixed and the name Brome County given to it. Judge Foster said that when Brome was a part of Shefford County a man of the name of Lemesurier, of the city of Quebec, came up to Shefford as a candi- date, drawn by a team of six dogs, and that in some measure this amusing team contributed to his defeat. The successful candidate was Colonel Paul H. Knowlton.
The Rev. Mr. Taylor exhibited a blacksmith's tool, owned by his great grandfather, a United Empire Loyalist, Daniel Taylor, who was one of the associates to whom, under leadership of Nicholas Austin, Governor Prescott issued letters patent on Aug. 18, 1797, to settle and hold the Township of Bolton.
In his speech Judge Foster suggested the formation of an histori- cal society. The Hon. Messrs. Fisher and Duffy warmly approved of this. The officers elected to the society, called the Brome His- torical Society, are: — Hon. Presidents, Mr. Lester Ball, Brome Corner; and Judge Foster, Knowlton; President, Hon. Judge Lynch, Secretary-Treasurer, Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, Knowlton; Directors, Hon. S. A. Fisher, Col. Patten, Jeremiah Pettes, and Jas. C. Pettes.
Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, Judge Lynch, Judge Foster, Mr. Ebenezer Miltimore and the Knowlton Band.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE SETTLEMENT OF POTTON.
(From the Knowlton " News," Oct. 8, 1897.)
The celebration in Mansonville, on Saturday last, was a most gratifying success in every respect. Mr. Levi A. Perkins acted as chairman, and his savoir faire and commanding presence gave dignity and tone to tl* whole proceedings. Mr. D. A. Manson was the first speaker, and dwelt upon the early history of the township and gave important information regarding the past, present and future. Judge Lynch was eloquent, as usual, entertaining the audience with a fund of information, calling up the many times he had faced an audience in Potton, and the associations he had form- ed here in days gone by. The Hon. H. T. Duffy met with a warm reception, captivating the audience with his eloquence. The Rev. E. I. Rexford was most eloquent, which, with his fine voice, was listened to with pleasure. The Rev. E. M. Taylor, as is his wont, overflowed with facts and figures, but as the hour was getting late he was obliged to cut himself short, much to the regret of the
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people. A vote of thanks was tendered to our most worthy chair- man, three rousing cheers for the gentlemanly band, The selection of Messrs. John P. Noyes, Walter Lynch, D. A. Manson and F. F. Soule, as the committee for the Historical Society of Brome County, the one hundredth anniversary of Potton very satis- factorily came to a close. Not a thing to mar the pleasure of the day occurred, the large crowd being most orderly and gentlemanly.
SOME DETAILS.
The Township of Potton, in Brome County, was constituted on Oct. 31, 1797, by Governor Prescott, and a large number of people of this and surrounding townships turned out to honor the centen- nial celebration on Saturday. It was a most successful fete. There was an exhibition of antiquated farm implements and machinery, musical performances by the Knowlton band and school children, a volunteer inspection, and then a bounteous dinner.
Speeches followed, and below we give a brief synopsis of what the orators of the day said:
MR. D. A. MANSON.
From the days when Col. Ruiter, an officer in the King's service, shortly after the American Revolution, came into possession of a large tract of land, upon which he settled, down to the days wnen the Perkins, Gilmans, Mansons, and others, whose names are well known now through their descendants, came across the border, Mr. Manson had the whole interesting story at his fingers' ends. He referred lightly to the days when the townspeople were rather divided over the questions raised by Louis Papineau, making it necessary for some to take trips across the line, and to the promi- nent part taken by this frontier township at the time of the Fenian raid. He concluded with a poetic reference to the sainted fathers of the district, whose graves are now upon the hillsides of this beautiful country they 'helped to make and^, preserve to men of British race.
JUDGE FOSTER
followed with incidents drawn from his family history, which, in- deed, is the history of a good portion of the county. He laid stress upon the fact that of those early settlers many had fought for their own land, the United States, in the war of 1812, but were fore- most in the defence of their adopted country in 1837. He defied the world now, under its high-pressure civilization, to produce grander men or sweeter women than were those of the olden time, when labor-saving machines were not, nor were most of the things we now consider the common comforts of life, in existence. He
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wished w£ now had the same kindly, neighborly feelings which were the rule then. He trusted that the glimpse of the past we were getting to-day would result in a renewed growth of these kindly impulses. In so far as relates to the settlement of Potton, he said, we to-day stand on the dividing line of two centuries. Recognizing our obligations to God, to our noble ancestors, to our homes, and to our prosperous, united Dominion, let us be ready to pass on untarnished our heritage, and the blessings we enjoy to those who succeed us.
HON. JUDGE LYNCH
followed, and said he was glad to witness the success of the celebra- tion, and to notice the interest now being taken in local history. They had good reason to be proud of their past, of the brave, patient souls, who, amid discomfort and anxieties, toiled to make this a habitable country. From the days when, as a budding lawyer, he had visited Mansonville as representative of Judge Foster, he had ever found Potton men worthy representatives of those sires. He believed in cherishing the memories of the past, and hoped for the success in this respect of the Brome County Historical Society, established at the Brome centennial a few weeks before.
HON. H. T. DUFFY
dwelt at length upon the high patriotism which characterized those men a hundred years ago. It was a desire to share in the excellent system of government Canadians enjoyed, which led them to seek homes here. It was admiration for British rule which caused them to strive to preserve the colony to England's king or queen, when trouble and dissensions arose. He did not believe in the cry of a distinct Canadian nation. In view of Canada's environment the idea of an independent Canada was absurd. We needed British connection, British protection, British fostering care, If the coun- try were to become great it would be because of England's mighty aid.
REV. E. I. REXFORD,
Rector of the High School, Montreal, hoped that those present would try to preserve all of the records of the past. His own enquiries had conducted him to a lake bearing his family name in far away Norway. From the connections of his parents with the past of the township, he had a rich fund of original information to draw upon, with incidents full of interest, but unfortunately too long to quote. The study of the past ought to stimulate those present to noble deeds, and was worthy of preservation on that very account.
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REV. W. P. CHAMBERS.
rector of Knowlton, drew from the story of the past a lesson of hope for the followers in the steps of those who had gone through their labors on to rest. Their monument was all around in the fruitful fields and pleasant homes. The hardships they would have to over- come would be as nothing compared with those their forefathers had struggled past. So would they succeed in turn, if true to themselves and their God. ' He deprecated preaching a gospel of dissatisfaction and discontent to men circumstanced as were those before him, and who were and ought to be considered amongst the prosperous of the earth, thanks to the sheltering beneficent care of the Mother Country.
REV. ERNEST M. TAYLOR,
inspector of schools referred to the first establishment of religious teachers and services in the locality, especially mentioning the Rev. Mr. Jones, then in charge of the Church of England congregation at Granby, about thirty-se.ven miles away. He also referred to the Mansonville parochial school, conducted in the gallery of the church by the Rev. J. Godden, where he and Mr. Rexford together received their early education. He suggested the formation of a local com- mittee to co-operate with the Brome Society, and this was immedi- ately decided upon and a committee named.
FIRST CONCERT OF THE BROME COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The concert held in the Brome Hall, under the auspices of the Brome County Historical Society, on Thursday evening, Jan. 13, 1898. was a very gratifying success. The hall was well filled. On the platform were the Honorary Presidents, Lester Ball, Esq., and Judge Foster, Directors James C. Pettes and Col. O. P. Patten, Hon. Justice Lynch and Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, M.A., Secretary-Treas- urer. The Hon. Judge Lynch, the President of the Society, presid- ed, and from the beginning to the close of the long programme, there was nothing to mar the enjoyment of any individual. The opening piece was well presented by the Brome Orchestra, under the able management of Mr. Ernest S. Ball, The Hon. Judge Lynch next addressed the assembly, setting forth the aims of the society. Songs were sung by Dr. W. O. Lambly, Mrs. Lynch, Mr. E. P. Stevens, with orchestral accompaniment, and Mr. George L. Duncan, of the firm of Willis & Co., Montreal.
A violin duet was presented by Mrs. Fay and Miss L. Curtis. Through the entire concert each part was well taken. The Brome orchestra gave two pieces and the Knowlton orchestra three. The
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Knowlton orchestra, under the enthusiastic management of Mrs. Pay has acquired a good reputation for skill, and on this occasion it was more than sustained. The fine toned Bell piano, placed in the hall free of charge, for the concert, by Willis & Co., was much admired, and added much to the music of the evening. In addition to the pieces presented, several encores were also given. Judge Foster very graphically sketched the improvements in the county during the last century, referring to the contrast between lighting houses with a dish containing a rag and some grease, and the electric light now in use. He referred to the desirability of having a history for each county.
Col. Patten, who is quite an encyclopaedia of history, eloquently described the struggles of the early settlers. The Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, the secretary, read letters from Mr. F. F. Channell, of East Bolton; Messrs. H. Addison Lawrence, and E. W. Higgins, of East Farnham; and Mr. Cyrus Thomas, of St. Andrews, the historian of the townships, asking to be enrolled as members, Also a letter from Mr. Walter Lynch, of Mansonville, sending in the following twenty names as members from Potton, and sending with it an express order for five dollars, being the membership fees for the twenty: — Messrs. L. A. Perkins, N. F. Mackay, D. A. Manson, F. F. Soule, James Hyland, Simeon Sargent, William Bashaw, Nelson Boright. Chase Oilman, L. J. Bourne, A. H. Jones, F. H. Perkins, Alvin Barry, C. C. Perkins, A. H. Anger, Geo. W. Holmes, A. E. Hardy, Walter Lynch, W. Ross Browne, Rural Dean and Lyman Knowlton. A message was also received from Mr. J. P. Noyes, of Cowansville, desiring to be enrolled as from Potton, it being his birth-place.
Thanks were presented by the chairman, to the musicians and particularly to Mr. Lester Ball, for his faithful and successful efforts in attending to all the local arrangements. At the close twenty-six persons gave in their names to the secretary and paid their fees. A goodly number were present from Sutton. The Society will hold a meeting for the transaction of business in the month of March in the Pettes Memorial Hall, at Knowlton.
The above report was printed in " The News," Jan. 21, 1898.
A LETTER FROM CYRUS THOMAS, AUTHOR OF HISTORY OF THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS, 1863.
U. E. LOYALISTS.
(To the Editor of the " Witness.")
Sir, — In the " Daily Witness " of Dec. 18, a letter appeared over the signature of " E. T.," in which the writer expressed his doubts that there were any.U.E. Loyalists among the early settlers of the
26
Eastern Townships. The principal reason he assigned for these doubts is that a pioneer of the townships who had resided there many years affirmed that he had never known any among the early settlers of that section, who had left the United States for political reasons. This evidence, in the face of all the proofs that exist to the contrary, is of little value, A closer examination of Canadian history will, no doubt, convince 'E.T.' that his present ideas are slightly erroneous, although it cannot be denied, that there are many who claim to be descendants of U. E. Loyalists, who have no just title to this distinction.
To convince " E. T." of his error, we will glance only at the District of Bedford, among the early settlers of which locality, the following were U. E. Loyalists, as can be proved beyond a doubt: — Jeremiah Spencer and Simpson Jeune, who settled in St. Armand East, and whose descendants are still numerous there, and in the adjacent township of Sutton. Both had formerly lived in Claren- don, Vt, and one of them, at least, if not both, served in the army of Burgoyne; and after the defeat of that general their property was confiscated by the Americans, and they were forced to migrate to Canada, where their loyalty was rewarded by grants of land.
Thomas Shepherd — a neighbor of these two men in the town of Clarendon, Vt. — held the same political principles, for which he became an exile. He was one of the earliest pioneers of the town- ship of Sutton, and many of his numerous descendants still reside there. Major Willard, who settled in the township of Stukely, is one of those mentioned by Dr. Ryerson, in his history of the U. E. Loyalists.
Colonel Samuel Wells, who was obliged to leave the United States - on account of his loyalty to the British Government, received a grant of 1,200 acres of land in the township of East Farnham, and he was soon followed to Canada by his son-in-law, Samuel Gale, another U. E. Loyalist, who obtained an important position in the British service.
The first settlement in the Eastern Townships was made at the head of Missisquoi Bay, (now Phillipsburg), in the fall of 1784, by a party styled " U. E. Loyalists." Whether there is evidence that they were all of this class, I cannot say, but it is certain that one of their number, Phillip Luke, was entitled to this honor. I have no doubt that the descendants of many more of this party could furnish " E. T." with ample proof that their ancestors had the same valid claim to this distinction.
I have mentioned only a few, but as it is a well-known historical fact that about forty-two thousand U. E. Loyalists sought an asylum in Canada, it would be strange if there were not a great many who found their way into the Eastern Townships. •
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It may not be generally known that the term U. E. Loyalist origi- nated in an Order-in-Council of the Imperial Parliament of Nov. 9, 1789, which provided that " all Loyalists who had joined the cause of Great Britain before the Treaty of Separation of 1783, together with their children of both sexes, have the distinction of using the letters U. E. after their names, thus preserving the memory of their devotion to a united Empire." The British Government also voted a sum of three million pounds for the indemnification and assistance of these people.
C. THOMAS,
St. Andrews, Quebec, Dec. 21, 1897.
THE BOLTON CELEBRATION.
On Aug. 18, 1898, at Gibraltar Point, Lake Memphremagog, a large company assembled to celebrate the one hundred and first anniver- sary of granting Letters Patent to Nicholas Austin and his Associ- ates, conveying to them the township of Bolton which was then a township 12 miles by 10 miles in extent.
The day was cloudy but rainless, and everybody seemed happy.
For days before the East Bolton people had been making prepara- tions.
Among those most active must be mentioned Messrs. W. Harvey Austin, the energetic secretary of the committee of arrangements; Aylmer Place, John F. Bryant. Frank P. Channell, David J. Ran- dall, with their wives and members of their families.
Doctor Dufresne and Mr. Thomas Dufresne, who now occupy the old farm, did all they could to contribute to the success of the day.
The old house in which Nicholas Austin, sr., lived, now consider- ably broken down, was trimmed with evergreens and flags, and the platform was placed in front of the same. There were two brass bands in attendance.
As soon as the dinner was over the major part of the people gathered around the platform.
Mr. Aylmer Place called the meeting to order, and, in a well worded speech, announced the Hon. Judge Lynch, the President of the Brome County Historical Society, the chairman of the day.
As His Honor stepped forward he was greeted with cheer after cheer, led by Mr. John F. Bryant, which cheers merged into the well known song " He's a jolly good fellow."
Cheers and songs were given with the well known vigor of the Bolton boys.
On the platform were: — Messrs. W. Harvey Austin, grandson of the leader, David J. Randall, Aylmer Place, John F. Bryant, William Ball, Edson Place, B.A.; Percy Duboyce, B.A.; Rev. E. I.
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Rexford, B.A.; HOB. H. T. Duffy, A. H. Moore, M.P.; Nelson Boright, Mayor of Potton; Judge Foster, and Mr. Lester Ball, honorary presidents of the Brome County Historical Society; Messrs. Charles Thibault, Senator Baker, Revs. D. Brill and W. P. Chambers, M.A.; Col. 0. P. Patten, D. A. Manson, Rev. J. H. Fowler, M.A.; and the Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, M.A., secretary of the Brome County Histori- cal Society.
His Honor Judge Lynch explained that the Society over which he presided only came into existence a few months ago.
As an officer of that Society, but first as a Canadian, he felt proud to take part in such a celebration as the present. These never yet was a nation that grew old in years and greater in power that did not live to regret the absence of early records dealing with its struggle into existence.
It is the object of the Society to gather up and preserve the data in relation to the early history of the Eastern Townships.
From matter preserved in the archives in Ottawa it appears that as early as 1792, Nicholas Austin, of Summersworth, New Hamp- shire, who had rendered valuable services to the British Govern- ment and was a loyal subject of the Crown, began to correspond with the government of Quebec regarding the very land upon which they stood this afternoon. Five years later Austin received the Letters Patent granting to him and his 53 associates the Township of Bolton, which document bears date Aug. 18, 1797.
Judge Lynch announced that he had been in correspondence with the Department of Agriculture at Ottawa and that he learns that there are, stowed away, in the archives of this department, records relating to the early history of the Eastern Townships of vital importance and interest. These ere long will be published.
This announcement was greeted with prolonged cheers and ap- plause.
Mr. Harvey Austin made a brief but very interesting speech.
He stated that his grandfather 'made no less than eighteen trips to Quebec on foot.
Judge Foster, the next speaker, regretted that Mr. Austin's modesty prevented him from giving more of the interesting stories of early times which they were all so willing to hear.
Standing beside this old homestead, his mind went back fifty years to the time when Bolton Township was not what it is now. Even in that fifty years the habits of life had changed. How much more they must have altered in the preceding fifty years, of which unfortunately, there remained no one now to speak. And it was just because of this that they should cherish what lingering rem- nants of that old time which still exist. Such things only increase as time goes past, but become more difficult to secure and collect.
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The Judge concluded his speech with the following eloquent y/ords: —
"With no discouraging features in the past history of Canada, and with every prospect to stimulate us, let us hope that our pos- terity will be inspired to great achievements, and above all, to the highest condition of Christianity. This centennial celebration day will soon be over, and neither we nor our children will see it again, and when, one hundred years hence, others will celebrate the second centennial of this part of Canada, let us hope that a sacred regard to duty may influence public men, public women and private citizens, to lead our Canada onward in her prosperous and happy course, that then, as now, the flag of England will float over no land more free, more prosperous or more happy than this our beloved Dominion of Canada."
Judge Foster then exhibited a number of interesting relics. One was Col. Paul Holland Knowlton's rusty sword, another the bayonet carried by Isaac Hilliker, of West Bolton, in the war of 1812, About all these objects Judge Foster told some interesting story or fragment of history picked up by hearsay.
In a felicitous speech, the Hon. H. T. Duffy addressed the meeting. He spoke of the pleasure it gave him to be among his own people once more. The occasion is one which should be encouraged and perpetuated. This Historical Association is capable of doing a great deal that is useful and important. We live not only in the present, we live in the past. From that past we learn many lessons, and glean much inspiration. No people or nation ever came to anything that did not honor and remember the days and deeds of their fathers.
Especially should we revere the memory of those men, and women, too, who came .here as the first makers of a nation. In introducing Mr. A. H. Moore, M.P., for Stanstead County, His Honor Judge Lynch referred to the fact that originally a part of Magog Township belonged to Bolton.
And hence Mr. Moore came as a representative of a portion of the original Bolton.
Mr. Moore's speech was eloquent and witty, He said he had not brought with him the relics like those which they had seen to-day, but he had brought with him two young ladies who were descendants of one of the first settlers on the shores of Lake Memphremagog. This pioneer, whose name was Johnson, had been taken captive by the Indians, and they had not only con- demned him to die, but had tied him to the stake and started the fire around him, when he gave the sign of distress used by a certain secret society, and this was recognized by some Indians who be- longed to the same order.
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They at once released him, and he lived peacefully on the shores of the lake, one of his descendants being the Magog poetess, Helen Johnson, and her brother, the late Sheriff of St. Francis.
Rev. E. M. Taylor, M.A., a great-grandson of Daniel Taylor, one of the associates with Nicholas Austin, was next called upon to speak. He recited some interesting traditions of early pioneer life in the Eastern Townships. He read the following historical ballad which he had composed for the occasion: —
One hundred years ago to-day,
One hundred years ago, The bear and wolf held ample sway
Where now we fear no foe.
A few brave hearts of loyal trust,
Made war upon the foe, With axe in hand they outward thrust,
One hundred years ago.
On Gibraltar's high and sloping land,
On Memphremagog's shore, Bold Austin with his handy band
Struck out in days of yore.
The fish was plenty for their food,
The game was quick at hand, The partridge eggs or fluttering brood
Were thick upon the land.
Dark forest acres ninety-five
Gave way to smiling corn, And dark-browed men with hope alive
No longer were forlorn.
The corn was pounded into meal,
And cakes sufficient made, And happy, men began to feel
By Elephantis' shade.
But by and by the mill was brought,
Which here you see to-day That by the brook with blessings fraught.
Worked steadily away.
With hominy, samp and johnny-cake
And finest fowl and fish, The cooks of olden time did make
Full many a dainty dish.
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Field followed field and houses rose,
As men and women came With brave, true hearts, as record shows,
The forest wilds to tame.
And as we stand upon the shore,
Where they stood long ago. Comparing now, with days of yore,
We should their virtues show.
If labors hard and scanty fare
Produced a sturdy race, Let us, who greater blessings share,
Prove worthy of their place.
Mr. Taylor referred to the postal conditions when Georgeville was the post-office for East Bolton and when a letter coming from the United States cost twenty-five cents for postage and the regu- lation was then that three-fourths of the postage had to be paid by the sender and the remainding fourth by the receiver.
As in the Eastern Townships the New York shilling, worth twelve and a half cents, and the half shilling worth six and a fourth cents were in circulation; this was easily accomplished. He gave an amusing " Address " which had been written on a letter from Ben- jamin Newhall, of East Saugus, Mass., to one of the early settlers of Bolton, Gorham Page, father of Mrs. Harvey Austin, which ran as follows: —
" Eighteen and three fourths cents I have paid
To ' Uncle Sam ' to be conveyed
To Derby Line without delay,
'Twixt Vermont and Canada;
Thence if John Bull will
Convey me safe to Georgeville,
Six and one-fourth cents I do engage
He shall receive from Gorham Page,
And if said Page will not comply,
I'll lie in Georgeville till I die."
This letter was dated 1837.
He then by request held up to view and explained the history of the little rude old coffee mill, which, one hundred years ago, ground the corn for the early settlers for miles around.
This mill was operated by a little water wheel, placed on a brook running near Mr. Austin's barn.
This was so arranged that a bag of corn would be ground in the
32
night, while the person waiting for his grist would be sleeping at Mr. Austin's house. This mill, by working day and night, would grind eight bushels of corn in the twenty-four hours.
Mr. Taylor was then requested to blow a blast on the shell which had done duty in the Austin home for more than one hundred years, as a dinner horn.
The Rev. Elson I. Rexford, B.A., Rector of the High School, Montreal, who was born in Bolton, made a very interesting and suggestive speech, giving account of his great-grandfather Rexford, who came in winter from Lake Champlain, with an ox team, and coming through the Bolton Pass, crossed by the Holland Mountain, and on the ice entered Austin's Bay, and found entertainment for his family at Mr. Austin's house.
Mr. Rexford spoke of the handicraft of the older times and said that the children of to-day suffer for the lack of that manual train- ing which the necessities of pioneer life compelled.
As when a man could be his own shoemaker, blacksmith, etc., he was a better educated man, and more independent than when he had others to work for him. He urged the young to keep high ideals before them.
Mr. D. A. Manson, ex-M.P. for Brome County, then very ably ad- dressed the meeting.
Mr. Charles Thibault, of Waterloo, gave a particularly witty speech, in which he playfully criticised the previous speakers. At the close of his address the 'little daughter of Mr. J. F. Bryant, of Millington, appeared with a button-hole bouquet for each gentleman on the platform.
The Rev. W. P. Chambers, M.A., of Knowlton, gave a brief ad- dress, in which" he invited his auditors to look from the treasured past to brighter things beyond.
The Rev. D. Brill, of Bast Bolton, spoke briefly, and told that the grandest men he met when serving in California were Bolton boys, sons of Alexander Taylor. Mr. Edson Place, B.A., pf Milling- ton, gave a spirited address, in which he called attention to the incidents of early struggle, when the associates, banded together to conquer the difficulties of a primeval forest, and subdue it to meet the ends of modern civilization. Mr. William Ball, an under- graduate of McGill University, spoke well of the early experiences of hi§ great-grandfather, Nicholas Austin, who, as a quaker, was permitted to drive in the presence of the Governor, at Quebec, and even of the then Prince of Wales, without removing his hat. When Mr. Austin came to the country he had ten thousand dollars in the bank, but spent it all in building up the new country, and died poor, but Bolton was the richer.
Both Mr. Place and Mr. Ball gave evidence of ability that will
make them widely and favorably known in the years that arc to come. While one hundred years ago no schools were found in Bolton, nor were there any for years thereafter, there were now present no less than five Bolton boys, now, university men. And each of them now belongs to some one of the families of first settle- ment in Bolton.
Other speakers declined to address the meeting, as the sun was fast approaching the western hills.
And amid loud cheering the successful celebration, long to be pleasantly remembered, closed.
The improvised museum of relics was exceedingly interesting.
An ancient home-made pipe organ, a powder horn made from a horn of an ox driven into Bolton, over one hundred years ago, by Mark Randall, one of the original associates. Spinning wheels, a loom, a flax hatchel, a wooden plough from Stukely belonging to Mr. A. A. Knowlton.
Ancient tongs, a buttress used by Daniel Taylor, when he came as the first blacksmith, and many other curiosities, which it is hoped may be preserved to find a place in the musuem of the county, which it is expected may ere long take form. Throughout the day Mr. Frank Channell, one of the Directors of the Society, presided over the tables and saw that none hungry went away.
CELEBRATION AT BRIGHAM CENTENNIAL, OCT. 21ST, 1899.
From Brome, where the Brome Monument had been unveiled by the President, Judge Lynch, the party made up of Judge Lynch, Prof. Cox, Dean Walton and Rev. E. M. Taylor drove to Brigham, where, at the Dufferin Grammar School, a large number of the resi- dents of the Townships of East and West Farnham had gathered to fittingly celebrate the centennial of the first settlement made in the township, which at that time was no divided into east and west. It was on October 22, 1799, that the letters patent erecting the town- ship were issued.
The chair was taken by Judge Lynch, who explained the object of the meeting, and the importance of the work the Historical Society is endeavoring to do.
The Rev. Mr. Mills, principal of the school, then explained and exhibited a number of articles of historical interest which had been gathered from various sources for the occasion. One was a coat worn by Hendrick Ten Eyck. a British soldier taken prisoner by the Americans in the revolutionary war, and placed in an American vessel moored off Boston. Ten Eyck and a companion managed to get free of their manacles, and, under cover of darkness slipped into the water. Their absence was almost immediately discovered,
34
and bullets were rained upon them. Ten Eyck's companion sank to rise no more, but he himself managed to make good his escape. He afterwards came to Canada, and settled in Missisquoi. He was the grandfather of the late Andrew Ten Eyck, of Dunham, who died last winter. Mr. Ten Eyck's gun and: sword were also shown, as well as a portrait of his wife, and a New Testament in Dutch, containing the family register.
Mr. Mills also showed the compass of Ephraim Nash, who, in 1796, began the first survey of the Township of Farnham.
Mr. Botsford gave a resume of the papers of the late Samuel Gule. This duty was to have been performed by the late Mr. M. B. Jewell, but his death a few days ago compelled an alteration of the arrange- ments. Considering the short space of time he has had for such a responsible piece of work, Mr. Botsford did remarkably well. The object of his paper was to show that Samuel Gale was a bona fide United Empire Loyalist. He stated that even before the war, which began in 1775, the loyal party in the American colonies was called the United Empire party. The hatred of the revolutionists towards their loyal neighbors was openly shown. In 1784, the British Government ordered surveys in Ontario, Quebec and New Bruns- wick, in order to provide land for twenty-five thousand refugees, called United Empire Loyalists in the official list. The documents "investigated showed that Samuel Gale, had faithfully served the British Government from 1775 to 1783, when he applied for land in the British possessions on account of the losses sustained by him in the colonies because of his loyalty. He was assigned a tract in Farnham, on which what is now called Gale Mountain stands, in the patent it was stated that the grant of land was for services rendered the army in America. Gale also acted as agent for a number of his fellow-petitioners for land. On the lists were notes to show that the refugees had served, and that their means of suste- nance had been taken from them.
Professors Walton and Cox made pleasant little speeches express- ing the pleasure they had taken in the meetings. Col. Patten and Mr. Taylor also spoke.
It was decided that an effort should be made to secure the posses- sion of the piece of land on which the late Samuel Gale's monument now stands, and to restore the stone, which is sadly out of repair.
ff xo,
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SUTTON CENTENNIAL.
The township of Sutton was legally opened up for settlement in 1802. The celebration will take place in Sutton, August 30th. The following is the list of committees appointed at a public meeting, held in Sutton, Monday evening, May 26th, 1902.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
L. E. Dyer, L. L. Jenne, Dr. P. A. Cutter, G. H. Boright, A. W. Westover, R. M. Noyes and Mrs. R. T. Macdonald.
SELECTION OF GROUNDS.
Dr. F. A. Cutter, N. P. Emerson, A. Wallace.
PROGRAMME COMMITTEE.
G. H. Boright, L. E. Dyer, F. A. Olmstead, J. C. Draper. REFRESHMENTS COMMITTEE.
Mrs. Dr. Macdonald, Mrs. Dr. Cutter, Mrs. H. H. Dyer, Mrs. L. E. Dyer and Mrs. L. L Jenne
MUSICAL COMMITTEE.
A. W. Westover, Dr. Macdonald, J. C. Draper. MUSEUM COMMITTEE.
R. M. Noyes, Wm. Brown, W. A. Wells, Geo. F. Cutter, Brock Jones, B. P. Spencer, W. R. Eastman, S. Bresee, Lester Hawley, H. J. Ingalls.
L. E. DYER, L. L. JENNE,
President of Executive. Secretary.
ROOM FOR A MUSEUM GRANTED.
Province of Quebec, Municipality of the Village of Knowlton.
At a meeting of the School Commissioners of the said munici- pality of the Village of Knowlton, in the County of Brome, held at the office of the Secretary-Treasurer in the county building in said Village of Knowlton, on Monday, the thirteenth day of the month of March, eighteen hundred and! ninety-nine, at the hour of sevea of the clock, in the afternoon, at which meeting were present Messrs. Ernest Fleury, Louis L. Ledoux, and Frederick England, all School Commissioners.
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The Chairman, Ernest Fleury, in the chair. The Secretary-Treasurer being also present.
Mr. Frederick England moved, seconded by Mr. Louis L. Ledoux, that the petition of the Brome County Historical Society, asking permission to use part of the unused upper story of the Academy for a Historical Museum of relics of early times in the County of Brome, for such time as the Commissioners shall not require the same, be received and granted, provided the teachers and scholars shall at all times have free access to such museum. — Carried. (Signed)
E. FLEURY,
Chairman. (Signed)
J. E. FAY,
• Secretary-Treasurer.
True copy,
J. E. FAY,
Secretary-Treasurer.
COPY OF A DEED IN THE MUSEUM.
This indenture, made the twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Nine; Before George Adams, Nathaniel Green, Theofiles Tilton, and Elisha Rockwood, yeomen, witnesses, all residing in the Township of Bolton, in the County of Richelieu, in the District of Montreal,— in the Province of Lower Canada, Between Orrin Rexford, of Bolton aforesaid, yeoman, — of the first part ,and Richard Holland, Nathan Hanson, and Amos Winnet Lay, all residing in the said Township of Bolton — Gentlemen, three of five trustees, appointed by the Land Holders of Missisco Parish or District, in the Township of Bolton aforesaid, at a meeting, holden in said Township of Bolton; on the 30th day of May Last past; for the purpose of erecting a School House and superintending the School in said District — of the second part; witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings, current money of the Province aforesaid, the receipt and payment whereof the said party of the first part acknowledges, hath Granted, Bargained and Sold, and by these presents doth Grant, Bargain and Sell, unto the said party of the second part present hereto and accepting, for — and on behalf of the land-holders of, and in the aforesaid District their Heirs and Successors, certain Twenty-five rods of Land in superficies, part and parcel of that Tract of Land, situate, lying and being in the aforesaid Township of Bolton, known and distinguish- ed by Lot Number twenty-eight in the sixth range of Lots in tne said Township; The said Twenty-five rods of land measured and bounded, as follows, that is to say; Beginning upon the Northerly
37
Line of the Highway leading to Montreal, commonly called Magog road: Thence Westerly upon the line of said highway five rods to a Stake and Stones; thence Northerly at right angles with the aforesaid Northerly line of said highway to a Stake and Stones: five rods; thence Easterly parallel with the aforesaid highway five rods; thence Southerly to the place of beginning above mentioned, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof, with the appurtenances thereto belonging. To have and to hold, the same and every part and parcel thereof, with the appurtenances, with the said parties of the second part their Heirs and Assigns from the day next before the day of the date hereof, for and during the term of one whole year, from henceforth next ensuing and fully to be completed and ended, yi tid- ing and paying therefor, at the expiration of said Term, unto the said party of the first part, One Pepper Corn, if demanded. To the intent that by virtue of these presents, and by force of the statute for transferring of uses into possession, the said party of the second part may be in the actual possession of the said premises and appurtenances, and be thereby enabled to take and accept of a grant and release of the reversion and inheritance thereof to him and his Heirs to the only use and behoof of the said party of liie second part, their Heirs and Assigns forever.
In witness whereof, and to the end that the present act may be, to all intents and purposes, valid and authentic in Law, the said parties have this day, month and year first above written, in the presence of the said subscribing witnesses —
to these presents in Two — parts (copies of each other) (first duly read) set their respective hands and seals — one of which Copies or Duplicates to be lodged of record in the office of Leon Lalanne, Esquire. Notary Public, residing at St. Armand in the Disivict aforesaid, for recourse to be thereunto had by all persons concerned.
GEORGE ADAMS,
NATH'L GREENE,
THEO. TILTON,
ELISHA ROCKWOOD,
ORRIN REXFORD,
RICHARD HOLLAND,
NATHAN HANSON,
A. W. LAY.
No. 1636, Received in Stanstead County Registrary Office, George- ville. on the twenty-fifth day of August, 1832, at two o'clock in the afternoon, and enregistered in Volume Fourth, pages 428, 429.
WM. RITCHIE,
Registrar.
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COPY OF DEED OF BROME MONUMENT.
On This Twenty-third day of October, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine. Before Moses O. Hart, the subscribing Notary Public, duly admitted and sworn, residing in the Village of Cowansville, in the District of Bedford and Province of Quebec.
Appeared Ebenezer S. Miltimore, of the Township of Brome, in said District, Yeoman. —
Who, for the consideration hereinafter expressed, hath made a gift iiitcrvivos, pure, simple, and irrevocable, in the best form and manner that a gift can be made for its validity, and doth hereby give, grant, assign, transfer and make over with warranty against all troubles whatsoever to the Brome County Historical Society, a body corporate and politic, having its place of business in tbe Village of Knowlton, in said District.
The Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, of said Village of Knowlton, school inspector, the Secretary-Treasurer of the said Society, authorized for the purposes hereof under a resolution adopted at a special meeting of the said Society, held on the twenty-first day of October instant month (1899) (a certified copy whereof extracted from the minutes of said meeting, is annexed to the original minutes of these presents to form part hereof signed and paragraphed by him and said donor and Notary, for identification), being hereto present and accepting thereof as donee, for the said Society, its representatives and assigns as follows, that is to say:
A plot of ground situate in the said Township of Brome, forming part of the lot of land of said donor, now known and designated on the Official Plan and Book of Reference of the said Township as lot number One (1) upon which, on the said Twenty-first day of October instant, there was dedicated and unveiled by the said Historical Society a monumental stone bearing the following in- scription, "1795 (First House) T'p Brome (Collins), B. C. II. S. (21-10) (1899) "—to contain fifteen feet of land on all sides of the said stone, measured from the centre thereof, together with the said monumental stone, and with the right of way to and from the County highway to and from the said plot of ground by the shortest accessible way, to the said Society, the members thereof and the general public, but not to commit unnecessary damages in so doing.
To Have and To Hold the said plot of ground and monumental stone above described, given and granted, or intended so to be, unto said donee, representatives and assigns forever.
The Present Gift is made in consideration of the appreciation which the said donor feels toward said Society in its endeavor to
perpetuate the early historical events of the County of Brome and because such is his will.
This gift is also made upon condition that the said donee, repre- sentatives or assigns shall not at any time hereafter enclose the said plot of ground or any part of it with any fence or railv/ay except with the consent o fthe said donor, his heirs or assigns previ- ously obtained for that purpose.
Done and passed at Cowansville aforesaid, in the Office of said Notary, the date first before written, under the number ten thousand one hundred and forty and signed after due reading hereof.
(Signed)
E. S. MILTIMORE,
ERNEST M. TAYLOR, Secretary-Treasurer Brome County Hist Soc.
M. O. HART, N.P.
(A true copy.)
UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS.
I am surprised to learn that the question has been raised as to whether any portion of the Eastern Townships was settled by United Empire Loyalists. The great majority of those who settled in Missisquoi County at the first were U. E. L's. During the winter just past I had evidence brought before me of U. E. Loyal- ists in the three counties of Brome, Missisquoi and Shefford. The sturdy Dutch people of New York State came in considerable num- bers. But the descendants of Loyalists from New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts are scattered all through these Counties. Let him who calls in question the validity of U. E. Loyalist remains in the Eastern Townships, go to a stone monument, overgrown by trees, in East Farnham ,and read the following: — " Here rests Samuel Gale, Esq., formerly Acting Deputy Paymaster-General of His Majesty's forces in the Southern Pro- vinces, now the United States of America, subsequently Secretary to His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief of His Majesty's Dominions in North America, author of essays on Public Credit and other works. Born at Kimpton, Hants, England, Oct. 14th, 1747 O. S., died at Farnham. June 27th, 1826. And Rebecca Wells, his wife, born at Deerfield, in Massachusetts, January 23, 1752 0. S. Died at Farnham, January 23rd, 1826. They were married June 25th, 1773. During a union which Providence was pleased to extend to nearly 53 years they lived together with mutual affection." This is in good lettering on the Gale monument, on the slope of Gale Moun- tain, and on the farm which Mr. Gale once owned, consisting of
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one thousand acres. Many of Mrs. Gale's relatives settled in Farn- ham, near West Shefford, and many interesting facts are on the stones marking the early graves in the Wells burying ground, in East Farnham. One stone marks the resting-place of a child of the name of Lucinda Bennett, who died Dec. 23rd, 1799. This is believed to be the first death that occurred in Farnham. If there be the record of any earlier in the Township of East or West Farn- ham I will be glad to know.
ERNEST M. TAYLOR, Secretary Brome County Historical
Society. Knowlton, April 22nd, 1899.
CERTIFICATE OF LOYALTY OF SAMUEL GALE, FROM J. T.
KEMPE, LATE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF NEW YORK,
MAY 9th, 1787.
This is to certify that I have known Mr. Samuel Gale for about Fourteen or Fifteen years last past; for some years before the be- ginning of the late Troubles in North America he held and exercised the Offices of Clerk of the Peace, and Clerk of the Common Pleas of the County of Cumberland in the Province of New York, and that in Virtue thereof he had the recording of Deeds, registering of Mortgages, etc., in that County. That he was likewise a Surveyor of lands, deservedly held in high reputation in that profession, and that from his Residence in a part of the country producing much employment therein, he was in a very fair way (by the exercise of his profession and offices) of making an handsome Fortune, when the Troubles in America commenced; That on that occasion he took a decided Part against the Insurgents, in consequence of which he has lost all his property together with his offices; and the exercise of his profession he has been deprived of from that time to this, and I believe with no Hopes in future of availing himself of it in that country: That when the Royal Army first arrived in New York in 1776, he was employed as cashier by Mr. Barrow, then Deputy Paymaster-General, who has frequently expressed to me the highest approbation of his conduct and the great regard he had for him as a man of Worth and Understanding: That having myself known Mr. Gale for so many years, and believing myself to be intimately acquainted with the Powers of his Mind and the Goodness of his Heart, I have great pleasure in bearing Testimony to both. Mr. Gale has a wife and several children, who. I believe, are in the greatest distress from no other cause than the consequences flowing from his loyalty to His Majesty, Attachment to the British Govern- ment.
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I therefore beg leave to join in recommending Mr. Gale, as a Person of Merit, a faithful Subject, and Servant of the Public for an adequate Provision for himself and Family, either in that mode which has been adopted for the Relief of suffering Loyalists, under the Denomination of "Allowances for services without Military Rank," or in such other Mode as shall be judged most proper.
J. T. KEMPE,
Late Attorney-General New York State. May 9th, 1787.
Original in possession of the Brome County Historical Society.
DEED OF GALE MONUMENT.
On this Twenty-fifth day of February, in the year one thousand nine hundred and one.
Before Moses O. Hart, the subscribing Notary Public in and for the Province of Quebec, practising in the Village of Cowansville, in the District of Bedford,
Appeared, Francois X. Daniel , retired farmer, and Hosanna Larose, farmer, both of the East part of the Township of Farnham, in said District, of the one part : —
And the Brome County Historical Society, a body corporate and politic, by law duly incorporated, having its place of business in the village of Knowlton, in said District, herein represented by and acting through The Honorable William Warren Lynch, of the .said Village of Knowlton, one of the Judges of His Majesty's Super- ior Court for Lower Canada, in his capacity of President of the said Brome Historical Society, and authorized for the purpose and effects hereof, under and by virtue of a resolution adopted at the annual meeting of the said Society, held on the fifth day of August, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, a true copy whereof, certified to by E. M. Taylor, Secretary of said Society, and extracted from the minutes of said meeting, is annexed to the original minutes of these presents to form part hereof, after having been signed and para- graphed HP niriftiir, by the parties hereto, and Notary for identifica- tion, of the other part.
Which said Francois X. Daniel and Hosanna Larose did and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, assign, convey and make over, with warranty against all troubles whatsoever, unto the said Brome County Historical Society hereof accepting as follows, to wit;
A plot of ground to be dismembered from the lot of land situate in the said Township of Farnham, now known and designated on the Official Plan and Book of Reference of the said East part of the said Township of Farnham. as lot number five hundred and
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thirteen (513), which plot contains the mortal remains of the late Samuel Gale, (father of the late Honorable Samuel Gale), and daughter, and was intended by him as a burying ground for him- self and family and comprises all the land whereon the monument erected over his remains now stands, to extend and include fifteen feet more of land, on each side of the outlines of said monument; including a right of way forever over the said lot No. 513, of twelve feet wide, to and from the highway in a line due east to the west side of said plot of ground to and in favor of the said purchaser, their representatives and assigns, the members of said Society, visitors and friends, and other the members and appurtenances thereunto belonging; and all the estate, right, title, interest, property, claim and demand whatsoever of the said vendor of, in or out of the said plot of ground — and premises above described, bargained and sold, or intended so to be, as the same now are.
To have and to hold the said plot of ground and premises unto the said purchaser, its representatives and assigns, as its and their own proper freehold forever; subject to the fencing of the said plot of ground immediately by the said purchaser, by the erection of a good, substantial and legal fence, and of the said right of way whenever hereafter required by said Hosanna Larose, his heirs and assigns and thereafter always keeping so fenced, the said plot of ground and the right of way ; and all this at the sole cost and expense of the said purchaser, its representatives and assigns; it being well understood that the fencing of said right of way shall only be done when required by said Hosanna Larose, his heirs or assigns.
This Bargain and Sale is made for and in consideration of the price or sum of Fifty Dollars, which the said vendors hereby ack- nowledge to have had and received of and from the said purchaser, at and before the execution hereof, whereof forever quit.
And at the execution hereof intervened and was present Ernest Racicot, of the village of Sweetsburg, in said District, Esquire, Advocate, —
Who, after the reading of the following Deed of Sale, declared to have released, relinquished and discharged as he doth hereby release, relinquish and discharge the hypothec by him acquired on the plot of ground and premises above sold under and by virtue of that certain Transfer to him granted by James O'Halloran, of Cowans- ville aforesaid, Esquire, Advocate and King's Counsel, executed before the said Notary the fourteenth day of October, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, and registered in the Brome County Regis- try Office under the number 29486, and originally created in and by that certain hypothecary obligation granted by the said Francois X. Daniel, James O'Halloran, executed before said Notary,
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the twentieth day of June, eighteen hundred and ninety-one, and registered in the said Brome County Registry Office under the number 24343; he however nevertheless hereby expressly reserving his said hypothec on the remainder of the lands and premises hypothecated in and by said hypothecary obligation for the pay- ment of the debt due him under said Transfer.
Executed at Cowansville, in the office of said Notary, the date first before written, under number ten thousand six hundred and forty-four and signed after due reading hereof.
(Signed)
F. DANIEL, H. LAROSE, W. W. LYNCH, E. RACICOT, M. O. HART, N.P.
I do hereby certify that this document was filed for Registration in th*e Brome County Registry Office at the hour of Eleven in the forenoon on the seventeenth day of June one thousand nine hundred and one. That the same is registered at full length in the 51st Volume of Register B, page 465, No. 30478.
D. M. ROY,
Dept. Reg'r.
PROCES VERBAL, GALE MONUMENT LOT.
On this the Thirtieth Day of the Month of August in the Year Nineteen hundred and one.
At the request of the Honorable Mr. Justice Lynch, President of the Brome County Historical Society, a body corporate and politic residing in the village of Knowlton, and Hosanna Larose, farmer, of the East part of the Township of Farnham.
I the undersigned Thomas Kirk, Provincial Land Surveyer, and duly qualified to practice as such, residing in the City and District of Montreal, have made the following survey.
Having first examined a Deed of Sale from Hosanna Larose to the Brome County Historical Society, passed before M. O. Hart, Notary Public, bearing date the twenty-fifth day of the month of February Nineteen hundred and one, I began at a point where I planted a boundary of cedar and stone, with white earthen under- neath. Thence southerly parallel to and at a distance of fifteen feet (from the westerly side of the Monument erected to the late Samuel Gale) a distance of thirty-six feet, to a point where I planted a similar boundary of Cedar and Stone with White earthen
44
underneath. Thence easterly at right angles passing fifteen feet southerly of said Monument, a distance of thirty-six feet, to a similar boundary of Cedar and Stone with White earthen under- neath; thence northerly at right angles, passing fifteen feet easterly of said Monument, a distance of thirty-six feet to a similar boun- dary of Cedar and Stone, with White earthen underneath; thence westerly, at right angles, passing fifteen feet northerly of said Monument, a distance of thirty-six feet to the place of beginning; containing a superficie of two thousand one hundred and ninety-six feet (2,196).
I then began at the last mentioned point and turned an angle to the right from the last mentioned line of thirty-four degrees and fifty minutes, on an Astronomical bearing of north fifty-eight degrees, west a distance of two hundred and sixty-one feet and six inches, to a point on the easterly side of the highway, where I planted a boundary of Cedar and Stone with White earthen under- neath. This line forms the northern boundary of a right of way extending from the highway to the parcel of land herein firstly described.
The whole forming part of cadastral number five hundred and thirteen (513) of the Official Plan and Book of Reference of the East part of the Township of Parnham.
The variation of the needle being fourteen degrees as ascertained by me by an observation of the sun at twelve o'clock noon, on the twenty-first day of the Month of June Eighteen hundred and ninety- nine at the Village of Sweetsburgh.
In faith and testimony whereof the said parties have signed their respective names with me the said Surveyor at Sweetsburgh, on the day and date firstly herein written. The foregoing having been first duly read.
(Signed)
W. W. LYNCH, HOSANNA LAROSE, THOMAS KIRK, P.L.S.
PETITION OF BROME HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
To the Honorable Sir Louis A. Jette, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Quebec, and to the Honorable the Members of the Executive Council of Said Province:
The petition of the " Brome County Historical Society " respect- fully represents:
That your petitioner is a corporation under the provisions of section 5487 of the Revised Statutes of the Province;
45
That it is actively engaged in the work of searching out the early history of Brome County and of localizing the principal events in connection therewith.
That at its last annual meeting it was decided to undertake the preparation of a history of Brome County, upon lines somewhat similar to those which have proved very successful and useful in most of the counties and smaller localities of the New England States.
That the preparation of a reliable history, such as your petitioner has in contemplation, will involve a somewhat extended examina- tion of the archives at Ottawa, as well as those of the Historical Societies of New York, New Hampshire and Vermont, from which States many of the early settlers of this county came.
That your petitioner hopes to see similar societies established in all the counties of the Province, and ventures to express the belief that much benefit, educational, historical and otherwise, would result to the country, as a whole, therefrom.
That your petitioner has not the means to enable it to undertake this research work and to carry it to a successful termination.
That your petitioner earnestly trusts that you will be graciously pleased to approve of its intended work, and make it an annual grant for three years, of at least the sum of $100, to assist it in meeting the expense with which it must necessarily incur.
And as in duty bound, your petitioner will ever pray,
SAMUEL W. FOSTER, Honorary President. W. W. LYNCH, President. E. M. TAYLOR, Secretary.
Knowlton, Brome County, 25th January, 1902.
BROME'S HISTORY.
AND A SCHEME FOR THE SPREAD OF FREE LITERATURE IN THE COUNTRY.
The Brome County Historical Society, of which Mr. S. W. Foster is Honorary President; the Hon. W. W. Lynch, President; and the Rev. E. M. Taylor, is Secretary, has petitioned the Provincial Gov- ernment to grant $100 per year for three years to defray the expense of collecting materials and writing the history of the county. The archives at Ottawa as well as the records of the historical societies of New York, New Hampshire and Vermont, will- require to be searched, for the making up of Brome's history. It is to cover part of this expense that the Provincial Legislature is being asked to contribute.
40
The " Pettes' Memorial," a body corporate for the diffusion of useful knowledge, has by resolution asked the Hon. Judge Lynch to prepare a memorial to the Provincial Government suggesting a general scheme to aid free libraries. The Hon. Sydney Fisher was the mover, and Mr. A. W. Pettes the seconder of the motion. The petitioners think the desired end might be obtained by the appoint- ment of a " Free Library Commission," to be chosen by His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council, but are " indifferent as to the mode to be adopted in coming to their assistance." The petitioners state that they already have a hall in Knowlton erected by a noble lady who, however, could not buy all the books that are required. It is assistance financially from the government they desire, in order to get the books. It is suggested that the government might grant to each public free library in the province a sum of money each year on condition that a like sum should be furnished by the people in the locality interested. This petition is signed by Mr. J. C. Pettes, president, and Mr. L. Moore, secretary.
PAPER READ BEFORE "THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE
COUNTY OF BROME " AT ISLE AUX NOIX, ON THE
8th AUG., 1901, BY MAJOR W. MEAD PATTISON,
OF CLARENCEVILLE.
Mr. President, and Members of the Historical Society of the County of Brome:
On behalf of the inhabitants of adjacent counties, and as associ- ated with the Historical Society of Missisquoi, I may be permitted to cordially welcome you to this historic and beautiful island, Your judgment in selecting this locality is to be commended.
When requested to give you the result of my researches into the history of Isle aux Noix, I esteemed it an honor and privilege to. comply, and in endeavoring to interest you will not weary you with more than a synopsis of a subject that would more properly fill a volume.
If there is a locality in Canada deserving of a monument to Samuel de Champlain other than Quebec, it is this island. And may we live to see one erected here, surmounted with his statue with arm extended and finger pointing in the direction of the noble lake that bears his name. When Champlain ascended this river in 1609 and landed on this island, he found it covered with nut-bearing trees, and put it down on his chart as " Isle aux Noix," He learned from his chosen guides of the Algonquin nation that this majestic river had been the direct channel of communication of their bitter- est enemy, the nation of the Iroquois, inhabiting the lake region of the present New York State. These lakes still preserve the names
of the respective five nations. »These warlike Indians coveted the hunting grounds of the Canadian tribes on the St. Lawrence, and finally dominated this river, so Champlain designated it on his first chart as " The River of the Iroquois." On returning to France to render an account of his explorations to King Henry IV., the name of the King's Prime Minister, Cardinal Richelieu, was substituted, Champlain, in his expedition to the territory he had designated as " New France," arrived at Quebec on July 2nd, 1608. The name was known in the Indian tongue as " Kebec"; signifying " a narrows," which actually occurs at this part of the St. Lawrence, where he in after years built the " Fort " and the " Castle of St. Louis." His small number of associates amongst the horde of savages was com- pensated by his superior weapons of warfare, which commanded their astonishment and respect. Selecting sixty trusted Algonquins as guides and navigators in the month of June, 1609, Champlain ascended the St. Lawrence to explore, as well as to make war with the ablest and bravest Indians of North America, the Iroquois. The alliance with the tribes who were to be the nearest neighbors of the French was made on their promise to befriend Champlain and his associates, and trade with them, and resulted in the expeditions of 1609, 1610, and 1615. The Richelieu river being the most direct route to reach the Iroquois country, he availed himself of it, and, having made his Indian allies fairly proficient in the use ^fire- arms, drove the Iroquois from their various strongholds out of it into the lake to a point at its southern terminus, the present Ticonderoga, where he found them in strong force to receive him, but who fled on his first assault with his deadly musket. Having overpowered them, his Indian followers bore away numbers of their captives for whom Champlain tried in vain to secure humane treat- ment. The conquerors returned to their hunting grounds and Champlain to Quebec. In 1610 a repetition was followed by the most barbarous cruelties. In 1615 he formed an alliance with the Hurons, whose territory lay between Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. His combined forces crossed lake Ontario, and, entering the Iroquois country, found them prepared in rudely constructed, though well sheltered works. In the desperate encounter Champlain was wounded, though he had provided himself with armour deemed impervious to arrows. The fickle Huron bore him away on a rude litter, and retreated back to their own country. Champlain's posi- tion in the colony of New France, up to 1633, was as principal agent of the several companies engaged in the fur trade with the Indians for their own benefit rather than for the colonization of the country.
48 '
THE HUNDRED 'ASSOCIATES.
f
In 1627 Cardinal Richelieu, the ruling spirit of France at that period, interested himself in affairs of the Colony and founded the company of " The Hundred Associates," who> were granted a mono- poly of the fur trade and other concessions for sixteen years, besides the practical rule of the entire territory designated as New France, extending to the Ohio, far west to the Mississippi, and thence on to the Gulf of Mexico. Richelieu was head of this enterprise. This powerful corporation was, in effect, a Feudal lord, and Richelieu introduced in a large measure the old Feudal Tenure of France, the beginning of the Seigniorial Tenure, which lasted for over two centuries in this province.
Champlain, though he had added by his discoveries the larger part of the continent of North America to the colonial dependencies of France, and we may fairly say won the affection of his Sovereign and countrymen, was not without jealous rivals who would fain deprive him of his honors and position. After the death of King Henry IV., their aims came near accomplishment. He still retained his commission from the King as Lieutenant-Governor over New France, and, consequently, his name stands first amongst the governors of Canada. Time will not allow us to dwell longer upon our illustrious hero. His remains rest at Quebec, where he breath- ed his last on the 25th of December, 1635.
The French were not yet to have peace with the Iroquois. The assistance given their traditional enemies of the St. Lawrence and upper lake region of Canada was yet to be atoned for, and their raids by way of the Richelieu still continued, rendering the adjacent territory uninhabitable. On June 30, 1665, Marquis de Tracy asum- ed the third governorship of the country, and brought with him Colonel de Salier's famous Carignan Regiment and the most famous engineers with Voban's plans for adequate fortifications along the Richelieu. Forts were erected at Sorel, at Chambly Rapids — " Fort St. Louis," capable as shelter for the inhabitants and bases of supply. Formidable defensive works fringed the river at St. Therese, Isle aux Noix, and Isle la Motte, on Lake C&lain. Men and supplies were constantly arriving from France, His native allies were encouraged by the imposing display of tinsel and music. De Tracy, though far advanced in years, headed the expedition in person in the following year, with 1,400 men, consisting of regulars, Canadian Militia, and Indians as guides and navigators. His progress was, however, necessarily slow, and he reached the Mohawk too late for successful operations. The prospect of a frozen lake and river behind him, guided his deter- mination to retreat to his forts1 on the Richelieu and St. Lawrence.
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The Iroquois now realized that their country was vulnerable and that they had to deal with a valorous foe, possessing more deadly weapons, and the Onondagas, Cayagas, and Senecas, of the " Five Nations," entered into terms with de Tracy. The Mohawks and Oneidas remained obstinate. In 1666 a futile attempt was made to subjugate them by Marquis de Courcelles.
THE ORIGINAL SEIGNEURS.
It would perhaps be interesting to know something of this famous French regiment which contributed to this result, and of the in- ducements offered to them to come and remain in Canada at the termination of their service. Its officers were from the best families in France, known as the " noblesse," and inducements were held out to them that on termination of the war grants of land would be made to them as Canadian Seigneurs. The soldiers were promised means to start them as colonists. The Seigneurs subse- quently, on the sale of any portion of their lands reserved as an annual rental (which touches the pockets of many of us in some of the Seigniories to this day!). It will be observed that many Seig- niories, parishes and places on or contiguous to the Richelieu and St. Lawrence, bear the names to this day of those persons who received concessions of lands, mostly belonging to the Carignan Regiment; as Sorel, known also as Rouville, giving name to the present county; Berthier, Chambly, Vercheres, Varennes, Boucher- ville, St. Ours, Noyan, Longueuil and others. These French pioneers, being in terror of the red man, settled on lands contigu- ous to large fortresses, near the outlet of the Richelieu, which had the capacity to hold the garrison and stores as well as the inhabit- ants, whom necessity obliged to flee to them for refuge. These frugal, industrious, and peace-loving people looked to their Seig- neurs and spiritual guides for assistance and advice, and not in vain! Their social proclivities and love of home kept them together. Their aspirations in a social sense were conservative; hence the large territory in the western section of the Townships is familiarly termed " the French country," by no means in derision, but in a broad, kindly sense. Their first stockaded villages in Champlain's time were termed " Habitations," and hence their occu- pants " Habitants," a term now largely fallen into disuse. But how rapidly this primitive type of the early pioneers has passed frofai our view! Their descendants still show the spirit of adven- ture, in their love of country and home, are ever ready to defend our land, its institutions and government.
Some may think this a digression from the subject in hand, but I desire to presently show you how much Canada of the present is
50
indebted to its early governors, soldiers, and colonists, from France.
Under the rule of succeeding viceroys there is not much to interest us in the Richelieu until we come to De Denonville, though in a general sense, the administration of Count Frontenac is notable.
It must be observed here that the Indians at this period were using fire-arms. The Iroquois obtained theirs from the Dutch, with whom they traded at Fort Orange, now Albany, on the Hudson, Considering themselves, in a defensive sense, on a par with the white man, they became arrogant, and a menace to the colony of New York, so that forts were erected which answered for trading posts as well as defences for the protection of settlers in case of invasion. The interest the English colonists took in the Iroquois was for the money which could be made out of him, taking his peltry in exchange for his natural necessities. As in our day, gold was the guage. The Iroquois was prepared to serve any one who would contribute to that passion. His loyalty to the English colo- nists was gauged by that standard.
De Denonville, who arrived in New France in 1685, was a soldier as well as a statesman, Readily taking in the situation of the colony, he ordered fresh troops which shortly followed him under Vaudreuil, and he was fully prepared for an invasion of the Iroquois country, notably the Senecas, the most numerous nation.
Just at this time an unfortunate accident occurred that exasperat- ed the Iroquois. A party who came for a parley with the French was seized and transported to France, not only as an exhibit, but for punishment in the galleys. This enraged the natives, and war against the white man was resumed in earnest. Guerilla bands of Indians invaded the territory along the Richelieu and in the lake region of the west. The colonist could not work his clearing or preserve his cattle only under the protection of an armed force. Hundreds of colonists were butchered in cold blood. This deplor- able condition of things was attributed to the New England trader, who supplied the Iroquois with fire-arms and spirits, and exasperat- ed the French colonist. A special minister was despatched to France for further assistance. The Lachine massacre paralysed the inhabitants, as no effective resistance was in sight. Count Fronte- nac seemed to be the man the people looked to for deliverance, and he was sent out to succeed De Denonville and to restore confidence.
WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE.
War between England and France at this time was in a large measure the result of the existing state of things and the dispute as to territorial bounds of the respective nations on the Northern Continent of America. Both nations had determined on a vigorous policy of supremacy over the continent, and large reinforcements
51
and supplies were sent out to the respective colonies. The middle of winter was chosen by Frontenac for his expedition with his Indian auxiliaries, now expert with fire-arms.
He had won the confidence of the Canadian tribes, and they were inspired to acts of wantonness peculiar to their method of warfare. Spreading out into small bands, they left destruction to mark their path. This period is known in New England history as " The French and Indian War." replete with horrors rarely met with in history. It afforded a school for many of the colonists who became distinguished in subsequent events on this continent, notably George Washington and the unfortunate Marquis de Montcalm, who was with the expedition to the Hudson led by Boulamaque on this occasion.
Goodrich tplls us: " The campaign of 1759 had for its object the entire conquest of Canada. General Amherst led an expedition, and, in his advance, captured the French Posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. The French retired to Isle aux Noix, where they encamped with a force of 3,500 men and a powerful artillery. General Amherst desired to follow up his successes against them in that quarter, but the want of a suitable naval armament prevent- ed." Here we have an indisputable evidence that we are standing on the ground once occupied by that distinguished French com- mander and his forces who tried conclusions with General Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham, on September 12th, 1759, which sealed the fate of a valiant foe and added a brilliant jewel to the British Crown!
In corroboration of Goodrich's narrative I will quote from the eminent Canadian historian. Sir J. G. Bourinot, LL.D., D.C.L., in his " Story of Canada," published by the Copp, Clark Co., Toronto, in 1898, price $1.50. which should be in every household in Canada. He writes: " The security of Montreal depended mainly on the French continuing to hold control of Lake Champlain and Isle aux Noix. which they now set to work to fortify. Boulamarque, an able officer, was in command of the French forts on the lake, with a force of 2,000 men, of whom half were Canadians, and had orders to aban- don Carillon (Ticonderoga) and Crown point, if necessary, and advance to Isle aux Noix," So it appears that Montcalm, at this time, had taken command of the French forces at Quebec. " Brigadier- General Haviland left Lake Champlain, captured Isle aux Noix, and then marched on Montreal. Brigadier Murray came up from Quebec. All these forces concentrated on the same day on the Island of Montreal, and Vaudreuil had no alternative except to capitulate. By the terms of capitulation, which were drawn up, like those of Quebec, in French, Great Britain bound herself to allow the French Canadians the free exercise of their religion and certain
specified fraternities. The same reservation was made with regard to the parochial clergy's titles. On February 10th, 1763, by the treaty of Paris, France ceded to Great Britain, Canada, with all its dependencies.
ISLE AUX NOIX AND THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.
We will now be obliged to pass over very briefly the events at Isle aux Noix during the struggle of the rebellion of the British colonies, known as " The War of Independence." The Canadian people stoutly repelled all overtures to cast in their lot with the thirteen colonies to the south. England had dealt very fairly with them as regards their religious beliefs, and the dread of the Puri- tanical sentiment of the New England people no doubt influenced them in their favor. The right of self-government they were claiming for themselves they denied the Canadians. Their congress determined that British power must be driven from the continent. With that object in view General Montgomery, in the autumn of 1775, headed an expedition, captured Isle aux Noix, the remaining forts on the Richelieu, and Montreal, held by Sir Guy Carleton, the then Governor. The advance on what was considered the key of Canada, Quebec, was successfully resisted, and the brave Mont- gomery paid the penalty of his rashness with his life. The invading forces retraced their steps pursued by Generals Bourgoyne and Carleton's forces to Montreal, and made their exit out of Canada by the Richelieu. Arnold continued at Quebec waiting forces for another assault, these failed him, and he retreated out of Canada by way of the Richelieu and Isle aux Noix, the following spring. By June 18th the American forces had entirely evacuated Canada. An invasion into the enemy's country began in 1777. Bourgoyne reached Saratoga, and, being completely surrounded and cut off from his supplies, surrendered on the 16th of October. The attitude of the New England Loyalists, the descendants of whom present must highly prize, reviled, persecuted, and robbed of their posses- sions, rather than renounce their allegiance, fled for protection to Canada. Many of those with families drew their supplies from the military posts till such time as lands could be awarded them out of the public domain. Vermont was the last to join the confederation of states (making the thirteenth). Its governor, Chittenden, as well as many of its most influential men, held back till Congress determined and were ready to send an armed force for their subju- gation. Chittenden, Ethan and Ira Allen (the latter proved to be a selfish creature of no principle) offered their services as interces- siaries, corresponded with the Canadian Governor and military
53
authorities, and had repeated conferences with them on Isle aux Noix, which were abruptly terminated by the Canadian officials on vile proposals to them by Ira Allen.
THE LAST STRUGGLES AT THE ISLAND.
For many years the Imperial Government voted large sums of money to equip the fortress for a large garrison. Many of the first regiments in the Imperial service have occupied these magnifi- cent quarters. Happily their vocation has been a peaceful one, and not eventful till the outbreak of the war of 1812-14, when it became mainly a naval station, and on the north end the lesser class of war vessels were constructed. From here went out on March 30th, 1814, under Captain Pring, of the Royal Navy, the sloop of war " Blake," and gun boats, to the mouth of Lacolle River, where Lieutenant Cheswick, R.N., had been transferring from his transports field pieces and stores to the feeble garrison, besieged in a stone mill and block house, under the command of Major Hancock and Lieut.- Col. Williams, of the 15th Regiment. Less than three hundred local militia and regulars were besieged by a United States force of over 5,000 veterans, under Gen. Wilkinson, U.S.A. The 13th Regiment of Royal Grenadiers, from Isle aux Noix and naval support, arrived in the nick of time to save the garrison, and drove the invaders back to the United States.
One other incident to the credit of Isle aux Noix occurred during this war. One calm and misty morning at daybreak two United States gunboats, the " Eagle " and " Growler," creeping cautiously towards the Island, were discovered and promptly sunk.
For eighty years the occupation of the shipwright has ceased. Over thirty years since, the guns bristling from these embrasures were removed to other quarters. The glittering splendor has disappeared, and the tramp of men to the strains of martial music is not now heard within these walls. The once brilliant social activities of gallant men and fair women have ceased, and indeed all the pomp and panoply of war have given place to the peace and quiet we find here now. On the north the tented field has been converted to the purposes of husbandry. The little military chapel where the saintly Stewart administered to the spiritual needs of the garrison has vanished. One saddening sight meets our eyes. Many, gallant men, who fought under Wellington, and perhaps Woife, rest peacefully in their graves. What changes in the interval in arts of war as well as of peace, would these men see, if their forms could arise and be rehabilitated.
The Federal Government is to be commended for reserving this spot, so replete with events in the history of our country, as a public
54
park, and we have such admirable facilities for reaching it. Our kindred to the south of us, against whose aggressions these works were intended to protect us, have developed into a mighty and pro- gressive nation, engaged in the pursuits of commerce and the arts. Let us fondly hope that no occasion will ever again arise to disturb the friendly relation now existing, but that both nations may go hand in hand in extending the arts of peace. May God's blessing
rest upon both.
I
A BROME OCTOGENARIAN. By ERNEST M. TAYLOR, July, 1899.
Lester Ball was born 28th of September, 1815, on the 6th lot of the 6th Range of the Township of Brome. The farm is now owned by Levi Shufeldt, of Brome.
Mr. Ball's grandfather, Jacob Ball, came from Dunham into Brome in 1800, having lived in Dunham six or seven years. He was born in Newfane, Vermont, in 1764, but settled in early man- hood on South Hero Island, in Lake Chaplain. Here his son, afterwards known as Capt. James Ball, and the father of Lester Ball, was born in 1787.
The wife of the grandfather of Mr. Ball was a daughter of Capt. Ephraim Stone, who settled in Brome, where R. Edmund Miller now lives.
Capt. Ephraim Stone was not a United Empire Loyalist, but was a Revolutionary soldier, and was a lieutenant at Lexington and Bunker Hill. He was also at Ticonderoga. [See New Hampshire Revolutionary Rolls.]
He was born at Keene, New Hampshire, His son-in-law, Jacob Ball, was of a U. E. L. family, as were the Knowltons, who early settled in Brome.
Captain James Ball, father of Lester Ball, married his cousin Abigail Stone, daughter of Daniel Stone, who was also a Revolution- ary soldier, and a corporal in Capt. Cole's company.
This Daniel Stone settled in Brome in 1799, on the farm now owned by Jerry Jackson.
On the second of September, 1839, now nearly sixty years ago, Lester Ball married Mary Ann Gilman.
They have had seven children, and after nearly sixty years both parents are living and each child also.
Mr. Lester Ball has, with the single exception of one year, until last autumn, lived in Brome Township. Last autumn he and his wife went to live with their son Ernest in New York City.
On the occasion of their departure their friends gave them a
MR. LESTER BALL.
1795
FIRST HOUSE TP. BROME..
COLLINS
B.C.H.5.
21 10
1899
on
banquet at Eldridge's Hotel, Brome. Hon. Judge Lynch, President of the Brome County Historical Society, presided.
Several ministers were present, and other professional men took part in the formal leave taking of the esteemed friends.
Mr. Ball has been a farmer all his life. This did not prevent him from emulating the example of his father and other relatives when the Canadian Rebellion broke out. He served in 1837 as a sergeant in the infantry. The next year, 1838, he joined the cavalry as private under Capt. Alonzo Wood. He still holds his discharge. He holds a lieutenant's commission in a special company, com- manded by Capt. Bullard.
Mr. Ball served as School Commissioner for twelve years, and was Chairman of the Board for eight years of the time.
He is one of the Charter members of the first Good Templars' Lodge formed in Brome.
He also joined the Sons of Temperance.
He has been a teetotaller throughout his long life.
Mr. Ball served his township as Bridge Inspector for two terms.
He is identified with the Church of England.
On his marriage day he made three vows:
1st. That his wife should never see him come home drunk.
2nd. That she should never hear him use profane language.
3rd. That neither she, nor his children, should they have any, would ever see him working on Sunday in any unnecessary way.
These he has been able to keep.
BOLTON PASS.
Mr. Lester Ball, when a young man, setting up sable traps, dis- covered the Bolton Pass as a suitable place through which to construct a road. He came over and told Capt. Paul H. Knowlton, who, with him, took it in hand. Col. Knowlton sent for Lindel Corey, land surveyor, living in Stanbridge. Col. Knowlton employ- ed some men who, with the surveyor, all being under the guidance of Mr. Ball, went over to where the old Magog road enters the Bolton Pass at the Isman Coon place, and began the survey through the forest.
The first day they surveyed through as far as the Tub Factory, just above Knowlton Village. Mr. Ball was then near his own home, and he then lived on the highland farm near where the Knowlton reservoir is now situated. This place is the llth lot of the llth range at Brome.
His father, Capt. James Ball, then lived on the north side of Cold Brook, opposite the factory. The farm is now owned by Israel England & Sons.
56
Capt. James Ball settled on that farm in 1817, when the subject of our sketch was two years old.
The second day the surveying party started out from the point of the termination of the previous day, and that night they camped beside a spring near the place on which Mr. Edward Owens's house now stands.
The third day the party completed the necessary survey, and reached Parker Oilman's place, now called Oilman Corner, where they again struck the old Magog Road, which had been constructed many years before, and which had been followed by the waggoners from Stanstead via. Coppe's Ferry, Georgeville, to and from Mont- real, these processions of waggoners doing the work now done by the railway freight trains.
On the evening of that day Mr. Ball remembers walking over to Knowlton, via Brome Corner, and reporting all to Col. Knowlton, with whom he took supper that night.
The surveyor, Mr. Corey, soon after made out his process verbal and placed it in the hands of Col. Knowlton.
Col. Knowlton was then member of the Legislative Council of the Province, then of Lower Canada, and he succeeded in getting a grant from the Government for the construction of the road. This was about sixty years ago. A few years passed, however, after the survey before the work of construction was begun.
Mr. Brooks, who in later years married the widow of the well- known Seneca Page, was the contractor.
Capt. James Ball was the superintendent of the work.
As an instance of the conditions of life and energy of early days in this country, Mr. Ball states that when he was young one of the neighboring women died, leaving a new-born infant of the name of Anna Johnson, and when the child was ten days old, Mrs. Ball the mother of Mrs. Lester Ball, took the baby on horseback, and following " spotted, or blazed" trees, went through to Shefford Plain, and thence through Granby Township on to Yamaska Mountain, now called Abbotsford. This she accomplished in one day, having to ford many streams on the way, as bridges were unknown to the early settler. The distance travelled was above thirty miles. She safely delivered the child that night to the tender care of a Mrs. Crossfield, of Yamaska Mountain. A goodly number of the name of Crossfleld are now residing there.
Mr. Ball is as active on his feet now as the average man of thirty years of age. He is visiting friends in and about Brome for a few weeks this summer. His cheerful face and buoyant disposition make him an ever-welcome guest.
[Since writing the above Mrs. Ball has died. Mr. Ball is still in good health. — E. M. T.]
57
HANNAH EMERSON DUSTON, BY COL. PATTEN.
On the fifteenth of, March, Sixteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven, a party of Indians swooped down in their fashion upon the farm- house of Thomas Duston, in the parish of Kingston, near Haverhill.
The attack was so unexpected and fierce that the farmer had only time to seize his gun, mount his horse and by incredible skill so manage as to protect his seven terrified children in a retreat before the enemy to a place of safety.
The other members of the family, Mrs. Duston, a new-born baby, and a neighbor, Mary Neff, were left behind to the mercy of sav- ages. Mrs. Duston was Hannah Emerson, whose ancestors came to Hampton, in New Hampshire, among the earliest settlers, and from which the Emersons of Sutton are supposed to be descended in a direct line. The story of that terrible march through the wilder- ness, the murder of the child of Mrs. Duston, the encampment on the Merrimack, near Concord, and the massacre of the sleeping In- dians by the desperate mother, and a boy who escaped at midnight in a canoe down the Merrimack, bringing the Indian scalps with them, is well known.
Two full sized statues have been erected of Mrs. Duston, one near her old home, the Emerson Estate, near Haverhill, and one where the Indian Camp once stood, by the State of New Hampshire.
Upon the pedestal there is this inscription : —
HEROUM GESTA
FIDES-JUSTITIA.
HANNAH DUSTON,
MARCH 30, 1697,
MIDNIGHT.
On the opposite side are these words: —
MARCH,
15—1697—30.
THE WAR-WHOOP, TOMAHAWK, FAGOT AND INFANTICIDES
WERE AT HAVERHILL.
THE ASHES OF THE CAMP-FIRES AT NIGHT AND TEN OF THE TRIBE ARE HERE.
The traveller passing over the Northern Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad, a few miles above Concord, at Penacock, can catch a view of the statue of Hannah Emerson Duston.
58
A LIST OF OBJECTS IN THE B. CO., H. SOCIETY'S MUSEUM.
1. A stone axe.
2. A fragment of an Indian war club, of stone. These were ploughed up on the land of the Hon. Judge Lynch, on the shore of Brome Lake, where other evidences of an Indian encampment abound.
3. A tin lantern, once used by the late Thomas Lynch, Esq., father of Judge Lynch. Donor, Hon. Justice Lynch.
4. — An ancient Buttress, used by Daniel Taylor, first, one of the Associates with Nicholas Austin I., to whom the Township of Bolton was granted. Donor, Rev. Ernest M. Taylor.
5. The dressing case of Brigadier-General Roswell Olcutt, con- taining:— (a) His B.A. Degree, from Dartmouth College, date 1789; (b) His General's Commission, date, 1802; (c) A letter from Col. P. H. Knowlton. Donors, the Misses Whitwell, granddaughters of General Olcutt.
6. Pewter drinking cup, General Olcutt's.
7. Pewter tray, General Olcutt's. Donors, the Misses Whitwell.
8. An Indian implement (war club) of stone, found in Bleadfort, Vermont., some distance from the town of Burlington, Vt., about the year 1848. It was found fifteen feet beneath the surface by white men digging in a field for hidden treasure. The late David Perkins gave it to his son Levi A. Perkins, Collector of Internal Revenue, District of Bedford, and it was by him donated to the Brome County Historical Society, Oct. 6th, 1901.
9. A freestone inkstand, with four compartments. It belonged to Mark Randall, one of the Associates of Nicholas Austin. He wrote the agreements and deeds for the early settlers. He also practiced as root and herb doctor.
10. Powder horn, from a horn which grew on one of the white- faced oxen brought through the forest into the township of Bolton, and helped bring the goods of the Randalls. The ox died before 1800.
11. Tapping gouge.
12. Family Bible, giving family record of Nicholas Austin, 2nd, born in 1770. This N. Austin, was a relative of Nicholas Austin, the leader, and was one of the original Associates to whom Bolton Township was made over by the Government. Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12 were donated by David Randall.
13. Half-bushel measure, was made in 1780, and in 1840 pur- chased by Abner H. Bedee, contributed by East Farnham, in 1899.
14. Four bullets, 6 gun flints, 4 Indian arrowheads, 6 military buttons, were picked up on Isle aux Noix, and were presented by Major W. Mead Pattison, of Clarenceville, August 8th, 1901.
15. One Glass-covered Case, donated by R. N. England, Esq.
16. One boxwood fishing reel, whittled with a common penknife, by J. Keough, in 1815, Donated by Miss Edith Jaques.
17. One Confederate two dollar bill. Donated by Rev. D. Brill.
18. Two neck-yokes, ironed by Col. Clark Hall, before 1830. Presented by his grandson, Eli W. Higgins.
19. A portion of a brace from a barn built on Aylmer Place's farm, in Millington, East Bolton, in 1798 Donated by Aylmer Place.
20. A piece of timber from a beam which was in the first framed house built in the Township of Brome. House built by Jacob Ball, at Brome Corner, in 1803 or 1804, on the site where stands the house of Col. O. P. Patten, on lot 7 of the 7th range of Brome. The present house was built by the late Edmund Chandler. The origi- nal house had a huge chimney in the centre of the house, and had three large stone fireplaces in it. Mr. Chandler took this house down and sold the frame to Ezra Capron, who made a barn shed out of the timber. Mr. Capron sold to Lester Ball, grandson of Jacob Ball. Mr. Lester Ball sold to Ransom Patch, who split this piece out and gave it to Rev. E. M. Taylor in the presence of Lester Ball, Aug. 3rd.. 1900.
21. " Gods of the Heathens," by A. Tooke, 1713.
22. "Antiquities of Rome," by Basil Kennett, 1717.
23. " Pilgrim's Progress," in 2 vols. 1846. Donors, the Misses Whitwell, of Philipsburgh.
24. " The Farmer's Boy," a Rural Poem, by Robert Bloomfield, 1801. In 1825 the property of Osgood Peaslee. Donor, Mrs. Harvey Austin.
25. (a) Psautier Francais, 1821; (b) Letters of Lord Lyttleton, 1812; (c) Oeuvres d'Horace Traduites en Francois, Date, 1750; (d) 4th Volume of Lives of British Admirals, 1781. Donor Rev. Ernest M. Taylor.
26. A new and complete system of Arithmetic, by Nicolas Pike, A.M., Newburyport, 1788. Owned by Nicholas Austin, of East Bolton. in 1793. In 1829 it became the property of Doctor Amos Winnet Lay, of South Bolton. Donor, Horace S. Greene.
27. Three volumes of Laws of New York, 1807, which laws were applied by the early settlers of St. Armand, in settlement of civil cases.
28. One ledger of accounts of Philip Luke, trader, at Missisquoi Bay, with entries from 1795. Donor, Frederick Primmerman, 1900.
29. Manuscript book of survey of Connecticut River, by Samuel Gale, beginning Feb. 9th, 1774, Jonathan Wells and John Ormond, chainmen; Wm. Taplin, flag-bearer, and H. Eaton, packman. Donated by M. S. Hawley.
CO
30. Some plays of Shakespeare, 1734, Donor Mrs. Eliza H. Cas- well.
31. Book of Acts of Civil Status, by Rev. Roswell Bowen, of Potton, issued in 1831, Donor, Leonard Bowen, or Bourne, of Potton.
32. Pewter plate, of which Mrs. Sarah Knowlton Foster, widow of the late Hiram S. Foster, writes: — This pewter plate, which I give to the Brome County Historical Society, belonged to my great- grandmother Sarah Holland, who was married to my great-grand- father, the Honorable Luke Knowlton, at Shrewsbury, Mass., 1760, and with eleven others (making twelve) were given by her to my grandmother, Sarah Holbrooke, of New Fane, Vt., and wife of Silas Knowlton, and they brought them with other household possessions to the Township of Stukely in 1796." Mrs. Sarah Knowlton Foster was born in 1822.
33. A pair of tongs used in the fireplace of Nathan Taylor, of South Bolton. It is supposed he made them, as he was a blacksmith and made all of the nails used in the construction of his house, now owned by Mr. Reynolds, of South Bolton. Donor, Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, grandson of the above.
34. A loom and all the apparatus for making cloth. A loom owned by the wife of Col. Clark Hall, of East Farnham, and made about 1800, given be her grand-daughter, Mrs. Eliza H. Caswell.
35. A shovel, once used in the Wesleyan Chapel in Phillipsburgh. This Chapel is the oldest Methodist Church in the Province of Quebec, erected 1819. Still in use. Donor, Mrs. (Rev.) G. H. Porter.
36. A parcel of large nails, were made in Knowljton for Col. P. Holland Knowlton, and used in the construction of the first store ever opened in the village of Knowlton. The mills were made by a man of the name of Jacob Cobb. He was sent out as a nail maker from Britain through Mr. Allison, then Emigration Agent in Canada. The store was taken down by Israel England and sons, in 1900, and these nails given by them to the Historical Society. The nail maker lived here in Knowlton for several years and then went to Upper Canada.
37. A leather-covered trunk which belonged to the grand- mother of Mrs. J. S. Baker, of Dunham, Mrs. John Rickerdt, a U. E. Loyalist, and brought by her to Missisquoi County in 1794. Donor Mrs. J. S. Baker.
38. A flax wheel, which belonged to the mother of Mrs. Jesse Benham, of Brome. It was in use before 1840. Donor, Jesse Benham.
39. A hand fan for cleaning grain. It belonged to the late
01
Hiram S. Foster, Registrar of Brome County, and was, in August, 1899, given by his widow to the Brome County Historical Society.
40. A china plate, in the possession of the Hall family, of East Farnham, for more than one hundred years, and given in 1899, by Mrs. Eliza Higgins Caswell.
41. A box of wafers for sealing letters. Donor, Miss Edith Jacues.
42. Many valuable documents of Samuel Gale, of the 18th and 19th centuries. Donor, M. S. Hawley.
43. Some documents of early settlement, by William K. Knowl- ton, of South Stukely.
44. A stone tablet, or family record, of Darius and Mary Ball, 1790 and 1794. Donor, Lester Ball.
45. A rocking chair which belonged to a sister of the late Hon. P. H. Moore, of St. Armand, The present bottom was put in by the late Conrad Primmerman, who was baptised 1790. Chair made before 1800. Donor, Frederick Primmerman, of St. Armand.
46. A glass-covered case. Donor, Jeremiah C. Pettes.
46. A large coffee mill, brought into Boltbn by Nicholas Austin I., leader of the Associates, to whom the Government, several years after the first settlement, issued letters patent. The patent bears the date of 1797. This mill was operated by a small water wheel, on a brook running near Mr. Austin's barn. A bag of grain was sus- pended above it, and the mill ran night and day, and would grind eight bushels of grain in twenty-four hours, This mill sufficed for the early settlers for many a year. The early settlers would bring their corn with ox teams and stop over night with Mr. Austin, and the corn would be ground through the night, and they would then return with the meal for their families. Donor, Harvey Austin, grandson of the leader.
48. Melodeon, which was the first brought into the village of Dunham. It was first purchased by Mr. Smith, a tailor in the village. It was afterwards purchased by Joseph Baker, whose son Henry played it at Divine service, in All Saints Church, Dunham. This was the first wind instrument used in church services in the village of Dunham. It was first used in church about the year 1854. It continued to be used until the pipe organ now in use was presented by William Baker, Esq. He was in early days the teacher of the Dunham government school, and Member of Parlia- ment for Missisquoi, in 1835. Donor, Mrs. E. L. Watson.
49. A straw beehive, brought from England, by Col. P. H. Knowlton, Donor, William S. Knowlton.
50. An iron hay fork.
51. A wooden hay fork.
G2
52. A pair of pincers. Donor Frederick Primmerman, of St. Armand.
53. An iron neckyoke, the first ever owned by Lester Ball. By him presented.
54. A bayonet found on the banks of the Tomfobia River, in Stanstead, in the year 1800. It was found on lot No. 10, the 7th range of Stanstead, by James Bodwell, near what is now known as Smith's Mills. It is believed to have belonged to one of Rodger's Rangers, on the return march from the St. Francis River, where he met with defeat from the Indians. The retreating party divided, some going through by Barford by the Coldbrook route. The others coming through Stanstead, up the Tomfobia. This bayonet was left with John Gustin, who settled, in 1800, on the farm in Stanstead, where his grandson, Eliphalet Bodwell Gustin, now, in April, 1902. resides. For more than one hundred years there has been no night in which a Gustin has not slept on this farm. This James Bodwell built the first mill ever erected at the place called Smith's Mills. John Gustin was a surveyor, as was his son Elisha, and the present proprietor, Eliphalet B. Gustin.
55. A pair of tongs, made by Joseph Eldridge, in 1812 or 1813, from Brome iron. Eldridge's shop stood on the lot of ground after- wards occupied by the store of the late H. R. Williams, at Brome. They are the gift of Lester Ball, who says that the coal used came from the Westover lot, in North Sutton, but soon gave out.
56. Flax knife or swingel, used by Mortimer Ring, of East Farn- ham. Donor, Eli. W. Higgins.
57. A stave shave or cleaver, used by Benajah Woodbury, of Potton. Some of his grandchildren are residing at Potton. He was a cooper, and this was used in making barrels for potash. For the early settlers the usual means of getting cash was through the manufacture and sale of potash. Donor, George Bui- lard, of Knowlton.
58. A ship carpenter's saw. It belonged to the great grandfather of the late Ezra Capron. Capron settled in the early part of the 19th century on farm lot No. 3, in the 6th range of Brome. Farm now owned by R. Patch. Donor, Lester Ball.
59. (a) Two horse pistols and (b) bayonet, used in 1812, and in the rebellion of 1837; (c) Also sword of Col. P. H. Knowlton; (d) and a cannon ball ploughed up near Fulford, in Brome about 1840. These articles being loaned by S. W. Foster, of Knowlton.
60. Wooden figure of a Highlander. This was the figure-head of a steamer owned by G. E. Jaques & Co., and called the " Highlander," It plyed the great lakes about 1850. Miss Jaques, Cowansville, donor.
61. A cane made by the late Captain Isaiah Sweet, one of Brome's
earliest settlers. The wood he brought from Missisquoi Bay, when he was young. The bone part was from the leg of a much prized three-year-old colt he lost by accident. Cane given to his adopted son Silas Bresee. Donor Nelson Bresee.
62. A cane cut from the grounds of the late President Madison, of Virginia, by Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, in September 1875. The Madison family settled on that farm in 1720. The property no longer belongs to a representative of the family.
63. A sample of crochet work done in September, 1898, by Nancy Hawley, born April 23rd, 1806.
64. Two brass candlesticks, which once belonged to General Olcutt. Donors, the Misses Whitwell. of Philipsburgh.
65. Cane made by Frederick England, when over eighty-five years of age.
66. C^fidle snuffers of Frederick England.
67. Snuffbox, which belonged to the great-grandfather of Frederick England, of Knowlton.
68. Flint striker, which belonged to the grandfather of Frederick England, of Knowlton. Donor, Mrs. F. England.
69. Two pairs ancient snuffers and tray, presented by Mrs. John Holder, of Iberville.
70. A new and correct map of the seat of war in Lower Canada (1812), by Amos Lay, Land Surveyor. Donor, John Holder, Esq , of Iberville.
71. A guide to Lake George and Lake Champlain. 1845. Donor. Judge Lynch.
72. " Devout Exercises for the Heart," by Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe, 1808. This book belonged to the Family of the first American Methodist Preacher, Philip Embury. It was given to Mrs. R. P. Duboyce by Margaret Embury, who died in Osage, Iowa, in 1888. Given to the Brome County Historical Society by Mrs. R. P. Duboyce.
73. (a) A hand made butter stamp; (b) Specimen of pen work done by Wm. A. Dinsmoor, in 1845, at Sweetsburgh; (c) A letter to Mrs. Chas. Kathan from W. A. Dinsmoor, 1844. Donated by his niece, Mrs. Ida M. Miltimore.
74. (a) A copy of the " Missiskoui Post," published in Stanbridge Aug. 17th, 1836. Publisher, H. J. Thomas. Donor, Mrs. Ida M. Miltimore; (b) A copy of the " Townhsip Reformer," May 2, 1837. Elkanah P-helps, Esq., editor. Donor, Mrs. Ida M. Miltimore.
75. The copy of proceedings of the first Temperance organization in Brome County, being in East Farnham. Donor, Mrs. S. W. Foster.
76. (a) Two copies of " Brome County Register," Charles A. Macfarlane, editor. Printed and published at Knowlton. Date,
04
March 26, and April 16th, 1880; (b) Hon. Christopher Dunkin's signature; (c) Several tickets to Banquets and one on the opening of the South Eastern Railway, July 9th, 1873. Donor, Mrs. S. W. Foster.
77. Original subscription list to establish a paper in Knowlton, which resulted in the starting of the "Advertiser." Also the pros- pectus of the "Advertiser," signed by P. H. Knowlton, H. S. Foster and L. S. Huntington, Knowlton, Dec. 1, 1855. Donor, Thomas Knowlton. The names of subscribers to the fund for meeting the expenses of the paper for the first year are: — P. H. Knowlton, H. S. Foster, J. T. Reid, Erastus Mills, Simon Blin, R. Lindsay, I. and G. England, James Ball, A. Kimball, Wm. H. Stone, Ira Davis, J. C. and M. Pettes, and David McLaughlin.
78. A certificate of loyalty, of Samuel Gale, from J. T. Kempe, late Attorney-General of New York, May 9th, 1787. Do»or, Miss Anna Arlene Hawley.
79. Laura Knowlton's Diploma, which is as follows: — " This may certify that I have examined Laura Knowlton, of the Township of Brome, and believe her to possess such qualifications as will enable her to teach with success, Reading, Writing, the Elements of English, Grammar, and Geography, and Arithmetic, as far as the Rule of Three, inclusively, according to the requirements of the r clause of the Act, 9th Vic., cap. 27, and sec. 50, March 21st, 1854."
" R. PARMELEE,
" Inspector of Schools." Donor, Mary Elizabeth Knowlton.
80. A deed of the school property at South Bolton, date 1829. Donor, H. S. Greene.
81. In the archives of the Society are some Quarterly tickets of membership in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, date 1834, of the Shefford circuit. Tickets issud to Anna Brill. Donor, W. K. Knowlton, of Stukely.
82. Also the first copy of the deed of the Jewell burying ground, to Philip W. Taber, Curtis P. Taber, and Charles H. Boright. Donor of copy, M. O. Hart, N.P.
83. A daybook of accounts of a merchant in St. Armand, date 1825. Donor, William Oliver, Cowansville.
84. (a) Arithmetic, by Zadock Thompson; (b) Walks of Useful- ness, by John Campbell; (c) The Second Class Reader, by B. D. Emerson. Donor, Mrs. Eliza H. Caswell.
85. Copies of " Reminiscent and Otherwise." Donor, Dr. George McAleer, the author.
Go
86. A Lecture, by John P. Noyes, Esq., Prothonotary, Sweets- burgh.
87. Nothing but Names, by H. T. Gardiner, M.A. Donor, Hon. G. W. Ross.
88. Copies of the Transactions of the Wentworth Historical So- ciety. Donor, Mrs. Clementina Fessenden, corresponding secretary of Wentworth Historical Society.
. 89. Copies of Proceedings of a Public Meeting, called by the Mayor of Knowlton on the Death of Queen Victoria and the Procla- mation of King Edward the Seventh. Donor, Hon. Justice Lynch.
90. The History of Compton County, compiled by L. S. Channell, Esq., Sherbrooke, and by him donated to the Brome County His- torical Society.
91. A piece of flint such as was used by the Indians for trimming softer pieces of stone. Brought from the West Shore of the Mis- sisippi River in 1897, by W. Taber. Donor, Mrs. E. H. Caswell.
92. A flax wheel used by the mother of Mrs. E. L. Watson, of Dunham. Donor, Mrs. E. L. Watson.
93. Family Record, The Jacksons. Donor, Dr. J. Henry Jack- son. Barre, Vt.
94. Abbott's Corner Centennial, Sept. 6, 1899, 76 pp. Donor, Ar nold E. Bridge, Esq., Abbott's Corner, Que.
95. A bayonet taken from a Fenian who endeavored to break into the house of Mr. Nelson Vincent, of St. Armand Center. The Fenian was pursued by Mr. Vincent and in his flight this bayonet dropped to the ground. Donor, Mr. Prescott Vincent, son of the above Nelson Vincent.
NOTES.
It has been usually conceded that Josiah Skinner made the first permanent settlement in Potton, on the old Elkins' farm, near the Frontier. Nicholas Austin, about that time, made a break in the forest on the shore of Lake Memphremagog, on land now owned by Mr. D. G. Perkins. But this he abandoned for land in Bolton, at what has been called Austin's Bay.
The date 1785 which appears on the Bolton monumental stone has been called in question as it is believed that Austin did not really effect a settlement at that point until later. It is, however, declared that he made at this time his first foot journey to Quebec and erected a lodge or hut at this place for his convenience when travelling through the wilderness. It is certain that he brought his family to Canada in the winter of 1793.
A settlement was made in Button by two men together, Thomas Spencer and his brother-in-law, Alexander Griggs, as early as April 1792. This was ten years before there were any Government grants of land in Sutton. Thus Sutton began to be settled at about the same time as the other Townships of the County. When grants were really made, there were many settlers, as, at that time, there were one hundred and seventy who received settlers' grants.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
1. Hon. W. W. Lynch, D.C.L., President, opposite title page.
2. Judge S. W. Foster, Honorary President, follows page.. .. 2
3. Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, Secretary-Treasurer, " " 3
4. Hon. Sydney A. Fisher, Director, " " . . 4
5. Jeremiah C. Pettes, Esq., Director, . . 6
6. David A. Hanson, Esq., Ex-M.P., Director • " " ..22
7. E. A. Dyer, Esq., Ex-M.P., Director, " " .. 24
8. Honorable H. T. Duffy, B.A., B.C.L., " " .. 28
9. Rufus N. England, Esq., Ex-M.P.P., " " .. 34 10. Monuments and Lester Ball, Esq., Hon. Pres., " " . . 54
CORRECTIONS.
On page 3 the names of M. 0. Hart, N.P. , and Jackson Sweet should appear in the list of life members.
On page 5 the following words should follow the first line: — "Site of Henry Collins House."
On page 10 the 7th line should be erased and replaced by the 21st line.
Page 33, the 14th line from the bottom should read ' : not divided " instead of " no divided."
Page 59, Art. 29, instead of M. S. Hawley read Mrs. John Whitney.
Page 60, Art. 34, instead of be read by.
Page 61, M. S. Hawley should read M. M. Hawley.
Page 64. Art. 77, read N. instead of M. Pettes.
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Brome County Historical Society, Knowlton, Quebec Transactions
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